NYCity 1-2-3 : What's Happening / Manhattan's WestSide

NYC Events,”Only the Best” (08/16) + GallerySpecialExhibits: Chelsea

Posted on 08/16/2017 by GregD

Today’s Super 7 NYC Events > WEDNESDAY/ AUGUST 16, 2017

“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 be sure to check the tab above: “Notable NYC Events-August”
It’s the most comprehensive list of top events this month that you’ll find anywhere.

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

TRIO DA PAZ AND FRIENDS (Aug. 15-20 and 22-27)
Dizzy’s Club / 7:30PM, +9:30PM, $40
“Trio Da Paz has been around for 31 years, and it’s held down a summer residency at Dizzy’s for the last 10. With Romero Lubambo on guitar, Nilson Matta on bass and Duduka Da Fonseca on drums, the group calls its music “samba jazz.” It’s not false advertising; the triumvirate is given to up-tempo excursions, high on friction — not the lilting bossa nova that you might expect from a Brazilian guitar trio. These comrades will find new angles of engagement over their two-week run, during which they will welcome various special guests on different nights, including the vocalist Maucha Adnet and the trumpeter Claudio Roditi.” (NYT-GIOVANNI RUSSONELLO)

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6 OTHER TOP NYC EVENTS TODAY (see below for full listing)
>>BATTERY DANCE FESTIVAL
>>Atlas Circus Company
>>Billy Hart Quartet
>>Songbook Summit
>>H. W. Brands | The General vs The President: MacArthur and Truman at the Brink of Nuclear War
>>Cash or Crash: Investing in the Drone Revolution
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Music, Dance, Performing Arts

BATTERY DANCE FESTIVAL
at Robert F. Wagner Jr. Park (Aug. 13-18) 7PM, FREE
and the Schimmel Center (Aug. 19, 6PM).
“For the first six nights of this weeklong festival, which is now in its 36th year, Battery Dance, in association with the Battery Park City Authority, has arranged a glorious backdrop for moving bodies: New York Harbor. Mixed bills feature an eclectic lineup that includes Danuka Ariyawansa and Behri Drums and Dance Ensemble from Sri Lanka; Bollylicious, a Belgium-based collective; and Mophato Dance Theater, an Afro-fusion and contemporary dance company from Botswana. There will be local groups too, like Janis Brenner & Dancers, Peridance Contemporary Dance Company, and, of course, Battery Dance. On Tuesday, the organization teams up with the Indo-American Arts Council to offer a showcase of Indian dance artists.” (NYT-GIA KOURLAS)

Atlas Circus Company
Dixon Place, / 7:30PM, $18–$25
“You thought “Get Lucky” was just a Daft Punk song. It’s also the rallying cry for a young circus troupe out of Allentown, whose new Lucky, their third full-length work, runs through August 16 in this welcoming subterranean space. Atlas’s previous undertaking, Wild, followed the classic story of a juggle-happy kid who runs away to join the circus and finds himself in a wooded glade with aerial acrobats, clowns, other jugglers, and some really touching plot twists. Lucky, created by Thomas McCarthy and Henry Evans, aims to provide “meaningful narrative,” combining theater, dance, and circus arts into a hilarious experience for all ages; it features a man who can’t stop falling on his face trying to navigate the challenges of city life. David Evans provides original music, and Tyler Holoboski choreographs.” (Elizabeth Zimmer, VillageVoice)

Billy Hart Quartet (thru Aug.20)
VILLAGE VANGUARD / 8:30PM, 10:30PM; $30
“As a sideman, drummer Billy Hart played on some of the heaviest, headiest jazz albums of the late Sixties and early Seventies, including Karma by Pharoah Sanders, Herbie Hancock’s Mwandishi, and the Miles Davis psych-bop classic On the Corner. Yet, as a leader, there is a sense of warmth and beauty to his oeuvre that jibes more with Hart’s time with Stan Getz in the late Seventies — particularly when he’s in the company of his longtime quartet, rounded out by Ethan Iverson on piano, bassist Ben Street, and saxophonist Mark Turner. Six months after a successful run at the Jazz Standard, the BHQ head downtown to the Vanguard, a place where Billy has banged the drums countless times before. And since they’re three years removed from the release of their 2014 LP on ECM, One Is the Other, we can only hope this six-night residency (which also promises special-guest appearances) will debut some new material for their next record as well.” (Ron Hart, VillageVoice)

Songbook Summit
59E59 Theaters,/ 7PM, $35
“It’s delightful, it’s delicious, it’s de-lovely.
Will Anderson and Peter Anderson are identical twins who play the saxophone and clarinet. They will perform in a six-piece ensemble throughout August highlighting four great American composers: Cole Porter, Harold Arlen, George Gershwin, and Richard Rodgers. The first week is Porter, so anything goes!

“Virtuosos on clarinet and saxophone,” (The New York Times) identical twins Peter & Will Anderson return to 59E59 Theaters by popular demand for a celebration of the great American Songbook. Shining the spotlight on the work of four of its most distinguished composers (one composer each week), a 6-piece ensemble featuring vocalist Molly Ryan will perform hits such as ‘Summertime’, ‘My Favorite Things’, ‘Night & Day’,’Somewhere Over the Rainbow’, and ‘Rhapsody in Blue’.
August 15 – 20: George Gershwin
Featuring ‘Rhapsody in Blue’, ‘Summertime’, ‘I Got Rhythm’, ‘They Can’t Take That Away from Me’, ‘Our Love is Here to Stay’, and more!

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

H. W. Brands | The General vs The President: MacArthur and Truman at the Brink of Nuclear War
Bryant Park Reading Room / 7PM, FREE
Between 40th & 42nd Sts. and Fifth and Sixth Aves.
Delve into American history at this event on the conflict between Gen. MacArthur and former President Harry Truman.
A lecture series on American history through the eyes of preeminent historians. Produced in partnership with New-York Historical Society.(ThoughtGallery.org)

Cash or Crash: Investing in the Drone Revolution
at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum / 7:30PM, $10
“A game show event about investing in the technology.
Become an investor for the evening, and take a (simulated!) gamble on the drone start-up market! In this interactive experience, teams of investors will hear pitches from entrepreneurs—four ingenious start-ups in need of funding. As a player, you’ll ask questions, assess the potential value of their technology and decide how much your team is willing to invest. The investment opportunities are based on actual case studies—some never got off the ground, some received funding and took off, and others failed. Your bank account will go up or down as your investments cash out or crash.”
Beer and wine will be available for purchase. Ages 21+.
Explore our new exhibition Drones: Is the Sky the Limit? before the game, beginning at 6:00pm

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Bonus NYC events– Jazz Venues:
Many consider NYCity the Jazz capital of the world. Here are my favorite Jazz clubs, all on Manhattan’s WestSide. Check out who is playing tonight:

Greenwich Village:
(5 are underground, classic jazz joints. all 6 are within walking distance of each other):
Village Vanguard – UG, 178 7th Ave. South, villagevanguard.com, 212-255-4037
Blue Note – 131 W3rd St. nr 6th ave. bluenotejazz.com, 212-475-8592
55 Bar – basement @55 Christopher St. nr 7th ave.S. 55bar.com, 212-929-9883
Mezzrow – basement @ 163 W10th St. nr 7th Ave. mezzrow.com,646-476-4346
Smalls – basement @ 183 W10th St. smallslive.com, 646-476-4346
Cornelia Street Cafe – UG, 29 Cornelia St. corneliastreetcafe.com, 212-989-9319

Outside Greenwich Village:
Dizzy’s Club – Broadway @ 60th St. — jazz.org/dizzys / 212-258-9595
Birdland – 315 W44th St.(btw 8/9ave) — birdlandjazz.com / 212-581-3080
Smoke Jazz Club – 2751 Broadway nr.106th St. — smokejazz.com / 212-864-6662

Special Mention:
Caffe Vivaldi – 32 Jones St. nr Bleecker St. — caffevivaldi.com / 212-691-7538
a classic, old jazz club in the Village, Caffe V often surprises with a wonderfully eclectic lineup. It’s my favorite spot for an evening of listening enjoyment and discovery.

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♦ Before making final plans, we suggest you call the venue to confirm ticket availability, dates and times, as schedules are subject to change.
♦ NYCity, with a population of 8.5 million, had a record 60 million visitors last year and was TripAdvisor’s Traveler’s Choice Top U.S. Destination for 2017. Quality shows draw crowds.
Try to reserve seats for these top NYC events in advance, even if just on day of performance.

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 is one exhibition the New Yorker really likes:

“Cells” (Jun. 28-Aug. 11)
Boesky, 509 W. 24th St./ Chelsea
“This ten-person show of works that flirt with functionality is as fun as a visit to Pee-wee’s Playhouse. The splendidly weird designs of the Haas Brothers include several “Zoidberg lamps,” silver-plated fixtures ringed with bulbous protuberances reminiscent of their namesake, a crustaceanlike alien on the cult T.V. show “Futurama.” Jessica Jackson Hutchins’s low ceramic tables are simultaneously heavy, delicate, busy, minimal, and unstable. Jackie Brookner contributes wooden seating, coated with crusts of black earth and sporting red-velvet tongues. A ten-foot-wide cotton embroidery by Cosima von Bonin, which involves a cigarette smoker, a cartoonish critter, and disembodied white gloves, hangs on the wall like a quilt awaiting a wild night’s sleep.”

