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Waltz-Astoria Team Finds New Space for Music and Open Mic Nights

 Contestants in Waltz-Astoria's singer-songwriter contest last year. The performance space closed its Ditmars Boulevard location this spring, and will start hosting its events at Tantra Lounge in August.
Contestants in Waltz-Astoria's singer-songwriter contest last year. The performance space closed its Ditmars Boulevard location this spring, and will start hosting its events at Tantra Lounge in August.
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Waltz-Astoria

ASTORIA — The show will go on.

After closing its Ditmars Boulevard location this spring, the team behind cafe and performance venue Waltz-Astoria has found a new home in the neighborhood — the owners will be hosting events four nights a week at Tantra Lounge, a club at 35-50 31st St., starting in August.

Pedro Gonzalez, who opened Waltz-Astoria with his wife Song in 2005, said he's a longtime friend of Tantra's owner, who offered up the space to them Sunday through Wednesday, when the club is closed.

"He's only open three days a week, so he's not doing anything with the space," Gonzalez said. "He's like, 'Do you want to come and take over for those nights?'"

The offer was a welcome one.

Known for its open mic nights and other arts-focused events — like an annual singer-songwriter contest — Waltz-Astoria closed its longtime location at 23-14 Ditmars Blvd. in April, with plans to move into a another space nearby, only to have the new location fall through at the last minute.

Left without a home, they decided to take their show on the road, and have been hosting pop-up open mic nights at bars and restaurants throughout the neighborhood at spots including Rocky McBride's, Astor Bake Shop and Sunset Lounge.

"It's been great," he said, saying the pop-ups helped give his close-knit group of open-mic regulars — affectionately dubbed "waltzers" — the chance to perform for new crowds and get some added exposure.

"We started this place so that these artists can grow," he said.

In its new space, Waltz-Astoria plans to host children's singalong classes — called "Little Waltzers" — in the mornings and events at night, like live music, open mics and karaoke events.

Gonzalez said they are still hoping to find a permanent place of their own, but that they're happy to have found a new home for now.

"We're trying to make sure that everyone knows we're back in business and doing our thing," he said.