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Thursday, March 31, 2022, 8:30 PM – 9:30 PM
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Thu, Mar 31, 2022, 8:00 PM – Sun, Apr 3, 2022, 5:00 PM
THEATER
David Cerda: The Drag Seed
THURSDAY – SUNDAY, MARCH 31 – APRIL 3, 2022 (continuing through APRIL 10)
8:00 PM THURSDAY – SATURDAY
4:00 PM SUNDAY
La MaMa
66 East 4th Street, East Village, Manhattan
$25 advance; $30 day of; $20 students/seniors advance; $25 students/seniors day of; $10 first 10 tickets to each show
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Carson wants to win the drag pageant at their very progressive school — and will do whatever is necessary to do so.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Go to Vaselka and show the flag.
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Thursday, March 31, 2022, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM
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Thursday, March 31, 2022, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM
OPERA
Elizabeth James: All Dogs Go 2 Hell & Back
THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2022
8:00 PM
C’mon Everybody
325 Franklin Avenue, Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn
$6.50
TICKETS + INFORMATION
A drag opera about nothing big or profound or anything: death and life.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: The masa used in the tortillas and such at Mexican café For All Things Good is like unbelievable.
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Thursday, March 31, 2022, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM
MUSIC
Razor-N-Tape feat. Adeline: A Joyful Noise
THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2022
8:00 PM
Public Records
233 Butler Street, Gowanus, Brooklyn
$20.40
TICKETS + INFORMATION
A bunch of (live) Nu Jazz musicians improvise into and out of tracks spun by DJs.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Great, stylish Korean at Insa. (Pro tip: forego the barbecue and sit in the cool bar/lounge rather than the high-school-cafeteria-like dining room.)
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Thursday, March 31, 2022, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM
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Thursday, March 31, 2022, 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM
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Thursday, March 31, 2022, 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM
MUSIC
Marta Sanchez Quintet
THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2022
7:30 & 9:30 PM
Jazz Gallery
1160 Broadway (entrance on West 27th Street), NoMad, Manhattan
$15-$25
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Pianist/composer Marta Sanchez has turned a lot of heads since she moved to New York, and no wonder. Complex yet emotionally expressive: that’s the ticket.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: The least cool really good restaurant you could imagine: Italian-Jewish Mark’s Off Madison.
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Thursday, March 31, 2022, 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM
MUSIC
Holland Andrews & Darian Donovan Thomas feat. Methods Body: Blue Alchemy
THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2022
7:30 PM
Ecstatic Music Festival
Merkin Hall, Kaufman Music Center
129 West 67th Street, Upper West Side, Manhattan
$25
TICKETS & INFORMATION
Two stalwarts of the Brooklyn experimental multidisciplinary scene team up explore the sonic implications of the historical contexts of the color. What’s particularly exciting is that they’ll be backed by the electronics/percussion duo Methods Body, whose sensational debut album came out nowhere a couple of years ago to provide a total treat.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Wonder where I’m gonna send you?
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Thu, Mar 31, 2022, 7:00 PM – Sat, Apr 2, 2022, 8:00 PM
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Thursday, March 31, 2022, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
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Thu, Mar 31, 2022, 7:00 PM – Sun, Apr 3, 2022, 8:00 PM
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Thu, Mar 31, 2022, 7:00 PM – Sun, Apr 3, 2022, 8:00 PM
THEATER
Jeton Neziraj: Balkan Bordello
THURSDAY – SUNDAY, MARCH 31 – APRIL 3, 2022 (continuing through APRIL 10)
7:00 PM
La MaMa
66 East 4th Street, East Village, Manhattan
Pay what you can Thursday; thereafter: $25 advance; $30 day of; $20 students/seniors advance; $25 students/seniors day of; $10 first 10 tickets to each show
TICKETS + INFORMATION
The Oresteia — in Belgrade.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Hardcore Argentinian at Buenos Aires.
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Thursday, March 31, 2022, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
MUSIC
Harlem Chamber Players: Women of the Movements
THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2022
6:00 PM
The Forum at Columbia University
601 West 125th Street, Manhattanville, Manhattan
Free
TICKETS + INFORMATION
I’m personally most excited about the World Premiere of the full version of Nkeiru Okoye’s We Met at the Symphony (for soprano and string quartet), since the movement we’ve heard so far was so enticing. But there’s also more Okoye, Tania León, Beata Moon, and (if they must) Florence Price.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Tapas at Olivia.
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Wed, Mar 30, 2022, 8:30 PM – Sat, Apr 2, 2022, 9:30 PM
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Wednesday, March 30, 2022, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM
MUSIC
Anna Meredith / Holland Andrews
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 2022
8:00 PM
Elsewhere
599 Johnson Avenue, Bushwick, Brooklyn
$22.00
TICKETS + INFORMATION
List postergirl Anna Meredith specifically doesn’t want you to know whether her music is classical or pop. Holland Andrews wants you to pay no regard to gender in addition to genre.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: OK, it’s a bit of a hike. But the brand-new Persian spot Eyval, an offshoot of the wonderful Sofreh, is looking mighty good.
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Wednesday, March 30, 2022, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM
MUSIC
Brandon Lopez / Ingrid Laubrock / Tom Rainey
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 2022
8:00 PM
Barbès In Person & Live Stream
376 9th Street, Park Slope, Brooklyn
$15 in person; free-$10 live stream
TICKETS + INFORMATION
If you can think of three better, more interesting musicians than bassist Brandon Lopez, saxophonist Ingrid Laubrock, and drummer Tom Rainey, I want to hear about it.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: In person, the self-explanatory Colombia in Park Slope, cuz it’s just so good. Streaming at home, have a Sherry Martini: pour 2 oz. Gin and 1 oz. Fino Sherry into an ice-filled cocktail shaker. Stir. Strain into a chilled Martini glass or coupe. Garnish with a lemon twist or — if you’re feeling brave — a sliver of Jamón Ibérico.
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Wed, Mar 30, 2022, 8:00 PM – Sun, Apr 3, 2022, 4:00 PM
THEATER / MUSIC / DANCE
David Byrne: American Utopia
WEDNESDAY – SUNDAY, MARCH 30 – APRIL 3, 2022
8:00 PM WEDNESDAY – FRIDAY
5:00 & 9:00 PM SATURDAY
3:00 PM SUNDAY
St. James Theater
246 West 44th Street, Midtown, Manhattan
$59-$179
TICKETS + INFORMATION
If a collaboration between David Byrne and Annie-B Parson were put on at BAM, I wouldn't think twice about Listing it (although I'd still feel constrained to make a comment about Boomer Nostalgia moving on to the Pop Avant-Garde). So I'm not gonna demerit this cuz it's on Broadway. AM I?
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Maybe the sushi at Sushi Lab is overelaborate and tries too hard. But it's there.
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Wednesday, March 30, 2022, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM
MUSIC
Moses Sumney: Blackalachia / L’Rain
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 2022
8:00 PM
BAM Opera House
30 Lafayette Avenue, Fort Greene, Brooklyn
$35-$95
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Moses Sumney: Marvin Gaye without the glop? Marvin Gaye without the dickishness? Marvin Gaye if he were smart enough to want to be Prince? Not Marvin Gaye at all? All I know is that the guy is GREAT. Here he accompanies songs from his most recent album with a film he directed. Opening is Brooklyn Nu R&B songstress L’Rain, who is pretty GREAT herself.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: The Persian food at Sofreh is just as jewel-like as always.
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Wed, Mar 30, 2022, 8:00 PM – Sat, Apr 2, 2022, 9:00 PM
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Wednesday, March 30, 2022, 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM
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Wed, Mar 30, 2022, 7:00 PM – Sun, Apr 3, 2022, 6:00 PM
THEATER
The Civilians: what you are now
WEDNESDAY – SUNDAY, MARCH 30 – APRIL 3, 2022
7:00 PM WEDNESDAY – SATURDAY
5:00 PM SATURDAY & SUNDAY
Ensemble Studio Theatre
545 West 52nd Street, Hell’s Kitchen, Manhattan
$20-40; $25 students/seniors
TICKETS + INFORMATION
What if our memories aren’t fixed, but change every time we remember the past? (Wait you mean it isn’t that way for everybody?)
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Ardesia Wine Bar is even closer to Ensemble Studio Theatre than to the Irish Arts Center.
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Wed, Mar 30, 2022, 7:00 PM – Sun, Apr 3, 2022, 3:00 PM
THEATER
Barry Conners: The Patsy
WEDNESDAY – SUNDAY, MARCH 30 – APRIL 3, 2022 (continuing through APRIL 30)
7:00 PM THURSDAY – SATURDAY
3:00 PM SATURDAY & SUNDAY
Transport Group
Abrons Arts Center
466 Grand Street, Lower East Side, Manhattan
$55-$65
TICKETS + INFORMATION
David Greenspan, the titanic imp of Downtown theater, breathes upon this antique comedy of manners and transforms it into one of the funniest and most exhilarating one-person shows you’ve ever seen. I saw him do an excerpt a few weeks ago, and I couldn’t believe it.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: A show this great deserves one of the best restaurants in New York: Basque sensation Ernesto’s (they have an all-day café if you go to a matinée).
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Tuesday, March 29, 2022, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM
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Tue, Mar 29, 2022, 7:30 PM – Sat, Apr 2, 2022, 8:30 PM
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Tuesday, March 29, 2022, 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM
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Tue, Mar 29, 2022, 7:00 PM – Sun, Apr 3, 2022, 3:00 PM
MUSIC / THEATER
Heather Christian: Oratorio for Living Things
TUESDAY – SUNDAY, MARCH 29 – APRIL 3, 2022 (continuing through APRIL 17)
7:00 PM TUESDAY – SATURDAY
2:00 PM SUNDAY
Ars Nova @ Greenwich House
27 Barrow Street, West Village, Manhattan
$35-$65
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Country-folk-blues singer-songwriter Heather Christian presents a big long-form piece about what it means to be alive and our relationship with time (exactly the things I try hard not to think about).
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Emmett’s on Grove and its Midwestern tavern-style pizza is all the rage.
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Tue, Mar 29, 2022, 7:00 PM – Sun, Apr 3, 2022, 4:00 PM
THEATER
Claudia Rankine: Help
TUESDAY – SUNDAY, MARCH 29 – APRIL 3, 2022 (continuing through APRIL 10)
7:00 PM TUESDAY – THURSDAY
8:00 PM FRIDAY & SATURDAY
2:00 PM SATURDAY
3:00 PM SUNDAY
The Shed
545 West 30th Street, Hell’s Kitchen, Manhattan
$29-$72
TICKETS + INFORMATION
”What are White people thinking?” asks the brilliant poet/playwright Claudia Rankine in this piece based on actual interactions she had with Whites in transitional spaces like airports. The creative team on this piece is pretty brilliant, too.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Faux-Southern food and drink at Porchlight.
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Tue, Mar 29, 2022, 10:00 AM – Sun, Apr 3, 2022, 4:30 PM
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Monday, March 28, 2022, 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM
MUSIC
Orrinn Evans Trio: Birthday Celebration
MONDAY, MARCH 28, 2022
7:30 & 9:30 PM
Jazz Gallery
1160 Broadway (entrance on West 27th Street), NoMad, Manhattan
$25-$35
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Smart soulful pianist Orrinn Evans leads a great big band. But if you really want an x-ray of his brain in operation, you should hear him in a trio setting. That’s it’s his birthday won’t hurt.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Is the West African buffet at B&B Restaurant the best deal in New York, or the best deal anywhere? You decide.
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Mon, Mar 28, 2022, 7:30 PM – Wed, Mar 30, 2022, 8:29 PM
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Monday, March 28, 2022, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
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Mon, Mar 28, 2022, 8:00 AM – Sun, Apr 3, 2022, 5:00 PM
MUSIC / PERFORMANCE
Gelsey Bell feat. Joseph White: Cairns
MONDAY – SUNDAY, MARCH 28 – APRIL 3, 2022 (ongoing)
8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
#stillHERE IRL
Green-Wood Cemetery, Sunset Park Entrance
35th Street at 4th Avenue, Greenwood Heights, Brooklyn
$7 or more for soundtrack
TICKETS + INFORMATION
One of the first shows during Quarantine that you could actually Go Out! to (although it's not quite "live"). Gelsey Bell, that vocal star of NYC Alt Classical, has conceived of a piece that walks you around Green-Wood Cemetery (starting at the Sunset Park Entrance). You download the soundtrack on your phone beforehand (the Times complains about how hard it is to download from Bandcamp to an iPhone — trust me: if I can figure out how to do it, anyone can). Bell wrote the text and narrates, with a co-composing assist from the inimitable Joe White (whose terrific new album you really ought to hear). The Cemetery itself will do the performing. (You can also listen to the soundtrack at home and pretend you're walking around the Cemetery.)
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: The Sunset Park entrance is only a short walk from Hometown BBQ Industry City (if you go over the weekend, you can get the fabulous pastrami).
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Mon, Mar 28, 2022, 6:00 AM – Sun, Apr 3, 2022, 11:59 PM
MUSIC / PERFORMANCE
Ellen Reid: SOUNDWALK
MONDAY – SUNDAY, MARCH 28 – APRIL 3, 2022 (ongoing)
6:00 AM – 1:00 AM
New York Philharmonic
Central Park
59th Street – 110th Street/Central Park West – 5th Avenue, Manhattan
Free (registration required)
TICKETS + INFORMATION
The New York Phil hops aboard the walk-around-the-landscaped-space-with-soundtrack train. The highly allusive soundtrack was put together by Ellen Reid, who is one of the more soundscapey (and certainly one of the best) of today's many excellent young composers. This walk isn't guided: you download an app that triggers sounds sent to your earphones from various cells around the Park as you wander. So you can do it over many times. (Speaking of wandering around Central Park, here's something that I, for one, never knew.)
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Delicious pan-African at Teranga.
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Sunday, March 27, 2022, 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
MUSIC
Wet Ink Ensemble: Spring Premieres
SUNDAY, MARCH 27, 2022
5:00 PM
Tenri Cultural Institute
43A West 13th Street, Greenwich Village, Manhattan
$10; students free
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Among the premieres on this great bill by this excellent ensemble are the full version of Rick Burkhardt’s TED piece (sure to be great), a new piece by Katherine Young (who will also pick up her bassoon to play a flexible, new-at-each-performance piece by Wet Ink’s own Eric Wubbels), and a new flute solo composed for Wet Ink by jazz-not-jazz trumpeter Peter Evans.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Go to neo-Red Sauce spot Don Angie and try to figure what so many people think is good about it.
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Saturday, March 26, 2022, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM
MUSIC
Hamza Akram Kawwal & Brothers: Sufi Chants of Pakistan
SATURDAY, MARCH 26, 2022
8:00 PM
Roulette
509 Atlantic Avenue (entrance on Third Avenue), Boerum Hill, Brooklyn
$25 advance; $30 door; $20 students/seniors at door
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Remember when secular New York audiences discovered Qawwali, the high-powered mystic Pakastani Sufi music, in the ‘90s? Remember how astonishingly exciting it seemed — and how sheerly ecstatic the shows were? Well, other than losing its greatest-ever proponent, the music hasn’t gotten any worse. And we can all use some high-powered ecstasy right now (no, that’s not what I mean).
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Calm yourself down at Grand Army Bar.
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Saturday, March 26, 2022, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM
MUSIC
Pierre de Gaillande: BAD REPUTATION: Brassens en Anglais
SATURDAY, MARCH 26, 2022
8:00 PM
Barbès In Person & Live Stream
376 9th Street, Park Slope, Brooklyn
$15 in person; free-$10 live stream
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Transplanted Frenchperson Pierre de Gaillande has done the seemingly impossible: translated songs of a great French chansonnier, Georges Brassens, into English in a way that works both textually and musically. This is not just good stuff — it’s titanically good stuff.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: In person, you’ll want something good and French after this. But you’re in Park Slope, so you’ll have to settle for Olivier Bistro. Streaming at home, have a Suze & Tonic: pour 1-1/2 oz. Suze into a Collins glass over ice. Top with tonic water. Squeeze in a lemon wedge, and then toss the wedge in.
