Selected Events (12/17) + Museum Special Exhibitions: Manhattan’s 5th Avenue

Posted on 12/17/2015 by GregD

Today’s SWEET 6 > THURSDAY / DEC. 17, 2015

“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.
(click on links for more complete event info.)

Have time for only one event today? Do this:
NYCity Ballet: George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker (through Jan. 3)
NYS/DHK Theater, Lincoln Center / 7PM, $75+
“Thanksgiving leftovers are still in the fridge and yet Christmas is here since “George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker” is back on stage. Of the dozens of productions in town, none match the scale of City Ballet’s or the giddy sense of childlike awe it inspires. Pantomime dominates the first half but Act II culminates in a breathtaking pas de deux for the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier. After all, this is a duet for Balanchine and Tchaikovsky, too, and it’s magical.” (Schaefer-NYT)

Music, Dance, Performing Arts
Geri Allen, Terri Lyne Carrington, Esperanza Spalding (through Dec. 20)
Village Vanguard, 178 Seventh Avenue South, at 11th St./ 8:30PM+10:30PM, $30
“Ms. Allen, a wise and adaptable pianist, teams up with Ms. Carrington, a veteran jazz and funk drummer, and Ms. Spalding, a stylistically fluid bassist and singer. Their trio, sometimes billed as ACS, works with a go-anywhere derivation of the mainstream acoustic jazz tradition, grounded but elastic.” (Chinen-NYT)

Ed Reed Trio
Dizzy’s Club, 60th St/Broadway / 7:30PM,+9:30PM, $35
“Mr. Reed is a jazz singer well known in the San Francisco Bay Area for his gallant cool and his harrowing back story: a former heroin addict, he did time at San Quentin Prison back when its house band included the saxophonists Art Pepper and Frank Morgan. At 86, Mr. Reed is enjoying something like a late-career renaissance, working here with the pianist George Cables, the bassist Ugonna Okegwo and the drummer Akira Tana.” (Chinen-NYT)

Smart Stuff / Other
(Lectures, Discussions, Book Talks, Literary Readings, Classes, Food & Drink, Other)
Town Hall and Holiday-pop-up-Market
W83, 150 W83rd Street, nr Amsterdam Ave./ 6:30PM, FREE
“The Asian American Arts Alliance takes its regular town hall event — gatherings for Asian-American people in the arts — and turns it into a holiday pop-up market. Handmade crafts, design, fashion, books and jewelry are among the offerings, along with food. The artist lineup is at decembertownhall2015.eventbrite.com.” (NYT-SpareTimes)

McNally Jackson Live
McNally Jackson Books, 52 Prince St./ 8PM, FREE
“This year’s final installment of the bookstore’s talks series will feature the playwright Annie Baker, the novelist Lynne Tillman, and the T Magazine editor Emily Stokes. Baker’s 2015 play, “John,” set during Christmastime and running more than three hours, serves as the evening’s inspiration—the trio will read excerpts from the script, as well as from works by Nabokov, Von Kleist, and Rilke.” (NewYorker)

Elsewhere, but this looks worth the detour:
ChinaFile Presents: The New Yorker on China
Asia Society and Museum, 725 Park Ave./ 6:30PM, $20
“Join ChinaFile and five writers—Orville Schell, Peter Hessler, Evan Osnos, Zha Jianying, and Jiayang Fan—for a look back at their four decades of reporting on China for The New Yorker. Moderated by David Remnick, Editor of The New Yorker.”

Bonus – Music Venues:
So much fine live music every night in this town. These are a few of my favorite music venues on Manhattan’s WestSide. Check out who’s playing tonight:
City Winery – 155 Varick St. / citywinery.com, 212-608-0555
Joe’s Pub @ Public Theater – 425 Lafayette St. / joespub.com, 212-967-7555
Metropolitan Room – 34 W22nd St. / metropolitan room.com, 212-206-0440
Le Poisson Rouge – 158 Bleecker St. / lepoissonrouge.com, 212-505-3474
Beacon Theatre – 2124 Broadway @ 74th St. / beacontheatre.com, 212-465-6500
B.B. King’s Blues Bar – 237 W42nd St. / bbkingblues.com, 212-997-2144
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 56 million visitors last year and is TripAdvisor’s Traveler’s Choice Top U.S. Destination for 2015.  Quality shows draw crowds. Try to reserve seats in advance, even if just on day of performance.
==================================================================================

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

Metropolitan Museum of Art:
‘Reimagining Modernism: 1900-1950’ (continuing)
“One of the greatest encyclopedic museums in the world fulfills its mission a little more with an ambitious reinstallation of works of early European modernism with their American counterparts for the first time in nearly 30 years. Objects of design and paintings by a few self-taught artists further the integration. It is quite a sight, with interesting rotations and fine-tunings to come. 212-535-7710, metmuseum.org.” (Smith)

‘Andrea del Sarto’s ‘Borgherini Holy Family’’ (through Jan. 10)
“This fascinating gem of a show runs concurrently with the larger exhibition “Andrea del Sarto: The Renaissance Workshop in Action” at the Frick Collection and adds important layers to it. It both places the Renaissance artist within the political context of his time, and it draws on modern imaging technology to reveal his method for transforming and recycling images. 212-535-7710, metmuseum.org.” (Cotter)

‘Ancient Egypt Transformed: The Middle Kingdom’ (through Jan. 24)
“Ancient Egypt is box office gold: Do a show, and people will come. Why? Mummies, Hollywood and Queen Nefertiti contribute to its allure. Also, we tend to identify with Egyptians of thousands of years ago. In art, they look exotic, but not out of reach. They drank beer, collected cats and wore flip-flops. They yearned to stay young and to live forever, with loved ones nearby and snack food piled high. Who can’t relate to that? Few institutions have done a better job at illuminating Egyptian art than the Met. And it returns to the subject in an exhibition low on King Tut bling and high on complicated beauty, about a broad swath of history (circa 2030 to 1650 B.C.) that has never had a comprehensive museum showcase till now. 212-535-7710, metmuseum.org.” (Cotter)

Jewish Museum:
‘The Power of Pictures: Early Soviet Photography, Early Soviet Film’ (through Feb. 7) “Revolutions sell utopias; that’s their job. Art, if it behaves itself and sticks to the right script, can be an important part of the promotional package. That’s the basic tale told by this exhibition of photographs and vintage films of the 1920s and ’30s, but with a question added: What happens to art when the script is drastically revised? Russia was an experiment in progress in the heady years following the 1917 revolution, and avant-garde art, free-spirited by definition, was officially embraced. When Joseph Stalin came to power art became government-dictated propaganda and its makers, often under threat, towed the line. Remarkably, the show presents a dozen films — some familiar, some not — full-length, on a rotating schedule of four a day, in a small viewing theater built into one of the Jewish Museum’s galleries. 1109 Fifth Avenue, at 92nd Street, 212-423-3200, thejewishmuseum.org.” (Cotter)

Frick Collection:
‘Andrea del Sarto: The Renaissance Workshop in Action’ (through Jan. 10)
“The big-guns highlights of the Frick show, this first major American exhibition devoted to the Renaissance artist Andrea del Sarto, (1486-1530) are three spectacular paintings, including “Portrait of a Young Man” from London and “St. John the Baptist” from the Palazzo Pitti, Florence. But the substance lies an array of 45 drawings, mostly in red chalk, in which we can follow del Sarto as he feels his way into compositions and molds figures into life with an angel’s hand, a scientist’s eye, and a striver’s drive for perfection. 1 East 70th Street, Manhattan, 212-288-0700, frick.org.” (Cotter)

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

Museum Mile is a section of Fifth Avenue which contains one of the densest displays of culture in the world. Eight museums can be found along this section of Fifth Avenue:

