Hello Astoria!
What a weekend for New Yorkers... Knicks in 5!!! 🧡💙 Whether you celebrated in the streets, from your couch, or you're just here for the neighborhood happenings, we've got another week full of events to help you get out and enjoy Astoria.
But first....Early Voting in the Primary has begun!
Vote June 13 – June 21, or on Election Day - June 23rd
Find your early voting site | Early voting schedule
Who’s on Astoria Ballots in the Democratic Primary?
Here are the top races you'll see on the ballot depending on your district, with our Astoria Live recommendations.
For more detail, here are some great voter guides:
State Comptroller
New York's Comptroller serves as the state's chief fiscal officer, overseeing how state and local governments spend taxpayer dollars to serve the public interest.
- ✅ Drew Warshaw or ✅ Raj Goyle - We finally have a real opportunity to vote out the 5-term incumbent, Thomas DiNapoli. Both opposing candidates are progressive and have great endorsements. Read more about the race in this NY Times writeup.
State Assembly District 36
- ✅ Diana Moreno - recently elected to fill Zohran Mamdani’s seat when he became mayor
State Assembly District 34
- ✅ Brian Romero - Senior advisor to State Senator Kristen Gonzalez and former Chief of Staff to Assembly Member Jessica González-Rojas
State Senate District 12
- ✅ Aber Kawas - Both candidates running to replace Michael Gianaris seem great, but Kawas has a ton of strong endorsements. Kawas is running against fellow progressive, Steven Raga.
House of Representatives: Congressional District 14
- ✅ Alexandria Ocasio Cortez - If you’re lucky enough to live in AOC’s district, there isn’t really anything else you need to know :)
House of Representatives: Congressional District 07
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Tough call! Antonio Reynoso, Claire Valdez, and Julie Won all have great qualifications. Here are some links to help you choose:
Queens Judge of the Civil Court (Pick 2)
It's tough to find info on these, but these two were endorsed by the Queens County Democratic Party and approved by The New York City Bar Association. Learn more here.
- ✅ Edward Irizarry
- ✅ Edmond Wong
We'll be posting a visual version of the full guide on our instagram tomorrow as well :)
Local Gossip:
- The New York Blood Center has declared a blood emergency. A mobile blood drive will be at Mount Sinai Queens Monday, 12–6pm.
- Astorians on Reddit are dreaming of a cat café. Would you like to see one in the neighborhood?
- The former Sugarfreak space is becoming Jazkaya, a Japanese izakaya with live jazz from the owners of Kam Rai Thai.
- Volunteers are needed for the first 31st Ave Open Street Community Cookout on Saturday, June 20 — no experience required!
- Astoria Taco Factory is opening Burger Factoria down the block, complete with what appears to be an ice cream pickup window.
Cheers,
Stacey & Angelina
This week in Astoria
Monday, June 15, 2026
Drawing is a Drag!
6:30pm, NY LGBT Network: Queens LGBT Center, @queenslgbtcenter
A bold, beginner-friendly figure drawing night featuring live drag artist models. This month's model is WooWoo Monroe! Wine and non-alcoholic beverages are provided, and no artistic experience is required. Open to LGBTQ+ folks 21+.
Tuesday, June 16, 2026
Trivia Tuesday
8pm, The Bonnie, @zoehoststrivia @thebonniebar @nyctrivialeague
Trivia is every Tuesday at 8pm at The Bonnie! Free to play and tons of fun. Great food and drinks!
Sunset Power Yoga in the Park
6:30pm, Astoria Park Pool Deck, @giselluna
We're doing it again! Every Tuesday this month, meet us on the Astoria Pool Deck! Flow with your neighbors - expect a power vinyasa yoga flow with a fast-paced flow, intermediate postures (with modifications and options for all skill levels), and balance and core strength challenges. Open to all levels!
Wednesday, June 17, 2026
Magic Hour
6:30pm, Sacred Space Astoria, @sacredspace_astoria, Cost: $35
This session will offer time to discuss intuitive experiences, explore an intuitive practice, and help you deepen your understanding of your intuitive gifts. We'll meditate to clear and open the channel to receive, and then practice using a variety of psychic tools and activities such as pendulums, crystals, psychometry, partner practice, energy work and more!
Make Your Mark! Abstract Painting with Alice Lipping Art Studio
7pm, Oliver’s Astoria, @aliceabstract
Join local artist Alice Lipping for an Abstract Paint & Sip at Oliver’s Astoria on June 17 from 7–9 PM, where you’ll explore color, texture, and creative expression in a relaxed, beginner-friendly setting. Tickets are $55 per person (includes one drink and all materials), or take advantage of the Bring-a-Friend/Date Night Combo for $100 for two guests
The Little Pitchers Present: Jacob Williams and Maggie Lalley & Jillian Vitko!
