Today’s “Fab 5”/ Selected NYCity Events – SATURDAY, FEB. 22, 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.
Arlene and Alan Alda
The children’s author Arlene Alda previews her book, “Just Kids From the Bronx,” and shares childhood memories in conversation with her husband, Alan Alda, aka Hawkeye.
Bronx Museum of the Arts, 1040 Grand Concourse, at 165th St, Morrisania
From noon to 2 p.m./ $10, $5 for museum members.
718-681-6000, bronxmuseum.org
OK, this is not Manhattan’s WestSide, but if you are a boy from the Bronx (and I am), then this event is a must see.
Subway: B/D train to 167th St.; walk S 2 blks on the Grand Concourse to museum.
time from 42nd St/6th ave. about 30 min.
It’s the last weekend of competition in the Winter Games.
Today’s highlights – the Men’s Slalom and the Four Man Bob, with American Steve Holcomb the defending champ.
Paley Center for Media: The Olympic Games (also Sunday)
On select days through Feb. 23, visitors can watch daytime coverage of the Olympics on the center’s big screen. The free programming is a celebration of the center’s United States Olympic Archive, featuring televised Olympic competitions dating to 1960.
Paley Center for Media, West 52nd St.
screenings included in admission: $10, $8 for students and 65+
212-621-6800,paleycenter.org
Hot Chocolate Festival – Last Week (through Feb 28)
City Bakery says: “Fear not the Polar Vortex”
Regress to childhood with tasty mugs of hot chocolate courtesy of this downtown canteen. They serve a different flavor every day during February. Today it’s Banana Peel Hot Chocolate (very interesting)
City Bakery, 3 W 18th St, btw Fifth and Sixth Aves
Reflections of Monk
“A dream team of top-notch bandleader-improvisers join forces to pay tribute to one of the 20th century’s winningest, most enduring oeuvres. Your tour guides through the wonderful world of Thelonious Monk–iana are trumpeter Tom Harrell, saxist Greg Osby, drummer Matt Wilson, bassist Ben Allison and pianist Aaron Goldberg, with saxist Melissa Aldana (winner of the 2013 Thelonious Monk International Jazz Saxophone Competition) joining in on Feb 21 and 22.” (TONY mag)
Birdland, 315 W 44th St. btw Eighth and Ninth Aves
At 8:30 and 11PM / $40, with a $10 minimum
212-581-3080 / birdlandjazz.com
Fred Hersch Trio (also Sun)
“The pianist has a nurturing relationship with the Village Vanguard, as demonstrated on his 2012 release, “Alive at the Vanguard,” the third live album that he has recorded there. He returns Feb. 18-23, joined by the same telepathic team assembled for that album: the bassist John Hébert and the drummer Eric McPherson.” (NewYorker mag)
Village Vanguard, 178 Seventh Avenue South, at 11th Street, West Village,
At 8:30 and 10:30 p.m., $25 and $30 cover, with a one-drink minimum.
212-255-4037, villagevanguard.com
Before making final plans, we suggest you call the venue to confirm ticket availability, dates and times, as schedules are subject to change ===============================================================
NYCity last week – it ain’t easy
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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 