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Saturday, March 26, 2022, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM
MUSIC
David Krakauer: “Mazel Tov Cocktail Party!” Record Release
SATURDAY, MARCH 26, 2022
8:00 PM
Work Train Fight
636 Broadway, NoHo, Manhattan
$20; $10 students
TICKETS + INFORMATION
David Krakauer, a phenomenal clarinetist who takes Klezmer and runs with it.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: The notice of this show contains the ineffably sweet words “open bar” For more solid sustenance, Thai seafood at Fish Cheeks.
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Saturday, March 26, 2022, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM
MUSIC
DFA xx NYC
SATURDAY, MARCH 26, 2022
8:00 PM
Knockdown Center
52-19 Flushing Avenue, Maspeth, Queens
$65
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Ready for some ‘00s Nostalgia? DFA Records celebrates 20 years since its revival of late ‘70s/early ‘80s post-Punk dance music. (You know what? I STILL think “House of Jealous Lovers” is THE SHIT.)
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: ECB: you can have burgers, or you can go with their Red Sauce alter ego.
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Saturday, March 26, 2022, 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM
MUSIC
Anthony de Mare: Liasons: Reimagining Sondheim from the Piano
SATURDAY, MARCH 26, 2022
7:30 PM
Merkin Hall,Kaufman Music Center
129 West 67th Street, Upper West Side, Manhattan
$25
TICKETS & INFORMATION
Pianist Anthony de Mare plays pieces from his ongoing project commissioning contemporary composers to reimagine Sondheim songs for solo piano. (Can Sondheim really be dead?) Special guest pianist: Conrad Tao!
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Wonder where I’m gonna send you?
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Saturday, March 26, 2022, 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM
MUSIC / PERFORMANCE
John Jarboe: Rose: You Are Who You Eat
SATURDAY, MARCH 26, 2022
7:30 PM
Guggenheim Museum
1071 Fifth Avenue, Upper East Side, Brooklyn
$1-$35
TICKETS + INFORMATION
A few years ago, Bearded Ladies Cabaret founder John Jarboe’s aunt told him that the reason he is gay, to her mind, is because he ate a female fetal twin, who was to have been named Rose, in the womb (the first Jarboe had ever heard about that). This piece ensued.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Somebody’s got to go to UES “Continental” restaurants like Pascalou.
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Saturday, March 26, 2022, 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM
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Saturday, March 26, 2022, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
MUSIC
Ambient Chaos: Out of Space Series
SATURDAY, MARCH 26, 2022
7:00 PM
Wonderville
1186 Broadway, Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn
Donation requested
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Experimental electronic music and video.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Cool Thai at Mao Mao.
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Fri, Mar 25, 2022, 8:00 PM – Sun, Mar 27, 2022, 4:00 PM
THEATER
Claudia Rankine: Help
TUESDAY – WEDNESDAY & FRIDAY – SUNDAY, MARCH 22 – 23 & 25 – 27, 2022 (continuing through APRIL 10)
7:00 PM TUESDAY & WEDNESDAY
8:00 PM FRIDAY & SATURDAY
2:00 PM SATURDAY
3:00 PM SUNDAY
The Shed
545 West 30th Street, Hell’s Kitchen, Manhattan
$29-$49 TUESDAY & WEDNESDAY; $29-$74 FRIDAY – SUNDAY
TICKETS + INFORMATION
”What are White people thinking?” asks the brilliant poet/playwright Claudia Rankine in this piece based on actual interactions she had with Whites in transitional spaces like airports. The creative team on this piece is pretty brilliant, too.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Faux-Southern food and drink at Porchlight.
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Fri, Mar 25, 2022, 8:00 PM – Sat, Mar 26, 2022, 9:00 PM
THEATER
Nola Latty: Still Goes (The Game) // Christina Tang: Traffic
FRIDAY & SATURDAY, MARCH 25 & 26, 2022
8:00 PM
Exponential Festival
The Brick
579 Metropolitan Avenue, Williamsburg, Brooklyn
$20
TICKETS + INFORMATION
A double bill of hybrid theater games, one involving dogs and the other traffic (the interest is in the implications duh).
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Good Roman pinsa at Montesacro.
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Fri, Mar 25, 2022, 8:00 PM – Sat, Mar 26, 2022, 9:00 PM
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Friday, March 25, 2022, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM
MUSIC
29 Speedway: Debit / OHYUNG / Axine M / Kowloon Baby
FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 2022
8:00 PM
IRL
80 Franklin Street, Greenpoint, Brooklyn
$15-$20
TICKETS + INFORMATION
The big news hear is a set by Debit, a Mexican electronics artist with an ever-evolving sound of her own — lately (and fascinatingly) incorporating indigenous elements.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: I’m sure even Debit would acknowledge that the CDMX-style tacos at Taqueria Ramirez really make it.
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Fri, Mar 25, 2022, 8:00 PM – Sat, Mar 26, 2022, 9:00 PM
DANCE
Justin Allen: Frequency
FRIDAY & SATURDAY, MARCH 25 & 26, 2022
8:00 PM
Chocolate Factory Theater
38-33 24th Street, Long Island City, Queens
$20
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Justin Allen and his dancing colleagues improvise their moves in response to techo-inspired rhythmic pulsations shook out on bass shakers.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Brazilian by the kilo at the Copacabana buffet.
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Friday, March 25, 2022, 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM
MUSIC
American Composers Orchestra: Sanctuary
FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 2022
7:30 PM
Zankel Hall, Carnegie Hall
881 7th Avenue, Midtown, Manhattan
$45-$55
TICKETS + INFORMATION
An embarrassment of riches. Among the many new pieces on this program are a violin concerto by Lisa Bielawa and orchestral works by Anna Clyne and Paula Matthusen. And the conductor is Marin Alsop. And the soloist is Jennifer Koh.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: It’s hard to believe that a famous dissident hangout like the Russian Samovar is being subject to anti-Russian vandalism, when no one could possibly think the staff or clientele has anything but deep antipathy to Putin’s war crimes. Go and show your support for these good guys.
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Friday, March 25, 2022, 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM
MUSIC
loadbang: Premieres Vol. 18
FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 2022
7:30 PM
Opera America
330 7th Avenue, NoHo, Manhattan
$20; $10 students/seniors
TICKETS + INFORMATION
The exciting and unique voice and winds/brass quintet loadbang presents an evening of premieres (with a few ringers).
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: The West African buffet at B&B Restaurant remains one of the marvels of NYC dining.
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Friday, March 25, 2022, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
MUSIC
Shamir
FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 2021
7:00 PM
The Sultan Room
234 Starr Street, Bushwick, Brooklyn
$17.95
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Shamir was really great when he was doing off-kilter R&B — and he only got even better when he alted it up. (Also, I just learned that he and I — and Leon Trotsky! — share a birthday!)
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: I really do love the loaded-up Venezuelan hot dogs at Santa Salsa.
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Fri, Mar 25, 2022, 7:00 PM – Sat, Mar 26, 2022, 8:00 PM
MUSIC
keiyaA
FRIDAY & SATURDAY, MARCH 25 & 26, 2022
7:00 PM
Afrofuturism
Public Records
233 Butler Street, Gowanus, Brooklyn
$26.17
FRIDAY TICKETS + INFORMATION
SATURDAY TICKETS + INFORMATION
How great is Nu Soul singer-songwriter keiyaA? Pretty fucking great. In the tradition of the best smart pop music, she takes R&B usages and works them for self-expression, so you can groove and you can think.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Black Mountain Wine House is almost ludicrously pleasant.
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Fri, Mar 25, 2022, 2:00 PM – Sun, Mar 27, 2022, 6:00 PM
THEATER / PERFORMANCE
The Builders Association: I Agree to the Terms
FRIDAY – SUNDAY, MARCH 25 – 27, 2022 (continuing through APRIL 3)
2:00 & 5:00 PM
Skirball Center Online
$15
TICKETS + INFORMATION
In an immersive online experience, presumably privileged audience members (cuz who else would pay to do this in their free time?) will train with actual oppressed Amazon employees and then compete for meaningless boring repetitive low-paying jobs.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Everclear.
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Thursday, March 24, 2022, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM
PERFORMANCE
Nick Walther & I’m Going To Marry Your Dad: Pony Play
THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2022
8:00 PM
The Brick
579 Metropolitan Avenue, Williamsburg, Brooklyn
$15-$20
TICKETS + INFORMATION
A night of performance and alt comedy.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Really really good udon at Hanon.
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Thu, Mar 24, 2022, 8:00 PM – Sun, Mar 27, 2022, 5:00 PM
THEATER / DANCE / PERFORMANCE
Talking Band: Lemon Girls or the Art of the Artless
THURSDAY – SUNDAY, MARCH 24 – 27, 2022
8:00 PM THURSDAY – SATURDAY
4:00 PM SUNDAY
La MaMa
66 East 4th Street, East Village, Manhattan
$25 advance; $30 day of; $20 students/seniors advance; $25 students/seniors day of; $10 first 10 tickets to each show
TICKETS + INFORMATION
In praise of Old Ladies. A Downtown Theater institution.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Go to Vaselka and show the flag.
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Thu, Mar 24, 2022, 7:30 PM – Sat, Mar 26, 2022, 8:30 PM
THEATER
Angélica Herrera: Saguaros
THURSDAY – SATURDAY, MARCH 24 – 26, 2022
7:30 PM
JACK
20 Putnam Avenue, Clinton Hill, Brooklyn
$10-$20
TICKETS + INFORMATION
A play about teens being held by ICE, everything not being what it seems.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Hartley’s is as appealing a neo-Irish bar as you could hope for — and the pub grub is considerably better than it needs to be.
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Thu, Mar 24, 2022, 7:30 PM – Sun, Mar 27, 2022, 4:00 PM
DANCE
Mark Morris Dance Group: L’Allegro, il Penseroso ed il Moderato
THURSDAY – SUNDAY, MARCH 24 – 27, 2022
7:30 PM THURSDAY – SATURDAY
3:00 PM SUNDAY
BAM
30 Lafayette Avenue, Fort Greene, Brooklyn
$35-$115
TICKETS + INFORMATION
The piece that, more than 30 years ago, propelled Mark Morris from a local fave to an international sensation. This Handel setting has everything that’s good about Mark Morris — camp humor, musical sensitivity, a clear and interesting movement vocabulary, massive entertainment value — but more, bigger.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: The Persian food at Sofreh is just as jewel-like as always.
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Thursday, March 24, 2022, 7:30 PM – 10:00 PM
MUSIC
Joy Guidry
THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2022
7:30 & 9:30 PM
Jazz Gallery
1160 Broadway (entrance on West 27th Street), NoMad, Manhattan
$15-$25
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Radical bassoon. And when somebody’s band has the terrific composer Jessie Cox on drums, you know he must be up to something.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: The least cool really good restaurant you could imagine: Italian-Jewish Mark’s Off Madison.
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Thu, Mar 24, 2022, 7:00 PM – Sat, Mar 26, 2022, 10:00 PM
THEATER
Sam Green: 32 Sounds
THURSDAY – SATURDAY, MARCH 24 – 26, 2022
7:00 & 9:00 PM THURSDAY & FRIDAY
2:00 & 8:00 PM SATURDAY
BAM Fisher
321 Ashland Place, Fort Greene, Brooklyn
$35
TICKETS + INFORMATION
You listen to this film extrapolated from 32 field recordings, with live narration by creator Sam Green and a live soundtrack by Le Tigre’s JD Samson, through headphones.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Fusiony Indian at Corner Delhi.
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Thursday, March 24, 2022, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
MUSIC
Matthew Evan Taylor: Life Returns
THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2022
7:00 PM
Grace Rainey Rogers Auditorium, Metropolitan Museum of Art
1000 Fifth Avenue, Upper East Side, Manhattan
$25
TICKETS + INFORMATION
We say it all the time here so it’s getting tiresome, BUT: for so-called classical music to regain its relevance to an actual functioning not-brain-dead-or-on-autopilot audience, it has to reflect/incorporate/use music that people actually listen to, that has relevance to their lives (as it did back in the day). Composer Matthew Evan Taylor is definitely part of the solution. Over the last year or so he’s been working, under the aegis of the Met Museum, with the Metropolis Ensemble on a series of online performances working with African-American and Indian traditions. That project culminates in this (finally!) live performance with the Ensemble and the Indo-Jazz band RAJAS.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: You can’t do better up there than the outstanding bistro Quatorze.
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Thu, Mar 24, 2022, 7:00 PM – Sun, Mar 27, 2022, 3:00 PM
THEATER / PERFORMANCE
Spiderwoman Theater: Misdemeanor Dream
THURSDAY – SUNDAY, MARCH 24 – 27, 2022
7:00 PM THURSDAY – SATURDAY
2:00 PM SUNDAY
La MaMa
66 East 4th Street, East Village, Manhattan
$25 advance; $30 day of; $20 students/seniors advance; $25 students/seniors day of; $10 first 10 tickets to each show
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Magical, committed Feminist Indigenous theater.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: For what it is — technically elevated pub grub — Sidney’s Five could not be better.
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Thu, Mar 24, 2022, 7:00 PM – Sun, Mar 27, 2022, 8:00 PM
THEATER
Agnes Borinsky: A Song of Songs
THURSDAY – SUNDAY, MARCH 24 – 27, 2022 (continuing through APRIL 3)
7:00 PM
El Puente’s Williamsburg Leadership Center
211 South 4th Street, Williamsburg, Brooklyn
$25
TICKETS + INFORMATION
A femme love remix of The Song of Songs.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: If what you’ve been looking for is Japanese/Ashkenazic Jewish fusion, Shalom Japan has your back.
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Wed, Mar 23, 2022, 8:30 PM – Sat, Mar 26, 2022, 9:30 PM
MUSIC
The Stone Residencies: Brian Chase
WEDNESDAY – SATURDAY, MARCH 23 – 26, 2022
8:30 PM
The Stone
Glass Box Theater, The New School
55 West 13th Street, Greenwich Village, Manhattan
$20
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Drummer Brian Chase made his name with the art-punk Yeah Yeah Yeahs — but at heart he’s a droner. And an avant-jazzer.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: It’ll be nice to go back to the comfortable Emilia-Romagnan food at Da Andrea (do yourself a favor and start with the Tigelle Modenesi con Prosciutto).
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Wednesday, March 23, 2022, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM
MUSIC
Happy Place: “Tendrils” Album Release
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2022
8:00 PM
Roulette In Person & Live Stream
509 Atlantic Avenue (entrance on Third Avenue), Boerum Hill, Brooklyn
$20 advance; $25 door; free live stream
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Well, the album was actually released in late 2020 — but we all know that the time between then and now didn’t actually happen. Anyway, back in the ‘70s, we used to snicker at the morons who thought that prog was the kind of rock music that people who listened to classical music liked, when the real classically-influenced rock music was the Velvet Underground and the Stooges. Now though, there are a bunch of prog bands that actually do play classical music (not just bombastic glosses on out-of-date orchestral pops), just as the Velvets and the Stooges did. Drummer/composer Will Mason’s Happy Place is one — and it’s great. And sort of microtonal. And Charlotte Mundy is a member.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: In person, basic bistro at Bacchus. Streaming at home, have a Fugue State: pour 1 oz. Mezcal and 1/2 oz. each of Génépy, Maraschino, and lime juice into an ice-filled cocktail shaker. Shake. Strain into a chilled Martini glass or coupe. Garnish with a lime twist.
