Selected NYC Events (09/09) + US Tennis Open (Day 12)

Posted on 09/09/2016 by GregD

Today’s Sweet6 NYC Events > FRIDAY / SEPT 09, 2016

“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: “Annual NYC Events / Sept.”

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

John Pizzarelli (LAST DAY)
Birdland, 315 W44th St./ 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. While maintaining a busy touring schedule, John also founded “Radio Deluxe with John Pizzarelli” a nationally syndicated radio program co-hosted with his wife, Broadway star Jessica Molaskey. On his recent CD, Pizzarelli put his signature spin on songs by Paul McCartney.” (WFUV.org)

Music, Dance, Performing Arts

54 Sings Broadway’s Greatest Hits!
54 Below, 254 W54th St./ 9:30PM, $35+
“Volumes 1-5 of this Scott Siegel Concert Event hit Feinstein’s/54 Below like rolling thunder. Though the first show in this wildly popular series took place on a night a hurricane was supposed to close down New York City, it sold out anyway because this was the show that every musical theater-lover had been waiting for. And after three more packed shows, we’re going to do it again, with a brand new line-up of Broadway’s Greatest Hits!

If you skip through cast albums just to hear the very best songs in each show, this is the nightclub concert event for you . If you love the classics of the Great White Way, come and hear the songs that made Broadway great, that made your heart soar, that you used to sing (maybe still do) in the shower! But at Feinstein’s/54 Below, you will hear the greatest Broadway songs of all time performed by today’s greatest stars, singing them straight up, the way you want to hear them!”

MULATU ASTATKE
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1000 Fifth Ave. @82nd St./ 7PM, $maybe a tough tcket
“This seventy-two-year-old master’s musical education began in the nineteen-fifties, when he came to North Wales from the small city of Jimma, Ethiopia, as a promising sixteen-year-old engineering student. Astatke began studying trumpet, clarinet, and piano, and continued his musical pursuits at Trinity College and in London jazz clubs. He became the first African student to enroll at the Berklee College of Music, before settling in New York, in the early sixties, where he formed the Ethiopian Quintet, a Latin-jazz band that played club dates and Puerto Rican weddings. That quintet contained the first traces of “Ethio-jazz,” a moody fusion of dark, evocative melodies, rooted in five-note Ethiopian scales and underpinned by jazz harmony. In the late sixties, Astatke returned to Ethiopia, where he fully developed his sound and continued fostering the connection between American jazz and African music. Despite his long career, it was only after Astatke’s sublime music was featured in the Jim Jarmusch film “Broken Flowers” that he began to gain the worldwide recognition he deserves.’ (NewYorker)

STEVE TURRE QUINTET
Smoke Jazz Club, 2751 Broadway, between 105th and 106th Sts./7, 9, 10:30PM, $40
“When it comes to stylists who double on dissimilar instruments, Turre is assuredly in a class by himself. A trombone virtuoso, he also can blow the stuffings out of seashells. He leads a no-nonsense neobop outfit with the saxophonist Eric Alexander and the living legend drummer Jimmy Cobb, who powers Turre’s new album, “Colors for the Masters.” (NewYorker)

CÉCILE MCLORIN SALVANT & AARON DIEHL TRIO (thru Sept.11)
Village Vanguard, 178 Seventh Ave. S., at 11th St./ 8:30PM, +10:30PM, $35
“It’s inevitable that Salvant and Diehl will eventually go their separate ways, but no one looks forward to their split. In a case of singular talents who bring out their respective bests, Salvant and Diehl (at the helm of his polished trio) read each other like twins, accelerating together when bolting swing is called for and ruminating in tandem when balladry beckons.” (NewYorker)

Rebirth Brass Band (Sep 08-11)
Blue Note, 131 W3rd St./ 8PM, +10:30PM, $20-$35
“Whether seen on HBO’s Treme or at their legendary Tuesday night gig at The Maple Leaf, Grammy-winning Rebirth Brass Band is a true New Orleans institution. Formed in 1983 by the Frazier brothers, the band has evolved from playing the streets of the French Quarter to playing festivals and stages all over the world. While committed to upholding the tradition of brass bands, they have also extended themselves into the realms of funk and hip-hop to create their signature sound.

“Rebirth can be precise whenever it wants to,” says The New York Times, “but it’s more like a party than a machine. It’s a working model of the New Orleans musical ethos: as long as everybody knows what they’re doing, anyone can cut loose.” In the wake of the sometimes-stringent competition among New Orleans brass bands, Rebirth is the undisputed leader of the pack, and they show no signs of slowing down.”

TODAY’S TOP NYC EVENT

U.S. TENNIS OPEN (Day 12)
The U.S. Open starts play today at 12 noon at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park in Queens (about 45 min. from Times Square). The tournament runs through Sept. 11 and is the fourth and final Grand Slam tennis tournament of the year.
subway: #1-2-3 to Times Square; transfer to #7 to Willets Point.

Today’s tip:
The best, most comprehensive review of the tournament and the current state of tennis can be found at the NYTimes/Sports.

Today’s Top Matches:
MEN’S SEMIFINALS
(1) Novak Djokovic vs. (10) Gael Monfils
Novak Djokovic has accomplished virtually everything the game has to offer, but one New York feat has eluded him: defending his championship in the Big Apple.

The world No. 1 has been a permanent fixture in the men’s semifinals for a decade now, having reached at least the final four for 10 consecutive years. He’s been in the final six times in the past nine years, including victories in 2011 and 2015, and he boasts Final Four triumphs over Roger Federer, David Ferrer, Marin Cilic and Stan Wawrinka.

Djokovic and Monfils have never met at this stage of the US Open before, but the Serb has scored a pair of US Open victories against the electric Frenchman, including in 2005 in a five-set thriller and in straight sets in 2015. Those are just two of the 12 wins Djokovic has over Monfils, who has never beaten the 12-time Grand Slam champion and has taken just seven of 35 sets in their career head-to-head.

But this is a different Monfils, a more mature Monfils, who has been equal mix business and pleasure. The 30-year-old is a perfect 15-for-15 in sets played thus far, including a two-hour quarterfinal victory over No. 24 seed Lucas Pouille, the only seed he has had to face so far.

This is Monfils’ first US Open semifinal and just his second time this deep at a major following a 2008 run at Roland Garros. Unfortunately for No. 10 seed, he has rarely played the big matches well. He’s lost 19 of 22 matches against Top 5 opponents over the past six years, and his only ever win against the No. 1 player in the world came more than seven-and-a-half years ago, when he beat Rafa Nadal in Doha.

Since turning pro in 2004, the Frenchman has six titles. Djokovic has seven since the calendar flipped to 2016.

A fresh Djokovic is incredibly difficult to beat, and with Federer, Murray and Nadal all out of the tournament, he knows how close he is to another title. Monfils’ raw athleticism and showmanship will earn him a large portion of fans inside Arthur Ashe Stadium, but this match likely won’t be close. Djokovic advances to the final in straight sets.

(3) Stan Wawrinka vs. (6) Kei Nishikori
Both Stan Wawrinka and Kei Nishikori have had near misses on their roads to the Final Four. Wawrinka saved match points against unseeded Brit Daniel Evans in Louis Armstrong in the third round, while Nishikori needed four sets to get past a trio of unseeded players in Week 1.

In the quarterfinals, Wawrinka played under the lights against Juan Martin del Potro and the Japanese prevailed in a five-set thriller with 2012 champion Andy Murray that pushed the four-hour mark. Now they will go head-to-head for a spot in the final. Wawrinka has won three of their five career meetings, with Nishikori winning their most recent contest, in the semifinals of the Roger’s Cup last month, and the Swiss prevailing in the quarterfinals of the 2015 Australian Open.

Wawrinka is 51-17 this season, Nishikori 59-19, so splitting the duo is no easy task. Stan the Man has the singular best tool with his fluid one-handed backhand, but Nishikori loves the hard courts, hits flat from both wings and is comfortable hugging the baseline like he did against Murray.

A four-set match is almost a guarantee, and Nishikori prevails in another three-hour classic.
 (USOpen.org)

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

==================================================================================
♦ Before making final plans, we suggest you call the venue to confirm ticket availability, dates and times, as schedules are subject to change.
♦ NYCity, with a population of  8.5 million, had a record 58 million visitors last year and was TripAdvisor’s Traveler’s Choice Top U.S. Destination for 2016.  Quality shows draw crowds.
Try to reserve seats in advance at these top NYC events, even if just on day of performance.
NYCity Vacation Travel Guide Video (Expedia):
================================================================================

This week’s fave and FREE NYCity AppS: 
Trip Advisor
An enormous base of NYCity user reviews (2.1 million) provides the widest coverage of hotels (468), restaurants (12,645) and things to do (yes, 3,246). Have a specific question? Then try one of Trip Advisor’s forums. Just remember that with all those reviews you have to try to find the consistency among the comments, and ignore the outliers.

OpenTable
Instantly locate restaurants near you with open reservations and then place a reservation right from your iOS device. A great interface and the ability to see a menu from the restaurant you’re interested in makes this my go to restaurant reservation app.

Subway Time 
Need to catch your #1,2,3 subway to attend an event? Use the Subway Time app from the MTA to find out when the next train arrives at your station. The MTA also has Train and Bus Time info available on their mobile website.
==========================================================

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Selected NYC Events (09/08) + US Tennis Open (Day 11)

Posted on 09/08/2016 by GregD

Today’s Sweet6 NYC Events > THURSDAY / SEPT 08, 2016

“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: “Annual NYC Events / Sept.”

