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Fri, Jun 30, 2023, 11:00 PM – Sun, Jul 2, 2023, 11:59 PM
MUSIC / PERFORMANCE
Bob Bieleckie & David Behrman: Spindrifter / Around the Corner
FRIDAY – SUNDAY, JUNE 30 – JULY 1, 2023 (continuing throgh AUGUST 27)
11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Harvestworks Art & Technology Building
Nolan Park Building 10a , Governors Island, Manhattan
Free
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Two sound installations. Spindrifter uses special recording and playback technologies developed by Bob Bielecki to create sound that is placed almost holographically. Along with recorded natural sounds are bits of the Minimalist music of David Behrman. Around the Corner invites active exploration by listeners. (You might want to wait till Saturday next [July 8] to attend this, as the artists are expected to be present that day.) (OTOH, maybe you’d prefer to be able to respond to the pieces without their being around!)
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Plenty to eat and drink on the Island, but let me give a special shout-out to the soul food from Cooking With Corey.
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Friday, June 30, 2023, 9:00 PM – 11:59 PM
MUSIC
Bob Stewart Quartet
FRIDAY, JUNE 30, 2023
9:00 & 10:15 PM
LunÀtico
486 Halsey Street, Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn
$10
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Bob Stewart’s tuba solo on Arthur Blythe’s “Lenox Avenue Breakdown” remains, after all these years, one of the very best horn solos in recorded jazz. And if your son is one of the top violinists now playing, won’t you want to play with him? (Brandon Ross on guitar doesn’t hurt, either.)
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: You should at least buy some drinks from the venue. But if you want some more interesting and substantial food than LunÀtico serves, get some Southern at Peaches.
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Friday, June 30, 2023, 8:00 PM – 11:59 PM
MUSIC
Andy Akiho: Seven Pillars
FRIDAY, JUNE 30, 2023
8:00 PM
Sandbox Percussion
Caramoor
149 Girdle Ridge Road, Katonah, Westchester
$29-$68; $14.50-$68 children
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Andy Akiho’s longform piece is stunningly structured, and requires stunning virtuosity. Sandbox Percussion are just the guys to do it. The elaborate lighting is, in this case, additive.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: FFF (that’s Fancy Fucking French to you) at La Crémaillère.
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Friday, June 30, 2023, 6:00 PM – 11:59 PM
MUSIC
Sonelius Smith & Adam Kahan: The Eulipion Project
TUESDAY & FRIDAY, JUNE 27 & 30, 2023
7:00 PM TUESDAY
6:00 PM FRIDAY
Barbès
376 9th Street, Park Slope, Brooklyn
$20
TUESDAY TICKETS + INFORMATION
FRIDAY TICKETS + INFORMATION
Sonelius Smith is a Hard Bop-into-Nu Thing pianist who played with like everyone in New York in the ‘70s and ‘80s. Now he’s back.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Once good Cuban, now good Dominican, at El Viejo Yayo 2.
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Friday, June 30, 2023, 6:00 PM – 11:59 PM
PERFORMANCE
MoDRAG
FRIDAY, JUNE 30, 2023
6:00 PM
Brick Aux
579 Metropolitan Avenue, Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Free-$50
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Drag considered and enacted.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Free pizza at the Alligator Lounge.
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Thursday, June 29, 2023, 8:00 PM – 11:59 PM
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Thu, Jun 29, 2023, 8:00 PM – Fri, Jun 30, 2023, 11:59 PM
DANCE / PERFORMANCE
Tim Ried: WHEN IN DOUBT, READ NIGHTWOOD
THURSDAY & FRIDAY, JUNE 29 & 30, 2023
8:00 PM
Pageant
70 Graham Avenue, Williamsburg, Brooklyn
$10-$30
TICKETS + INFORMATION
A text-based movement/performance piece about “love and trouble”, “based on various forms of melodrama, such as dinner theater, reality TV, musicals and Hallmark movies.” Sounds good.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Mexican snacks and mad desserts at Maya’s Snack Bar.
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Thursday, June 29, 2023, 8:00 PM – 11:59 PM
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Thursday, June 29, 2023, 8:00 PM – 11:59 PM
MUSIC
DoYeon Kim
THURSDAY, JUNE 29, 2023
8:00 PM
Roulette In Person & Live Stream
509 Atlantic Avenue (entrance on Third Avenue), Boerum Hill, Brooklyn
$25 advance; $30 door; $20 students/seniors advance; free live stream
TICKETS + INFORMATION
There’s a lot of (excellent) avant-Korean music being made in New York right now (see also, e.g., Tuesday’s Carnegie Hill Concerts show). DoYeon Kim plays the gayageum in ways that have roots in tradition, but incorporate contemporary experimentation — and stagecraft, for that matter. And tonight she certainly has some great people (including Brandon Lopez and Adam O’Farrill) playing with her.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: In person, nothing for it but to walk over to Insa for some clean fresh Korean. Streaming at home, have a Yogurt Soju: pour 3 oz. each of Soju and Yakult (not as hard to find as you think!) into an ice-filled cocktail shaker. Shake. Add 3 oz. lemon-lime soda. Stir. Strain into a glass of some sort.
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Thursday, June 29, 2023, 8:00 PM – 11:59 PM
MUSIC
Yellow Swans / Drew McDowell / Dreamcrusher / Leila Bordreuil
THURSDAY, JUNE 29, 2023
8:00 PM
(Le) Poisson Rouge
158 Bleecker Street, Greenwich Village, Manhattan
$25-$55
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Various degrees of experimental noise, backwards-looking in the case of the regrouped Yellow Swans, forward-looking in the case of the droney Leila Bordrueil and the crushing Dreamcrusher, and timeless in the case of Drew McDowell.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: The bistro of the season is Libertine.
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Thu, Jun 29, 2023, 7:30 PM – Sun, Jul 2, 2023, 11:59 PM
THEATER
Mallory Catlett / Restless NYC: DECODER: Nova Express
THURSDAY – SUNDAY, JUNE 29 – JULY 2, 2023 (continuing through JULY 9)
7:30 PM
Chocolate Factory
38-33 24th Street, Long Island City, Queens
$20
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Visionary director Mallory Catlett and her crew complete their traversal of William Burroughs’s Nova Trilogy, using the aleatory cut-up technique Burroughs employed in writing the novels — and taking it into the realm of stage tech. To say the previous installments were a trip would be stating the obvious.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Nice family Brazilian at Beija Flor.
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Thursday, June 29, 2023, 7:30 PM – 11:59 PM
DANCE
More Fish: MESH
THURSDAY, JUNE 29, 2023
7:30 PM
Dixon Place
161A Chrystie Street, Lower East Side, Manhattan
$15 advance; $20 door; $10 students/seniors
TICKETS + INFORMATION
More mixed dance.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Somewhat overrated Thai at Thai Diner.
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Thu, Jun 29, 2023, 7:30 PM – Sun, Jul 2, 2023, 11:59 PM
DANCE / THEATER
Sufjan Stevens, Jackie Sibblies Drury & Justin Peck: Illinois
THURSDAY – SUNDAY, JUNE 29 – JULY 2, 2023
7:30 PM THURSDAY – SATURDAY
2:00 PM SUNDAY
SummerScape
Fisher Center, Bard College
60 Manor Avenue, Red Hook, Dutchess County
$59.50-$154.50
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Choreographer Justin Peck and and the great playwright Jackie Sibblies “Fairview” Drury took Sufjan Stevens’s terrific album Illinois and crafted a story around its songs, which Peck then choreographed. I’m not much for imposing narratives on record albums — but this is quite an album. When they get to the song about losing a loved one to cancer (a subject I know something about), I don’t think I’d be able to contains myself.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: New Old American at Stissing House.
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Thursday, June 29, 2023, 7:00 PM – 11:59 PM
DANCE / PERFORMANCE
Living Room
TUESDAY & THURSDAY, JUNE 27 & 29, 2023
7:00 PM
FourOneOne
411 Kent Avenue, Williamsburg, Brooklyn
$20-$100 advance; Free-$100 door
TUESDAY TICKETS + INFORMATION
THURSDAY TICKETS + INFORMATION
Dance and performance, shading into each other. Special mention must be made of Tuesday’s show, featuring Ahn Vo, whose dances exploring sexuality and colonialism really could be called performance pieces and Crackhead Barney, a performance artist who takes acerbity beyond the acerbic.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Amazingly good pub grub at Meckelberg’s.
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Thursday, June 29, 2023, 7:00 PM – 11:59 PM
MUSIC
International Contemporary Ensemble: Ensemble Evolution 2023 Fest
MONDAY & THURSDAY, JUNE 26 & 29, 2023
7:00 PM
Ernst C. Stiefel Concert Hall, New School
55 West 13th Street, Greenwich Village, Manhattan
Free
TICKETS + INFORMATION
A carefully selected group of young musicians perform lots of good new stuff under the auspices of the peerless International Contemporary Ensemble.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Strip House certainly has its fans.
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Thursday, June 29, 2023, 6:30 PM – 11:59 PM
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Thu, Jun 29, 2023, 6:00 PM – Fri, Jun 30, 2023, 11:59 AM
PERFORMANCE
evil dentist feat. Cal Fish & More Ease: Everything Must Go!
THURSDAY, JUNE 29, 2023
6:00 PM
ISSUE Project Room @ ISSUE Project Room Office
140 Second Avenue #503, East Village, Manhattan
$15
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Evil dentist continue their series “appropriating the banality of office space to reimagine the relationship between artistic practice and community building” (wait WHAT?) — staged in what will soon be ISSUE Project Room’s former office! The audience is affirmatively encouraged to wander in and out during the piece’s four-hour duration.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Exceptional Sichuan at Mountain House.
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Thursday, June 29, 2023, 5:00 PM – 11:59 PM
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Thursday, June 29, 2023, 1:15 PM – 11:59 PM
MUSIC
Marc Bellassai: Fond Farewells
THURSDAY, JUNE 29, 2023
1:15 PM
Gotham Early Music Festival Midtown Concerts
St. Malachy’s Church In Person & Live Stream
239 West 49th Street, Midtown, Manhattan
Free
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Harpsichordist Marc Bellassai plays a program of solo pieces embodying farewells. So we know he’ll be doing Bach’s Capriccio on the Departure of a Beloved Brother.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: In person, I’m not gonna even tell you what El Mil Sabores puts on their Torta Loca sandwich. You have to see it for yourself. Streaming at home, have a Doctor: pour 1-1/2 oz. each of dark Rum and Swedish Punsch, and 3/4 oz. 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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Wed, Jun 28, 2023, 8:30 PM – Sat, Jul 1, 2023, 11:59 PM
MUSIC
The Stone Residencies: Mark Dresser
WEDNESDAY – SATURDAY, JUNE 28 – JULY 1, 2023
8:30 PM
The Stone
Glass Box Theater, The New School
55 West 13th Street, Greenwich Village, Manhattan
$30
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Bassmaster Mark Dresser hardly needs my commendation. Nothing much to choose between the various excellent programs (although Saturday’s show featuring Anthony Braxton material played with Marilyn Crispell and Gerry Hemingway does seem kind of special).
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: It’s still 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, June 28, 2023, 8:00 PM – 11:59 PM
MUSIC
David Watson & Bob Bellerue/Luke Stewart, Ed Bear & Madison Greenstone
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28, 2023
8:00 PM
Shift
FourOneOne
411 Kent Avenue, Williamsburg, Brooklyn
$20
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Guitarist/bagpiper David Watson (I mean somebody’s got to be a guitarist/bagpiper) — who runs this series — and electronics guy Bob Bellerue have both been exploring the outer reaches of sound for so long they probably feel more at home out there than back here with us. And it’s certain to be interesting when beyond bassist Luke Stewart gets together with electronics guy/engineer Ed Bear and Madison Greenstone on clarinet.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Mexican party at Aldama.
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Wed, Jun 28, 2023, 8:00 PM – Fri, Jun 30, 2023, 11:59 PM
DANCE
Vangeline Theater / New York Butoh Institute: Queer Butoh
WEDNESDAY – FRIDAY, JUNE 28 – 30, 2023
8:00 PM
The Brick
579 Metropolitan Avenue, Williamsburg, Brooklyn
$25
TICKETS + INFORMATION
If any form invites queering, it’s Butoh, whose foundational work interpreted a Mishima novel with what used to be called homoerotic overtones.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: It would be nice if you could get into the neo-Cantonese-American sensation Bonnie’s — especially since you get to walk past the Manhattan Special factory on the way there.
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Wed, Jun 28, 2023, 8:00 PM – Thu, Jun 29, 2023, 11:59 PM
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Wednesday, June 28, 2023, 7:30 PM – 11:59 PM
DANCE
8 in Show
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28, 2023
7:30 PM
Dixon Place
161A Chrystie Street, Lower East Side, Manhattan
$17 advance; $20 door; $15 students/seniors advance; $17 students/seniors door
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Mixed dance.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Ms. Yoo for Modern Korean. Cuz I’m an Esther Choi fanboy.
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Wed, Jun 28, 2023, 7:30 PM – Sat, Jul 1, 2023, 11:59 PM
THEATER
The Goat Exchange: Deadclass, Ohio
WEDNESDAY – SATURDAY, JUNE 28 – JULY 1, 2023
7:30 PM
Ice Factory
New Ohio Theatre
154 Christopher Street, West Village, Manhattan
$20; $17 students/seniors
TICKETS + INFORMATION
A seance at a Jewish cemetery in Ohio — out of Tadeusz Kantor.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Korean noodles at Jeju Noodle Bar.
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Wednesday, June 28, 2023, 7:00 PM – 11:59 PM
MUSIC
Lea Bertucci / Jeff Tobias & Sam Morrison / Nepenthae
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28, 2023
7:00 PM
Sundownstairs, Sundown Bar
68-38 Forest Avenue, Ridgewood, Queens
$14.85
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Lea Bertucci: woodwinds, electronics, torrents of SOUND. Jeff Tobias (with Sam Morrison on synths): can be fierce, can be gentle. Nepenthae: acoustic bass, electric bass, drums, not a power trio, exactly — but LOUD.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: You’re in a bar in the downstairs of an excellent wine shop that takes its cocktails as seriously as the shop takes Natural wine. For something more solid, Nepalese-New York fusion (cuz why not?) at While in Kathmandu.
