Selected Music / Upper West Side

Allan Harris / blues (no cover charge)
‘Guitarist & Vocalist Allan Harris who CNN referred to as one of the
“thee best male jazz vocalists in the country” “is a baritone crooner
with a husky edge who evokes Nat King Cole (and plays a mean Les
Paul guitar). He blends the sounds of Jazz, Blues, Soul, Funk and R&B
into a fertile musical delta that reflects Mr Harris unfashionably
hopeful vision of a multicultural America” (NY Times) “Mr Harris
specializes in making every song into a party” (Wall Street Journal)
We hope you’ll join the Sunday night party at Smoke! “

Smoke, 2751 B’way (btw 105/106 st)
7pm & 9pm / no music charge
two-course dinner prix-fixe available for $29.95
10:30pm $20 minimum (dinner optional) / no music charge
==========================================================

Duke Ellington Birthday Celebration
“A free outdoor concert with professional and student musicians is among the events commemorating the 114th anniversary of the birth date of Duke Ellington; the actual date is April 29. Taking part in the performance on April 28, from 1 to 3 p.m. at the statue of Ellington at Fifth Avenue and West 110th Street, are the percussionist and bandleader Bobby Sanabria and the Manhattan School of Music Afro-Cuban Big Band; students from the Fiorello H. La Guardia High School of Music and Art; and the Tap City Youth Ensemble. Sponsored by the Duke Ellington Center for the Arts an organization to promote the music and legacy of the jazz great. thedukeellingtoncenter.org.” — (ANNE MANCUSO, NYT)

from 1 to 3 p.m. / FREE
Fifth Avenue, at West 110th Street
thedukeellingtoncenter.org
==========================================================

Catherine Russell
“Ms. Russell, a jazz singer with a husky tone but a bright temperament, draws here from her fourth album, “Strictly Romancin’ ” (World Village/Harmonia Mundi), with a band that includes the guitarist and banjoist Matt Munisteri.” — (NATE CHINEN, NYT)

Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola,  Broadway, at West 60th Street
at 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. $35 to $45 cover, with a $10 minimum
(212) 258-9595 / jalc.org
==========================================================

Before making final plans, we suggest you call the venue to confirm dates and check times, as schedules are subject to change.

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

A PremierPub and 3 Good Eating places – Upper West Side

“Pub” is used in it’s broadest sense – bars, bar/restaurants, wine bars, cocktail lounges,  tapas bars, craft beer bars, dive bars – just about anyplace you can get a drink without a cover charge.

Dinosaur
700 W125th st @ 12th ave

Walk only five minutes from the 125th st. station on the #1 line to find this authentic honky-tonk barbecue joint. Some folks think Dinosaur is just a place to eat ribs. Au contraire. With 24 carefully selected taps, this is a place to drink beer, and eat ribs.

No food goes better with American craft ales than American barbecue. Dinosaur may be the best combo of good beer drinking and hearty eating in town, which makes the trip to Harlem totally worthwhile.

This second incarnation of Dinosaur in Harlem is in an old brick warehouse near the Hudson River. Don’t let that run down exterior fool you. Inside it’s a large space with huge, rough wooden columns and unfinished wooden floors and brick walls – just right for a bbq joint. As soon as you open the door you are hit with that tantalizing aroma of barbecue coming from the large open kitchen. Reminds me of all those great rib joints I frequented when stationed in North Carolina all those years ago. If your stomach wasn’t grumbling before, it is now.

Head to the bar, sit down and try to decide on a beer. It’s not an easy decision – a good problem to have. This is a pretty damn good beer list to choose from, one that most beer bars should be jealous of. I love that they feature NY craft beers. You may want to try the four beer sampler, which is always fun, and in this place may be necessary.

The Mississippi blues music playing in the background will get you in the mood for their North Carolina style barbecue, and even when it’s a full house your order shouldn’t take too long. The food is all slow smoked, so it’s already mostly done and ready to go. I always start with an order of their giant, spice rubbed wings, so good they may make you give up Buffalo wings.

Unfortunately, a place this good does not fly under the radar. There can be some humongous waits at dinnertime. So you need a strategy – avoid prime time, and try not to arrive with your entire posse, which will limit your seating options.

A seat at the bar, a small table in the bar area, or in the summer, an outside table, underneath what’s left of the elevated W. Side Hwy., all may open before a table inside the main dining room. Otherwise, try Dinosaur for lunch, or come very early or late for dinner.

Website: http://www.dinosaurbarbque.com/
Phone #: 212-694-1777
Hours: M-Th 11:30am-11:00pm; Fr-Sa 11:30am-12:00am;
Su 12:00pm-10:00pm
Happy Hour: 4-7pm every day; $1 off all drinks
Music: Fri / Sat 10:00pm
Subway: #1 to 125th st
Walk 2 blk W on 125th to Dinosaur Bar-B-Q,
just past the elevated highway