Today’s “Fab 5”/ Selected NYCity Events – FRIDAY, MAY 09, 2014.
For other useful and curated NYCity event info for Manhattan’s WestSide check out:
♦ “9 Notable NYCity Events-May”, and also “on Broadway”, and “Top10 Free” in the header above.
♦ For NYCity Sights, Sounds and Stories check out our sister site: nyc123blog.wordpress.com
♦ For NYCity trip planning see links in “Resources” and “Smart Stuff” in the header above.
‘Ladies and Gentlemen…the Beatles!’ (last two days)
Fifty years ago The Beatles came to America. On Friday, February 7, 1964, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr arrived from the U.K. at the newly-named John F. Kennedy International Airport. With cameras flashing and reporters jostling, they were whisked into Manhattan amid the screams, shouts and tears of New York area teens, braving the cold for a mere glimpse of the band. Then, that Sunday, the veritable king of the television variety show, Ed Sullivan, introduced them to a captivated American audience of more than 73 million viewers—at the time a television record. And just like that Beatlemania was upon us.
Ladies and Gentlemen…The Beatles! brings us back to the early ‘60s when rock & roll was re-energized—some say saved—by four lads from Liverpool. The exhibition covers the period from early 1964 through mid-1966—the years Beatlemania ran rampant in America. During this time the band affected nearly every aspect of pop culture, including fashion, art, advertising, media, and, of course, music. On display are many Beatles-related pop culture artifacts from the period, as well as correspondence, instruments, posters, photographs, interviews, interactive displays, and an oral history booth in which visitors can leave their own impressions of The Beatles.
New York Public Library for the Performing Arts:
40 Lincoln Center Plaza, at 65th Street
Fridays and Saturdays from noon to 6 p.m., / FREE
917-275-6975, nypl.org/lpa
Dancing in the Grand Ballrooms: Michael Arenella & His Dreamland Orchestra
“Short of hopping into a time machine, this concert might be as close as you can get to visiting the heyday of New York’s swinging hotel dance floors. Michael Arenella & His Dreamland Orchestra—the 11-piece ensemble that’s drawn hordes of flapper fanatics to Governors Island’s Jazz Age Lawn Parties—provide ballroom strains from the ’20s through the ’50s. Expect a healthy dose of Cole Porter, as well as tunes made popular by Fred, Ginger and Frank.” (TONY)
Symphony Space, 2537 Broadway, at 95th St.
At 8PM / $32, members $27, 30 and under $20
212-864-5400 / symphonyspace.org
Mavis Staples
“Ms. Staples, the powerhouse former anchor of the gospel greats the Staple Singers, remains an indefatigable performer and road warrior. Her most recent album, “One True Vine,” benefited from an earthy dose of lo-fi Americana courtesy of its producer, Jeff Tweedy, the Wilco frontman. With Amy Helm. “ (Anderson-NYT)
Music Hall of Williamsburg, 66 North Sixth Street, Brooklyn,
800-745-3000, musichallofwilliamsburg.com;
At 8 p.m. / $40.
Bilal
“This Philly soul singer’s well-received debut album was followed by several years of toiling in near obscurity—but if his latest release, 2013’s A Love Surreal, is any indication, Bilal is poised to occupy the spotlight once again. He’s a super-tight live performer, so expect to work up a sweat during this gig.” (TONY)
Stage 48, 605 W 48th St. btw Eleventh and Twelfth Aves
At 8PM / $26
212-957-1800 / stage48.com
Harlem Jazz Shrines Festival
This annual gathering, celebrating the many reasons to take the A train, runs through May 10. One high point is the Vijay Iyer trio, at Aaron Davis Hall, on May 9. The pianist, composer, bandleader, and MacArthur Fellow recently released “Mutations,” an album that he recorded with a string quartet. His most satisfying work, however, remains with his bristling trio, featuring the bassist Stephen Crump and the drummer Marcus Gilmore. On their albums “Historicity” and “Accelerando,” Iyer and his colleagues have tackled eclectic material by the likes of M.I.A., Leonard Bernstein, and Duke Ellington.
Another highlight of the festival is the world première, on May 10, of “Afro Latin Jazz Suite,” by Arturo O’Farrill and his Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra. Commissioned by the Apollo Theatre, it’s an homage to “Afro-Cuban Jazz Suite,” a groundbreaking work composed sixty-five years ago by O’Farrill’s famed father, Chico. The evening, which also celebrates the release of Arturo’s latest album, “The Offense of the Drum,” includes appearances by Rudresh Mahanthappa, DJ Logic, Randy Weston, and many others.” (NewYorker) (harlemjazzshrines.org.)
===============================================================
♦ 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.
==============================================================================
A PremierPub – Upper West Side
Dinosaur / 700 W125th St. @ 12th ave.
Walk only five minutes from the 125th st. station on the #1 line to find this authentic honky-tonk barbecue joint. Some folks think Dinosaur is just a place to eat ribs. Au contraire. With 24 carefully selected taps, this is a place to drink beer, and eat ribs.
No food goes better with American craft ales than American barbecue. Dinosaur may be the best combo of good beer drinking and hearty eating in town, which makes the trip to Harlem totally worthwhile.
This second incarnation of Dinosaur in Harlem is in an old brick warehouse near the Hudson River. Don’t let that run down exterior fool you. Inside it’s a large space with huge, rough wooden columns and unfinished wooden floors and brick walls – just right for a bbq joint. As soon as you open the door you are hit with that tantalizing aroma of barbecue coming from the large open kitchen. Reminds me of all those great rib joints I frequented when stationed in North Carolina all those years ago. If your stomach wasn’t grumbling before, it is now.
Head to the bar, sit down and try to decide on a beer. It’s not an easy decision – a good problem to have. This is a pretty damn good beer list to choose from, one that most beer bars should be jealous of. I love that they feature NY craft beers. You may want to try the four beer sampler, which is always fun, and in this place may be necessary.
The Mississippi blues music playing in the background will get you in the mood for their North Carolina style barbecue, and even when it’s a full house your order shouldn’t take too long. The food is all slow smoked, so it’s already mostly done and ready to go. I always start with an order of their giant, spice rubbed wings, so good they may make you give up Buffalo wings.
Unfortunately, a place this good does not fly under the radar. There can be some humongous waits for a table at dinnertime. So you need a strategy – avoid prime time, and try not to arrive with your entire posse, which will limit your seating options.
A seat at the bar, a small table in the bar area, or in the summer, an outside table, underneath what’s left of the elevated West Side Hwy, all may open before a table inside the main dining room. Otherwise, try Dinosaur for lunch, or come very late for dinner.
Website: http://www.dinosaurbarbque.com/
Phone #: 212-694-1777
Hours: M-Th 11:30am-11:00pm; Fr-Sa 11:30am-12:00am;
Su 12:00pm-10:00pm
Happy Hour: 4-7pm every day; $1 off all drinks
Music: Fri / Sat 10:00pm
Subway: #1 to 125th st
Walk 2 blk W on 125th to Dinosaur Bar-B-Q,
just past the elevated highway
NYCity 1-2-3 : What's Happening / Manhattan's WestSide 