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

Selected Events Manhattan’s WestSide + Today’s Featured Neighborhood: Midtown West (08/31)

Posted on 08/31/2014 by GregD

Today’s “Fab 5″/ Selected NYCity Events –SUNDAY, AUGUST 31, 2014

For other useful and curated NYCity event info for Manhattan’s WestSide check out:
♦ “9 Notable Events-August”and “Top10 Free” in the header above.

♦ For NYCity Sights, Sounds and Stories visit out our sister site: nyc123blog.wordpress.com
♦ For NYCity trip planning see links in “Resources” and “Smart Stuff” in the header above. ==========================================================================================

Washington Square Outdoor Art Exhibit (weekends thru Sept 07)
In 1931, New York artists Jackson Pollock and Willem de Kooning propped up a few of their paintings on the sidewalk near Washington Square Park and called it a show. A lot has changed since then: Now, more than 100 artists and artisans—including painters, sculptors, jewelers and glassblowers—exhibit their wares at the Washington Square Outdoor Art Exhibit.

The event showcases fine artists and craft artisans from around the New York metropolitan area, the nation and the world. Attendees come from all over and are a cosmopolitan mix, including art lovers, tourists, faculty and students from the area’s many schools and professionals such as interior designers.

Our show is a sidewalk show, not a street fair, and has its venue on University Place, starting at East 13th Street and continuing south along the east side of Washington Square Park to West 3rd Street. The southern end of the show encompasses Schwartz Plaza, (aka Bobkin Lane), between NYU’s Shimkin Hall and Bobst Library.
University Place
12-6 PM / FREE
(212) 982-6255, wsoae.org

NYC Unicycle Festival
The New York City Unicycle Festival brings together recreational riders, world-class performers, mountain and off-road unicycle enthusiasts, mono-wheel vehicle inventors, along with circus enthusiasts, extreme sports viewers, and anyone seeking an unusual sight–even for NYC! You will witness unicycle basketball, hockey and sumo. Learn to unicycle in the learn-to-ride area. Produced by Bindlestiff Family Variety Arts. For more information visit nycunifest.co
Governors Island, Colonel’s Row
From 12-5PM/FREE
Directions: Ferry departs from the Battery Maritime Bldg., 10 South St., adjacent to the SI Ferry in Lower Manhattan. schedule for ferry service ($2 r/t): govisland.com, governorsislandalliance.org / 212-825-3045

Nuggets & Beyond:
Part 3 feat. Tony Shanahan & Lenny Kaye of the Patti Smith Band w/Patti Smith, Joan as Police Woman, Jesse Malin & More!

“1972’s compilation album “Nuggets: Original Artyfacts from the First Psychedelic Era, 1965–1968” documented a time when American pop music was twisted and wild. Compiled by Elektra Record’s Jac Holzman, and Lenny Kaye, who would later be lead guitarist for the Patti Smith Group, the Nuggets compilation proved highly influential to music’s next generation of punks and garage rockers. Sunday night, in the last of the series of Summer Of Nuggets performances, catch guests including Patti Smith, Joan Wasser, John Ford (The Strawbs) and Jesse Malin alongside Lenny Kaye, recreating the original Nuggets vibe in concert.” (DNA info)
City Winery, 155 Varick St, Tribeca (btw. Vandam/Spring St.)
subway: #1 to Houston.
8 p.m. / $35/$45
212-608-0555 / citywinery.com

The Heath Brothers
“Jimmy Heath, a saxophonist and composer, and Albert (Tootie) Heath, a drummer, have been staples of the postbop landscape from the beginning. This group used to include another brother, the great bassist Percy Heath, who died in 2005; its lineup, still sturdy, now includes David Wong on bass and Jeb Patton on piano.” (Chinen-NYT)
Village Vanguard, 178 Seventh Avenue South, at 11th Street, West Village,
At 8:30 and 10:30 p.m., / $25 and $30 cover, with a one-drink minimum.
212-255-4037, villagevanguard.com;

Elsewhere, but absolutely worth the detour:

U.S. TENNIS OPEN (Day 7) / TODAY’S PREMIER EVENT
The U.S. Open continues today (11AM) at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park in Queens (about 45 min. from Times Square), and runs through Sept. 8. This is the fourth and final tournament which culminates the tennis Grand Slam each year. It consists of five event championships: men’s and women’s singles, men’s and women’s doubles, and mixed doubles, with additional tournaments for seniors and juniors.
subway: #1-2-3 to Times Square; transfer to #7 to Mets-Willets Point.

When you first arrive check out one of the electronic scoreboards listing in progress matches. Find a match or players that interest you. Head over to their court for some great competitive tennis, because in this tournament even the qualifiers are great players. Sometimes the most competitive, fun matches are on the outer courts.

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 courts, the Grandstand court, or even Louis Armstrong stadium. Courts where you can get a real sense of the pace of the game.

Matches to watch today (per Mark Preston & Matt Cronin – usopen.org):
Oh boy, there are some wonderful matches scheduled today.

#12 Richard Gasquet vs #20 Gael Monfils
“Although Richard Gasquet has a higher seeding than countryman Gael Monfils, this matchup is a virtual coin flip.

The Frenchmen have had a friendly, competitive rivalry since their days as a pair of heralded juniors. Monfils leads their head-to-head count at 6-4, and he has won both their hard-court meetings 2014, in Doha and Montpellier. Gasquet, however, can draw on good vibes from a year ago, when he reached his first-ever Grand Slam quarterfinal here. Monfils’ best showing in Flushing Meadows was the quarterfinals, achieved in 2010.

The two men have had unusualy similar journeys to this point in the tournament. Each has played a total of 109 points and won in their two matches in straight sets. Given that, both are likely feeling fresh coming into the match. Since he won their last two matches and is an expert at revving up these city crowds, Monfils might have a mental edge. But Gasquet’s stunning one-hander and aggressive game style could frustrate Monfils. It’s a matter of whether Gasquet allows Monfils to control the pace and, as a result, commits more errors – or whether he sets off another New York run to rival last year’s.”

I think this could be one of the most entertaining matches of the entire tournament, and the fact that it’s scheduled for Louis Armstrong makes it even better.

#5 Maria Sharapova vs. #10 Carolina Wozniacki
“These two, both former No. 1s, are two of the most closely analyzed players on the women’s tour. Maria is all about crushing forehands and backhands, but she is worried about her second serves. “Caro” can crack backhands all day and run forever, but she can be frustrated when she pushes her forehand too short. Both are extremely fit and not afraid to wail big shots, with Maria hitting her baseline bashes viciously, with Caro running down short balls and putting them away.

Way back in 2010, Wozniacki was much more confident, upsetting Sharapova in the fourth round of the US Open. She smoked Maria in the semis of Indian Wells in 2011, but Sharapova was not yet quite right after her shoulder surgery. In 2012 and 2013, Sharapova, fully healed, bested Wozniacki in Miami and Indian Wells.

The two haven’t faced each other at a Slam since 2010, but Sharapova has won five major titles (including her Roland Garros in June), while Wozniacki has yet to win a Grand Slam.

Wozniacki has been playing very well the past two months, which is why she is a real threat to go deep. She was quite close in losses to Serena Williams in Montreal and Cincinnati, which shows that she is narrowing the gap on the top players.

But is she good enough to knock out Sharapova in this one? Sure she can, if she plays great and goes for her shots instead of reverting to playing passive tennis. And while Sharapova has been so-so in the past few weeks, she looked pretty darn good in beating Sabine Lisicki on Friday. She knows that Caroline could take her round and round until she is exhausted, but she will not give up. Sharapova was stung by her loss to Wozniacki at the 2010 US Open and wants revenge. She will dig deep and win in three very long sets”

Other Picks
“Gilles Simon has a lot of variety and has played plenty of big matches, so it’s a good bet that he will find a way to push No. 4 seed David Ferrer into a fifth set. But the Spaniard is one of the fittest players on tour, and in the end, that will help him best the Frenchman.

Roger Federer is playing as well as he as in the past two years – and he looks in full form in the early going here. Marcel Granollers will bid goodbye to this year’s Open in straight sets.

The contest between young guns Grigor Dimitrov and David Goffin should be a lot of fun, if Goffin shows up and believes in himself. The Belgian has the shots to contend, but he is not as efficient as Dimitrov. Plus, the Bulgarian has tremendous variety in his shots these days and has the belief in his game that is needed to go deep in a Slam. He bests Goffin in four sets.

The WTA has to be quite pleased with the variety of winners in the women’s draw this week. Some of the veterans have pulled through, alongside some of the young players who are rising up. Jelena Jankovic, part of the old guard, is playing very well here. In the fourth round, she will use that experience to out-think the Swiss Belinda Bencic in three sets, but stay tuned: The 17- year-old Bencic is already a gorgeous player who will be around the US Open for many years to come.

The Italian Sara Errani is one of the most tireless performers on the women’s tour, and she is currently pushing her own limits – which is why she will wear down Mirjana Lucic-Baroni. Lucic has been trying to rejoin the ranks of the contenders for years and she is finally there. Good for her, but she doesn’t have enough variety to overcome Errani.

And finally, look for the tireless Peng Shuai to keep the upsets going and take out Lucie Safarova in straight sets.”

Today’s tips: Lines to get into the show courts will be long this holiday weekend. Pick a court with matches you are most interested in and stay put. Watching the players on the new practice courts is a good way to get a free tennis lesson, and video screens show when your fave player is scheduled to hit. The best review of the tournament and the current state of tennis can be found at the NYTimes: http://www.nytimes.com

Finally, these places around the grounds provide special fan experiences, a place to beat the heat, and are open to the public:
Heineken House – big screen tv’s, quality photo booth op, various sporting challenges, sandwiches & beer available for purchase. Say Hi to my fave Heineken girl – Missy.
American Express Fan Experience – swing analysis, 180 degree photo op, charging lockers. Second level of the lounge is only open to card members, where food and drinks are available for purchase.
Time Warner Cable Studios – photo ops, prizes, charging stations.

And only for Chase Bank customers:
Chaise Lounge – snacks and light refreshments (requires pre-registration).

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♦ Before making final plans, we suggest you call the venue to confirm ticket availability, dates and times, as schedules are subject to change.

♦ NYCity is a big town with many visitors, where quality shows draw crowds. Try to reserve seats in advance, even if just on day of performance.
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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.

Those 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; we eat, and we drink vodka ‘till it hurts (and it will hurt).

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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 some nights includes a sax player with a younger, trimmer piano man.

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“Pub” is used in it’s broadest sense – bars, bar/restaurants, jazz clubs, wine bars, tapas bars, craft beer bars, dive bars, cocktail lounges, and of course, pubs – just about anyplace you can get a drink without a cover charge (except for certain jazz clubs).

If you have a fave premier pub or good eating place on Manhattan’s WestSide let us all know about it – leave a comment.
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Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged City Winery, Governors Island, Nuggets & Beyond:, NYC Unicycle Festival, The Heath Brothers, Village Vanguard, Washington Square Outdoor Art Exhibit | Leave a comment

Selected Events Manhattan’s WestSide + Gallery Special Exhibits: Chelsea (08/30)

Posted on 08/30/2014 by GregD

Today’s “Fab 5″/ Selected NYCity Events –SATURDAY, AUGUST 30, 2014

For other useful and curated NYCity event info for Manhattan’s WestSide check out:
♦ “9 Notable Events-August”and “Top10 Free” in the header above.

