Today’s “Fab 5” / Selected NYCity Events – WEDNESDAY, AUG 14, 2013

Visits Aboard a Spanish Galleon (through Aug. 22)
For the next few weeks, vintage ship enthusiasts can board “El Galeón,” a copy of a 16th-century vessel, that is docked at Pier 84, near 43rd Street and 12th Avenue, Clinton. The ship, owned by the Nao Victoria Foundation of Seville, Spain, is part of Viva Florida 500 Voyage, a celebration of the voyage of the explorer Ponce de León and the 500th anniversary of his arrival in Florida. Daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., with special hours on Wednesday (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.) and Thursday (10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.). Tickets, available through Circle-Line Sightseeing, are $15, $8 for children 3 to 12. (212) 563-3200; circleline42.com.

Joey DeFrancesco with the City Rhythm Orchestra (through Aug. 17) Mr. DeFrancesco, the soulful Hammond B-3 organ virtuoso, teams up with a big band long active in his hometown, Philadelphia.” (Chinen-NYT)
Birdland, 315 West 44th Street, Clinton
At 8:30 and 11 p.m./$30 and $40 cover, with a $10 minimum.
(212) 581-3080, birdlandjazz.com

VALERIE JUNE
“The singer, songwriter, and guitarist Valerie June, out of Humboldt, Tennessee, is a powerful young exponent of authentic blues and roots music. She can take it down to an intimate whisper and pump it up to an electric swamp-pop boil. This show is part of an album-release tour for her new CD, “Pushin’ Against a Stone.”
CITY WINERY, 155 Varick St. , New York , N.Y.
At 8PM / $12 at the bar or $15 at a table
212-608-0555 / citywinery.com

Ute Lemper “Last Tango in Berlin”
54 Below welcomes renowned international chanteuse and star of Broadway’s Chicago Ute Lemper for a special late summer engagement. The journey starts in Berlin with Ute’s repertoire of Brecht and Weill and classic cabaret songs and travels to the poetic universe of Jacques Brel & Edith Piaf. Then, join Ute’s voyage as she continues to Argentina and Tango Nuevo and walks the backstreets of Paris, Berlin, Buenos Aires and New York, where she’s made her home for fifteen years now. Discover musical ghosts who have their own tales of loss, love, passion, survival, rebellion & opposition to tell.
54 Below, 254 West 54th St. (btw b’way/8th ave.)
At 7PM (doors 5:30) / $40-$50, $25 minimum food & drink
(646) 476-3551 / 54below.com

Ralph Peterson Unity Project*
“A couple of years ago the monstrously propulsive drummer Ralph Peterson released the album “Outer Reaches” (Onyx), inspired by the music of the Hammond B-3 organ master Larry Young, especially his landmark album “Unity.” Mr. Peterson revisits that premise here — and celebrates the release of another album, “ALIVE at Firehouse 12 — Vol. 1” (Onyx) — with his Unity Project, featuring Jake Sherman on organ, Josh Evans on trumpet and Don Braden on tenor saxophone.” (Chinen-NYT)
Iridium Jazz Club, 1650 Broadway, at 51st St.
At 8 and 10 p.m./ $25 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 ==============================================================================

A PremierPub and 3 Good Eating places – Tribeca

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.

Website: http://http://www.bflat.info/index.html
Phone #: 212-219-2970
Hours: Mo-Wed 5pm-2am; Th-Sat 5pm-3am; no Sun
Happy Hour: 5-7pm every day; $8 cocktails + special prices on apps
Music: Mon/Wed 8pm
Subway: #1 to Franklin; walk 1 blk E to Church; 1 blk N to bFlat

“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.