• 105th Street – El Museo del Barrio (closed Sun-Mon)*
• 103rd Street – Museum of the City of New York (open 7 days /week)
•  92nd Street – The Jewish Museum (closed Wed) (Sat FREE) (Thu 5-8 PWYW)
•  91st Street  –  Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum (open 7 days /week)
•  89th Street –  National Academy Museum (closed Mon-Tue)
•  88th Street –  Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum (closed Thu) (Sat 6-8 PWYW)
•  86th Street –  Neue Galerie New York (closed Tue-Wed) (Fri 6-8 FREE)
Last, but certainly not least, America’s premier museum
•  82nd Street – The Metropolitan Museum of Art (open 7 days /week)*
*always Pay What You Wish (PWYW)

Although technically not part of the Museum Mile, the Frick Collection (closed Mon) (SUN 11am-1pm PWYW) on the corner of 70th St. and Fifth Avenue and the The Morgan Library & Museum (closed Mon) (Fri 7-9 FREE) on Madison Ave and 37th St are also located near Fifth Ave.
Now plan your own museum crawl (info on hours & admission updated June 2, 2015). ========================================================

For other selected Museum and Gallery Special Exhibitions see Recent Posts in right Sidebar dated 12/15 and 12/13.
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Selected Events (12/16) + Today’s Featured Pub (Greenwich Village)

Posted on 12/16/2015 by GregD

Today’s SWEET 6 > WEDNESDAY / DEC. 16, 2015

“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.
(click on links for more complete event info.)

Have time for only one event today? Do this:
“Baseball Immortal: Derek Jeter” with Author Danny Peary
Bergino Baseball Clubhouse, 67 E11th St./7PM, FREE
“I was just struck by how much he cared about his fellow classmates. He was completely self-motivated, creative, never wasted any time.” -Shirley Garzelloni, elementary school teacher

“Baseball Immortal: Derek Jeter” takes you on a remarkable forty-year journey, letting you step inside the great Yankee shortstop’s life and career through his own words and those of the people who have known him best personally and in the sports community. The result is an incredible, insightful look at what made him not only an amazing ballplayer, but also an intriguing and complex personality.” (ThoughtGallery.org)

Music, Dance, Performing Arts
Alvin Ailey at City Center (Dec. 2 – Jan. 3)
New York City Center, 131 W55th St./ 7:30PM, $25-$150,
If “Nutcracker” is the only dance you see at the holidays, it’s time to add Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater to your repertory. The company will perform new productions of classic works by Ailey (“Blues Suite,” “Cry,” and “Love Songs”) and his signature “Revelations,” as well as dances by Ronald K. Brown, Christopher Wheeldon and artistic director Robert Battle.” (newsday.com)

‘Santasia’ (through Dec.23)
St. Luke’s Theater, 308 W46th St.(btw 8/9 ave)/ Tuesdays through Dec. 22 at 8PM, Wednesday matinees on Dec.16 and 23 @ 2PM, $40-$60
“This holiday musical comedy takes both a snarky and sentimental look at Christmas and family. Written by Shaun and Brandon Loeser, with choreography by Tania Pearson-Loeser, the show incorporates songs, sketch comedy and even Claymation movies.” (NYT-SpareTimes)

Elsewhere, but this looks worth the detour:
The Harmonic Series: Concerts & Conversations with MoMath.
Baruch Performing Arts Center (BPAC), 25th Street btw Third and Lexington Avenues / 7PM, $30
“The first installment is All Things Equal: Music and Math at the Piano Hosted by Public Radio’s “Piano Puzzler,” Bruce Adolphe, the opening concert will feature Noam Elkies, a mathematician, composer, and the youngest-ever tenured professor at Harvard; and Orli Shaham, an acclaimed pianist and the host of Dial-A-Musician, in conversation and performance.

On Beethoven’s birthday, enjoy the best of both worlds as these talented minds play live music and participate in an ongoing discussion about the artistic and logical intersections of these two disciplines. Followed by a wine and cheese reception.” (ThoughtGallery.org)

Smart Stuff / Other
(Lectures, Discussions, Book Talks, Literary Readings, Classes, Food & Drink, Other)
Failure: Why Science Is So Successful,
with Stuart Firestein, the Professor and Chair of the Department of Biological Sciences at Columbia University.
Mid Manhattan Library, / 6:30PM, FREE
“This illustrated lecture delves into the origins of scientific research as a process that relies upon trial and error, one which inevitably results in a hefty dose of failure.”

Karma: Laurie Anderson + Gavin Schmidt
Rubin Museum of Art, 150 W. 17th St./ 7PM, $35
“Climatologist Gavin Schmidt has found himself on a list of 17 international “climate criminals” being passed around on the floor of the Senate. Artist Laurie Anderson asks him what it might take for our leaders to accept their collective responsibility for the climate.” (ThoughtGallery.org)

Jazz Venues:
Many consider NYCity the Jazz capital of the world. Here are my favorite Jazz clubs, all on Manhattan’s WestSide. Check out who’s playing tonight:
Greenwich Village:
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. South — 55bar.com / 212-929-9883
Outside Greenwich Village:
Dizzy’s Club – Broadway @ 60th St. — jazz.org/dizzys / 212-258-9595
Birdland – 315 W44th St.(btw 8/9 ave) — birdlandjazz.com / 212-581-3080
Smoke Jazz Club – 2751 Broadway, nr.106th St. — smokejazz.com / 212-864-6662

==================================================================================
♦ 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 56 million visitors last year and is TripAdvisor’s Traveler’s Choice Top U.S. Destination for 2015.  Quality shows draw crowds. Try to reserve seats in advance, even if just on day of performance.
==================================================================================

A PremierPub and 3 Good Eating Places – Greenwich Village

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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“Pub” is used in it’s broadest sense – bars, bar/restaurants, jazz clubs, wine bars, tapas bars, craft beer bars, dive bars, cocktail lounges, and of course, pubs – just about anyplace you can get a drink without a cover charge
If you have a fave premier pub or good eating place on Manhattan’s WestSide let us all know about it – leave a comment.
==================================================================================

3 Good Eating places

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

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

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

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

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“3 Good Eating places” focuses on a quick bite, what I call “Fine Fast Food – NYCity Style”
This covers a wide range of food – the traditional pizza, burgers, & hot dogs; but also food trucks & carts, soup & sandwiches, picnic fixins’, raw bars & lobster rolls, bbq, vegetarian, falafel, ramen, chopped salad & salad bars. No reservations needed. ===========================================================================

◊ For all my picks of 54 Good Eating places, and essays on my favorite 18 PremierPubs in 9 Neighborhoods on Manhattan’s WestSide, order a copy of my e-book:
“Eating and Drinking on NYCity’s WestSide” ($4.99, available Winter 2015).
◊ Order before Dec. 31, 2015 and receive a bonus – 27 of my favorite casual dining places with free Wi-Fi.

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Selected Events (12/15) + Museum Special Exhibitions: Manhattan’s WestSide

Posted on 12/15/2015 by GregD

Today’s SWEET 6 > TUESDAY / DEC. 15, 2015

“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.
(click on links for more complete event info.)

