Today’s “Fab 5″/ Selected NYCity Events – SATURDAY, AUGUST 23, 2014
For other useful and curated NYCity event info for Manhattan’s WestSide check out:
♦ “9 Notable Events-August”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. ==================================================================================
Hudson River Park’s Blues BBQ
Back for its 15th anniversary, Hudson River Park’s Blues BBQ Festival pairs America’s best blues and roots musicians with three of New York City’s best BBQ restaurants, Mighty Quinn’s Barbeque, Delaney Barbecue and Dinosaur Bar-B-Que for an unforgettable summer day on the Hudson River! Rain or Shine
2014 Blues BBQ artists:
The Slide Brothers 2PM
Samantha Fish 3:15PM
John Németh 4:30PM
Shemekia Copeland 6PM
Big Sam’s Funky Nation 7:30PM
Hudson River Park Pier 84, 12th Ave., West 44th St.
2PM / FREE!
SummerStage: La Mega 7th Annual Tropical Fest: Alex Sensation
New York City’s top Latin DJ, Alex Sensation, began collecting music and at age 16 was already a disc jockey at various nightclubs. He enjoys mixing different genres, but his roots as a mixer are linked with Tropical music. Among his many accomplishments as a prominent DJ and radio personality, Alex has been the face of Dennon DJ Equipment. Alex DJ’s five nights a week throughout New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Long Island, and has two #1 mix radio shows in the country: “La Original Mega Mezcla and “La Mega Mezcla Sábado en la Noche” both on La Mega 97.9 FM.
He also has DJed to soldout crowds at the Madison Square Garden, Izod Center, Nokia Theater, and the United Palace, among others. This year, Alex received an ACE Award (the Association of Latin Entertainment Critics). He has also taken his mixes and talent to countries such as Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Columbia, Canada, Spain, Italy, Argentina, Ecuador, Mexico, Uruguay and Aruba.
3:00pm / FREE
Central Park SummerStage, Rumsey Playfield, Enter at 69th and 5th Ave.
LAWN BOCCE
Join us at our RECESS 2014 Lawn Bocce jam as 32 co-ed teams vie for top honors and a PUBLIC bike at Colonel’s Row on Governors Island! Whether you’re there to participate, support a team or just laze around on the lawn, we’ve got plenty of ball tossing action for players and guests, piping hot pizza from the NEAPOLITAN EXPRESS truck, delicious snacks by THE CHIA CO as well as a TIGER Beer & wine tent to get your afternoon rocking!
Also, play on one of the free available courts, or take advantage of free bike rentals.
Colonel’s Row, Governors Island
12 pm / FREE admission
George Cables Trio (through Sunday)
“The pianist George Cables has an elegant and gracious recent album, “Icons and Influences,” that pays homage to an array of former colleagues or associates, like the saxophonist Joe Henderson and the pianist Mulgrew Miller. He’ll engage with the same loose framework during this run, with Essiet Okon Essiet on bass and Victor Lewis on drums.” (Chinen-NYT)
Village Vanguard, 178 Seventh Avenue South, West Village,
212-255-4037, villagevanguard.com;
At 8:30 and 10:30 p.m. / $25 and $30 cover, with a one-drink minimum.
Elsewhere, but worth the detour:
The Battle of Brooklyn
“The United States declared independence on July 4, 1776, and a little more than a month later Washington’s men were on the run. Thanks to the bravery of four hundred Maryland troops that August, along the banks of the Gowanus, in Brooklyn, his army evaded capture by the British, and went on to make history. A week of commemorations is under way, featuring neighborhood walks, reënactments, and a tasting of Colonial-inspired dishes. Many of the events are centered on the Old Stone House, in Washington Park, a decisive site during the battle.” (NewYorker)
The Old Stone House-3rd St. between Fourth and Fifth Aves., Brooklyn. theoldstonehouse.org.
