Today’s “Fab 5”+1 / Selected NYCity Events – WEDNESDAY, NOV. 06, 2013
For other useful and curated NYCity event info for Manhattan’s WestSide check out:
♦ “Notable NYC Events-Nov.”, “on Broadway”, and “Top10 Free” in the header above.
♦ For NYCity trip planning see links in “Resources” and “Smart Stuff” in the header above.
Canstruction at Brookfield Place (through Nov. 13)
“The purpose of this annual event at the former World Financial Center is twofold: families can admire exquisite structures designed entirely from cans of food (past creations have included giant electric mixers, rocket ships, cartoon characters and castles), and each can will be donated to City Harvest at the end of the exhibit. While the event is free, families are encouraged to contribute a can or two of their own to feed the hungry.” (nycgo.com)
Each year, teams of architects, engineers and designers build large-scale sculptures out of canned food for this competition and food drive. Twenty-six entries will be displayed and judged in categories such as Best Use of Labels, Most Cans and People’s Choice; favorites from last year’s contest, including a replica Jefferson Memorial made of tuna fish, will also be shown at other locations around town (through Nov 8).
Find time for this one – the structures, created solely from cans, are amazing!
Michael Rodriguez Quintet
“The trumpeter Mike Rodriguez brings a sleek postbop modernity to his engagement with Latin jazz. His band here is equipped to do the same, with input from Chris Cheek on saxophones, Jeb Patton on piano, Kiyoshi Kitagawa on bass and Obed Calvaire on drums.” (Chinen-NYT)
Smoke, 2751 Broadway, at 106th St.
At 7, 9 and 10:30 p.m./no cover, with a $20 minimum at the 10:30 p.m. set
(212) 864-6662, smokejazz.com
Performa 13
“Performa is dedicated to exploring the critical role of live performance in the history of 20th-century art and to encouraging new directions in performance for the 21st century. For its fifth biennial, Performa 13 will feature more than 100 contemporary artists, including 12 Performa commissions along with premieres and a multitude of new works by up-and-comers. This year’s biennial takes place at more than 60 venues throughout New York City. For a full list of today’s performances, see the event’s website.” (nycgo.com)
Akram Khan*
“Khan, a star of the British dance scene, presents “Desh,” a solo from 2011, which offers an intimate meditation on his own identity. Khan asks what it means to be a Briton of Bangladeshi descent, and a master of kathak, the classical Indian dance form, who also embraces contemporary techniques. With the aid of evocative projections and stage design by Tim Yip (the production designer of the film “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon”) and a syrupy score, Khan embarks on a voyage into his own past. The most exciting element is his dancing—quicksilver, rhythmically intricate, and constantly surprising.” (NewYorker mag)
Rose Theater, Lincoln Center, 60th St and Broadway,
At 7:30 p.m., $25 to $90.
721-6500, whitelightfestival.org
Big Apple Film Festival (through Nov. 10)
This annual festival — the 10th — highlights short and feature-length films and documentaries by independent filmmakers in New York City. The opening film, screening on Wednesday at 8 p.m., is “Jake Squared,” written and directed by Howard Goldberg and starring Elias Koteas, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Virginia Madsen, Jane Seymour and Mike Vogel. There will also be several programs of short films, beginning at 6 p.m.
TriBeCa Cinemas, 54 Varick Street, near Laight St.,
$20 per screening program.
NYC Comedy Festival (Nov. 6-10)
Performances by Wanda Sykes, John Mulaney and Whitney Cummings, and a conversation between Larry David and David Steinberg are among the highlights of this year’s New York Comedy Festival, which is now in its 10th year and is presented in association with Comedy Central and produced by Carolines on Broadway.
Today’s Featured event is: Stand Up For Heroes
Featuring: Jerry Seinfeld, Bruce Springsteen, Jon Stewart, Roger Waters and other surprise guests.
Presented by the New York Comedy Festival and the Bob Woodruff Foundation, Stand Up for Heroes is an evening of comedy and music benefiting injured service members, veterans and their families.
The Theater at Madison Square Garden
At 8PM / $105 and up
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
NYCity 1-2-3 : What's Happening / Manhattan's WestSide 