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

New Yorker Cartoons Past, Present & Future with Bob Mankoff
Museum of the City of New York, Fifth Avenue at 103rd St./ 6:30PM, $25 (Registration is required.)
“Meet the man behind The New Yorker’s witty illustrations in this discussion with the magazine’s cartoon editor, Bob Mankoff. In addition to sprinkling clever cartoons throughout the magazine’s pages for the past 20 years, Mr. Mankoff has also written four books, including a 2014 memoir, “How About Never — Is Never Good For You?: My Life in Cartoons.” The title was inspired by one of his creations, which became one of the magazine’s most popular cartoons of all time. The event accompanies the museum’s exhibition “Roz Chast: Cartoon Memoirs” about the New Yorker cartoonist.” (NYT-AroundTown)

Music, Dance, Performing Arts

CÉCILE MCLORIN SALVANT & AARON DIEHL TRIO (thru Sept.11)
Village Vanguard, 178 Seventh Ave. S., at 11th St./ 8:30PM, +10:30PM, $35
“It’s inevitable that Salvant and Diehl will eventually go their separate ways, but no one looks forward to their split. In a case of singular talents who bring out their respective bests, Salvant and Diehl (at the helm of his polished trio) read each other like twins, accelerating together when bolting swing is called for and ruminating in tandem when balladry beckons.” (NewYorker)

Rebirth Brass Band (Sep 08-11)
Blue Note, 131 W3rd St./ 8PM, +10:30PM, $20-$35
“Whether seen on HBO’s Treme or at their legendary Tuesday night gig at The Maple Leaf, Grammy-winning Rebirth Brass Band is a true New Orleans institution. Formed in 1983 by the Frazier brothers, the band has evolved from playing the streets of the French Quarter to playing festivals and stages all over the world. While committed to upholding the tradition of brass bands, they have also extended themselves into the realms of funk and hip-hop to create their signature sound.

“Rebirth can be precise whenever it wants to,” says The New York Times, “but it’s more like a party than a machine. It’s a working model of the New Orleans musical ethos: as long as everybody knows what they’re doing, anyone can cut loose.” In the wake of the sometimes-stringent competition among New Orleans brass bands, Rebirth is the undisputed leader of the pack, and they show no signs of slowing down.”

John Pizzarelli (thru sept 09)
Birdland, 315 W44th St./ 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. While maintaining a busy touring schedule, John also founded “Radio Deluxe with John Pizzarelli” a nationally syndicated radio program co-hosted with his wife, Broadway star Jessica Molaskey. On his recent CD, Pizzarelli put his signature spin on songs by Paul McCartney.” (WFUV.org)

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

Weapons of Math Destruction: How Big Data Increases Inequality and Threatens Democracy
Barnes & Noble, 150 E86th St./ 7PM, FREE
“Welcome to the dark side of big data. A former Wall Street quantitative analysis expert sounds the alarm on the opaque, unregulated, uncontestable and discriminatory mathematical models that pervade modern life—and threaten to rip apart our social fabric. In Weapons of Math Destruction, Cathy O’Neil provides tangible solutions toward creating a more equitable and transparent future for all.”

How We Got Here: History and the 2016 Election with David Gergen
The Park Avenue Armory, 643 Park Ave./ 6:30PM, $15
“The Park Avenue Armory has seen a parade of presidents and candidates come through its doors, from Rutherford B. Hayes to Harry S. Truman to George W. Bush. But who will be next? In the case of the 2016 election, what’s past is prologue. As Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton face off for the presidency, history continues to shape the issues facing voters and candidates alike. Political commentator David Gergen will explore how political, social, and economic history—both in the American and global context—have shaped 2016 and what it means for Election Day on November 8th.”

TODAY’S TOP NYC EVENT

U.S. TENNIS OPEN (Day 11)
The U.S. Open starts play today at 12 noon at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park in Queens (about 45 min. from Times Square). The tournament runs through Sept. 11 and is the fourth and final Grand Slam tennis tournament of the year.
subway: #1-2-3 to Times Square; transfer to #7 to Willets Point.

Today’s tips:
Unfortunately, this was the last year for the Grandstand court and Louis Armstrong stadium, which are being replaced by a much larger, less intimate stadium. They will be sorely missed. There will be a farewell ceremony today for Armstrong Stadium, along with free grounds admission from 12 to 6 PM. So come out today, head over to the new Grandstand court and watch the Doubles SemiFinals for both Men and Women. Should be some great tennis and it’s FREE.

The best, most comprehensive review of the tournament and the current state of tennis can be found at the NYTimes/Sports.

Today’s Top Matches:
WOMEN’S SEMIFINALS
(1) Serena Williams vs. (10) Karolina Pliskova
Nobody will deny what Serena Williams is capable of – if the American plays her best tennis, there is nobody who could beat her. Karolina Pliskova’s strong summer and impressive US Open does not change that.

Pliskova has a ton of firepower. She already has won battles of power against No. 6 Venus Williams (4-6, 6-4, 7-6) in the round of 16 and unseeded Ana Konjuh (6-2, 6-2) in the quarterfinals. But Serena is a far different challenge.

The top seed brings more than simply power to the table. She starts off points with arguably the greatest weapon in tennis history: her serve. But she can do more than hit through the court, but around it as well by dropping shots shorter in the court with angles to open up space in which to finish off points. In her win over Simona Halep Wednesday night, Serena used almost every tool in her repertory to fight back after a sloppy second set to win, 6-2, 4-6, 6-3.

The last time Williams and Pliskova played was their only meeting, and it was relatively straightforward. The six-time US Open champion beat the Czech two years ago in Stanford, closing the match out with a strong second set, 7-5, 6-2.

If Serena brings her “A” game Thursday night, Pliskova will have little chance. The 24-year-old made her first Grand Slam fourth round this major, and has kept it going since. But while she has handled the success well thus far, Williams is the world No. 1 for a reason. Expect her to come through in two.

(2) Angelique Kerber vs. Caroline Wozniacki
On Feb. 18, 2013, Serena Williams reclaimed the top spot in the rankings for the sixth time in her career. The American star has not lost it since, and can tie Steffi Graf’s WTA record of 186 consecutive weeks on top of the world at the end of the US Open. But world No. 2 Angelique Kerber is two wins from taking her throne, potentially becoming the first German to hold the top spot since Graf had it last in 1996.

But Kerber still has work to do to get there, starting with a clash against close friend and unseeded former No.1 Caroline Wozniacki. Wozniacki came to Flushing Meadows as the 74th-ranked player in women’s tennis, but she has proven that she certainly is in far better form than that with marquee victories throughout the tournament over the likes of No. 8 Madison Keys and No. 9 Svetlana Kuznetsova.

Wozniacki has played her trademark backboard-style game, forcing her opponents into rushing points and bad shot selection. Kerber, on the other hand, is not like any of the players the Dane has faced this tournament. Her game can be described as patiently aggressive – not necessarily just scraping balls back in the court but not punishing them either. And thus far she has played it to perfection, advancing to this stage without dropping a set.

Kerber has won seven of the 12 meetings between the pair, although Wozniacki has won five of nine hard-court matchups. This will be a far different match than those, as it will be their first clash in a Grand Slam, in the semifinals no less.

While Wozniacki has played her best tournament in a long time here in New York, it will not be enough against Kerber, who can possibly be the best player in the world at week’s end. Take the German in two tight sets.
 (USOpen.org)

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

==================================================================================
♦ Before making final plans, we suggest you call the venue to confirm ticket availability, dates and times, as schedules are subject to change.
♦ NYCity, with a population of  8.5 million, had a record 58 million visitors last year and was TripAdvisor’s Traveler’s Choice Top U.S. Destination for 2016.  Quality shows draw crowds.
Try to reserve seats in advance at these top NYC events, even if just on day of performance.
NYCity Vacation Travel Guide Video (Expedia):
================================================================================

This week’s fave and FREE NYCity AppS: 
Trip Advisor
An enormous base of NYCity user reviews (2.1 million) provides the widest coverage of hotels (468), restaurants (12,645) and things to do (yes, 3,246). Have a specific question? Then try one of Trip Advisor’s forums. Just remember that with all those reviews you have to try to find the consistency among the comments, and ignore the outliers.

OpenTable
Instantly locate restaurants near you with open reservations and then place a reservation right from your iOS device. A great interface and the ability to see a menu from the restaurant you’re interested in makes this my go to restaurant reservation app.

Subway Time 
Need to catch your #1,2,3 subway to attend an event? Use the Subway Time app from the MTA to find out when the next train arrives at your station. The MTA also has Train and Bus Time info available on their mobile website.
==========================================================

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

Selected NYC Events (09/07) + US Tennis Open (Day 10)

Posted on 09/07/2016 by GregD

Today’s Sweet6 NYC Events > WEDNESDAY / SEPT 07, 2016

“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: “Annual NYC Events / Sept.”

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

CÉCILE MCLORIN SALVANT & AARON DIEHL TRIO (thru Sept.11)
Village Vanguard, 178 Seventh Ave. S., at 11th St./ 8:30PM, +10:30PM, $35
“It’s inevitable that Salvant and Diehl will eventually go their separate ways, but no one looks forward to their split. In a case of singular talents who bring out their respective bests, Salvant and Diehl (at the helm of his polished trio) read each other like twins, accelerating together when bolting swing is called for and ruminating in tandem when balladry beckons.” (NewYorker)

Music, Dance, Performing Arts

John Pizzarelli (thru sept 09)
Birdland, 315 W44th St./ 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. While maintaining a busy touring schedule, John also founded “Radio Deluxe with John Pizzarelli” a nationally syndicated radio program co-hosted with his wife, Broadway star Jessica Molaskey. On his recent CD, Pizzarelli put his signature spin on songs by Paul McCartney.” (WFUV.org)

MCCOY TYNER
Blue Note, 131 W. 3rd St./ 8PM, +10:30PM, $30-$45
“Although he can no longer stir up keyboard tsunamis with his fingers, there’s still plenty of spirit and spark emanating from the piano of the legendary Tyner. His quartet includes the saxophonist Gary Bartz, a consequential collaborator since the sixties.” (NewYorker)

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

Muhammad Ali: Fighter’s Heaven 1974
Rizzoli Bookstore, 31 W57th St./ 6PM, FREE
“In October 1974, Muhammad Ali attempted to regain the world heavyweight boxing championship title that was stripped from him when he refused the Vietnam draft seven years earlier. He faced the brutal, undefeated George Foreman in Zaire, Africa, the fight he had dubbed “The Rumble in The Jungle.” Only weeks before, on August 11–12, photographer Peter Angelo Simon was invited to experience the private world of one of the most famous people on the planet as he prepared mentally and physically for the biggest challenge of his life.