Battle of Brooklyn Commemorations (Saturday, Sunday and Tuesday)
“The 238th anniversary of this important battle of the Revolutionary War — the first major skirmish after the colonists declared independence — will be remembered with activities in Brooklyn.
On Saturday, a free “Scavenger Battle” incorporating trivia and historical facts, will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Brooklyn Navy, Bldg 92, 63 Flushing Avenue, at Carlton Avenue. Registration, which is encouraged, can be made at bldg92.org/events. Also on Saturday, a Revolutionary War-style party, with period music, costumes and food, will take place at the Old Stone House in Washington Park, Third Street, between Fourth and Fifth Avenues, Park Slope, Brooklyn. Tickets are $45 in advance, $50 on Saturday; information is at theoldstonehouse.org.
On Sunday, a parade, a re-enactment and a commemoration will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Green-Wood Cemetery, Fifth Avenue and 25th Street, Greenwood Heights, Brooklyn. All of the events are free. Details: green-wood.com.
Starting on Wednesday, the Brooklyn Historical Society will display two rare Revolutionary War maps, which chart the military maneuvers of the Battle of Brooklyn. The exhibition runs through February, and can be viewed Wednesdays through Sundays from noon to 5 p.m.; $10, $6 for 62+ and teachers; free for students and children; brooklynhistory.org” (NYT)
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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 – Upper West Side
Dinosaur / 700 W125th St. @ 12th ave.
Walk only five minutes from the 125th St. station on the #1 line to find this authentic honky-tonk barbecue joint. Some folks think Dinosaur is just a place to eat ribs. Au contraire. With 24 carefully selected taps, this is a place to drink beer, and eat ribs.
No food goes better with American craft ales than American barbecue. Dinosaur may be the best combo of good beer drinking and hearty eating in town, which makes the trip uptown to West Harlem totally worthwhile.
This second incarnation of Dinosaur in Harlem is in a two story, old brick warehouse near the Hudson River. Don’t let that run down exterior fool you. Inside it’s a large space with huge, rough wooden columns and unfinished wooden floors and brick walls – just right for a bbq joint. As soon as you open the front door you are hit with that tantalizing aroma of barbecue coming from the large open kitchen. Reminds me of those great rib joints I frequented when stationed in North Carolina all those years ago. If your stomach wasn’t grumbling before, it is now.
Head to the bar, sit down and try to decide on a beer. It’s not an easy decision – a good problem to have. This is a pretty damn good beer list to choose from, one that most beer bars should be jealous of. I love that they feature NY craft beers. You may want to try the four beer sampler, which is always fun, and in this place may be necessary.
The blues music playing in the background will get you in the mood for their North Carolina style barbecue, and even when it’s a full house your order shouldn’t take too long (assuming you snagged a table). The food is all slow smoked, so it’s already mostly done and ready to go. I always start with an order of their giant, spice rubbed wings, so good they may make you give up Buffalo wings.
Unfortunately, a place this good does not fly under the radar. There can be some long waits for a table at dinnertime. So you need a strategy – avoid prime time, and try not to arrive with your entire posse, which will limit your seating options.
A seat at the bar, a small table in the bar area, or in the summer, an outside table underneath what’s left of the elevated West Side Highway, all may open before a table inside the main dining room. Otherwise, try Dinosaur for lunch, or come very late for dinner, maybe after a show at the nearby Cotton Club nightclub.
Website: http://www.dinosaurbarbque.com/
Phone #: 212-694-1777
Hours: Mo-Th 11:30am-11:00pm; Fr-Sa 11:30am-12:00am;
Su 12:00pm-10:00pm
Happy Hour: 4-7pm every day; $1 off all drinks
Music: Fri / Sat 10:30pm
Subway: #1 to 125th St.
Walk 2 blk W on 125th St. to Dinosaur Bar-B-Q,
just past the elevated highway.
NYCity 1-2-3 : What's Happening / Manhattan's WestSide 