♦ For NYCity Sights, Sounds and Stories visit out our sister site: nyc123blog.wordpress.com
♦ For NYCity trip planning see links in “Resources” and “Smart Stuff” in the header above. ==========================================================================================

Brazilian Day Celebration (through Sunday)
This annual weekend celebration of Brazilian culture is a sure sign of the Labor Day holiday. Today a musical parade will move along 46th Street, from Times Square (7^th Ave) to Madison Avenue, beginning at 11 a.m. “The Lavagem da Rua 46” (the Cleansing of West 46th Street), will have performers dressed in white sweep to music. It will be followed by a music festival (on a stage at 46^th St. & Madison), along with arts and crafts, exotic food, samba and more. From 1pm until 4 p.m.

On Sunday, an annual street fair takes place from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Avenue of the Americas, between 43rd and 56th Streets; and on 46th Street, between Madison and Seventh Avenues.
lavagemdarua46ny.com; brazilianday.com; brazilweeknyc.com.

‘Charlie Parker Birthday Celebration’
“Timed to coincide with what would have been Charlie Parker’s birthday, this booking features a band briskly conversant in the bebop idiom. On alto saxophone, in Parker’s shoes, is Vincent Herring; on trumpet is Jeremy Pelt. Their top-shelf rhythm section features the pianist Don Friedman, the bassist Lonnie Plaxico and the drummer Victor Lewis.” (Chinen–NYT)
Birdland, 315 West 44th St.
212-581-3080, birdlandjazz.com;
At 8:30 and 11 p.m./ $40 cover, with a $10 minimum.

Caribbean Festivals (through Monday)
“This weekend vibrant spectacles will keep the sounds and colors of the season alive at celebrations in Manhattan and Brooklyn. Saturday’s fare includes a parade and a carnival for children at 9 a.m. and a steel band concert at 6 p.m. A band competition, on Sunday at 7 p.m., will feature performers like the Mighty Sparrow, (King) David Rudder and Robert (Lord) Nelson. On Monday, the parade along Eastern Parkway begins at 11 a.m. at Schenectady Avenue, with marchers continuing along the Parkway to the Flatbush Avenue Extension. The parade is free, but tickets (starting at $40) are required for the shows; details are at wiadca.com.

Caribbean pride will also be displayed on Sunday from 2 to 7 p.m. at a free festival sponsored by Virgin Islanders United in Jackie Robinson Park, 85 Bradhurst Avenue, at 146th Street, Hamilton Heights. The performers include the Image Band, the Mighty Swallow, and Elizabeth Watley and the Outta Limitz Band; virginislandersunited.org. Not a bad finale to the season.” (Anne Mancuso-NYT)

Trio da Paz and Friends (also Sunday)
“Officially billed as “Trio da Paz and Friends Play Jobim, Getz, and Other Brazilian Classics,” this engagement augments that excellent trio with the singer Maucha Adnet, the trumpeter Claudio Roditi and the tenor saxophonist Harry Allen.” (Chinen-NYT)
Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola, Rose Hall, Jazz at Lincoln Center, 60th St. and Broadway,
212-258-9595, jalc.org
at 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. / $35 to $45 cover, with a $10 minimum

Elsewhere, but absolutely worth the detour:

U.S. TENNIS OPEN (Day 6) / TODAY’S PREMIER EVENT
The U.S. Open continues today (11AM) at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park in Queens (about 45 min. from Times Square), and runs through Sept. 8. This is the fourth and final tournament which culminates the tennis Grand Slam each year. It consists of five event championships: men’s and women’s singles, men’s and women’s doubles, and mixed doubles, with additional tournaments for seniors and juniors.
subway: #1-2-3 to Times Square; transfer to #7 to Mets-Willets Point.

Matches to watch today (per Mark Preston – usopen.org):
♣ This is the third year in a row at the US Open that #13 John Isner and #22 Phillip Kohlschreiber have met in the third round, each time playing in a packed Louis Armstrong Stadium. In 2012, Kohlschreiber won in five sets in an instant classic that ended at 2:26 a.m., tying the record for the tournament’s latest finish. Last year, the German again won, emerging victorious in four sets, with the final set going to a tight tiebreak, which he won, 7-5.

The matchup continues to be appealing. While Isner is ranked 10 spots higher, Kohlschreiber always plays him tough. The German is a solid baseliner and returner, with one of the best one-handed backhands in the game, and he does a good job blocking back the 6-foot-10 Isner’s imposing serve. Isner, as always, will need to serve big and not get broken early. Kohlschrieber will need to keep his unforced errors to a minimum and extend back-court rallies — and extend the match, too, with an eye to tiring the big man.

The two players’ numbers in the crunch are telling. Kohlschreiber is 14-9 in his career in five-set matches, while Isner is just 5-12. However, Isner has a big advantage in tiebreaks: 31-24 vs. 21-20 for the German. The other category Isner has a big advantage in? His height: he’s a full foot taller than Kohlschreiber.

♣ Men’s No. 1 Novak Djokovic has cruised into the third round, losing just 11 games in his two matches—a solid start for a guy looking to play his way into his fifth consecutive US Open final. The 27-year-old Serb was particularly impressive in his second-round win over Paul-Henri Mathieu, winning 88 percent of first-serve points, serving up 13 aces and blasting 33 winners against just 16 unforced errors. He’s now reached at least the third round in 25 consecutive Grand Slam events.

The top seed today takes on Sam Querrey, who may well be playing his best tennis of the year right now. The big-hitting, 26-year-old American packs quite a punch, but his career has been staggered by a series of injuries that have knocked him back on his heels. To his credit, Querrey is a fighter, and though he’s currently ranked No. 57, he’s a legitimate Top 20 talent, having ranked as high as No. 17. This should be a good test for both men and a chance for Querrey to get an accurate gauge of his game as compared to one of the game’s greats. The American—with 46 aces in two matches—will no doubt come out firing, but Djokovic has too much game to provide an easy target. The Serb leads their career meetings 7-1 and figures to extend that edge today. In an entertaining three, the top seed advances.

♣ Like Djokovic, #1 Serena Williams is off to a flying start here in Flushing, winning her first two rounds in dominating fashion, dropping just five games in two matches. The biggest talent in the women’s game has thus far come up short at the majors this year. In fact, the 17-time Grand Slam singles champion has yet to advance as far as the quarters at any of the Slam season’s first three events. That annoying little tidbit is no doubt providing additional incentive to the two-time defending US Open champ, who’s looking to become the first woman to three-peat here since Chris Evert strung four titles together from 1975-78.

Williams looks to take the next step toward that goal today against Varvara Lepchenko (see photo), the third American she’ll face here in three rounds. The 28-year-old Lepchenko was particularly impressive in her second-round win over Mona Barthel, winning 79 percent of her first-serve points and making just nine unforced errors to advance to this third round, matching her best career US Open showing. But it’ll be impossible for Lepchenko to match that effort against Williams, who owns a career 2-0 edge in their head-to-heads, spotting Lepchenko just six games in those two matches. Expect that trend to continue, as Williams moves on in straight sets, single-handedly eliminating 17.6 percent of the American contingent in the women’s draw.
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♣ For a look at how the game of doubles should be played, look in on the #1 seed Bryan brothers playing the last match in the intimate Grandstand today, or get to court 5 early to watch the women’s #2 seed Hsieh and Peng play.

And only for Chase Bank customers:
Chaise Lounge – snacks and light refreshments (requires pre-registration).

=============================================================================
♦ Before making final plans, we suggest you call the venue to confirm ticket availability, dates and times, as schedules are subject to change.

♦ NYCity is a big town with many visitors, where quality shows draw crowds. Try to reserve seats in advance, even if just on day of performance.
==============================================================================

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 – my fave is Ovest on W 27th St., where the aperitivo is like Happy Hour on steroids.

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

For other selected Museum and Gallery Special Exhibitions see Recent Posts in the right Sidebar: “Selected Events + Special Exhibitions : Manhattan’s WestSide” dated (08/28) and (08/26).

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged ‘Charlie Parker Birthday Celebration’, Birdland, Brazilian Day Celebration, Dizzy's Club, Trio da Paz, U.S. TENNIS OPEN | Leave a comment

Selected Events Manhattan’s WestSide + Today’s Featured Neighborhood: Times Square/ Theater District (08/29)

Posted on 08/29/2014 by GregD

Today’s “Fab 5″/ Selected NYCity Events –FRIDAY, AUGUST 29, 2014

For other useful and curated NYCity event info for Manhattan’s WestSide check out:
♦ “9 Notable Events-August”and “Top10 Free” in the header above.

♦ For NYCity Sights, Sounds and Stories visit out our sister site: nyc123blog.wordpress.com
♦ For NYCity trip planning see links in “Resources” and “Smart Stuff” in the header above. ==========================================================================================

Caribbean Festivals (through Monday)
“This weekend vibrant spectacles will keep the sounds and colors of the season alive at celebrations in Manhattan and Brooklyn. On Friday at 6 p.m., a festival of brass bands kicks off the weekend portion of the annual West Indian American Day Carnival on the streets around the Brooklyn Museum, 200 Eastern Parkway, at Prospect Park.

Saturday’s fare includes a parade and a carnival for children at 9 a.m. and a steel band concert at 6 p.m. A band competition, on Sunday at 7 p.m., will feature performers like the Mighty Sparrow, (King) David Rudder and Robert (Lord) Nelson. On Monday, the parade along Eastern Parkway begins at 11 a.m. at Schenectady Avenue, with marchers continuing along the Parkway to the Flatbush Avenue Extension. The parade is free, but tickets (starting at $40) are required for the shows; details are at wiadca.com.

Ed Palermo Big Band (also Saturday)
“The saxophonist-bandleader combines perfect pop with eccentric wizardry for the next two nights – think “Hello It’s Me” into “Black Napkins” – when he leads his dynamic 18-piece big band through “Zodd Zundgren,” a promisingly demented mash-up of music by Todd Rundgren and Palermo’s longtime focus, Frank Zappa. Expect brief stopovers in the halls of King Crimson and Paul Simon.” (Richard Gehr-VillageVoice)
Iridium, 1650 Broadway, at 51st St.
8:00 p.m. & 10:00 p.m. / $30
212-582-2121 / iridiumjazzclub.com

Bryant Park Shakespeare (last 2 days)
Love’s Labour’s Lost presented by Boomerang Theatre Company

Shakespeare’s smart comedy about the battle of the sexes. A king and friends swear an oath to renounce women, but a princess and companions put that plan to the test. Produced by the award-winning Boomerang Theatre Company, known for its Shakespeare series in Central Park.
Bryant Park, Upper Terrace Steps. 42^nd St. (btw 5/6 ave)
7:00pm – 9:10pm / FREE

Dee Dee Bridgewater Featuring Theo Croker (through Sunday)
“Ms. Bridgewater is a jazz singer with the knock-’em-dead instincts of a trouper, which isn’t to suggest that she’s incapable of introspection. She has recently put a lot of effort into the emulation of Billie Holiday — and the cultivation of promising younger musicians, notably Mr. Croker, an incisive trumpeter who joins her in a featured role during this weekend run.” (Chinen-NYT)
Blue Note, 131 West Third Street, Greenwich Village,
212-475-8592, bluenote.net
At 8 and 10:30 p.m./$35 cover at tables, $20 at the bar, with a $5 minimum.

Elsewhere, but absolutely worth the detour:

U.S. TENNIS OPEN (Day 5) / TODAY’S PREMIER EVENT
The U.S. Open continues today (11AM) at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park in Queens (about 45 min. from Times Square), and runs through Sept. 8. This is the fourth and final tournament which culminates the tennis Grand Slam each year. It consists of five event championships: men’s and women’s singles, men’s and women’s doubles, and mixed doubles, with additional tournaments for seniors and juniors.
subway: #1-2-3 to Times Square; transfer to #7 to Mets-Willets Point.

