Selected NYC Events (09/25) + Today’s Featured Pub (WestVillage)

Posted on 09/25/2016 by

Today’s Sweet6 NYC Events > SUNDAY / SEPT 25, 2016

“We search the internet everyday looking for the very best of What’s Happening, primarily on Manhattan’s WestSide, so that you don’t have to.” We make it as easy as 1-2-3.
For future NYC Events be sure to check the tab above: “Annual NYC Events / Sept.”

Have time for only one NYC Event today? Do this:

Sondheim Unplugged
Feinstein’s/54 Below, 254 W54th St./ 7PM, $35+
“BACK FOR SEASON SEVEN! A celebrated New York event since 2010, the BroadwayWorld and Bistro Award-winning series Sondheim Unplugged features some of Broadway and cabaret’s most dynamic voices, accompanied by piano only, delving into the musical world of Broadway’s master composer.

Expect tunes from A Little Night Music, Company, Into the Woods, Follies, Passion, Dick Tracy and more. Past special guests have included original Sondheim cast members such as Len Cariou, Jim Walton, Donna McKechnie, Chip Zien & more – so you never know who might drop in. Sondheim Unplugged is hosted by series creator Phil Geoffrey Bond, who will fill the audience in on Sondheimien facts, history & assorted tidbits of theatrical lore! Come join the party!”

Music, Dance, Performing Arts

BILL CHARLAP TRIO (LAST DAY)
Village Vanguard, 178 Seventh Avenue South/ 8:30PM, +10:30PM, $30
“On his unerringly tasteful album “Notes From New York,” Mr. Charlap, a pianist, leads his longtime trio in a stroll through the American songbook. It’s what he does best and a good representation of what’s happening in this engagement, with Mr. Charlap joined as usual by the bassist Peter Washington and the drummer Kenny Washington (no relation).”(Chinen-NYT)

Betty Buckley: Story Songs (LAST DAY)
Joe’s Pub at the Public Theater, 425 Lafayette St./ 7PM, $50+
“Betty Buckley is a genuinely eccentric, eccentrically genuine Broadway diva, with a persona that shifts between fragility and imperiousness. In recent years, she’s moved away from the big belting of shows like Cats and Sunset Boulevard, favoring more monologue-like songs and arrangements. Her new Joe’s Pub focuses on storytelling, and ranges from musical theater (Stephen Schwartz, Jason Robert Brown) to modern rock (Radiohead).” (TONY)

The NYT loved this show:
Review: Betty Buckley Digs Deep for the Autumn in Her Soul
By STEPHEN HOLDEN

Smart Stuff / Other NYC Events
(Lectures, Discussions, Book Talks, Literary Readings, Classes, Food & Drink, Other

PHOTOVILLE (LAST DAY)
Brooklyn Bridge Plaza, Water Street, at New Dock Street, Fulton Ferry/
At various times, FREE
“This pop-up photography exhibition returns for its fifth year with more than 60 shows, workshops and installations set up inside repurposed shipping containers along the East River. Through the lens of photojournalism, portraiture, fine art and other methods, exhibitions mine subjects like social justice and identity, high school football and pit bulls. Nightly film screenings by National Geographic, NY1, PBS and The New York Times take place in the beer garden, which also has food provided by Smorgasburg vendors. Next Friday features a tribute to Bill Cunningham, the beloved Times fashion photographer who died in June. More information at photoville.com.” (NYT-AroundTown)

FEAST OF SAN GENNARO (LAST DAY)
Mulberry Street, from Houston St. to Canal St.
“This annual festival, a tribute to the patron saint of Naples, returns to Little Italy for its 90th edition. Highlights include the traditional cannoli- and meatball-eating contests. (Tony Danza will host the meatball competition.)  Events at various times and locations; more information at sangennaro.org.” (NYT-AroundTown)

Elsewhere, but this looks worth the detour:
42nd Annual Atlantic Antic Festival
Atlantic Avenue, btw 4th Ave/Hicks St. – 12PM to 6PM, FREE
“NYC’s largest street festival takes over Downtown Brooklyn for its 42nd year, with 10 blocks of food, performers, art and more. Peruse dozens of Brooklyn-based food vendors, craft breweries and artisanal shops, and try to catch all 12 performance stages while burning a hole in your pocket with all the provisions. Some of this year’s notable stars include members of Mark Morris Dance Center and World Martial Arts Center, the cast of Broadway’s Wicked, ’60s French–inspired band Les Sans Culottes and DJ Benny Blanco. Pace yourself.” (TONY)

=====================================================

Bonus NYC events– Jazz Venues:
Many consider NYCity the Jazz capital of the world. Here are my favorite Jazz clubs, all on Manhattan’s WestSide. Check out who is playing tonight:

Greenwich Village (all six are within walking distance of each other):
Village Vanguard – 178 7th Ave. South, villagevanguard.com, 212-255-4037
Blue Note – 131 W3rd St. nr 6th ave. bluenotejazz.com, 212-475-8592
55 Bar – basement @55 Christopher St. nr 7th ave.S. 55bar.com, 212-929-9883
Mezzrow – basement @ 163 W10th St. nr 7th Ave. mezzrow.com,646-476-4346
Smalls – basement @ 183 W10th St. smallslive.com, 646-476-4346
Cornelia Street Cafe – 29 Cornelia St. corneliastreetcafe.com, 212-989-9319

Outside Greenwich Village:
Dizzy’s Club – Broadway @ 60th St. — jazz.org/dizzys / 212-258-9595
Birdland – 315 W44th St.(btw 8/9ave) — birdlandjazz.com / 212-581-3080
Smoke Jazz Club – 2751 Broadway nr.106th St. — smokejazz.com / 212-864-6662

Special Mention:
Caffe Vivaldi – 32 Jones St. nr Bleecker St. — caffevivaldi.com / 212-691-7538
a classic, old jazz club in the Village, Caffe V often surprises with a wonderfully eclectic lineup. It’s my favorite spot for an evening of listening enjoyment and discovery.

==================================================================================
♦ Before making final plans, we suggest you call the venue to confirm ticket availability, dates and times, as schedules are subject to change.
♦ NYCity, with a population of  8.5 million, had a record 58 million visitors last year and was TripAdvisor’s Traveler’s Choice Top U.S. Destination for 2016.  Quality shows draw crowds.
Try to reserve seats for these top NYC events in advance, even if just on day of performance.
================================================================================

A PremierPub / West Village

Corner Bistro / 331 W. 4th St.

Sometimes you just need a beer and a burger. If so, Corner Bistro is the place you want. Located just outside the hip Meatpacking district, this corner bar and grill is decidedly unhip, but it’s not uncrowded, especially at night. Seems that everyone knows this place has one of the better burgers in town.

kac_120405_phude_corner_bistro_bar_1000-600x450In the maze of streets known as the West Village, where West 4th intersects with West 12th (and West 11th, and West 10th, go figure), you will eventually find Corner Bistro on the corner of West 4th and Jane Street. An unassuming neighborhood tavern, it looks just like dozens of other taverns around town.

The bartender tells me that the Corner Bistro celebrated it’s 50th anniversary last year. The well worn interior tells me that the place itself is much older.

Corner Bistro has outlasted many of those other taverns around town because they know how to keep it simple — just good burgers and beer, fairly priced. The classic bistro Burger is only $6.75, and should be ordered medium rare, which will be plenty rare for most folks. Actually, it will be a juicy, messy delight – make sure you have extra napkins. I like to pull up a stool and sit by the large front window in the afternoon, where I can rest my burger and beer on the shelf, and watch the Villagers walk by.

Corner Bistro seems to attract very different groups of patrons depending on time of day. While it’s crowded with locals in the evening, in the afternoon you hear different foreign languages, and watch groups of euro tourists wander in, led by their guidebooks and smartphones.

For the classic Bistro experience, order your burger with a McSorley’s draft, the dark preferably. This is the same beer that you can get over at the original McSorley’s in the East Village, the pub that claims to be the oldest continually operating bar in NYCity. The only difference is that this McSorley’s ale is served with a smile by the bartenders here. Or you can get a Sierra Nevada, Stella, or Hoegaarden on tap if you want to go upscale a bit. Either way this is a simple, but quality burger and beer experience that is just too rare these days (sorry for the pun).
=========================================================
Website: cornerbistrony.com
Phone #: 212-242-9502
Hours: 11:30am-4am Mon-Sat; 12pm-4am Sun
Happy Hour: NO
Music: Juke Box
Subway: #1/2/3 to 14th St. (S end of platform)
Walk 2 blk W. on 13th St. to 8th Ave.; 1 blk S. on 8th Ave. to Jane St.
Update:

==================================================================================
“Pub” is used in it’s broadest sense – bars, bar/restaurants, jazz clubs, wine bars, tapas bars, craft beer bars, dive bars, cocktail lounges, and of course, pubs – just about anyplace you can get a drink without a cover charge (except for certain jazz clubs).
If you have a fave premier pub or good eating place on Manhattan’s WestSide let us all know about it – leave a comment.

