NYC Events,”Only the Best” (09/23) + Today’s Featured Pub (Times Square / Theater District)

Posted on 09/23/2018 by GregD

Today’s Elite 8 NYC Events > SUNDAY/ SEPTEMBER 23, 2018

“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: “NYC Events-September”
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.

==========================================================

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

Elsewhere, but this looks worth the detour:
Atlantic Antic Festival
Atlantic Avenue btw Hicks St. and 4th Ave./ 12-6PM, FREE
“Brooklyn’s busy Atlantic Avenue comes to a halt every September during Atlantic Antic, when the street becomes a giant marketplace with more than 500 restaurants, breweries and local vendors, many of them setting up on the street right outside their shops. In between browsing, you’ll come across activities like a giant inflatable slide and a petting zoo, plus 15 stages of entertainment by local musicians and community groups.” (Metro)

=========================================================
7 OTHER TOP NYC EVENTS TODAY (see below for full listing)
>> Bill Stewart Trio
>> JEWELS
>> Steve Turre
>> STANLEY CLARKE
>> World Maker Faire
>> Tribeca TV Festival
>> Space & Science Festival
Continuing Events
>> Photoville
>> The Feast of San Gennaro
>> Oktoberfest NYC
========================================================

Music, Dance, Performing Arts

Bill Stewart Trio (Sept.18-23)
Village Vanguard / 8:30PM, +10:30PM, $35
“A trio with just drums, bass, and saxophone leaves an awful lot of room for exposure, but the first-call percussionist Bill Stewart is taking the chance. Here, in a stripped-down threesome with the tenorist Walter Smith III and the bass player Larry Grenadier, Stewart ventures into territory similar to that inhabited by the magisterial Sonny Rollins, as documented in this same room on the 1957 recording “A Night at the Village Vanguard.” (Steve Futterman, NewYorker)

JEWELS (Sep.18-25)
New York City Ballet
NYS Theater, Lincoln Center / 3PM, $35+
“A cherished staple of the repertory since its 1967 debut, Jewels was inspired by a visit George Balanchine made to the jewelers Van Cleef & Arpels. Widely considered to be the first full-length abstract ballet, its three sections — the lyrical Emeralds, the jazz-inflected Rubies, and the regal Diamonds — express the breadth of Balanchine’s ability.”

Steve Turre (Sept. 21-23.)
Smoke / 7, 9, 10:30PM, $40
“The novelty of this great trombonist also producing delightful music from conch shells, a feat he’s been pulling off since at least the eighties, may never fade. But the big horn remains his first love, as revealed by Turre’s new ballad-heavy album, “The Very Thought of You.” He’s joined here by the saxophonist Ron Blake and the fine rhythm team from the recording: the bassist Buster Williams and the drummer Willie Jones III.” (Steve Futterman, NewYorker)

STANLEY CLARKE (LAST DAY)
at the Blue Note / 8 and 10:30 p.m., $30-$45
“A pre-eminent electric bassist since his early years in the original Return to Forever, Mr. Clarke has a new album out titled “The Message,” a smoothly confrontational disc that reflects the ongoing influence of his younger band mates. The group lines up somewhere near the shared border of popular country, radio gospel, straight-ahead jazz and New Age. It features the keyboardist Cameron Graves, the pianist Beka Gochiashvili and the drummer Mike Mitchell.” (NYT-GIOVANNI RUSSONELLO)

=========================================================

Smart Stuff / Other NYC Events
(Lectures/Discussions, Book Talks, Film, Classes, Food & Drink, Other)

Elsewhere, but this is always worth the detour:
World Maker Faire (Sept.22-23)
Play with the technology of the future
New York Hall of Science / 10AM-6PM, $40-$80
“See what the tinkerers of the world have been up to at World Maker Faire in Queens, a weekend of getting hands-on with the technology being dreamed up by ordinary people in their own homes. The Maker Movement brings do-it-yourselfers out to trade tips, show off their craft and encourage creativity with interactive displays, demos, discussions and more in fields like art, engineering, medicine and technology.” (Metro)

Tribeca TV Festival (LAST DAY)
Tribeca / $30-$40
“Move over, film. The annual Tribeca TV festival presents three days of premieres and panels featuring the very best of television. This year’s bash toasts two decades of Law and Order: SVU with a panel discussion including Mariska Hargitay, Ice T, Dick Wolf and the rest of the cast. Bryan Cranston looks back on Breaking Bad for the tenth anniversary of its premiere, and Tracey Ullman shows up to preview a new season of HBO zaniness. Along with screening premieres of new series and returning favorites like Ray Donovan and Madam Secretary, the festival will host a viewing of one of Anthony Bourdain’s finale episodes of Parts Unknown, followed by a discussion on his legacy with producers and episode guest W. Kamau Bell. Most events run for $20–$30 a pop. It’s a golden era of episodics; don’t miss the chance to bask in the glow of the small screen.” (TONY)

Space & Science Festival (LAST DAY)
Pier 86, Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum/ All activities on Pier 86 are free to the public. Programs inside the Museum require admission.
“The idea of cosmic pursuits can still fire up the collective imagination, even in the face of more dubious manifestations, like the President’s push for a new military branch devoted to space-based defense systems, or Elon Musk’s eying Mars for colonization. Meanwhile, NASA, the source of so much of America’s gravity-defying wonder, turned sixty in July. Sept. 20-23, the Space & Science Festival takes over Pier 86, the permanent dock for the decommissioned aircraft carrier that is now the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum. The event will feature science talks, interactive installations, and astronautical guests, like NASA’s Sunita Williams, and visitors will be able to test out the Space Camp Multi-Axis Trainer, the anti-gravity simulator used to prepare astronauts for space travel. A free screening of “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” takes place on the flight deck of the museum at sunset on Sept. 22; viewers are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets to experience what U.S. Navy personnel call a steel-beach picnic.” (K. Leander Williams, NewYorker)

=======================================================

Continuing Events

Photoville (LAST DAY)
Brooklyn’s outdoor photo garden is back
Dumbo’s Brooklyn Bridge Plaza, 4-10 p.m. Thurs/Fri;
noon-10 p.m. Sat.; noon-9 p.m. Sun
“Whatever the weather, don’t let it keep you from the spectacular outdoor exhibit that is Photoville, the annual survey of photography where more than 600 artists cram entertaining and eye-opening images into 90 exhibitions and installations. In addition to browsing your way through the 65 shipping containers making their home in Brooklyn Bridge Park for two weekends, make time for panels, artist lectures, professional seminars, hands-on workshops — all free and open to everyone. There’s also a food and beer garden courtesy of Smorgasburg. “ (Metro)

The Feast of San Gennaro (LAST DAY)
Little Italy throws a two-week party (It’s the 92nd Annual Feast!)
Mulberry Street between Canal and Houston streets, FREE,
“You don’t have to be Catholic to take part in the Feast of San Gennaro, the 10-day holiday that turns Little Italy into one big street festival with delicacies being grilled up on the sidewalk, bakeries turning out their best traditional treats, live music nightly, eating contests and more.” (Metro)
11:30 a.m.-11 p.m. Sun-Thurs, to midnight Fri-Sat.
Find out what to eat at the Feast of San Gennaro here (cityguideny)

Oktoberfest NYC: Where to grab a beer and celebrate (Sept.22-Oct.15)
“Oktoberfest may seem far off, but it’s less than a month away. The Bavarian festival is kicking off Sept. 22 in Munich and the city’s festivities will begin in earnest.
So, if you’re looking for some lederhosen-laden action closer to home, here are beer-and-sausage-fueled affairs in New York City.” (amNY)
Check here for a full description of each of 11 events.

==========================================================================
♦ 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 63 million visitors last year and was TripAdvisor’s Traveler’s Choice Top U.S. Destination for 2018 – awesome! 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.

=====================================================

Bonus NYC events– 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:
(5 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)
Cornelia Street Cafe – UG, 29 Cornelia St. corneliastreetcafe.com, 212-989-9319 (6pm)

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)

Special Mention:
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 surprises with a wonderfully eclectic lineup. It’s 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.

========================================================================
NYCity Vacation Travel Guide Video (Expedia):

========================================================================

A PremierPub

Jimmy’s Corner / 140 W 44th St (btw B’way & 7th ave)

IMG_2083Jimmy’s Corner is right in the heart of Times Square, but you won’t find it on the corner, it’s mid-block. Enter this long narrow bar and you are struck by the walls covered with mostly black-and-white boxing photographs, and memorabilia. Soon enough you learn that “Corner” refers to proprietor Jimmy Glenn’s long career as a corner man for some of boxing greats – Liston, Tyson, even “the greatest,” Ali.

Jimmy’s is a sort of time machine, taking you back to a time and place that no longer exists. All around you Times Square has cleaned up, grown up, assumed a new identity. Jimmy’s probably hasn’t changed a bit since it first opened in 1971. Certainly the bar itself looks original and the prices haven’t changed much either. When I brought a friend, who owns her own bar, she was surprised when she got the small tab for a round of drinks. Figured there must be a mistake, that maybe they forgot to charge for all the drinks.

Times Square today is filled with neon glitz and wandering tourists from Dubuque, but not Jimmy’s. You’ll likely find some old timer’s at the bar nursing their drinks, some younger locals at tables in the back, and maybe a few adventuresome tourists clutching their trusty guidebooks. There’s no food served here because this is just a bar, and sometimes that’s all you need.

On nights when no local team is playing, it’s a fine place to sip some drafts and listen to a great old time jukebox, with a great selection of  40s& 50s R&B and soul. On sports nights this very narrow bar can get a bit claustrophobic, filled with excited fans watching their team on the TVs. Either way, Jimmy’s is the place to be if you are looking for an old time bar in the new Times Square.
————————————————————————————————————————
Website: are you kidding !
(although there is a facebook page with lots of photos –
facebook.com/jimmyscornernyc)
Phone #: 212-221-9510
Hours: 11am – 4 am, except Sunday they open 12 noon
Happy Hour: not necessary, low prices all day, every day
Subway: #1,2,3 to TimesSquare 42nd st
walk 2 blks N on 7th ave to 44th st; ½ blk E to Jimmy’s

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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.
================================================================================
Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged | Leave a comment

NYC Events,”Only the Best” (09/22) + GallerySpecialExhibits: Chelsea

Posted on 09/22/2018 by GregD

Today’s Elite 8 NYC Events > SATURDAY/ SEPTEMBER 22, 2018

“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: “NYC Events-September”
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.

==========================================================

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

Elsewhere, but this is always worth the detour:
World Maker Faire (Sept.22-23)
Play with the technology of the future
New York Hall of Science / 10AM-6PM, $40-$80
“See what the tinkerers of the world have been up to at World Maker Faire in Queens, a weekend of getting hands-on with the technology being dreamed up by ordinary people in their own homes. The Maker Movement brings do-it-yourselfers out to trade tips, show off their craft and encourage creativity with interactive displays, demos, discussions and more in fields like art, engineering, medicine and technology.” (Metro)

=========================================================
7 OTHER TOP NYC EVENTS TODAY (see below for full listing)
>> Steve Turre
>> STANLEY CLARKE
>> Nellie McKay
>> Vendy Awards.
>> Museum Day
>> Tribeca TV Festival
>> Space & Science Festival
Continuing Events
>> Photoville
>> The Feast of San Gennaro
>> Oktoberfest NYC
========================================================

Music, Dance, Performing Arts

Steve Turre (Sept. 21-23.)
Smoke / 7, 9, 10:30PM, $40
“The novelty of this great trombonist also producing delightful music from conch shells, a feat he’s been pulling off since at least the eighties, may never fade. But the big horn remains his first love, as revealed by Turre’s new ballad-heavy album, “The Very Thought of You.” He’s joined here by the saxophonist Ron Blake and the fine rhythm team from the recording: the bassist Buster Williams and the drummer Willie Jones III.” (Steve Futterman, NewYorker)

STANLEY CLARKE (Sept. 18-23)
at the Blue Note / 8 and 10:30 p.m., $30-$45
“A pre-eminent electric bassist since his early years in the original Return to Forever, Mr. Clarke has a new album out titled “The Message,” a smoothly confrontational disc that reflects the ongoing influence of his younger band mates. The group lines up somewhere near the shared border of popular country, radio gospel, straight-ahead jazz and New Age. It features the keyboardist Cameron Graves, the pianist Beka Gochiashvili and the drummer Mike Mitchell.” (NYT-GIOVANNI RUSSONELLO)

Nellie McKay (Sept.19-22)
Birdland / 7PM, $30-$40
“Fearless singer-songwriter and deceptively feather-light song stylist McKay is always guaranteed to flabber your gast with her witty, unwieldy and beguiling performances. In this Birdland run, she toasts the release of her seventh album, Sister Orchid, which includes versions of standards including “My Romance,” “The Nearness of You” and “Georgia on My Mind.” (TONY)

=========================================================

Smart Stuff / Other NYC Events
(Lectures/Discussions, Book Talks, Film, Classes, Food & Drink, Other)

