The Fourth Annual LIC Arts Open begins today and runs through Sunday. The five-day event includes art exhibitions, a roster of innovative dance, theater and music performances, and a host of children’s activities. Events are almost all free. For this year’s main event, Open Studios (May 17 and 18), over 160 artists will open their studio doors to offer visitors a glimpse into the seldom seen world of the artist at work.
The above is from the press release, now let me add a little LICtalk flavoring. This is Long Island City’s version of Art Basel, except you get to play the role of Roman Abramovich, Eli Broad, and Stevie Cohen. So hunt through the open studios to find the next Warhol or Basquiat, then corner the market and buy them all. Along the way, there will be the Queens version of champagne: craft beer, to fuel your search. No Pouilly-Fuisse for this gritty crowd.
There are many fetes to attend, and though I can’t list them all, it culminates on Saturday(w/ a denouement Sunday) at LIC Springs on Vernon Boulevard from 1-6pm. From what I hear is planned, there hasn’t been a party like this since Dennis Kozlowski went to jail.
After you’re all done with the debauchery, it’s time to pay the piper. Here’s an event that can help you get tuned up for the next round:
Join the Long Island City YMCA for the First Annual Summer Fitness Series to be held at Gantry State Park beginning this weekend and running through the end of August, 2014 (dates and times are listed below). This event is FREE to the community and will not only help you get in the best shape of your life, but also introduce the members of the LIC Waterfront and Gantry State to the many different programs that the Long Island City YMCA has to offer.
SATURDAYS (10-11am Cardio Dance and Y Kid’s Fitness)
May 17, 24, 31
June 7, 21
July 19
August 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
MONDAYS (6:30pm-7:30pm Bootcamp)
May 19, 26
June 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
July 7, 14, 21, 28
August 4, 11, 18, 25
Finally, in case you need another helping of art, here it is:
Saturday, May 17th at 12noon, Riis Settlement invites you to the 16th Annual Spring Arts Festival hosted at Queensbridge Houses headquarters at 10-25 41st Avenue in Long Island City, Queens.
LIC Arts Open – official guide with all the events, times, and locations
M. Wells Steakhouse Aims to Bring Music Festival to LIC – live music and live trout, all in the heart of Court Square
Queens Impact Awards Celebrates Mama Gianna – a profile on the woman who has done so much for LIC
LIC Startup to Move to Ohio – GwinnyBee will have to lay off 40 local workers
5Pointz Unvarnished: The Developers Side – the Wolkoffs version
Crawfish Boil is the first Butcher Paper Dinner in the Summer Series – awesome monthly event on LIC’s Rooftop Farm
Dan says
May 15, 2014 at 11:13 amThe Dougherty Gallery at Crescent Grill, 38-40 Crescent St. (@ 39th Avenue) is having an opening reception Friday, May 16th 6-8pm for a solo exhibition “Out And About In New York City” by the great painter, Elinore Schnurr (15 oil paintings being shown) and for a solo exhibition by The Artist Known As Conrad of several photo prints of his Parking Meter Installations “Get Small, New York”. All are welcome!