A Musician's Guide to Queens
Gustavo Rodriguez, a musician, talent booker, and proud local of Queens
A Long Island native, Gustavo Rodriguez did not choose to live in Queens. Now, though, he’s lived in Queens for fifteen years and can’t imagine living anywhere else. Through a unique Queens experience, he had been pulled out of his slump working a day job in marketing and research and plunged into the world of music and talent booking. He’s worked with such artists as Gordan Gano of The Violent Femmes fame, Jeneen Terrana, who presented a four-layer cheesecake on the Food Network, and Little Embers. He’s also launched Queens of Queens, an LIC Bar event showcasing local female musicians, and the first ever LIC Jazz Festival. Desiring to give back to the bar that has given him so much, he has organized a GoFundMe to distribute any donations to the employees equally.
Asked about a story that defines Queens, he gives an answer that reflects how much he owes to Queens: “Amazing things kind of happen very quietly here that only locals can seem to appreciate...while everyone else is preoccupied with what’s going on in Brooklyn and Manhattan, little bits of organic, unpretentious magic happen here.”
What magic awaits you? Visit Gustavo’s suggestions to find out.
Here are his suggestions:
Museum of the Moving Image: The Museum of the Moving Image is a celebration of the art, history, technique, and technology of film and television. True to its name, the Museum has significant audio/visual components designed to demonstrate the techniques used by the industry and their evolution. One of their most popular collections (The Jim Henson Exhibition) is permanent, but the museum also contains rotating exhibitions including “Envisioning 2001: Stanley Kubrick's Space Odyssey” and “D’Oh! Animating America’s Funniest Family.”
From August 13th to October 31st, the Museum of the Moving Image is partnering with Rooftop Films and the New York Hall of Science to present the Queens Drive-In. Bringing the community together safely for fun movie adventures on the grounds of the New York Hall of Science, this landmark partnership will preserve jobs and sustain New York and the larger filmmaking community.
Tickets are on sale now. Members of participating institutions receive a 15% discount.
Museum of the Moving Image’s The Jim Henson Exhibition: Imagination Unlimited
Bohemian Beer Hall and Garden
Bohemian Beer Hall: The Bohemian Beer Hall is a historical landmark and the oldest beer garden in New York City. Outdoors, it’s bigger than most parks in New York City, as well, so it’s the perfect hangout for a large group hoping to catch some live music and watch the sun set in the warm glow of summer.
Miss the clubbing scene? On August 14th, from 8PM to 12AM, quiet clubbing is making its comeback where it began for $15 - $20.
Get your tickets here! First-responders attend for FREE.
Queens Museum: The site of the museum has borne witness to the 1939’s World’s Fair, the United Nations General Assembly, the creation of UNICEF, and the 1964 World’s Fair. The museum itself was founded in 1972 and houses works by Salvador Dali and Andrew Moore’s photos of Robert Moses, who was responsible for the construction of multiple major bridges including the Verrazano Bridge and the Triborough Bridge.
The museum’s best known exhibition, however, is a panorama of New York City. Built by a team of more than 100 people for the 1964 World Fair, it continues to be updated year after year as the city grows and changes.
The Queens Museum partners with the August Tree, a small-business vendor from the Queens Night Market, to offer items that are distinctly “Queens.”
Although the museum’s on-site shop is not open, please feel free to browse their selection online.
Queens Museum’s Panorama of the City of New York
Queens Museum’s World’s Fair Collection
64 World’s Fair site in Flushing Meadows Park: A touchstone of Queens, the 1964 World’s Fair site is now home to the New York Hall of Science, the Queens Zoo, and the Flushing Meadows Carousel. The original Unisphere and New York State Pavilion, however, still stand as not only iconic symbols of the park, but iconic symbols of Queens. While residents of Queens love them, the Marvel Cinematic Universe might love them more -- they’ve been featured in Iron Man 2, Captain America: The First Avenger, and Spider-Man: Homecoming.
Thirsty after a trek to Flushing Meadows Corona Park? Get a classic Queens refreshment at the Lemon Ice King of Corona (52-02 108th Street, Corona, NY 11368).
Indian or Thai cuisine in Jackson Heights: Jackson Heights has long been home to Little India, but with an influx of immigrants, it’s also become home to a variety of other culinary experiences. Be sure to visit Jackson Diner (37-47 74th Street, Jackson Heights, NY 11372), the quintessential Indian diner for over forty years, or Playground (71-30 Roosevelt Avenue, Jackson Heights, NY 11372), a Thai restaurant with flavors to match those of any street cart in Bangkok. Take-out and delivery options are available at both.
Salivate over Jackson Diner’s menu here and Playground’s menu here.
The Unisphere in Flushing Meadows Corona Park
Jackson Diner’s Garlic Chili Shrimp
Spend an afternoon or evening at Gantry Plaza State Park in Long Island City: For a riverside retreat, Gantry Plaza State Park allows visitors stunning views of the midtown Manhattan skyline from its piers. For an even closer look, take a water taxi in the East River. Recreational activities at the park include fishing, basketball, handball, and children’s playgrounds.
Book a water taxi here.
View of Manhattan from Gantry Plaza State Park
The Queens Chamber of Commerce is the oldest and largest business association in Queens, representing more than 1,150 businesses and more than 100,000 Queens-based employees. Its mission is to foster connections, educate for success, develop/implement programs and advocate for members’ interests.
