Happy 5 de Mayo neighbor!

Around the neighborhood, plenty of Latino bars are celebrating today, so if Tuesday suddenly feels like it deserves a margarita, blame the calendar.

And since Mother’s Day is coming up this Sunday, we’ve got a very practical little treat for the moms, caregivers, and busy households of Jackson Heights:

We’re partnering with Green Duster Cleaners to give away one professional deep cleaning package worth $350. The giveaway is free to enter, takes less than a minute, and is only for Jackson Heights residents. Green Duster will contact the winner directly → fill in the form here to win the giveaway!​

Flowers are lovely. Brunch is great. But a professionally cleaned home? That might be the real love language.

Over on the neighborhood gossip desk, Jackson Heights has been getting the movie star treatment. The sixth Exorcist movie, starring Scarlett Johansson, has been filming nearby, with shoots in front of Lucky Strike Bowling last week and around 88th Street and 37th Avenue this week. Very casual. Just another day in the neighborhood, except with cameras, cables, and maybe a demon or two.

We have also had a Pink Panther sighting.

Yes, an actual person in a Pink Panther suit, often biking around and promoting a shop on 37th Avenue. Not sure whether to call it advertising, public art, or peak Jackson Heights, but we respect the commitment!

Plus, Jackson Pilates is officially open. The new reformer studio was created by Paige, a local neighbor who wanted more fitness options close to home and built the studio with community in mind. Their full schedule launches this week, with classes running six days a week. For beginners, they recommend the 30-minute Intro to Reformer class, which is currently offered at a $10 drop-in rate. They are also offering select classes in Spanish and planning future programming for prenatal and postpartum classes, senior classes, private sessions, and small workshops. Neighbors can stop by their open house on May 23 at 12pm to check out the reformers, meet the team, and ask questions.

So between 5 de Mayo, Mother’s Day, movie shoots, mystery panthers, and Pilates, our little corner of Queens is once again doing the most.

Now let’s get into the events before the Pink Panther beats us there!

This Week in Jackson Heights

May 5 to May 11, 2026

Featured Event

📚 Pages in the Park: What Kind of Queen? by Cindy Lozito | Sunday, May 10, 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM | Travers Park

Celebrate authors in the park with a joyful picture book biography of José Sarria, a pioneering activist, drag queen, WWII veteran, and the first openly gay candidate to run for public office in the United States. Preorder the book to receive limited edition illustrator stickers and get your copy signed at the event. Meet a true queen​

Dinner Club is back on Tuesday, May 26 Want to meet more neighbors over good food? Join the next Jackson Heights Dinner Club on Tuesday, May 26 at 6:30 PM. We’ll match you with a small group for dinner at a local restaurant, then everyone can meet up afterward for drinks. Grab a Seat at the Table

Tuesday, May 5

Jackson Heights Arts & Learning Mother’s Day Event | 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM | Travers Park • For kids ages 0 to 3, read-alouds, music, movement, raffle prizes, and tiny creative chaos → Bring the little ones​

In Studio Community Class: Flow + Connect, Yoga Para Todos | 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM | 2nd Story Pilates + Yoga • Bilingual Spanish and English, newcomers welcome • $10 → Find your flow​

Wednesday, May 6

The Pedro Giraudo Quartet, Contemporary Tango | 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM | Terraza 7 • Latin GRAMMY-winning tango fire, first set • $20 cover → Feel the tango​

Thursday, May 7

Craft Hour With Queens Botanical Garden | 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM | Queens Public Library at Jackson Heights • Botanical crafting for adults, seniors, and teens 14+, no registration needed → Get crafty with plants​

Mother’s Day Wine & Dine | 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM | Addictive Wine and Tapas • Five-course Mother’s Day dinner with wine pairings, RSVP by phone encouraged • $100 → Toast to Mom early​

Friday, May 8

Jackson Heights Acoustic Music Jam | 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM | The World’s Borough Bookshop • Local musicians, cozy bookshop vibes, bring your ears → Jam with neighbors​

Saturday, May 9

Saturday AM Kids Art Club! / Clases de Arte para Niñxs! | 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM | A.R.T. Shop • Bilingual art class for ages 6 to 15, ages 4 and 5 with adult guidance → Make tiny masterpieces​

Clean Cut Grooves, Barbershop DJ Session | 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM | Hugo Ace Barbershop • Haircuts meet DJ sets, very Roosevelt Ave → Catch the clean cuts​

Music Show: Dan Strauss | 8:30 PM to 10:00 PM | Espresso 77 • Alternative folk, thoughtful songs, excellent coffeehouse mood → Hear the stories​

Sunday, May 10

Pages in the Park: What Kind of Queen? by Cindy Lozito | 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM | Travers Park • Picture book biography, author celebration, preorder perks, park joy → Meet a true queen​

34 Ave Bike Classes, All Ages | 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM | 34th Avenue & 93rd Street • Bike lessons for kids and adults, helmets sponsored, no Tour de France pressure → Learn to ride​

Monday, May 11

Monday Social Walk | 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM | Junction Boulevard & 34th Avenue • Easy 2 to 3 mile neighbor walk, start the week upright → Walk it out​

More to do in Queens

In partnership with events newsletter Astoria Live – another local events newsletter well worth having in your inbox

Astoria Live Astoria Live is your weekly guide to what’s happening in Astoria, Queens — from live music and comedy shows to pop-ups, classes, and community events. Sign up for the newsletter to discover local gems and connect with your neighbors every week. Subscribe​

Queens Night Market | Sat May 9, 4:00 PM to 11:59 PM | Queens Museum, Flushing Meadows Corona Park • Food, music, and transit recommended → Eat around Queens​

ECS 2026, Highlights Festival | Sun May 10, 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM | Flushing Town Hall • Dance, Q&A, anniversary energy • $15 advance, $25 general → Catch the choreography​

Peer-to-Business Networking Mixer for Students | Mon May 11, 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM | Queens College • Students, energy careers, refreshments, free → Make the connection​

Heads-up: times and places can change, so make sure you confirm event details with the organizers before you go.

And remember – this list is just a selection of everything that’s going on locally. You can check out full listings for more events at JacksonHeightsInsider.com/events​

High-Fives & Local Love

Shout-out to the brands keeping this newsletter going:

Own a local business? Help keep this neighborhood newsletter free and community-powered, with your logo featured above → Sponsor Jackson Heights Insider​

And a big thanks to our personal supporters: Felice Amera, Emily Moore, Oda Friedheim, Joseph Faillace, Emily Hackenburg, Zach McCurdy, Diana Chery, Nikki Amberstone, Alice Crespo, John Capouya, Nancy Cardenas, Ursula Avelino, Philip Washburne, Paola Bakos, Joseph Varghese, RJ Harden, Barbara Goodwin, Patricia Marjoribanks, Sara Klar, Sam Raker, Ankit Gupta and Arlene Gilbert.

Want to join them in supporting this newsletter? → Become a Jackson Heights Insider supporter here (and unlock extra perks)

That’s all for this week! May your week be clean, your core be strong, and your neighborhood gossip be Scarlett Johansson-adjacent.

Jonathan (JBS)