ROCKAWAY GOOD TIMES
By Kami-Leigh Agard
With Labor Day less than three weeks away—savor every last drop of 2023’s sweet Rockaway summer by supporting our local entertainment establishments. From live music, arts, theater, film and more—get the 411 in our Rockaway Good Times’ weekly roundup below. This week’s tip—tomorrow evening, don’t miss Shakespeare On The Beach’s comedic Rockaway take on the play, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream!”
LIVE MUSIC
THURSDAY, August 17
5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Jumpstart your weekend frolics poolside at The Rockaway Hotel with The Knobs’ acoustic lineup of WLIR radio-era alternative rock tunes.
108-10 Rockaway Beach Drive
THURSDAY, August 17
6:30 p.m. / 9:30 p.m.
Sail into the weekend at Bungalow Bar with husband-and-wife instrumental gypsy folk artists, Stell & Snuggs. Then at 9 p.m., board DJ Matty Lynch’s bumpin’ bayside party.
377 Beach 92nd Street
FRIDAY, August 18
6 p.m.
Are you squidding me! The Big Squid invasion is back at Caracas, this time with a special guest—renowned blues man, Kerry Kearney!
Caracas, Beach 106th Concession
FRIDAY, August 18
6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Gear up for an evening of self-poured brews and feel-good rock tunes with The Rock-A-Wades at Tap That.
111-04 Rockaway Beach Blvd.
FRIDAY, August 18
8 p.m.
Tonight’s Breezy forecast! 100% good music and good vibes with Mixed Bag at The BayHouse.
500 Bayside Drive, Breezy Point
FRIDAY, August 18
8:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.
This Friday at Bar Marseille—the ladies of The Pointers show who’s boss when it comes to harmonizing a legit retro rock and pop vibe.
190 Beach 69th Street
SATURDAY, August 19
4 p.m.
The GrassLighters are back at The Sugar Bowl rockin’ their master mix of rock, folk, bluegrass and R&B.
15 Bedford Ave, Breezy Point
SATURDAY, August 19
6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Tap That ushers in another squidalicious Rockaway summer night with Squid Trio jammin’ under the star-studded sky.
111-04 Rockaway Beach Blvd.
SATURDAY, August 19
7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Get ready to be jazzified by multifaceted music man, Simon Chardiet, at Sayra’s Wine Bar.
91-11 Rockaway Beach Blvd.
SATURDAY, August 19
7 p.m. to 11 p.m.
It’s Saturday night and the mood is just right for a sweet BayHouse sunset and alternative rock jams with The Knobs.
500 Bayside Drive, Breezy Point
SUNDAY, August 20
1 p.m. / 4 p.m.
End your weekend on a bay-riffic note at Bungie! First at 1 p.m., Too Fat Guys plays acoustic covers from all genres and every decade! Then, at 4 p.m., get your booty bumpin’ with DJ Ulez.
377 Beach 92nd Street
SUNDAY, August 20
5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Head to Smoke & Barrel for good eats and tunes with local husband and wife sensation, LL Duo’s smokin’ lineup of blues, rock, country and soul.
97-20 Rockaway Beach Blvd.
SUNDAY, August 20
6 p.m.
End your weekend on a Breezy note with Friends in Sound’s high-energy lineup of classic rock and blues covers at The BayHouse.
500 Bayside Drive, Breezy Point
SUNDAY, August 20
6 p.m.
Step into Connolly’s as it transforms into a speakeasy with the Simon Chardiet Jazz Quartet, intimating a jazz scene from yesteryear.
155 Beach 95th Street
ONGOING
Tunesday TUESDAYS
8 p.m.
Looking for a fun open mic night in the Rock? Connolly’s is a local favorite and with Professa Squid as maestro—get ready to drop what you’ve got with Rockaway’s finest. 7 p.m. sign up, 8 p.m. start.
155 Beach 95th Street
FILM
THE ROCKAWAY HOTEL
PRESENTS FILM SCREENING OF “HIDE AND SEE”
THURSDAY, August 17
7 p.m.
The Rockaway Hotel hosts a special screening of film, “Hide and See,” and artist talk with Residency on the Rock artist-in-residence, Zain Alam. Free! For tickets and more info, visit: https://www.therockawayhotel.com/happenings
108-10 Rockaway Beach Drive
THE SIXTH ROCKAWAY
FILM FESTIVAL
SATURDAY, August 19 to SUNDAY, August 27
times & venues vary
The Rockaway Film Festival is back with its sixth annual edition; featuring premieres, repertory screenings and live performances. Screenings will be held at the festival’s flagship outdoor theater, Arverne Cinema. The opening night selection is Walt Disney’s “Fantasia”, with shorts by “cine-magician,” Oskar Fischinger, preceding the film. Other highlights of the festival include the New York premiere of Luke Lorentzen’s “A Still Small Voice,” which won this year’s Sundance Documentary Directing award, Maya Deren’s “At Land” and even a performance by ventriloquist, Sophie Becker. Several films by former 25 New Faces of Film will also screen during the fest. John Wilson will close out the festival with an advance screening of his HBO shows series finale, “How To with John Wilson.” The festival also features special appearances from filmmakers, artists, curators and musicians. For the full lineup, and more information about tickets and showtimes, visit: https://www.rockawayfilmfestival.org/program/rockaway-film-festival-6
MOVIE NIGHT
CALLIE’S FAMILY SUMMER
MOVIE NIGHTS
WEDNESDAY, August 23
7:30 p.m.
This week’s feature at Callie’s Movie Night on the lawn: 2021 computer-animated science fiction comedy film, “Mitchells Versus The Machines.” For more info., including rain cancellations, visit: calliesrb on Instagram.
410 Beach 129th Street
THEATER
SHAKESPEARE ON THE BEACH PRESENTS “A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM”
FRIDAY, AUGUST 18
7:30 p.m.
With the ocean as the backdrop, married to the never-ending sky— Shakespeare comes to Rockaway Beach for a one-evening-only glorious performance of classic drama/romance/comedy, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” Plus, on Thursday, August 17—the public is invited to a special preview of the full dress rehearsal. Free!
Beach 95th Street/ Shore Front Parkway
SPECIAL MENTIONS
BELLE HARBOR YACHT CLUB
ITALIAN HERITAGE WEEKEND
THURSDAY, August 17 to SATURDAY, August 19
times vary
Benvenuto to the Belle Harbor Yacht Club’s celebration of all things Italia all weekend! The festivities kick off on Thursday with family night Italian style with a DJ, bouncy castles and carnival games for the kids. Then, on Friday, renowned jazz vocalist and Sinatra tribute artist, Zack Alexander, takes the stage. On Saturday, Sinatra aficionados will be wooed by tribute artist, Eddie Sessa. All weekend, mangiare delizioso Italian cuisine served by co-host, A&S at the Harbor Caterers, plus indulge in fine Italian wines, cappuccino, Peroni beer and Italian pastries. For more info, including showtimes, visit: Belle Harbor Yacht Club on Facebook.
533 Beach 126th Street
SEAFORTH HEADLINES COUNTRY SWAG COUNTRY NIGHT AT TRH
FRIDAY, August 18
7 p.m.
Make The Rockaway Hotel your Saturday yes-tination as Australian country pop sensation, Seaforth, takes the stage performing a song list that has garnered the duo 400 million global streams. For tickets and more info, visit: https://countryswag.com/seaforth2023/
108-10 Rockaway Beach Drive
Got info on local live music, arts and more? Email: editor@rockawaytimes.com
