Today’s “Fab Five” / Selected NYCity Events – TUESDAY, July 02, 2013
For other useful and curated NYCity event info for Manhattan’s WestSide be sure to check out :
“Notable Events-July”, “on Broadway”, and “Top10 Free” in the header above.
For NYCity trip planning see links in “Resources” and “Smart Stuff” in the header above.
Bill of Rights and Declaration of Independence (through Wednesday) Two historic documents rarely displayed in public — an original copy of the Bill of Rights and a copy of the Declaration of Independence handwritten by Thomas Jefferson — will be on view at the New York Public Library, Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street. The documents are from the library’s manuscripts and archives division, and can be viewed Monday, noon to 6 p.m.; Tuesday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (917) 275-6975, nypl.org.
Jeffery Broussard & The Creole Cowboys bring hot ZYDECO Music to NYC direct from Opelousas, Louisiana – the Zydeco Capital of the World!
“One of the most influential artists in modern Zydeco, Jeffery Broussard has defined a new style of Creole music by incorporating the soulful sounds of R&B into Zydeco music and dance. The son of esteemed accordionist Delton Broussard, Jeffery began his musical journey with his father’s legendary band, the Lawtell Playboys. Dedicated to preserving and promoting Creole culture and traditional Zydeco music, Jeffery plays with passion and commitment to carry on his father’s legacy.”
This is part of the River to River Festival.
World Financial Center Plaza @ Brookfield Place, 220 Vesey St.
At 5:30PM to 7:00PM / FREE
(212) 219-9401 / www.jefferybroussard.com
The New York Review of Science Fiction Readings
“Now in its nineteenth year, this lit club has conjured its own far-fetched alternate universe, one where horror, fantasy, and sci-fi writing—lofted by the likes of Walter Mosley, Peter Straub, and Jonathan Lethem—ratchets up to a higher(brow) plane of consciousness. Host Jim Freund’s Hour of the Wolf program on WBAI rebroadcasts most readings.” — (Elizabeth Cline-NYMag)
Soho Gallery for Digital Art, 138 Sullivan St., nr. Prince St.
6:30pm / FREE
The Pietasters with Dida
“All Day, The Pietasters’ first album of new tracks in five years, captures the high energy, brotherly camaraderie and attention to detail on which they’ve built their rock-steady name as an explosive live attraction.
The Pietasters shared bills with NOFX and Less Than Jake on the epic ’98 and ’99 Warped Tours, and followed with a stateside run with punk legend Joe Strummer Three years later, they worked as James Brown’s back-up band for one surreal evening (All Day was produced by James Brown’s engineer, Todd Harris).
Dida is a rising star of the New York music scene. In the short time she’s been living in New York, the talented vocalist/guitarist has garnered the interest and fascination of some of the industry. She is currently working with her band on original music, and going to record her second album soon. In the meanwhile she continues to perform in NYC, Israel, and Europe.
This is part of the 5th Annual Hudson Square Music & Wine Festival.
Sponsored by City Winery this after-work Backyard Party is held every Tuesday from June 4th through August 27th.
City Winery, 155 Varick st
from 5:30PM-7:30PM / FREE
212-608-0555 / citywinery.com
Brian Landrus*
“A baritone saxophonist of convincing authority, Brian Landrus has a new album, “Mirage” (BlueLand), that features his compositions for a mixed cohort of jazz quintet and strings. He celebrates the album’s release in excellent company: the quintet, which he calls Kaleidoscope, will feature Frank Carlberg on piano, Lonnie Plaxico on bass and Billy Hart on drums. And the string quartet will consist of the violinists Sara Caswell and Joyce Hammann, the violist Judith Insell and the cellist Jody Redhage, with Ryan Truesdell conducting.” (Chinen-NYT)
Joe’s Pub, at the Public Theater, 425 Lafayette St., at Astor Place
(212) 967-7555 / joespub.com
At 9:30 p.m. / $14, with a two-drink or $12 food minimum.
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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 + 3 Good Eating places / 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.
Those 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 night 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; we eat, and we drink vodka ‘till it hurts (and it will hurt).
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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 some nights includes a sax player with a younger, trimmer piano man.
NYCity 1-2-3 : What's Happening / Manhattan's WestSide 