Selected NYC Events (03/08) + Today’s Featured Pub (WestVillage)

Posted on 03/08/2017 by GregD

Today’s Super 7 NYC Events >WEDNESDAY/MAR.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-Mar.”

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

Roméo et Juliette
Metropolitan Opera, Lincoln Center/ 7:30PM, $30+
“Bright young stars Pretty Yende and Stephen Costello are opera’s classic lovers in Gounod’s lush Shakespeare adaptation. Director Bartlett Sher’s “brilliant and inspired new production … is a revelation” (Huffington Post), and has already won acclaim for its vivid 18th-century milieu and stunning costumes during runs at Salzburg and La Scala. Emmanuel Villaume conducts the sumptuous score.”

6 OTHER TOP NYC EVENTS TODAY (see below for full listing)
>>The Songs of Elizabeth Swados
>>BILL FRISELL TRIO
>>‘JEPHTHA’
>>Sydney Dance Company
>>HBO’s When the Earth Melts
>>Banff Mountain Film Festival

Plus Continuing Events:
>>The Orchid Show

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

Music, Dance, Performing Arts

The Songs of Elizabeth Swados
The Appel Room (at Rose Hall), Lincoln Center for Jazz, / 8:30PM, $40+
“Lincoln Center’s American Songbook series salutes the innovative late musical-theater auteur Swados, whose Runaways (1978) earned her Tony nominations for Best Score, Best Book, Best Choreographer and Best Director. Taylor Mac, Grace McLean, Josie de Guzman, Utkarsh Ambudkar are among the performers.” (TONY)

BILL FRISELL TRIO (thru Mar.12)
at the Village Vanguard / 8:30PM, +10:30PM, $
“In his examinations of nostalgia, the guitarist Mr. Frisell doesn’t much challenge our love of bygone times. Instead, his glimmering music seems to question the limits — and the essence — of memory. His most recent album, “When You Wish Upon a Star,” features classic tunes from American cinema; the renditions are lulling and picturesque but not altogether soothing. Mr. Frisell, who turns 66 this month, will begin a two-week stint at the Vanguard with six nights alongside the bassist Thomas Morgan and the drummer Rudy Royston.” (NYT- GIOVANNI RUSSONELLO)

‘JEPHTHA’
at Trinity Church Wall Street / 1PM, FREE
“On the evidence of his annual “Messiah,” Julian Wachner is a vital, urgent conductor of Handel, so Trinity’s new Handel Project is to be welcomed. This free lunchtime concert presenting the first act of “Jephtha” is the first part of a complete cycle of the oratorios: Catch an act every Wednesday.” (NYT – DAVID ALLEN)

Sydney Dance Company (Mar.07-12)
Joyce Theatre, 175 Eighth Ave., at 19th St./ 7:30PM, $71
Since the Barcelona-born choreographer Rafael Bonachela took over as artistic director, in 2009, this venerable Australian troupe has become indistinguishable from many other purveyors of fashionable European styles. In its current program of New York premières, Jacopo Godani’s “Raw Models” is the worst offender: mannered sinuosity set to a maddening electronic soundtrack. Bonachela’s “Frame of Mind,” a quick-changing and physically demanding piece set to Bryce Dessner music, is more palatable, as is “Wildebeest,” a slightly more original take on the animal nature of humans, by the Australian choreographer Gabrielle Nankivell.” (NewYorker)

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

VICE Media
David Rubenstein Atrium at Lincoln Center/ 7:30PM, FREE
HBO’s When the Earth Melts
“With climate change warming the Arctic at an alarming rate, the frozen earth that covers almost a quarter of the Northern Hemisphere’s landmass is beginning to thaw. There are more greenhouse gases trapped in these deep layers of permafrost than all human fossil fuel emissions released since 1850 combined. Now that trapped carbon is escaping into the atmosphere. If this thaw continues unchecked, scientists warn we could awaken “a sleeping giant” of climate change. VICE correspondent Ben Anderson travels across the Arctic to see the devastating impact of thawing permafrost, and the astonishing solution that might keep it frozen.”
HBO’s The Displaced
“2016 was the deadliest year yet for refugees making the dangerous journey across the Mediterranean Sea in the hopes of reaching Europe. And as borders tighten across an increasingly nationalist Europe, the prospects of building a new life are growing darker for the over 180,000 refugees who arrived in Italy alone this past year. From an emerging underground railroad at the Italian border to the demolition of France’s largest refugee settlement, VICE correspondent Gianna Toboni follows the journey of these refugees left in limbo.
The screening will be followed by a discussion and Q&A.”

Banff Mountain Film Festival (LAST DAY)
Symphony Space, 2537 Broadway / 7:30PM, $28
“The Banff Mountain Film Festival is the largest and the most prestigious mountain festival in the world. The World Tour showcases award-winning films and audience favorites from approximately 300 films entered from over 35 countries with stops planned at 390 locations in all seven continents.

Traveling from remote landscapes and cultures to up close and personal with adrenaline-packed action mountain sports, the tour is an exhilarating exploration and celebration of the spirit of adventure. Exhilarating and thought-provoking, this is a must-see for mountain enthusiasts and those with a spirit of adventure. Through the big screen, audiences can visit remote cultures and the world’s last great wild places as well as experiencing footage of adrenaline packed action sports.”

And don’t forget these continuing events:

The Orchid Show (thru April 09)
New York Botanical Garden, 2900 Southern Blvd., the Bronx.
“This edition of the New York Botanical Garden’s annual Orchid Show, now in its fifteenth year, focusses on Thailand’s rich history and the flower’s cultural status as one of the country’s leading exports. Held in the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, the display features blooming orchids by the hundreds in lush tropical environments, leading into an arched installment styled in the manner of a traditional Thai pavilion. The schedule includes several panel discussions, tours, and after-hours viewings with music and cocktails.” (NewYorker)

=====================================================
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 underground (UG), 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

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.

==================================================================================
♦ 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 2016.  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 / West Village

Corner Bistro / 331 W. 4th St.

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

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

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

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

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

For the classic Bistro experience, order your burger with a McSorley’s draft, the dark preferably. This is the same beer that you can get over at the original McSorley’s in the East Village, the pub that claims to be the oldest continually operating bar in NYCity. The only difference is that this McSorley’s ale is served with a smile by the bartenders here. Or you can get a Sierra Nevada, Stella, or Hoegaarden on tap if you want to go upscale a bit. Either way this is a simple, but quality burger and beer experience that is just too rare these days (sorry for the pun).
=========================================================
Website: cornerbistrony.com
Phone #: 212-242-9502
Hours: 11:30am-4am Mon-Sat; 12pm-4am Sun
Happy Hour: NO
Music: Juke Box
Subway: #1/2/3 to 14th St. (S end of platform)
Walk 2 blk W. on 13th St. to 8th Ave.; 1 blk S. on 8th Ave. to Jane St.
Update:
==============================================================
“Pub” is used in it’s broadest sense – bars, bar/restaurants, jazz clubs, wine bars, tapas bars, craft beer bars, dive bars, cocktail lounges, and of course, pubs – just about anyplace you can get a drink without a cover charge (except for certain jazz clubs).

If you have a fave premier pub or good eating place on Manhattan’s WestSide let us all know about it – leave a comment.
===========================================================================
Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Selected NYC Events (03/07) + GallerySpecialExhibits: Chelsea

Posted on 03/07/2017 by GregD

Today’s Sweet 6 NYC Events >TUESDAY/MAR.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-Mar.”