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Wednesday, March 23, 2022, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM
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Wed, Mar 23, 2022, 8:00 PM – Sun, Mar 27, 2022, 4:00 PM
THEATER / MUSIC / DANCE
David Byrne: American Utopia
WEDNESDAY – SUNDAY, MARCH 23 – 27, 2022 (continuing through APRIL 3)
8:00 PM WEDNESDAY – FRIDAY
5:00 & 9:00 PM SATURDAY
3:00 PM SUNDAY
St. James Theater
246 West 44th Street, Midtown, Manhattan
$59-$179
TICKETS + INFORMATION
If a collaboration between David Byrne and Annie-B Parson were put on at BAM, I wouldn't think twice about Listing it (although I'd still feel constrained to make a comment about Boomer Nostalgia moving on to the Pop Avant-Garde). So I'm not gonna demerit this cuz it's on Broadway. AM I?
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Maybe the sushi at Sushi Lab is overelaborate and tries too hard. But it's there.
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Wednesday, March 23, 2022, 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM
MUSIC
Decoda
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 2022
7:30 PM
Weill Recital Hall, Carnegie Hall
154 West 57th Street, Midtown, Manhattan
$32.00-$38
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Bassoonist Joy Guidry, showing off his jazz side later in the week at the Jazz Gallery, shows his classical side with a composition for Decoda. Also, among other things, a brand-new piece by Michael Hersch, one of the darkest composers now working.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Celebrate the completely unexpected resurgence of La Bonne Soup.
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Wednesday, March 23, 2022, 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM
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Wed, Mar 23, 2022, 7:00 PM – Sun, Mar 27, 2022, 6:00 PM
THEATER
The Civilians: what you are now
WEDNESDAY – SUNDAY, MARCH 23 – 27, 2022 (continuing through APRIL 3)
7:00 PM WEDNESDAY – SATURDAY
5:00 PM SATURDAY & SUNDAY
Ensemble Studio Theatre
545 West 52nd Street, Hell’s Kitchen, Manhattan
$20-40; $25 students/seniors
TICKETS + INFORMATION
What if our memories aren’t fixed, but change every time we remember the past? (Wait you mean it isn’t that way for everybody?)
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Ardesia Wine Bar is even closer to Ensemble Studio Theatre than to the Irish Arts Center.
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Wed, Mar 23, 2022, 7:00 PM – Thu, Mar 24, 2022, 8:00 PM
OPERA
Mary D. Watkins: Emmett Till
WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY, MARCH 23 & 24, 2022
7:00 PM
Opera Noir International
Gerald W. Lynch Theater, John Jay College
524 West 59th Street, Hell’s Kitchen, Manhattan
$30-$1,000; $20 students/seniors
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Mary D. Watkins brings us a controversial new opera about the Black teenager whose brutal lynching helped spark the Civil Rights Movement in the ‘50s.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Italian wine and food at Masseria del Vini.
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Tuesday, March 22, 2022, 8:30 PM – 9:30 PM
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Tuesday, March 22, 2022, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM
MUSIC
Lesley Mok & Aliya Ultan: a bird in its chest
TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 2022
8:00 PM
Roulette In Person & Live Stream
509 Atlantic Avenue (entrance on Third Avenue), Boerum Hill, Brooklyn
$20 advance; $25 door; free live stream
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Lesley Mok, a distinctive drummer who also has what must be the best haircut on the current NYC alt/experimental music scene, joins with cellist-composer Aliya Ultan (and a crack ensemble) to present a reflection on love — with aerialists!
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: In person, eclectic food at As You Are. Streaming at home, have an Elevation: pour 1 oz. each of Gin, Cynar, and blanc Vermouth into an ice-filled cocktail shaker. Stir. Strain into a chilled Martini glass or coupe. Express a grapefruit peel into the drink and use the peel as a garnish.
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Tue, Mar 22, 2022, 8:00 PM – Wed, Mar 23, 2022, 9:00 PM
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Tuesday, March 22, 2022, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM
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Tuesday, March 22, 2022, 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM
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Tuesday, March 22, 2022, 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM
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Tue, Mar 22, 2022, 7:30 PM – Sun, Mar 27, 2022, 3:00 PM
DANCE
Ronald K. Brown / EVIDENCE
TUESDAY – SUNDAY, MARCH 22 – 27, 2022
7:30 PM TUESDAY & WEDNESDAY
8:00 PM THURSDAY – SATURDAY
2:00 PM SATURDAY & SUNDAY
Afrofuturism
Joyce Theater
175 Eighth Avenue, Chelsea, Manhattan
$51-$71
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Sure, Ronald K. Brown’s dance is kind of mainstream for this List. But it’s also kind of fabulous — and he’s coming off a stroke, so come on. In both the immediate visceral appeal department and the uplift department (as well as in the African-American [and in Brown’s case, also Afro-Latin] cultural consciousness department — although Ailey hated to be characterized that way), he’s an Ailey for our time.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: I’ll say it again: the revived El Quijote is a blast.
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Tue, Mar 22, 2022, 7:00 PM – Wed, Mar 23, 2022, 8:00 PM
THEATER
Claudia Rankine: Help
TUESDAY – WEDNESDAY & FRIDAY – SUNDAY, MARCH 22 – 23 & 25 – 27, 2022 (continuing through APRIL 10)
7:00 PM TUESDAY & WEDNESDAY
8:00 PM FRIDAY & SATURDAY
2:00 PM SATURDAY
3:00 PM SUNDAY
The Shed
545 West 30th Street, Hell’s Kitchen, Manhattan
$29-$49 TUESDAY & WEDNESDAY; $29-$74 FRIDAY – SUNDAY
TICKETS + INFORMATION
”What are White people thinking?” asks the brilliant poet/playwright Claudia Rankine in this piece based on actual interactions she had with Whites in transitional spaces like airports. The creative team on this piece is pretty brilliant, too.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Faux-Southern food and drink at Porchlight.
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Tue, Mar 22, 2022, 7:00 PM – Sun, Mar 27, 2022, 3:00 PM
MUSIC / THEATER
Heather Christian: Oratorio for Living Things
TUESDAY – SUNDAY, MARCH 22 – 27, 2022 (continuing through APRIL 17)
7:00 PM TUESDAY – SATURDAY
2:00 PM SUNDAY
Ars Nova @ Greenwich House
27 Barrow Street, West Village, Manhattan
$35-$65
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Country-folk-blues singer-songwriter Heather Christian presents a big long-form piece about what it means to be alive and our relationship with time (exactly the things I try hard not to think about).
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Emmett’s on Grove and its Midwestern tavern-style pizza is all the rage.
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Tuesday, March 22, 2022, 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
MUSIC
Tristan Perich: Infinity Gradient
TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 2022
7:00 & 9:30 PM
Death of Classical
Saint Thomas Church
1 West 53rd Street, Midtown, Manhattan
$75
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Tristan Perich is famous for his symphonies of synthesized sounds played by batteries of 1-bit speakers. Tonight, he matches those with Saint Thomas Church’s spectacular pipe organ, played by James McVinnie. Should be overwhelming.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: The admission price includes wine and snacks an hour before each performance. For better wine and better food, go to the improbably good Italian café Lodi.
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Tue, Mar 22, 2022, 10:00 AM – Sun, Mar 27, 2022, 4:30 PM
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Monday, March 21, 2022, 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM
MUSIC
Nadia Sirota: Living Music
MONDAY, MARCH 21, 2022
7:30 PM
Juilliard @ Chelsea Factory
Chelsea Factory
547 West 26th Street, Chelsea, Manhattan
$10
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Alt Classical hostess-with-the-mostess Nadia Sirota curates and introduces a program of chamber music, played by Juilliard students, by a galaxy of List faves: Nico Muhly, Gabriella Smith, Julia Wolfe, Marcos Balter, and Andrew Norman. This List on a plate.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Everybody else loves the tricked-up Middle Eastern at Shukette. So don’t let me spoil the fun.
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Monday, March 21, 2022, 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM
PERFORMANCE
Luis Macías: Your Eyes Are Spectral Machines
MONDAY, MARCH 21, 2022
7:30 PM
Microscope Gallery
525 West 29th Street, Chelsea, Manhattan
$10
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Performative expanded cinema, in which cinematic elements are altered and manipulated as you watch, emphasizing the spectrality — expanding the “ghostliness” of film as a medium.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: The oven-centered Italian menu at Ci Siamo reads boring — but the food tastes good.
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Monday, March 21, 2022, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
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Mon, Mar 21, 2022, 8:00 AM – Sun, Mar 27, 2022, 5:00 PM
MUSIC / PERFORMANCE
Gelsey Bell feat. Joseph White: Cairns
MONDAY – SUNDAY, MARCH 21 – 27, 2022 (ongoing)
8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
#stillHERE IRL
Green-Wood Cemetery, Sunset Park Entrance
35th Street at 4th Avenue, Greenwood Heights, Brooklyn
$7 or more for soundtrack
TICKETS + INFORMATION
One of the first shows during Quarantine that you could actually Go Out! to (although it's not quite "live"). Gelsey Bell, that vocal star of NYC Alt Classical, has conceived of a piece that walks you around Green-Wood Cemetery (starting at the Sunset Park Entrance). You download the soundtrack on your phone beforehand (the Times complains about how hard it is to download from Bandcamp to an iPhone — trust me: if I can figure out how to do it, anyone can). Bell wrote the text and narrates, with a co-composing assist from the inimitable Joe White (whose terrific new album you really ought to hear). The Cemetery itself will do the performing. (You can also listen to the soundtrack at home and pretend you're walking around the Cemetery.)
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: The Sunset Park entrance is only a short walk from Hometown BBQ Industry City (if you go over the weekend, you can get the fabulous pastrami).
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Mon, Mar 21, 2022, 6:00 AM – Sun, Mar 27, 2022, 11:59 PM
MUSIC / PERFORMANCE
Ellen Reid: SOUNDWALK
MONDAY – SUNDAY, MARCH 21 – 27, 2022 (ongoing)
6:00 AM – 1:00 AM
New York Philharmonic
Central Park
59th Street – 110th Street/Central Park West – 5th Avenue, Manhattan
Free (registration required)
TICKETS + INFORMATION
The New York Phil hops aboard the walk-around-the-landscaped-space-with-soundtrack train. The highly allusive soundtrack was put together by Ellen Reid, who is one of the more soundscapey (and certainly one of the best) of today's many excellent young composers. This walk isn't guided: you download an app that triggers sounds sent to your earphones from various cells around the Park as you wander. So you can do it over many times. (Speaking of wandering around Central Park, here's something that I, for one, never knew.)
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Delicious pan-African at Teranga.
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Sunday, March 20, 2022, 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM
DANCE
Jamar Roberts: A Chronicle of a Pivot at a Point in Time
SUNDAY, MARCH 20, 2022 (also MARCH 21)
7:30 PM
Guggenheim Museum
325 West 46th Street, Midtown, Manhattan
$1-$35
TICKETS + INFORMATION
A major piece by Jamar Roberts exploring his experience of The Lockdown.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Alsatian (duh) at Café d’Alsace.
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Sunday, March 20, 2022, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
DANCE
Kathak & Everlasting Echoes
SUNDAY, MARCH 20, 2022
6:00 PM
Dixon Place
161A Chrystie Street, Lower East Side, Manhattan
$35-$40
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Classical Indian dance performed to everything from Bollywood songs to Adele.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Congee Village is a trip. And the Cantonese food is good, too.
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Sunday, March 20, 2022, 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
MUSIC
Composers Concordance: The Art of the Art Song
SUNDAY, MARCH 20, 2022
3:00 PM
St. Marks Church-in-the-Bowery
131 East 10th Street, East Village, Manhattan
$20
TICKETS + INFORMATION
New contemporary art songs.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Go to Ukraine East Village Restaurant and show the flag.
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Sunday, March 20, 2022, 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
MUSIC
Inna Barmash: Yiddish Lullabies & Love Songs
SUNDAY, MARCH 20, 2022
3:00 PM
Barbès In Person & Live Stream
376 9th Street, Park Slope, Brooklyn
$20 in person; free-$10 live stream
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Forgive me my parochialism.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: In person, it’s the weekend: you can be at Reyes Deli & Grocery when they serve their barbacoa and goat stew tacos and their tamales! At home, the Brooklyn cocktail was probably (cocktail history is rarely clear) invented by a bartender who was Jewish. Here’s a version that hews closer to the original than the modern version known now; hence, the OG Brooklyn: pour 1-1/2 oz. of Rye and sweet Vermouth, and 1/4 oz. each of either Golden Moon Amer dit Picon or Bigallet China-China and Maraschino liqueur, into an ice-filled cocktail shaker. Stir. Strain into a chilled Martini glass or coupe. Garnish with a cocktail cherry.
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Saturday, March 19, 2022, 10:00 PM – 11:00 PM
MUSIC
Carl Craig Synthesizer Ensemble
SATURDAY, MARCH 19, 2022
10:00 PM
Afrofuturism
Zankel Hall, Carnegie Hall
881 7th Avenue, Midtown, Manhattan
$38-$45
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Let’s just say it: second-wave Detroit Techno visionary Carl Craig is one of the great American musicians, period. Here he leads his synth ensemble, where it’s very clear that a bunch of human beings are running the electronics.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: It’s hard to believe that a famous dissident hangout like the Russian Samovar is being subject to anti-Russian vandalism, when no one could possibly think the staff or clientele has anything but deep antipathy to Putin’s war crimes. Go and show your support for these good guys.
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Saturday, March 19, 2022, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM
MUSIC
Lee “Scratch” Perry: Spatial — No Problem
SATURDAY, MARCH 19, 2022
8:00 PM
Afrofuturism
National Sawdust
80 North 6th Street, Williamsburg, Brooklyn
$23
TICKETS & INFORMATION
Shortly before he died, Jamaican sonic powerhouse Lee “Scratch” Perry did a project with Mouse on Mars involving immersive sound that never saw the light of day. Now those tapes are mapped onto National Sawdust’s peerless spatial music system. You won’t even need to smoke anything.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Some of the City’s leading Vietnamese at Bolero.
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Saturday, March 19, 2022, 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM
MUSIC
Ocelot
SATURDAY, MARCH 19, 2022
7:30 & 9:30 PM
Jazz Gallery In Person & Live Stream
1160 Broadway (entrance on West 27th Street), NoMad, Manhattan
$30-$40; $20 live stream
TICKETS + INFORMATION
An exploratory trio featuring the intriguing (our word of the week here at The List) pianist-composer Cat Toren.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: In person, intriguing (I TOLD you), delicious French-Korean at LittleMäd. At home, have a Cloak & Dagger: pour 1 oz. each of dark Rum, aged Rum, and lime juice, and 1/4 oz. Simple Syrup, into an ice-filled cocktail shaker. Shake. Strain into a chilled Martini glass or coupe.
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Saturday, March 19, 2022, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
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Saturday, March 19, 2022, 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
MUSIC
Fonema Consort: Her Words
SATURDAY, MARCH 19, 2022
5:00 PM
Americas Society In Person & Live Stream
680 Park Avenue, Upper East Side, Manhattan
Free
TICKETS + INFORMATION
New vocal music from Latin America, setting texts by female writers — including Clarice Lispector.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: In person, go UES native at the bar at Daniel. Streaming at home, have that greatest of South American cocktails, the San Martin: pour 1-1/2 oz. each of Gin and sweet Vermouth and 1 teaspoon of yellow Chartreuse into an ice-filled cocktail shaker. Stir. Strain into a chilled Martini glass or coupe. Express a lemon peel into the drink and then use it as a garnish.