===========================================================

This week’s fave and FREE NYCity AppS: 
Trip Advisor
An enormous base of NYCity user reviews (2.1 million) provides the widest coverage of hotels (468), restaurants (12,645) and things to do (yes, 3,246). Have a specific question? Then try one of Trip Advisor’s forums. Just remember that with all those reviews you have to try to find the consistency among the comments, and ignore the outliers.

OpenTable
Instantly locate restaurants near you with open reservations and then place a reservation right from your iOS device. A great interface and the ability to see a menu from the restaurant you’re interested in makes this my go to restaurant reservation app.

Subway Time 
Need to catch your #1,2,3 subway to attend an event? Use the Subway Time app from the MTA to find out when the next train arrives at your station. The MTA also has Bus Time info available on their mobile website.
========================================================

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Selected NYC Events (09/24) + Museum Special Exhibitions: Manhattan’s 5th Avenue

Posted on 09/24/2016 by

Today’s Sweet6 NYC Events > SATURDAY / SEPT 24, 2016

“We search the internet everyday looking for the very best of What’s Happening, primarily on Manhattan’s WestSide, so that you don’t have to.” We make it as easy as 1-2-3.
For future NYC Events be sure to check the tab above: “Annual NYC Events / Sept.”

Have time for only one NYC Event today? Do this:

Betty Buckley: Story Songs (thru Sept.25)
Joe’s Pub at the Public Theater, 425 Lafayette St./ 7PM, $50+
“Betty Buckley is a genuinely eccentric, eccentrically genuine Broadway diva, with a persona that shifts between fragility and imperiousness. In recent years, she’s moved away from the big belting of shows like Cats and Sunset Boulevard, favoring more monologue-like songs and arrangements. Her new Joe’s Pub focuses on storytelling, and ranges from musical theater (Stephen Schwartz, Jason Robert Brown) to modern rock (Radiohead).” (TONY)

The NYT loved this show:
Review: Betty Buckley Digs Deep for the Autumn in Her Soul
By STEPHEN HOLDEN

Music, Dance, Performing Arts

BILL CHARLAP TRIO (through Sept. 25)
Village Vanguard, 178 Seventh Avenue South/ 8:30PM, +10:30PM, $30
“On his unerringly tasteful album “Notes From New York,” Mr. Charlap, a pianist, leads his longtime trio in a stroll through the American songbook. It’s what he does best and a good representation of what’s happening in this engagement, with Mr. Charlap joined as usual by the bassist Peter Washington and the drummer Kenny Washington (no relation).”(Chinen-NYT)

BRIAN WILSON PRESENTS ‘PET SOUNDS’
Beacon Theater, 2124 Broadway, at 74th St./ 8PM, $ try fan to fan resale
“Those who thought and wished and hoped and prayed it might be true that Brian Wilson — the pop maestro and frontman of the Beach Boys — would be bringing the entirety of “Pet Sounds” back to the stage can rejoice. To mark the album’s 50th anniversary, Mr. Wilson will bring songs like “God Only Knows” to life during a special evening at the Beacon Theater. Numbers like “That’s Not Me,” in which Mr. Wilson sings, “I once had a dream, so I packed up and split for the city,” will take on added poignancy in New York. With Al Jardine and Blondie Chaplin.” (Mejia-NYT)

Melissa Errico: Funny! I’m a Woman with Children
Feinstein’s/54 Below, 254 W54th St./ 7PM, $40+
“Back by popular demand! After a sold-out engagement this Spring, Melissa returns with her brand new show about the absurdities and ins and outs of marriage and motherhood. This acoustic evening features an eclectic range of songs from Sondheim, Jerry Herman, Lerner & Loewe, Michel Legrand, Jason Robert Brown and more. Joined by acclaimed pianist Tedd Firth, be prepared for an evening of nothing but Melissa simply with piano, voice and guitar, putting her heart on her sleeve, asking us how we connect and bringing us all closer with her vivacious warmth and soaring vocals.”

“One of the theater’s top musical delights!” – Cabaret Scenes
“A 70 minute musical tour de force!” – Times Square Chronicle

Smart Stuff / Other NYC Events
(Lectures, Discussions, Book Talks, Literary Readings, Classes, Food & Drink, Other

PHOTOVILLE (thru Sept. 25)
Brooklyn Bridge Plaza, Water Street, at New Dock Street, Fulton Ferry/
At various times, FREE
“This pop-up photography exhibition returns for its fifth year with more than 60 shows, workshops and installations set up inside repurposed shipping containers along the East River. Through the lens of photojournalism, portraiture, fine art and other methods, exhibitions mine subjects like social justice and identity, high school football and pit bulls. Nightly film screenings by National Geographic, NY1, PBS and The New York Times take place in the beer garden, which also has food provided by Smorgasburg vendors. Next Friday features a tribute to Bill Cunningham, the beloved Times fashion photographer who died in June. More information at photoville.com.” (NYT-AroundTown)

FEAST OF SAN GENNARO (thru Sept. 25)
Mulberry Street, from Houston St. to Canal St.
“This annual festival, a tribute to the patron saint of Naples, returns to Little Italy for its 90th edition. Highlights include the traditional cannoli- and meatball-eating contests. (Tony Danza will host the meatball competition.)  Events at various times and locations; more information at sangennaro.org.” (NYT-AroundTown)

===========================================================

Bonus NYC Events – Music Venues:
So much fine live music every night in this town. These are my favorite music venues, most on Manhattan’s WestSide. Check out who’s playing tonight:

City Winery – 155 Varick St., citywinery.com, 212-608-0555
Feinstein’s/54 Below – 254 W54th St., 54below.com, 646-476-3551
Joe’s Pub @ Public Theater – 425 Lafayette St., joespub.com, 212-967-7555
Metropolitan Room – 34W22ndSt., metropolitan room.com, 212-206-0440
Beacon Theatre – 2124 Broadway @ 74th St., beacontheatre.com, 212-465-6500
Bowery Ballroom – 6 Delancey St. boweryballroom.com,
B.B. King’s Blues Bar – 237W42nd St., bbkingblues.com, 212-997-2144
Le Poisson Rouge – 158 Bleecker St., lepoissonrouge.com, 212-505-3474

Special Mention:
Caffe Vivaldi – 32 Jones St. nr Bleecker St. caffevivaldi.com, 212-691-7538
a classic, old jazz club in the Village, Caffe V often surprises with a wonderfully eclectic lineup. It’s my favorite spot for an evening of listening enjoyment and discovery.

==================================================================================
♦ Before making final plans, we suggest you call the venue to confirm ticket availability, dates and times, as schedules are subject to change.
♦ NYCity, with a population of  8.5 million, had a record 58 million visitors last year and was TripAdvisor’s Traveler’s Choice Top U.S. Destination for 2016.  Quality shows draw crowds.
Try to reserve seats for these top NYC events in advance, even if just on day of performance.
================================================================================

WHAT’S ON VIEW
These are My Fave Special Exhibitions @ MUSEUMS / Manhattan’s Fifth Avenue
(See the New York Times Arts Section for listings of all museum exhibitions,
and also see the expanded reviews of these exhibitions)

 Solomon R Guggenheim Museum:
‘BUT A STORM IS BLOWING FROM PARADISE: CONTEMPORARY ART OF THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA’ (through Oct. 5)
“The third and final of the Guggenheim Museum’s UBS Map Global Art Initiative group exhibitions feels a bit more of a piece than the others, though, like them, it gives the impression of being a museum’s attempt to get global fast by skimming from the top of the international market. It’s worth a visit to see some of the individual pieces, among them a two-part 2010 video by Zineb Sedira titled “Gardiennes d’Image” (“Image Keepers”), a filmed interview with Safia Kouaci, widow of Mohamed Kouaci (1929-96), who was, Ms. Sedira believes, the only Algerian photographer to thoroughly document the country’s war of independence from France. 1071 Fifth Avenue, at 89th Street, 212-423-3500, guggenheim.org.” (Cotter)

MUSEUM OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK:
‘ROZ CHAST: CARTOON MEMOIRS’ (through Oct. 16)
“This delightful, frequently laugh-out-loud exhibition presents more than 200 works by the brilliant, widely beloved visual humorist Roz Chast, including many images made for The New Yorker over the past four decades as well as some never before published. The anxieties, contradictions and pathos of middle class, metropolitan life have rarely been illustrated with such generous comic élan. Fifth Avenue at 103rd Street, 212-534-1672, mcny.org.” (Johnson)

