Queens -- North West Region

(Long Island City, Newtown Creek, Astoria, Steinway, Woodside and Sunnyside

Long Island City and Newtown Creek

This is where civilization breaks down and the factories take over. Long Island City is a surreal town, especially at night, when the factories seem to glow with unworldly activity. Just what are they so busy doing? The imagination can run wild here, if you let it.

Citicorp built a large skyscraper here, but it stands alone and does not rehabilitate the area. Hookers prowl the corners in white furs, ghostly cabs roam. I don't know if you can tell ... but I love Long Island City.

The industrial park's southern border is Newtown Creek, the body of water that separates Queens from Brooklyn (though few people know this). I took this photo from a bridge across the creek:

Manhattan is across the East River. Ancient iron bridges, trundles, railroads and canals are at every intersection. Here's a view of the East River behind some typically mysterious ancient black structure:

The tall flat building across the river in Manhattan is the United Nations, built so the diverse peoples of the world would have a place to meet in peace. What did they need it for? The 7 train only costs one token.

Astoria

Astoria has a large Greek population. The largest park in town is called Socrates Park, and features a famous sculture garden. I could have taken a picture of that, but I thought I'd show you a tranny shop with classical aspirations instead:

Astoria, on the northwestern edge of Queens, is known for it's film and television studios. The Marx Brothers filmed their first two movies, Cocoanuts and Animal Crackers in the Kaufman Studios, which have now been turned into a Film/TV Museum. More recently, numerous TV shows, such as "The Cosby Show," are or were filmed in Astoria. I believe "Sesame Street" is filmed here as well. The active studios are usually nondescript block-wide buildings, easily mistakable for factories or warehouses.

The Silvercup Studios (which may actually be in Long Island City; I'm not sure) are probably more well known than the others for two reasons: the big SILVERCUP sign is prominently visible from the Queensboro Bridge, and the roof where this sign stands was the backdrop for the very dramatic final fight scene in the original film version of The Highlander.

Steinway

I've never been sure whether Steinway was a town or just a section of Astoria, but in any case there is a Steinway Street, and this part of western Queens is notable for one major thing: Steinway pianos are built here.

Also, this is where my dentist is.

Woodside

Woodside is pretty residential. Not much to say about it. There are a few nude bars along Northern Boulevard here. Pretty much basic Queens.

Sunnyside

Also basic Queens. Lots of stores and apartments.

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Queensboro Ballads
by Levi Asher