If you’re looking for a way to get involved in the community, Sky Farm LIC is looking for volunteers. The Variety Boys & Girls Club of Queens has opened registration for upcoming volunteer days at Sky Farm LIC where volunteers can help maintain the farm and support this incredible community space. You don’t need gardening experience to get involved: you will learn on the spot. It’s a great opportunity to meet neighbors, spend some time outdoors, and help keep the farm growing. Registration is now open. Scroll through the Variety Boys & Girls Club’s announcement for videos, photos, volunteer dates, and sign-up information. For more information and to register, please click here.

The post Volunteer at Register Sky Farm LIC appeared first on OANA - Old Astoria Neighborhood Association.

Projekt NYC is running a summer literacy program in Queens called Books & Beyond, pairing high school volunteers (grades 9–12) with children ages 7–14. Volunteers will help younger students read classic books, practice writing, and build speaking and comprehension skills through group discussion and mentoring. The program runs over 6 weeks: one week of planning and training, followed by five weeks of sessions at Queens libraries or online. It offers high school students community service hours, leadership experience, and mentorship opportunities. Placement is limited. Families can apply for free participation for children ages 7–14, but acceptance is not guaranteed due to demand. To register click here. To volunteer click here.

The post Projekt NYC Summer Literacy & Volunteer Program for Queens Students appeared first on OANA - Old Astoria Neighborhood Association.

In April, a group of local residents came together to create a book group devoted to world history. Each month, The Book Club reads and discusses a selected book over dinner at a restaurant or bar in Astoria. Selections are chosen through a poll conducted every five to six weeks. Books read so far include The Impossible Country, which explores the final days of Yugoslavia, and The Mayor of Mogadishu: A Story of Chaos and Redemption in the Ruins of Somalia. The Book Club is currently preparing to begin Anarchy: The East India Company, Corporate Violence and the Pillage of an Empire by William Dalrymple. Meetings take place at various bars, cafes, and restaurants around Astoria, including French Workshop and Macoletta. To get in touch, contact Neil Herdan at neilherdan@gmail.com You can also join the WhatsApp group here.

The post Introducing the Astoria History Book Club appeared first on OANA - Old Astoria Neighborhood Association.

Join Astoria Storefronts on June 30th for an evening food crawl through Broadway’s best local eateries. This guided crawl brings together five neighborhood favorites in one walkable experience, highlighting the best of Astoria’s diverse food scene in a single night. The group meets at 7:00pm for check-in at Gaia Masala & Burger, where participants receive wristbands before heading out together. The lineup includes stops at King of Falafel, Pão de Queijo, The French Workshop, and Freddy’s Pizza. From 7:00pm to 9:00pm, expect a relaxed, social pace with a mix of cuisines, local flavor, and a chance to discover Broadway’s standout eateries alongside others in the community. Spots are limited so please reserve yours to join the crawl here.

The post Broadway Food Crawl (June 30th) appeared first on OANA - Old Astoria Neighborhood Association.

Socrates Sculpture Park will be hosting its’ 2026 Annual Summer Solstice Opening Celebration on Sunday, June 21 from 5:00–8:30 PM, highlighting the start of their exhibition “Artists Choose Artists: The Socrates Annual Fellowship Anniversary” which honors 30 years of the Socrates Annual Fellowship. The waterfront event opens the first three site-specific installations by 2026 Artist Fellows Josué Guarionex, Jeremy John Kaplan, and Nicole Mouriño. These works have been built onsite since March and will remain part of a larger unfolding exhibition that continues through Fall 2027, introducing ten total installations across the park over the summer. The solstice celebration brings together art, performance, and community programming with live DJ sets and experiences by DJ Christian Martir of Sociedad Life, Caridad de La Luz (La Bruja), and Rebecca Gual, along with hands-on artmaking workshops. Visitors can also join a sunset paddle with the Long Island City Community Boathouse. The evening also highlights existing landmark works in the park, including Chakaia Booker’s monumental sculptures Serendipity (1998), Gridlock (2008), and LIKE (2009), which remain on view as part of the park’s evolving outdoor exhibition landscape. Free and open to the public with RSVP, the event continues Socrates Sculpture Park’s tradition of transforming the East River shoreline into an open-air space for experimental art, performance, and community gathering. You can learn more and RSVP for the Summer Solstice celebration here.

The post Celebrate Summer Solstice at Socrates Sculpture Park 2026 Annual Opening appeared first on OANA - Old Astoria Neighborhood Association.