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Wednesday, June 28, 2023, 7:00 PM – 11:59 PM
MUSIC
Paulo Bellinati
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28, 2023
7:00 PM
Americas Society
680 Park Avenue, Upper East Side, Manhattan
Free
TICKETS + INFORMATION
The excellent guitarist Paulo Bellinati plays a world premiere by the greatest living composer of guitar music, Leo Brouwer; some of the lilting bossa nova-anticipating music of Bellinati’s Brazilian countryman Garoto; and a lot of Bellinati’s own very good compositions. He’ll be joined by fellow guitarists Laura Oltman, Michael Newman, and Joāo Luiz.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Despite what they claim, Mission Ceviche doesn’t serve the best ceviche in New York City (that’s got to be Caletta 111 in Richmond Hill). But they unquestionably serve the best ceviche within walking distance of the Americas Society.
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Tuesday, June 27, 2023, 9:00 PM – 11:59 PM
MUSIC
Caroline Davis: Alula Trio
TUESDAY, JUNE 27, 2023
9:00 & 10:15 PM
LunÀtico
486 Halsey Street, Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn
$10
TICKETS + INFORMATION
What’s better than Caroline Davis (a composer/saxophonist with a sense of structure so acute you feel like she could make order out of the void)? Caroline Davis with a rhythm section comprising Chris Tordini and Kate Gentile.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: You should at least buy some drinks from the venue. But if you want some more interesting and substantial food than LunÀtico serves, you're practically right across the street from the excellent pizza and good tapas at Saraghina.
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Tuesday, June 27, 2023, 8:00 PM – 11:59 PM
MUSIC
Irridescent: Conjuring Apparitions
TUESDAY, JUNE 27, 2023
8:00 PM
Roulette In Person & Live Stream
509 Atlantic Avenue (entrance on Third Avenue), Boerum Hill, Brooklyn
$25 advance; $30 door; $20 students/seniors; free live stream
TICKETS + INFORMATION
These two great and inventive musicians (flute and electronics and voice and electronics and stuff) explore their very personal relationships with the supernatural.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: In person, eclectic New American at As You Are. Streaming at home, have a Magic Hour (from our own Clover Club): pour 1-1/2 oz. Lillet Rosé, 1/2 oz. grapefruit, 1/4 oz. Simle Syrup, and 1 tsp. yellow Chartreuse into an ice-filled cocktail shaker. Shake. Strain into a chilled Champagne flute. Top with sparkling wine. Garnish with a grapefruit twist.
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Tuesday, June 27, 2023, 8:00 PM – 11:59 PM
MUSIC
False Harmonics: Webber-Morris Big Band/NOMON
TUESDAY, JUNE 27, 2023
8:00 PM
Pioneer Works
159 Pioneer Street, Red Hook, Brooklyn
$20 advance; $30 day-of
TICKETS + INFORMATION
The Webber/Morris Big Band is one of the jewels of the Brooklyn jazz scene. NOMON is, of course, the percussion duo of the banging Dunkelman sisters.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Great burger, really great shrimp cocktail, at Red Hook Tavern.
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Tue, Jun 27, 2023, 7:30 PM – Sun, Jul 2, 2023, 11:59 PM
THEATER
Brandon Jacobs-Jenkins: The Comeuppance
TUESDAY – SUNDAY, JUNE 27 – JULY 2, 2023 (continuing through JULY 9)
7:30 PM TUESDAY – FRIDAY
8:00 PM SATURDAY
2:00 PM WEDNESDAY, SATURDAY & SUNDAY
The Pershing Square Signature Theater Center
480 West 42nd Street, Hell’s Kitchen, Manhattan
$49-$159
TICKETS + INFORMATION
One of the great things about writing an arts newsletter is that you get to make absolutely ridiculous pronouncements, like this: the best American play of the last 10 years was Brandon Jacobs-Jenkins’s An Octoroon. There: I’ve said it and I believe it. So his latest, about a decades-later reunion of a self-proclaimed high school “Multi-Ethnic Reject Group” has got to be worth your attention.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Let’s see how Greek classic Molyvos is in its new location.
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Tue, Jun 27, 2023, 7:30 PM – Sun, Jul 2, 2023, 11:59 PM
THEATER
Lucas Hnath feat. Steve Cuiffo: A Simulacrum
TUESDAY – SUNDAY, JUNE 27 – JULY 2, 2023
7:30 PM TUESDAY – SATURDAY
2:30 PM WEDNESDAY, SATURDAY & SUNDAY
Stage 2, The Atlantic Theater Company
330 West 16th Street, Chelsea, Manhattan
$77-87
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Lucas Hnath, one of America’s best current playwrights, joins stage magician Steve Cuiffo for a theater piece about Steve’s teaching Lucas magic tricks.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Homestyle Palestinian at Qanoon.
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Tue, Jun 27, 2023, 7:30 PM – Sun, Jul 2, 2023, 11:59 PM
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Tuesday, June 27, 2023, 7:30 PM – 11:59 PM
MUSIC
Quiet Revolution
TUESDAY, JUNE 27, 2023
7:30 PM
Carnegie Hill Concerts In Person & Live Stream
Church of the Advent Hope
111 East 87th Street, Upper East Side, Manhattan
Free
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Experimental music by Korean-Americans Yoon-Ji Lee, gamin, and KiYoung Kim.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: In person, ramen at Naruto (and try not to think about Yoon-Ji Lee’s piece about Comfort Women). At home, have an Sour Seoul: pour 2 oz. Soju and 3/4 oz. each of lemon juice and Simple Syrup into an ice-filled cocktail shaker. Shake. Strain into a chilled Martini glass or coupe. Garnish with a lemon twist.
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Tuesday, June 27, 2023, 7:30 PM – 11:59 PM
MUSIC
The Knights feat. Masumi Per Rostad
TUESDAY, JUNE 27, 2023
7:30 PM
Naumburg Bandshell, Central Park, Manhattan
Free
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Featuring a new concertante piece for viola, written by Jessie Montgomery, probably the best young composer of string music now working in New York.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: You will be let out into Manhattan’s worst neighborhood for dining and drinking. I throw up my hands.
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Tuesday, June 27, 2023, 7:00 PM – 11:59 PM
DANCE / PERFORMANCE
Living Room
TUESDAY & THURSDAY, JUNE 27 & 29, 2023
7:00 PM
FourOneOne
411 Kent Avenue, Williamsburg, Brooklyn
$20-$100 advance; Free-$100 door
TUESDAY TICKETS + INFORMATION
THURSDAY TICKETS + INFORMATION
Dance and performance, shading into each other. Special mention must be made of Tuesday’s show, featuring Ahn Vo, whose dances exploring sexuality and colonialism really could be called performance pieces and Crackhead Barney, a performance artist who takes acerbity beyond the acerbic.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Amazingly good pub grub at Meckelberg’s.
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Tuesday, June 27, 2023, 7:00 PM – 11:59 PM
MUSIC
Innovator Lab: line upon line/Laura Steenberge/Dominic Coles
TUESDAY, JUNE 27, 2023
7:00 PM
Qubit @ Mis-En_Place
341 Calyer Street, Greenpoint, Brooklyn
$20; $15 student/senior/artist
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Austin percussion trio line upon line performs new pieces written for them by, among others, Laura Steenberghe. Steenberghe, a composer who likes to wring strange instrumental sounds out of strange instruments (I believe she actually plays the viola d’amore) and then also writes songs that sound like Connie Converse, will do a set of her own. Also, Dominic Coles will play a set of his piquantly incisive, playful in its way electronic music.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Go to Raizes Churrascaria and pig (or rather cow) out.
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Tuesday, June 27, 2023, 6:30 PM – 11:59 PM
MUSIC
DMG 32nd ANNIVERSARY IN-STORE FREE MUSIC SERIES
TUESDAY, JUNE 27, 2023
6:30 PM
Downtown Music Gallery
13 Monroe Street, Lower East Side, Manhattan
Free
TICKETS + INFORMATION
A particularly intriguing installment, most particularly the joint venture of four fascinating musicians: saxperson Ayumi Ishito, multi-windperson Daniel Carter (I’m betting on mainly flute tonight), bassoonist Claire de Brunner, and drummer Leslie Mok.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Modern-Korean-inflected Golden Diner.
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Tuesday, June 27, 2023, 6:00 PM – 11:59 PM
MUSIC
Pop-Up Concert: Piano + 1: Works from Mission: Commission
TUESDAY, JUNE 27, 2023
6:00 PM
Miller Theater at Columbia University
2960 Broadway, Morningside Heights, Manhattan
Free
TICKETS + INFORMATION
New works from Miller Theater’s commissioning program, each for a piano with one other instrument (which might itself be a piano). The composers are Ann Cleare, Wang Lu, and Miguel Zenón. And the pianists and non-pianists are Laura Barger, Vicki Chow, Julia Den Boer, Matt Mitchell, Miles Okazaki (guitar), and Russell Greenberg (percussion).
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Whiskey at The Hamilton.
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Tue, Jun 27, 2023, 3:00 PM – Sun, Jul 2, 2023, 11:59 PM
MUSIC / PERFORMANCE
SONIC SPHERE
TUESDAY – SUNDAY, JUNE 27 – JULY 2, 2023 (continuing through JULY 7)
3:00, 4:30, 6:00, 7:30 & 9:00 PM TUESDAY – THURSDAY
1:00, 2:30, 4:00, 5:30, 7:00, 8:30 & 10:00 PM FRIDAY
11:30 AM & 1:00, 2:30, 4:00, 5:30, 7:00, 8:30 & 10:00 PM SATURDAY
11:30 AM & 1:00, 2:30, 4:00, 5:30 & 7:00 PM SUNDAY
The Shed
545 West 30th Street, Hudson Yards, Manhattan
$51 for taped shows; $46 students/seniors for taped shows; $54-$122 live shows
TICKETS + INFORMATION
You go into this huge floating sculptural sphere and hear 45-minutes sets of music comprising either remixes of albums by people like The xx or Steve Reich or playlists curated by people like Carl Craig(!) or live performances by people like Igor Levit(!) (this weekend).
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Excellent Spanish at Casa Dani.
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Tue, Jun 27, 2023, 12:30 PM – Sun, Jul 2, 2023, 11:59 PM
MUSIC / PERFORMANCE
Ryuichi Sakamoto & Tin Drum: KAGAMI
TUESDAY – SUNDAY, JUNE 27 – JULY 2, 2023
12:30, 2:00, 3:30, 5:00, 6:30 & 8:00 PM TUESDAY – THURSDAY
12:00, 1:30, 3:00, 4:30, 6:00, 7:30 & 9:00 PM FRIDAY & SATURDAY
12:00, 1:30, 3:00, 4:30, 6:00 & 7:30 PM SUNDAY
The Shed
545 West 30th Street, Hudson Yards, Manhattan
$60; $54 students/seniors
TICKETS + INFORMATION
The last of Ryuichi Sakamoto’s collaborations with Tin Drum, in which Tin Drum’s VR creates what appear to be landscapes surrounding the audience — including, in this show, the appearance that the late composer Sakamoto is performing the music for this show in the hall.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Spanish from the grill at Leña.
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Tue, Jun 27, 2023, 10:00 AM – Sun, Jul 2, 2023, 11:59 PM
MUSIC / PERFORMANCE
Gelsey Bell & Joseph White: Meander
TUESDAY – SUNDAY, JUNE 27 – JULY 2, 2023 (ongoing)
10:00 AM – 6:00 PM TUESDAY – WEDNESDAY & FRIDAY – SUNDAY
10:00 AM – 8:30 PM THURSDAY
Brooklyn Botanic Garden
150 Eastern Parkway, across the street from Prospect Heights, Brooklyn
$18; $12 students/seniors; free children under 12
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Having created a wonderful sound walk through Green-Wood Cemetery, the dream team of Gelsey Bell and Joe White do the same for the Brooklyn Botanic Garden (one of my favorite places on earth, if you want to know). The soundtrack is available on the BBG website.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Early, the best pancakes in town (and other great stuff) at Tom’s Restaurant. Later, meet the Guadalajaran Torta Ahogada — sure to become your new obsession — at Cruz del Sur.
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Monday, June 26, 2023, 8:00 PM – 11:59 PM
MUSIC
Dan Weiss: Starebaby
MONDAY, JUNE 26, 2023
8:00 PM
Nublu 151
151 Avenue C, East Village, Manhattan
$22.66
TICKETS + INFORMATION
This is drummer Dan Weiss’s jazz-Metal band, and boy is it good. Big surprise it’s good, look at the rest of the line-up: Craig Taborn and Matt Mitchell on synths, Trevor Dunn on bass. Wait, where’d guitarist Ben Monder go?
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Go to Kafana. Bring cash cuz they don’t take plastic. Bring a hunger cuz their Serbian food is HEARTY. Bring a thirst because their appre le lettre Natural wine list is extensive.
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Mon, Jun 26, 2023, 7:30 PM – Sat, Jul 1, 2023, 11:59 PM
THEATER
Liza Berkenmeier: Grief Hotel
MONDAY – SATURDAY, JUNE 26 – JULY 1, 2023
7:30 PM
Summerworks
Clubbed Thumb @ The Wild Project
195 East 3rd Street, East Village, Manhattan
$30-$60; $25 students
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Does Liza Birkenmeier write funnily about unfunny things? Or is it that nothing isn’t potentially funny? This one’s about the commodification of healing.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Roberta’s opens a wine-and-pasta bar in the East Village with Foul Witch.
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Monday, June 26, 2023, 7:00 PM – 11:59 PM
MUSIC
International Contemporary Ensemble: Ensemble Evolution 2023 Fest
MONDAY & THURSDAY, JUNE 26 & 29, 2023
7:00 PM
Ernst C. Stiefel Concert Hall, New School
55 West 13th Street, Greenwich Village, Manhattan
Free
TICKETS + INFORMATION
A carefully selected group of young musicians perform lots of good new stuff under the auspices of the peerless International Contemporary Ensemble.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Strip House certainly has its fans.
