NYC Events,”Only the Best” (12/07) + Today’s Featured Pub (Greenwich Village)

Posted on 12/07/2019 by GregD

Today’s Super 7 NYC Events > SATURDAY/ DECEMBER 07, 2019

“We search the internet everyday looking for the very best of What’s Happening, primarily on Manhattan’s WestSide, so that you don’t have to.” We make it as easy as 1-2-3.

For future NYC Events, check the tab above:  “December NYC Events”
It’s the most comprehensive list of top events this month that you will find anywhere.
Carefully curated from “Only the Best” NYC event info on the the web, it’s a simply superb resource that will help you plan your NYC visit all over town, all through the month.

OR to make your own after dinner plans TONIGHT, see the tab above;  “LiveMusic.”

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

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

The Blind Boys of Alabama
New York Society for Ethical Culture, 2 W. 64th St./ 8PM, $62
“The beloved gospel ensemble the Blind Boys of Alabama originated in 1939, when the singers were students at a Talladega institute for blind children. Three of its founders were still dazzling audiences at the start of this millennium, but death has since thinned those ranks to one—the charismatic Jimmy Carter, now surrounded by younger recruits. Despite being a legacy act saddled with an antediluvian moniker of a thousand squirms, the group remains perennially fresh, whether it’s interjecting godliness into unexpected songs or, as in this case, saluting Christmas.” (Jay Ruttenberg, NewYorker)

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6 OTHER TOP NYC EVENTS TODAY (see below for full listing)
>> ‘AKHNATEN’
>> Mary Halvorson
>> GAMELAN KUSUMA LARAS
>> The Hold Steady
>> Shop for offbeat gifts at the Oddities Flea Market
>> Target First Saturday at the Brooklyn Museum: Best of the Borough

You may want to look at previous days posts for events that continue through today.

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Music, Dance, Performing Arts

‘AKHNATEN’ (LAST CHANCE)
at the Metropolitan Opera / 7:30p.m.; $
“Phelim McDermott’s take on Philip Glass’s opera, originally produced by the English National Opera and the L.A. Opera, arrives in New York, with the superlative countertenor Anthony Roth Costanzo in the title role. He is joined by J’Nai Bridges as Nefertiti, Disella Larusdottir as Queen Tye, Aaron Blake as the High Priest of Amon, Will Liverman as Horemhab, Richard Bernstein as Aye, Zachary James as Amenhotep III, and a troupe of acrobats and jugglers. Karen Kamensek conducts.” (NYT-David Allen)

Mary Halvorson (Dec. 3-7)
The Stone at the New School, 55 W. 13th St./ 8:30 p.m.; $20
“It’s hard to sum up this experimental guitarist in a simple word like “influential”: Her choppy, crinkled, effects-pedal-laden style is too singular to be widely replicated. But now more than ever, there is no denying the status of Halvorson — who received a 2019 MacArthur fellowship in September — as a leading figure in jazz. Next week she will take a victory lap at the Stone, a familiar stomping ground, alongside a few longtime collaborators: On Tuesday she plays in a duet with the remarkable Swiss pianist Sylvie Courvoisier; on Wednesday and Dec. 5 she brings different trios each night; and on Dec. 6 and 7 she appears with her quintet Code Girl, which released a critically lauded album last year.” (NYT-GIOVANNI RUSSONELLO)

Elsewhere, but these two are easy subway trips and look worth the detour:

RBA: GAMELAN KUSUMA LARAS with I.M. HARJITO | Music and Dance of Java
Roulette, 509 Atlantic Ave. Bklyn. / 8PM, $30
Gamelan Kusuma Laras is a group that specializes in courtly Javanese repertoire under the direction of the renowned I. M. Harjito.

GD: I am a trained Gamelan player, and if you are not familiar with classic gamelan music, you must give this a shot.

The Hold Steady (Dec.4-7)
Veterans at work.
Brooklyn Bowl / 8PM, $45
Brooklyn indie rockers decided to start a band after seeing Martin Scorsese’s Thanksgiving rock doc The Last Waltz. Seven studio albums in, they’re a rock-and-roll institution in their own right, thanks to a wellspring of anthemic grooves and lead singer Craig Finn’s detailed storytelling. In 2016, the band came home for a run of shows to celebrate 2006’s Boys and Girls in America; it’s now an annual tradition.” (NYMag,-C.J.)

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Smart Stuff / Other NYC EventS

Elsewhere, but this is always worth the detour:

Target First Saturday at the Brooklyn Museum: Best of the Borough
Brooklyn Museum, 200 Eastern Parkway (Washington Ave.) / 5-11PM, FREE
“The Brooklyn Museum throws its monthly First Saturday fete, this one keeping it local for the “Best of the Borough,” including a 5pm Latin music kick off courtesy of Los Hacheros. As “modern-day torchbearers of the golden age of Latin music,” Los Hacheros infuse the folkloric styles of son montuno, guaracha, and salsa with bomba rhythms.

For twenty years, First Saturdays have been the freshest place to kick off the month. To ensure the safety of visitors and to comply with city fire codes, starting at 5 pm, please enter through the front of the Museum. Keep in mind that there could be lines for entry and that the museum may have to limit entry when we reach maximum capacity.” (ThoughtGallery)

Shop for offbeat gifts at the Oddities Flea Market
“At an event curated by Ryan Matthew Cohn of Science Channel’s “Oddities” and produced by his spouse Regina Cohn (both pictured), this “Holiday of Wonders” market gives those looking for holiday gifts a chance to find the offbeat, unusual and unexpected. Items range from anatomical curios and art inspired by the dark side of life to taxidermy, jewelry and medical history ephemera. Take a break from browsing by dining on wood-fired pizzas from Roberta’s ( robertaspizza.com).” (Newsday)
WHEN | WHERE 10 a.m.-noon Dec. 7-8; Villain LLC, 307 Kent Ave, Brooklyn
INFO $30; theodditiesfleamarket.com

Continuing Events

NYC holiday markets – five to explore.  (Newsday)

HOLIDAY SHOPS AT BRYANT PARK

WHEN | WHERE Oct. 31-Jan. 5, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Friday and 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, 40th Street and Sixth Avenue
INFO bryantpark.org/eat-drink/holiday-shops

UNION SQUARE HOLIDAY MARKET

WHEN | WHERE Nov. 21-Dec. 24, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday, Union Square Park’s southern side
INFO urbanspacenyc.com

COLUMBUS CIRCLE HOLIDAY MARKET

WHEN | WHERE Dec. 4-24, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday, 59th Street and Central Park West
INFO urbanspacenyc.com

GRAND CENTRAL HOLIDAY FAIR

WHEN | WHERE Nov. 18-Dec. 24, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday (closed Thanksgiving; open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Christmas Eve), Vanderbilt Hall at Grand Central Terminal, 89 E. 42nd St.
INFO grandcentralterminal.com

GRAND BAZAAR NYC

WHEN | WHERE Nov. 24 and Dec. 1, 8, 15 and 22, 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m., 100 W. 77th St.
INFO grandbazaarnyc.org

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Holiday windows in NYC you won’t want to miss

“‘Tis the season! As Thanksgiving draws near, New York City’s department stores are unveiling their holiday windows. Macy’s, Bergdorf Goodman, Saks Fifth Avenue, American Girl and others are each putting their festive foot forward for the holidays.” (amNY)

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GEORGE BALANCHINE’S THE NUTCRACKER
NEW YORK CITY BALLET (THRU Jan.5)
NYS Theater, Lincoln Center/ TODAY: 2PM, +8PM,; $95+
“’Twas the day after Thanksgiving and all through the land, ballet companies began trotting out productions of “The Nutcracker,” a holiday dance tradition most grand. And in New York, the grandest among them is City Ballet’s, formally known as “George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker,” which has been performed since 1954. That title rightly emphasizes this version’s secret weapon: Act II’s glorious choreography, particularly the breathtaking final pas de deux between the Sugarplum Fairy and her cavalier. Act I has its own virtuosic feat in the form of a supersize Christmas tree, which captures all the magic and wonder of this familiar tale.” (NYT-Brian Schaefer)

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

COMING SOON (WFUV)

12/7 The Blind Boys of Alabama Christmas Show, Concert Hall at the NY Society for Ethical Culture
12/8 Crooked Still, Music Hall of Williamsburg
12/9 Pixies, Webster Hall
12/9 Cautious Clay, Brooklyn Steel
12/10 Holiday Cheer for FUV with Mavis Staples, Nathaniel Rateliff, Yola and special guests, Beacon Theatre
12/11 Ingrid Michaelson, (le) Poisson Rouge

Fall Concerts (nycgo.com)

David Byrne’s American Utopia on Broadway
October 4­, 2019–January 19, 2020
Hudson Theatre
“The Talking Heads frontman hits Broadway with a show based on his latest album—but you can expect some old favorites as well.”

==========================================================================
♦ Before making final plans, we suggest you call the venue to confirm ticket availability, plus dates and times, as schedules are subject to change.
♦ NYCity, with a population of  8.6 million, had a record 65 million visitors last year and was TripAdvisor’s Traveler’s Choice Top U.S. Destination for 2019 – the ninth consecutive year. BUT quality shows draw crowds. Try to reserve seats for these top NYC events in advance, even if just earlier on the day of performance.

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A PremierPub and 3 Good Eating Places – Greenwich Village

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

CAFFE VIVALDI HAS CLOSED, VERY SAD.
I HAVE LEFT THIS REVIEW ON MY SITE AS A KIND OF MEMORIAL and A WARNING. WE HAVE TO WORK HARDER TO SAVE THESE SPECIAL PLACES.

As reported in the “Gothamist”:
“Caffe Vivaldi, one of the last bohemian bastions of the West Village, is set to close this weekend. During its 35 years on Jones Street, the casual cafe won the hearts of locals and celebs alike, including Oscar Isaac, Bette Midler, and Al Pacino.

Despite that friendly communal atmosphere, the owners ultimately struggled to survive under their notorious vulture landlord Steve Croman, who they say waged a harassment campaign against the restaurant, and eventually tripled their rent.”
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“Pub” is used in it’s broadest sense – bars, bar/restaurants, jazz clubs, wine bars, tapas bars, craft beer bars, dive bars, cocktail lounges, and of course, pubs – just about anyplace you can get a drink without a cover charge.

If you have a fave premier pub or good eating place on Manhattan’s WestSide let us all know about it – leave a comment.
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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. $9 gets you 6 of the freshest oysters or clams + a glass of wine or beer. Don’t know how they can do it, but I tell everyone I know about this place. And it’s located right in the heart of some of the best no cover music in town.

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

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

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

◊ For all my picks of 54 Good Eating places, and essays on my favorite 18 PremierPubs in 9 Neighborhoods on Manhattan’s WestSide, order a copy of my e-book:
“Eating and Drinking on NYCity’s WestSide” ($4.99, available SPRING 2020).
◊ Order before MAY. 31, 2020 and receive a bonus – 27 of my favorite casual dining places with free Wi-Fi.

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Bonus NYC Music Venues:
So much fine live music every night in this town. These are my favorite non jazz music venues on Manhattan’s WestSide. Check out who’s playing tonight:

City Winery – 155 Varick St., citywinery.com, 212-608-0555
Joe’s Pub @ Public Theater – 425 Lafayette St., joespub.com, 212-967-7555
Beacon Theatre – 2124 Broadway @ 74th St., beacontheatre.com, 212-465-6500
Town Hall – 123 W43rd St., thetownhall.org, 212-997-6661
Le Poisson Rouge – 158 Bleecker St., lepoissonrouge.com, 212-505-3474
and one more, not quite WestSide
Bowery Ballroom – 6 Delancey St. boweryballroom.comFor a comprehensive list of the best places to hear All Types of Live Music in Manhattan see the tab above “LiveMusic.”

In Memoriam:
Caffe Vivaldi – 32 Jones St. nr Bleecker St. caffevivaldi.com, 212-691-7538
a classic, old jazz club in the Village, Caffe V often surprises with a wonderfully eclectic lineup. It’s my favorite spot for an evening of listening discovery and enjoyment.
Alas, Caffe V is no more, another victim of a rapacious NYC landlord. Owner Ishrat fought the good fight and Caffe V will be sorely missed.

I MEMORIALIZE THIS WONDERFUL CLUB AS A WARNING.
WE HAVE TO WORK HARDER TO SAVE THESE SPECIAL PLACES.

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NYCity Vacation Travel Guide Video (Expedia):
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NYC Events,”Only the Best” (12/06) + Museum Special Exhibitions: Manhattan’s WestSide

Posted on 12/06/2019 by GregD

Today’s Elite 8 NYC Events > FRIDAY/ DECEMBER 06, 2019

“We search the internet everyday looking for the very best of What’s Happening, primarily on Manhattan’s WestSide, so that you don’t have to.” We make it as easy as 1-2-3.

For future NYC Events, check the tab above:  “December NYC Events”
It’s the most comprehensive list of top events this month that you will find anywhere.
Carefully curated from “Only the Best” NYC event info on the the web, it’s a simply superb resource that will help you plan your NYC visit all over town, all through the month.

OR to make your own after dinner plans TONIGHT, see the tab above;  “LiveMusic.”

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

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

‘DIASPORA SONGS’
at Carnegie Hall / 8 p.m.; $29+
“The Beninese vocalist Angélique Kidjo curated this major concert, and put the trumpeter Terence Blanchard in charge of its musical direction. The program that these two Grammy-winning artists have assembled addresses the broad range of music that has emerged from the African diaspora in roughly the past century: jazz, gospel, Afrobeat, Afro-Caribbean, hip-hop and much more. Performers will include Blanchard’s quintet, the E-Collective; the breakout New Orleans band Tank and the Bangas; the pianist and “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert” bandleader Jon Batiste; and members of the RAREdancework performance group.” (NYT-GIOVANNI RUSSONELLO)

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7 OTHER TOP NYC EVENTS TODAY (see below for full listing)
>> Masterworks Series – Johnny Gandelsman
>> SHE & HIM
>> The Hold Steady
>> ‘Bob Dylan
>> Mary Halvorson
>> The Body/The Self: An Out-Of-Body Experience with Sightline Arts
>> Fashion Speak Fridays: 1950s in Vogue

You may want to look at previous days posts for events that continue through today.