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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 the 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.) “

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For other selected Museum and Gallery Special Exhibitions see recent posts in right sidebar dated 08/14 and 08/12.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Battery Dance Festival, Cash or Crash: Investing in the Drone Revolution, H. W. Brands | The General vs The President: MacArthur and Truman at the Brink of Nuclear War, Trio da Paz and Friends | Leave a comment

NYC Events,”Only the Best” (08/15) + Today’s Featured Pub (Times Square / Theater District)

Posted on 08/15/2017 by GregD

Today’s Elite 8 NYC Events > TUESDAY/ AUGUST 15, 2017

“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 be sure to check the tab above: “Notable NYC Events-August”
It’s the most comprehensive list of top events this month that you’ll find anywhere.

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

Atlas Circus Company (also Aug.16)
Dixon Place, / 7:30PM, $18–$25
“You thought “Get Lucky” was just a Daft Punk song. It’s also the rallying cry for a young circus troupe out of Allentown, whose new Lucky, their third full-length work, runs through August 16 in this welcoming subterranean space. Atlas’s previous undertaking, Wild, followed the classic story of a juggle-happy kid who runs away to join the circus and finds himself in a wooded glade with aerial acrobats, clowns, other jugglers, and some really touching plot twists. Lucky, created by Thomas McCarthy and Henry Evans, aims to provide “meaningful narrative,” combining theater, dance, and circus arts into a hilarious experience for all ages; it features a man who can’t stop falling on his face trying to navigate the challenges of city life. David Evans provides original music, and Tyler Holoboski choreographs.” (Elizabeth Zimmer, VillageVoice)

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

7 OTHER TOP NYC EVENTS TODAY (see below for full listing)
>>Billy Hart Quartet
>>Erasing Borders Festival of Indian Dance
>>Jazzmobile
>>Songbook Summit
>>Glenn Tilbrook
>>Jarett Kobek: The Future Won’t Be Long
>>Summer of Know: Artificial Intelligence, Simulation, and Esoteric Knowledge and Practices in Art
===========================================================

Music, Dance, Performing Arts

Billy Hart Quartet
VILLAGE VANGUARD / 8:30PM, 10:30PM; $30
“As a sideman, drummer Billy Hart played on some of the heaviest, headiest jazz albums of the late Sixties and early Seventies, including Karma by Pharoah Sanders, Herbie Hancock’s Mwandishi, and the Miles Davis psych-bop classic On the Corner. Yet, as a leader, there is a sense of warmth and beauty to his oeuvre that jibes more with Hart’s time with Stan Getz in the late Seventies — particularly when he’s in the company of his longtime quartet, rounded out by Ethan Iverson on piano, bassist Ben Street, and saxophonist Mark Turner. Six months after a successful run at the Jazz Standard, the BHQ head downtown to the Vanguard, a place where Billy has banged the drums countless times before. And since they’re three years removed from the release of their 2014 LP on ECM, One Is the Other, we can only hope this six-night residency (which also promises special-guest appearances) will debut some new material for their next record as well.” (Ron Hart, VillageVoice)

Erasing Borders Festival of Indian Dance
Robert F. Wagner Jr. Park / 7PM, FREE
“This festival of classical Indian dance is a two-part celebration. On Monday, the Indo-American Arts Council presents an indoor showcase that includes the Bharatanatyam duo Viraja and Shyamjith Kiran; the soloist Ashwini Ramaswamy; and Parul Shah, a Kathak dancer and choreographer. On Tuesday, Erasing Borders is presented as part of the Battery Dance Festival. Artists taking part include Aakansha Maheshwari and Malini Taneja, known for their performances in the Festival of Colors tour, and Dimple Saikia, a Sattriya dancer.” (NYT- GIA KOURLAS)

Jazzmobile
Brooklyn Bridge Park, Pier 1 Harbor View Lawn / 7PM, FREE
“New York’s favorite traveling jazz venue, Jazzmobile, is returning to Brooklyn Bridge Park with The Eric Person Band, Jazz Master Houston Person, and special guests Central Brooklyn Jazz Consortium.” Head over to this free event, bring a blanket, and get ready to hear some of the best tunes around! Jazzmobile, founded in 1964 and based in New York, is an outreach organization that aims to spread jazz to the largest possible audiences by creating special events like this one. If you’re a jazz fan and have never attended one of their events, now’s the time to see what they’re all about!”
Trust Me: The Harbor View lawn is a spectacular location to hear great music.

“Virtuosos on clarinet and saxophone,” (The New York Times) identical twins Peter & Will Anderson return to 59E59 Theaters by popular demand for a celebration of the great American Songbook. Shining the spotlight on the work of four of its most distinguished composers (one composer each week), a 6-piece ensemble featuring vocalist Molly Ryan will perform hits such as ‘Summertime’, ‘My Favorite Things’, ‘Night & Day’,’Somewhere Over the Rainbow’, and ‘Rhapsody in Blue’.
August 15 – 20: George Gershwin
Featuring ‘Rhapsody in Blue’, ‘Summertime’, ‘I Got Rhythm’, ‘They Can’t Take That Away from Me’, ‘Our Love is Here to Stay’, and more!

Glenn Tilbrook (of Squeeze)
at City Winery / 8PM, $32-$45
“Co-songwriter and lead singer for Squeeze, Glenn Tilbrook has a great catalog of songs to pull from and is quite the raconteur as well. Expect lots of songs and stories at this intimate show tonight.”
“Don’t be fooled by the title of Glenn Tilbrook’s latest album, Happy Ending, or at least not all of it. He’s happy, of course, and why wouldn’t he be? He’s more than earned his place at pop’s top table as one of our most cherished singers, guitarists and songwriters, not to mention an in-demand and endlessly endearing live performer.” (BrooklynVegan)

Let’s not forget this wonderful continuing event:

Dave Chappelle Live feat. very special guest (thru Aug 24 with various guests)
at Radio City Music Hall / 8PM, $55+
“For years withdrawn from public life, Mr. Chappelle is touring once again, bringing his insightful and often controversial comedy to his legion of fans. Over the course of a three-week residency, he will perform alongside comics including Chris Rock, Trevor Noah and Ali Wong, as well as musical guests like Erykah Badu, Chance the Rapper and Lauryn Hill.” (ELISE CZAJKOWSKI-NYT)

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

Jarett Kobek: The Future Won’t Be Long (w/ Ivy Pochoda)
Strand Bookstore, 828 Broadway./ 7PM, FREE
“Last year, Jarett Kobek self-published “I Hate the Internet,” a dig at Silicon Valley culture, the digital-clout economy, and the changes to society both forces have wrought. The book found a wide audience, including Bret Easton Ellis and several Pitchfork columnists. Kobek has followed it up with “The Future Won’t Be Long,” a novel that throws its two protagonists into the WiFi-less New York art world of the nineteen-eighties, where their friendship is tested by the ebb and flow of the city’s night-life scenes. If the Internet has eroded our sense of closeness, the author seems to wonder, how close were we to begin with? He appears in conversation with Ivy Pochoda, a Brooklyn native and the author of “Visitation Street.””

Summer of Know: Artificial Intelligence, Simulation, and Esoteric Knowledge and Practices in Art
Guggenheim Museum, 1071 Fifth Ave. (at 89th St.) / 6:30PM,
Free with museum admission
“Artist Ian Cheng and Kenric McDowell, Artists and Machine Intelligence at Google, discuss the role of artificial intelligence, simulation, and esoteric knowledge and practices in art. Moderated by Troy Conrad Therrien, Curator, Architecture and Digital Initiatives.”

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

City Winery – 155 Varick St., citywinery.com, 212-608-0555
Feinstein’s/54 Below – 254 W54th St., 54below.com, 646-476-3551
Joe’s Pub @ Public Theater – 425 Lafayette St., joespub.com, 212-967-7555
Metropolitan Room – 34W22ndSt., metropolitan room.com, 212-206-0440
Beacon Theatre – 2124 Broadway @ 74th St., beacontheatre.com, 212-465-6500
Town Hall – 123 W43rd St., thetownhall.org, 212-997-6661
B.B. King’s Blues Bar – 237W42nd St., bbkingblues.com, 212-997-2144
Bowery Ballroom – 6 Delancey St. boweryballroom.com,
Le Poisson Rouge – 158 Bleecker St., lepoissonrouge.com, 212-505-3474

Special Mention:
Caffe Vivaldi – 32 Jones St. nr Bleecker St. caffevivaldi.com, 212-691-7538
a classic, old jazz club in the Village, Caffe V often surprises with a wonderfully eclectic lineup. It’s my favorite spot for an evening of listening enjoyment and discovery.

==================================================================================
♦ Before making final plans, we suggest you call the venue to confirm ticket availability, dates and times, as schedules are subject to change.
♦ NYCity, with a population of 8.5 million, had a record 60 million visitors last year and was TripAdvisor’s Traveler’s Choice Top U.S. Destination for 2017. Quality shows draw crowds.
Try to reserve seats for these top NYC events in advance, even if just on day of performance.

NYCity Vacation Travel Guide Video (Expedia):

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

A PremierPub

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

Jimmy’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.
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Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged and Esoteric Knowledge and Practices in Art, Billy Hart Quartet, Erasing Borders Festival of Indian Dance, Jarett Kobek: The Future Won't Be Long, Jazzmobile, Simulation, Summer of Know: Artificial Intelligence | Leave a comment

NYC Events,”Only the Best” (08/14) + Museum Special Exhibitions: Manhattan’s 5th Avenue

Posted on 08/14/2017 by GregD

Today’s Elite 8 NYC Events > MONDAY/ AUGUST 14, 2017

“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 be sure to check the tab above: “Notable NYC Events-August”
It’s the most comprehensive list of top events this month that you’ll find anywhere.