Three former US Open champions lead a sizzling slate of action on Day 5, as Roger Federer, Venus Williams and Maria Sharapova each look to take another step toward tennis’ toughest title. The three who’ve been there are joined by a host of contenders who’d love to get there, including Tomas Berdych, David Ferrer, Grigor Dimitrov, Angelique Kerber, Caroline Wozniacki and Jelena Jankovic.

Matches to watch today (per Matt Cronin – usopen.org):
19-Venus Williams vs. 13-Sara Errani
Errani has long been one of the most effective clay courters in the world. About three years ago she began to improve on hard courts as well, largely by becoming a more aggressive player. She reached the semis here two years ago, and while she hasn’t been fantastic in 2011, she keeps pushing herself.

Still, Venus has been stronger of the two in their head-to-head matchups, winning all three matches with ease. Errani can try to smack the lines and mix up her shots, but Venus is tall and to handle Errani’s heavy spins. Expect Venus to advance again – again in straight sets.

5-Maria Sharapova vs. 26-Sabine Lisicki – (EVENING session)
The German Lisicki loves grass, reaching the 2013 Wimbledon final after blasting past some of the tour’s best players. But hard courts are a different story. While they are still quick, they require Lisicki to contest more balls, leading to fatigue and, often, mistakes.

For those reasons, it is not surprising that Sharapova owns a 5-1 record against her. Yes, Lisicki played great to take down the Russian at 2012 Wimbledon, but she has been unable to best the five-time Grand Slam champion on either clay or hard courts. Sharapova not only can hit with huge forehands and backhands, but she also can also dig down and keep churning. Lisicki can belt the ball, but she’s not as consistent, which is why Sharapova will push through in two long sets.

Other Picks
It is obvious that Caroline Wozniacki and Andrea Petkovic will play three long sets, even though the Dane has been playing much better over the past two months and is rising again. The two haven’t played since the 2011 US Open, which was won by Wozniacki, 6-1, 7-6, in the quarters. That was then and this is now and both have improved overall, despite ups and downs due to injury and inconsistency. “Petko” will move inside the baseline, but Wozniacki’s isn’t missing and will win in three sets.

A contest between Jerzy Janowicz and Kevin Anderson could go to the full five sets. Anderson nearly went down in five in his first-round match, while Janowicz has been struggling this year. But he can crack the ball. Take the Polish big banger in five sets.

American Tim Smyczek loves to fight and really enjoys bouncing around New York. He will enjoy the crowd and charging two and fro, but the Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut is rising, currently ranked No. 17. Bautista Agut can hustle for hours and will win in four sets.

And only for Chase Bank customers:
Chaise Lounge – snacks and light refreshments (requires pre-registration).

=============================================================================
♦ Before making final plans, we suggest you call the venue to confirm ticket availability, dates and times, as schedules are subject to change.

♦ NYCity is a big town with many visitors, where 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)

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

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

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

On nights when no local team is playing, it’s a fine place to sip some drafts and listen to a great old time jukebox (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 (Betw 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 NYC 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 (Betw 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 none of the insane lines that you find at the Madison Sq. Park location. Plus, it may be the cleanest joint to eat in all of Hell’s Kitchen.

================================================================================
“3 Good Eating places” focuses on a quick bite, what I call “Fine Fast Food – NYCity Style”

That covers a wide range of food – pizza, burgers, food trucks/carts, vegetarian/falafel, ramen, chopped salad & salad bars, hot dogs, bbq, soup & sandwiches, picnic fixins’, raw bars & lobster rolls. 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 (plus 27 casual dining places with free Wi-Fi) order a copy of my e-book: “Eating and Drinking on NYCity’s WestSide” ($3.99).
(available Fall 2014)

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Blue Note, Bryant Park, Bryant Park Shakespeare, Caribbean Festivals, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Ed Palermo Big Band, Iridium, U.S. TENNIS OPEN | Leave a comment

Selected Events Manhattan’s WestSide + Museum Special Exhibitions: Manhattan’s 5th Avenue (08/28)

Posted on 08/28/2014 by GregD

Today’s “Fab 5″/ Selected NYCity Events –THURSDAY, AUGUST 28, 2014

For other useful and curated NYCity event info for Manhattan’s WestSide check out:
♦ “9 Notable Events-August”and “Top10 Free” in the header above.

♦ For NYCity Sights, Sounds and Stories visit out our sister site: nyc123blog.wordpress.com
♦ For NYCity trip planning see links in “Resources” and “Smart Stuff” in the header above. ==========================================================================================

MoMA Nights with Widowspeak
Molly Hamilton, vocals and guitar; Robert Earl Thomas, guitar
Widowspeak is an American band known for its wistful, Western-tinged take on rock ‘n’ roll.. Widowspeak has been praised for its reverential spaciousness, Hamilton’s haunting voice, and Thomas’s spindly, Morricone-esque guitar lines. The music draws on 1950s pop ballads and 1970s psych, and features languid call-and-response melodies.
the Sculpture Garden at the Museum of Modern Art,
212-708-9400, moma.org
At 6:30 p.m./ FREE with regular museum admission of $25, $18 for seniors.

Molissa Fenley – Dance an Impossible Space
Dance an Impossible Space was choreographed with a very small—“impossible”—performance space in mind. The movements explore how to make the work “possible”—the dancer travels to the perimeter of the space only to ricochet back to the other side. The piece is marked by the delightful struggle to express a trajectory of motion within tight constraints. Erin Gee’s original vocal composition and presence in the space adds another layer of complexity.
David Rubenstein Atrium at Lincoln Center, 61 W 62 St
At 7:30PM / FREE
212-875-5350 / atrium.lincolncenter.org

Seaport Swing with Dandy Wellington and His Band
Inspired by the Big Band Era of Jazz, Dandy Wellington and his Band have taken the sounds of the 1930’s and 40’s and created a world of well dressed music. With a passion for obscure songs steeped in the Jazz tradition, Dandy Wellington has assembled a catalog of music that invokes an atmosphere of class. From the golden age of cinema, to the bounce of New Orleans, each song is hand selected and played to perfection by a band cut from the cloth of elegance.
South Street Seaport Front/Row Stage, corner of Front St and Fulton St
6PM / FREE

New York International Salsa Congress Dance & Music Festival (August 27 – September 1)
“Every Labor Day weekend salseros and salseras from all around the world come to town for the New York International Salsa Congress Dance & Music Festival—and dance cards fill up at a fast and furious pace. The action unfolds at the New York Hilton Midtown, with a full schedule of workshops, performances, competitions, live music (including sets by Bronx conga king Eddie Montalvo and the Jimmy Bosch Orchestra) and DJs spinning tunes well into the early-morning hours.” (nycgo.com)
New York Hilton Midtown, 1335 Sixth Ave. (at W. 53rd St.)
212-586-7000 / nycsalsacongress.com

Elsewhere, but absolutely worth the detour:

U.S. TENNIS OPEN (Day 4) / TODAY’S PREMIER EVENT
The U.S. Open continues today (11AM) at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park in Queens (about 45 min. from Times Square) and runs through Sept. 8. This is the fourth and final tennis tournament which culminates the Grand Slam each year. It consists of five event championships: men’s and women’s singles, men’s and women’s doubles, and mixed doubles, with additional tournaments for senior, junior, and wheelchair players. subway: #1-2-3 to Times Square; transfer to #7 to Mets-Willets Point.

Forget the Big House (Arthur Ashe Stadium), during the first few days where most matches are mismatches. Get a grounds pass and once inside check out one of the electronic scoreboards listing current matches. Find a match or players that interest you. Head over to their court for some great competitive tennis, because in this tournament even the qualifiers are great players.

Matches to watch today in Louis Armstrong stadium (LA), the Grandstand court (GS) & the outside courts (1st two match predictions per Matt Cronin):

(LA) 13-John Isner vs. Jan-Lennard Struff
Big John wants to make an impression on the hard courts of the US Open in a big way. Isner is the highest-ranked U.S. male, has experience and can dominate games.

When his first serve is on, he is untouchable. Entering the US Open, Isner had 772 aces on the season and also had won 93 percent of his service games. As a result, Isner knows he can play with the better guys. But Isner has not broken enough in return games – currently just 9 percent. As a result, he is playing a lot of tiebreakers. Entering the tournament, he has already played 43, and that can be dicey.

What Isner needs to do is to have a clean second round when he faces Jan-Lennard Struff. Struff is 6-foot-5, so he can power off both wings, but he is not experienced enough to pull off the upset here. Isner will need four sets to win, and if Kohlschreiber beats Michael Llodra, then those two familiar foes will face off for a third consecutive year.

(GS) After winning New Haven, 3 Petra Kvitova looks like she is in good form on the hard courts, which means that she could go very deep here. But the Wimbledon champion rarely plays excellent every day, which could mean she might have to play for two hours against Petra Cetkovska, a fellow Czech. Cetkovska can smoke from inside the baseline, but Kvitova’s vicious left-handed serve will be the difference and will allow her to win in two long sets.
===========================================================
(LA) 8 Ana Ivanovic starts the day off in Armstrong – a good way to start the day.

Ct 17 Last match of the day, to watch the teen phenom Catherine “CiCi” Bellis try to beat another fine young player, Zarina Diyas. When 15 year old Cici shocked No. 12 seed Dominika Cibulkova in her opening match she became the youngest player to win a singles match at the US Open since Anna Kournikova in 1996. Get here early for this one – it follows Tommy Robredo vs Simone Bolelli.

(GS) Watch the Williams sisters do their doubles thing against a quality #7 seed team. They only play doubles in the Grand Slam events, and when you can watch one of their matches in the intimate Grandstand it’s a special treat.

Ct 6 Or watch the #1 seed Italian ladies – Errani and Vinci show their doubles skill.

Ct 4 “Gorgeous” Goerges has been bounced out of the singles, but is playing mixed doubles, which is always fun to watch.

Today’s tip: 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: http://www.nytimes.com

And only for Chase Bank customers:
Chaise Lounge – snacks and light refreshments (requires pre-registration).

=============================================================================
♦ Before making final plans, we suggest you call the venue to confirm ticket availability, dates and times, as schedules are subject to change.

