Today’s “Fab 5”+1/ Selected NYCity Events – SATURDAY, APR. 26, 2014.

SAKURA MATSURI FESTIVAL (also Sunday)
“While the marvelous cherry blossoms are the main draw, an anime dance trio, Okinawan pop band, taiko drum ensemble, lion dancers (pictured) and other groups showcasing Japanese culture add to the fun.” (Anne Machalinski, NewsDay)
Brooklyn Botanic Garden, 150 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn
This is not Manhattan’s WestSide, but Sakura Matsuri happens only once a year, and it only happens here. subway:#2-3 to eastern pkway/bklyn museum
10 a.m. to 6 p.m. April 26-27, $25, free for children under 12,
718-623-7200, bbg.org

Revealing Process: A Lecture and Demonstration by Twyla Tharp
Structure, form, and content. Space, time, and energy. The essential elements of a choreographer’s tool kit. Maverick dance maker Twyla Tharp talks about creating “Treefrog in Stonehenge” in the first ever lecture-demonstration of the work. The dance draws on elements of Tharp’s technique and earlier choreography known for its wit, technical precision, and streetwise nonchalance.

Since graduating from Barnard College, Ms. Tharp has choreographed more than 160 works for the concert and commercial stage. She is the recipient of many awards, including a Tony Award, two Emmy Awards, 19 honorary doctorates, the 2004 National Medal of the Arts, the 2008 Jerome Robbins Prize, and a 2008 Kennedy Center Honor. In 1982 Barnard College awarded her its highest honor, the Barnard Medal of Distinction.
Barnard College, LeFrak Gymnasium, 1st Floor Barnard Hall
at 4:30 pm / FREE, registration required
barnard.edu

Green Festival (also Sunday)
“Tips on how to live a green life — from eating to dressing to having fun — will be covered during this event at Pier 94. It includes workshops, a fashion show, food demonstrations and a game zone for children.” (NYT)
Pier 94, West Side Highway and 55th Street, From 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.,
greenfestivals.org; $15 each day, $25 for the weekend on site; $10 and $20 for 62+, students, members of the military and veterans; free for children 16 and younger

THE HOLMES BROTHERS
“Great songs, whether we write them or not, bring great things,” says guitarist/pianist/vocalist/songwriter Wendell Holmes. “And we are all about striving to write, find and perform great songs.” The Holmes Brothers—Wendell, bassist/songwriter/vocalist Sherman Holmes and drummer/vocalist and brother-in-spirit Popsy Dixon—are true treasures of American roots music. For 35 years, The Holmes Brothers’ joyous and moving blend of blues, gospel, soul, R&B, rock ‘n’ roll and country has been captivating audiences around the world.

“Timeless, deeply soulful and uplifting gospel-drenched blues, street corner doo-wop, ballads, R&B, country and funk.” –The New York Times
“Fervent, inspired and joyful blues, R&B, soul, roadhouse rock and gospel…beautiful harmonies, true magic.” –NPR
Iridium Jazz Club, 1650 Broadway, at 51st St.
212-582-2121, theiridium.com
At 8:30 and 10:30 p.m., $30 cover, with a $15 minimum

Andrew W.K.’s Grand Piano Party
This co-founder of Santos Party House is clearly the happiest man in the world, if his endlessly exuberant Twitter feed is even halfway sincere. Onstage, this idiosyncratic musician perches behind an unsuspecting piano and emits a headbanging, oddly cathartic blend of classical, heavy metal and avant-garde. He has not issued a solo studio album in over four years, but last fall he enjoyed a foray into topical fashion: He sold a T-shirt depicting Mayor Rob Ford of Toronto bleeding above the words “Party Hard,” a nod to Andrew W.K.’s debut album, “I Get Wet.” (NYT-Stacey Anderson)
SubCulture, 45 Bleecker Street, near Lafayette Street, East Village,
212-533-5470, subculturenewyork.com;
At 7:30 p.m. / $25.

Bonus: Food & Drink Events
These are not cheap, but they do sound interesting.
“Looking for a last-minute excuse to drink lots of tasty beer? Head over to Queens for the Five Boro Craft Beer Fest tonight where 33 brewers will be on hand pouring samples of over 100 craft beers. Locals like Sixpoint, Bronx Brewery and Queens Brewery will be on hand, plus you can be one of the first to sample brews Staten Island’s forthcoming Flagship Brewing Co. The event takes over LIC’s enormous beer hall Studio Square from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.; an $85 ticket gets you unlimited pours of suds and some grub from locals spots including Asia Dog and Bite Sized Kitchen.” (Gothamist)
ed note: if you go, be sure to try the Bronx Brewery Pale Ale.
OR
“Transport yourself to New Zealand tonight at The Musket Room, where kiwi chef Matt Lambert is commemorating Anzac Day, which honors the country’s fallen soldiers and citizens. The six-course dinner offers more than the standard lamb we associate with the country; instead, try Smoked Eel with wild garlic or Southland Red Deer with apple and greens. Dinner costs $85 or add a wine pairing for $150; call (212) 219-0764 for reservations.” (Gothamist)
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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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Chelsea is the heart of the NYCity contemporary art scene. Home to more than 300 art galleries, the Rubin Museum, the Joyce Theater, and The Kitchen performance spaces, there is no place like it anywhere in the world. Come here to browse free exhibitions by world-renowned artists and those unknowns waiting to be discovered in an art district that is concentrated between West 18th and West 27th Streets, and 10th and 11th Avenues. Afterwards stop in the Chelsea Market, stroll on the High Line, or rest up at one of the many cafes and bars and discuss the fine art – my fave is Ovest on W 27th St., where the aperitivo is like Happy Hour on steroids.

WHAT’S ON VIEW: Here is a gallery exhibition recommended by the NYT:

Sarah Lucas: ‘NUD NOB’ (last day)
“How far can you go with an art career based on limited set of puerile dirty jokes? Pretty far if you’re Sarah Lucas. Known for funky assemblages and photographs that visually pun on the sexually distinctive features of human anatomy, Ms. Lucas recently was named to represent Britain in next year’s Venice Biennale. This rousing show of monumental phalluses in polished bronze and crusty concrete connects the viscerally low-minded and the intellectually high with terrific economy and shameless panache.” (Johnson)
Gladstone Gallery, 515 West 24th Street, 212-206-9300, gladstonegallery.com.

For a listing of 25 essential galleries in the Chelsea Art Gallery District, organized by street, which enables you to create your own Chelsea Art Gallery crawl, see the Chelsea Gallery Guide (nycgo.com) Or check out TONY magazine’s list of the “Best Chelsea Galleries” and click through to see what’s on view. ==========================================================

For other selected Museum and Gallery Special Exhibitions see Recent Posts in the right Sidebar: “Selected Events + Special Exhibitions : Manhattan’s WestSide” dated (04/24) and (04/22).