(Queens, NY) At this time of year, it appears appropriate to give thanks to the Museum of the Moving Image, Flushing Town Hall and the Secret Theatre as they offer drama, dance, Muppets, movies, out-of-this-world storytelling and music over this year’s Thanksgiving holiday. Other activities include standup comedy, a book lecture, composting lessons and experimental dance. Here’s the rundown.
Nov. 29, A Dog’s Life: A Rowlf Retrospective, 1 pm. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the premiere of The Jimmy Dean Show, which catapulted Rowlf the Dog to superstardom. In honor of this milestone, the Museum of the Moving Image celebrates Rowlf’s greatest moments (and Jim Henson’s greatest performances) from commercials, industrial films, variety shows and The Muppet Show. MMI, 36-01 35th Ave., Astoria, www.movingimage.us.
Nov. 29, A Full-ish Deck, 7:30 pm. The Secret Theatre and the Queen’s Secret Improv Club present a roster of house-formed and veteran indie improv teams, including Butter High, Monster Monster, Perfect Stranglers, Petting Zoo (musical), Sister Sex Wolf, Funkle Todd, Mercury and Goose. Six sets featuring two shows each run every hour until 10:30 pm. $7 for as many shows as desired. TST, 44-02 23rd St., Long Island City, www.secrettheatre.com.
Nov. 29, Jurassic Park, 3:30 pm; The Big Lebowski, 7 pm. Over Thanksgiving weekend, the Museum of the Moving Image gives thanks to actress Julianne Moore with a six-film retrospective. In Jurassic Park, Moore plays a behavioral paleontologist stranded on an island with dinosaurs. In The Big Lebowski, Moore is a feminist avant-garde artist along with Jeff Bridges as “the Dude,” a slacker mistaken for a crime honcho. MMI, 36-01 35th Ave., Astoria, www.movingimage.us.
Nov. 30, JL Dance presents: Adrenaline 2013, 7:30 pm (and Dec. 1, 5 pm). JL Dance is a professional dance and performing arts company from Jackson Heights, featuring adults and children doing Latin and international productions. $20. The Secret Theatre, 44-02 23rd St., Long Island City, www.secrettheatre.com.
Nov. 30, Prime Time Jokes, 8 pm and 10:30 pm. Greg Warren, most recently seen on Comedy Central Presents, The Late Late Show and Last Comic Standing, performs as part of a standup showcase. $10. Laughing Devil Comedy Club, 47-38 Vernon Blvd., Long Island City, www.laughingdevil.com.
Nov. 30, Far From Heaven, 4 pm; Boogie Nights, 7 pm. Over Thanksgiving weekend, the Museum of the Moving Image gives thanks to actress Julianne Moore with a six-film retrospective. Moore received one of her four Oscar nominations for her role as a 1950s housewife who falls in love with her black gardener in Far From Heaven. Boogie Nights chronicles life among a group of California pornographers in the 1970s. Moore received an Oscar nomination for her performances as the seasoned porn star Amber Waves. MMI, 36-01 35th Ave., Astoria, www.movingimage.us.
Dec. 1, Hanukah Oh Hanukah, 1 pm and 3 pm. Celebrate Hanukah, the Festival of Lights, with award-winning storyteller Robin Bady as she shares her favorite stories and songs of miracles, menorahs, dreidels and potato latkes with accompaniment by alt-rock violinist Deni Bonet. $10. Flushing Town Hall, 137-35 Northern Blvd., Flushing, www.flushingtownhall.org.
Dec. 1, Safe, 4 pm; The Kids Are All Right, 7 pm. Over Thanksgiving weekend, the Museum of the Moving Image gives thanks to actress Julianne Moore with a six-film retrospective. In Safe, Moore is a housewife who becomes allergic to chemical toxins in her environment and escapes to a retreat. In The Kids Are All Right, Moore is a lesbian parent whose teenage children seek out their biological father and who begins to question her own sexuality. MMI, 36-01 35th Ave., Astoria, www.movingimage.us.
Dec. 1, Bellerose Community Composters Workday, 10:30 am to 2:30 pm. The NYC Compost Project and Queens Botanical Gardens host a day to learn the art and science of community-based composting by mixing up a new batch of compost with 10,000 pounds of food scraps. Free. Queens County Farm Museum, 73-50 Little Neck Pkwy., Floral Park, www.queensbotanical.org.
Dec. 2, Author Discusses New Book on Caring for Loved Ones, 1:30 pm. Letty Cottin Pogrebin, cofounder of Ms. Magazine and a bestselling author, discusses her new book, How to Be A Friend to a Friend Who is Sick. $7 suggested donation. Central Queens Y, 67-09 108th St., Forest Hills, www.cqy.org.
Dec. 4, Monthly Jazz Jam, 7 pm. Play or listen to music by professional jazz musicians, graduate students studying jazz and music educators. Meet new contacts, hone your chops, and jam with peers. Open to the general public. $10/Free for performers, members and students. Flushing Town Hall, 137-35 Northern Blvd., Flushing, www.flushingtownhall.org.
Dec. 4, Someone Once Called Me A Sound Man, 8 pm (nightly through Dec. 7). The Chocolate Factory concludes its Fall 2013 season with Jon Kinzel’s dance piece, which integrates kinetic, auditory and visual elements while also exploring broader social issues related to identity, gender, language, culture and history. $15. CF, 5-49 49th Ave., LIC, www.chocolatefactorytheater.org.
The It’s In Queens column is produced by the Queens Tourism Council with the hope that readers will enjoy the borough’s wonderful attractions. More info: www.itsinqueens.com.