♦ NYCity is a big town with many visitors, where quality shows draw crowds. Try to reserve seats in advance, even if just on day of performance.
==============================================================================

What’s on View:
Special Exhibitions @ 3 Museum Mile / Fifth Ave. Museums:

The Flowering of Edo Period Painting: Japanese Masterworks from the Feinberg Collection’ (through Sept. 7)
‘Garry Winogrand’ (through Sept. 21)
Mr. Winogrand, who died at 56 in 1984, was the photographer laureate of urban and suburban middle-class life in the United States from the late 1950s through the ’70s and beyond. This ample retrospective focuses on his prime years, when he recorded a newly prosperous America while strolling Manhattan’s avenues and then followed it as it waded into increasingly troubled political waters. The result is a remarkable panorama of an era, with some terrific pictures, and some that Winogrand, who left a mountain of unprocessed film behind, never edited or printed. 212-535-7710, metmuseum.org. (Cotter-NYT)
‘Early American Guitars: The Instruments of C.F. Martin’ (through Dec. 7)
Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1000 5th Ave, at 82nd St.
(212) 535-7710 / metmuseum.org
—————————————————————————————————————————————-

‘Italian Futurism, 1909-1944: Reconstructing the Universe’ (through Sept. 1)
“This epic, beautifully designed exhibition may be one of the more thorough examinations of modernism’s most obnoxious and conflicted art movement that you are likely to see. Awash in the manifestoes that its members regularly fired off, it follows Futurism through to its end with the death of its founder, Filippo Tommaso Marinetti, in 1944. It covers the Futurist obsessions with speed, war, machines and, finally, flight and the aerial views it made possible. And the show highlights relatively unknown figures like the delightful Fortunato Depero and Benedetta Cappa, Marinetti’s wife. 1071 Fifth Avenue, at 89th Street, 212-423-3500, guggenheim.org.“ (Smith-NYT)
Guggenheim Museum, 1071 Fifth Avenue, at 89th St.
(212) 423-3500 / guggenheim.org.
——————————————————————————————————————————-
‘Degenerate Art: The Attack on Modern Art in Nazi Germany, 1937’ (through Sept. 1)
“This show — one of the first in decades in an American museum to address, on a fairly large scale, the Nazi demonizing of art — tells a complicated story. The basic facts of the narrative, which centers on Hitler’s grand plan to purify German culture of Modernist, Bolshevist and Jewish influence, are well known, and it culminated in the infamous 1937 “Degenerate Art” exhibition in Munich. The Neue Galerie sets examples of art from that show beside Nazi-approved work; addresses the persecutions of artists in Dresden; and touches on the suppression of the Bauhaus. There are gripping paintings and sculptures as well as complex and haunting personalities every step of the way. And in the end the links between aesthetics and disaster are clear.” (Cotter-NYT)
Neue Galerie, 1048 Fifth Avenue, at 86th Street,
212-628-6200, neuegalerie.org.
========================================================== Museum Mile is a section of Fifth Avenue which contains one of the densest displays of culture in the world. Ten museums can be found along this section of Fifth Avenue:

• 110th Street – Museum for African Art

• 105th Street – El Museo del Barrio

• 103rd Street – Museum of the City of New York

• 92nd Street – The Jewish Museum

• 91st Street – Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum

• 89th Street – National Academy Museum

• 88th Street – Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum

• 86th Street – Neue Galerie New York

• 83rd Street – Goethe-Institut

Last, but certainly not least, America’s premier museum
• 82nd Street – The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Additionally, though technically not part of the Museum Mile, the Frick Collection on the corner of Fifth Avenue and 70th St. and the The Morgan Library & Museum on Madison Ave and 37th St are also located near Fifth Ave. Now plan your own museum crawl. ==========================================================

For other selected Museum and Gallery Special Exhibitions see Recent Posts in right Sidebar: “NYCity Events: Manhattan’s WestSide” dated 08/26 and 08/24.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Dandy Wellington and His Band, David Rubenstein Atrium, Museum of Modern Art, Salsa Congress Dance & Music Festival, South Street Seaport, U.S. TENNIS OPEN | Leave a comment

Selected Events Manhattan’s WestSide + Today’s Featured Neighborhood: WestVillage (08/27)

Posted on 08/27/2014 by GregD

Today’s “Fab 5″+1/ Selected NYCity Events –WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2014

For other useful and curated NYCity event info for Manhattan’s WestSide check out:
♦ “9 Notable Events-August”and “Top10 Free” in the header above.

♦ For NYCity Sights, Sounds and Stories visit out our sister site: nyc123blog.wordpress.com
♦ For NYCity trip planning see links in “Resources” and “Smart Stuff” in the header above. ==================================================================================

¡Arriba! Dance Parties at the High Line
Grab your friends and bring your dancing shoes – evenings of live Latin music and dancing have returned to the High Line this summer! Friends of the High Line is pleased to partner with HAI and Hudson Guild to host some of New York City’s best Latin bands at the High Line, transforming the park into an open-air dance floor at sunset.

Part of High Line Live! – a performance series at the High Line – ¡Arriba! nights in June, July, and August featured different live acts bringing their own energy, musical style, and flavor to our community dance parties. Tonight: Inspired by the guajiro musical rhythms of Cuba, Nu D’Lux of New York City offers a mix of son montuno, rumba, danzon, and timba styles to close out the ¡Arriba! series.

Enjoy dinner and dessert after dancing under the stars. On the High Line between West 15th and West 16th Streets you will find tacos, gelato, ice pops, and more seasonal treats from our food vendors, as well as Terroir at The Porch, a full-service, open-air café serving beer, wine, and small plates with sweeping views of the Hudson River.
LOCATION: Chelsea Market Passage, On the High Line at West 16th St.
This High Line Program is FREE and open to visitors of all ages. No RSVP required.

Author @ the Library:
Supreme City: How Jazz Age Manhattan Gave Birth to Modern America
This illustrated lecture is the story of Manhattan’s growth and transformation in the 1920s and the brilliant people behind it. Nearly all of the makers of modern Manhattan came from elsewhere. It transports the audience to that time and to the city which outsiders embraced.

Donald L. Miller, the John Henry MacCracken Professor of History at Lafayette College in Pennsylvania and a prominent biographer and historian.
Mid-Manhattan Library, 455 5th Ave (btw 40^th/39^th St.)
6:30 p.m. / FREE
www.nypl.org/locations/mid-manhattan-library

Carmina Burana – Julian Wachner, Conductor
Are you a choral music buff but don’t have time to belong to a chorus? Join others in raising the roof with song. Blow away your vocal cobwebs and experience the great fun and satisfaction of singing as part of a group.

Keep your passion for singing alive by joining the New York Choral Society for its 54th annual celebration of summer. It’s easy: we lend you the scores for the evening, (or bring your own), provide accompaniment and soloists in the comfortable air-conditioned surroundings at Peter Norton Symphony Space Leonard Nimoy Thalia, and YOU are the chorus.

Rollicking fun will be had during Carmina Burana as we sing these 23 songs of defrocked, and frequently inebriated, monks. The rhythmic music is catchy and the vocal lines so expressive and dramatic they beg for your attention. A favorite of singers and audiences.
Symphony Space, Leonard Nimoy Thalia, 2537 Broadway, at 95th St.
(212) 864-5400 / symphonyspace.org
7:30pm / $20

Launching Your Career on Broadway
Join us for an informative panel discussion with industry professionals who attended New York City schools—and hear how they got to where they are and what their journey was like. Panelists include Brig Berney, company manager for Cinderella; composer and lyricist Steven Lutvak (“A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder”); and actor Nik Walker (“Motown the Musical”). Moderated by Joe Giardina.
Apple Store, SoHo, 103 Prince Street
6PM / FREE
(212) 226-3126 / apple.com/retail/soho/

Trio da Paz and Friends (through Aug. 31)
“Officially billed as “Trio da Paz and Friends Play Jobim, Getz, and Other Brazilian Classics,” this engagement augments that excellent trio with the singer Maucha Adnet, the trumpeter Claudio Roditi and the tenor saxophonist Harry Allen.” (Chinen-NYT)
Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola, Rose Hall, Jazz at Lincoln Center, 60th St. and Broadway,
212-258-9595, jalc.org
at 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. / $35 to $45 cover, with a $10 minimum

Elsewhere, but absolutely worth the detour:

U.S. TENNIS OPEN (Day 3) / TODAY’S PREMIER EVENT
The U.S. Open continues today (11AM) at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park in Queens (about 45 min. from Times Square) and runs through Sept. 8. This is the fourth and final tennis tournament which culminates the Grand Slam each year. It consists of five event championships: men’s and women’s singles, men’s and women’s doubles, and mixed doubles, with additional tournaments for senior, junior, and wheelchair players.
subway: #1-2-3 to Times Square; transfer to #7 to Mets-Willets Point

Forget the Big House (Arthur Ashe Stadium) during the first few days where most matches are mismatches. Get a grounds pass and once inside check out one of the electronic scoreboards listing current matches. Find a match or players that interest you. Head over to their court for some great competitive tennis, because in this tournament even the qualifiers are great players.

Matches to watch today in Louis Armstrong stadium (LA), the grandstand court (GS) & the outside courts (predictions per Matt Cronin):
♣(LA) #7 seed Grigor Dimitrov vs. Ryan Harrison
American Harrison has faced a lot of tough draws in the Slams. It seems like every time he sees his bracket, he’s going up against one of the top players. Now he draws Grigor Dimitrov, who is ranked No. 7 and just beat him in Wimbledon’s first round in June.

The 22-year-old Harrison is not as dominant as the game’s big guns, but he is a keen student of the game and is working hard to develop an effective attack. That’s what he’ll need to do against Dimitrov; he cannot hope that the Bulgarian will play sloppy and go away. The American will need to rip his shots and hope they go in because Dimitrov has a lot of variety, and during the past two years, he has come to understand the intricacies of shot-making better.

Harrison does have a chance, but he has to serve huge and use his forehand because his backhand isn’t strong enough to out-stroke Dimitrov. Grigor is fast, smart and plays with a lot of confidence. Harrison will push his opponent, but his game isn’t big enough yet to pull off a shocker. Dimitrov will win in four sets.

♣(GS) In 2009, #10 seed Caroline Wozniacki looked like a real deal and reached the final here. But while she ended the year as No. 1 in 2010 and 2011, she has been unable to reach a final at a Slam. However, she has played well during the past six weeks and should be able to take the unknown Aliaksandra Sasnovich easily.

♣(LA) #4 seed Aga Radwanska played very well in the first round and looks sharp. Shuai Peng can move quickly and go for her shots, but she is up and down. Radwanska will win in straight sets.

♣(LA) #2 seed Simona Halep vs Jana Cepelova, to see if Halep is on her game.

♣Ct #17 to watch the #1 seed Bryan brothers give a lesson in doubles play.

Maria Watch: # 5 seed Maria Sharapova plays the last match today in the BigHouse vs Alexandra Dulgheru

Finally, these places around the grounds provide special fan experiences, a place to beat the heat, and are open to the public:
Heineken House – big screen tv’s, quality photo booth op, various sporting challenges, sandwiches & beer available for purchase.
American Express Fan Experience – swing analysis, 180 degree photo op, charging lockers. Second level of the lounge is only open to card members, where food and drinks are available for purchase.
Time Warner Cable Studios – photo ops, prizes, charging stations.

And only for Chase Bank customers:
Chaise Lounge – snacks and light refreshments (requires pre-registration).

=============================================================================
♦ Before making final plans, we suggest you call the venue to confirm ticket availability, dates and times, as schedules are subject to change.

♦ NYCity is a big town with many visitors, where 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.

In 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 will be celebrating it’s 50th anniversary next 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 | Leave a comment

Selected Events + Museum Special Exhibitions: Manhattan’s WestSide (08/26)

Posted on 08/26/2014 by GregD

Today’s “Fab 5″/ Selected NYCity Events – TUESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2014

For other useful and curated NYCity event info for Manhattan’s WestSide check out:
♦ “9 Notable Events-August”and “Top10 Free” in the header above.

♦ For NYCity Sights, Sounds and Stories visit out our sister site: nyc123blog.wordpress.com
♦ For NYCity trip planning see links in “Resources” and “Smart Stuff” in the header above. ==================================================================================

Cynthia Sayer’s 2nd Annual Hot Strings Festival
Featuring: Jen Larson & Friends, Cynthia Sayer’s Joyride Quartet, Bruce Molsky, & The Andy Statman Trio

CYNTHIA SAYER
Contemporary, edgy, and soulful, Cynthia Sayer breaks all the banjo player stereotypes as she single-handedly brings the 4-string banjo to the forefront of jazz. Celebrated as the top 4-string jazz banjoist in the world today and praised for her “drive and virtuosity” by theNew York Times, Cynthia is a founding member of Woody Allen’s New Orleans Jazz Band with whom she played and toured for over 10 years.

