Today’s “Fab 5”+1 / Selected NYCity Events – FRIDAY, APR. 11, 2014.
For other useful and curated NYCity event info for Manhattan’s WestSide check out:
♦ “Notable NYC Events-April”, 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.
Mathemagic with a Deck of Cards
There seems to be no end to the mathemagical entertainment to be had with a simple deck of cards, drawing from ideas in algebra, discrete mathematics, and probability. Join mathematician Colm Mulcahy as he presents a sampling, both recent and classical. The material is very much in the spirit of the influential writer Martin Gardner, who was born 100 years ago this year, and it can be used to liven up both parties and mathematics classes. All participants, please bring a deck of cards so that you can get personally involved in this intriguing activity.
National Museum of Mathematics, 11 E. 26th St.
6:30 PM through 8:00 PM /
(212) 542-0566 / momath.org
Friday nights at the Rubin Museum of Art!
On Friday nights Café Serai becomes the K2 Lounge, offering a special Pan-Asian tapas menu along with a martini and wine bar to accompany the evening’s DJ, thematic gallery tours, and programs. Happy Hour runs from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. with a 2-for-1 special on all beer, wine and well drinks.
The Rubin Museum of Art is dedicated to the collection, display, and preservation of the art of the Himalayas and surrounding regions, especially Tibetan art.
Museum admission is free Friday’s from 6:00 – 10:00 PM during K2 Lounge.
Rubin Museum of Art (RMA),150 West 17th St.
Dave Brubeck Festival (through Sunday)
“Jazz at Lincoln Center, which knows its way around a commemoration, has been paying tribute all week to the pianist Dave Brubeck, who died in 2012. The centerpiece event, in the Rose Theater through Saturday, is a repertory concert featuring the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra.
But the other offerings are just as worthy, among them a rare performance of “The Real Ambassadors,” Brubeck’s jazz opera, at the Appel Room on Friday and Saturday at 7:30 and 9:30 p.m.; and an engagement on Sunday at 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. at Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola featuring Brubeck’s sons Darius (a pianist), Chris (a bassist, bass trombonist and pianist) and Dan (a drummer).” (Chinen-NYT)
Jazz at Lincoln Center, 60th Street and Broadway,
At various times, prices vary
212-721-6500, 212-258-9595, jalc.org
The Aipad Photography Show (through Sunday, April 13)
A fair full of stunning photography
“Rather than flipping through photos on Instagram this weekend, head over to the Park Avenue Armory for an education in fine-art photography. The AIPAD Photography Show brings together more than 80 of the world’s leading photography-focused galleries for four days of exhibition, panel discussions, book signings and film screenings.
You can stop in at David Zwirner’s booth for the work of Stan Douglas, or check out a rare photo sculpture by Robert Heinecken at Robert Koch Gallery’s fair outpost. And for those that dig on street photography, there’s a screening of Cheryl Dunn’s Everybody Street followed by a Q&A with the director and selected artists after the screening. For a full schedule of activities and exhibitors, hit up the big show’s website.”
(Flavorpill’s Mindy Bond – she’s good, she knows what’s happening)
Park Avenue Armory, 643 Park Avenue, at 67th Street,
through April 12 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.,
April 13 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.,
aipad.com; $30
on the east side, but it’s one great photography show.
subway: #1-2-3 to times sq; shuttle to grand central; #6 to 68th St.
Trisha Brown Dance (through Sunday, April 13)
The iconic Trisha Brown Dance Company is in residence for a series of performances, classes and discussions.
