Today’s “Fab 5”/ Selected NYCity Events – WEDNESDAY, MAR. 19, 2014.

The White House: Readers and Leaders of the West Wing
“How have media and literature shaped the leadership styles and worldviews of our nation’s highest office? From Jefferson to Lincoln and Bush to Obama, two renowned presidential historians provide an in-depth look into this timeless question.

Tevi Troy, author of What Jefferson Read, Ike Watched, and Obama Tweeted: 200 Years of Popular Culture in the White House, is former Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in the administration of George W. Bush.

Gil Troy is Professor of History at McGill University in Montreal and author of Mr. & Mrs. President: From the Trumans to the Clintons.” (Thought Gallery)
New-York Historical Society,170 Central Park West,
at 6:30 pm / $30
212-873-3400

‘Simon O’Neill: A Portrait in Real-Time’
“Mr. O’Neill, currently portraying the Drum Major in the Metropolitan Opera’s revival of Berg’s “Wozzeck,” discusses his training and roles, sings excerpts and even plays a little piano during this evening of entertainment to benefit the Singers Fund of the Wagner Society of New York.” (NYT)
At 7:30 p.m./ $30
Liederkranz Foundation, 6 East 87th St.
212-749-4561, wagnersocietyny.org

NEWISH JEWISH MUSIC FESTIVAL
“This ambitious, multi-venue festival kicks off on March 19 at Town Hall with the première of John Zorn’s “Masada Book Three: The Book Beriah,” in which twenty different ensembles will interpret new pieces by the iconoclastic composer. On March 23, also at Town Hall, the Klezmatics collaborate with Arturo O’Farrill and others. Meanwhile, Keren Ann plays City Winery (see above), and at Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola the Israeli-based pianist Anat Fort performs on March 21, Oran Etkin offers a present-day twist on the Benny Goodman trio on March 22, and Steven Bernstein’s Diaspora Soul ensemble takes over on March 23.” (NewYorker)
Town Hall, 123 West 43rd St.
At 8 p.m. / $45 to $65
800-982-2787, the-townhall-nyc.org

Harold Mabern Trio
Hard bop and Memphis soul are inextricable in the ensemble music of Mr. Mabern, a veteran pianist who works here with the rhythm team of Essiet Essiet on bass and Joe Farnsworth on drums.” (Chinen-NYT)
Smalls Jazz Club, 183 West 10th Street, West Village,
From 9:30 p.m. to midnight, / $20 cover
smallsjazzclub.com

MICHAEL FEINSTEIN
Basking in his comfort zone, Feinstein brings his gentle vocal style and subtly displayed erudition to the enduring songs of Cole Porter. It takes a sure singer to unlock the extremes of Porter’s art, with its crafty wordplay and openhearted sentiment. Feinstein, to his credit, has found the key.
Zankel Hall, Carnegie Hall, Seventh Ave. at 57th St.
212-247-7800
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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What’s on View:
Special Exhibitions @ 3 Museum Mile / Fifth Ave. Museums:

‘Ink Art: Past as Present in Contemporary China’ (through April 6)
‘The American West in Bronze, 1850-1925’ (ends April 13)
‘Charles Marville: Photographer of Paris’ (through May 4)
William Kentridge: ‘The Refusal of Time’ (through May 11)
The Flowering of Edo Period Painting: Japanese Masterworks from the Feinberg Collection’(through Sept. 7)
‘Early American Guitars: The Instruments of C.F. Martin’ (through Dec. 7)
Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1000 5th Ave, at 82nd St.
(212) 535-7710 / metmuseum.org
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‘Renaissance and Baroque Bronzes From the Hill Collection’ (through June 15)
“This sensational, beautifully presented show of 33 late-15th- to early-18th-century bronzes reflects a taste for historically important, big-statement examples in exceptional condition. They vividly reflect the Renaissance’s new interest in antiquity and the human form while encouraging concentration on emotional expression, refined details (great hair!), struggling or relaxed figures and varied patinas. Works by the reigning geniuses Giambologna, Susini and the lesser-known Piamontini dominate, further enlivened by a handful of old master and late-20th-century paintings from the Hill collection.”
(Roberta Smith-NYT)
Frick Collection: 1 East 70th St.
212-288-0700, frick.org.
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‘Carrie Mae Weems: Three Decades of Photography and Video’ (through May 14)
“Kandinsky in Paris, 1934–1944“ (through Apr. 23, 2014)
Guggenheim Museum, 1071 Fifth Avenue, at 89th St.
(212) 423-3500 / guggenheim.org.

========================================================== Museum Mile is a section of Fifth Avenue which contains one of the densest displays of culture in the world. Ten museums can be found along this section of Fifth Avenue:

• 110th Street – Museum for African Art

• 105th Street – El Museo del Barrio

• 103rd Street – Museum of the City of New York

• 92nd Street – The Jewish Museum

• 91st Street –  Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum

• 89th Street – National Academy Museum

• 88th Street – Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum

• 86th Street – Neue Galerie New York

• 83rd Street – Goethe-Institut

Last, but certainly not least, America’s premier museum
• 82nd Street – The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Additionally, though technically not part of the Museum Mile, the Frick Collection on the corner of Fifth Avenue and 70th St. and the The Morgan Library & Museum on Madison Ave and 37th St are also located near Fifth Ave. Now plan your own museum crawl. ==========================================================

For other selected Museum and Gallery Special Exhibitions see Recent Posts in right Sidebar: “NYCity Events: Manhattan’s WestSide” dated 03/17 and 03/15.