MET BREUER:
‘DIANE ARBUS: IN THE BEGINNING’ (through Nov. 27)
“This show of 100 or so early photographs by Arbus (1923-71), many on view for the first time, has a terrific installation, with work hung on columnlike panels that suggest rows of doors receding into darkness. The pictures themselves, dating between 1956 and 1962, have a grainy, moody texture, and they reveal an Arbus who had already landed on some of her favored themes: childhood, negotiable gender, fringe culture and class. If the show as a whole is more powerful than most of its individual images, there are some wonderful things. And as a forecast of mature work to come — familiar examples are included in a separate gallery — it is utterly magnetic. 945 Madison Avenue, at 75th Street, Manhattan, 212-535-0177, metmuseum.org.” (Cotter)

and you should be sure to check out the special exhibitions at that little museum on Fifth Ave., The Metropolitan Museum of Art
(open 7 days /week, AND always Pay What You Wish)

at the very least you will want to see this one:
‘CELEBRATING THE ARTS OF JAPAN: THE MARY GRIGGS BURKE COLLECTION’ (through May 2017)
“This lavish collection of 160 objects came to the Met from the Mary and Jackson Burke Foundation in early 2015. The Burkes loved Japanese art — all of it — and the exhibition is close to compendious in terms of media, from wood-carved Buddhas to bamboo baskets, with a particular strength in painting, early and late. The quality of the work? Japan thinks highly enough of it to have made the Burke holdings the first Japanese collection from abroad ever to show at Tokyo National Museum. 212-535-7710, metmuseum.org.” (Cotter)

===========================================================
Museum Mile is a section of Fifth Avenue which contains one of the densest displays of culture in the world. Eight museums can be found along this section of Fifth Avenue:
• 105th Street – El Museo del Barrio (closed Sun-Mon)*
• 103rd Street – Museum of the City of New York (open 7 days /week)
•  92nd Street – The Jewish Museum (closed Wed) (Sat FREE) (Thu 5-8 PWYW)
•  91st Street  –  Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum (open 7 days /week)
•  89th Street –  National Academy Museum (closed Mon-Tue)
•  88th Street –  Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum (closed Thu) (Sat 6-8 PWYW)
•  86th Street –  Neue Galerie New York (closed Tue-Wed) (Fri 6-8 FREE)
Last, but certainly not least, America’s premier museum
•  82nd Street – The Metropolitan Museum of Art (open 7 days /week)*
*always Pay What You Wish (PWYW)

Although technically not part of the Museum Mile, the Frick Collection (closed Mon) (SUN 11am-1pm PWYW) on the corner of 70th St. and Fifth Avenue and the The Morgan Library & Museum (closed Mon) (Fri 7-9 FREE) on Madison Ave and 37th St are also located near Fifth Ave.
Now plan your own museum crawl (info on hours & admission updated June 2, 2015).
==============================================================
For other selected Museum and Gallery Special Exhibitions see Recent Posts in right Sidebar dated 09/22 and 09/20.
=============================================================

This week’s fave and FREE NYCity AppS: 
Trip Advisor
An enormous base of NYCity user reviews (2.1 million) provides the widest coverage of hotels (468), restaurants (12,645) and things to do (yes, 3,246). Have a specific question? Then try one of Trip Advisor’s forums. Just remember that with all those reviews you have to try to find the consistency among the comments, and ignore the outliers.

OpenTable
Instantly locate restaurants near you with open reservations and then place a reservation right from your iOS device. A great interface and the ability to see a menu from the restaurant you’re interested in makes this my go to restaurant reservation app.

Subway Time 
Need to catch your #1,2,3 subway to attend an event? Use the Subway Time app from the MTA to find out when the next train arrives at your station. The MTA also has Bus Time info available on their mobile website.
=========================================================

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Selected NYC Events (09/23) + Today’s Featured Pub (Greenwich Village)

Posted on 09/23/2016 by

Today’s Sweet6 NYC Events > FRIDAY / SEPT 23, 2016

“We search the internet everyday looking for the very best of What’s Happening, primarily on Manhattan’s WestSide, so that you don’t have to.” We make it as easy as 1-2-3.
For future NYC Events be sure to check the tab above: “Annual NYC Events / Sept.”

Have time for only one NYC Event today? Do this:

Melissa Errico (also Sept.24)
Feinstein’s/54 Below, 254 W54th St./ 7PM, $40+
“Back by popular demand! After a sold-out engagement this Spring, Melissa returns with her brand new show about the absurdities and ins and outs of marriage and motherhood. This acoustic evening features an eclectic range of songs from Sondheim, Jerry Herman, Lerner & Loewe, Michel Legrand, Jason Robert Brown and more. Joined by acclaimed pianist Tedd Firth, be prepared for an evening of nothing but Melissa simply with piano, voice and guitar, putting her heart on her sleeve, asking us how we connect and bringing us all closer with her vivacious warmth and soaring vocals.”

“One of the theater’s top musical delights!” – Cabaret Scenes
“A 70 minute musical tour de force!” – Times Square Chronicle

Music, Dance, Performing Arts

Betty Buckley: Story Songs (thru Sept.25)
Joe’s Pub at the Public Theater, 425 Lafayette St./ 7PM, $50+
“Betty Buckley is a genuinely eccentric, eccentrically genuine Broadway diva, with a persona that shifts between fragility and imperiousness. In recent years, she’s moved away from the big belting of shows like Cats and Sunset Boulevard, favoring more monologue-like songs and arrangements. Her new Joe’s Pub focuses on storytelling, and ranges from musical theater (Stephen Schwartz, Jason Robert Brown) to modern rock (Radiohead).” (TONY)

HANDFUL OF KEYS: A CENTURY OF JAZZ PIANO (thru Sept.24)
Rose Theatre, Jazz at Lincoln Center, Broadway at 60th St./ 8PM, $65+
“Dick Hyman is eighty-nine years old. Joey Alexander is seventy-six years younger. Yet common ground will no doubt be found at this celebration of jazz piano, which also makes room for such gifted stylists as the hard-bop hero Larry Willis, Helen Sung, and the newcomer Isaiah J. Thompson. The Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra provides additional heft.” (NewYorker)

Wait until you see and hear the young phenom, Joey Alexander. He’s amazing!

Smart Stuff / Other NYC Events
(Lectures, Discussions, Book Talks, Literary Readings, Classes, Food & Drink, Other

PHOTOVILLE (thru Sept. 25)
Brooklyn Bridge Plaza, Water Street, at New Dock Street, Fulton Ferry/
At various times, FREE
“This pop-up photography exhibition returns for its fifth year with more than 60 shows, workshops and installations set up inside repurposed shipping containers along the East River. Through the lens of photojournalism, portraiture, fine art and other methods, exhibitions mine subjects like social justice and identity, high school football and pit bulls. Nightly film screenings by National Geographic, NY1, PBS and The New York Times take place in the beer garden, which also has food provided by Smorgasburg vendors. Next Friday features a tribute to Bill Cunningham, the beloved Times fashion photographer who died in June. More information at photoville.com.” (NYT-AroundTown)

FEAST OF SAN GENNARO (thru Sept. 25)
Mulberry Street, from Houston St. to Canal St.
“This annual festival, a tribute to the patron saint of Naples, returns to Little Italy for its 90th edition. Highlights include the traditional cannoli- and meatball-eating contests. (Tony Danza will host the meatball competition.)  Events at various times and locations; more information at sangennaro.org.” (NYT-AroundTown)

====================================

Bonus NYC Events – Music Venues:
So much fine live music every night in this town. These are my favorite music venues on Manhattan’s WestSide. Check out who’s playing tonight:

City Winery – 155 Varick St., citywinery.com, 212-608-0555
Feinstein’s/54 Below – 254 W54th St., 54below.com, 646-476-3551
Joe’s Pub @ Public Theater – 425 Lafayette St., joespub.com, 212-967-7555
Metropolitan Room – 34W22ndSt., metropolitan room.com, 212-206-0440
Beacon Theatre – 2124 Broadway @ 74th St., beacontheatre.com, 212-465-6500
B.B. King’s Blues Bar – 237W42nd St., bbkingblues.com, 212-997-2144
Le Poisson Rouge – 158 Bleecker St., lepoissonrouge.com, 212-505-3474

Special Mention:
Caffe Vivaldi – 32 Jones St. nr Bleecker St. caffevivaldi.com, 212-691-7538
a classic, old jazz club in the Village, Caffe V often surprises with a wonderfully eclectic lineup. It’s my favorite spot for an evening of listening enjoyment and discovery.
See Below.

==================================================================================
♦ Before making final plans, we suggest you call the venue to confirm ticket availability, dates and times, as schedules are subject to change.
♦ NYCity, with a population of  8.5 million, had a record 58 million visitors last year and was TripAdvisor’s Traveler’s Choice Top U.S. Destination for 2016.  Quality shows draw crowds.
Try to reserve seats for these top NYC events in advance, even if just on day of performance.
=================================================================================

A PremierPub and 3 Good Eating Places – Greenwich Village

Caffe Vivaldi / 32 Jones Street (btw. Bleecker St./W4th St.)