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

Monday Nights with WBGO: Jane Bunnett and Maqueque
Dizzy’s Club / 7:30Pm, +9:30PM, $30
“Maqueque entranced listeners with a clave-induced set of Afro-Cuban, booty-shaking world jazz that would have made Dizzy smile.” – DownBeat

“Four-time JUNO Award winner, two-time Grammy nominee, and Officer of the Order of Canada, saxophonist and flutist Jane Bunnett has long been inspired by the music of Cuba. Bunnett blends intricate folkloric Afro-Cuban rhythms with contemporary jazz, and she has been credited with introducing North American audiences to Cuban greats like Pedrito Martinez, David Virelles, Dafnis Prieto, and Yosvanny Terry. Her latest group, Maqueque, is a young, all-female sextet that she assembled in Cuba, and they have already received broad acclaim. Come check out their infectious blend of Cuban soul and modern jazz in this Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola debut performance.”

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7 OTHER TOP NYC EVENTS TODAY (see below for full listing)
>>Glenn Tilbrook
>>Erasing Borders Festival of Indian Dance
>>Khalid
>>Jim Caruso’s Cast Party
>>The Vanguard Jazz Orchestra
>>HBO Bryant Park Summer Film Festival: North by Northwest
>>Hollywood Does History…Poorly: Forrest Gump
===========================================================

Music, Dance, Performing Arts

Glenn Tilbrook (of Squeeze) (also Tuesday)
at City Winery / 8PM, $32-$45
“Co-songwriter and lead singer for Squeeze, Glenn Tilbrook has a great catalog of songs to pull from and is quite the raconteur as well. Expect lots of songs and stories at this intimate show tonight.”
“Don’t be fooled by the title of Glenn Tilbrook’s latest album, Happy Ending, or at least not all of it. He’s happy, of course, and why wouldn’t he be? He’s more than earned his place at pop’s top table as one of our most cherished singers, guitarists and songwriters, not to mention an in-demand and endlessly endearing live performer.” (BrooklynVegan)

Erasing Borders Festival of Indian Dance
Pace University, Schimmel Center, / 7PM, FREE
“Featuring dance artists from India and the South Asian Diaspora, presentations at this double-barreled event range from traditional classical Indian forms to contemporary works inspired by the Indian dance vocabulary. Monday night, gather at Pace University to enjoy Bharatanatyam dancers Viraja and Shyamjith Kiran and Ashwini Ramaswamy; Kalanidhi Dance, which takes the Kuchipudi form in new directions; and Parul Shah, a Kathak dancer whose Enduring Silence is inspired by the work and strength of women.” (Elizabeth Zimmer, VillageVoice)

Khalid
Terminal 5, 610 W56th St. / 8PM, $30
Khalid might only be 19 years old, but his brand of catchy and vulnerable indie-soul is quickly gaining traction. His debut, American Teen, was released to strong reviews, plus he’s already landed explosive collaborations with Calvin Harris, Future and Alina Baraz. Catch him before he travels overseas to open for Lorde.” (TONY)

Jim Caruso’s Cast Party (Cabaret)
Birdland, 315 West 44th St. (btw 8/9 ave) / 9:30PM, $25
the witty host attracts broadway stars on their night off, along with up and comers.
“Part cabaret, part piano bar and part social set, Cast Party offers a chance to hear rising and established talents step up to the microphone (backed by the slap and tickle of Steve Doyle on bass and Billy Stritch at the ivories, plus the bang of Daniel Glass on drums). The waggish Caruso presides as host.” (TONY)

The Vanguard Jazz Orchestra
Village Vanguard, 178 7th Ave. South (btw W11th/Perry St.) / 8:30Pm +10:30PM, $30
world class big band with 16 members on that small stage, a monday night institution.
“Almost exactly half a century ago, the trumpeter-composer-arranger Thad Jones and the drummer Mel Lewis began their Monday-night big band residency at the Village Vanguard, establishing what became a hallowed tradition.” (NYT)

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

HBO Bryant Park Summer Film Festival: North by Northwest
Bryant Park / 5PM, FREE, & very popular – better get there early
“Some spectacles—like Cary Grant and Eva Marie Saint fighting for their lives atop Mount Rushmore—need to be seen on the big screen. Enjoy fare from Hester Street Fair as you catch this classic Alfred Hitchcock flick about mistaken identity and a mad cross-country cat-and-mouse game.” (TONY)

Elsewhere, but looks worth the detour.

Hollywood Does History…Poorly: Forrest Gump
Brooklyn Historical Society, 128 Pierrepont St./ 6:30PM, FREE
“The final installment of our film series looks at the life of one of American history’s most iconic figures: Forrest Gump! While a work of fiction, Gump’s bizarre “right place, right time” journey through time would make him our most important historical lynchpin…if it were true, of course. Slate’s Kristen Meinzer introduces the film.”

===========================================================
Bonus NYC events– Jazz Venues:
Many consider NYCity the Jazz capital of the world. Here are my favorite Jazz clubs, all on Manhattan’s WestSide. Check out who is playing tonight:

==================================================================================
♦ Before making final plans, we suggest you call the venue to confirm ticket availability, dates and times, as schedules are subject to change.
♦ NYCity, with a population of 8.5 million, had a record 60 million visitors last year and was TripAdvisor’s Traveler’s Choice Top U.S. Destination for 2017. Quality shows draw crowds.
Try to reserve seats for these top NYC events in advance, even if just on day of performance.

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)

Museum of the City of New York
‘A CITY SEEN: TODD WEBB’S POSTWAR NEW YORK, 1945-1960’ (thru Sept.04)
“Webb, a Detroit native who lost his money in the 1929 crash, served as a Navy photographer during World War II. His first major solo exhibition, “I See a City,” opened at the Museum of the City of New York in September 1946. Now the museum is putting the photographer, who died in 2000, in the spotlight again with more than 100 of his pictures of the city, including this shot of 125th Street in Harlem in 1946.
WHEN | WHERE Through Sept. 4, at the Museum of the City of New York, 1220 Fifth Ave.
INFO $18; 2125341672, mcny.org (STAV ZIV-Newsday)

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)

Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum (now-9/6/17)
“This newest show, Visionaries: Creating a Modern Guggenheim, provides a rare chance to explore in-depth some of the key artists of this essential New York institution. Framed by the interests of six leading patrons, Visionaries brings together canvases from masters like Max Ernst, René Magritte, and Yves Tanguy, and sculptures by Joseph Cornell and Alberto Giacometti. In addition, Jackson Pollock’s Alchemy (1947) is being shown in the U.S. for the first time in nearly 50 years. More than a dozen works on paper by Picasso and Van Gogh, rarely on view to the public, can be seen in the Thannhauser Gallery, and paintings by Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Paul Gauguin, and Édouard Manet are displayed on the museum’s legendary ramps.”

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

at the very least you will want to see these three:

‘REI KAWAKUBO/COMME DES GARÇONS: ART OF THE IN-BETWEEN’ (through Sept. 4). The latest Costume Institute extravaganza is a beautiful yet challenging plunge through nearly 40 years of innovation and increasingly unwearable garments from Rei Kawakubo, the great Japanese designer, and her Comme des Garçons label. A village of blazingly white structures encourages concentration. Look, look, look, it says, at the clothes, their fabrics, colors, shapes, shocks, quotations, details, exaggerations and parodies. Art, fashion or in between, Ms. Kawakubo’s creations bring us close to the unmistakable whir of artistic ambition. (NYT-Smith) 212-535-7710, metmuseum.org

‘CRISTÓBAL DE VILLALPANDO: MEXICAN PAINTER OF THE BAROQUE’ (through Oct. 15). In 1683, the leading painter of colonial Mexico painted a stupefying altarpiece for the cathedral of Puebla: a 26-foot showstopper that merged a radiant vision of Jesus’ transfiguration into light with a grimmer narrative of Israelites attacked by snakes. Now, for the first time ever, Villalpando’s altarpiece has left Mexico and stands alone in the Robert Lehman Collection wing of the Met, where you could spend days gaping at its churning collision of saints and mortals, and puzzling over the strange confluence of Old and New Testament visions. Compared with Baroque painting in Italy or Flanders, the Mexican version was lighter and less rigid, making use of bright color and free ornamentation. Ten other paintings by Villalpando, all but one lent from Mexican collections, round out the presentation, but it’s the altarpiece that matters, and it’s here for your veneration into the fall. (NYT-Farago) 212-535-7710, metmuseum.org

‘TALKING PICTURES: CAMERA-PHONE CONVERSATIONS BETWEEN ARTISTS’ (through Dec. 17). One of the wisest, savviest museum exhibitions of the summer may not have much actual art in it, but it circles the subject like a satellite around a planet. Using prints, slide shows, books and iPads, it presents image-only camera-phone exchanges between 12 pairs of artists and is full of flashes of wit, poetry, even genius. Observers will find occasional momentous events, both personal and presidential. (NYT – Roberta Smith) 212-535-7710, metmuseum.org

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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)

Although technically not part of the Museum Mile, the Frick Collection (closed Mon) (SUN 11am-1pm PWYW) 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 08/10 and 08/08.
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Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Erasing Borders Festival of Indian Dance, Glenn Tilbrook, HBO Bryant Park Summer Film Festival: North by Northwest, Hollywood Does History…Poorly: Forrest Gump, Khalid, Monday Nights with WBGO: Jane Bunnett and Maqueque | Leave a comment

NYC Events,”Only the Best” (08/13) + Today’s Featured Pub (Greenwich Village)

Posted on 08/13/2017 by GregD

Today’s Sweet 6 NYC Events > SUNDAY/ AUGUST 13, 2017

“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 be sure to check the tab above: “Notable NYC Events-August”
It’s the most comprehensive list of top events this month that you’ll find anywhere.