This two-day photo-essay includes many previously unpublished photographs and captures Ali the man, unguarded, away from the glare of the media spotlight at his Pennsylvania sanctuary. It includes a foreword by D.A. Pennebaker, the foremost chronicler of American counterculture in the 1960s, and an introduction by Peter Angelo Simon, who writes: “I shot 33 rolls in the two days. Ali said nobody had ever taken so many pictures of him. I believe these photographs reveal aspects of Ali’s fascinating character not previously seen.” Few photographers got as close to the boxer behind the legend. This extraordinary book reveals the preparation for a seminal moment in cultural and political history.” (ThoughtGallery.org)

Alex Webb: La Calle | Opening Reception
Aperture Gallery and Bookstore, 547 W27th St., 4th Fl./ 7PM, FREE
“Master of color photography Alex Webb celebrates the publication of his new book, collecting more than 30 years of his vibrant images of the streets of Mexico.” (ThoughtGallery.org)

Elsewhere, but this looks worth the detour:
Dr. Strangelove Introduced by Eric Schlosser
Museum of the Moving Image, 36-01 35th Ave. Queens/ 7PM, $15
“Learn to stop worrying and love the bomb at this screening of Dr. Strangelove, which will feature an introduction and discussion with Eric Schlosser, author of Command and Control: Nuclear Weapons, the Damascus Accident, and the Illusion of Safety.

Dr. Strangelove was satire, of course, but chillingly: nearly everything in it was true. As author Eric Schlosser discovered, American officers could have indeed launched World War III all on their own. The situation may not really be all that different today.” (ThoughtGallery.org)

TODAY’S TOP NYC EVENT

U.S. TENNIS OPEN (Day 10)
The U.S. Open starts play today at 12 noon at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park in Queens (about 45 min. from Times Square). The tournament runs through Sept. 11 and is the fourth and final Grand Slam tennis tournament of the year.
subway: #1-2-3 to Times Square; transfer to #7 to Willets Point.

Today’s Top Matches:

MEN
(3) Stan Wawrinka vs. Juan Martin del Potro
Few (if any) prognosticators had Juan Martin del Potro penciled through to the quarterfinals in Flushing Meadows, and no one, not even the 6-foot-6 Argentine himself, could have imagined he’d do so without dropping so much as a set. But here we are, just 10 months after his return to the practice courts following no less than three wrist surgeries, and the 27-year-old is playing some of his most inspired tennis since he first took the US Open by storm in 2009, dethroning Roger Federer in the title tilt.

The wild-card entrant has perfected the backhand slice of late. While it hasn’t produced many winners, the stroke has proven quite useful, keeping him in points and allowing him to get around to his powerstroke, his ballistic forehand. Del Potro played a total of just 14 games in his fourth-round matchup with Top 10 force Dominic Thiem, who retired midway through the second set with a bum knee. The extra rest should benefit del Potro, who experienced some right shoulder tightness in the same match.

The Tower of Tandil boasts a 4-2 head-to-head against the No. 3-seeded Stan Wawrinka dating back a decade, including a 3-6, 6-3, 7-6, 6-3 second-round shocker at Wimbledon earlier this summer. Unlike del Potro, the Swiss has at times labored through four matches, needing five tight sets to get past upset-minded Brit Daniel Evans in the third round. But the two-time US Open semifinalist has a knack for finding his groove in the second week here. Look for Wawrinka to push del Potro to the limit in this mouthwatering Arthur Ashe Stadium blockbuster, but del Potro will extend his feel-good run in five competitive sets to reach the semis.

(2) Andy Murray vs. (6) Kei Nishikori

WOMEN
(1) Serena Williams vs. (5) Simona Halep
The records are falling by the day for the world No. 1. With a 6-2, 6-1 dispatch of Yaroslava Shvedova in the fourth round, Serena Williams surpassed Roger Federer with her 308th match win on the Grand Slam stage, a new industry mark. And the American is now just three matches away from yet another hallowed number: 23. A major title on the final Sunday in Flushing would catapult her past Steffi Graf on the all-time charts and cement her place in the history of the sport.

Williams has been workmanlike in advancing to the elite eight at the US Open, surrendering just 20 games over four straight-set victories and winning 87 percent of her first-serve points. “She’s ambitious. She gives everything to win all the matches,” said her quarterfinal opponent, fifth-seeded Simona Halep.

The Romanian has only one win in eight career encounters with Williams, her only triumph a surprise 6-0, 6-2 decision at the WTA Finals in 2014. A semifinalist here last year, Halep is often at her best on the demanding hard courts of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, and she’ll need to be at her best on Day 10 against Williams. She’s more than capable of clocking winners from anywhere on the court, even against a player the caliber of Williams, but it will be the determined American who moves into the semifinals in straight sets.

(10) Karolina Pliskova vs. Ana Konjuh
 (USOpen.org)

Today’s tips: Security screening for those with bags means it’s best to arrive early and they are very strict – no backpacks. Food options are varied, but expensive – bring snacks and a water bottle for what is a long day. The best, most comprehensive review of the tournament and the current state of tennis can be found at the NYTimes/Sports.

Unfortunately, this was the last year for the Grandstand court and Louis Armstrong stadium, which are being replaced by a much larger, less intimate stadium. They will be sorely missed. There will be a farewell ceremony for Armstrong Stadium tomorrow afternoon, along with free grounds admission from 12 to 6 PM.

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

==================================================================================
♦ Before making final plans, we suggest you call the venue to confirm ticket availability, dates and times, as schedules are subject to change.
♦ NYCity, with a population of  8.5 million, had a record 58 million visitors last year and was TripAdvisor’s Traveler’s Choice Top U.S. Destination for 2016.  Quality shows draw crowds.
Try to reserve seats in advance at these top NYC events, even if just on day of performance.
NYCity Vacation Travel Guide Video (Expedia):
================================================================================

This week’s fave and FREE NYCity AppS: 
Trip Advisor
An enormous base of NYCity user reviews (2.1 million) provides the widest coverage of hotels (468), restaurants (12,645) and things to do (yes, 3,246). Have a specific question? Then try one of Trip Advisor’s forums. Just remember that with all those reviews you have to try to find the consistency among the comments, and ignore the outliers.

OpenTable
Instantly locate restaurants near you with open reservations and then place a reservation right from your iOS device. A great interface and the ability to see a menu from the restaurant you’re interested in makes this my go to restaurant reservation app.

Subway Time 
Need to catch your #1,2,3 subway to attend an event? Use the Subway Time app from the MTA to find out when the next train arrives at your station. The MTA also has Train and Bus Time info available on their mobile website.
==========================================================

 

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Selected NYC Events (09/06) + US Tennis Open (Day 9)

Posted on 09/06/2016 by GregD

Today’s Sweet6 NYC Events > TUESDAY / SEPT 06, 2016

“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: “Annual NYC Events / Sept.”

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

John Pizzarelli
Birdland, 315 W44th St./ 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. While maintaining a busy touring schedule, John also founded “Radio Deluxe with John Pizzarelli” a nationally syndicated radio program co-hosted with his wife, Broadway star Jessica Molaskey. On his recent CD, Pizzarelli put his signature spin on songs by Paul McCartney.” (WFUV.org)

Music, Dance, Performing Arts

MCCOY TYNER (also Wed)
Blue Note, 131 W. 3rd St.
“Although he can no longer stir up keyboard tsunamis with his fingers, there’s still plenty of spirit and spark emanating from the piano of the legendary Tyner. His quartet includes the saxophonist Gary Bartz, a consequential collaborator since the sixties.” (NewYorker)

CÉCILE MCLORIN SALVANT & AARON DIEHL TRIO (thru Sept.11)
Village Vanguard, 178 Seventh Ave. S., at 11th St./ 8:30PM, +10:30PM, $35
“It’s inevitable that Salvant and Diehl will eventually go their separate ways, but no one looks forward to their split. In a case of singular talents who bring out their respective bests, Salvant and Diehl (at the helm of his polished trio) read each other like twins, accelerating together when bolting swing is called for and ruminating in tandem when balladry beckons.” (NewYorker)

Frank Sinatra – The Second Century – A Celebration of Sinatra’s Timeless Hit Songs!
54 Below, 254 W54th St./ 7PM, $35
“An all-star cast of Broadway and Nightclub stars will perform the songs that propelled Ol’ Blue Eyes into the stratosphere of superstars. Hear the hits that turned Sinatra into an icon for the ages, making him one of rare show business beacons who continues to shine even in his second century. You’ll hear songs like “One For My Baby,” “Chicago,” “My Way,” “It Was a Very Good Year,” and so many more.” (broadwayworld.com)

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

Michael Kranish and Marc Fisher on “Trump Revealed”
Book Culture on Columbus, 450 Columbus Ave./ 7PM, FREE
“Authoritative, timely, and provocative, this deeply researched biography of Donald Trump provides a complex portrait of the man who despite broad skepticism could be the next president of the United States.

Who is Donald J. Trump? Despite decades of scrutiny, many aspects of his life are not well known. To discover Trump in full, The Washington Post assembled a team of award-winning reporters and researchers to delve into every aspect of Trump’s improbable life, from his privileged upbringing in Queens to his astonishing 2016 rise to seize the Republican candidacy for president.

Coauthored by Washington Post investigative political reporter Michael Kranish and senior editor Marc Fisher, this comprehensive book documents Trump’s fascinating family roots, his aggressive efforts to make a name for himself in New York social circles, and his penchant for big bets on real estate, branded businesses, and, ultimately, on himself.

Drawn from in-depth reporting by The Washington Post, Trump Revealed is essential reading as the 2016 American presidential election looms.” (ThoughtGallery.org)

The Gatekeeper: Missy LeHand, FDR, and the Untold Story of the Partnership That Defined a Presidency
New York Public Library—Mid-Manhattan Library, 455 Fifth Ave./ 6:30PM, FREE
With Kathryn Smith, a journalist and writer with a life-long interest in FDR and his circle.
“This illustrated lecture tells the captivating and forgotten story of an intelligent, loyal, and clever woman who had a front-row seat to history in the making.

Dr. Steven Lomazow, co-author of “FDR’s Deadly Secret” and an FDR Library Trustee, will introduce Kathryn Smith.”

TODAY’S TOP NYC EVENT

U.S. TENNIS OPEN (Day 9)
The U.S. Open starts play today at 12 noon at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park in Queens (about 45 min. from Times Square). The tournament runs through Sept. 11 and is the fourth and final Grand Slam tennis tournament of the year.
subway: #1-2-3 to Times Square; transfer to #7 to Willets Point.