Café Vivaldi is a classic, intimate club located in Greenwich Village on Jones Street, the street featured on the cover of Bob Dylan’s second album, “Freewheelin’. ”

maxresdefaultEach night Ishrat, the long time proprietor and impresario, carefully curates and schedules an eclectic series of musicians. You can often see him at his table in the corner, hard at work reviewing music videos and listening to cd demos on his laptop, scouting out future bookings. Musicians come from all over to play and sing in a club in Greenwich Village. Some are local New Yorkers, others are just passing through, in town for a few days.

There is a small bar, seating maybe 10. It’s close to the stage and I find it’s a perfect spot to sip a glass of red wine while listening to the music. The room itself has the performance area at one end and a cozy fireplace at the other. The performance area here is small, dominated by a large black Yamaha Grand piano. Tables are bunched together and most people at the tables are eating lite meals or sampling the wonderful desserts.

There is also a good selection of fairly priced wines,  but you are here because of the music. You can never be quite sure what you’re going to find, and that’s half the charm of this place. It’s not a home run every night, but many nights it’s pretty special.

I remember the night I saw the most talented bossa nova group, just in from San Paulo. As I listened, I wondered if there was any better music playing anywhere else in New York City that night. And at Caffé Vivaldi there is never a cover charge. Their recently redesigned web site does give you a better idea of the type of music playing each night.

At one time Greenwich Village was filled with clubs just like this, but times change. Real estate interests have impacted the village, and not for the better. Even Caffé Vivaldi had a rough time recently, when a new landlord raised the rent exorbitantly. Fortunately, Ishrat has built a loyal following over the years, and a fund raiser and slightly more reasonable rent has kept Café Vivaldi in business.

When Woody Allen and Al Pacino wanted to make movies featuring the timeless quality of Greenwich Village they came to Vivaldi. It’s important that we keep this special place alive, for if we lose Cafe Vivaldi, NYCity will have lost a piece of it’s soul.

Website: http://caffevivaldi.com/
Phone #: (212) 691-7538
Hours: Music generally 7:30PM – 11PM, but varies
Lunch/Dinner 11AM-on
Subway: #1 to Christopher St.
Walk 1 blk S. on 7th ave S. to Bleecker St., 1 blk left on Bleecker to Jones St., 50 yards left on Jones St. to Caffe V.
==============================================================
“Pub” is used in it’s broadest sense – bars, bar/restaurants, jazz clubs, wine bars, tapas bars, craft beer bars, dive bars, cocktail lounges, and of course, pubs – just about anyplace you can get a drink without a cover charge.

If you have a fave premier pub or good eating place on Manhattan’s WestSide let us all know about it – leave a comment.
========================================================

3 Good Eating places

It’s not difficult to find a place to eat in Manhattan.
Finding a good, inexpensive place to eat is a bit harder.
Here are a few of my faves in this neighborhood:

Fish – 280 Bleecker St. (just a bit S. of 7th ave South)
This was an easy pick – the best raw bar special in town. $9 gets you 6 of the freshest oysters or clams + a glass of wine or beer. Don’t know how they can do it, but I tell everyone I know about this place. And it’s located right in the heart of some of the best no cover music in town.

Bleecker Street Pizza – 69 7th ave S. (corner of Bleecker St.)
The place is tiny and not much to look at, but this is one good slice. They like to brag that they have been voted “Best pizza in NY” 3 years in a row by the Food Network. I believe them. I would have voted for them.

Num Pang – 21 E 12th St. (btw. University Place/5th ave.)
This is a Cambodian banh mi sandwich shop that kept me well fed while I was in class nearby recently. It’s cramped, even for NYCity, but usually there is room up the spiral staircase to sit down and eat. In good weather carry your sandwich a few blocks to Union Square park. You may have to wait a few minutes, because everything is freshly made, but it’s worth it. Can you believe – an unheard of 26 food rating by Zagat.

========================================================
“3 Good Eating places” focuses on a quick bite, what I call “Fine Fast Food – NYCity Style”
No reservations needed.
========================================================
NYCity is the most diverse and interesting place to find a meal anywhere in the world. With more than 24 thousand eating establishments you might welcome some advice.

◊ For all my picks of 54 Good Eating places, and essays on my favorite 18 PremierPubs in 9 Neighborhoods on Manhattan’s WestSide, order a copy of my e-book:
“Eating and Drinking on NYCity’s WestSide” ($4.99, available Winter 2016).
◊ Order before Nov. 30, 2016 and receive a bonus – 27 of my favorite casual dining places with free Wi-Fi.
=============================================================
This week’s fave and FREE NYCity AppS: 
Trip Advisor
An enormous base of NYCity user reviews (2.1 million) provides the widest coverage of hotels (468), restaurants (12,645) and things to do (yes, 3,246). Have a specific question? Then try one of Trip Advisor’s forums. Just remember that with all those reviews you have to try to find the consistency among the comments, and ignore the outliers.

OpenTable
Instantly locate restaurants near you with open reservations and then place a reservation right from your iOS device. A great interface and the ability to see a menu from the restaurant you’re interested in makes this my go to restaurant reservation app.

Subway Time 
Need to catch your #1,2,3 subway to attend an event? Use the Subway Time app from the MTA to find out when the next train arrives at your station. The MTA also has Bus Time info available on their mobile website.
======================================================

 

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Selected NYC Events (09/22) + Museum Special Exhibitions: Manhattan’s WestSide

Posted on 09/22/2016 by

Today’s Sweet6 NYC Events > THURSDAY / SEPT 22, 2016

“We search the internet everyday looking for the very best of What’s Happening, primarily on Manhattan’s WestSide, so that you don’t have to.” We make it as easy as 1-2-3.
For future NYC Events be sure to check the tab above: “Annual NYC Events / Sept.”

Have time for only one NYC Event today? Do this:

HANDFUL OF KEYS: A CENTURY OF JAZZ PIANO
Rose Theatre, Jazz at Lincoln Center, Broadway at 60th St./ 8PM, $65+
“Dick Hyman is eighty-nine years old. Joey Alexander is seventy-six years younger. Yet common ground will no doubt be found at this celebration of jazz piano, which also makes room for such gifted stylists as the hard-bop hero Larry Willis, Helen Sung, and the newcomer Isaiah J. Thompson. The Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra provides additional heft.” (NewYorker)

Wait until you see and hear the young phenom, Joey Alexander. He’s amazing!

Music, Dance, Performing Arts

Betty Buckley: Story Songs (thru Sept.25)
Joe’s Pub at the Public Theater, 425 Lafayette St./ 7PM, $50+
“Betty Buckley is a genuinely eccentric, eccentrically genuine Broadway diva, with a persona that shifts between fragility and imperiousness. In recent years, she’s moved away from the big belting of shows like Cats and Sunset Boulevard, favoring more monologue-like songs and arrangements. Her new Joe’s Pub focuses on storytelling, and ranges from musical theater (Stephen Schwartz, Jason Robert Brown) to modern rock (Radiohead).” (TONY)

New York Gypsy Festival (also Sept.29, Oct.01, Oct.08)
Drom, 85 Ave A (btw 5/6 St.)/ various times, $25 Festival Pass
“Tradition and whimsy joyously collide during this celebratory series, which showcases performances by musical nomads around the globe. Strap on your dancing shoes and enjoy mellifluous artists such as Turkish clarinet master Hüsnü Şenlendirici, the electric Hungarian folk fiddlers of Söndörgő and a wild night of live music and belly dancing with the Brooklyn Oryantal Parti.” (TONY)

Elsewhere, but this looks worth the detour:
Taylor Mac: A 24-Decade History of Popular Music
St. Ann’s Warehouse, 45 water St.DUMBO/ 7:30PM, $56
“A Fabergé radical—beautiful, ridiculous and full of hidden tricks—the sublimely freakish Taylor Mac pilots audiences through fantastical journeys, guided only by the compass of his magnetic individuality. In the culmination of a project that has been in the works for five years, the performer surveys the past 250 years of American music, first in eight three-hour installments and then, on October 8, as a 24-hour marathon.” (TONY)

Smart Stuff / Other NYC Events
(Lectures, Discussions, Book Talks, Literary Readings, Classes, Food & Drink, Other

PHOTOVILLE (through Sept. 25)
Brooklyn Bridge Plaza, Water Street, at New Dock Street, Fulton Ferry/
At various times, FREE
“This pop-up photography exhibition returns for its fifth year with more than 60 shows, workshops and installations set up inside repurposed shipping containers along the East River. Through the lens of photojournalism, portraiture, fine art and other methods, exhibitions mine subjects like social justice and identity, high school football and pit bulls. Nightly film screenings by National Geographic, NY1, PBS and The New York Times take place in the beer garden, which also has food provided by Smorgasburg vendors. Next Friday features a tribute to Bill Cunningham, the beloved Times fashion photographer who died in June. More information at photoville.com.” (NYT-AroundTown)

