Today’s “Fab 5″/ Selected NYCity Events  – THURSDAY, JULY 31, 2014

Broadway in Bryant Park (Thursdays through Aug. 14)
This series of lunchtime performances continues with musical numbers from “Rock of Ages,” “Once, ” “Heathers: The Musical” and “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder.”

The best of Broadway is presented FREE on six consecutive Thursdays this summer with “106.7 LITE FM’s Broadway in Bryant Park 2014″ – a lunchtime series on the Bryant Park Stage. Hosted by LITE FM’s on-air personalities, the 14th annual presentation of open-air, On- and Off- Broadway lunch hour performances will run through August 14.
12:30 p.m. / FREE
Bryant Park, Avenue of the Americas, at 40th St.
212-768-4242 / bryantpark.org

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The 6th Annual Good Beer
Edible’s ultimate food and beer pairing event is back

“Tried and true, the crew at Edible Manhattan know what’s up when it comes to food and drink fests. Good Beer, which is now in its sixth year, is the bi-monthly magazine’s summertime salute to the best brews around. A frothy selection of ales and lagers from crafters including Dogfish Head, KelSo Beer, Allagash Brewing Company are available (and unlimited). To keep revelers in check, the beverages are paired with eats from some of New York’s finest food purveyors such as Luke’s Lobster, Gramercy Tavern, Northern Spy Food Co., and more. Hands down, this edible affair is one of the best ways to get your buzz on this summer.” (Mindy Bond, Editor-FlavorPill)
82 Mercer, 82 Mercer St.
6pm / $75
ediblemanhattan.com

The Jazz Masters (through Aug 02)
“The saxophonist Dave Liebman—who, thankfully, has returned to his tenor horn, offsetting his piping work on the soprano—is the only official N.E.A. Jazz Master in this prestigious post-bop quintet, but give the others time. The pianist Billy Childs and the bassist Buster Williams are on hand throughout the engagement; the superlative drummer Billy Hart is replaced by Lenny White on the final night.” (NewYorker)
Birdland, 315 West 44th St., (btw 8/9 ave)
212-581-3080 / birdlandjazz.com
8:30 and 11 p.m. / $40 cover, with a $10 minimum

José González (World Premiere) & yMusic
Modern-day troubadour González’s poignantly delicate voice, masterfully eloquent classical guitar, achingly emotional melodies, and thought-provoking lyrics will be reframed by new chamber orchestra arrangements by Rob Moose in a world premiere collaboration with yMusic.

yMusic
Art rock collides with contemporary classical in the hands of this Gen Y ensemble, the go-to group for My Brightest Diamond, St. Vincent, and Antony and the Johnsons, among others.They open the evening with instrumental pieces by some of today’s most vital composers, including Nico Muhly, The National’s Bryce Dessner, and Son Lux.
Lincoln Center, Damrosch Park Bandshell, 70 Lincoln Center Plaza
7:30 PM / FREE

Spectacle Presents: Nirvana Night
A heartfelt salute to the greatest band of all time, Nirvana Night presents an original Spectacle “re-made/remodeled” work.

“Some say Nirvana was the greatest band of the ‘90s; some say it was the greatest band ever. Mull the matter over at the Museum of Arts and Design’s Nirvana Night tribute on July 31, which includes a documentary about the group and a live performance by a mystery guest.” (ThoughtGallery)

“I Hate Myself and I Want to Die”
Dir. Greg Eggebeen and Ben Shapiro, 2012–2014.
USA. Video. 65 min.
The biographical story of Nirvana told through the YouTube-sourced media detritus left in Kurt Cobain’s wake, I Hate Myself and I Want To Die was born out of the desire to do a music documentary without any consideration for major label record companies and royalty fees.

IHMAWTD is more than a clip show: it is an alternate, cost-effective model of documentary, collating ephemera to tell a linear story through the outside gaze of home video, lost practice footage, local news broadcasts, stoned TV interviews, insensitive true-crime shows, crushing live performances, and more. These collected lenses reflect the lovers and leechers circling the bizarre and spectacular voyage of the unlikeliest band in the world.
The Theater at MAD, Museum of Arts and Design,2 Columbus Circle,
7:00 pm / $10 general
212-299-7777 / madmuseum.org / 1-800-838-3006

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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 (07/29) and (07/27).