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

Music, Dance, Performing Arts

Elsewhere, but these three are easy subway trips and look worth the detour:

Masterworks Series – Johnny Gandelsman
Bargemusic, Fulton Ferry Landing / 7PM, $35
“When you’re a violinist who has mastered and recorded a personal interpretation of Bach’s foundational sonatas and partitas, a question arises: What next? Johnny Gandelsman, an unconventional virtuoso known for his work with the Silk Road Project and Brooklyn Rider, opts for a path less travelled. In two Bargemusic recitals, on Friday and Sunday, he appropriates and adapts the composer’s equally monumental Suites for Solo Cello.” (Steve Smith, NewYorker)

SHE & HIM
at Kings Theater / 8 p.m.; $40
“Holiday music is, almost invariably, laden with nostalgia; this folk-pop pair are natural proprietors of the stuff. Together, the duo of M. Ward and Zooey Deschanel sing and play in sepia tones, drawing from a repertoire that includes both originals and classics culled across decades. She & Him’s penchant for covers has led them to record two albums’ worth of Christmas standards, on which they pay homage to holiday giants from Irving Berlin to Mariah Carey. Their renditions of these festive tunes wouldn’t sound out of place piping from an antique radio; in lieu of that option, you can see them performed live on Friday at this palatial theater in Flatbush, Brooklyn.” (OLIVIA HORN, NYT)

The Hold Steady (Dec.4-7)
Veterans at work.
Brooklyn Bowl / 8PM, $45
Brooklyn indie rockers decided to start a band after seeing Martin Scorsese’s Thanksgiving rock doc The Last Waltz. Seven studio albums in, they’re a rock-and-roll institution in their own right, thanks to a wellspring of anthemic grooves and lead singer Craig Finn’s detailed storytelling. In 2016, the band came home for a run of shows to celebrate 2006’s Boys and Girls in America; it’s now an annual tradition.” (NYMag,-C.J.)

Bob Dylan (LAST DAY)
Beacon Theatre, 2124 Broadway / 8PM, $99+
“Bob Dylan famously maintains a restless touring schedule that renders him a nomad for much of the year but often returns him to the place of his artistic birth; this year, he settles in for a whopping ten-night stand. Among rock élites, Dylan remains peerless. His concerts are strictly pander-free zones—no cheesy pleas to clap or sing along, no glut of backup musicians, usually no “Like a Rolling Stone.” Rather, Dylan asks audiences to ignore his legend and engage with his firecracker band, its every elegant rumble rooted to the present.” (Jay Ruttenberg, NewYorker)

Mary Halvorson (Dec. 3-7)
The Stone at the New School, 55 W. 13th St./ 8:30 p.m.; $20
“It’s hard to sum up this experimental guitarist in a simple word like “influential”: Her choppy, crinkled, effects-pedal-laden style is too singular to be widely replicated. But now more than ever, there is no denying the status of Halvorson — who received a 2019 MacArthur fellowship in September — as a leading figure in jazz. Next week she will take a victory lap at the Stone, a familiar stomping ground, alongside a few longtime collaborators: On Tuesday she plays in a duet with the remarkable Swiss pianist Sylvie Courvoisier; on Wednesday and Dec. 5 she brings different trios each night; and on Dec. 6 and 7 she appears with her quintet Code Girl, which released a critically lauded album last year.” (NYT-GIOVANNI RUSSONELLO)

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Smart Stuff / Other NYC EventS

The Body/The Self: An Out-Of-Body Experience with Sightline Arts
The Greene Space, 44 Charlton St./ 7PM, $20
“Have an out-of-body experience as The Greene Space hosts The Body/The Self, which brings together theatre and tech to force new perspectives on participants. Take part yourself or just watch and learn.

How much of the way that other people perceive the words you say depends on way you look and sound as you say them? What if you could change your race, your sex, and your age to be heard differently?

We’re doing that tonight using a new blend of theater and tech called Second Body, with audience volunteers paired with performers for a unique chance to express themselves through someone else and explore all the emotions the experience can provide.

Sign up early to take part in a Second Body experience yourself from 6 to 7pm (sign-ups will be available shortly). Or be there at 7pm for live demonstration and performance, followed by discussion of identity and the body with academics, artists and thought leaders.” (ThoughtGallery)

Fashion Speak Fridays: 1950s in Vogue
The National Arts Club, 15 Gramercy Park S./ 7PM, FREE
“Join fashion historian Rebecca Tuite for an evening on American Vogue’s most enigmatic editor-in-chef, Jessica Daves, and a fascinating moment in the magazine’s history.

Appointed editor-in-chief in 1952, Daves began a decade-long effort to elevate the world’s most influential fashion magazine to new standards. Daves’s Vogue was the first to embrace a “high/low” blend of fashion, offering a complete vision of how other areas of modern life contributed to defining taste and style, and profiling contemporary style-icons, from John and Jackie Kennedy to Charles and Ray Eames.”

Continuing Events

NYC holiday markets – five to explore.  (Newsday)

HOLIDAY SHOPS AT BRYANT PARK

WHEN | WHERE Oct. 31-Jan. 5, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Friday and 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, 40th Street and Sixth Avenue
INFO bryantpark.org/eat-drink/holiday-shops

UNION SQUARE HOLIDAY MARKET

WHEN | WHERE Nov. 21-Dec. 24, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday, Union Square Park’s southern side
INFO urbanspacenyc.com

COLUMBUS CIRCLE HOLIDAY MARKET

WHEN | WHERE Dec. 4-24, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday, 59th Street and Central Park West
INFO urbanspacenyc.com

GRAND CENTRAL HOLIDAY FAIR

WHEN | WHERE Nov. 18-Dec. 24, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday (closed Thanksgiving; open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Christmas Eve), Vanderbilt Hall at Grand Central Terminal, 89 E. 42nd St.
INFO grandcentralterminal.com

GRAND BAZAAR NYC

WHEN | WHERE Nov. 24 and Dec. 1, 8, 15 and 22, 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m., 100 W. 77th St.
INFO grandbazaarnyc.org

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Holiday windows in NYC you won’t want to miss

“‘Tis the season! As Thanksgiving draws near, New York City’s department stores are unveiling their holiday windows. Macy’s, Bergdorf Goodman, Saks Fifth Avenue, American Girl and others are each putting their festive foot forward for the holidays.” (amNY)

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

GEORGE BALANCHINE’S THE NUTCRACKER
NEW YORK CITY BALLET (THRU Jan.5)
NYS Theater, Lincoln Center/ TODAY: 2PM, +8PM,; $95+
“’Twas the day after Thanksgiving and all through the land, ballet companies began trotting out productions of “The Nutcracker,” a holiday dance tradition most grand. And in New York, the grandest among them is City Ballet’s, formally known as “George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker,” which has been performed since 1954. That title rightly emphasizes this version’s secret weapon: Act II’s glorious choreography, particularly the breathtaking final pas de deux between the Sugarplum Fairy and her cavalier. Act I has its own virtuosic feat in the form of a supersize Christmas tree, which captures all the magic and wonder of this familiar tale.” (NYT-Brian Schaefer)

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

COMING SOON (WFUV)

12/5-6 Bob Dylan, Beacon Theatre
12/6 39th Annual John Lennon Tribute, Symphony Space
12/7 The Blind Boys of Alabama Christmas Show, Concert Hall at the NY Society for Ethical Culture
12/8 Crooked Still, Music Hall of Williamsburg
12/9 Pixies, Webster Hall
12/9 Cautious Clay, Brooklyn Steel
12/10 Holiday Cheer for FUV with Mavis Staples, Nathaniel Rateliff, Yola and special guests, Beacon Theatre
12/11 Ingrid Michaelson, (le) Poisson Rouge

Fall Concerts (nycgo.com)

David Byrne’s American Utopia on Broadway
October 4­, 2019–January 19, 2020
Hudson Theatre
“The Talking Heads frontman hits Broadway with a show based on his latest album—but you can expect some old favorites as well.”

==========================================================================
♦ Before making final plans, we suggest you call the venue to confirm ticket availability, plus dates and times, as schedules are subject to change.
♦ NYCity, with a population of  8.6 million, had a record 65 million visitors last year and was TripAdvisor’s Traveler’s Choice Top U.S. Destination for 2019 – the ninth consecutive year. BUT quality shows draw crowds. Try to reserve seats for these top NYC events in advance, even if just earlier on the day of performance.

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

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

‘BETYE SAAR: THE LEGENDS OF “BLACK GIRL’S WINDOW”’ at the Museum of Modern Art (through Jan. 4).

“Black Girl’s Window,” which consists of an old window frame that Saar filled with a constellation of images, is the focus of this exhibition, one of several helping to reopen MoMA. Concentrating on Saar’s early years as an artist, it tracks the experiments in printmaking and assemblage that led her to arrive at the titular work. Despite the unusual color of the gallery’s deep purple walls, the show is relatively modest — a scholarly study of a specific period, anchored by MoMA’s recent acquisition of a group of 42 of her works on paper. Two pieces from 1972 that represent her shift from the mystical to the political — “Black Crows in the White Section Only,” which brings together a variety of racist advertisements, and “Let Me Entertain You,” which shows a minstrel singer with a guitar transforming into a black liberation fighter with a rifle — serve as a kind of coda. Their appearance at the end offers a tantalizing glimpse of the iconoclastic artist Saar was on her way to becoming. (Jillian Steinhauer-NYT)
212-708-9400, moma.org

‘T. REX: THE ULTIMATE PREDATOR’
American Museum of Natural History (through Aug. 9, 2020).

“Everyone’s favorite 18,000-pound prehistoric killer gets the star treatment in this eye-opening exhibition, which presents the latest scientific research on T. rex and also introduces many other tyrannosaurs, some discovered only this century in China and Mongolia. T. rex evolved mainly during the Cretaceous Period to have keen eyes, spindly arms and massive conical teeth, which could bear down on prey with the force of a U-Haul truck; the dinosaur could even swallow whole bones, as affirmed here by a kid-friendly display of fossilized excrement. The show mixes 66-million-year-old teeth with the latest 3-D prints of dino bones, and also presents new models of T. rex as a baby, a juvenile and a full-grown annihilator. Turns out this most savage beast was covered with — believe it! — a soft coat of beige or white feathers.” (Farago-NYT)

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‘AUSCHWITZ. NOT LONG AGO. NOT FAR AWAY’
at the Museum of Jewish Heritage (through Jan. 3).
“Killing as a communal business, made widely lucrative by the Third Reich, permeates this traveling exhibition about the largest German death camp, Auschwitz, whose yawning gatehouse, with its converging rail tracks, has become emblematic of the Holocaust. Well timed, during a worldwide surge of anti-Semitism, the harrowing installation strives, successfully, for fresh relevance. The exhibition illuminates the topography of evil, the deliberate designing of a hell on earth by fanatical racists and compliant architects and provisioners, while also highlighting the strenuous struggle for survival in a place where, as Primo Levi learned, “there is no why.” (NYT-Ralph Blumenthal)

In the Company of Harold Prince
A prince with no heir.
New York Public Library for the Performing Arts (through March 31)

“Losing Hal Prince this year meant the end of an era. No other producer-director will ever again have Prince’s string of stupendous hits; no one man will ever again become so closely identified with Broadway stagecraft. He worked on everything, from West Side Story to The Phantom of the Opera, from Cabaret to Sweeney Todd, and if not everything he touched turned to gold — nonetheless, he did have the golden touch. This exhibition at the NYPL is a dragon’s hoard of scripts, photographs, set models, and even re-creations of his paperwork. Study it closely and you might become the next great theatrical mind … if not a Prince, then possibly a really talented duchess.” (Vulture, NY Magazine-H.S.)

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For other selected Museum and Gallery Special Exhibitions see Recent Posts in right Sidebar dated 12/04 and 12/02.

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15 Plays and Musicals to Go to in N.Y.C. This Weekend – NewYorkTimes (12/06/19)

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Must-see theater coming to New York City stages this fall (amNY)

10 must-see Off-Broadway shows (amNY)

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NYT Theater Reviews – NYT theater critics on the plays and musicals currently open in New York City.

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and, drum roll, here are all the media critics opinions on all the plays – Playbill’s “the Verdict”

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For good, comprehensive and current info:

Broadway Shows: What to See and How to Get Cheap Tickets (NYT)

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finally, lot’s of useful info on TKTS discount tickets from the headout blog:

Everything You Need to Know About TKTS Broadway Tickets

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

NYCity Vacation Travel Guide Video (Expedia):
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NYC Events,”Only the Best” (12/05) + Today’s Featured Pub (Midtown West)

Posted on 12/05/2019 by GregD

Today’s Elite 8 NYC Events > THURSDAY/ DECEMBER 05, 2019

“We search the internet everyday looking for the very best of What’s Happening, primarily on Manhattan’s WestSide, so that you don’t have to.” We make it as easy as 1-2-3.

For future NYC Events, check the tab above:  “December NYC Events”
It’s the most comprehensive list of top events this month that you will find anywhere.
Carefully curated from “Only the Best” NYC event info on the the web, it’s a simply superb resource that will help you plan your NYC visit all over town, all through the month.

OR to make your own after dinner plans TONIGHT, see the tab above;  “LiveMusic.”

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

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

NY Philharmonic Open Rehearsal (next Thu. Dec.5)
David Geffen Hall, Lincoln Center / 9:45AM, $22
An Open Rehearsal is a fascinating opportunity to watch the New York Philharmonic at work, and see how a piece of music is shaped and polished by the conductor and the musicians. All Open Rehearsals are “working” rehearsals and therefore the program may not be played in its entirety.

Today: Bronfman and Beethoven
Yefim Bronfman brings his brilliance and power to Beethoven’s sublime Piano Concerto No. 4. From the same composer, Maestro van Zweden conducts the jubilant, high-spirited Second Symphony that foreshadows the power and drive we associate with Beethoven. Steve Reich’s propulsive new work pays homage to the Baroque concerto grosso.
Program to Include
Beethoven: Symphony No. 2
Steve Reich: Music for Ensemble and Orchestra
Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 4

Open Rehearsals begin at 9:45 AM (except where noted) in David Geffen Hall, and end at approximately 12:30 PM (sometimes extending to 1 PM, at the discretion of the conductor).

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

7 OTHER TOP NYC EVENTS TODAY (see below for full listing)
>> The Queen of Spades
>> The Hold Steady
>> Jokes and Jazz with Sheila Anderson & Wali Collins
>> ‘Bob Dylan
>> Mary Halvorson
>> The Ultimate NYC Trivia Night
>> Book Signing with Gloria Steinem

You may want to look at previous days posts for events that continue through today.