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

BILL FRISELL TRIO (thru Mar.12)
at the Village Vanguard / 8:30PM, +10:30PM, $
“In his examinations of nostalgia, the guitarist Mr. Frisell doesn’t much challenge our love of bygone times. Instead, his glimmering music seems to question the limits — and the essence — of memory. His most recent album, “When You Wish Upon a Star,” features classic tunes from American cinema; the renditions are lulling and picturesque but not altogether soothing. Mr. Frisell, who turns 66 this month, will begin a two-week stint at the Vanguard with six nights alongside the bassist Thomas Morgan and the drummer Rudy Royston.” (NYT- GIOVANNI RUSSONELLO)

5 OTHER TOP NYC EVENTS TODAY (see below for full listing)
>>‘GAME OF THRONES’ LIVE CONCERT EXPERIENCE
>>Sydney Dance Company
>>SIGRID AND FLETCHER
>>Banff Mountain Film Festival
>>Oculus Book Talk | The Arab City: Architecture and Representation

Plus Continuing Events:
>>The Orchid Show

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

Music, Dance, Performing Arts

‘GAME OF THRONES’ LIVE CONCERT EXPERIENCE
at Madison Square Garden / 8PM, $60+
“The HBO saga “Game of Thrones” will come to life in a concert by the composer of the series’s music, Ramin Djawadi, who will lead an 80-piece orchestra and choir. The musicians will perform from multiple daises, including the King’s Landing stage, named for the capital city of the show’s fictional Seven Kingdoms. There will also be striking visual effects, including pyrotechnics and simulacra of “Game of Thrones” sites like Castle Black. The show’s actors are not scheduled to appear, but Mr. Djawadi hopes to provide an immersive experience. As he told The Chicago Tribune, “You feel like you’re there with the characters.” (NYT- KEVIN O’DONNELL)

Sydney Dance Company (Mar.07-12)
Joyce Theatre, 175 Eighth Ave., at 19th St./ 7:30PM, $71
Since the Barcelona-born choreographer Rafael Bonachela took over as artistic director, in 2009, this venerable Australian troupe has become indistinguishable from many other purveyors of fashionable European styles. In its current program of New York premières, Jacopo Godani’s “Raw Models” is the worst offender: mannered sinuosity set to a maddening electronic soundtrack. Bonachela’s “Frame of Mind,” a quick-changing and physically demanding piece set to Bryce Dessner music, is more palatable, as is “Wildebeest,” a slightly more original take on the animal nature of humans, by the Australian choreographer Gabrielle Nankivell.” (NewYorker)

Elsewhere, but this looks worth the detour:

SIGRID AND FLETCHER
at Baby’s All Right, 146 Broadway, Bklyn/ 9PM, $12
“Here’s your chance to witness two up-and-coming female pop stars in one tiny room. The Norwegian singer Sigrid, who began writing songs at 16, recently announced her signing to Island Records with the release of the uplifting track “Don’t Kill My Vibe.” The American singer-songwriter Fletcher earned breakout success when her song “War Paint” topped Spotify’s United States viral chart nearly three years ago. Her subsequent EP, “Finding Fletcher,” bodes well for her career: It’s long on edgy electronic beats; bright melodies; and her high, soaring vocals.” (NYT-KEVIN O’DONNELL)

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

Banff Mountain Film Festival
Symphony Space, 2537 Broadway / 7:30PM, $28
“The Banff Mountain Film Festival is the largest and the most prestigious mountain festival in the world. The World Tour showcases award-winning films and audience favorites from approximately 300 films entered from over 35 countries with stops planned at 390 locations in all seven continents.

Traveling from remote landscapes and cultures to up close and personal with adrenaline-packed action mountain sports, the tour is an exhilarating exploration and celebration of the spirit of adventure. Exhilarating and thought-provoking, this is a must-see for mountain enthusiasts and those with a spirit of adventure. Through the big screen, audiences can visit remote cultures and the world’s last great wild places as well as experiencing footage of adrenaline packed action sports.”

Oculus Book Talk | The Arab City: Architecture and Representation
Center for Architecture, 536 LaGuardia Pl./ 6PM, $10
“Moving beyond reductive notions of identity, myths of authenticity, fetishized traditionalism, or the constructed opposition of tradition and modernity, The Arab City: Architecture and Representation critically engages contemporary architectural and urban production in the Middle East. Taking the “Arab City” and “Islamic Architecture” as sites of investigation rather than given categories, this book reframes the region’s buildings, cities, and landscapes and broadens its architectural and urban canons. Arab cities are multifaceted places and sites of layered historical imaginaries; defined by regional and territorial economies, they bridge scales of production and political engagement. The essays collected here investigate cultural representation, the evolution of historical cities, contemporary architectural practices, emerging urban conditions, and responsive urban imaginaries in the Arab World.” (ThoughtGallery.org)

And don’t forget these continuing events:

The Orchid Show (thru April 09)
New York Botanical Garden, 2900 Southern Blvd., the Bronx.
“This edition of the New York Botanical Garden’s annual Orchid Show, now in its fifteenth year, focusses on Thailand’s rich history and the flower’s cultural status as one of the country’s leading exports. Held in the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, the display features blooming orchids by the hundreds in lush tropical environments, leading into an arched installment styled in the manner of a traditional Thai pavilion. The schedule includes several panel discussions, tours, and after-hours viewings with music and cocktails.” (NewYorker)

=====================================================
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 underground (UG), 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

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.

==================================================================================
♦ 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 York Times really likes:

ACTS OF INTIMACY (thru April 02)
Walther Collection, 526 W26th St.

“Daido Moriyama and Nobuyoshi Araki may be the most successful photographers of postwar Japan, but it’s the work of the least famous participant of this three-man show that ripples with the greatest intensity. He is Kohei Yoshiyuki, and his unsettling 1979-80 series “The Park” documents, with nearly pathological detachment, the sexual encounters he happened upon on late-night walks in Tokyo. Many shots recall crime-scene photography, thanks to Mr. Yoshiyuki’s use of infrared film and a paparazzo’s flash: Flowers flare to white and lovers’ faces are invisible. In these indiscreet but poignant photos, intimate acts become a public affair.

Mr. Moriyama’s hip, estranged images of Tokyo are shot in a style known as “are, bure, boke” (grainy, blurry and out of focus). (His radical photography of the 1960s is on view in “Provoke: Photography in Japan between Protest and Performance, 1960–1975,” running through April 30 at the Art Institute of Chicago.) A series of 67 photographs includes close-ups of breasts, buttocks and stiletto-shod feet. If they lack the urgency of his coarser urban photographs, they are persuasive nevertheless because of his usual high contrast and tight cropping.

As for Mr. Araki, his photographs of buxom women trussed up in ever more baroque rope bondage are as acquired a taste as Marmite. He’s the only one to show women’s faces; they appear sovereign and unabashed, despite their sexual submission. Relief comes via interpolated photographs of architecture — the Hiroshima Peace Memorial or Kenzo Tange’s Tokyo metropolitan government headquarters — that inscribe these steamy pictures into the first years of Japan’s so-called Lost Decade.” (JASON FARAGO-NYT)

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

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).

=======================================================
For other selected Museum and Gallery Special Exhibitions see recent posts in right sidebar dated 03/05 and 03/03.
======================================================

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

Selected NYC Events (03/06) + Today’s Featured Pub (Midtown West)

Posted on 03/06/2017 by GregD

Today’s Super 7 NYC Events >MONDAY/MAR.06, 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-Mar.”

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

Women’s Jazz Festival:
Ella, Ella: A Centennial Celebration of Mama Jazz
Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture / 7PM, $30
“This annual tradition in honor of Women’s History Month features some of the best-known and unsung female performers in jazz today. Our 2017 festival will celebrate Ella Fitzgerald’s centennial birthday and continued influence on the evolution of jazz.

“Ella, Ella: A Centennial Celebration of Mama Jazz!” is slated for four consecutive Mondays–March 6, 13, 20, and 27. Each night will explore the multi-dimensional music, life, and legacy of this jazz legend.

March 6: Divine Ella
Acclaimed harpist Brandee Younger will join singer Jean Baylor, Camille Thurman (alto sax and vocals), Courtney Bryan (piano), Dezron Douglas (bass) and Kassa Overall (drums) as they highlight Ella Fitzgerald’s influence in both sacred and secular music. The evening will draw on Fitzgerald’s record, “Brighten the Corner,” offering original compositions and new arrangements of favorite Fitzgerald masterpieces that evoke a spiritual essence.”

6 OTHER TOP NYC EVENTS TODAY (see below for full listing)
>>The Music of Aretha Franklin
>>Jill Eikenberry: Songs I’ve Sung
>>Karen Mason Celebrates the CD Release of “It’s About Time”
>>Banff Mountain Film Festival
>>Modern Mondays: An Evening with Suzan Pitt
>>Immigration in Trump’s America

Plus Continuing Events:
>>The Orchid Show

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

Music, Dance, Performing Arts

The Music of Aretha Franklin
Carnegie Hall, Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage / 8PM, $48+
Performers include:
Kenny Loggins, Melissa Etheridge, Rhiannon Giddens
Bettye LaVette, Allen Stone, Glen Hansard, Taj Mahal & Deva Mahal

08aretha-item-master768 “Each year impresario Michael Dorf puts together an eclectic lineup to honor a musical legend at Carnegie Hall in New York City. The 2017 honoree will be 18-time Grammy Winner and Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame inductee Aretha Franklin. Tonight’s concert will be Dorf’s 14th annual tribute concert held at Carnegie Hall, with 100% of the net proceeds given to music education organizations for underprivileged youth.”
This looks pretty special!

