LIC for Brooklynites – 17 fun things to see and do

Theaters and Performance Venues

The Chocolate Factory Theater

Image source: The Chocolate Factory Theater

This Obie Award-winning theater, dedicated to helping realize new works for multi-disciplinary theater, is housed in a 5,000 square foot, two-story renovated commercial garage. It supports artists and creative professionals with a residency program, free workspace for curated visiting artists, and produces 20-30 shows a year.

The origins of The Chocolate Factory lie with the members of theater et al (1999-2004), who were in search for affordable space and the luxury of time, as well as the proper technology needed to push the envelope in the concept of live performance. Seeing a show at The Chocolate Factory might include dance, spoken word, video, and beyond.

The Chocolate Factory, Theater, 5-49 49th Ave., Long Island City, NY 11101; (718) 482-7069; chocolatefactorytheater.org (GMAP)

Creek and the Cave

Known for a long time as the home to tasty California-style Mexican food in LIC, the Creek and the Cave has worked to gain a reputation for excellent live comedy shows. They’ve gotten so good at putting on these shows that Time Out New York rated them as one of top comedy venues in the city, along with the likes of Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre and Magnet Theater.

Comedian Colin Quinn has performed there a number of times, and in September 2012, comedian Jerry Seinfeld treated the audience with an introduction to Quinn’s performance. Stay for the food, too – the fish tacos (breaded, please) in particular are excellent, and the margaritas come in pint sizes.

Creek and the Cave, 10-93 Jackson Ave., Long Island City, NY 11101; (718) 706-8783; creeklic.com (GMAP)

LaGuardia Performing Arts Center

Image source: LPAC

Known as LPAC, this performance space at LaGuardia Community College aims to present high-quality programming that reflects the diversity in the local community and the world. Here, you’ll see internationally acclaimed music, theater, and dance pieces, by artists such as the acclaimed Ballet Hispanico. LPAC has become a performing arts destination in LIC.

LPAC, 31-10 Thomson Ave., Long Island City, NY 11101; (718) 482-5151; lagcc.cuny.edu/lpac (GMAP)

Laughing Devil Comedy Club

Image source: Laughing Devil Comedy Club

This small club has hosted some great comics in the short time they’ve been open, including Ted Alexandro, Judah Friedlander, Michael Somerville, Rich Voss, and club owner and comedian Steve Hofstetter. Shows run Wednesdays through Sundays with multiple comics each night. Wednesday at 6pm is usually reserved for open mic, too.

Along with your comedy, you can order food – such a Tots of the Damned, pulled pork tacos, and chocolate bourbon pecan pie – and drink – draught beer and signature cocktails, mostly named after famous comedians like George Carlin and Richard Pryor (shows have a 2 drink minimum along with the cover charge of between $5 and $20).

Laughing Devil Comedy Club, 47-38 Vernon Blvd., Long Island City, NY 11101; (347) 913-3845; laughingdevil.com (GMAP)

The Secret Theatre

Image source: The Secret Theatre

This theater space – established in 2005 by Richard Mazda as an an off off Broadway theater – is located in The Long Island City Art Center, and is home to The Queens Players, a local non-union company that presents both new works and classic theater works. The Secret Theater has also been the location for a variety of performing arts, including dance, music, and plays, as well as classes, art openings, parties, films (including the most recent Astoria/LIC International Film Festival), and more. Performances are Thursdays through Sundays.

The Secret Theatre, 44-02 23rd St., Long Island City, NY 11101; (718) 392-0722; secrettheatre.com (GMAP)

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