Shortest Month Long on Events in Queens

Be happy for geography. In Finland, February is called “helmikuu,” which translates to “month of the pearl” because snow melts on tree branches then. In Queens, the 28-day period is characterized by great food, theater, dance, film, circus, world traditions, and even greenery. Here’s the ten best borough activities in the year’s shortest month.

10. Jan. 31-Feb 16, Queen. The Astoria Performing Arts Center presents this play about two female scientists who have spent seven years researching vanishing bee populations. Just as they’re about to publish a career-defining paper, one finds an error that could damage their reputations, careers, and friendship. Shows are Thursdays and Fridays at 8 pm and Saturdays at 2 pm and 8 pm. The Black Box at the Variety Boys & Girls Club of Queens, 21-12 30th Rd. Astoria, bit.ly/2QZ1rgw.

9. Feb. 24, The Beauty of Ballet, 1 pm & 3 pm. How do ballerinas dance on their toes? How do they spin and turn without getting dizzy? The School of American Ballet answers these questions and performs moments from Sleeping Beauty, The Nutcracker, and Swan Lake. Queens Theatre, 14 United Nations Ave. S., Flushing Meadows Corona Park, queenstheatre.org.

8. Feb. 24, Cirque Zuma Zuma, 3 pm. A Kenyan circus with such acts as hula hoops, human pyramids, Zulu dance, chair balancing, comedy, foot juggling, contortion, and tumbling. Queens College’s Colden Auditorium, 153-49 Reeves Ave., Flushing, kupferbergcenter.org.

7. Feb. 8-Feb. 17, Cyrano. Titan Theatre Company presents a 70-minute tour de force play with romance, sword fighting, and quick changes. Queens Theatre, 14 United Nations Ave. S., Flushing Meadows Corona Park, titantheatrecompany.com.

6. Feb. 2-Feb. 9, Lunar Year Plant Sale. The Queens Botanical Garden offers auspicious greenery, everything from jades to peace lilies. 43-50 Main St., Flushing, queensbotanical.org.

5. Feb. 15, Victor Manuelle, 8 pm. Known as “El Sonero de la Juventud,” this Puerto Rican singer has been nominated for a Latin Grammy. He specializes in Romantic Salsa. Queens College’s Colden Auditorium, 153-49 Reeves Ave., Flushing, kupferbergcenter.org.

4. Feb. 17, Chinese New Year Temple Bazaar, 11 am & 2 pm. For centuries, the Chinese have celebrated Lunar New Year in temple fairs. Flushing Town Hall fests the moment with performances, art making, lantern making, and food to celebrate the Year of the Pig. 137-35 Northern Blvd., flushingtownhall.org.

3. Feb. 23, Charcuterie Masters, 6 pm. This annual Flushing Town Hall feast features more than 60 varieties of charcuterie, such as ham, salami, paté, and sausage. 137-35 Northern Blvd., bit.ly/2RBuQCD.

2. Feb. 9, Viva Momix, Feb. 10. Queens Theatre hosts dancer-illusionists and their surreal, wondrous, and massively creative choreography on Feb. 9 at 2 pm and 8 pm and Feb. 10 at 3 pm. 14 United Nations Ave. S., Flushing Meadows Corona Park, queenstheatre.org.

1. Feb. 1-Feb. 22 Black History Month Celebration. The Museum of the Moving Image presents screenings every Friday at 7:30 pm with the following schedule: Body Games: Capoeira and Ancestry, a documentary on a Brazilian Capoeira master’s search for the martial art’s African roots on Feb. 1; A conversation with actress-turned-filmmaker Karyn Parsons and The Bessie Coleman Story, a short animated film about the first African American female aviator on Feb. 8; short films with social justice themes in the hybrid form of filmmaking called ScreenDance on Feb. 15; and the world premiere of And I Danced, a documentary about back-up hip-hop dancers followed by a celebrity panel discussion on Feb. 22. 36-01 35th Ave., Astoria’s Kaufman Arts District, movingimage.us.

More info at itsinqueens.com.