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

Music, Dance, Performing Arts

The Metropolitan Opera
The Queen of Spades (next Dec.8, 3PM)
Metropolitan Opera House / 7:30PM, $103+
“Tchaikovsky’s eerie thriller of imperial Russia has its first performances at the Met since 2011. Tenor Aleksandrs Antonenko is Hermann, the fanatical gambler whose obsession with a powerful secret drives him to madness. Soprano Lise Davidsen makes her highly anticipated Met debut as his long-suffering lover, Lisa, with mezzo-soprano Larissa Diadkova as the otherworldly Countess. Baritone Igor Golovatenko is Yeletsky, baritone Alexey Markov is Tomsky, and Vasily Petrenko conducts.”

Elsewhere, but this looks worth the detour:

The Hold Steady (Dec.4-7)
Veterans at work.
Brooklyn Bowl / 8PM, $45
Brooklyn indie rockers decided to start a band after seeing Martin Scorsese’s Thanksgiving rock doc The Last Waltz. Seven studio albums in, they’re a rock-and-roll institution in their own right, thanks to a wellspring of anthemic grooves and lead singer Craig Finn’s detailed storytelling. In 2016, the band came home for a run of shows to celebrate 2006’s Boys and Girls in America; it’s now an annual tradition.” (NYMag,-C.J.)

Jokes and Jazz with Sheila Anderson & Wali Collins
Atrium @ Lincoln Center / 7:30PM, FREE
“Enjoy hilarious stand-up comedy in between sets of some of the country’s most talented musicians. WBGO jazz radio personality Sheila Anderson hosts this dynamic evening, joined by international headlining comedian Wali Collins. Take in Anderson’s wit and charm as she showcases the Willerm Delisfort Trio that she handpicked herself. Funnyman Wali Collins and two of his fellow headlining comedians—Joe DeVito and Joyelle Nikki Johnson— will provide the belly laughs to make it a night to remember.”

Bob Dylan (thru Dec.6)
Beacon Theatre, 2124 Broadway / 8PM, $99+
“Bob Dylan famously maintains a restless touring schedule that renders him a nomad for much of the year but often returns him to the place of his artistic birth; this year, he settles in for a whopping ten-night stand. Among rock élites, Dylan remains peerless. His concerts are strictly pander-free zones—no cheesy pleas to clap or sing along, no glut of backup musicians, usually no “Like a Rolling Stone.” Rather, Dylan asks audiences to ignore his legend and engage with his firecracker band, its every elegant rumble rooted to the present.” (Jay Ruttenberg, NewYorker)

Mary Halvorson (Dec. 3-7)
The Stone at the New School, 55 W. 13th St./ 8:30 p.m.; $20
“It’s hard to sum up this experimental guitarist in a simple word like “influential”: Her choppy, crinkled, effects-pedal-laden style is too singular to be widely replicated. But now more than ever, there is no denying the status of Halvorson — who received a 2019 MacArthur fellowship in September — as a leading figure in jazz. Next week she will take a victory lap at the Stone, a familiar stomping ground, alongside a few longtime collaborators: On Tuesday she plays in a duet with the remarkable Swiss pianist Sylvie Courvoisier; on Wednesday and Dec. 5 she brings different trios each night; and on Dec. 6 and 7 she appears with her quintet Code Girl, which released a critically lauded album last year.” (NYT-GIOVANNI RUSSONELLO)

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

Smart Stuff / Other NYC EventS

The Ultimate NYC Trivia Night
Museum of the City of New York, 1220 Fifth Ave./ 6:30PM, $15
“The Museum of the City of New York and the Gotham Center for New York City History present a night of trivia inspired by the city we know best. From architecture and art to transportation and pop culture, we’ll put your knowledge of NYC to the test in categories spanning the city’s epic 400-year history. Prizes will be awarded to top teams!”

Elsewhere, but this looks worth the detour:

Book Signing with Gloria Steinem
Books Are Magic, 225 Smith St./ 6:30PM, FREE
“Join Gloria Steinem for a book signing of her latest release, which gathers key quotes from decades of struggle. In addition to Steinem’s own thoughts on categories like relationships, the patriarchy, and activism, the book includes quotes from prominent friends.”

Continuing Events

NYC holiday markets – five to explore.  (Newsday)

HOLIDAY SHOPS AT BRYANT PARK

WHEN | WHERE Oct. 31-Jan. 5, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Friday and 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, 40th Street and Sixth Avenue
INFO bryantpark.org/eat-drink/holiday-shops

UNION SQUARE HOLIDAY MARKET

WHEN | WHERE Nov. 21-Dec. 24, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday, Union Square Park’s southern side
INFO urbanspacenyc.com

COLUMBUS CIRCLE HOLIDAY MARKET

WHEN | WHERE Dec. 4-24, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday, 59th Street and Central Park West
INFO urbanspacenyc.com

GRAND CENTRAL HOLIDAY FAIR

WHEN | WHERE Nov. 18-Dec. 24, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday (closed Thanksgiving; open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Christmas Eve), Vanderbilt Hall at Grand Central Terminal, 89 E. 42nd St.
INFO grandcentralterminal.com

GRAND BAZAAR NYC

WHEN | WHERE Nov. 24 and Dec. 1, 8, 15 and 22, 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m., 100 W. 77th St.
INFO grandbazaarnyc.org

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Holiday windows in NYC you won’t want to miss

“‘Tis the season! As Thanksgiving draws near, New York City’s department stores are unveiling their holiday windows. Macy’s, Bergdorf Goodman, Saks Fifth Avenue, American Girl and others are each putting their festive foot forward for the holidays.” (amNY)

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

GEORGE BALANCHINE’S THE NUTCRACKER
NEW YORK CITY BALLET (THRU Jan.5)
NYS Theater, Lincoln Center/ TODAY: 2PM, +8PM,; $95+
“’Twas the day after Thanksgiving and all through the land, ballet companies began trotting out productions of “The Nutcracker,” a holiday dance tradition most grand. And in New York, the grandest among them is City Ballet’s, formally known as “George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker,” which has been performed since 1954. That title rightly emphasizes this version’s secret weapon: Act II’s glorious choreography, particularly the breathtaking final pas de deux between the Sugarplum Fairy and her cavalier. Act I has its own virtuosic feat in the form of a supersize Christmas tree, which captures all the magic and wonder of this familiar tale.” (NYT-Brian Schaefer)

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

COMING SOON (WFUV)

12/5-6 Bob Dylan, Beacon Theatre
12/6 39th Annual John Lennon Tribute, Symphony Space
12/7 The Blind Boys of Alabama Christmas Show, Concert Hall at the NY Society for Ethical Culture
12/8 Crooked Still, Music Hall of Williamsburg
12/9 Pixies, Webster Hall
12/9 Cautious Clay, Brooklyn Steel
12/10 Holiday Cheer for FUV with Mavis Staples, Nathaniel Rateliff, Yola and special guests, Beacon Theatre
12/11 Ingrid Michaelson, (le) Poisson Rouge

Fall Concerts (nycgo.com)

David Byrne’s American Utopia on Broadway
October 4­, 2019–January 19, 2020
Hudson Theatre
“The Talking Heads frontman hits Broadway with a show based on his latest album—but you can expect some old favorites as well.”

==========================================================================
♦ Before making final plans, we suggest you call the venue to confirm ticket availability, plus dates and times, as schedules are subject to change.
♦ NYCity, with a population of  8.6 million, had a record 65 million visitors last year and was TripAdvisor’s Traveler’s Choice Top U.S. Destination for 2019 – the ninth consecutive year. BUT quality shows draw crowds. Try to reserve seats for these top NYC events in advance, even if just earlier on the day of performance.

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

A PremierPub / Midtown West

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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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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Bonus Live Music  – NYC Jazz Clubs:
Many consider NYCity the Jazz capital of the world. My favorite Jazz Clubs, all on Manhattan’s WestSide, feature top talent every night of the week.
Hit the Hot Link and check out who is playing tonight:

Greenwich Village:
(4 are underground, classic jazz joints. all 6 are within walking distance of each other):
Village Vanguard – UG, 178 7th Ave. So., villagevanguard.com, 212-255-4037 (1st 8:30)
Blue Note – 131 W3rd St. nr 6th ave. bluenotejazz.com, 212-475-8592 (1st set 8pm)
55 Bar – basement @55 Christopher St. nr 7th ave.S. 55bar.com, 212-929-9883 (1st 7pm)
Mezzrow – basement @ 163 W10th St. nr 7th Ave. mezzrow.com,646-476-4346 (1st 8)
Smalls – basement @ 183 W10th St. smallslive.com, 646-476-4346 (1st set 7:30pm)
The Stone at The New School – 55 w13 St. (btw 6/5 ave) – thestonenyc.com (8:30PM)

Outside Greenwich Village:
Dizzy’s Club – Broadway @ 60th St. — jazz.org/dizzys / 212-258-9595 (1st set 7:30pm)
Birdland – 315 W44th St.(btw 8/9ave) — birdlandjazz.com / 212-581-3080 (1st 8:30pm)
Smoke Jazz Club – 2751 Broadway nr.106th St. — smokejazz.com/ 212-864-6662 (7pm)
Jazz Standard – 116 E27 St. (btw Park/Lex) – jazzstandard.com – (1st set 7:30)

For a comprehensive list of the best places to hear All Types of Live Music in Manhattan see the tab above “LiveMusic.”

In Memoriam:
Caffe Vivaldi – 32 Jones St. nr Bleecker St. — caffevivaldi.com / 212-691-7538 (1st 7pm)
a classic, old jazz club in the Village, Caffe V often surprised with a wonderfully eclectic lineup. It was my favorite spot for an evening of listening enjoyment and discovery.
Alas, Caffe V is no more, another victim of a rapacious NYC landlord. Owner Ishrat fought the good fight and Caffe V will be sorely missed.
Cornelia Street Cafe – UG, 29 Cornelia St. corneliastreetcafe.com, 212-989-9319
And more recently we have lost Cornelia Street Cafe. After 41 years, it too became another victim of an unreasonable rent increase.

I MEMORIALIZE THESE TWO WONDERFUL CLUBS AS A WARNING.
WE HAVE TO WORK HARDER TO SAVE THESE SPECIAL PLACES.

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NYCity Vacation Travel Guide Video (Expedia):
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NYC Events,”Only the Best” (12/04) + GallerySpecialExhibits: Chelsea

Posted on 12/04/2019 by GregD

Today’s Super 7 NYC Events > WEDNESDAY/ DECEMBER 04, 2019

“We search the internet everyday looking for the very best of What’s Happening, primarily on Manhattan’s WestSide, so that you don’t have to.” We make it as easy as 1-2-3.

For future NYC Events, check the tab above:  “December NYC Events”
It’s the most comprehensive list of top events this month that you will find anywhere.
Carefully curated from “Only the Best” NYC event info on the the web, it’s a simply superb resource that will help you plan your NYC visit all over town, all through the month.

OR to make your own after dinner plans TONIGHT, see the tab above;  “LiveMusic.”

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

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

Béla Fleck and the Flecktones
The Town Hall / 8PM, $45
“The virtuosic banjo player is a staple on the jam-band circuit, but even those who don’t live for perfectly executed impromptu fusion wizardry might know Fleck’s work—he and his Flecktones composed incidental music for the Weather Channel.” (TONY)

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

7 OTHER TOP NYC EVENTS TODAY (see below for full listing)
>> Arturo Sandoval
>> Michael Cerveris and Loose Cattle
>> KATIE VON SCHLEICHER
>> ‘AKHNATEN’
>> Mary Halvorson
>> Southern Sounds: Listening Party with Dust-to-Digital

You may want to look at previous days posts for events that continue through today.

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

Music, Dance, Performing Arts

Arturo Sandoval
Blue Note / 8PM, +10:30PM, $30-$45
“A protégé of the legendary jazz master Dizzy Gillespie, Arturo Sandoval has evolved into one of the world’s most acknowledged guardians of jazz trumpet and flugelhorn, as well as a renowned classical artist, pianist and composer. Sandoval has been awarded 10 Grammy Awards, and nominated 19 times; he has also received 6 Billboard Awards and an Emmy Award.”

 Michael Cerveris and Loose Cattle
Joe’s Pub at the Public Theater / 9:30PM, $20
“Two-time Tony winner Cerveris (Fun Home) herds his “countrypolitain” band, Loose Cattle, through the sounds of the South in a holiday-themed show celebrating the release of their new LP, Seasonal Affective Disorder. In addition to co-vocalist Kimberly Kaye, the show features singing by Will Chase, Laura Cantrell and Gotham stars Ben McKenzie and Robin Lord Taylor.” (TONY)

Elsewhere, but this looks worth the detour:

KATIE VON SCHLEICHER
at the Sultan Room / 9 p.m.; $15
This Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter has listed Bruce Springsteen’s angst, 10cc’s camp and Elton John’s emotive melodies as touchstones for her ’70s-influenced indie rock. For the local label Ba Da Bing!, where Von Schleicher worked as an intern before joining the artist roster, she writes and records music that pairs soaring melodies with knotty lyrics about mental illness and instability, all of it coated in analog fuzz. The homemade aesthetic of Von Schleicher’s latest album — which originated from a set of cassette recordings she made at her family home in Maryland — creates a pervasive sense of coziness. On Wednesday, Von Schleicher will perform an opening set at the record release show of Gabriel Birnbaum, her sometime bandmate.” (NYT-OLIVIA HORN)

‘AKHNATEN’ (next Dec.7,1PM)
at the Metropolitan Opera / 7:30p.m.; $
“Phelim McDermott’s take on Philip Glass’s opera, originally produced by the English National Opera and the L.A. Opera, arrives in New York, with the superlative countertenor Anthony Roth Costanzo in the title role. He is joined by J’Nai Bridges as Nefertiti, Disella Larusdottir as Queen Tye, Aaron Blake as the High Priest of Amon, Will Liverman as Horemhab, Richard Bernstein as Aye, Zachary James as Amenhotep III, and a troupe of acrobats and jugglers. Karen Kamensek conducts.” (NYT-David Allen)

Mary Halvorson (Dec. 3-7)
The Stone at the New School, 55 W. 13th St./ 8:30 p.m.; $20
“It’s hard to sum up this experimental guitarist in a simple word like “influential”: Her choppy, crinkled, effects-pedal-laden style is too singular to be widely replicated. But now more than ever, there is no denying the status of Halvorson — who received a 2019 MacArthur fellowship in September — as a leading figure in jazz. Next week she will take a victory lap at the Stone, a familiar stomping ground, alongside a few longtime collaborators: On Tuesday she plays in a duet with the remarkable Swiss pianist Sylvie Courvoisier; on Wednesday and Dec. 5 she brings different trios each night; and on Dec. 6 and 7 she appears with her quintet Code Girl, which released a critically lauded album last year.” (NYT-GIOVANNI RUSSONELLO)

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

Smart Stuff / Other NYC EventS

Southern Sounds: Listening Party with Dust-to-Digital
American Folk Art Museum, 2 Lincoln Square / 7PM, $10
“Have you ever wondered what the voice of artist Howard Finster sounded like during his sermons? Or what songs Thornton Dial listened to and was inspired by in his studio while he created his iconic artwork? Join us for a listening party hosted by Atlanta-based record company Dust-to-Digital. Founders Lance and April Ledbetter will play recordings issued by their label and discuss the importance of preserving oral histories and music as cultural artifacts.”

