Q.E.D. celebrates fi fth anniversary
BY TAMMY SCILEPPI
Q.E.D. is turning five this
month and it’s hard to imagine
what the borough’s creative
scene would look like without
Astoria’s super-popular comedy
and storytelling spot.
QNS caught up with the
venue’s visionary founder —
and talent booker — Kambri
Crews as she and her friends
celebrate Q.E.D.’s five-year anniversary.
The longtime Astoria
resident shared with readers
what she felt this exciting
milestone meant to her and to
the community she loves.
“We’ve become a defacto
welcome wagon to new Astoria
residents. Transplants and
NYC natives alike can always
find something to do,” Crews
said. “Five years means we’re
legit and not just a flash in the
pan. And even if it all went belly
up tomorrow, we’ve created
lasting memories for so many
friends, families, performers
and their fans, and will always
be part of Astoria’s history.”
“There’s no secret handshake
at Q.E.D. Everyone is
welcome and treated like a
long-lost friend,” she added.
“The ability to see up-andcoming
comedians before they
make it big, as well as seasoned
professionals right down the
block, is a special treat.”
Crews has been a force in
the New York comedy scene
both as a performer and a
programmer for more than 15
years, providing numerous
writers and comedians their
first access to a New York stage
and becoming a powerful first
contact for many in the industry.
While juggling the struggles
of a small business owner,
she has produced thousands of
events, sold the film rights to
her New York Times bestselling
memoir “Burn Down the
Ground” – and, over the past
two years – has overcome a
serious battle with breast cancer.
Thanks to her efforts,
Q.E.D. — located at 27-16 23rd
Ave. — has become Queens’
destination for all things fun.
Loyal patrons as well as
Crew’s notable friends in the
comedy community – including
her husband, comedian
Christian Finnegan, actor and
stand-up comic Jim Gaffigan,
SNL head writer Bryan Tucker,
actor/writer Frank Conniff
of Mystery Science Theater
3K, NPR personality Ophira
Eisenberg of Ask Me Another,
Emmy-winning writer Eric
Drysdale (The Daily Show,
Colbert Report), Josh Gondelman
(Desus and Mero), and
Mike Drucker of Full Frontal
– would probably all agree that
sans Q.E.D., the borough just
wouldn’t be the same.
“What I love most about
Q.E.D. is how open it is. On
any given night you’ll find
neighborhood locals mixing
with out-of-towners, standup
comics performing alongside
storytellers and musicians,
grizzled pros hobnobbing with
starry-eyed amateurs. All are
welcome and, more importantly,
all feel welcome,” said
Finnegan.
Since Q.E.D.’s doors opened
in 2014, Crews’ dream has been
realized: To create a unique
community space, creative
and versatile enough to feature
boldface names side-by-side
with first-timers and enthusiasts.
And there’s never a shortage
of happenings, with multiple
shows scheduled every
Q.E.D. is celebrating its five-year anniversary this month.
Kambri Crews/Flickr
evening; on any single night,
you can realistically engage
in a drink-and-draw, step up to
your first open mic, see young
comics on the rise or catch a
seasoned veteran testing out
new material.
Over the years, Q.E.D. has
hosted hundreds of major comedians
and speakers, including
Leslie Jones, Kate McKinnon,
Michelle Wolf, Janeane
Garofalo, Sasheer Zamata, Michelle
Buteau and Alexandria
Ocasio-Cortez.
Part of the venue’s success
can be attributed to its diverse
programming, which has remained
inclusive and accessible.
Over the years, they’ve
expanded their small retail
section to include more books
by and for creatives and built
a recording studio that’s available
to rent by the hour, which
is especially busy due to the
explosion of podcasting.
With more than 100 events
a month, there’s literally something
for everyone.
Down the road, Crews said
she’d love to see more literary
and film events with local authors
and filmmakers using
QED as a backdrop for shooting
locations, screenings, readings,
etc., both private and public.
For current and upcoming
programming, visit: www.qedastoria.
com
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