Music, Dance, Performing Arts
Alvin Ailey at City Center (Dec. 2 – Jan. 3)
New York City Center, 131 W55th St./ 7:30PM, $25-$150,
If “Nutcracker” is the only dance you see at the holidays, it’s time to add Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater to your repertory. The company will perform new productions of classic works by Ailey (“Blues Suite,” “Cry,” and “Love Songs”) and his signature “Revelations,” as well as dances by Ronald K. Brown, Christopher Wheeldon and artistic director Robert Battle.” (newsday.com)

‘Santasia’ (through Dec.23)
St. Luke’s Theater, 308 W46th St.(btw 8/9 ave)/ Tuesdays through Dec. 22 at 8PM, Wednesday matinees on Dec. 2, 16 and 23 @ 2PM, $40-$60
“This holiday musical comedy takes both a snarky and sentimental look at Christmas and family. Written by Shaun and Brandon Loeser, with choreography by Tania Pearson-Loeser, the show incorporates songs, sketch comedy and even Claymation movies.” (NYT-SpareTimes)

Mariah Carey (through Dec. 18)
Beacon Theater, 2124 Broadway, at 74th St./ 8PM, $59.50-$255
“Some jovial clubs around the city have been blasting Ms. Carey’s yuletide hit “All I Want For Christmas Is You” since early November. Time for the rest of New York to join in for the whimsical, endlessly melismatic singer’s eight-night run at the Beacon Theater, the second time in two years that she’s hosted a seasonal residency in New York.” (Anderson-NYT)

Elsewhere, but looks worth the detour:
Henry Threadgill’s Double Up Ensemble
Roulette, 509 Atlantic Avenue, Boerum Hill, Bklyn./ 8PM, $
“Mr. Threadgill, the restlessly inventive multi-reedist and composer, released a potent double album this year, featuring the longtime band he calls Zooid. For this concert he’ll have a larger canvas, with a roster including the alto saxophonists Román Filiú and Curtis MacDonald, and the pianists Jason Moran and David Virelles.

Tuesday’s concert will include the premiere of a new commission, “Double-Up Plays Double Up Plus,” built to accommodate a third pianist, David Bryant.” (Chinen-NYT)

Smart Stuff / Other
(Lectures, Discussions, Book Talks, Literary Readings, Classes, Food & Drink, Other)
Le Conversazioni: Don DeLillo and Antonio Monda
Guggenheim Museum, 1071 Fifth Ave.(at 89th St.)/ 6:30PM, $20
“In conjunction with the exhibition Alberto Burri: The Trauma of Painting and as part of Le Conversazioni literary festival, the Guggenheim museum will host acclaimed writer Don DeLillo and Antonio Monda for a discussion on postwar Italy, neorealist film and the influence of Michelangelo Antonioni’s Il deserto rosso (Red Desert, 1964) on DeLillo’s artistic vision.” (ThoughtGallery.org)

“The Strange Library”
The Center for Fiction in Midtown / 7:30PM, $15
“Steel yourself to enter The Strange Library, a concert augmented by eerie projections that musically recreates the Murakami graphic novella of the same name, about a little boy who comes under the sway of a strange old librarian.” (ThoughtGallery.org)

Bonus – Music Picks:
So much fine live music every night in this town. These are a few of my favorite music venues on Manhattan’s WestSide. Check out who’s playing tonight:
City Winery – 155 Varick St., citywinery.com, 212-608-0555
Joe’s Pub @ Public Theater – 425 Lafayette St. joespub.com, 212-967-7555
Metropolitan Room – 34W22ndSt., metropolitan room.com, 212-206-0440
Le Poisson Rouge – 158 Bleecker St. lepoissonrouge.com, 212-505-3474
Beacon Theatre – 2124 Broadway @ 74th St., beacontheatre.com, 212-465-6500
B.B. King’s Blues Bar – 237W42nd dSt. bbkingblues.com, 212-997-2144
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 56 million visitors last year and is TripAdvisor’s Traveler’s Choice Top U.S. Destination for 2015.  Quality shows draw crowds. Try to reserve seats in advance, even if just on day of performance.
==================================================================================

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

Museum of Modern Art:
‘Picasso Sculpture’ (through Feb. 7)
“Nearly a work of art in its own right, this magnificent show redefines Picasso’s achievement with the first full view here in 50 years of his astoundingly varied forays into sculpture. His materials, not his female loves, become the muses, and are different each time out. The basic plotline: After introducing sculptural abstraction and space, he spent about 50 years counting the ways that the figure was far from finished. 212-708-9400, moma.org.” (Smith-NYT)

‘Transmissions: Art in Eastern Europe and Latin America, 1960-1980’ (through Jan. 3) “Visiting this big, spirited group show is like walking into a party of intriguing strangers. For every person you recognize, there are 10 you don’t know. One topic everyone’s talking about, at different intensities, is the anti-institutional politics that swept Europe and the Americas in the 1960s, and almost everyone speaks the language of Conceptualism. A product of an in-house research initiative called Contemporary and Modern Art Perspectives, or C-MAP, intended to expand MoMA’s narrow Paris-New York view of modernism, the show is very much the beginning rather than the end of a learning curve. But with curators exploring material new to them — just steps ahead of their audience — the show has a refreshing buzz of surprise as it takes the museum in a realistic new directions. 212-708-9400, moma.org.” (Cotter-NYT)

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

For other selected Museum and Gallery Special Exhibitions see Recent Posts in right Sidebar dated 12/13 and 12/11.

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

Selected Events (12/14) + Today’s Featured Pub (WestVillage)

Posted on 12/14/2015 by GregD

Today’s SWEET 6 > MONDAY / DEC. 14, 2015

“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.
(click on links for more complete event info.)

Have time for only one event today? Do this:
‘John Henry’s Friends With Steve Earle and the Dukes’
Town Hall, 123 W43rd St./ 8PM, $
“Mr. Earle, the roots-country renegade who once growled, “If you buy me a strong drink of whiskey/I will tell you the tale of my life” (in “The Gringo’s Tale”), kicks up his dusty heels at Town Hall for this benefit concert for children with autism. His hardscrabble vagabond stories and baleful slide guitars were highlights on the soundtracks for “True Detective” and “The Wire.” With his son, Justin Townes Earle, as well as Jackson Browne and the Mastersons.” (Anderson-NYT)

Music, Dance, Performing Arts
An Evening With Sting: Symphonicities’
Isaac Stern Auditorium, Carnegie Hall, 7PM, $
“Whoever approved this punny title — a play on the Police’s most popular album, “Synchronicity” — deserves a tantric slap on the wrist. Otherwise, enjoy an evening of this singer-songwriter’s hits lushly reconfigured for symphonic accompaniment by the Orchestra of St. Luke’s. Even odds that “Fields of Gold” will include a flute solo.” (Anderson-NYT)

Andréa Burns: True Beauty
Feinstein’s/54 Below, 254 W54th St./ 7PM, $30-$65
“Latina-Jewish hybrid Andréa Burns, who stole her scenes in In the Heights and is currently strutting her stuff in On Your Feet, mixes Broadway and pop in a new set that includes tunes by Sara Bareilles, Stephen Sondheim, Peter Gabriel and more.” (TONY)

Elsewhere, but looks worth the detour:
Henry Threadgill’s Double Up Ensemble (also Tuesday)
Roulette, 509 Atlantic Avenue, Boerum Hill, Bklyn./ 8PM, $
“Mr. Threadgill, the restlessly inventive multi-reedist and composer, released a potent double album this year, featuring the longtime band he calls Zooid. For this concert he’ll have a larger canvas, with a roster including the alto saxophonists Román Filiú and Curtis MacDonald, and the pianists Jason Moran and David Virelles.

