Today’s “Fab Five” / Selected NYCity Events – WEDNESDAY, July 31, 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.
The Geek Street Fair
The Geek Street Fair hosted by Google is a public event to highlight the City’s technology community and inspire New Yorkers of all ages to take interest in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math. Think a traditional street fair, but replace funnel cakes and tube socks with virtual games, robotics and electronic tinkering.
12:00PM to 6:00PM / FREE
Hudson River Park, W 14th Street @ 10th Ave. (in Meatpacking District)
1-212-627-2020
Readings in Bryant Park
Two literary events are scheduled as part of the park’s free Word for Word author series.
At 12:30 p.m., Lily Koppel (“The Astronauts Wives Club: A True Story”) hosted by Alina Simone (“Note to Self: A Novel”)
At 7 p.m., Sam Roberts of The New York Times will talk about his new book, “Grand Central: How a Train Station Transformed America.”
Bryant Park reading room, 6th Avenue at 42nd St.
(under the trees at the 42nd st side of the park)
At 12:30PM and 7PM / FREE
(212) 768-4242 / bryantpark.org
Indie Pop: Erin McKeown / Lake Street Dive
Erin McKeown has been touring the globe for the last 12 years as a writer, performer, and multi-instrumentalist with eight full-length records and three EPs under her belt. McKeown’s compelling and energy-packed stage show teamed with her seemingly effortless ability to bridge genres has garnered her international acclaim.
Lake Street Dive, composed of drummer Mike Calabrese, bassist Bridget Kearney, vocalist Rachael Price, and trumpet-wielding guitarist Mike “McDuck” Olson, encompasses a myriad of possibilities within its members’ collective experiences, and the resultant music is a vivid, largely acoustic, groove-driven strain of indie-pop.
This is the eleventh season of Mad. Sq. Music: Oval Lawn Series, which presents award-winning performers in an eclectic range of genres, including folk, jazz, bluegrass, soul/R&B, and Americana. Set against the magnificent backdrop of historic Madison Square Park, the Oval Lawn Series is an enjoyable and relaxing way to hear live music by some of the most acclaimed and respected artists on the national scene.
Bring a blanket for lawn seating; no chairs are allowed.
Madison Square Park, 23rd St (btw 5th/Mad Ave)
At 6pm / FREE
212-538-1884 / madisonsquarepark.org
Dezron Douglas All-Stars
“A bassist with a deep and soulful sound, Dezron Douglas has started making his name as a bandleader, notably with a strong recent album called “Live at Smalls” (SmallsLIVE), featuring a band with David Bryant on piano. For this Keystone Korner Nights appearance, Mr. Douglas presides over a group that includes the searching saxophonist Ravi Coltrane and the seasoned drummer Louis Hayes.” (Chinen-NYT)
Iridium Jazz Club, 1650 Broadway, at 51st St.
At 8 and 10 p.m. / $30 cover, with a $10 minimum.
(212) 582-2121, theiridium.com
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 – Upper West Side
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
NYCity 1-2-3 : What's Happening / Manhattan's WestSide 