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Mon, Jun 26, 2023, 8:00 AM – Sun, Jul 2, 2023, 11:59 AM
MUSIC / PERFORMANCE
Gelsey Bell feat. Joseph White: Cairns
MONDAY – SUNDAY, JUNE 26 – JULY 2, 2023 (ongoing)
8:00 AM – 7:00 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 that you could actually Go Out! to back in the days of The Lockdown (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, Jun 26, 2023, 6:00 AM – Sun, Jul 2, 2023, 11:59 PM
MUSIC / PERFORMANCE
Ellen Reid: New York, New York
MONDAY – SUNDAY, JUNE 26 – JULY 2, 2023 (ongoing)
6:00 AM – 1:00 AM
New York Philharmonic
Central Park, Manhattan
Free
TICKETS + INFORMATION
What do you know? The New York Phil has gone and renamed Ellen Reid’s SOUNDWALK. Reid, one of the more soundscapey (and certainly one of the best) of today's many excellent young composers, put together a highly allusive soundtrack, played by members of the Philharmonic and a bunch of Alt Classical players about town. 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, June 25, 2023, 9:00 PM – 11:59 PM
PERFORMANCE
Sasha Velour: Nightgowns
SUNDAY, JUNE 25, 2023
9:00 PM
(Le) Poisson Rouge
158 Bleecker Street, Greenwich Village, Manhattan
$25-$55
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Drag variety show.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Fun Indian at Masala Times.
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Sunday, June 25, 2023, 8:00 PM – 11:59 PM
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Sunday, June 25, 2023, 5:00 PM – 11:59 PM
MUSIC
to and fro: Cory Smythe
SUNDAY, JUNE 25, 2023
5:00 PM
FourOneOne
411 Kent Avenue, Williamsburg, Brooklyn
$20
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Pianist-composer Cory Smythe is another artist who pretty definitively establishes that there’s no generic difference between avant-jazz and contemporary classical.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Riverside sea food at Sea Wolf Waterfront.
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Sunday, June 25, 2023, 4:00 PM – 11:59 PM
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Sunday, June 25, 2023, 4:00 PM – 11:59 PM
OPERA
Caccini: Alcina
SUNDAY, JUNE 25, 2023
4:00 PM
Boston Early Music Festival
Caramoor
149 Girdle Ridge Road, Katonah, Westchester
$39-$96; $19-$96 children
TICKETS + INFORMATION
You probably know Handel’s (great) Alcina. You probably also know that in the Baroque period, opera libretti got passed around like spliffs. So this is Caccini figlia’s OG rendition (the earliest surviving opera written by woman). CHANCES CACCINI’S ALCINA IS AS GOOD AS HANDEL’S: low. CHANCES IT’S PRETTY GREAT ANYWAY: high.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: FFF (that’s Fancy Fucking French to you) at La Crémaillère.
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Saturday, June 24, 2023, 8:00 PM – 11:59 PM
DANCE / THEATER
Lamb: Cape
SATURDAY, JUNE 24, 2023
8:00 PM
The Kitchen @ Abrons Arts Center
466 Grand Street, Lower East Side, Manhattan
$18.50
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Multidiscplinary Alt R&B artist Lamb makes a major stage debut in a piece about people living in some remote location in the year 1500 suddenly receiving the ability to effortlessly travel globally. How does that affect them and their perceptions, both of themselves and their environment?
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: I hear you can sometimes actually get into Corner Bar now.
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Saturday, June 24, 2023, 8:00 PM – 11:59 PM
MUSIC
Wet Ink Ensemble: AIR Season Finale / Wet Ink Large Ensemble Album Release
SATURDAY, JUNE 24, 2023
8:00 PM
St. Peter’s Church
346 West 20th Street, Chelsea, Manhattan
$20 suggested; students free
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Wet Ink presents a final set of compositions by each of their artists in residence this year — and they’ll have a hard time in the future topping Ingrid Laubrock, Vincente Hansen Atria (whose season was star-making), and Rick Burkhardt. Wet Ink also presents a piece for large ensemble by their own Eric Wubbels, from a new album.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Paella at Soccorat.
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Saturday, June 24, 2023, 8:00 PM – 11:59 PM
MUSIC
C. Lavender: Sunset Meditative Performance
SATURDAY, JUNE 24, 2023
8:00 PM
Harvestworks Art & Technology Building
Nolan Park Building 10a , Governors Island, Manhattan
Free
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Electro-acoustic music I’m totally down with. Meditative healing, I dunno.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Dislike Island Oyster: I double-dare you.
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Saturday, June 24, 2023, 7:30 PM – 11:59 PM
MUSIC
Craig Taborn feat. Lutosławski Quartet: Luminous Grid
SATURDAY, JUNE 24, 2023
7:30 PM
Jazztopad Festival
National Sawdust
80 North 6th Street, Williamsburg, Brooklyn
$31.80
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Pianist Craig Taborn, one of the best minds in jazz, does a least part of a piece he’s writing for himself and the Lutosławski Quartet — as well as some solo stuff and some duos with the exploratory bassist Ksawery Wójciński.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Israeli at K’Far.
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Sat, Jun 24, 2023, 7:30 PM – Sun, Jun 25, 2023, 11:59 PM
THEATER
Mallory Catlett / Restless NYC: DECODER: Nova Express
SATURDAY & SUNDAY, JUNE 24 & 25, 2023 (continuing through JULY 9)
7:30 PM
Chocolate Factory
38-33 24th Street, Long Island City, Queens
$20
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Visionary director Mallory Catlett and her crew complete their traversal of William Burroughs’s Nova Trilogy, using the aleatory cut-up technique Burroughs employed in writing the novels and taking it into the realm of stage tech. To say the previous installments were a trip would be stating the obvious.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Nice family Brazilian at Beija Flor.
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Saturday, June 24, 2023, 7:00 PM – 11:59 PM
MUSIC
Sessa
SATURDAY, JUNE 24, 2023
7:00 PM
Union Pool
484 Union Avenue, Williamsburg, Brooklyn
$24.21
TICKETS + INFORMATION
I love Brazilian pop musc (MPB), I love Tropicalia, and of course I love neo-MPB/Tropicalia practitioner Sesso to pieces.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: There’s nothing for it but to sashay over to Beco for some nice Brazilian.
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Saturday, June 24, 2023, 7:00 PM – 11:59 PM
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Saturday, June 24, 2023, 6:00 PM – 11:59 PM
PERFORMANCE
MoDRAG
SATURDAY, JUNE 24, 2023 (continuing through JUNE 30)
6:00 PM
Brick Aux
579 Metropolitan Avenue, Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Free-$50
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Drag considered and enacted.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Free pizza at the Alligator Lounge!
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Sat, Jun 24, 2023, 4:00 PM – Sun, Jun 25, 2023, 11:59 AM
MUSIC
75 Dollar Bill
SATURDAY, JUNE 24, 2023
4:00 PM
Mama Tried
787 Third Avenue, Greenwood Heights, Brooklyn
Free (tip the bands)
TICKETS + INFORMATION
God I love 75 Dollar Bill (this is the OG guitar-found percussion duo, not the Little Big Band they often convene nowadays)! Psych/Mauritanian/Free Jazz, more like a stew than a fusion. The rest of the bill is just the neo-Psych noodling that 75DB most assuredly isn’t.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: The food at the venue, Mama Tried, is totally edible. The drinks are fine (they make their own vermouth!).
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Saturday, June 24, 2023, 12:00 PM – 11:59 PM
MUSIC
Yarn/Wire: Institute Festival
SATURDAY, JUNE 24, 2023
12:00 PM
DiMenna Center
450 West 37th Street, Hell’s Kitchen, Manhattan
Free
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Amidst a day of performances by student musicians, there will be sets by Tyshawn Sorey, a duo of Mary Halvorson and Marc Ribot, the TAK Ensemble feat. Brandon Lopez, an sax-percussion harp trio of Travis Laplante, Eduardo Leandro, and Charles Overton, and Yarn/Wire themselves!
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Mighty Central Asian at Farida.
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Sat, Jun 24, 2023, 11:00 AM – Sun, Jun 25, 2023, 11:59 PM
MUSIC
Claudia Robles: REFLEXION — In Sync/out of Sync
SATURDAY & SUNDAY, JUNE 24 & 25, 2023
11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Harvestworks Art & Technology Building
Nolan Park Building 10a , Governors Island, Manhattan
Free
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Pairs of audience members sit facing each with pulse readers on their fingers attached to sound and light generators. If their heartbeats sync, the sound becomes consonant and pleasant. If their heartbeats stay out of sync, the sound becomes dissonant and grating. Forgive me if it sounds like I’d prefer the out-of-sync.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Plenty to eat and drink on the Island, but let me give a special shout-out to the soul food from Cooking With Corey.
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Friday, June 23, 2023, 9:00 PM – 11:59 PM
MUSIC
James Francies feat. Immanuel Wilkens & Tyshawn Sorey
FRIDAY, JUNE 23, 2023
9:00 PM
Nublu 151
151 Avenue C, East Village, Manhattan
$22.66
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Don’t like pianist James Francies much: too many notes, and WAY too smooth. But look who he has backing him up tonight!
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Go to Kafana. Bring cash cuz they don’t take plastic. Bring a hunger cuz their Serbian food is HEARTY. Bring a thirst because their appre le lettre Natural wine list is extensive.
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Friday, June 23, 2023, 8:00 PM – 11:59 PM
MUSIC
Ladyland Festival
FRIDAY, JUNE 23, 2023
8:00 PM
Issue Project Room @ Under the “K” Bridge Park
”The Arm” at Van Dam Street & Meeker Avenue, Greenpoint, Brooklyn
$61.90-$168.75
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Queer pop! Honey Dijon! Peaches! Big Fredia! And MUCH MUCH more!
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Chill Polish at Restaurant Relax.
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Friday, June 23, 2023, 8:00 PM – 11:59 PM
MUSIC
Amir ElSaffar, Ole Mathisen & Tomas Fujiwara
FRIDAY, JUNE 23, 2023
8:00 PM
Jazztopad Festival
FourOneOne
411 Kent Avenue, Williamsburg, Brooklyn
$20
TICKETS + INFORMATION
The focus is on Amir ElSaffar, who fascinatingly integrates Iraqi Maqam into his jazz playing and composing, in this opening event of the annual Polish jazz festival. The Polish players join in on the second set.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Diner isn’t what it was. But then what is?
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Friday, June 23, 2023, 8:00 PM – 11:59 PM
MUSIC
Shoko Nagai: TOKALA
FRIDAY, JUNE 23, 2023
8:00 PM
Barbès
376 9th Street, Park Slope, Brooklyn
$20
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Seeing ancient Persian instruments and artwork displayed from Imperial storage in the Palace Museum in Nara, Japan, accordionist/composer Shoko Nagai wondered what it was like to hear Persian and Middle Eastern music, transported via the Silk Road, in Japan a thousand and more years ago. The band TOKALA is an attempt to imagine an answer — in a very broad, suggestive, contemporary sense.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Neighborhood Italian at Mariella.
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Friday, June 23, 2023, 8:00 PM – 11:59 PM
MUSIC
Anna Webber feat. Chris Tordini, Elias Stemeseder & Vincent Hansen Atria: Rectangles
FRIDAY, JUNE 23, 2023
8:00 & 9:30 PM
Bar Bayeux
1066 Nostrand Avenue, Prospect Lefferts Gardens, Brooklyn
Free (tip the band)
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Wind player Anna Webber is one of the gems of the Brooklyn theycallitjazz scene. And holy moley what a bunch of fascinating musicians she’s assembled here!
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Ham and wine at & Sons Ham Bar.
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Friday, June 23, 2023, 8:00 PM – 11:59 PM
MUSIC / PERFORMANCE
Secret Gardens: The Secret Gardens Experience
FRIDAY, JUNE 23, 2023
8:00 PM
National Sawdust
80 North 6th Street, Williamsburg, Brooklyn
$37.88
TICKETS + INFORMATION
A multi-instrumentalist and a perfumer walk into a club . . . . I love the idea so much I wish the musical component weren’t so dinky.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Very good French bistro at Le Crocodile.
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Friday, June 23, 2023, 8:00 PM – 11:59 PM
MUSIC
Marisa Monte
FRIDAY, JUNE 23, 2023
8:00 PM
NJPAC
1 Center Street, Newark, New Jersey
$40-$100
TICKETS + INFORMATION
I’m sure you all care, but Marisa Monte’s 1994 Rose and Charcoal may be my single favorite Brazilian pop album. The lilting rhythms, the indelible melodies — all toughened by a clear conversance with the avant-garde (Philip Glass and Laurie Anderson participate). I was worried she wasn’t going to be good any more — you know how it is with pop musicians — but her last album (her first in 10 years) put that worry to bed.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Brazilian meats (natch) at Brasilia Grill.
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Fri, Jun 23, 2023, 7:30 PM – Sun, Jun 25, 2023, 11:59 PM
DANCE / THEATER
Sufjan Stevens, Jackie Sibblies Drury & Justin Peck: Illinois
FRIDAY – SUNDAY, JUNE 23 – 25, 2023 (continuing through JULY 2)
7:30 PM FRIDAY & SATURDAY
2:00 PM SUNDAY
SummerScape
Fisher Center, Bard College
60 Manor Avenue, Red Hook, Dutchess County
$59.50-$154.50
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Choreographer Justin Peck and and the great playwright Jackie Sibblies “Fairview” Drury took Sufjan Stevens’s terrific album Illinois and crafted a story around its songs, which Peck then choreographed. I’m not much for imposing narratives on record albums — but this is quite an album. When they get to the song about losing a loved one to cancer (a subject I know something about), I don’t think I’d be able to contains myself.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: New Old American at Stissing House.
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Fri, Jun 23, 2023, 7:30 PM – Sat, Jun 24, 2023, 11:59 PM
MUSIC
Marquis Hill: As Above, So Below
FRIDAY & SATURDAY, JUNE 23 & 24, 2023
7:30 & 9:30 PM
The Jazz Gallery In Person & Live Stream
1158 Broadway (entrance on West 27th Street), NoMad, Manhattan
$33-$44; $22 live stream
TICKETS + INFORMATION
A new set of pieces by the wide-ranging trumpeter Marquis Hill for his trumpet, spoken word, rhythm section, and cello.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: In person, fancy Austrian at Koloman. Streaming at home, have a Chicago: rim a Martini glass or coupe with powdered sugar. Pour 1-1/2 oz. Brandy, 1/8 teaspoon of Curaçao, and 1 dash of Angostura bitters into an ice-filled cocktail shaker. Stir. Strain into the chilled rimmed glass. Top with Champagne.
