Today’s “Fab 5″/ Selected NYCity Events – MONDAY, JUNE 02, 2014.
For other useful and curated NYCity event info for Manhattan’s WestSide check out:
♦ “9 Notable NYCity Events-June”, 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. =========================================================================
Taste of Times Square
Food from more than 40 restaurants will be available for sampling from 5 to 9 p.m. during the annual Taste of Times Square, along 46th Street, between Broadway and Ninth Avenue. Participating restaurants include Toloache, B. Smith’s Restaurant, Buca di Beppo and Guy’s American Kitchen and Bar, Virgil’s Real Barbecue, Le Rivage, Ruth’s Chris SteakHouse, and Brasserie 1605.
Presented by the Times Square Alliance, the event also features entertainment. Tasting tickets are $1 each, with most dishes ranging from $1 to $6; timessquarenyc.org.
Guastavino Vaults New York: Innovation, Structure, and Splendor
Join MIT professor John Ochsendorf for a book signing and slide lecture about the work of the Guastavino Fireproof Construction Company. When the Guastavinos arrived in New York from Spain in the late 19th century, they brought with them an innovative building technique—thin tile structural vaulting—that was lightweight, loadbearing, and incredibly beautiful. These vaults grace some 250 structures in New York City. A MacArthur “genius awardee,” Ochsendorf is the author of Guastavino Vaulting: The Art of Structural Tile (Princeton Architectural Press, 2010).
Museum of the City of New York., 1220 Fifth Avenue, at 103rd St.
at 6:30PM/ $25
212-534-1672 / mcny.org
Morgan James Record Release Show
“EPIC recording artist Morgan James devoted her initial post-Juilliard years to working her way into NYC’s most legendary clubs—and into several prominent roles on Broadway, most recently, Motown: The Musical. Ms. James will bring her powerhouse soul vocals with her ten-piece band to LPR to celebrate the release of HUNTER, her debut studio album on Epic Records. Classic and modern: Horns, full band, lush and funky. She will sing from the new album, including the single “I want you”, and sign CDs after the show.” (FlavorPill)
(Le) Poisson Rouge, 158 Bleecker St. (btw Sullivan/Thompson St. – #1 to Houston))
at 7pm / $20
(212) 505-FISH (3474) / lepoissonrouge.com
Living Colour
“Living Colour’s first major label release, “Vivid,” brought them international acclaim when it was released in 1988, but the members were considered downtown heroes long before that, having emerged from Manhattan’s vibrant “no-wave” punk-funk music scene in 1983. Led by explosive guitarist Vernon Reid, Living Colour released three albums before disbanding in 1995, reforming at a gig at CBGB’s in 2000. Their biggest hit remains their debut single “Cult Of Personality.” (DNA Info)
City Winery, 155 Varick St, Tribeca (btw Vandam/Spring St. – #1 to Houston).
8 p.m. / $35 — $55
(212) 608-0555 / citywinery.com/newyork
TJ & Dave
“The Second City vets are back to dazzle you with their long-form improv
Chicago long-form improvaholics TJ & Dave are back to perform four shows at their old haunt, the Barrow Street Theater. If you haven’t had the privilege of seeing these Second City vets spin an hour-long show from out of thin air, you’re in for a comedic treat. Stephen Colbert even sings their praises. We suggest securing your tickets now, their shows are known to sell out.” (Mindy Bond, Editor-FlavorPill)
Barrow Street Theatre, 27 Barrow St.
At 9pm / $22
(212) 868-4444 / barrowstreettheatre.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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University of Java / Manhattan
Annie Doran making an espresso during a class at the Broome Street training center of Counter Culture Coffee. (June 1, 2014)
Every Sunday in the NYT Metropolitan section, a photographer offers a new slice of New York. A wonderful slice of life it is – Thanks NewYorkTimes: N.Y. / Region section
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A PremierPub / Midtown West.
Russian Vodka Room / 265 W 52nd St (btw 7th/8th ave)
Sure, you could travel to Minsk or even Brighton Beach, for an authentic Russian experience, but why bother. On those days when you feel you must wash down your dish of kasha with a few glasses of icy, cold vodka, the Russian Vodka Room will definitely satisfy your urge.
From the outside this place looks a bit drab, and with no windows, a bit mysterious. Midtown tourists walk right by on their way to see “Jersey Boys”, just down the block.
Those in the know enter a secret hideaway, a dimly lit front room with soft jazz playing – a perfect spot for an illicit late-night rendezvous, or maybe a meet-up with your Russian spy handler, but that’s later in the evening. Early in the evening the large U-shaped bar fills with the after work happy hour crowd, a group made very happy by the much reduced prices.
Their website says: “Welcome Comrades”. Of course, this welcome focuses on dozens of different vodkas, including their own special infusions, which marinate in giant, clear glass jugs visible around the room. The large vodka martinis ensure that you won’t confuse this place with your mother’s Russian Tea Room.
But man does not live by vodka alone. Eat some food, especially the tapa like appetizers. Be decadent and try the cheese blintzes with chocolate, or try a main dish like beef stroganoff with kasha.
Your best bet is to go on a night when the piano man is playing. This guy, who looks like he has eaten a lot of those cheese blintzes, plays five nights a week from 7 to 12 (no Mondays and Thursdays). When the piano man is playing American pop tunes, and you are at the crowded, dimly lit bar testing the horseradish infused vodka, that’s when the RVR shines.
It’s the kind of place where the noise gets louder and the crowd gets happier as the happy hour goes on. I’m generally a beer guy, but I like to come here with a group of friends. We find a table in the back room; we eat, and we drink vodka ‘till it hurts (and it will hurt).
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Website: http://www.russianvodkaroom.com/
Phone #: 212-307-5835
Hours: 4pm-2am; Fri-Sun closes 4am (that could be trouble)
Happy Hour: 4-7pm every day
$4 shots infused vodka (2oz), $5 cosmos; $4 czech draft beer
Music: FR-SU; TU-WE / 7pm-12am
Subway: #1 to 50th St.
Walk 2 blk N. on B’way to 52nd St.; 1 blk W. to RVR
Confusingly, the Russian Samovar is right across the street, on the S. side of 52nd St.
The RVR, your destination, is on the N. side of 52nd St.
Update: music some nights includes a sax player with a younger, trimmer piano man.
NYCity 1-2-3 : What's Happening / Manhattan's WestSide 