Today’s “Fab 5”/ Selected NYCity Events – MONDAY, FEB. 10, 2014
For other useful and curated NYCity event info for Manhattan’s WestSide check out:
♦ “Notable NYC Events-Feb”, 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
Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show (Feb 10+11)
The Westminster Dog Show is one of the longest-running shows of its kind, starting in 1877. A two-day event featuring hundreds of dogs from across the country in several different judging categories, and the claws come out for this intense competition. This prestigious dog show judges canines on categories such as Best in Group, Best of Breed and Best in Show.
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8AM-6PM $27.50
Monday to include hound, toy, non-sporting and herding groups
Tuesday to include sporting, working and terrier groups
Live streaming of all breed judging will be available on westminsterkennelclub.org and on the official 2014 Westminster Show App
The Piers 92/94, 711 12th Ave at 55th Street & West Side Highway
6PM-11PM $40;$55
Gates open at 6 PM for best of breed benching area
Monday to include hound, toy, non-sporting and herding groups (beginning at 8 PM)
Tuesday to include Junior Showmanship, sporting, working, terrier groups and BEST IN SHOW (beginning at 7:30 PM)
Monday night LIVE ON CNBC 8-11 PM; Tuesday night LIVE ON USA 8-11 PM
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Madison Square Garden, 4 Pennsylvania Plaza,
866-858-0008, thegarden.com
The Race Underground: Boston, New York, and the Incredible Rivalry That Built America’s First Subway
This site, NYCity123, advocates using the subway as your best bet to get around town, so this event is a natural.
Author Doug Most discusses a significant development in the transportation of the city’s commuters in his new book, The Race Underground: Boston, New York and the Incredible rivalry that built America’s first subway.
Barnes and Noble, 2289 Broadway at 82nd St.
At 7PM / FREE
212-362-8835
‘Ladies and Gentlemen…the Beatles!’
“Drawn from the Library’s collection, as well as that of the Grammy Museum at L.A. Live and private collectors, this exhibition of more than 400 items examines the cultural, social and musical impact of the band on American life after its first performance here in 1964. Included are clothing, lyric sheets and the re-creation of a teenager’s bedroom filled with Beatles memorabilia.
On Monday at 6 p.m., Robert Santelli, executive director of the Grammy Museum, will discuss the influence of America on the Fab Four before they made their first trip here. Also on hand for the talk: Mark Lewisohn, author of “Tune In: The Beatles All These Years,” the first in a trilogy that was released in October.” (NYT)
New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, 111 Amsterdam Ave, at 65th St. Lincoln Center,
Free tickets to the talk will be distributed first come first served, beginning at 5 p.m. The exhibition, on view through May 10, can be seen Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturday from noon to 6 p.m. and Mondays and Thursdays from noon to 8 p.m.,
917-275-6975, tinyurl.com/kledtsf
Vanguard Jazz Orchestra (through Feb 17)
Monday night big bands are a Gotham staple, but this is the one that started it all. Celebrating its 48th year at the club, the orchestra created by late greats Thad Jones and Mel Lewis purrs and roars all week, featuring fresh charts by Bob Brookmeyer, Jim McNeely, Kenny Werner and other top composers, in addition to its time-honored canon of Jones classics.
Village Vanguard, 178 Seventh Ave South, at 11th St
At 8:30 and 10:30 / $25 + 1 drink minimum
212-255-4037 / villagevanguard.com
Love Songs
“Celebrating a night of love and new musical theater with best and brightest performers and composers in New York City. The night will feature original songs by Alexander Sage Oyen, Will Buck, Lauren Marcus, Drew Overcash, Zoe Sarnak, and Georgia Stitt.
A portion of the proceeds will go straight to the V-Day Foundation, V-Day is a global activist movement to end violence against women and girls.
Featuring: Alex Brightman, Max Crumm, Ariana DeBose, Joanna Howard, Siri Howard, Lauren Marcus, Jessica Mortellaro, Taylor Noble, Krista Pioppi, Max Quinlan, Krysta Rodriguez, Taylor Sorice, Stephanie Turci, and Natalie Weiss.” (CityGuide)
54 Below, 254 W. 54th St.
at 11:30pm / $30-40 cover charge. $25 food & beverage minimum
212- 646-476-3551 / http://www.54below.com
Before making final plans, we suggest you call the venue to confirm ticket availability, dates and times, as schedules are subject to change.
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A PremierPub – 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 