Continuing Events

NYC holiday markets – five to explore.  (Newsday)

HOLIDAY SHOPS AT BRYANT PARK

WHEN | WHERE Oct. 31-Jan. 5, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Friday and 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, 40th Street and Sixth Avenue
INFO bryantpark.org/eat-drink/holiday-shops

UNION SQUARE HOLIDAY MARKET

WHEN | WHERE Nov. 21-Dec. 24, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday, Union Square Park’s southern side
INFO urbanspacenyc.com

COLUMBUS CIRCLE HOLIDAY MARKET

WHEN | WHERE Dec. 4-24, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday, 59th Street and Central Park West
INFO urbanspacenyc.com

GRAND CENTRAL HOLIDAY FAIR

WHEN | WHERE Nov. 18-Dec. 24, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday (closed Thanksgiving; open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Christmas Eve), Vanderbilt Hall at Grand Central Terminal, 89 E. 42nd St.
INFO grandcentralterminal.com

GRAND BAZAAR NYC

WHEN | WHERE Nov. 24 and Dec. 1, 8, 15 and 22, 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m., 100 W. 77th St.
INFO grandbazaarnyc.org

—————————————————————————————————-

Holiday windows in NYC you won’t want to miss

“‘Tis the season! As Thanksgiving draws near, New York City’s department stores are unveiling their holiday windows. Macy’s, Bergdorf Goodman, Saks Fifth Avenue, American Girl and others are each putting their festive foot forward for the holidays.” (amNY)

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

GEORGE BALANCHINE’S THE NUTCRACKER
NEW YORK CITY BALLET (THRU Jan.5)
NYS Theater, Lincoln Center/ TODAY: 2PM, +8PM,; $95+
“’Twas the day after Thanksgiving and all through the land, ballet companies began trotting out productions of “The Nutcracker,” a holiday dance tradition most grand. And in New York, the grandest among them is City Ballet’s, formally known as “George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker,” which has been performed since 1954. That title rightly emphasizes this version’s secret weapon: Act II’s glorious choreography, particularly the breathtaking final pas de deux between the Sugarplum Fairy and her cavalier. Act I has its own virtuosic feat in the form of a supersize Christmas tree, which captures all the magic and wonder of this familiar tale.” (NYT-Brian Schaefer)

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

COMING SOON (WFUV)

12/4 Bon Iver, Kings Theatre
12/4 The Hold Steady, Brooklyn Bowl
12/4 Bela Fleck & The Flecktones, Town Hall

Fall Concerts (nycgo.com)

David Byrne’s American Utopia on Broadway
October 4­, 2019–January 19, 2020
Hudson Theatre
“The Talking Heads frontman hits Broadway with a show based on his latest album—but you can expect some old favorites as well.”

================================================================================
♦ Before making final plans, we suggest you call the venue to confirm ticket availability, plus dates and times, as schedules are subject to change.
♦ NYCity, with a population of  8.6 million, had a record 65 million visitors last year and was TripAdvisor’s Traveler’s Choice Top U.S. Destination for 2019 – the ninth consecutive year. BUT quality shows draw crowds. Try to reserve seats for these top NYC events in advance, even if just earlier on the day of performance.

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

Chelsea Art Gallery District*

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

Here is one exhibition the Vulture (NY Magazine) likes:

One Hundred Drawings (thru Jan.18)
New work from Jasper Johns.
“Matthew Marks curates exhibitions as well or better than most museums.
Witness the dazzling, harmonic optical convergence of 100 drawings spanning three centuries, starting with a Degas from 1859-60 and a late-19th-century ink-and-gouache drawing of a tiger hunt with elephants from northern India. Pros will be astounded at unearthed treasures; art lovers are guaranteed to be transported, surprised, enraptured, and enriched.” —Jerry Saltz
Matthew Marks Gallery, 523 West 24th Street,

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

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

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

TIP: After your gallery tour, stop in Ovest at 513W27th St. for Aperitivo Italiano (Happy Hour on steroids). Discuss all the great art you have viewed over a drink and a very tasty selection of FREE appetizers (M-F, 5-8pm). OR try this NYT recommendation: “When you’re done, adjourn to the newly renovated Bottino , the Chelsea art world’s unofficial canteen on 10th Avenue (btw 24/25 St.) “

=======================================================
For other selected Museum and Gallery Special Exhibitions see recent posts in right sidebar dated 12/02 and 11/30.
=======================================================

9 Plays and Musicals to Go to in N.Y.C. This Weekend – NewYorkTimes (11/28/19)

Must-see theater coming to New York City stages this fall (amNY)

10 must-see Off-Broadway shows (amNY)

m

NYT Theater Reviews – NYT theater critics on the plays and musicals currently open in New York City.

and, drum roll, here are all the media critics opinions on all the plays – Playbill’s “the Verdict”

For good, comprehensive and current info:

Broadway Shows: What to See and How to Get Cheap Tickets (NYT)

finally, lot’s of useful info on TKTS discount tickets from the headout blog:

Everything You Need to Know About TKTS Broadway Tickets

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

NYCity Vacation Travel Guide Video (Expedia):
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NYC Events,”Only the Best” (12/03) + Today’s Featured Pub (Times Square / Theater District)

Posted on 12/03/2019 by GregD

Today’s Elite 8 NYC Events > TUESDAY/ DECEMBER 03, 2019

“We search the internet everyday looking for the very best of What’s Happening, primarily on Manhattan’s WestSide, so that you don’t have to.” We make it as easy as 1-2-3.

For future NYC Events, check the tab above:  “December NYC Events”
It’s the most comprehensive list of top events this month that you will find anywhere.
Carefully curated from “Only the Best” NYC event info on the the web, it’s a simply superb resource that will help you plan your NYC visit all over town, all through the month.

OR to make your own after dinner plans TONIGHT, see the tab above;  “LiveMusic.”

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

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

Sam Amidon / Xylouris White
Le Poisson Rouge, 158 Bleecker St./ 8PM, $25
“On Sam Amidon’s latest EP, “Fatal Flower Garden,” he explores a snippet of “Anthology of American Folk Music,” the fabled six-album dive into the musical underbelly of the twenties and thirties. Amidon may seem a placid ambassador for such sounds, yet, given his upbringing in Vermont bohemia and his immersion in folk, the music lives in his bones. He splits this bill with Xylouris White, a dazzling lute-and-drums duo with its own deep-rooted tradition (Cretan folk) and hippie heritage: its lutist, George Xylouris, grew up accompanying his dad, the lyre virtuoso Psarantonis.” (Jay Ruttenberg, NewYorker)

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

7 OTHER TOP NYC EVENTS TODAY (see below for full listing)
>> Mary Halvorson
>> The Lineup with Susie Mosher
>> Mike Ledonne Groover Quartet
>> Dizzy Gillespie Afro-Latin Experience
>> Le Nozze di Figaro
>> Bob Dylan
>> Mag Men: Fifty Years of Making Magazines

You may want to look at previous days posts for events that continue through today.

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

Music, Dance, Performing Arts

Mary Halvorson (Dec. 3-7)
The Stone at the New School, 55 W. 13th St./ 8:30 p.m.; $20
“It’s hard to sum up this experimental guitarist in a simple word like “influential”: Her choppy, crinkled, effects-pedal-laden style is too singular to be widely replicated. But now more than ever, there is no denying the status of Halvorson — who received a 2019 MacArthur fellowship in September — as a leading figure in jazz. Next week she will take a victory lap at the Stone, a familiar stomping ground, alongside a few longtime collaborators: On Tuesday she plays in a duet with the remarkable Swiss pianist Sylvie Courvoisier; on Wednesday and Dec. 5 she brings different trios each night; and on Dec. 6 and 7 she appears with her quintet Code Girl, which released a critically lauded album last year.” (NYT-GIOVANNI RUSSONELLO)

The Lineup with Susie Mosher
Birdland / 9:30PM, $25
“Mosher is one of those talents you need to see to believe: warm, funny, biting, ferociously committed. In her weekly series at the downstairs Birdland Theater, she invites a gaggle of performers from Broadway and beyond to show their talents. Guests at the December 3 edition include Brittany Velotta, Tiffany Abban, Jack Boice, Rashidra Scott, Kenn Boisinger, Chloe Perrier, the Boyband Project, Nicolas King and musical director Brad Simmons.” (TONY)

Mike Ledonne Groover Quartet
Smoke, 2751 Broadway (btw 105/106th St.) / 7PM, 9PM, +10:30PM, $15
“Mike Ledonne’s splendid Groover Quartet has earned a cozy groove for itself, somewhere between fresh from the oven and the halcyon days of organ combos.

While embracing their essential groundwork on the one hand, Ledonne moves steadily forward with the other, lending a more contemporary voice to what has been a popular staple of the Jazz repertoire for well over half a century.” (All About Jazz)

Dizzy Gillespie Afro-Latin Experience
Blue Note / 8PM, +10:30PM, $20-$35
“History has produced its share of great artists and great people—John Birks “Dizzy” Gillespie was both. As a performer, he left behind an incredible record of innovation and inspiration. As a composer, a broad repository of musical masterpieces, and as a man, a legion of friends, colleagues and compatriots who remember him with the same degree of love and esteem they reserve for his work.

The Dizzy Gillespie™ Big Band and Alumni All-Star group (small group) is the direct descendant of these ventures, and happily, the tradition lives on, nurtured by Gillespie alumni and executive director, producer, and bassist John Lee.

The Big Band and the Alumni All-Stars feature some of Dizzy’s closest compatriots: senior statesmen and NEA Jazz Master Jimmy Heath and veteran Gillespie alumni Roy Hargrove, Roberta Gambarini, Cyrus Chestnut, Steve Davis, Lewis Nash, and musical director John Lee. All of them are band leaders, educators, and recording artists in their own right.”

The Metropolitan Opera
Le Nozze di Figaro (next Dec.7, 8PM)
Metropolitan Opera House / 7:30PM, $53+
“Two outstanding casts—including sopranos Nadine Sierra, Anita Hartig, Susanna Phillips, and Hanna-Elisabeth Müller; mezzo-sopranos Gaëlle Arquez and Marianne Crebassa; baritone Mariusz Kwiecien; and bass-baritones Luca Pisaroni and Adam Plachetka—come together for Mozart’s scintillating class comedy. Antonello Manacorda and Cornelius Meister conduct Sir Richard Eyre’s fast-paced production.”

Bob Dylan (thru Dec.6)
Beacon Theatre, 2124 Broadway / 8PM, $99+
“Bob Dylan famously maintains a restless touring schedule that renders him a nomad for much of the year but often returns him to the place of his artistic birth; this year, he settles in for a whopping ten-night stand. Among rock élites, Dylan remains peerless. His concerts are strictly pander-free zones—no cheesy pleas to clap or sing along, no glut of backup musicians, usually no “Like a Rolling Stone.” Rather, Dylan asks audiences to ignore his legend and engage with his firecracker band, its every elegant rumble rooted to the present.” (Jay Ruttenberg, NewYorker)

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

Smart Stuff / Other NYC EventS

Author Reading | Mag Men: Fifty Years of Making Magazines
School of Visual Arts, SVA Theatre, 333 W23rd Str. / 6:30PM, FREE
“For more than fifty years, Walter Bernard and Milton Glaser have revolutionized the look of magazine journalism. In their new book, Bernard and Glaser recount their storied careers, offering insiders’ perspective on some of the most iconic design work of the twentieth century. They look back at some of their most important and compelling projects, from the creation of New York magazine to redesigns of such publications as Time, Fortune, Paris Match, and The Nation, explaining how their designs complemented a story and shaped the visual identity of a magazine.”

Continuing Events

NYC holiday markets – five to explore.  (Newsday)

HOLIDAY SHOPS AT BRYANT PARK

WHEN | WHERE Oct. 31-Jan. 5, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Friday and 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, 40th Street and Sixth Avenue
INFO bryantpark.org/eat-drink/holiday-shops

UNION SQUARE HOLIDAY MARKET

WHEN | WHERE Nov. 21-Dec. 24, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday, Union Square Park’s southern side
INFO urbanspacenyc.com

COLUMBUS CIRCLE HOLIDAY MARKET

WHEN | WHERE Dec. 4-24, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday, 59th Street and Central Park West
INFO urbanspacenyc.com

GRAND CENTRAL HOLIDAY FAIR

WHEN | WHERE Nov. 18-Dec. 24, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday (closed Thanksgiving; open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Christmas Eve), Vanderbilt Hall at Grand Central Terminal, 89 E. 42nd St.
INFO grandcentralterminal.com

GRAND BAZAAR NYC

WHEN | WHERE Nov. 24 and Dec. 1, 8, 15 and 22, 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m., 100 W. 77th St.
INFO grandbazaarnyc.org

—————————————————————————————————-

Holiday windows in NYC you won’t want to miss

“‘Tis the season! As Thanksgiving draws near, New York City’s department stores are unveiling their holiday windows. Macy’s, Bergdorf Goodman, Saks Fifth Avenue, American Girl and others are each putting their festive foot forward for the holidays.” (amNY)

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

GEORGE BALANCHINE’S THE NUTCRACKER
NEW YORK CITY BALLET (THRU Jan.5)
NYS Theater, Lincoln Center/ TODAY: 2PM, +8PM,; $95+
“’Twas the day after Thanksgiving and all through the land, ballet companies began trotting out productions of “The Nutcracker,” a holiday dance tradition most grand. And in New York, the grandest among them is City Ballet’s, formally known as “George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker,” which has been performed since 1954. That title rightly emphasizes this version’s secret weapon: Act II’s glorious choreography, particularly the breathtaking final pas de deux between the Sugarplum Fairy and her cavalier. Act I has its own virtuosic feat in the form of a supersize Christmas tree, which captures all the magic and wonder of this familiar tale.” (NYT-Brian Schaefer)

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

COMING SOON (WFUV)

11/29-30, 12/2-3 Bob Dylan, Beacon Theatre
12/4 Bon Iver, Kings Theatre
12/4 The Hold Steady, Brooklyn Bowl
12/4 Bela Fleck & The Flecktones, Town Hall

Fall Concerts (nycgo.com)

David Byrne’s American Utopia on Broadway
October 4­, 2019–January 19, 2020
Hudson Theatre
“The Talking Heads frontman hits Broadway with a show based on his latest album—but you can expect some old favorites as well.”

