It’s In Queens June 21 to June 27
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Enjoy live entertainment at the Summer Solstice festival. Photos Courtesy of QEDC.
By Rob MacKay
Queens Tourism Council
Eating insects is on the menu this week. Ditto for stinky cheese. With all the protein, fun-seekers will be able to party hearty at Summer Solstice celebrations, Pride Month events, art openings, outdoor and indoor concerts, and a two-day children’s festival.
Summer Solstice
Friday at 6 p.m.
A four-hour festival in honor of the longest day of the year with activities including spaceship sculpture, solar observing and telescope tours. There’s live entertainment with Secret Society Dance Company, Imamou and Heritage OP. The sunset ritual features circle singing and story sharing with Cetiliztli Nauhcampa Quetzalcoatlin Ixachitlan and Urban Shaman Mama Donna.
Socrates Sculpture Park, 32-01 Vernon Blvd., LIC
Queens Jazz Orchestra
Friday at 8 p.m.
The 17-piece big band plays compositions arranged by local legend Jimmy Heath.
Flushing Town Hall, 137-35 Northern Blvd.
Grit and Glitter: Before and after Stonewall,
Friday through July 6
This 13-film series explores gay life before and after the 1969 Stonewall Uprising. Selectees include “Flaming Creatures (1962),” “A Taste of Honey (1961),” “Dog Day Afternoon (1975)” and “My Beautiful Launderette (1985).”
Museum of the Moving Image, 36-01 35th Ave., Astoria’s Kaufman Arts District
Summer Fun Fridays
6:30 p.m.
As part of Make Music New York, Lizzie Blaquez, Ali Berke, Allie Glassman and Althea and Rose Rodriguez perform R&B, jazz, soul and the unique mix of pop and dance beats.
One Fulton Square, 39-16 Prince St., Flushing
Queens International Children’s Festival
Saturday through June 23
A two-day, fun-filled family event with dance, music, mini golf, robot building, face painting, etc. to inspire young people and families to enjoy the arts together. Noon to 4 p.m. on both days.
Jamaica Performing Arts Center, 153-10 Jamaica Ave.
Stonewall 50: Celebrating the LGBTQ+ Civil Rights Movements in Queens
Saturday at Noon
Drag Queen Story Hour, short films by Caribbean Equality Project’s oral history project, a workshop on spiritual medicine, one-minute plays, Taranng Dance Troupe, and a panel discussion on LGBTQ activism.
Queens Museum, NYC Building, Flushing Meadows Corona Park
The Stonewall 50 Plays
Saturday at 2 p.m.
Watch one-minute plays by 50 LGBTQ playwrights to mark the Golden Jubilee of the 1969 Stonewall Riots.
Queens Theatre, 14 United Nations Ave. S., Flushing Meadows Corona Park
See It Big!
Saturday through June 23
This multi-month program is screening 32 action films, many of them in 35mm prints. This weekend’s schedule includes “Three The Hard Way” on June 22 at 4 p.m. and June 23 at 2 p.m. and “Set It Off” on June 22 at 6:30 p.m. and June 23 at 4 p.m.
Museum of the Moving Image, 36-01 35th Ave., Astoria’s Kaufman Arts District
Dancesanity: Creative Consciousness
Saturday at 8 p.m.
The Sol Dance Center presents choreographers, performers, and budding artists. Expect Belly Dance, Heels, Hip-Hop, Flow Arts.
Frank Sinatra High School of the Arts, 35-12 35th Ave., Astoria
Beacon Shade Sail Art Installation
Saturday at 5 p.m.
Artist Shervone Neckles opens his outdoor installation. It has two triangular-shaped shade sails which attract the local public and serve as a locator for visitors.
Lewis Latimer House Museum, 34-41 137th St., Flushing
Herbs and More Herbs
Saturday 11 a.m.
Phoebe Greenberg, a farmer and resident herbalist, teaches how to grow and use herbs for medicinal benefits.
Queens County Farm Museum, 73-50 Little Neck Pkwy., Glen Oaks
Crazy Rich Asians
Saturday at Sunset
Watch a comedy hit on a 30-foot inflatable screen with enhanced video projection.
Hunters Point Park, vicinity of Center Boulevard and 50th Avenue, LIC
Only In Queens Festival
Sunday at 3 p.m.
Sheila E., Musiq Soulchild, and Kranium perform in this SummerStage concert at 5 p.m., but the day includes a scavenger hunt, exhibitions, food vendors, and other outdoor activities.
Flushing Meadows Corona Park
The “It’s In Queens” column is produced by the Queens Tourism Council with the hope that readers will enjoy the borough’s wonderful attractions. More info at www.itsinqueens.com.