ANDY STATMAN
As a mandolinist, he is noted for his innovative improvisations and heartfelt lyricism, which is evident on his many original compositions. In 2012 Andy received the National Heritage Award from the National Endowment of the Arts—the highest honor given to tradition-based musicians and artists in America. In the words of The New Yorker, “Andy Statman, clarinet and mandolin virtuoso, is an American visionary.”

Don’t miss your last chance to enjoy the 6th Annual Hudson Square Music & Wine Festival. It looks like they have saved the best for last – I know I will be there. This after-work Backyard Party has been held every Tuesday from June 3rd, in the back parking lot behind City Winery.
City Winery, 155 Varick St, Tribeca (btw. Vandam/Spring St.)
subway: #1 to Houston.
from 5PM-7:30PM / FREE
212-608-0555 / citywinery.com

Tom Harrell: ‘Colors of a Dream’
“The trumpeter Tom Harrell favors a precise but shadowy sort of postbop, sonorous and warm and alert. As on his recent album, “Colors of a Dream,” he works here with several members of his regular quintet — the tenor saxophonist Wayne Escoffery, the bassist Ugonna Okegwo and the drummer Johnathan Blake — as well as Esperanza Spalding on bass and vocals and Jaleel Shaw on alto saxophone.” (Nate Chinen-NYT)
Blue Note, 131 West Third St.,btw Macdougal Street and 6^th Ave.
at 8 and 10:30 p.m./ $35 cover at tables, $20 at the bar, with a $5 minimum
212-475-8592 / bluenote.net

Astronomy Live: Life on Other Worlds
The number of known planets around other stars increases every day. As such, our understanding of life beyond Earth is constantly being revised. In this program, Jackie Faherty and Carter Emmart will use the vast atlas of the Digital Universe to take a voyage through the nearby solar neighborhood and to explore exotic new worlds, their potential for life, and the strange but beautiful vistas one might see among the planets at the forefront of astronomical discoveries.
American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West at 79th St.
at 6:30 pm / $15
212-769-5100

The Heath Brothers
“Jimmy Heath, a saxophonist and composer, and Albert (Tootie) Heath, a drummer, have been staples of the postbop landscape from the beginning. This group used to include another brother, the great bassist Percy Heath, who died in 2005; its lineup, still sturdy, now includes David Wong on bass and Jeb Patton on piano.” (Nate Chinen-NYT)
Village Vanguard, 178 Seventh Avenue South, at West 11th Street
at 8:30 and 10:30 p.m. / $25 and $30 cover, with a one-drink minimum
212-255-4037 / villagevanguard.com

Elsewhere, but absolutely worth the detour:

U.S. TENNIS OPEN (Day 2) / TODAY’S PREMIER EVENT
The U.S. Open continues today (11AM) at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park in Queens (about 45 min. from Times Square) and runs through Sept. 8. This is the fourth and final tennis tournament which culminates the Grand Slam each year. It consists of five event championships: men’s and women’s singles, men’s and women’s doubles, and mixed doubles, with additional tournaments for senior, junior, and wheelchair players. subway: #1-2-3 to Times Square; transfer to #7 to Mets-Willets Point.

Forget the Big House (Arthur Ashe Stadium), especially during the first week when most matches are mismatches. Get a grounds pass and once inside check out one of the electronic scoreboards listing current matches. Find a match or players that interest you. Head over to their court for some great competitive tennis, because in this tournament even the qualifiers are great players.

Matches to watch today in Louis Armstrong stadium (LA) & the outside courts:
(predictions per Matt Cronin)
♦(LA) American Sam Querrey will overcome Maximo Gonzalez, but it will take five sets.
♦(LA) Canadian Eugenie Bouchard has been amazing at the Slams this year but has been shaky in her hard-court contests. But she will play steady and take down Olga Govortsova in straight sets.
♦(LA) The young American Madison Keys is due to make a splash and will quickly best Australiian Jarmila Gajdosova.
♦The always entertaining Gael Monfils vs Jared Donaldson, last match in the grandstand.
♦(#5) Flavia Penetta vs Julia Goerges, a tough first round draw for the “gorgeous” one.

Finally, these places around the grounds provide special fan experiences, a place to beat the heat, and are open to the public:
Heineken House – big screen tv’s, quality photo booth op, various sporting challenges, sandwiches & beer available for purchase.
American Express Fan Experience – swing analysis, 180 degree photo op, charging lockers. Second level of the lounge is only open to card members, where food and drinks are available for purchase.
Time Warner Cable Studios – photo ops, prizes, charging stations.

And only for Chase Bank customers:
Chaise Lounge – snacks and light refreshments (requires pre-registration).

=============================================================================
♦ Before making final plans, we suggest you call the venue to confirm ticket availability, dates and times, as schedules are subject to change.

♦ NYCity is a big town with many visitors, where quality shows draw crowds. Try to reserve seats in advance, even if just on day of performance.
==============================================================================

WHAT’S ON VIEW: Special Exhibitions @ 3 MUSEUMS (Manhattan’s WestSide)

Museum of Modern Art:
‘Jasper Johns: Regrets’ (through Sept. 1)
‘Robert Heinecken: Object Matter’ (through Sept. 7)
‘A World of Its Own: Photographic Practices in the Studio’ (through Oct. 5)
‘Designing Modern Women 1890-1990’(through Oct. 5)
Here’s what the NYT said about ‘A World of Its Own: Photographic Practices in the Studio’
“This mostly lively if repetitive overview traces the history of photography as the Modern never has — with images taken in the studio rather than out in the world. Its roughly 180 works span 160 years and represent some 90 portraitists, commercial photographers, lovers of still life, darkroom experimenters, Conceptual artists and several generations of postmodernists. Including film and video, it offers much to look at but dwells too much in the past, becoming increasingly blinkered and cautious as it approaches the present. 212-708-9400, moma.org.” (Smith-NYT)
Museum of Modern Art: 11 W 53rd St. (btw 5th /6th Ave.)
(212) 708-9400 / moma.org.

Designing Modern Women 1890-1990:

International Center of Photography: ‘Urbes Mutantes: Latin American Photography 1944-2013’ and ‘Caio Reisewitz’ (through Sept. 7)
It’s a Latin American summer at New York City art museums, with a high number of shows of work from South America and the Caribbean. This institution, as usual one step ahead of the curve, has two. The larger, “Urbes Mutantes: Latin American Photography 1944-2013,” is a roomy survey of some 200 small, mostly black-and-white pictures that fit, with trimming and squeezing, into the genre of “street photography.” The second is a solo devoted to a single artist, the contemporary Brazilian photographer Caio Reisewitz, whose big color images of threatened tropical rain forests offer a lush antidote to urban grit — Manhattan’s included.
International Center of Photography, 1133 Avenue of the Americas, at 43rd Street, 212-857-0000, icp.org. (Cotter-NYT)

Museum of Arts and Design: ‘NYC Makers: The MAD Biennial’ (through Oct. 12) This plunge into the biennial format makes a big, messy splash sampling the visual culture across the city — whether opera set design, art or new technologies. An expansive, invigorating move, it still contains too much that is fun, cute, clutter-making or useless, aimed at those with plenty of disposable income and homes to decorate.
Museum of Arts and Design, 2 Columbus Circle,
212-299-7777, madmuseum.org. (Smith-NYT)

The Art of the Brick by Nathan Sawaya (ongoing)
This exhibition by artist Nathan Sawaya is a critically acclaimed collection of intriguing and inspiring works of art made exclusively from one of the most recognizable toys in the world — LEGO® bricks. The Discovery Times Square exhibit is the world’s biggest and most elaborate display of LEGO® art ever and features brand-new, never-before-seen pieces by Sawaya. This show was named ‘One of CNN’s Ten Global Must-See Exhibitions.’
Discovery Times Square, 226 West 44th St. (btw 7th/8th ave)
866.987.9692 / http://www.discoverytsx.com

For other selected Museum and Gallery Special Exhibitions see Recent Posts in the right Sidebar: “Selected Events + Special Exhibitions : Manhattan’s WestSide” dated (08/24) and (08/22).

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged American Museum of Natural History, Andy Statman, Astronomy Live, Blue Note, City Winery, Cynthia Sayer, Hot Strings Festival, The Heath Brothers, Tom Harrell, U.S. TENNIS OPEN, Village Vanguard | Leave a comment

Selected Events Manhattan’s WestSide + Today’s Featured Neighborhood: Tribeca (08/25)

Posted on 08/25/2014 by GregD

Today’s “Fab 5″+1/ Selected NYCity Events – MONDAY, AUGUST 25, 2014

For other useful and curated NYCity event info for Manhattan’s WestSide check out:
♦ “9 Notable Events-August”and “Top10 Free” in the header above.

♦ For NYCity Sights, Sounds and Stories visit out our sister site: nyc123blog.wordpress.com
♦ For NYCity trip planning see links in “Resources” and “Smart Stuff” in the header above. ==================================================================================

‘Tomorrow’s World: The New York World’s Fairs and Flushing Meadows Corona Park’ (through Wednesday)

Celebrations of the New York World’s Fairs — it’s the 50th anniversary of the 1964-65 edition and the 75th of the 1939-40 fair — have been taking place around the city. One display, “Tomorrow’s World,” at the Arsenal Gallery in Central Park, closes soon. It includes photographs from private collections and the archive of the city’s Department of Parks and Recreation as well as memorabilia — like a commemorative spoon from 1939 and matchbox covers from both fairs.

As someone who worked at the World’s Fair after college, I better get over to see this exhibit before it closes.
Arsenal Gallery in Central Park, 830 Fifth Avenue, at 64th Street, third floor,
From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. / FREE
212-360-8111, nycgovparks.org

‘MetroStar Talent Challenge’
After seven weeks of singing competition. . .five finalists . . .and finally tonight, the finalists sing two songs each to a packed room and a table of judges. Sounds pretty special.

“For the seventh year running the room has made a July-August point of ferreting out up-and-coming cabaret talent. Sometimes you wonder why anyone would want to make a career doing this. It’s that difficult and often only intermittently rewarding. But still they come, the gifted and the not so gifted, to vie for a chance at a week’s engagement in the venue if they win and some guaranteed performances if they finish in second or third place. There’s a panel of judges who know what’s what or should, and the audience gets to vote, too. So go pick a winner.” (David Finkle, VillageVoice)
Metropolitan Room, 34 W 22nd St. (btw Fifth and Sixth Aves)
subway: F, M, N, R (all transfer from 1-2-3 at Times Sq.) to 23rd St
At 7PM / $20 + 2 drink minimum
212-206-0440 / metropolitanroom.com

“Women of New York,” with Marty Schneit, a Licensed New York City Tour Guide.
See how Mae West and 13 other women shaped the city’s history, in an illustrated lecture at the Mid-Manhattan Library.

This illustrated lecture details the history of fourteen women, who made significant contributions to New York, and the world at large, at a time in United States history, when full equality for women was not yet recognized. Rose Schneiderman, Emma Lazarus, Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney, Abby Aldrich Rockefeller, Bess Myerson, Alva Smith Vanderbilt and Mae West are included with the many talented and dedicated women, who made a difference then, and still affect us all today.
Mid-Manhattan Library, 455 5th Ave (btw 40^th/39^th St.)
6:30 p.m. / FREE
www.nypl.org/locations/mid-manhattan-library

Taka Kigawa
“In honor of Pierre Boulez’s 90th birthday next year, Taka Kigawa performs the composer-conductor’s complete works for piano, an instrument with which this modernist’s modernist had a life-long, if intermittent, relationship. But Kigawa, who has already toured Elliott Carter’s complete piano oeuvre, has been getting rave reviews for his non-chronological approach to Boulez, whose first acknowledged composition was the seriously serial 12 Notations for piano (1946).

