Culture Lab After Dark presents
Nice One! Comedy
Thursday, May 1, 8 - 10pm
Laughs meet art at Culture Lab LIC, where stand-up comedy takes center stage in a vibrant gallery setting!
Thanks to our sponsors:
Plaxall
TF Cornerstone
Steve Madden
Howard Gilman Foundation
New York State Council on the Arts
Queens Konquest
May 3, 1-10pm at Culture Lab LIC
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Presented by; NY Collective, Queensborough Dance Festival & Modega
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Queens Konquest is more than a battle - it’s a celebration of movement, flavor, art, and energy. Come for the culture, stay for the heat.
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$20 to battle or spectate. $15 each for up to two family members per child of youth competitors up to 3pm.
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Dancers register here. Spectators pay at the door.
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Youth brackets: 1pm-4pm
Adult brackets: 4pm-10pm
More Info and Register: https://breakkonnect.com/event/3756
Pup-Up
Dog & Cat Event, Saturday, May 4, 1-4pm
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Our monthly Pup-Up is coming back starting May 4, and this time we're bringing our kitty friends along for the ride!
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Join us from 1-4pm in The Lot with your furry friend! Looking to add to your fur family? Our local rescues will be here too! And of course, we'll be serving up human treats, too!
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Local Rescues:
Second Chance Rescue
LIC Feral Feeders
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Vendors:
Mama Made It
Mela and Noli
Top Dog Social Club
Puppy Paws
Pawsbury Lane
Fat Puppies
Baked by Bia
Printhaus
Aunt Hilda's Pet Care Services
Come for the animal fun and stay for FREE live music at 5pm!
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Thanks to our sponsors: LIC Properties, TF Cornerstone, Steve Madden, Howard Gilman Foundation, New York State Council on the Arts
LIVE AT
THE LOT
Live at The Lot is our free summer concert series, featuring live music performed outdoors every weekend!
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Our Opening Day lineup is one you won't want to miss! We're kicking it off with an L-Train Brass parade followed by Queens County Roots, Habbina Habbina, and Os Clavelitos!
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Click Here for more info!
Allegra Levy's
Songs For You & Me!
Jazz for Kids!
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Sunday, May 4, 4pm
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Allegra presents songs from her album, “Songs for You and Me,” the acclaimed singer/songwriter's first foray into jazz for the juvenile set, not only teaches both kids and adults how to say hello in 12 different languages. From bedtime and bath time to boogers and boo-boos, she and her all-star big band make it all sing… and swing!“
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"Allegra Levy sounds like a female version of Mr. Rogers on this cozy album of cozy songs for tykes … Completely charming, life affirming and inviting. Won’t you be her neighbor?” - Jazz Weekly
Asia in a Bite Food Fest LIC
May 10 & 11, 11am-7pm
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Asia in a Bite Food Fest is a Free Admission event celebrating Asian cuisine & culture while connecting with local communities.
• 30+ Food Vendors featuring a variety of authentic and fusion Asian cuisines, including renowned vendors from NYC!
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• Instrumental Performances showcasing the beauty of Asian music and cultural heritage.
• Free Admission for all, making it accessible for everyone to join the celebration.
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Join us to celebrate the Year of the Snake with delicious food, vibrant performances, and a festive atmosphere in the new spring!
The Popess: Instructions For Freedom
In Scena! 2025
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Saturday, May 10, 7pm​
Free Admission. Presented in English.
Written & Performed by Elena Mazzon
Directed by Colin Watkeys
A dark comedy solo-show, blending dark humor with historical drama, investigating the discrepancies between religion, faith and power and, ultimately, the meaning of freedom. Official Selection 2024 Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
My Mama Notarizes & Also Makes Risotto
In Scena! 2025
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Saturday, May 11, 3pm. ​Free Admission.
Presented in Italian with English supertitles.
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Written & Performed by Filippo Capobianco
Produced by Teatro Pubblico Ligure​
The first show by the 2023 Poetry Slam world champion, Filippo Capobianco. The performance combines the languages ​​of Teatro Canzone and performance poetry in a narrative that tells the coming-of-age story of a Generation Z boy in search of his own voice in a world that he will only gradually understand. Presented in collaboration with Dominio Pubblico, the main Italian Festival for Under 25 year-old artists.
IN THE NAME OF MARY
In Scena! 2025
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Saturday, May 11, 7pm. ​Free Admission.
