Only a few precious weeks to catch what the NYT seemed to really like, Moliere's Don Juan at the Choc Fac. From the NYT:

‘DON JUAN’ Yehuda Duenyas plays the great seducer in this latest iteration of the 17th-century Molière play, as envisioned by the Obie Award-winning National Theater of the United States of America. It may be the way Mr. Duenyas, above, hops about and gurgles with glee after a conquest. Or maybe it’s his mildly crazed eyes, or the pale, flat expanse of his stomach, which seems to be entirely muscle free. Whatever the reason, he’s irresistible, as is the play.

“Don Juan” is the National Theater’s first crack at a classical text; this show even boasts costumes “authentically made out of real materials,” according to the endearingly absurd promotional materials. The set is laid out around the theater’s perimeter, so that the action shifts from scene to scene in time with the Don’s manic sexual overdrive. Doing his best to keep up is the poor servant, Sganarelle (the wonderful Jesse Hawley), who navigates his master through the wreckage of love affairs in various stages of implosion. Eventually, of course, the flames catch up to Don Juan, who exits with a whimper, not a bang. (Through March 1, Wednesdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m., 5-49 49th Avenue, Long Island City, 212-352-3101 or chocolatefactorytheater.org; $15, with free Thursday performances for Queens residents.) CLAUDIA LA ROCCO

Posted by Amol at 07:41 PM | Permalink

This week our neighborly journos have been reporting that personalities as diverse as Clay Aiken, Placido Domingo, and DJ Danny Tenaglia (er, who?) have bought in the Arris. Of course the significance of all these folks to progressive culture pales in comparison to Bjork and Matthew Barney a few blocks away (LICNYC, Curbed, but so what.

Meanwhile, the Silvercup project looks like it's not quite on track. But what project ever is? The bloggers have to blog about something don't they? Might as well ask provocative questions about soil quality...one, another.

Though of course one musn't forget that Silvercup is busier than ever (even than when Sex and the City and Sopranos filmed there), what with hits like 30 Rock and Gossip Girls filming away.

Posted by Amol at 06:55 PM | Permalink

From New York Panorama

Posted by Amol at 06:51 PM | Permalink

Some parts of NY are of the status that you advertise you are from there. Queens is sort of moving up the ranks in that department, though certainly it's not there yet.

The fact that Steve Madden shoes are designed here or that the Entourage boys are all from here is more of a directional indicator. Not the prevailing wisdom.

Noted recently: Ed Burns, director and actor (and married to Christy Turlington), is from Woodside, Queens.

Posted by Amol at 06:41 PM | Permalink

The slightly oddly named "medical" hangout is pret a relaxer. Balance Medical Spa is in action on 50th Ave. Not totally sure what that's all about....but hey, one presumes you can get a massage or waxing or something done. Details

Posted by Amol at 01:29 PM | Permalink

The City Vet is now open and doggie locals have been poking around to say hello. They do grooming too, though it's the same folks behind the City Dog Lounge and they're not always super-friendly (sadly). They are however the only game in town (on Vernon, next to LIC bar) and much desired alternative to trucking to Wburg or Astoria.

Posted by Amol at 01:26 PM | Permalink

One of the most promising features of LIC is the strong family of cultural institutions to balance the heavy development going on: SculptureCenter, PS1, Noguchi and all the artists loft buildins (in particular 5 Ptz). All very interesting and you should check them out.

Here's their map and interactive little website

You can download their map (sponsored, invariably, by someone building a big development project -- in this case the good people of Hunter's Point condos) and it will be not only your giude to the arts institutions but also your map to the hood.

Posted by Amol at 01:12 PM | Permalink

They used to make car parts at the Standard Motor Parts company in LIC on Northern Blvd. No longer -- but you can buy them at the Major car dealerships further down that street.

The factory is heading to Mexico. The building has been sold for....$40 million. Which, for the 300,000 square feet, makes approximately $133 per square foot. That's just about what bulidings are going for around LIC these days.

Of course, residential stuff is going for $700 or more. So you see the opportunity for developers.

More from the Daily News

Posted by Amol at 12:58 PM | Permalink

If Mercedes can have it...

Some small companies end up cutting the cord altogether. When Lou Weisenbacher, who manages IT for Silver Star Motors, called up its Internet provider to get service outages fixed, he was told that he was out of luck. The Long Island City, N.Y., Mercedes-Benz dealership was located near an area notorious for problems.

Towerstream says 65% of its 900 customers are in the small- and midsize-business category. Business Only says roughly two-thirds of its 300 customers are small and midsize operations.

Posted by Amol at 12:43 PM | Permalink

PS1's summer courtyards are great and this year it will be summerier than ever.

NYT for more.

Posted by Amol at 12:27 PM | Permalink

The NYT recently rode the G train. Probably for the first time in years!

The G train isn’t like other trains.

Over the years, innumerable articles, blogs and forums have referred to the G train as the stepchild of the subway system. But that’s not quite right — it’s not the stepchild, it’s more like that unwanted drunk uncle everyone has. It’s embarrassing and awkward and doesn’t quite behave like it’s supposed to, but you keep it around because, well, it’s family.

More

Posted by Amol at 10:58 AM | Permalink