Today’s “Fab 4” / Selected NYCity Events – FRIDAY, SEPT 06, 2013.

U.S. TENNIS OPEN (through Sept. 9)
We are now in the final weekend of the tournament and all the matches are in the BigHouse.

Who to watch today:
Two Women’s Singles Semifinals, the Mixed Doubles Finals, and one Women’s Doubles Semifinal.

» After 63 appearances in the main draw of Grand Slam events Abigail Spears has reached her first Grand Slam final in the Mixed Doubles. So we should all be rooting for her, and partner Santiago Gonzalez. Go Girl!

» #2 seed Victoria Azarenka vs Flavia Pennetta in one of the women’s semifinals. Vika has not looked good to me all tournament, so I think Pennetta has a chance. This is clearly the weaker half of the draw.

» #1 seed and defending champ Serena Williams vs #5 seed NaLi. Serena has been playing better than ever and should cruise to the finals. But that’s what I thought at Wimbledon and Serena very surprisingly lost to Sabine Lisicki in the 4th round, so that’s why they play the game.

The best, most comprehensive review of the tournament and the current state of tennis can be found at the NYTimes: http://www.nytimes.com/pages/sports/tennis/index.html

The Moth Mainstage: 
‘You Are Here: Stories of Rights and Lefts’
This evening, part of the Just Words: A Spoken Word Celebration series of readings and discussions, will begin with storytelling by Simon Doonan, a writer (“Eccentric Glamour: Creating An Insanely More Fabulous You”) and creative ambassador for Barneys, and Kemp Powers, author of “The Shooting: A Memoir.” Adam Gopnik, a staff writer for The New Yorker, is the host. The event, is in celebration of the Moth, a nonprofit dedicated to art of storytelling and the publication this week of “The Moth: 50 True Stories” (Hyperion).
Town Hall, 123 West 43rd St.
at 7:30 p.m., / $25 and $40
(800) 982-2787, the-townhall-nyc.org

August Wilson’s Century Cycle Talk Series
This series, presented in conjunction with the sold-out live recordings of Wilson’s celebrated 10-play cycle, includes discussions on themes and topics related to Wilson’s work. On this night Ken Roberson, who choreographed the Signature Theater’s 2006 production of “Seven Guitars,” and the blues musician Bill Sims Jr., who composed the original music for “Seven Guitars” and “Jitney,” will talk with WQXR’s Terrance McKnight about Wilson’s use of music and movement.
the Greene Space, 44 Charlton Street, at Varick Street, SoHo
At 7 p.m./$10
(866) 811-4111, thegreenespace.org

Jeremy Udden’s Plainville
Live music from Jeremy Udden’s Plainville “…a richly engrossing project from the Brooklyn-by-way-of-Boston saxophonist that finds new ground between jazz, instrumental rock and folk…Udden’s crew is just as comfortable carving out room in indie rock’s territory, but jazz fans should be equally taken with this caliber of invention.” “…a richly engrossing project from the Brooklyn-by-way-of-Boston saxophonist that finds new ground between jazz, instrumental rock and folk…Udden’s crew is just as comfortable carving out room in indie rock’s territory, but jazz fans should be equally taken with this caliber of invention.” – Chris Barton, LA TIMES
South Street Seaport, Front & Fulton Sts.
at 6:30PM / FREE
1-212-732-8257

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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SPECIAL EXHIBITIONS @ 3 Museums   (WestSide & the BrooklynMuseum) 

‘Ellsworth Kelly: Chatham Series’ (through Sept. 8)
‘Walker Evans: American Photographs’ (through Jan. 26, 2014)
American Modern: Hopper to O’Keefe (through Jan. 26, 2014)
America’s cultural landscape shifted rapidly in the early 20th century. American Modern at the Museum of Modern Art looks at this change via some of the iconic works produced between 1915 and 1950. Artists highlighted include George Bellows, Edward Hopper, Georgia O’Keeffe, Alfred Stieglitz and Andrew Wyeth. In organizing the art thematically, American Modern will highlight the connections between the artists’ works.
Museum of Modern Art: 11 W 53rd St. (btw 5th /6th Ave.)
(212) 708-9400 / moma.org.
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‘Against the Grain: Wood in Contemporary Art, Craft and Design’* (through Sept. 15)
Museum of Arts and Design: 2 Columbus Circle
212-299-7777 / madmuseum.org.
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‘Connecting Cultures: A World in Brooklyn’ (continuing)
This eclectic, imaginatively thought-out one-gallery immersion experience in world art, all from Brooklyn’s collection and installed in the museum’s revamped Great Hall, serves as a teaser to the fabulous collections in the galleries beyond.
‘the Bruce High Quality Foundation: Ode to Joy’ (through Sept. 22)
‘Divine Felines: Cats of AncientEgypt’ (through Dec. 29)
Brooklyn Museum: 200 Eastern Parkway, at Prospect Park,
(subway: easy ride from midtown on #2 or #3 express to Eastern Pkway/Bklyn Museum)
(718) 638-5000 / brooklynmuseum.org

Top Photography Exhibitions – NYCity / Manhattan’s WestSide

  Museum of Modern Art
Walker Evans: American Photographs (through Jan. 26, 2014)
11 West 53rd Street / 212-708-9400

  Metropolitan Museum of Art
Everyday Ephiphanies: Photography and Daily Life Since 1969 
(through January 26, 2014)
1000 Fifth Avenue (at 82nd Street) / 212-535-7710

   International Center Photography
A Different Kind of Order: The ICP Triennial (through Sept. 22)
1133 Avenue of the Americas at 43rd Street / 212-857-0000

  American Museum Natural History 
Picturing Science: Museum Scientists and Imaging Technologies          
(through May 31, 2014)
79th St. And Central Park West / (212) 313-7278 

  Staley-Wise Gallery
It’s An American Thing (through Sept. 14)
560 Broadway, Soho / 212-966-6223
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One more photo exhibition, this one in a special setting – the lovely, new Bklyn Bridge Park with spectacular views of the Manhattan skyline, and of course, the Brooklyn Bridge.
(subway: easy to get to via #2 or #3 express to Clark St., the 1st stop in Bklyn.)

‘The Fence’ in Brooklyn Bridge Park (through Oct. 1)
“When is a fence not a fence? When it is the backdrop for a free display of over 200 jury selected images of people, animals and daily life by 39 photographers from the United States and abroad. Presented for the second year by United Photo Industries, a Brooklyn arts cooperative, as a showcase for young photographers, the display consists of a 1,000-foot-long waterproof mesh banner superimposed with color and black-and-white photos.

The banner stretches through Brooklyn Bridge Park, from Pier 15, at Joralemon Street and the East River in Brooklyn Heights, to Main Street in Dumbo.” (Anne Mancuso-NYT)
Pier 5, Joralemon Street and the East River
From 6am to 1am / FREE
(718) 215-9075 / fence.photovillenyc.org
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For other selected Museum and Gallery Special Exhibitions see Recent Posts in the right Sidebar: “Selected Events + Special Exhibitions : Manhattan’s WestSide” dated (08/29) and (08/27).