Vendy Awards.
Governor’s Island / 12:30-5PM, $15 and up
“This Saturday is the annual Vendy Awards on Governors Island — and a celebration of the diversity of the city’s street-food purveyors. Vendors will vie to be recognized as the best in the city in categories like dessert, breakfast (new this year), and the coveted best rookie award. But you’re the real winner, because a ticket entitles you to unlimited food from all 25 vendors, plus unlimited beer, wine, soda, and water.” (grubstreet)

Museum Day
“If you’ve got an itch for museums, today is Museum Day, where many institutions around the city will be free. Pick out a museum on the website, and download a ticket admitting two people, and culture yourself.” (grubstreet)

Tribeca TV Festival (Sept.20-23)
Tribeca / $30-$40
“Move over, film. The annual Tribeca TV festival presents three days of premieres and panels featuring the very best of television. This year’s bash toasts two decades of Law and Order: SVU with a panel discussion including Mariska Hargitay, Ice T, Dick Wolf and the rest of the cast. Bryan Cranston looks back on Breaking Bad for the tenth anniversary of its premiere, and Tracey Ullman shows up to preview a new season of HBO zaniness. Along with screening premieres of new series and returning favorites like Ray Donovan and Madam Secretary, the festival will host a viewing of one of Anthony Bourdain’s finale episodes of Parts Unknown, followed by a discussion on his legacy with producers and episode guest W. Kamau Bell. Most events run for $20–$30 a pop. It’s a golden era of episodics; don’t miss the chance to bask in the glow of the small screen.” (TONY)

Space & Science Festival (Sept. 20-23)
Pier 86, Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum/ All activities on Pier 86 are free to the public. Programs inside the Museum require admission.
“The idea of cosmic pursuits can still fire up the collective imagination, even in the face of more dubious manifestations, like the President’s push for a new military branch devoted to space-based defense systems, or Elon Musk’s eying Mars for colonization. Meanwhile, NASA, the source of so much of America’s gravity-defying wonder, turned sixty in July. Sept. 20-23, the Space & Science Festival takes over Pier 86, the permanent dock for the decommissioned aircraft carrier that is now the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum. The event will feature science talks, interactive installations, and astronautical guests, like NASA’s Sunita Williams, and visitors will be able to test out the Space Camp Multi-Axis Trainer, the anti-gravity simulator used to prepare astronauts for space travel. A free screening of “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” takes place on the flight deck of the museum at sunset on Sept. 22; viewers are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets to experience what U.S. Navy personnel call a steel-beach picnic.” (K. Leander Williams, NewYorker)

=======================================================

Continuing Events

Photoville (Sept.13-16 and 20-23)
Brooklyn’s outdoor photo garden is back
Dumbo’s Brooklyn Bridge Plaza, 4-10 p.m. Thurs/Fri;
noon-10 p.m. Sat.; noon-9 p.m. Sun
“Whatever the weather, don’t let it keep you from the spectacular outdoor exhibit that is Photoville, the annual survey of photography where more than 600 artists cram entertaining and eye-opening images into 90 exhibitions and installations. In addition to browsing your way through the 65 shipping containers making their home in Brooklyn Bridge Park for two weekends, make time for panels, artist lectures, professional seminars, hands-on workshops — all free and open to everyone. There’s also a food and beer garden courtesy of Smorgasburg. “ (Metro)

The Feast of San Gennaro (Sept.15-23)
Little Italy throws a two-week party (It’s the 92nd Annual Feast!)
Mulberry Street between Canal and Houston streets, FREE,
“You don’t have to be Catholic to take part in the Feast of San Gennaro, the 10-day holiday that turns Little Italy into one big street festival with delicacies being grilled up on the sidewalk, bakeries turning out their best traditional treats, live music nightly, eating contests and more.” (Metro)
11:30 a.m.-11 p.m. Sun-Thurs, to midnight Fri-Sat.
Find out what to eat at the Feast of San Gennaro here (cityguideny)

Oktoberfest NYC: Where to grab a beer and celebrate (Sept.22-Oct.15)
“Oktoberfest may seem far off, but it’s less than a month away. The Bavarian festival is kicking off Sept. 22 in Munich and the city’s festivities will begin in earnest.
So, if you’re looking for some lederhosen-laden action closer to home, here are beer-and-sausage-fueled affairs in New York City.” (amNY)
Check here for a full description of each of 11 events.

============================================================================
♦ 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 63 million visitors last year and was TripAdvisor’s Traveler’s Choice Top U.S. Destination for 2018 – awesome! 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.

=====================================================

Bonus NYC Music Venues:
So much fine live music every night in this town. These are my favorite non jazz music venues on Manhattan’s WestSide. Check out who’s playing tonight:

City Winery – 155 Varick St., citywinery.com, 212-608-0555
Joe’s Pub @ Public Theater – 425 Lafayette St., joespub.com, 212-967-7555
Beacon Theatre – 2124 Broadway @ 74th St., beacontheatre.com, 212-465-6500
Town Hall – 123 W43rd St., thetownhall.org, 212-997-6661
Le Poisson Rouge – 158 Bleecker St., lepoissonrouge.com, 212-505-3474
and one more, not quite WestSide
Bowery Ballroom – 6 Delancey St. boweryballroom.com,

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 discovery and enjoyment.

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.
===========================================================

NYCity Vacation Travel Guide Video (Expedia):

================================================================================

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.

Here are two exhibitions the New Yorker likes:

==========================================================

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 better to 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). OR try this NYT recommendation: “When you’re done, adjourn to the newly renovated Bottino , the Chelsea art world’s unofficial canteen on 10th Avenue (btw 24/25 St.) “

=======================================================
For other selected Museum and Gallery Special Exhibitions see recent posts in right sidebar dated 09/20 and 09/18.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

NYC Events, “Only the Best” (09/21) + Today’s Featured Pub (Tribeca)

Posted on 09/21/2018 by GregD

Today’s Elite 8 NYC Events > FRIDAY/ SEPTEMBER 21, 2018

“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: “NYC Events-September”
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.

==========================================================

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

Ann Hampton Callaway: The Linda Ronstadt Songbook (also Sept.22)
Feinstein’s-54 Below / 7PM, $50+
“A swinging fixture of the cabaret world, Ann Hampton Callaway has also branched into jazz and TV theme songs (The Nanny). She has a reassuringly mellow way with the standards, sung in a wry, dark-toned contralto. Her latest set is devoted to songs by the underrated Linda Ronstadt, including pop hits (like “Different Drum” and “Desperado”) as well as standards from the albums she recorded with Nelson Riddle. The adept Billy Stritch mans the keys.” (TONY)

=========================================================
7 OTHER TOP NYC EVENTS TODAY (see below for full listing)
>> Bettye LaVette
>> BROOKLYN AMERICANA MUSIC FESTIVAL
>> JEWELS
>> STANLEY CLARKE
>> Nellie McKay
>> Tribeca TV Festival
>> Space & Science Festival
Continuing Events
>> Photoville
>> The Feast of San Gennaro
>> Oktoberfest NYC
========================================================

Music, Dance, Performing Arts

Bettye LaVette
Sony Hall / 7:30PM, $55
When the singer Bettye LaVette launched her comeback, in the early two-thousands, she was quickly embraced by the blues circuit, as a symbol of soulful authenticity and of the will to keep on keeping on. Little did anyone know that her next move would be to recast rock and roll in her image; in the past decade, LaVette’s repertoire has expanded to include canonical songs by bands like the Who and Pink Floyd. Her taste has proved to be exquisite, and is matched by a raspy delivery that can wring every bit of meaning from each selection’s lyrics, even tapping reservoirs of emotion that few knew were there. When LaVette comes to Sony Hall, on Friday, Sept. 21, she’ll unpack the raft of Bob Dylan tunes she recorded for her latest triumph, “Things Have Changed.” (K. Leander Williams, NewYorker)

BROOKLYN AMERICANA MUSIC FESTIVAL
at various locations (Sept. 20-23).
“For the fourth year running, American folk musicians of all stripes will take over Downtown Brooklyn for a weekend of free and ticketed concerts. There will be shows at bookstores, like Queen Esther at Powerhouse Arena or Miriam Elhajli at Berl’s Brooklyn Poetry Shop. There will be shows at Brooklyn Bridge Park (like the “reggae bluegrass” band City Billies) and under the Manhattan Bridge (like Nashville’s Wild Ponies), for an acoustic and visual thrill. In all parts of the festival, though, audiences will find a diverse array of artists putting a fresh spin on traditional music.” (NYT-NATALIE WEINER)

JEWELS (Sep.18-25)
New York City Ballet
NYS Theater, Lincoln Center / 7:30PM, $35+
“A cherished staple of the repertory since its 1967 debut, Jewels was inspired by a visit George Balanchine made to the jewelers Van Cleef & Arpels. Widely considered to be the first full-length abstract ballet, its three sections — the lyrical Emeralds, the jazz-inflected Rubies, and the regal Diamonds — express the breadth of Balanchine’s ability.”

STANLEY CLARKE (Sept. 18-23)
at the Blue Note / 8 and 10:30 p.m., $30-$45
“A pre-eminent electric bassist since his early years in the original Return to Forever, Mr. Clarke has a new album out titled “The Message,” a smoothly confrontational disc that reflects the ongoing influence of his younger band mates. The group lines up somewhere near the shared border of popular country, radio gospel, straight-ahead jazz and New Age. It features the keyboardist Cameron Graves, the pianist Beka Gochiashvili and the drummer Mike Mitchell.” (NYT-GIOVANNI RUSSONELLO)

Nellie McKay (Sept.19-22)
Birdland / 7PM, $30-$40
“Fearless singer-songwriter and deceptively feather-light song stylist McKay is always guaranteed to flabber your gast with her witty, unwieldy and beguiling performances. In this Birdland run, she toasts the release of her seventh album, Sister Orchid, which includes versions of standards including “My Romance,” “The Nearness of You” and “Georgia on My Mind.” (TONY)

=========================================================

Smart Stuff / Other NYC Events
(Lectures/Discussions, Book Talks, Film, Classes, Food & Drink, Other)

Tribeca TV Festival (Sept.20-23)
Tribeca / $30-$40
“Move over, film. The annual Tribeca TV festival presents three days of premieres and panels featuring the very best of television. This year’s bash toasts two decades of Law and Order: SVU with a panel discussion including Mariska Hargitay, Ice T, Dick Wolf and the rest of the cast. Bryan Cranston looks back on Breaking Bad for the tenth anniversary of its premiere, and Tracey Ullman shows up to preview a new season of HBO zaniness. Along with screening premieres of new series and returning favorites like Ray Donovan and Madam Secretary, the festival will host a viewing of one of Anthony Bourdain’s finale episodes of Parts Unknown, followed by a discussion on his legacy with producers and episode guest W. Kamau Bell. Most events run for $20–$30 a pop. It’s a golden era of episodics; don’t miss the chance to bask in the glow of the small screen.” (TONY)

Space & Science Festival (Sept. 20-23)
Pier 86, Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum/ All activities on Pier 86 are free to the public. Programs inside the Museum require admission.
“The idea of cosmic pursuits can still fire up the collective imagination, even in the face of more dubious manifestations, like the President’s push for a new military branch devoted to space-based defense systems, or Elon Musk’s eying Mars for colonization. Meanwhile, NASA, the source of so much of America’s gravity-defying wonder, turned sixty in July. Sept. 20-23, the Space & Science Festival takes over Pier 86, the permanent dock for the decommissioned aircraft carrier that is now the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum. The event will feature science talks, interactive installations, and astronautical guests, like NASA’s Sunita Williams, and visitors will be able to test out the Space Camp Multi-Axis Trainer, the anti-gravity simulator used to prepare astronauts for space travel. A free screening of “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” takes place on the flight deck of the museum at sunset on Sept. 22; viewers are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets to experience what U.S. Navy personnel call a steel-beach picnic.” (K. Leander Williams, NewYorker)

=======================================================

Continuing Events

Photoville (Sept.13-16 and 20-23)
Brooklyn’s outdoor photo garden is back
Dumbo’s Brooklyn Bridge Plaza, 4-10 p.m. Thurs/Fri;
noon-10 p.m. Sat.; noon-9 p.m. Sun
“Whatever the weather, don’t let it keep you from the spectacular outdoor exhibit that is Photoville, the annual survey of photography where more than 600 artists cram entertaining and eye-opening images into 90 exhibitions and installations. In addition to browsing your way through the 65 shipping containers making their home in Brooklyn Bridge Park for two weekends, make time for panels, artist lectures, professional seminars, hands-on workshops — all free and open to everyone. There’s also a food and beer garden courtesy of Smorgasburg. “ (Metro)

The Feast of San Gennaro (Sept.15-23)
Little Italy throws a two-week party (It’s the 92nd Annual Feast!)
Mulberry Street between Canal and Houston streets, FREE,
“You don’t have to be Catholic to take part in the Feast of San Gennaro, the 10-day holiday that turns Little Italy into one big street festival with delicacies being grilled up on the sidewalk, bakeries turning out their best traditional treats, live music nightly, eating contests and more.” (Metro)
11:30 a.m.-11 p.m. Sun-Thurs, to midnight Fri-Sat.
Find out what to eat at the Feast of San Gennaro here (cityguideny)

Oktoberfest NYC: Where to grab a beer and celebrate (Sept.22-Oct.15)
“Oktoberfest may seem far off, but it’s less than a month away. The Bavarian festival is kicking off Sept. 22 in Munich and the city’s festivities will begin in earnest.
So, if you’re looking for some lederhosen-laden action closer to home, here are beer-and-sausage-fueled affairs in New York City.” (amNY)
Check here for a full description of each of 11 events.