Today’s Top Matches:

MEN
(1) Novak Djokovic vs. (9) Jo-Wilfried Tsonga

(10) Gael Monfils vs. (24) Lucas Pouille
Pouille scored the upset of the tournament with a dramatic fifth-set tiebreak win over Rafael Nadal. He’s spent plenty of time on court this tournament, having also needed five sets to advance through his second- and third-round matches. Meanwhile, Monfils has moved through the draw in decidedly less dramatic fashion, having not yet dropped a set. To put this into perspective, Monfils has spent seven hours and 24 minutes on court. Pouille: 11 hours and 54 minutes.
This match will come down to fitness. Pouille simply doesn’t have enough left in the tank for another five-set match, and the match will move even more in Monfils’ favor the longer it goes. Pouille to start strong, but Monfils to prevail in four sets.

WOMEN
(2) Angelique Kerber vs. (7) Roberta Vinci
One of the Cinderella stories of last year’s US Open is still alive this year. Vinci has continued her love affair with New York this year, reaching fourth US Open quarterfinal. Meanwhile, Kerber has cruised through the draw without losing a set.
Their head-to-head is even at 2-2, but they haven’t played in over three years and both have become decidedly better players since then. Vinci has been struggling with an assortment of injuries that have essentially kept her off the practice court and has been the benefactor of a very kind draw. The Italian has yet to face a player ranked in the Top 40 this tournament.
Vinci will have the crowd behind her, but Kerber will race through the match in two sets.

Caroline Wozniacki vs. Anastasija Sevastova
 (USOpen.org)

Today’s tips: Security screening for those with bags means it’s best to arrive early. Food options are varied, but expensive – bring snacks and a water bottle for what is a long day. The best, most comprehensive review of the tournament and the current state of tennis can be found at the NYTimes/Sports.

Once inside check out one of the electronic scoreboards listing matches in progress. Find a match or players that interest you. Head over to their court for some great tennis, because in this tournament even the qualifiers are great players. There is no other major sporting event where you can get so close to world class athletes as at the U.S. Open – on the outer field courts, the Grandstand court, or even Louis Armstrong stadium. Courts where you can get a real sense of the pace of the game.

Unfortunately, this is the last year for the Grandstand court and Louis Armstrong stadium, which are being replaced by a much larger, less intimate stadium. They will be sorely missed. Make sure you find your way over there to see some matches while you can.
update: We saw the last match at the old Grandstand court Friday night – a sad goodbye, indeed. However, matches are still being played on Armstrong.

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

==================================================================================
♦ Before making final plans, we suggest you call the venue to confirm ticket availability, dates and times, as schedules are subject to change.
♦ NYCity, with a population of  8.5 million, had a record 58 million visitors last year and was TripAdvisor’s Traveler’s Choice Top U.S. Destination for 2016.  Quality shows draw crowds.
Try to reserve seats in advance at these top NYC events, even if just on day of performance.
NYCity Vacation Travel Guide Video (Expedia):
================================================================================

This week’s fave and FREE NYCity AppS: 
Trip Advisor
An enormous base of NYCity user reviews (2.1 million) provides the widest coverage of hotels (468), restaurants (12,645) and things to do (yes, 3,246). Have a specific question? Then try one of Trip Advisor’s forums. Just remember that with all those reviews you have to try to find the consistency among the comments, and ignore the outliers.

OpenTable
Instantly locate restaurants near you with open reservations and then place a reservation right from your iOS device. A great interface and the ability to see a menu from the restaurant you’re interested in makes this my go to restaurant reservation app.

Subway Time 
Need to catch your #1,2,3 subway to attend an event? Use the Subway Time app from the MTA to find out when the next train arrives at your station. The MTA also has Train and Bus Time info available on their mobile website.
==========================================================

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

Selected NYC Events (09/05) + US Tennis Open (Day 8)

Posted on 09/05/2016 by GregD

Today’s Sweet6 NYC Events > MONDAY / SEPT 05, 2016

“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: “Annual NYC Events / Sept.”

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

WEST INDIAN DAY CARNIVAL
Parade starts at Eastern Parkway and Utica Ave., and continues through Grand Army Plaza / 11AM
“Carnival returns to Crown Heights, a Labor Day tradition that’s capped summers in Brooklyn for decades. Rooted in the masquerade balls of Versailles, transported to the Caribbean via French colonialism, and disseminated through the African diaspora, the parade remains a highlight of the city’s cultural calendar. Revellers march down the four lanes of Eastern Parkway, in central Brooklyn, wearing extravagant, hand-stitched costumes, as floats carry booming speakers and performers of several Caribbean-grown sounds, including soca, calypso, and dancehall.” (NewYorker)

Music, Dance, Performing Arts

ROBIN EUBANKS & THE MASS LINE BIG BAND
Dizzy’s Club, 60th St. and Broadway / 7:30PM, +9:30PM, $
“The trombonist and composer Robin Eubanks has logged countless hours in big bands, including one led by his longtime associate, the bassist Dave Holland. But “More Than Meets the Ear,” released last year, is the first big band effort under Mr. Eubanks’s name, with brisk new arrangements deftly executed by peers like the saxophonist Antonio Hart.” (Chinen-NYT)

Natalie Douglas: Stevie Songs
Birdland, 315 W44th St./ 7PM, $30
“Septuple MAC Award winner Natalie Douglas has recently plumbed the catalogs of Nina Simone, Lena Horne, Abbey Lincoln and Billie Holiday, among others. Now she applies her her formidable voice to songs by Stevie Wonder and Stevie Nicks in a new set, with piano wizard Brian Nash at the keys.” (TONY)

Elsewhere, but this looks worth the detour:
ANAÏS MITCHELL
Rockwood Music Hall,196 Allen St, btw Stanton/Houston St./ 8:30PM, $
“Anaïs Mitchell’s instruments of choice — acoustic guitar and her own voice — can be a bit isolating. Yet Ms. Mitchell, an evocative folk musician, has never been far from the collaborative rush of a theatrical production: Her opus “Hadestown,” a work based on the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice, was first a folk opera, then a 2010 album featuring Justin Vernon of Bon Iver and Ani DiFranco, then an Off Broadway production that ran for 12 sold-out weeks this summer. Ms. Mitchell’s latest venture is a residency at Rockwood Music Hall, where she will be joined onstage by a revolving cast of talented friends every Monday through September.’ (Mejia-NYT)

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

Metropolitan Opera Summer HD Festival (LAST DAY)
Lincoln Center, Josie Robertson Plaza, Columbus Ave at 64th St./ various times, FREE
“Want to show up to the Metropolitan Opera like Cher in Moonstruck, but lack the cash? Fear not! Grab a date and take in an epic onscreen opera performance at Lincoln Center’s plaza, where the Met presents recent adaptations of Otello, Il Trovatore, Lucia de Lammermoor and other heartbreaking tragedies.” (TONY)

Tonight:Les Pêcheurs de Perles / 8PM, FREE
“Not seen at the Met in a century, Bizet’s opera returned to the stage last winter, with Diana Damrau in the leading role, and Matthew Polenzani and Mariusz Kwiecien singing the famous duet “Au fond du temple saint.” Gianandrea Noseda conducts. (Original transmission: January 16, 2016).”

Washington Square Outdoor Art Exhibit, (also sep 10-11)
Washington Square Park vicinity/ 12PM- 6PM, FREE
University Place, starting at East 13th Street and continuing south along the east side of Washington Square Park to West 3rd Street.
“This city tradition feels fresh every spring when artists following in the footsteps of Jackson Pollock and Willem de Kooning set up shop in the park. Hundreds of exhibitors, from NYU students to artists who remember the Village as a creative enclave, display their paintings, sculptures, photography, jewelry and woodcraft.” (TONY)

TODAY’S TOP NYC EVENT

U.S. TENNIS OPEN (Day 8)
The U.S. Open starts play today at 11AM at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park in Queens (about 45 min. from Times Square). The tournament runs through Sept. 11 and is the fourth and final Grand Slam tennis tournament of the year.
subway: #1-2-3 to Times Square; transfer to #7 to Willets Point.

Today’s Top Matches:
MEN
(6) Kei Nishikori d. (21) Ivo Karlovic
With his huge serve, Karlovic is a player that nobody wants to face. But if anybody has to, a player with a solid return like Nishikori is a perfect choice. Although Karlovic leads their head-to-head by 2-1, one of those wins was by retirement and they haven’t played in more than two years. It’s also safe to say that Nishikori is a much different player from the last time they squared off. Karlovic did well to achieve his best US Open result ever this tournament, but Nishikori will advance in four sets.

(8) Dominic Thiem d. (WC) Juan Martin del Potro
Del Potro has modestly passed Thiem off as the favorite in their upcoming match, but the Argentine won their only previous meeting this May on the clay courts of Madrid. He’s also in red-hot form, while Thiem has had a relatively modest summer for his recent standard. There will be plenty of entertaining rallies in this match, but del Potro will prevail in four sets.

(2) Andy Murray vs. (22) Grigor Dimitrov
(3) Stan Wawrinka d. Illya Marchenko

WOMEN
(6) Venus Williams vs. (10) Karolina Pliskova
Venus has seemingly turned back the clock a decade this tournament, producing two routine wins in Arthur Ashe Stadium in her past two matches. She’s also in familiar territory at the second week of a Grand Slam, while the big-serving Pliskova is in the fourth round at a major for the first time. She’s done well to overcome that hurdle, but Venus will prevail in two tight sets.

(1) Serena Williams vs. Yaroslava Shvedova
(4) Agnieszka Radwanska vs. Ana Konjuh
(5) Simona Halep vs. (11) Carla Suarez Navarro
 (USOpen.org)

Today’s tips: Security screening for those with bags means it’s best to arrive early. Food options are varied, but expensive – bring snacks and a water bottle for what is a long day. The best, most comprehensive review of the tournament and the current state of tennis can be found at the NYTimes/Sports.

Once inside check out one of the electronic scoreboards listing matches in progress. Find a match or players that interest you. Head over to their court for some great tennis, because in this tournament even the qualifiers are great players. There is no other major sporting event where you can get so close to world class athletes as at the U.S. Open – on the outer field courts, the Grandstand court, or even Louis Armstrong stadium. Courts where you can get a real sense of the pace of the game.

