Category: culture

Bohemian Hall to host annual Czech and Slovak Festival in Astoria over Memorial Day weekend

May. 19, 2025 By jmilitello May 19, 2025 By Jessica Militello The Bohemian Citizens’ Benevolent Society of Astoria (BCBSA) will host its annual Czech and Slovak Festival at the historic Bohemian Hall and Beer Garden this Memorial Day weekend, inviting New Yorkers to experience a lively celebration of Central European culture in Astoria. The…

Central Astoria announces full summer lineup in Astoria Park despite Great Lawn closure

May. 15, 2025 By sobrien May 15, 2025 By Shane O’Brien The Central Astoria Local Development Coalition has announced a full schedule of free summer programming, including fireworks, concerts, and outdoor movie nights— despite ongoing renovations that have rendered Astoria Park’s iconic Great Lawn inaccessible. Central Astoria, a long-standing nonprofit dedicated to preserving and…

Socrates Sculpture Park continues to evolve as a community hub for art, nature and renewal

Entrance to Socrates Sculpture Park on Vernon Boulevard featuring the park's "Broadway Billboard." Photo: Shane O'Brien.

May. 13, 2025 By sobrien May 13, 2025 By Shane O’Brien On any given morning, Socrates Sculpture Park in Astoria hums with energy—artists welding steel, neighbors walking their dogs, and visitors pausing to admire large-scale artworks taking shape before their eyes. Located at 32-01 Vernon Blvd. along the East River, the 6.25-acre waterfront park…

Astoria street co-named for Elizabeth White Marcum, mother of former Council Member Van Bramer

May. 12, 2025 By sobrien May 12, 2025 By Shane O’Brien A number of elected officials and community advocates gathered in Astoria Sunday for a street co-naming in honor of former Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer’s late mother, Elizabeth White Marcum. Attorney-General Letitia James, New York City Comptroller Brad Lander, Council Member Tiffany Cabán…

Join HPPC’s I Love My Park Day cleanup this Saturday at Gantry Plaza

Volunteers at the 2024 I Love My Park Day event at Gantry Plaza State Park. Photo: HPPC

May. 1, 2025 By sobrien May 1, 2025 By Shane O’Brien Hunters Point Parks Conservancy (HPPC) will host a community volunteering event at Gantry Plaza State Park this Saturday as part of a state-wide volunteer initiative for I Love My Park Day, which encourages people to help out at their local state parks. HPPC will…

Q.E.D. Astoria hosts Mother’s Day fun for parents, pet moms and everyone in between

Apr. 28, 2025 By sobrien April 28, 2025 By Shane O’Brien Looking to celebrate Mother’s Day with a little laughter, creativity, and a lot less stress? Astoria comedy club and performing arts space, Q.E.D., is pulling out all the stops to make this Mother’s Day “one to remember” — offering a packed lineup of…

Miley Cyrus spotted on Long Island City rooftop filming commercial for Maybelline New York

Apr. 25, 2025 By Czarinna Andres April 25, 2025 By Laura Dorgan American singer-songwriter and actress Miley Cyrus was spotted on Wednesday, April 23, atop a rooftop in Long Island City, filming a new commercial for Maybelline New York at Brooklyn Stages, located at 43rd Avenue and 9th Street. The Grammy Award-winning artist performed…

From Astoria to Hollywood: Honey House takes the stage on the Kelly Clarkson Show

Honey House co-founder Nick Hoefly at the store on Thursday afternoon after appearing on the Kelly Clarkson Show. Photo: Shane O'Brien

Mar. 28, 2025 By sobrien March 28, 2025 By Shane O’Brien Astoria’s urban bee farm and honey store, the Honey House, reached national attention this week with an appearance on the Kelly Clarkson Show on NBC on Tuesday. Co-owner Nick Hoefly sat down with Clarkson on the popular daytime show on Tuesday to chat…

LaGuardia Community College unveils Inner Circle archive with de Blasio and Richards in attendance

Mar. 27, 2025 By sobrien March 27, 2025 By Shane O’Brien Former Mayor Bill de Blasio and Queens Borough President Donovan Richards visited LaGuardia Community College (LAGCC) in Long Island City on Thursday morning to celebrate the launch of the college’s new archive collection, which preserves the history of the Inner Circle—a 102-year-old organization…