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.
🥟 Sep 16–22: Jazz, pizza pies, and a big parade in Jackson Heights this week
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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 newsletter, which is sent out every Thursday and is packed with restaurant news and food stories. Check out the Eat in Queens newsletter and sign up for it over here.​ If you know someone else in the neighborhood with an inspiring story who should be featured, please reach out and let us know! Hungry yet? Here’s what else is on the menu this week in Jackson Heights. (Looking for more? This is just a short list. See the full calendar at jacksonheightsinsider.com/events) September 16–22, 2025 Featured Event: 🎺 Summer Sunday (9/21 from 6pm): Alex Owen QuartetClassic swing and New Orleans jazz magic on the Espresso 77 patio. Bring your friends and soak in the groove. → See the show​ Tuesday, September 16Save the St. Mark’s Greenspace | 6:30 pm | 34-25 82nd St • Community meeting on the fate of St. Mark’s garden → Join the discussion​ Wednesday, September 17Exquisite Corpse, Queens Edition | 7:00 pm | World’s Borough Bookshop • Poets riff on “Renegade” one line at a time → Reserve your spot​ Thursday, September 18Queens Community Board 3 Monthly Meeting | 7:00 pm | Renaissance Charter School • Stay in the loop on local decisions → Attend in person​ Friday, September 19Hispanic Heritage Month: Paint-Your-Own Quetzalcoatl | 3:00 pm | Queens Public Library at Jackson Heights • Teens paint Aztec winged serpents. Ages 12–18 → Drop in​ Science Fridays with Stephany the Scientist | 5:45 pm | 34th Ave & 93rd St • Fun street science with kids • Family friendly → Stop by​ Saturday, September 20Toastmasters International: America’s Best | 10:00 am | Elmhurst Hospital & Zoom • Build your speaking chops, hybrid option available → Sign up here​ Sunday, September 21Pizza Master Class for Kids | 11:30 am | Elements Pizzeria • Make your own pie, sip lemonade • $45 → Register now​ Queens Hispanic Day Parade | 12:00 pm | 37th Ave (69th–89th St) • Floats, flags, música y orgullo → Catch the parade​ Summer Sundays Plus: Alex Owen Quartet | 6:00 pm | Espresso 77 • Swing and New Orleans vibes under the trees → See the show​ Monday, September 22Figure 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​ More to do in QueensIn partnership with events newsletter Astoria Live - another local events newsletter well worth having in your inbox - sign up here. 8th Annual QUIP World Music Festival | Sat Sep 20, 3:00–10:00 pm | Sunnyside Gardens Park • Global beats, food trucks, outdoor fun • $20 adults, $5 kids → Get tickets​ Carnaval De La Cultura Latina | Sun Sep 21, 11:00 am–6:30 pm | Junction Blvd, Corona • Music, food, giveaways, family fun • Free • All ages → Celebrate together​ Sunnyside Night Market: Hispanic Heritage Month | Sun Sep 21, 4:00–9:00 pm | 40 St–Lowery St, Queens • Street food, DJs, crafts, dancing • Free entry • Family friendly → Join the party​ 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​ 👋 For Our Local Business NeighborsRunning a service-based business in Queens? I’m offering a free “Google Business Check-Up” session. In 20 minutes, you’ll see:
Spots are limited → Grab your free session here​ High-Fives & Local LoveBig shout-out to these awesome local organizations keeping this newsletter going:
Want to help this newsletter? → Join our supporters here (or reply to this email for brand placement) 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 pupusas be cheesy, your bodegas stay open late, and your bike lane always be clear! 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...