Monday’s program will feature “Old Locks and Irregular Verbs,” a tribute to the composer Butch Morris that first brought this cohort together last year; Tuesday’s concert will include the premiere of a new commission, “Double-Up Plays Double Up Plus,” built to accommodate a third pianist, David Bryant.” (Chinen-NYT)

Smart Stuff / Other
(Lectures, Discussions, Book Talks, Literary Readings, Classes, Food & Drink, Other)
Store Front II – A History Preserved: The Disappearing Face of New York
NYPL – Mid-Manhattan Library, 455 Fifth Ave./ 6:30PM, FREE
“With Karla and James Murray, New York-based professional photographers and authors of acclaimed books that have set the standard for urban documentation. This illustrated lecture captures impeccable photographs from the streets of New York City since the 1990s and documents a little-known but vitally important cross-section of New York’s “Mom and Pop” conomy.” (ThoughtGallery.org)

Civic Grandeur: Preserving Public Buildings
Museum of the City of New York, Fifth Avenue at 103rd St./ 6:30PM, “A panel of experts on architectural history and preservation discuss how to reconcile 21st-century demands and the heritage of New York’s civic buildings, many of which are beloved landmarks. Erica Avrami, a professor at Columbia University, moderates the talk, which includes Michael Adlerstein, former assistant secretary general for the Capital Master Plan Project; Randall Mason, chairman of the University of Pennsylvania’s historic preservation program; and Robert Pigott, author of “New York’s Legal Landmarks.” (NYT-SpareTimes)

Bonus – Jazz Venues:
Many consider NYCity the Jazz capital of the world. Here are my favorite Jazz clubs, all on Manhattan’s WestSide. Check out who’s playing tonight:
Greenwich Village:
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
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 56 million visitors last year and is TripAdvisor’s Traveler’s Choice Top U.S. Destination for 2015.  Quality shows draw crowds. Try to reserve seats in advance, even if just on day of performance.
==================================================================================

A PremierPub / West Village

Corner Bistro / 331 W. 4th St.

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

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

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

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

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

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

==================================================================================
“Pub” is used in it’s broadest sense – bars, bar/restaurants, jazz clubs, wine bars, tapas bars, craft beer bars, dive bars, cocktail lounges, and of course, pubs – just about anyplace you can get a drink without a cover charge (except for certain jazz clubs).
If you have a fave premier pub or good eating place on Manhattan’s WestSide let us all know about it – leave a comment.

 

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

Selected Events (12/13) + GallerySpecialExhibits: Chelsea

Posted on 12/13/2015 by GregD

Today’s SUPER 7 > SUNDAY / DEC. 13, 2015

“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.
(click on links for more complete event info.)

Have time for only one event today? Do this:
Merry Tuba Christmas
Rockefeller Center, 30 Rockefeller Plaza / 3:30PM, FREE
“Among Rockefeller Center’s holiday traditions — in addition to the tree lighting — is this boisterous take on caroling. Hundreds of tuba players from around the country come together on the center’s plaza, under the direction of Chris Wilhjelm of the Goldman Band, to present a concert of holiday favorites. Audience members are welcome to join by singing along.” (NYT-SpareTimes)

Music, Dance, Performing Arts
Christian McBride Quartet (LAST DAY)
Village Vanguard, 178 7th Ave. S., at 11th St./ 8:30PM +10:30PM, $
“Last week found McBride fronting a piano trio at this venerable club; for the concluding week of his residency, the ever-astonishing bassist and enterprising bandleader jettisons the keyboard and brings on two gifted horn stylists—the saxophonist Marcus Strickland and the trumpeter Josh Evans—to fortify a compact quartet.” (NewYorker)

Mariah Carey (through Dec. 18)
Beacon Theater, 2124 Broadway, at 74th St./ 8PM, $59.50-$255
“Some jovial clubs around the city have been blasting Ms. Carey’s yuletide hit “All I Want For Christmas Is You” since early November. Time for the rest of New York to join in for the whimsical, endlessly melismatic singer’s eight-night run at the Beacon Theater, the second time in two years that she’s hosted a seasonal residency in New York.” (Anderson-NYT)

David Sanborn (LAST DAY)
Blue Note, 131 W. 3rd St./ 8PM +10:30PM, $35, $55
“Even jazz purists who can’t abide Sanborn’s overtly commercial recordings have to admit that the alto saxophonist has a sound that’s one in a million: a gutsy, R. & B.-laden wail that can be identified from a single passionately blown note. His funky Electric Band features the keyboardist Ricky Peterson.” (NewYorker)

Holiday Swing (LAST DAY)
Rose Hall, Jazz at Lincoln Center, 60th St. and Broadway / 7:30PM +9:30PM, $
“This upbeat celebration of holiday classics, a recent tradition at Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola, will feature three charismatic vocalists — Michael Mwenso, Brianna Thomas and Charenee Wade — backed by a band that includes the pianist Chris Pattishall, the trumpeter Alphonso Horne, and the drummers Joe Saylor and Jamison Ross.” (Chinen-NYT)

Elsewhere, but this looks interesting:
Jazz Age Tea Dance
Webster Hall, 125 E11th St./ 3PM, $80
“Webster Hall takes a trip back in time for this homage to the colonial British tradition of the afternoon tea dance. Tea — cocktails are also available — will be served with finger sandwiches and scones while Michael Arenella and his Dreamland Orchestra provide musical entertainment.” (NYT-SpareTimes)

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

Elsewhere, but this looks worth the detour:
The Humans of Sesame Street
Museum of the Moving Image, Queens-35th Ave at 37th St./ 1PM, $
“Over the summer, Sonia Manzano — who played the beloved character Maria on “Sesame Street” for more than 40 years — released her memoir “Becoming Maria,” a powerful reminder that behind family-friendly TV characters are rich personal stories. Many longtime cast members of “Sesame Street,” Ms. Manzano among them, gather for this talk moderated by Craig Shemin, president of the Jim Henson Legacy. (Also speaking are Bob McGrath, Emilio Delgado, Roscoe Orman, Alan Muraoka and Alison Bartlett.) Their reminiscences will include music and video clips.” (NYT-SpareTimes)

Bonus – Music Picks:
So much fine live music every night in this town. These are a few of my favorite music venues on Manhattan’s WestSide. Check out who’s playing tonight:
City Winery – 155 Varick St., citywinery.com, 212-608-0555
Joe’s Pub @ Public Theater – 425 Lafayette St. joespub.com, 212-967-7555
Metropolitan Room – 34W22ndSt., metropolitan room.com, 212-206-0440
Le Poisson Rouge – 158 Bleecker St. lepoissonrouge.com, 212-505-3474
Beacon Theatre – 2124 Broadway @ 74th St., beacontheatre.com, 212-465-6500
B.B. King’s Blues Bar – 237W42nd dSt. bbkingblues.com, 212-997-2144
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 56 million visitors last year and is TripAdvisor’s Traveler’s Choice Top U.S. Destination for 2015.  Quality shows draw crowds. Try to reserve seats in advance, even if just on day of performance.
==================================================================================

Chelsea Art Gallery District*

Chelsea is the heart of the NYCity contemporary art scene. Home to more than 300 art galleries, the Rubin Museum, the Joyce Theater and The Kitchen performance spaces, there is no place like it anywhere in the world. Come here to browse free exhibitions by world-renowned artists and those unknowns waiting to be discovered in an art district that is concentrated between West 18th and West 27th Streets, and 10th and 11th Avenues. Afterwards stop in the Chelsea Market, stroll on the High Line, or rest up at one of the many cafes and bars and discuss the fine art.

For a listing of 25 essential galleries in the Chelsea Art Gallery District, organized by street, which enables you to create your own Chelsea Art Gallery crawl, see the Chelsea Gallery Guide (nycgo.com) Or check out TONY magazine’s list of the “Best Chelsea Galleries” and click through to see what’s on view.

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

TIP: After your gallery tour, stop in Ovest at 513W27th St. for Aperitivo Italiano (Happy Hour on steroids). Discuss all the great art you have viewed over a drink and a very tasty selection of FREE appetizers (M-F, 5-8pm).

=======================================================
For other selected Museum and Gallery Special Exhibitions see Recent Posts in right Sidebar dated 12/11 and 12/09.