==========================================================================
♦ 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 63 million visitors last year and was TripAdvisor’s Traveler’s Choice Top U.S. Destination for 2018 – awesome! 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.

=====================================================
Bonus: Nifty 9 – Best Cabarets / Piano Bars NYCity
These are my favorite places for an after dinner night on the town – music and drinks.
Hit the Hot Link and check out what’s happening tonight:

Feinstein’s/54 Below – 254 W 54th St.

The Green Room 42 – 570 Tenth Ave.

Don’t Tell Mama – 343 W 46th St.

The Rum House, in the Hotel Edison – 228 W. 47th St.

Laurie Beechman Theatre – 407 W 42nd St.

Marie’s Crisis – 59 Grove St.

The Duplex – 61 Christopher St.

Sid Gold’s Request Room – 165 W 26th St.

Cafe Carlyle, in the Carlyle Hotel – 35 E. 76th St.
This is the only one not located on Manhattan’s WestSide, and it ain’t cheap, but it has some of the finest singers.

=========================================================

NYCity Vacation Travel Guide Video (Expedia):

================================================================================

A PremierPub / Tribeca

B-Flat / 277 Church St. (btw Franklin/White St)

b_flat4There 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 it 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

==================================================================================
“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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NYC Events,”Only the Best” (09/20) + Museum Special Exhibitions: Manhattan’s 5th Avenue

Posted on 09/20/2018 by GregD

Today’s Super 7 NYC Events > THURSDAY/ SEPTEMBER 20, 2018

“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: “NYC Events-September”
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.

==========================================================

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

Neko Case
Hell-On Tour with Thao (of the Get Down Stay Down)
at the Beacon Theatre / 8PM, $44-$54
“Her last CD, an often surreal and melodically inventive collection of songs called “Fox Confessor Brings the Flood,” rose to No. 54 on the Billboard chart and ended up selling 200,000 copies. And publications like Rolling Stone and Spin and The Stranger, along with a growing cadre of intense, often lovesick fans, have lionized Case’s singing voice as uniquely clear and powerful.” (NYT)

=========================================================
6 OTHER TOP NYC EVENTS TODAY (see below for full listing)
>> Relevant Tones Live: Vanishing City
>> JEWELS
>> STANLEY CLARKE
>> Nellie McKay
>> Coltrane Revisited
>> Space & Science Festival
Continuing Events
>> Photoville
>> The Feast of San Gennaro
>> Oktoberfest NYC
========================================================

Music, Dance, Performing Arts

Relevant Tones Live: Vanishing City
Atrium at Lincoln Center / 7:30PM, FREE
“In his book Vanishing New York, Jeremiah Moss argues that gentrification and rising income inequality are causing the city to slowly lose its soul. Join Seth Boustead, composer and host of WFMT Chicago’s Relevant Tones, for a live broadcast exploring the issue’s impact on music with Moss, Open House New York executive Director Gregory Wessner, architect and author of A Country of Cities Vishaan Chakrabarti, and NewMusicBox co-editor Frank J. Oteri.

Carnegie Hall’s Ensemble Connect, members from Opera on Tap (Kamala Sankaram, Kristin Gornstein, Kannan Vasudevan, Matthew Curran), and conductor Mila Henry will perform music by New York composers who flourished in a bygone, some say golden, era.

On the program: music by cellist, composer, and pop music phenom Arthur Russell; a New York City–premiere choral piece by Julius Eastman (The Moon’s Silent Modulation); and a forgotten gem by Tui St. George Tucker.”

JEWELS (Sep.18-25)
New York City Ballet
NYS Theater, Lincoln Center / 7:30PM, $35+
“A cherished staple of the repertory since its 1967 debut, Jewels was inspired by a visit George Balanchine made to the jewelers Van Cleef & Arpels. Widely considered to be the first full-length abstract ballet, its three sections — the lyrical Emeralds, the jazz-inflected Rubies, and the regal Diamonds — express the breadth of Balanchine’s ability.”

STANLEY CLARKE (Sept. 18-23)
at the Blue Note / 8 and 10:30 p.m., $30-$45
“A pre-eminent electric bassist since his early years in the original Return to Forever, Mr. Clarke has a new album out titled “The Message,” a smoothly confrontational disc that reflects the ongoing influence of his younger band mates. The group lines up somewhere near the shared border of popular country, radio gospel, straight-ahead jazz and New Age. It features the keyboardist Cameron Graves, the pianist Beka Gochiashvili and the drummer Mike Mitchell.” (NYT-GIOVANNI RUSSONELLO)

Nellie McKay (Sept.19-22)
Birdland / 7PM, $30-$40
“Fearless singer-songwriter and deceptively feather-light song stylist McKay is always guaranteed to flabber your gast with her witty, unwieldy and beguiling performances. In this Birdland run, she toasts the release of her seventh album, Sister Orchid, which includes versions of standards including “My Romance,” “The Nearness of You” and “Georgia on My Mind.” (TONY)

Coltrane Revisited (Sept.18-22)
Birdland / 8:30PM, +11PM, $30-$40
“Celebrating what would have been John Coltrane’s ninety-second birthday, a quintet featuring the saxophonists Greg Osby, Jaleel Shaw, and Jon Irabagon pays homage. Coming on the heels of the much discussed “Both Directions at Once: The Lost Album,” an unearthed recording released fifty-five years after it was made, and fifty-one years after Coltrane’s death, the show offers further proof that the jazz titan’s imperishable music still acts as a beacon for contemporary players.” (Steve Futterman, NewYorker)

=========================================================

Smart Stuff / Other NYC Events
(Lectures/Discussions, Book Talks, Film, Classes, Food & Drink, Other)

Space & Science Festival (Sept. 20-23)
Pier 86, Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum/ All activities on Pier 86 are free to the public. Programs inside the Museum require admission.
“The idea of cosmic pursuits can still fire up the collective imagination, even in the face of more dubious manifestations, like the President’s push for a new military branch devoted to space-based defense systems, or Elon Musk’s eying Mars for colonization. Meanwhile, NASA, the source of so much of America’s gravity-defying wonder, turned sixty in July. Sept. 20-23, the Space & Science Festival takes over Pier 86, the permanent dock for the decommissioned aircraft carrier that is now the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum. The event will feature science talks, interactive installations, and astronautical guests, like NASA’s Sunita Williams, and visitors will be able to test out the Space Camp Multi-Axis Trainer, the anti-gravity simulator used to prepare astronauts for space travel. A free screening of “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” takes place on the flight deck of the museum at sunset on Sept. 22; viewers are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets to experience what U.S. Navy personnel call a steel-beach picnic.” (K. Leander Williams, NewYorker)

=======================================================

Continuing Events

Photoville (Sept.13-16 and 20-23)
Brooklyn’s outdoor photo garden is back
Dumbo’s Brooklyn Bridge Plaza, 4-10 p.m. Thurs/Fri;
noon-10 p.m. Sat.; noon-9 p.m. Sun
“Whatever the weather, don’t let it keep you from the spectacular outdoor exhibit that is Photoville, the annual survey of photography where more than 600 artists cram entertaining and eye-opening images into 90 exhibitions and installations. In addition to browsing your way through the 65 shipping containers making their home in Brooklyn Bridge Park for two weekends, make time for panels, artist lectures, professional seminars, hands-on workshops — all free and open to everyone. There’s also a food and beer garden courtesy of Smorgasburg. “ (Metro)

The Feast of San Gennaro (Sept.15-23)
Little Italy throws a two-week party (It’s the 92nd Annual Feast!)
Mulberry Street between Canal and Houston streets, FREE,
“You don’t have to be Catholic to take part in the Feast of San Gennaro, the 10-day holiday that turns Little Italy into one big street festival with delicacies being grilled up on the sidewalk, bakeries turning out their best traditional treats, live music nightly, eating contests and more.” (Metro)
11:30 a.m.-11 p.m. Sun-Thurs, to midnight Fri-Sat.
Find out what to eat at the Feast of San Gennaro here (cityguideny)

Oktoberfest NYC: Where to grab a beer and celebrate (Sept.22-Oct.15)
“Oktoberfest may seem far off, but it’s less than a month away. The Bavarian festival is kicking off Sept. 22 in Munich and the city’s festivities will begin in earnest.
So, if you’re looking for some lederhosen-laden action closer to home, here are beer-and-sausage-fueled affairs in New York City.” (amNY)
Check here for a full description of each of 11 events.

==========================================================================
♦ 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 63 million visitors last year and was TripAdvisor’s Traveler’s Choice Top U.S. Destination for 2018 – awesome! 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.

===========================================================
Bonus NYC events– 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:
(5 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)
Cornelia Street Cafe – UG, 29 Cornelia St. corneliastreetcafe.com, 212-989-9319 (6pm)

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)

Special Mention:
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 surprises with a wonderfully eclectic lineup. It’s 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.

========================================================

NYCity Vacation Travel Guide Video (Expedia):

================================================================================

WHAT’S ON VIEW
These are My Fave Special Exhibitions @ MUSEUMS / Manhattan’s Fifth Avenue
(See the New York Times Arts Section for listings of all museum exhibitions,
and also see the expanded reviews of these exhibitions)

Jewish Museum

‘SCENES FROM THE COLLECTION’  “After a surgical renovation to its grand pile on Fifth Avenue, the Jewish Museum has reopened its third-floor galleries with a rethought and refreshed display of its permanent collection, which intermingles modern and contemporary art, by Jews and gentiles alike — Mark Rothko, Lee Krasner, Nan Goldin, Cindy Sherman, and the excellent young Nigerian draftswoman Ruby Onyinyechi Amanze — with 4,000 years of Judaica. The works are shown in a nimble, non-chronological suite of galleries, and some of its century-spanning juxtapositions are bracing; others feel reductive, even dilletantish. But always, the Jewish Museum conceives of art and religion as interlocking elements of a story of civilization, commendably open to new influences and new interpretations.” (Farago) 212-423-3200, thejewishmuseum.org

Museum of the City of New York

NY AT ITS CORE (ongoing)
“Ten years in the making, New York at Its Core tells the compelling story of New York’s rise from a striving Dutch village to today’s “Capital of the World.” The exhibition captures the human energy that drove New York to become a city like no other and a subject of fascination the world over. Entertaining, inspiring, important, and at times bemusing, New York City “big personalities,” including Alexander Hamilton, Walt Whitman, Boss Tweed, Emma Goldman, JP Morgan, Fiorello La Guardia, Jane Jacobs, Jay-Z, and dozens more, parade through the exhibition. Visitors will also learn the stories of lesser-known New York personalities, like Lenape chieftain Penhawitz and Italian immigrant Susie Rocco. Even animals like the horse, the pig, the beaver, and the oyster, which played pivotal roles in the economy and daily life of New York, get their moment in the historical spotlight. Occupying the entire first floor in three interactive galleries (Port City, 1609-1898, World City, 1898-2012, and Future City Lab) New York at Its Core is shaped by four themes: money, density, diversity, and creativity. Together, they provide a lens for examining the character of the city, and underlie the modern global metropolis we know today. mcny.org” (NYCity Guide)

and you should be sure to check out these special exhibitions at that little museum on Fifth Ave., The Metropolitan Museum of Art
(open 7 days /week, AND always Pay What You Wish for NewYorkers)

‘OBSESSION: NUDES BY KLIMT, SCHIELE AND PICASSO’ Note this is at the Met Breuer (through Oct. 7). “The highlight of this uneven but jewel-studded show of erotically charged nudes from the bequest of an eccentric woolen goods heir is Egon Schiele’s incandescent “Seated Woman in Chemise.” The 1914 drawing shows a nearly naked model seated on the floor holding apart her folded legs with her hands. From the top of her egg-shaped, doll-like head, so idealized it’s practically inhuman, to the blunt exposure of her sex, rendered as simply and honestly as the medium allows, she’s an unresolvable contest of fantasy and reality” (Will Heinrich)
212-731-1675, metmuseum.org

‘HEAVENLY BODIES: FASHION AND THE CATHOLIC IMAGINATION’  (through Oct. 8). “Let us pray. After last year’s stark exhibition of Rei Kawakubo’s irregular apparel, the Met Costume Institute is back in blockbuster mode with this three-part blowout on the influence of Catholicism on haute couture of the last century. The trinity of fashion begins downstairs at the Met with the exceptional loans of vestments from the Vatican; upstairs are gowns fit for angels in heaven (by Lanvin, Thierry Mugler, Rodarte) or angels fallen to earth (such as slinky Versace sheaths garlanded with crosses). The scenography at the Met is willfully operatic — spotlights, choir music — which militates against serious thinking about fashion and religion, but up at the Cloisters, by far the strongest third of the show, you can commune more peacefully with an immaculate Balenciaga wedding gown or a divine Valentino gown embroidered with Cranac’s Adam and Eve.” (Farago)