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Sat, Mar 19, 2022, 3:00 PM – Sun, Mar 20, 2022, 4:00 PM
MUSIC
Washington Heights Chamber Orchestra: The End of Witner
SATURDAY & SUNDAY, MARCH 19 & 20, 2022
3:00 PM
SATURDAY: Fort Washington Collegiate Church
729 West 181st Street, Washinton Heights, Manhttan
SUNDAY: West End Collegiate Church
245 West 77th Street, Upper West Side, Manhattan
Free-$20
TICKETS + INFORMATION
This gets Listed for a piece by Hanna Benn, another contemporary composer who can’t quite decide whether she’s classical or pop — and why should she? But the real reason to go is Poulenc’s ab fab Organ Concerto, which rarely gets played around here because so few major venues have organs.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Saturday, La Casa del Mofongo is where I wanna LIVE. Sunday, what could be nicer than dim sum? Jing Fong.
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Friday, March 18, 2022, 9:00 PM – 10:00 PM
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Friday, March 18, 2022, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM
MUSIC
Dana Lyn: Mother Octopus
FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 2022
8:00 PM
Barbès In Person & Live Stream
376 9th Street, Park Slope, Brooklyn
$20 in person; free-$10 live stream
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Sorta classical, sorta vernacular (including Irish folk).
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: In person, wonder how the Indonesian is at Java. Streaming at home (assuming you’re not a child), have a Massey Cocktail: pour 1 oz. each of Irish Whiskey and Gin, 3/4 oz. sweet Vermouth, 1/4 oz. green Chartreuse, and 1/8 oz. Campari into an ice-filled cocktail shaker. Stir. Strain into a chilled Martini glass or coupe. Garnish with an orange twist.
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Friday, March 18, 2022, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM
MUSIC
George Clinton & Parliament-Funkadelic feat. Questlove, Vernon Reid & Nona Hendryx
FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 2022
8:00 PM
NJPAC
1 Center Street, Newark, New Jersey
$39-$89
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Everybody thinks of George Clinton as being from Detroit, but really he’s from New Jersey — and that’s where he formed his vocal group The Parliaments, which mutated into the P-Funk we know and love. Now Clinton — surely one of the very greatest American pop musicians of the last half of the 20th Century — comes back to celebrate his 80th birthday. With, as you can see, some illustrious party guests. It is difficult for me to state how great this show is likely to be
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: The power move would be to get dinner at Spanish classic Fornos of Spain near the train station before making your way to the show.
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Fri, Mar 18, 2022, 7:30 PM – Sat, Mar 19, 2022, 8:30 PM
MUSIC
Kim Gordon
FRIDAY & SATURDAY, MARCH 18 & 19, 2022
7:30 PM FRIDAY
8:00 PM SATURDAY
FRIDAY: Webster Hall
125 East 11th Street, NoHo, Manhattan
SATURDAY: White Eagle Hall
337 Newark Avenue, Jersey City, New Jersey
$35 Friday; $30 Saturday
FRIDAY TICKETS + INFORMATION
SATURDAY TICKETS + INFORMATION
Last time I wrote about Kim Gordon I said she needed no introduction. One subscriber told me she didn’t know who Kim Gordon was, so I guess this onetime Sonic Youth who is also a visual artist and a fashion icon needs an introduction to Subscriber GW. Experimental guitarist and Gordon Body/Head bandmate Bill Nace will be there.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Friday, Thai at Southr. Saturday, a huge personal favorite, Brazilian Tamborim.
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Friday, March 18, 2022, 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM
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Friday, March 18, 2022, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
MUSIC
Brooklyn Raga Massive Rägina Festival: Alice Coltrane Raga Tribute
FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 2022
7:00 PM
Unfiltered Music Festival
Fotografiska
281 Park Avenue South, Gramercy, Manhattan
$45 per show: $100 three-show Unfiltered Festival Bundle
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Paying tribute the spiritualized tribal music of Alice Coltrane — another artist whose work only seemed to get more necessary and relevant over the course of The Lockdown.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: I’ve been told that, despite their chef change, Modern Mexican Cosme is still good.
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Fri, Mar 18, 2022, 7:00 PM – Sun, Mar 20, 2022, 4:00 PM
MUSIC
Ukrainian Contemporary Music Festival
FRIDAY – SUNDAY, MARCH 18 – 20, 2022
7:00 PM FRIDAY
8:00 PM SATURDAY
3:00 PM SUNDAY
Merkin Hall, Kaufman Music Center
129 West 67th Street, Upper West Side, Manhattan
$15-$50
TICKETS + INFORMATION
This annual festival of New Music from Ukraine always uncovers things worth hearing. But this year it has a special kick.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Old John’s Diner duh.
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Friday, March 18, 2022, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
MUSIC
Arts for Art: 10,000 Tones for Peace
FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 2022
6:00 PM
Flamboyan Theater, The Clemente In Person & Live Stream
107 Suffolk Street, Lower East Side, Manhattan
$25 suggested donation
TICKETS + INFORMATION
The free jazz world unites to raise funds for humanitarian aid for Ukraine.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: In person, Una Pizza Napoletana has reopened! Streaming at home, see if you can find a bottle of lemon or mint Spotykach (don’t drink the whole bottle at one sitting, for God’s sake!).
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Thursday, March 17, 2022, 9:00 PM – 10:00 PM
MUSIC
Refraction Festival: Flex Ave/FDM Nation
THURSDAY, MARCH 17, 2022
9:00 PM
Afrofuturism
Public Records
233 Butler Street, Gowanus, Brooklyn
$20.40
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Beats! Lots of different ones!
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Pig Beach for barbecue.
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Thursday, March 17, 2022, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM
MUSIC
counter)induction: See you at the meeting house
THURSDAY, MARCH 17, 2022
8:00 PM
Soapbox Gallery In Person & Live Stream
636 Dean Street, Prospect Heights, Brooklyn
$25 in person; pay what you can live stream
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Varied New Music played by this expert ensemble — including something by List fave Trevor Weston.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: In person, the secret best restaurant on Vanderbilt Avenue: Mitchell’s Soul Food. Streaming at home, have a Smokescreen: put 4 mint leaves at the bottom of a cocktail shaker. Pour in 1-1/2 oz. Islay Scotch, 3/4 oz. each lime juice and Simple Syrup, and 1/4 oz. green Chartreuse. Muddle. Add ice. Shake. Strain into a double Old Fashioned glass over ice. Garnish with a mint sprig.
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Thu, Mar 17, 2022, 8:00 PM – Sun, Mar 20, 2022, 5:00 PM
THEATER / DANCE / PERFORMANCE
Talking Band: Lemon Girls or the Art of the Artless
MONDAY & THURSDAY – SUNDAY, MARCH 14 & 17 – 20, 2022 (continuing through MARCH 27)
8:00 PM MONDAY & THURSDAY – SATURDAY
4:00 PM SUNDAY
La MaMa
66 East 4th Street, East Village, Manhattan
$25 advance; $30 day of; $20 students/seniors advance; $25 students/seniors day of; $10 first 10 tickets to each show
TICKETS + INFORMATION
In praise of Old Ladies. A Downtown Theater institution.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Go to Vaselka and show the flag.
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Thursday, March 17, 2022, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM
MUSIC
Musical Ecologies: Al Margolis
THURSDAY, MARCH 17, 2022
8:00 PM
Old Stone House, Washington Park
336 Third Street, Park Slope, Brooklyn
$15
TICKETS + INFORMATION
From noise to collage to something approaching composition, Al Margolis explores sound.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: New American at Stone Park Cafe.
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Thu, Mar 17, 2022, 8:00 PM – Sat, Mar 19, 2022, 9:00 PM
THEATER / PERFORMANCE
Lena & Jo: all i want is what you want
THURSDAY – SATURDAY, MARCH 17 – 19, 2022
8:00 PM
Exponential Festival
The Brick
579 Metropolitan Avenue, Williamsburg, Brooklyn
$10-$30
TICKETS + INFORMATION
A solo that is actually a duet, about losing your individuality and blurring into the entirety (which this piece, unlike say Star Trek: Next Generation, seems to think is a good thing).
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: I can’t keep from recommending Cantonese-American fantasia Bonnie’s — even though you can’t get in.
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Thu, Mar 17, 2022, 7:30 PM – Sun, Mar 20, 2022, 4:00 PM
DANCE
Netta Yerushalmy: MOVEMENT
THURSDAY – SUNDAY, MARCH 17 – 20, 2022
7:30 PM THURSDAY & FRIDAY
8:00 PM SATURDAY
3:00 PM SUNDAY
Peak Performances
Alexander Kasser Theater, Montclair State University
1 Normal Avenue, Montclair, New Jersey
$40
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Netta Yerushalmy has taken to making dance pieces that synthesize other dance pieces, taking movements from various sources and putting them together into a new whole. This time she goes global. With a score by Paula Matthusen.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: It isn’t that Turtle + The Wolf is the only good restaurant in Montclair. It’s that it’s the best within walking distance of Montclair State University. My suburban friends want me to point out, however, that it’s a long walk.
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Thu, Mar 17, 2022, 7:00 PM – Sun, Mar 20, 2022, 3:00 PM
THEATER/PERFORMANCE
Spiderwoman Theater: Misdemeanor Dream
THURSDAY – SUNDAY, MARCH 17 – 20, 2022 (continuing through MARCH 27)
7:00 PM THURSDAY – SATURDAY
2:00 PM SUNDAY
La MaMa
66 East 4th Street, East Village, Manhattan
$25 advance; $30 day of; $20 students/seniors advance; $25 students/seniors day of; $10 first 10 tickets to each show
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Magical, committed Feminist Indigenous theater.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: For what it is — technically elevated pub grub — Sidney’s Five could not be better.
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Thursday, March 17, 2022, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
MUSIC
Caroline Shaw & Andrew Yee
THURSDAY, MARCH 17, 2022
7:00 PM
Unfiltered Music Festival
Fotografiska
281 Park Avenue South, Gramercy, Manhattan
$45 per show: $100 three-show Unfiltered Festival Bundle
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Violinist/composer/vocalist Caroline Shaw and cellist/composer Andrew Yee form one dynamic duo, that’s for sure. Their live shows pull off the hat trick of being riveting, calming, and constantly surprising. At this show, the audience is invited to draw during the music!
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Firey mixologist Albert Trummer’s new speakeasy, Dom — with snacks, one hears, by Wolfgang Ban! — is, in true speakeasy fashion, apparently open even though they claim not to be yet.
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Thu, Mar 17, 2022, 7:00 PM – Sun, Mar 20, 2022, 8:00 PM
THEATER
Agnes Borinsky: A Song of Songs
THURSDAY – SUNDAY, MARCH 17 – 20, 2022 (continuing through MARCH 27)
7:00 PM
El Puente’s Williamsburg Leadership Center
211 South 4th Street, Williamsburg, Brooklyn
$25
TICKETS + INFORMATION
A femme love remix of The Song of Songs.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: If what you’ve been looking for is Japanese/Ashkenazic Jewish fusion, Shalom Japan has your back.
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Thursday, March 17, 2022, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
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Wed, Mar 16, 2022, 10:00 PM – Thu, Mar 17, 2022, 11:00 PM
MUSIC
jaimie branch: Fly or Die
WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY, MARCH 16 & 17, 2022
10:00 PM
Baby’s All Right
146 Broadway, Williamsburg, Brooklyn
$17
WEDNESDAY TICKETS + INFORMATION
THURSDAY TICKETS + INFORMATION
The Fly or Die band is trumpeter jaimie branch’s best vehicle. It’s not so much their sound encompasses jazz, hip-hop, electronics, even punk — it’s that they give no indication whatsoever that they perceive any borders between those purported genres. Opening Wednesday is the excellent Christina Wheeler, an electronics musician who seems genre-bound only next to branch. Opening Thursday is a project of the fabulous drummer Tcheser Holmes.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: French (and some Italian) at Francie.
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Wed, Mar 16, 2022, 8:00 PM – Sun, Mar 20, 2022, 4:00 PM
THEATER / MUSIC / DANCE
David Byrne: American Utopia
WEDNESDAY – SUNDAY, MARCH 16 – 20, 2022 (continuing through APRIL 3)
8:00 PM WEDNESDAY – FRIDAY
5:00 & 9:00 PM SATURDAY
3:00 PM SUNDAY
St. James Theater
246 West 44th Street, Midtown, Manhattan
$59-$179
TICKETS + INFORMATION
If a collaboration between David Byrne and Annie-B Parson were put on at BAM, I wouldn't think twice about Listing it (although I'd still feel constrained to make a comment about Boomer Nostalgia moving on to the Pop Avant-Garde). So I'm not gonna demerit this cuz it's on Broadway. AM I?
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Maybe the sushi at Sushi Lab is overelaborate and tries too hard. But it's there.
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Wednesday, March 16, 2022, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM
MUSIC
Lea Bertucci: A Visible Length of Light/Duo with Ben Vida
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 2022
8:00 PM
Roulette In Person & Live Stream
509 Atlantic Avenue (entrance on Third Avenue), Boerum Hill, Brooklyn
$20 advance in person; $25 door in person; free live stream
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Lea Bertucci, who plays reeds (and electronics) and makes sounds you never expect, does stuff from her contemplative new album. Then she’s joined for a duo set by Ben Vida, playing accordion (and electronics), a somewhat softer-grained musician (at least than Bertucci used to be before this new album) who should meld fascinatingly with her.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: In person, eclectic food at As You Are. Streaming at home, have a North Sea Oil: pour 1-1/2 oz. Aquavit (a Linie by preference), 1/2 oz. Islay Scotch (or other peated Scotch), 3/4 oz. Cocchi Americano, and 1/2 oz. Cointreau into an ice-filled cocktail shaker. Stir. Strain into a rocks glass over ice. Garnish with a grapefruit twist.
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Wednesday, March 16, 2022, 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM
MUSIC
Tyondai Braxton feat. Greg Fox: Multiplay
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 2022
7:30 PM
Public Records
233 Butler Street, Gowanus, Brooklyn
$31.93
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Onetime math-rocker, composer/performer Tyondai Braxton concludes his extended residency at Public Records with a duo set with drummer-to-the-different Greg Fox.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Go to Threes Brewing Gowanus Taproom and ask them when their former CEO will complete his stock divestment. But don’t spend any money there yet.
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Wed, Mar 16, 2022, 7:30 PM – Thu, Mar 17, 2022, 8:30 PM
MUSIC
Johnny Gandelsman: This Is America
WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY, MARCH 16 & 17, 2022
7:30 PM
Baryshnikov Arts Center
450 West 37th Street, Hell’s Kitchen, Manhattan
$20
TICKETS + INFORMATION
The vibrant violinist Johnny Gandelsman presents two different programs each starting with a Bach cello transcription (an honorary American?) (we wish!) and then moving on to new pieces by actual Americans.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: One of a brace of good new Spanish restaurants (at last!) in New York City: Casa Dani.
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Wed, Mar 16, 2022, 7:30 PM – Sun, Mar 20, 2022, 4:00 PM
THEATER
Hansol Jung: Wolf Play
WEDNESDAY – SUNDAY, MARCH 16 – 20, 2022
7:30 PM WEDNESDAY – SATURDAY
3:00 PM SUNDAY
Soho Rep.
46 Walker Street, Tribeca, Manhattan
$35 through Saturday; $55 Sunday
TICKETS + INFORMATION
An allusive look at chosen and unchosen families.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Frenchette!
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Wed, Mar 16, 2022, 7:30 PM – Sat, Mar 19, 2022, 8:30 PM
DANCE
Karole Armitage Gone! Dance: A Pandemic Notebook
WEDNESDAY – SATURDAY, MARCH 16 – 19, 2022
7:30 PM
New York Live Arts
219 West 19th Street, Chelsea, Manhattan
$35; $15 students/seniors
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Punk Ballerina Karole Armitage coyly announces that these “might” be her last public performances. They are certainly non-punk danseur Jock Soto’s first public performances, at least in New York, in donkey’s years.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: I’ve been having such good times at El Quijote, I can’t tell you.