Unfortunately, this is the last year for the Grandstand court and Louis Armstrong stadium, which are being replaced by a much larger, less intimate stadium. They will be sorely missed. Make sure you find your way over there to see some matches while you can.

update: We saw the last match at the old Grandstand court Friday night – a sad goodbye, indeed. However, matches are still being played on Armstrong.

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

==================================================================================
♦ Before making final plans, we suggest you call the venue to confirm ticket availability, dates and times, as schedules are subject to change.
♦ NYCity, with a population of  8.5 million, had a record 58 million visitors last year and was TripAdvisor’s Traveler’s Choice Top U.S. Destination for 2016.  Quality shows draw crowds.
Try to reserve seats in advance at these top NYC events, even if just on day of performance.
NYCity Vacation Travel Guide Video (Expedia):
================================================================================

This week’s fave and FREE NYCity AppS: 
Trip Advisor
An enormous base of NYCity user reviews (2.1 million) provides the widest coverage of hotels (468), restaurants (12,645) and things to do (yes, 3,246). Have a specific question? Then try one of Trip Advisor’s forums. Just remember that with all those reviews you have to try to find the consistency among the comments, and ignore the outliers.

OpenTable
Instantly locate restaurants near you with open reservations and then place a reservation right from your iOS device. A great interface and the ability to see a menu from the restaurant you’re interested in makes this my go to restaurant reservation app.

Subway Time 
Need to catch your #1,2,3 subway to attend an event? Use the Subway Time app from the MTA to find out when the next train arrives at your station. The MTA also has Train and Bus Time info available on their mobile website.
==========================================================

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

Selected NYC Events (09/04) + US Tennis Open (Day 7)

Posted on 09/04/2016 by GregD

Today’s Sweet6 NYC Events > SUNDAY / SEPT 04, 2016

“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: “Annual NYC Events / Sept.”

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

Fendika
Joe’s Pub, 425 Lafayette St./ 9:30PM, $20
Fendika is a troupe of accomplished azmari musicians and dancers from Ethiopia. The group draws deeply from the well of Ethiopia’s rich bardic tradition while adding creative movements and sounds that revitalize the ancient artistic forms. Fendika features six performers, including two dancers and a singer, and features authentic instruments including kebero drums, masenko (a one-stringed bowed fiddle), and krar (a five- or six-stringed lyre). Founded in 2009 by Melaku Belay, the world’s foremost interpreter of eskista, a traditional Ethiopian trance dance of athletic shoulder movements that presage hip hop movements of breaking and popping. In early 2016, they were featured in NYC’s annual globalFEST!

“Sparse but mesmerizing, a gallery of regional modes and rhythms matched by twirling, shaking dances.” — The New York Times

Music, Dance, Performing Arts

Arturo O’Farrill Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra
Birdland, 315 W44th St./ 9PM +11PM, $30
“Grammy Award winning pianist, composer and educator Arturo O’Farrill — leader of the “first family of Afro-Cuban Jazz” (NY Times) — was born in Mexico and grew up in New York City. The Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra is the resident large format ensemble of the nonprofit Afro Latin Jazz Alliance (ALJA) founded by Arturo O’Farrill in 2007 and dedicated to preserving the music and heritage of big band Latin jazz.”

The English Beat
City Winery, 155 Varick St./ 8PM, $40-$50
“One tempestuous weekend in March 1979 was not only the date of the Three Mile Island nuclear incident, but also, in Birmingham, England, the very first show by a nascent band known as The Beat. Introduced as “the hottest thing since the Pennsylvania meltdown”, the band had a sense that the next few years could well be explosive!

The band crossed over fluidly between soul, reggae, pop and punk, and from these disparate pieces they created an infectious dance rhythm. Along with their contemporaries The Specials, The Selecter, and Madness, the band became an overnight sensation and one of the most popular and influential bands of the British Two Tone Ska movement.”

PERFUME
Hammerstein Ballroom, Manhattan Center, 311 W. 34th St./
“Success eluded these Hiroshima vocalists, fifteen-year veterans of the J-pop scene, as they swapped out a member and moved to Tokyo in search of a unique sound. But over time, Perfume expertly crafted a squeaky-clean bubblegum tone, preceding recent kawaii tropes in electronic music. Indeed, the band’s signature style, as much a creative innovation as a bow to their market, is now recognized as avant-garde in certain circles: you can hear similar melodies in releases from the London pop collective PC Music and in the shimmery arrangements of budding super producers like Cashmere Cat and Benny Blanco.” (NewYorker)

KURT ROSENWINKEL TRIO (LAST DAY)
Village Vanguard, 178 Seventh Ave. S., at 11th St./ 8:30PM, +10:30PM, $
“This astonishingly fluid and harmonically adventurous guitarist is among the most gifted players of his generation, who followed such visionary six-string giants as Pat Metheny and Bill Frisell. Guitar wonks drool over Rosenwinkel’s wizardry; general listeners bathe in his warming tone.” (NewYorker)

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

Metropolitan Opera Summer HD Festival (through Sept. 5)
Lincoln Center, Josie Robertson Plaza, Columbus Ave at 64th St./ various times, FREE
“Want to show up to the Metropolitan Opera like Cher in Moonstruck, but lack the cash? Fear not! Grab a date and take in an epic onscreen opera performance at Lincoln Center’s plaza, where the Met presents recent adaptations of Otello, Il Trovatore, Lucia de Lammermoor and other heartbreaking tragedies.” (TONY)

Tonight: Turandot / 8PM, FREE
“Puccini’s final opera is seen in Franco Zeffirelli’s spectacular production, a classic of the Met reper­toire. Nina Stemme takes on the title role of the ruthless Chinese princess. (Original transmission: January 30, 2016).”

TODAY’S TOP NYC EVENT

U.S. TENNIS OPEN (Day 7)
The U.S. Open starts play today at 11AM at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park in Queens (about 45 min. from Times Square). The tournament runs through Sept. 11 and is the fourth and final Grand Slam tennis tournament of the year.
subway: #1-2-3 to Times Square; transfer to #7 to Willets Point.

Today’s tips: Security screening for those with bags means it’s best to arrive early. Food options are varied, but expensive – bring snacks and a water bottle for what is a long day. The best, most comprehensive review of the tournament and the current state of tennis can be found at the NYTimes/Sports.

Once inside check out one of the electronic scoreboards listing matches in progress. Find a match or players that interest you. Head over to their court for some great tennis, because in this tournament even the qualifiers are great players. There is no other major sporting event where you can get so close to world class athletes as at the U.S. Open – on the outer field courts, the Grandstand court, or even Louis Armstrong stadium. Courts where you can get a real sense of the pace of the game.

Unfortunately, this is the last year for the Grandstand court and Louis Armstrong stadium, which are being replaced by a much larger, less intimate stadium. They will be sorely missed. Make sure you find your way over there to see some matches while you can.

update: We saw the last match at the old Grandstand court Friday night – a sad goodbye, indeed. However, matches are still being played on Armstrong.

Today’s Top Matches:

“WOMEN
(8) Madison Keys vs. Caroline Wozniacki
American Keys has lived a charmed life so far in Flushing Meadows. She was down a set and a break to fellow American Alison Riske in the opening round, at one stage just two points away from crashing out of the tournament when Riske led 5-4 in the second-set breaker, with two serves on her racquet. Then, in the third round against Naomi Osaka of Japan, Keys trailed 5-1 in the deciding set but sent the match to a tiebreak after Osaka failed to serve it out at 5-2 and again at 5-4. By contrast, former world No. 1 and two-time Open finalist Wozniacki is finishing her year strong after an otherwise disastrous, injury-plagued campaign. She’s only been to the fourth round of a major twice in the past two years, but Keys is playing much too inconsistently to keep avoiding defeat. Wozniacki takes this in three.

(14) Petra Kvitova vs. (2) Angelique Kerber

MEN
(1) Novak Djokovic vs. Kyle Edmund

(26) Jack Sock vs. (9) Jo-Wilfried Tsonga
Sock followed up his Davis Cup defeat of Croatia’s Marin Cilic in July with a straight-sets victory in the third round on Friday. In doing so, the Olympic mixed doubles gold medalist booked his place in the fourth round of the US Open for the first time and matched his deepest-ever run at a major. Tsonga, meanwhile, continued his bid to reach the second week with an impressive win over big-serving Kevin Anderson. The US Open is the only tournament where he has never advanced to the semifinals, but 2016 may not be in his favor, either, as the winner will likely play the defending champion in the quarters. Sock and Tsonga have never met on a hard court, but Sock and his overpowering forehand win in four.”   (USOpen.org)

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

==================================================================================
♦ Before making final plans, we suggest you call the venue to confirm ticket availability, dates and times, as schedules are subject to change.
♦ NYCity, with a population of  8.5 million, had a record 58 million visitors last year and was TripAdvisor’s Traveler’s Choice Top U.S. Destination for 2016.  Quality shows draw crowds.
Try to reserve seats in advance at these top NYC events, even if just on day of performance.
NYCity Vacation Travel Guide Video (Expedia):
================================================================================

This week’s fave and FREE NYCity AppS: 
Trip Advisor
An enormous base of NYCity user reviews (2.1 million) provides the widest coverage of hotels (468), restaurants (12,645) and things to do (yes, 3,246). Have a specific question? Then try one of Trip Advisor’s forums. Just remember that with all those reviews you have to try to find the consistency among the comments, and ignore the outliers.

OpenTable
Instantly locate restaurants near you with open reservations and then place a reservation right from your iOS device. A great interface and the ability to see a menu from the restaurant you’re interested in makes this my go to restaurant reservation app.

Subway Time 
Need to catch your #1,2,3 subway to attend an event? Use the Subway Time app from the MTA to find out when the next train arrives at your station. The MTA also has Train and Bus Time info available on their mobile website.
==========================================================

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

Selected NYC Events (09/03) + US Tennis Open (Day 6)

Posted on 09/03/2016 by GregD

Today’s Fab 5 NYC Events > SATURDAY / SEPT 03, 2016

“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: “Annual NYC Events / Sept.”