The second and third of Boulez’s three piano sonatas are particularly badass. Moving beyond serialism, Boulez sought more elegant solutions to problems of control and freedom, adding flashes and fields of beauty throughout. Suffice to say that Kigawa brings both virtuosity and deep feeling to Boulez’s often convulsively gorgeous conundrums, radical restlessness, and temporal suspensions.” (Richard Gehr-VillageVoice)
(Le) Poisson Rouge, 158 Bleecker St. (btw Sullivan/Thompson St.)
subway: #1 to Houston St..
6:30 p.m., $25-$30
http://lepoissonrouge.com / 212-505-fish

The Michael Carvin Experience
“A drummer with a baseline in hard bop, and a teacher of broad influence, Michael Carvin has a new album, “Flash Forward,” with the same supporting cast he brings here: Keith Loftis on tenor saxophone, Yayoi Ikawa on piano and Jansen Cinco on bass.” (Chinen-NYT)
Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola, Rose Hall, Jazz at Lincoln Center, 60th St. and Broadway,
212-258-9595, jalc.org
At 7:30 and 9:30 p.m.,/ $30 cover, with a $10 minimum

Elsewhere, but absolutely worth the detour:

U.S. TENNIS OPEN (Day 1) / TODAY’S PREMIER EVENT
The U.S. Open begins play today (11AM) at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park in Queens (about 45 min. from Times Square) and runs through Sept. 8. This is the fourth and final tennis tournament which culminates the Grand Slam each year. It consists of five event championships: men’s and women’s singles, men’s and women’s doubles, and mixed doubles, with additional tournaments for senior, junior, and wheelchair players. subway: #1-2-3 to Times Square; transfer to #7 to Mets-Willets Point.

Forget the Big House (Arthur Ashe Stadium). Get a grounds pass and once inside check out one of the electronic scoreboards listing current matches. 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.

Today’s tip: 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: www.nytimes.com

Finally, these places around the grounds provide special fan experiences, a place to beat the heat, and are open to the public:
Heineken House – big screen tv’s, quality photo booth op, various sporting challenges, sandwiches & beer available for purchase.
American Express Fan Experience – swing analysis, 180 degree photo op, charging lockers. Second level of the lounge is only open to card members, where food and drinks are available for purchase.
Time Warner Cable Studios – photo ops, prizes, charging stations.

And only for Chase Bank customers:
Chaise Lounge – snacks and light refreshments (requires pre-registration).

=============================================================================
♦ Before making final plans, we suggest you call the venue to confirm ticket availability, dates and times, as schedules are subject to change.

♦ NYCity is a big town with many visitors, where quality shows draw crowds. Try to reserve seats in advance, even if just on day of performance.
==============================================================================

A PremierPub – Tribeca

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

===========================================================================================
“Pub” is used in it’s broadest sense – bars, bar/restaurants, jazz clubs, wine bars, tapas bars, craft beer bars, dive bars, cocktail lounges, and of course, pubs – just about anyplace you can get a drink without a cover charge (except for certain jazz clubs).

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

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Arsenal Gallery in Central Park, ‘MetroStar Talent Challenge’, ‘Tomorrow’s World: The New York World’s Fairs, Dizzy's Club, LE Poisson Rouge, Metropolitan Room, Mid-Manhattan Library, Taka Kigawa, The Michael Carvin Experience | Leave a comment

Selected Events Manhattan’s WestSide + Gallery Special Exhibits: Chelsea (08/24)

Posted on 08/24/2014 by GregD

Today’s “Fab 5″+1/ Selected NYCity Events – SUNDAY, AUGUST 24, 2014

For other useful and curated NYCity event info for Manhattan’s WestSide check out:
♦ “9 Notable Events-August”and “Top10 Free” in the header above.

♦ For NYCity Sights, Sounds and Stories visit out our sister site: nyc123blog.wordpress.com
♦ For NYCity trip planning see links in “Resources” and “Smart Stuff” in the header above. ==================================================================================

‘Remembering Sacco and Vanzetti’: Exhibition and Talk (through Sept. 1) “Bartolomeo Vanzetti and Nicola Sacco, two Italian-born anarchists who were put to death in Massachusetts in 1927, are the subject of this exhibition and special event at Word Up Community Bookshop. On view are Marc Shanker’s charcoal portraits of the two men — considered by some to have been unjustly convicted of robbery and murder and executed because of their political activities — as well as excerpts from letters written by them while they were incarcerated.

On Sunday at 3 p.m., a discussion and dramatic reading will feature Mr. Shanker and others, including George Stevens, a history scholar, and the actor David Margulies.” (NYT)
Tuesdays through Fridays from 3 to 9 p.m.; Saturdays from noon to 9 p.m.;
Sundays from noon to 6 p.m.,
WordUp Community Bookshop, 2113 Amsterdam Avenue, at 165th Street,
347-688-4456 / wordupbooks.wordpress.com; free.

Central Park Pro Tennis Clinic
Play with pros John Isner & Murphy Jensen

COME & PLAY TENNIS! JOIN LACOSTE TOP RANKED PROS JOHN ISNER & MURPHY JENSEN FOR A FREE CLINIC IN CENTRAL PARK
LACOSTE players John Isner and Murphy Jensen will join City Parks Foundation to welcome New Yorkers of all ages and talents to play tennis in a special clinic in Central Park to kick off the US Open Championships.

Participants will have a chance to learn from the pros on the game’s most integral shots: forehand, backhand, serve and volley. As well as compete for giveaways courtesy of LACOSTE.
Central Park Tennis Center, enter @ W 96^th St.
12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
(718) 760-6999.

Maya Angelou Tribute
“A free three-hour reading of Ms. Angelou’s poetry and prose, presented by Spirit in Sunset Productions, will take place in Riverbank State Park, Riverside Drive and 145th Street, in Harlem. Ms. Angelou died in May at 86. Artists, performers and writers will take part in the program, “Rising Still: A Creative Journey Through Resilient Skies,” which was first presented in April at a Harlem church. Seats will be available, but audience members are encouraged to take along their own seating.” (NYT)
From 2 to 5 p.m. / FREE
Riverbank State Park, Riverside Drive and 145th Street,
212-368-3571.

Trio da Paz and Friends (through Aug. 31)
“Officially billed as “Trio da Paz and Friends Play Jobim, Getz, and Other Brazilian Classics,” this engagement augments that excellent trio with the singer Maucha Adnet, the trumpeter Claudio Roditi and the tenor saxophonist Harry Allen. Friday through Sunday, and Tuesday through Aug. 31” (Chinen-NYT)
Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola, Rose Hall, Jazz at Lincoln Center, 60th St. and Broadway,
212-258-9595, jalc.org
at 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. / $35 to $45 cover, with a $10 minimum

The NYC Cabaret Festival (also Aug. 31)
54 Below inaugurates a brand new festival saluting some of the finest talents in the NYC cabaret community. This August, join more than seventy uniquely gifted entertainers, among the most highly regarded in the city, as we celebrate work ranging from original compositions to treasured standards by the greats & absolutely everything in between. The NYC Cabaret Festival shines a bright spotlight on this most unique craft, & propels it into the future!

Tonight’s Performers:
@ 7pm
Raissa Katona Bennett
Tony DeSare
Natalie Douglas
Debbie Gravitte
Jeff Harnar
Hunter Ryan Herdlicka
Heather MacRae
Phyllis Pastore
Sarah Rice
Alice Ripley
Steve Ross
Chip Zien

@ 9:30pm
Carole J. Bufford
Alexis Cole
Kat Gang
Sean Harkness
Deanna Kirk
Lina Koutrakos
Lorinda Lisitza & Ted Stafford
Marissa Mulder
Christine Pedi
Jana Robbins
Nicholas Rodriguez
Jay Rogers
Jonathan Whitton
54 Below, 254 West 54th St.
646-476-3551, 54below.com;
At 7 and 9:30 p.m./$30 to $60, with a $25 minimum.

Elsewhere, but worth the detour:

Festival | The NYC Volkswagen Traffic Jam
On what promises to be a lovely day for a picnic, share your picnic with nearly 100 vintage Beetles, buses and dune buggies at a Volkswagen car show on Governors Island.

The Traffic Jam is a spectator-judged vintage Volkswagen car show and picnic. With great views behind a vibrant line-up of nearly 100 Beetles, buses, dune buggies, Things, and other original VW’s circa 1950’s – 1970’s, this car show is a one-of-a-kind event for both the casual spectator and classic VW enthusiast.
Governor’s Island
10:00 am to 5:00 pm / FREE, no reservation required

=============================================================================
♦ Before making final plans, we suggest you call the venue to confirm ticket availability, dates and times, as schedules are subject to change.

♦ NYCity is a big town with many visitors, where quality shows draw crowds. Try to reserve seats in advance, even if just on day of performance.
==============================================================================

The Deep End – East River

A competitor in the Brooklyn Bridge Swim in late July. Participants swam from the Manhattan stanchion of the Brooklyn Bridge to Dumbo in Brooklyn. Because of strong currents, many participants had to be rescued – Aug. 24, 2014.

Every Sunday in the NYT Metropolitan section, a photographer offers a new slice of New York. A wonderful slice of life it is – Thanks NewYorkTimes: N.Y. / Region section
==============================================================
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 – my fave is Ovest on W 27th St., where the aperitivo is like Happy Hour on steroids.

For other selected Museum and Gallery Special Exhibitions see Recent Posts in the right Sidebar: “Selected Events + Special Exhibitions : Manhattan’s WestSide” dated (08/22) and (08/20).

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged 54 Below, Central Park Tennis Center, Dizzy's Club Coca Cola, Governors Island, Maya Angelou Tribute, NYC Cabaret Festival, Riverbank State Park, Sacco and Vanzetti’, The NYC Volkswagen Traffic Jam, Trio da Paz and Friends | Leave a comment

Selected Events Manhattan’s WestSide + Today’s Featured Neighborhood: Upper WestSide (08/23)

Posted on 08/23/2014 by GregD

Today’s “Fab 5″/ Selected NYCity Events – SATURDAY, AUGUST 23, 2014

For other useful and curated NYCity event info for Manhattan’s WestSide check out:
♦ “9 Notable Events-August”and “Top10 Free” in the header above.

♦ For NYCity Sights, Sounds and Stories visit out our sister site: nyc123blog.wordpress.com
♦ For NYCity trip planning see links in “Resources” and “Smart Stuff” in the header above. ==================================================================================

Hudson River Park’s Blues BBQ
Back for its 15th anniversary, Hudson River Park’s Blues BBQ Festival pairs America’s best blues and roots musicians with three of New York City’s best BBQ restaurants, Mighty Quinn’s Barbeque, Delaney Barbecue and Dinosaur Bar-B-Que for an unforgettable summer day on the Hudson River! Rain or Shine
2014 Blues BBQ artists:
The Slide Brothers 2PM
Samantha Fish 3:15PM
John Németh 4:30PM
Shemekia Copeland 6PM
Big Sam’s Funky Nation 7:30PM
Hudson River Park Pier 84, 12th Ave., West 44th St.
2PM / FREE!

SummerStage: La Mega 7th Annual Tropical Fest: Alex Sensation
New York City’s top Latin DJ, Alex Sensation, began collecting music and at age 16 was already a disc jockey at various nightclubs. He enjoys mixing different genres, but his roots as a mixer are linked with Tropical music. Among his many accomplishments as a prominent DJ and radio personality, Alex has been the face of Dennon DJ Equipment. Alex DJ’s five nights a week throughout New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Long Island, and has two #1 mix radio shows in the country: “La Original Mega Mezcla and “La Mega Mezcla Sábado en la Noche” both on La Mega 97.9 FM.