Jill Eikenberry: Songs I’ve Sung
Feinstein’s/54 Below / 7PM, $30-$40
“In her return to the nightclub stage, Eikenberry celebrates her impending 70th birthday and looks back on her long career, which notably includes her Emmy-nominated portrayal of hard-driving attorney and Venus Butterfly beneficiary Ann Kelsey on L.A. Law.”

Karen Mason Celebrates the CD Release of “It’s About Time”
Birdland, 315 W44th St./ 7PM, $30
“The Broadway at Birdland concert series is proud to announce that Broadway/Cabaret star Karen Mason will celebrate her newest recording, “It’s About Time,” with with songs that include “A House Is Not A Home,” “What Are You Doing The Rest of Your Life,” “Everything’s Coming Up Roses,” and the title cut, “It’s About Time,” a glorious anthem of love and marriage equality, written by Mason’s husband Paul Rolnick.”

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

Banff Mountain Film Festival
Symphony Space, 2537 Broadway / 7:30PM, $28
“The Banff Mountain Film Festival is the largest and the most prestigious mountain festival in the world. The World Tour showcases award-winning films and audience favorites from approximately 300 films entered from over 35 countries with stops planned at 390 locations in all seven continents.

Traveling from remote landscapes and cultures to up close and personal with adrenaline-packed action mountain sports, the tour is an exhilarating exploration and celebration of the spirit of adventure. Exhilarating and thought-provoking, this is a must-see for mountain enthusiasts and those with a spirit of adventure. Through the big screen, audiences can visit remote cultures and the world’s last great wild places as well as experiencing footage of adrenaline packed action sports.”

Modern Mondays: An Evening with Suzan Pitt
Museum of Modern Art, 11 W. 53rd St./ 7PM, $12
“Suzan Pitt’s wildly imaginative and comically sinister animation has dazzled MoMA audiences for nearly 45 years. The award-winning artist and filmmaker returns to introduce the New York premiere of five newly restored films as well as her most recent work. This career-encompassing Modern Mondays is presented in partnership with the Academy Film Archive as a featured event in MoMA’s To Save and Project festival.”

Immigration in Trump’s America
Graduate Center, CUNY, 365 Fifth Ave./ 6:30PM, FREE, RSVP required.
“President Trump’s hard-line rhetoric, from “Build the Wall” to his call for a ban on Muslims entering the country, created a highly charged atmosphere. WNYC’s Brian Lehrer hosts a panel of experts with diverse viewpoints on what US immigration policy should be and how it will affect undocumented workers and the economy.”

And don’t forget these continuing events:

The Orchid Show (thru April 09)
New York Botanical Garden, 2900 Southern Blvd., the Bronx.
“This edition of the New York Botanical Garden’s annual Orchid Show, now in its fifteenth year, focusses on Thailand’s rich history and the flower’s cultural status as one of the country’s leading exports. Held in the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, the display features blooming orchids by the hundreds in lush tropical environments, leading into an arched installment styled in the manner of a traditional Thai pavilion. The schedule includes several panel discussions, tours, and after-hours viewings with music and cocktails.” (NewYorker)

==============================================================
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 underground (UG), 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

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.

==================================================================================
♦ 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 is 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 / Midtown West.

Russian Vodka Room / 265 W 52nd St (btw 7th/8th ave)

Sure, you could travel to Minsk or even Brighton Beach, for an authentic Russian experience, but why bother. On those days when you feel you must wash down your dish of kasha with a few glasses of icy, cold vodka, the Russian Vodka Room will definitely satisfy your urge.

From the outside this place looks a bit drab, and with no windows, a bit mysterious. Midtown tourists walk right by on their way to see “Jersey Boys,” just down the block.
(Alas, no more. After 10 years, “Jersey Boys” closed Jan.15)

lThose in the know enter a secret hideaway, a dimly lit front room with soft jazz playing – a perfect spot for an illicit late-night rendezvous, or maybe a meet-up with your Russian spy handler, but that’s later in the evening. Early in the evening the large U-shaped bar fills with the after work happy hour crowd, a group made very happy by the much reduced prices.

Their website says: “Welcome Comrades”. Of course, this welcome focuses on dozens of different vodkas, including their own special infusions, which marinate in giant, clear glass jugs visible around the room. The large vodka martinis ensure that you won’t confuse this place with your mother’s Russian Tea Room.

But man does not live by vodka alone. Eat some food, especially the tapa like appetizers. Be decadent and try the cheese blintzes with chocolate, or try a main dish like beef stroganoff with kasha.

Your best bet is to go on a night when the piano man is playing. This guy, who looks like he has eaten a lot of those cheese blintzes, plays five nights a week from 7 to 12 (no Mondays and Thursdays). When the piano man is playing American pop tunes, and you are at the crowded, dimly lit bar testing the horseradish infused vodka, that’s when the RVR shines.

It’s the kind of place where the noise gets louder and the crowd gets happier as the happy hour goes on. I’m generally a beer guy, but I like to come here with a group of friends. We find a table in the back room near the piano man; we eat, and we drink vodka ‘till it hurts (and it will hurt).
========================================================
Website: http://www.russianvodkaroom.com/
Phone #: 212-307-5835
Hours: 4pm-2am; Fri-Sun closes 4am (that could be trouble)
Happy Hour: 4-7pm every day
$4 shots infused vodka (2oz), $5 cosmos; $4 czech draft beer
Music: FR-SU; TU-WE / 7pm-12am
Subway: #1 to 50th St.
Walk 2 blk N. on B’way to 52nd St.; 1 blk W. to RVR
Confusingly, the Russian Samovar is right across the street, on the S. side of 52nd St.
The RVR, your destination, is on the N. side of 52nd St.
Update: music now includes a younger, trimmer piano man. “Tiny” we miss you.
Update#2: Rumor that “Tiny” is back playing only on Friday nights – need to check it out.

==================================================================================
“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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Selected NYC Events (03/05) + Museum Special Exhibitions: Manhattan’s 5th Avenue

Posted on 03/05/2017 by GregD

Today’s Super 7 NYC Events >SUNDAY/MAR.05, 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-Mar.”

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

Dan Levinson
Cornelia Street Café, 29 Cornelia St./ 8:30PM, +10PM, $10
“Although we naturally associate the Gypsy jazz of the iconic Django Reinhardt with guitars and violins (as exemplified by the Quintette du Hot Club de France, which Reinhardt co-led with Stéphane Grappelli), the clarinet also found its place in his swirling and evocative music. Levinson, long a key figure on the traditional-jazz scene, takes an affectionate look at the Belgian titan’s durable legacy, supported by Koran Agan and Josh Kaye on guitars and Eduardo Belo on bass.” (NewYorker)

6 OTHER TOP NYC EVENTS TODAY (see below for full listing)
>>MVP Jazz Quartet: “Remembering James Williams and Mulgrew Miller”
>>THE MUSIC OF EDITH PIAF
>>CRAIG TABORN
>>On Shakespeare with Ted Leinwand
>>Vince Giordano: There’s a Future in the Past
>>Armory Show

Plus Continuing Events:
>>The Orchid Show

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

Music, Dance, Performing Arts

MVP Jazz Quartet: “Remembering James Williams and Mulgrew Miller”
Dizzy’s Club, Broadway at 60th St./ 7:30PM, +9:30PM, $35
“Williams and Miller were truly M.V.P. pianists who, although gifted with firm, individualistic instrumental voices, could fit into any given jazz situation. Unfortunately, both died too soon. A quartet of veteran players and peers celebrates their fortifying contributions: the pianist Donald Brown, the saxophonist Bobby Watson, the bassist Ray Drummond, and the drummer Marvin (Smitty) Smith.” (NewYorker)

THE MUSIC OF EDITH PIAF, FEAT. YAEL & GABRIEL
HIGHLINE BALLROOM, / 8:30PM, $22-$30
“Ransack the Louvre, scour every patisserie, interrogate every mime — you will not find anything more French than the music of Edith Piaf, whose quavering voice instantly summons images of a bygone, bohemian world of heartache and longing. So what better way to celebrate Sunday Brunch to honor France’s greatest star? Now Yael & Gabriel perform selections from Piaf’s incomparable repertoire, which includes “La Vie En Rose”, “Non, Je Ne Regrette” , “Hymne a L’amour” “Milord”,”La Foule”,”I’Accordeoniste” and ” Padam …Padam” and many more wonderful songs at the Highline Ballroom Yael Dray-Barel is a French/Israeli singer/songwriter influenced by rock and gypsy jazz, and her songs often incorporate the five languages she can speak. Gabriel Hermida is an Argentinian guitarist, infusing his compositions with the essence of classical tango, flamenco and contemporary jazz. Together, their styles create a uniquely exciting musical mix.”