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Selected Events (12/12) + Today’s Featured Pub (Midtown West)

Posted on 12/12/2015 by GregD

Today’s SWEET 6 > SATURDAY / DEC. 12, 2015

“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.
(click on links for more complete event info.)

Have time for only one event today? Do this:
Alvin Ailey at City Center (Dec. 2 – Jan. 3)
New York City Center, 131 W55th St./ various times, $25-$150,
If “Nutcracker” is the only dance you see at the holidays, it’s time to add Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater to your repertory. The company will perform new productions of classic works by Ailey (“Blues Suite,” “Cry,” and “Love Songs”) and his signature “Revelations,” as well as dances by Ronald K. Brown, Christopher Wheeldon and artistic director Robert Battle.” (newsday.com)

“Since taking over as artistic director in 2011, Robert Battle, an insightful choreographer, hasn’t premiered a work of his own; that changes this season with his powerful new Awakening, plus the company debut of No Longer Silent, driven by Erwin Schulhoff’s dynamic score and darkened by the composer’s life story (he was murdered under the Nazis).” (Rebecca Milzoff-NYMag)

Music, Dance, Performing Arts
Rudresh Mahanthappa: ‘Bird Calls’
Miller Theater, 2960 Broadway at 116th St./ 8PM, $20-$30
“Bird Calls,” the audacious new album by the alto saxophonist Rudresh Mahanthappa, takes Charlie Parker as a point of departure, if not a distant lexicographical ancestor. Mr. Mahanthappa reconnects with the sharp young trumpeter Adam O’Farrill, and a rhythm section consisting of the pianist Matt Mitchell, the bassist Thomson Kneeland and the drummer Dan Weiss.” (NYT-Chinen)

Jim Gaffigan
Madison Square Garden,/ 8PM, $
“Mr. Gaffigan occupies a special niche in modern stand-up: a completely clean comic who is equally at home in massive stadiums, late-night comedy clubs and quirky alternative rooms. With past hit specials like “Mr. Universe” and “Beyond the Pale,” he brings his new act, “Yeti in the City,” to Madison Square Garden” (NYT-Czajkowski)

‘Dearly Beloved: The Music of Prince’
Harlem Stage Gatehouse, 150 Convent Ave, at 135th St./ 7:30PM; talk at 6PM, $40
I just love this repurposed space (formerly a Croton Aqueduct Gatehouse) to listen to live music, and I was born only 5 blocks N on Convent Ave.
“Ben Williams, the Grammy- and Thelonious Monk Competition-winning jazz musician, pays tribute to Prince with a concert made up of new arrangements and compositions. Joining him onstage are guests from the worlds of funk, classical music, dance and more: the singers Goapele, Frank McComb and Christie Dashiell; the choreographer and tap dancer Jason Samuels Smith; the poet and vocalist W. Ellington Felton; and additional performers to be announced. Saturday’s performance will be preceded by a free talk in which Mr. Williams shares his creative process for reworking the songs of Prince as well as other artists.” (NYT-SpareTimes)

David Sanborn (thru Dec.13)
Blue Note, 131 W. 3rd St./ 8PM +10:30PM, $35, $55
“Even jazz purists who can’t abide Sanborn’s overtly commercial recordings have to admit that the alto saxophonist has a sound that’s one in a million: a gutsy, R. & B.-laden wail that can be identified from a single passionately blown note. His funky Electric Band features the keyboardist Ricky Peterson.” (NewYorker)

Holiday Swing (through Sunday)
Rose Hall, Jazz at Lincoln Center, 60th St. and Broadway / 7:30PM +9:30PM, $
“This upbeat celebration of holiday classics, a recent tradition at Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola, will feature three charismatic vocalists — Michael Mwenso, Brianna Thomas and Charenee Wade — backed by a band that includes the pianist Chris Pattishall, the trumpeter Alphonso Horne, and the drummers Joe Saylor and Jamison Ross.” (Chinen-NYT)

Bonus – Jazz Picks:
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:
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
Outside Greenwich Village:
Dizzy’s Club – Broadway @ 60th St. — jazz.org/dizzys / 212-258-9595
Birdland – 315 W44th St.(btw 8/9 ave) — 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 56 million visitors last year and is TripAdvisor’s Traveler’s Choice Top U.S. Destination for 2015.  Quality shows draw crowds. Try to reserve seats in advance, even if just on day of performance.
==================================================================================

A PremierPub / Midtown West.

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

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

From the outside this place looks a bit drab, and with no windows, a bit mysterious. Midtown tourists walk right by on their way to see “Jersey Boys,” just down the block.

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

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

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

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

It’s the kind of place where the noise gets louder and the crowd gets happier as the happy hour goes on. I’m generally a beer guy, but I like to come here with a group of friends. We find a table in the back room near the piano man; we eat, and we drink vodka ‘till it hurts (and it will hurt).

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

Website: http://www.russianvodkaroom.com/
Phone #: 212-307-5835
Hours: 4pm-2am; Fri-Sun closes 4am (that could be trouble)
Happy Hour: 4-7pm every day
$4 shots infused vodka (2oz), $5 cosmos; $4 czech draft beer
Music: FR-SU; TU-WE / 7pm-12am
Subway: #1 to 50th St.
Walk 2 blk N. on B’way to 52nd St.; 1 blk W. to RVR
Confusingly, the Russian Samovar is right across the street, on the S. side of 52nd St.
The RVR, your destination, is on the N. side of 52nd St.
Update: music now includes a sax player with a younger, trimmer piano man. “tiny” we miss you.

==================================================================================
“Pub” is used in it’s broadest sense – bars, bar/restaurants, jazz clubs, wine bars, tapas bars, craft beer bars, dive bars, cocktail lounges, and of course, pubs – just about anyplace you can get a drink without a cover charge (except for certain jazz clubs).
If you have a fave premier pub or good eating place on Manhattan’s WestSide let us all know about it – leave a comment.

 

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

Selected Events (12/11) + Museum Special Exhibitions: Manhattan’s 5th Avenue

Posted on 12/11/2015 by GregD

Today’s SWEET 6 > FRIDAY / DEC. 11, 2015

“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.
(click on links for more complete event info.)

Have time for only one event today? Do this:
Joanna Newsom
Apollo Theater, 253 W125th St./ 8PM, $
“One of the best classically-influenced pop composers of her generation, Ms. Newsom is often infantilized with such cloying descriptors as “elfin” and “twee.” But her lilting fourth studio album, “Divers,” reasserts her as a powerhouse musician with intricacies and intimacy in finely calibrated balance. The arrangements – which include a guest collaboration with Dave Longstreth of the Dirty Projectors – particularly reach new baroque heights.” (Anderson-NYT)

Music, Dance, Performing Arts
‘Dearly Beloved: The Music of Prince’ (also Saturday)
Harlem Stage Gatehouse, 150 Convent Ave, at 135th St./ 7:30PM; talk at 6PM, $40
I just love this repurposed space (formerly a Croton Aqueduct Gatehouse) to listen to live music, and I was born only 5 blocks N on Convent Ave.
“Ben Williams, the Grammy- and Thelonious Monk Competition-winning jazz musician, pays tribute to Prince with a concert made up of new arrangements and compositions. Joining him onstage are guests from the worlds of funk, classical music, dance and more: the singers Goapele, Frank McComb and Christie Dashiell; the choreographer and tap dancer Jason Samuels Smith; the poet and vocalist W. Ellington Felton; and additional performers to be announced. Saturday’s performance will be preceded by a free talk in which Mr. Williams shares his creative process for reworking the songs of Prince as well as other artists.” (NYT-SpareTimes)

