BY TRONE DOWD
Staff Writer
Queens International Children’s Festival
Kick off the Summer with your little man or lady the right way! Described as a “two day fun-filled family stay-cation,” this festival, brought to you by the Jamaica Center for Learning has a little something for everybody. From miniature golf courses designed by local artists including Justone Bossert, Lo Ehrhart, and Juliet Phillips, to live performances both indoor and outdoor, it’s sure to be a good time for the whole family.
Queens International Night Market
Additional activities will include face painting, giveaways and prizes for young ones, storytelling and teaching kids the importance of STEM learning.
The event takes place in the heart of Southeast Queens and is easily accessible by public transportation (Parsons and Archer on the E/J/Z trains) and the event is expected to engage diverse local families. JCAL said that it is “excited to promote creative and critical thinking and expand children’s love for learning by having activities and performances in different expressions of creativity, cultures and disciplines.”
Check out the comprehensive list of performers for the two days below!
June 4
Bubble Trouble 11:30 a.m.
A bubble volcano! Bubble roller coaster! A kid in a bubble? Jeff Boyer takes bubbles to the max in this one-man bubble extravaganza. Mixing comedy, music and interactive bubble-magic, Jeff engages and delights audiences of all ages.
Best of the Fest: Kids Short Films 1 p.m. (ages 3 to 8)
Check out the latest short films made specially for the little ones.
June 5
Bash the Trash 2 p.m.
Building, performing and educating with musical instruments made from recycled and reused materials, ‘Bash the Trash’ is all about science, sound, and sustainability! A three-performer remix of famous Bash the Trash performance, followed by a hands-on instrument building, plus a parade.
Wild Kingdom 11:30 a.m.
Dance Entropy’s performance for young audiences includes vibrant dances that are colorful, creative, and imaginative. The performance includes audience participation throughout, stimulating children and/or family members to take part in the movement and be creative within their own bodies.
Best of the Fest: Party Mix –
Kids Short Films 1 p.m. (ages 9 to adults)
Round two of the festival’s movie section. Check out the latest of the works
Splash (outdoor) 2 p.m.
Have a Splash as Dance Entropy performs a high energy improvisation and participatory dance performance that brings the excitement of summertime to you, accompanied by a collage of music about water.
Saturday, June 4, 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Sunday, June 5, 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Price: FREE (suggested donation $7)
At the Jamaica Performing Arts Center (JPAC) located at 153-10 Jamaica Ave.
Take archery lessons in Ozone Park.
Archery Fun Time in the OZP
Looking for a fun new hobby that’s fairly easy to learn and hard to master? Have a sudden affinity for the lost art of the bow and arrow? Feel inspired by a certain justice seeking vigilante on television? Well those looking for a more skill based fun time this summer should look no further than archery!
While there are a number of cool spots around the city that one can practice, nothing will bring you more bang for your buck than Pro-Line Archery in Ozone Park. Founded in the mid-70’s, Pro-Line is a great place to get one’s start in the sport. Prices start at the fair asking price of $20 for beginners. This package includes a two-hour lesson, rental of equipment, time on the range, instruction on archery technique and range safety. Think you’d like to go further with the sport? Those who own their own equipment can shoot at the range for just $13 for adults and $10 for children under 17 and seniors over 65. Trying to find a place to purchase a bow? No worries, Pro Line sells top of the line equipment to suit your needs.
Choose carefully though!
The location boasts a modern 30 position indoor 20 yard range, which is air conditioned in the summer, ideal for keeping cool while having fun. Pro Line is open year round for archers of all ages, ensuring that the summertime hobby can be enjoyed well into the fall and winter. Parents looking to get their kids involved in something constructive for the summer may want to look into the growing youth programs offered at the shooting range.
With it’s friendly and knowledgeable staff, Pro-Line might have an answer to your summertime boredom.
Address: 95-11 101 Ave., Ozone Park, NY 11416
Phone: (718) 845-9280
Queens International Night Market
If your definition of summertime fun is better defined by clear, cooler night skies under the moonlight, then maybe the Queens Night Market will serve your needs more efficiently. Grab a few friends and see what has quickly become a Queens mainstay has to offer you.
The Queens International Night Market is family-oriented open-air night market in Queens. The large scale market features independent vendors selling a variety of wares including exclusive merchandise, food and arts of all kinds. The Night Market also has an occasional small-scale cultural performance or piece of entertainment. The Night Market is a pitch perfect celebration of the rich cultural diversity of the city’s best borough.
Interested? Well you won’t even have to wait until summer begins to take part. The Night Market began April 23, giving people a chance to get a jump start on what many now consider a summer tradition. The last day to enjoy the festivities will be Aug. 20.
The Queens International Night Market takes place every Saturday, starting at 6 p.m., running all the way through to midnight at the New York Hall of Science in Flushing Meadows Corona Park. It is easily accessible by train the 7 train by getting off at the 111th Street stop. From 111th street walk south 4 blocks until you pass under an overpass. The avenue numbers should be increasing as you walk south. You will see the Night Market behind the New York Hall of Science building after passing under the overpass (corner of 111th Street and 45th Avenue).
