Today’s “Fab 5″+1 / Selected NYCity Events – WEDNESDAY, JULY 09, 2014
For other useful and curated NYCity event info for Manhattan’s WestSide check out:
♦ “9 Notable NYCity Events-July”, 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. =========================================================================
Madison Square Music: Oval Lawn Series
John Fullbright
You’ll want to bring a picnic blanket to the 12th season of Madison Square Park’s outdoor concert series—Calexico will be dishing out some of their famous fare Cal-Mex fare while you jam to tunes from all over the world.
Two years ago, John Fullbright released his debut studio album, From the Ground, to a swarm of critical acclaim, including a Grammy nomination for Best Americana Album. Known for his riveting live performances and exquisite songwriting, this native Oklahoman is planted firmly in the Americana and folk genres. His music harkens back to artists such as Woody Guthrie, Townes Van Zandt, Mickey Newbury, Jimmy Webb, and Randy Newman, but Fullbright has a distinct style that is all his own.
“Another name likely to gain traction in songwriting circles is that of John Fullbright. … A mild-mannered dude with a guitar and a harmonica rack, Fullbright draws from surprising emotional depths for well-crafted songs that prick and caress, swinging between Merle Haggard country, Leon Russell song craft and a rustic sense of the blues.” (Chicago Sun-Times)
Madison Square Park, 23rd St to 26th St., (btw Fifth and Madison Aves.)
At 7pm / FREE
212-538-1884 / madisonsquarepark.org
Uptown Showdown: Breakfast vs Dinner
Decide who wins the argument over which meal is better — breakfast or dinner — at this oh-so-earnest debate between two comedian/comedy writer teams.
You never know what to expect at this bi-monthly, wacky debate series that brings together two teams of comedians, writers and performers to face-off on a chosen topic.
This installment features Joe DeRosa (The Pete Holmes Show, Louie), Brooks Wheelan (Saturday Night Live), Jen Kirkman (Chelsea Lately, Drunk History), Sheng Wang (John Oliver’s NY Stand Up Show), Michelle Buteau (Best Week Ever), and Dave Hill (This American Life, Tasteful Nudes). Hosted by Kevin Townley (The Talent Show Brand Variety Show).
Debaters will argue these lingering questions, drawing from historical fact and personal opinion in equal measure, and with plenty of sillinesss and audience participation. Forget about school reform and health care, these issues, heatedly argued by some of the funniest, smartest, intensely wacky creative thinkers around, are the topics that keep us awake at night….in a good way. Winner decided by the audience.
Symphony Space, Peter Jay Sharpe Theatre, 2537 Broadway, at 95th Street
(212) 864-5400 / symphonyspace.org
8:00pm / $15
Crosby, Stills and Nash (also Friday)
“Teach your children well. Their father’s hell did slowly go by,” Graham Nash wrote in his pacifying 1970 lyrical anti-war anthem, “Teach Your Children.” Little did he know how prescient he would be that “their children’s hell will slowly go by.” Nor did he realize that he would still be around to sing it to them in three-part harmony.
Yet the folksy troubadour trio is still strumming away to the plangent “Guinevere,” “Helplessly Hoping,” and the kaleidoscopic “Suite: Judy Blue Eyes,” albeit with slightly receding hairlines, though the hirsute Crosby looks more like Gimli from Lord of the Rings than ever.” (VillageVoice, Aidan Levy)
Beacon Theater, 2124 Broadway, at 74th Street,
212-465-6500, beacontheatre.com
At 8 p.m., / $46 to $156
FaceOff Book Discussion
with Lee Child, Lisa Gardner, John Lescroat and Linda Fairstein
For the first time ever, the world’s greatest thriller characters meet head-to head in 11 electrifying stories – a bona fide FaceOff. Meet a stellar group of these authors as they discuss their beloved characters and coming together to write this one-of-a-kind anthology. The lineup features: Lee Child (Never Go Back: A Jack Reacher Novel), Linda Fairstein (Terminal City), Lisa Gardner (Fear Nothing: A Detective D.D. Warren Novel) and John Lescroat (The Keeper: A Novel). Moderated by Steve Berry, (The Lincoln Myth: A Novel).
“Word for Word Author” is an outdoor reading series that features bestselling authors, celebrity writers, and expert-panelists sharing anecdotes, answering questions from the audience, and signing copies of their latest books.
The Bryant Park Reading Room located on the 42nd Street side of the park – under the trees – between the back of the NYPL on 5th Avenue & 6th Avenue. Look for the burgundy and white umbrellas.
In case of rain, events are held under a tent at the Reading Room. In case of severe weather, please check bryantpark.org for the indoor location.
1065 Avenue of the Americas, 42nd Street Side of the Park between 5th and 6th Avenues,
12:30PM / FREE
212-768-4242
Loston Harris Quartet (through Saturday, July 12)
With Special Guest Monica Behan
Loston Harris’ piano playing has been described as percussive but incredibly fluid, his vocals, suave and contemporary. For more than a decade Loston has headlined the legendary Bemelmans Bar in the Carlyle Hotel, a spot previously held by Bobby Short, Eartha Kitt, Elaine Stritch, John Pizzarelli and the Modern Jazz Quartet (MJQ). One of Loston’s mentors, Michael Feinstein, calls him an “innate and dazzling talent… a beacon of quality,” while John Pizzarelli calls Loston “a singular sensation of what music is in NY.”
Loston and his quartet, along with very special guest vocalist Monica Behan, perform swinging arrangements of timeless standards from the Great American Songbook, selections from his recent CD “Swingfully Yours”
Birdland, 315 West 44th St. (btw 8th/9th Ave)
212-581-3080 / birdlandjazz.com
At 8:30 & 11:00PM / $40 cover, with a $10 minimum
Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker
As part of the Lincoln Center Festival, watch master choreographer Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker revisit some of her innovative work from the 1980s.
Included is “Fase,” which features groundbreaking compositions from master contemporary composer Steve Reich.
Lincoln Center, Gerald W. Lynch Theater, 524 W. 59th St.
8 p.m. / $35/$75.
Hot Ticket – NYCity Wine & Food Festival
Tickets to the best events sell out early.
For a great guide to this year’s mid-October Fest, see the gothamist.
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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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NYCity 1-2-3 : What's Happening / Manhattan's WestSide 