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

Today’s “Fab 5″/ Selected NYCity Events – THURSDAY, JUNE 12, 2014.

World Cup
“Soccer fans will be glued to their screens today as World Cup 2014 kicks off in Brazil. Thirty-two nations battle it out during the Group Match stage from June 12 – 26, and there’s no shortage of venues to watch the games in New York City — every competing nation has presence here. Divided into eight four-team groups, the top two teams from each group advance to the knockout stage. Team USA is in the tough Group G, with Germany (ranked 2) and Portugal (13) favored to advance. Host nation Brazil will have a big home turf advantage and are the pre-tournament favorite, but Spain, Germany, Argentina and Italy are also in with a chance. Head to “Little Brazil,” on Manhattan’s West 46th Street, today at 4 p.m. when Brazil plays Croatia in the first game.” (DNA Info)

and why not start this month long extravaganza with some music
World Cup Kickoff Concert
Nation Beat will play funk and country-blues, with a bit of New Orleans flavor, as part of this celebration of the World Cup in Brazil. They will be joined by the percussion ensemble Maracatu New York, and there will be a capoeira demonstration by Raízes do Brasil Capoeira. From 12:30 to 2 p.m./ FREE
Brookfield Place Waterfront, 220 Vesey Street, at West Street, Lower Manhattan,
The website nycgo.com, has a list of World Cup friendly bars and restaurants to view matches.

Decade of Shack (ends June 13)
“It’s burgermania Shake Shack style as Danny Meyer’s empire celebrate its 10th anniversary with a weeklong throwdown. Top culinary wonders including David Chang, Daniel Boulud and April Bloomfield have signed on to collaborate with Shake Shack to create special edition burgers. Each day throughout the festivities, a different chef’s burger is available for purchase at the original Shake Shack in Madison Square Park.

Feast on such creations as the Momofuko Shrimp Stack on Tuesday, or the AZ Cabrito Butter Burger on Wednesday. Come June 12th, the actual birthday of the burger palace, Madison Square Park plays host to live music by The Tall Pines, Ski Lodge and Miniature Tigers, and a special hot dog cart makes the rounds with complimentary “pay what you’d like” Shack-cago Dogs. And as no birthday is complete without a cake, Dominque Ansel is whipping one up and it will be given out in the early evening, while supplies last.” (Mindy Bond, Editor-FlavorPill)
Madison Square Park, btw 23rd/26th St.; 5th/Mad Ave.

Microscopic Septet
“Humor has always been a significant element of this group’s purview, but it has never obscured their substantial musicianship. Following a fourteen-year split, the saxophone-heavy ensemble, led by Phillip Johnston, an exacting soprano saxophonist who now lives in Australia, and Joel Forrester, an inspired, unclassifiable pianist, have reunited on an annual basis for the past few years.

Blending twisted swing, Monk-inflected bebop, and various outlying strains, the Septet was gloriously out of step with the mainstream during their nineteen-eighties heyday—and, thankfully, they remain so. They celebrate the release of a new album, “Manhattan Moonrise.” (NewYorker)
Smalls, 183 W. 10th St.
212-252-5091.

Stacey Kent (through June 14)
“An American-born jazz singer whose life and career have taken root in Europe, Ms. Kent has a delicate but determined style, girded by her multilingual poise. She has a new album, “The Changing Lights,” that celebrates her effervescent affinities with the bossa nova idiom.”)

Her duets with her husband, the saxophonist Jim Tomlinson, rekindle memories of Astrud Gilberto and Stan Getz.” (Chinen-NYT)
Birdland, 315 West 44th Street, Clinton,
At 8:30 and 11 p.m. / $40 cover, with a $10 minimum.
212-581-3080, birdlandjazz.com

Anat Cohen (through June 15.)
“The accomplished Israeli-born clarinettist and saxophonist personifies the multicultural and pan-stylistic eclecticism that are hallmarks of the contemporary-jazz scene: she is comfortable flitting from Middle Eastern strains to Brazilian choro to swing, bebop, and modal idioms. The drummer Matt Wilson and the bassist Martin Wind will be Cohen’s support team, and special guests are promised.” (NewYorker)

I have said this before, I’ll say it again. This is one of NYC’s Jazz treasures playing at an iconic NYCity Jazz Club. You gotta go.
Village Vanguard, 178 Seventh Avenue South, at 11th Street, West Village,
212-255-4037, villagevanguard.com
At 8:30 and 10:30 p.m. / $25 and $30 cover, with a one-drink minimum.