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Friday, June 23, 2023, 7:00 PM – 11:59 PM
MUSIC
Christina Wheeler: Prismatic Xtychs
FRIDAY, JUNE 23, 2023
7:00 PM
Harvestworks Art & Technology Building
Nolan Park Building 10a , Governors Island, Manhattan
Free
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Make no mistake: electronic musician Christina Wheeler is really good. She does drones, she does beats, her textures draw you in. Here, the structure of the piece is determined by the audience’s gestures.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Frankly suspect fire-based dining at Collective Governors Island.
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Fri, Jun 23, 2023, 7:00 PM – Sat, Jun 24, 2023, 11:59 PM
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Thursday, June 22, 2023, 9:00 PM – 11:59 PM
MUSIC
Flamenco Inside/Out
THURSDAY, JUNE 22, 2023
9:00 PM
LunÀtico
486 Halsey Street, Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn
$10
TICKETS + INFORMATION
You really want to hear Flamenco in a small barroom. Here’s your chance.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: You should at least buy some drinks from the venue. But if you want some more interesting and substantial food than LunÀtico serves, you're practically right across the street from the excellent pizza and good tapas at Saraghina.
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Thursday, June 22, 2023, 8:00 PM – 11:59 PM
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Thursday, June 22, 2023, 8:00 PM – 11:59 PM
MUSIC
Elliot Sharp: Guitar Arcade
THURSDAY, JUNE 22, 2023
8:00 PM
Main Drag Music
50 South First Street, Williamsburg, Brooklyn
$20
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Avant-guitar legend Elliot Sharp leads a veritible guitar orchestra. Well, chamber orchestra.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Oysters and cocktails at Maison Premiere.
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Thursday, June 22, 2023, 8:00 PM – 11:59 PM
MUSIC
Leila Adu / Ali Dineen / Blair Baldwin
THURSDAY, JUNE 22, 2023
8:00 PM
The Owl Music Parlor
497 Rogers Avenue, Prospect Lefferts Gardens, Brooklyn
$12
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Leila Adu composes pop music, she composes classical music — and I’m sure she doesn’t see a difference between those activities. Ali Dineen writes funny pop songs. Blair Baldwin does raunchy roots music that would be boring if she weren’t writing about Queer experience — and to be honest still is.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Nice neighborhood Roman at Camillo.
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Thursday, June 22, 2023, 8:00 PM – 11:59 PM
MUSIC
Razor-N-Tape Presents: Make a Joyful Noise
THURSDAY, JUNE 22, 2023
8:00 PM
Public Records
233 Butler Street, Gowanus, Brooklyn
$25.75
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Another of those fun nights where a Nu Jazz ensemble weaves in and out of tracks played by really good DJs.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Oaxacan at Claro.
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Thursday, June 22, 2023, 8:00 PM – 11:59 PM
MUSIC
Tim Berne
THURSDAY, JUNE 22, 2023
8:00 & 9:30 PM
Lowlands
543 3rd Avenue, Gowanus, Brooklyn
TBD
TICKETS + INFORMATION
This week, the tough in-and-out alto saxophonist Tim Berne has ace trumpeter Ralph Alessi playing with him.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Cool Mexican at Alma Negra.
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Thu, Jun 22, 2023, 7:30 PM – Sat, Jun 24, 2023, 7:30 PM
DANCE
Julie Mayo: Bluefire Sleepwalking
THURSDAY – SATURDAY, JUNE 22 – 24, 2023
7:30 PM
Roulette
509 Atlantic Avenue (entrance on Third Avenue), Boerum Hill, Brooklyn
$25 advance; $30 door; $20 students/seniors advance; free live stream
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Julie Mayo’s work attracts antitheses: the promotional materials for this piece talks of “the relational possibilities of inexactitude within specificity”, and that seems exactly right. What that doesn’t convey though, is how intellectually entertaining, even amusing, her stuff can be.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: In person, neighborhood French at French Louie. Streaming at home, have an Amsterdam Sunshine: pour 2 oz. Gin and 1 oz. sweet Vermouth, with 2 dashes of Angostura bitters, into an ice-filled cocktail shaker. Stir. Strain into a chilled Martini glass or coupe. Garnish with an orange twist.
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Thu, Jun 22, 2023, 7:30 PM – Sat, Jun 24, 2023, 11:59 PM
DANCE
Cullen + Them: The End / The Beginning
THURSDAY – SATURDAY, JUNE 22 – 24, 2023
7:30 PM
New York Live Arts
219 West 19th Street, Chelsea, Manhattan
$25; $20 students/seniors/artists
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Almost as much theater as dance. Almost.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: I’m sounding the downhill alarm for Spanish funspot El Quijote. But see what you think.
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Thursday, June 22, 2023, 7:30 PM – 11:59 PM
MUSIC
Orchestra of St. Luke’s: Visionary Sounds: Julius Eastman
THURSDAY, JUNE 22, 2023
7:30 PM
DiMenna Center
450 West 37th Street, Hell’s Kitchen, Manhattan
$33
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Hey I was familiar with the work of gritty Minimalist Julius Eastman when he was still alive. How cool am I?
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: It seems unlikely, but a (very) knowledgeable friend tells me that Chez Zou is actually a good cocktail bar.
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Thu, Jun 22, 2023, 7:30 PM – Fri, Jun 23, 2023, 11:59 PM
THEATER
Nora Burns: The Village, a Disco Musical!
THURSDAY & FRIDAY, JUNE 22 & 23, 2023
7:30 PM
Dixon Place
161A Chrystie Street, Lower East Side, Manhattan
$30 advance; $34 door; $24 students/seniors advance; $27 students/seniors door
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Thornton Wilder goes to a disco — in 1979!
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Sicilian at Pasquale Jones sibling Bar Pasquale.
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Thursday, June 22, 2023, 7:00 PM – 11:59 PM
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Thursday, June 22, 2023, 7:00 PM – 11:59 PM
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Thursday, June 22, 2023, 7:00 PM – 11:59 PM
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Thursday, June 22, 2023, 7:00 PM – 11:59 PM
PERFORMANCE / MUSIC
Standing on the Corner Art Ensemble: Taino Needle Science: Drone Acupuncture Closing Performance
THURSDAY, JUNE 22, 2023
7:00 PM
Performance Space New York
150 1st Avenue, East Village, Manhattan
Free
TICKETS + INFORMATION
For the last time, go for the acupuncture. But stay for the Minimalist music played by the Art-Funk/Free Jazz Standing on the Corner Art Ensemble.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Go the Hearth and have a Variety Burger. You’ll feel better.
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Thursday, June 22, 2023, 6:30 PM – 11:59 PM
MUSIC
The Melting Pot Jazz Series: The Isle of Klesbos
THURSDAY, JUNE 22, 2023
6:30 PM
WaHi Jazz
St. Francis Cabrini Shrine
701 Ft. Washington Avenue, Washington Heights, Manhattan
Free
TICKETS + INFORMATION
You possibly don’t have enough Lesbian Klezmer in your life.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Enjoyable surroundings but unserious drinks at Monkey Room.
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Thursday, June 22, 2023, 1:15 PM – 11:59 PM
MUSIC
Musicivic Baroque: A Baroque Banquet
THURSDAY, JUNE 22, 2023
1:15 PM
Gotham Early Music Festival Midtown Concerts
St. Malachy’s Church In Person & Live Stream
239 West 49th Street, Midtown, Manhattan
Free
TICKETS + INFORMATION
From Ambler, Pennsylvania — onetime Asbestos Capital Of The World — comes Musicivic Baroque, playing a mixed program of Baroque chamber music.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: In person, I’m not gonna even tell you what El Mil Sabores puts on their Torta Loca sandwich. You have to see it for yourself. Streaming at home, have a Fish House Punch: pour 3/4 oz. each of dark Rum, Cognac, and Peach Brandy, and 1/2 oz. each of lemon juice and Simple Syrup, and 1/4 oz. lime juice, into an ice-filled cocktail shaker. Shake. Strain into a rocks glass over ice. Garnish with a lime slice and a cocktail cherry.
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Wed, Jun 21, 2023, 8:30 PM – Fri, Jun 23, 2023, 11:59 PM
MUSIC
The Stone Residencies: Alberto Masirca
WEDNESDAY – FRIDAY, JUNE 21 – 23, 2023
8:30 PM
The Stone
Glass Box Theater, The New School
55 West 13th Street, Greenwich Village, Manhattan
$30
TICKETS + INFORMATION
A residency by the rather intense young classical guitarist Alberto Mesirca. He’ll be playing repertoire both familiar and un (pay special attention to Wednesday’s recital focusing on Frantz Casséus, who aside from being the GOAT Haitian composer of guitar music — marvelous marvelous stuff — is the person who taught Marc Ribot to play).
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: It’s still 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, June 21, 2023, 8:00 PM – 11:59 PM
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Wednesday, June 21, 2023, 8:00 PM – 11:59 PM
MUSIC
Liberation Trio
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21, 2023
8:00 PM
Zürcher Gallery
33 Bleecker Street, NoHo, Manhattan
$20
TICKETS + INFORMATION
A trio testing the limits of composition v. colllective improvisation. I’m betting collective improv wins.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Southern (U.S., that is)/Korean mash-up at C as in Charlie.
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Wednesday, June 21, 2023, 8:00 PM – 11:59 PM
MUSIC
Satellite: Torn Hawk/Nick James Scavo
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21, 2023
8:00 PM
Bar Laika
224 Greene Avenue, Clinton Hill, Brooklyn
$10
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Torn Hawk goes dance with his electronic music tonight rather than noise. As long as he doesn’t make a habit of it. Nick James Scavo extends his tech- and media-savvy exploration of Italian-Amercian culture to the voices of the Super Mario Brothers.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Very good food, very good wine at Place des Fêtes.
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Wednesday, June 21, 2023, 8:00 PM – 11:59 PM
MUSIC
Tom Chiu / Gerry Hemingway feat. Special Guest
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21, 2023
8:00 PM
Shift
FourOneOne
411 Kent Avenue, Williamsburg, Brooklyn
$20
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Violinist Tom Chiu is best known as the leader of the FLUX Quartet, but everything he does shows the same healthy disregard of genre. Gerry Hemingway spent a productive period drumming with Anthony Braxton — which should tell you something about his regard for convention. Wonder who the Special Guest will be?
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Overrated pasta at Misi.
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Wed, Jun 21, 2023, 7:30 PM – Sat, Jun 24, 2023, 11:59 PM
THEATER
Liza Berkenmeier: Grief Hotel
WEDNESDAY – SATURDAY, JUNE 21 – 24, 2023
7:30 PM
Summerworks
Clubbed Thumb @ The Wild Project
195 East 3rd Street, East Village, Manhattan
$30-$60; $25 students
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Does Liza Birkenmeier write funnily about unfunny things? Or is it that nothing isn’t potentially funny? This one’s about the commodification of healing.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Roberta’s opens a wine-and-pasta bar in the East Village with Foul Witch.
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Wed, Jun 21, 2023, 7:30 PM – Fri, Jun 23, 2023, 11:59 PM
THEATER
Criminal Queerness Festival
WEDNESDAY – FRIDAY, JUNE 21 – 23, 2023
7:30 PM
David Rubenstein Atrium, Lincoln Center
61 West 62nd Street, Upper West Side, Manhattan
Free
TICKETS + INFORMATION
This year, this festival of Queer-themed theater focuses on works from Ukraine and Eastern Europe.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: You can whine that Rosa Mexicano isn’t nearly as good as it used to be, and I’ll whine right along with you. But it isn’t affirmatively bad.
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Wed, Jun 21, 2023, 7:00 PM – Sun, Jun 25, 2023, 11:59 PM
MUSIC / PERFORMANCE
Justin Vivian Bond: What Have You Done for Me Legislately?
WEDNESDAY – SUNDAY, JUNE 21 – 25, 2023
7:00 PM
Joe’s Pub, Public Theater
425 Lafayette Street, NoHo, Manhattan
$55
TICKETS + INFORMATION
This is Justin Vivian Bond’s PRIDE show. And forgive me for inferring that Mx. Viv is pissed about certain proposed legislation relating to drag.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Phenomenal Shanghainese at CheLi (I can’t help but think that Mx. Viv would want you to order the Triple Soft).
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Wednesday, June 21, 2023, 7:00 PM – 11:59 PM
MUSIC
Bouquets (Duets with the BQE)
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21, 2023
7:00 PM
Mama Tried
787 Third Avenue, Greenwood Heights, Brooklyn
Free (tip the bands)
TICKETS + INFORMATION
THEY say: “A rotating cast of avant noisemakers play along with a mic’d up elevated highway”. I say: if you’ve ever been to Mama Tried you’ll be surprised they think they have to mic up the BQE over there. This month’s avant-noisemakers (this kicks off a new monthy series) are Jessica Pavone, Matt Nelson, Eric Biondo, Marija Kovačević, and w0rmh0les.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: The food at the venue, Mama Tried, is totally edible. The drinks are fine (they make their own vermouth!).
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Wed, Jun 21, 2023, 6:30 PM – Thu, Jun 22, 2023, 11:59 PM
MUSIC
Concert in the Catacombs: Daxophone Consort
WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY, JUNE 21 & 22, 2023
6:30 & 8:00 PM
The Catacombs, Green-Wood Cemetery
500 25th Street, Greenwood Heights, Brooklyn
$41.79
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Series curator Gelsey Bell presents a Daniel Fishkin-led consort of daxophones, the least electronic-sounding electronic instrument known. I would describe its sound — but I don’t know how to.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Good pub grub, good drink at Sea Witch.
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Wednesday, June 21, 2023, 11:00 AM – 11:59 PM
PERFORMANCE
Bindlestiff Family Cirkus: Flatbed Follies
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21, 2023
11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
East 161st Street & Grand Concourse, Grand Concourse, Bronx
Free
TICKETS + INFORMATION
The Bindlestiff Family Cirkus takes it to the street!
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Really good Ghanian at Papaye.