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Wed, Mar 16, 2022, 7:00 PM – Sun, Mar 20, 2022, 6:00 PM
THEATER
The Civilians: what you are now
WEDNESDAY – SUNDAY, MARCH 16 – 20, 2022 (continuing through APRIL 3)
7:00 PM WEDNESDAY – SATURDAY
5:00 PM SATURDAY & SUNDAY
Ensemble Studio Theatre
545 West 52nd Street, Hell’s Kitchen, Manhattan
$20-40; $25 students/seniors
TICKETS + INFORMATION
What if our memories aren’t fixed, but change every time we remember the past? (Wait you mean it isn’t that way for everybody?)
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Ardesia Wine Bar is even closer to Ensemble Studio Theatre than to the Irish Arts Center.
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Wednesday, March 16, 2022, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
MUSIC
The Overlook feat. Anthony McGill
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 2022
7:00 PM
Unfiltered Music Festival
Fotografiska
281 Park Avenue South, Gramercy, Manhattan
$45 per show: $100 three-show Unfiltered Festival Bundle
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Samuel Coleridge-Taylor may have been Black, but he was also British and Late Romantic: BORING. That said, there’s no reason his music shouldn’t join the rest of the Boring Late Romantic music firmly ensconced in the standard rep. The reason to go to this show, though, are pieces by Carlos Simon and Shelley Washington, two composers of bracing music that most certainly is not boring. That, and that clarinetist Anthony McGill is quite simply one of the best players in New York.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: British steak isn’t boring: Hawksmoor.
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Wednesday, March 16, 2022, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
MUSIC
Qasim Naqvi/Bass 4Tet
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 2022
7:00 PM
IRL
80 Franklin Street, Greenpoint, Brooklyn
$15-$20
TICKETS + INFORM
Solo electronics from the always-interesting Qasim Naqvi. And Bass 4Tet: four contrabassists who drone.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Chez Ma Tante mashes up the cuisines of the French Canadians and the Brits.
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Tuesday, March 15, 2022, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM
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Tue, Mar 15, 2022, 7:30 PM – Sat, Mar 19, 2022, 8:30 PM
THEATER
Bertholt Brecht: The Mother
TUESDAY – SATURDAY, MARCH 15 – 19, 2022
7:30 PM TUESDAY – SATURDAY
3:00 PM SATURDAY
The Wooster Group
The Performing Garage
33 Wooster Street, Soho, Manhattan
$30-$40
TICKETS + INFORMATION
A revival of this very fine production of Brecht’s polemical play, for all us Commies.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: It’s ironic that I’m going to send you to one of the bougiest places imaginable, but the French comfort food at La Mercerie can only be described as wonderful. This isn’t what Brecht meant by “Erst kommt das Fressen, dann kommt die Moral” — but then on the other hand, Lenin and Trotsky frequented the Café Central in Vienna.
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Tue, Mar 15, 2022, 7:30 PM – Sun, Mar 20, 2022, 4:00 PM
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Tuesday, March 15, 2022, 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM
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Tuesday, March 15, 2022, 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM
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Tue, Mar 15, 2022, 7:30 PM – Sun, Mar 20, 2022, 6:00 PM
OPERA
Huang Ruo: Book of Mountains & Seas
TUESDAY – SUNDAY, MARCH 15 – 20, 2022
7:30 PM TUESDAY – SATURDAY
5:00 PM SUNDAY
$59-$79
TICKETS + INFORMATION
In another reinstated show from this year’s cancelled PROTOTYPE new opera festival, the excellent composer Huang Ruo links Chinese creation myths to current ecological concerns — in a puppet production by Basil Twist! Clearly one of the events of the season.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: I am thrilled to announce that Em Vietnamese Bistro has received its liquor license.
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Tue, Mar 15, 2022, 7:00 PM – Sun, Mar 20, 2022, 3:00 PM
MUSIC / THEATER
Heather Christian: Oratorio for Living Things
TUESDAY – SUNDAY, MARCH 15 – 20, 2022 (continuing through APRIL 17)
7:00 PM TUESDAY – SATURDAY
2:00 PM SUNDAY
Ars Nova @ Greenwich House
27 Barrow Street, West Village, Manhattan
$35-$65
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Country-folk-blues singer-songwriter Heather Christian presents a big long-form piece about what it means to be alive and our relationship with time (exactly the things I try hard not to think about).
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Emmett’s on Grove and its Midwestern tavern-style pizza is all the rage.
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Tue, Mar 15, 2022, 7:00 PM – Sun, Mar 20, 2022, 3:00 PM
THEATER
Claudia Rankine: Help
TUESDAY – SUNDAY, MARCH 15 – 20, 2022 (continuing through APRIL 10)
7:00 PM TUESDAY – SATURDAY
2:00 PM SUNDAY
The Shed
545 West 30th Street, Hell’s Kitchen, Manhattan
$44-$49
TICKETS + INFORMATION
”What are White people thinking?” asks the brilliant poet/playwright Claudia Rankine in this piece based on actual interactions she had with Whites in transitional spaces like airports. The creative team on this piece is pretty brilliant, too.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Faux-Southern food and drink at Porchlight.
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Tue, Mar 15, 2022, 7:00 PM – Sun, Mar 20, 2022, 8:00 PM
THEATER
Aleshea Harris: On Sugarland
TUESDAY – SUNDAY, MARCH 15 – 20, 2022
7:00 PM THURSDAY & SUNDAY
8:00 PM SATURDAY
2:00 PM SUNDAY
New York Theatre Workshop
79 East 4th Street, East Village, Manhattan
$55-$75
TICKETS & INFORMATION
An exploration of the transmission of Black American culture as a response to a continuing parade of outrageous mistreatment. Aleasha Harris is one surprising, pointed playwright. Wouldn’t you rather see a play that has TOO MANY ideas than one that has too few?
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Nice neighborhood Italian at Cacio e Vino.
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Tue, Mar 15, 2022, 10:00 AM – Sat, Mar 19, 2022, 4:30 PM
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Tuesday, March 15, 2022, 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM
MUSIC
Brooklyn Raga Massive Rägini Festival: Reclamation
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 2022
9:30 PM
Joe’s Pub, Public Theater
425 Lafayette Street, NoHo, Manhattan
$20
TICKETS + INFORMATION
The in-person kickoff of Brooklyn Raga Massive’s annual festival showcasing (American) Women In Indian Classical Music.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Best-in-City Shanghainese at CheLi.
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Monday, March 14, 2022, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM
THEATER / DANCE / PERFORMANCE
Talking Band: Lemon Girls or the Art of the Artless
MONDAY & THURSDAY – SUNDAY, MARCH 14 & 17 – 20, 2022 (continuing through MARCH 27)
8:00 PM MONDAY & THURSDAY – SATURDAY
4:00 PM SUNDAY
La MaMa
66 East 4th Street, East Village, Manhattan
$25 advance; $30 day of; $20 students/seniors advance; $25 students/seniors day of; $10 first 10 tickets to each show
TICKETS + INFORMATION
In praise of Old Ladies. A Downtown Theater institution.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Go to Vaselka and show the flag.
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Monday, March 14, 2022, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM
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Mon, Mar 14, 2022, 7:30 PM – Tue, Mar 15, 2022, 8:29 PM
MUSIC
Chromic Duo: Homecoming: love you all ways
MONDAY & TUESDAY, MARCH 14 & 15, 2022
7:30 PM
Baryshnikov Arts Center
450 West 37th Street, Hell’s Kitchen, Manhattan
$20
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Piano, prepared piano, toy piano, and electronics, yo. (Also, in some cases, dance or visual accompaniments.) (AND a new piece by Phong Tran, whom this List loves to pieces.)
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: People seem to love the oven-based Italian at Ci Siamo, although the menu looks pretty boring to me.
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Monday, March 14, 2022, 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM
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Monday, March 14, 2022, 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM
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Monday, March 14, 2022, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
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Monday, March 14, 2022, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
MUSIC / PERFORMANCE
Gelsey Bell feat. Joseph White: Cairns
MONDAY – SUNDAY, MARCH 14 – 20, 2022 (ongoing)
8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
#stillHERE IRL
Green-Wood Cemetery, Sunset Park Entrance
35th Street at 4th Avenue, Greenwood Heights, Brooklyn
$7 or more for soundtrack
TICKETS + INFORMATION
One of the first shows during Quarantine that you could actually Go Out! to (although it's not quite "live"). Gelsey Bell, that vocal star of NYC Alt Classical, has conceived of a piece that walks you around Green-Wood Cemetery (starting at the Sunset Park Entrance). You download the soundtrack on your phone beforehand (the Times complains about how hard it is to download from Bandcamp to an iPhone — trust me: if I can figure out how to do it, anyone can). Bell wrote the text and narrates, with a co-composing assist from the inimitable Joe White (whose terrific new album you really ought to hear). The Cemetery itself will do the performing. (You can also listen to the soundtrack at home and pretend you're walking around the Cemetery.)
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: The Sunset Park entrance is only a short walk from Hometown BBQ Industry City (if you go over the weekend, you can get the fabulous pastrami).
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Mon, Mar 14, 2022, 6:00 AM – Sun, Mar 20, 2022, 11:59 PM
MUSIC / PERFORMANCE
Ellen Reid: SOUNDWALK
MONDAY – SUNDAY, MARCH 14 – 20, 2022 (ongoing)
6:00 AM – 1:00 AM
New York Philharmonic
Central Park
59th Street – 110th Street/Central Park West – 5th Avenue, Manhattan
Free (registration required)
TICKETS + INFORMATION
The New York Phil hops aboard the walk-around-the-landscaped-space-with-soundtrack train. The highly allusive soundtrack was put together by Ellen Reid, who is one of the more soundscapey (and certainly one of the best) of today's many excellent young composers. This walk isn't guided: you download an app that triggers sounds sent to your earphones from various cells around the Park as you wander. So you can do it over many times. (Speaking of wandering around Central Park, here's something that I, for one, never knew.)
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Delicious pan-African at Teranga.
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Sunday, March 13, 2022, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM
MUSIC
Kaki King: Modern Yesterdays
SUNDAY, MARCH 13, 2022
8:00 PM
Sony Hall
325 West 46th Street, Midtown, Manhattan
$27-$55 advance; $35-$65 day of
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Amazing that you can be a celebrated Guitar Diety and also be musically interesting. Don’t know how Kaki King has quite done it.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: A new star on Restaurant Row: Jasmine’s Caribbean Cuisine.
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Sunday, March 13, 2022, 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM
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Sunday, March 13, 2022, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
MUSIC
Curated by Laurie Anderson: Rubin Kodheli Trio feat. Trevor Dunn & Brian Chase/Abbie from Mars
SUNDAY, MARCH 13, 2022
7:00 PM
Joe’s Pub, Public Theater
425 Lafayette Street, NoHo, Manhattan
$15
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Laurie Anderson presents her frequent collaborator cellist Rubin Kodhelli leadiing a pretty fancy trio with bassist Trevor Dunn and drummer Brian Chase. Abby from Mars, meanwhile — she may or may not actually be from Mars — is just who your looking for when you want some alt pop leavened with noise tap dancing.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Even if you’re not Jewish, nothing beats going out for Chinese food Sunday night — especially when it’s as good as at the Shanghainese sensation CheLi.
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Sunday, March 13, 2022, 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
MUSIC
Sam Sadigursky: The Solomon Diaries
SUNDAY, MARCH 13, 2022
4:00 PM
Barbès In Person & Live Stream
376 9th Street, Park Slope, Brooklyn
$15 in person; free-$10 live stream
TICKETS + INFORMATION
The eloquent post-Klezmer composer/clarinetist Sam Sadigursky takes off from the history and remnants of the Borscht Belt (believe it or not) to examine/invoke freedom (from leaden food?), rebellion (against regimented leisure?), celebration, tradition, independence, loss, hope, decay and renewal.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: In person, see if you like Runner Up (which reportedly has upgraded its all-outdoors dining facitilities) more than I do. At home, the Brooklyn cocktail was probably (cocktail history is rarely clear) invented by a bartender who was Jewish. Here’s a version that hews closer to the original than the modern version known now; hence, the Brooklyn (Original): pour 1-1/2 oz. of Rye and sweet Vermouth, and 1/4 oz. each of either Golden Moon Amer dit Picon or Bigallet China-China and Maraschino liqueur, into an ice-filled cocktail shaker. Stir. Strain into a chilled Martini glass or coupe. Garnish with a cocktail cherry.
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Sunday, March 13, 2022, 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
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Saturday, March 12, 2022, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM
MUSIC
Takht Al-Nagham: Classical Music of Syria
SATURDAY, MARCH 12, 2022
8:00 PM
Roulette
509 Atlantic Avenue (entrance on Third Avenue), Boerum Hill, Brooklyn
$25 advance; $30 door; $20 students/seniors at door only
TICKETS + INFORMATION
As you might have gathered by now, this List loves Arabic classical music: intricate, sensuous, good for the mind and good for the ears. Tonight we get Syrian classical, including the bedrock Isqi al-‘Itash, guaranteed to move and enthrall you.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: It isn’t out of tokenism that I’m sending you to alBadawi for its excellent Palestinian food.
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Saturday, March 12, 2022, 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM
MUSIC
Talea Ensemble: Written for Talea
SATURDAY, MARCH 12, 2022
7:30 PM
DiMenna Center
450 West 37th Street, Hell’s Kitchen, Brooklyn
$20; $10 students/seniors
TICKETS & INFORMATION
And among the composers writing for the crack Talea Ensemble are Tyshawn Sorey, Mary Kouyoumdjian, and Natacha Diels (this List really loves Natacha Diels).
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: The new Spanish Casa Dani has been flying a bit under the radar — but it’s quite good.
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Saturday, March 12, 2022, 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM
MUSIC
Lee “Scratch” Perry: Spatial — No Problem
SATURDAY, MARCH 12, 2022 (also on MARCH 19)
7:00 & 10:00 PM
Afrofuturism
National Sawdust
80 North 6th Street, Williamsburg, Brooklyn
$23
TICKETS & INFORMATION
Shortly before he died, Jamaican sonic powerhouse Lee “Scratch” Perry did a project with Mouse on Mars involving immersive sound that never saw the light of day. Now those tapes are mapped onto National Sawdust’s peerless spatial music system. You won’t even need to smoke anything.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Some of the City’s leading Vietnamese at Bolero.
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Saturday, March 12, 2022, 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
MUSIC
Michael Hearst: The Unusual, Extraordinary, Curious, and Unconventional Songbook
SATURDAY, MARCH 12, 2022
4:00 PM
Barbès In Person & Live Stream
376 9th Street, Park Slope, Brooklyn
$15 in person; free-$10 live stream
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Michael Hearst bills himself as writing children’s music. But what he really writes is semi-classical chamber pop of enormous charm and appeal.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: In person, it’s the weekend: you can be at Reyes Deli & Grocery when they serve their barbacoa and goat stew tacos and their tamales! Streaming at home (assuming you’re not a child), have the favorite cocktail of someone named child (prenom Julia), the Upside-Down Martini: pour 3/4 oz. Gin and 3-3/4 oz. dry Vermouth into an ice-filled cocktail shaker. Stir. Strain into a chilled Martini glass or coupe (and it better be a big-ass one with that much liquid). Garnish with a lemon twist.
