Selected West Side Events – Friday, Jun. 14, 2013

For other useful NYCity event info be sure to check out :
“Notable Events-June”, “on Broadway”,  and “Top10 Free”, in the header above.
For DIY NYCity trip planning see links in “Resources” and “Smart Stuff” in the header above.

‘The Woolworth Building @ 100’
An exhibition celebrating the 100th anniversary of this Cass Gilbert-designed building — when completed in 1913 it was considered the tallest office building in the world — features blueprints, photographs, contracts and other items.
On Friday from 1 to 5 p.m. in the lobby of the Woolworth Building, 233 Broadway, a free panel discussion about architecture and urban history will feature eight scholars and writers who have written about the Woolworth Building.
Skyscraper Museum: Sessions run from 1 to 3 p.m. and 3:15 to 4:30 p.m., and will be followed by a reception at 5 p.m. Reservations are required: RSVP@skyscraper.org. The exhibition can be viewed Wednesdays through Sundays from noon to 6 p.m.; 39 Battery Place, Lower Manhattan, (212) 968-1961, skyscraper.org; $5, $2.50 for students and 65+.

Ballet Tech 
“See Eliot Feld’s Kids Dance. Grades 4 to 8, jeté-ing for joy.
Eliot Feld’s vital Ballet Tech School has handpicked New York public-school students with what he calls “innate joy” for dancing, and offered them top-flight training free of charge, since 1978. The latest batch will perform, plus former City Ballet star and Feld muse Kaitlyn Gilliland will dance in Feld’s new Inwit.”(TONY-Rebecca Milzoff)
Joyce Theater, 175 Eighth Avenue, at 19th Street, Chelsea,
at 7 p.m / $10 to $59
242-0800 / joyce.org

McCoy Tyner & the Latin All-Stars*
“This weekend run, named after an album made by the percussive pianist McCoy Tyner in the late-1990s, will feature the dynamic hand drummer Miguel Valdez alongside the Cuban jazz drummer Francisco Mela. Also aboard, in a booking presented by the Blue Note Jazz Festival, are the saxophonist Gary Bartz, the trombonist Steve Turre and the bassist Gerald Cannon.” (Chinen-NYT)
Blue Note, 131 West Third Street, Greenwich Village
at 8 and 10:30 p.m., $45 cover at tables. $30 at the bar, $5 min.
475-8592 / bluenote.net

Sonny Fortune Quartet 
“A powerful saxophonist who has built on the questing style of John Coltrane, Sonny Fortune participates here in a tribute to Miles Davis, with whom he played in the mid-1970s. His quintet will include the trumpeter Kamau Adilifu (formerly known as Charles Sullivan), the pianist Michael Cochrane, the bassist David Williams and the drummer Steve Johns.” (Nate Chinen-NYT)
Smoke, 2751 Broadway, at 106th Street
at 7, 9, 10:30pm / $35 cover
864-6662, smokejazz.com

Greg Osby Quartet
“Greg Osby, an incisive alto saxophonist and a mentor to many exceptional young musicians, presents a new quartet with the Italian pianist Simona Premazzi, who has an album due out soon on Inner Circle, Mr. Osby’s label. On bass is Matt Brewer, and on drums is Damion Reid.” (Chinen-NYT)
Village Vanguard, 178 Seventh Avenue South, at 11th Street,
at 8:30 and 10:30 p.m., $25 cover, with a one-drink minimum.
(212) 255-4037 / villagevanguard.com

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Before making final plans, we suggest you call the venue to confirm dates and check times, as schedules are subject to change.
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A PremierPub and 3 Good Eating Places – Tribeca

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

B-Flat
277 Church st (Btw Franklin/White)

There are some places that are tough to find, then add a layer of mystery when you do find them. B-Flat has a nondescript, almost unmarked door at street level – today’s speakeasy vibe. Open this door and you face a dimly lit stairway down to their basement location. It almost takes a leap of faith to follow the stairs down to their interior door. But open that door and a pleasant surprise awaits you.

It’s a basement jazz spot all right, but not like any traditional jazz joint you may have been to before. This place looks as fresh as today, probably because it’s only been open for 6 years. Even though it hasn’t had a chance to age gracefully, the cherry wood accents and low lighting make this small space very inviting.

There is always jazz, often progressive jazz,  playing over their very discrete, stylish bose speakers, setting just the right tone as you find a seat at the bar, or one of the small tables. There is wine and beer available, but this place has some expert mixologists making some very creative cocktails, which I’m told change seasonally, a nice touch.

Come at happy hour and tasty cocktails like the el Diablo or the lychee martini are $8 – not bad. I am a sucker for any drink made with lychee and how can you not try a tequila drink named el Diablo. There is also nice selection of small bites available at happy hour and a food menu that is as innovative as the cocktail menu, so this does not have to be a happy hour only stop.

It wasn’t surprising to find a tasty prosciutto and arugula salad with yuzu dressing, but I did not expect to find such a good version of fried chicken breast on the apps menu. Here it’s called “Tatsuta.” Best bet is to sample happy hour, then dinner on a Monday or Wednesday night, when you can finish with no cover live jazz that starts around 8.

This place is tough to find (look for a small slate sandwich board on the sidewalk out front advertising happy hour) and on some nights when there is no live music it may be a little too quiet for some. But I think it’s worth searching out if you want a place with good music, food, and especially drinks, away from the maddening crowd.