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Wednesday, June 21, 2023, 10:00 AM – 11:59 PM
MUSIC
MAKE MUSIC NEW YORK
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21, 2023
Various Times
All over town
Free
TICKETS + INFORMATION
There’s Listable stuff in this massive free music festival if you look. I’ll throw out — and this is only inter alios, there are more — Glasser’s Electro-Dream Pop on the Columbia Waterfront at 8:00 PM, organist Paul Fey playing the historic (if in need of refurbishing) organ at Old Saint Pat’s in Nolita at 7:00 PM, Amir Ziv’s electronics also on the Columbia Waterfront at 6:45 PM, The Thereminoes (playing theremins!) in Gramercy at 6:00 PM, and the WTF sounds of NYOBS in the East Village, also at 6:00 PM.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Earlier on the Columbia Waterfront, travel back in time (with stunningly good Sicilian food) at Ferdinando’s Foccaciara. Later on the Columbia Waterfront, fun Neo-Red Sauce at Cafe Spaghetti. In Nolita, inventive Italianish food at Raf’s. In Gramercy, some of the best Georgian in a City now filled with it at Chito Gvrito. In the East Village, outstanding Puerto Rican at Casa Adela (cash-only warning).
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Tuesday, June 20, 2023, 8:00 PM – 11:59 PM
MUSIC
Morgan Guerin
TUESDAY, JUNE 20, 2023
8:00 PM
Roulette In Person & Live Stream
509 Atlantic Avenue (entrance on Third Avenue), Boerum Hill, Brooklyn
$25 advance; $30 door; $20 students/seniors advance; free live stream
TICKETS + INFORMATION
No hint as to what Morgan Guerin will be doing tonight. Since he plays about a million different instruments, no clue which he’ll even be playing. Since he’s one of the most interesting minds in the music referred to as jazz, not much risk in finding out, though.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: In person, a new bar around the corner from Roulette! The Little Pig. Streaming at home, have a Bywater: pour 1-3/4 oz. aged Rum, 3/4 oz. green Chartreuse, 1/2 Averna, and 1/4 oz. Velvet Falernum into an ice-filled cocktail shaker. Stir. Strain into a chilled Martini glass or coupe.
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Tue, Jun 20, 2023, 8:00 PM – Thu, Jun 22, 2023, 11:59 PM
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Tuesday, June 20, 2023, 8:00 PM – 11:59 PM
MUSIC
Assembly #6: Nate Wooley: Mutual Aid Music/Tcheser Holmes: Althea Quilombo/Molto Ohm
TUESDAY, JUNE 20, 2023
8:00 PM
Sisters
900 Fulton Street, Clinton Hill, Brooklyn
$20
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Trumpeter Nate Wooley combines notated and unnotated music in his amazing ensemble. Matteo Liberatore’s Molto Ohm project uses sound (with dance beats!) and visuals to explore alienation, both from by and tech and from labor. Althea Quilombo is ace drummer Tcheser Holmes’s longform piece about slavery. Happy Juneteenth!
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: You can eat and drink perfectly well at Sisters.
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Tuesday, June 20, 2023, 8:00 PM – 11:59 PM
THEATER
Olivia Ray: A Gape
TUESDAY, JUNE 20, 2023
8:00 PM
Brick Aux
579 Metropolitan Avenue, Williamsburg, Brooklyn
$15
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Pygmalion (the OG Greek, not the Irish), but lesbian.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Yet another opportunity not to get into Neo-Cantonese-American sensation Bonnie’s.
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Tue, Jun 20, 2023, 7:30 PM – Sun, Jun 25, 2023, 11:59 PM
THEATER
Lucas Hnath feat. Steve Cuiffo: A Simulacrum
TUESDAY – SUNDAY, JUNE 20 – 25, 2023 (continuing through JULY 2)
7:30 PM TUESDAY – SATURDAY
2:30 PM WEDNESDAY, SATURDAY & SUNDAY
Stage 2, The Atlantic Theater Company
330 West 16th Street, Chelsea, Manhattan
$77-87
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Lucas Hnath, one of America’s best current playwrights, joins stage magician Steve Cuiffo for a theater piece about Steve’s teaching Lucas magic tricks.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Homestyle Palestinian at Qanoon.
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Tuesday, June 20, 2023, 7:30 PM – 11:59 PM
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Tue, Jun 20, 2023, 7:30 PM – Sun, Jun 25, 2023, 11:59 PM
THEATER
Jillian Walker: The Whitney Album
TUESDAY – SUNDAY, JUNE 20 – 25, 2023 (continuing through JULY 2)
7:30 PM
Soho Rep.
46 Walker Street, Tribeca, Manhattan
$35 TUESDAY – SATURDAY; 99¢ SUNDAY
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Playwright/performer Jillian Walker (the rest of the cast is Portia and Stephanie Weeks, no less) explores her relationship to the life and death of Whitney Houston, and their broader cultural ramifications.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Frenchette!
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Tue, Jun 20, 2023, 7:30 PM – Sun, Jun 25, 2023, 11:59 PM
THEATER
Brandon Jacobs-Jenkins: The Comeuppance
TUESDAY – SUNDAY, JUNE 20 – 25, 2023 (continuing through JULY 9)
7:30 PM TUESDAY – FRIDAY
8:00 PM SATURDAY
2:00 PM WEDNESDAY, SATURDAY & SUNDAY
The Pershing Square Signature Theater Center
480 West 42nd Street, Hell’s Kitchen, Manhattan
$49-$159
TICKETS + INFORMATION
One of the great things about writing an arts newsletter is that you get to make absolutely ridiculous pronouncements, like this: the best American play of the last 10 years was Brandon Jacobs-Jenkins’s An Octoroon. There: I’ve said it and I believe it. So his latest, about a decades-later reunion of a self-proclaimed high school “Multi-Ethnic Reject Group” has got to be worth your attention.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Let’s see how Greek classic Molyvos is in its new location.
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Tuesday, June 20, 2023, 7:30 PM – 11:59 PM
THEATER / MUSIC
Ellen Foley & Robert I Rubinsky: Club Dada / Cabaret Kaput
TUESDAY, JUNE 20, 2023 (also on JULY 20 – 21)
7:30 PM
Dixon Place
161A Chrystie Street, Lower East Side, Manhattan
$25 advance; $30 door
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Meatloaf veteran (DO NOT click that last link if you know what's good for you) Ellen Foley and Hair veteran Robert I Rubinsky play ancient vaudevillians compelled by memories of past glory and by outside forces to continue to absurdly belt and hoof into eternity (critiquing ageism on the way). Their resumes suggest it shouldn't be a stretch.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Sicilian at Pasquale Jones sibling Bar Pasquale.
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Tuesday, June 20, 2023, 7:00 PM – 11:59 PM
MUSIC
High Flavors / Curchachestra
TUESDAY, JUNE 20, 2023
7:00 PM
Mama Tried
787 Third Avenue, Greenwood Heights, Brooklyn
Free (tip the bands)
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Mock-retro jazz with not-so-secret avant leanings.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: The food at the venue, Mama Tried, is totally edible. The drinks are fine (they make their own vermouth!).
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Tuesday, June 20, 2023, 7:00 PM – 11:59 PM
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Tue, Jun 20, 2023, 1:30 PM – Sun, Jun 25, 2023, 11:59 PM
MUSIC / PERFORMANCE
SONIC SPHERE
TUESDAY – SUNDAY, JUNE 20 – 25, 2023 (continuing through JULY 7)
3:00, 4:30, 6:00, 7:30 & 9:00 PM TUESDAY – THURSDAY
1:00, 2:30, 4:00, 5:30, 7:00, 8:30 & 10:00 PM FRIDAY
11:30 AM & 1:00, 2:30, 4:00, 5:30, 7:00, 8:30 & 10:00 PM SATURDAY
11:30 AM & 1:00, 2:30, 4:00, 5:30 & 7:00 PM SUNDAY
The Shed
545 West 30th Street, Hudson Yards, Manhattan
$51 for taped shows; $46 students/seniors for taped shows; $54-$122 live shows
TICKETS + INFORMATION
You go into this huge floating sculptural sphere and hear 45-minutes sets of music comprising either remixes of albums by people like The xx or Steve Reich or playlists curated by people like Carl Craig(!) or live performances by people like electronic clubsters Newark’s own UNIIQU3 (this weekend) or Igor Levit(!) (later in the run).
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Excellent Spanish at Casa Dani.
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Tue, Jun 20, 2023, 12:30 PM – Sun, Jun 25, 2023, 11:59 PM
MUSIC / PERFORMANCE
Ryuichi Sakamoto & Tin Drum: KAGAMI
TUESDAY – SUNDAY, JUNE 20 – 25, 2023 (continuing through JULY 2)
12:30, 2:00, 3:30, 5:00, 6:30 & 8:00 PM TUESDAY – THURSDAY
12:00, 1:30, 3:00, 4:30, 6:00, 7:30 & 9:00 PM FRIDAY & SATURDAY
12:00, 1:30, 3:00, 4:30, 6:00 & 7:30 PM SUNDAY
The Shed
545 West 30th Street, Hudson Yards, Manhattan
$60; $54 students/seniors
TICKETS + INFORMATION
The last of Ryuichi Sakamoto’s collaborations with Tin Drum, in which Tin Drum’s VR creates what appear to be landscapes surrounding the audience — including, in this show, the appearance that the late composer Sakamoto is performing the music for this show in the hall.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Spanish from the grill at Leña.
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Mon, Jun 19, 2023, 8:00 PM – Thu, Jun 22, 2023, 11:59 PM
MUSIC
Mis-En Music Festival
MONDAY – THURSDAY, JUNE 19 – 22, 2023
8:00 PM MONDAY & THURSDAY
6:00 & 9:00 PM TUESDAY & WEDNESDAY
MONDAY & WEDNESDAY: Mis-En_Place
341 Calyer Street, Greenpoint, Brooklyn
TUESDAY 6:00 PM: Avery Fisher Feldstein Immersion Room, Bobst Library, NYU
70 Washington Square, Greenwich Village, Manhattan
TUESDAY 9:00 PM: Tenri Cultural Institute
43A West 13th Street, Greenwich Village, Manhattan
THURSDAY: OPERA America’s National Opera Center In Person & Live Stream
330 7th Avenue, Chelsea, Manhattan
Free
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Lotsa interesting New Music.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Monday and Wednesday in Greenpoint, go to Raizes Churrascaria and pig (or rather cow) out. Tuesday early show in the Village, English meat cuisine at Lord’s. Tuesday late show in the Village, the broth is particularly rich at E.A.K. Ramen. Thursday in Chelsea, I am simply incapable of not sending you to the West African steam-table buffet at B&B Restaurant, an astounding value.
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Monday, June 19, 2023, 7:30 PM – 11:59 PM
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Monday, June 19, 2023, 7:00 PM – 11:59 PM
MUSIC
Black Sea Hotel
MONDAY, JUNE 19, 2023
7:00 PM
Barbès
376 9th Street, Park Slope, Brooklyn
$20
TICKETS + INFORMATION
The reunion of the three-woman stripped-down Balkan vocal ensemble Black Sea Hotel may not be as momentous as, say, a Beatles reunion. But on the other hand, BSH’s members are all still alive.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Falafel and its friends at Taim Mediterranean Kitchen.
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Monday, June 19, 2023, 7:00 PM – 11:59 PM
THEATER
Legacy Arts Ensemble: Blackstage
MONDAY, JUNE 19, 2023
7:00 PM
Dixon Place
161A Chrystie Street, Lower East Side, Manhattan
$45 advance; $50 door; $30 students/seniors
TICKETS + INFORMATION
The typa sh*t you ain’t s’pose to hear Black folk talk ‘n about, says the subtitle. Happy Juneteenth!
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: OK neo-Red Sauce at Sauce.
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Monday, June 19, 2023, 7:00 PM – 11:59 PM
MUSIC
Edward “Kidd” Jordan Memorial
MONDAY, JUNE 19, 2023
7:00 PM
Roulette In Person & Live Stream
509 Atlantic Avenue (entrance on Third Avenue), Boerum Hill, Brooklyn
Free
TICKETS + INFORMATION
The NYC Free Jazz community gathers to pay tribute to New Orleans Free Jazz legend Kidd Jordan, who will never be replaced.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: In person, nice enough bistro at Bacchus. Streaming at home, have a Vieux Carre: pour 3/4 oz. each of Rye, Cognac, and sweet Vermouth, and 1/2 oz. Bénédictine, with 2 dashes each of Peychaud’s and Agnostura bitters, into an ice-filled cocktail shaker. Stir. Strain into Old Fashioned glass over ice. Garnish with a cocktail cherry.
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Monday, June 19, 2023, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
THEATER
The Flea: Juneteenth Public Performances
MONDAY, JUNE 19, 2023
11:00 AM
Brower Park, Crown Heights, Brooklyn
Free
TICKETS + INFORMATION
A newly commissioned play evoking Black joy, queerness, liberation, and all that.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Great jerk at Peppa’s Jerk Chicken.
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Monday, June 19, 2023, 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM
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Mon, Jun 19, 2023, 10:00 AM – Fri, Jun 23, 2023, 11:59 PM
MUSIC
Metropolis Ensemble: Biophony Pop-Up NYC
MONDAY – FRIDAY, JUNE 19 – 23, 2023
10:00 AM MONDAY (Lower East Side) & TUESDAY (Bushwick)
2:00 PM MONDAY (Flatiron) & TUESDAY (Boerum Hill)
12:00 PM WEDNESDAY (East Village), THURSDAY (Bed-Stuy) & FRIDAY (Bed-Stuy)
4:00 PM WEDNESDAY (Park Slope), THURSDAY (Williamsburg) & FRIDAY (Prospect Heights)
MONDAY 10:00 : Forsythe Street Plaza, Lower East Side, Manhattan
MONDAY 2:00 PM: Broadway & 26th Street, Madison Square, Manhattan
TUESDAY 10:00 AM: Wyckoff Plaza, Ridgewood, Queens
TUESDAY 2:00 PM: Times Plaza, Boerum Hill, Brooklyn
WEDNESDAY 12:00 PM: Avenue B Open Street, East Village, Manhattan
WEDNESDAY 4:00 PM: 5th Avenue & Sterling Place, Park Slope, Brooklyn
THURSDAY 12:00 PM: Tompkins Avenue Open Street, Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn
THURSDAY 4:00 PM: Berry Street Open Street, Williamsburg, Brooklyn
FRIDAY 12:00 PM: Marcy Avenue Plaza, Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn
FRIDAY 4:00 PM: Vanderbilt Avenue Open Street, Prospect Heights, Brooklyn
Free
TICKETS + INFORMATION
The Metropolis Ensemble sends great local musicians to play Contemporary Classical in public spaces all over the City.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Monday on the Lower East Side, line up for Wah Fung No. 1. Monday in Madison Square, Texas barbecue at Hill Country. Tuesday in Ridgewood, great Venezuelan street food at Cachapas y Mas. Tuesday in Boerum Hill, better-than-you’d expect storefront Chinese (but no pork) at No Pork Halal Kitchen. Wednesday in the East Village, Argentine Pizza at Da Radda. Wednesday in Park Slope, Middle Eastern at Miriam. Thursday in Bed-Stuy, Nashville hot chicken and more at Peaches Hot House. Thursday in Williamsburg, the Queens Issan Thai superstar Zaab Zaab now has come to Brooklyn! Friday in Bed-Stuy, David’s Brisket House was long the hands-down best (and only) Yemenite Muslim Hebrew deli in New York City; while there’s now competition, the truth is they’re both superb. Friday in Prospect Heights, it doesn’t come much better than Mitchell’s Soul Food.
