Hey neighbor,

We had another Jackson Heights Insider dinner club on Tuesday, and it was a good one. Neighbors were spread out across Black Thai, Uncle Peter’s, Cafe Salamanca, Pio Pio, and Queensboro, where everyone came together afterward.

If you haven’t joined one yet, here’s how it works. You get paired with a small table of about five neighbors, share a meal, and see where the conversation goes. No speeches, no awkward networking, just good food and the very Jackson Heights experience of realizing the person across from you also has strong opinions about local restaurants.

Our next dinner is Tuesday, July 28, and spots are already open - sign up here.

We’re also hosting a New to the Neighborhood meetup next Tuesday, July 14, for anyone who is new to Jackson Heights, new-ish, thinking about moving here, or just loves welcoming neighbors. It’ll be a relaxed evening with local tips, friendly faces, a few community guests, and time to hang out after. Longtime locals are very much welcome too. Come say hello!

In other neighborhood news, we appear to have survived last week’s weather buffet: heat wave, flood warnings, storms, humidity, the full Queens summer tasting menu. Thankfully, things look a little calmer this week, which is good timing, because The Queens Jazz Trail kicks off Thursday at Travers Park with a free concert from Itai Kriss and Telavana, bringing jazz, Latin rhythms, and global sounds right to the neighborhood.

Also this week, NepYork featured Passang Nuru Sherpa of Pasang Striking Style on 74th Street. He is not only a hairstylist, but also a writer, songwriter, community volunteer, and International Book Awards finalist. Only in Jackson Heights can you go in for a haircut and discover your stylist also writes books, makes music, and helps hold a community together.

Now let’s see what else is happening this week, before the weather changes its mind again!

This Week in Jackson Heights

July 7 to July 13

Featured Event

🎷 Queens Jazz Trail Concert Series: Itai Kriss and Telavana | Thursday, July 9, 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM | Travers Park

Free jazz in the park, with Latin, Caribbean, Middle Eastern, and global rhythms from Grammy-nominated flutist Itai Kriss and Telavana. Bring a chair, bring a blanket, bring your best “I knew Queens was cool” face. Free and open to all, rain or shine. → Enjoy the jazz​

New Here? Meet Some Friendly Locals. Join our upcoming easygoing neighborhood meetup on Tuesday July 14th where newcomers can connect with longtime residents and people involved in local projects - from arts to small businesses to community spaces! Come Meet the Neighborhood

Tuesday, July 7

Juicy Fruit: Oil Workshops for the Midday Crowd | 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM | Art Retail Therapy • adults and teens, paint something delicious • $20 intro class → Paint the fruit bowl​

Paella Nights @ Addictive Wine and Tapas Bar | 4:00 PM to 10:30 PM | Addictive Wine and Tapas • saffron rice, seafood, patience rewarded → Order the paella​

Wednesday, July 8

Gina Savino Duo | Latin American & Jazz Improvisations | 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM | Terraza 7 • Colombian voice, piano, and improvisation • $20 mezzanine cover → Catch the first set​

Thursday, July 9

Queens Jazz Trail Concert Series: Itai Kriss and Telavana | 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM | Travers Park • free jazz, bring a chair or blanket → Feel the rhythm​

Friday, July 10

Friday Wine Tasting | 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM | Addictive Boutique Winery • sip, swirl, discuss dramatically → Find your new favorite​

Saturday, July 11

Conversation with Jerry Torre: Author of The Marble Faun of Grey Gardens | 2:30 PM to 4:00 PM | Jackson Heights Library • memoir, movie, and Grey Gardens lore, adults → Meet the Marble Faun​

Sunday, July 12

Les Petites Gallery | 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM | 34th Avenue & 83rd Street • open-air art on the Open Street → Stroll the gallery​

International Peruvian Parade | 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM | 37th Avenue, 69th Street to 89th Street • flags, music, and lots of pride → Follow the parade​

Pitara x Pilas x WBB: Jackson Heights In A Cup | 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM | The World’s Borough Bookshop • coffee, food, music, giveaways → Taste the neighborhood​

The Street Is Ours: 25 Years of Terraza 7 | 1:00 PM to 9:00 PM | Gleane Street • drums, DJs, Afro Peruvian rhythms → Celebrate Terraza​

La Cumbiamba eNYé: Summer Sundays | 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM | Travers Park • free cumbia in the park → Dance into Sunday​

Monday, July 13

MLB Homerun Derby Party | 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM | The Queensboro • baseball, burgers, popcorn, RSVP encouraged → Root for the big swings​

More to do in Queens

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

Astoria Live All the events in Astoria, Queens 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​

Live at the Gantries: AJOYO | Tue Jul 7, 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM | Gantry Plaza State Park • sunset grooves, bring dancing shoes → Catch the riverfront rhythm​

Yoga with NICE | Wed Jul 8, 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM | Moore Jackson Community Garden • bilingual yoga, bring your mat • $30, NICE members $10 → Stretch for community​

World's Sport in the World's Boro Quarter Finals Performances in Sunnyside | Fri Jul 10, 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM | Bliss Plaza, under the 7 train • music, dance, soccer energy, family-friendly • take the 7 train → Cheer before kickoff​

Legends of the Beat | Fri Jul 10, 2:30 PM to 4:00 PM | Queens Theatre • hip hop, dance, big stage energy → Feel the beat​

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: Leslie Garcia, Rachel Schwartz, Lisa Reswick, John "Sandy" Needham, Felice Amera, Emily Moore, Oda Friedheim, Joseph Faillace, Emily Hackenburg, Zach McCurdy, Diana Chery, Nikki Amberstone, 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 for this week! Here’s to calmer skies, fuller tables, and at least one excellent excuse to leave the apartment :)

Jonathan (JBS)