FEAST OF SAN GENNARO (through Sept. 25)
Mulberry Street, from Houston St. to Canal St.
“This annual festival, a tribute to the patron saint of Naples, returns to Little Italy for its 90th edition. Highlights include the traditional cannoli- and meatball-eating contests. (Tony Danza will host the meatball competition.)  Events at various times and locations; more information at sangennaro.org.” (NYT-AroundTown)

=======================================================

Bonus NYC Events – Music Venues:
So much fine live music every night in this town. These are my favorite music venues on Manhattan’s WestSide. Check out who’s playing tonight:

City Winery – 155 Varick St., citywinery.com, 212-608-0555
Feinstein’s/54 Below – 254 W54th St., 54below.com, 646-476-3551
Joe’s Pub @ Public Theater – 425 Lafayette St., joespub.com, 212-967-7555
Metropolitan Room – 34W22ndSt., metropolitan room.com, 212-206-0440
Beacon Theatre – 2124 Broadway @ 74th St., beacontheatre.com, 212-465-6500
B.B. King’s Blues Bar – 237W42nd St., bbkingblues.com, 212-997-2144
Le Poisson Rouge – 158 Bleecker St., lepoissonrouge.com, 212-505-3474

Special Mention:
Caffe Vivaldi – 32 Jones St. nr Bleecker St. caffevivaldi.com, 212-691-7538
a classic, old jazz club in the Village, Caffe V often surprises with a wonderfully eclectic lineup. It’s my favorite spot for an evening of listening enjoyment and discovery.

=======================================================================
♦ Before making final plans, we suggest you call the venue to confirm ticket availability, dates and times, as schedules are subject to change.
♦ NYCity, with a population of  8.5 million, had a record 58 million visitors last year and was TripAdvisor’s Traveler’s Choice Top U.S. Destination for 2016.  Quality shows draw crowds.
Try to reserve seats for these top NYC events in advance, even if just on day of performance.
=======================================================================

WHAT’S ON VIEW
My Fave Special Exhibitions – MUSEUMS / Manhattan’s WestSide
(See the New York Times Arts Section for listings of all museums,
and also to see their expanded reviews of these exhibitions)

Museum of Modern Art:

‘From the Collection: 1960-1969’ (through March 2017)
“MoMA shakes up its sanctum sanctorum, installing half of its permanent collection galleries with works chosen by 17 curators from a single decade: the tumultuous 1960s. The limited time frame is balanced by unprecedented breadth and variety. As never before, the presentation mixes together objects and artworks from all six of the museum’s curatorial departments. The blend is alternately stimulating and bewildering, revelatory and infuriating: yet another symptom of the museum’s limited curatorial mind-set. 212-708-9400, moma.org.” (Smith)

 Whitney Museum of American Art:

‘Stuart Davis: In Full Swing’ (through Sept. 25)
“This restless, zestful Whitney exhibition leaves out the earliest phase of a great American modernist’s career but is still broad enough to be a survey while feeling sufficiently focused to qualify as a thematic study. As you move through the show, you move through time, and change over time is the thread the show follows. Beginning in the 1950s, you see Mr. Davis’s dense compositions, abstract with a realist core, start to untangle. His palette simplifies. His use of words, or script-like arabesques, grows. And more and more he looks to the past and brings it forward, revisiting, reusing and transforming motives from his own art, a pattern he likened to a jazz musician’s improvisations on favorite, unforgettable tunes. 99 Gansevoort Street, at Washington Street, 212-570-3600, whitney.org.” (Cotter)

‘Human Interest: Portraits From the Whitney’s Collection’ (through Feb. 12)
“A year ago, the Whitney inaugurated its new downtown home with a permanent collection showcase called “America Is Hard to See.” Its even more immediately engaging successor, devoted entirely to portraiture, is now on view and might well have been subtitled “Americans Are Strange to Look At,” which, in the 250 images here, we sure are: funny-strange, beautiful-strange, crazy-strange, dangerous-strange, inscrutable-strange. The work is arranged by theme and spread over two floors. There are magnetic images everywhere. 99 Gansevoort Street, 212-570-3600, whitney.org.” (Cotter)

=======================================================
For other selected Museum and Gallery Special Exhibitions see Recent Posts in right sidebar dated 09/20 and 09/18.
=======================================================

This week’s fave and FREE NYCity AppS: 
Trip Advisor
An enormous base of NYCity user reviews (2.1 million) provides the widest coverage of hotels (468), restaurants (12,645) and things to do (yes, 3,246). Have a specific question? Then try one of Trip Advisor’s forums. Just remember that with all those reviews you have to try to find the consistency among the comments, and ignore the outliers.

OpenTable
Instantly locate restaurants near you with open reservations and then place a reservation right from your iOS device. A great interface and the ability to see a menu from the restaurant you’re interested in makes this my go to restaurant reservation app.

Subway Time 
Need to catch your #1,2,3 subway to attend an event? Use the Subway Time app from the MTA to find out when the next train arrives at your station. The MTA also has Train and Bus Time info available on their mobile website.
==========================================================

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Selected NYC Events (09/21) + Today’s Featured Pub (Midtown West)

Posted on 09/21/2016 by

Today’s Sweet6 NYC Events > WEDNESDAY / SEPT 21, 2016

“We search the internet everyday looking for the very best of What’s Happening, primarily on Manhattan’s WestSide, so that you don’t have to.” We make it as easy as 1-2-3.
For future NYC Events be sure to check the tab above: “Annual NYC Events / Sept.”

Have time for only one NYC Event today? Do this:

PHOTOVILLE (through Sept. 25)
Brooklyn Bridge Plaza, Water Street, at New Dock Street, Fulton Ferry/
At various times, FREE
“This pop-up photography exhibition returns for its fifth year with more than 60 shows, workshops and installations set up inside repurposed shipping containers along the East River. Through the lens of photojournalism, portraiture, fine art and other methods, exhibitions mine subjects like social justice and identity, high school football and pit bulls. Nightly film screenings by National Geographic, NY1, PBS and The New York Times take place in the beer garden, which also has food provided by Smorgasburg vendors. Next Friday features a tribute to Bill Cunningham, the beloved Times fashion photographer who died in June. More information at photoville.com.” (NYT-AroundTown))

Music, Dance, Performing Arts

BILL CHARLAP TRIO (through Sept. 25)
Village Vanguard, 178 Seventh Avenue South/ 8:30PM, +10:30PM, $30
“On his unerringly tasteful album “Notes From New York,” Mr. Charlap, a pianist, leads his longtime trio in a stroll through the American songbook. It’s what he does best and a good representation of what’s happening in this engagement, with Mr. Charlap joined as usual by the bassist Peter Washington and the drummer Kenny Washington (no relation).”(Chinen-NYT)

New York Gypsy Festival (also Sept.29, Oct.01, Oct.08)
Drom, 85 Ave A (btw 5/6 St.)/ various times, $25 Festival Pass
“Tradition and whimsy joyously collide during this celebratory series, which showcases performances by musical nomads around the globe. Strap on your dancing shoes and enjoy mellifluous artists such as Turkish clarinet master Hüsnü Şenlendirici, the electric Hungarian folk fiddlers of Söndörgő and a wild night of live music and belly dancing with the Brooklyn Oryantal Parti.” (TONY)

Melissa Errico (also Sept. 23, 24)
Feinstein’s/54 Below, 254 W54th St./ 7PM, $40+
“Back by popular demand! After a sold-out engagement this Spring, Melissa returns with her brand new show about the absurdities and ins and outs of marriage and motherhood. This acoustic evening features an eclectic range of songs from Sondheim, Jerry Herman, Lerner & Loewe, Michel Legrand, Jason Robert Brown and more. Joined by acclaimed pianist Tedd Firth, be prepared for an evening of nothing but Melissa simply with piano, voice and guitar, putting her heart on her sleeve, asking us how we connect and bringing us all closer with her vivacious warmth and soaring vocals.”

“One of the theater’s top musical delights!” – Cabaret Scenes
“A 70 minute musical tour de force!” – Times Square Chronicle

Smart Stuff / Other NYC Events
(Lectures, Discussions, Book Talks, Literary Readings, Classes, Food & Drink, Other

What Makes a Great City?
Alex Garvin, Regina Myer, Dan Biederman, Michael Kimmelman
Architectural Explorations in Books Series Event
NYPL Main Building, Celeste Auditorium/ 6PM, FREE
“Find out what makes a great city—not a good city or a functional city but a great city. Join Alex Garvin, Regina Myer, and Dan Biederman, for a discussion with The New York Times’ Michael Kimmelman about the attributes of great cities and what other cities can learn and replicate. A great city is not an exquisite, completed artifact but a dynamic, constantly changing place that residents and their leaders can reshape to satisfy their demands. The panelists discuss what people who shape cities can do to make a city great.”

