Centennial Celebration

Events

All events are free unless otherwise noted, and registration is required. To reserve, call 212-588-0007 or visit the website listed with each event.

Sunday, May 31

Centennial Ceremonial Parade
9am. Queensboro Bridge.
Scott Stringer and Helen M. Marshall, Manhattan and Queens borough presidents, respectively, will be joined by other diginitaries,vintage cars, drum and trumpet corps and marching bands to kick off the centennial shindig mid-span on the bridge. You can catch the celebration from Queens, Manhattan or Roosevelt Island (but not on the bridge itself); listen for the celebratory sounds and look for the FDNY Fireboat, below, which will mark the occasion with a multi-color salute.

Refreshments at Tramway Park
Tramway Park, 299 E 60th St at First Ave. 11am.
Gather with other fans of the bridge after the centennial parade for Dunkin’ Donuts treats.
eventsbot.com/events/eb061123359

Hunter College Jazz Ensemble
Pavilion Park, 599 E 60th St at York Ave. 3pm.
One of Manhattan’s best vantage points for taking in the bridge gets even better with a performance by the Hunter College Jazz Ensemble.
eventsbot.com/events/eb101123244

Fireworks display
View from both sides of the East River and Roosevelt Island. 9:15pm.
The festivities culminate in a spectacular firework display from Roosevelt Island; see nycbridges100.org for a list of viewing areas.

Monday, June 1

“The Queensboro Bridge—History, Construction Into the 2nd Century, Courage to Build the Bridge”
Weiss Cafeteria at Rockefeller University, 1230 York Ave at 65th St. 6:30pm.
Manhattan borough historian Michael Miscione; Henry Perahia, the deputy commissioner of the NYC Department of Transportation; and Sam Schwartz, president of the NYC Centennial Bridge Commission and former commissioner of the NYC Department of Transportation, will discuss the bridge’s history, impact and future.
eventsbot.com/events/eb031123171

Tuesday, June 2

“Different Aspects of the Queensboro Bridge”
Weiss Cafeteria at Rockefeller University, 1230 York Ave at 65th St. 6:30pm.
Discover the importance of the bridge from various different angles at this lecture and slide show by Judy Berdy, Bob Singleton and Dave Frieder, including the construction, trolley and kiosk.
eventsbot.com/events/eb591123074

Wednesday, June 3

“How the Bridge Transformed the Life of NYC”
Mt. Vernon Museum, 421 E 61st St between Sutton Pl and First Ave. 6:30pm.
NYU professor J. Ward Regan discusses the impact the bridge has had on New York and New Yorkers.
eventsbot.com/events/eb681120750

“The Queensboro Bridge as Seen Through the eyes of Gridlock Sam”
NY Public Library of Science, 188 Madison Ave at 34th St. 6pm.
“Gridlock Sam” Schwartz, former commissioner of the NYC Department of Transportation, knows a thing or two about the Queensboro Bridge. Hear his unique take on the subject.
eventsbot.com/events/eb861120636

“History & Geography in the Environment of the Queensboro Bridge”
NW Corner of 21st St and 41st Ave, LIC. 6pm.
Historian Jack Eichenbaum will lead this walk through the LIC neighborhood adjacent to the bridge, explaining its history and how it’s developed along with the bridge.
eventsbot.com/events/eb221120904

“Queensboro Bridge—A Vision Realized”
Fardom Gallery 21-17 41st Ave at 21st St, LIC. 6:30pm.
Artist Antonio Masi hosts this lecture, exhibit and reception.
eventsbot.com/events/eb341120890

Thursday, June 4

Manhattan Borough President’s Reception
Municipal Building, 1 Centre St at Chambers St, 19th floor south. 6pm
Join Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer for a reception and exhibition of historic photos of the Queensboro Bridge.
eventsbot.com/events/eb911120413

“Construction Impact of the Bridge”
Greater Astoria Historical Society, 35-20 Broadway at 35th St, 4th floor, LIC. 7pm.
This lecture and slide show is sure to feature impressive images and facts you never knew about the bridge.
eventsbot.com/events/eb901120508