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

René Marie
Dizzy’s Club / 7:30PM, 9:30PM, $35
“Expect technically gifted, deeply funky jazz singer René Marie to give old Jazz standards fresh life through her dexterous interpretations and creates new classics through her original compositions. The charismatic vocalist is joined at Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola by pianist John Chin, bassist Elias Bailey, and drummer Quentin Baxter, Jr.”

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5 OTHER TOP NYC EVENTS TODAY (see below for full listing)
>>ERIC HARLAND
>>Songbook Summit
>>A Tribute to Geri Allen
>>Lincoln Center Out of Doors 2017
>>Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival
===========================================================

Music, Dance, Performing Arts

ERIC HARLAND
at Jazz Standard / 7:30 and 9:30PM, $30
“Mr. Harland, a Houston-born drummer, boils down the influences of gospel, hip-hop and jazz into a roux of languor and coolness, even when it’s spilling over with activity. For six nights at Jazz Standard he will welcome a rotating crew of collaborators, including the pianists Taylor Eigsti and BigYuki; the bassists Michael League and Harish Raghavan; the vocalist Chris Turner; and, on Aug. 12, the tenor saxophone powerhouse Chris Potter.” (NYT-GIOVANNI RUSSONELLO)

“Virtuosos on clarinet and saxophone,” (The New York Times) identical twins Peter & Will Anderson return to 59E59 Theaters by popular demand for a celebration of the great American Songbook. Shining the spotlight on the work of four of its most distinguished composers (one composer each week), a 6-piece ensemble featuring vocalist Molly Ryan will perform hits such as ‘Summertime’, ‘My Favorite Things’, ‘Night & Day’,’Somewhere Over the Rainbow’, and ‘Rhapsody in Blue’.
August 8 – 13: Harold Arlen
Featuring ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’, ‘I’ve Got the World on a String’, ‘Stormy Weather’, ‘It’s Only a Paper Moon’, ‘That Old Black Magic’, and more!”

A Tribute to Geri Allen (Aug. 8-13)
Village Vanguard, 178 Seventh Ave. S., at 11th St./ 8:30 and 10:30PM, $30
“The recent death of the extravagantly gifted pianist and composer Geri Allen at the age of sixty continues to hover over the jazz community like a dark cloud. An attempt to honor this great musician and to dispel the gloom finds the bassist Esperanza Spalding and the drummer Terri Lyne Carrington welcoming distinguished guests throughout the week, including Joe Lovano, Nicholas Payton, Cassandra Wilson, and Ravi Coltrane.” (NewYorker)

Let’s not forget this wonderful continuing event:

Lincoln Center Out of Doors 2017
“Lincoln Center Out of Doors, one of the country’s longest-running free outdoor summer festivals, opens this year on July 26 and runs through August 13. The 47th edition of the popular festival will fill the Lincoln Center campus with a diverse range of music, dance, spoken word, and family events, featuring dozens of artists from across the city, country, and world-all completely free and open to the public.

“We are thrilled about this year’s festival,” says Jill Sternheimer, Director of Public Programming at Lincoln Center. “It’s a profound reminder of what is truly great about this city-the opportunity to come together on a beautiful summer night and experience totally free world-class concerts and performances from such a wide array of incredible artists, and to be able to share in the sense of community that goes along with that. It’s what Lincoln Center Out of Doors is all about”
Tonight (oh baby, what a way to end this festival):
Roots of American Music: Americanafest NYC
Bonnie Raitt
Don Bryant
Damrosch Park / 7PM, FREE
“This year’s festival ends on a peak with 10- time Grammy Award–winning blues-rocker Bonnie Raitt and her celebrated road band. B.B. King once called Raitt “the best damn slide player working today” and anyone who has seen her live is struck by the poetic power of her bottleneck guitar technique that brings a unique second voice to complement the emotional reach of her singing. Opening the evening is Memphis soul man Don Bryant, the songwriter behind Hi Record classics like Ann Peebles’s “I Can’t Stand the Rain.” Forty years later, he’s having a career renaissance as a singer with his new critically acclaimed album Don’t Give Up on Love.”

For more info on this terrific festival, Time Out NY has it all covered.

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

Elsewhere, but this one is a blast and worth the detour:

Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival
Flushing Meadows Park / 9AM, FREE
“Westeros has it easy: It only has three dragons to contend with. This weekend, more than one hundred dragon boats will descend on Flushing Meadows–Corona Park for the 27th Annual Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival. The central attraction is, naturally, the dragon-boat races, in which four-person teams paddle across Meadow Lake;

Saturday’s competition is for the New York dragon-boat championship, while Sunday’s heats will determine the U.S. champ. Surrounding the main event are music and dance performances, martial arts demonstrations from Shaolin masters, and food stands serving rice dumplings, pork belly buns, and more. Drivers should park at Citi Field; a special shuttle bus will run from there to the park between eight in the morning and six in the evening.” (Rob Staeger, Village Voice)

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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. Check out who’s playing tonight:

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♦ Before making final plans, we suggest you call the venue to confirm ticket availability, dates and times, as schedules are subject to change.
♦ NYCity, with a population of 8.5 million, had a record 60 million visitors last year and was TripAdvisor’s Traveler’s Choice Top U.S. Destination for 2017. Quality shows draw crowds.
Try to reserve seats for these top NYC events in advance, even if just on day of performance.

NYCity Vacation Travel Guide Video (Expedia):

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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’. ”

Each 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.

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.

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“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 Fall 2017).
◊ Order before Nov. 30, 2017 and receive a bonus – 27 of my favorite casual dining places with free Wi-Fi.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged A Tribute to Geri Allen, ERIC HARLAND, Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival, Lincoln Center Out of Doors 2017, René Marie, Songbook Summit | Leave a comment

NYC Events,”Only the Best” (08/12) + Museum Special Exhibitions: Manhattan’s WestSide

Posted on 08/12/2017 by GregD

Today’s Super 7 NYC Events > SATURDAY/ AUGUST 12, 2017

“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 be sure to check the tab above: “Notable NYC Events-August”
It’s the most comprehensive list of top events this month that you’ll find anywhere.

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

John Pizzarelli (Aug. 8-12.)
Birdland, 315 W. 44th St./ 8:30PM, +11PM, $50
“In early 1967, two musical geniuses met to collaborate on an album; half a century later, “Francis Albert Sinatra & Antônio Carlos Jobim” has lost none of its seductive sheen. The guitarist and singer Pizzarelli reveres both the Chairman of the Board and the master bossa-nova composer. With his vocalist wife, Jessica Molaskey, and Antônio’s grandson Daniel Jobim in tow, Pizzarelli presents an elegant and heartfelt tribute to the achievements of these international cultural heroes.” (NewYorker)

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

6 OTHER TOP NYC EVENTS TODAY (see below for full listing)
>>KRIS DAVIS TRIO
>>Songbook Summit
>>A Tribute to Geri Allen
>>Dave Chappelle Live feat. Leslie Jones, Michael Che, Colin Jost
>>Lincoln Center Out of Doors 2017
>>Summer Streets NYC 2017
>>Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival
===========================================================

Music, Dance, Performing Arts

KRIS DAVIS TRIO
Glass Box Theater at 55 W. 13th St. / 8:30PM, $
“The pianist Kris Davis plays in all kinds of scenarios, but it’s best to hear her with a trio, at most. She’s a cook who uses a lot of spice, mixes her cuisines, burns the dish on purpose: It’s a lot. Somehow everything comes out right; more than just coherent, her music is capable of inducing a state of wonder, bordering on attachment. You may not be ready for it when she starts playing, but you certainly won’t be prepared for the spell to break at the end. She performs at the New School with the bassist Eric Revis, a frequent associate, and the drum luminary Andrew Cyrille.” (GIOVANNI RUSSONELLO-NYT)

“Virtuosos on clarinet and saxophone,” (The New York Times) identical twins Peter & Will Anderson return to 59E59 Theaters by popular demand for a celebration of the great American Songbook. Shining the spotlight on the work of four of its most distinguished composers (one composer each week), a 6-piece ensemble featuring vocalist Molly Ryan will perform hits such as ‘Summertime’, ‘My Favorite Things’, ‘Night & Day’,’Somewhere Over the Rainbow’, and ‘Rhapsody in Blue’.
August 8 – 13: Harold Arlen
Featuring ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’, ‘I’ve Got the World on a String’, ‘Stormy Weather’, ‘It’s Only a Paper Moon’, ‘That Old Black Magic’, and more!”

Let’s not forget these wonderful continuing events:

Dave Chappelle Live feat. Leslie Jones, Michael Che, Colin Jost & Special Guests (thru Aug 24 with various guests)
at Radio City Music Hall / 8PM, $55+
“For years withdrawn from public life, Mr. Chappelle is touring once again, bringing his insightful and often controversial comedy to his legion of fans. Over the course of a three-week residency, he will perform alongside comics including Chris Rock, Trevor Noah and Ali Wong, as well as musical guests like Erykah Badu, Chance the Rapper and Lauryn Hill.” (ELISE CZAJKOWSKI-NYT)

“We are thrilled about this year’s festival,” says Jill Sternheimer, Director of Public Programming at Lincoln Center. “It’s a profound reminder of what is truly great about this city-the opportunity to come together on a beautiful summer night and experience totally free world-class concerts and performances from such a wide array of incredible artists, and to be able to share in the sense of community that goes along with that. It’s what Lincoln Center Out of Doors is all about”
Today:
Roots of American Music: Americanafest NYC
Traveller
Flaco Jiménez
Amanda Shires
Hearst Plaza / 2PM, FREE
“Singer-songwriter Amanda Shires, current nominee for the Americana Music Association’s Emerging Artist of the Year and violinist for Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit, opens this eclectic afternoon of music with a solo set of fiddle-driven folk. Then, six-time Grammy-winning accordionist and conjunto pioneer Flaco Jiménez brings his legendary virtuosity to Tejano waltzes, polkas, and party music. To close, Cory Chisel, Robert Ellis, and Jonny Fritz—the celebrated young singer-songwriters of “grassroots country supergroup” Traveller (NPR)—summon the wistful soul of the American heartland.”