‘Z100’s Jingle Ball 2015 With the Weeknd and Calvin Harris’
Madison Square Garden, / 7:30PM, $
“The cool kids from the pop class of 2015 storm Madison Square Garden’s stage for truncated spectacles. Expect sinuous moves from the Weeknd, the clarion-voiced Canadian electro-R&B singer behind “Can’t Feel My Face,” and Mr. Harris, the globe-trotting D.J., to foster a frenzied pop dance party. There will also be splashy sets from Selena Gomez, Demi Lovato, Nick Jonas and more.” (Anderson-NYT)

Holiday Swing (through Sunday)
Rose Hall, Jazz at Lincoln Center, 60th St. and Broadway / 7:30PM +9:30PM, $
“This upbeat celebration of holiday classics, a recent tradition at Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola, will feature three charismatic vocalists — Michael Mwenso, Brianna Thomas and Charenee Wade — backed by a band that includes the pianist Chris Pattishall, the trumpeter Alphonso Horne, and the drummers Joe Saylor and Jamison Ross.” (Chinen-NYT)

Mariah Carey (through Dec. 18)
Beacon Theater, 2124 Broadway, at 74th St./ 8PM, $59.50-$255
“Some jovial clubs around the city have been blasting Ms. Carey’s yuletide hit “All I Want For Christmas Is You” since early November. Time for the rest of New York to join in for the whimsical, endlessly melismatic singer’s eight-night run at the Beacon Theater, the second time in two years that she’s hosted a seasonal residency in New York.” (Anderson-NYT)

Elsewhere, but looks worth the detour:
Patrick Watson
Irving Plaza, 17 Irving Place, at 15th St./ 8PM, $
“When their gorgeous 2006 album, “Close to Paradise,” won the prestigious Polaris Music Prize in Canada, Mr. Watson and his namesake band found themselves victors over Arcade Fire and Feist. These chamber-pop specters bested that effort with the dissonant experimentations of “Adventures in Your Own Backyard,” and they explore bucolic acoustic- and electro-folk pathways on their shimmering latest album, “Love Songs for Robots.” (Anderson-NYT)

Bonus – Music Venues:
So much fine live music every night in this town. These are a few of my favorite music venues on Manhattan’s WestSide. Check out who’s playing tonight:
City Winery – 155 Varick St. / citywinery.com, 212-608-0555
Joe’s Pub @ Public Theater – 425 Lafayette St. / joespub.com, 212-967-7555
Metropolitan Room – 34 W22nd St. / metropolitan room.com, 212-206-0440
Le Poisson Rouge – 158 Bleecker St. / lepoissonrouge.com, 212-505-3474
Beacon Theatre – 2124 Broadway @ 74th St. / beacontheatre.com, 212-465-6500
B.B. King’s Blues Bar – 237 W42nd St. / bbkingblues.com, 212-997-2144
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 56 million visitors last year and is TripAdvisor’s Traveler’s Choice Top U.S. Destination for 2015.  Quality shows draw crowds. Try to reserve seats in advance, even if just on day of performance.
==================================================================================

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

Metropolitan Museum of Art:
‘Reimagining Modernism: 1900-1950’ (continuing)
One of the greatest encyclopedic museums in the world fulfills its mission a little more with an ambitious reinstallation of works of early European modernism with their American counterparts for the first time in nearly 30 years. Objects of design and paintings by a few self-taught artists further the integration. It is quite a sight, with interesting rotations and fine-tunings to come. 212-535-7710, metmuseum.org.” (Smith)

Guggenheim Museum:
Kandinsky Gallery (through spring 2016)
“A pioneer of abstract art and eminent aesthetic theorist, Vasily Kandinsky (b. 1866, Moscow; d. 1944, Neuilly-sur-Seine, France) broke new ground in painting during the first decades of the twentieth century. His seminal treatise Über das Geistige in der Kunst (On the Spiritual in Art), published in Munich in December 1911, lays out his program for developing an art independent from observations of the external world. In this and other texts, as well as his work, Kandinsky advanced abstraction’s potential to be free from nature, a quality of music that he admired. The development of a new subject matter based solely on the artist’s “inner necessity” would occupy him for the rest of his life.”

The Guggenheim collection now contains more than 150 works by this single artist, making it the largest collection of Kandinsky works in the United States.

Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum (continuing):
rendering-3The stately doors of the 1902 Andrew Carnegie mansion, home to the Cooper Hewitt, are open again after an overhaul and expansion of the premises. Historic house and modern museum have always made an awkward fit, a standoff between preservation and innovation, and the problem remains, but the renovation has brought a wide-open new gallery space, a cafe and a raft of be-your-own-designer digital enhancements. Best of all, more of the museum’s vast permanent collection is now on view, including an Op Art weaving, miniature spiral staircases, ballistic face masks and a dainty enameled 18th-century version of a Swiss knife. Like design itself, this institution is built on tumult and friction, and you feel it. 2 East 91st Street, at Fifth Avenue, 212-849-8400, cooperhewitt.org. (Cotter)

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

Museum Mile is a section of Fifth Avenue which contains one of the densest displays of culture in the world. Eight museums can be found along this section of Fifth Avenue:

• 105th Street – El Museo del Barrio (closed Sun-Mon)*
• 103rd Street – Museum of the City of New York (open 7 days /week)
•  92nd Street – The Jewish Museum (closed Wed) (Sat FREE) (Thu 5-8 PWYW)
•  91st Street  –  Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum (open 7 days /week)
•  89th Street –  National Academy Museum (closed Mon-Tue)
•  88th Street –  Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum (closed Thu) (Sat 6-8 PWYW)
•  86th Street –  Neue Galerie New York (closed Tue-Wed) (Fri 6-8 FREE)
Last, but certainly not least, America’s premier museum
•  82nd Street – The Metropolitan Museum of Art (open 7 days /week)*
*always Pay What You Wish (PWYW)

Although technically not part of the Museum Mile, the Frick Collection (closed Mon) (SUN 11am-1pm PWYW) on the corner of 70th St. and Fifth Avenue and the The Morgan Library & Museum (closed Mon) (Fri 7-9 FREE) on Madison Ave and 37th St are also located near Fifth Ave.
Now plan your own museum crawl (info on hours & admission updated June 2, 2015). ========================================================

For other selected Museum and Gallery Special Exhibitions see Recent Posts in right Sidebar dated 12/09 and 12/07.
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Selected Events (12/10) + Today’s Featured Pub (Greenwich Village)

Posted on 12/10/2015 by GregD

Today’s SWEET 6 > THURSDAY / DEC. 10, 2015

“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.
(click on links for more complete event info.)

Have time for only one event today? Do this:
The Aimee Mann & Ted Leo Christmas Show
Town Hall, 123 W43rd St./ 8PM, $35, $45
“The wry singer-songwriter Aimee Mann and angst-ridden rock renegade Ted Leo might not be the most likely candidates for staging a Christmas jamboree, but the spirit of the holidays can make for surprising transformations. Resurrecting a tradition they have forged together, the duo will lead a celebration that promises “good cheer” and a variety-show arrangement that includes Christmas songs along with original music, video, sketches and a host of musical and comedy-world guests.

