Today’s Elite 8 NYC Events > SATURDAY/ SEPTEMBER 28, 2019

“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.

For future NYC Events, check the tab above:  “September NYC Events”
It’s the most comprehensive list of top events this month that you will find anywhere.
Carefully curated from “Only the Best” NYC event info on the the web, it’s a simply superb resource that will help you plan your NYC visit all over town, all through the month.

OR to make your own after dinner plans TONIGHT, see the tab above;  “LiveMusic.”

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Have time for only one NYC Event today? Do This:

New York Burlesque Festival (Sept.26-29)
Multiple locations / Four-day VIP passes are $155; individual ticket prices vary
“The 17th Annual New York Burlesque Festival is a celebration of sequins and skin. With shows all over the city — including a Premiere Party at Brooklyn Bowl and a showcase at Sony Hall — you can get a hit of glamour every night of the weekend. On Sunday, dress up in your Oscar best to attend the Golden Pasties awards at Le Poisson Rouge. There’ll be live performances, incredible gowns, and (of course) an awards show with categories like “Positively Perfect Posterior” and “Most Likely to Win RuPaul’s Drag Race.” (thrillist)

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7 OTHER TOP NYC EVENTS TODAY (see below for full listing)

>> Buster Williams & Something More
>> Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker
>> Andrea McArdle and Donna McKechnie Celebrate Sondheim & Hamlisch
>> Oyster Frenzy
>> The Affordable Art Fair
>> Chile Pepper Fest
>> Parade of Trains at Brighton Beach
You may want to look at previous days posts for events that continue through today.

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Music, Dance, Performing Art

Buster Williams & Something More
Dizzy’s Club / 7:30PM, +9:30PM, $45
“The master bassist Buster Williams, once a sideman renowned for his work with Herbie Hancock, Miles Davis, Jimmy Heath, Betty Carter, and others, now leads his own groups under the name “Something More.” Of this title, Williams says: “Music should be an experience. It shouldn’t be something that’s understood by mathematics or by categories. The objective is to always give the audience something more.” While the members of Something More rotate from project to project, their individual and collective standards of performance—as well as their long, diverse lists of musical accomplishments and collaborations—never falter.”

Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker
New York Live Arts, 219 w19 St./ 7:30Pm, $35
“Internationally acclaimed choreographer Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker highlights the season opening of New York Live Arts (Live Arts) with two early benchmarks of postmodern dance, Fase (September 24-28, 2019) and Rosas danst Rosas (October 1-5, 2019).

Premiering in 1982, Fase, Four Movements to the Music of Steve Reich was Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker’s first performance. Building upon four repetitive compositions by the minimalist Steve Reich, De Keersmaeker strings three duets and one solo into an independent movement idiom that both illustrates the music and builds new dimensions. Starting from the principle of phase shifting, both the music and dance are born from a place of complete synchronicity that soon ventures into slips and slides of changed forms and patterns. First iterations of Fase were seen in Live Arts’ legacy program Fresh Tracks in 1982, which at the time was known as Choreographers Showcase.” (NYC-arts.org)

Andrea McArdle and Donna McKechnie Celebrate Sondheim & Hamlisch (Sept. 26-28)
Feinstein’s/54 Below / 7PM, $50+
“After a brilliant career as one of the all-time great Broadway dancers, McKechnie has refocused her energies on singing; McArdle has a performanent place in our hearts for her performance as the big-belting moppet in Annie. Now the two troupers team up for a salute to Stephen Sondheim and Marvin Hamlisch. Expect songs from Company and A Chorus Line—McKechnie was in the original casts of both—as well as Follies, A Little Night Music, They’re Playing Our Song and more.” (TONY)

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Smart Stuff / Other NYC EventS

Oyster Frenzy
Slurp and sip at the Oyster Frenzy
Grand Central Oyster Bar / 1-4PM, FREE to attend
“This bivalve bonanza at Grand Central Terminal’s lower level will feature 16 varieties of oysters (eight from the East Coast and eight from the West Coast) that will be in the running for “grand champion.” The blue ribbon winner will be featured in an oyster and wine pairing demonstration, and top oyster shuckers will compete for $2,000 in prize money. The public can also compete in a “slurp off” — whoever slurps 10 oysters in the fastest time wins.” (amNY)

The Affordable Art Fair (Sept. 26-29)
Metropolitan Pavilion, 125 W. 18th St./ 12-6PM, $18
“When you visit Affordable Art Fair NYC you’ll find an inspiring and friendly atmosphere where you can browse thousands of original contemporary paintings, sculptures, photographs and prints showcased by 74 local, national and international galleries. With contemporary artwork by over 400 established artists and rising stars, and price points ranging from $100-$10,000 – there is something to suit every taste and wallet whether you are a first-time art buyer or a seasoned collector” (cityguide)

Elsewhere, but these two look worth the detour:

Chile Pepper Fest
Brooklyn Botanic Garden / 11AM-7PM, $30
“Head to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden for a day of hot and spicy bites and New Orleans-inspired fun, including live music by John “Papa” Gros, Walter “Wolfman” Washington and New Orleans’ queen of soul, Irma Thomas. More than 40 food purveyors from Brooklyn and from around the country will be on hand with chile pepper tastings, demos, horticultural talks and more.” (amNY)

