C RY D E R
P O I N T
18 JANUARY OOuutt & About
BY JILL DAVIS
Welcome to the New Year, a time when we make new resolutions and proceed
to break them as promptly as possible. Or, as a wise person once said, “A New
Year’s resolution is something that goes in one year and out the other.”
One thing is certain, though, and that is we’re all pretty tired from the holiday
hubbub. I was happy to discover a day that acknowledges our collective exhaustion,
“National Nothing Day,” begun in 1972 by San Francisco Examiner columnist
Harold Pullman Coffin and observed every January 16.
Legend has it that Coffin created this anti-holiday to provide Americans with
one national day during which participants are expected not to honor or celebrate
anything. The most ardent observers literally sit around and do nothing all
day, which is fine as long as their boss is out of town.
Of course it’s not really a national holiday because it hasn’t been designated
as such by Congress, and I doubt Coffin ever lobbied for it since that would have
required him to do something. In any case, the day is sponsored by “Coffin’s National
Nothing Foundation” which, fittingly, has no website.
Astute readers will realize that sometimes National Nothing Day falls on Martin
Luther King Day which is, of course, a bona fide national holiday. When the two
coincide, MLK Day naturally usurps National Nothing Day. Fortunately this is not
the case in 2018, so feel free to go about your non-business on this non-holiday.
If anyone asks what you’re doing to commemorate the day, you’ll know what to
say.
Happy New Year, everyone, and check out some of the nearby happenings this
month:
Bayside Historical Society Annual Winter Art Show
Sunday, January 14
– Sunday, January 28
Ft. Totten Castle
baysidehistorical.org
718-352-1548
The Society’s 17th annual
art show will feature
artists working in a variety
of media from all around
Queens, and many will be
from the immediate area
(so you may know one or
two personally!). Things
kick off on the 14th at 2pm
with an awards ceremony,
artsy chit-chat, and light
refreshments. Regular show hours are Thursday and Friday, 10am-4pm and Saturday
and Sunday, 12pm-4pm (closed on Monday). Admission is free for BHS
members and $5 for everyone else.
Broadway Week
January 16 - February 4/Tickets on sale January 5
nycgo.com
Broadway Week returns this year and gives you a chance to catch some of
Broadway’s best shows on the cheap with 2-for-1 tickets. The complete list was
not available at press time, but it’s safe to say that participating shows will include
Kinky Boots, Waitress and Wicked. You can check out the whole shebang
at nycgo.com when tickets go on sale January 5.
18 CRYDER POINT COURIER | JANUARY 2018 | WWW.QUEENSCOURIER.COM
The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Friday, January 19, 8pm-10pm
Tilles Center
720 Northern Blvd., Brookville
tillescenter.org
516-299-3100
If you’re looking for some high-fallutin’ culture in January, this is the performance
to see. The UK-based Royal Philharmonic Orchestra will be in concert for
one night only, and none other than world-renowned violinist Pinchas Zukerman
will be the guest conductor. Musical selections will include Beethoven’s Egmont
Overture and Symphony No. 7; Mozart’s Violin Concerto No. 5; and Elgar’s Serenade
for Strings. Classy! Tickets are $50, $80, and $110.
Long Island Restaurant Week
Sunday, January 21 - Sunday, January 28
longislandrestaurantweek.com
Long Island’s no slouch when it comes to good
restaurants, and this year’s Restaurant Week
remains a great bargain at $28.95 for a threecourse
prix fixe dinner. Nearby participating
restaurants include LOLA and Brasserie American
in Great Neck and the Polo Steakhouse at
the Garden City Hotel. Tables book up fast, and
it’s recommended that you call seven to ten
days in advance (reservations should be made
directly with the establishment).
NYC Restaurant Week
Monday, January 22 - Friday, February 9/Reservations open January 8
nycgo.com (information)
opentable.com (reservations)
It’s no coincidence that NYC
Restaurant Week coincides with
Broadway Week. Naturally places
all over Manhattan will participate,
but there are usually several Queens’
restaurants that join in too (check
out nycgo.com for a list). No matter
where you go, a three-course
prix fixe dinner will set you back 42
bucks (plus tax, tip and beverages,
of course), but it’s still a great deal. On a budget? You can grab lunch instead for
$29. Note that Saturdays aren’t included in the deals.
It’s Swingtime! Dance Classes Coming Up!
Beginning Saturday, February 4, 4:15pm and 5:45pm
Bayside Jewish Center, 203-05 32nd Avenue, Bayside
718-767-4458
DanceLessonsByLenny.com
Cryder Point’s own Lenny Seasonwein starts another round of classes on Saturday,
February 4. First up is Swing at 4:15, and for those looking for something
a little more “elegant,” the Waltz at 5:45. Remember, these classes are great if
you’ve got a wedding or other special event coming up, want to brush up on
your twinkle toes, or simply want to go and have fun. Lenny always starts at the
beginning, so you don’t have to be Fred or Ginger to enjoy. Each course lasts ten
weeks and costs $10 per person for each session. As always, it’s pay-as-you-go…
so get going!