Ten Events to Make your December Merry
With several major religious observances, the winter solstice, and New Year’s Eve, December is a very busy month. And it’s especially busy in Queens. This year, the world’s most diverse borough hosts some huge live music events, theater, comedy, a classic house tour, and plenty of foreign films, but to help you decide, here’s our Top Ten.
10. Dec. 16, Syrian Films presented by ArteEast, 3 pm. The first one is an animated short, “Suleima,” about a woman who is part of the revolution. The second is a feature, “I am the One who Brings Flowers to her Grave,” which consists of interviews with three artistic Syrian women. Queens Museum, NYC Building, Flushing Meadows Corona Park, QueensMuseum.com.
9. Dec. 21, Make Music Winter, noon. The Queens Second Line Swing returns for its second season, featuring rambunctious, soulful songs from Roz Nixon’s musical “Dedication to Louis Armstrong.” Singers, jazz musicians, and dancers of all skill levels are encouraged to join this New Orleans-style second line parade as it marches through the heart of Corona to Satchmo’s house. Meet at Corona Plaza, 103rd Street and Roosevelt Avenue, with walking gear, MakeMusicNY.org.
8. Dec. 8-9 Wreath-Making Workshop. Two days of lessons on wreaths and conifers. All materials included. Queens Botanical Garden, 43-50 Main St., Flushing, QueensBotanical.org.
7. Dec. 8, Music for Yuletide, 7 pm. The Queens Consort, the borough’s only baroque ensemble playing instruments from the 18th century, performs music for the season by Corelli and Telemann, along with selections from Handel’s “Messiah” and early carols. St. Mark’s Church, 33-50 82nd St., Jackson Heights, QueensConsort.com.
6. Dec. 14-30 Charlie Brown. Charlie Brown and the Peanuts gang dig below the commercialization and discover the true meaning of Christmas in this play, which features jazz musician Vince Guaraldi and original dance and song numbers. The Secret Theatre, 44-02 23rd St., Long Island City, SecretTheatre.com.
5. Dec. 6-9, Navidad Flamenca. A festive holiday program that highlights customs of the Spanish-speaking world, especially those from Argentina, Mexico, and Spain. Performers include Italian violinist Patrisa Tomassini, Tango dancers Mariana Fresno and Jose Luis Lavayen, and members of the Calpulli Mexican Dance Company. Queens Theatre, 14 United Nations Ave. S., Flushing Meadows Corona Park, QueensTheatre.org.
4. Dec. 9, Ken Jeong Live, 8 pm. Actor, producer, and writer Ken Jeong established himself via his role as the Asian mobster Mr. Chow in the hit trilogy “The Hangover.” Now he’s touring the country with his stand-up comedy act. Queens College’s Colden Auditorium, 153-49 Reeves Ave., Flushing, KupferbergCenter.org.
3. Dec. 7-23, A Christmas Carol. For the fifth year in a row, Titan Theatre Company presents the timeless Charles Dickens story of Ebenezer Scrooge and the spirits from Christmas past, present, and future. Queens Theatre, 14 United Nations Ave. S., Flushing Meadows Corona Park, TitanTheatreCompany.com.
2. Dec. 16, Oratorio Society of Queens Holiday Concert, 4 pm. Maestro David Close leads the 125-member chorus and orchestra. The first half features selections from Handel’s “Messiah” and Strauss. The second half mixes Christmas and Chanukah songs. Queensborough Performing Arts Center, 222-05 56th Ave., Bayside, QueensOratorio.org.
1. Dec. 9, HollyTour 2018, 1 pm to 5 pm. Seven Queens landmarks — Louis Armstrong House Museum; Bowne House; Flushing Town Hall; Quaker Meeting House; Kingsland Homestead; Lewis H. Latimer House Museum; and Voelker Orth House — offer time-honored, family-friendly activities, performances, displays, and refreshments. Visitors can walk and/or take a dedicated shuttle to the venues, which are in Flushing and Corona, QueensHistoricalSociety.org.
More info at itsinqueens.com.
