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.
🥟 Aug 19-25: Pizza, Poetry, and Park Grooves in Jackson Heights
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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 EventPerformances at Diversity Plaza, Jackson Heights | Dance under the open sky 📅 Sunday, Aug 24 • 6:00 PM | Diversity Plaza From traditional steps to modern moves, this night is all about rhythm, color, and community. Come for the dancing, stay for the neighborly vibes. • Free → Dance it up This Week in Jackson HeightsAug 19–25, 2025 (Looking for more? This is just a short list. See the full calendar at jacksonheightsinsider.com/events) Heads-up: times and places can change, so make sure you confirm event details with the organizers before you go. Tuesday, Aug 19Zumba Class | 11:00 AM–12:00 PM | EmblemHealth Neighborhood Care • Dance your morning stress away and call it cardio. → Shake it out Jackson Heights Tuesday Cinema: Marwencol | 3:00 PM–5:00 PM | Queens Public Library JH • A touching doc about art, healing, and imagination. RSVP encouraged. → Grab your seat Wednesday, Aug 20Salsa Class | 11:00 AM–12:00 PM | EmblemHealth Neighborhood Care • Spin, step, and maybe meet a new dance partner. → Join the rhythm Thursday, Aug 21ESL Conversation Club – For Beginners | 4:00 PM–6:00 PM | 93rd St & 34th Ave or Zoom • Friendly practice space for learners. → Practice together Friday, Aug 22Yoga Class | 11:15 AM–12:15 PM | EmblemHealth Neighborhood Care • Stretch your week away, no pretzel skills required. → Flow with us Clases de tejido / Crochet Classes | 6:00 PM–7:00 PM | 34th Avenue • Needles, yarn, and neighborhood gossip included. → Knit along Saturday, Aug 23Family Fun Bicycle Ride | 10:00 AM–12:00 PM | 93rd St & 34th Ave • Wheels, helmets, and smiles — bring the kids. → Pedal along Kaatiba Series: Aymann Ismail & Hala Alyan in Conversation | 7:00 PM–8:00 PM | World’s Borough Bookshop • Big voices, bold stories, all right here on 73rd. → Reserve your spot Sunday, Aug 24Pizza Class | 11:30 AM–12:30 PM | Elements Pizzeria • Kids toss the dough, you sneak a slice. RSVP required. • $20 → Book your spot TNC’s Street Theater: Home Sweet Home or A Life for a Life | 2:00 PM–3:00 PM | Travers Park • Outdoor theater with a side of park benches. → Catch the show Summer Sundays in the Park: Zac Zinger Group | 6:00 PM–7:00 PM | Travers Park • Progressive jazz for a summer night. → Catch the live set Performances at Diversity Plaza, Jackson Heights | 6:00 PM–7:15 PM | Diversity Plaza • An evening of dance, rhythm, and cultural flair. → Dance it up Monday, Aug 25Figure Drawing Session (with live model) | 7:00 PM–9:00 PM | A.R.T. Shop, 37th Ave • Charcoal, creativity, and a chance to practice your lines. • $15 → Reserve a spot 💡 Quick TipWant to earn cashback without lifting a finger? Try the Rakuten app. Link your card once and you’ll automatically get 5% back at tons of restaurants — no need to “activate” deals. It also works for online shopping, travel, and delivery if you add the browser extension. Payouts arrive every few months by PayPal or check. Bonus: sign up with my link, spend $30, and both of us pocket $30. Not bad for clicking a link! → Give Rakuten a try High-Fives & Local LoveShout-out to the brands keeping this newsletter going: And big thanks for to our neighbors Stacey at Astoria Live and Laura Siciliano-Rosen at Eat Your World & the Eat Something New In Queens Facebook Group - both of whom have been extremely generous with their help and time. Do sign up for both their newsletters linked above - you won’t regret it! Would you like to help us out too? → Join our supporters here (or reply to this email for brand placement) And if this email made your life easier, hit “forward” and invite your friends to stay in the loop. They can sign up at JacksonHeightsInsider.com/subscribe Until next Tuesday… …may your empanadas be crispy, your cafecito strong, and your dance steps always on beat. Jonathan (JBS) |
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.
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 café 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...
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...
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...