‘CROWNS OF THE VAJRA MASTERS: RITUAL ART OF NEPAL’ (through Dec. 16). “Up a narrow staircase, above the Met’s galleries of South and Southeast Asian art, are three small rooms of art from the Himalayas. The space, a bit like a treehouse, is a capsule of spiritual energy, which is especially potent these days thanks to this exhibition. The crowns of the title look like antique versions of astronaut headgear: gilded copper helmets, studded with gems, encrusted with repoussé plaques and topped by five-pronged antennas — the vajra, or thunderbolt of wisdom. Such crowns were believed to turn their wearers into perfected beings who are willing and able to bestow blessings on the world. This show is the first to focus on these crowns, and it does so with a wealth of compressed historical information, as well as several resplendent related sculptures and paintings from Nepal and Tibet. But it’s the crowns themselves, the real ones, the wisdom generators, set in mandala formation in the center of the gallery, that are the fascinators.” (Holland Cotter)

===========================================================
Museum Mile is a section of Fifth Avenue which contains one of the densest displays of culture in the world. Eight museums can be found along this section of Fifth Avenue:
• 105th Street – El Museo del Barrio (closed Sun-Mon)*
• 103rd Street – Museum of the City of New York (open 7 days /week)
•  92nd Street – The Jewish Museum (closed Wed) (Sat FREE) (Thu 5-8 PWYW)
•  91st Street  –  Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum (open 7 days /week)
•  89th Street –  National Academy Museum (closed Mon-Tue)
•  88th Street –  Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum (closed Thu) (Sat 6-8 PWYW)
•  86th Street –  Neue Galerie New York (closed Tue-Wed) (Fri 6-8 FREE)
Last, but certainly not least, America’s premier museum
•  82nd Street – The Metropolitan Museum of Art (open 7 days /week)*
*always Pay What You Wish (PWYW) for NewYorkers

Although technically not part of the Museum Mile, the Frick Collection (closed Mon) (Wed 2-6pm PWYW; First Friday each month (exc Jan+Sep) 6-9pm FREE) on the corner of 70th St. and Fifth Avenue and the The Morgan Library & Museum (closed Mon) (Fri 7-9 FREE) on Madison Ave and 37th St are also located near Fifth Ave.
Now plan your own museum crawl (info on hours & admission updated June 2, 2015).
==============================================================
For other selected Museum and Gallery Special Exhibitions see Recent Posts in right Sidebar dated 09/18 and 09/16.
=============================================================

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NYC Events,”Only the Best” (09/19) + Today’s Featured Pub (Greenwich Village)

Posted on 09/19/2018 by GregD

Today’s Elite 8 NYC Events > WEDNESDAY/ SEPTEMBER 19, 2018

“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: “NYC Events-September”
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.

==========================================================

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

Coltrane Revisited (Sept.18-22)
Birdland / 8:30PM, +11PM, $30-$40
“Celebrating what would have been John Coltrane’s ninety-second birthday, a quintet featuring the saxophonists Greg Osby, Jaleel Shaw, and Jon Irabagon pays homage. Coming on the heels of the much discussed “Both Directions at Once: The Lost Album,” an unearthed recording released fifty-five years after it was made, and fifty-one years after Coltrane’s death, the show offers further proof that the jazz titan’s imperishable music still acts as a beacon for contemporary players.” (Steve Futterman, NewYorker)

=========================================================
7 OTHER TOP NYC EVENTS TODAY (see below for full listing)
>> Harris Eisenstadt
>> JEWELS
>> LOW
>> Ann Hampton Callaway: The Linda Ronstadt Songbook
>> Bill Stewart Trio
>> Nellie McKay
>> STANLEY CLARKE
Continuing Events
>> Photoville
>> The Feast of San Gennaro
>> Oktoberfest NYC
========================================================

Music, Dance, Performing Arts

Harris Eisenstadt (Sept.18-22)
the Stone at the New School / 8:30PM, $20
“Eisenstadt has soaked up idiomatic rhythms in Africa and Cuba, collaborated extensively with such forward-thinking musicians as Yusef Lateef and Wadada Leo Smith, and devoted as much time to composing as he has to drumming. For this residency, he employs his deep-sighted and elastic view of improvised music in settings that are both small-scale (a duet with Graham Haynes on cornet and electronics) and expansive (a large band that finds Eisenstadt conducting rather than behind the drum kit).” (Steve Futterman, NewYorker)

Elsewhere, but this looks worth the detour:
LOW (Sept.19-21)
at National Sawdust / 8 p.m., $25
(may need to wait list tonight’s show, jump on tomorrow’s, if necessary)
“When these slowcore pioneers released their debut album, “I Could Live in Hope,” in 1994, they kept it simple: bass, drums, guitar and vocals distilled to evoke painfully gorgeous landscapes trapped in snow globes. In the intervening years, they’ve added electronics to their musical toolbox to tweak the atmospherics here and there. With their latest, “Double Negative,” they’ve gone full-on impressionistic, smearing and distorting sounds to create beautiful songs from distant moments playing on a radio that’s fallen down a wormhole.” (NYT-DANIELLE DOWLING)

JEWELS (Sep.18-25)
New York City Ballet
NYS Theater, Lincoln Center / 7:30PM, $35+
“A cherished staple of the repertory since its 1967 debut, Jewels was inspired by a visit George Balanchine made to the jewelers Van Cleef & Arpels. Widely considered to be the first full-length abstract ballet, its three sections — the lyrical Emeralds, the jazz-inflected Rubies, and the regal Diamonds — express the breadth of Balanchine’s ability.”

Bill Stewart Trio (Sept.18-23)
Village Vanguard / 8:30PM, +10:30PM, $35
“A trio with just drums, bass, and saxophone leaves an awful lot of room for exposure, but the first-call percussionist Bill Stewart is taking the chance. Here, in a stripped-down threesome with the tenorist Walter Smith III and the bass player Larry Grenadier, Stewart ventures into territory similar to that inhabited by the magisterial Sonny Rollins, as documented in this same room on the 1957 recording “A Night at the Village Vanguard.” (Steve Futterman, NewYorker)

Ann Hampton Callaway: The Linda Ronstadt Songbook (also Sept.21-22)
Feinstein’s-54 Below / 7PM, $50+
“A swinging fixture of the cabaret world, Ann Hampton Callaway has also branched into jazz and TV theme songs (The Nanny). She has a reassuringly mellow way with the standards, sung in a wry, dark-toned contralto. Her latest set is devoted to songs by the underrated Linda Ronstadt, including pop hits (like “Different Drum” and “Desperado”) as well as standards from the albums she recorded with Nelson Riddle. The adept Billy Stritch mans the keys.” (TONY)

Nellie McKay (Sept.19-22)
Birdland / 7PM, $30-$40
“Fearless singer-songwriter and deceptively feather-light song stylist McKay is always guaranteed to flabber your gast with her witty, unwieldy and beguiling performances. In this Birdland run, she toasts the release of her seventh album, Sister Orchid, which includes versions of standards including “My Romance,” “The Nearness of You” and “Georgia on My Mind.” (TONY)

STANLEY CLARKE (Sept. 18-23)
at the Blue Note / 8 and 10:30 p.m., $30-$45
“A pre-eminent electric bassist since his early years in the original Return to Forever, Mr. Clarke has a new album out titled “The Message,” a smoothly confrontational disc that reflects the ongoing influence of his younger band mates. The group lines up somewhere near the shared border of popular country, radio gospel, straight-ahead jazz and New Age. It features the keyboardist Cameron Graves, the pianist Beka Gochiashvili and the drummer Mike Mitchell.” (NYT-GIOVANNI RUSSONELLO)

=========================================================

Smart Stuff / Other NYC Events
(Lectures/Discussions, Book Talks, Film, Classes, Food & Drink, Other)

More Smart Stuff coming soon.

=======================================================

Continuing Events

Photoville (Sept.13-16 and 20-23)
Brooklyn’s outdoor photo garden is back
Dumbo’s Brooklyn Bridge Plaza, 4-10 p.m. Thurs/Fri;
noon-10 p.m. Sat.; noon-9 p.m. Sun
“Whatever the weather, don’t let it keep you from the spectacular outdoor exhibit that is Photoville, the annual survey of photography where more than 600 artists cram entertaining and eye-opening images into 90 exhibitions and installations. In addition to browsing your way through the 65 shipping containers making their home in Brooklyn Bridge Park for two weekends, make time for panels, artist lectures, professional seminars, hands-on workshops — all free and open to everyone. There’s also a food and beer garden courtesy of Smorgasburg. “ (Metro)

The Feast of San Gennaro (Sept.15-23)
Little Italy throws a two-week party (It’s the 92nd Annual Feast!)
Mulberry Street between Canal and Houston streets, FREE,
“You don’t have to be Catholic to take part in the Feast of San Gennaro, the 10-day holiday that turns Little Italy into one big street festival with delicacies being grilled up on the sidewalk, bakeries turning out their best traditional treats, live music nightly, eating contests and more.” (Metro)
11:30 a.m.-11 p.m. Sun-Thurs, to midnight Fri-Sat.
Find out what to eat at the Feast of San Gennaro here (cityguideny)

Oktoberfest NYC: Where to grab a beer and celebrate (Sept.22-Oct.15)
“Oktoberfest may seem far off, but it’s less than a month away. The Bavarian festival is kicking off Sept. 22 in Munich and the city’s festivities will begin in earnest.
So, if you’re looking for some lederhosen-laden action closer to home, here are beer-and-sausage-fueled affairs in New York City.” (amNY)
Check here for a full description of each of 11 events.

==========================================================================
♦ 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 63 million visitors last year and was TripAdvisor’s Traveler’s Choice Top U.S. Destination for 2018 – awesome! 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.

=====================================================

Bonus NYC Events – Music Venues:
So much fine live music every night in this town. These are my favorite non jazz music venues on Manhattan’s WestSide. Hit the Hot Link and check out who’s playing tonight:

City Winery – 155 Varick St., citywinery.com, 212-608-0555
Joe’s Pub @ Public Theater – 425 Lafayette St., joespub.com, 212-967-7555
Beacon Theatre – 2124 Broadway @ 74th St., beacontheatre.com, 212-465-6500
Town Hall – 123 W43rd St. (btw 6/7), thetownhall.org, 212-997-6661
Le Poisson Rouge – 158 Bleecker St., lepoissonrouge.com, 212-505-3474
Sony Hall – 235 W 46th St. (btw 7/8), sonyhall.com, 212-997-5123
and one more, not exactly WestSide:
Bowery Ballroom – 6 Delancey St. boweryballroom.com,

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 discovery and enjoyment.

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.

See Below.
———————————————————————————————————-

NYCity Vacation Travel Guide Video (Expedia):
=================================================================================

A PremierPub and 3 Good Eating Places – Greenwich Village

Caffe Vivaldi / 32 Jones Street (btw. Bleecker St./W4th St.)

Café Vivaldi is a classic, intimate club located in Greenwich Village on Jones Street, the street featured on the cover of Bob Dylan’s second album, “Freewheelin’. ”

maxresdefaultEach night Ishrat, the long time proprietor and impresario, carefully curates and schedules an eclectic series of musicians. You can often see him at his table in the corner, hard at work reviewing music videos and listening to cd demos on his laptop, scouting out future bookings. Musicians come from all over to play and sing in a club in Greenwich Village. Some are local New Yorkers, others are just passing through, in town for a few days.

There is a small bar, seating maybe 10. It’s close to the stage and I find it’s a perfect spot to sip a glass of red wine while listening to the music. The room itself has the performance area at one end and a cozy fireplace at the other. The performance area here is small, dominated by a large black Yamaha Grand piano. Tables are bunched together and most people at the tables are eating lite meals or sampling the wonderful desserts.

There is also a good selection of fairly priced wines,  but you are here because of the music. You can never be quite sure what you’re going to find, and that’s half the charm of this place. It’s not a home run every night, but many nights it’s pretty special.

I remember the night I saw the most talented bossa nova group, just in from San Paulo. As I listened, I wondered if there was any better music playing anywhere else in New York City that night. And at Caffé Vivaldi there is never a cover charge. Their recently redesigned web site does give you a better idea of the type of music playing each night.

At one time Greenwich Village was filled with clubs just like this, but times change. Real estate interests have impacted the village, and not for the better. Even Caffé Vivaldi had a rough time recently, when a new landlord raised the rent exorbitantly. Fortunately, Ishrat has built a loyal following over the years, and a fund raiser and slightly more reasonable rent has kept Café Vivaldi in business.

When Woody Allen and Al Pacino wanted to make movies featuring the timeless quality of Greenwich Village they came to Vivaldi. It’s important that we keep this special place alive, for if we lose Cafe Vivaldi, NYCity will have lost a piece of it’s soul.

CAFFE VIVALDI HAS CLOSED,  JUNE 23 WAS THE FINAL NIGHT. VERY SAD.
I HAVE LEFT THIS REVIEW ON MY SITE AS A KIND OF MEMORIAL.
As reported in the “Gothamist”:
“Caffe Vivaldi, one of the last bohemian bastions of the West Village, is set to close this weekend. During its 35 years on Jones Street, the casual cafe won the hearts of locals and celebs alike, including Oscar Isaac, Bette Midler, and Al Pacino.