Joining them as ringleaders are the clever, crafty songwriter Jonathan Coulton and Liz Phair, an indie-rock mainstay with a legacy going back to her pointed 1993 masterwork “Exile in Guyville.” The same show takes up again on Saturday at the Music of Williamsburg.” (WSJ)

Music, Dance, Performing Arts
Christian McBride Quartet (through Dec.13)
Village Vanguard, 178 7th Ave. S., at 11th St./ 8:30PM +10:30PM, $
“Last week found McBride fronting a piano trio at this venerable club; for the concluding week of his residency, the ever-astonishing bassist and enterprising bandleader jettisons the keyboard and brings on two gifted horn stylists—the saxophonist Marcus Strickland and the trumpeter Josh Evans—to fortify a compact quartet.” (NewYorker)

ECHOES of ETTA, the Etta James tribute,
Joe’s Pub, 425 Lafayette St./ 9:30PM, $30
Featuring soul-singer William Blake (2014 Bistro and NY Nightlife Award winner for Outstanding Vocalist) together with music director Michael Thomas Murray (50 Shades! the Musical, Forever Dusty), and the “Peaches,” ECHOES channels the spirit of Miss James, the Matriarch of the Blues, in a no-holds barred, powerhouse revue.” (BroadwayWorld.com)

David Sanborn (thru Dec.13)
Blue Note, 131 W. 3rd St./ 8PM +10:30PM, $35, $55
“Even jazz purists who can’t abide Sanborn’s overtly commercial recordings have to admit that the alto saxophonist has a sound that’s one in a million: a gutsy, R. & B.-laden wail that can be identified from a single passionately blown note. His funky Electric Band features the keyboardist Ricky Peterson.” (NewYorker)

Smart Stuff / Other
(Lectures, Discussions, Book Talks, Literary Readings, Classes, Food & Drink, Other)
Rick Moody and “Hotels of North America”
Macaulay Honors College, 35 W67th St./ 7PM, FREE w RSVP
“Acclaimed novelist Rick Moody will be discussing his new novel Hotels of North America. The new work is a darkly comic portrait of a man revealed in the most unexpected of ways: through his online hotel reviews.

Dwight Garner of The New York Times wrote: “This novel’s elastic format — short hotel reviews — gives Mr. Moody a lot of room to improvise and play, and play he does. He is terrific on the ‘assisted living’ décor at some hotels, the mustards and browns and soul-destroying drapery. He is even better on the joints that seem to attract disgraced politicians and ‘collectors of serial-killer memorabilia.'” Read the complete review.

Following his reading, Moody will be joined for an interview by acclaimed author Darcey Steinke.”

Elsewhere, but this looks tasty and worth the detour:
Cocoa in the City: NYC Chocolate Makers
Brooklyn Historical Society, cc/ 7PM, $12
“Historic gastronomist Sarah Lohman returns to BHS, this time to explore the history and intricate production process behind everyone’s favorite treat: chocolate. With a panel of chocolate makers, from bean to bar producers to confectioners of fine chocolates, discover the origin story behind some of your favorite chocolate bars and mouth-watering truffles. Tastings included!”

Jazz Venues:
Many consider NYCity the Jazz capital of the world. Here are my favorite Jazz clubs, all on Manhattan’s WestSide. Check out who’s playing tonight:
Greenwich Village:
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. South — 55bar.com / 212-929-9883
Outside Greenwich Village:
Dizzy’s Club – Broadway @ 60th St. — jazz.org/dizzys / 212-258-9595
Birdland – 315 W44th St.(btw 8/9 ave) — birdlandjazz.com / 212-581-3080
Smoke Jazz Club – 2751 Broadway, nr.106th St. — smokejazz.com / 212-864-6662

==================================================================================
♦ 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 56 million visitors last year and is TripAdvisor’s Traveler’s Choice Top U.S. Destination for 2015.  Quality shows draw crowds. Try to reserve seats in advance, even if just on day of performance.
==================================================================================

A PremierPub and 3 Good Eating Places – Greenwich Village

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

==================================================================================
“Pub” is used in it’s broadest sense – bars, bar/restaurants, jazz clubs, wine bars, tapas bars, craft beer bars, dive bars, cocktail lounges, and of course, pubs – just about anyplace you can get a drink without a cover charge
If you have a fave premier pub or good eating place on Manhattan’s WestSide let us all know about it – leave a comment.
==================================================================================

3 Good Eating places

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

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

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

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

===========================================================================
“3 Good Eating places” focuses on a quick bite, what I call “Fine Fast Food – NYCity Style”
This covers a wide range of food – the traditional pizza, burgers, & hot dogs; but also food trucks & carts, soup & sandwiches, picnic fixins’, raw bars & lobster rolls, bbq, vegetarian, falafel, ramen, chopped salad & salad bars. No reservations needed. ===========================================================================

◊ For all my picks of 54 Good Eating places, and essays on my favorite 18 PremierPubs in 9 Neighborhoods on Manhattan’s WestSide, order a copy of my e-book:
“Eating and Drinking on NYCity’s WestSide” ($4.99, available Winter 2015).
◊ Order before Dec. 31, 2015 and receive a bonus – 27 of my favorite casual dining places with free Wi-Fi.

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

Selected Events (12/09) + Museum Special Exhibitions: Manhattan’s WestSide

Posted on 12/09/2015 by GregD

Today’s FAB 5 > WEDNESDAY / DEC. 09, 2015

“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.
(click on links for more complete event info.)

Music, Dance, Performing Arts
David Sanborn (thru Dec.13)
Blue Note, 131 W. 3rd St./ 8PM +10:30PM, $35, $55
“Even jazz purists who can’t abide Sanborn’s overtly commercial recordings have to admit that the alto saxophonist has a sound that’s one in a million: a gutsy, R. & B.-laden wail that can be identified from a single passionately blown note. His funky Electric Band features the keyboardist Ricky Peterson.” (NewYorker)

An Evening Inspired by ‘Steve McCurry: India’
Rubin Museum,150 W17th St./ 6PM, $15
“The Rubin Museum of Art celebrates its new Steve McCurry exhibition with the music of Acoustic Mandala Project, a Yoga Connections program led by the Now Yoga New York teacher Edward Jones and a “Himalayan Happy Hour” by Café Serai. Steve McCurry’s photographs of Indian life will be on display on the fifth floor.” (NYT-SpareTimes)

Smart Stuff / Other
(Lectures, Discussions, Book Talks, Literary Readings, Classes, Food & Drink, Other)
‘The Other Paris’
La Maison Française, NYU, 16 Washington Mews, at University Place / 7PM,
“The award-winning author Luc Sante will discuss his new book, “The Other Paris,” about the unsavory and passed-over elements of the often idealized French capital. The event is co-sponsored by the New York Institute for the Humanities.” (NYT-SpareTimes)

Person Place Thing: Andrew Ross Sorkin
JCC in Manhattan, 334 Amsterdam Ave. at 76th St./ 7:30PM, $18
“Randy Cohen, a former writer of “The Ethicist” column in The New York Times Magazine, hosts this interview show in which a guest tells three stories. On Wednesday he sits down with The New York Times business columnist Andrew Ross Sorkin. Mr. Sorkin is also the author of the book “Too Big to Fail: How Wall Street and Washington Fought to Save the Financial System — and Themselves.” (NYT-SpareTimes)

Homage to Dore Ashton
The Cooper Union – The Great Hall, 7 E7th St./ 5PM, FREE
Celebrate the work of renowned art critic Dore Ashton through selected readings of her publications, short papers inspired by her writings and a new video by Alfredo Jaar.

One of the world’s most authoritative critics of modern and contemporary art, Dore Ashton is professor emeritus of art history at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art. The recipient of many awards and recognitions including two Guggenheim Foundation Fellowships, Ashton has had a varied experience as art critic, author and teacher. She wrote and/or edited over thirty books on art including Noguchi East and West, About Rothko, American Art Since 1945 and Picasso on Art.