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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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The Week That Was in NYCity
(courtesy NYPost, with the most unique front/back pages anywhere)

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A PremierPub – Tribeca

B-Flat / 277 Church st (Btw Franklin/White)

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 1 blk E to Church; 1 blk N to bFlat

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

If you have a fave premier pub or good eating place on Manhattan’s WestSide let us all know about it – leave a comment.
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Today’s “Fab 5″+1/ Selected NYCity Events – WEDNESDAY, JUNE 11, 2014.

Sud de France Festival 2014 (June 9-30)
A getaway to France without leaving New York

“Escape to France this month without eating into your vacation time with the Sud de France Festival. For the next three weeks, this annual affair allows you to explore the culture and culinary joys of the Languedoc-Roussillon region at events throughout the city. Kicking off with a launch party on board Harbor Lights where you can dine on a cassoulet prepared by celebrity chef Paul Liebrandt and take in the tunes of Slavic Soul Party and DJ Nancy Whang (DFA).

Other fest highlights include a wine crawl aboard a double decker bus, a cabaret-inspired block party, a cocktail-style wine tasting at Le Dû’s Wines, and special dinners at Contra, Reynard in the Wythe Hotel, and Chef Camille Becerra’s Navy.” (Mindy Bond, Editor-FlavorPill)

Alvin Ailey – Learn Revelations Outdoors at Lincoln Center
Learn choreography from Alvin Ailey’s masterpiece,Revelations, outdoors on the Josie Robertson Plaza at 5:30pm*. This free public event will be led by two beloved former Ailey company members—Nasha Thomas-Schmitt and Renee Robinson—and feature live music with a drummer and choir.
*Rain date Thursday, June 12 at 6:00pm
Jose Robertson Plaza, Lincoln Center
At 5:30PM / FREE

David Ostwald’s Louis Armstrong Eternity Band
Inspired by the noble jazz pioneers Louis Armstrong, Bix Beiderbecke, Duke Ellington, Jelly Roll Morton and their colleagues, David Ostwald’s Louis Armstrong Eternity Band breathes life and passion into America’s own great art form.

Legendary record producer George Avakian describes the band in this way:
“There has never been a band quite like this one. Most groups, past and present, stick to one style. Some current groups attempt to recreate early recordings in their entirety. These guys do neither. Inspired by divergent bands of the 1920s and 30s, you’ll hear them swing a variety of styles in music by a wide range of composers, always true to the joy and heart of the music.”

Now in its 14th year of residency at Birdland, the weekly post-workday engagement is the city’s best musical bargain! Tuba player David Ostwald leads a rotating lineup that features talents such as clarinetist Anat Cohen, trombonist/vocalist Wycliffe Gordon, pianist Ehud Asherie, drummer Marion Felder and more!
Birdland, 315 W 44th St, (btw 8th/9th ave)
At 5:30PM / $25
birdlandjazz.com

Steve Ross & Karen Oberlin
“Ginger Rogers didn’t like it when her Stage Door co-star Katharine Hepburn repeated her line about Fred Astaire giving Rogers class, while she gave him sex appeal. But Hepburn was astute on the subject of moviedom’s most famous dancing couple. The songs they sang in the 10 flicks they made together should get the velvet glove treatment when these two dip and sway in ‘Astaire and Rogers: Cheek to Cheek with Steve Ross & Karen Oberlin.’ Look and listen for this classy, sexy duo to radiate the attributes the great Kate mentioned and then even more.” (David Finkle-VillageVoice)
54 Below, 254 W 54th St., btw Broadway and Eighth Ave
at 7pm / $30–$55, plus $25 food or drink minimum
(646) 476-3551 / 866-468-7619 / 54below.com

Real Characters Storytelling & Comedy Series
Host Andy Ross and his crew of NY’s funniest and best storytellers bring it uptown to a special performance with Dave Hill (Tasteful Nudes), Courtney Maum (I Am Having So Much Fun Here Without You) and Rosie Schaap (Drinking with Men).

This monthly storytelling/reading series combines some of New York’s best storytellers, humor writers, memoirists, and character performers. Some of it’s true; some of it feels more than true; and, most of it is funny. Past performers have appeared on The Moth, This American Life, 30 Rock, and Saturday Night Live. Past writers have contributed to The New Yorker, The Onion, The Simpsons, and The Colbert Report.