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

MARC ANTHONY
Radio City Music Hall/ 8PM, $95+
may be a tough ticket; may need to stub hub it.
“It’s not often that titans ask for help. But last Sunday, the salsa and pop star Marc Anthony tearfully asked his fans at Radio City Music Hall to assist him in honoring the life of his friend Juan Gabriel, the Mexican pop heavyweight, who had died that day in California. That night Mr. Anthony performed the Juan Gabriel song “Abrázame Muy Fuerte”; in this pair of shows, he may cover several more of the singer’s staples.” (Paula Mejia-NYT)

Music, Dance, Performing Arts

Dollypalooza: An Epic Fan Tribute to Dolly Parton
Le Poisson Rouge, 158 Bleecker St./ 6PM, $27
“Fans are encouraged to dress up at this wiggy annual tribute to national treasure Dolly Parton, which includes costume and trivia contests and a silent auction that benefits her charity, Imagination Library. Performers, drawn mostly from the worlds of drag and burlesque, include World Famous *BOB*, Sweetie, Sequinette Jaynesfield, Nath Ann Carrera, Tammy Cannons, Darlinda Just Darlinda, Lady Quesa’Dilla and Doll Parts: The Dolly Parton Tribute Band.” (TONY)

KURT ROSENWINKEL TRIO (thru sept 04)
Village Vanguard, 178 Seventh Ave. S., at 11th St./ 8:30PM, +10:30PM, $
“This astonishingly fluid and harmonically adventurous guitarist is among the most gifted players of his generation, who followed such visionary six-string giants as Pat Metheny and Bill Frisell. Guitar wonks drool over Rosenwinkel’s wizardry; general listeners bathe in his warming tone.” (NewYorker)

CHARLIE PARKER BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION (last day)
Birdland, 315 West 44th St./ 8:30PM, +11PM, $
“This all-star tribute to Charlie Parker features two prominent alto saxophonists, Greg Osby and Vincent Herring, alongside the singer Sheila Jordan, the tenor saxophonist Eric Alexander, the pianist Helen Sung, the bassist Lonnie Plaxico and the drummer Billy Drummond. This engagement, a respectful but freethinking spin through Parker’s music, begins the day after what would have been his 96th birthday.” (Chinen-NYT)

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

Metropolitan Opera Summer HD Festival (through Sept. 5)
Lincoln Center, Josie Robertson Plaza, Columbus Ave at 64th St./ various times, FREE
“Want to show up to the Metropolitan Opera like Cher in Moonstruck, but lack the cash? Fear not! Grab a date and take in an epic onscreen opera performance at Lincoln Center’s plaza, where the Met presents recent adaptations of Otello, Il Trovatore, Lucia de Lammermoor and other heartbreaking tragedies.” (TONY)

Tonight: The Merry Widow / 8PM, FREE
“Renée Fleming stars in Lehár’s sumptuous operetta, in a production by Broadway director and choreographer Susan Stroman. Nathan Gunn and Tony Award winner Kelli O’Hara, in her Met debut, complete the principal cast. (Original transmission: January 17, 2015).”

TODAY’S TOP NYC EVENT

U.S. TENNIS OPEN (Day 6)
The U.S. Open starts play today at 11AM at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park in Queens (about 45 min. from Times Square). The tournament runs through Sept. 11 and is the fourth and final Grand Slam tennis tournament of the year.
subway: #1-2-3 to Times Square; transfer to #7 to Willets Point.

Today’s tips: Security screening for those with bags means it’s best to arrive early. Food options are varied, but expensive – bring snacks and a water bottle for what is a long day. The best, most comprehensive review of the tournament and the current state of tennis can be found at the NYTimes/Sports.

Early in the tournament forget the Big House (Arthur Ashe Stadium). Get a grounds pass and once inside check out one of the electronic scoreboards listing matches in progress. Find a match or players that interest you. Head over to their court for some great tennis, because in this tournament even the qualifiers are great players. There is no other major sporting event where you can get so close to world class athletes as at the U.S. Open – on the outer field courts, the Grandstand court, or even Louis Armstrong stadium. Courts where you can get a real sense of the pace of the game.

Unfortunately, this is the last year for the Grandstand court and Louis Armstrong stadium, which are being replaced by a much larger, less intimate stadium. They will be sorely missed. Make sure you find your way over there to see some matches while you can.

ed. note: We saw the last match at the old Grandstand court last night – a sad goodbye, indeed. However, matches are still being played on Armstrong.

Today’s Top Matches:

MEN
(WC) Juan Martin del Potro vs. (11) David Ferrer
It may be odd to call former US Open champion Juan Martin del Potro the dark horse in this year’s men’s draw, but given his wild-card status, a ranking of No. 142 and his recent comeback from a three-year injury absence, it’s safe to say that he is. Despite his long hiatus, becoming an Olympic silver medal just two weeks ago, which included wins over Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal, is enough to prove that the Tower of Tandil has made an emphatic return. And his unforgiving forehand has made its presence known, as well. So far this US Open, del Potro has not dropped a set en route to the third round, taking wins over countryman Diego Schwartzman before dismissing American favorite Steve Johnson. His opponent in the next round, David Ferrer, may not be so quick to bow out.

The tenacious Ferrer is known for his dogged ability to track down everything that falls on his side of the net. He’s also had a habit of stretching opponents to five thrilling sets, just as he did with Fabio Fognini in Thursday’s second-round match. Expect a grueling, hard-hitting match as these two battle it out from the baseline in a test of wills and endurance. Without a doubt, this match will go the distance, with del Potro taking the edge in five sets and offering a warm embrace at the net as consolation.

(21) Ivo Karlovic vs. (Q) Jared Donaldson
The hopes of American tennis certainly looks bright with a teenager like Jared Donaldson coming up the ranks. In his first two rounds at the US Open, the 19-year-old qualifier has already defeated No. 12 seed David Goffin and Viktor Troicki, neither of whom are easy competition on the hard courts of New York. During the summer hard-court swing, Donaldson secured victories over Nicolas Almagro, Fabio Fognini and big-server Sam Groth, proving that he can hang with top players. In Saturday’s third-round match, he’ll face perhaps the biggest server of them all. No. 21 seed Ivo Karlovic, who also had a solid summer by winning the title in Los Cabos and finishing runner-up in Washington, is fresh off a straight-sets win over American Donald Young. Though he had a rough first-round win over Yen-Hsun Lu that went to a triple-tiebreak five-set match, he was much sharper in his victory over Young. This will be the first time the two go head to head, but give the edge to the more experienced Karlovic in four.

(8) Dominic Thiem vs. Pablo Carreno Busta

WOMEN
(6) Venus Williams vs. (26) Laura Siegemund
(4) Agnieszka Radwanska vs. (25) Caroline Garcia
(31) Timea Babos vs. (5) Simona Halep
 (USOpen.org)

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

==================================================================================
♦ Before making final plans, we suggest you call the venue to confirm ticket availability, dates and times, as schedules are subject to change.
♦ NYCity, with a population of  8.5 million, had a record 58 million visitors last year and was TripAdvisor’s Traveler’s Choice Top U.S. Destination for 2016.  Quality shows draw crowds.
Try to reserve seats in advance at these top NYC events, even if just on day of performance.
NYCity Vacation Travel Guide Video (Expedia):
================================================================================

This week’s fave and FREE NYCity AppS: 
Trip Advisor
An enormous base of NYCity user reviews (2.1 million) provides the widest coverage of hotels (468), restaurants (12,645) and things to do (yes, 3,246). Have a specific question? Then try one of Trip Advisor’s forums. Just remember that with all those reviews you have to try to find the consistency among the comments, and ignore the outliers.

OpenTable
Instantly locate restaurants near you with open reservations and then place a reservation right from your iOS device. A great interface and the ability to see a menu from the restaurant you’re interested in makes this my go to restaurant reservation app.

Subway Time 
Need to catch your #1,2,3 subway to attend an event? Use the Subway Time app from the MTA to find out when the next train arrives at your station. The MTA also has Train and Bus Time info available on their mobile website.
==========================================================

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

Selected NYC Events (09/02) + US Tennis Open (Day 5)

Posted on 09/02/2016 by GregD

Today’s Sweet6 NYC Events > FRIDAY / SEPT 02, 2016

“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: “Annual NYC Events / Sept.”

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

CHARLIE PARKER BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION (thru sept. 03)
Birdland, 315 West 44th St./ 8:30PM, +11PM, $
“This all-star tribute to Charlie Parker features two prominent alto saxophonists, Greg Osby and Vincent Herring, alongside the singer Sheila Jordan, the tenor saxophonist Eric Alexander, the pianist Helen Sung, the bassist Lonnie Plaxico and the drummer Billy Drummond. This engagement, a respectful but freethinking spin through Parker’s music, begins the day after what would have been his 96th birthday.” (Chinen-NYT)

Music, Dance, Performing Arts

The English Beat
City Winery, 155 Varick St./ 8PM, $40
“One tempestuous weekend in March 1979 was not only the date of the Three Mile Island nuclear incident, but also, in Birmingham, England, the very first show by a nascent band known as The Beat. Introduced as “the hottest thing since the Pennsylvania meltdown”, the band had a sense that the next few years could well be explosive!

The band crossed over fluidly between soul, reggae, pop and punk, and from these disparate pieces they created an infectious dance rhythm. Along with their contemporaries The Specials, The Selecter, and Madness, the band became an overnight sensation and one of the most popular and influential bands of the British Two Tone Ska movement.”

TAYLOR EIGSTI
Mezzrow, 163 W. 10th St./ 8PM, +9:30PM, $20
Eigsti, a former finger-busting keyboard prodigy, has matured into a lyrical and focussed jazz pianist who doesn’t shy away from contemporary pop styles. An evening of solo piano will demonstrate why a swath of bold bandleaders have clamored for his billowing talents.” (NewYorker)

KURT ROSENWINKEL TRIO (thru sept 04)
Village Vanguard, 178 Seventh Ave. S., at 11th St./ 8:30PM, +10:30PM, $
“This astonishingly fluid and harmonically adventurous guitarist is among the most gifted players of his generation, who followed such visionary six-string giants as Pat Metheny and Bill Frisell. Guitar wonks drool over Rosenwinkel’s wizardry; general listeners bathe in his warming tone.” (NewYorker)

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

Metropolitan Opera Summer HD Festival (through Sept. 5)
Lincoln Center, Josie Robertson Plaza, Columbus Ave at 64th St./ various times, FREE
“Want to show up to the Metropolitan Opera like Cher in Moonstruck, but lack the cash? Fear not! Grab a date and take in an epic onscreen opera performance at Lincoln Center’s plaza, where the Met presents recent adaptations of Otello, Il Trovatore, Lucia de Lammermoor and other heartbreaking tragedies.” (TONY)

Tonight: Cavalleria Rusticana-Pagliacci / 8PM, FREE
“Opera’s most popular double bill stars Marcelo Álvarez in both leading tenor roles, along with Eva-Maria Westbroek, Patricia Racette, and George Gagnidze. Fabio Luisi leads this production. (Original transmission: April 25, 2015).”