CRAIG TABORN (LAST DAY)
at the Village Vanguard / 8:30PM, +10:30PM $30.
“Mr. Taborn, a masterly pianist, is celebrating this month’s release of “Daylight Ghosts,” his third album on ECM and his first with a quartet. It has a standard format — Chris Speed on saxophone and clarinet, Chris Lightcap on bass, and Dave King on drums — but a different kind of sound that cools and focuses your ear. Mr. Taborn is a kind of miniaturist, building small and powerful patterns; clearing space for Mr. Speed’s simple, threadlike saxophone; and letting force accumulate without clouding the picture. All the album’s musicians will join him for this string of twice-nightly performances.” (NYT-GIOVANNI RUSSONELLO)

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

On Shakespeare with Ted Leinwand
92Y, Lexington Ave@ 92nd St./ 11AM, $42
“In “The Great William,” Ted Leinwand examines how seven writers — Coleridge, Keats, Woolf, Olson, Berryman, Ginsberg and Hughes — wrestled with Shakespeare.

“One of the smartest and most engaging studies to have crossed my desk in a very long time,” wrote James Shapiro. “It is also rich in archival discoveries, steeped in biographical insight and deeply knowledgeable about the ways in which great writers have read and responded to Shakespeare.”

Vince Giordano: There’s a Future in the Past (also Mar.12)
Symphony Space, 2537 Broadway, Leonard Nimoy Thalia Theatre/ 6PM, $14
“What does it take to keep Jazz Age music going strong in the 21st century? Two words: Vince Giordano – a bandleader, musician, historian, collector, and NYC institution. For nearly 40 years, Vince Giordano and The Nighthawks have brought the joyful syncopation of the 1920s and ‘30s to life with their virtuosity, vintage musical instruments, and more than 60,000 period band arrangements.

This joyful documentary offers an intimate portrait of Vince, taking us behind the scenes as he shares his passion for hot jazz with a new generation of music and swing-dance fans.

“If music is God’s gift to man, then Vince Giordano is one of the angels who delivers it. A terrific film about dedication, perseverance and staying true to one’s art. (And that music!)” – Terence Winter Creator, Boardwalk Empire”

Armory Show (LAST DAY)
Pier 94, W55th St., at 12th Ave./
“This week, one of the city’s biggest contemporary-art extravaganzas, the Armory Show, takes over two piers (92 and 94) on the Hudson River. (March 2-5; on March 1, MOMA kicks things off with a big party at the museum.) The fair has jazzed things up this year with multiple installations, most notably a large hanging chicken-shaped sculpture by the Chinese artist Ai Weiwei.” (NewYorker)

And don’t forget these continuing events:

The Orchid Show (thru April 09)
New York Botanical Garden, 2900 Southern Blvd., the Bronx.
“This edition of the New York Botanical Garden’s annual Orchid Show, now in its fifteenth year, focusses on Thailand’s rich history and the flower’s cultural status as one of the country’s leading exports. Held in the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, the display features blooming orchids by the hundreds in lush tropical environments, leading into an arched installment styled in the manner of a traditional Thai pavilion. The schedule includes several panel discussions, tours, and after-hours viewings with music and cocktails.” (NewYorker)

===========================================================
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):

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

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)

Morgan Library & Museum
‘I’M NOBODY! WHO ARE YOU? THE LIFE AND POETRY OF EMILY DICKINSON’ (through May 28).
“This is the second-largest gathering ever, anywhere, of prime Dickinson relics, and as such it comes with an aura the size of a city block. It instantly turns the Morgan into a pilgrimage site, a literary Lourdes, a place to come in contact with one aspect of America that truly can claim greatness. And the show has a mission, to give 21st-century audiences a fresh take on Dickinson. Gone is the white-gowned Puritan nun, and the Belle of Amherst, that infantilized charmer. At the Morgan we get a different Dickinson, a person among people: a member of a household, a village dweller, a citizen.” 212-685-0008, themorgan.org. (NYT-Holland Cotter)

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 this one:
‘CELEBRATING THE ARTS OF JAPAN: THE MARY GRIGGS BURKE COLLECTION’ (through May 2017)
“This lavish collection of 160 objects came to the Met from the Mary and Jackson Burke Foundation in early 2015. The Burkes loved Japanese art — all of it — and the exhibition is close to compendious in terms of media, from wood-carved Buddhas to bamboo baskets, with a particular strength in painting, early and late. The quality of the work? Japan thinks highly enough of it to have made the Burke holdings the first Japanese collection from abroad ever to show at Tokyo National Museum. 212-535-7710, metmuseum.org.” (Cotter)

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

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 03/03 and 03/01.
=============================================================

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Selected NYC Events (03/04) + Today’s Featured Pub (Greenwich Village)

Posted on 03/04/2017 by GregD

Today’s Super 7 NYC Events >SATURDAY/MAR.04, 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-Mar.”

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

RICKIE LEE JONES AND MADELEINE PEYROUX
Town Hall, 13 W43rd St./ 8PM, $50+
“Not all that long ago, bluesy singer Madeleine Peyroux was an American in Paris, performing on the streets with hat in hand. Today, she performs on stage to sold-out crowds.

Rickie Lee Jones defies convention with her sometimes brazen sexuality and a mixed bag of jazz, rock and confessional songwriter performances.”

6 OTHER TOP NYC EVENTS TODAY (see below for full listing)
>>STEVE COLEMAN REFLEX.
>>Eddie Palmieri: Celebrating 80 Years
>>John Pizzarelli Trio +Special Guest Jerry Weldon
>>CRAIG TABORN
>>10th Annual Panorama Challenge
>>Armory Show

Plus Continuing Events:
>>The Orchid Show

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

Music, Dance, Performing Arts

STEVE COLEMAN REFLEX
at the Jazz Gallery / 7:30PM, +9:30PM, $40-$45
“Mr. Coleman’s adamant alto saxophone dances in and out of his own systems, avoiding harmonic resolution and toying with the experimental funk rhythms he composes. A MacArthur fellow, he often travels the globe in search of inspiration, rhythmic and otherwise. Mr. Coleman’s most recent album, “Synovial Joints,” featured a 21-piece orchestra, but at the Jazz Gallery he appears in a trio, with his longtime collaborators Anthony Tidd, on bass, and Sean Rickman, on drums. Expect relentless, bottom-heavy, tuneful interplay.” (NYT-GIOVANNI RUSSONELLO)

Eddie Palmieri: Celebrating 80 Years
Rose Theater, Jazz at Lincoln Center/ 8PM, $90+
“Mr. Palmieri has brought a rock ’n’ roll energy and a drummer’s pummeling flair to the piano since the 1960s. Back then he led a famous salsa band, La Perfecta, before embarking on a range of jazz-fusion projects. Mr. Palmieri appears here with his 16-piece orchestra in a celebration of his 80th birthday. The band includes the fabulous lead vocalist Herman Olivera and the strong trumpeter Brian Lynch. Don’t expect to stay in your seat for long.” (NYT- GIOVANNI RUSSONELLO)

John Pizzarelli Trio +Special Guest Jerry Weldon (LAST DAY)
Birdland, / 8:30PM, +11PM, $50
“John Pizzarelli charms audiences with his warmth, sense of humor and musical chops. Through his multi-faceted career as a jazz guitarist, vocalist and bandleader, the son of the legendary guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli and New Jersey native, has become one of the most recognizable faces and voices in contemporary jazz for his interpretations of classic standards, romantic ballads and the cool jazz flavor he brings to his performances and recordings.”

CRAIG TABORN (Feb. 28 through March 5)
at the Village Vanguard / 8:30PM, +10:30PM $30.
“Mr. Taborn, a masterly pianist, is celebrating this month’s release of “Daylight Ghosts,” his third album on ECM and his first with a quartet. It has a standard format — Chris Speed on saxophone and clarinet, Chris Lightcap on bass, and Dave King on drums — but a different kind of sound that cools and focuses your ear. Mr. Taborn is a kind of miniaturist, building small and powerful patterns; clearing space for Mr. Speed’s simple, threadlike saxophone; and letting force accumulate without clouding the picture. All the album’s musicians will join him for this string of twice-nightly performances.” (NYT-GIOVANNI RUSSONELLO)

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

Elsewhere, but this is one fun evening. I’ll be there:
10th Annual Panorama Challenge
Queens Museum, NYC Building, Flushing Meadows Corona Park / 6PM, $20
“The Panorama Challenge quizzes participants about our city while laser­-wielding judges point out clues on the Panorama. The evening’s MC Matt Apter will read aloud the questions, and teams of 10 (or so) will use those clues and musical hints to determine the correct answer.