Despite that friendly communal atmosphere, the owners ultimately struggled to survive under their notorious vulture landlord Steve Croman, who they say waged a harassment campaign against the restaurant, and eventually tripled their rent.”

Website: http://caffevivaldi.com/
Phone #: (212) 691-7538
Hours: Music generally 7:30PM – 11PM, but varies
Lunch/Dinner 11AM-on
Subway: #1 to Christopher St.
Walk 1 blk S. on 7th ave S. to Bleecker St., 1 blk left on Bleecker to Jones St., 50 yards left on Jones St. to Caffe V.
==============================================================
“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.

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

3 Good Eating places

It’s not difficult to find a place to eat in Manhattan.
Finding a good, inexpensive place to eat is a bit harder.
Here are a few of my faves in this neighborhood:

Fish – 280 Bleecker St. (just a bit S. of 7th ave South)
This was an easy pick – the best raw bar special in town. $9 gets you 6 of the freshest oysters or clams + a glass of wine or beer. Don’t know how they can do it, but I tell everyone I know about this place. And it’s located right in the heart of some of the best no cover music in town.

Bleecker Street Pizza – 69 7th ave S. (corner of Bleecker St.)
The place is tiny and not much to look at, but this is one good slice. They like to brag that they have been voted “Best pizza in NY” 3 years in a row by the Food Network. I believe them. I would have voted for them.

Num Pang – 21 E 12th St. (btw. University Place/5th ave.)
This is a Cambodian banh mi sandwich shop that kept me well fed while I was in class nearby recently. It’s cramped, even for NYCity, but usually there is room up the spiral staircase to sit down and eat. In good weather carry your sandwich a few blocks to Union Square park. You may have to wait a few minutes, because everything is freshly made, but it’s worth it. Can you believe – an unheard of 26 food rating by Zagat.

========================================================
“3 Good Eating places” focuses on a quick bite, what I call “Fine Fast Food – NYCity Style”
No reservations needed.
========================================================
NYCity is the most diverse and interesting place to find a meal anywhere in the world. With more than 24,000 eating establishments you might welcome some advice.

◊ For all my picks of 54 Good Eating places, and essays on my favorite 18 PremierPubs in 9 Neighborhoods on Manhattan’s WestSide, order a copy of my e-book:
“Eating and Drinking on NYCity’s WestSide” ($4.99, available WINTER 2018).
◊ Order before FEB.28, 2019 and receive a bonus – 27 of my favorite casual dining places with free Wi-Fi.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

NYC Events,”Only the Best” (09/18) + Museum Special Exhibitions: Manhattan’s WestSide

Posted on 09/18/2018 by GregD

Today’s Elite 8 NYC Events > TUESDAY/ SEPTEMBER 18, 2018

“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: “NYC Events-September”
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.

==========================================================

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

STANLEY CLARKE (Sept. 18-23)
at the Blue Note / 8 and 10:30 p.m., $30-$45
“A pre-eminent electric bassist since his early years in the original Return to Forever, Mr. Clarke has a new album out titled “The Message,” a smoothly confrontational disc that reflects the ongoing influence of his younger band mates. The group lines up somewhere near the shared border of popular country, radio gospel, straight-ahead jazz and New Age. It features the keyboardist Cameron Graves, the pianist Beka Gochiashvili and the drummer Mike Mitchell.” (NYT-GIOVANNI RUSSONELLO)

=========================================================
7 OTHER TOP NYC EVENTS TODAY (see below for full listing)
>> Coltrane Revisited
>> JEWELS
>> MARK TURNER AND ETHAN IVERSON
>> Me The People
>> Bill Stewart Trio
>> The Lineup with Susie Mosher
>> The Best Songs Cut from the Best Musicals Sung by the Best Singers Who Never Sang Them
Continuing Events
>> Photoville
>> The Feast of San Gennaro
>> Oktoberfest NYC
========================================================

Music, Dance, Performing Arts

Coltrane Revisited (Sept.18-22)
Birdland / 8:30PM, +11PM, $30-$40
“Celebrating what would have been John Coltrane’s ninety-second birthday, a quintet featuring the saxophonists Greg Osby, Jaleel Shaw, and Jon Irabagon pays homage. Coming on the heels of the much discussed “Both Directions at Once: The Lost Album,” an unearthed recording released fifty-five years after it was made, and fifty-one years after Coltrane’s death, the show offers further proof that the jazz titan’s imperishable music still acts as a beacon for contemporary players.” (Steve Futterman, NewYorker)

JEWELS (Sep.18-25)
New York City Ballet
NYS Theater, Lincoln Center / 7:30PM, $35+
“A cherished staple of the repertory since its 1967 debut, Jewels was inspired by a visit George Balanchine made to the jewelers Van Cleef & Arpels. Widely considered to be the first full-length abstract ballet, its three sections — the lyrical Emeralds, the jazz-inflected Rubies, and the regal Diamonds — express the breadth of Balanchine’s ability.”

MARK TURNER AND ETHAN IVERSON
at Jazz Standard / 7:30 and 9:30 p.m., $30
“Mr. Turner speaks privately through his tenor saxophone, as if he has much to say but isn’t so sure you care to hear it. Mr. Iverson speaks through his piano like a good professor, clear and rather definitive, with the force of savvy behind him. Two of the leading jazz musicians to come of age downtown in the 1990s, they’ve played together for well over a decade in the band of Billy Hart, an esteemed drummer a generation ahead of them. On “Temporary Kings,” an impressive new album of duets for ECM Records, they play a kind of lightly swinging, papery chamber jazz, with melodies embedded in a cool rhythmic flow.” (NYT-GIOVANNI RUSSONELLO)

Me The People
Laurie Beechman Theatre / 7:30PM, $35+
“Following a smash run Off Broadway in 2017, Me The People returns to New York with the world premiere of the Fire and Fury Edition featuring new songs inspired by the latest madness from our fearless leader and his merry band of spineless enablers. Book and lyrics by Nancy Holson (Emmy Award winner for The News in Revue, Bush Wars). Starring members of the original Off Broadway cast lauded by the NY Times as “fine singers and fizzy delights” (TONY)

Bill Stewart Trio (Sept.18-23)
Village Vanguard / 8:30PM, +10:30PM, $35
A trio with just drums, bass, and saxophone leaves an awful lot of room for exposure, but the first-call percussionist Bill Stewart is taking the chance. Here, in a stripped-down threesome with the tenorist Walter Smith III and the bass player Larry Grenadier, Stewart ventures into territory similar to that inhabited by the magisterial Sonny Rollins, as documented in this same room on the 1957 recording “A Night at the Village Vanguard.” (Steve Futterman, NewYorker)

The Lineup with Susie Mosher
Birdland Theater / 9:30PM, $15-$25
“Mosher is one of those talents you need to see to believe: warm, funny, biting, ferociously committed. In her biweekly series at the brand-new Birdland Theater, she invites a gaggle of performers from Broadway and beyond to show off their talents. Guests at the September 4 edition include Leslie Kritzer, Dan Finnerty, Jim Brochu, Steve Schalchlin, Scott Coulter, Sarah Rice, Romelda Teron Benjamin, Aaron Ramey, Jayke Workman, Stacy Sullivan, Leenya Rideout and Jessica Hendy.” (TONY)

The Best Songs Cut from the Best Musicals Sung by the Best Singers Who Never Sang Them
54 Below / 7PM, $30+
“Show-tune obsessives are in for a treat at this concert devoted to songs that were sliced from shows including Funny Girl, Follies, A Chorus Line, Sweet Charity and Guys and Dolls. Theater historian Peter Filichia host the night; the lineup of singers includes Julia Murney, Sally Mayes, George Dvorsky, T. Oliver Reid, Kelli Rabke and Evan Pappas (who is also the director).” (TONY)

=========================================================

Smart Stuff / Other NYC Events
(Lectures/Discussions, Book Talks, Film, Classes, Food & Drink, Other)

More Smart Stuff coming soon.

=======================================================

Continuing Events

Photoville (Sept.13-16 and 20-23)
Brooklyn’s outdoor photo garden is back
Dumbo’s Brooklyn Bridge Plaza, 4-10 p.m. Thurs/Fri;
noon-10 p.m. Sat.; noon-9 p.m. Sun
“Whatever the weather, don’t let it keep you from the spectacular outdoor exhibit that is Photoville, the annual survey of photography where more than 600 artists cram entertaining and eye-opening images into 90 exhibitions and installations. In addition to browsing your way through the 65 shipping containers making their home in Brooklyn Bridge Park for two weekends, make time for panels, artist lectures, professional seminars, hands-on workshops — all free and open to everyone. There’s also a food and beer garden courtesy of Smorgasburg. “ (Metro)

The Feast of San Gennaro (Sept.15-23)
Little Italy throws a two-week party (It’s the 92nd Annual Feast!)
Mulberry Street between Canal and Houston streets, FREE,
“You don’t have to be Catholic to take part in the Feast of San Gennaro, the 10-day holiday that turns Little Italy into one big street festival with delicacies being grilled up on the sidewalk, bakeries turning out their best traditional treats, live music nightly, eating contests and more.” (Metro)
11:30 a.m.-11 p.m. Sun-Thurs, to midnight Fri-Sat.
Find out what to eat at the Feast of San Gennaro here (cityguideny)

Oktoberfest NYC: Where to grab a beer and celebrate (Sept.22-Oct.15)
“Oktoberfest may seem far off, but it’s less than a month away. The Bavarian festival is kicking off Sept. 22 in Munich and the city’s festivities will begin in earnest.
So, if you’re looking for some lederhosen-laden action closer to home, here are beer-and-sausage-fueled affairs in New York City.” (amNY)
Check here for a full description of each of 11 events.

==========================================================================
♦ 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 63 million visitors last year and was TripAdvisor’s Traveler’s Choice Top U.S. Destination for 2018 – awesome! 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.

=====================================================
Bonus: Nifty 9 – Best Cabarets / Piano Bars NYCity
These are my favorite places for an after dinner night on the town – music and drinks.
Hit the Hot Link and check out what’s happening tonight:

Feinstein’s/54 Below – 254 W 54th St.

The Green Room 42 – 570 Tenth Ave.

Don’t Tell Mama – 343 W 46th St.

The Rum House, in the Hotel Edison – 228 W. 47th St.

Laurie Beechman Theatre – 407 W 42nd St.

Marie’s Crisis – 59 Grove St.

The Duplex – 61 Christopher St.

Sid Gold’s Request Room – 165 W 26th St.

Cafe Carlyle, in the Carlyle Hotel – 35 E. 76th St.
This is the only one not located on Manhattan’s WestSide, and it ain’t cheap, but it has some of the finest singers.

=========================================================

NYCity Vacation Travel Guide Video (Expedia):

===============================================================================

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 exhibitions)

Museum of Modern Art:

A special pat on the back to MOMA, who is now displaying art from the seven countries affected by Trump’s travel ban.

“Trump’s ban against refugees from seven Muslim-majority nations has sparked acts of defiance in NYC, from demonstrations across town, to striking taxicab drivers at JFK to Middle Eastern bodega owners closing their shops in protest. Recently, the Museum Of Modern added its two cents by bringing out artworks it owns from the affected countries, and hanging them prominently within the galleries usually reserved for 19th- and 20th-century artworks from Europe and the United States. Paintings by Picasso and Matisse, for example, were removed to make way for pieces by Tala Madani (from Iran), Ibrahim El-Salahi (from Sudan) and architect Zaha Hadid (from Iraq). The rehanging, which was unannounced, aims to create a symbolic welcome that repudiates Trump by creating a visual dialog between the newly added works and the more familiar objects from MoMA’s permanent collection.” (TONY)

‘BODYS ISEK KINGELEZ: CITY DREAMS’ (through Jan. 1). “The first comprehensive survey of the Congolese artist is a euphoric exhibition as utopian wonderland featuring his fantasy architectural models and cities — works strong in color, eccentric in shape, loaded with enthralling details and futuristic aura. Mr. Kingelez (1948-2015) was convinced that the world had never seen a vision like his, and this beautifully designed show bears him out.” (NYT-Smith)
212-708-9400, moma.org

‘THE LONG RUN’ (through Nov. 4). “The museum upends its cherished Modern narrative of ceaseless progress by mostly young (white) men. Instead we see works by artists 45 and older who have just kept on keeping on, regardless of attention or reward, sometimes saving the best for last. Art here is an older person’s game, a pursuit of a deepening personal vision over innovation. Winding through 17 galleries, the installation is alternatively visually or thematically acute and altogether inspiring.” (NYT-Smith)
212-708-9400, moma.org

Rubin Museum of Art

Chitra Ganesh: The Scorpion Gesture (Through Jan. 7)
“The Brooklyn artist’s new animations ingeniously combine her own drawings and watercolors with historical imagery, peppering the journeys of bodhisattvas with contemporary pop-culture references. Five of these pieces are installed on the museum’s second and third floors amid its collection of Himalayan art, elements of which appear in her psychedelic sequences of spinning mandalas and falling lotus flowers. (Ganesh’s works are activated, as if by magic, when viewers approach.) In “Rainbow Body,” a cave, which also appears in a nearby painting of Mandarava, is filled with people in 3-D glasses, watching as the guru-deity attains enlightenment. “Silhouette in the Graveyard” is projected behind a glass case containing a small sculpture of Maitreya, from late-eighteenth-century Mongolia, for a cleverly dioramalike effect. Prophesied to arrive during an apocalyptic crisis, the bodhisattva is seen here against Ganesh’s montage, which includes footage of global catastrophes and political protests, from the Women’s March to Black Lives Matter.” (

SPECIAL MENTION (not Manhattan’s WestSide, but let’s show some love to da Bronx)
at the New York (Bronx) Botanical Garden:

‘GEORGIA O’KEEFFE: VISIONS OF HAWAI‘I’ (through Oct. 28). “Finding out Georgia O’Keeffe had a Hawaiian period is kind of like finding out Brian Wilson had a desert period. But here it is: 17 eye-popping paradisal paintings, produced in a nine-week visit in 1939. The paintings, and their almost psychedelic palette, are as fleshlike and physical as O’Keeffe’s New Mexican work is stripped and metaphysical. The other star of the show, fittingly, is Hawaii, and the garden has mounted a living display of the subjects depicted in the artwork. As much as they might look like the products of an artist’s imagination, the plants and flowers in the Enid Haupt Conservatory are boastfully real. On Aloha Nights every Saturday in June and every other Saturday in July and August, the garden is staging a cultural complement of activities, including lei making, hula lessons and ukulele performances.” (NYT – William L. Hamilton)
718-817-8700, nybg.org / easy 20 minute ride from Grand Central on Metro North.