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Fri, Mar 11, 2022, 11:00 PM – Sat, Mar 12, 2022, 12:00 AM
MUSIC
Matius Aguayo
FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 2022
11:00 PM
Public Records
233 Butler Street, Gowanus, Brooklyn
$26.17
TICKETS + INFORMATION
This also is actually something of a Big Deal. Matius Aguayo is Chilean EDM artist who doesn’t play here often, who veers Afro-Latin pop: danceable, listenable stuff. Justin Strauss, a genuine New York legend, will be along for the ride (if anybody else saw Milk ‘N’ Cookies back in the day, please write: we’ve got to trade reminiscences).
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Black Mountain Wine House is almost ludicrously pleasant.
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Fri, Mar 11, 2022, 8:00 PM – Sun, Mar 13, 2022, 5:00 PM
THEATER / DANCE / PERFORMANCE
Talking Band: Lemon Girls or the Art of the Artless
FRIDAY – SUNDAY, MARCH 11 – 13, 2022 (continuing through MARCH 27)
8:00 PM THURSDAY – SATURDAY
4:00 PM SUNDAY
La MaMa
66 East 4th Street, East Village, Manhattan
$25 advance; $30 day of; $20 students/seniors advance; $25 students/seniors day of; $10 first 10 tickets to each show
TICKETS + INFORMATION
In praise of Old Ladies. A Downtown Theater institution.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Go to Vaselka and show the flag.
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Friday, March 11, 2022, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM
MUSIC
Wet Ink Ensemble: “The Understanding of All Things” Album Release Show
FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 2022
8:00 PM
Greenwich House
46 Barrow Street, West Village, Manhattan
$10 ($15 with copy of CD); free students ($5 with copy of CD)
TICKETS + INFORMATION
A live performance of the fabulous Kate Soper’s new album with electronics whiz Sam Pluta. Soper’s text-based compositions are marvels.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: The Nikkei cuisine at Llama San is fantastic — even better than before the Lockdown — IF you can get in.
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Fri, Mar 11, 2022, 8:00 PM – Sat, Mar 12, 2022, 9:00 PM
MUSIC
Morton Subotnick: “As I Live & Breath”
FRIDAY & SATURDAY, MARCH 11 & 12, 2022
8:00 PM
Abrons Arts Center
466 Grand Street, Lower East Side, Manhattan
$25
FRIDAY TICKETS + INFORMATION
SATURDAY TICKETS + INFORMATION
I guess when you’re 88 years old like Morton Subotnick, the phrase “as I live and breath” gains a little added impact. No matter: this pioneering electronic composer/musician can still create sonic tapestries that overwhelm your senses and take you on a real journey. The effect will be heightened for these shows by animated visuals by Lillevan. Each night features a different opener, and it is no slam on the excellent Antenes that the nod goes to Saturday night’s James K, whose multimedia electronic presentations pop
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: There’s now some real competition (thank God), but Basque sensation Ernesto’s remains the best Spanish restaurant in New York.
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Friday, March 11, 2022, 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM
MUSIC
Dawuna
FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 2022
7:30 PM
Blank Forms
468 Grand Avenue, Clinton Hill, Brooklyn
$20
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Two bad this competes with the mighty John Zorn Ukraine Benefit, cuz it’s kind of a Big Deal — at least for those of us who’ve been listening to Dawuna’s low-slung Outsider R&B album Glass Lit Dream obsessively over the last several months.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Chicken and a great beverage program (for you, not the chickens) at The Fly.
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Fri, Mar 11, 2022, 7:30 PM – Sat, Mar 12, 2022, 10:30 PM
MUSIC
Darcy James Argue’s Secret Society
FRIDAY & SATURDAY, MARCH 11 & 12, 2022
7:30 & 9:30 PM
Jazz Gallery
1160 Broadway (entrance on West 27th Street), NoMad, Manhattan
$30-$40
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Making the world safe for Big Band — for the first time in two years!
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: The least cool really good restaurant you could imagine: Italian-Jewish Mark’s Off Madison.
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Friday, March 11, 2022, 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM
MUSIC
John Zorn: Benefit for Ukraine
FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 2022
7:30 PM
The Auditorium, The New School
66 West 12th Street, Greenwich Village, Manhattan
$50
TICKETS + INFORMATION
John Zorn — son of a Ukrainian émigré — is organizing a benefit for the beleagured country. It’s still in the works, but what he’s arranged so far is amazing: a duo consisting of himself and Laurie Anderson; a solo set by Philip Glass (no less); a set by Zorn’s fab New Masada Quartet, and one by a trio led by its guitarist, Julian Lage (his new album is just great); a quintet led by Joe Lovano and Dave Douglas (as potent a front line as any Art Blakey fielded in the glory days). One is almost afraid to see what more Zorn can add. I’ll send around advance ticketing info when it becomes available.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Good Middle Eastern (and not the stuff you see everywhere else) at Kubeh.
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Friday, March 11, 2022, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
MUSIC
Yeule
FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 2022
7:00 PM
National Sawdust
80 North 6th Street, Williamsburg, Brooklyn
$20
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Glitch Princess Yeule comes to Brooklyn with their multimedia mix of electronics and abstracted Asian Pop.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: The party never stops at fun Caribbean Kokomo.
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Thursday, March 10, 2022, 9:00 PM – 10:00 PM
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Thursday, March 10, 2022, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM
MUSIC
Thomas Buckner: Interpretations
THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2022
8:00 PM
Roulette In Person & Live Stream
509 Atlantic Avenue (entrance on Third Avenue), Boerum Hill, Brooklyn
$20; $15 students/seniors; free live stream
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Can this really be the adventurous baritone’s 31st annual (with obvious breaks) recital of newly commissioned music?
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: In person, neighborhood French Bistro at French Louie. Streaming at home, have a Salers Delight: pour 1-1/2 oz. each of aged Rum and Cocchi Americano, 1/2 oz. Salers, 1/4 oz. Aperol, and 1 teaspoon Crème de Violette into an ice-filled cocktail shaker. Stir. Strain into a chilled Martini glass or coupe.
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Thu, Mar 10, 2022, 8:00 PM – Fri, Mar 11, 2022, 9:00 PM
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Thursday, March 10, 2022, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM
MUSIC
The Curiosity Quartet / Michael Bates’s Acrobat: The Music of Dmitri Shostakovich
THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2022
8:00 PM
The Owl Music Parlor
497 Rogers Avenue, Prospect Lefferts Gardens, Brooklyn
Donation requested
TICKETS + INFORMATION
First The Curiosity Quartet plays a Shostakovich string quartet straight. Then Michael Bates’s aggregation of improvisors plays a bunch of Shostakovich upside-down, sideways, and all kinds of ways.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: This show will go late. But before, you can grab some pretty great Trinidadian at Culpeppers.
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Thursday, March 10, 2022, 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM
MUSIC
Jupiter
THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2022
7:30 PM
Zankel Hall, Carnegie Hall
881 7th Avenue, Midtown, Manhattan
$57-$68
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Lute shredder Thomas Dunford’s Jupiter is a really good Baroque ensemble; and Lea Desandre is a really good singer. I was going to make some snide remark about how unfortunate it is that all they’re playing is Vivaldi — but they’ve actually managed to choose mainly good stuff.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: It’s hard to believe that a famous dissident hangout like the Russian Samovar is being subject to anti-Russian vandalism, when no one could possibly think the staff or clientele has anything but deep antipathy to Putin’s war crimes. Go and show your support for these good guys.
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Thu, Mar 10, 2022, 7:00 PM – Sun, Mar 13, 2022, 3:00 PM
THEATER / PERFORMANCE
Spiderwoman Theater: Misdemeanor Dream
THURSDAY – SUNDAY, MARCH 10 – 13, 2022 (continuing through MARCH 27)
7:00 PM THURSDAY – SATURDAY
2:00 PM SUNDAY
La MaMa
66 East 4th Street, East Village, Manhattan
$25 advance; $30 day of; $20 students/seniors advance; $25 students/seniors day of; $10 first 10 tickets to each show
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Magical, committed Feminist Indigenous theater.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: For what it is — technically elevated pub grub — Sidney’s Five could not be better.
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Thu, Mar 10, 2022, 7:00 PM – Sun, Mar 13, 2022, 8:00 PM
THEATER
Agnes Borinsky: A Song of Songs
THURSDAY – SUNDAY, MARCH 10 – 13, 2022 (continuing through MARCH 23)
7:00 PM
El Puente’s Williamsburg Leadership Center
211 South 4th Street, Williamsburg, Brooklyn
$25
TICKETS + INFORMATION
A femme love remix of The Song of Songs.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: If what you’ve been looking for is Japanese/Ashkenazic Jewish fusion, Shalom Japan has your back.
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Thu, Mar 10, 2022, 7:00 PM – Sun, Mar 13, 2022, 5:00 PM
MUSIC
Orchestra of St. Lukes: Earth Works: Music for Our Planet
THURSDAY – SUNDAY, MARCH 10 – 13, 2022
7:00 PM THURSDAY & FRIDAY
2:00 PM SATURDAY
4:00 PM SUNDAY
THURSDAY: Hostos Center for the Arts & Culture
450 Grand Concourse, Concourse, Bronx
FRIDAY: Americas Society
680 Park Avenue, Upper East Side, Manhattan
SATURDAY: Newhouse Center for Contemporary Art, Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanic Garden
1000 Richmond Terrace, New Brighton, Staten Island
SUNDAY: Brooklyn Public Library, Central Library
10 Grand Army Plaza, across the street from Prospect Heights, Brooklyn
Free
THURSDAY TICKETS + INFORMATION
FRIDAY TICKETS + INFORMATION
SATURDAY TICKETS + INFORMATION
SUNDAY TICKETS + INFORMATION
Music on ecological themes (wake me when it’s over) by Gabriela Lena Frank (YAY!) and fellows of her music academy (we’ll see).
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: In the Bronx on Thursday, Sam’s Soul Food (you have to look to the end of their menu for the actual soul food). In Manhattan of Friday, see a once-great chef go basic at David Burke Tavern. In Staten Island on Saturday, kind of a walk to (or from) Nurnberger Bierhaus — but when you get there, you’ll think you’re in Bavaria. Sunday in Brooklyn, come over to my place and I’ll make you a drink: KIDDING. Go to Tooker Alley for a better drink — and then if you’re feeling peckish, go up the street to Oxalis.
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Wed, Mar 9, 2022, 8:30 PM – Sat, Mar 12, 2022, 9:30 PM
MUSIC
The Stone Residencies: Creative Music Studio
WEDNESDAY – SATURDAY, MARCH 9 – 12, 2022
8:30 PM
The Stone
Glass Box Theater, The New School
55 West 13th Street, Greenwich Village, Manhattan
$20
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Creative Music Studio, which has been incubating forefront jazz for 50 years, presents four nights of diverse artists united by their excellence and the sheer interest of their respective conceptions.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: It’ll be nice to go back to the comfortable Emilia-Romagnan food at Da Andrea (do yourself a favor and start with the Tigelle Modenesi con Prosciutto).
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Wed, Mar 9, 2022, 8:00 PM – Sun, Mar 13, 2022, 4:00 PM
THEATER / MUSIC / DANCE
David Byrne: American Utopia
WEDNESDAY – SUNDAY, MARCH 9 – 13, 2022 (continuing through APRIL 3)
8:00 PM WEDNESDAY – FRIDAY
5:00 & 9:00 PM SATURDAY
3:00 PM SUNDAY
St. James Theater
246 West 44th Street, Midtown, Manhattan
$59-$179
TICKETS + INFORMATION
If a collaboration between David Byrne and Annie-B Parson were put on at BAM, I wouldn't think twice about Listing it (although I'd still feel constrained to make a comment about Boomer Nostalgia moving on to the Pop Avant-Garde). So I'm not gonna demerit this cuz it's on Broadway. AM I?
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Maybe the sushi at Sushi Lab is overelaborate and tries too hard. But it's there.
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Wednesday, March 9, 2022, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM
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Wednesday, March 9, 2022, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM
MUSIC
Varispeed & Peggy Weil: The Blurring Test [CANCELLED]
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9, 2022
8:00 PM
Roulette In Person & Live Stream
509 Atlantic Avenue (entrance on Third Avenue), Boerum Hill, Brooklyn
$20 advance in person; $25 door in person; free live stream
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Varispeed’s (God I love that band!) vocal/instrumental musical interpretation of conceptual artist Peggy Weil’s MrMind project, where, flipping around the Turing Test, humans attempted to convince a chatbot that they were, in fact, human.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: In person, eclectic food at As You Are. Streaming at home, try a White Noise: pour 3 oz. Cocchi Americano and 2 oz. St-Germain into a Collins glass over ice. Top with soda water. Stir. Garnish with a grapefruit twist.
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Wed, Mar 9, 2022, 7:30 PM – Sun, Mar 13, 2022, 4:00 PM
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Wed, Mar 9, 2022, 7:00 PM – Sun, Mar 13, 2022, 6:00 PM
THEATER
The Civilians: what you are now
WEDNESDAY – SUNDAY, MARCH 9 – 13, 2022
7:00 PM WEDNESDAY – SATURDAY
5:00 PM SATURDAY & SUNDAY
Ensemble Studio Theatre
545 West 52nd Street, Hell’s Kitchen, Manhattan
$20-40; $25 students/seniors
TICKETS + INFORMATION
What if our memories aren’t fixed, but change every time we remember the past? (Wait you mean it isn’t that way for everybody?)
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Ardesia Wine Bar is even closer to Ensemble Studio Theatre than to the Irish Arts Center.
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Wednesday, March 9, 2022, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
MUSIC
Conditioner: Love Letters / Dekalb Works / Will August Park / pent
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9, 2022
7:00 PM
IRL
80 Franklin Street, Greenpoint, Brooklyn
$10-$15
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Ambient and ambientish music.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Look, I can’t claim to have had every taco ever offered for sale in New York City. But if the Mexico City-style tacos at Taqueria Ramirez induce me to ridiculously exclaim that they have to be New York City’s best ever anyway, what does that tell you?
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Wednesday, March 9, 2022, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
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Wed, Mar 9, 2022, 6:00 PM – Sat, Mar 12, 2022, 8:00 PM
PERFORMANCE
James Allister Sprang: Aquifer of the Weave
WEDNESDAY – SUNDAY, MARCH 9 – 12, 2022
6:00 & 7:00 PM
Chocolate Factory Theater
38-33 24th Street, Long Island City, Queens
$20
TICKETS + INFORMATION
A mulitmedia experience melding music and cyanotopes (a photographic process that turns everything blue) invoking and exploring Black longing for a lost homeland.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: The tangy porky chili-scented Chilorio tacos at Cielito (the Sinaloan spot we’ve all been waiting for) have got to be the most exciting things I’ve eaten this Winter.
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Tue, Mar 8, 2022, 7:30 PM – Sun, Mar 13, 2022, 3:00 PM
DANCE
Sara Mearns: Piece of Work
TUESDAY – SUNDAY, MARCH 8 – 13, 2022
7:30 PM TUESDAY & WEDNESDAY
8:00 PM THURSDAY – SATURDAY
2:00 PM SATURDAY & SUNDAY
The Joyce Theater
175 Eighth Avenue, Chelsea, Manhattan
$26-$71
TICKETS + INFORMATION
While we try to decide whether Sara Mearns is the very best classically trained European-tradition dancer in the world or only one of the very best, we can be happy that she’s curious enough to have commissioned an evening of works from Significant Contemporary Choreographers.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Still have no idea whether Loulou, the big newish bistro/brasserie across the street from The Joyce, is any good or not.