=============================================================================
♦ Before making final plans, we suggest you call the venue to confirm ticket availability, plus dates and times, as schedules are subject to change.
♦ NYCity, with a population of  8.6 million, had a record 65 million visitors last year and was TripAdvisor’s Traveler’s Choice Top U.S. Destination for 2019 – the ninth consecutive year. But quality shows draw crowds. Try to reserve seats for these top NYC events in advance, even if just earlier on the day of performance.
========================================================================

A PremierPub

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

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

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

Times Square today is filled with neon glitz and wandering tourists from Dubuque, but not Jimmy’s. You’ll likely find some old timer’s at the bar nursing their drinks, some younger locals at tables in the back, and maybe just 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 wonderful old time jukebox, with a great selection of  40s & 50s R&B and soul. On sports nights this very narrow bar can get a bit claustrophobic, filled with excited fans watching their team on the TVs. Either way, Jimmy’s is the place to be if you are looking for an old time bar in the new Times Square.
————————————————————————————————————————
Website: are you kidding !
(although there is a facebook page with lots of photos –
facebook.com/jimmyscornernyc)
Phone #: 212-221-9510
Hours: 11am – 4 am, except Sunday they open 12 noon
Happy Hour: not necessary, low prices all day, every day
Subway: #1,2,3 to TimesSquare 42nd st
walk 2 blks N on 7th ave to 44th st; ½ blk E to Jimmy’s

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

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

Bonus: Nifty 9 – Best Cabarets / Piano Bars NYCity
These are my favorite places for an after dinner night on the town – music and drinks.
Hit the Hot Link and check out what’s happening tonight:

Feinstein’s/54 Below – 254 W 54th St.

The Green Room 42 – 570 Tenth Ave.

Don’t Tell Mama – 343 W 46th St.

The Triad – 158 W72nd Street (btw Amsterdam/Columbus Ave.)

Laurie Beechman Theatre – 407 W 42nd St.

Marie’s Crisis – 59 Grove St.

The Rum House, in the Hotel Edison – 228 W. 47th St.

The Duplex – 61 Christopher St.

Cafe Carlyle, in the Carlyle Hotel – 35 E. 76th St.
This is the only one not located on Manhattan’s WestSide, and it ain’t cheap, but it has some of the finest singers.

For a comprehensive list of the best places to hear All Types of Live Music in Manhattan see the tab above “LiveMusic.”

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

NYCity Vacation Travel Guide Video (Expedia):
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NYC Events,”Only the Best” (12/02) + Museum Special Exhibitions: Manhattan’s 5th Avenue

Posted on 12/02/2019 by GregD

Today’s Elite 8 NYC Events > MONDAY/ DECEMBER 02, 2019

“We search the internet everyday looking for the very best of What’s Happening, primarily on Manhattan’s WestSide, so that you don’t have to.” We make it as easy as 1-2-3.

For future NYC Events, check the tab above:  “December NYC Events”
It’s the most comprehensive list of top events this month that you will find anywhere.
Carefully curated from “Only the Best” NYC event info on the the web, it’s a simply superb resource that will help you plan your NYC visit all over town, all through the month.

OR to make your own after dinner plans TONIGHT, see the tab above;  “LiveMusic.”

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

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

DARLENE LOVE
at Sony Hall / 8 p.m.; $60+
“Few artists have hustled longer and harder to pay their dues than this septuagenarian, who began singing professionally as a high school senior in 1958. With the Blossoms, Love provided vocals (often uncredited) to many top-charting songs of the 1960s, including the Ronettes’ “Be My Baby,” and spent years on the road and in the studio, singing backup for artists like Cher and Elvis Presley. A recent renaissance has brought Love into the spotlight, earning her headlining shows and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame recognition. Love’s holiday hit “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” is already playing ambiently in public spaces all over New York City; performed live in Midtown on Friday, it’s sure to bring the house down.” (NYT-OLIVIA HORN)

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

7 OTHER TOP NYC EVENTS TODAY (see below for full listing)
>> Strings N Skins: Winter’s Eve at Lincoln Square Celebration
>> The Queen of Spades
>> Bob Dylan
>> Broadway Under the Stars
>>The Vanguard Jazz Orchestra
>> Jim Caruso’s Cast Party
>> Monday Night Magic

You may want to look at previous days posts for events that continue through today.

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

Music, Dance, Performing Arts

Strings N Skins: Winter’s Eve at Lincoln Square Celebration
Atrium @ Lincoln Center / 7PM, FREE
“Influenced by their Caribbean, Latin American, and African heritage, Strings N Skins proudly spreads a message of unity by bringing people together on the dance floor. Founded in Brooklyn by Haitian vocalist and percussionist Okai and Colombian vocalist, dancer, and Latin Grammy Award–winning violinist Luisa Bastidas, the band’s explosive drums, electrifying violin, guitar duels, and bass will have you dancing the night away at this Winter’s Eve celebration.”

The Metropolitan Opera
The Queen of Spades (next Dec.5 7:30PM)
Metropolitan Opera House / 7:30PM, $103+
“Tchaikovsky’s eerie thriller of imperial Russia has its first performances at the Met since 2011. Tenor Aleksandrs Antonenko is Hermann, the fanatical gambler whose obsession with a powerful secret drives him to madness. Soprano Lise Davidsen makes her highly anticipated Met debut as his long-suffering lover, Lisa, with mezzo-soprano Larissa Diadkova as the otherworldly Countess. Baritone Igor Golovatenko is Yeletsky, baritone Alexey Markov is Tomsky, and Vasily Petrenko conducts.”

Bob Dylan (thru Dec.6)
Beacon Theatre, 2124 Broadway / 8PM, $99+
“Bob Dylan famously maintains a restless touring schedule that renders him a nomad for much of the year but often returns him to the place of his artistic birth; this year, he settles in for a whopping ten-night stand. Among rock élites, Dylan remains peerless. His concerts are strictly pander-free zones—no cheesy pleas to clap or sing along, no glut of backup musicians, usually no “Like a Rolling Stone.” Rather, Dylan asks audiences to ignore his legend and engage with his firecracker band, its every elegant rumble rooted to the present.” (Jay Ruttenberg, NewYorker)

Broadway Under the Stars
The Shops at Columbus Circle – 10 Columbus Circle , 2nd Fl. Mezzanine / 5PM, FREE
“Select cast from today’s hottest Broadway musicals will perform against the backdrop of the destination’s famous twelve massive stars. These stars are the largest specialty crafted exhibit of illuminated color display in the world, which hang from the 100-foot-high ceilings. Performances are free to attend and open to the public, no reservations or tickets are required.”

Hosted by Actor George Psomas (Fiddler on the Roof, South Pacific) Broadway performances from the casts of: Beetlejuice, Tootsie, Mean Girls

The Vanguard Jazz Orchestra
Village Vanguard, 178 7th Ave. South (btw W11th/Perry St.) / 8:30PM +10:30PM, $35
“World class big band with 16 members on that small stage, a monday night institution.
“Almost exactly half a century ago, the trumpeter-composer-arranger Thad Jones and the drummer Mel Lewis began their Monday-night big band residency at the Village Vanguard, establishing what became a hallowed tradition.” (NYT)

Jim Caruso’s Cast Party (Cabaret)
Birdland, 315 West 44th St. (btw 8/9 ave) / 9:30PM, $25-$30
“The witty host attracts broadway stars on their night off, along with up and comers.”
“Part cabaret, part piano bar and part social set, Cast Party offers a chance to hear rising and established talents step up to the microphone (backed by the slap and tickle of Steve Doyle on bass and Billy Stritch at the ivories, plus the bang of Daniel Glass on drums). The waggish Caruso presides as host.” (TONY)

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

Smart Stuff / Other NYC EventS

Monday Night Magic
Players Theatre, West Village / 8PM, $42.50
“For more than two decades,, this proudly old-school series has offered a different lineup of professional magicians every week: opening acts, a headliner and a host, plus two or three close-up magicians to wow the audience at intermission. Housed for the past seven years at the unprepossessing Players Theatre, it is an heir to the vaudeville tradition.

Many of the acts incorporate comedic elements, and audience participation is common. (If you have young children, bring them; they make especially adorable assistants.) Shows cost just $37.50 in advance and typically last well over two hours, so you get a lot of value and variety for your magic dollar. In contrast to some fancier magic shows, this one feels like comfort food: an all-you-can eat buffet to which you’re encouraged to return until you’re as stuffed as a hat full of rabbits.” (TONY)

Continuing Events

NYC holiday markets – five to explore.  (Newsday)

HOLIDAY SHOPS AT BRYANT PARK

WHEN | WHERE Oct. 31-Jan. 5, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Friday and 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, 40th Street and Sixth Avenue
INFO bryantpark.org/eat-drink/holiday-shops

UNION SQUARE HOLIDAY MARKET

WHEN | WHERE Nov. 21-Dec. 24, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday, Union Square Park’s southern side
INFO urbanspacenyc.com

COLUMBUS CIRCLE HOLIDAY MARKET

WHEN | WHERE Dec. 4-24, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday, 59th Street and Central Park West
INFO urbanspacenyc.com

GRAND CENTRAL HOLIDAY FAIR

WHEN | WHERE Nov. 18-Dec. 24, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday (closed Thanksgiving; open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Christmas Eve), Vanderbilt Hall at Grand Central Terminal, 89 E. 42nd St.
INFO grandcentralterminal.com

GRAND BAZAAR NYC

WHEN | WHERE Nov. 24 and Dec. 1, 8, 15 and 22, 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m., 100 W. 77th St.
INFO grandbazaarnyc.org

—————————————————————————————————-

Holiday windows in NYC you won’t want to miss

“‘Tis the season! As Thanksgiving draws near, New York City’s department stores are unveiling their holiday windows. Macy’s, Bergdorf Goodman, Saks Fifth Avenue, American Girl and others are each putting their festive foot forward for the holidays.” (amNY)

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

GEORGE BALANCHINE’S THE NUTCRACKER
NEW YORK CITY BALLET (THRU Jan.5)
NYS Theater, Lincoln Center/ TODAY: 2PM, +8PM,; $95+
“’Twas the day after Thanksgiving and all through the land, ballet companies began trotting out productions of “The Nutcracker,” a holiday dance tradition most grand. And in New York, the grandest among them is City Ballet’s, formally known as “George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker,” which has been performed since 1954. That title rightly emphasizes this version’s secret weapon: Act II’s glorious choreography, particularly the breathtaking final pas de deux between the Sugarplum Fairy and her cavalier. Act I has its own virtuosic feat in the form of a supersize Christmas tree, which captures all the magic and wonder of this familiar tale.” (NYT-Brian Schaefer)

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

COMING SOON (WFUV)

11/29-30, 12/2-3 Bob Dylan, Beacon Theatre
11/29 & 12/2 Darlene Love, Sony Hall
12/4 Bon Iver, Kings Theatre
12/4 The Hold Steady, Brooklyn Bowl
12/4 Bela Fleck & The Flecktones, Town Hall

Fall Concerts (nycgo.com)

David Byrne’s American Utopia on Broadway
October 4­, 2019–January 19, 2020
Hudson Theatre
“The Talking Heads frontman hits Broadway with a show based on his latest album—but you can expect some old favorites as well.”

=================================================================================
♦ Before making final plans, we suggest you call the venue to confirm ticket availability, plus dates and times, as schedules are subject to change.
♦ NYCity, with a population of  8.6 million, had a record 65 million visitors last year and was TripAdvisor’s Traveler’s Choice Top U.S. Destination for 2019 – the ninth consecutive year. BUT quality shows draw crowds. Try to reserve seats for these top NYC events in advance, even if just earlier on the day of performance.

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

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

Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum

‘ARTISTIC LICENSE: SIX TAKES ON THE GUGGENHEIM COLLECTION’  (through Jan. 12). “Displays that artists select from a museum’s collection are almost inevitably interesting, revealing and valuable. After all, artists can be especially discerning regarding work not their own. Here, six artists — Cai Guo-Qiang, Paul Chan, Richard Prince, Julie Mehretu, Carrie Mae Weens and Jenny Holzer — guided by specific themes, have chosen, which multiplies the impact accordingly. With one per ramp, each selection turns the museum inside out. The combination sustains multiple visits; the concept should be applied regularly.” (NYT-Roberta Smith)
212-423-3840, guggenheim.org

Neue Galerie

ERNST LUDWIG KIRCHNER (through Jan. 13).