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For other selected Museum and Gallery Special Exhibitions see Recent Posts in right Sidebar dated 09/16 and 09/14.
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Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

NYC Events,”Only the Best” (09/17) + Today’s Featured Pub (Upper West Side)

Posted on 09/17/2018 by GregD

Today’s Elite 8 NYC Events > MONDAY/ SEPTEMBER 17, 2018

“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: “NYC Events-September”
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.

==========================================================

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

Natalie Douglas: Tributes—Cher
Birdland / 7PM, $30-$35
“In her ongoing Tributes series, dectuple MAC Award winner Douglas has previously plumbed the catalogs of Nina Simone, Stevie Wonder, Lena Horne, Abbey Lincoln, Shirley Bassey, Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald, among many others. Now she reprises her breezy homage to showbiz titan Cher.” (TONY)

=========================================================
7 OTHER TOP NYC EVENTS TODAY (see below for full listing)
>> Leslie Kritzer: Burn It to the Ground
>> Jim Caruso’s Cast Party
>> DAVID BYRNE
>> FDR, Al Smith, and the Golden Age of NY Politics
>> The Subway…Ugh, How Did It Get So Bad? Will It Ever Get Better?
>> From the Faculty Lounge: Biology and the Sexes
>> Reese Witherspoon’s Whiskey in a Teacup Tour
Continuing Events
>> Photoville
>> The Feast of San Gennaro
>> Oktoberfest NYC
========================================================

Music, Dance, Performing Arts

Leslie Kritzer: Burn It to the Ground
Joe’s Pub / 7PM, +9:30PM, $25
“Kritzer exploded like a supernova in her first Joe’s Pub show, Leslie Kritzer Is Patti LuPone at Les Mouches, and has since starred in A Catered Affair, Elf and The Robber Bridegroom. Now the talented comic singer-actor returns to Joe’s with a new collection of stories and songs, backed by her hubby, Vadim Feichtner, and The Big Extinguisher Orchestra.” (TONY)

Jim Caruso’s Cast Party
Birdland, / 9:30PM, $30
Jim Caruso’s Cast Party is a wildly popular weekly soiree that brings a sprinkling of Broadway glitz and urbane wit to the legendary Birdland in New York City every Monday night. It’s a cool cabaret night-out enlivened by a hilariously impromptu variety show. Showbiz superstars, backed by Steve Doyle on bass, Billy Stritch on piano and Daniel Glass on drums, hit the stage alongside up-and-comers, serving up jaw-dropping music and general razzle-dazzle.” (broadwayworld)

Elsewhere, but this looks worth the detour:
DAVID BYRNE
Kings Theater / 8 p.m., $
“The former frontman of the pioneering new wave band Talking Heads has spent the summer promoting “American Utopia,” his first solo album in 14 years, with an ambitious live show. The tour’s concept is egalitarian: The set is minimal. The drum kit has been replaced with marching band percussion. Mobile and often barefoot, Mr. Byrne and his backing musicians perform a collection of songs from his latest release, his solo catalog and the vast Talking Heads archive. The result is unexpected and convivial — two adjectives that have long been associated with Mr. Byrne’s creations.” (NYT-NATALIE WEINER)

=========================================================

Smart Stuff / Other NYC Events
(Lectures/Discussions, Book Talks, Film, Classes, Food & Drink, Other)

FDR, Al Smith, and the Golden Age of NY Politics
Museum of the City of New York, 1220 Fifth Ave./ 6:30PM, $12
“Ahead of the 2018 gubernatorial election, historians Terry Golway and Peter Quinn take a look back at two iconic New York governors, Al Smith and Franklin Roosevelt, whose careers intertwined in the 1920s. Franklin Roosevelt and Al Smith were two of New York’s greatest governors whose careers intertwined throughout the 1920s and they created a new coalition that would dominate U.S. politics for decades. In 1932, however, the two ran against each other for the Democratic presidential nomination, setting off one of the great feuds of American history. Historians Terry Golway and Peter Quinn sit down for a conversation about this largely untold story in celebration of the launch of Golway’s new book, Frank and Al: FDR, Al Smith and the Unlikely Alliance that Created the Modern Democratic Party.

The Subway…Ugh, How Did It Get So Bad? Will It Ever Get Better?
Graduate Center, CUNY, 365 Fifth Ave./ 6:30PM, FREE
“Explore these questions and gripes at The Gotham Center for New York City History in a discussion with Joseph B. Raskin, author of The Routes Not Taken, Philip Plotch, who led MTA planning for the 7 Extension to Hudson Yards and the Second Avenue Subway, Jaqi Cohen, campaign coordinator for the Straphangers Campaign, Alon Levy, and Independent transportation researcher and moderator Hayley Richardson of TransitCenter.”

From the Faculty Lounge: Biology and the Sexes
Barnard College, 3009 Broadway /6:30PM, FREE
“A Barnard College professor of women’s, gender, and sexuality studies sits down with a professor of biology for a look at “the interdependency between biology and culture that shapes how we understand sexuality and sexual attraction.” (ThoughtGallery.org)

Reese Witherspoon’s Whiskey in a Teacup Tour
The Town Hall, 123 W. 43rd St./ 8PM, $78+
“Grab your friends and join Reese Witherspoon for a fun night of lively conversation! With her debut book, Whiskey in a Teacup, the Academy award-winning actress, producer, and entrepreneur invites you into her world, where she infuses the Southern style, parties, and traditions she loves with contemporary flair and charm. Ticket includes her book, a Draper James tote bag, and other goodies.” (cityguideny.com)
Each ticket includes a copy of Reese’s book, Whiskey in a Teacup (a $35 value, published by Touchstone/Simon & Schuster). VIP holders will walk away with a limited-edition Draper James tote bag filled with some of Reese’s favorite products.

=======================================================

Continuing Events

Photoville (Sept.13-16 and 20-23)
Brooklyn’s outdoor photo garden is back
Dumbo’s Brooklyn Bridge Plaza, 4-10 p.m. Thurs/Fri;
noon-10 p.m. Sat.; noon-9 p.m. Sun
“Whatever the weather, don’t let it keep you from the spectacular outdoor exhibit that is Photoville, the annual survey of photography where more than 600 artists cram entertaining and eye-opening images into 90 exhibitions and installations. In addition to browsing your way through the 65 shipping containers making their home in Brooklyn Bridge Park for two weekends, make time for panels, artist lectures, professional seminars, hands-on workshops — all free and open to everyone. There’s also a food and beer garden courtesy of Smorgasburg. “ (Metro)

The Feast of San Gennaro (Sept.15-23)
Little Italy throws a two-week party (It’s the 92nd Annual Feast!)
Mulberry Street between Canal and Houston streets, FREE,
“You don’t have to be Catholic to take part in the Feast of San Gennaro, the 10-day holiday that turns Little Italy into one big street festival with delicacies being grilled up on the sidewalk, bakeries turning out their best traditional treats, live music nightly, eating contests and more.” (Metro)
11:30 a.m.-11 p.m. Sun-Thurs, to midnight Fri-Sat.
Find out what to eat at the Feast of San Gennaro here (cityguideny)

Oktoberfest NYC: Where to grab a beer and celebrate (Sept.22-Oct.15)
“Oktoberfest may seem far off, but it’s less than a month away. The Bavarian festival is kicking off Sept. 22 in Munich and the city’s festivities will begin in earnest.
So, if you’re looking for some lederhosen-laden action closer to home, here are beer-and-sausage-fueled affairs in New York City.” (amNY)
Check here for a full description of each of 11 events.

==========================================================================
♦ 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 63 million visitors last year and was TripAdvisor’s Traveler’s Choice Top U.S. Destination for 2018 – awesome! 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.

===========================================================
Bonus NYC events– 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:
(5 are underground (UG), 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)
Cornelia Street Cafe – UG, 29 Cornelia St. corneliastreetcafe.com, 212-989-9319 (6pm)

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)

Special Mention:
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 surprises with a wonderfully eclectic lineup. It’s 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.

=======================================================

NYCity Vacation Travel Guide Video (Expedia):
================================================================================

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. Au contraire. With 24 carefully selected taps, this is a place to drink beer, and eat ribs.

HarlHostStandNo 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.
========================================================
“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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NYC Events,”Only the Best” (09/16) + GallerySpecialExhibits: Chelsea

Posted on 09/16/2018 by GregD

Today’s Super 7 NYC Events > SUNDAY/ SEPTEMBER 16, 2018

“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: “NYC Events-September”
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.

==========================================================

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

Brooklyn Book Festival
Get literary.
Brooklyn Borough Hall & vicinity / 10AM-6PM, FREE
“Plan your schedule now for the free Brooklyn Book Festival, with 300 authors taking the stage, plus 250 booksellers in an outdoor Literary Marketplace. See sisters Ingrid Rossellini and Isabella Rossellini, authors like Martin Amis, Jennifer Egan, Joyce Carol Oates, and Alexander Chee, and author-actors like Omar Epps and Justine Bateman, and much, much more.” (grubstreet.com)

=========================================================
6 OTHER TOP NYC EVENTS TODAY (see below for full listing)
>> DONALD HARRISON, RON CARTER AND BILLY COBHAM
>> Bill Charlap Trio
>> JIMMY GREENE
>>  Justin Vivian Bond: A Star is Borned
>> Refinery Rooftop’s Endless Summer Party
>> Taste Williamsburg Greenpoint
Continuing Events
>> Photoville
>> The Feast of San Gennaro
>> Oktoberfest NYC
========================================================

Music, Dance, Performing Arts

DONALD HARRISON, RON CARTER AND BILLY COBHAM (LAST DAY)
at the Blue Note / 8 and 10:30 p.m., $30-$45
“These three jazz luminaries have performed together off and on since 2004, mostly focusing on standards and goading one another into a wide-open exchange. Mr. Harrison, an alto saxophonist from New Orleans, has long retrofitted various musical lineages from his hometown into his post-bop style, which is often also spiced with a quiet-storm-radio flavor. Mr. Carter, a National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master, is probably jazz’s pre-eminent living bassist, having lent his powerful but elastic sound to more than 2,000 sessions. Mr. Cobham, best known as a jazz-rock drummer, exudes a restless command in almost any mode.” (NYT-GIOVANNI RUSSONELLO)

Justin Vivian Bond: A Star is Borned (LAST DAY)
Joe’s Pub / 9:30PM, $35
“Justin Vivian Bond, the immortal angel of downtown cabaret, returns to Joe’s Pub for another salty night of songs and off-the-cuff stories, this time toasting the upcoming remake of A Star is Born. The epic Mx. Viv and their accompanying band celebrate the songs of Barbra Streisand, Lady Gaga and Judy Garland, weaving in reflections of their own childhood dreams of stardom along the way. Not to be missed.” (TONY)

Bill Charlap Trio (LAST DAY)
Village Vanguard, 178 Seventh Ave. S., at 11th St./ 8:30PM, +10:30PM, $35
“Melding spit-and-polish precision with low-simmering passion, this long-standing unit has evolved into the premier mainstream piano trio of its time. Charlap, who prizes interpretation above original composition, buffs up the ensemble’s songbook and jazz standards with an airborne momentum provided by two non-relative Washingtons: the bassist Peter and the drummer Kenny.” (Steve Futterman, NewYorker)

JIMMY GREENE (Sept. 14-16)
at Smoke / 7, 9 and 10:30 p.m., $40
“A leading tenor saxophonist in straight-ahead jazz, Mr. Greene plays his horn with the bountiful spirit of a Dexter Gordon, the clean energy of a Michael Brecker and sometimes the swagger of a Joshua Redman. He spends this weekend at Smoke with an all-star band: Renee Rosnes on piano, John Patitucci on bass, Rogerio Boccato on percussion and Jeff Watts on drums.” (NYT-GIOVANNI RUSSONELLO)