In case of rain, events are held under a tent at the Reading Room. In case of severe weather, please check bryantpark.org for the indoor location.
The Bryant Park Reading Room
1065 Avenue of the Americas, 42nd St. Side of the Park (btw 5^th/6th Ave)
212-768-4242
at 12:30pm / FREE

PlusOne
My Old Neighborhood: A Memoir
Avery Corman, acclaimed author of Kramer vs. Kramer, casts a nostalgic glance at the Bronx of his childhood in his latest book My Old Neighborhood Remembered: A Memoir. He will be joined by popular WOR Radio host Joan Hamburg.

Any memoir about the Bronx has to be worth your time.
Barnes & Noble, 1972 Broadway
At 7PM / FREE
212-595-6859

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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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What’s on View:
Special Exhibitions @ 4 Museum Mile / Fifth Ave. Museums:

‘Lost Kingdoms: Hindu-Buddhist Sculpture of Early Southeast Asia, 5th to 8th Century’ (through July 27)
The Flowering of Edo Period Painting: Japanese Masterworks from the Feinberg Collection’ (through Sept. 7)
‘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
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‘Renaissance and Baroque Bronzes From the Hill Collection’ (through June 15)
“This sensational, beautifully presented show of 33 late-15th- to early-18th-century bronzes reflects a taste for historically important, big-statement examples in exceptional condition. They vividly reflect the Renaissance’s new interest in antiquity and the human form while encouraging concentration on emotional expression, refined details (great hair!), struggling or relaxed figures and varied patinas. Works by the reigning geniuses Giambologna, Susini and the lesser-known Piamontini dominate, further enlivened by a handful of old master and late-20th-century paintings from the Hill collection.”
(Roberta Smith-NYT)
Frick Collection: 1 East 70th St.
212-288-0700 / frick.org.
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Guggenheim Museum: ‘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.
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‘Degenerate Art: The Attack on Modern Art in Nazi Germany, 1937’ (through June 30)
Neue Galerie, 1048 Fifth Avenue, at 86th St.
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 06/09 and 06/07.

Today’s “Fab 5″/ Selected NYCity Events – TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 2014.

Anat Cohen (through June 15.)
“The accomplished Israeli-born clarinettist and saxophonist personifies the multicultural and pan-stylistic eclecticism that are hallmarks of the contemporary-jazz scene: she is comfortable flitting from Middle Eastern strains to Brazilian choro to swing, bebop, and modal idioms. The drummer Matt Wilson and the bassist Martin Wind will be Cohen’s support team, and special guests are promised.” (NewYorker)

This is one of NYC’s Jazz treasures playing at an iconic NYCity Jazz Club. You gotta go.
Village Vanguard, 178 Seventh Avenue South, at 11th Street, West Village,
212-255-4037, villagevanguard.com;
At 8:30 and 10:30 p.m. / $25 and $30 cover, with a one-drink minimum.

Museum Mile Festival
“This annual festival, commonly called New York City’s biggest block party, returns for its 36th year. For three hours, the upper stretches of Fifth Avenue, from 82nd to 105th Streets, will be closed off to traffic, the smell of exhaust fumes and the blaring of horns replaced by pedestrians, sidewalk chalk art and street performers. There will also be musicians, storytellers and clowns providing outdoor entertainment.

Many of the cultural institutions along this particular stretch — including the Guggenheim, the Jewish Museum and El Museo del Barrio — will open their doors, free, as well as provide visitors special activities to go along with the exhibitions already on view.” (NYT)
From 6 to 9 p.m., 212-606-2296, museummilefestival.org.

Willie Nelson + Alison Krauss and Union Station
+ Jerry Douglas + Kacey Musgraves
“In this intergenerational gathering of country royalty, the 81-year-old philosopher king of troubadours and the high priestess of bluegrass symbolically pass the torch to Kacey Musgraves, the newest initiate to a club whose membership requires multiple Grammys and the life lessons that earned their stripes.

Nelson and Family have never appeared alongside Alison Krauss and Union Station, her band for three decades, including dobro master Jerry Douglas. Musgraves, a Dolly Parton devotee, has got a lot of living to do before she inherits that mantle. Times have changed since the red-headed stranger penned “Willingly” in 1961, but telling it like it is hasn’t.” (Aidan Levy-VillageVoice)
Radio City Music Hall,
866-858-0008, ticketmaster.com;
At 8 p.m. / $65 to $130.

