Today’s SWEET 6 > SATURDAY / JAN. 30, 2016
“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:
‘Our Love Is Here to Stay: The George Gershwin Songbook’
Rose Theater, Jazz at Lincoln Center, 60th St/ Broadway / 7PM, $
“There may not be an American composer better suited to a sweeping jazz-repertory treatment than George Gershwin — and there probably isn’t an ensemble better suited to that task than the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis. A free discussion at 7 p.m. precedes each night’s concert, at 8 p.m.” (Chinen-NYT)
Music, Dance, Performing Arts
Darcy James Argue’s Secret Society
Jazz Gallery, 1160 Broadway, fifth fl/ 7:30PM, +9:30PM, $30
“This intently contemporary big band made a recent stir with “Real Enemies,” a scintillating multimedia work at the Brooklyn Academy of Music. Mr. Argue reconvenes the group this weekend — drawing partly from that suite, which is due out this fall, and from previous efforts like “Brooklyn Babylon” — as part of a 20th anniversary series for the Jazz Gallery.” (Chinen-NYT)
The Jazz Gallery is kind of spartan, not my fave venue, but this looks to be a special performance.
Arturo O’Farrill and the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra (also Saturday)
Symphony Space, Peter Jay Sharp Theater, 2537 Broadway, at 95th St./ 8PM, $25-45
“For two nights in January, Arturo O’Farrill & the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra will take us back to the Palladium to honor the musicians who, for the last half a century and often anonymously, have been the sound of Latin Jazz. This Tribute to the Great Sidemen of Latin Jazz, will salute the musicians who actually turned the ideas of creators such as Celia Cruz, Frank “Machito” Grillo and Dizzy Gillespie into the music we love.”
Smart Stuff / Other
(Lectures, Discussions, Book Talks, Literary Readings, Classes, Food & Drink, Other)
New York Wild Film Festival (thru Sunday)
The Explorers Club, 46 E70th St./ Various times $20+
“See 13 films filmed with critters of all shapes and sizes at this annua film fest aimed at raising awareness for conservation efforts. Follow elephants across Africa in Soul of the Elephant, watch three friends climb a death-defying mountain in Meru and hear seals sing in the animated short Ain’t No Fish.” (TONY)
‘David Bowie: Sound + Vision’ (Saturday and Sunday)
Paley Center, 25 W52nd St./ $
“Among the tributes to David Bowie, who died on Jan. 10, is the Paley Center for Media’s screenings of his retrospective exhibition “David Bowie: Sound + Vision.” Originally presented in 2002, this five-part series is assembled from performances, documentaries and rare archival footage. The first three parts screen on Saturday from 12:15 to 5:45 p.m.; the final two screen from 12:15 to 4:15 p.m. on Sunday.” (NYT-SpareTimes)
Beer, Bourbon and BBQ Festival
The Tunnel, 608 W28th St., at 11th Ave./ noon (sold out); 5:30-9:30PM, $199
“The down-home Southern barbecue bash is back for a sixth year, bringing Dixie brethren to New York by way of bourbon, whole-roasted pigs and unlimited beer like Abita, but also bluegrass music and instructional seminars. Gorge on brisket sliders and BBQ grilled chicken courtesy of Maryland pit masters from Blacksauce Curbside Kitchen and Kloby’s Smokehouse, then cheer on contestants during a bacon-eating contest and pick up hot sauces, grilling gear and home-brew kits to take home.” (TONY)
Bonus – Music Venues:
So much fine live music every night in this town. These are my favorite music venues on Manhattan’s WestSide. Check out who’s playing tonight:
City Winery – 155 Varick St., citywinery.com, 212-608-0555
Feinstein’s/54 Below – 254 W54th St., 54below.com, 646-476-3551
Joe’s Pub @ Public Theater – 425 Lafayette St., joespub.com, 212-967-7555
Metropolitan Room – 34W22ndSt., metropolitan room.com, 212-206-0440
Beacon Theatre – 2124 Broadway @ 74th St., beacontheatre.com, 212-465-6500
B.B. King’s Blues Bar – 237W42nd St., bbkingblues.com, 212-997-2144
Le Poisson Rouge – 158 Bleecker St., lepoissonrouge.com, 212-505-3474
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 58 million visitors last year and was 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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This week’s fave and FREE NYCity AppS:
Trip Advisor
An enormous base of NYCity user reviews (2.1 million) provides the widest coverage of hotels (468), restaurants (12,645) and things to do (yes, 3,246). Have a specific question? Then try one of Trip Advisor’s forums. Just remember that with all those reviews you have to try to find the consistency among the comments, and ignore the outliers.
OpenTable
Instantly locate restaurants near you with open reservations and then place a reservation right from your iOS device. A great interface and the ability to see a menu from the restaurant you’re interested in makes this my go to restaurant reservation app.
Subway Time
Need to catch your #1,2,3 subway to attend an event? Use the Subway Time app from the MTA to find out when the next train arrives at your station. The MTA also has Bus Time info available on their mobile website.
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Chelsea Art Gallery District*
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.
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.
*Now plan your own gallery crawl, but plan your visits for Tuesday through Saturday; most galleries are closed Sunday and Monday.
TIP: After your gallery tour, stop in Ovest at 513W27th St. for Aperitivo Italiano (Happy Hour on steroids). Discuss all the great art you have viewed over a drink and a very tasty selection of FREE appetizers (M-F, 5-8pm).
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For other selected Museum and Gallery Special Exhibitions see recent posts in right sidebar dated 01/28 and 01/26.
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NEW Feature!
The 100 Books Every New Yorker Should Read
by Kristin Iversen, Brooklyn Magazine
today’s picks:
31. A Drinking Life: A Memoir by Pete Hamill
Hamill’s autobiography brings readers back to a Brooklyn that was still filled with trolley cars, where the Dodgers were local heroes while still never not being bums, and where beer could be consumed by the buckets in male-only Irish bars. It’s a Brooklyn that, for better or worse, doesn’t exist anymore, but one that’s absolutely worth revisiting via Hamill’s smart, spare prose.
33. Here Is New York / by E.B. White
White’s love letter to New York is always worth a re-read, singular as it is in its ability to make you forget all the bullshit that exists in your quotidian city life and appreciate the complicated beauty that surrounds us in our metropolis.
34. El Bronx Remembered / by Nicholasa Mohr
This short story collection tells a variety of stories about a borough that doesn’t ever get enough attention paid it, other than when the Yankees are doing particularly well. Mohr’s characters are vividly rendered and she beautifully depicts how the Bronx transitioned from a predominantly Jewish stronghold into a primarily Puerto Rican one over the course of a few, tumultuous years.
If your interests lead you to Brooklyn, then be sure to peruse Brooklyn Magazine. It’s a high quality, high info, smart monthly.
NYCity 1-2-3 : What's Happening / Manhattan's WestSide 