“You could be forgiven for drawing a connection between Kirchner’s shocking color palette and his character. It would be understandable enough, considering his problems with morphine, Veronal and absinthe; the nervous breakdown precipitated by his artillery training in World War I; and his suicide in 1938, at the age of 58, after the Nazis had denounced him as a degenerate. But to linger on Kirchner’s lurid biography would be unfair to the mesmerizing technical genius of his style, amply on display in this exhibition. Surrounding more or less sober portrait subjects with backgrounds of flat but brilliant color, as Kirchner did, wasn’t just a youthful revolt against the staid academic painting he grew up with. It was also an ingenious way to articulate subjective experience in an increasingly materialist modern world. (NYT-Heinrich)
neuegalerie.org

Jewish Museum

‘SCENES FROM THE COLLECTION’

“After a surgical renovation to its grand pile on Fifth Avenue, the Jewish Museum has reopened its third-floor galleries with a rethought and refreshed display of its permanent collection, which intermingles modern and contemporary art, by Jews and gentiles alike — Mark Rothko, Lee Krasner, Nan Goldin, Cindy Sherman, and the excellent young Nigerian draftswoman Ruby Onyinyechi Amanze — with 4,000 years of Judaica. The works are shown in a nimble, non-chronological suite of galleries, and some of its century-spanning juxtapositions are bracing; others feel reductive, even dilletantish. But always, the Jewish Museum conceives of art and religion as interlocking elements of a story of civilization, commendably open to new influences and new interpretations.” (Farago) 212-423-3200, thejewishmuseum.org

Museum of the City of New York

NY AT ITS CORE (ongoing)
“Ten years in the making, New York at Its Core tells the compelling story of New York’s rise from a striving Dutch village to today’s “Capital of the World.” The exhibition captures the human energy that drove New York to become a city like no other and a subject of fascination the world over. Entertaining, inspiring, important, and at times bemusing, New York City “big personalities,” including Alexander Hamilton, Walt Whitman, Boss Tweed, Emma Goldman, JP Morgan, Fiorello La Guardia, Jane Jacobs, Jay-Z, and dozens more, parade through the exhibition. Visitors will also learn the stories of lesser-known New York personalities, like Lenape chieftain Penhawitz and Italian immigrant Susie Rocco. Even animals like the horse, the pig, the beaver, and the oyster, which played pivotal roles in the economy and daily life of New York, get their moment in the historical spotlight. Occupying the entire first floor in three interactive galleries (Port City, 1609-1898, World City, 1898-2012, and Future City Lab) New York at Its Core is shaped by four themes: money, density, diversity, and creativity. Together, they provide a lens for examining the character of the city, and underlie the modern global metropolis we know today. mcny.org” (NYCity Guide)

and you should be sure to check out these special exhibitions at that little museum on Fifth Ave., The Metropolitan Museum of Art
(open 7 days /week, AND always Pay What You Wish for NewYorkers)

‘THE LAST KNIGHT: THE ART, ARMOR, AND AMBITION OF MAXIMILIAN I’ (through Jan. 5).

“Kaiser Max, who ruled the Holy Roman Empire in the years around 1500, anchors the Met’s largest show of arms and armor in decades: a gleaming showcase of heavy metal and Hapsburg propaganda. Maximilian I, who ruled a swath of Europe stretching from the Netherlands to Croatia, would have looked resplendent on the battlefield when he wore the tapered suit of ribbed and fluted steel here. What really broadcast his power were public spectacles of chivalric glory, in which he jousted with local noblemen and foreign champions in ritualized, but still dangerous, mock combat. He also embraced the hottest technology of the late 15th century: printmaking, which allowed the emperor to broadcast his military prowess through books and monumental woodcuts. The pen, or at least movable type, was for Maximilian even mightier than the sword.” (Farago-NYT)
212-535-7710, metmuseum.org

GD: this is a good one. you have to see it.

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

Although technically not part of the Museum Mile, the Frick Collection (closed Mon) (Wed 2-6pm PWYW; First Friday each month (exc Jan+Sep) 6-9pm FREE) on the corner of 70th St. and Fifth Avenue and the The Morgan Library & Museum (closed Mon) (Fri 7-9 FREE) on Madison Ave and 37th St are also located near Fifth Ave.
Now plan your own museum crawl (info on hours & admission updated June 2, 2015).
==============================================================
For other selected Museum and Gallery Special Exhibitions see Recent Posts in right Sidebar dated 11/30 and 11/28.
==============================================================

9 Plays and Musicals to Go to in N.Y.C. This Weekend – NewYorkTimes (11/28/19)

Must-see theater coming to New York City stages this fall (amNY)

10 must-see Off-Broadway shows (amNY)

m

NYT Theater Reviews – NYT theater critics on the plays and musicals currently open in New York City.

and, drum roll, here are all the critics opinions on all the plays – Playbill’s “the Verdict”

For good, comprehensive and current info:

Broadway Shows: What to See and How to Get Cheap Tickets (NYT)

finally, lot’s of useful info on TKTS discount tickets from the headout blog:

Everything You Need to Know About TKTS Broadway Tickets 

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

NYCity Vacation Travel Guide Video (Expedia):
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NYC Events,”Only the Best” (12/01) + Today’s Featured Pub (Greenwich Village)

Posted on 12/01/2019 by GregD

Today’s Super 7 NYC Events > SUNDAY/ DEEMBER 01, 2019

“We search the internet everyday looking for the very best of What’s Happening, primarily on Manhattan’s WestSide, so that you don’t have to.” We make it as easy as 1-2-3.

For future NYC Events, check the tab above:  “December NYC Events”
It’s the most comprehensive list of top events this month that you will find anywhere.
Carefully curated from “Only the Best” NYC event info on the the web, it’s a simply superb resource that will help you plan your NYC visit all over town, all through the month.

OR to make your own after dinner plans TONIGHT, see the tab above;  “LiveMusic.”

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

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

The Cast of Broadway’s Frozen
Feinstein’s/54 Below (254 W54th St. btw Broadway/8th) / 9:30PM, $55+
Broadway stars Caissie Levy, Noah J. Ricketts, Ryann Redmond, and Joe Carroll come to Feinstein’s/54 Below for an evening of song and dance. The performers will also showcase their work beyond Frozen, with a few surprises from the residents of Arendelle to ring in the holiday season.” (playbill)

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

6 OTHER TOP NYC EVENTS TODAY (see below for full listing)
>> Ana Gasteyer: Sugar & Booze
>> SOLEDAD BARRIO & NOCHE FLAMENCA
>>  JOHN SCOFIELD AND DAVE HOLLAND
>> Jason Moran & the Bandwagon
>> Burt Neuborne: “When at Times the Mob Is Swayed”
>> ‘DOUG LOVES MOVIES: THE 12 GUESTS OF XMAS’

You may want to look at previous days posts for events that continue through today.

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

Music, Dance, Performing Arts

Ana Gasteyer: Sugar & Booze (also Dec.21)
Joe’s Pub at the Public Theater (425 Lafayette St. at Astor Place) / 7 PM, $25
“In addition to her stardom on Saturday Night Live, Gasteyere is a Broadway baby who starred as Elphaba in the Broadway and Chicago productions of Wicked. She expanded the role of Mrs. Schwartz for A Christmast Story LIVE! on Fox and played Principal McGee in Grease: Live. But if you’ve heard her sing, you know she’s one of the jazziest belters around—perfect for the holidays.” (Playbill)

SOLEDAD BARRIO & NOCHE FLAMENCA (LAST DAY)
at the Joyce Theater / 7:30 pm.; $45+
“The fleet footwork of flamenco can be mightily impressive, but this company doesn’t aim to merely wow. In recent years, Noche Flamenca and Barrio, its incandescent headliner, have moved away from spectacle seeking authentic communal encounters. A new iteration of its production “Entre Tú y Yo” (“Between You and Me”) comprises three works: a revised version of “La Ronde,” which explores facets of the duet form; “Refugiados,” created 15 years ago from poems by refugee children; and “Soleá,” a semi-improvised solo by Barrio that impresses not only for its virtuosity, but for the thrilling internal drama she shares.” (NYT)

JOHN SCOFIELD AND DAVE HOLLAND (LAST DAY)
at the Blue Note / 8 and 10:30 p.m.; $30-$45
“There’s really no way to “O.K. boomer” these two. Each has a stint with Miles Davis on his résumé, and they’ve both been in the game for decades. But neither Scofield, an acid-toned guitarist, nor Holland, a brilliantly versatile bassist, has ever planted his feet in a set approach. And both continue to work in conversation with younger musicians — even as they carry the flag for the jazz-rock fusion movement, in which they played an essential role. Here they will perform in an intimate duet.” (NYT-GIOVANNI RUSSONELLO)

Jason Moran & the Bandwagon (LAST DAY)
Village Vanguard, 178 Seventh Ave. S. / 8:30PM, +10:30PM, $35
“Since September, the pianist and composer Jason Moran has been applying his conceptual gifts to a mixed-media art exhibition at the Whitney, performing in mock re-creations of iconic jazz venues. For this engagement, at another famed locale a few blocks away, Moran employs his long-standing Bandwagon trio, a daringly inclusive ensemble—with the bassist Tarus Mateen and the drummer Nasheet Waits—that exemplifies the multidirectional, go-for-broke spirit of the most compelling modern jazz.” (Steve Futterman, NewYorker)

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

Smart Stuff / Other NYC EventS

Burt Neuborne: “When at Times the Mob Is Swayed”
New York Society for Ethical Culture, 2 W. 64th St./ 11AM, FREE
“Noted civil liberties lawyer Burt Neuborne comes to the New York Society for Ethical Culture for a Sunday Platform inspired by his recent book, When at Times the Mob Is Swayed. He’ll share his insights into the structure of our constitutional system, the durability of the separation of powers, and if our democracy can survive Trump.” (ThoughtGallery)

‘DOUG LOVES MOVIES: THE 12 GUESTS OF XMAS’
at Gramercy Theater / 8 p.m.; $25
“Since 2006, Doug Benson has discussed his adoration of cinema with other comedians, actors and the film critic Leonard Maltin and shares these sessions through his podcast series. The stoner comic’s own experiences in front of the camera include starring roles in two mockumentaries modeled on Morgan Spurlock’s films: “Super High Me” and “The Greatest Movie Ever Rolled.” But Benson’s highest-profile movie credit so far? “The LEGO Batman Movie.” At press time, Benson had announced only one guest, the comedian Josh Gondelman, teasing fans with some early Christmas suspense about who else might attend.” (NYT-Sean L. McCarthy)

Continuing Events

NYC holiday markets – five to explore.  (Newsday)

HOLIDAY SHOPS AT BRYANT PARK

WHEN | WHERE Oct. 31-Jan. 5, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Friday and 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, 40th Street and Sixth Avenue
INFO bryantpark.org/eat-drink/holiday-shops

UNION SQUARE HOLIDAY MARKET

WHEN | WHERE Nov. 21-Dec. 24, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday, Union Square Park’s southern side
INFO urbanspacenyc.com

COLUMBUS CIRCLE HOLIDAY MARKET

WHEN | WHERE Dec. 4-24, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday, 59th Street and Central Park West
INFO urbanspacenyc.com

GRAND CENTRAL HOLIDAY FAIR

WHEN | WHERE Nov. 18-Dec. 24, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday (closed Thanksgiving; open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Christmas Eve), Vanderbilt Hall at Grand Central Terminal, 89 E. 42nd St.
INFO grandcentralterminal.com

GRAND BAZAAR NYC

WHEN | WHERE Nov. 24 and Dec. 1, 8, 15 and 22, 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m., 100 W. 77th St.
INFO grandbazaarnyc.org

—————————————————————————————————-

Holiday windows in NYC you won’t want to miss

“‘Tis the season! As Thanksgiving draws near, New York City’s department stores are unveiling their holiday windows. Macy’s, Bergdorf Goodman, Saks Fifth Avenue, American Girl and others are each putting their festive foot forward for the holidays.” (amNY)

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

GEORGE BALANCHINE’S THE NUTCRACKER
NEW YORK CITY BALLET (THRU Jan.5)
NYS Theater, Lincoln Center/ TODAY: 2PM, +8PM,; $95+
“’Twas the day after Thanksgiving and all through the land, ballet companies began trotting out productions of “The Nutcracker,” a holiday dance tradition most grand. And in New York, the grandest among them is City Ballet’s, formally known as “George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker,” which has been performed since 1954. That title rightly emphasizes this version’s secret weapon: Act II’s glorious choreography, particularly the breathtaking final pas de deux between the Sugarplum Fairy and her cavalier. Act I has its own virtuosic feat in the form of a supersize Christmas tree, which captures all the magic and wonder of this familiar tale.” (NYT-Brian Schaefer)

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

COMING SOON (WFUV)

11/29-30, 12/2-3 Bob Dylan, Beacon Theatre
11/29-30 Hot Tuna, Town Hall
11/29 & 12/2 Darlene Love, Sony Hall
11/30 Guster, Terminal 5
12/1 Beirut, Terminal 5
12/4 Bon Iver, Kings Theatre
12/4 The Hold Steady, Brooklyn Bowl
12/4 Bela Fleck & The Flecktones, Town Hall

Fall Concerts (nycgo.com)

David Byrne’s American Utopia on Broadway
October 4­, 2019–January 19, 2020
Hudson Theatre
“The Talking Heads frontman hits Broadway with a show based on his latest album—but you can expect some old favorites as well.”

==========================================================================
♦ Before making final plans, we suggest you call the venue to confirm ticket availability, plus dates and times, as schedules are subject to change.
♦ NYCity, with a population of  8.6 million, had a record 65 million visitors last year and was TripAdvisor’s Traveler’s Choice Top U.S. Destination for 2019 – the ninth consecutive year. BUT quality shows draw crowds. Try to reserve seats for these top NYC events in advance, even if just earlier on the day of performance.

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

A PremierPub and 3 Good Eating Places – Greenwich Village

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

CAFFE VIVALDI HAS CLOSED, VERY SAD.
I HAVE LEFT THIS REVIEW ON MY SITE AS A KIND OF MEMORIAL and A WARNING. WE HAVE TO WORK HARDER TO SAVE THESE SPECIAL PLACES.

As reported in the “Gothamist”:
“Caffe Vivaldi, one of the last bohemian bastions of the West Village, is set to close this weekend. During its 35 years on Jones Street, the casual cafe won the hearts of locals and celebs alike, including Oscar Isaac, Bette Midler, and Al Pacino.

Despite that friendly communal atmosphere, the owners ultimately struggled to survive under their notorious vulture landlord Steve Croman, who they say waged a harassment campaign against the restaurant, and eventually tripled their rent.”
==============================================================
“Pub” is used in it’s broadest sense – bars, bar/restaurants, jazz clubs, wine bars, tapas bars, craft beer bars, dive bars, cocktail lounges, and of course, pubs – just about anyplace you can get a drink without a cover charge.