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Mon, Jun 19, 2023, 8:00 AM – Sun, Jun 25, 2023, 12:59 PM
MUSIC / PERFORMANCE
Gelsey Bell feat. Joseph White: Cairns
MONDAY – SUNDAY, JUNE 19 – 25, 2023 (ongoing)
8:00 AM – 7:00 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 that you could actually Go Out! to back in the days of The Lockdown (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, Jun 19, 2023, 6:00 AM – Sun, Jun 25, 2023, 11:59 PM
MUSIC / PERFORMANCE
Ellen Reid: New York, New York
MONDAY – SUNDAY, JUNE 19 – 25, 2023 (ongoing)
6:00 AM – 1:00 AM
New York Philharmonic
Central Park, Manhattan
Free
TICKETS + INFORMATION
What do you know? The New York Phil has gone and renamed Ellen Reid’s SOUNDWALK. Reid, one of the more soundscapey (and certainly one of the best) of today's many excellent young composers, put together a highly allusive soundtrack, played by members of the Philharmonic and a bunch of Alt Classical players about town. 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, June 18, 2023, 8:00 PM – 11:59 PM
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Sunday, June 18, 2023, 7:30 PM – 11:59 PM
MUSIC
Dave Soldier Orchestra
SUNDAY, JUNE 18, 2023
7:30 PM
(Le) Poisson Rouge
158 Bleecker Street, Greenwich Village, Manhattan
$20 advance; $25 day of
TICKETS + INFORMATION
File this under “Things You Never Thought You’d See”. Almost 30 years ago, Dave Soldier and Komar & Melamid collaborated on a project where they conducted a survey of the characteristics Americans most like and dislike in music. They then used the results to fabricate a radio-succinct “Most Wanted” piece and a longer “Most Unwanted” piece combining the least-favored characteristics. The “Most Wanted” has never been performed live — until now. The “Least Wanted” hasn’t been played live since the ‘90s. You’ll want to be there for this.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Legendary cocktail bar Angel’s Share has reopened at its new location in the West Village.
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Sunday, June 18, 2023, 7:00 PM – 11:59 PM
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Sunday, June 18, 2023, 7:00 PM – 11:59 PM
THEATER
Legacy Arts Ensemble: Blackstage
SUNDAY, JUNE 18, 2023 (also JUNE 19)
7:00 PM
Dixon Place
161A Chrystie Street, Lower East Side, Manhattan
$45 advance; $50 door; $30 students/seniors
TICKETS + INFORMATION
The typa sh*t you ain’t s’pose to hear Black folk talk ‘n about, says the subtitle. Happy Juneteenth!
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: OK neo-Red Sauce at Sauce.
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Sunday, June 18, 2023, 4:00 PM – 11:59 PM
MUSIC
to and fro: Cooper Moore
SUNDAY, JUNE 18, 2023
4:00 PM
FourOneOne
411 Kent Avenue, Williamsburg, Brooklyn
$20
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Pianist/instrument builder Cooper Moore is a New York Free Jazz legend if anyone is.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Riverside sea food at Sea Wolf Waterfront.
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Sunday, June 18, 2023, 4:00 PM – 11:59 PM
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Sunday, June 18, 2023, 4:00 PM – 11:59 PM
MUSIC
OOFtown
SUNDAY, JUNE 18, 2023
4:00 PM
Mama Tried
787 Third Avenue, Greenwood Heights, Brooklyn
Free (tip the bands)
TICKETS + INFORMATION
I kind of dislike half the four bands on this bill. But the other two!: the engrossing electronic noise of Exploding Skull and, especially, what is probably my favorite of avant-shredder Wendy Eisenberg’s current projects, Opinion Train, which takes improvisation and makes it sound kind of whacky.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: The food at the venue, Mama Tried, is totally edible. The drinks are fine (they make their own vermouth!).
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Sunday, June 18, 2023, 2:00 PM – 11:59 PM
MUSIC
Summer Thunder: Marc Ribot’s Ceramic Dog
SUNDAY, JUNE 18, 2023
2:00 PM
Union Pool
484 Union Avenue, Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Free
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Guitarist Marc Ribot plays in a lot of styles. This is his power trio.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Speaking of dogs, it remains very big news that Windsor Terrace’s Dog Day Afternoon (located on the very block the movie was filmed on) is now serving their supernal Chicago-Style Hot Dogs at a new Williamsburg bar (H&H Reserve) at reasonable hours!
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Sunday, June 18, 2023, 1:00 PM – 11:59 PM
MUSIC
The Jazz WaHi Composers Sextet
FRIDAY & SUNDAY, JUNE 16 & 18, 2023
1:00 & 3:00 PM
Rite of Summer
FRIDAY: Castle Williams, Governors Island, Manhattan
SUNDAY: Nolan Park, Governors Island, Manhattan
Free
TICKETS + INFORMATION
The Jazz WaHi Composers Sextet brings Washington Heights down to the Harbor.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Lots to eat and drink on Governors Island, with a special mention of the douchey but not unappealing Riviera Maya transplant Gitano Island.
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Sunday, June 18, 2023, 12:00 PM – 11:59 PM
MUSIC / PERFORMANCE
Court Square Block Party
SUNDAY, JUNE 18, 2023
12:00 – 7:00 PM
43-15 Crescent Street, Long Island City, Queens
Free
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Maybe this iteration of the Block Party isn’t as sensationally star-studded as last year’s. But Ernie Brooks and Steve Shelley are still all over it. And it’s still right outside of M. Wells, as good a place as you’d hope to find in this forlorn town.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: It is right outside of M. Wells. Also, lotsa street food at the Party.
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Sunday, June 18, 2023, 12:00 PM – 11:59 PM
-
Sunday, June 18, 2023, 9:00 AM – 11:59 PM
MUSIC
Metropolis Ensemble: Biophony Pop-Up NYC
MONDAY – FRIDAY & SUNDAY, JUNE 12 – 16 & 18, 2023 (continuing through JUNE 24)
12:00 PM MONDAY (Corona), TUESDAY (Jackson Heights), FRIDAY (Park Slope)
5:00 PM MONDAY (Astoria) & THURSDAY (Civic Center, Manhattan)
4:00 PM TUESDAY (Greenpoint), FRIDAY (Chinatown) & SUNDAY (Manhattan Valley)
10:00 AM WEDNESDAY (Sunnyside)
2:00 PM WEDNESDAY (Brownsville)
9:00 AM SUNDAY (Chinatown)
MONDAY 12:00 PM: Corona Plaza, Corona, Queens
MONDAY 5:00 PM: 31st Avenue Pedestrian Plaza, Astoria, Queens
TUESDAY 12:00 PM: 34th Avenue Open Street, Jackson Heights, Queens
TUESDAY 4:00 PM: North 15th Open Street, Greenpoint, Brooklyn
WEDNESDAY 10:00 AM: Lowery Plaza, Sunnyside, Queens
WEDNESDAY 2:00 PM: Osborne Plaza, Brownsville, Brooklyn
THURSDAY 5:00 PM: Thomas Paine Park, Civic Center, Manhattan
FRIDAY 12:00 PM: 5th Avenue & President Street, Park Slope, Brooklyn
FRIDAY 4:00 PM: Doyers Street, Chinatown, Manhattan
SUNDAY 9:00 AM: Forsyth Open Street, Lower East Side, Manhattan
SUNDAY 4:00 PM: Riverside Park @ West 103rd Street, Manhattan Valley, Manhattan
Free
TICKETS + INFORMATION
The Metropolis Ensemble sends great local musicians to play Contemporary Classical in public spaces all over the City.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Monday in Corona, Corona Plaza is not just one of the best places to eat in New York City, it’s one of the best places to be: you’ll swear you’re in Mexico. Monday in Astoria, Diamond Dogs is a gem of a local cocktail bar. Tuesday in Jackson Heights, bonkers Colombian hot dogs at El Perro. Tuesday in Greenpoint, beerhall beer and food at Spritzenhaus33. Wednesday in Sunnyside, Romanian pastries and baked goods at Nita’s European Bakery. Wednesday in Brownsville, if you want chicken or lobster, you’re in just the right place: Brooklyn Chkn ‘n’ Lbstr. Thursday in Manhattan’s Civic Center, cheffed up Peruvian at Artesano. Friday in Park Slope, ramen at Naruto Ramen. Friday in Chinatown, dim sum with a side of family drama at Nom Wah Tea Parlor. Sunday on the Lower East Side, stick around after the show and hit Wah Fung No. 1 upon opening. Sunday in Manhattan Valley, fantastic pizza at Mama’s TOO!.
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Saturday, June 17, 2023, 8:00 PM – 11:59 PM
MUSIC
Limited Resources
SATURDAY, JUNE 17, 2023
8:00 PM
Freddy's Bar
627 Fifth Avenue, Greenwood Heights, Brooklyn
$10
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Another night of the kind of music this List Lists (even if this time we don’t know exactly who’s playing yet).
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: You're in one of the best bars in Brooklyn, for God's sake. (If you don't fancy Freddy's totally edible pub grub, grab a slice at Luigi's beforehand.)
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Saturday, June 17, 2023, 7:00 PM – 11:59 PM
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Saturday, June 17, 2023, 7:00 PM – 11:59 PM
MUSIC
Cyro Baptista: CHAMA
SATURDAY, JUNE 17, 2023
7:00 PM
Nublu 151
151 Avenue C, East Village, Manhattan
$22.66
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Percussionist Cyro Baptista is always major FUN.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Go to Kafana. Bring cash cuz they don’t take plastic. Bring a hunger cuz their Serbian food is HEARTY. Bring a thirst because their appre le lettre Natural wine list is extensive.
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Saturday, June 17, 2023, 6:00 PM – 11:59 PM
PERFORMANCE
Raphaël-Bachir Osman & Candice Chemel: The Little Shoe
SATURDAY, JUNE 17, 2023
6:00 PM
The Invisible Dog
51 Bergen Street, Boerum Hill, Brooklyn
Free
TICKETS + INFORMATION
If I’m understanding this right, this is an interactive performance/art piece based on the act of sopping up sauce with bread.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Some of the best cocktails in New York (and better food than you’d expect) at The Clover Club.
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Saturday, June 17, 2023, 6:00 PM – 11:59 PM
MUSIC
Night Out
SATURDAY, JUNE 17, 2023
6:00 PM
Knockdown Center
52-19 Flushing Avenue, Maspeth, Queens
$35.80-$51.25
TICKETS + INFORMATION
All you need to know about this huge PRIDE party is that Alt R&B diva Tinashe and Art Cumbia mastermind Lido Pimienta are on the bill.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Serviceable Venezuelan at Los Roques.
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Saturday, June 17, 2023, 4:00 PM – 11:59 PM
MUSIC
New York Arabic Orchestra: al Qalam: Poetry in the Park
SATURDAY, JUNE 17, 2023
4:00 PM
River to River Festival
The Labyrinth
Battery Park, FiDi, Manhattan
Free
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Commemorating the Little Syria neighborhood that used to be located near here, finally decimated to make way for the Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel. As this List frequently observes, Arabic classical music is great stuff, vital and haunting, that ought to have a lot more general popularity around here than it does. The non-Arab world has really been sleeping on this.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: The place I was gonna send you to abruptly closed, sigh. So I guess we have to schlep to Schilling for Austrian (which isn’t inappropriate, since it’s actually located where Little Syria used to be).
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Friday, June 16, 2023, 10:00 PM – 11:59 PM
MUSIC
Yotoco
FRIDAY, JUNE 16, 2023
10:00 PM
Barbès
376 9th Street, Park Slope, Brooklyn
$20
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Yotoco plays Pan-Latin American dance-rock music. Usually, such musical syncretism is a recipe for disaster (or at least anodynity) — but they pull it off.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: The band is named after a town in Colombia. So OF COURSE you’d go to Colombia in Park Slope.
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Friday, June 16, 2023, 8:30 PM – 11:59 PM
OPERA
Esther Sibiude: The Song of Dirt Stammers Our Tongue
WEDNESDAY & FRIDAY, JUNE 14 & 16, 2023
8:30 PM
The Kitchen @ Westbeth
163 Bank Street, West Village, Manhattan
$5-$15
TICKETS + INFORMATION
In what is described as a modern-day Peter and the Wolf, harpist Esther Sibiude has assembled a text about a man who falls to earth, and each instrument in the ensemble represents a different character or theme. The difference is that the music was composed not by a single person but by the various members of the ensemble, incorporating pop, vernacular, and classical usages.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Austrian at Wallsé. For old times’ sake.
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Friday, June 16, 2023, 8:00 PM – 11:59 PM
OPERA
Sokio & Natasha Tiniacos: Paraíso
FRIDAY, JUNE 16, 2023
8:00 PM
National Sawdust
80 North 6th Street, Williamsburg, Brooklyn
$37.88
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Sokio, who has the Latin-American knack of not acknowledging any meaningful generic distinction between classical and vernacular music (meaning his pop music is informed by classical and his classical is informed by pop), returns to opera after a long hiatus from the the form. This piece explores the political and economic factors that govern who gets to immigrate from Mexico, through the story of a mother and child from Puebla. That the instrumental ensemble includes bassist Brandon Lopez and percussionist Shayna Dunkelman should tip you off to the nature and quality of this enterprise.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Modern Mexican on the roof at elNico.