FEAST OF SAN GENNARO (through Sept. 25)
Mulberry Street, from Houston St. to Canal St.
“This annual festival, a tribute to the patron saint of Naples, returns to Little Italy for its 90th edition. Highlights include the traditional cannoli- and meatball-eating contests. (Tony Danza will host the meatball competition.)  Events at various times and locations; more information at sangennaro.org.” (NYT-AroundTown)

==============================================================
Bonus NYC Events – Jazz Venues:
Many consider NYCity the Jazz capital of the world. Here are my favorite Jazz clubs, all on Manhattan’s WestSide. Check out who is playing tonight:

Greenwich Village (all six are within walking distance of each other):
Village Vanguard – 178 7th Ave. South, villagevanguard.com, 212-255-4037
Blue Note – 131 W3rd St. nr 6th ave. bluenotejazz.com, 212-475-8592
55 Bar – basement @55 Christopher St. nr 7th ave.S. 55bar.com, 212-929-9883
Mezzrow – basement @ 163 W10th St. nr 7th Ave. mezzrow.com,646-476-4346
Smalls – basement @ 183 W10th St. smallslive.com, 646-476-4346
Cornelia Street Cafe – 29 Cornelia St. corneliastreetcafe.com, 212-989-9319

Outside Greenwich Village:
Dizzy’s Club – Broadway @ 60th St. — jazz.org/dizzys / 212-258-9595
Birdland – 315 W44th St.(btw 8/9ave) — birdlandjazz.com / 212-581-3080
Smoke Jazz Club – 2751 Broadway nr.106th St. — smokejazz.com / 212-864-6662

Special Mention:
Caffe Vivaldi – 32 Jones St. nr Bleecker St. — caffevivaldi.com / 212-691-7538
a classic, old jazz club in the Village, Caffe V often surprises with a wonderfully eclectic lineup. It’s my favorite spot for an evening of listening enjoyment and discovery.

==================================================================================
♦ Before making final plans, we suggest you call the venue to confirm ticket availability, dates and times, as schedules are subject to change.
♦ NYCity, with a population of  8.5 million, had a record 58 million visitors last year and was TripAdvisor’s Traveler’s Choice Top U.S. Destination for 2016.  Quality shows draw crowds.
Try to reserve seats for these top NYC events in advance, even if just on day of performance.
================================================================================

A PremierPub / Midtown West.

Russian Vodka Room / 265 W 52nd St (btw 7th/8th ave)

Sure, you could travel to Minsk or even Brighton Beach, for an authentic Russian experience, but why bother. On those days when you feel you must wash down your dish of kasha with a few glasses of icy, cold vodka, the Russian Vodka Room will definitely satisfy your urge.

From the outside this place looks a bit drab, and with no windows, a bit mysterious. Midtown tourists walk right by on their way to see “Jersey Boys,” just down the block.

lThose in the know enter a secret hideaway, a dimly lit front room with soft jazz playing – a perfect spot for an illicit late-night rendezvous, or maybe a meet-up with your Russian spy handler, but that’s later in the evening. Early in the evening the large U-shaped bar fills with the after work happy hour crowd, a group made very happy by the much reduced prices.

Their website says: “Welcome Comrades”. Of course, this welcome focuses on dozens of different vodkas, including their own special infusions, which marinate in giant, clear glass jugs visible around the room. The large vodka martinis ensure that you won’t confuse this place with your mother’s Russian Tea Room.

But man does not live by vodka alone. Eat some food, especially the tapa like appetizers. Be decadent and try the cheese blintzes with chocolate, or try a main dish like beef stroganoff with kasha.

Your best bet is to go on a night when the piano man is playing. This guy, who looks like he has eaten a lot of those cheese blintzes, plays five nights a week from 7 to 12 (no Mondays and Thursdays). When the piano man is playing American pop tunes, and you are at the crowded, dimly lit bar testing the horseradish infused vodka, that’s when the RVR shines.

It’s the kind of place where the noise gets louder and the crowd gets happier as the happy hour goes on. I’m generally a beer guy, but I like to come here with a group of friends. We find a table in the back room near the piano man; we eat, and we drink vodka ‘till it hurts (and it will hurt).
========================================================
Website: http://www.russianvodkaroom.com/
Phone #: 212-307-5835
Hours: 4pm-2am; Fri-Sun closes 4am (that could be trouble)
Happy Hour: 4-7pm every day
$4 shots infused vodka (2oz), $5 cosmos; $4 czech draft beer
Music: FR-SU; TU-WE / 7pm-12am
Subway: #1 to 50th St.
Walk 2 blk N. on B’way to 52nd St.; 1 blk W. to RVR
Confusingly, the Russian Samovar is right across the street, on the S. side of 52nd St.
The RVR, your destination, is on the N. side of 52nd St.
Update: music now includes a sax player with a younger, trimmer piano man. “Tiny” we miss you.

==================================================================================
“Pub” is used in it’s broadest sense – bars, bar/restaurants, jazz clubs, wine bars, tapas bars, craft beer bars, dive bars, cocktail lounges, and of course, pubs – just about anyplace you can get a drink without a cover charge (except for certain jazz clubs).
If you have a fave premier pub or good eating place on Manhattan’s WestSide let us all know about it – leave a comment.

============================================================
This week’s fave and FREE NYCity AppS: 
Trip Advisor
An enormous base of NYCity user reviews (2.1 million) provides the widest coverage of hotels (468), restaurants (12,645) and things to do (yes, 3,246). Have a specific question? Then try one of Trip Advisor’s forums. Just remember that with all those reviews you have to try to find the consistency among the comments, and ignore the outliers.

OpenTable
Instantly locate restaurants near you with open reservations and then place a reservation right from your iOS device. A great interface and the ability to see a menu from the restaurant you’re interested in makes this my go to restaurant reservation app.

Subway Time 
Need to catch your #1,2,3 subway to attend an event? Use the Subway Time app from the MTA to find out when the next train arrives at your station. The MTA also has Bus Time info available on their mobile website.
============================================================

 

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Selected NYC Events (09/20) + GallerySpecialExhibits: Chelsea

Posted on 09/20/2016 by

Today’s Sweet6 NYC Events > TUESDAY / SEPT 20, 2016

“We search the internet everyday looking for the very best of What’s Happening, primarily on Manhattan’s WestSide, so that you don’t have to.” We make it as easy as 1-2-3.
For future NYC Events be sure to check the tab above: “Annual NYC Events / Sept.”

Have time for only one NYC Event today? Do this:

Melissa Errico (also Sept 21, 23, 24)
Feinstein’s/54 Below, 254 W54th St./ 7PM, $40+
“Back by popular demand! After a sold-out engagement this Spring, Melissa returns with her brand new show about the absurdities and ins and outs of marriage and motherhood. This acoustic evening features an eclectic range of songs from Sondheim, Jerry Herman, Lerner & Loewe, Michel Legrand, Jason Robert Brown and more. Joined by acclaimed pianist Tedd Firth, be prepared for an evening of nothing but Melissa simply with piano, voice and guitar, putting her heart on her sleeve, asking us how we connect and bringing us all closer with her vivacious warmth and soaring vocals.”

“One of the theater’s top musical delights!” – Cabaret Scenes
“A 70 minute musical tour de force!” – Times Square Chronicle

Music, Dance, Performing Arts

BILL CHARLAP TRIO (through Sept. 25)
Village Vanguard, 178 Seventh Avenue South/ 8:30PM, +10:30PM, $30
“On his unerringly tasteful album “Notes From New York,” Mr. Charlap, a pianist, leads his longtime trio in a stroll through the American songbook. It’s what he does best and a good representation of what’s happening in this engagement, with Mr. Charlap joined as usual by the bassist Peter Washington and the drummer Kenny Washington (no relation).”(Chinen-NYT)

JAMIE LIDELL AND THE ROYAL PHARAOHS
Le Poisson Rouge, 158 Bleecker St./ 10PM, $30
“It’s not uncommon for artists to go through changes or to fine-tune their approaches to working. But for the British neo-soul crooner and producer Jamie Lidell, everything began to change in 2013 (when he released a self-titled album). Mr. Lidell and his wife had a baby; he ditched his one-man live show in lieu of performing with a band, the Royal Pharaohs; and he set out to make a classic, ’70s-style soul album. “Building a Beginning” is out next month. Expect to hear cuts from the album, which, by his own admission, is shamelessly indebted to Stevie Wonder.” (Mejia-NYT)

YUSUF
Beacon Theater, Broadway at 74th St./ 8PM, $95+
“Yusuf wasn’t originally a divisive artist. His early image as a shaggy, inoffensive Brit folk rocker has given way to a career laden with controversy, and audiences tend to forget that his first single was innocuously titled “I Love My Dog.” From 1970 to 1976, Yusuf still performed under the moniker Cat Stevens; he changed his name to Yusuf Islam in 1978, after he became a Muslim, and began releasing spiritual and religious albums, temporarily leaving behind a secular life of hard-partying stardom. Since coming back to pop music, in 2006, Yusuf—as he now calls himself, saying that you “call a friend by their first name”—has returned to his classic songwriting style, especially on his 2014 release, “Tell ’Em I’m Gone.” These intimate shows, dubbed “A Cat’s Attic,” are his first public performances in New York since 1976—his previous scheduled show, at the Beacon, was cancelled after he learned that New York had outlawed paper ticketing.” (NewYorker)

Smart Stuff / Other NYC Events
(Lectures, Discussions, Book Talks, Literary Readings, Classes, Food & Drink, Other

John Roman on The Art of Illustrated Maps
New York Public Library—Main Building, 476 Fifth Ave./ 6:30PM, FREE
“Navigate your way to John Roman on The Art of Illustrated Maps, an exploration of artistic, not-to-scale maps and how our minds instinctively accept the artistic license they take.