For more info on this terrific festival, Time Out NY has it all covered.

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

Summer Streets NYC 2017
“Seven miles of Gotham turf along Lafayette Street and Park Avenue is completely cleared of vehicles in order to create a pedestrian paradise. Hundreds and thousands of revelers descend upon the asphalt for invigorating sight-filled tours, plus free activities including a rock climbing wall, a zipline, outdoor art installations and misting stations. You won’t want to miss this year’s six rest stops which include a 270-foot water slide, fitness classes, a dog park, arts and crafts workshops, plus walking tours that explore NYC parks and some of the most beautiful NYC buildings. This is one of the best NYC events in August, so make sure to hit the streets for the first three Saturdays.” (TONY)

Elsewhere, but this one is a blast and worth the detour:

==================================================================================
♦ Before making final plans, we suggest you call the venue to confirm ticket availability, dates and times, as schedules are subject to change.
♦ NYCity, with a population of 8.5 million, had a record 60 million visitors last year and was TripAdvisor’s Traveler’s Choice Top U.S. Destination for 2017. Quality shows draw crowds.
Try to reserve seats for these top NYC events in advance, even if just on day of performance.

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 these exhibitions)

Whitney Museum of American Art:

Calder: Hypermobility (thru Oct 23)
“focuses on the extraordinary breadth of movement and sound in the work of Alexander Calder. This exhibition brings together a rich constellation of key sculptures and provides a rare opportunity to experience the works as the artist intended—in motion. Regular activations will occur in the galleries, revealing the inherent kinetic nature of Calder’s work, as well as its relationship to performance. Influenced in part by the artist’s fascination and engagement with choreography, Calder’s sculptures contain an embedded performativity that is reflected in their idiosyncratic motions and the perceptual responses they provoke.”

Museum of Arts and Design (thru Aug 20)
2 Columbus Circle
Counter-Couture: Handmade Fashion in an American Counterculture
“In all its sumptuous, ragtag, iconoclastic, and utopian forms, hippie clothing reflected the seismic cultural shifts of Vietnam War-era America, eschewing the mass-produced in favor of the personalized and the handmade. This captivating exhibition, installed in moodily lit galleries against purple-and-gold wallpaper, goes beyond the expected caftans and macramé to detail the nuances and extremes of countercultural aesthetics. A section devoted to stage costumes includes a medieval-inspired muumuu, its pastel-ombré velvet adorned with a starburst appliqué; Mama Cass Elliot, of the Mamas & the Papas, wore it in 1967. Nearby, looping film footage includes performance documentation of the Cockettes, an anarchic theatre group whose psychedelic, thrift-store drag sensibility helped shape a nascent queer aesthetic. From the Army-surplus garments appropriated and painstakingly embroidered by flower children to the dashikis and African fabrics embraced by the black-pride movement to the ascetic styles of communes and cults, the exhibition emphasizes how vernacular fashion signalled antiestablishment values and group identity. That said, high fashion isn’t neglected. One highlight is the visionary designer Kaisik Wong’s glittering, futuristic “wearable art,” which resembles armor and cocoons from another planet—or the next Aquarian age.” (NewYorker)

Museum of Modern Art:

‘ROBERT RAUSCHENBERG: AMONG FRIENDS’ (thru Sept.17)

“This retrospective of one of America’s great artists includes more than 250 paintings, sculptures, drawings, sound and video recordings, prints and photographs created over the course of a sixdecade career. Rauschenberg sometimes worked with artists, dancers, musicians and writers (including John Cage, Merce Cunningham, Yvonne Rainer and Jasper Johns), and the exhibition will be supplemented by dance and performance.” ( STAV ZIV-Newsday)

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)

American Museum of Natural History:

Mummies (thru 1/7/18)
“For thousands of years, peoples around the world practiced mummification as a way of preserving and honoring their dead. Mummies brings you face to face with some of these ancient individuals and reveals how scientists are using modern technology to glean stunning details about them and their cultures. In Mummies, ancient remains from the Nile Valley of Africa and the Andes Mountains of South America will be on view, allowing visitors to connect with cultures from the distant past. Mummification, a more widespread practice than most think, was used not only for royal Egyptians but also for common people and even animals. Interactive touch tables let visitors virtually “unravel” or see inside mummies as they delve deep into the unique stories of the people or animals who lie within. Other parts of the exhibition showcase the latest isotopic and DNA testing being performed on mummies, and explain how these sophisticated analytical techniques are helping scientists discover important clues about long-vanished practices. Mummies was developed by The Field Museum, Chicago.”(NYCity Guide)

==============================================================
For other selected Museum and Gallery Special Exhibitions see Recent Posts in right Sidebar dated 08/10 and 08/08.
============================================================

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged A Tribute to Geri Allen, Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival, John Pizzarelli, KRIS DAVIS TRIO, Lincoln Center Out of Doors 2017, NYC Events, Songbook Summit, Summer Streets NYC 2017 | Leave a comment

NYC Events,”Only the Best” (08/11) + Today’s Featured Pub (Tribeca)

Posted on 08/11/2017 by GregD

Today’s Super 7 NYC Events > FRIDAY/ AUGUST 11, 2017

“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 be sure to check the tab above: “Notable NYC Events-August”
It’s the most comprehensive list of top events this month that you’ll find anywhere.

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

AFRO YAQUI HONORS FRED HO
at Ginny’s Supper Club / 7:30 and 9:30PM, $15
“The baritone saxophonist and composer Fred Ho had an unbounded approach to making music, which he treated as a necessarily revolutionary act. Mr. Ho, who died in 2014, learned at the elbow of the arranger Gil Evans and the saxophonist Archie Shepp, and possessed his own fearsome authority as an improviser. The music he wrote drew on mainstream jazz, the avant-garde, and traditional forms from both Africa and East Asia; it was aggressive and caustic, but also deeply engaging. Afro Yaqui is a group of nine musicians — including a few alumni of Mr. Ho’s ensembles — dedicated to furthering his musical legacy; at Ginny’s it will play pieces from his repertoire.” (NYT-GIOVANNI RUSSONELLO)

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

6 OTHER TOP NYC EVENTS TODAY (see below for full listing)
>>MANUEL VALERA
>>ZESHAN B
>>John Pizzarelli
>>A Tribute to Geri Allen
>>Kendra Foster
>>Natalia Lafourcade + Vagabon
===========================================================

Music, Dance, Performing Arts

MANUEL VALERA
at the Jazz Gallery / 7:30 and 9:30PM, $
“A Cuban-American pianist with plenty to say — and a full schedule of sideman gigs — Mr. Valera is often relentless and blistering at the keyboard, but a shape-shifting melodicism is embedded in everything he plays. Here he debuts a newly commissioned work, “The Planets,” accompanied by a powerful trio: Hans Glawischnig on bass and E. J. Strickland on drums.” (NYT-GIOVANNI RUSSONELLO)

ZESHAN B
at Mercury Lounge / 11PM, $
“The Chicago-born singer Zeshan B has a fine tenor voice that recalls Sam Cooke, and a taste for refined retro arrangements akin to those favored by Leon Bridges. His debut album, “Vetted,” seeks out commonalities between classic soul covers (William Bell’s “You Don’t Miss Your Water”) and the Indian and Pakistani music he learned from his immigrant parents. It’s a rewarding blend of sounds and sensibilities, which Zeshan B will explore further at this late-night show.” (NYT – SIMON VOZICK-LEVINSON)

Let’s not forget this wonderful continuing event:

“We are thrilled about this year’s festival,” says Jill Sternheimer, Director of Public Programming at Lincoln Center. “It’s a profound reminder of what is truly great about this city-the opportunity to come together on a beautiful summer night and experience totally free world-class concerts and performances from such a wide array of incredible artists, and to be able to share in the sense of community that goes along with that. It’s what Lincoln Center Out of Doors is all about”
Tonight’s Special Doubleheader:
Kendra Foster
Hearst Plaza / 7PM, FREE
“A longtime member of the P-funk family and an integral 21st-century voice of its legacy, Kendra Foster also co-wrote eight songs on D’Angelo’s Grammy Award–winning album Black Messiah. In the past few years she’s stepped into the spotlight as a solo artist of magnetic power. With smoky vocals, jazz-cut melodies, and high-end, neo-soul production, Foster wields a vast musical vocabulary, spanning jazz, funk, soul, R&B, hip-hop, rock, and electronica, with singular sophistication.”

Natalia Lafourcade + Vagabon
Damrosch Park / 7:30PM, FREE
“Two very different women will take the stage at Lincoln Center’s outdoor summer music series this Friday, bringing with them a staggering array of influences in their musical visions. Natalia Lafourcade is a Mexican singer-songwriter whose gently enchanting songs and featherlight vocals are based in the musical heritage of Latin America, yet still manage to feel brand-new. Vagabon is the stage name for local indie rocker Lætitia Tamko, whose dramatic, emotionally intense music continually reveals the singer’s astonishing talent. These artists are ready to rise.” (Sophie Weiner,VillageVoice)

For more info on this terrific festival, Time Out NY has it all covered.