He also has DJed to soldout crowds at the Madison Square Garden, Izod Center, Nokia Theater, and the United Palace, among others. This year, Alex received an ACE Award (the Association of Latin Entertainment Critics). He has also taken his mixes and talent to countries such as Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Columbia, Canada, Spain, Italy, Argentina, Ecuador, Mexico, Uruguay and Aruba.
3:00pm / FREE
Central Park SummerStage, Rumsey Playfield, Enter at 69th and 5th Ave.

LAWN BOCCE
Join us at our RECESS 2014 Lawn Bocce jam as 32 co-ed teams vie for top honors and a PUBLIC bike at Colonel’s Row on Governors Island! Whether you’re there to participate, support a team or just laze around on the lawn, we’ve got plenty of ball tossing action for players and guests, piping hot pizza from the NEAPOLITAN EXPRESS truck, delicious snacks by THE CHIA CO as well as a TIGER Beer & wine tent to get your afternoon rocking!

Also, play on one of the free available courts, or take advantage of free bike rentals.
Colonel’s Row, Governors Island
12 pm / FREE admission

George Cables Trio (through Sunday)
“The pianist George Cables has an elegant and gracious recent album, “Icons and Influences,” that pays homage to an array of former colleagues or associates, like the saxophonist Joe Henderson and the pianist Mulgrew Miller. He’ll engage with the same loose framework during this run, with Essiet Okon Essiet on bass and Victor Lewis on drums.” (Chinen-NYT)
Village Vanguard, 178 Seventh Avenue South, West Village,
212-255-4037, villagevanguard.com;
At 8:30 and 10:30 p.m. / $25 and $30 cover, with a one-drink minimum.

Elsewhere, but worth the detour:

The Battle of Brooklyn
“The United States declared independence on July 4, 1776, and a little more than a month later Washington’s men were on the run. Thanks to the bravery of four hundred Maryland troops that August, along the banks of the Gowanus, in Brooklyn, his army evaded capture by the British, and went on to make history. A week of commemorations is under way, featuring neighborhood walks, reënactments, and a tasting of Colonial-inspired dishes. Many of the events are centered on the Old Stone House, in Washington Park, a decisive site during the battle.” (NewYorker)
The Old Stone House-3rd St. between Fourth and Fifth Aves., Brooklyn. theoldstonehouse.org.

Battle of Brooklyn Commemorations (Saturday, Sunday and Tuesday)
“The 238th anniversary of this important battle of the Revolutionary War — the first major skirmish after the colonists declared independence — will be remembered with activities in Brooklyn.

On Saturday, a free “Scavenger Battle” incorporating trivia and historical facts, will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Brooklyn Navy, Bldg 92, 63 Flushing Avenue, at Carlton Avenue. Registration, which is encouraged, can be made at bldg92.org/events. Also on Saturday, a Revolutionary War-style party, with period music, costumes and food, will take place at the Old Stone House in Washington Park, Third Street, between Fourth and Fifth Avenues, Park Slope, Brooklyn. Tickets are $45 in advance, $50 on Saturday; information is at theoldstonehouse.org.

On Sunday, a parade, a re-enactment and a commemoration will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Green-Wood Cemetery, Fifth Avenue and 25th Street, Greenwood Heights, Brooklyn. All of the events are free. Details: green-wood.com.

Starting on Wednesday, the Brooklyn Historical Society will display two rare Revolutionary War maps, which chart the military maneuvers of the Battle of Brooklyn. The exhibition runs through February, and can be viewed Wednesdays through Sundays from noon to 5 p.m.; $10, $6 for 62+ and teachers; free for students and children; brooklynhistory.org” (NYT)

===============================================================
♦ Before making final plans, we suggest you call the venue to confirm ticket availability, dates and times, as schedules are subject to change.

♦ NYCity is a big town with many visitors, where quality shows draw crowds. Try to reserve seats in advance, even if just on day of performance.
==============================================================================

A PremierPub – Upper West Side

Dinosaur / 700 W125th St. @ 12th ave.

Walk only five minutes from the 125th St. station on the #1 line to find this authentic honky-tonk barbecue joint. Some folks think Dinosaur is just a place to eat ribs. Au contraire. With 24 carefully selected taps, this is a place to drink beer, and eat ribs.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Website: http://www.dinosaurbarbque.com/
Phone #: 212-694-1777
Hours: Mo-Th 11:30am-11:00pm; Fr-Sa 11:30am-12:00am;
Su 12:00pm-10:00pm
Happy Hour: 4-7pm every day; $1 off all drinks
Music: Fri / Sat 10:30pm
Subway: #1 to 125th St.
Walk 2 blk W on 125th St. to Dinosaur Bar-B-Q,
just past the elevated highway.

===========================================================================================
“Pub” is used in it’s broadest sense – bars, bar/restaurants, jazz clubs, wine bars, tapas bars, craft beer bars, dive bars, cocktail lounges, and of course, pubs – just about anyplace you can get a drink without a cover charge (except for certain jazz clubs).

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

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Selected Events Manhattan’s WestSide + Museum Special Exhibitions: Manhattan’s 5th Avenue (08/22)

Posted on 08/22/2014 by GregD

Today’s “Fab 5″/ Selected NYCity Events – FRIDAY, AUGUST 22, 2014

For other useful and curated NYCity event info for Manhattan’s WestSide check out:
♦ “9 Notable Events-August”and “Top10 Free” in the header above.

♦ For NYCity Sights, Sounds and Stories visit out our sister site: nyc123blog.wordpress.com
♦ For NYCity trip planning see links in “Resources” and “Smart Stuff” in the header above. ==================================================================================

Baby Gramps
“Whether he’s howling an illuminating ditty about palindromes or croaking through a foreboding cover of “The Teddy Bear Picnic,” the folk-country veteran Baby Gramps delivers a truly eccentric stage show. This bearded performer has been active since the 1960s, and now presides over the Americana scene in Seattle.“ (Anderson-NYT)
Terra Blues, 149 Bleecker Street, at Thompson Street, Greenwich Village,
At 7 p.m. / $10.
terrablues.com

Liam Forde, ‘A Fleet Phantasmagoria!’
“The boy wonder singer-pianist-arranger (and occasional flutist and composer) is bringing something seldom heard in the genre of interpretive singing: harmony, delivered with a three-piece vocal group. Too many contemporary jazz singers use tricky arrangements as an end in themselves, but at a very young age, Mr. Forde has mastered the technique of using his own fresh and highly original charts as a means of enhancing a narrative.

Mr. Forde can be simple or complicated, ironic or sincere, witty or touching, but he never fails to find precisely the right note for a wide range of material that ranges from such haute cuisine as Noel Coward’s “Most of Ev’ry Day” to proudly lowdown soul food like Cab Calloway’s “Everybody Eats When they Come to My House.” (WSJ)
The Triad (Stage 72), 158 W. 72nd St.
7PM / $20, + 2 drink minimum
(800) 838-3006

The Latin Side of Horace Silver (through Sunday)
“Spearheaded by the trombonist Conrad Herwig, who has brought the same treatment to John Coltrane, Miles Davis and others, this program offers a revisionist look at Horace Silver, one of the shrewdest small-group composers in jazz, who died this year at 85. Standing in for Silver at the piano is Michel Camilo, who should take to the assignment winningly. “ (Chinen-NYT)
Blue Note, 131 West Third Street, Greenwich Village,
212-475-8592, bluenote.net;
At 8 and 10:30 p.m. / $35 cover at tables, $20 at the bar, with a $5 minimum.

Elsewhere, but worth the detour:
Arcade Fire (through Aug. 24)
“This band is big—big in sound, big in fan base, and big in showmanship. And its front man, Win Butler, is an imposing six feet four. Its action-packed arena shows are full of epic ballads, Haitian rhythms, costumes, video projections, and confetti. Violins, congas, and a delightful choreographed woodwind section expand the sound, while oversized Haitian carnival heads give the group a Pez-dispenser-on-parade look. But Arcade Fire is a family band at heart: Butler performs alongside his wife, Régine Chassagne, and his brother William Butler, and he has his baby boy on tour with him. The band’s latest release, “Reflektor,” was co-produced by LCD Soundsystem’s James Murphy, and it ups their dance game.” (NewYorker)
Barclays Center, 620 Atlantic Avenue, at Flatbush Avenue, Brooklyn,
800-745-3000, barclayscenter.com;
$ At 7:30 p.m. / 30 to $70.50.
sometimes the event is special and we just have to travel to Brooklyn.
fortunately, the #2-3 express will get you there quickly.
subway: #2-3 to atlantic ave.; walk upstairs and you are there!

=============================================================================
♦ Before making final plans, we suggest you call the venue to confirm ticket availability, dates and times, as schedules are subject to change.

♦ NYCity is a big town with many visitors, where quality shows draw crowds. Try to reserve seats in advance, even if just on day of performance.
==============================================================================

What’s on View:
Special Exhibitions @ 3 Museum Mile / Fifth Ave. Museums:

• 110th Street – Museum for African Art

• 105th Street – El Museo del Barrio

• 103rd Street – Museum of the City of New York

• 92nd Street – The Jewish Museum

• 91st Street – Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum

• 89th Street – National Academy Museum

• 88th Street – Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum

• 86th Street – Neue Galerie New York

• 83rd Street – Goethe-Institut

Last, but certainly not least, America’s premier museum
• 82nd Street – The Metropolitan Museum of Art

For other selected Museum and Gallery Special Exhibitions see Recent Posts in right Sidebar: “NYCity Events: Manhattan’s WestSide” dated 08/20 and 08/18.

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

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

For other useful and curated NYCity event info for Manhattan’s WestSide check out: ♦ “9 Notable Events-August”and “Top10 Free” in the header above.

♦ For NYCity Sights, Sounds and Stories visit out our sister site: nyc123blog.wordpress.com ♦ For NYCity trip planning see links in “Resources” and “Smart Stuff” in the header above. ==========================================================================================

=========================================================================== ♦ Before making final plans, we suggest you call the venue to confirm ticket availability, dates and times, as schedules are subject to change.

♦ NYCity is a big town with many visitors, where 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)

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

For other useful and curated NYCity event info for Manhattan’s WestSide check out: ♦ “9 Notable Events-August”and “Top10 Free” in the header above.

♦ For NYCity Sights, Sounds and Stories visit out our sister site: nyc123blog.wordpress.com ♦ For NYCity trip planning see links in “Resources” and “Smart Stuff” in the header above. ==========================================================================================

============================================================================= ♦ Before making final plans, we suggest you call the venue to confirm ticket availability, dates and times, as schedules are subject to change.

♦ NYCity is a big town with many visitors, where quality shows draw crowds. Try to reserve seats in advance, even if just on day of performance. ==============================================================================

For other selected Museum and Gallery Special Exhibitions see Recent Posts in the right Sidebar: “Selected Events + Special Exhibitions : Manhattan’s WestSide” dated (08/28) and (08/26).

For other useful and curated NYCity event info for Manhattan’s WestSide check out: ♦ “9 Notable Events-August”and “Top10 Free” in the header above.

♦ For NYCity Sights, Sounds and Stories visit out our sister site: nyc123blog.wordpress.com ♦ For NYCity trip planning see links in “Resources” and “Smart Stuff” in the header above. ==========================================================================================

============================================================================= ♦ Before making final plans, we suggest you call the venue to confirm ticket availability, dates and times, as schedules are subject to change.

♦ NYCity is a big town with many visitors, where 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)

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

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:

================================================================================ “3 Good Eating places” focuses on a quick bite, what I call “Fine Fast Food – NYCity Style”

For other useful and curated NYCity event info for Manhattan’s WestSide check out: ♦ “9 Notable Events-August”and “Top10 Free” in the header above.