“Atalanta (Acts of God)” is the first part of an operatic trilogy by the composer Robert Ashley, who died last month. That work’s theme is architecture, which makes it a fitting companion for the choreographer Trisha Brown, who engineered a new understanding of space in the 1960s and hasn’t stopped since. Mr. Ashley’s score accompanies “Son of Gone Fishin’,” a work by Ms. Brown from 1981 that has been revived this week, joining “Solo Olos,” a 1976 experiment in movement free of connotations; “Rogues,” a male duet from 2011; and “Opal Loop/Cloud Installation #72503,” featuring a fog sculpture. “(Brian Schaefer-NYT)
New York Live Arts, 219 West 19th Street, Chelsea,
Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m., Sunday at 3 p.m.,
212-924-0077, newyorklivearts.org; limited availability.
for my CA friends who are in town
WHAT’S HAPPENING IN THE WEST VILLAGE TONIGHT
GARY BURTON AND MAKOTO OZONE (through April 13)
“Burton, the esteemed jazz vibraphonist, tends to maintain his associations with important collaborators; he and the masterly pianist Ozone have worked together, albeit sporadically, for more than twenty-five years. Their 2002 duet recording, “Virtuosi,” displayed their mutual ease with viewing classical compositions through a jazz lens.” (NewYorker)
Blue Note, 131 W. 3rd St.
At 8 and 10:30 p.m., $35 cover at tables, $20 at the bar, with a $5 minimum.
212-475-8592 / bluenote.net
Caffe V presents: Carolyn Walker@8pm; Andy Mac and Jodelle@9pm
Carolyn Walker
@ 8:00 pm – 9:00 pm
LISTEN: http://www.carolynwalkermusic.com/
Andy Mac and Jodelle
@ 9:00 pm – 11:00 pm
LISTEN: http://www.jodelle.net/
Caffe Vivaldi, 32 Jones St.
Website: http://caffevivaldi.com/ Phone #: (212) 691-7538
Hours: Music generally 7:30pm – 11pm, but varies. / Always no cover
Subway: #1 to Christopher st
Walk 1 blk S on 7th ave S to Bleecker st,
1 blk S/left on Bleecker to Jones st,
50 yards E/left on Jones st to Caffe V
55 Bar Presents: Gabriela Anders @6PM; Michael Packer Blues Band @10PM
Early Show – 6pm (THIS LOOKS GOOD)
Gabriela Anders,
Gabriela…Voice, Jim Ridl…Keys
Leo Traversa…Bass, Cliff Almond…Drums
LISTEN: http://s420029563.onlinehome.us/wp/?page_id=221
Late Show – 10pm
Michael Packers Blues Band
Michael Packer…Guitar & Vocals, Tommy Sprock…Bass
Ed Jackson…Percussion, Scott Milch…Drums
LISTEN: http://www.michaelpackerbluesband.com/
55 BAR, 55 Christopher St. (btw Sixth/Seventh Avenue)
A prohibition era dive bar with live jazz, and blues nightly.
(212 ) 929-9883 / 55bar.com
Marie’s Crisis
Simple, cozy, and old-fashioned, Marie’s Crisis is one of those places where you’ll feel right at home the moment you get there. And that’s a good thing, because you’ll need to be relaxed if you plan on taking your talents on stage with the uber-talented piano player. The drinks here are strong, and the singers are stronger — show tunes queens, get your heels on! Although Marie’s Crisis is technically a gay bar, all are welcome. Just make sure that you’re prepared for a night of ballads from musicals (and maybe, if you’re lucky, the Muppets).
Marie’s Crisis, 59 Grove St., (btw Bleecker St & S 7th Ave)
Best after 11PM / 212-243-9323
Kenny Barron Quintet (through April 13)
“Kenny Barron is the leading practitioner of an elegant, economical and sure-footed piano style that thrives in any mainstream setting. For this engagement, he has his trustworthy rhythm team — the bassist Kiyoshi Kitagawa and the drummer Johnathan Blake — and a responsive front line featuring the tenor saxophonist Dayna Stephens and the trumpeter Mike Rodriguez. “ (Chinen-NYT)
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
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♦ Before making final plans, we suggest you call the venue to confirm ticket availability, dates and times, as schedules are subject to change.
♦ NYCity is a big town with many visitors where quality shows draw crowds. Try to reserve seats in advance, even if just on day of performance.
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This Week in NYCity (courtesy NYPost, with the best covers anywhere)
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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 