Today’s “Fab 5”/ Selected NYCity Events – THURSDAY, MAR. 20, 2014.
For other useful and curated NYCity event info for Manhattan’s WestSide check out:
♦ “Notable NYC Events-Mar”, 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.
MARTHA GRAHAM DANCE COMPANY
“The resurgent company presents its first City Center season since 2005, with three programs to choose from.
The highlight of Program B is “Appalachian Spring” (1944), from Graham’s most fertile period, set to the ravishing and familiar score by Aaron Copland. Abdiel Jacobsen (March 20) and Lloyd Mayor (March 22), who alternate in the role of the hopeful frontiersman, represent a promising new generation that’s bringing fresh life to the company. Program B also includes “Depak Ine,” a new commission from the peripatetic contemporary choreographer Nacho Duato.” (NewYorker)
Australian Chamber Orchestra
One of the world’s most lauded chamber ensembles, the Australian Chamber Orchestra is renowned for its inspired programming and unrivaled virtuosity, energy and individuality. Its unique programming extends across six centuries, spanning popular masterworks, adventurous cross-art form projects and pieces specially commissioned for the ensemble.
Founded in 1975, this string orchestra comprises leading Australian and international musicians and a growing company of dedicated young players. The Orchestra performs as a symphony orchestra, chamber music ensemble and electro-acoustic collective collaborating with an extraordinary range of artists from numerous artistic disciplines including renowned soloists Emmanuel Pahud, Steven Isserlis, Martin Fröst and Joseph Tawadros; singers Katie Noonan, Paul Capsis, Dawn Upshaw and Teddy Tahu Rhodes; and such diverse artists as cinematographer Jon Frank, visual artist Shaun Tan, entertainer Barry Humphries, photographer Bill Henson, choreographer Rafael Bonachela and cartoonist Michael Leunig.
(le) poisson rouge, 158 Bleecker St.
at 7:30PM / Standing tickets $20
212-505-3474
KEREN ANN
“The indie chanteuse, who was born in Israel and has lived in France and New York City, specializes in lightly psychedelic folk that frames her modest yet seductive vocals. She has released albums of sharply observed, often darkly romantic songs as well as albums filled with idiosyncratic touches, in the manner of Suzanne Vega’s more recent output.
Her last record, “101,” which came out in 2011, brought new sounds into the mix, including straightforward pop (“Sugar Mama”). With the singer-songwriter Chris Garneau, whose fanciful and ornate compositions are haunted with melancholia and a dreamlike innocence; his falsetto voice often dances over staccato piano notes accompanied by sorrowful violin and pastoral cello parts. The show is a part of the Newish Jewish Music Festival (NewYorker).
City Winery, 155 Varick St.
212-608-0555.
Hugh Masekela and Larry Willis
“Mr. Masekela, the South African fluegelhorn player, is among the most statesman-like of jazz musicians, a melodist forever aware of his transaction with an audience. He usually performs with a poplike band, but here — as on some similar recent engagements — he pares down to a duo format with Mr. Willis, a soulful American pianist with whom he has some history.” (Chinen-NYT)
Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola, Rose Hall, Jazz at Lincoln Center, 60th St. and Broadway,
At 7:30 and 9:30 p.m./ $35 and $40, with a $10 minimum
212-258-9595, jalc.org
DRIVE-BY TRUCKERS
“The Truckers have evolved several times in their long history. They started out as a loud punkabilly enterprise founded on a three-guitar attack and are now a more contemplative roots-rock outfit, but one thing that has remained consistent is the high quality of their songwriting, thanks in large part to Paterson Hood and Mike Cooley, the band’s core for its entire tenure.
The gifted singer-songwriter Jason Isbell was a band member from 2001 to 2007, adding another color to the palette; his departure simplified their sound somewhat, but it didn’t diminish it. “English Oceans,” the group’s twelfth record, is just out, and it finds Cooley taking a more active songwriting role, which has led to a slight decrease in the band’s reliance on Hood’s Southern-fried, often explicitly political character sketches (the album of highlights from the band’s first decade was titled “Ugly Buildings, Whores & Politicians: Greatest Hits 1998-2009”. (NewYorker)
Terminal 5, 610 W. 56th St.
212-582-6600.
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 – West Village
Corner Bistro / 331 W. 4th St.
Sometimes you just need a beer and a burger. If so, Corner Bistro is the place you want. Located just outside the hip Meatpacking district, this corner bar and grill is decidedly unhip, but it’s not uncrowded, especially at night. Seems that everyone knows this place has one of the better burgers in town.
In the maze of streets known as the West Village, where West 4th intersects with West 12th (and West 11th, and West 10th, go figure), you will eventually find Corner Bistro on the corner of West 4th and Jane Street. An unassuming neighborhood tavern, it looks just like dozens of other taverns around town. The bartender tells me that the Corner Bistro will be celebrating it’s 50th anniversary next year. The well worn interior tells me that the place itself is much older.
Corner Bistro has outlasted many of those other taverns around town because they know how to keep it simple — just good burgers and beer, fairly priced. The classic bistro Burger is only $6.75, and should be ordered medium rare, which will be plenty rare for most folks. Actually, it will be a juicy, messy delight – make sure you have extra napkins. I like to pull up a stool and sit by the large front window in the afternoon, where I can rest my burger and beer on the shelf, and watch the Villagers walk by.
Corner Bistro seems to attract very different groups of patrons depending on time of day. While it’s crowded with locals in the evening, in the afternoon you hear different foreign languages, and watch groups of euro tourists wander in, led by their guidebooks and smartphones.
For the classic Bistro experience, order your burger with a McSorley’s draft, the dark preferably. This is the same beer that you can get over at the original McSorley’s in the East Village, the pub that claims to be the oldest continually operating bar in NYCity. The only difference is that this McSorley’s ale is served with a smile by the bartenders here. Or you can get a Sierra Nevada, Stella, or Hoegaarden on tap if you want to go upscale a bit. Either way this is a simple, but quality burger and beer experience that is just too rare these days (sorry for the pun).
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Website: cornerbistrony.com
Phone #: 212-242-9502
Hours: 11:30am-4am Mon-Sat; 12pm-4am Sun
Happy Hour: NO
Music: Juke Box
Subway: #1/2/3 to 14th St. (S end of platform)
Walk 2 blk W. on 13th St. to 8th Ave.; 1 blk S. on 8th Ave. to Jane St.
Update:
NYCity 1-2-3 : What's Happening / Manhattan's WestSide 