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Tue, Mar 8, 2022, 7:30 PM – Sat, Mar 12, 2022, 8:30 PM
THEATER
Bertholt Brecht: The Mother
TUESDAY – SATURDAY, MARCH 8 – 12, 2022 (continuing through MARCH 19)
7:30 PM TUESDAY – SATURDAY
3:00 PM SATURDAY
The Wooster Group
The Performing Garage
33 Wooster Street, Soho, Manhattan
$30-$40
TICKETS + INFORMATION
A revival of this very fine production of Brecht’s polemical play, for all us Commies.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: It’s ironic that I’m going to send you to one of the bougiest places imaginable, but the French comfort food at La Mercerie can only be described as wonderful. This isn’t what Brecht meant by “Erst kommt das Fressen, dann kommt die Moral” — but then on the other hand, Lenin and Trotsky frequented the Café Central in Vienna.
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Tue, Mar 8, 2022, 7:00 PM – Sun, Mar 13, 2022, 8:00 PM
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Tue, Mar 8, 2022, 10:00 AM – Sun, Mar 13, 2022, 4:30 PM
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Monday, March 7, 2022, 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM
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Monday, March 7, 2022, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
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Monday, March 7, 2022, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
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Monday, March 7, 2022, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
THEATER
Peter Born, Diana Oh, Niegel Smith, Okwui Okpokwasili & Carrie Mae Weems: Arden — But, Not Without You
WEDNESDAY – SUNDAY, MARCH 9 – 13, 2022
7:00 PM WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY
8:00 PM FRIDAY & SATURDAY
3:00 PM SATURDAY & SUNDAY
The Flea
20 Thomas Street, Tribeca, Manhattan
$15-$35
TICKETS + INFORMATION
You’re walking through a forest and you come to a clearing where you fing going on collective rites that give you the feelings of hope, affirmation, and fellowship you’ve been missing for the last couple of years (unless you’re an introverted misanthrope like me who was relieved at not having to deal with other people).
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Cretan food is hard to come by around here — but they serve some at Mirathi. Try the black truffle tarama (probably not strictly Cretan) (but good), the Cretan snails, and the Apaki Kleftiko — all stuff you’ve probably never had except maybe in Crete.
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Mon, Mar 7, 2022, 8:00 AM – Sun, Mar 13, 2022, 5:00 PM
MUSIC / PERFORMANCE
Gelsey Bell feat. Joseph White: Cairns
MONDAY – SUNDAY, MARCH 7 – 13, 2022 (ongoing)
8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
#stillHERE IRL
Green-Wood Cemetery, Sunset Park Entrance
35th Street at 4th Avenue, Greenwood Heights, Brooklyn
$7 or more for soundtrack
TICKETS + INFORMATION
One of the first shows during Quarantine that you could actually Go Out! to (although it's not quite "live"). Gelsey Bell, that vocal star of NYC Alt Classical, has conceived of a piece that walks you around Green-Wood Cemetery (starting at the Sunset Park Entrance). You download the soundtrack on your phone beforehand (the Times complains about how hard it is to download from Bandcamp to an iPhone — trust me: if I can figure out how to do it, anyone can). Bell wrote the text and narrates, with a co-composing assist from the inimitable Joe White (whose terrific new album you really ought to hear). The Cemetery itself will do the performing. (You can also listen to the soundtrack at home and pretend you're walking around the Cemetery.)
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: The Sunset Park entrance is only a short walk from Hometown BBQ Industry City (if you go over the weekend, you can get the fabulous pastrami).
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Mon, Mar 7, 2022, 6:00 AM – Sun, Mar 13, 2022, 1:00 AM
MUSIC / PERFORMANCE
Ellen Reid: SOUNDWALK
MONDAY – SUNDAY, MARCH 7 – 13, 2022 (ongoing)
6:00 AM – 1:00 AM
New York Philharmonic
Central Park
59th Street – 110th Street/Central Park West – 5th Avenue, Manhattan
Free (registration required)
TICKETS + INFORMATION
The New York Phil hops aboard the walk-around-the-landscaped-space-with-soundtrack train. The highly allusive soundtrack was put together by Ellen Reid, who is one of the more soundscapey (and certainly one of the best) of today's many excellent young composers. This walk isn't guided: you download an app that triggers sounds sent to your earphones from various cells around the Park as you wander. So you can do it over many times. (Speaking of wandering around Central Park, here's something that I, for one, never knew.)
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Delicious pan-African at Teranga.
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Sunday, March 6, 2022, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM
MUSIC
Nick Podgurski: MONAD
SUNDAY, MARCH 6, 2022
8:00 PM
Roulette In Person & Live Stream
509 Atlantic Avenue (entrance on Third Avenue), Boerum Hill, Brooklyn
$20 advance; $25 door; free live stream
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Electro-acoustic ambient from synth player Nick Podgurski and a crack ensemble.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: In person, excellent Palestinian at alBadawi. Streaming at home, have a Smokescreen: put 4 mint leaves at the bottom of a cocktail shaker. Pour in 1-1/2 oz. Islay Scotch, 1/4 oz. green Chartreuse, and 3/4 oz. each lime juice and Simple Syrup. Muddle. Add ice. Shake. Strain into an Old Fashioned glass over ice. Garnish with a mint sprig.
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Sunday, March 6, 2022, 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
MUSIC / PERFORMANCE
Joey Arias: No One Knows
SUNDAY, MARCH 6, 2022 (also on MARCH 7)
7:00 & 9:30 PM
Joe’s Pub, Public Theater
425 Lafayette Street, NoHo, Manhattan
$25
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Joey Arias doing new stuff from an upcoming EP, as well as Jimi Hendrix, Billie Holiday, and Led Zep? What a drag!
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Cool Taiwanese at 886.
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Sunday, March 6, 2022, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
MUSIC
Meredith Monk & John Hollenbeck: Duet Behavior 2022
SUNDAY, MARCH 6, 2022
6:00 PM
National Sawdust
80 North 6th Street, Williamsburg, Brooklyn
$41.50
TICKETS & INFORMATION
Meredith Monk duets with her (brilliant) longtime percussionist John Hollenbeck. Do I have to say any more?
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Excellent bistro at Le Crocodile.
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Sunday, March 6, 2022, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
MUSIC
Orchestra of St. Lukes: Earth Works: Music for Our Planet
SUNDAY, MARCH 6, 2022 (in other boroughs through MARCH 13)
2:00 PM
Flushing Town Hall
137-35 Northern Boulevard, Flushing, Queens
Free
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Music on ecological themes (wake me when it’s over) by Gabriela Lena Frank (YAY!) and fellows of her music academy (we’ll see). There will be further performances next week in each of the other boroughs — but Flushing CLEARLY has the best food.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Such a strenuously uplifting concert deserves a strenuously uplifting restaurant: Zou’s, where every ingredient in every dish is calculated to be good for your in a different way according to some set of beliefs. (Fortunately, it’s also a good Chinese restaurant, so the food is absolutely delicious regardless.)
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Saturday, March 5, 2022, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM
THEATER / PERFORMANCE
A Night with David Greenspan
SATURDAY, MARCH 5, 2022
8:00 PM
The Brick
579 Metropolitan Avenue, Williamsburg, Brooklyn
$25-$100
TICKETS + INFORMATION
David Greenspan is one of the treasures of New York Alt theater. He should have streets, if not neighborhoods, named after him. Tonight, solo, he does Gertrude Stein: the mock-lecture Plays, and the libretto of Four Saints in Three Acts without the music.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: The best udon in Brooklyn? Probably! Hanon.
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Saturday, March 5, 2022, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM
MUSIC
Dezron Douglas Quartet
SATURDAY, MARCH 5, 2022
8:00 PM
Miller Theater at Columbia University
2960 Broadway, Morningside Heights, Manhattan
$10-$35
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Bassplayer Dezron Douglas had a very good Lockdown, artistically speaking. Now he re-emerges in to in-person performance with a new quartet. His music is soulful and easy on the years, without falling into the dread confines of Smooth Jazz.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Loire-leaning Le Monde: another place that only needs to be a little bit better to be notable.
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Saturday, March 5, 2022, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM
MUSIC
Jason Kao Huang: Myths of Origin
SATURDAY, MARCH 5, 2022
8:00 PM
Zürcher Gallery
33 Bleecker Street, Greenwich Village, Manhattan
$20
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Music for a large string ensemble with a rhythm section, incorporating all the styles you’d expect from that combination — all the while defying Orientalism and resisting violence against Asian-Americans.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: At least when going to the Zürcher, I just can’t quit the homestyle Japanese at Bessou.
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Sat, Mar 5, 2022, 7:00 PM – Sun, Mar 6, 2022, 6:00 PM
MUSIC
Music from Japan Festival 2022
SATURDAY & SUNDAY, MARCH 5 & 6, 2022
7:00 PM SATURDAY
5:00 PM SUNDAY
Scandinavia House
58 Park Avenue, Murray Hill, Manhattan
$25 per show; $20 per show students/seniors; $40 festival pass
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Two nights of new or Modern music from Japan. The first night is a mixed program of new pieces. The second night looks at the music and influence of Tomojirō Ikenouchi, the first of those Francophile 20th Century Japanese composers (this List just eats that stuff up) — played by, among others, the excellent NYC cellist Kristina Reiko Cooper, the composer’s granddaughter.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: More hearty Northwestern Chinese at the Midtown Dun Huang.
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Saturday, March 5, 2022, 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM
MUSIC
Ambient Church: Suzanne Ciani
SATURDAY, MARCH 5, 2022
4:00 & 8:00 PM
Church of the Heavenly Rest
1085 Fifth Avenue, Upper East Side, Manhattan
$55
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Ambient Church, the great series that wanders from church to NYC church putting on electronic concerts with 3D visual projections on the church walls, brings us a true pioneer — the godmother — of the kind of ambient electronic music it specializes in: Suzanne Ciani, from back in the ‘70s (not that she’s stopped since).
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Table d’Hôte has been serving good down-the-middle everyday French to the Upper East Side seemingly since Suzanne Ciani’s initial heyday.
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Saturday, March 5, 2022, 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
PERFORMANCE / MUSIC
madison moore & Sadie Barnette feat. Tygapaw: Nightife-In-Residence Saturday Session 4
SATURDAY, MARCH 5, 2022
12:00, 1:00, 2:00, 3:00, 4:00 & 5:00 PM
The Kitchen
512 West 19th Street, Chelsea, Manhattan
$5-$15
TICKETS + INFORMATION
An exhibition exploring the cultural significance and impact of queer Black rave culture comes to life, when the fierce Jamaican trans dance musician Tygapaw activates a recreation/reimagination of the first Black-owned gay bar in San Francisco.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Wine, pasta, and aperativos at La Devozione.
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Friday, March 4, 2022, 10:00 PM – 11:00 PM
MUSIC
Helena Hauff / Tygapaw
FRIDAY, MARCH 4, 2022
10:00 PM
Elsewhere
599 Johnson Avenue, Bushwick, Brooklyn
$30
TICKETS + INFORMATION
The recommendation is for Tygapaw, fierce Jamaican trans dance music. Headliner Helena Hauff, noted for her stripped-down Techno style, is just too stripped-down for my taste.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Still sending you to Bunker, a Vietnamese spot getting back to where it once belonged.
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Friday, March 4, 2022, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM
MUSIC
Ekmeles: New Vocal Music from the Americas
FRIDAY, MARCH 4, 2022
8:00 PM
St. Ignatious of Antioch Church
552 West End Avenue, Upper West Side, Manhattan
Free
TICKETS + INFORMATION
The splendid contemporary vocal ensemble Ekmeles does a self-explanatory program, featuring a microtonal commisssion by Marc Sabat (of Canada) and pieces by such exemplary composers as Hilda Paredes (originally of Mexico), Tania León (originally of Cuba), and Mauricio Kagel (eternally of Argentina — even if he moved to Germany).
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: People on the Upper West Side really love the Neapolitan food at Celeste.
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Fri, Mar 4, 2022, 7:30 PM – Sun, Mar 6, 2022, 3:00 PM
DANCE
Artists at the Center: Tiler Peck
FRIDAY – SUNDAY, MARCH 4 – 6, 2022
7:30 PM FRIDAY & SATURDAY
2:00 PM SATURDAY & SUNDAY
New York City Center
131 West 55th Street, Midtown, Manhattan
$35-$150
TICKETS + INFORMATION
NYCB star Tiler Peck is the focus for an evening of several dance in several styles — with a starry set of co-dancers (Lauren Lovette!!!!!!!). There’s Peck’s own choreography, sure (we’ll see about that), but also stuff by people like William Forsythe.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Who thought La Bonne Soup would ever be good again?
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Friday, March 4, 2022, 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM
MUSIC
Smerz / Ouri
FRIDAY, MARCH 4, 2022
7:30 PM
National Sawdust
80 North 6th Street, Williamsburg, Brooklyn
$23.75
TICKETS + INFORMATION
This List is good for a good word for practically anything coming out of Oslo — another of its fave non-Brooklyn cities — but Smerz really are good: synth-pop (barely) tinged with Baroque and other fancied-up inflections. Ouri — from France out of the Caribbean and now in Montreal (another List fave city but enough already) — is if anything even better, chill (but not smooth) electro-pop with its own set of distinctive inflections that is absolutely gorgeous (but not boring).
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: The Brooklyn Antica Pesa is kind of gross in a douchey sort of way (not saying that about the original in Rome, understand), but some of the food can make you forget that.
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Friday, March 4, 2022, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
MUSIC
Nu Jazz / Jaimie Branch
FRIDAY, MARCH 4, 2022
7:00 PM
Trans-Pecos
915 Wyckoff Avenue, Ridgewood, Queens
$15
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Nu Jazz isn’t quite what its name portends: more Techon DJ, less live. Trumpeter Jaimie Branch is a marvel, both for their playing in and of itself and their seamless incorporation of hip-hop and electronics into their conception.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Evil Twin Brewing is doing some great stuff in Ridgewood; go to the Evil Twin Ridgewood Taproom and see.
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Thursday, March 3, 2022, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM
MUSIC
Masma Dream World / Colloboh
THURSDAY, MARCH 3, 2022
8:00 PM
Afrofuturism
Public Records
233 Butler Street, Gowanus, Brooklyn
$20.40
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Electronic music from African descendents, songlike in the case of Masma Dream World, more abstract in the case of Colloboh.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Good Oaxacan at Claro.
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Thursday, March 3, 2022, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM
MUSIC
Composer Portraits: Felipe Lara
THURSDAY, MARCH 3, 2022
8:00 PM
Miller Theater at Columbia University
2960 Broadway, Morningside Heights, Manhattan
$10-$30
TICKETS + INFORMATION
You often read that contemporary composers play with sound, subvert sonic expectations, controvert the normal usages of instruments, stuff like that. It usually sounds like the writer can’t think of anything more specific to say about the way the composer’s music sounds. When I say the same about Felipe Lara, I want you to understand that that’s exactly, precisely what his music does. And without getting into essentialist nationalistic characterizations, I’ll note that Lara comes from Brazil, where even the guitar noise bands make sound that’s sensually appealing.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Hearty Northwestern Chinese at Dun Huang.
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Thu, Mar 3, 2022, 8:00 PM – Sat, Mar 5, 2022, 9:00 PM
THEATER
Suzan-Lori Parks: Fucking A
THURSDAY – SATURDAY, MARCH 3 – 5, 2022
8:00 PM
Pope Auditorium, Fordham College at Lincoln Center
133 West 60th Street, Upper West Side, Manhattan
$15; $5 students/seniors
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Suzan-Lori Parks is a hell of a playwright. But the reason this student production is getting Listed is that it features a new incidental score by Paul Pinto. This List is a Paul Pinto fanboy if anyone is.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Remember when Rosa Mexicano was good? Wouldn’t it be nice if it were still?