=========================================================

Smart Stuff / Other NYC Events
(Lectures/Discussions, Book Talks, Film, Classes, Food & Drink, Other)

Refinery Rooftop’s Endless Summer Party
Summer’s not over yet
Refinery Rooftop, 63 W. 38th St./ 12-3PM, $25
“Mother Nature can’t make us give up summer if we just keep doing summery things. It may not be beach weather this weekend, but you should still wear your seaside best to Refinery Rooftop’s Endless Summer Party with a cookout by Swingbelly’s BBQ, plus Montauk beer, a DJ and plenty of last-minute rooftop Insta opps. Your ticket includes one plate of barbecue and two drinks.” (Metro)

Not Manhattan’s WestSide, but it sure is Brooklyn’s WestSide and looks worth the detour:
Taste Williamsburg Greenpoint
Take a foodie tour of North Brooklyn
East River State Park, 90 Kent Ave./ 1-5PM, $55-$85
“Two of Brooklyn’s hottest foodie neighborhoods are throwing a joint festival of food this Sunday. Taste Williamsburg Greenpoint returns for its ninth season with a block party on the Williamsburg waterfront featuring more than 40 of the area’s restaurants, bars, breweries and wineries. Your ticket gets you a bite of everything; there will also be a special tent for L train alternatives, kids entertainment and exercise classes.” (Metro)

=======================================================

Continuing Events

Photoville (Sept.13-16 and 20-23)
Brooklyn’s outdoor photo garden is back
Dumbo’s Brooklyn Bridge Plaza, 4-10 p.m. Thurs/Fri;
noon-10 p.m. Sat.; noon-9 p.m. Sun
“Whatever the weather, don’t let it keep you from the spectacular outdoor exhibit that is Photoville, the annual survey of photography where more than 600 artists cram entertaining and eye-opening images into 90 exhibitions and installations. In addition to browsing your way through the 65 shipping containers making their home in Brooklyn Bridge Park for two weekends, make time for panels, artist lectures, professional seminars, hands-on workshops — all free and open to everyone. There’s also a food and beer garden courtesy of Smorgasburg. “ (Metro)

The Feast of San Gennaro (Sept.15-23)
Little Italy throws a two-week party (It’s the 92nd Annual Feast!)
Mulberry Street between Canal and Houston streets, FREE,
“You don’t have to be Catholic to take part in the Feast of San Gennaro, the 10-day holiday that turns Little Italy into one big street festival with delicacies being grilled up on the sidewalk, bakeries turning out their best traditional treats, live music nightly, eating contests and more.” (Metro)
11:30 a.m.-11 p.m. Sun-Thurs, to midnight Fri-Sat.
Find out what to eat at the Feast of San Gennaro here (cityguideny)

Oktoberfest NYC: Where to grab a beer and celebrate (Sept.22-Oct.15)
“Oktoberfest may seem far off, but it’s less than a month away. The Bavarian festival is kicking off Sept. 22 in Munich and the city’s festivities will begin in earnest.
So, if you’re looking for some lederhosen-laden action closer to home, here are beer-and-sausage-fueled affairs in New York City.” (amNY)
Check here for a full description of each of 11 events.

============================================================================
♦ 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 63 million visitors last year and was TripAdvisor’s Traveler’s Choice Top U.S. Destination for 2018 – awesome! 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.

=====================================================

Bonus NYC Music Venues:
So much fine live music every night in this town. These are my favorite non jazz music venues on Manhattan’s WestSide. Check out who’s playing tonight:

City Winery – 155 Varick St., citywinery.com, 212-608-0555
Joe’s Pub @ Public Theater – 425 Lafayette St., joespub.com, 212-967-7555
Beacon Theatre – 2124 Broadway @ 74th St., beacontheatre.com, 212-465-6500
Town Hall – 123 W43rd St., thetownhall.org, 212-997-6661
Le Poisson Rouge – 158 Bleecker St., lepoissonrouge.com, 212-505-3474
and one more, not quite WestSide
Bowery Ballroom – 6 Delancey St. boweryballroom.com,

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 discovery and enjoyment.

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.
===========================================================

NYCity Vacation Travel Guide Video (Expedia):

================================================================================

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.

Here are two exhibitions the New Yorker likes:

==========================================================

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 better to 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). OR try this NYT recommendation: “When you’re done, adjourn to the newly renovated Bottino , the Chelsea art world’s unofficial canteen on 10th Avenue (btw 24/25 St.) “

=======================================================
For other selected Museum and Gallery Special Exhibitions see recent posts in right sidebar dated 09/14 and 09/12.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

NYC Events,”Only the Best” (09/15) + Today’s Featured Pub (WestVillage)

Posted on 09/15/2018 by GregD

Today’s Sweet 6 NYC Events > SATURDAY/ SEPTEMBER 15, 2018

“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: “NYC Events-September”
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.

==========================================================

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

2001: A Space Odyssey: Live (Sept.14-15)
New York Philharmonic
Lincoln Center, David Geffen Hall / 8PM, $45+
“Experience this spectacle of sight and sound as the New York Philharmonic performs classical favorites ranging from Richard Strauss’s Also sprach Zarathustra and Johann Strauss II’s On the Beautiful Blue Danube to Ligeti’s Atmosphères alongside a screening of Stanley Kubrick’s landmark science-fiction classic.”

=========================================================
5 OTHER TOP NYC EVENTS TODAY (see below for full listing)
>> American Roots: Mark O’Connor Band & Friends
>> Bill Charlap Trio
>> JIMMY GREENE
>>  Joey DeFrancesco 
>> Prost to Oktoberfest in Central Park
Continuing Events
>> mm
>> Oktoberfest NYC
========================================================

Music, Dance, Performing Arts

American Roots: Mark O’Connor Band & Friends (Sept.14-15)
The Appel Room, Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Rose Hall / 9:30PM, $22+
“Fiddle virtuoso Mark O’Connor leads a rousing exploration of early American music and its relationship to jazz, highlighting connections between the blues, bluegrass, Cajun, gospel, folk, spirituals, western swing, contemporary jazz, and more. Winner of three Grammy Awards and seven Country Music Awards, O’Connor is the preeminent entertainer and scholar of this diverse but unified musical heritage.”

Bill Charlap Trio (Sept.11-16)
Village Vanguard, 178 Seventh Ave. S., at 11th St./
“Melding spit-and-polish precision with low-simmering passion, this long-standing unit has evolved into the premier mainstream piano trio of its time. Charlap, who prizes interpretation above original composition, buffs up the ensemble’s songbook and jazz standards with an airborne momentum provided by two non-relative Washingtons: the bassist Peter and the drummer Kenny.” (Steve Futterman, NewYorker)

JIMMY GREENE (Sept. 14-16)
at Smoke / 7, 9 and 10:30 p.m., $40
“A leading tenor saxophonist in straight-ahead jazz, Mr. Greene plays his horn with the bountiful spirit of a Dexter Gordon, the clean energy of a Michael Brecker and sometimes the swagger of a Joshua Redman. He spends this weekend at Smoke with an all-star band: Renee Rosnes on piano, John Patitucci on bass, Rogerio Boccato on percussion and Jeff Watts on drums.” (NYT-GIOVANNI RUSSONELLO)

Joey DeFrancesco (Sept. 11-15)
Birdland / 8:30PM, +11PM, $40
“The organ trio has exerted a hold on the public imagination ever since Jimmy Smith roared out of Philadelphia, his feet pumping bass lines on the pedals, in 1956. DeFrancesco, another Philly keyboard whiz, joins up with the guitarist Mark Whitfield and the drummer Terri Lyne Carrington to uphold the tradition, while adding a few contemporary touches.” (Steve Futterman, NewYorker)

=========================================================

Smart Stuff / Other NYC Events
(Lectures/Discussions, Book Talks, Film, Classes, Food & Drink, Other)

Prost to Oktoberfest in Central Park
FREE to watch the parade, noon-3 p.m.,
$35 entry to the beer garden, 1:30-7 p.m.,
“The normally buttoned-up Upper East Side gets a little crazy this Saturday when the lederhosen and tracht-wearing revelers from the U.S., Germany, Austria and Switzerland take over Fifth Avenue from 65th to 86th streets for a three-hour parade of historic floats, marching bands, dancing and more. Watch the fun then raise your own stein of authentic brews at a beer garden in Central Park’s Rumsey Playfield.” (Metro)

=======================================================

Continuing Events

Photoville (Sept.13-16 and 20-23)
Brooklyn’s outdoor photo garden is back
Dumbo’s Brooklyn Bridge Plaza, 4-10 p.m. Thurs/Fri;
noon-10 p.m. Sat.; noon-9 p.m. Sun
“Whatever the weather, don’t let it keep you from the spectacular outdoor exhibit that is Photoville, the annual survey of photography where more than 600 artists cram entertaining and eye-opening images into 90 exhibitions and installations. In addition to browsing your way through the 65 shipping containers making their home in Brooklyn Bridge Park for two weekends, make time for panels, artist lectures, professional seminars, hands-on workshops — all free and open to everyone. There’s also a food and beer garden courtesy of Smorgasburg. “ (Metro)

The Feast of San Gennaro (Sept.15-23)
Little Italy throws a two-week party (92nd Annual Feast!)
Mulberry Street between Canal and Houston streets, FREE,
“You don’t have to be Catholic to take part in the Feast of San Gennaro, the 10-day holiday that turns Little Italy into one big street festival with delicacies being grilled up on the sidewalk, bakeries turning out their best traditional treats, live music nightly, eating contests and more.” (Metro)
11:30 a.m.-11 p.m. Sun-Thurs, to midnight Fri-Sat.
Find out what to eat at the Feast of San Gennaro here (cityguideny)

Oktoberfest NYC: Where to grab a beer and celebrate (Sept.22-Oct.15)
“Oktoberfest may seem far off, but it’s less than a month away. The Bavarian festival is kicking off Sept. 22 in Munich and the city’s festivities will begin in earnest.
So, if you’re looking for some lederhosen-laden action closer to home, here are beer-and-sausage-fueled affairs in New York City.” (amNY)
Check here for a full description of each of 11 events.

==========================================================================
♦ 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 63 million visitors last year and was TripAdvisor’s Traveler’s Choice Top U.S. Destination for 2018 – awesome! 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.

=====================================================
Bonus: Nifty 9 – Best Cabarets / Piano Bars NYCity
These are my favorite places for an after dinner night on the town – music and drinks.
Hit the Hot Link and check out what’s happening tonight:

Feinstein’s/54 Below – 254 W 54th St.

The Green Room 42 – 570 Tenth Ave.

Don’t Tell Mama – 343 W 46th St.

The Rum House, in the Hotel Edison – 228 W. 47th St.

Laurie Beechman Theatre – 407 W 42nd St.

Marie’s Crisis – 59 Grove St.

The Duplex – 61 Christopher St.

Sid Gold’s Request Room – 165 W 26th St.

Cafe Carlyle, in the Carlyle Hotel – 35 E. 76th St.
This is the only one not located on Manhattan’s WestSide, and it ain’t cheap, but it has some of the finest singers.

========================================================

NYCity Vacation Travel Guide Video (Expedia):

================================================================================

A PremierPub / West Village

Corner Bistro / 331 W. 4th St.

Sometimes you just need a beer and a burger. If so, Corner Bistro is the place you want. Located just outside the hip Meatpacking district, this corner bar and grill is decidedly unhip, but it’s not uncrowded, especially at night. Seems that everyone knows this place has one of the better burgers in town.

kac_120405_phude_corner_bistro_bar_1000-600x450In the maze of streets known as the West Village, where West 4th intersects with West 12th (and West 11th, and West 10th, go figure), you will eventually find Corner Bistro on the corner of West 4th and Jane Street. An unassuming neighborhood tavern, it looks just like dozens of other taverns around town.

The bartender tells me that the Corner Bistro celebrated it’s 50th anniversary last year. The well worn interior tells me that the place itself is much older.

Corner Bistro has outlasted many of those other taverns around town because they know how to keep it simple — just good burgers and beer, fairly priced. The classic bistro Burger is only $6.75, and should be ordered medium rare, which will be plenty rare for most folks. Actually, it will be a juicy, messy delight – make sure you have extra napkins. I like to pull up a stool and sit by the large front window in the afternoon, where I can rest my burger and beer on the shelf, and watch the Villagers walk by.

Corner Bistro seems to attract very different groups of patrons depending on time of day. While it’s crowded with locals in the evening, in the afternoon you hear different foreign languages, and watch groups of euro tourists wander in, led by their guidebooks and smartphones.