Friday, June 5

“Trams, Trolley, Strecker Memorial Laboratory” walking tour
Tramway Park, Second Ave at 60th St. $3–$5. 4:30pm.
The New York Transit Museum presents this walking (and a little riding) tour. Bring a MetroCard. You’ll start in Manhattan and end at the Roosevelt Island Kiosk.
eventsbot.com/events/eb601120311

Motion picture screening by the Museum of the Moving Image
LaGuardia Community College, Little Theatre, 31-10 Thomson Ave at Jackson Ave, LIC. 6:30pm.
See how often the Queensboro Bridge has played a supporting role when the Museum of the Moving Image screens a specially curated montage featuring the bridge, plus a full-length feature.
eventsbot.com/events/eb821120225

Saturday, June 6

Queens Plaza Walking Tour
East Side of Crescent St at Queens Plaza North, LIC. 10am.
Walking Tour with Richard Melnick, president of the Greater Astoria Historical Society.
eventsbot.com/events/eb151120150

“Building Structures and Sculptures Out of—You Guessed It—Trash”
SculptureCenter, 4419 Purves St between Jackson and Thomson Aves, LIC. 1pm.
This exhibit gives new meaning to the phrase reduce, reuse, recycle.
eventsbot.com/events/eb821119911

Marco Polo Charter Boat Tour/Lecture
Skyport Marina at the Boat Basin, 550 E 23rd St at the East River. 1pm, 2:30pm.
Historian Bernard Ente gives you the 411 on the Queensboro Bridge and its surroundings, from the unparalleled vantage of the East River.
eventsbot.com/events/eb491119861 for the 1pm tour or eventsbot.com/events/eb651114416 for the 2:30pm tour

Martha Graham Dance Company performance
LaGuardia Community College Main Stage Theatre, 31-10 Thomson Ave at Jackson Ave, LIC. 2pm.Coinciding with Project Diversity and the Queens Art Express is this performance by the groundbreaking choreographer’s company. eventsbot.com/events/eb361119713

Burial of Centennial Time Capsule by Hunter College Students
Tramway Park, 299 E 60th St at Second Ave. 4pm.
A Barack Obama T-shirt? A dollar bill? What items will capture this moment in NYC history?
eventsbot.com/events/eb001115911

Exhibits

May 28–July 31
“Trans-positions Along the Queensboro Bridge” exhibit presented by Long Island City Artists, Inc
•Henry DeFord III Gallery at CitiGroup, 44th Dr and Jackson Ave, LIC. Mon–Fri 9am–5pm.
•Space Realty, 29-09 39th Ave between 29th and 30th Sts, LIC. Mon–Fri 9am–5pm.
•Holiday Inn, 39-05 29th St at 39th Ave, LIC. Mon–Fri 9am–5pm.

May 28–June 28
“Life Around the Queensboro Bridge”
Long Island City Branch Library, 37-44 21st St between 37th and 38th Aves, LIC .
An opening reception on May 28 at 6pm kicks off this photography exhibit. May 29–June 26
“Queensboro Bridgescapes” work by artist Antonio Masi
Fardom Gallery, 21-17 41st Ave at 21st St, LIC. Wed, Fri noon–9pm; Thu, Sat noon–6pm.

March 31–June 30
“Images of Bridge Construction”
Greater Astoria Historical Society, 35-20 Broadway at 35th St, 4th floor, LIC. Sat noon–5pm; Wed 6pm–8pm.

May 31–June 23
“Connecting Islands and Generations—The Queensboro Bridge at 100”
Gallery RIVAA, 527 Main St, Roosevelt Island. Call 212-308-6630 for exhibit hours.
Reception May 31, 2–7pm.

May 31–July 4
“All Aboard to the Past: The Queensboro Bridge Trolley”
Roosevelt Island Kiosk at the foot of the Roosevelt Island Tram Station, Daily 2–7pm.
The Roosevelt Island Historical Society sponsors this exhibit of photographs by Sid Kaplan.

June 1–30
“Historic NYC Bridge Photographs”
Manhattan Borough President’s Art Gallery, Municipal Building, 1 Centre St at Chambers St, 19th floor south. Mon–Fri 10am–4pm.

P.S. 59 second graders’ bridge art
TD Bank, 1091 Third Ave at 64th St. Daily.

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Midtown East

Centennial Celebrations

Long Island City