Today’s “Fab 5” / Selected NYCity Events – FRIDAY, DEC. 06, 2013
For other useful and curated NYCity event info for Manhattan’s WestSide check out:
♦ “Notable NYC Events-Dec.”, (because the holiday season kicks into high gear in December)
and also “on Broadway”, and “Top10 Free” in the header above.
♦ For NYCity trip planning see links in “Resources” and “Smart Stuff” in the header above.
‘The 33rd Annual John Lennon Tribute’
“Uptown and downtown musicians unite for this celebration of John Lennon’s legacy — a fitting synergy, as the music of this most avant-garde Beatle has always crossed genres and artistic castes. Steve Earle, Joan Osborne, Bettye LaVette and many others give peace a chance.” (NYT -Anderson)
Symphony Space, 2537 Broadway, at 95th Street,
At 8 p.m./ $65 to $105.
(212) 864-5400, symphonyspace.org
Darlene Love
It’s no wonder The New York Times raves: “Darlene Love’s thunderbolt voice is as embedded in the history of rock and roll as Eric Clapton’s guitar or Bob Dylan’s lyrics.” Through the years, Darlene Love continues to captivate audiences worldwide with her warm, gracious stage presence and sensational performances.
B.B. King Blues Club & Grill, 237 West 42nd Street, Manhattan,
At 8 p.m., $49 in advance; $55 at the door.
(800) 745-3000, bbkingblues.com
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater * (through Jan. 5)
“If your sweet tooth begins to ache from a “Nutcracker” sugar assault, Alvin Ailey’s five-week holiday season is a savory antidote. An impressive spectrum of works push the company forward while keeping it firmly anchored in its celebrated past. It will be worthwhile to see the polished Ailey dancers tackle the British choreographer Wayne McGregor’s hyperkinetic “Chroma” and make Bill T. Jones’s classic “D-Man in the Waters (Part I)” their own. Other highlights include a commission from the witty Aszure Barton; new productions of two Ailey works, both set to the music of Duke Ellington; and a host of old and new goodies from the company’s expanding repertory.” (Schaefer-NYT)
City Center, 131 West 55th Street,
$25 to $135. Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 2 and 8 p.m., Sundays at 3 and 7:30 p.m., Tuesdays through Thursdays at 7:30 p.m.
(212) 581-1212, nycitycenter.org, alvinailey.org
David Misch
Everything you always wanted to know about comedy.
Writer-comedian David Misch offers a wide-ranging, fun-packed look at the principles and practice of comedy from its origins in pre-history to the worlds of movies, TV, prose, theater and stand-up. In “Funny The Book: Everything You Always Wanted To Know About Comedy,” he explores the evolution, theories, principles, and practice of comedy, as well as the psychological, philosophical, and even theological underpinnings of humor, coming to the conclusion that (Spoiler Alert!) Comedy is God.
The multi-talented Misch has been a comic folksinger, stand-up comedian, and screenwriter. His writing credits include “Mork and Mindy,” “Duckman,” “Police Squad!,” “Saturday Night Live,” and “The Muppets Take Manhattan.”
The Cooper Union – The Frederick P. Rose Auditorium
41 Cooper Square
At 6:30PM / FREE
212-353-4195; continuing@cooper.edu
Bombino *
“The bluesy guitarist and singer-songwriter Omara Moctar, a Tuareg who performs as Bombino, guides his six strings and throaty vocals into topical tales of strife in his native Niger and social unrest across the globe. His firebrand third album, “Nomad,” was released this year.” (Anderson-NYT)
Zankel Hall, Carnegie Hall,
At 10 p.m./$38 to $44. (Anderson)
247-7800, carnegiehall.org
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 