Jonathan Turer, in his sixth year as Quizmaster, has again devised new questions! For 2017: Open House New York has partnered with the Panorama Challenge to create a category based on their upcoming series Getting to Zero: New York + Waste. Other categories will include: Seinfeld; Snow in the City; Traveling by Subway; Mills, Mills, Mills; and Forts of NY. In light of BREXIT and the 2016 Presidential Election, the Halftime Quiz will feature questions based on British NYC and the Trumps.
The winning Pro team will join the ranks of legendary past winners when its name is etched on the Panorama Challenge Trophy at the Queens Museum!”

Armory Show (thru Mar.05)
Pier 94, W55th St., at 12th Ave./
“This week, one of the city’s biggest contemporary-art extravaganzas, the Armory Show, takes over two piers (92 and 94) on the Hudson River. (March 2-5; on March 1, MOMA kicks things off with a big party at the museum.) The fair has jazzed things up this year with multiple installations, most notably a large hanging chicken-shaped sculpture by the Chinese artist Ai Weiwei.” (NewYorker)

And don’t forget these continuing events:

The Orchid Show (thru April 09)
New York Botanical Garden, 2900 Southern Blvd., the Bronx.
“This edition of the New York Botanical Garden’s annual Orchid Show, now in its fifteenth year, focusses on Thailand’s rich history and the flower’s cultural status as one of the country’s leading exports. Held in the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, the display features blooming orchids by the hundreds in lush tropical environments, leading into an arched installment styled in the manner of a traditional Thai pavilion. The schedule includes several panel discussions, tours, and after-hours viewings with music and cocktails.” (NewYorker)

================================================
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:

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 discovery and enjoyment.
See Below.

==================================================================================
♦ 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 and 3 Good Eating Places – Greenwich Village

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Website: http://caffevivaldi.com/
Phone #: (212) 691-7538
Hours: Music generally 7:30PM – 11PM, but varies
Lunch/Dinner 11AM-on
Subway: #1 to Christopher St.
Walk 1 blk S. on 7th ave S. to Bleecker St., 1 blk left on Bleecker to Jones St., 50 yards left on Jones St. to Caffe V.
==============================================================
“Pub” is used in it’s broadest sense – bars, bar/restaurants, jazz clubs, wine bars, tapas bars, craft beer bars, dive bars, cocktail lounges, and of course, pubs – just about anyplace you can get a drink without a cover charge.

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

3 Good Eating places

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

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

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

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

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

◊ For all my picks of 54 Good Eating places, and essays on my favorite 18 PremierPubs in 9 Neighborhoods on Manhattan’s WestSide, order a copy of my e-book:
“Eating and Drinking on NYCity’s WestSide” ($4.99, available Summer 2017).
◊ Order before May.31, 2017 and receive a bonus – 27 of my favorite casual dining places with free Wi-Fi.

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Selected NYC Events (03/03) + Museum Special Exhibitions: Manhattan’s WestSide

Posted on 03/03/2017 by GregD

Today’s Sweet 6 NYC Events >FRIDAY/MAR.03, 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-Mar.”

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

Eddie Palmieri: Celebrating 80 Years(thru Mar.04)
Rose Theater, Jazz at Lincoln Center/ 8PM, $90+
“Mr. Palmieri has brought a rock ’n’ roll energy and a drummer’s pummeling flair to the piano since the 1960s. Back then he led a famous salsa band, La Perfecta, before embarking on a range of jazz-fusion projects. Mr. Palmieri appears here with his 16-piece orchestra in a celebration of his 80th birthday. The band includes the fabulous lead vocalist Herman Olivera and the strong trumpeter Brian Lynch. Don’t expect to stay in your seat for long.” (NYT- GIOVANNI RUSSONELLO)

5 OTHER TOP NYC EVENTS TODAY (see below for full listing)
>>Kelly Burke: Love for Sale
>>John Pizzarelli Trio +Special Guest Jerry Weldon
>>CRAIG TABORN
>>Armory Show
>>Theodore Roosevelt, Mark Twain and the Birth of the American Empire

Plus Continuing Events:
>>The Orchid Show

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

Music, Dance, Performing Arts

Kelly Burke: Love for Sale (LAST DAY)
Huron Club, 17 Vandam St./ 5PM, $40
image-1“English singer-actor Burke makes her U.S. debut in a “cabaret-play” set in the 1930s, featuring songs by Kurt Weill and others. The winning Charlie Alterman costars as her pianist.” (TONY)

“Developed for London’s historic Wilton’s Music Hall, and following sell-out performances in London and Edinburgh, Love for Sale is a 1930’s cabaret celebrating the music of Kurt Weill, Cole Porter and their contemporaries. Featuring OffWestEnd Award nominee Kelly Burke and Broadway musical director Charlie Alterman (Pippin, Next to Normal).
“A heartfelt, stylish show – as intelligent as it is decadent” The List

John Pizzarelli Trio +Special Guest Jerry Weldon (thru Mar.04)
Birdland, / 8:30PM, +11PM, $50
“John Pizzarelli charms audiences with his warmth, sense of humor and musical chops. Through his multi-faceted career as a jazz guitarist, vocalist and bandleader, the son of the legendary guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli and New Jersey native, has become one of the most recognizable faces and voices in contemporary jazz for his interpretations of classic standards, romantic ballads and the cool jazz flavor he brings to his performances and recordings.”

CRAIG TABORN (Feb. 28 through March 5)
at the Village Vanguard / 8:30PM, +10:30PM $30.
“Mr. Taborn, a masterly pianist, is celebrating this month’s release of “Daylight Ghosts,” his third album on ECM and his first with a quartet. It has a standard format — Chris Speed on saxophone and clarinet, Chris Lightcap on bass, and Dave King on drums — but a different kind of sound that cools and focuses your ear. Mr. Taborn is a kind of miniaturist, building small and powerful patterns; clearing space for Mr. Speed’s simple, threadlike saxophone; and letting force accumulate without clouding the picture. All the album’s musicians will join him for this string of twice-nightly performances.” (NYT-GIOVANNI RUSSONELLO)

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

Armory Show (thru Mar.05)
Pier 94, W55th St., at 12th Ave./
“This week, one of the city’s biggest contemporary-art extravaganzas, the Armory Show, takes over two piers (92 and 94) on the Hudson River. (March 2-5; on March 1, MOMA kicks things off with a big party at the museum.) The fair has jazzed things up this year with multiple installations, most notably a large hanging chicken-shaped sculpture by the Chinese artist Ai Weiwei.” (NewYorker)

Theodore Roosevelt, Mark Twain and the Birth of the American Empire
92nd Street Y, 1395 Lexington Ave./ 12PM, $25
Stephen Kinzer transports us to the dawn of the twentieth century, when the United States first found itself with the chance to dominate faraway lands.

That prospect thrilled some Americans and horrified others with the country’s best-known political and intellectual leaders taking sides. Theodore Roosevelt, Henry Cabot Lodge and William Randolph Hearst pushed for imperial expansion; Mark Twain, Booker T. Washington and Andrew Carnegie preached restraint. Delve into each side’s arguments and appreciate how remarkably current they still are today.” (ThoughtGallery.org)

And don’t forget these continuing events:

The Orchid Show (thru April 09)
New York Botanical Garden, 2900 Southern Blvd., the Bronx.
“This edition of the New York Botanical Garden’s annual Orchid Show, now in its fifteenth year, focusses on Thailand’s rich history and the flower’s cultural status as one of the country’s leading exports. Held in the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, the display features blooming orchids by the hundreds in lush tropical environments, leading into an arched installment styled in the manner of a traditional Thai pavilion. The schedule includes several panel discussions, tours, and after-hours viewings with music and cocktails.” (NewYorker)

=======================================================
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:

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):

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

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

Museum of Modern Art:
‘FROM THE COLLECTION: 1960-1969’ (through March 12)
“MoMA shakes up its sanctum sanctorum, installing half of its permanent collection galleries with works chosen by 17 curators from a single decade: the tumultuous 1960s. The limited time frame is balanced by unprecedented breadth and variety. As never before, the presentation mixes together objects and artworks from all six of the museum’s curatorial departments. The blend is alternately stimulating and bewildering, revelatory and infuriating: yet another symptom of the museum’s limited curatorial mind-set. 212-708-9400, moma.org.” (Smith)