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

Too much good music today. More Smart Stuff coming tomorrow.

==================================================
Bonus NYC Events – Jazz Clubs:
Many consider NYCity the Jazz capital of the world. Here are my favorite Jazz clubs, all on Manhattan’s WestSide. Check out who is playing tonight:

Greenwich Village:
(5 underground, classic jazz joints. all 6 within walking distance of each other):
Village Vanguard – UG, 178 7th Ave. South, villagevanguard.com, 212-255-4037
Blue Note – 131 W3rd St. nr 6th ave. bluenotejazz.com, 212-475-8592
55 Bar – basement @55 Christopher St. nr 7th ave.S. 55bar.com, 212-929-9883
Mezzrow – basement @ 163 W10th St. nr 7th Ave. mezzrow.com,646-476-4346
Smalls – basement @ 183 W10th St. smallslive.com, 646-476-4346
Cornelia Street Cafe – UG, 29 Cornelia St. corneliastreetcafe.com, 212-989-9319

==================================================================================
♦ Before making final plans, we suggest you call the venue to confirm ticket availability, dates and times, as schedules are subject to change.
♦ NYCity, with a population of 8.5 million, had a record 60 million visitors last year and was TripAdvisor’s Traveler’s Choice Top U.S. Destination for 2017. Quality shows draw crowds.
Try to reserve seats for these top NYC events in advance, even if just on day of performance.

NYCity Vacation Travel Guide Video (Expedia):

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

A PremierPub / Tribeca

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

There are some places that are tough to find, then add a layer of mystery when you do find them. B-Flat has a nondescript, almost unmarked door at street level – today’s speakeasy vibe. Open this door and you face a dimly lit stairway down to their basement location. It almost takes a leap of faith to follow the stairs down to their interior door.
But open that door and a pleasant surprise awaits you.

It’s a basement jazz spot all right, but not like any traditional jazz joint you may have been to before. This place looks as fresh as today, probably because it’s only been open for 6 years. Even though it hasn’t had a chance to age gracefully, the cherry wood accents and low lighting make this small space very inviting.

There is always jazz, often progressive jazz, playing over their very discrete, stylish bose speakers, setting just the right tone as you find a seat at the bar, or one of the small tables. There is wine and beer available, but this place has some expert mixologists making some very creative cocktails, which I’m told change seasonally, a nice touch.

Come at happy hour and tasty cocktails like the el Diablo or the lychee martini are $8 – not bad. I am a sucker for any drink made with lychee and how can you not try a tequila drink named el Diablo. There is also nice selection of small bites available at happy hour and a food menu that is as innovative as the cocktail menu, so this does not have to be a happy hour only stop.

It wasn’t surprising to find a tasty prosciutto and arugula salad with yuzu dressing, but I did not expect to find such a good version of fried chicken breast on the apps menu. Here it’s called “Tatsuta.” Best bet is to sample happy hour, then dinner on a Monday or Wednesday night, when you can finish with no cover live jazz that starts around 8.

This place is tough to find (look for a small slate sandwich board on the sidewalk out front advertising happy hour) and on some nights when there is no live music 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.
==============================================================

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged AFRO YAQUI HONORS FRED HO, Kendra Foster, MANUEL VALERA, Natalia Lafourcade + Vagabon, ZESHAN B | Leave a comment

NYC Events,”Only the Best” (08/10) + GallerySpecialExhibits: Chelsea

Posted on 08/10/2017 by GregD

Today’s Super 7 NYC Events > THURSDAY/ AUGUST 10, 2017

“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 be sure to check the tab above: “Notable NYC Events-August”
It’s the most comprehensive list of top events this month that you’ll find anywhere.

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

THE REVIVALISTS / WHITE DENIM
Central Park, Rumsey Playfield / 6PM, $45
“Breakout, anthemic rockers, redefining New Orleans with their chart-topping hits.
THE REVIVALISTS – Since forming in 2007, this seven-piece New Orleans-roots driven rock band has logged countless miles on the road, cultivating a high octane live show and a studio presence equally steeped in instrumental virtuosity and charismatic vocal magnetism.
WHITE DENIM – a four-piece indie rock band from Austin, Texas. Their music is influenced by dub, psychedelic, blues, punk, progressive, soul, jazz and experimental rock with home-based recording, jamming, intense looping and unusual song structures.”

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

6 OTHER TOP NYC EVENTS TODAY (see below for full listing)
>>Broadway in Bryant Park
>>Brasil Summerfest: O Terno
>>LINDSEY BUCKINGHAM AND CHRISTINE McVIE
>>SHAREL CASSITY AND ELEKTRA
>>A Tribute to Geri Allen
>>John Pizzarelli
===========================================================

Music, Dance, Performing Arts

Broadway in Bryant Park (LAST THURSDAY – don’t miss it)
Bryant Park / 12:30PM, FREE
“LiteFM radio hosts a showcase of actors from the hottest on and off Broadway shows playing their hits in Bryant park. Try not to sing and dance along to tunes from classics like Wicked, Phantom of the Opera, Chicago, and Avenue Q, as well as newcomers like Kinky Boots, Waitress, and Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812. The recurring event will take place every Thursday from July 6 through August 10th.” (TONY)
TODAY:
Today’s show is hosted by Helen Little and includes performances from:
Preshow: Brooke Shapiro
Come From Away
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Bandstand
Curvy Widow
Woody Sez

Brasil Summerfest: O Terno
Rubenstein Atrium at Lincoln Center / 7:30PM, FREE; better get there early for a seat.
“Brasil Summerfest returns to Lincoln Center with one of Brazil’s hottest indie bands. Consistently topping “Best of” lists in the Brazilian press, the São Paulo–based rock-pop-experimental power trio O Terno puts an edgy 21st-century spin on the classic Brazilian psychedelic rock of the 1960s and ’70s. Its members—guitarist and singer Tim Bernardes, bassist Guilherme d’Almeida, and drummer Biel Basile—have collaborated with tropicalia idol Tom Zé, American pop visionary David Byrne, and hero of the Brazilian underground Adriano Cintra, among others.”

LINDSEY BUCKINGHAM AND CHRISTINE McVIE
at Beacon Theater, / 8PM, $20-$125
“The beloved Fleetwood Mac of yore — the effortlessly platinum lineup behind Rumors and Tusk, tenuously cohering from 1975 to ’87 — was (roughly) the tenth configuration of a band that has probably shape-shifted more dramatically than any other in rock history. (Four of the five members eventually splintered off to pursue solo careers.) In theory, then, it should come as no surprise that 2017 brings yet another spin-off, though it is a strange one: Lindsey Buckingham/Christine McVie, released in June, which features the eponymous duo as well as contributions from Mick Fleetwood and John McVie. (Stevie Nicks backed out of the project.) Narrative turbulence has always been part of the band’s m.o., and the McVie/Buckingham tour, which includes both their new music and classic Fleetwood numbers, proves that the old magic isn’t going away anytime soon; their sound is as tough, flinty, and glittering as ever. Emerging L.A. rock act Wilderado accompanies.” (Sarah Edwards-VillageVoice)

SHAREL CASSITY AND ELEKTRA
at Ginny’s Supper Club / 7:30 and 9:30PM, $15
“Ms. Cassity hails from Oklahoma, a fact that might seem like a surprise for a decidedly New York-based jazz musician — until you hear her braying, live-wire sound on the alto saxophone, and you consider the heritage of her home state. Think of Buster Smith, for instance, the altoist who joined the Oklahoma City Blue Devils in 1925, and later the Count Basie Orchestra, helping point the way toward jump blues and postwar R&B. Yes, Ms. Cassity’s musical inheritance stretches back that far. And her style is nearly as invigorating as its antecedents.” (NYT-GIOVANNI RUSSONELLO)

Let’s not forget this wonderful continuing event:

“We are thrilled about this year’s festival,” says Jill Sternheimer, Director of Public Programming at Lincoln Center. “It’s a profound reminder of what is truly great about this city-the opportunity to come together on a beautiful summer night and experience totally free world-class concerts and performances from such a wide array of incredible artists, and to be able to share in the sense of community that goes along with that. It’s what Lincoln Center Out of Doors is all about”
Today:
OkayAfrica’s Riddim & Beats
D’banj
Sister Nancy
The Compozers
Damrosch Park – 7:30PM
“For this invigorating triple-bill, OkayAfrica—the digital hub of the African New Wave—fills Damrosch Park with the funk of West African beats and the rhythms of Caribbean carnival. Jamaican-born reggae star of the ’80s Sister Nancy summons the essential elements of carnival culture—music, costume, and dance—alongside eclectic London Afrobeats band The Compozers and Nigerian club star D’banj. Live dancers turn the stage into a vivid, colorful mash-up of African and Caribbean cultures in the heart of New York City.”

For more info on this terrific festival, Time Out NY has it all covered.

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

Too much good music today. More Smart Stuff coming tomorrow.

==================================================================================
♦ Before making final plans, we suggest you call the venue to confirm ticket availability, dates and times, as schedules are subject to change.
♦ NYCity, with a population of 8.5 million, had a record 60 million visitors last year and was TripAdvisor’s Traveler’s Choice Top U.S. Destination for 2017. Quality shows draw crowds.
Try to reserve seats for these top NYC events in advance, even if just on day of performance.