Presented in Italian with English supertitles.
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Written and Directed by Chiara Gambino, Original Music Domenico Gargano,With Chiara Gambino and Alba Sofia Vella​
The show is inspired by the story of the death of Sicilian policeman Calogero Zucchetto, who in 1982 was working with the Palermo Mobile Squad in the search for mafia affiliates. The show's POV is that of his girlfriend, Maria Lo Bello, tormented by the question: “Could it have gone differently?”
Cabaret Burlesque
Les Belles de Paris - Part I
Thursday, May 15, 22 & 29, 8pm
Feather & Lace - Part II
Friday, May 16, 23 & 30, 8pm
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Tied Up & Twisted - Part III
Saturday, May 17, 24 & 31, 8pm
​The Cabaret Burlesque by Nathalie Marrable presents PART 1 of a three-show masterpiece. Feast your eyes on glitter, glamor and showgirls, inspired by vintage Paris. This show is immersive and interactive. Prepare to leave your worries at the door and dive into a dream world, full of feathers, storytelling and elegantly curated striptease.
Free Summer Wellness Series
Curated by Sputnik Yoga
May-October at Culture Lab LIC
Whether you're looking to stretch, reset your mind, or simply relax, the series provides a peaceful and inviting environment for all levels.
Unwind and rejuvenate with our first-ever Culture Lab LIC Summer Wellness Series, designed to bring balance, energy, and relaxation to your weekends. Running from June through October, this monthly event offers a perfect pause between your Sunday brunch and evening concert plans. Each session, taking place from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM, features a variety of wellness practices such as Yoga, Meditation, Somatic Movement, Mindfulness Exercises, and Music for Healing.
Whether you're looking to stretch, reset your mind, or simply relax, the series provides a peaceful and inviting environment for all levels. It’s the ideal way to create space for self-care, set the tone for the week ahead, and recharge your energy before heading into the evening's concert experience!
Join us for a sweet Sunday experience that balances body, mind, and soul in the heart of summer!
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Free, Outdoors (Weather Permitting)
Upcoming dates:
Sunday, May 18, 3pm
Sunday, June 22, 3pm
Sunday, July 13, 3pm
Sunday, August 3, 3pm
Sunday, September 21, 3pm
Sunday, October 12, 2pm
SpeakEasier Language Exchange
4th Saturday of every month
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Are you learning Arabic, Spanish, French, or Farsi? If so, please join us for the monthly SpeakEasier Language Exchange at Culture Lab LIC! This is a fun and interactive event where you can practice your target language(s) with fellow language enthusiasts.
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Whether you're a beginner or fluent speaker, everyone is welcome to participate in this exciting exchange.
Don’t miss out on the opportunity to meet new people, practice your target language, and discover a beautiful cultural center in the heart of NYC’s Long Island City!
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Hope to see you there!
Upcoming Dates:
Saturday, May 24, 3pm
Saturday, June 28, 3pm
Saturday, July 26, 3pm
Saturday, August 23, 3pm
Saturday, September 27, 3pm
Saturday, October 25, 3pm
Saturday, November 22, 3pm
Saturday, December 27, 3pm
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Free; Donations Appreciated
Threads of Resilience
A Mental Health Exhibition​
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Opening Reception: April 24, 6-9pm
Free Admission. Beer, wine, food and live music!
On View: April 24-June 1 during gallery hours, Thursday & Friday, 5-9pm, and Saturday & Sunday, 2-9pm
Curated by Dawn DeVito, each piece in this exhibition serves as a visual thread, contributing to a rich tapestry that explores the complexities of the human experience. From expressions of inner turmoil to representations of vulnerability and recovery, the artwork offers poignant insights into the multifaceted nature of mental well-being.
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"Threads of Resilience" champions the voices of a diverse group of artists, each bringing their unique cultural backgrounds and lived experiences to the conversation. Their art transcends stigma, fostering empathy and understanding while celebrating the inherent resilience of the human spirit. This exhibition invites viewers to connect with these deeply personal stories, to find solace in shared experiences, and to recognize the strength that emerges from navigating life's challenges. Take a journey as we unravel the threads of resilience and illuminate the path towards greater awareness and acceptance.
Cuerpos De Nopal
by Manuel Hernandez
Opening Reception: April 24, 6-9pm
Free Admission. Beer, wine, food and live music!
