Today’s “Fab 5” / Selected NYCity Events – TUESDAY, AUG 20, 2013.
For other useful and curated NYCity event info for Manhattan’s WestSide be sure to check out:
“Notable Events-August”, “on Broadway”, and “Top10 Free” in the header above.
For NYCity trip planning see links in “Resources” and “Smart Stuff” in the header above.
Anat Cohen and Choro Aventuroso* – Today’s Top Pick
Ms. Cohen, a clarinetist of irresistible rhythmic aplomb, has had some memorable triumphs playing choro, a popular Brazilian music with a strong downbeat and a lightly syncopated cadence. She puts her own spin on the style with Choro Aventuroso, presenting the group for the first time here, as part of the WBGO Jazz Series at 54 Below.” (Chinen-NYT)
54 BELOW, 254 West 54th St.
at 7 and 9 p.m. / $25 and $35 cover, with a $15 minimum
(646) 476-3551, 54below.com
Lost Bayou Ramblers*
The Lost Bayou Ramblers play their new Cajun music at the 5th annual Hudson Square Music & Wine Festival, a fun, free, postwork fete.
Lost Bayou Ramblers was born deep in South Louisiana performing old style, predominantly acoustic Cajun music at clubs and festivals across the US, Europe, and Canada. After years of playing traditional style, the Lost Bayou Ramblers found themselves needing to grow. To create a new sound that combined not just the sounds of their heritage, but all the musical influences they grew up loving. It began with the recording of their new album Mammoth Waltz at Dockside Studios in Maurice, La. The idea was to incorporate more influences, sounds, technology, and stylings with the traditional Cajun instrumentation. The resulting 11 tracks speak for themselves.
Food and beverages will be available for purchase at this “After-Work Backyard Party” held every Tuesday from June 4th through August 27th. Look for an assortment of wines from City Winery, ice cold beer from Radeberger, ice cream and ice cream sandwiches from Jacques Torres, and hot dogs and other snacks offered by Great Performances.
City Winery, 155 Varick St., at Vandam St.
At 5:30PM / FREE
212-608-0555 / citywinery.com/newyork/
Julianna Barwick
“For her follow-up to The Magic Place, otherworldly chanteuse Julianna Barwick stepped outside her solitary comfort zone and headed to Iceland at the request of Sigur Rós collaborator (and Jonsi beau) Alex Somers. The product of their partnership, Nepenthe, is a beautiful and evocative album with a theme of hope and coping through difficult times. Tonight, the Southern-raised Brooklynite celebrates her Dead Oceans release at a venue fitting her ethereal soundscapes, the Judson Memorial Church.” Mindy Bond, Flavorpil
Judson Memorial Church. 55 Washington SquareS
7pm / $15.00
212-477-0351 / judson.org
BOBBY MCFERRIN: SPIRITYOUALL
For decades Bobby McFerrin has broken all the rules. The 10-time Grammy winner has blurred the distinction between pop music and fine art, goofing around barefoot in the world’s finest concert halls, exploring uncharted vocal territory, inspiring a whole new generation of a cappella singers and the beatbox movement.
His latest album, spirityouall, is a bluesy, feel-good recording, an unexpected move from the music-industry rebel who singlehandedly redefined the role of the human voice with his a cappella hit “Don’t Worry, Be Happy,” his collaborations with Yo-Yo Ma, Chick Corea and the Vienna Philharmonic, his improvising choir Voicestra, and his legendary solo vocal erformances.
SummerStage Mainstage
Rumsey Playfield, Central Park, midpark at 70th St.
AT 7:00 pm / FREE
212-360-2777 / summerstage.org
Cityparksfoundation.org
Mostly Mozart Festival Orchestra
Louis Langrée, conductor
Joshua Bell, violin
MOZART: Symphony No. 36 (“Linz”)
TCHAIKOVSKY: Violin Concerto
Now in its 47th season, Lincoln Center’s Mostly Mozart Festival is a New York annual summertime classical tradition, celebrating the music of Salzburg’s favorite son.
Avery Fisher Hall, Lincoln Center
At 8PM / $35
Before making final plans, we suggest you call the venue to confirm dates and check times, as schedules are subject to change.
================================================================================
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 happy hour 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).
==========================================================
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 