Watch on Facebook Watch on Youtube We’re excited to feature Adam Gordon, Managing Director of Wildflower Studios, Astoria’s new film and television production studio. Joining him is Catherine Nasch of United Scenic Artists Local 829. Additional presenters may be announced prior to the event. Viewers can watch the livestream and ask questions in real time through YouTube and Facebook chat. Date/Time: Monday, July 6, 2026 at 6:30 PM Format: Virtual Where to Watch: Live on YouTube and Facebook Audience Participation: Questions will be taken live through YouTube and Facebook chat. Featured Presenters: Adam Gordon — Managing Director, Wildflower Studios Catherine Nasch — United Scenic Artists Local 829 Additional Presenters TBD About the Meeting The film and television industry has long been a core economic driver for Western Queens and an important part of the identity of Astoria and surrounding neighborhoods. World-famous production facilities in the area have included Silvercup Studios, Broadway Stages, and Kaufman Astoria Studios. This meeting will focus on Astoria’s new state-of-the-art Wildflower Studios and the role it may play in supporting modern film and television production. We may also discuss the history of Wildflower and how its experience in logistics and operations helped shape the development of this new production facility. The discussion will also examine the broader state of the film and entertainment industry, including how interstate and international competition, new technologies, and changing production models are reshaping the business. The film and entertainment sector has traditionally been one of America’s leading exports, but the industry is facing uncertain times that affect not only corporations, but also actors, artisans, union members, technical crews, production staff, and many local small businesses. This conversation will highlight the importance of public policy that helps attract productions back to the United States, New York State, and especially New York City....

Continue Reading

The post Filming in Western Queens: The Path Forward (July 6th) appeared first on OANA - Old Astoria Neighborhood Association.

Socrates Sculpture Park is hosting several community events this June, centered on performance, Pride, and public gathering. On Friday, June 20, from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., Socrates will partner with Astoria Pride for the 4th Annual Picnic in the Park. The free event will feature live music, drag performances, games, local vendors, arts and crafts, and a Puppy Pride Contest. Families, friends, and pets are all welcome. The celebration continues on Saturday, June 21, from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., with the Summer Solstice & Opening Celebration of The Socrates Annual 2026. Visitors can enjoy new artwork from the 2026 Artist Fellows, meet members of the artist community, and take part in a day of outdoor programming marking the longest day of the year. Both events are free with RSVP and offer a chance to experience art, culture, and community along the Queens waterfront. Learn more on Socrates Sculpture Park’s website.

The post Socrates Sculpture Park June Events: Crossroads & Pride in the Park appeared first on OANA - Old Astoria Neighborhood Association.

Join Variety Boys & Girls Club Beacon 10 for a free Health Fair on Saturday, June 13, from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM at I.S. 10Q (45-11 31st Ave, Queens). Enjoy free health resources, community vendors, family activities, games, raffles, and more. No registration is required—just come by and enjoy a fun and informative day with the community! 📅 June 13 ⏰ 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM 📍 45-11 31st Ave, Queens, NY For more information: beacon10@varietyboysandgirlsclub.org

The post FREE Community Health Fair (June 13th) appeared first on OANA - Old Astoria Neighborhood Association.

We’re happy to share updates on upcoming June programming at The Noguchi Museum in Queens. This month offers opportunities to explore Isamu Noguchi’s work through exhibitions, walking tours, drawing programs, mindfulness sessions, and a free community day. Check it out below! Community Day Saturday, June 13 Admission to the Museum is free for Community Day. Visitors can enjoy art-making activities, public tours, and special programming focused on Noguchi’s New York, the Museum’s current exhibition examining Noguchi’s deep relationship with New York City. Walking Tour: Noguchi’s New York Thursday, June 18 (5–6 pm) Join an educator-led tour of Noguchi’s public sculptures Sunken Garden and Red Cube in Manhattan’s Financial District. Registration is free and required. Drawing from a Distance (Virtual Program) Monday, June 15 (7:30–9 pm)here This free monthly online drawing session invites participants to engage with Noguchi’s work while building community through observation and creative practice. Mindfulness in the Galleries Saturday, June 27 (10–11:15 am) Experience guided meditation, reflection, and conversation inspired by Noguchi’s artwork before the Museum opens to the public. Current exhibitions include Noguchi’s New York and Light and Stone: Revisiting Noguchi’s 1986 Venice Biennale, both on view through September 13, 2026. You can view The Noguchi Museum’s events calendar here.

The post Events and Activities at the Noguchi this June appeared first on OANA - Old Astoria Neighborhood Association.

The Museum of the Moving Image has a lot of exciting events this June including cultural events, film screenings and activities related to the World Cup. First, Pride Month takes center stage with a powerful lineup of films and events celebrating LGBTQIA+ lives, queer cinema, and cultural history. From landmark works of independent filmmaking to restorations and special screenings, the series highlights how film has long been a space for visibility, resistance, and storytelling. It’s a wide-ranging program that connects past and present through some of the most influential voices in queer cinema. At the same time, the Museum becomes a World Cup hub, turning screenings into communal watch parties and family events. From live match viewings in the Redstone Theater to football-inspired activities and family days, MoMI is treating the tournament as more than sport—it’s a shared cultural moment built around gathering, play, and collective energy. And that’s only part of what’s happening this month. For full listings, special guests, and upcoming screenings, the best way to stay in the loop is to join the Museum of the Moving Image newsletter, which you can read here.

The post June at the Museum of the Moving Image appeared first on OANA - Old Astoria Neighborhood Association.