On View April 24 - June 1 during gallery hours, Thursday & Friday, 5-9pm, and Saturday & Sunday, 2-9pm.
This series of works by Manuel Hernandez delves into a common saying in Mexico, where individuals are often referred to as "Cactus face." ​This term is typically used to distinguish those from rural areas or individuals with more indigenous features, carrying a negative connotation. However, the artist transforms this by creating a cactus person, celebrating their existence. His Family origins coming from the small pueblo Sultepequito, Hernandez takes pride in his roots and traditions. The Cacti series presents a playful and engaging approach to reinterpreting these negative implications. The cacti are shown in every day situations that most people can relate to. Much like the cacti, the people they represent are resilient and vital to the ecosystem.
Pass the Crown
Voices & Memory
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On view June 5 - July 27 during gallery hours, Thursday & Friday, 5-9pm, and Saturday & Sunday, 2-9pm. Free Admission.
Pass the Crown: Voices & Memory is an interactive media installation exploring dementia, memory, and legacy within communities of color.
Expanding on the Pass the Crown photo portrait series, the project was inspired by the artist Pri’s late grandmother, who had dementia and wore a crown in the final photo portrait taken of her by the artist. That crown became a symbol of resilience, memory, and dignity. That very same crown is now passed from model to model within the Pass the Crown photo series, with each model impacted by dementia, representing the continuation of their stories. Drawing from over a decade of experience as a dementia caregiver of both her grandmother and aunt, the artist creates an interactive experience that invites audiences to engage with personal histories.
The installation features five large-scale editorial portraits, each framed with symbolic materials reflecting the subject’s life. An interactive timeline highlights key moments, while Augmented Reality (AR) allows visitors to unlock deeper layers of each story through images, audio, and personal artifacts. Pass the Crown: Voices & Memory honors the strength, wisdom, and love that endure beyond memory loss, preserving the legacies of those affected and inspiring conversations about care, connection, and the power of storytelling.
2025 Emergence Artist
Residency Program
Culture Lab LIC is excited to announce our 2025 Emergence Artists in Residence!
These diverse and exceptional performace based artists will be a part of Culture Lab LIC's New Works Festival coming this Fall!
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Culture Lab LIC's Emergence Artist Residency is a developmental performing arts program geared toward the support and creation of new work.
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Started in 2021 by former Director of Performing Arts, Tana Sirois, the Emergence Artist Residence began as a desire to offer free rehearsal and performance space to performing artists. Since its conception the residency has been further developed and led by Artistic Director Tess Howsam expanding the program to include peer review sessions during the artists year and culminating in Culture Lab LIC’s New Works Festival November and December.
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Open Call for Art:
[Un]Framing Gender
From America to Pakistan
[Un]Framing Gender invites viewers to traverse the intricate terrains of gender identity, culture, and self-expression through the artistic lens.
This dynamic exhibition brings together a diverse group of artists from South Asia and America, showcasing innovative works that reflect the shifting landscapes of masculinity and femininity in contemporary society.
The show is a curatorial collaboration by Tess Howsam (Artistic Director, Culture Lab LIC, America) and Pomme Gohar (Creative Director, Phenomena, Pakistan).
Through painting, sculpture, photography, and mixed media, each piece challenges conventional narratives and stimulates dialogue about the roles and perceptions of gender in both regions. Building from the 2022 exhibition, 'Zenana Mardana', curated by Pomme Gohar, [Un]Framing Gender offers a vibrant space for conversation and introspection, encouraging audiences to reconsider the intersections of culture, power, and personal expression transcending geographical boundaries and challenging cultural stereotypes.
Submission Deadline: May 5 , 2025, 11:59pm EST
Exhibition on view: June 5 - July 27, 2025
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Culture Lab LIC does not take a commission on any art sold. As such, artists should price art to reflect no gallery commission.
Open Call for Art:
Clashing Steel
Curated by Edjo Wheeler and Meron Langsner, PhD
Clashing Steel celebrates the artistry and craftsmanship behind stage combat weaponry. These tools—swords, daggers, spears, shields, and armor—are designed not to harm, but to enhance storytelling through choreographed conflict. From the duels in Romeo and Juliet to the epic battles in Game of Thrones, these weapons transform action into art. We invite submissions of handcrafted stage combat props that have been used in theatrical or film productions.