AMNH Presents: Wonders of the Arctic (thru Mar 2, 2017)
American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West at 79th St./ 10:30AM-4:30PM,
$27 (adults), $22 (students/seniors), $16 (children); Member Discount: $13.50 adults

LEFRAK THEATRE
Daily, every half hour from 10:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
Film Examining the Vast Ice Wilderness of the Arctic Will Screen in 3D Digital and 2D

“Set in the frozen wilderness at the top of the world, Wonders of the Arctic tells the story of survival in one of the most unforgiving environments on earth dominated by a single element: ice. Far away in this glittering world of ice and snow, polar bears tussle, huskies howl, and narwhals dive within the turquoise waters. Through compelling stories told by scientists and Inuit leaders, viewers will discover the impact of ice on the Arctic’s inhabitants, both animals and humans. For thousands of years, the Inuit and their predecessors have adapted and thrived in this beautiful yet harsh environment. Today, their survival has inspired scientists to conduct intense research and answer troubling questions about life in this fragile and largely uninhabited landscape.”

Directed by award-winning filmmaker David Lickley, Wonders of the Arctic takes audiences on a journey across one of the most beautiful and frigid places on earth, exploring how humans and animals have adapted and flourished for thousands of years in the vast ice wilderness of the Arctic.” (ThoughtGallery.org)

TODAY’S TOP NYC EVENT

U.S. TENNIS OPEN (Day 5)
The U.S. Open starts play today at 11AM at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park in Queens (about 45 min. from Times Square). The tournament runs through Sept. 11 and is the fourth and final Grand Slam tennis tournament of the year.
subway: #1-2-3 to Times Square; transfer to #7 to Willets Point.

Today’s tips: Security screening for those with bags means it’s best to arrive early. Food options are varied, but expensive – bring snacks and a water bottle for what is a long day. The best, most comprehensive review of the tournament and the current state of tennis can be found at the NYTimes/Sports.

Early in the tournament forget the Big House (Arthur Ashe Stadium). Get a grounds pass and once inside check out one of the electronic scoreboards listing matches in progress. Find a match or players that interest you. Head over to their court for some great tennis, because in this tournament even the qualifiers are great players. There is no other major sporting event where you can get so close to world class athletes as at the U.S. Open – on the outer field courts, the Grandstand court, or even Louis Armstrong stadium. Courts where you can get a real sense of the pace of the game.

Unfortunately, this is the last year for the Grandstand court and Louis Armstrong stadium, which are being replaced by a much larger, less intimate stadium. They will be sorely missed. Make sure you find your way over there to see some matches while you can.

Today’s Top Matches:
MEN
[1] Novak Djokovic vs. Mikhail Youzhny   ASHE 3RD MATCH
The intrigue surrounding Novak Djokovic was only heightened by his walkover on Wednesday, with the world No. 1 receiving an extra day off after his scheduled opponent, Jiri Vesely, withdrew due to an inflamed left forearm. Vesely is one of only two players on the Tour to lead his head-to-head against Djokovic – the other being Ivo Karlovic – so on paper this looked like an extremely fortuitous outcome for the No. 1 seed, especially as he seemed to be struggling with an elbow issue during his opener.

But not playing for three whole days in the early stages of a tournament can be disruptive, and the Serb looked in real need of some rhythm during his relatively unconvincing win over Jerzy Janowicz in the first round.

A win over a dangerous opponent like Vesely would have provided momentum, and Mikhail Youzhny, a two-time semifinalist who hasn’t dropped a set thus far, will provide stiff opposition. Still, Djokovic should have too much for the Russian, and while he may drop a set, he should come through in four.

[26] Jack Sock vs. [7] Marin Cilic   ARMSTRONG 2ND MATCH
Could either of these two have posted better second-round results? Sock demolished Mischa Zverev for the loss of just three games, while Cilic dealt with Sergiy Stakhovsky comfortably, winning 6-1, 6-2, 6-3. Both players should be fresh for what promises to be a highly intriguing match, but you have to favor the Croat. Cilic has coped admirably after a morale-crushing loss to Roger Federer from two sets up in the Wimbledon quarterfinals, going on to end Andy Murray’s career-best run of 22 consecutive wins in the Cincinnati final. If he can reach that level tomorrow, he should progress.

[20] John Isner vs. Kyle Edmund   ARMSTRONG >5:30PM
[10] GAEL MONFILS   3RD MATCH GRANDSTAND
[3] BRYAN BROTHERS   4TH MATCH GRANDSTAND

WOMEN
[8] Madison Keys vs. Naomi Osaka   ASHE >1PM
Feel sorry for the tennis balls. One thing is certain about this match – both players will hit the ball very hard, very flat, very often. Playing in her first US Open main draw, Osaka has enjoyed a productive week, only dropping one set en route to the third round. Keys, meanwhile, comes into the match off the back of her demolition job against 16-year-old Kayla Day. The eighth seed will have watched last night’s proceedings with interest –Garbiñe Muguruza’s elimination means Keys cannot face a higher seed than herself until the semifinals. Osaka is a tough proposition, but Keys should be strong enough to come through in three.

CiCi Bellis vs. [2] Angelique Kerber   ASHE NITE
Monica Niculescu vs. Caroline Wozniacki   ASHE 11AM
 (USOpen.org)

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

==================================================================================
♦ Before making final plans, we suggest you call the venue to confirm ticket availability, dates and times, as schedules are subject to change.
♦ NYCity, with a population of  8.5 million, had a record 58 million visitors last year and was TripAdvisor’s Traveler’s Choice Top U.S. Destination for 2016.  Quality shows draw crowds.
Try to reserve seats in advance at these top NYC events, even if just on day of performance.
NYCity Vacation Travel Guide Video (Expedia):
================================================================================

This week’s fave and FREE NYCity AppS: 
Trip Advisor
An enormous base of NYCity user reviews (2.1 million) provides the widest coverage of hotels (468), restaurants (12,645) and things to do (yes, 3,246). Have a specific question? Then try one of Trip Advisor’s forums. Just remember that with all those reviews you have to try to find the consistency among the comments, and ignore the outliers.

OpenTable
Instantly locate restaurants near you with open reservations and then place a reservation right from your iOS device. A great interface and the ability to see a menu from the restaurant you’re interested in makes this my go to restaurant reservation app.

Subway Time 
Need to catch your #1,2,3 subway to attend an event? Use the Subway Time app from the MTA to find out when the next train arrives at your station. The MTA also has Train and Bus Time info available on their mobile website.
==========================================================

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Selected NYC Events (09/01) + US Tennis Open (Day 4)

Posted on 09/01/2016 by GregD

Today’s Sweet6 NYC Events > THURSDAY / SEPT 01, 2016

“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: “Annual NYC Events / Sept.”

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

Tabou Combo
David Rubenstein Atrium at Lincoln Center, 61 W. 62nd St./ 7:30PM, FREE
“Singing in English, Spanish, French, or their native Haitian Creole, this legendary band has been packing dance floors for nearly four decades with a hot mix of grooves and textures with roots from around the world.

Considered the ambassadors of Haitian konpa, Tabou Combo folds in other Haitian influences like rara, the dance-till-you-drop carnival music, and the hypnotic drums of Haitian voodoo rituals plus Dominican merengue, French quadrilles and contra-dances, and American funk. Employing the repetition and breaks of Afro-American gospel music, Tabou Combo entices the listener to become listener and dancer. According to Fanfan, the band’s main songwriter, “We want people to dance and forget their sorrows.”

Music, Dance, Performing Arts

TAYLOR EIGSTI (also Friday)
Mezzrow, 163 W. 10th St./ 8PM, +9:30PM, $20
Eigsti, a former finger-busting keyboard prodigy, has matured into a lyrical and focussed jazz pianist who doesn’t shy away from contemporary pop styles. An evening of solo piano will demonstrate why a swath of bold bandleaders have clamored for his billowing talents.” (NewYorker)

KURT ROSENWINKEL TRIO (thru sept 04)
Village Vanguard, 178 Seventh Ave. S., at 11th St./ 8:30PM, +10:30PM, $
“This astonishingly fluid and harmonically adventurous guitarist is among the most gifted players of his generation, who followed such visionary six-string giants as Pat Metheny and Bill Frisell. Guitar wonks drool over Rosenwinkel’s wizardry; general listeners bathe in his warming tone.” (NewYorker)

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

Metropolitan Opera Summer HD Festival (through Sept. 5)
Lincoln Center, Josie Robertson Plaza, Columbus Ave at 64th St./ various times, FREE
“Want to show up to the Metropolitan Opera like Cher in Moonstruck, but lack the cash? Fear not! Grab a date and take in an epic onscreen opera performance at Lincoln Center’s plaza, where the Met presents recent adaptations of Otello, Il Trovatore, Lucia de Lammermoor and other heartbreaking tragedies.” (TONY)

Tonight: La Cenerentola / 7:45PM, FREE
“Joyce DiDonato triumphs in the title role of the unlikely heroine, opposite Juan Diego Flórez as her Prince Charming. Fabio Luisi conducts Rossini’s sparkling take on the Cinderella story. (Original transmission: May 10, 2014).”

Frackopoly: The Battle for the Future of Energy and the Environment
New York Public Library—Mid-Manhattan Library, 455 Fifth Ave./ 6:30PM, FREE
‘With Wenonah Hauter, founder and Executive Director of Food & Water Watch.
This illustrated lecture chronicles the rise of the fracking industry and the growing movement against fracking.” (ThoughtGallery.org)

TODAY’S TOP NYC EVENT

U.S. TENNIS OPEN (Day 4)
The U.S. Open starts play today at 11AM at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park in Queens (about 45 min. from Times Square). The tournament runs through Sept. 11 and is the fourth and final Grand Slam tennis tournament of the year.
subway: #1-2-3 to Times Square; transfer to #7 to Willets Point.

