Juan Carlos Espinoza is a Queens-based filmmaker and photographer who currently works for The Actor Launchpad as an inhouse cinematographer/editor. The native Chilean also freelances with local businesses and artists to create video and photo content for websites and social media. His Instagram contains some of his work, and if you’re lucky, you’ll catch a story featuring his pup. Here are some of his favorites things about the World’s Most Diverse (and Delicious) Borough.
Great Eats
The 24-hour diner is sadly becoming a relic in the United States, but luckily I have Jax Inn Diner in Jackson Heights whenever I’m searching for that nostalgic feeling. Everything from the vibrant neon lights that flood the parking lot entrance down to the vintage style dining booths that line the walls, it really captures the essence of the diners I frequented growing up in Queens. The menu has all your standard diner fare with some delicious extra options. The red velvet pancakes topped with cream cheese icing are incredible, but even more incredible is that you can order them at 3 am — and everyone knows that pancakes taste better at that time.
Wander Streets
Whether I’m trying to clear my head or searching for inspiration, I find it difficult not to wander over to the Astoria Park waterfront. The park itself rests under two bridges and has a pool, a skatepark, a track, and several basketball courts. But the fact that you can still find calm and serenity as you gaze along the flow of the East River is really the public space’s most remarkable feat. You can climb atop one of its grassy knolls and watch the sunset from a bench, find a perfect place for a picnic on the great lawn, or stroll through tree-lined paths as you explore everything the park has to offer.
Historic Feats
As a filmmaker, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the Museum of the Moving Image in Astoria’s Kaufman Arts District. The gem continues its summer tradition of showing classic films in 70mm prints starting in July with Stanley Kubrick’s classic A Space Odyssey: 2001. MoMI also has The Jim Henson Exhibition, where you can see how he and his team brought The Muppet Show to life, and then make your way over to Horrible Sites, an exhibition that highlights the makeup and production design for The Exorcist, one of the greatest horror films ever made.
Unique Treats
If you’ve had a long day and you’re looking to unwind, I don’t think there’s a better unique treat than the espresso martini at Upstairs Cocktail Bar in Jackson Heights. Made with vodka, coffee liqueur, espresso, and a decadent espresso foam, this specialty cocktail is rich, but not too filling. And with a speakeasy nature, the bar is the perfect low-key place to enjoy such a vibrant libation.
While looking for something delicious to snack on, I recently discovered the local vendor BakedByJ, who has an incredible selection of cookies and treats and the most delicious Oreo cupcake I’ve ever had. I couldn’t even tell that it was 100 percent vegan.
Editor’s note: The Actor Launchpad has developed a streamlined system to help clients create a powerful brand, tailored around their strengths, to help them land roles that fit their unique talents and typecast. Main services are demo reel production, headshots, résumé, and website. But the company also provides services in script creation, style, line memorization, and editing.
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