If you have a fave premier pub or good eating place on Manhattan’s WestSide let us all know about it – leave a comment.
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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. $9 gets you 6 of the freshest oysters or clams + a glass of wine or beer. Don’t know how they can do it, but I tell everyone I know about this place. And it’s located right in the heart of some of the best no cover music in town.

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

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

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

◊ For all my picks of 54 Good Eating places, and essays on my favorite 18 PremierPubs in 9 Neighborhoods on Manhattan’s WestSide, order a copy of my e-book:
“Eating and Drinking on NYCity’s WestSide” ($4.99, available SPRING 2020).
◊ Order before MAY. 31, 2020 and receive a bonus – 27 of my favorite casual dining places with free Wi-Fi.

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Bonus NYC Music Venues:
So much fine live music every night in this town. These are my favorite non jazz music venues on Manhattan’s WestSide. Check out who’s playing tonight:

City Winery – 155 Varick St., citywinery.com, 212-608-0555
Joe’s Pub @ Public Theater – 425 Lafayette St., joespub.com, 212-967-7555
Beacon Theatre – 2124 Broadway @ 74th St., beacontheatre.com, 212-465-6500
Town Hall – 123 W43rd St., thetownhall.org, 212-997-6661
Le Poisson Rouge – 158 Bleecker St., lepoissonrouge.com, 212-505-3474
and one more, not quite WestSide
Bowery Ballroom – 6 Delancey St. boweryballroom.comFor a comprehensive list of the best places to hear All Types of Live Music in Manhattan see the tab above “LiveMusic.”

In Memoriam:
Caffe Vivaldi – 32 Jones St. nr Bleecker St. caffevivaldi.com, 212-691-7538
a classic, old jazz club in the Village, Caffe V often surprises with a wonderfully eclectic lineup. It’s my favorite spot for an evening of listening discovery and enjoyment.
Alas, Caffe V is no more, another victim of a rapacious NYC landlord. Owner Ishrat fought the good fight and Caffe V will be sorely missed.

I MEMORIALIZE THIS WONDERFUL CLUB AS A WARNING.
WE HAVE TO WORK HARDER TO SAVE THESE SPECIAL PLACES.

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

NYCity Vacation Travel Guide Video (Expedia):
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NYC Events,”Only the Best” (11/30) + Museum Special Exhibitions: Manhattan’s WestSide

Posted on 11/30/2019 by GregD

Today’s Elite 8 NYC Events > FRIDAY/ NOVEMBER 30, 2019

“We search the internet everyday looking for the very best of What’s Happening, primarily on Manhattan’s WestSide, so that you don’t have to.” We make it as easy as 1-2-3.

For future NYC Events, check the tab above:  “December NYC Events”
It’s the most comprehensive list of top events this month that you will find anywhere.
Carefully curated from “Only the Best” NYC event info on the the web, it’s a simply superb resource that will help you plan your NYC visit all over town, all through the month.

OR to make your own after dinner plans TONIGHT, see the tab above;  “LiveMusic.”

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

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

54 Sings Broadway’s Greatest Hits
Feinstein’s/54 Below (254 W54th St. btw Broadway/Eighth) / 7PM, $60+
“Listen to your favorite Broadway songs just the way you remember them at this bi-month event at the famed cabaret venue. Performers on the this date include Tony nominee Martin Vidnovic (Brigadoon), Luana Psaros (Becoming Nancy), and John Easterlin (The Phantom of the Opera).” (Playbill)

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

7 OTHER TOP NYC EVENTS TODAY (see below for full listing)
>> Ana Gasteyer: Sugar & Booze
>> SOLEDAD BARRIO & NOCHE FLAMENCA
>> JOHN SCOFIELD AND DAVE HOLLAND
>> Jason Moran & the Bandwagon
>> Broadway the Calla-way 
>> Bob Dylan
>> Small Business Saturday

You may want to look at previous days posts for events that continue through today.

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

Music, Dance, Performing Arts

Ana Gasteyer: Sugar & Booze (also Dec.1+21)
Joe’s Pub at the Public Theater (425 Lafayette St. at Astor Place) / 7 PM, $25
“In addition to her stardom on Saturday Night Live, Gasteyere is a Broadway baby who starred as Elphaba in the Broadway and Chicago productions of Wicked. She expanded the role of Mrs. Schwartz for A Christmast Story LIVE! on Fox and played Principal McGee in Grease: Live. But if you’ve heard her sing, you know she’s one of the jazziest belters around—perfect for the holidays.” (Playbill)

SOLEDAD BARRIO & NOCHE FLAMENCA
at the Joyce Theater / 7:30 pm.; $45+
“The fleet footwork of flamenco can be mightily impressive, but this company doesn’t aim to merely wow. In recent years, Noche Flamenca and Barrio, its incandescent headliner, have moved away from spectacle seeking authentic communal encounters. A new iteration of its production “Entre Tú y Yo” (“Between You and Me”) comprises three works: a revised version of “La Ronde,” which explores facets of the duet form; “Refugiados,” created 15 years ago from poems by refugee children; and “Soleá,” a semi-improvised solo by Barrio that impresses not only for its virtuosity, but for the thrilling internal drama she shares.” (NYT)

JOHN SCOFIELD AND DAVE HOLLAND (Nov. 26-Dec.1)
at the Blue Note / 8 and 10:30 p.m.; $30-$45
“There’s really no way to “O.K. boomer” these two. Each has a stint with Miles Davis on his résumé, and they’ve both been in the game for decades. But neither Scofield, an acid-toned guitarist, nor Holland, a brilliantly versatile bassist, has ever planted his feet in a set approach. And both continue to work in conversation with younger musicians — even as they carry the flag for the jazz-rock fusion movement, in which they played an essential role. Here they will perform in an intimate duet.” (NYT-GIOVANNI RUSSONELLO)

Jason Moran & the Bandwagon (Nov.26-Dec.1)
Village Vanguard, 178 Seventh Ave. S. / 8:30PM, +10:30PM, $35
“Since September, the pianist and composer Jason Moran has been applying his conceptual gifts to a mixed-media art exhibition at the Whitney, performing in mock re-creations of iconic jazz venues. For this engagement, at another famed locale a few blocks away, Moran employs his long-standing Bandwagon trio, a daringly inclusive ensemble—with the bassist Tarus Mateen and the drummer Nasheet Waits—that exemplifies the multidirectional, go-for-broke spirit of the most compelling modern jazz.” (Steve Futterman, NewYorker)

Broadway the Calla-way (Nov.26-30)
Feinstein’s/54 Below (254 W54th St., btw Broadway/Eighth Avenues). / 8PM, $85+
“Starting November 26, the Tony-nominated sisters host their own show at Feinstein’s/54 Below, performing a mixture of Broadway favorites by Sondheim, Bernstein, Rodgers and Hammerstein, Schwartz, and more. For this special Thanksgiving performance, there is a Thanksgiving dinner prix fixe with curated holiday dishes.” (Playbill)

Bob Dylan (thru Dec.6)
Beacon Theatre, 2124 Broadway / 8PM, $99+
“Bob Dylan famously maintains a restless touring schedule that renders him a nomad for much of the year but often returns him to the place of his artistic birth; this year, he settles in for a whopping ten-night stand. Among rock élites, Dylan remains peerless. His concerts are strictly pander-free zones—no cheesy pleas to clap or sing along, no glut of backup musicians, usually no “Like a Rolling Stone.” Rather, Dylan asks audiences to ignore his legend and engage with his firecracker band, its every elegant rumble rooted to the present.” (Jay Ruttenberg, NewYorker)

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

Smart Stuff / Other NYC EventS

Small Business Saturday
Celebrate the city’s small businesses
Various locations, FREE to browse
“Artists & Fleas is honoring the less-flashy-than-Black-Friday Small Business Saturday by bringing hundreds of local makers under one roof. That way, it’s super easy for you to spend all the money you saved buying an Instant Pot during a Black Friday sale on one-of-a-kind gifts. With locations in Chelsea, Soho, and Williamsburg, you can hunt down vintage clothes, shop for handmade jewelry, and try specialty food from stores that don’t start with A and end with Zon.” (thrillist)

Continuing Events

NYC holiday markets – five to explore.  (Newsday)

HOLIDAY SHOPS AT BRYANT PARK

WHEN | WHERE Oct. 31-Jan. 5, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Friday and 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, 40th Street and Sixth Avenue
INFO bryantpark.org/eat-drink/holiday-shops

UNION SQUARE HOLIDAY MARKET

WHEN | WHERE Nov. 21-Dec. 24, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday, Union Square Park’s southern side
INFO urbanspacenyc.com

COLUMBUS CIRCLE HOLIDAY MARKET

WHEN | WHERE Dec. 4-24, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday, 59th Street and Central Park West
INFO urbanspacenyc.com

GRAND CENTRAL HOLIDAY FAIR

WHEN | WHERE Nov. 18-Dec. 24, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday (closed Thanksgiving; open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Christmas Eve), Vanderbilt Hall at Grand Central Terminal, 89 E. 42nd St.
INFO grandcentralterminal.com

GRAND BAZAAR NYC

WHEN | WHERE Nov. 24 and Dec. 1, 8, 15 and 22, 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m., 100 W. 77th St.
INFO grandbazaarnyc.org

—————————————————————————————————-

Holiday windows in NYC you won’t want to miss

“‘Tis the season! As Thanksgiving draws near, New York City’s department stores are unveiling their holiday windows. Macy’s, Bergdorf Goodman, Saks Fifth Avenue, American Girl and others are each putting their festive foot forward for the holidays.” (amNY)

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

GEORGE BALANCHINE’S THE NUTCRACKER
NEW YORK CITY BALLET (THRU Jan.5)
NYS Theater, Lincoln Center/ TODAY: 2PM, +8PM,; $95+
“’Twas the day after Thanksgiving and all through the land, ballet companies began trotting out productions of “The Nutcracker,” a holiday dance tradition most grand. And in New York, the grandest among them is City Ballet’s, formally known as “George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker,” which has been performed since 1954. That title rightly emphasizes this version’s secret weapon: Act II’s glorious choreography, particularly the breathtaking final pas de deux between the Sugarplum Fairy and her cavalier. Act I has its own virtuosic feat in the form of a supersize Christmas tree, which captures all the magic and wonder of this familiar tale.” (NYT-Brian Schaefer)

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

COMING SOON (WFUV)

11/29-30, 12/2-3 Bob Dylan, Beacon Theatre
11/29-30 Hot Tuna, Town Hall
11/29 & 12/2 Darlene Love, Sony Hall
11/30 Guster, Terminal 5
12/1 Beirut, Terminal 5
12/4 Bon Iver, Kings Theatre
12/4 The Hold Steady, Brooklyn Bowl
12/4 Bela Fleck & The Flecktones, Town Hall

Fall Concerts (nycgo.com)

David Byrne’s American Utopia on Broadway
October 4­, 2019–January 19, 2020
Hudson Theatre
“The Talking Heads frontman hits Broadway with a show based on his latest album—but you can expect some old favorites as well.”

==========================================================================
♦ Before making final plans, we suggest you call the venue to confirm ticket availability, plus dates and times, as schedules are subject to change.
♦ NYCity, with a population of  8.6 million, had a record 65 million visitors last year and was TripAdvisor’s Traveler’s Choice Top U.S. Destination for 2019 – the ninth consecutive year. BUT quality shows draw crowds. Try to reserve seats for these top NYC events in advance, even if just earlier on the day of performance.

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

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

‘BETYE SAAR: THE LEGENDS OF “BLACK GIRL’S WINDOW”’ at the Museum of Modern Art (through Jan. 4).

“Black Girl’s Window,” which consists of an old window frame that Saar filled with a constellation of images, is the focus of this exhibition, one of several helping to reopen MoMA. Concentrating on Saar’s early years as an artist, it tracks the experiments in printmaking and assemblage that led her to arrive at the titular work. Despite the unusual color of the gallery’s deep purple walls, the show is relatively modest — a scholarly study of a specific period, anchored by MoMA’s recent acquisition of a group of 42 of her works on paper. Two pieces from 1972 that represent her shift from the mystical to the political — “Black Crows in the White Section Only,” which brings together a variety of racist advertisements, and “Let Me Entertain You,” which shows a minstrel singer with a guitar transforming into a black liberation fighter with a rifle — serve as a kind of coda. Their appearance at the end offers a tantalizing glimpse of the iconoclastic artist Saar was on her way to becoming. (Jillian Steinhauer-NYT)
212-708-9400, moma.org

‘T. REX: THE ULTIMATE PREDATOR’
American Museum of Natural History (through Aug. 9, 2020).

“Everyone’s favorite 18,000-pound prehistoric killer gets the star treatment in this eye-opening exhibition, which presents the latest scientific research on T. rex and also introduces many other tyrannosaurs, some discovered only this century in China and Mongolia. T. rex evolved mainly during the Cretaceous Period to have keen eyes, spindly arms and massive conical teeth, which could bear down on prey with the force of a U-Haul truck; the dinosaur could even swallow whole bones, as affirmed here by a kid-friendly display of fossilized excrement. The show mixes 66-million-year-old teeth with the latest 3-D prints of dino bones, and also presents new models of T. rex as a baby, a juvenile and a full-grown annihilator. Turns out this most savage beast was covered with — believe it! — a soft coat of beige or white feathers.” (Farago-NYT)

————————————————————————————————

‘AUSCHWITZ. NOT LONG AGO. NOT FAR AWAY’
at the Museum of Jewish Heritage (through Jan. 3).
“Killing as a communal business, made widely lucrative by the Third Reich, permeates this traveling exhibition about the largest German death camp, Auschwitz, whose yawning gatehouse, with its converging rail tracks, has become emblematic of the Holocaust. Well timed, during a worldwide surge of anti-Semitism, the harrowing installation strives, successfully, for fresh relevance. The exhibition illuminates the topography of evil, the deliberate designing of a hell on earth by fanatical racists and compliant architects and provisioners, while also highlighting the strenuous struggle for survival in a place where, as Primo Levi learned, “there is no why.” (NYT-Ralph Blumenthal)

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For other selected Museum and Gallery Special Exhibitions see Recent Posts in right Sidebar dated 11/28 and 11/26.

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9 Plays and Musicals to Go to in N.Y.C. This Weekend – NewYorkTimes (11/28/19)

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Must-see theater coming to New York City stages this fall (amNY)

10 must-see Off-Broadway shows (amNY)

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NYT Theater Reviews – NYT theater critics on the plays and musicals currently open in New York City.