Fernando Otero and Radio Angel
“Mr. Otero, a resourceful pianist and composer from Buenos Aires, recently released a darkly ravishing album with the plain but connotative title of “Romance.” As on the album, he works here with the vocalist Kristin Norderval, the bandoneón player Juan Pablo Jofre, the clarinetist Ivan Barenboim, the violinist Nick Danielson and the bassist Pablo Aslan.” (Chinen-NYT)
Minton’s, 206 West 118th Street, Harlem,
212-243-2222, mintonsharlem.com;
At 7 p.m. / $20 cover at tables, $10 at the bar; with a one-drink minimum.

Vince Giordano and the Nighthawks
“If you haven’t yet checked out the Nighthawks’ new digs, what are you waiting for. “The band (which has just released their second volume of music from HBO’s “Boardwalk Empire”) now actually sounds better, audio-wise, and the menu is a vast improvement over the band’s previous venue—overall, it is a step up, to the second floor, rather than a flight down, to the basement.

Although longtime fans are currently referring to the Nighthawks as “The Iguana Troubadours,” they continue to play with the same amazing combination of skin-tight historical authenticity and sheer, relentless energy, plus a tempo that has always characterized Mr. Giordano’s bands.” (WSJ-Will Friedwald)
Iguana, 240 W. 54th St., (Btw 8th/B’way)
8pm-11pm (3 sets) / $15 cover, $20 food/drink minimum
(212) 765-5454 / iguananyc.com

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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 – 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).

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

Today’s “Fab 5″/ Selected NYCity Events – MONDAY, JUNE 09, 2014.

National Jazz Museum in Harlem Benefit Concert
“Headlining this fundraiser are Dee Dee Bridgewater and Jonathan Batiste, two of contemporary music’s best entertainers. Ms. Bridgewater brings uncommon conviction to everything she does, whether she is singing Billie Holiday on Broadway or Afro-Funk with the emerging Theo Croker.

Mr. Batiste is the latest of the major piano party princes from New Orleans (the only thing he lacks is a colorful title, such as Professor Longhair or Dr. John), a keyboardist who refuses to sit down — in front of audiences who usually also are on their feet. It’s an added bonus to experience them both in the comparatively intimate space of the Kaye, where their impact won’t be diluted.” (Will Friedwald-WSJ)
Hunter College, Kaye Playhouse, 695 Park Ave.
At 7:30 p.m., $35-$55
(212) 772-4448
not Manhattan’s WestSide, but this event looks worth the detour.
subway: #1 to 66th St., transfer to M66 crosstown bus to Lexington Ave., walk 3 blocks N.

The Moth High School GrandSLAM: Hosted by Ophira Eisenberg
The High School StorySLAM is The Moth’s after-school education program. Students sign up to join their school’s StorySLAM team and meet after school with trained Moth instructors and faculty advisors. They learn to craft compelling narratives from their own lives, practice performance techniques, and connect as a team. After five weeks of preparation, students share their stories onstage in front of their peers at a StorySLAM event. Now, join us for The Moth High School GrandSLAM, a biannual city-wide storytelling championship featuring 8 all-star student storytellers from across the program.
Housing Works Bookstore Café, 126 Crosby Street
at 7PM / $8 Suggested Donation

Captain Black Big Band
Captain Black, the celebrated 16-Piece Jazz Orchestra under the direction of pianist Orrin Evans, performs on alternating Mondays and frequently features musicians like Marcus Strickland, Todd Bayshore, Stacy Dillard, Freddie Hendrix, Conrad Herwig, Dave Gibson, Tia Fuller, Bruce Williams , Luques Curtis, Vince Ector and more. There most likely isn’t a more “jazz-like” improvisational approach to running a big band: while Captain Black has a tight book of regular arrangements that the band draws from, the uniqueness of this particular big band project lies within the group’s ability to let Evans “call” tunes and make arrangements on the spot, keeping the material fresh, new and exciting from week to week.
Smoke, 2751 Broadway, at 106th St.,
212-864-6662, smokejazz.com
At 7pm & 9pm / no music charge

Machine Made: Tammany Hall and the Creation of Modern American Politics
Slide Lecture by Terry Golway who discusses his book Machine Made: Tammany Hall and the Creation of Modern American Politics. This illustrated lecture explores New York’s most famous political machine – Tammany Hall – revealing, beyond the vice and corruption, a birthplace of progressive urban politics.

