Today’s “Fab 5″+1/ Selected NYCity Events – WEDNESDAY, JULY 16, 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. =========================================================================
“Word for Word Author”
Debut Novelists. Hosted by Julia Fierro, Founder of Sackett Street Writers’ Workshop
Featuring:
Mira Jacob – The Sleepwalker’s Guide to Dancing
Courtney Maum – I Am Having So Much Fun Here Without You
Ted Thompson – The Land of Steady Habits
Tiphanie Yanique – Land of Love and Drowning
Anecdotes and advice on how to write and publish a novel by first-time writers extraordinaire
“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
The Lowdown Hudson Blues Festival (also Thursday)
With Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings (on Wednesday)
You do not want to miss Sharon Jones!
“This free two-night festival (produced by Arts Brookfield) has done commendable job of representing as many different varieties of the blues as possible: The must-catch opening night includes the exciting and eclectic No BS Brass Band, followed by Lake Street Dive, led by the seductive, throaty vocalist Rachael Price (they do a swell acoustic upgrade of the Jackson Five’s “I Want You Back”).
Next comes the climax of the whole shebang, the remarkable Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings, one of the most powerful and moving soul ensembles not just of our time but of all-time—she’s sure to do her signature hit, “100 Days, 100 Nights.” More action follows Thursday with two powerful Delta-blues style guitarists in Robert Cray and John Hiatt, as well as the combative saxophonist James Carter with his organ trio, playing Soul Jazz to the Nth Power.” (WSJ)
Brookfield Place Waterfront Plaza, 220 Vesey St., at West St., Lower Manhattan
At 6 p.m. / free.
artsbrookfield.com
Igor Butman and the Moscow State Jazz Orchestra
“At a time of frosty diplomatic relations between the United States and Russia, Mr. Butman, a saxophonist of ironclad self-assurance, comes bearing peace and goodwill. He leads a big band stocked with his fellow Russians.” (Chinen-NYT)
Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola, Rose Hall, Jazz at Lincoln Center, 60th St. and Broadway,
212-258-9595, jalc.org
At 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. / $35 cover, $25 for students, with a $10 minimum.
Madison Square Music: Oval Lawn Series
Jacky Terrasson Quartet
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.
French-American jazz pianist Jacky Terrasson’s relationship to the piano has been compared to “Lebron James’ relationship to a 10 foot high basket. . . They could dunk in their sleep,” (JazzTimes). After winning the prestigious 1993 Thelonious Monk competition, he came through the venerable jazz university of Betty Carter, and went on to collaborate with vocalists both legendary and contemporary such as Jimmy Scott, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Dianne Reeves and Cassandra Wilson.
He is equally at home in the trio setting, where he continues Betty Carter’s tradition of discerning and employing only the finest young talent on the jazz scene. His current rhythm section includes the talents of Burniss Travis (bassist) and Justin Faulkner (drummer). Jacky’s music draws on the vast influences of himself and his band members, running the gamut from the swing music of the early 30s to the hard driving funk of the 70s, all with an intangible “joie de vivre” that only Terrasson can emote.
Madison Square Park, 23rd St to 26th St., (btw Fifth and Madison Aves.)
At 7pm / FREE
212-538-1884 / madisonsquarepark.org
Fred Hersch (through July 20)
“As gifted younger pianists crowd the scene, Hersch, who is in his late fifties, is easing into the role of grand master with the elegance of an experienced player at the top of his game. His latest trio, with the perfectly attuned teammates John Hébert, on bass, and Eric McPherson, on drums, can be heard to winning effect on the new album “Floating,” which gracefully blends the leader’s skillful originals with imperishable standards. A highlight is “Let’s Cool One,” by Hersch’s longtime muse, Thelonious Monk.” (NewYorker)
Village Vanguard, 178 Seventh Avenue South, at 11th Street, West Village,
212-255-4037, villagevanguard.com
At 8:30 and 10:30 p.m. / $25 and $30 cover, with a one-drink minimum.
PlusOne:
SummerStage Presents Ballet Hispanico / A Palo Seco
Celebrating 43 years of dance and culture, Ballet Hispanico is recognized as the nation’s premier Latino dance organization. Ballet Hispanico will perform a dynamic quartet of works including Asuka, a celebration of the music of Celia Cruz through the lens of the Latino experience. Cruz, renowned as the “Queen of Salsa,” captured the heart of Latinos the world over and became a symbol of perseverance for many.
Through rich imagery and humor, choreographer Eduardo Vilaro explores the struggles of departure from one’s homeland and the exuberance of success experienced by a community. Join us as we pay tribute to the life of Ms. Cruz on this special date which coincides with her 2002 appearance at SummerStage, as well as anniversary of her passing in 2003.
A Palo Seco is a New York based Flamenco Company that strives to develop a unique voice, employing their Flamenco expertise, while also taking into account the context in which they live. Their work offers an innovative way of looking at Flamenco, combining traditional techniques with a modern, metropolitan flare.
A Palo Seco” is a phrase that refers to a bare-bones style of flamenco music, often consisting of singing or percussion alone. This stripped-down aesthetic has become a central theme in the company’s work, characterizing its biggest departures from tradition, while also rooting their work in the emotional rawness that lies at the heart of the art of Flamenco.
Rumsey Playfield, Central Park, mid-Park at 69th St.
At 8PM / FREE,
Patrons will be admitted first come, first in, until the venue reaches capacity.
summerstage.org
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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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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 