Today’s “Fab 5″/ Selected NYCity Events – MONDAY, JUNE 09, 2014.

National Jazz Museum in Harlem Benefit Concert
“Headlining this fundraiser are Dee Dee Bridgewater and Jonathan Batiste, two of contemporary music’s best entertainers. Ms. Bridgewater brings uncommon conviction to everything she does, whether she is singing Billie Holiday on Broadway or Afro-Funk with the emerging Theo Croker.

Mr. Batiste is the latest of the major piano party princes from New Orleans (the only thing he lacks is a colorful title, such as Professor Longhair or Dr. John), a keyboardist who refuses to sit down — in front of audiences who usually also are on their feet. It’s an added bonus to experience them both in the comparatively intimate space of the Kaye, where their impact won’t be diluted.” (Will Friedwald-WSJ)
Hunter College, Kaye Playhouse, 695 Park Ave.
At 7:30 p.m., $35-$55
(212) 772-4448
not Manhattan’s WestSide, but this event looks worth the detour.
subway: #1 to 66th St., transfer to M66 crosstown bus to Lexington Ave., walk 3 blocks N.

The Moth High School GrandSLAM: Hosted by Ophira Eisenberg
The High School StorySLAM is The Moth’s after-school education program. Students sign up to join their school’s StorySLAM team and meet after school with trained Moth instructors and faculty advisors. They learn to craft compelling narratives from their own lives, practice performance techniques, and connect as a team. After five weeks of preparation, students share their stories onstage in front of their peers at a StorySLAM event. Now, join us for The Moth High School GrandSLAM, a biannual city-wide storytelling championship featuring 8 all-star student storytellers from across the program.
Housing Works Bookstore Café, 126 Crosby Street
at 7PM / $8 Suggested Donation

Captain Black Big Band
Captain Black, the celebrated 16-Piece Jazz Orchestra under the direction of pianist Orrin Evans, performs on alternating Mondays and frequently features musicians like Marcus Strickland, Todd Bayshore, Stacy Dillard, Freddie Hendrix, Conrad Herwig, Dave Gibson, Tia Fuller, Bruce Williams , Luques Curtis, Vince Ector and more. There most likely isn’t a more “jazz-like” improvisational approach to running a big band: while Captain Black has a tight book of regular arrangements that the band draws from, the uniqueness of this particular big band project lies within the group’s ability to let Evans “call” tunes and make arrangements on the spot, keeping the material fresh, new and exciting from week to week.
Smoke, 2751 Broadway, at 106th St.,
212-864-6662, smokejazz.com
At 7pm & 9pm / no music charge

Machine Made: Tammany Hall and the Creation of Modern American Politics
Slide Lecture by Terry Golway who discusses his book Machine Made: Tammany Hall and the Creation of Modern American Politics. This illustrated lecture explores New York’s most famous political machine – Tammany Hall – revealing, beyond the vice and corruption, a birthplace of progressive urban politics.

Terry Golway is the director of the Kean University Center for History, Politics, and Policy in New Jersey and a journalist, historian and author.
Mid Manhattan Library, 455 Fifth Ave. (btw 40th/39th St.)
at 6:30 pm / FREE
212-340-0837

New Orleans Swamp Donkeys
“Riding a new wave of stylish jazz anachronism, this six-piece band recalls the New Orleans music of roughly a century ago, with a youthful, high-spirited aplomb. The group’s anchor is Wes Anderson, on tuba; its frontmen are the trumpeter and gravel-voiced singer James Williams and the banjoist-guitarist Sam Friend.” (Chinen-NYT)
B.B. King Blues Club & Grill, 237 West 42nd St.
800-745-3000, bbkingblues.com;
at 8 p.m. / $12, with a $10 minimum.
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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 @ 2 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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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 (06/07) and (06/05).