Queens summer stages are strange, spectacular


In many ways, our borough is a small town. Especially in summer. Leisurely outdoor activities are plentiful. Thinking a little outside the box is encouraged. Naturally, beautiful parks with live evening concerts, bright green golf courses and magnificent athletic venues are plentiful. Outdoor dining and dancing are also abundant.

But don’t forget the numerous entertainment opportunities that are way outside the box all summer. Well, there’s “Lunatic Weekends” at the Queens Botanical Gardens in Flushing. The full moon (luna) is the QBG’s opportunity to offering a unique gardening experience. There are also acres of incomparable lawns, flowers, sculptures and peaceful shady groves where impromptu and well planned entertainment can be found all summer. Call (718) 886-3800 for information.

The Killing Kompany offers very funny dinner theatre to die for this summer and all year long. One of the summer shows opens in Elmont and is entitled, “A Summer for Slaying.” Call 888 SHOOT-EM for tix.

Also in Elmont, the Broad Hollow Theatre troupe returns in July with “Little Women.”

A sizzling series of events every June through September takes place at Queens Theatre in the Park. There is always a Latino festival with every possible combination of musica Latina. Believe it or not, there’s a Japanese tango on the calendar. El Grito de Poetas is an open mic night at QTIP this summer. A musical revue running through August is entitled “The News in Revue.” Many other styles and tastes from Central and South America reveal their influence on American music. Call (718) 760-0686 for times and places.

These are just a few of the places and performances available this summer in Queens. The best way to keep track is to check the pages of our own Queens Courier. You’ll be glad you did.