Today’s “Fab 5”+1 / Selected NYCity Events – THURSDAY, SEPT 19, 2013.

‘Re-Thinking Literature’ (through Sept. 21)
Writers, art critics and scholars will be among those taking part in this free conference focusing on the significance of literature in today’s world. Presented by New York University’s Center for French Civilization and Culture, the conference begins on Thursday with a keynote address at 7 p.m. by Peter Schjeldahl, art critic for The New Yorker, and presentations from 8 to 9:30 p.m. by Boris Groys, a writer and scholar, and Donatien Grau, an art critic and writer.
New York University, Hemmerdinger Hall, 100 Washington Sq East
A schedule is at french.as.nyu.edu/object/re-thinking.
(212) 998-8758

Is There Still Alternative Culture in New York?
From hotels to pickles, contemporary New York is the land of boutique consumption. Does alternative culture still imply authentic expression? Does the consumer’s taste for pricy, artisanal idiosyncrasy threaten to price out the cultural producers? Guests will include musician Claudia Gonson, of acclaimed band The Magnetic Fields; Astra Taylor, director of Zizek!; Jessica Dimmock, photographer and filmmaker, creator of The Ninth Floor; and writer Alissa Quart, author of Republic of Outsiders. Moderated by Carl Swanson, editor-at-large, New York magazine.
The Graduate Center, CUNY, 365 Fifth Ave @ 34th St. Martin E. Segal Theatre
at 6:30 PM / FREE

The Best American Poetry Reading 2013
David Lehman, series editor of The Best American Poetry and poetry coordinator of The New School’s MFA Program, joins guest editor of the 2013 volume, Denise Duhamel, to present poets and poems for the 25th edition of the acclaimed anthology.

Readers will include  Kim Addonizio, Timothy Donnelly, John Hennessy,  Major Jackson, Lawrence Joseph, Noelle Kocot, Dorianne Laux, Amy Lawless, Amy Lemmon, Anthony Madrid, Sally Wen Mao, Vijay Seshadri, Mitch Sisskind, Stephanie Strickland, Angela Veronica Wong, and Wendy Xu.
Tishman Auditorium, Alvin Johnson/J.M. Kaplan Hall
66 West 12th Street,
at 7:00 pm / FREE

Miles Davis’s Milestones
MSM Chamber Jazz Ensemble; Justin DiCioccio, Director
A recreation of the landmark album for Davis’s late 1950s quintet, featuring John Coltrane and Cannonball Adderley and the group’s foray into modal jazz.
Manhattan School of Music, 120 Claremont Ave. Nr 122nd St. & B’way
At 7:30PM / FREE
917 493 4469 | www.msmnyc.edu

Acardenchados
Acardenchados take their name from the Mexican Cardenche style of popular music, which is created through the spontaneous interpretation of three or four voices. This improvisational yet traditional vocal ensemble joins together in exploring creative boundaries of singing in the Cardenche and Pirekua— the syncretism of religious music chants from the Spanish evangelizers and with Indian Mexican music– ways. Joining Tareke Ortiz, Leo Soqui, and Juan Manuel Torreblanca, we welcome back Juan Pablo Villa, one of the most respected exponents of improvisation music in Mexico, who performed at Lincoln Center in 2010. Acardenchados exposes us to extended vocal techniques in the most fascinating and energizing ways.
Lincoln Center, David Rubenstein Atrium, Broadway between 62nd and 63rd St.
At 7:30PM / FREE (get there early – free performances in the Atrium are very popular)
1-212-875-5377

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.