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Thursday, March 3, 2022, 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM
MUSIC
Julia Wolfe: Steel Hammer
THURSDAY, MARCH 3, 2022
7:30 PM
Zankel Hall, Carnegie Hall
881 7th Avenue, Midtown, Manhattan
$30-$45
TICKETS + INFORMATION
The first of Julia Wolfe’s long-form labor diatribes is also the best (I, for one, find pieces like Anthracite Fields pretty heavy going — despite my strong political sympathies) — almost certainly because the base material, the African-American ballad and hammer song ballad “John Henry”, is so indelibly great.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Really good Modern Indian at Indian Accent.
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Thu, Mar 3, 2022, 7:30 PM – Sat, Mar 5, 2022, 8:30 PM
DANCE
Raphael Xavier: The Musician & The Mover
THURSDAY – SATURDAY, MARCH 3 – 5, 2022
7:30 PM
New York Live Arts
219 West 19th Street, Chelsea, Manhattan
$25; $20 students/seniors; $15 limited-availability subsidized tickets
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Raphael Xavier extends breakdancing.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: OK, so the food at the new iteration of El Quijote isn’t quite as good as at Ernesto’s. But boy is this new place fun!
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Thu, Mar 3, 2022, 7:00 PM – Sun, Mar 6, 2022, 8:00 PM
THEATER / PERFORMANCE
Theodora Skipitares: Grand Panorama
THURSDAY – SUNDAY, MARCH 3 – 6, 2022
7:00 PM THURSDAY – SATURDAY
2:00 PM SUNDAY
La MaMa
66 East 4th Street, East Village, Manhattan
$25 advance; $30 day of $20 students/seniors advance; $25 students/seniors day of; $10 first 10 tickets to each show
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Veteran master of puppet theater Theodora Skipitares explores Frederick Douglass’s obsession with the then-new medium of photography (yeah I never knew, either) and his optimistic hopes for its applications and effects.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Northwestern Chinese spot (not just out of solidarity with the Uyghurs, hearty cumin-drenched Northwestern Chinese is officially The Shit) Jiang’s Kitchen is, rather mysteriously, not as good as its lamented predecessor Jiang Diner was. But its $29 three-course Winter Menu is a steal!
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Wed, Mar 2, 2022, 8:30 PM – Sat, Mar 5, 2022, 9:30 PM
MUSIC
The Stone Residencies: Tomas Fujiwara
WEDNESDAY – SATURDAY, MARCH 2 – 5, 2022
8:30 PM
The Stone
Glass Box Theater, The New School
55 West 13th Street, Greenwich Village, Manhattan
$20
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Master bassist Tomas Fujiwara does a four-night residency, playing with a different line-up each night. And you know what? Not a one of them doesn’t look extremely promising.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: It’ll be nice to go back to the comfortable Emilia-Romagnan food at Da Andrea (do yourself a favor and start with the Tigelle Modenesi con Prosciutto).
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Wed, Mar 2, 2022, 8:30 PM – Sun, Mar 6, 2022, 3:00 PM
OPERA
Taylor Mac: The Hang
WEDNESDAY – SUNDAY, MARCH 2 – 6, 2022
8:30 PM WEDNESDAY – SATURDAY
2:00 PM SUNDAY
HERE
145 Sixth Avenue (entrance on Dominick Street), Hudson Square, Manhattan
$35-$100
TICKETS + INFORMATION
A reinstatement of a postponed PROTOTYPE Festival show that you really NEED to go to! The last days of Socrates turned into a celebration of queer culture (if you’ve read Plato, not a stretch). Let’s face it, Taylor Mac can do anything.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Sophisticated Italian (and a really first-rate beverage program) at Altro Paradiso.
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Wednesday, March 2, 2022, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM
MUSIC
Andy Statman Trio
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 2022
8:00 PM
Barbès In Person & Live Stream
376 9th Street, Park Slope, Brooklyn
$20 in person; free-$10 live stream
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Klezmer meets free jazz. If it weren’t for the folkie mandolin stuff, this would be my dream music.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: In person, you idealy want to be at Reyes Deli & Grocery over the weekend for their barbacoa and goat stew tacos and their tamales. But the regular tacos and tortas available on weekdays are riduculously good themselves. Streaming at home, have a Salers & Cel-Ray: pour 2 oz. Salers into a Collins glass over ice. Top with Dr. Brown’s Cel-Ray. Stir. Garnish with a lemon twist.
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Wednesday, March 2, 2022, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM
MUSIC
Max Johnson: Music for Eight
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 2022
8:00 PM
Roulette In Person & Live Stream
509 Atlantic Avenue (entrance on Third Avenue), Boerum Hill, Brooklyn
$20 advance; $25 door; free live stream
TICKETS + INFORMATION
If Eric Wubbels had an all-star ensemble here at Roulette on Monday, then bassist Max Johnson’s is (for this kind of music) all-Super Novas.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: In person, neighborhood French Bistro at French Louie. Streaming at home, have a Bijou: pour 1 oz. each of Gin, sweet Vermouth, and green Chartreuse, with 1 dash of orange bitters, into an ice-filled cocktail shaker. Stir. Strain into a chilled Martini glass or coupe. Express a lemon twist into the drink and then use as a garnish.
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Wed, Mar 2, 2022, 8:00 PM – Sun, Mar 6, 2022, 4:00 PM
THEATER / MUSIC / DANCE
David Byrne: American Utopia
WEDNESDAY – SUNDAY, MARCH 2 – 6, 2022 (ongoing)
8:00 PM WEDNESDAY – FRIDAY
5:00 & 9:00 PM SATURDAY
3:00 PM SUNDAY
St. James Theater
246 West 44th Street, Midtown, Manhattan
$59-$179
TICKETS + INFORMATION
If a collaboration between David Byrne and Annie-B Parson were put on at BAM, I wouldn't think twice about Listing it (although I'd still feel constrained to make a comment about Boomer Nostalgia moving on to the Pop Avant-Garde). So I'm not gonna demerit this cuz it's on Broadway. AM I?
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Maybe the sushi at Sushi Lab is overelaborate and tries too hard. But it's there.
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Wed, Mar 2, 2022, 8:00 PM – Fri, Mar 4, 2022, 9:00 PM
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Wed, Mar 2, 2022, 7:30 PM – Sun, Mar 6, 2022, 4:00 PM
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Wed, Mar 2, 2022, 7:30 PM – Sun, Mar 6, 2022, 10:30 PM
MUSIC
Tyshawn Sorey – Aaron Diehl Duo feat. Greg Osby
WEDNESDAY – SUNDAY, MARCH 2 – 6, 2022
7:30 & 9:30 PM
Jazz Gallery In Person & Saturday Live Streams
1160 Broadway (entrance on West 27th Street), NoMad, Manhattan
$25-$35 in person; $20 live stream
TICKETS + INFORMATION
You saw those three names, right?
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Excellent Mod Korean at Atoboy.
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Wed, Mar 2, 2022, 7:15 PM – Sun, Mar 6, 2022, 3:15 PM
THEATER
Happenstance Theater: Barococo
WEDNESDAY – SUNDAY, MARCH 2 – 6, 2022
7:15 PM WEDNESDAY – SATURDAY
2:15 PM SATURDAY & SUNDAY
59E59 Theaters
59 East 59th Street, Midtown, Manhattan
$40
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Physical comedy depicting the last days of the French aristocracy as launching pad for commentary on wealth disparity. Set to late French Baroque!
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: You could do a lot worse in this neighborhood than the Sicilian food at Piccola Cucina Uptown.
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Wed, Mar 2, 2022, 7:00 PM – Sun, Mar 6, 2022, 4:00 PM
THEATER
Peter Born, Diana Oh, Niegel Smith, Okwui Okpokwasili & Carrie Mae Weems: Arden — But, Not Without You
WEDNESDAY – SUNDAY, MARCH 2 – 6, 2022
7:00 PM WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY
8:00 PM FRIDAY & SATURDAY
3:00 PM SATURDAY & SUNDAY
The Flea
20 Thomas Street, Tribeca, Manhattan
$15-$35
TICKETS + INFORMATION
You’re walking through a forest and you come to a clearing where you fing going on collective rites that give you the feelings of hope, affirmation, and fellowship you’ve been missing for the last couple of years (unless you’re an introverted misanthrope like me who was relieved at not having to deal with other people).
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Cretan food is hard to come by around here — but they serve some at Mirathi. Try the black truffle tarama (probably not strictly Cretan) (but good), the Cretan snails, and the Apaki Kleftiko — all stuff you’ve probably never had except maybe in Crete.
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Tue, Mar 1, 2022, 9:00 PM – Sat, Mar 5, 2022, 10:00 PM
DANCE / MUSIC / PERFORMANCE
Rashaad Newsome: Assembly (Performances)
TUESDAY – SATURDAY, MARCH 1 – 5, 2022
9:00 PM
Wade Thompson Drill Hall, Park Avenue Armory
643 Park Avenue, Upper East Side, Manhattan
$40
TICKETS + INFORMATION
At 9:00 PM, Rashaad Newsome’s sprawling installation exploring centuries of Black and Queer culture transforms into a performance venue, with dancers, musicians, MCs, whathaveyou.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Wonder if the recent revamp at Restaurant Daniel involved bringing the food back to 1990s standard? You can stop by their bar before the show to find out.
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Tuesday, March 1, 2022, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM
MUSIC
Jeff Tobias: Recurring Dream
TUESDAY, MARCH 1, 2022
8:00 PM
Roulette In Person & Live Stream
509 Atlantic Avenue (entrance on Third Avenue), Boerum Hill, Brooklyn
$20 advance; $25 door; free live stream
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Jeff Tobias: pop? jazz? classical? Why choose?
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: In person, plausible French Bistro at Bacchus. Streaming at home, have a San Martin: pour 1-1/2 oz. each of Gin and sweet Vermouth, and 1 teaspoon yellow Chartreuse, into an ice-filled cocktail shaker. Stir. Strain into a chilled Martini glass or coupe.
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Tue, Mar 1, 2022, 8:00 PM – Sun, Mar 6, 2022, 11:00 PM
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Tue, Mar 1, 2022, 7:30 PM – Sun, Mar 6, 2022, 6:00 PM
THEATER
Enda Walsh: The Same
TUESDAY – SUNDAY, MARCH 1 – 6, 2022
7:30 PM TUESDAY & WEDNESDAY
8:00 PM THURSDAY – SATURDAY
2:00 PM SATURDAY
5:00 PM SUNDAY
Irish Arts Center
726 11th Avenue, Hell’s Kitchen, Manhattan
$59
TICKETS + INFORMATION
When he’s not writing books for disappointing musicals, Enda Walsh writes unique, sort-of-absurdist-but-in-the-end-not-really theater pieces in which you figure out the logic underlying the seemingly anomalous situational behavior the play presents as it goes along, usually reaching full understanding just before play’s end. And in Ireland, a country with an overabundance of fine actors, they think the two here — Eileen Walsh and Catherine Walsh (is there only one surname in Ireland???) — are just fantastic. They should know.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Ardesia Wine Bar really is the place to go from the Irish Arts Center.
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Tue, Mar 1, 2022, 7:30 PM – Sat, Mar 5, 2022, 8:29 PM
THEATER
Bertholt Brecht: The Mother
TUESDAY – SATURDAY, MARCH 1 – 5, 2022 (continuing through MARCH 19)
7:30 PM TUESDAY – SATURDAY
3:00 PM SATURDAY
The Wooster Group
The Performing Garage
33 Wooster Street, Soho, Manhattan
$30-$40
TICKETS + INFORMATION
A revival of this very fine production of Brecht’s polemical play, for all us Commies.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: It’s ironic that I’m going to send you to one of the bougiest places imaginable, but the French comfort food at La Mercerie can only be described as wonderful. This isn’t what Brecht meant by “Erst kommt das Fressen, dann kommt die Moral” — but then on the other hand, Lenin and Trotsky frequented the Café Central in Vienna.
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Tuesday, March 1, 2022, 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM
MUSIC
Merz Trio: Undiluted Days
TUESDAY, MARCH 1, 2022
7:30 PM
Merkin Concert Hall, Kaufman Music Center
129 West 67th Street, Upper West Side, Manhattan
$30; $15 students
TICKETS + INFORMATION
A really stimulating piano trio program, ranging from Monteverdi and Gesualdo in the Renaissance to Jeffrey Mumford, a High Modernist whose recent ubiquity on concert programs proves that playing long-underplayed music by composers who aren’t White Men isn’t any sort of tokenism, but rather brings the repertoire where it should have been in the first place. Speaking of composers who aren’t White Men, there’s also some Alma Mahler (not an overlooked major talent) and, for that matter, Edith Piaf. Tchaikovsky is going to seem horribly lachrymose by comparison.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Charles Pan-Fried Chicken: believe the hype.
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Tue, Mar 1, 2022, 7:00 PM – Sun, Mar 6, 2022, 7:59 PM
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Tue, Mar 1, 2022, 6:00 PM – Sun, Mar 6, 2022, 8:00 PM
PERFORMANCE
James Allister Sprang: Aquifer of the Weave
WEDNESDAY – SUNDAY, MARCH 2 – 6, 2022 (continuing through MARCH 12)
6:00 & 7:00 PM
Chocolate Factory Theater
38-33 24th Street, Long Island City, Queens
$20
TICKETS + INFORMATION
A mulitmedia experience melding music and cyanotopes (a photographic process that turns everything blue) invoking and exploring Black longing for a lost homeland.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: The tangy porky chili-scented Chilorio tacos at Cielito (the Sinaloan spot we’ve all been waiting for) have got to be the most exciting things I’ve eaten this Winter.
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Tue, Mar 1, 2022, 10:00 AM – Sun, Mar 6, 2022, 5:30 AM
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Mon, Feb 28, 2022, 8:00 AM – Sun, Mar 6, 2022, 5:00 PM
MUSIC / PERFORMANCE
Gelsey Bell feat. Joseph White: Cairns
MONDAY – SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 28 – MARCH 6, 2022 (ongoing)
8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
#stillHERE IRL
Green-Wood Cemetery, Sunset Park Entrance
35th Street at 4th Avenue, Greenwood Heights, Brooklyn
$7 or more for soundtrack
TICKETS + INFORMATION
One of the first shows during Quarantine that you could actually Go Out! to (although it's not quite "live"). Gelsey Bell, that vocal star of NYC Alt Classical, has conceived of a piece that walks you around Green-Wood Cemetery (starting at the Sunset Park Entrance). You download the soundtrack on your phone beforehand (the Times complains about how hard it is to download from Bandcamp to an iPhone — trust me: if I can figure out how to do it, anyone can). Bell wrote the text and narrates, with a co-composing assist from the inimitable Joe White (whose terrific new album you really ought to hear). The Cemetery itself will do the performing. (You can also listen to the soundtrack at home and pretend you're walking around the Cemetery.)
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: The Sunset Park entrance is only a short walk from Hometown BBQ Industry City (if you go over the weekend, you can get the fabulous pastrami).
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Mon, Feb 28, 2022, 6:00 AM – Sun, Mar 6, 2022, 1:00 AM
MUSIC / PERFORMANCE
Ellen Reid: SOUNDWALK
MONDAY – SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 28 – MARCH 6, 2022 (ongoing)
6:00 AM – 1:00 AM
New York Philharmonic
Central Park
59th Street – 110th Street/Central Park West – 5th Avenue, Manhattan
Free (registration required)
TICKETS + INFORMATION
The New York Phil hops aboard the walk-around-the-landscaped-space-with-soundtrack train. The highly allusive soundtrack was put together by Ellen Reid, who is one of the more soundscapey (and certainly one of the best) of today's many excellent young composers. This walk isn't guided: you download an app that triggers sounds sent to your earphones from various cells around the Park as you wander. So you can do it over many times. (Speaking of wandering around Central Park, here's something that I, for one, never knew.)
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Delicious pan-African at Teranga.
