Today’s “Fab 5”/ Selected NYCity Events – TUESDAY, NOV. 12, 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.
ALFRED RUSSELL WALLACE CENTENARY
This is the hundredth anniversary of the death of Alfred Russel Wallace (1823-1913), a founder, with Charles Darwin, of evolutionary biology. The museum is marking the occasion with a free program on Nov. 12, from 9:30 to 4:30, featuring an array of experts. Then, at 7:30, the wildlife filmmaker Sir David Attenborough will give a separate, ticketed lecture on Wallace’s work.
American Museum of Natural History, Central Park W. at 79th St.
212-769-5200
Live From the NYPL: Mike Tyson
The former heavyweight champion of the world will talk about his life and new memoir, “Undisputed Truth,” written with Larry Sloman, on the day of its release. Paul Holdengraber, director of public programs at the New York Public Library, will lead the discussion.
Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, New York Public Library,
At 7 p.m./$25, $15 for students and Friends of the Library.
275-6975, nypl.org/locations/schwarzman
Garth Fagan Dance (through Nov. 17)
In his weeklong season at the Joyce, Garth Fagan presents work that spans decades, including the 1983 classic “Easter Freeway Processional,” set to music by Philip Glass, and the premiere of “No Evidence of Failure,” a study of contemporary women. Another new work comes from Norwood Pennewell, whose “Gin” (as in cotton, not spirits) takes nine dancers through four distinct soundscapes.” (Schaefer-NYT)
Joyce Theater, 175 Eighth Avenue, at 19th Street, Chelsea,
Tuesday and Wednesday at 7:30 p.m., /$10 to $59.
(212) 242-0800, joyce.org
Melissa Aldana Quartet
“Music, as Ornette Coleman famously said, is a universal language, and so we should no longer be surprised by, for instance, blue-eyed, Irish-American soul singers or coloratura sopranos from Kenya. Still, it’s a bit disarming to see this pretty, perky 24-year-old brunette from Chile put her saxophone in her mouth and produce a huge tenor tone reminiscent of such 1960s sax colossi as Sonny Rollins and the late Joe Henderson.
But don’t take my word for it, just ask two 80-year-old tenor legends (and obvious inspirations) Wayne Shorter and Jimmy Heath, who were on the panel that awarded her first prize at the Thelonious Monk Competition less than two months ago, making her the first female instrumentalist to claim such an honor. As recent performances show, her tenor sound has grown bigger, deeper and even more personal than on her album “Free Fall,” released just three years ago. At the Standard, her quartet co-stars pianist Glenn Zaleski, bassist Pablo Menares, and drummer Jochen Rueckert.” (WSJ)
Jazz Standard, 116 E. 27 St., (btw Park / Lexington Ave)
At 7:30 and 9:30 PM / $20
(212) 576-2232
subway: #6 to 28th St.
Julliard Percussion Ensemble:
The Strasbourg Legacy: Celebrating 50 Years
Juilliard Percussion celebrates the 50th anniversary of Les Percussions de Strasbourg—a group that has been the most influential in expanding the percussion ensemble repertoire by working with some of the most important composers of the 20th century. The selections presented in this concert by Ondrej Adamek, Stefano Gervasoni, and Philippe Manoury, represent three different generations of works cultivated by this celebrated organization
At Alice Tully Hall, 1941 Broadway. at 66th St.
8PM / FREE tickets available at the Juilliard Box Office.
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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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).
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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 