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Jackson Heights Insider: Local Events & Community Updates

A weekly roundup of the best events, markets, and happenings in and around Jackson Heights. Perfect for neighbors who want to stay in the loop and support local life.

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đŸ„Ÿ Oct 7–13: Silent reading, flamenco nights, zero spreadsheets in Jackson Heights

Hola vecina/o! Last week I was talking about the importance of “third spaces” - those cozy spots where you’re not at work, not at home, but somehow feel completely yourself. I think it’s fair to say that Espresso 77 nails it. Dating back to 2010, Afzal and Julie turned an architect’s dream into the kind of cafĂ© that feels like the neighborhood’s living room. You’ll find artists chatting with parents, musicians tuning up for the evening, and half the block comparing notes over a honey mint...

3 days ago ‱ 3 min read

Hey neighbor! My friend Tony Bacigalupo once wrote about the best gathering spots in his town of Norwalk, and it got me thinking about what that looks like here in Jackson Heights. Apart from the obvious ones like Espresso 77, The Queensboro, Travers Park, Jax Inn Diner, EJ’s barbershop and Nancy Blakes, here are some of my personal favorites: There's World Borough Bookshop where owner Adrian (AKA Bookpapi on TikTok) hosts author talks, art events, and meetups that often come alive on Open...

10 days ago ‱ 3 min read

Hey neighbor, Usually I like to start this newsletter with good vibes, little wins, and neighborhood cheer. This week, though, it’s impossible to ignore something heavier. If you’ve ever eaten at The Queensboro, you probably know Dino - he’s been there since the early days, always smiling and welcoming everyone. Sadly, he was recently taken by ICE, deported and separated from his wife and three children here in Jackson Heights. The response has been both heartwarming and overwhelming: In just...

17 days ago ‱ 3 min read

Hey friend, It’s always uplifting to meet neighbors who roll up their sleeves for the community. Yesterday I caught up with Jonathan Forgash from Queens Together. His group helped feed more than 300,000 people during the toughest days of the pandemic, and they’re still working to support restaurants across Queens. It’s great to see the work recognized - he was even named New Yorker of the Week on Spectrum news! Along with Laura Siciliano-Rosen, he also co-publishes the Eats in Queens...

24 days ago ‱ 3 min read
Jackson heights events collage week starting 2025-09-09

Hola amigos, I spent the weekend hanging out at the World’s Borough Bookshop on 34th ave and 73rd st
 and it was a blast! Saturday’s ”jackson heights in a cup” was a feast that mixed latin american and south asian flavors: desi chicken pastelito, fluffy conchas, fusion agua frescas, even an ice kaapi-chata. Then on sunday, I came back to catch a talk tracing the roots of Brazilian baile funk - a genre with as much story as sound. Adrian, the force behind the shop, is building more than a...

about 1 month ago ‱ 2 min read

Hello neighbor, Jackson Heights got some well-deserved love online this week in this Reddit thread. People raved about the Roosevelt Ave station being the best transfer point in Queens (five subway lines plus buses to everywhere), and no surprise, many mentioned the food
 everything from samosas to arepas to dumplings within a few blocks. And more than a few people agreed the real winner is the mix of people who call this place home: the diversity of people and cultures sharing the same...

about 1 month ago ‱ 2 min read
Collage of local events in Queens: a live band performing under colorful lights, fans gathering outside Citi Field stadium, friends playing ping pong in a cozy room, and a jazz group with saxophones and drums playing at an intimate venue.

Hey neighbor, Did you hear about Adelphia Hall? That beautiful old building on 35th Avenue between 89th and 90th has apartments so big they come with two bathrooms and over 1,000 square feet. Speaking of history, apparently Jackson Heights used to have tennis courts, golf courses, and even rooftop restaurants - imagine that! And hats off to a local neighbor who worked for decades to get a ramp added to our Post Office. That’s the kind of persistence that makes this community shine. But that’s...

about 1 month ago ‱ 3 min read

Hey neighbor, This week was full of discoveries. The Evergreen building on 80th and Roosevelt? Originally a hotel, tower and all. The mystery spot on 35th Ave? The Fillmore, with a design that still leaves people wide-eyed. On the practical side, talk of broker fees and rising rents reminded us that conversations here range from history to housing in a single breath. Now, let’s turn to the good stuff. Here’s what’s happening this week
 💃 Featured Event Performances at Diversity Plaza, Jackson...

about 2 months ago ‱ 2 min read

Hey neighbor, In case you missed it: we had a real earthquake this week, a small one but enough for a few coffee cups to rattle. El Coyote on Northern Blvd has changed its name and sparked mixed reviews. Some love the fresh take, others miss the old menu. Walgreens on 82nd is closing after repeated theft issues, and the Belvedere complex revealed it’s basically hiding a mini rainforest complete with papaya trees. But that’s last week’s news. Here’s what’s coming up so you can get out, see the...

about 2 months ago ‱ 3 min read
Collage showing upcoming cultural events in Queens. Left: two performers smile and pose with a guitar outside a red gate. Top right: dancers in colorful traditional dresses twirl during a street parade. Bottom right: promotional flyer for the book launch

Hey neighbor, Hope your week’s off to a good start! Whether you’re up for a neighborhood run, a jazz concert in the park, or just want to meet more locals, here’s your hand-picked roundup of what’s worth showing up for. Big high-five to our newest supporter Ankit Gupta! 🙌 You’re the wind beneath this newsletter’s wings. (And if you haven’t joined our supporter fam yet
 now’s your moment. Prices go up at midnight!) Support the newsletter! Now here’s your short, fun list of this week’s...

2 months ago ‱ 3 min read