While literally hundreds of books exist on the subject of maps and cartography, “The Art of Illustrated Maps” is the first book ever to fully explore conceptual, “illustrated” mapping. Author, educator and map illustrator John Roman correlates not-to-scale maps as “the creative nonfiction of cartography,” and in this book he reveals how and why the human mind instinctively accepts the artistic license invoked in imaginative maps. Drawing from a wide range of references, “The Art of Illustrated Maps” traces the roots of this specialized art form’s two-thousand-year history, and through the works of numerous contemporary illustrators from around the world, documents the creative process of professional map artists as well as the inspirations behind 21st-century illustrated maps.

John Roman, a Boston-based map illustrator and graduate of Suffolk University’s New England School of Art & Design, has been teaching illustration for over twenty years at the Massachusetts College of Art.” (ThoughtGallery.org)

FEAST OF SAN GENNARO (through Sept. 25)
Mulberry Street, from Houston St. to Canal St.
“This annual festival, a tribute to the patron saint of Naples, returns to Little Italy for its 90th edition. Highlights include the traditional cannoli- and meatball-eating contests. (Tony Danza will host the meatball competition.)  Events at various times and locations; more information at sangennaro.org.” (NYT-AroundTown)

=====================================================

Bonus NYC events– Jazz Venues:
Many consider NYCity the Jazz capital of the world. Here are my favorite Jazz clubs, all on Manhattan’s WestSide. Check out who is playing tonight:

Greenwich Village (all six are within walking distance of each other):
Village Vanguard – 178 7th Ave. South, villagevanguard.com, 212-255-4037
Blue Note – 131 W3rd St. nr 6th ave. bluenotejazz.com, 212-475-8592
55 Bar – basement @55 Christopher St. nr 7th ave.S. 55bar.com, 212-929-9883
Mezzrow – basement @ 163 W10th St. nr 7th Ave. mezzrow.com,646-476-4346
Smalls – basement @ 183 W10th St. smallslive.com, 646-476-4346
Cornelia Street Cafe – 29 Cornelia St. corneliastreetcafe.com, 212-989-9319

Outside Greenwich Village:
Dizzy’s Club – Broadway @ 60th St. — jazz.org/dizzys / 212-258-9595
Birdland – 315 W44th St.(btw 8/9ave) — birdlandjazz.com / 212-581-3080
Smoke Jazz Club – 2751 Broadway nr.106th St. — smokejazz.com / 212-864-6662

Special Mention:
Caffe Vivaldi – 32 Jones St. nr Bleecker St. — caffevivaldi.com / 212-691-7538
a classic, old jazz club in the Village, Caffe V often surprises with a wonderfully eclectic lineup. It’s my favorite spot for an evening of listening enjoyment and discovery.

==================================================================================
♦ Before making final plans, we suggest you call the venue to confirm ticket availability, dates and times, as schedules are subject to change.
♦ NYCity, with a population of  8.5 million, had a record 58 million visitors last year and was TripAdvisor’s Traveler’s Choice Top U.S. Destination for 2016.  Quality shows draw crowds.
Try to reserve seats for these top NYC events in advance, even if just on day of performance.
================================================================================

Chelsea Art Gallery District*

Chelsea is the heart of the NYCity contemporary art scene. Home to more than 300 art galleries, the Rubin Museum, the Joyce Theater and The Kitchen performance spaces, there is no place like it anywhere in the world. Come here to browse free exhibitions by world-renowned artists and those unknowns waiting to be discovered in an art district that is concentrated between West 18th and West 27th Streets, and 10th and 11th Avenues. Afterwards stop in the Chelsea Market, stroll on the High Line, or rest up at one of the many cafes and bars and discuss the fine art.

One exhibition the NYT likes:
RICHARD SERRA (through Oct. 22)
“New works occupying one of Gagosian Gallery’s Chelsea display spaces reveal Mr. Serra to be, at 76, still wrangling sculptural fundamentals into objects and installations of thrilling severity. The space, on West 24th Street, hosts three works made of solid steel slabs as well as a drawing installation.”
Gagosian Gallery, 555 West 24th Street, 212-741-1111, gagosian.com. (Johnson)

One exhibition TimeOutNewYork likes:
X

For a listing of 25 essential galleries in the Chelsea Art Gallery District, organized by street, which enables you to create your own Chelsea Art Gallery crawl, see the Chelsea Gallery Guide (nycgo.com) Or check out TONY magazine’s list of the “Best Chelsea Galleries” and click through to see what’s on view.

*Now plan your own gallery crawl, but better to plan your visits for Tuesday through Saturday; most galleries are closed Sunday and Monday.

TIP: After your gallery tour, stop in Ovest at 513W27th St. for Aperitivo Italiano (Happy Hour on steroids). Discuss all the great art you have viewed over a drink and a very tasty selection of FREE appetizers (M-F, 5-8pm).

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For other selected Museum and Gallery Special Exhibitions see recent posts in right sidebar dated 09/18 and 09/16.
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This week’s fave and FREE NYCity AppS: 
Trip Advisor
An enormous base of NYCity user reviews (2.1 million) provides the widest coverage of hotels (468), restaurants (12,645) and things to do (yes, 3,246). Have a specific question? Then try one of Trip Advisor’s forums. Just remember that with all those reviews you have to try to find the consistency among the comments, and ignore the outliers.

OpenTable
Instantly locate restaurants near you with open reservations and then place a reservation right from your iOS device. A great interface and the ability to see a menu from the restaurant you’re interested in makes this my go to restaurant reservation app.

Subway Time 
Need to catch your #1,2,3 subway to attend an event? Use the Subway Time app from the MTA to find out when the next train arrives at your station. The MTA also has Bus Time info available on their mobile website.
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Selected NYC Events (09/19) + Today’s Featured Pub (Times Square/ Theater District)

Posted on 09/19/2016 by

Today’s Sweet6 NYC Events > MONDAY / SEPT 19, 2016

“We search the internet everyday looking for the very best of What’s Happening, primarily on Manhattan’s WestSide, so that you don’t have to.” We make it as easy as 1-2-3.
For future NYC Events be sure to check the tab above: “Annual NYC Events / Sept.”

Have time for only one NYC Event today? Do this:

Public Lecture Series with Dan Botkin:
On the Trail of Lewis and Clark
The Explorers Club, 6 E70th St./ 6PM, $25
“What qualities made Lewis and Clark great leaders? They were able to lead a small group of men from St. Louis to the mouth of the Columbia River and back. They maintained peaceful relationships with many Native American tribes. They navigated their way through country that was little mapped, traded for horses so they could cross the Rocky Mountains, built canoes to float down the Columbia, and sent back animals and plants after their first year. Their story has been told many times, but rarely with an attempt to analyze the qualities that made their expedition safe and successful.

Making use of their careful, detailed journals, Daniel B. Botkin followed the entire Lewis and Clark trail, and wrote his own book about how nature in the American West had changed since. Though the impetus for his journey was comparison, the more he read their journals, the more impressed Botkin became with their combination of remarkable abilities.

Posterity has shown the expedition took one of the more difficult routes west. They survived terrible weather, sub-zero winter temperatures, a mighty hailstorm on the Missouri River, scare game along the Pacific Coast, and some unfriendly local Indian tribes in times of hardship.

The characteristics that led to their success — impressive in their breadth of knowledge and depth of understanding — are apropos for The Explorers Club. Lewis and Clark were great leaders of men, careful diplomats and excellent recorders of what they observed, who all the while maintained a deep affection for the nature they passed through.”

Music, Dance, Performing Arts

It’s all SmartStuff today. Come back tomorrow for music, dance, and the performing arts.