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and, drum roll, here are all the critics opinions on all the plays – Playbill’s “the Verdict”

—————————————————————-

For good, comprehensive and current info:

Broadway Shows: What to See and How to Get Cheap Tickets (NYT)

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finally, lot’s of useful info on TKTS discount tickets from the headout blog:

Everything You Need to Know About TKTS Broadway Tickets 

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NYCity Vacation Travel Guide Video (Expedia):
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NYC Events -“Only the Best” (11/29) + Today’s Featured Pub (Tribeca)

Posted on 11/29/2019 by GregD

Today’s Elite 8 NYC Events > THURSDAY/ NOVEMBER 29, 2019

“We search the internet everyday looking for the very best of What’s Happening, primarily on Manhattan’s WestSide, so that you don’t have to.” We make it as easy as 1-2-3.

For future NYC Events, check the tab above:  “November NYC Events”
It’s the most comprehensive list of top events this month that you will find anywhere.
Carefully curated from “Only the Best” NYC event info on the the web, it’s a simply superb resource that will help you plan your NYC visit all over town, all through the month.

OR to make your own after dinner plans TONIGHT, see the tab above;  “LiveMusic.”

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

GEORGE BALANCHINE’S THE NUTCRACKER
NEW YORK CITY BALLET (Nov.29-Jan.5)
Opening Night at the NYS Theater, Lincoln Center/ 8 p.m.; $95+
“’Twas the day after Thanksgiving and all through the land, ballet companies began trotting out productions of “The Nutcracker,” a holiday dance tradition most grand. And in New York, the grandest among them is City Ballet’s, formally known as “George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker,” which has been performed since 1954. That title rightly emphasizes this version’s secret weapon: Act II’s glorious choreography, particularly the breathtaking final pas de deux between the Sugarplum Fairy and her cavalier. Act I has its own virtuosic feat in the form of a supersize Christmas tree, which captures all the magic and wonder of this familiar tale.” (NYT-Brian Schaefer)

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7 OTHER TOP NYC EVENTS TODAY (see below for full listing)
>> DARLENE LOVE
>> The Queen of Spades
>> JOHN SCOFIELD AND DAVE HOLLAND
>> Jason Moran & the Bandwagon
>> Broadway the Calla-way 
>> Bob Dylan
>> SOLEDAD BARRIO & NOCHE FLAMENCA

You may want to look at previous days posts for events that continue through today.

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Music, Dance, Performing Arts

DARLENE LOVE
at Sony Hall / 8 p.m.; $60+
“Few artists have hustled longer and harder to pay their dues than this septuagenarian, who began singing professionally as a high school senior in 1958. With the Blossoms, Love provided vocals (often uncredited) to many top-charting songs of the 1960s, including the Ronettes’ “Be My Baby,” and spent years on the road and in the studio, singing backup for artists like Cher and Elvis Presley. A recent renaissance has brought Love into the spotlight, earning her headlining shows and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame recognition. Love’s holiday hit “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” is already playing ambiently in public spaces all over New York City; performed live in Midtown on Friday, it’s sure to bring the house down.” (NYT-OLIVIA HORN)

The Metropolitan Opera
The Queen of Spades (next Dec.2 7:30PM)
Metropolitan Opera House / 7:30PM, $103+
“Tchaikovsky’s eerie thriller of imperial Russia has its first performances at the Met since 2011. Tenor Aleksandrs Antonenko is Hermann, the fanatical gambler whose obsession with a powerful secret drives him to madness. Soprano Lise Davidsen makes her highly anticipated Met debut as his long-suffering lover, Lisa, with mezzo-soprano Larissa Diadkova as the otherworldly Countess. Baritone Igor Golovatenko is Yeletsky, baritone Alexey Markov is Tomsky, and Vasily Petrenko conducts.”

JOHN SCOFIELD AND DAVE HOLLAND (Nov. 26-Dec.1)
at the Blue Note / 8 and 10:30 p.m.; $30-$45
“There’s really no way to “O.K. boomer” these two. Each has a stint with Miles Davis on his résumé, and they’ve both been in the game for decades. But neither Scofield, an acid-toned guitarist, nor Holland, a brilliantly versatile bassist, has ever planted his feet in a set approach. And both continue to work in conversation with younger musicians — even as they carry the flag for the jazz-rock fusion movement, in which they played an essential role. Here they will perform in an intimate duet.” (NYT-GIOVANNI RUSSONELLO)

Jason Moran & the Bandwagon (Nov.26-Dec.1)
Village Vanguard, 178 Seventh Ave. S. / 8:30PM, +10:30PM, $35
“Since September, the pianist and composer Jason Moran has been applying his conceptual gifts to a mixed-media art exhibition at the Whitney, performing in mock re-creations of iconic jazz venues. For this engagement, at another famed locale a few blocks away, Moran employs his long-standing Bandwagon trio, a daringly inclusive ensemble—with the bassist Tarus Mateen and the drummer Nasheet Waits—that exemplifies the multidirectional, go-for-broke spirit of the most compelling modern jazz.” (Steve Futterman, NewYorker)

Broadway the Calla-way (Nov.26-30)
Feinstein’s/54 Below (254 W54th St., btw Broadway/Eighth Avenues). / 8PM, $85+
“Starting November 26, the Tony-nominated sisters host their own show at Feinstein’s/54 Below, performing a mixture of Broadway favorites by Sondheim, Bernstein, Rodgers and Hammerstein, Schwartz, and more. For this special Thanksgiving performance, there is a Thanksgiving dinner prix fixe with curated holiday dishes.” (Playbill)

Bob Dylan (thru Dec.6)
Beacon Theatre, 2124 Broadway / 8PM, $99+
“Bob Dylan famously maintains a restless touring schedule that renders him a nomad for much of the year but often returns him to the place of his artistic birth; this year, he settles in for a whopping ten-night stand. Among rock élites, Dylan remains peerless. His concerts are strictly pander-free zones—no cheesy pleas to clap or sing along, no glut of backup musicians, usually no “Like a Rolling Stone.” Rather, Dylan asks audiences to ignore his legend and engage with his firecracker band, its every elegant rumble rooted to the present.” (Jay Ruttenberg, NewYorker)

SOLEDAD BARRIO & NOCHE FLAMENCA
at the Joyce Theater / 7:30 pm.; $45+
“The fleet footwork of flamenco can be mightily impressive, but this company doesn’t aim to merely wow. In recent years, Noche Flamenca and Barrio, its incandescent headliner, have moved away from spectacle seeking authentic communal encounters. A new iteration of its production “Entre Tú y Yo” (“Between You and Me”) comprises three works: a revised version of “La Ronde,” which explores facets of the duet form; “Refugiados,” created 15 years ago from poems by refugee children; and “Soleá,” a semi-improvised solo by Barrio that impresses not only for its virtuosity, but for the thrilling internal drama she shares.” (NYT)

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Smart Stuff / Other NYC EventS

More Smart Stuff coming soon.

Continuing Events

NYC holiday markets – five to explore.  (Newsday)

HOLIDAY SHOPS AT BRYANT PARK

WHEN | WHERE Oct. 31-Jan. 5, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Friday and 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, 40th Street and Sixth Avenue
INFO bryantpark.org/eat-drink/holiday-shops

UNION SQUARE HOLIDAY MARKET

WHEN | WHERE Nov. 21-Dec. 24, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday, Union Square Park’s southern side
INFO urbanspacenyc.com

COLUMBUS CIRCLE HOLIDAY MARKET

WHEN | WHERE Dec. 4-24, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday, 59th Street and Central Park West
INFO urbanspacenyc.com

GRAND CENTRAL HOLIDAY FAIR

WHEN | WHERE Nov. 18-Dec. 24, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday (closed Thanksgiving; open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Christmas Eve), Vanderbilt Hall at Grand Central Terminal, 89 E. 42nd St.
INFO grandcentralterminal.com

GRAND BAZAAR NYC

WHEN | WHERE Nov. 24 and Dec. 1, 8, 15 and 22, 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m., 100 W. 77th St.
INFO grandbazaarnyc.org

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Holiday windows in NYC you won’t want to miss

“‘Tis the season! As Thanksgiving draws near, New York City’s department stores are unveiling their holiday windows. Macy’s, Bergdorf Goodman, Saks Fifth Avenue, American Girl and others are each putting their festive foot forward for the holidays.” (amNY)

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COMING SOON (WFUV)

11/29-30, 12/2-3 Bob Dylan, Beacon Theatre
11/29-30 Hot Tuna, Town Hall
11/29 & 12/2 Darlene Love, Sony Hall
11/30 Guster, Terminal 5
12/1 Beirut, Terminal 5
12/4 Bon Iver, Kings Theatre
12/4 The Hold Steady, Brooklyn Bowl
12/4 Bela Fleck & The Flecktones, Town Hall

Fall Concerts (nycgo.com)

David Byrne’s American Utopia on Broadway
October 4­, 2019–January 19, 2020
Hudson Theatre
“The Talking Heads frontman hits Broadway with a show based on his latest album—but you can expect some old favorites as well.”

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♦ Before making final plans, we suggest you call the venue to confirm ticket availability, plus dates and times, as schedules are subject to change.
♦ NYCity, with a population of  8.6 million, had a record 65 million visitors last year and was TripAdvisor’s Traveler’s Choice Top U.S. Destination for 2019 – the ninth consecutive year. BUT quality shows draw crowds. Try to reserve seats for these top NYC events in advance, even if just earlier on the day of performance.
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A PremierPub / Tribeca

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Bonus Live Music  – NYC Jazz Clubs:
Many consider NYCity the Jazz capital of the world. My favorite Jazz Clubs, all on Manhattan’s WestSide, feature top talent every night of the week.
Hit the Hot Link and check out who is playing tonight:

Greenwich Village:
(4 are underground, classic jazz joints. all 6 are within walking distance of each other):
Village Vanguard – UG, 178 7th Ave. So., villagevanguard.com, 212-255-4037 (1st 8:30)
Blue Note – 131 W3rd St. nr 6th ave. bluenotejazz.com, 212-475-8592 (1st set 8pm)
55 Bar – basement @55 Christopher St. nr 7th ave.S. 55bar.com, 212-929-9883 (1st 7pm)
Mezzrow – basement @ 163 W10th St. nr 7th Ave. mezzrow.com,646-476-4346 (1st 8)
Smalls – basement @ 183 W10th St. smallslive.com, 646-476-4346 (1st set 7:30pm)
The Stone at The New School – 55 w13 St. (btw 6/5 ave) – thestonenyc.com (8:30PM)

Outside Greenwich Village:
Dizzy’s Club – Broadway @ 60th St. — jazz.org/dizzys / 212-258-9595 (1st set 7:30pm)
Birdland – 315 W44th St.(btw 8/9ave) — birdlandjazz.com / 212-581-3080 (1st 8:30pm)
Smoke Jazz Club – 2751 Broadway nr.106th St. — smokejazz.com/ 212-864-6662 (7pm)
Jazz Standard – 116 E27 St. (btw Park/Lex) – jazzstandard.com – (1st set 7:30)

For a comprehensive list of the best places to hear All Types of Live Music in Manhattan see the tab above “LiveMusic.”

In Memoriam:
Caffe Vivaldi – 32 Jones St. nr Bleecker St. — caffevivaldi.com / 212-691-7538 (1st 7pm)
a classic, old jazz club in the Village, Caffe V often surprised with a wonderfully eclectic lineup. It was my favorite spot for an evening of listening enjoyment and discovery.
Alas, Caffe V is no more, another victim of a rapacious NYC landlord. Owner Ishrat fought the good fight and Caffe V will be sorely missed.
Cornelia Street Cafe – UG, 29 Cornelia St. corneliastreetcafe.com, 212-989-9319
And more recently we have lost Cornelia Street Cafe. After 41 years, it too became another victim of an unreasonable rent increase.

I MEMORIALIZE THESE TWO WONDERFUL CLUBS AS A WARNING.
WE HAVE TO WORK HARDER TO SAVE THESE SPECIAL PLACES.

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NYCity Vacation Travel Guide Video (Expedia):
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Selected NYCity Event (11/28)

Posted on 11/28/2019 by GregD

Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade
starts W77th St. at Central Park West/ 9AM, FREE

NEWS FLASH: The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will kick off at 9 a.m. ET Thursday, and leading up to that moment, there’s been a question about whether the 16 giant character balloons would be a part of the annual procession through Manhattan.
High winds have been blowing through New York City. The balloons cannot be flown when sustained winds exceed 23 mph and gusts exceed 34 mph, according to city regulations.
But Mayor Bill de Blasio seemed to put the question to rest.
“Good News, New York City: The winds are holding and the … balloons will FLY!” the mayor tweeted Thursday morning.

“As the story — however apocryphal it may be — goes, Macy’s employees asked the company to put on a parade in the mid-1920s. Many of them were first-generation immigrants who wanted to celebrate the place their families now called home, as well as the arrival of the holiday season. Jazz bands, employees in costume and even Santa Claus took part in a two-block procession that is now an annual tradition as synonymous with Thanksgiving as a turkey dinner.

This year is the 93rd Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, which now covers far more blocks — it begins at 77th Street at Central Park West and ends on 34th Street in front of Macy’s.
At 9 a.m.; it will also be broadcast live on NBC.”

New Balloons for the 2019 Parade

 

 

 

 

 

m

Weather permitting, here are some of the new balloons to watch for today:
Astronaut Snoopy
Green Eggs & Ham
Love flies Up To The Sky
Smokey Bear (he returns)
Spongebob Squarepants & Gary

Performers: Celine Dion, Black Eyed Peas, Natasha Bedingfield, Jimmy Fallon and the Roots, Ciara, Debbie Gibson, the band Chicago, Idina Menzel, NCT 127, Chris Young, Tenille Townes, Chris Janson, TLC, Kelly Rowland, Ozuna, Lea Michele, Miss America 2019 Nia Franklin, the cast of “Sesame Street” and more.

Extras: Performances from Broadway casts (“Beetlejuice,” “Ain’t Too Proud — The Life and Times of the Temptations,” “Tina — The Tina Turner Musical”) along with, of course, the Rockettes.

The rest of the day is turkey and football, so that’s all for today’s edition of NYCity123.com.

Come right back here tomorrow for our usual selection of carefully curated events.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!

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