For events in the near future, see homepage event calendar.

For other events down the road, we are pleased to announce three upcoming local historical tours based on our history, partial sponsorship of Sunnyside Artists Art Fair at Queen of Angels June 13, merchant participation in the Queens Council on the Arts "Queens Art Express" June 10, 11, 12, and 13, and a Photography contest called XbestpiX, projects to be supported by members and already-applied for grants.

T o u r s

1) Sunnyside Gardens Tour: The over 600 houses of the famous Sunnyside Gardens, built in the 1920’s, located in Sunnyside and Woodside, was built as low-cost housing in as a gift to tenement dwellers and is remarkably devoted to 70% open green space, shared by all residents. The site was was officially landmarked by NYC Landmarks Preservation in 2008. Students from local universities regularly study the area, which is a red bricked residential area of joined townhouses, very small, 10-12 of which surround open garden areas. A wealth of local historians are able to share their knowledge and visual materials are available. Much of the original layout is intact.

2) Calvary Cemetery Tour: The second tour would be one which has an odd basis: Not so long ago Queens became a dumping ground for the dead of the Black Plague, to preserve the health and sensibilities of Manhattan dwellers. The many cemeteries which dot Queens are now ironically a plus for Queens in that the cemeteries effectively removed land for development, giving us more greenery and open air. Mid-century, Calvary Cemetery became a location for visitors to come out for the day to pay their respects to their buried loves ones and dine in our area. The vistas around the cemeteries seem almost frozen in time, residential building but mainly industrial, crisscrossed with highways and a view of Manhattan. The LIC area near the intersection of the Long Island Expressway and the Brooklyn Queens Expressway could pass for a forties' movie set, with the beautiful green, crowded cemetery adjacent to industrial, low-height structures and highways; only the vehicles reveal our era. Many famous military figures and notables are buried nearby and will be noted on the tour.

3) Sunnyside Rail Tour: Thirdly, Sunnyside has examples of railroad which operate below, on and above the ground. The internationally-known Sunnyside Yards is largely untouched, and is the site of fascination for rail enthusiasts worldwide. The #7 MTA train, elevated through Sunnyside and Woodside, is rated the cleanest and most efficient subway in all of the City. Below ground, under the Yards, is being built the multi-billion dollar "East Side Access," which will join Manhattan to Queens and Long Island. The Metropolitan Authority, the Long Island Railroad, Amtrak and the Pennsylvania Railroad will come together at a "Sunnyside Station," which will be at the intersection of Thomson and Skillman. Our own "big dig," the project is of great interest to more than just train enthusiasts. An on-site, underground visit with the "sand hogs," the group of workers who toil far below ground making the cavernous tunnel, and a peek at the giant tunneling earth mover, is our hoped for grand prize.

A r t   i n   S u n n y s i d e

1) Sunnyside Artists: Art at Queen of Angels: The third affordable art show will be held again, June 13, 2010, at Queen of Angels Church Meeting Hall on the southwest corner of Skillman Avenue and 44th Street in Sunnyside. The art show, unique in its ecumenical outreach to local artists, was spearheaded by the then pastor, Father Vincent Daly, who turned to local artist Patricia Dorfman to organize his outreach. Five artists and 75 attendees showed up for the first event in 2007, and in 2008, there were 17 artists and 450 visitors.The new pastor of Queen of Angels, Father Brian Dowd, is once again holding the event. Ten per cent of artists' proceeds go to local Catholic food pantries which have non-denominational outreach. Chamber Board Member Rebecca Barker, financial expert and President of Sunnyside Artists, will be showrunner this year. More about the event and how to apply as an artist will be available online in mid-January at sunnysideartists.org. In 2008, the show was proud to have the wonderful support of Lions Club of Sunnyside, the Kiwanis Club of Sunnyside, Lily Gavin of Dazies, Maruf of Bliss Bistro, Tim Chen of Quaint, Anthony Lodati of Lowery Liquors, William Sanchez of Technical Blueprintprinting, Rigo Cardoso of Pronto Car Service, Wu Yei Hung of Band's Cleaners, Joseph Pagano, Martin Snaric, Young Adults of Queen of Angels and the Museum of Modern Art. The partial sponsorship 2010 show by the Chamber of Commerce will make the event even better and its inclusion in the Queens Art Express along the #7 line.

2) Queens Art Express: The above June 13 art show officially part of the Queens Art Express, a project of the Queens Council on the Arts, a non-profit organization which holds the arts festival along the #7 train throughout Queens. Chamber Member Thalia Spanish Theater of Sunnyside be part of the Queens Art Express. The event will be June 10, 11, 12 and 13, 2010.  Our merchants, including most of our fine restaurants, will be giving discounts or special inducements to visitors who dine during those dates and present a Metro Card! More on the program to follow.

P h o t o g r a p h y    C o n t e s t :  XbestpiX

Details coming June 20, 2010.