Today’s FAB 5 > SUNDAY / DEC. 20, 2015
“We search the internet everyday looking for the very best of What’s Happening, primarily on Manhattan’s WestSide, so that you don’t have to.” We make it as easy as 1-2-3.
(click on links for more complete event info.)
Have time for only one event today? Do this:
Norm Lewis Wishes You a Swingin’ Christmas (thru Dec.24)
Feinstein’s/54 Below, 254 W54th St./ 9:30PM, $65-$85
“Who says nice guys finish last? Broadway leading man Norm Lewis exudes amiability, but that hasn’t stoppped him from a long career that has included stints in Porgy and Bess, Les Misérables, Side Show and Chicago; last year, he became the first African-American to play the Phantom on Broadway. In his Feinstein’s/54 Below debut, he welcomes audiences to enjoy holiday favorites, warmed by the hearth of his voice.” (TONY)
Music, Dance, Performing Arts
Gary Bartz Quartet (also Monday)
Smoke Jazz Club, 2751 Broadway, at 106th St./ 7, 9 and 10:30PM, $
“An alto and soprano saxophonist whose career has taken him through postbop, jazz-funk and free jazz, Gary Bartz, 75, continues to draw connections in his music. His quartet includes the pianist Barney McAll, the bassist James King and the drummer Greg Bandy.” (Chinen-NYT)
Caroling at the Morgan
Morgan Library & Museum, / 6:30–8:30PM,
Admission is free on Fridays from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Traditional and popular holiday music will be performed throughout the Morgan by singers from Mannes College The New School for Music.
“There’s nothing like perusing works of art while being serenaded by carolers—and from the Mannes School of Music, no less. They provide the perfect ambiance to view the original manuscript of A Christmas Carol and other exhibits.” (thoughtgallery.org)
Geri Allen, Terri Lyne Carrington, Esperanza Spalding (last day)
Village Vanguard, 178 Seventh Avenue South, at 11th St./ 8:30PM+10:30PM, $30
“Ms. Allen, a wise and adaptable pianist, teams up with Ms. Carrington, a veteran jazz and funk drummer, and Ms. Spalding, a stylistically fluid bassist and singer. Their trio, sometimes billed as ACS, works with a go-anywhere derivation of the mainstream acoustic jazz tradition, grounded but elastic.” (Chinen-NYT)
Elsewhere, but this looks worth the detour:
Bill Charlap and Renee Rosnes (last day)
Jazz Standard, 116 East 27th St./ 7:30 and 9:30PM, $
“Mr. Charlap and Ms. Rosnes are jazz pianists of comparable achievement; since 2007 they have also been partners by marriage. Their collaborative history is distinguished, including the album “Double Portrait” and portions of the latest triumph by Tony Bennett. They’re performing this week in a strictly duo format, notwithstanding the possibility of an unexpected guest or two.” (Chinen-NYT)
Bonus – Jazz Picks:
Many consider NYCity the Jazz capital of the world. Here are my favorite Jazz clubs, all on Manhattan’s WestSide. Check out who is playing tonight:
Greenwich Village:
Village Vanguard – 178 7th Ave. South, villagevanguard.com, 212-255-4037
Blue Note – 131 W3rd St. nr 6th ave. bluenotejazz.com, 212-475-8592
55 Bar – 55 Christopher St. nr 7th ave.S. 55bar.com, 212-929-9883
Outside Greenwich Village:
Dizzy’s Club – Broadway @ 60th St. jazz.org/dizzys, 212-258-9595
Birdland – 315 W44th St.(btw 8/9ave), birdlandjazz.com, 212-581-3080
Smoke Jazz Club – 2751 Broadway nr.106th St. smokejazz.com, 212-864-6662
Special Mention:
Caffe Vivaldi – 32 Jones St. nr Bleecker St. caffevivaldi.com, 212-691-7538
a classic, old jazz club in the Village, Caffe V often surprises with a wonderfully eclectic lineup. It’s my favorite spot for an evening of listening enjoyment and discovery.
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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, with a population of 8.5 million, had a record 56 million visitors last year and is TripAdvisor’s Traveler’s Choice Top U.S. Destination for 2015. Quality shows draw crowds. Try to reserve seats in advance, even if just on day of performance.
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A PremierPub / Tribeca
B-Flat / 277 Church St. (btw Franklin/White St))
There are some places that are tough to find, then add a layer of mystery when you do find them. B-Flat has a nondescript, almost unmarked door at street level – today’s speakeasy vibe. Open this door and you face a dimly lit stairway down to their basement location. It almost takes a leap of faith to follow the stairs down to their interior door.
But open that door and a pleasant surprise awaits you.
It’s a basement jazz spot all right, but not like any traditional jazz joint you may have been to before. This place looks as fresh as today, probably because it’s only been open for 6 years. Even though it hasn’t had a chance to age gracefully, the cherry wood accents and low lighting make this small space very inviting.
There is always jazz, often progressive jazz, playing over their very discrete, stylish bose speakers, setting just the right tone as you find a seat at the bar, or one of the small tables. There is wine and beer available, but this place has some expert mixologists making some very creative cocktails, which I’m told change seasonally, a nice touch.
Come at happy hour and tasty cocktails like the el Diablo or the lychee martini are $8 – not bad. I am a sucker for any drink made with lychee and how can you not try a tequila drink named el Diablo. There is also nice selection of small bites available at happy hour and a food menu that is as innovative as the cocktail menu, so this does not have to be a happy hour only stop.
It wasn’t surprising to find a tasty prosciutto and arugula salad with yuzu dressing, but I did not expect to find such a good version of fried chicken breast on the apps menu. Here it’s called “Tatsuta.” Best bet is to sample happy hour, then dinner on a Monday or Wednesday night, when you can finish with no cover live jazz that starts around 8.
This place is tough to find (look for a small slate sandwich board on the sidewalk out front advertising happy hour) and on some nights when there is no live music iot may be a little too quiet for some. But I think it’s worth searching out if you want a place with good music, food, and especially drinks, away from the maddening crowd.
Website: http://http://www.bflat.info/index.html
Phone #: 212-219-2970
Hours: Mo-Wed 5pm-2am; Th-Sat 5pm-3am; no Sun
Happy Hour: 5-7pm every day; $8 cocktails + special prices on apps
Music: Mon/Wed 8pm
Subway: #1 to Franklin; walk E 1 blk to Church; N 1 blk to bFlat
NYCity 1-2-3 : What's Happening / Manhattan's WestSide 