Today’s tips: Arrive Early. Security screening seemed to have been ratcheted up last week during qualifying which may cause delays to enter. The best, most comprehensive review of the tournament and the current state of tennis can be found at the NYTimes/Sports.

Early in the tournament forget the Big House (Arthur Ashe Stadium). Get a grounds pass and once inside check out one of the electronic scoreboards listing matches in progress. Find a match or players that interest you. Head over to their court for some great tennis, because in this tournament even the qualifiers are great players.There is no other major sporting event where you can get so close to world class athletes as at the U.S. Open – on the outer field courts, the Grandstand court, or even Louis Armstrong stadium. Courts where you can get a real sense of the pace of the game.

Unfortunately, this is the last year for the Grandstand court and Louis Armstrong stadium, which are being replaced by a much larger, less intimate stadium. They will be sorely missed. Make sure you find your way over there to see some matches while you can.

Today’s Top Matches:
MEN
(2) Andy Murray vs. Marcel Granollers
(19) Steve Johnson vs. Juan Martin del Potro
(11) David Ferrer vs. Fabio Fognini

This is the match I am looking forward to:
(21) Ivo Karlovic vs. Donald Young
Ivo Karlovic is the kind of player no one wants to see their name next to come draw time. Dr. Ivo – all 6 feet, 11 inches of him – is capable of serving anyone off the court. One of only two players to hurdle the 10,000-ace mark (along with Goran Ivanisivec), his height and angle of serve can trip up even the best of them. The 37-year-old veteran hasn’t faced Donald Young in half a decade, the Croat claiming their one and only meeting on clay in Houston back in 2011. The American has played some of his most memorable matches on the grounds of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, twice reaching the fourth round. If he brings his A-game, he could push Karlovic to the brink, but we’ll take the ace king in five.

WOMEN
(1)Serena Williams vs. Vania King
(5) Simona Halep vs. Lucie Safarova
(11) Carla Suarez Navarro vs. Jelena Jankovic

RIOEC861RHZOM_768x432This is the match I am looking forward to:
(6) Venus Williams vs. Julia Goerges
The resurgent Venus Williams insists that, at the tennis-old age of 36, she loves the game more than ever. Maybe that’s why she hasn’t been ranked this high (No. 6) in five years. Williams was pushed hard in the first round, needing every ounce of her energy and three sets to edge upset-minded Kateryna Kozlova. She straight-setted Julie Goerges in Wuhan last year, but will likely face a tougher test from the 64th-ranked German in Flushing Meadows. Buoyed by the home crowd, the two-time US Open champion Williams will push through in three.

 (USOpen.org)

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

==================================================================================
♦ Before making final plans, we suggest you call the venue to confirm ticket availability, dates and times, as schedules are subject to change.
♦ NYCity, with a population of  8.5 million, had a record 58 million visitors last year and was TripAdvisor’s Traveler’s Choice Top U.S. Destination for 2016.  Quality shows draw crowds.
Try to reserve seats in advance at these top NYC events, even if just on day of performance.
NYCity Vacation Travel Guide Video (Expedia):
================================================================================

This week’s fave and FREE NYCity AppS: 
Trip Advisor
An enormous base of NYCity user reviews (2.1 million) provides the widest coverage of hotels (468), restaurants (12,645) and things to do (yes, 3,246). Have a specific question? Then try one of Trip Advisor’s forums. Just remember that with all those reviews you have to try to find the consistency among the comments, and ignore the outliers.

OpenTable
Instantly locate restaurants near you with open reservations and then place a reservation right from your iOS device. A great interface and the ability to see a menu from the restaurant you’re interested in makes this my go to restaurant reservation app.

Subway Time 
Need to catch your #1,2,3 subway to attend an event? Use the Subway Time app from the MTA to find out when the next train arrives at your station. The MTA also has Train and Bus Time info available on their mobile website.
==========================================================

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

Selected NYC Events (08/31) + US Tennis Open (Day 3)

Posted on 08/31/2016 by GregD

Today’s Sweet6 NYC Events> WEDNESDAY/AUGUST 31, 2016

“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: “Annual NYC Events / August”

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

CHARLIE PARKER BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION (thru sept. 03)
Birdland, 315 West 44th St./ 8:30PM, +11PM, $
“This all-star tribute to Charlie Parker features two prominent alto saxophonists, Greg Osby and Vincent Herring, alongside the singer Sheila Jordan, the tenor saxophonist Eric Alexander, the pianist Helen Sung, the bassist Lonnie Plaxico and the drummer Billy Drummond. This engagement, a respectful but freethinking spin through Parker’s music, begins the day after what would have been his 96th birthday.” (Chinen-NYT)

Music, Dance, Performing Arts

Kevin Smith Kirkwood: Classic Whitney—Alive!
Joe’s Pub at the Public Theater, 425 Lafayette St./ 9:30PM, $20
“On a night off from his ensemble role in Broadway’s Kinky Boots, Kevin Smith Kirkwood takes center stage as Whitney Houston in a show that re-creates the doomed diva’s greatest hits and concert banter.” (TONY)

KURT ROSENWINKEL TRIO (thru sept 04)
Village Vanguard, 178 Seventh Ave. S., at 11th St./ 8:30PM, +10:30PM, $
“This astonishingly fluid and harmonically adventurous guitarist is among the most gifted players of his generation, who followed such visionary six-string giants as Pat Metheny and Bill Frisell. Guitar wonks drool over Rosenwinkel’s wizardry; general listeners bathe in his warming tone.” (NewYorker)

Michael Feinstein with Marilyn Maye: Summertime Swing
54 Below, 254 W 54th St./ 7PM, $85
“Popular standards bearer Feinstein returns to the midtown boïte that bears his name in a new set devoted to romantic songs from the Great American Songbook. The show teams him once again with the husky-voiced, earthy, octogenarian belter Maye, who is a wonder of the nightclub world.” (TONY)

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

Metropolitan Opera Summer HD Festival (through Sept. 5)
Lincoln Center, Josie Robertson Plaza, Columbus Ave at 64th St./ various times, FREE
“Want to show up to the Metropolitan Opera like Cher in Moonstruck, but lack the cash? Fear not! Grab a date and take in an epic onscreen opera performance at Lincoln Center’s plaza, where the Met presents recent adaptations of Otello, Il Trovatore, Lucia de Lammermoor and other heartbreaking tragedies.” (TONY)

Tonight: Lucia di Lammermoor / 8PM, FREE
Natalie Dessay sings opera’s most famous mad scene as the unhinged bride of Lammermoor, opposite Joseph Calleja as her faithful lover and Ludovic Tézier as her scheming brother. (Original transmission: March 19, 2011)

Not So Different: Finding Human Nature in Animals
New York Public Library—Mid-Manhattan Library, 455 Fifth Ave./ 6:30PM, FREE
“With Nathan H. Lents, professor of molecular biology and director of the biology and cell and molecular biology programs at John Jay College of the City University of New York.

This illustrated lecture shows that the same evolutionary forces of cooperation and competition have shaped both humans and animals and that identical emotional and instinctual drives govern our actions.” (ThoughtGallery.org)

TODAY’S TOP NYC EVENT

U.S. TENNIS OPEN (Day 3)

The U.S. Open starts play today at 11AM at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park in Queens (about 45 min. from Times Square). The tournament runs through Sept. 11 and is the fourth and final Grand Slam tennis tournament of the year.
subway: #1-2-3 to Times Square; transfer to #7 to Willets Point.

Today’s tips: Arrive Early. Security screening seemed to have been ratcheted up last week during qualifying which may cause delays to enter. The best, most comprehensive review of the tournament and the current state of tennis can be found at the NYTimes/Sports.

Early in the tournament forget the Big House (Arthur Ashe Stadium). Get a grounds pass and once inside check out one of the electronic scoreboards listing matches in progress. Find a match or players that interest you. Head over to their court for some great tennis, because in this tournament even the qualifiers are great players.There is no other major sporting event where you can get so close to world class athletes as at the U.S. Open – on the outer field courts, the Grandstand court, or even Louis Armstrong stadium. Courts where you can get a real sense of the pace of the game.

Unfortunately, this is the last year for the Grandstand court and Louis Armstrong stadium, which are being replaced by a much larger, less intimate stadium. They will be sorely missed. Make sure you find your way over there to see some matches while you can.

Today’s Top Matches:
Angelique+Kerber+new+pic+2012+06“Round 2 play headlines Day 3 at the 2016 US Open, as a host of the game’s greatest look to take a second step in the rigorous run that ends with tennis’ toughest title. The first two days have claimed half of the field; those who remain know that in order to keep running, they need to keep winning. The race is on.

Setting the pace Wednesday are men’s top seed Novak Djokovic and women’s second seed Angelique Kerber (see pic). Hot on their heels are a host of contenders, including men’s No. 4 seed Rafael Nadal, No. 5 Milos Raonic, and No. 10 Gael Monfils. On the women’s side, No. 3 seed Garbiñe Muguruza, seventh-seeded Roberta Vinci, and No. 8 Madison Keys, top the bill.” (USOpen.org)

The most entertaining match is likely to be whichever match Gael Monfils is playing.

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

==================================================================================
♦ Before making final plans, we suggest you call the venue to confirm ticket availability, dates and times, as schedules are subject to change.
♦ NYCity, with a population of  8.5 million, had a record 58 million visitors last year and was TripAdvisor’s Traveler’s Choice Top U.S. Destination for 2016.  Quality shows draw crowds.
Try to reserve seats in advance at these top NYC events, even if just on day of performance.
NYCity Vacation Travel Guide Video (Expedia):
================================================================================

This week’s fave and FREE NYCity AppS: 
Trip Advisor
An enormous base of NYCity user reviews (2.1 million) provides the widest coverage of hotels (468), restaurants (12,645) and things to do (yes, 3,246). Have a specific question? Then try one of Trip Advisor’s forums. Just remember that with all those reviews you have to try to find the consistency among the comments, and ignore the outliers.

OpenTable
Instantly locate restaurants near you with open reservations and then place a reservation right from your iOS device. A great interface and the ability to see a menu from the restaurant you’re interested in makes this my go to restaurant reservation app.

Subway Time 
Need to catch your #1,2,3 subway to attend an event? Use the Subway Time app from the MTA to find out when the next train arrives at your station. The MTA also has Train and Bus Time info available on their mobile website.
==========================================================

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