Hey neighbor,

There is something sweet in the air this week, and no, it is not just the smell of fresh pan dulce calling your name from 37th Ave. The flowers are out, the weather is improving, neighbors dancing on 34th Avenue, artists sharpening their pencils, and one very lucky lottery ticket making someone’s week a whole lot more exciting. Today’s photo says it all, blossoms, greenery, brick, and a peaceful statue tucked into the scene like a secret garden.

The 34th Avenue Open Streets Coalition got a lovely press shoutout for its Baile Folklórico classes. That means traditional Mexican folk dance, colorful movement, and the kind of community programming that makes our Open Street feel like a living room with better weather.

The Jackson Heights Art Club also made the news. This longtime neighborhood gem, founded in 1948, is offering new classes, proving once again that creativity around here has stronger roots than some of our sidewalk trees.

And yes, a lottery ticket sold on Northern Boulevard won a top prize of $34,486. Not bad for a quick stop. Suddenly that “just grabbing one thing” trip sounds more strategic.

Tonight’s Dinner Club is happening this evening. RSVPs are already closed, but the next one is coming up on Tuesday, May 26, and you can RSVP now at dinnerclub.jacksonheightsinsider.com.

Now let’s get into this week’s events, before someone else wins the lottery and buys all the good empanadas!

This Week in Jackson Heights

April 28 to May 4

Featured Event

🍷 Wine & Dine | Tuesday, April 28, 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM | Addictive Wine and Tapas

Take your taste buds to La Rioja, Spain, with a four-course wine dinner featuring Bodegas Ondarre pairings, from gazpacho and cava to chorizo al vino and reserva. $100 per person, tax and gratuity separate. RSVP by calling 718-899-8666 or check the details here: Raise a glass​

Tuesday, April 28

Wine & Dine | 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM | Addictive Wine and Tapas • Rioja on the table, romance in the air • $100 → Raise a glass​

Wednesday, April 29

Queens Fiber Crafters | 7:30 PM to 9:30 PM | A.R.T. Shop • bring your project, no instruction, RSVP/payment required • $15 → Stitch and mingle​

Thursday, April 30

Blocks of Joy Benefit | 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM | The Queensboro • art, neighbors, and Paseo Park love → Build the joy​

Innov Gnawa, Traditional Moroccan Music | 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM | Terraza 7 • deep rhythms, big spirit, second set at 9 PM • $20 → Feel the trance​

Friday, May 1

QPL Homework Help | 3:00 PM to 5:30 PM | Queens Public Library at Jackson Heights • grades 1 to 5, drop-in schoolwork support → Get homework handled​

Baile Folklórico | 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM | 34th Avenue & 93rd Street • beginner-friendly, all ages welcome → Dance on the avenue​

Saturday, May 2

Elmhurst Job Fair | 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM | NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst • bring your résumé energy, RSVP encouraged → Find your next thing​

Family Health Fair | 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM | Dunningham Triangle • screenings, health info, music, and neighbors → Check in and feel good​

Musical Theatre: The Little Mermaid Jr. | 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM | The Little Theater at P.S. 212Q • local kids, tweens, and teens under the sea → Go under the sea​

Community Potluck Dinner | 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM | 34th Avenue & 93rd Street • bring a dish, leave with neighbors → Pass the plate​

Sunday, May 3

Jackson Heights Greenmarket | 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM | Jackson Heights Greenmarket • produce, people-watching, perfect Sunday stroll → Shop the harvest​

It's My Park at Travers Park | 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM | Travers Park • clean up, pitch in, meet bookish neighbors → Beautify the block​

Monday, May 4

Queens Distance Runners: Jackson Heights Community Run @ Queensboro | 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM | 80th St & Northern Blvd • 5K, weekly photo, no sprinting required → Run the neighborhood​

More to do in Queens

In partnership with events newsletter Astoria Live - another local events newsletter well worth having in your inbox

Astoria Live Astoria Live is your weekly guide to what’s happening in Astoria, Queens — from live music and comedy shows to pop-ups, classes, and community events. Sign up for the newsletter to discover local gems and connect with your neighbors every week. Subscribe​

Intro to AI Literacy | Thu, Apr 30, 12:30 PM to 2:00 PM | Queens Library at Broadway • beginner-friendly, free, RSVP encouraged → Meet your robot helper​

Sunnyside Community Cultural Initiative | Thu, Apr 30, 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM | Bliss Plaza • live music in the plaza → Catch the plaza vibes​

NY Indonesian Food Bazaar | Sat, May 2, 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM | 84-07 Broadway, Flushing • rendang, sate, and happy stomachs → Follow the sate smoke​

QDR Half Marathon/10K/5K | Sun, May 3, 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM | Flushing Meadows Corona Park • rain or shine, bib pickup Saturday → Run Queens proud​

Heads-up: times and places can change, so make sure you confirm event details with the organizers before you go.

And remember - this list is just a selection of everything that’s going on locally. You can check out full listings for more events at JacksonHeightsInsider.com/events​

High-Fives & Local Love

Shout-out to the brands keeping this newsletter going:

Own a local business? Help keep this neighborhood newsletter free and community-powered, with your logo featured above → Sponsor Jackson Heights Insider​

And a big thanks to our personal supporters: Emily Moore, Oda Friedheim, Joseph Faillace, Emily Hackenburg, Zach McCurdy, Diana Chery, Nikki Amberstone, Alice Crespo, John Capouya, Nancy Cardenas, Ursula Avelino, Philip Washburne, Paola Bakos, Joseph Varghese, RJ Harden, Barbara Goodwin, Patricia Marjoribanks, Sara Klar, Sam Raker, Ankit Gupta and Arlene Gilbert.

Want to join them in supporting this newsletter? → Become a Jackson Heights Insider supporter here (and unlock extra perks)

And that's a wrap! May your week be full of blossoms, good neighbors, and just enough Rioja to make Tuesday feel fancy.

Jonathan (JBS)