♦ For NYCity Sights, Sounds and Stories visit out our sister site: nyc123blog.wordpress.com ♦ For NYCity trip planning see links in “Resources” and “Smart Stuff” in the header above. ==========================================================================================

============================================================================= ♦ Before making final plans, we suggest you call the venue to confirm ticket availability, dates and times, as schedules are subject to change.

♦ NYCity is a big town with many visitors, where quality shows draw crowds. Try to reserve seats in advance, even if just on day of performance. ==============================================================================

For other selected Museum and Gallery Special Exhibitions see Recent Posts in right Sidebar: “NYCity Events: Manhattan’s WestSide” dated 08/26 and 08/24.

For other useful and curated NYCity event info for Manhattan’s WestSide check out: ♦ “9 Notable Events-August”and “Top10 Free” in the header above.

♦ For NYCity Sights, Sounds and Stories visit out our sister site: nyc123blog.wordpress.com ♦ For NYCity trip planning see links in “Resources” and “Smart Stuff” in the header above. ==================================================================================

============================================================================= ♦ Before making final plans, we suggest you call the venue to confirm ticket availability, dates and times, as schedules are subject to change.

♦ NYCity is a big town with many visitors, where quality shows draw crowds. Try to reserve seats in advance, even if just on day of performance. ==============================================================================

Corner Bistro / 331 W. 4th St.

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

For other useful and curated NYCity event info for Manhattan’s WestSide check out: ♦ “9 Notable Events-August”and “Top10 Free” in the header above.

♦ For NYCity Sights, Sounds and Stories visit out our sister site: nyc123blog.wordpress.com ♦ For NYCity trip planning see links in “Resources” and “Smart Stuff” in the header above. ==================================================================================

============================================================================= ♦ Before making final plans, we suggest you call the venue to confirm ticket availability, dates and times, as schedules are subject to change.

♦ NYCity is a big town with many visitors, where quality shows draw crowds. Try to reserve seats in advance, even if just on day of performance. ==============================================================================

For other selected Museum and Gallery Special Exhibitions see Recent Posts in the right Sidebar: “Selected Events + Special Exhibitions : Manhattan’s WestSide” dated (08/24) and (08/22).

For other useful and curated NYCity event info for Manhattan’s WestSide check out: ♦ “9 Notable Events-August”and “Top10 Free” in the header above.

♦ For NYCity Sights, Sounds and Stories visit out our sister site: nyc123blog.wordpress.com ♦ For NYCity trip planning see links in “Resources” and “Smart Stuff” in the header above. ==================================================================================

============================================================================= ♦ Before making final plans, we suggest you call the venue to confirm ticket availability, dates and times, as schedules are subject to change.

♦ NYCity is a big town with many visitors, where quality shows draw crowds. Try to reserve seats in advance, even if just on day of performance. ==============================================================================

A PremierPub – Tribeca

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

For other useful and curated NYCity event info for Manhattan’s WestSide check out: ♦ “9 Notable Events-August”and “Top10 Free” in the header above.

♦ For NYCity Sights, Sounds and Stories visit out our sister site: nyc123blog.wordpress.com ♦ For NYCity trip planning see links in “Resources” and “Smart Stuff” in the header above. ==================================================================================

============================================================================= ♦ Before making final plans, we suggest you call the venue to confirm ticket availability, dates and times, as schedules are subject to change.

♦ NYCity is a big town with many visitors, where quality shows draw crowds. Try to reserve seats in advance, even if just on day of performance. ==============================================================================

The Deep End – East River

For other selected Museum and Gallery Special Exhibitions see Recent Posts in the right Sidebar: “Selected Events + Special Exhibitions : Manhattan’s WestSide” dated (08/22) and (08/20).

For other useful and curated NYCity event info for Manhattan’s WestSide check out: ♦ “9 Notable Events-August”and “Top10 Free” in the header above.

♦ For NYCity Sights, Sounds and Stories visit out our sister site: nyc123blog.wordpress.com ♦ For NYCity trip planning see links in “Resources” and “Smart Stuff” in the header above. ==================================================================================

=============================================================== ♦ Before making final plans, we suggest you call the venue to confirm ticket availability, dates and times, as schedules are subject to change.

♦ NYCity is a big town with many visitors, where quality shows draw crowds. Try to reserve seats in advance, even if just on day of performance. ==============================================================================

A PremierPub – Upper West Side

Dinosaur / 700 W125th St. @ 12th ave.

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

For other useful and curated NYCity event info for Manhattan’s WestSide check out: ♦ “9 Notable Events-August”and “Top10 Free” in the header above.

♦ For NYCity Sights, Sounds and Stories visit out our sister site: nyc123blog.wordpress.com ♦ For NYCity trip planning see links in “Resources” and “Smart Stuff” in the header above. ==================================================================================

============================================================================= ♦ Before making final plans, we suggest you call the venue to confirm ticket availability, dates and times, as schedules are subject to change.

♦ NYCity is a big town with many visitors, where quality shows draw crowds. Try to reserve seats in advance, even if just on day of performance. ==============================================================================

For other selected Museum and Gallery Special Exhibitions see Recent Posts in right Sidebar: “NYCity Events: Manhattan’s WestSide” dated 08/20 and 08/18.

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For other useful and curated NYCity event info for Manhattan’s WestSide check out:
♦ “9 Notable Events-August”and “Top10 Free” in the header above.

♦ For NYCity Sights, Sounds and Stories visit out our sister site: nyc123blog.wordpress.com
♦ For NYCity trip planning see links in “Resources” and “Smart Stuff” in the header above. ==========================================================================================

===========================================================================
♦ Before making final plans, we suggest you call the venue to confirm ticket availability, dates and times, as schedules are subject to change.

♦ NYCity is a big town with many visitors, where quality shows draw crowds. Try to reserve seats in advance, even if just on day of performance.
==============================================================================

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

For other useful and curated NYCity event info for Manhattan’s WestSide check out:
♦ “9 Notable Events-August”and “Top10 Free” in the header above.

♦ For NYCity Sights, Sounds and Stories visit out our sister site: nyc123blog.wordpress.com
♦ For NYCity trip planning see links in “Resources” and “Smart Stuff” in the header above. ==========================================================================================

=============================================================================
♦ Before making final plans, we suggest you call the venue to confirm ticket availability, dates and times, as schedules are subject to change.

♦ NYCity is a big town with many visitors, where quality shows draw crowds. Try to reserve seats in advance, even if just on day of performance.
==============================================================================

For other useful and curated NYCity event info for Manhattan’s WestSide check out:
♦ “9 Notable Events-August”and “Top10 Free” in the header above.

♦ For NYCity Sights, Sounds and Stories visit out our sister site: nyc123blog.wordpress.com
♦ For NYCity trip planning see links in “Resources” and “Smart Stuff” in the header above. ==========================================================================================

=============================================================================
♦ Before making final plans, we suggest you call the venue to confirm ticket availability, dates and times, as schedules are subject to change.

♦ NYCity is a big town with many visitors, where quality shows draw crowds. Try to reserve seats in advance, even if just on day of performance.
==============================================================================

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

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:

================================================================================
“3 Good Eating places” focuses on a quick bite, what I call “Fine Fast Food – NYCity Style”

For other useful and curated NYCity event info for Manhattan’s WestSide check out:
♦ “9 Notable Events-August”and “Top10 Free” in the header above.

♦ For NYCity Sights, Sounds and Stories visit out our sister site: nyc123blog.wordpress.com
♦ For NYCity trip planning see links in “Resources” and “Smart Stuff” in the header above. ==========================================================================================

=============================================================================
♦ Before making final plans, we suggest you call the venue to confirm ticket availability, dates and times, as schedules are subject to change.

♦ NYCity is a big town with many visitors, where quality shows draw crowds. Try to reserve seats in advance, even if just on day of performance.
==============================================================================

For other useful and curated NYCity event info for Manhattan’s WestSide check out:
♦ “9 Notable Events-August”and “Top10 Free” in the header above.

♦ For NYCity Sights, Sounds and Stories visit out our sister site: nyc123blog.wordpress.com
♦ For NYCity trip planning see links in “Resources” and “Smart Stuff” in the header above. ==================================================================================

=============================================================================
♦ Before making final plans, we suggest you call the venue to confirm ticket availability, dates and times, as schedules are subject to change.

♦ NYCity is a big town with many visitors, where quality shows draw crowds. Try to reserve seats in advance, even if just on day of performance.
==============================================================================

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

For other useful and curated NYCity event info for Manhattan’s WestSide check out:
♦ “9 Notable Events-August”and “Top10 Free” in the header above.

♦ For NYCity Sights, Sounds and Stories visit out our sister site: nyc123blog.wordpress.com
♦ For NYCity trip planning see links in “Resources” and “Smart Stuff” in the header above. ==================================================================================

=============================================================================
♦ Before making final plans, we suggest you call the venue to confirm ticket availability, dates and times, as schedules are subject to change.

♦ NYCity is a big town with many visitors, where quality shows draw crowds. Try to reserve seats in advance, even if just on day of performance.
==============================================================================

For other useful and curated NYCity event info for Manhattan’s WestSide check out:
♦ “9 Notable Events-August”and “Top10 Free” in the header above.

♦ For NYCity Sights, Sounds and Stories visit out our sister site: nyc123blog.wordpress.com
♦ For NYCity trip planning see links in “Resources” and “Smart Stuff” in the header above. ==================================================================================

=============================================================================
♦ Before making final plans, we suggest you call the venue to confirm ticket availability, dates and times, as schedules are subject to change.

♦ NYCity is a big town with many visitors, where quality shows draw crowds. Try to reserve seats in advance, even if just on day of performance.
==============================================================================

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

For other useful and curated NYCity event info for Manhattan’s WestSide check out:
♦ “9 Notable Events-August”and “Top10 Free” in the header above.

♦ For NYCity Sights, Sounds and Stories visit out our sister site: nyc123blog.wordpress.com
♦ For NYCity trip planning see links in “Resources” and “Smart Stuff” in the header above. ==================================================================================

=============================================================================
♦ Before making final plans, we suggest you call the venue to confirm ticket availability, dates and times, as schedules are subject to change.

♦ NYCity is a big town with many visitors, where quality shows draw crowds. Try to reserve seats in advance, even if just on day of performance.
==============================================================================

For other useful and curated NYCity event info for Manhattan’s WestSide check out:
♦ “9 Notable Events-August”and “Top10 Free” in the header above.

♦ For NYCity Sights, Sounds and Stories visit out our sister site: nyc123blog.wordpress.com
♦ For NYCity trip planning see links in “Resources” and “Smart Stuff” in the header above. ==================================================================================

===============================================================
♦ Before making final plans, we suggest you call the venue to confirm ticket availability, dates and times, as schedules are subject to change.

♦ NYCity is a big town with many visitors, where quality shows draw crowds. Try to reserve seats in advance, even if just on day of performance.
==============================================================================

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

For other useful and curated NYCity event info for Manhattan’s WestSide check out:
♦ “9 Notable Events-August”and “Top10 Free” in the header above.

♦ For NYCity Sights, Sounds and Stories visit out our sister site: nyc123blog.wordpress.com
♦ For NYCity trip planning see links in “Resources” and “Smart Stuff” in the header above. ==================================================================================

=============================================================================
♦ Before making final plans, we suggest you call the venue to confirm ticket availability, dates and times, as schedules are subject to change.

♦ NYCity is a big town with many visitors, where quality shows draw crowds. Try to reserve seats in advance, even if just on day of performance.
==============================================================================