NYCity Vacation Travel Guide Video (Expedia):

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

Chelsea Art Gallery District*

Here is one exhibition the New Yorker really likes:

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

*Now plan your own gallery crawl, but better to plan your visits for Tuesday through Saturday; most galleries are closed Sunday and Monday.

=======================================================
For other selected Museum and Gallery Special Exhibitions see recent posts in right sidebar dated 08/08 and 08/06.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged A Tribute to Geri Allen, Brasil Summerfest: O Terno, Broadway in Bryant Park, John Pizzarelli, LINDSEY BUCKINGHAM AND CHRISTINE McVIE, NYC Events, SHAREL CASSITY AND ELEKTRA, THE REVIVALISTS / WHITE DENIM | Leave a comment

NYC Events,”Only the Best” (08/09) + Today’s Featured Pub (Upper West Side)

Posted on 08/09/2017 by GregD

Today’s Super 7 NYC Events > WEDNESDAY/ AUGUST 09, 2017

“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 be sure to check the tab above: “Notable NYC Events-August”
It’s the most comprehensive list of top events this month that you’ll find anywhere.

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

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

6 OTHER TOP NYC EVENTS TODAY (see below for full listing)
>>ERIC HARLAND
>>Songbook Summit
>>Atlas Circus Company
>>Angela Di Carlo: A.D.D. Cabaret
>>A Tribute to Geri Allen
>>How “Aha!” Really Happens: Intuition and the Creative Spark

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

Music, Dance, Performing Arts

ERIC HARLAND (Aug. 8-13)
at Jazz Standard / 7:30 and 9:30PM, $30
“Mr. Harland, a Houston-born drummer, boils down the influences of gospel, hip-hop and jazz into a roux of languor and coolness, even when it’s spilling over with activity. For six nights at Jazz Standard he will welcome a rotating crew of collaborators, including the pianists Taylor Eigsti and BigYuki; the bassists Michael League and Harish Raghavan; the vocalist Chris Turner; and, on Aug. 12, the tenor saxophone powerhouse Chris Potter.” (NYT-GIOVANNI RUSSONELLO)

“Virtuosos on clarinet and saxophone,” (The New York Times) identical twins Peter & Will Anderson return to 59E59 Theaters by popular demand for a celebration of the great American Songbook. Shining the spotlight on the work of four of its most distinguished composers (one composer each week), a 6-piece ensemble featuring vocalist Molly Ryan will perform hits such as ‘Summertime’, ‘My Favorite Things’, ‘Night & Day’,’Somewhere Over the Rainbow’, and ‘Rhapsody in Blue’.
August 8 – 13: Harold Arlen
Featuring ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’, ‘I’ve Got the World on a String’, ‘Stormy Weather’, ‘It’s Only a Paper Moon’, ‘That Old Black Magic’, and more!”

Atlas Circus Company (also Aug.15, 16)
Dixon Place, / 7:30PM, $18–$25
“You thought “Get Lucky” was just a Daft Punk song. It’s also the rallying cry for a young circus troupe out of Allentown, whose new Lucky, their third full-length work, runs through August 16 in this welcoming subterranean space. Atlas’s previous undertaking, Wild, followed the classic story of a juggle-happy kid who runs away to join the circus and finds himself in a wooded glade with aerial acrobats, clowns, other jugglers, and some really touching plot twists. Lucky, created by Thomas McCarthy and Henry Evans, aims to provide “meaningful narrative,” combining theater, dance, and circus arts into a hilarious experience for all ages; it features a man who can’t stop falling on his face trying to navigate the challenges of city life. David Evans provides original music, and Tyler Holoboski choreographs.” (Elizabeth Zimmer, VillageVoice)

Angela Di Carlo: A.D.D. Cabaret
Sid Gold’s Request Room, 165 W26th St. / 8PM, $10
“Vivacious comic songwriter Angela Di Carlo, of the recurring Mad Men spoof The Mad World of Miss Hathaway, shares original and sometimes naughty songs in various styles in her monthly set at Sid Gold’s. The August edition includes a guest appearance by Shannon Conley of the all-female Led Zeppelin cover band Lez Zeppelin.” (TONY)

Let’s not forget these wonderful continuing events:

Dave Chappelle, & Erykah Badu (thru Aug 24 with various guests)
at Radio City Music Hall / 8PM, $55+
“For years withdrawn from public life, Mr. Chappelle is touring once again, bringing his insightful and often controversial comedy to his legion of fans. Over the course of a three-week residency, he will perform alongside comics including Chris Rock, Trevor Noah and Ali Wong, as well as musical guests like Erykah Badu, Chance the Rapper and Lauryn Hill.” (ELISE CZAJKOWSKI-NYT)

“Dave Chappelle’s 16-show Radio City run has had amazing guests each night, both announced ones and surprise ones. This is the second of two nights with Chris Rock, and Jeff Ross is billed too.”

For more info on this terrific festival, Time Out NY has it all covered.

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

This is part of One Day University – live talks featuring the nation’s greatest professors.

How “Aha!” Really Happens: Intuition and the Creative Spark
New York Institute of Technology, 1855 Broadway/ 7PM, $80
“Modern science now understands how creative ideas happen in the human brain. And by learning how it works, you can learn to do it better. In fact, most creative methods in use today around the world use the old — and wrong — model of how the brain works. When you ask creative people how they did something, they often feel a bit guilty, because they don’t generally perceive they really did anything. It just happened!

Creativity isn’t something only scientists and artists enjoy; in fact, all of us use our creative brains every day at home, work and play. Each of us has the ability to increase our mental functioning and creativity, and this session will show you how.

Neuroscience has found that there are two creative brain states. One handles problem solving, planning, and reasoning. You use this “pathway” when you’re actively focused on a problem or task. Your other pathway comes into play during idea incubation, immersion, and free association. You’re in this brain state when you defocus your attention: when you’re sleeping, in the shower, in a boring meeting, or your mind is wandering.

So how does knowing about these brain states help you? You can either train yourself to switch your brain state according to your task, or you can structure your tasks to take advantage of your current brain state. The key is to realize that the majority of your creative ideas occur spontaneously. Creative ideas are least likely to occur when you’re sitting at your desk in front of a blank document!”

=======================================================
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. Check out who’s playing tonight:

==================================================================================
♦ Before making final plans, we suggest you call the venue to confirm ticket availability, dates and times, as schedules are subject to change.
♦ NYCity, with a population of 8.5 million, had a record 60 million visitors last year and was TripAdvisor’s Traveler’s Choice Top U.S. Destination for 2017. Quality shows draw crowds.
Try to reserve seats for these top NYC events in advance, even if just on day of performance.

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.

No food goes better with American craft ales than American barbecue. Dinosaur may be the best combo of good beer drinking and hearty eating in town, which makes the trip uptown to West Harlem totally worthwhile.

This second incarnation of Dinosaur in Harlem is in a two story, old brick warehouse near the Hudson River. Don’t let that run down exterior fool you. Inside it’s a large space with huge, rough wooden columns and unfinished wooden floors and brick walls – just right for a bbq joint. As soon as you open the front door you are hit with that tantalizing aroma of barbecue coming from the large open kitchen. Reminds me of those great rib joints I frequented when stationed in North Carolina all those years ago. If your stomach wasn’t grumbling before, it is now.

Head to the bar, sit down and try to decide on a beer. It’s not an easy decision – a good problem to have. This is a pretty damn good beer list to choose from, one that most beer bars should be jealous of. I love that they feature NY craft beers. You may want to try the four beer sampler, which is always fun, and in this place may be necessary.

The blues music playing in the background will get you in the mood for their North Carolina style barbecue, and even when it’s a full house your order shouldn’t take too long (assuming you snagged a table). The food is all slow smoked, so it’s already mostly done and ready to go. I always start with an order of their giant, spice rubbed wings, so good they may make you give up Buffalo wings.

Unfortunately, a place this good does not fly under the radar. There can be some long waits for a table at dinnertime. So you need a strategy – avoid prime time, and try not to arrive with your entire posse, which will limit your seating options.

A seat at the bar, a small table in the bar area, or in the summer, an outside table underneath what’s left of the elevated West Side Highway, all may open before a table inside the main dining room. Otherwise, try Dinosaur for lunch, or come very late for dinner, maybe after a show at the nearby Cotton Club nightclub.

Website: http://www.dinosaurbarbque.com/
Phone #: 212-694-1777
Hours: Mo-Th 11:30am-11:00pm; Fr-Sa 11:30am-12:00am;
Su 12:00pm-10:00pm
Happy Hour: 4-7pm every day; $1 off all drinks
Music: Fri / Sat 10:30pm
Subway: #1 to 125th St.
Walk 2 blk W on 125th St. to Dinosaur Bar-B-Q,
just past the elevated highway.
========================================================
“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 Angela Di Carlo: A.D.D. Cabaret, ERIC HARLAND, How “Aha!” Really Happens: Intuition and the Creative Spark | Leave a comment

NYC Events,”Only the Best” (08/08) + Museum Special Exhibitions: Manhattan’s 5th Avenue

Posted on 08/08/2017 by GregD

Today’s Sweet 6 NYC Events > TUESDAY/ AUGUST 08, 2017

“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 be sure to check the tab above: “Notable NYC Events-August”
It’s the most comprehensive list of top events this month that you’ll find anywhere.