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• Swords, daggers, and rapiers
• Spears and polearms
• Shields and armor
• Practice weapons and training tools​
• Photography and Paintings of stage combat in action.
Submission Deadline: June 30, 2025, 11:59pm EST
Exhibition on view: July 31- September 21, 2025
Culture Lab LIC does not take a commission on any art sold. As such, artists should price art to reflect no gallery commission.
Vendor Registration
2025 Outdoor Vendor Market at Culture Lab LIC
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Click to read more & register:
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Open Call - Playwrights
5th Annual Meet the Playwright Program
Jamaica Center for Arts & Learning
Jamaica Center for Arts & Learning (JCAL) is pleased to open its application portal for the 5th Annual Meet the Playwright (MTP2025) program. JCAL seeks four new, unpublished, unproduced plays by grassroots, early-career, and/or emerging playwrights for MTP2025.
MTP2025 spotlights emerging theatre writers identifying as BIIPOC (Black, Immigrant, Indigenous, People of Color), with an emphasis Queens-based playwrights. Each month, from November 2025 to February 2026, each of this year’s playwrights will present at least 25 minutes, and no more than 35 minutes, from their play as a professional staged reading for a live audience. The performance concludes with a moderated Q&A between the audience, playwright, director, and creative team.
MTP2025 spotlights emerging theatre writers identifying as BIIPOC (Black, Immigrant, Indigenous, People of Color), with an emphasis Queens-based playwrights. Each month, from November 2025 to February 2026, each of this year’s playwrights will present at least 25 minutes, and no more than 35 minutes, from their play as a professional staged reading for a live audience. The performance concludes with a moderated Q&A between the audience, playwright, director, and creative team.
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Application deadline:  Monday, April 28, 2025
Culture Lab LIC voted Best Art Gallery!
The people have spoken and named Culture Lab LIC Best Art Gallery in the Arts & Entertainment Section!
Queens residents have continued to stand behind their favorite local businesses in the FourLeaf Best of the Boro 2025 competition.
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Thanks to all our supporters!
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Meet the People
behind Culture Lab LIC...
Without our team, none of our programming would be possible. Catch a glimpse into the lives of the people who make up the Culture Lab team, and all of the beautiful qualities and characteristics they posses to "make art happen!"
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And be sure to check out all the ways you can help make 2025 Culture Lab's best year ever!
Become a Member!
Culture Lab LIC is celebrating 5 years & we need you to help us build the next 5!
Thanks to you, in 2024 our mission to bring impactful art to Western Queens has flourished beyond our wildest dreams. Your contributions--whether through donations, volunteer efforts, or simply by spreading the word about our initiatives --have helped us to make a profound difference in the lives of artists and art lovers in our community.
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Your generous support not only fueled our programs but also directly impacted the artists we serve, providing them with invaluable opportunities and resources, and a platform to share their stories, visions, and inspirations with the world.
With your continued support in the coming year, we aim to expand our reach, continue to present local and international artists, and further enrich our community through art.
Here are 3 ways you can help...
Donate so we can continue to present the great art & events you love.
Join the Culture Lab LIC Family by Becoming a Member!
Help us keep our doors open by becoming an Official Sponsor!
Our ART GALLERY is open Thursday & Friday, 5-9pm, and Saturday & Sunday, 2-10pm. Keep your eye on our social media for updates on our upcoming theatre, dance and comedy performances!
As a member of Culture Lab LIC, you directly support dozens of arts, cultural and neighborhood organizations enjoyed by the entire community. As a Thank You for your awesomeness, each of our membership levels offer something for everyone: $2 off drinks, early viewings to monthly exhibitions, artists talks, Culture Lab LIC swag, and discounts to theater, dance, music concerts, and special events. We have an exciting season ahead of us and we cannot wait to share it with you!
Employment Opportunities
At Culture Lab LIC, we are not only hiring a new Operations Director, we are looking for a team player to join our small but mighty crew during one of the most exciting times in our organization's history. Culture Lab LIC is growing fast with new programs, partnerships, and opportunities unfolding every day. This is a major role at our organization with wide-ranging responsibilities. You will have the support of a dedicated staff, a committed board, and a passionate community that truly loves what we do. If you are energized by collaboration, inspired by community, have a strong skill set, and are excited to help shape the future of a growing arts nonprofit, we encourage you to apply.
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