‘FRANCIS PICABIA: OUR HEADS ARE ROUND SO OUR THOUGHTS CAN CHANGE DIRECTION’ (through March 19).
“The restless career of one of the great provocateurs of early modernism finally gets its due from the Museum of Modern Art, healthfully perturbing that institution’s emphasis on linear progress and creative genius with radically shifting styles and tones. His lush, large-scale Cubist paintings; machine-based images; Dada anti-art and magazines; several returns to figuration; and final abstract styles are all present and give no quarter.” (Smith)

 ‘TONY OURSLER: IMPONDERABLE’ (through April 16)
“This small exhibition is centered on a 90-minute film in which episodes from the history of spiritualist frauds and hoaxes are re-enacted by people in fanciful costumes while mystic flames, smoke and ectoplasmic phenomena come and go. At certain moments during “Imponderable,” you feel breezes wafting over you and hear loud thumping under the theater’s risers. The crudeness of these effects is part of the generally comical spirit. It’s all about the confusion between illusion and reality to which human beings seem to be congenitally susceptible.” (Johnson)

And 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)

 Whitney Museum of American Art:

FAST FORWARD: PAINTING FROM THE 1980S (thru May 14)
“Fast Forward: Painting from the 1980s presents a focused look at painting from this decade with works drawn entirely from the Museum’s collection.

In the 1980s, painting recaptured the imagination of the contemporary art world against a backdrop of expansive change. An unprecedented number of galleries appeared on the scene, particularly in downtown New York. Groundbreaking exhibitions—that blurred distinctions between high and low art—were presented at alternative and artist-run spaces. New mediums, including video and installation art, were on the rise. Yet despite the growing popularity of photography and video, many artists actively embraced painting, freely exploring its bold physicality and unique capacity for expression and innovation.

The exhibition includes work by artists often identified with this explosive period—Jean-Michel Basquiat, Sherrie Levine, David Salle, and Julian Schnabel—as well as by several lesser-known painters. These artists explored the traditions of figuration and history painting, and offered new interpretations of abstraction. Many addressed fundamental questions about artmaking in their work, while others took on political issues including AIDS, feminism, gentrification, and war. In the face of a media-saturated environment, artists in the 1980s recommitted to painting. Far from dead, painting came to represent an important intersection between new ways of seeing and a seemingly traditional way of making art.”

==============================================================
For other selected Museum and Gallery Special Exhibitions see Recent Posts in right sidebar dated 03/01 and 02/27.
==============================================================

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Selected Events (03/02) + Today’s Featured Pub (Times Square/ Theater District)

Posted on 03/02/2017 by GregD

Today’s Elite 8 NYC Events >THURSDAY/MAR.02, 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-Mar.”

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

Bajah and The Dry Eye Crew and Sahr + Ricardo Performing FELA aKUsTIc
Atrium 360° David Rubenstein Atrium at Lincoln Center/ 7:30PM, FREE, but Atrium seating is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis, better get there early.
“A double bill and jam of boundary crossing international soul with Bajah’s conscious blend of dancehall and hip-hop from Sierra Leone and Fela AKUsTIc’s exploration of the soulful essence of Afrobeat. With special guests.

SAHR + RICARDO’s FELA aKUsTIc is a radical reinterpretation of the music of Afrobeat creator Fela Kuti. Fela’s 15 to 30-piece orchestra has been stripped down to a two-piece core and the songs considerably reinvented.

African superstars Bajah + The Dry Eye Crew are poised to conquer the global airwaves with their international debut album and their unique sound, which blends the swagger and funk of hip-hop, the passion and energy of dancehall, and the socially conscious vibe of reggae.”

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

>>The Greatest Songs of the Great American Songbook
>>Kelly Burke: Love for Sale
>>John Pizzarelli Trio +Special Guest Jerry Weldon
>>Boston Symphony Orchestra
>>CRAIG TABORN
>>Armory Show
>>Countdown to Pearl Harbor: The Twelve Days to the Attack,

Plus Continuing Events:
>>The Orchid Show

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

Music, Dance, Performing Arts

The Greatest Songs of the Great American Songbook
Feinstein’s/54 Below, 254 W 54th St./ 8PM, $35+
“The Great American Songbook, the treasure trove of popular music written by American composers from Tin Pan Alley, Broadway, Hollywood, Vaudeville, Radio, and Recordings includes all of America’s great songs of the 20th Century. Our show will present the very best, most enduring, most beloved of these songs. Where else can you hear iconic numbers like “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” (movies), “Stardust” (radio/recording), “Moon River” (movies), “Can’t Help Lovin’ that Man” (theater), “Cry Me a River” (pop song) in the same show, performed by a glittering cast of New York City’s greatest entertainers? One hit after another, one classic song after the other, one great performance – one after the other – brought to you by Broadway and nightclub stars of the very first rank. The most popular music of our time can all be found in The Greatest Songs of The Great American Songbook.”

Kelly Burke: Love for Sale
Huron Club, 17 Vandam St./ 5PM, $40
image-1“English singer-actor Burke makes her U.S. debut in a “cabaret-play” set in the 1930s, featuring songs by Kurt Weill and others. The winning Charlie Alterman costars as her pianist.” (TONY)

“Developed for London’s historic Wilton’s Music Hall, and following sell-out performances in London and Edinburgh, Love for Sale is a 1930’s cabaret celebrating the music of Kurt Weill, Cole Porter and their contemporaries. Featuring OffWestEnd Award nominee Kelly Burke and Broadway musical director Charlie Alterman (Pippin, Next to Normal).
“A heartfelt, stylish show – as intelligent as it is decadent” The List

John Pizzarelli Trio +Special Guest Jerry Weldon
Birdland, / 8:30PM, +11PM, $50
“John Pizzarelli charms audiences with his warmth, sense of humor and musical chops. Through his multi-faceted career as a jazz guitarist, vocalist and bandleader, the son of the legendary guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli and New Jersey native, has become one of the most recognizable faces and voices in contemporary jazz for his interpretations of classic standards, romantic ballads and the cool jazz flavor he brings to his performances and recordings.”

Boston Symphony Orchestra – A Russian affair.
Carnegie Hall, / 8PM, $12.50+
“If Dmitri Shostakovich spent his whole career struggling with the rewards and dangers of being a famous Soviet composer, his student Sofia Gubaidulina bided her time, writing music of sublime but unauthorized strangeness that leaked to the West before it was recognized at home. Teacher and disciple are united in this program that includes her new concerto for violin, cello, and a Russian accordion called the bayan; also, Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 7.” (J.D.-NYMag)

CRAIG TABORN (Feb. 28 through March 5)
at the Village Vanguard / 8:30PM, +10:30PM $30.
“Mr. Taborn, a masterly pianist, is celebrating this month’s release of “Daylight Ghosts,” his third album on ECM and his first with a quartet. It has a standard format — Chris Speed on saxophone and clarinet, Chris Lightcap on bass, and Dave King on drums — but a different kind of sound that cools and focuses your ear. Mr. Taborn is a kind of miniaturist, building small and powerful patterns; clearing space for Mr. Speed’s simple, threadlike saxophone; and letting force accumulate without clouding the picture. All the album’s musicians will join him for this string of twice-nightly performances.” (NYT-GIOVANNI RUSSONELLO)

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

Armory Show
Pier 94, W55th St., at 12th Ave./
“This week, one of the city’s biggest contemporary-art extravaganzas, the Armory Show, takes over two piers (92 and 94) on the Hudson River. (March 2-5; on March 1, MOMA kicks things off with a big party at the museum.) The fair has jazzed things up this year with multiple installations, most notably a large hanging chicken-shaped sculpture by the Chinese artist Ai Weiwei.” (NewYorker)

Author @ the Library:
Countdown to Pearl Harbor: The Twelve Days to the Attack,
with Steve Twomey, Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter.
Mid-Manhattan Library / 630PM, FREE
“This illustrated lecture provides a fascinating look at the twelve days leading up to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor—the warnings, clues, and missteps.”

