LIC Downtown Revitalization Initiative Local Planning Committee Meeting - May 6

Monday, May 6, 9-11 a.m. - LIC is the recipient of a $10 million investment as part of the NYS Department of State's DRI. This initiative will support the revitalization of LIC by funding catalytic projects identified by the LIC community. A Local Planning Committee (LPC), co-chaired by Borough President Donovan Richards and president & CEO of the Queens Chamber of Commerce, Thomas Grech, has been established to guide the planning process. The LPC will hold its first meeting at Innolabs. All LPC meetings are open to the public, and you are invited to attend. Learn more at licdri.com

Community Visioning Town Hall - May 6

Monday, May 6, 6-8 p.m. - Join Council Member Julie Won's office for an open house event to review data about your neighborhood and offer your perspective on how to improve Roosevelt Avenue and Northern Boulevard. Food, childcare, and interpretation services for Spanish, Bangla, Nepali, Tibetan, and Arabic will be provided.

Please register in advance at bit.ly/d26townhall

130 Participating Businesses Announced for the LIC Springs! Street Festival - May 18

Saturday, May 18, 12-5 p.m. - LIC Springs! is a community street festival celebrating Long Island City with live music, dance and performances, plus interactive lessons, art, fitness classes, outdoor dining, pop-up activities, games and more. The event is free and open to the public.

Participating businesses and more information: licqns.com/licsprings

Arts & Culture

Thurs., May 2, 6-9 p.m. - Attend the opening reception for "Shattered: A Visual Journey Through the Mind," an exploration of the human experience, shedding light on the complexities of mental health through the lens of artistic expression, at Culture Lab LIC. Details

Thurs., May 2, 7:30 p.m. - Forager Theatre Company shows Kander & Ebb’s first musical, a historic and rarely-produced tale, “Flora the Red Menace,” at Court Square Theatre. Details

Fri., May 3, 6-8 p.m. - ARTEGO Gallery presents the opening reception for “RE-STORY-ATION: ART + ARCHITECTURE,” an innovative exhibition that navigates the intertwining of architecture and art through the works of two distinguished artists/architects, Sook Jin Jo and John di Domenico. Details

Fri., May 3-Sat., May 4 - Queens Council of the Arts and Ofrenda Fest host a screening of "We are Guardians," a film about hope and resilience amidst the unlawful invasion of protected lands in the Brazilian Amazon, and a cacao and drawing ritual to let go of negative energies.

Sat., May 4, 11-7 p.m. - Join Everyone Comics x Collectibles for "Free Comic Book Day," a yearly event in which comic stores participate to hand out free comics to anyone and everyone who stops by, and a side event where local artists draw out your ideas. Details

Cinco de Derby in LIC & More

Sat., May 4, 11-2 p.m. - Check out the "LIC Women’s Spring Market," a day supporting local women-owned vendors, with giveaways, tastings, samples, and free skin care services, taking place in front of Uni K Wax LIC. Details

Sat., May 4 - Watch the Kentucky Derby at Otis & Finn's cocktail party with mint juleps and hors d'oeuvres from Little Chef Little Cafe, or at Jungly's watch party with Kentucky hot brown sandwiches, honey bourbon BBQ wings, and more.

Sun., May 5 - Celebrate Cinco de Mayo at Jungly with $5 margaritas all day, $5 tequila shots, Mexican beer buckets, and a taco Tuesday menu. Details

Sun., May 5 - Join Korean K9 Rescue for a dog adoption event at Culture Lab LIC - support the rescue movement and helping change the life of a rescue dog for the better. Details

CityPickle LIC is now offering a senior 50+ pickleball program, with 90-minute sessions available Monday-Friday for the low price of $20, or $16 for members. Try it out once for free using the complimentary code "1STOOPENPLAY." Details

Kids & Family

Thurs., May 2-June 14 - Let your little artists lead in "Little Explorers," a sensory and art-based experience that lets children explore their senses, art materials, and the world around them, at Art Strong NYC. For ages 18 mos.-3 yrs. Details

Sun., May 5, 4-5 p.m. - Join Allegra Levy and her all-star friendly big band live in concert at Culture Lab LIC with "Songs for You and Me: A Jazzy Kids' Swing-a-Long!" Details

Tues., May 7, 5 p.m. - Book Culture LIC presents a free interactive event for parents and future big siblings, featuring a presentation and signing from NYC doula and children's author Manon Chevallerau for her new book, "You’re Going to Be a Big Sibling." Details

Legends of LIC - "Anable Basin"

By Bob Singleton, executive director, Greater Astoria Historical Society

"On modern maps of Long Island City, we find the name ‘11th Street Basin.‘ If we follow this stream’s history, to its original source, we have a solid record of our community’s past. Once touted as the future base for AmazonHQ2, it’s now the home to two important local institutions. First, Culture Lab, which (in its own words) hosts two art galleries, an 80-seat theater, classroom space, an 18,000 square foot outdoor venue and a strong residency program. Second, Plaxall, once a pioneer in the plastics industry, is now a real estate firm lauded for its robust support of local civic groups." Read On Here

Little Laser Clinic

In the heart of Court Square next to USPS and Zaruma Gold Coffee, Little Laser Clinic Skincare & Injectables is the newest addition delighted to serve the Long Island City community. Bringing over a decade of experience from a local LIC resident, Little Laser Clinic is bringing injectables like Botox and filler, laser hair removal, pigment removal, tattoo removal, acne scar treatment, and skin rejuvenation along with treatments for acne and hair loss to Long island City. Let the glow up begin.

littlelaserclinic.com

LICP Business Assistance Program

Our Business Assistance team provides free, one-on-one assistance to businesses in the greater Long Island City area, covering a variety of issues. We can help you: Access Financing, Find Real Estate, Grow Your Business, Navigate Government and Incentives, and much more. Details