Terry Golway is the director of the Kean University Center for History, Politics, and Policy in New Jersey and a journalist, historian and author.
Mid Manhattan Library, 455 Fifth Ave. (btw 40th/39th St.)
at 6:30 pm / FREE
212-340-0837

New Orleans Swamp Donkeys
“Riding a new wave of stylish jazz anachronism, this six-piece band recalls the New Orleans music of roughly a century ago, with a youthful, high-spirited aplomb. The group’s anchor is Wes Anderson, on tuba; its frontmen are the trumpeter and gravel-voiced singer James Williams and the banjoist-guitarist Sam Friend.” (Chinen-NYT)
B.B. King Blues Club & Grill, 237 West 42nd St.
800-745-3000, bbkingblues.com;
at 8 p.m. / $12, with a $10 minimum.
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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.
==============================================================================

WHAT’S ON VIEW: Special Exhibitions @ 2 MUSEUMS (Manhattan’s WestSide)

‘A World of Its Own: Photographic Practices in the Studio’ (through Oct. 5)
‘Designing Modern Women 1890-1990’(through Oct. 5)
Museum of Modern Art: 11 W 53rd St. (btw 5th /6th Ave.)
(212) 708-9400 / moma.org.

Designing Modern Women 1890-1990:

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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

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For other selected Museum and Gallery Special Exhibitions see Recent Posts in the right Sidebar: “Selected Events + Special Exhibitions : … …” dated (06/07) and (06/05).

Today’s “Fab 5″/ Selected NYCity Events – SUNDAY, JUNE 08, 2014.

Blue Note Jazz Festival (through June 30)
“Now in its fourth year, this month long festival unfolds over more than a dozen spaces in the city. Among this week’s highlights the new-fusion group Global Noize, performing “Sly Reimagined,” its Sly Stone tribute, on Sunday at 8 p.m. the Highline Ballroom, 431 West 16th Street, Chelsea; and the soul-jazz singer José James, in an album-release show with an opening set by his ace keyboardist Kris Bowers, at the Highline Ballroom on Thursday at 8 p.m.“ (Chinen-NYT)
More details are at bluenotejazzfestival.com.

Damon Albarn
“After making a huge splash in the mid-nineties as the front man of Blur, a standard-bearer for golden-age Britpop, Albarn went on to create, among many other projects, the innovative “virtual band” Gorillaz, which worked with such real-life collaborators as Lou Reed and Bobby Womack.(In 2012, he co-produced Womack’s first record in nearly twenty years, “The Bravest Man in the Universe.”) On his own, Albarn has matured into a fascinating songwriter who embeds personal lyrics in an ever-expanding musical palette. His début solo album, “Everyday Robots,” has strings, Eastern harmonies, and African accents, and includes songs about Albarn’s ongoing journey, whether musicological, biographical, or spiritual.” (NewYorker)
Irving Plaza, 17 Irving Pl.
212-777-6800 /

Bluegrass and Gray: Sounds of the Americana with Dailey & Vincent
Grammy-Award Nominated Bluegrass band Dailey & Vincent join forces with DCINY to celebrate the American tradition of country-style Bluegrass music with an electrifying blend of gospel and folk in Carol Barnett’s, “World Beloved: A Bluegrass Mass.” John Purifoy’s “Chronicles of Blue and Gray” spans the Civil War in three thrilling movements of choral delight.

The concert will be performed by Distinguished Concerts Singers International, a choir of 200 voices and the Distinguished Concerts Orchestra.
Carnegie Hall, 881 7th Ave
At 2 pm / $20-$100.
212.247.7800 / CarnegieHall.org

Brian Charette Trio
“The Hammond B-3 organist Brian Charette has a bright new trio album, “Square One,” featuring the guitarist Yotam Silberstein and the drummer Mark Ferber. Its contemporary spin on soul jazz should resonate here.” (Chinen-NYT)
55 Bar, 55 Christopher Street, West Village,
212-929-9883, 55bar.com
At 9:30 p.m. / $10.

FIGMENT NYC
A weekend of artsy interactive fun on Governors Island

“FIGMENT NYC returns to give Governors Island its annual injection of creative energy. Guided by the same principles as Burning Man, the summer-long program seeks to inspire and unlock creativity and kicks off this weekend with two days of artsy interactive fun. Among the over 100 activities, you may find yourself battling strangers with super-soaked plush toys, embarking on a theatrical scavenger hunt, creating a piece of art by walking on a treadmill, or releasing your imagination inside a cocoon.