And don’t forget these continuing events:

The Orchid Show (thru April 09)
New York Botanical Garden, 2900 Southern Blvd., the Bronx.
“This edition of the New York Botanical Garden’s annual Orchid Show, now in its fifteenth year, focusses on Thailand’s rich history and the flower’s cultural status as one of the country’s leading exports. Held in the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, the display features blooming orchids by the hundreds in lush tropical environments, leading into an arched installment styled in the manner of a traditional Thai pavilion. The schedule includes several panel discussions, tours, and after-hours viewings with music and cocktails.” (NewYorker)

===========================================================
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)

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

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

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

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

==================================================================================
“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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Selected NYC Events (03/01) + GallerySpecialExhibits: Chelsea

Posted on 03/01/2017 by GregD

Today’s Super 7 NYC Events>WEDNESDAY/MAR.01, 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-Mar.”

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

Middle East Hands Reunion,
International House, 500 Riverside Drive / 6:30PM, FREE, please RSVP
“The Overseas Press Club brings together a panel of foreign correspondents, who covered the Middle East over the past five decades to discuss the future of the region and media coverage in the wake of recent geopolitical changes.”

The panel of journalists looks very impressive. I’ll be there. 6:30 p.m. Reception, followed by the program at 7:30 p.m.

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

>>John Pizzarelli Trio + Special Guests
>>Boston Symphony Orchestra
>>CRAIG TABORN
>>MARDI GRAS/FAT TUESDAY CELEBRATION WITH DONALD HARRISON 
>>Intelligence Squared Debates: Charter Schools Are Overrated
>>The David Berg Distinguished Speakers Series: An Evening with Andrew Solomon

Plus Continuing Events:
>>The Orchid Show

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

Music, Dance, Performing Arts

John Pizzarelli Trio + Special Guests
Birdland, / 8:30PM, +11PM, $50
“John Pizzarelli charms audiences with his warmth, sense of humor and musical chops. Through his multi-faceted career as a jazz guitarist, vocalist and bandleader, the son of the legendary guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli and New Jersey native, has become one of the most recognizable faces and voices in contemporary jazz for his interpretations of classic standards, romantic ballads and the cool jazz flavor he brings to his performances and recordings.”

Boston Symphony Orchestra – A Russian affair.
Carnegie Hall, / 8PM, $12.50+
“If Dmitri Shostakovich spent his whole career struggling with the rewards and dangers of being a famous Soviet composer, his student Sofia Gubaidulina bided her time, writing music of sublime but unauthorized strangeness that leaked to the West before it was recognized at home. Teacher and disciple are united in this program that includes her new concerto for violin, cello, and a Russian accordion called the bayan; also, Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 7.” (J.D.-NYMag)

CRAIG TABORN (Feb. 28 through March 5)
at the Village Vanguard / 8:30PM, +10:30PM $30.
“Mr. Taborn, a masterly pianist, is celebrating this month’s release of “Daylight Ghosts,” his third album on ECM and his first with a quartet. It has a standard format — Chris Speed on saxophone and clarinet, Chris Lightcap on bass, and Dave King on drums — but a different kind of sound that cools and focuses your ear. Mr. Taborn is a kind of miniaturist, building small and powerful patterns; clearing space for Mr. Speed’s simple, threadlike saxophone; and letting force accumulate without clouding the picture. All the album’s musicians will join him for this string of twice-nightly performances.” (NYT-GIOVANNI RUSSONELLO)

MARDI GRAS/FAT TUESDAY CELEBRATION WITH DONALD HARRISON 
at the Blue Note, / 8PM, +10:30PM, $20-$35
“Mr. Harrison strode onto the New York scene in the 1980s and early ’90s with a sleek blend of postbop and R&B that he called “nouveau swing.” The fusion came rather naturally to him thanks to his upbringing in New Orleans, where old-style jazz mingles with new innovations. Mr. Harrison also holds the title of big chief of the Congo Square Nation, an African-American cultural group in New Orleans. He will perform a special Mardi Gras show here with a band of talented younger musicians: Theo Croker on trumpet, Zaccai Curtis on piano, Max Moran on bass and Joe Dyson on drums.” (NYT-GIOVANNI RUSSONELLO)

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

Intelligence Squared Debates: Charter Schools Are Overrated
Merkin Concert Hall, 129 W. 67th St./ 6:45PM, $40
“In the 25 years since Minnesota passed the first charter school law, these publically funded but privately operated schools have become a highly sought-after alternative to traditional public education, particularly for underserved students in urban areas. Between 2004 and 2014 alone, charter school enrollment increased from less than 1 million to 2.5 million students. Many charter schools boast of high test scores, strict behavioral and academic expectations, and high graduation rates. For some, their growth is an example of success in the education reform movement. But have these schools lived up to their promise? Opponents argue that charters, which are subject to fewer regulations and less oversight, lack accountability, take much-needed resources from public schools, and pick and choose their student body. Are charter schools overrated?”

The David Berg Distinguished Speakers Series: An Evening with Andrew Solomon
Museum of the City of New York, 1220 Fifth Ave./ 6PM, $40
“As border obsessions grow, Andrew Solomon makes a passionate argument for the importance—even the moral imperative—of travel. Drawing on his work in global hotspots, Solomon will advocate for his hometown of New York City and its historic welcoming of newcomers, which he sees as part of a counterbalance to rising autocracy.” (thoughtgallery.org)

And don’t forget these continuing events:

The Orchid Show (thru April 09)
New York Botanical Garden, 2900 Southern Blvd., the Bronx.
“This edition of the New York Botanical Garden’s annual Orchid Show, now in its fifteenth year, focusses on Thailand’s rich history and the flower’s cultural status as one of the country’s leading exports. Held in the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, the display features blooming orchids by the hundreds in lush tropical environments, leading into an arched installment styled in the manner of a traditional Thai pavilion. The schedule includes several panel discussions, tours, and after-hours viewings with music and cocktails.” (NewYorker)

=====================================================
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 (all six are within walking distance of each other):
Village Vanguard – 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 – 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.

==================================================================================
♦ 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.

R

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

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).

=======================================================
For other selected Museum and Gallery Special Exhibitions see recent posts in right sidebar dated 02/21 and 02/19.
======================================================

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Selected NYC Events (02/28) + Today’s Featured Pub (Tribeca)

Posted on 02/28/2017 by GregD

Today’s Sweet 6 NYC Events>TUESDAY/FEB.28, 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-Feb.”

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

MARDI GRAS/FAT TUESDAY CELEBRATION WITH DONALD HARRISON (also March 1)
at the Blue Note, / 8PM, +10:30PM, $20-$35
“Mr. Harrison strode onto the New York scene in the 1980s and early ’90s with a sleek blend of postbop and R&B that he called “nouveau swing.” The fusion came rather naturally to him thanks to his upbringing in New Orleans, where old-style jazz mingles with new innovations. Mr. Harrison also holds the title of big chief of the Congo Square Nation, an African-American cultural group in New Orleans. He will perform a special Mardi Gras show here with a band of talented younger musicians: Theo Croker on trumpet, Zaccai Curtis on piano, Max Moran on bass and Joe Dyson on drums.” (NYT-GIOVANNI RUSSONELLO)

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

>>Boston Symphony Orchestra
>>Funky Fat Tuesday” Celebration with George Clinton and Parliament-Funkadelic
>>Mardis Gras: Brass, Sass and Ass
>> m
>>NYC: Where the Wild Things Are

Plus Continuing Events:
>>The Orchid Show

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Music, Dance, Performing Arts

Boston Symphony Orchestra – A Russian affair.
Carnegie Hall, / 8PM, $12.50+
“If Dmitri Shostakovich spent his whole career struggling with the rewards and dangers of being a famous Soviet composer, his student Sofia Gubaidulina bided her time, writing music of sublime but unauthorized strangeness that leaked to the West before it was recognized at home. Teacher and disciple are united in this program that includes her new concerto for violin, cello, and a Russian accordion called the bayan; also, Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 7.” (J.D.-NYMag)

Funky Fat Tuesday” Celebration with George Clinton and Parliament-Funkadelic
B.B. King Blues Club & Grill / 8PM, $49
“George Clinton—the one and only Uncle Jam and author of the recent memoir (deep breath) Brothas Be, Yo Like George, Ain’t That Funkin’ Kinda Hard on You?—lands the mothership for a night of ass-liberating funk. Here the funk innovator hosts what’s become an annual Mardi Gras celebration for fifth straight year.” (TONY)

Elsewhere, but this just might be worth the detour:

Mardis Gras: Brass, Sass and Ass
at House of Yes , 2 Wyckoff ave. Bklyn/ 10PM, FREE
“Masquerade masks and gobs of purple, green and gold glitter are encouraged at this Bourbon Street–inspired rager dubbed Brass, Sass & Ass. The fete involves a colorful parade, death-defying Lady Circus performers and plenty of carnival bedazzlement. We dare you to see how many beads you can collect (or earn) while the funky Idle Hands Brass Band performs.” (TONY)

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

More of today’s select  events coming soon.

