“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:
Dance on Camera (through Tuesday)
Lincoln Center theaters, West 65th St./ At various times, $11-$14
“The 44th edition of the Dance on Camera Festival, presented by the Film Society of Lincoln Center and Dance Films Association, comprises 36 short films, 20 feature films and four retrospective screenings, along with panels and events featuring appearances by, among others, the illustrious dancers Natalia Makarova and Merrill Ashley. The opening and closing night films represent the festival’s range: First is “The Flight Fantastic,” celebrating the art of trapeze; last is “Feelings Are Facts: The Life of Yvonne Rainer,” which pays homage to a postmodern pioneer. In between is ballet, jazz, flamenco and more.” (Schaefer-NYT)

Music, Dance, Performing Arts
Jane Monheit (thru Feb 14)
Birdland, 315 W44th St./ 8:30PM +11PM, $40
“The once-controversial Jane Monheit has settled into the career of a singer who can please jazzers, pop fans and cabaretters alike. Her newest Birdland show is devoted to the music of jazz queen of Ella Fitzgerald.” (TONY)

Freddy Cole: Songs for Lovers (thru Feb 14)
Dizzy’s Club, 33 W60th St./ 7:30Pm, +9:30PM, $45
“His latest album may be titled “Singing the Blues,” but this veteran stylist would never willingly confine himself to an appointed genre. Getting a jump on Valentine’s Day, the impeccable singer and pianist will paint the room in shades of bittersweet romance while exhibiting the elegant poise that has made him the gold standard of his trade.” (NewYorker)

Cecile McLorin Salvant (thru Feb.14)
Appel Room, Jazz @ Lincoln Center / 7PM +9:30PM, $90-105
“With a pinch of eccentricity to add spice to her vivid artistry, Salvant has grabbed the reins in the jazz vocal race. As slyly clever as she is affecting, she stocked her 2015 album, “For One to Love,” with well-crafted original tunes and offbeat choices like Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “Stepsister’s Lament”—it’s anyone’s guess how her rendition of Burt Bacharach and Hal David’s dated guide to marital bliss, “Wives and Lovers,” will go down on Valentine’s Day.” (NewYorker)
This lady is like the second coming of Billie Holiday. Her show makes a special Valentine’s Day treat in a very classy venue.

Smart Stuff / Other
(Lectures, Discussions, Book Talks, Literary Readings, Classes, Food & Drink, Other)
Sweetheart Soiree
Norwood, 241 West 14th St./ 9PM, $95
“Formal evening attire is encouraged for this Valentine’s Day jazz fête hosted by Michael Arenella and his sextet, spread over four floors of a brownstone-turned-nightclub. The party also includes dance lessons and a sweetheart kissing booth.” (NYT-SpareTimes)
This brownstone / townhouse, now an exclusive club, is a pretty cool place for a party.

Limited Time / Special Event:
Neue Galerie (through Wednesday)
Neue Galerie, 1048 Fifth Avenue, at 86th St./
“This little museum of German and Austrian art is currently between exhibitions. “Berlin Metropolis” closed earlier this month, and “Munch and Expressionism” opens Thursday. In the meantime, Neue Galerie’s permanent collection is on view, including Gustav Klimt’s “Adele Bloch-Bauer I” (1907), known as the woman in gold. Because the exhibition space is limited, the museum is suspending its $20 admission fee for adults (visitors pay only what they wish) until the Munch show opens. If you’ve ever wanted a taste of this gem on Museum Mile with a lower price tag, now is your chance.” (NYT-SpareTimes)

and how about some hot chocolate?
City Bakery Hot Chocolate Festival (thru Feb.28)
City Bakery, 3 W18th St./ opens 7:30AM, $
“Regress to childhood with skillfully concocted mugs of hot chocolate courtesy of this downtown canteen. Owner-mastermind Maury Rubin will serve a different flavor of his intoxicating cocoa every day during February.” (TONY)

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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 Train and Bus Time info available on their mobile website.
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WHAT’S ON VIEW
My Fave Special Exhibitions – MUSEUMS / Manhattan’s WestSide
(See the New York Times Arts Section for listings of all museums,
and also to see their expanded reviews of these exhibitions)

Museum of Modern Art:

‘Jackson Pollock: A Collection Survey, 1934-1954’ (through May 1)
“The first exhibition devoted to the Modern’s unsurpassed Pollock holding gives a dazzling account of the evolution of his signature poured paintings. Its 58 works on canvas and paper also attest to the Modern’s laserlike focus on accounting fully for the achievements of artists it deems great. 212-708-9400, moma.org.’ (Smith-NYT)

‘Take an Object’ (through Feb. 28)
“Installed next to the Modern’s Jackson Pollock exhibition, this show of 37 works from 1954 to the 1970s reflects how the finality of the Abstract Expressionist’s drip paintings deflected many artists from the medium toward found objects and a greater worldliness. Its title is from a famous notebook entry by Jasper Johns. 212-708-9400, moma.org.” (Smith-NYT)

 Whitney Museum of American Art:

‘Collected by Thea Westreich Wagner and Ethan Wagner’ (through March 6)
“Two of New York’s most dedicated explorers of new art set an important example by refusing the auction or private-museum route and giving almost all of their large collection to a museum. Their generous gift both signifies and adds to the Whitney’s growing stature, especially going forward, as it is integrated into the museum’s rich holdings. This first sampling is quite rewarding. 99 Gansevoort Street, at Washington Street, 212-570-3600, whitney.org.” (Smith-NYT)

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For other selected Museum and Gallery Special Exhibitions see Recent Posts in right sidebar dated 02/11 and 02/09.