Also, be on the lookout for a variety of installations including Columbia GSAPP’s Harry Slump, the gothic-inspired Pole Vault, and the Picnic, which provides an olfactory experience. Fans of the Golden Bear will be happy to hear the mini-golf course is back, this time with a “New York City Now” theme, as is Ben Jones’ Treehouse, and the Governor’s Cup pavilion, all of which remain up for the duration of the summer. Imaginarians aren’t going to want to miss out on this one, so grab a FIGMENT name tag and let the games begin.” (Mindy Bond, Editor- FlavorPill)
Governors Island
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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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Liberty in View – Battery Park City

On the Hudson River waterfront in Battery Park City, a woman contemplates the harbor before an afternoon rainstorm. (June 8, 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

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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 to Harlem totally worthwhile.

This second incarnation of Dinosaur in Harlem is in an 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 door you are hit with that tantalizing aroma of barbecue coming from the large open kitchen. Reminds me of all 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 Mississippi 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. 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 humongous 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 Hwy, all may open before a table inside the main dining room. Otherwise, try Dinosaur for lunch, or come very late for dinner.

Website: http://www.dinosaurbarbque.com/
Phone #: 212-694-1777
Hours: M-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 10:00pm
Subway: #1 to 125th st
Walk 2 blk W on 125th to Dinosaur Bar-B-Q,
just past the elevated highway

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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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Today’s “Fab 5″/ Selected NYCity Events – SATURDAY, JUNE 07, 2014.

Freddy Cole
‘At 82, pianist-singer Freddy Cole gets both more mellow and more feisty with age as he continues to explore the more remote corners of the songbook of his late brother, Nat King Cole (“I Just Found Out About Love”). He also brings his relaxed, swinging style to the works of such modern singer-songwriters as Bill Withers and Billy Joel —the latter in a subtly samba-field rearrangement of “Just the Way You Are.” Mr. Cole’s current quartet is his all-time greatest, with saxophonist Harry Allen, guitarist Randy Napoleon, bassist Elias Bailey and longtime drummer Curtis Boyd.” (WSJ)
Birdland, 315 W. 44th St.
(212) 581-3080

Big Apple Barbecue Block Party (also Sunday)
The 12th edition of this food and music festival, a fund-raiser for the Madison Square Park Conservancy, is back with pit masters hailing from Dallas, Memphis and St. Louis. Performers include the Roosevelts, a soul and rock band from Austin, Tex., and Black Taxi, a punk band from Brooklyn.
Madison Square Park, Broadway and 23rd St.,
646-747-0584, bigapplebbq.org
From 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. / FREE, but food is $9 a plate and drinks are $3 to $8.

Leslie Uggams
“It’s been quite a while since the Mitch Miller days, but she still has the ingenuous glow. Only now it’s tempered by show-biz sophistication. She has a huge repertoire from which to draw, but it would be great if she sings at least one or two tunes from the Jule Styne-Betty Comden-Adolph Green Hallelujah, Baby! for which she won a Tony. She’s also shown up as an August Wilson player but probably won’t do anything from that canon.” (David Finkle-VillageVoice)
54 Below
at 8:00 p.m. / $40-$50

Christian McBride & Brad Mehldau (through Sunday)
“The Blue Note Jazz Festival continues a tradition of unlikely collaborations with a series of duo performances by bassist Christian McBride and pianist Brad Mehldau, the latter replacing Andre Previn at the last minute. McBride has worked with Sting, Bruce Hornsby, and Renee Fleming; Previn has re-worked a number of classic pop songs ranging from Cole Porter to Radiohead within a career as an excellent bandleader. Outside of his rigorous touring schedule, McBride serves as the associate artistic director of the National Jazz Museum in Harlem while Mehldau has been active in both his trio and an experimental duo with drummer Mark Guiliana.” (Aidan Levy-VillageVoice)
Blue Note, 131 West Third Street, Greenwich Village
212-475-8592, bluenote.net
At 8 and 10:30 p.m.,/ $35-$55

Billy Hart Quartet (also Sun June 8)
“The veteran drummer Hart, the pianist Ethan Iverson, of the Bad Plus, the bassist Ben Street, and the accomplished saxophonist Mark Turner have collaborated on one of the most persuasive recordings of the year so far, “One Is the Other,” which shows that the foursome, which has played together for the better part of a decade, is achieving its potential. The group’s original compositions are intriguing, and the musicians’ take on Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “Some Enchanted Evening” is a thing of true beauty.” (NewYorker)
Village Vanguard, 178 Seventh Avenue South, at 11th St., West Village,
212-255-4037, villagevanguard.com
at 8:30 and 10:30 p.m. / $25 and $30 cover, with a one-drink minimum.
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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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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 (06/05) and (06/03).

