Today’s “Fab 5″+1/ Selected NYCity Events – WEDNESDAY, JUNE 04, 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 visit out our sister site: nyc123blog.wordpress.com
♦ For NYCity trip planning see links in “Resources” and “Smart Stuff” in the header above. =========================================================================
It’s summertime, let’s head to the two great parks in town:
Shakespeare in the Park
The Public Theater’s Shakespeare in the Park production of “Much Ado About Nothing” opened last night at Central Park’s stage at The Delacorte Theater, and will run until July 6. From July 22 until August 17, it’s “King Lear,” starring John Lithgow in the title role.
There are three ways to get tickets for the shows: free tickets are distributed at noon at the theater in Central Park every day there is a public performance (expect long lines), and free tickets are distributed by a random lottery online for each day’s public performance.
See Free Virtual Ticketing Lottery
Summer Supporters, who pay $200 receive 1 reserved seat and have an opportunity to reserve tickets and receive other perks for supporting Free Shakespeare in the Park and The Public Theater.
Delacorte Theater, Central Park.
Enter at 81st St. & Central Park West or 79th St. & Fifth Avenue
8 p.m.- no performance will be canceled before 8:00PM, even if it’s raining.
they may delay the beginning of the performance, but will perform if and when possible and safe for the actors
Janelle Moná
“This rousing live performer — with a surplus of dance moves and an arresting style — is a prime choice to open this year’s edition of the wonderful Celebrate Brooklyn! festival. Ms. Monáe’s latest album, “The Electric Lady,” hints at neo-soul, hip-hop and rock, and has plenty of dramatic moments, including the gospel tones of “Givin Em What They Love” (featuring Prince) and the bubbly pop of “Dance Apocalyptic.” (Anderson-NYT)
Prospect Park Bandshell, Prospect Park West and Ninth St., Park Slope, Brooklyn, 718-683-5600, bricartsmedia.org
At 8 p.m. / FREE.
Or head indoors in the evening:
The Greats of French Cuisine in NY
With Alain Ducasse, Anita Lo, and Eric Ripert
From Jacques Pépin to André Soltner, many French chefs have chosen New York City as the place to pursue their craft. Meet some of the great figures of French cuisine in Manhattan, including chefs Alain Ducasse, Anita Lo, and Eric Ripert, and learn how they have shaken up the culinary scene.
Talk in English. Followed by a book signing.
FIAF, Florence Gould Hall, 55 East 59th St.
at 7pm / $25
Billy Hart Quartet (through June 8)
“The veteran drummer Hart, the pianist Ethan Iverson, of the Bad Plus, the bassist Ben Street, and the accomplished saxophonist Mark Turner have collaborated on one of the most persuasive recordings of the year so far, “One Is the Other,” which shows that the foursome, which has played together for the better part of a decade, is achieving its potential. The group’s original compositions are intriguing, and the musicians’ take on Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “Some Enchanted Evening” is a thing of true beauty.” (NewYorker)
Village Vanguard, 178 Seventh Avenue South, at 11th St., West Village,
212-255-4037, villagevanguard.com
at 8:30 and 10:30 p.m. / $25 and $30 cover, with a one-drink minimum.
JC Hopkins Biggish Band with Queen Esther (Wednesdays)
“The birthplace of bebop, Minton’s on 118th Street, has been reborn as a venue that is as classy as it is historic. The long-neglected room has now been remodeled into one of the most attractive venues in the city, with a menu that puts most Midtown clubs to shame.
The combination of pianist-bandleader JC Hopkins and vocalist Queen Esther expertly recapture the vitality and energy of Harlem jazz and blues of 70 years ago without slavishly imitating anyone and are thus a perfect fit, and they should help the relaunched room attract the attention of dancers as well as diners.” (WSJ)
Can be expensive to eat, may want to grab a seat at the bar and listen to the music.
“gentlemen, jackets are recomended”
Minton’s, 206 W. 118th St.
(212) 243-2222 / mintonsharlem.com
subway: #2 or 3 express to 116th St. stop (at Malcolm X/Lenox Avenue).
walk 2 blocks North to 118th Street and 2 blocks West to St Nicholas.
PlusOne
Insights Series: “21st-Century Landmarks”
A panel of composers from across the musical spectrum, some of whom will be featured during the NY PHIL BIENNIAL — The Marie-Josée Kravis Composer-in-Residence Christopher Rouse; composer/conductor Matthias Pintscher; Kravis Emerging Composer Sean Shepherd; composer Julia Wolfe; and composer and senior editor of NewMusicBox Frank J. Oteri — discuss what they consider to be this century’s emerging masterworks with moderator Carol J. Oja, The Leonard Bernstein Scholar-in-Residence at the New York Philharmonic.
Lincoln Center, David Rubenstein Atrium, Broadway between 62nd and 63rd St.
At 7:30PM / FREE (get there early – free events in the Atrium are very popular)
1-212-875-5377
Learn more about the NY PHIL BIENNIAL, May 28–June 7, 2014.
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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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The Week That Was in NYCity
(courtesy NYPost, with the most unique front/back pages 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 