Elsewhere, but this looks interesting, and worth the detour:

NYC: Where the Wild Things Are
Prospect Heights Brainery, 190 Underhill Ave., Prospect Heights / 8:30PM, $7
“From eagles to coyotes, pumpkin ashes to Torrey’s mountain mint, New York City continues to astound with the variety of plants and animal species found here. Some have figured out how to thrive in this harsh urban environment, some are just passing through on migration, and others are just barely holding on. Join us for an illustrated talk on the enormous variety of flora and fauna here in the city and where to find it, with a special emphasis on Brooklyn’s wild edges, green heart, and right outside your door.”

And don’t forget these continuing events:

The Orchid Show (thru April 09)
New York Botanical Garden, 2900 Southern Blvd., the Bronx.
“This edition of the New York Botanical Garden’s annual Orchid Show, now in its fifteenth year, focusses on Thailand’s rich history and the flower’s cultural status as one of the country’s leading exports. Held in the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, the display features blooming orchids by the hundreds in lush tropical environments, leading into an arched installment styled in the manner of a traditional Thai pavilion. The schedule includes several panel discussions, tours, and after-hours viewings with music and cocktails.” (NewYorker)

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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 (all six are within walking distance of each other):
Village Vanguard – 178 7th Ave. South, villagevanguard.com, 212-255-4037
Blue Note – 131 W3rd St. nr 6th ave. bluenotejazz.com, 212-475-8592
55 Bar – 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 – 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):

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

A PremierPub / Tribeca

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

b_flat4There are some places that are tough to find, then add a layer of mystery when you do find them. B-Flat has a nondescript, almost unmarked door at street level – today’s speakeasy vibe. Open this door and you face a dimly lit stairway down to their basement location. It almost takes a leap of faith to follow the stairs down to their interior door.
But open that door and a pleasant surprise awaits you.

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

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

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

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

This place is tough to find (look for a small slate sandwich board on the sidewalk out front advertising happy hour) and on some nights when there is no live music it may be a little too quiet for some. But I think it’s worth searching out if you want a place with good music, food, and especially drinks, away from the maddening crowd.

Website: http://http://www.bflat.info/index.html
Phone #: 212-219-2970
Hours: Mo-Wed 5pm-2am; Th-Sat 5pm-3am; no Sun
Happy Hour: 5-7pm every day; $8 cocktails + special prices on apps
Music: Mon/Wed 8pm
Subway: #1 to Franklin; walk E 1 blk to Church; N 1 blk to bFlat

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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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Selected NYC Events (02/27) + Museum Special Exhibitions: Manhattan’s 5th Avenue

Posted on 02/27/2017 by GregD

Today’s Sweet 6 NYC Events>MONDAY/FEB.27, 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-Feb.”

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

Broadway by the Year: The Broadway Musicals of the 1920s
The Town Hall, 123 W43rd St./ 8PM, $52-$62
“Scott Siegel’s valuable concert series opens another time capsule. This edition returns us to a decade of songs by the likes of Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, the Gershwins and Rodgers and Hart. The starry cast includes Carolee Carmello, Mary Testa, Robert Cuccioli, Beth Malone and Jill Paice.” (TONY)

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

>>“In C”
>> OS MUTANTES
>>LaChanze: Feeling Good
>> Love for Sale: The History of Sex in Musicals
>> Before the Fires: An Oral History of African American Life in the Bronx From the 1930s to the 1960s

Plus Continuing Events:
>>The Orchid Show

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Music, Dance, Performing Arts

“In C” – Big-band Minimalism.
(Le) Poisson Rouge, m/ 7:30PM, $25
“Terry Riley’s 1964 salvo In C remains one of contemporary classical’s most striking pieces, filled with conflict, joy, and a whole lot of polyrhythm. For their annual birthday concert, Darmstadt ­Essential Repertoire revisits the work with 34 ­musicians, including avant-metal drummer Greg Fox.” (NewYork Magazine)

OS MUTANTES
at Webster Hall, 125 E11th St./ 8PM, $30
“The psychedelic-rock band Os Mutantes was a pivotal force behind the rise of tropicália music — a genre also pioneered by the revered songwriters Caetano Veloso and Gilberto Gil that arose partly in response to Brazil’s 1964 coup d’état. Os Mutantes went on hiatus in the late 1970s, but the group’s cool blend of bossa nova, samba and rock ’n’ roll had far-reaching influence on musicians like Beck, Kurt Cobain and David Byrne. After ending a decades-long break in 2006, Sérgio Dias, one of the band’s founding members, is returning to the United States with a revamped lineup for a limited run of shows. In concert, the group delivers a joyous, party-starting tour of its many albums, including the seminal late-1960s releases “Os Mutantes” and “Mutantes.” (NYT-KEVIN O’DONNELL)

LaChanze: Feeling Good
Highline Ballroom, 431 W16th St./ 8PM, $40
“The single-named, multitalented LaChanze is widely beloved in the Broadway world for her performances in musicals including Once on This Island, The Color Purple and the current If/Then. At the Highline Ballroom, she shares her radiance in a cozier setting.” (TONY)

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

Love for Sale: The History of Sex in Musicals
The Greene Space, 44 Charlton St./ 7PM, $20
“In the beginning, the Broadway musical had one thing on its mind: sex.
The chorus girls were leggy, the comedians were blue, and the songwriters were happy hedonists like Cole Porter, whose 1930 musical “The New Yorkers” featured songs so scandalous that they were banned on the radio. For decades after that, sex sold on Broadway, from the eroticized choreography of Bob Fosse to the nudie musicals that reigned supreme in the 1970s. Host Jack Viertel looks at 100 years of life upon the wicked stage.

Join us tonight for conversation and performances as The Greene Space teams up with New York City Center to present another season of Encores! Unscripted — our series exploring how musicals have reflected and shaped American life.”

Before the Fires: An Oral History of African American Life in the Bronx From the 1930s to the 1960s
Mid-Manhattan Library, 455 Fifth Ave./ 6:30PM, FREE
With Bob Gumbs, an artist, publisher, and author, and Mark Naison, Professor of History and African American Studies at Fordham University.

“This illustrated lecture tells the personal stories of seventeen African-American men and women who lived in the South Bronx before the social and economic decline of the area that began in the late 1960s.”

And don’t forget these continuing events:

The Orchid Show (thru April 09)
New York Botanical Garden, 2900 Southern Blvd., the Bronx.
“This edition of the New York Botanical Garden’s annual Orchid Show, now in its fifteenth year, focusses on Thailand’s rich history and the flower’s cultural status as one of the country’s leading exports. Held in the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, the display features blooming orchids by the hundreds in lush tropical environments, leading into an arched installment styled in the manner of a traditional Thai pavilion. The schedule includes several panel discussions, tours, and after-hours viewings with music and cocktails.” (NewYorker)

===========================================================
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):

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

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)

Morgan Library & Museum
‘I’M NOBODY! WHO ARE YOU? THE LIFE AND POETRY OF EMILY DICKINSON’ (through May 28).
“This is the second-largest gathering ever, anywhere, of prime Dickinson relics, and as such it comes with an aura the size of a city block. It instantly turns the Morgan into a pilgrimage site, a literary Lourdes, a place to come in contact with one aspect of America that truly can claim greatness. And the show has a mission, to give 21st-century audiences a fresh take on Dickinson. Gone is the white-gowned Puritan nun, and the Belle of Amherst, that infantilized charmer. At the Morgan we get a different Dickinson, a person among people: a member of a household, a village dweller, a citizen.” 212-685-0008, themorgan.org. (NYT-Holland Cotter)

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 this one:
‘CELEBRATING THE ARTS OF JAPAN: THE MARY GRIGGS BURKE COLLECTION’ (through May 2017)
“This lavish collection of 160 objects came to the Met from the Mary and Jackson Burke Foundation in early 2015. The Burkes loved Japanese art — all of it — and the exhibition is close to compendious in terms of media, from wood-carved Buddhas to bamboo baskets, with a particular strength in painting, early and late. The quality of the work? Japan thinks highly enough of it to have made the Burke holdings the first Japanese collection from abroad ever to show at Tokyo National Museum. 212-535-7710, metmuseum.org.” (Cotter)

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

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).
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For other selected Museum and Gallery Special Exhibitions see Recent Posts in right Sidebar dated 02/25 and 02/23.
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