Today’s “Fab 5″/ Selected NYCity Events – FRIDAY, JUNE 06, 2014.

OutdoorFest (through Sun. June 8)
“A 10-day festival where you can celebrate your passion for the outdoors

If you think living in the city means you can’t enjoy a healthy, active lifestyle, think again. Founded by Sarah L. Knapp, OutdoorFest is a 10-day festival that seeks to wake New Yorkers up to all the great activities that are available within the boundaries of the five boroughs. From camping at Floyd Bennett Field to surfing in Queens, OutdoorFest connects you with the resources so you can indulge in the great outdoors.

Other events planned include a camping getaway, outdoor yoga, bouldering classes, sailing, urban foraging and more. For a full rundown of what is available visit the festival’s website. But act quick, some of the events have a cap on participants.” (Mindy Bond, Editor-Flavorpill)
Various New York Locations
outdoorfest.org / FREE

Smokey Robinson
“One of R&B’s most beautiful voices, with the Miracles and as a solo artist, has also served as one of pop’s most affecting and prolific songwriters, for himself and for the Temptations. Mr. Robinson also helped run the eminent Motown Records as its longtime vice president; the man’s a one-stop Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.” (Anderson-NYT)
Beacon Theater, 2124 Broadway, at 74th St.
800-745-3000, beacontheatre.com
At 8 p.m. / $40 to $129.50

Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis (also Saturday)
“Duke Ellington created some of his most enduring works—miniatures and extended pieces—after World War II, in his final two decades, and Mr. Marsalis and the JLCO have curated a sampler of the Maestro’s late-in-life masterpieces. Titled “Modern Ellington,” the concert will include excerpts from the pianist’s most celebrated suites of the era, the exotic “Far East Suite” and the majestic “Queen’s Suite”; some of his most ambitious works such as “The Clothed Woman” and “The Tattooed Bride”; and an assortment of worthy oddities and obscurities.” (WSJ)
Rose Theater, Jazz at Lincoln Center, 60th St. and Broadway
212-258-9595, jalc.org
Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. / $30 to $120.

Bill Frisell: The Electric Guitar in America (also Saturday)
“The innovative jazz guitarist, melding his predilection for sonic exploration and his deep affection for the less-travelled byways of music, has created “The Electric Guitar in America,” a program celebrating the legacy of the Fender Telecaster. Expect him to revel in the work of the stupendous country-and-Western team of Speedy West and Jimmy Bryant, the surf-music maestro Dick Dale, the iconic country pickers Chet Atkins and Merle Travis, and others.” (NewYorker)
the Appel Room, Jazz at Lincoln Center, 60th St. and Broadway,
212-721-6500, jalc.org
At 7 and 9:30 p.m. / $55 and $75.

RadioLoveFest (through June 8)
“The music and talk shows that are the staples of radio programming will move from the studio to the stage for this five-day festival sponsored by WNYC and the Brooklyn Academy of Music. Most of the events — including concerts, discussions and theatrical pieces — will be recorded for later broadcast.

Among those taking part are the radio hosts and personalities John Schaefer, Jonathan Schwartz, Robert Krulwich and Ophira Eisenberg.
Brooklyn Academy of Music, 30 Lafayette Avenue, at Ashland Place, Fort Greene,
At various times, 718-636-4100, bam.org; prices vary; some events are sold out.” (NYT)
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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 and 3 Good Eating Places – Greenwich Village

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

===========================================================================================
“Pub” is used in it’s broadest sense – bars, bar/restaurants, jazz clubs, wine bars, tapas bars, craft beer bars, dive bars, cocktail lounges, and of course, pubs – just about anyplace you can get a drink without a cover charge (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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3 Good Eating places

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

Fish – 280 Bleecker St (just a bit S. of 7th ave South)
This was an easy pick – the best raw bar special in town. $8 gets you 6 of the freshest oysters or clams + a glass of wine or beer. Don’t know how they can do it, but I tell everyone I know about this place. And it’s located right in the heart of some of the best no cover music in town.

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

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

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

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 descriptions of my favorite 18 PremierPubs in 9 Neighborhoods (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)

Today’s “Fab 5″/ Selected NYCity Events – TUESDAY, JUNE 03, 2014.

Pharrell Williams
“The most ecstatic man in modern soul-pop (who surely has a grinning milliner in his entourage) can boast back-to-back songs of the summer: Last year he bopped through his guest spot on Robin Thicke’s “Blurred Lines” and this year he’s ubiquitous on radio again for his irresistible “Happy.” He will perform that hit and material from his second solo album, “Girl,” in his Apollo Theater stage debut. “ (Anderson-NYT)
Apollo Theater, 253 West 125th Street, Harlem,
800-745-3000, apollotheater.org
At 8 p.m. / $68.50 to $153.50.

