LONG ISLAND CITY — A group of independent designers will host a holiday market in Queens this weekend where vendors will sell their wares and local dance groups will perform for shoppers.
The Asteria Indie Collective Holiday Market will take place Sunday at The Aurora Gallery in Long Island City, featuring clothing, art, jewelry and accessories, along with food vendors and performances from flamenco and belly dancers.
"We just wanted to add a different spin to the event — instead of people just coming to shop, we wanted to entertain them," said organizer Debbie Cartsos, an Astoria resident, dancer and clothing designer.
She and two other fellow designers — jewelry maker Lorenia Henriquez and Tatianna Morales, who makes specialized candles and oils — to form the Asteria Indie Collective. "Asteria" is a Greek word for "Stars," Cartsos says.
"Even though we're smaller indie designers, we are all coming together to shine," she explained.
Other vendors at the market will include nail polish company Twee & Honey, clothing from Queens88 and handcrafted soaps from Stone Cottage Soapworks, among others.
Food vendors like gluten-free dessert purveyor Nena's Cupcakes & Goodies and Industria Argentina Grill & Caterers will be serving up snacks.
The Aurora Gallery will also feature the works of eight different artists.
Dance performances will start at 12:30 p.m. and will include The Solettes, a group of dancers from the Astoria-based Sol Dance Center, guitar and flamenco duo Lisa y Josué and others.
The event will also feature a raffle, with proceeds from it going to the Queens Council on the Arts.
The Asteria Indie Collective Holiday Market will take place Sunday, Dec. 7 from noon to 6 p.m. at The Aurora Gallery, 35-18 37th St., 2nd Floor. For more information visit the Collective's website.