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Fri, Jun 16, 2023, 7:30 PM – Sat, Jun 17, 2023, 11:59 PM
DANCE
Fresh Tracks
FRIDAY & SATURDAY, JUNE 16 & 17, 2023
7:30 PM
New York Live Arts
219 West 19th Street, Chelsea, Manhattan
$20-$30; $16 students/seniors; $10 student rush
TICKETS + INFORMATION
New dance from emerging choreographers — although most of these people are multidisciplinary artists who have an expanded view of what “dance” means.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Burmese at the Manhattan branch of Rangoon.
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Friday, June 16, 2023, 7:30 PM – 11:59 PM
MUSIC
Micah Thomas: Mountains
FRIDAY, JUNE 16, 2023
7:30 & 9:30 PM
The Jazz Gallery In Person & Live Stream
1158 Broadway (entrance on West 27th Street), NoMad, Manhattan
$33-$44; $22 live stream
TICKETS + INFORMATION
The highly in-demand pianist/composer Micah Thomas kicks off a projected set of works for largeish ensemble. One advantage of being highly in-demand is that when you’re forming a largeish ensemble, you have already-existing relationships with players on the order of Immanuel Wilkins and x.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: In person, fancy Austrian at Koloman. Streaming at home, have a New York Sour: pour 2 oz. Rye and 3/4 oz. each of lemon juice and Simple Syrup into an ice-filled cocktail shaker. Shake. Strain into a rocks glass over ice. Top with red wine.
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Fri, Jun 16, 2023, 7:30 PM – Sat, Jun 17, 2023, 11:59 PM
THEATER
Nora Burns: The Village, a Disco Musical!
FRIDAY & SATURDAY, JUNE 16 & 17, 2023 (continuing through JUNE 23)
7:30 PM
Dixon Place
161A Chrystie Street, Lower East Side, Manhattan
$30 advance; $34 door; $24 students/seniors advance; $27 students/seniors door
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Thornton Wilder goes to a disco — in 1979!
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Sicilian at Pasquale Jones sibling Bar Pasquale.
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Friday, June 16, 2023, 7:00 PM – 11:59 PM
DANCE
Ley Gambucci: duel c
FRIDAY, JUNE 16, 2023
7:00 PM
River to River Festival
Outlook Hill, Governors Island, Manhattan
Free
TICKETS + INFORMATION
A movement piece responding to Charles Gaines’s public sculpture Moving Chains.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Lots to eat and drink on Governors Island, with my usual shout out to the almost ridiculously scenic and pleasant Island Oyster, which doesn’t need to have food (and drink!) nearly as good as it does.
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Friday, June 16, 2023, 7:00 PM – 11:59 PM
MUSIC
Vaagner (Berlin) 5-Year Anniversary Showcase: Chantal Michelle / Jerome M. Carter & Sarah Viviana Veldez / Theodore Cale Schafer
FRIDAY, JUNE 16, 2023
7:00 PM
Public Records
233 Butler Street, Gowanus, Brooklyn
$20.60
TICKETS + INFORMATION
The ambient label Vaagner is based in Berlin — but it puts out a lot of music from New York. Like two out of the three acts on this bill (Theodore Cale Schafer is based in Santa Fe). Gallery Girl-turned-soundcrafter Chantal Michelle will play with no lesser personages than Lea Bertucci and Joanna Mattrey!
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Latin American-inflected cocktails (and bar food) at Leyenda.
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Fri, Jun 16, 2023, 7:00 PM – Sat, Jun 17, 2023, 11:59 AM
MUSIC
BRM Concert & Jam: Sameer Gupta feat. Marc Cary: Jupiter
FRIDAY, JUNE 16, 2023
7:00 PM
Brooklyn Raga Massive
Art Cafe & Bar
884 Pacific Street, Prospect Heights, Brooklyn
$20
TICKETS + INFORMATION
One last show by Brooklyn Raga Massive co-founder and ace percussionist Sameer Gupta before he decamps for the other coast. It’s his Shoegaze Free Jazz band that aspires to the Hindustani (Gupta was a jazz drummer before he took up the tabla).
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: I mean, Christ, you’re right around the corner from Cruz del Sur. Go, have a Torta Ahogada, and have your life changed.
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Friday, June 16, 2023, 6:00 PM – 11:59 PM
PERFORMANCE
Raphaël-Bachir Osman & Candice Chemel: The Little Shoe
SATURDAY, JUNE 17, 2023
6:00 PM
The Invisible Dog
51 Bergen Street, Boerum Hill, Brooklyn
Free
TICKETS + INFORMATION
If I’m understanding this right, this is an interactive performance/art piece based on the act of sopping up sauce with bread.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Some of the best cocktails in New York (and better food than you’d expect) at The Clover Club.
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Fri, Jun 16, 2023, 5:00 PM – Sun, Jun 18, 2023, 11:59 PM
THEATER
The Flea: Juneteenth Public Performances
FRIDAY – SUNDAY, JUNE 16 – 18, 2023 (continuing JUNE 19)
5:00 PM FRIDAY
11:30 AM & 4:00 PM SATURDAY
3:00 PM SUNDAY
FRIDAY: McCarren Park, Williamsburg, Brooklyn
SATURDAY: African Burial Ground National Monument, Civic Center, Manhattan
SUNDAY: Vanderbilt Avenue Open Street, Prospect Heights, Brooklyn
Free
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Newly commissioned plays evoking Black joy, queerness, liberation, and all that.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Friday in Williamsburg, popular American at Bernie’s. Saturday in Manhattan’s Civic Center, head over to Chinatown for steamed rice rolls at Yin Ji Chang Fen. Sunday in Prospect Heights, Mitchell’s Soul Food.
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Friday, June 16, 2023, 5:00 PM – 11:59 PM
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Friday, June 16, 2023, 4:00 PM – 11:59 PM
MUSIC / PERFORMANCE
Talk to Me About Water
FRIDAY, JUNE 16, 2023
4:00 PM
River to River Festival
Lower Manhattan Cultural Council’s Arts Center
Soissons Landing, Governors Island, Manhattan
Free
TICKETS + INFORMATION
An immersive (although not literally) musical experience exploring global water issues.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: For a literally immersive water experience, book some time at the QC NY pool.
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Friday, June 16, 2023, 4:00 PM – 11:59 PM
MUSIC
LCD Sound System / Jamie xx/ The Juan Maclean / L’Rain
FRIDAY, JUNE 16, 2023
4:00 PM
Forest Hills Stadium
1 Tennis Place, Forest Hills, Queens
$119.41
TICKETS + INFORMATION
LCD Sound System, still cool after all these years. Jamie xx, sure, good Poptronica. Although you usually don’t have to go to a stadium to hear them, homies The Juan Maclean and (esp.) L’Rain? This might be worth the hassle!
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: The Queens location of Cuban standard Guantanamera.
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Friday, June 16, 2023, 1:00 PM – 11:59 PM
MUSIC
The Jazz WaHi Composers Sextet
FRIDAY & SUNDAY, JUNE 16 & 18, 2023
1:00 & 3:00 PM
Rite of Summer
FRIDAY: Castle Williams, Governors Island, Manhattan
SUNDAY: Nolan Park, Governors Island, Manhattan
Free
TICKETS + INFORMATION
The Jazz WaHi Composers Sextet brings Washington Heights down to the Harbor.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Lots to eat and drink on Governors Island, with a special mention of the douchey but not unappealing Riviera Maya transplant Gitano Island.
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Fri, Jun 16, 2023, 1:00 PM – Sun, Jun 18, 2023, 11:59 PM
MUSIC / PERFORMANCE
SONIC SPHERE
FRIDAY – SUNDAY, JUNE 16 – 18, 2023 (contining through JULY 7)
1:00, 2:30, 4:00, 5:30, 7:00, 8:30 & 10:00 PM FRIDAY
11:30 AM & 1:00, 2:30, 4:00, 5:30, 7:00, 8:30 & 10:00 PM SATURDAY
11:30 AM & 1:00, 2:30, 4:00, 5:30 & 7:00 PM SUNDAY
The Shed
545 West 30th Street, Hudson Yards, Manhattan
$51 for taped shows; $46 students/seniors for taped shows; $54-$122 live shows
TICKETS + INFORMATION
You go into this huge lighted sculptural sphere and hear 45-minutes sets of music comprising either remixes of albums by people like The xx or Steve Reich or playlists curated by people like Carl Craig(!) or live performances by people like electronic clubsters Yunè Pinku and Newark’s own UNIIQU3 (this weekend) or Igor Levit(!) (later in the run).
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Excellent Spanish at Casa Dani.
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Thursday, June 15, 2023, 10:00 PM – 11:59 PM
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Thursday, June 15, 2023, 8:00 PM – 11:59 PM
MUSIC
Graham Haynes
THURSDAY, JUNE 15, 2023
8:00 PM
FourOneOne
411 Kent Avenue, Williamsburg, Brooklyn
$20
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Graham Haynes has going from being “Roy Haynes’s son” to being an elder. A Nu Jazz elder, to be sure.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Mexican party at Aldama.
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Thursday, June 15, 2023, 8:00 PM – 11:59 PM
MUSIC / PERFORMANCE
Jean Carla Rodea: All Your Sojourns Have Led To This (Continuum)
THURSDAY, JUNE 15, 2023
8:00 PM
Issue Project Room @ Smack Mellon
92 Plymouth Street, DUMBO, Brooklyn
Free ($10 suggested donation)
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Interdisciplinary artist Jean Carla Rodea is interested in what happens when someone is present but yet unseen. She uses media and performance to make problematic socio-political and cultural constructs visible. In formulating her presentations, she looks to archival research for ideas and basic materials. The present piece has been developed, through several very different iterations, over the course of a year.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Insane beer at Evil Twin Brewing DUMBO Taproom.
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Thursday, June 15, 2023, 8:00 PM – 11:59 PM
-
Thursday, June 15, 2023, 8:00 PM – 11:59 PM
DANCE
Antonio Ramos & The Gangbangers: Ceremonia
THURSDAY, JUNE 15, 2023
8:00 PM
River To River Festival
La Plaza, The Clemente
114 Norfolk Street, Lower East Side, Manhattan
Free
TICKETS + INFORMATION
A dance-theater mixtape of Latin-American appropriation and reappropriation.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Good Haitian and (usually) great music at Rebel.
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Thu, Jun 15, 2023, 8:00 PM – Fri, Jun 16, 2023, 11:59 PM
DANCE
Leah Fournier & Amelia Heintzelman: STUNT DOUBLE
THURSDAY & FRIDAY, JUNE 15 & 16, 2023
8:00 PM
Pageant In Person & Live Stream
70 Graham Avenue, Williamsburg, Brooklyn
$10-$30
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Who is a double? What does a double do? We’ll have to go and see.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Mexican snacks and mad desserts at Maya’s Snack Bar. Streaming at home, have a Double Barrel: pour 1 oz. each of Rye, dry Vermouth, and sweet Vermouth, with 2 dashes each of Angostura and orange bitters, into an ice-filled cocktail shaker. Stir. Strain into a chilled Martini glass or coupe. Garnish with a cocktail cherry.
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Thu, Jun 15, 2023, 7:30 PM – Sat, Jun 17, 2023, 11:59 PM
MUSIC / THEATER
Ian Askew: Until Other Times
THURSDAY – SATURDAY, JUNE 15 – 17, 2023
7:30 PM
JACK
20 Putnam Avenue, Clinton Hill, Brooklyn
$20
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Ian Askew presents a rather abstract piece (that’s a good thing!) about social constructs and their discontents.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: The excellent Bati Ethiopian Kitchen has moved from Fort Greene to . . . right around here!
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Thu, Jun 15, 2023, 7:30 PM – Sun, Jun 18, 2023, 11:59 PM
MUSIC
Vijay Iyer Trio
THURSDAY – SUNDAY, JUNE 15 – 18, 2023
7:30 & 9:30 PM THURSDAY – SATURDAY
5:00 & 7:30 PM SUNDAY
Dizzy’s Club, Jazz at Lincoln Center In Person & THURSDAY Live Stream
10 Columbus Circle, Upper West Side, Manhattan
$25-$60; $25 students; free live stream
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Pianist-composer Vijay Iyer has one of the more interesting minds in current music. If it isn’t enough that the rhythm section of his trio comprises Harish Raghavan and Tyshawn Sorey, on Friday and Saturday Graham Haynes is sitting in on trumpet and flugelhorn.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: In person, drink the ($21) minimum at Dizzy’s Club, and then stroll over to Guantanamera for festive Cuban. Streaming at home, have a Gin & Tonic: pour 2 oz. Gin into Highball glass over ice. Top with tonic water. Stir (gently). Garnish with a lime wedge.
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Thursday, June 15, 2023, 7:30 PM – 11:59 PM
MUSIC
Lauren Cauley-Erika Dohi Duo
THURSDAY, JUNE 15, 2023
7:30 PM
Seeds
617 Vanderbilt Avenue, Prospect Heights, Brooklyn
TBD
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Violin and piano — both terrific.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: The bistro menu at Petite Patate is pretty boring and generic. But the fried cornichons you (or at least I) have with your cocktail are so addictive I’m jonzing for them as I type.
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Thursday, June 15, 2023, 7:00 PM – 11:59 PM
MUSIC
yunè pinku / Vitesse X
THURSDAY, JUNE 15, 2023
7:00 PM
Elsewhere
599 Johnson Avenue, Bushwick, Brooklyn
$27.40
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Two really good Electro-Pop acts.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: The best Vietnamese-Mexican food you ever had at Falansai.
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Thu, Jun 15, 2023, 7:00 PM – Sat, Jun 17, 2023, 11:59 PM
MUSIC / PERFORMANCE
Justin Vivian Bond: What Have You Done for Me Legislately?
THURSDAY – SATURDAY, JUNE 15 – 17, 2023 (continuing through JUNE 25)
7:00 PM
Joe’s Pub, Public Theater
425 Lafayette Street, NoHo, Manhattan
$55
TICKETS + INFORMATION
This is Justin Vivian Bond’s PRIDE show. And forgive me for inferring that Mx. Viv is pissed about certain proposed drag legislation.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Phenomenal Shanghainese at CheLi (I can’t help but think that Mx. Viv would want you to order the Triple Soft).