Frank Vignola’s Guitar Night with Al Caiola and Vinny Raniolo
“Although best known as the long-standing partner in time to legend Les Paul, guitarist Frank Vignola is also a premiere Djangologist and one of the instigators of the now-widespread American “Hot Club” movement. He keeps the spirit of both Reinhardt and Paul alive in his consistently entertaining (and well-choreographed) guitar duo with Vinny Raniolo. Their inspired two guitar arrangements often mash up several tunes together and reconsider familiar melodies in new contexts, like their treatment of “I Shot The Sheriff,” which reimagines Bob Marley as a French gypsy. Tuesday’s guitar extravaganza features a rare guest appearance by the 93-year-old jazz guitar master, Al Caiola, as well as a gentleman being billed as a “surprise guest.” (Major hint: His first name sounds more like a cowboy than a jazzman and rhymes with “lucky.”)” (WSJ)
The Cutting Room, 44 E. 32nd St.
at 7:30pm / $25
(212) 691-1900 / thecuttingroomnyc.com

Alexis Cuadrado Group
“The bassist Alexis Cuadrado explores his Spanish heritage with an added literary and political dimension on “A Lorca Soundscape,” a recent album featuring lyrics adapted from Federico García Lorca’s “Poeta en Nueva York,” performed by an ensemble that includes the Chilean singer Claudia Acuña. Also aboard here are the Cuban saxophonist Yosvany Terry, the Cuban-American pianist Robert Rodriguez and the drummer Mark Ferber.” (Chinen-NYT)
At 7:30 and 9:30 p.m.,
Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola, Rose Hall, Jazz at Lincoln Center, 60th St. and Broadway,
212-258-9595, jalc.org;
$35 cover, with a $10 minimum

John Waters in Conversation With A.M. Homes
“In his quest to catch rides from strangers, hitchhiker/famed filmmaker John Waters (Hairspray; Pink Flamingos) carried a sign that might not have always helped “I AM NOT A PSYCHO.” Fortunately, it took only 15 rides and eight days for this eccentric adventurer to thumb his way from hometown Baltimore to sunny San Francisco (where, it happens, he has a second home). Along the way, he gathered stories of Zen-like encounters, including encounters with a indie rock band, an octogenarian farmer, and a Korvette-driving Colorado Republican. A road trip of true wonder.” (BookForum)
Barnes & Noble, Union Square, 33 East 17th St.
212-253-0810
at 7:00pm / FREE, priority seating for this talk is given with book purchase and the event space opens at 5pm. this event should be popular.

‘Dance of Death Book Release Party’ w/ Glenn Jones
“Kindred spirits will join forces this evening when two monolithic champions from the music and literary orb celebrate the Godfather of steel string geetar wizardry, John Fahey. Rolling Stone scribe royalty David Fricke will introduce longtime New York scene staple, Swingset Magazine co-founder, VDSQ record label head and ultimate Fahey obsessive Steve Lowenthal reading from the his just-released biographical sprawl of the experimental iconoclast called Dance of Death: The Life of John Fahey, American Guitarist.

For his exhaustive tome, Lowenthal embarked on a nomadic, years-long mission, heroically researching the trials, tribulations and life of the elusive and vastly influential Fahey. No better cohort for an evening of Fahey worship is Glenn Jones, who embodies the late legend’s folk and blues finger-picking mastery, even collaborating with the guitarist back in 1997 as a member of Cul De Sac. Not to be missed.” (Brad Cohan, VillageVoice)
Ace Hotel, 20 W 29^th St.
8:00 p.m. / FREE
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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.
==============================================================================

WHAT’S ON VIEW: Special Exhibitions @ 2 MUSEUMS (Manhattan’s WestSide)

‘A World of Its Own: Photographic Practices in the Studio’ (through Oct. 5)
‘Designing Modern Women 1890-1990’(through Oct. 5)
Museum of Modern Art: 11 W 53rd St. (btw 5th /6th Ave.)
(212) 708-9400 / moma.org.

Designing Modern Women 1890-1990:

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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

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For other selected Museum and Gallery Special Exhibitions see Recent Posts in the right Sidebar: “Selected Events + Special Exhibitions : … …” dated (06/01) and (05/30).