Bonus – Music Picks:
So much fine live music every night in this town. These are a few of my favorite music venues on Manhattan’s WestSide. Check out who’s playing tonight:
City Winery – 155 Varick St., citywinery.com, 212-608-0555
Joe’s Pub @ Public Theater – 425 Lafayette St. joespub.com, 212-967-7555
Metropolitan Room – 34W22ndSt., metropolitan room.com, 212-206-0440
Le Poisson Rouge – 158 Bleecker St. lepoissonrouge.com, 212-505-3474
Beacon Theatre – 2124 Broadway @ 74th St., beacontheatre.com, 212-465-6500
B.B. King’s Blues Bar – 237W42nd dSt. bbkingblues.com, 212-997-2144
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 56 million visitors last year and is TripAdvisor’s Traveler’s Choice Top U.S. Destination for 2015.  Quality shows draw crowds. Try to reserve seats in advance, even if just on day of performance.
==================================================================================

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

Museum of Modern Art:
‘Picasso Sculpture’ (through Feb. 7)
“Nearly a work of art in its own right, this magnificent show redefines Picasso’s achievement with the first full view here in 50 years of his astoundingly varied forays into sculpture. His materials, not his female loves, become the muses, and are different each time out. The basic plotline: After introducing sculptural abstraction and space, he spent about 50 years counting the ways that the figure was far from finished. 212-708-9400, moma.org.” (Smith-NYT)

‘Transmissions: Art in Eastern Europe and Latin America, 1960-1980’ (through Jan. 3) “Visiting this big, spirited group show is like walking into a party of intriguing strangers. For every person you recognize, there are 10 you don’t know. One topic everyone’s talking about, at different intensities, is the anti-institutional politics that swept Europe and the Americas in the 1960s, and almost everyone speaks the language of Conceptualism. A product of an in-house research initiative called Contemporary and Modern Art Perspectives, or C-MAP, intended to expand MoMA’s narrow Paris-New York view of modernism, the show is very much the beginning rather than the end of a learning curve. But with curators exploring material new to them — just steps ahead of their audience — the show has a refreshing buzz of surprise as it takes the museum in a realistic new directions. 212-708-9400, moma.org.” (Cotter-NYT)

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

For other selected Museum and Gallery Special Exhibitions see Recent Posts in right Sidebar dated 12/07 and 12/05.

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Selected Events (12/08) + Today’s Featured Pub (Times Square/ Theater District)

Posted on 12/08/2015 by GregD

Today’s FAB 5 > TUESDAY / DEC. 08, 2015

“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.
(click on links for more complete event info.)

Elsewhere, but if you have time for only one event today? Do this:
Alvin Ailey at City Center (Dec. 2 – Jan. 3)
New York City Center, 131 W55th St./ various times, $25-$150,
If “Nutcracker” is the only dance you see at the holidays, it’s time to add Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater to your repertory. The company will perform new productions of classic works by Ailey (“Blues Suite,” “Cry,” and “Love Songs”) and his signature “Revelations,” as well as dances by Ronald K. Brown, Christopher Wheeldon and artistic director Robert Battle.” (newsday.com)

“Since taking over as artistic director in 2011, Robert Battle, an insightful choreographer, hasn’t premiered a work of his own; that changes this season with his powerful new Awakening, plus the company debut of No Longer Silent, driven by Erwin Schulhoff’s dynamic score and darkened by the composer’s life story (he was murdered under the Nazis).” (Rebecca Milzoff-NYMag)

Music, Dance, Performing Arts
Mariah Carey (through Dec. 18)
Beacon Theater, 2124 Broadway, at 74th St./ 8PM, $59.50-$255
“Some jovial clubs around the city have been blasting Ms. Carey’s yuletide hit “All I Want For Christmas Is You” since early November. Time for the rest of New York to join in for the whimsical, endlessly melismatic singer’s eight-night run at the Beacon Theater, the second time in two years that she’s hosted a seasonal residency in New York.” (Anderson-NYT)

‘Santasia’ (through Dec.23)
St. Luke’s Theater, 308 W46th St.(btw 8/9 ave)/ Tuesdays through Dec. 22 at 8PM, Wednesday matinees on Dec. 2, 16 and 23 @ 2PM, $40-$60
“This holiday musical comedy takes both a snarky and sentimental look at Christmas and family. Written by Shaun and Brandon Loeser, with choreography by Tania Pearson-Loeser, the show incorporates songs, sketch comedy and even Claymation movies.” (NYT-SpareTimes)

TILT Brass: Wild Ones
Miller Theatre (at Columbia University), / 6PM, FREE
“The exceptional brass sextet TILT will give the premiere of a new piece by the always thought-provoking Anthony Coleman and will play works by James Tenney, Catherine Lamb, Liza Lim and TILT trombonist Chris McIntyre.” (TONY)

Smart Stuff / Other
(Lectures, Discussions, Book Talks, Literary Readings, Classes, Food & Drink, Other)
‘A Christmas Carol: A Radio Drama’
the Greene Space, 44 Charlton St, at Varick St./ 5PM, $45
“Kathleen Turner, the acclaimed actress known for her smoky voice, takes on the lead role of Ebenezer Scrooge in this radio adaptation of Dickens’s classic, presented by WNYC and WQXR. Rounding out the cast are favorites of public radio, like Brooke Gladstone of WNYC and Ira Flatow of “Science Friday.” Hot cider and holiday treats will be served. A live stream of the event will be at thegreenespace.org; later, the show will be broadcast on WNYC.” (NYT-SpareTimes)

Bonus – Jazz Picks:
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:
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
Outside Greenwich Village:
Dizzy’s Club – Broadway @ 60th St. — jazz.org/dizzys / 212-258-9595
Birdland – 315 W44th St. (btw 8/9 ave) — 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 56 million visitors last year and is TripAdvisor’s Traveler’s Choice Top U.S. Destination for 2015.  Quality shows draw crowds. Try to reserve seats in advance, even if just on day of performance.
==================================================================================

A PremierPub + 3 Good Eating places

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

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

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

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

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

==================================================================================
“Pub” is used in it’s broadest sense – bars, bar/restaurants, jazz clubs, wine bars, tapas bars, craft beer bars, dive bars, cocktail lounges, and of course, pubs – just about anyplace you can get a drink without a cover charge (except for certain jazz clubs).
If you have a fave premier pub or good eating place on Manhattan’s WestSide let us all know about it – leave a comment.
==================================================================================

3 Good Eating places

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

Patzeria Perfect Pizza – 231 W46 St. (Btw 7th/8th ave)
Perfect name for a pizza joint. On a street filled with Broadway theaters, this is a real hole in the wall, but don’t let the dive look scare you away. You can never go wrong with a slice of NYCity pizza, and this one is a classic thin crust. Only a few seats here, but pizza was made to eat standing up.

Shake Shack – 691 8th Ave. (Btw 43rd/44th st)
Danny Meyer has revolutionized the high quality burger in this town. Now he has a branch on the West Side that was desperately needed, with a bit less of the insane lines that you find at the Madison Sq. Park location. Worth the wait.

Xi’an Famous Foods – 24 W45th St. (Btw 5th/6th ave)
Try to avoid long lunch lines. Order lamb hand ripped noodles and warm your insides at one of the tables in the back. You’ll return, just remember that even mild is pretty spicy.
==============================================================

“3 Good Eating places” focuses on a quick bite, what I call “Fine Fast Food – NYCity Style”
This covers a wide range of food – the traditional pizza, burgers, & hot dogs; but also food trucks & carts, soup & sandwiches, picnic fixins’, raw bars & lobster rolls, bbq, vegetarian / falafel, ramen, chopped salad & salad bars. No reservations needed.
===========================================================================

◊ For all my picks of 54 Good Eating places, and essays on my favorite 18 PremierPubs in 9 Neighborhoods on Manhattan’s WestSide, order a copy of my e-book:
“Eating and Drinking on NYCity’s WestSide” ($4.99, available Fall 2015).
◊ Order before Oct. 31, 2015 and receive a bonus – 27 of my favorite casual dining places with free Wi-Fi.
=========================================================

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