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

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

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

>>Songbook Summit
>>Atlas Circus Company
>>MICHELLE BRANCH
>>John Pizzarelli
>>Under the Microscope: A Conversation on Space Dust
===========================================================

Music, Dance, Performing Arts

“Virtuosos on clarinet and saxophone,” (The New York Times) identical twins Peter & Will Anderson return to 59E59 Theaters by popular demand for a celebration of the great American Songbook. Shining the spotlight on the work of four of its most distinguished composers (one composer each week), a 6-piece ensemble featuring vocalist Molly Ryan will perform hits such as ‘Summertime’, ‘My Favorite Things’, ‘Night & Day’,’Somewhere Over the Rainbow’, and ‘Rhapsody in Blue’.
August 8 – 13: Harold Arlen
Featuring ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’, ‘I’ve Got the World on a String’, ‘Stormy Weather’, ‘It’s Only a Paper Moon’, ‘That Old Black Magic’, and more!”

Atlas Circus Company (also Aug. 9, 15, 16)
Dixon Place, / 7:30PM, $18–$25
“You thought “Get Lucky” was just a Daft Punk song. It’s also the rallying cry for a young circus troupe out of Allentown, whose new Lucky, their third full-length work, runs through August 16 in this welcoming subterranean space. Atlas’s previous undertaking, Wild, followed the classic story of a juggle-happy kid who runs away to join the circus and finds himself in a wooded glade with aerial acrobats, clowns, other jugglers, and some really touching plot twists. Lucky, created by Thomas McCarthy and Henry Evans, aims to provide “meaningful narrative,” combining theater, dance, and circus arts into a hilarious experience for all ages; it features a man who can’t stop falling on his face trying to navigate the challenges of city life. David Evans provides original music, and Tyler Holoboski choreographs.” (Elizabeth Zimmer, VillageVoice)

MICHELLE BRANCH
at Webster Hall / 8PM, $35-$45
“Webster Hall has played a central role in the cultural life of the East Village for over 100 years; the current owners, who have hosted concerts and club nights there since the early 1990s, are leaving this month to make way for a major renovation and new management. The singer-songwriter Michelle Branch, who recently released a new album, “Hopeless Romantic,” is the final performer booked at Webster Hall’s main space before it closes indefinitely. With Haerts.” (NYT – SIMON VOZICK-LEVINSON)

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

Under the Microscope: A Conversation on Space Dust
White Space at Agora Gallery, 530 W25th St./ 7:30PM, $10
“On the evening of August 8, the cosmos and NYC are coming together.
Join Cosmic Dust Curator Jon Larsen, NASA’s Dr. Michael Zolensky and Elysian Brewery at “Under the Microscope: A Conversation on Space Dust,” to learn more about the science community’s most recent discoveries of extraterrestrial materials here on earth and the intriguing implications of these findings. The event will include a stunning showcase of Larsen’s own micrometeorite photography, chef-prepared appetizers, tastings of Space Dust IPA, and other exciting surprises!” (ThoughtGallery.org)

==================================================================================
♦ Before making final plans, we suggest you call the venue to confirm ticket availability, dates and times, as schedules are subject to change.
♦ NYCity, with a population of 8.5 million, had a record 60 million visitors last year and was TripAdvisor’s Traveler’s Choice Top U.S. Destination for 2017. Quality shows draw crowds.
Try to reserve seats for these top NYC events in advance, even if just on day of performance.

NYCity Vacation Travel Guide Video (Expedia):

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

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

at the very least you will want to see these three

Although technically not part of the Museum Mile, the Frick Collection (closed Mon) (SUN 11am-1pm PWYW) 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 08/04 and 08/02.
=============================================================

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged A Tribute to Geri Allen, Atlas Circus Company, John Pizzarelli, MICHELLE BRANCH, Songbook Summit, Under the Microscope: A Conversation on Space Dust | Leave a comment

NYC Events,”Only the Best” (08/07) + Today’s Featured Pub (Greenwich Village)

Posted on 08/07/2017 by GregD

Today’s Sweet 6 NYC Events > MONDAY/ AUGUST 07, 2017

“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 be sure to check the tab above: “Notable NYC Events-August”
It’s the most comprehensive list of top events this month that you’ll find anywhere.

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

Kinky Boots Sings Cyndi Lauper
Feinstein’s/54 Below / 7PM, +9:30PM, $45+
“You say go slow, but buy tickets fast.
Billy Porter, the current cast of Kinky Boots, and some special favorites come together to sing Cyndi Lauper’s pop hits and new versions of songs from the show. Check out YouTube for belter Bonnie Milligan performing Céline Dion’s “It’s All Coming Back to Me Now” and you won’t be able to resist seeing her take on Cyndi.” (NewYorkMagazine)

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

>>EARTH, WIND & FIRE, AND CHIC FEATURING NILE RODGERS
>>Herbie Hancock
>>Joseph Luzzi, The Total Art: Italian Cinema From Silent Screen to Digital Image
>>Nordic Noir Book Club: The Ice Beneath Her
>>Hollywood Does History…Poorly: Pocahontas
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Music, Dance, Performing Arts

EARTH, WIND & FIRE, AND CHIC FEATURING NILE RODGERS
at Madison Square Garden / 8PM, $40+
“There are few dance-party playlists that wouldn’t be improved by the addition of a song by Earth, Wind & Fire or Chic, two of the greatest funk and pop acts of the 1970s. While both groups have lost important members over the years — including the Earth, Wind & Fire founder Maurice White, who died in 2016 — the surviving musicians have joined forces this summer for a tour packed with such irrepressible grooves as Earth, Wind & Fire’s “Shining Star” and Chic’s “Le Freak.” (NYT- SIMON VOZICK-LEVINSON)

Herbie Hancock
Beacon Theatre / 7:30PM, $75
“Few jazz pianists have had as wide an impact on American popular culture as Herbie Hancock. He scored hits with songs such as “Watermelon Man” and “Chameleon” in the ’70s, blew up MTV with “Rockit” in the ’80s, and provided fodder for hip-hop heads to bite into with “Cantaloupe Island” and “Maiden Voyage”—and that’s not even taking into account his epochal playing with Miles Davis. His tour dates this summer include support from drummer Vinnie Colaiuta, bassist James Genus, guitarist Lionel Loueke and multi-instrumentalist Terrace Martin.” (TONY)

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

Joseph Luzzi, The Total Art: Italian Cinema From Silent Screen to Digital Image
Bryant Park/Bryant Park Reading Room /12:30PM , FREE
(Between 40th & 42nd Sts. and Fifth and Sixth Aves.)
Join film connoisseur Scott Adlerberg and special guests for talks on film, the culture of cinema and filmmaking.
Joseph Luzzi, The Total Art: Italian Cinema from Silent Screen to Digital Image
Hosted by Scott Adlerberg, resident film expert.
Part of the Reel Talks program.

Nordic Noir Book Club: The Ice Beneath Her
Scandinavia House: The Nordic Center in America, 58 Park Ave./ 7PM, FREE
“Abby Endler, author of the popular “Crime by the Book” blog, leads this special summer book club focused on the best Scandinavian crime fiction released in the United States in the past year.

Acclaimed Swedish author Camilla Grebe makes her solo American debut with The Ice Beneath Her, a psychological thriller as cunning in its twists as it is captivating in its storytelling—for fans of the celebrated crime fiction of Camilla Läckberg, Jo Nesbø, Ruth Ware, and Fiona Barton.”

Elsewhere, but this looks worth the detour:

Hollywood Does History…Poorly: Pocahontas
Brooklyn Historical Society, 128 Pierrepont St./ 6:30PM, FREE
“Go just beyond the river bend for this screening of Disney’s Pocahontas and a conversation on how it’s historically missed the mark.” (ThoughtGallery.org)

“Our summer film series continues with this Disney classic that rewrites the harsh story of colonialism as a tale of love, and even casts the wrong Englishman along the way! Kristen Meinzer of Slate and Rafer Guzman, film critic at Newsday, provide the context and some real history.”

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♦ Before making final plans, we suggest you call the venue to confirm ticket availability, dates and times, as schedules are subject to change.
♦ NYCity, with a population of 8.5 million, had a record 60 million visitors last year and was TripAdvisor’s Traveler’s Choice Top U.S. Destination for 2017. Quality shows draw crowds.
Try to reserve seats for these top NYC events in advance, even if just on day of performance.

NYCity Vacation Travel Guide Video (Expedia):

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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’. ”

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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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:

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged EARTH WIND & FIRE AND CHIC FEATURING NILE RODGERS, Herbie Hancock, Hollywood Does History…Poorly: Pocahontas, Joseph Luzzi, Kinky Boots Sings Cyndi Lauper, Nordic Noir Book Club: The Ice Beneath Her, NYC Events, The Total Art: Italian Cinema From Silent Screen to Digital Image | Leave a comment

	Darin on October NYC Events + NYC Weeke…
	Darin on Selected Events (10/13) + Toda…

NYCity Vacation Travel Guide Video (Expedia):

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Chelsea Art Gallery District*

NYCity Vacation Travel Guide Video (Expedia):

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A PremierPub

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

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

NYCity Vacation Travel Guide Video (Expedia):

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NYCity Vacation Travel Guide Video (Expedia):

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A PremierPub and 3 Good Eating Places – Greenwich Village

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

3 Good Eating places

NYCity Vacation Travel Guide Video (Expedia):

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NYCity Vacation Travel Guide Video (Expedia):

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A PremierPub / Tribeca

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

NYCity Vacation Travel Guide Video (Expedia):

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Chelsea Art Gallery District*

NYCity Vacation Travel Guide Video (Expedia):

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A PremierPub / Upper West Side

Dinosaur Bar-B-Que / 700 W125th St. @ 12th ave.

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

NYCity Vacation Travel Guide Video (Expedia):

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NYCity Vacation Travel Guide Video (Expedia):

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A PremierPub and 3 Good Eating Places – Greenwich Village

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

3 Good Eating places

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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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