Today’s “Fab 5”/ Selected NYCity Events – THURSDAY, MAY 22, 2014.

Honoring Pete Seeger’s Vision
“The musical legacy and charitable heart of the folk hero Mr. Seeger — who passed away earlier this year at 94 — is heralded in an evening of tribute performances. The composer and multi-instrumentalist David Amram, the blues artist Guy Davis, the singer-songwriter Christine Lavin and others play this event, and a portion of the proceeds benefit the Pete Seeger Environmental Educators Network.’ (Anderson-NYT)
New York Society for Ethical Culture, 2 West 64th Street,
petesvision.eventbrite.com
At 6:30 p.m. / $12.

Nick Ziobro
“Just when you think they don’t sing ’em like they used to, along comes another one who does. We’re talking about crooners of the sort Frank Sinatra, Mel Tormé and Vic Damone used to represent and Michael Feinstein and Michael Bublé represent today. Feinstein is so intent on preserving and promoting the sound that he runs a competition that this engaging young lad recently won. He’ll celebrate the release of his A Lot of Livin’ to Do CD with its arrangements by the ubiquitous Tedd Firth.” (David Finkle-VillageVoice)
Birdland, 315 West 44th Street, Clinton,
212-581-3080, birdlandjazz.com;
At 6:00 p.m. / $20

Sara Serpa & André Matos / Emilie Weibel’s oMoO
“Serpa, a singer and keyboardist whose subtle style has drawn considerable attention in the past few years, and Matos, a texturally attuned guitarist, are Portuguese expatriates who share composing duties and keep it spare on their enchanting new recording, “Primavera.” The pair, who are married, celebrate its release at the Greenwich House with guest players to flesh out the arrangements, including the pianist Guillermo Klein and the saxophonist Greg Osby.

With the Swiss-born vocalist, composer, and solo performer Weibel, who traffics in minimalist, looped, and high-concept fare. She is marking the release of her first album, “oMoO,” which takes its inspiration from Herman Melville’s 1847 novel of tropical adventure.” (NewYorker)
Greenwich House Music School, 46 Barrow Street, West Village,
212-242-4770, greenwichhouse.org
At 7:30 p.m. / $20, $15 for students.

Steve Wilson: Wilsonian’s Grain (through May 25)
“The alto and soprano saxophonist Steve Wilson combines economy and modernity in his playing, as a sideman or a leader. Wilsonian’s Grain, his crisp quartet with Orrin Evans on piano, Ugonna Okegwo on bass and Bill Stewart on drums, will be recording this run for his first-ever live album.” (Chinen-NYT)
Village Vanguard, 178 Seventh Avenue South, at 11th Street, West Village,
212-255-4037, villagevanguard.com
At 8:30 and 10:30 p.m.,/ $25 and $30 cover, with a one-drink minimum

Cass McCombs
“Based in Northern California, Cass McCombs is a throwback to a previous generation’s notion of the singer-songwriter. Mr. McCombs is not a retro artist interested in nostalgia by any means, but his attention to detail and penchant for deadbeat protagonists is similar to that of Kris Kristofferson.

Meanwhile, the type of nimble country-rock that his band delivers wouldn’t sound out of place on a Flying Burrito Brothers album or “Workingman’s Dead.” He’s remained an outsider in most indie-rock circles, but his well-crafted songs are some of the finest of his generation. He is also prolific enough to release two albums in 2011 and a double album just last year.” (WSJ)
Music Hall of Williamsburg, 66 N. Sixth St., Brooklyn
800-745-3000; 718-486-5400 / musichallofwilliamsburg.com
At 8 p.m. / $40
not Manhattan’s WestSide, but it is Bklyn’s WestSide and this performance sounds worth the trip. subway:#1-2-3 to 14th St.; transfer to L to Bedford, (1st stop in Bklyn).
short walk to venue – 3 blks West on N 6th St.
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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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WHAT’S ON VIEW: Special Exhibitions @ 3 MUSEUMS (Manhattan’s WestSide)

‘A World of Its Own: Photographic Practices in the Studio’ (through Oct. 5)
‘Designing Modern Women 1890-1990’(through Oct. 5)
Museum of Modern Art: 11 W 53rd St. (btw 5th /6th Ave.)
(212) 708-9400 / moma.org.

Designing Modern Women 1890-1990:

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‘Out of Hand: Materializing the Postdigital’ (through June 1)
“If you haven’t quite wrapped your head around the concept of 3-D printing, or haven’t yet had a digital scanner wrap itself around you, now you can do both in this survey of computer-assisted art, architecture and design. The show looks at art made since 2005 and fills nearly three floors, including many irresistible interactive projects. Its ideas may not be entirely new; the Museum of Modern Art’s 2008 exhibition “Design and the Elastic Mind” covered much of the same territory, but there’s something to be said for this more down-to-earth, production-focused exhibition.” (Rosenberg-NYT)
Museum of Arts and Design, Columbus Circle,
212-299-7777,madmuseum.org.

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The Art of the Brick by Nathan Sawaya (ongoing)
This exhibition by artist Nathan Sawaya is a critically acclaimed collection of intriguing and inspiring works of art made exclusively from one of the most recognizable toys in the world — LEGO® bricks. The Discovery Times Square exhibit is the world’s biggest and most elaborate display of LEGO® art ever and features brand-new, never-before-seen pieces by Sawaya. This show was named ‘One of CNN’s Ten Global Must-See Exhibitions.’
Discovery Times Square, 226 West 44th St. (btw 7th/8th ave)
866.987.9692 / http://www.discoverytsx.com

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For other selected Museum and Gallery Special Exhibitions see Recent Posts in the right Sidebar: “Selected Events + Special Exhibitions : … …” dated (05/20) and (05/18).