Today’s “Fab 5″+1 / Selected NYCity Events  – MONDAY, JULY 07, 2014

Aaron Irwin Quintet
“The poised young alto saxophonist Aaron Irwin has a new album, “Ordinary Lives,” that showcases his affinity for the melodic sweep of indie-rock, among other things. As on the album, his band for this one-nighter will feature the guitarist Sebastian Noelle, the pianist Danny Fox, the bassist Thomson Kneeland and the drummer Greg Ritchie.” (Chinen-NYT)
Cornelia Street Café, 29 Cornelia Street, Greenwich Village,
212-989-9319, corneliastreetcafe.com;
At 8:30 p.m. / $10 cover, with a $10 minimum.

PEOPLE LIKE US IN CONCERT
FEATURING TODD ALMOND, MATT BOGART AND MORE
Todd Almond’s first musical, People Like Us (co-written with Gus Kaikkonen), premiered at NYMF ten years ago and has been a lost fan-favorite ever since. The original stars of this two-character romance, Pamela Bob (A Gentleman’s Guide . . . ) and Matt Bogart (Jersey Boys), reunite for a special one-night only concert version of the musical, with Almond at the piano.

Two lonely people, adrift in their thirties and in their vastly different careers, bump into each other one snowy New Year’s Eve in New York City and rekindle the romance they once shared as teenagers in the midwest. How much of yourself do you have to change to be the person you once were? Featuring the songs “Sky Above Manhattan,” “We Laugh,” “Moon over Nebraska,” and “Sleep in the Light,” People Like Us features Almond’s signature stylings and heartbreaking and award-winning performances by Ms. Bob and Mr. Bogart.
54 Below, 254 W 54th St., btw Broadway and Eighth Ave
at 7pm / $30–$40. plus $25 food or drink minimum
(646) 476-3551 / 866-468-7619 / 54below.com

Crosby, Stills & Nash
“Releasing their first album in 1969, the trio of David Crosby, Stephen Stills, and Graham Nash are seminal musicians in the history of rock, as well as exemplary activists who have used their music to comment on the political landscape.

On July 7 worldwide, the group with cohort Neil Young are releasing CSNY 1974—an audio box set containing forty previously unreleased songs, several never-before-seen photos, and a bonus DVD of restored concert footage—from their legendary 1974 tour.

The Paley Center will screen the restored concert footage and the group will discuss the mood of the country forty years ago as a president was about to resign. CSN will also talk about how contemporary issues inform their recent collective and individual music projects. In addition, rare footage from the Paley Center’s collection will be screened showing each member in a previous band before they formed the trio.” (ThoughtGallery)
Paley Center for Media, 25 W. 52nd St.
212-621-6600
at 7:00 pm / $35

Vanguard Jazz Orchestra
There’s a tradition in many New York City jazz clubs – Monday nights are reserved for big bands. The Village Vanguard, the most storied of clubs, has observed this practice since 1966. The Grammy-winning Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, established by Thad Jones and Mel Lewis, is definitely a big band with 4 trumpets, and 4 trombones to accompany 6 reed players. Why not make it your tradition, too.
Village Vanguard, 178 7th Avenue South, just below West 11th St.
At 8:30 and 10:30 pm / $25
212-255-4037 / villagevanguard.com

A Sophisticated Reunion:
Terri Klausner, Valarie Pettiford & Ty Stephens
The Broadway at Birdland concert series is excited to announce that there will be A Sophisticated Reunion on Monday, July 7 at 7pm. Broadway’s 1981 Sophisticated Ladies co-stars Valarie Pettiford, Terri Klausner, and Ty Stephens will bring swinging tunes, unmatched style and elements of their individual acts to the evening of music celebrating Duke Ellington. Songs like “Take The A Train,” “Hit Me With A Hot Note,” and “I Love You Madly” will be included in the concert, which will be under the musical direction of Ron Abel.
Birdland, 315 West 44th St. (btw 8th/9th Ave)
212-581-3080, birdlandjazz.com
At 7PM / $40 cover, with a $10 minimum.

Elsewhere, but worth the detour:

Liberty’s Torch: The Great Adventure to Build the Statue of Liberty
by Elizabeth Mitchell
Part of the series Books Beneath the Bridge.
Our annual literature series returns to the Granite Prospect steps featuring 6 evenings curated by local, independent bookstores. Each program will include a reading, Q&A, and book signing with the authors.
Brooklyn Bridge Park
At 7PM / FREE

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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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Chelsea is the heart of the NYCity contemporary art scene. Home to more than 300 art galleries, the Rubin Museum, the Joyce Theater, and The Kitchen performance spaces, there is no place like it anywhere in the world. Come here to browse free exhibitions by world-renowned artists and those unknowns waiting to be discovered in an art district that is concentrated between West 18th and West 27th Streets, and 10th and 11th Avenues. Afterwards stop in the Chelsea Market, stroll on the High Line, or rest up at one of the many cafes and bars and discuss the fine art – my fave is Ovest on W 27th St., where the aperitivo is like Happy Hour on steroids.

For a listing of 25 essential galleries in the Chelsea Art Gallery District, organized by street, which enables you to create your own Chelsea Art Gallery crawl, see the Chelsea Gallery Guide (nycgo.com) Or check out TONY magazine’s list of the “Best Chelsea Galleries” and click through to see what’s on view. ==========================================================

For other selected Museum and Gallery Special Exhibitions see Recent Posts in the right Sidebar: “Selected Events + Special Exhibitions : Manhattan’s WestSide” dated (07/05) and (07/03).