Parade of Trains at Brighton Beach (Sept.28-29)
Take a nostalgic subway ride
Brighton Beach station platform (B/Q) / FREE with MetroCard swipe
“The Transit Museum is taking their vintage cars to the beach this weekend. Wait at the Brighton Beach B/Q platform to ride the old-school trains, which will be traveling in both directions. The rides will be short — just to Ocean Parkway and Kings Highway — and you’ll only be able to get on and off at Brighton Beach. With cars made in 1903 for the first elevated electric lines, “bluebirds” from 1966, and Art Deco trains from the 30s and 40s, it’s the perfect opportunity to get some fresh transit ‘tent for the ‘gram.” (thrillist)

Continuing Events

New York Film Festival (Sept. 27 — Oct. 13)
“Lincoln Center’s signature cinematic event returns with a lineup that’s simply packed with eagerly anticipated movies by major filmmakers. The festival opens with Martin Scorsese’s “The Irishman” and closes with Edward Norton’s “Motherless Brooklyn.” In between, you can find new work by everyone from Bong Joon-Ho (“Parasite”) to Kelly Reichardt (“First Cow”), along with Antonio Banderas and Pedro Almodóvar (“Pain and Glory”).” (amNY)

HARLEM COMEDY FESTIVAL (Sept. 22-29)
at various locations
“There’s more to stand-up in Harlem than the long-running amateur night at the Apollo Theater, as this celebration aims to demonstrate in the coming week at places such as Under Bar and the Chipped Cup. The preliminary rounds of the festival’s contest for aspiring stand-ups will be held from Monday to Wednesday, culminating with the finale on Sept. 29 at Harlem Nights. Other shows, meanwhile, will feature proven headliners such as Tony Woods.” (NYT-Sean L. McCarthy)

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COMING SOON (WFUV)

9/27-28, 10/1-2,4 Tedeschi Trucks Band, Beacon Theatre
9/28 “Live From Here” with Chris Thile, Town Hall
9/28 Joseph, Webster Hall
9/30 Debbie Harry, Town Hall
9/30-10/1 Built To Spill, Webster Hall
10/1-2 Maggie Rogers, Radio City Music Hall
10/2 Mason Jennings, Sony Hall
10/2 Built To Spill, Music Hall of Williamsburg

♦ Before making final plans, we suggest you call the venue to confirm ticket availability, plus dates and times, as schedules are subject to change.
♦ NYCity, with a population of  8.6 million, had a record 65 million visitors last year and was TripAdvisor’s Traveler’s Choice Top U.S. Destination for 2019 – the ninth consecutive year. But quality shows draw crowds. Try to reserve seats for these top NYC events in advance, even if just earlier on the day of performance.

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A PremierPub / Upper West Side

Dinosaur Bar-B-Que / 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. Not so. 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.
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“Pub” is used in it’s broadest sense – bars, bar/restaurants, jazz clubs, wine bars, tapas bars, craft beer bars, dive bars, cocktail lounges, and of course, pubs – just about anyplace you can get a drink without a cover charge (except for certain jazz clubs).

If you have a fave premier pub or good eating place on Manhattan’s WestSide let us all know about it – leave a  comment. 

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Bonus Live Music  – NYC Jazz Clubs:
Many consider NYCity the Jazz capital of the world. My favorite Jazz Clubs, all on Manhattan’s WestSide, feature top talent every night of the week.
Hit the Hot Link and check out who is playing tonight:

Greenwich Village:
(4 are underground, classic jazz joints. all 6 are within walking distance of each other):
Village Vanguard – UG, 178 7th Ave. So., villagevanguard.com, 212-255-4037 (1st 8:30)
Blue Note – 131 W3rd St. nr 6th ave. bluenotejazz.com, 212-475-8592 (1st set 8pm)
55 Bar – basement @55 Christopher St. nr 7th ave.S. 55bar.com, 212-929-9883 (1st 7pm)
Mezzrow – basement @ 163 W10th St. nr 7th Ave. mezzrow.com,646-476-4346 (1st 8)
Smalls – basement @ 183 W10th St. smallslive.com, 646-476-4346 (1st set 7:30pm)
The Stone at The New School – 55 w13 St. (btw 6/5 ave) – thestonenyc.com (8:30PM)

Outside Greenwich Village:
Dizzy’s Club – Broadway @ 60th St. — jazz.org/dizzys / 212-258-9595 (1st set 7:30pm)
Birdland – 315 W44th St.(btw 8/9ave) — birdlandjazz.com / 212-581-3080 (1st 8:30pm)
Smoke Jazz Club – 2751 Broadway nr.106th St. — smokejazz.com/ 212-864-6662 (7pm)
Jazz Standard – 116 E27 St. (btw Park/Lex) – jazzstandard.com – (1st set 7:30)

For a comprehensive list of the best places to hear All Types of Live Music in Manhattan see the tab above “LiveMusic.”

In Memoriam:
Caffe Vivaldi – 32 Jones St. nr Bleecker St. — caffevivaldi.com / 212-691-7538 (1st 7pm)
a classic, old jazz club in the Village, Caffe V often surprised with a wonderfully eclectic lineup. It was my favorite spot for an evening of listening enjoyment and discovery.
Alas, Caffe V is no more, another victim of a rapacious NYC landlord. Owner Ishrat fought the good fight and Caffe V will be sorely missed.
Cornelia Street Cafe – UG, 29 Cornelia St. corneliastreetcafe.com, 212-989-9319
And more recently we have lost Cornelia Street Cafe. After 41 years, it too became another victim of an unreasonable rent increase.

I MEMORIALIZE THESE TWO WONDERFUL CLUBS AS A WARNING.
WE HAVE TO WORK HARDER TO SAVE THESE SPECIAL PLACES.

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