Hey neighbor,

If there’s one thing this neighborhood is never short on, it’s opinions, restaurants, and people trying to get through Roosevelt Ave station. Conveniently, all three came up this week.

First up, last week’s Dinner Club was one of my favorites so far. We sent small groups out to Armondo’s, Plaka, and Bistro Eloise, with a couple of dinners happening just across the neighborhood line in East Elmhurst. Afterward, everyone met up at Cassidy’s, turning three separate dinners into one big neighborhood night out. Want to join the next one? RSVPs are already open for our next one on Tuesday October 20th.

Also this week, the elevator replacement at Roosevelt Ave / Jackson Heights station is complete. All four elevators have now been replaced, which is very welcome news for anyone navigating the station with a stroller, suitcase, wheelchair, or tired legs.

Jackson Heights also got some big-screen attention. Frederick Wiseman’s three-hour documentary In Jackson Heights was recently screened at the Maysles Documentary Center and reviewed by the Columbia Spectator. Three hours may sound long, but then again, so can a trip through Roosevelt Ave station at rush hour.

Speaking of which, this week’s poll:

How many riders do you think pass through Roosevelt Ave / Jackson Heights station each year?

​7 million​
​15 million​
​25 million​

And thank you to everyone who voted in last week’s “which street would you eat on forever?” poll. 37th Ave won comfortably with 67% of the vote.

Several readers also pointed out one rather obvious omission: Northern Boulevard. Fair point. I clearly should not be designing polls while hungry!

One quick note before we get to the good stuff. Several events were rescheduled last weekend because of the weather, so it’s worth checking with organizers before heading out. Times and locations can sometimes change at the last minute.

Now, elevators are working, October dinner plans are brewing, and hopefully the weather behaves itself. Here’s what’s happening around the neighborhood this week 👇

This Week in Jackson Heights

September 29 to October 5

Featured Event

🎉 Queens Hispanic Parade | Sunday, October 4, 12:00 PM | 37th Avenue, from 69th to 86th Street

One of the neighborhood’s biggest celebrations of Hispanic culture returns to 37th Avenue, this year joining forces with the Queens Dominican Parade after last weekend’s storm forced a postponement. Nearly 100 cultural, civic, and business groups are expected, with music, dancing, traditional costumes, floats, food, and plenty of color along the route. This year’s theme is Unidos Somos Más, or “United We Are More.” → Join the celebration​

Tuesday, September 29

Evening Oil Studies | 6:30–8:30 PM | Art Retail Therapy • Paint like the greats, all materials included → Pick up a brush​

Wednesday, September 30

82nd Street Partnership Annual Meeting | 10:00 AM–12:00 PM | Apicha Community Health Center • Meet local leaders and hear what’s next for 82nd Street → See what’s ahead​

Photography Class and Walk | 5:30–7:00 PM | Art Retail Therapy • Bring your camera and chase the golden hour → Get the shot​

SHUSMO | Arabic Latin Funk | 7:00–10:00 PM | Terraza 7 • Arab maqam meets jazz, funk, and Latin grooves • $20 → Hear the fusion​

Thursday, October 1

The Life & Times of Frida Kahlo | 4:00–5:15 PM | Queens Public Library at Jackson Heights • Love letters, art, music, and a little Frida drama → Meet Frida​

Friday, October 2

Son Mujeres | Salsa | 7:30–10:30 PM | Terraza 7 • An all-women salsa orchestra, straight from Cali • $30 → Feel the salsa​

Saturday, October 3

Toastmasters International: America’s Best | 10:00 AM–12:00 PM | Elmhurst Hospital + Zoom • Practice speaking without the sweaty palms, hopefully → Take the mic​

34 Ave World Bike Ride | 10:00 AM–12:00 PM | 93rd St & 34th Ave • Beginner-friendly exploring on two wheels, ages 16+ for Citi Bike → Hop on your bike​

Jackson Heights JuiceBox JukeJoint | 12:00–1:30 PM | The World’s Borough Bookshop • World music for kids, caregivers, and enthusiastic grown-ups → Bring the little dancers​

Sunday, October 4

Les Petites Gallery | 9:00 AM–6:00 PM | 34th Ave & 83rd St • Open-air art, plus sisig pizza from noon until it sells out → Browse and grab a slice​

Pages in the Park: New by Niña Mata | 11:00–11:15 AM | Travers Park • Sunday storytime right in the neighborhood → Hear a story​

🎉 Queens Hispanic Parade | 12:00 PM | 37th Avenue, from 69th to 86th Street • Music, dancing, floats, costumes, food, and nearly 100 groups marching together → Join the celebration​

Monday, October 5

Spanish Conversation Club | 6:00–7:30 PM | 93rd St & 34th Ave • No quizzes, no pressure, just practice → Practica tu español​

More to do in Queens

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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​

LaGuardia Faculty Sampler | Thu Oct 1, 7:00–8:00 PM | LaGuardia Performing Arts Center • Hear what LaGuardia’s music faculty can do → Catch the concert​

NY Indonesian Food Bazaar | Sat Oct 3, 11:00 AM–6:00 PM | 84-07 Broadway, Elmhurst • Indonesian and Vietnamese bites under one roof → Come hungry​

GLOBAL MASHUP: Greece Meets Garifuna | Sat Oct 3, 7:00–9:00 PM | Flushing Town Hall • Dance lesson first, then a big musical mashup • $30 advance → Join the mashup​

KO’LLECTION Elmhurst Grand Opening | Sun Oct 4, 10:00 AM–8:30 PM | 85-07 Queens Blvd, Elmhurst • K-beauty deals, gifts, come early • RSVP encouraged → Shop the opening​

Girls Who Walk QueensLink! | Sun Oct 4, 11:00 AM–1:30 PM | 94-05 Rockaway Blvd, Jamaica • Walk the proposed QueensLink route, RSVP required → Walk the route​

Taste of Sunnyside 2026 | Sun Oct 4, 1:00–7:00 PM | Sunnyside • More than 50 spots, one big food crawl → Taste your way around​

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: Richard Newman, Leslie Garcia, Rachel Schwartz, 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, 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)

Until next week! See you out there, somewhere between a plate of something delicious and a working Roosevelt Ave elevator :)

Jonathan (JBS)