For the classic Bistro experience, order your burger with a McSorley’s draft, the dark preferably. This is the same beer that you can get over at the original McSorley’s in the East Village, the pub that claims to be the oldest continually operating bar in NYCity. The only difference is that this McSorley’s ale is served with a smile by the bartenders here. Or you can get a Sierra Nevada, Stella, or Hoegaarden on tap if you want to go upscale a bit. Either way this is a simple, but quality burger and beer experience that is just too rare these days (sorry for the pun).
=========================================================
Website: cornerbistrony.com
Phone #: 212-242-9502
Hours: 11:30am-4am Mon-Sat; 12pm-4am Sun
Happy Hour: NO
Music: Juke Box
Subway: #1/2/3 to 14th St. (S end of platform)
Walk 2 blk W. on 13th St. to 8th Ave.; 1 blk S. on 8th Ave. to Jane St.
Update:
==============================================================
“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.
===========================================================================
Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged | Leave a comment

NYC Events,”Only the Best” (09/14) + Museum Special Exhibitions: Manhattan’s 5th Avenue

Posted on 09/14/2018 by GregD

Today’s Elite 8 NYC Events > FRIDAY/ SEPTEMBER 14, 2018

“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: “NYC Events-September”
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.

==========================================================

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

Bill Charlap Trio (Sept.11-16)
Village Vanguard, 178 Seventh Ave. S., at 11th St./
“Melding spit-and-polish precision with low-simmering passion, this long-standing unit has evolved into the premier mainstream piano trio of its time. Charlap, who prizes interpretation above original composition, buffs up the ensemble’s songbook and jazz standards with an airborne momentum provided by two non-relative Washingtons: the bassist Peter and the drummer Kenny.” (Steve Futterman, NewYorker)

=========================================================
7 OTHER TOP NYC EVENTS TODAY (see below for full listing)
>> American Roots: Mark O’Connor Band & Friends
>> 2001: A Space Odyssey: Live
>>JONATHAN FINLAYSON
>> JIMMY GREENE
>> Linda Eder
>>  Joey DeFrancesco 
>> Raquel Cion:
Continuing Events
>> mm
>> Oktoberfest NYC
========================================================

Music, Dance, Performing Arts

American Roots: Mark O’Connor Band & Friends (Sept.14-15)
The Appel Room, Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Rose Hall / 7PM, +9:30PM, $22+
“Fiddle virtuoso Mark O’Connor leads a rousing exploration of early American music and its relationship to jazz, highlighting connections between the blues, bluegrass, Cajun, gospel, folk, spirituals, western swing, contemporary jazz, and more. Winner of three Grammy Awards and seven Country Music Awards, O’Connor is the preeminent entertainer and scholar of this diverse but unified musical heritage.”

2001: A Space Odyssey: Live (Sept.14-15)
New York Philharmonic
Lincoln Center, David Geffen Hall / 8PM, $45+
“Experience this spectacle of sight and sound as the New York Philharmonic performs classical favorites ranging from Richard Strauss’s Also sprach Zarathustra and Johann Strauss II’s On the Beautiful Blue Danube to Ligeti’s Atmosphères alongside a screening of Stanley Kubrick’s landmark science-fiction classic.”

JONATHAN FINLAYSON
at Greater Calvary Baptist Church / 7PM, +8PM, $20
“Next month Mr. Finlayson will release “3 Times Round,” an album featuring a powerful new sextet, in which well-placed, almost pugilistic movements carry a Zen-like purpose. Half of the credit for that goes to Mr. Finlayson’s entangled, houndstooth compositions. The rest goes to his band, a top-flight crew of 30- and 40-something improvisers. For this performance, part of Craig Harris’s Harlem Jazz Boxx series, Mr. Finlayson plays with a smaller but promising band, featuring David Bryant on piano, John Hébert on bass and Tim Angulo on drums.” (NYT-GIOVANNI RUSSONELLO)

JIMMY GREENE (Sept. 14-16)
at Smoke / 7, 9 and 10:30 p.m., $40
“A leading tenor saxophonist in straight-ahead jazz, Mr. Greene plays his horn with the bountiful spirit of a Dexter Gordon, the clean energy of a Michael Brecker and sometimes the swagger of a Joshua Redman. He spends this weekend at Smoke with an all-star band: Renee Rosnes on piano, John Patitucci on bass, Rogerio Boccato on percussion and Jeff Watts on drums.” (NYT-GIOVANNI RUSSONELLO)

Linda Eder (Sept.12-14)
Feinstein’s/54 Below / 7PM, $90+
“Linda Eder—the Star Search songstress turned Broadway and concert star—has never been known for the subtlety of her approach, which can be boiled down to two steps: (1) Stand, and (2) Sing. But gee whiz, the lady can really belt a number. Her current set includes selections from her latest solo album, If You See Me.” (TONY)

Joey DeFrancesco (Sept. 11-15)
Birdland / 8:30PM, +11PM, $40
“The organ trio has exerted a hold on the public imagination ever since Jimmy Smith roared out of Philadelphia, his feet pumping bass lines on the pedals, in 1956. DeFrancesco, another Philly keyboard whiz, joins up with the guitarist Mark Whitfield and the drummer Terri Lyne Carrington to uphold the tradition, while adding a few contemporary touches.” (Steve Futterman, NewYorker)

Raquel Cion: Me & Mr. Jones—My Intimate Relationship with David Bowie
Pangea / 9:30PM, $25
“Alt-cabaret siren Cion explores inner and outer spaces in a reprise her tribute to shape-shifting rock icon David Bowie.” (TONY)

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Smart Stuff / Other NYC Events
(Lectures/Discussions, Book Talks, Film, Classes, Food & Drink, Other)

More smart stuff coming soon.

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Continuing Events

Photoville (Sept.13-16 and 20-23)
Brooklyn’s outdoor photo garden is back
Dumbo’s Brooklyn Bridge Plaza, 4-10 p.m. Thurs/Fri;
noon-10 p.m. Sat.; noon-9 p.m. Sun
“Whatever the weather, don’t let it keep you from the spectacular outdoor exhibit that is Photoville, the annual survey of photography where more than 600 artists cram entertaining and eye-opening images into 90 exhibitions and installations. In addition to browsing your way through the 65 shipping containers making their home in Brooklyn Bridge Park for two weekends, make time for panels, artist lectures, professional seminars, hands-on workshops — all free and open to everyone. There’s also a food and beer garden courtesy of Smorgasburg. “ (Metro)

Oktoberfest NYC: Where to grab a beer and celebrate (Sept.22-Oct.15)
“Oktoberfest may seem far off, but it’s less than a month away. The Bavarian festival is kicking off Sept. 22 in Munich and the city’s festivities will begin in earnest.
So, if you’re looking for some lederhosen-laden action closer to home, here are beer-and-sausage-fueled affairs in New York City.” (amNY)
Check here for a full description of each of 11 events.

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♦ 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 63 million visitors last year and was TripAdvisor’s Traveler’s Choice Top U.S. Destination for 2018 – awesome! 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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Bonus NYC events– 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:
(5 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)
Cornelia Street Cafe – UG, 29 Cornelia St. corneliastreetcafe.com, 212-989-9319 (6pm)

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)

Special Mention:
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 surprises with a wonderfully eclectic lineup. It’s 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.

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NYCity Vacation Travel Guide Video (Expedia):

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WHAT’S ON VIEW
These are My Fave Special Exhibitions @ MUSEUMS / Manhattan’s Fifth Avenue
(See the New York Times Arts Section for listings of all museum exhibitions,
and also see the expanded reviews of these exhibitions)

Jewish Museum

‘SCENES FROM THE COLLECTION’  “After a surgical renovation to its grand pile on Fifth Avenue, the Jewish Museum has reopened its third-floor galleries with a rethought and refreshed display of its permanent collection, which intermingles modern and contemporary art, by Jews and gentiles alike — Mark Rothko, Lee Krasner, Nan Goldin, Cindy Sherman, and the excellent young Nigerian draftswoman Ruby Onyinyechi Amanze — with 4,000 years of Judaica. The works are shown in a nimble, non-chronological suite of galleries, and some of its century-spanning juxtapositions are bracing; others feel reductive, even dilletantish. But always, the Jewish Museum conceives of art and religion as interlocking elements of a story of civilization, commendably open to new influences and new interpretations.” (Farago) 212-423-3200, thejewishmuseum.org

Museum of the City of New York

NY AT ITS CORE (ongoing)
“Ten years in the making, New York at Its Core tells the compelling story of New York’s rise from a striving Dutch village to today’s “Capital of the World.” The exhibition captures the human energy that drove New York to become a city like no other and a subject of fascination the world over. Entertaining, inspiring, important, and at times bemusing, New York City “big personalities,” including Alexander Hamilton, Walt Whitman, Boss Tweed, Emma Goldman, JP Morgan, Fiorello La Guardia, Jane Jacobs, Jay-Z, and dozens more, parade through the exhibition. Visitors will also learn the stories of lesser-known New York personalities, like Lenape chieftain Penhawitz and Italian immigrant Susie Rocco. Even animals like the horse, the pig, the beaver, and the oyster, which played pivotal roles in the economy and daily life of New York, get their moment in the historical spotlight. Occupying the entire first floor in three interactive galleries (Port City, 1609-1898, World City, 1898-2012, and Future City Lab) New York at Its Core is shaped by four themes: money, density, diversity, and creativity. Together, they provide a lens for examining the character of the city, and underlie the modern global metropolis we know today. mcny.org” (NYCity Guide)

and you should be sure to check out these special exhibitions at that little museum on Fifth Ave., The Metropolitan Museum of Art
(open 7 days /week, AND always Pay What You Wish for NewYorkers)

‘OBSESSION: NUDES BY KLIMT, SCHIELE AND PICASSO’ Note this is at the Met Breuer (through Oct. 7). “The highlight of this uneven but jewel-studded show of erotically charged nudes from the bequest of an eccentric woolen goods heir is Egon Schiele’s incandescent “Seated Woman in Chemise.” The 1914 drawing shows a nearly naked model seated on the floor holding apart her folded legs with her hands. From the top of her egg-shaped, doll-like head, so idealized it’s practically inhuman, to the blunt exposure of her sex, rendered as simply and honestly as the medium allows, she’s an unresolvable contest of fantasy and reality” (Will Heinrich)
212-731-1675, metmuseum.org

‘HEAVENLY BODIES: FASHION AND THE CATHOLIC IMAGINATION’  (through Oct. 8). “Let us pray. After last year’s stark exhibition of Rei Kawakubo’s irregular apparel, the Met Costume Institute is back in blockbuster mode with this three-part blowout on the influence of Catholicism on haute couture of the last century. The trinity of fashion begins downstairs at the Met with the exceptional loans of vestments from the Vatican; upstairs are gowns fit for angels in heaven (by Lanvin, Thierry Mugler, Rodarte) or angels fallen to earth (such as slinky Versace sheaths garlanded with crosses). The scenography at the Met is willfully operatic — spotlights, choir music — which militates against serious thinking about fashion and religion, but up at the Cloisters, by far the strongest third of the show, you can commune more peacefully with an immaculate Balenciaga wedding gown or a divine Valentino gown embroidered with Cranac’s Adam and Eve.” (Farago)

‘CROWNS OF THE VAJRA MASTERS: RITUAL ART OF NEPAL’ (through Dec. 16). “Up a narrow staircase, above the Met’s galleries of South and Southeast Asian art, are three small rooms of art from the Himalayas. The space, a bit like a treehouse, is a capsule of spiritual energy, which is especially potent these days thanks to this exhibition. The crowns of the title look like antique versions of astronaut headgear: gilded copper helmets, studded with gems, encrusted with repoussé plaques and topped by five-pronged antennas — the vajra, or thunderbolt of wisdom. Such crowns were believed to turn their wearers into perfected beings who are willing and able to bestow blessings on the world. This show is the first to focus on these crowns, and it does so with a wealth of compressed historical information, as well as several resplendent related sculptures and paintings from Nepal and Tibet. But it’s the crowns themselves, the real ones, the wisdom generators, set in mandala formation in the center of the gallery, that are the fascinators.” (Holland Cotter)

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Museum Mile is a section of Fifth Avenue which contains one of the densest displays of culture in the world. Eight museums can be found along this section of Fifth Avenue:
• 105th Street – El Museo del Barrio (closed Sun-Mon)*
• 103rd Street – Museum of the City of New York (open 7 days /week)
•  92nd Street – The Jewish Museum (closed Wed) (Sat FREE) (Thu 5-8 PWYW)
•  91st Street  –  Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum (open 7 days /week)
•  89th Street –  National Academy Museum (closed Mon-Tue)
•  88th Street –  Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum (closed Thu) (Sat 6-8 PWYW)
•  86th Street –  Neue Galerie New York (closed Tue-Wed) (Fri 6-8 FREE)
Last, but certainly not least, America’s premier museum
•  82nd Street – The Metropolitan Museum of Art (open 7 days /week)*
*always Pay What You Wish (PWYW) for NewYorkers

Although technically not part of the Museum Mile, the Frick Collection (closed Mon) (Wed 2-6pm PWYW; First Friday each month (exc Jan+Sep) 6-9pm FREE) on the corner of 70th St. and Fifth Avenue and the The Morgan Library & Museum (closed Mon) (Fri 7-9 FREE) on Madison Ave and 37th St are also located near Fifth Ave.
Now plan your own museum crawl (info on hours & admission updated June 2, 2015).
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For other selected Museum and Gallery Special Exhibitions see Recent Posts in right Sidebar dated 09/10 and 09/12.
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