Smart Stuff / Other NYC Events
(Lectures, Discussions, Book Talks, Literary Readings, Classes, Food & Drink, Other

WHO’S THE MAN? ALEXANDER HAMILTON V. ROBERT MOSES
Museum of the City of New York, Fifth Avenue at 103rd St./ 6:30PM
sold out, but additional tickets will be available at a standby line the night of the program.
“Anyone who is familiar with the musical “Hamilton” knows how ambitious and stubborn that founding father was. In this talk, his strong will is pitted against that of another haughty New Yorker, the master builder Robert Moses. In a battle of wits, who would come out on top? Daniel Garodnick, a City Council member, will lead a discussion with Joanne Freeman, a professor of history and American studies at Yale University, and Kenneth Jackson, a professor of history and social sciences at Columbia University.” (NYT-AroundTown)

The European Union: A Challenge and an Achievement
Italian Cultural Institute, 686 Park Ave./ 6;30PM, FREE
“While the European states were sinking in totalitarian regimes and preparing for the war, few anti-Fascists confined by the Fascist regime in a remote Mediterranean island wrote the Manifesto envisaging the future European Union. The Manifesto of Ventotene, a document of pragmatic utopia, would become the matrix of a project of cooperation among former enemies, the starting point of a stabilized and democratic Europe. Brexit is a radical turning point in relation to that project and a critical moment for the European Union. The Italian Cultural Institute presents a seminar on Europe’s future after Brexit.” (ThoughtGallery.org)

Political Party with Keli Goff:
“The Obama Years in Black and White,”
The Greene Space, 44 Charlton St./ 7PM, $15, includes one drink
“Video after video showing black men, women, and sometimes children being assaulted, shot, and killed by police goes viral. Poverty, failing schools, unemployment, and incarceration continue to disproportionately affect black communities. Black Lives Matter becomes a movement and is quickly met with the dismissive counter that Blue Lives Matter, All Lives Matter. Is this progress?

As President Barack Obama’s time in the White House draws to a close, host Keli Goff and her guests will discuss how his historic presidency has made an impact on national conversations about race, justice, and inequality from policy matters to pop culture. Then they’ll examine how Hillary Clinton and Donald J. Trump are poised to impact race relations in the future.”

FEAST OF SAN GENNARO (through Sept. 25)
Mulberry Street, from Houston St. to Canal St.
“This annual festival, a tribute to the patron saint of Naples, returns to Little Italy for its 90th edition. Highlights include the traditional cannoli- and meatball-eating contests. (Tony Danza will host the meatball competition.)  Events at various times and locations; more information at sangennaro.org.” (NYT-AroundTown)

Elsewhere, but this looks worth the detour:
Passenger Ships of the Past
Brooklyn Bridge Park, 334 Furman St./ 6PM, FREE
Presented by Conrad Milster, Senior Engineer at the Pratt Institute
“In a time not so long ago, New Yorkers relied on waterborne vessels as a primary means of transportation. Our speaker will take us back in time to the great ships of that era and speak to the present, a time when New York City is again looking to the water as a vital means of transportation.”

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Bonus NYC Events – Music Venues:
So much fine live music every night in this town. These are my favorite music venues, most on Manhattan’s WestSide. Check out who’s playing tonight:

City Winery – 155 Varick St., citywinery.com, 212-608-0555
Feinstein’s/54 Below – 254 W54th St., 54below.com, 646-476-3551
Joe’s Pub @ Public Theater – 425 Lafayette St., joespub.com, 212-967-7555
Metropolitan Room – 34W22ndSt., metropolitan room.com, 212-206-0440
Beacon Theatre – 2124 Broadway @ 74th St., beacontheatre.com, 212-465-6500
Bowery Ballroom – 6 Delancey St. boweryballroom.com,
B.B. King’s Blues Bar – 237W42nd St., bbkingblues.com, 212-997-2144
Le Poisson Rouge – 158 Bleecker St., lepoissonrouge.com, 212-505-3474

Special Mention:
Caffe Vivaldi – 32 Jones St. nr Bleecker St. caffevivaldi.com, 212-691-7538
a classic, old jazz club in the Village, Caffe V often surprises with a wonderfully eclectic lineup. It’s my favorite spot for an evening of listening enjoyment and discovery.

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♦ Before making final plans, we suggest you call the venue to confirm ticket availability, dates and times, as schedules are subject to change.
♦ NYCity, with a population of  8.5 million, had a record 58 million visitors last year and was TripAdvisor’s Traveler’s Choice Top U.S. Destination for 2016.  Quality shows draw crowds.
Try to reserve seats for these top NYC events in advance, even if just on day of performance.
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A PremierPub + 3 Good Eating places

Jimmy’s Corner / 140 W 44th St (btw B’way & 7th ave)

IMG_2083Jimmy’s Corner is right in the heart of Times Square, but you won’t find it on the corner, it’s mid-block. Enter this long narrow bar and you are struck by the walls covered with mostly black-and-white boxing photographs, and memorabilia. Soon enough you learn that “Corner” refers to proprietor Jimmy Glenn’s long career as a corner man for some of boxing greats – Liston, Tyson, even “the greatest”, Ali.

Jimmy’s is a sort of time machine, taking you back to a time and place that no longer exists. All around you Times Square has cleaned up, grown up, assumed a new identity. Jimmy’s probably hasn’t changed a bit since it first opened in 1971. Certainly the bar itself looks original and the prices haven’t changed much either. When I brought a friend, who owns her own bar, she was surprised when she got the small tab for a round of drinks. Figured there must be a mistake, that maybe they forgot to charge for all the drinks.

Times Square today is filled with neon glitz and wandering tourists from Dubuque, but not Jimmy’s. You’ll likely find some old timer’s at the bar nursing their drinks, some younger locals at tables in the back, and maybe a few adventuresome tourists clutching their trusty guidebooks. There’s no food served here because this is just a bar, and sometimes that’s all you need.

On nights when no local team is playing, it’s a fine place to sip some drafts and listen to a great old time jukebox (40s, 50s, R&B, and soul). On sports nights this very narrow bar can get a bit claustrophobic, filled with excited fans watching their team on the TVs. Either way, Jimmy’s is the place to be if you are looking for an old time bar in the new Times Square.
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Website: are you kidding !
(although there is a facebook page with lots of photos –
facebook.com/jimmyscornernyc)
Phone #: 212-221-9510
Hours: 11am – 4 am, except Sunday they open 12 noon
Happy Hour: not necessary, low prices all day, every day
Subway: #1,2,3 to TimesSquare 42nd st
walk 2 blks N on 7th ave to 44th st; ½ blk E to Jimmy’s

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“Pub” is used in it’s broadest sense – bars, bar/restaurants, jazz clubs, wine bars, tapas bars, craft beer bars, dive bars, cocktail lounges, and of course, pubs – just about anyplace you can get a drink without a cover charge (except for certain jazz clubs).
If you have a fave premier pub or good eating place on Manhattan’s WestSide let us all know about it – leave a comment.
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3 Good Eating Places

It’s not difficult finding a place to eat in Manhattan.
Finding a good, inexpensive place to eat is a bit harder.
Here are a few of my faves in this neighborhood:

Patzeria Perfect Pizza – 231 W46 St. (Btw 7th/8th ave)
Perfect name for a pizza joint. On a street filled with Broadway theaters, this is a real hole in the wall, but don’t let the dive look scare you away. You can never go wrong with a slice of NYCity pizza, and this one is a classic thin crust. Only a few seats here, but pizza was made to eat standing up.

Shake Shack – 691 8th Ave. (Btw 43rd/44th st)
Danny Meyer has revolutionized the high quality burger in this town. Now he has a branch on the West Side that was desperately needed, with a bit less of the insane lines that you find at the Madison Sq. Park location. Worth the wait.

Xi’an Famous Foods – 24 W45th St. (Btw 5th/6th ave)
Try to avoid long lunch lines. Order lamb hand ripped noodles and warm your insides at one of the tables in the back. You’ll return, just remember that even mild is pretty spicy.
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“3 Good Eating Places” focuses on a quick bite, what I call “Fine Fast Food – NYCity Style”
◊ For all my picks of 54 Good Eating places, and essays on my favorite 18 Premier Pubs in 9 Neighborhoods on Manhattan’s WestSide, order a copy of my e-book:
“Eating and Drinking on NYCity’s WestSide” ($4.99, available Fall 2016).
◊ Order before Sept. 30, 2016 and receive a bonus – 27 of my favorite casual dining places with free Wi-Fi.
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This week’s fave and FREE NYCity AppS: 
Trip Advisor
An enormous base of NYCity user reviews (2.1 million) provides the widest coverage of hotels (468), restaurants (12,645) and things to do (yes, 3,246). Have a specific question? Then try one of Trip Advisor’s forums. Just remember that with all those reviews you have to try to find the consistency among the comments, and ignore the outliers.

OpenTable
Instantly locate restaurants near you with open reservations and then place a reservation right from your iOS device. A great interface and the ability to see a menu from the restaurant you’re interested in makes this my go to restaurant reservation app.

Subway Time 
Need to catch your #1,2,3 subway to attend an event? Use the Subway Time app from the MTA to find out when the next train arrives at your station.
===========================================================

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