7:30pm, QED, thelittlepitchers
A VERY SERIOUS movie pitching workshop (ok it’s really a ridiculous comedy show for movie nerds) with improv, movie history, and special guests, all culminating in a brand new movie pitch inspired by that night’s audience.
Hosted by former child stars and “hit” “hollywood” “producers” improv duo Rory @rorysrangerz Scholl and Annie-Sage @anniehyphensage Whitehurst, June's show features special guests musical comedy duo Beautiful Dreamers Maggie Lalley & Jillian Vitko (True Crime the Musical), and standup Jacob Williams (Wild'n Out)
Thursday, June 18, 2026
Film Screening - - Bright Vignettes: How Astoria Got Its Pride
6pm, Stuart Cinema, @stuartcinema @lpacinnyc @queensworldfilmfest
A screening of the first film about Astoria's Queer Communities, free with registration.
Pride Month Book Talk with Eric Schnall, Author of I Make Envy on Your Disco
6:15pm, Fresco’s Grand Cantina, @astoriagaybookclub
Join the Astoria Gay Book Club for a Pride Month discussion with Eric Schnall, centered on his novel I Make Envy on Your Disco. Readers of all identities and backgrounds are welcome to join this free event at Fresco's Grand Cantina!
Pride Game Night
Doors at 6:30pm, Games at 7pm, Astoria Food Pantry, @astoriafoodpantry
Celebrate Pride with a night of queer board games, card games, and RPGs! Bring your favorite queer game or jump into one that's already being played. The Astoria Trans Collective will also be on-site distributing medical supplies. Come for the games, stay for the community. 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
Friday, June 19, 2026
World Cup U.S. Soccer Watch Party: USMNT vs. Australia
3pm, Rivercrest, @ao_qns
The World Cup is here, and Rivercrest is your U.S. match day headquarters! Don’t watch alone—join the American Outlaws Queens chapter at Rivercrest for U.S. soccer watch parties: BIG SCREEN projector, multiple TVs, SOUND UP loud, and HAPPY HOUR pricing, including Guinness!
Sound Bath
7:45pm, Sacred Space Astoria, sacredspace_astoria, Cost: $40
Sound baths are a great way to dip your toes into the vast ocean of sound healing. We recommend bringing a yoga mat, though a limited number of mats are available for rent. Folding chairs and yoga props are available free of charge.
Saturday, June 20, 2026
Community Cook-out, Mural Celebration, & Men In Black Film Screening!!!
ALL DAY LONG, 31st Ave Open Street, @31staveopenstreet
Celebrate the completion of five new community murals and the continued transformation of public space in Western Queens! The afternoon kicks off with remarks from local leaders, elected officials, and mural artists, followed by the first Tikkun BBQ Community Cookout of the season featuring BBQ, music, and an outdoor screening of Men in Black.
Astoria Has Pride: Picnic in the Park
12–6pm, Socrates Sculpture Park, @astoriahaspride @socratespark
Celebrate Pride at this free, family- and pet-friendly community picnic featuring live music, drag performances, games, arts & crafts, a puppy pride contest, a baby clothes and toy swap, local organizations, and more.
Raising Astoria Presents: Pride Swap & Picnic
3pm, Socrates Sculpture Park, @raisingastorianyc
Swap your old baby items for new ones and meet other parents during Pride! No donation required, please bring any of your remaining items home with you after the swap!
Pasta Body
6pm, Mostly Good Studios, @mostlygoodstudios
Pasta Body is a celebration of self love, food, and ART! An evening of showing appreciation and gratitude to our bodies & all they do for us by indulging in delicious food and thoughtful art making amongst loving company. Relax into an environment where no food, nor any art is “bad”. Where every body is fit to be a work of art. Our evening will begin with a 3 course pasta dinner made by our chef Samantha Renee Paz and will be followed by a class in clay figure sculpting, inspired by love for our bodies, taught by artist Kaitlyn Sather. Your work will be fired in our kiln and ready for pickup 2-3 weeks after the event.
Sunday, June 21, 2026
The Socrates Annual 2026 Summer Solstice Opening Celebration
5–8:30pm, Socrates Sculpture Park, @socratespark
Celebrate the first day of summer with an evening of art, live performances, music, family-friendly activities, and the opening of the 2026 Socrates Annual Fellowship exhibition. Highlights include DJ Christian Martir, a poetry performance by Caridad De La Luz (LA BRUJA), hands-on artmaking, and optional sunset paddles with the LIC Community Boathouse (advance registration required).
Make sure to confirm all event details with the organizers!
Around the Boroughs
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Jackson Heights Insider: Local Events & Community Updates
A weekly roundup of the best events, markets, and happenings in and around Jackson Heights. Perfect for neighbors who want to stay in the loop and support local life. |
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About Astoria Live
My goal is to help Astoria residents connect in real life, support local creators and businesses, and celebrate everything that makes this neighborhood special. Thanks for being here!
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