👋🏾 Local Side Quests is a guide to enjoying your time outside of work in and near LIC. Each issue is a curated list of classes, activities and gatherings nearby that invite community, curiosity, and/or creativity.
💭 A Note From the Editor
For anyone who cancelled plans out of fear of the nor'easter storm...I feel your pain. Although I know flooding got really bad in other places, it feels like it barely even rained near here. Why don't these things ever happen during the work week???
Anyways, enjoy this week's curation!
PS. I found info about "Open House New York" with lots of exhibitions. Here are a couple of links to the ones I found interesting that require tickets ($7) which go on sale Oct 2 at 12pm.
Bella Abzug Park - Learn about the history and expansion plans of Hudson Yards Park
BookOps - Learn about the logistics of how library books are acquired, processed, and distributed
Bookmark this calendar with all the events featured in the newsletter → Live calendar link
📅 What’s Happening Nearby This Week
9/29/26 (Tue) | 7-11am | CityPickle Long Island City (Queensbridge) | $30
Perfect for early-rising pickleball people
9/29/26 (Tue) | 6:30-8:30pm | The Collaboratory (Queensbridge) | $15 suggested
Safe space for queer folks who want to meet other queer writers
9/30/26 (Wed) | 6:30-10pm | Fifth Hammer Brewing Company (Hunters Point) | $25
Good opportunity to either get in a quick campaign despite your busy schedule or give DnD a shot in a low stakes way
9/30/26 (Wed) | 7-8:30pm | Little Chef Little Cafe (Hunters Point) | $30
Included for those of you who dare to identify as improv comedians
10/1/26 (Thu) | 6-7:30pm | X-Space Dance (Queensbridge) | $26
The studio looks like one of those classic spaces from the viral videos; perfect to make yourself feel cool
10/1/26 (Thu) | 7-8:45pm | Pig Beach BBQ Queens (Astoria) | Free
For anyone who remembers this show - do you think you could actually win now?
10/2/26 (Fri) | 5pm | Rooftop Cinema Club (Midtown) | $25.75
There's never a BAD time to watch Twilight but spooky season is the PERFECT time
10/2/26 (Fri) | 5:30-7:30pm | Hunters Point Ave MTA Station (Hunters Point) | Free
Good for anyone interested in the history of waterfront access and general "outside"-ness of the neighborhood
10/3/26 (Sat) | 8pm | Ferox Ninja Park (Greenpoint) | $30.62
Perfect for anyone wanting to live out their American Ninja Warrior dreams without worrying about trampling over some kids
10/4/26 (Sun) | 10:30-12:45pm | LIC Art Center (Court Square) | $75
Start now if you want do handmade gifts for Christmas this year!
↗️ On The Horizon
Seed Saving with Gil Lopez → 10/8/26 (Thu)
Blocktoberfest 2026 → 10/24/26 (Sat)
Astoria Halloween Bar Crawl 2026 → 10/24/26 (Sat)
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