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Thursday, June 15, 2023, 7:00 PM – 11:59 PM
MUSIC
Ensemble Dal Niente: el río murmura
THURSDAY, JUNE 15, 2023
7:00 PM
Americas Society
680 Park Avenue, Upper East Side, Manhattan
Free
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Ensemble Dal Niente does new and newish music from Latin America — including something by Marcos Balter, who’s certainly ready for the spotlight he’s finally been getting.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Despite what they claim, Mission Ceviche doesn’t serve the best ceviche in New York City (that’s got to be Caletta 111 in Richmond Hill). But they unquestionably serve the best ceviche within walking distance of the Americas Society.
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Thursday, June 15, 2023, 6:30 PM – 11:59 PM
MUSIC
Raven Chacon: American Ledger No. 3 & Three Solos
THURSDAY, JUNE 15, 2023
6:30 PM
Amant
306 Maujer Street, Bushwick (unless it’s East Williamsburg), Brooklyn
Free
TICKETS + INFORMATION
A major vocal piece from Raven Chacon, who explores the injustices suffered by Indigenous North Americans with music that is gripping in its quiet slow-building intensity. And some smaller pieces, too.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Odd Pan-Latino/Asian fusian at Aura Cocina.
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Thu, Jun 15, 2023, 4:00 PM – Sun, Jun 18, 2023, 11:59 PM
PERFORMANCE / DANCE
Aunts: Barchive
TUESDAY & THURSDAY – SUNDAY, JUNE 13 & 15 – 18, 2023
4:00 PM TUESDAY & THURSDAY – SATURDAY
2:00 PM SUNDAY
The Arts Center at Governors Island, Governors Island, Manhattan
Free
TICKETS + INFORMATION
It’s a bar! It’s a performance archive! It’s a bar and a performance archive!
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Lots to eat and drink on Governors Island, with my usual shout out to the almost ridiculously scenic and pleasant Island Oyster, which doesn’t need to have food (and drink!) nearly as good as it does.
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Thursday, June 15, 2023, 1:15 PM – 11:59 PM
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Thu, Jun 15, 2023, 8:00 AM – Sat, Jun 17, 2023, 11:59 PM
OPERA
Experiments in Opera: Anthony Braxton Theater Improvisations
THURSDAY – SATURDAY, JUNE 15 – 17, 2023
8:00 PM
The Brick
579 Metropolitan Avenue, Williamsburg, Brooklyn
$30
TICKETS + INFORMATION
In 2000, that supreme American musician Anthony Braxton included in his series denominated Composition a set of pieces for improvising actor and improvising musicians. They have never been performed live — until now. The actor Rob Reese is joined by a stellar group of the NYC Usual Suspects.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Nice Brazilian at Beco.
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Wednesday, June 14, 2023, 9:00 PM – 11:59 PM
MUSIC
Sarah Cabral
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 14, 2023
9:00 & 10:15 PM
LunÀtico
486 Halsey Street, Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn
$10
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Modern Samba, melded with jazz, avant-garde, and classical in that Brazilian manner.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: You should at least buy some drinks from the venue. But if you want some more interesting and substantial food than LunÀtico serves, you're practically right across the street from the excellent pizza and good tapas at Saraghina.
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Wednesday, June 14, 2023, 8:30 PM – 11:59 PM
MUSIC
Sonya Belaya: Friends That Break Your Heart / The Rhythm Method
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 14, 2023
8:30 PM
Threes Brewing
333 Douglass Street, Gowanus, Brooklyn
$15-$20
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Sonya Belaya brings her Russian folk/jazz/contemporary classical music. The Rhythm Method is one of the few string quartets that can be described as “incendiary”.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: The burgers and beers are good at the venue.
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Wednesday, June 14, 2023, 8:30 PM – 11:59 PM
OPERA
Esther Sibiude: The Song of Dirt Stammers Our Tongue
WEDNESDAY & FRIDAY, JUNE 14 & 16, 2023
8:30 PM
The Kitchen @ Westbeth
163 Bank Street, West Village, Manhattan
$5-$15
TICKETS + INFORMATION
In what is described as a modern-day Peter and the Wolf, harpist Esther Sibiude has assembled a text about a man who falls to earth, and each instrument in the ensemble represents a different character or theme. The difference is that the music was composed not by a single person but by the various members of the ensemble, incorporating pop, vernacular, and classical usages.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Austrian at Wallsé. For old times’ sake.
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Wed, Jun 14, 2023, 8:30 PM – Sat, Jun 17, 2023, 11:59 PM
MUSIC
The Stone Residencies: Greg Cohen
WEDNESDAY – SATURDAY, JUNE 14 – 17, 2023
8:30 PM
The Stone
Glass Box Theater, The New School
55 West 13th Street, Greenwich Village, Manhattan
$30
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Bassist Greg Cohen turns 70 right before your eyes.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: It’s still 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, Jun 14, 2023, 8:00 PM – Sat, Jun 17, 2023, 11:59 PM
DANCE / THEATER
Celia Krefter & Kate Purdum: Everything Changes, Nothing Is Lost
WEDNESDAY – SATURDAY, JUNE 14 – 17, 2023
8:00 PM
Brick Aux
579 Metropolitan Avenue, Williamsburg, Brooklyn
$20
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Human undersea explorers meet the locals.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Yet another opportunity not to get into Neo-Cantonese-American sensation Bonnie’s.
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Wednesday, June 14, 2023, 8:00 PM – 11:59 PM
MUSIC
Ben Bennett & Toshi Makihara / Kid Millions & Sarah Bernstein
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 14, 2023
8:00 PM
Shift
FourOneOne
411 Kent Avenue, Williamsburg, Brooklyn
$20
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Ben Bennett is one of those percussionists who are more interested in exploring sound than keeping a beat; Toshi Makihara adds body movement to the mix. You can’t say that Kid Millions isn’t interested in keeping a beat — but you can say he’s uninterested in sounding like any other drummer. He and violinist Sarah Bernstein have made some very interesting music together
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Overrated pasta at Misi.
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Wednesday, June 14, 2023, 7:30 PM – 11:59 PM
DANCE
Fast Forward
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 14, 2023
7:30 PM
Dixon Place
161A Chrystie Street, Lower East Side, Manhattan
$17 advance; $20 door; $15 students/seniors advance; $17 students/seniors door
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Mixed dance.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Somewhat overrated Thai at Thai Diner.
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Wed, Jun 14, 2023, 7:30 PM – Sat, Jun 17, 2023, 11:59 PM
THEATER
Edward Einhorn: The Shylock and the Shakespeareans
WEDNESDAY – SATURDAY, JUNE 14 – 17, 2023
7:30 PM
Untitled Theater Company No. 61
New Ohio Theatre
154 Christopher Street, West Village, Manhattan
$33.50
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Riffing on The Merchant of Venice (which certainly provides a lot of fruit for riffing). And Edward Einhorn is a prime riffer.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Korean noodles at Jeju Noodle Bar.
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Wednesday, June 14, 2023, 7:30 PM – 11:59 PM
MUSIC
Contemporaneous: Dreams of One/All
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 14, 2023
7:30 PM
National Sawdust
80 North 6th Street, Williamsburg, Brooklyn
$25.76 advance
TICKETS + INFORMATION
What I’m most excited about at this show by Contemporaneous — a band on a roll — is a solo by Tonia Ko for bubble wrap. I’ve been known to wail on bubble wrap myself.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Very good French bistro at Le Crocodile.
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Wednesday, June 14, 2023, 7:00 PM – 11:59 PM
-
Wednesday, June 14, 2023, 7:00 PM – 11:59 PM
MUSIC
The Klezmatics: New York Sings Yiddish!
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 14, 2023
7:00 PM
Summerstage
Rumsey Playfield, Central Park, Manhattan
Free
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Yeah yeah, not a patch on the Original Lineup, the magic is gone, yadda yadda. Why don’t we hang it up for a night and just have a good time?
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: A legendary burger at JG Melon.
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Wednesday, June 14, 2023, 6:30 PM – 11:59 PM
MUSIC
Christian Benning & Oliver Xu: Percussionists Bridging the Atlantic
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 14, 2023
6:30 PM
1014
1014 Fifth Avenue, Upper East Side, Manhattan
Free
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Percussion and lots of it.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Excellent bistro at Quatorze.
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Wednesday, June 14, 2023, 6:00 PM – 11:59 PM
PERFORMANCE / MUSIC
Standing on the Corner Art Ensemble: Taino Needle Science: Drone Acupuncture
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 14, 2023
6:00 PM
Performance Space New York
150 1st Avenue, East Village, Manhattan
Free
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Go for the acupuncture. But stay for the Minimalist music played by the Art-Funk/Free Jazz Standing on the Corner Art Ensemble.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Go the Hearth and have a Variety Burger. You’ll feel better.
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Tuesday, June 13, 2023, 8:00 PM – 11:59 PM
-
Tuesday, June 13, 2023, 7:30 PM – 11:59 PM
MUSIC
Acronym
TUESDAY, JUNE 13, 2023
7:30 PM
Naumburg Bandshell, Central Park, Manhattan
Free
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Baroque.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: You will be let out into Manhattan’s worst neighborhood for dining and drinking. I throw up my hands.
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Tue, Jun 13, 2023, 7:30 PM – Sun, Jun 18, 2023, 11:59 PM
THEATER
Jillian Walker: The Whitney Album
TUESDAY – SUNDAY, JUNE 13 – 18, 2023 (continuing through JULY 2)
7:30 PM
Soho Rep.
46 Walker Street, Tribeca, Manhattan
$35 TUESDAY – SATURDAY; 99¢ SUNDAY
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Playwright/performer Jillian Walker (the rest of the cast is Portia and Stephanie Weeks, no less) explores her relationship to the life and death of Whitney Houston, and their broader cultural ramifications.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Frenchette!
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Tue, Jun 13, 2023, 7:30 PM – Sun, Jun 18, 2023, 11:59 PM
THEATER
Lucas Hnath feat. Steve Cuiffo: A Simulacrum
TUESDAY – SUNDAY, JUNE 13 – 18, 2023 (continuing through JULY 2)
7:30 PM TUESDAY – SATURDAY
2:30 PM WEDNESDAY, SATURDAY & SUNDAY
Stage 2, The Atlantic Theater Company
330 West 16th Street, Chelsea, Manhattan
$77-87
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Lucas Hnath, one of America’s best current playwrights, joins stage magician Steve Cuiffo for a theater piece about Steve’s teaching Lucas magic tricks.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Not just noodles at Hao Noodle.
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Tue, Jun 13, 2023, 7:30 PM – Sun, Jun 18, 2023, 11:59 PM
THEATER
Brandon Jacobs-Jenkins: The Comeuppance
TUESDAY – SUNDAY, JUNE 13 – 18, 2023 (continuing through JULY 9)
7:30 PM TUESDAY – FRIDAY
8:00 PM SATURDAY
2:00 PM WEDNESDAY, SATURDAY & SUNDAY
The Pershing Square Signature Theater Center
480 West 42nd Street, Hell’s Kitchen, Manhattan
$49-$159
TICKETS + INFORMATION
One of the great things about writing an arts newsletter is that you get to make absolutely ridiculous pronouncements, like this: the best American play of the last 10 years was Brandon Jacobs-Jenkins’s An Octoroon. There: I’ve said it and I believe it. So his latest, about a decades-later reunion of a self-proclaimed high school “Multi-Ethnic Reject Group” has got to be worth your attention.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Let’s see how Greek classic Molyvos is in its new location.
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Tuesday, June 13, 2023, 7:00 PM – 11:59 PM
MUSIC
seriousmusic
TUESDAY, JUNE 13, 2023
7:00 PM
Sundownstairs, Sundown Bar
68-38 Forest Avenue, Ridgewood, Queens
$18.07
TICKETS + INFORMATION
When you have a bill where the Advanced Piano Trio Longleash (actually I think this gig might involve a harmonium) are the most conventional act, you know you’ve got something. Look out for a sighting of “nomad musician” Alex Zhang Hungtai.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: You’re in a bar in the downstairs of an excellent wine shop that takes its cocktails as seriously as the shop takes Natural wine. For something more solid, Nepalese-New York fusion (cuz why not?) at While in Kathmandu.
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Tuesday, June 13, 2023, 7:00 PM – 11:59 PM
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Tuesday, June 13, 2023, 7:00 PM – 11:59 PM
MUSIC
CLAK
TUESDAY, JUNE 13, 2023
7:00 PM
Mama Tried
787 Third Avenue, Greenwood Heights, Brooklyn
Free (tip the bands)
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Percussionist Aaron Edgcomb with his Post-Rock band CLAK.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: The food at the venue, Mama Tried, is totally edible. The drinks are fine (they make their own vermouth!).
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Tuesday, June 13, 2023, 7:00 PM – 11:59 PM
DANCE / PERFORMANCE
Living Room: Tess Dworman / Kyle Dacuyan
TUESDAY, JUNE 13, 2023
7:00 PM
FourOneOne
411 Kent Avenue, Williamsburg, Brooklyn
$20-$100 advance; Free-$100 door
TICKETS + INFORMATION
If I say that Tess Dworman, one of the squad of Tere O’Connor protegés now gracing the New York dance scene, may still be a better dancer than choreographer, please bear in mind that she is one hell of a terrific dancer. Kyle Dacuyan is a poet; not sure what his performances are like.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Maybe some good cocktails, great interior, and snacky seafood at Deux Chats.
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Tue, Jun 13, 2023, 7:00 PM – Sun, Jun 18, 2023, 11:59 PM
MUSIC
Vision Festival
TUESDAY – SUNDAY, JUNE 13 – 18, 2023
7:00 PM TUESDAY – SUNDAY
6:30 PM FRIDAY & SUNDAY
6:00 PM SATURDAY
Roulette In Person & Live Stream
509 Atlantic Avenue (entrance on Third Avenue), Boerum Hill, Brooklyn
$71.21 per night; $49.87 students/seniors per night; $286.55 five nights; $375.32 festival pass; $802.15 VIP festival pass; $15 per night live stream; $75 live stream festival pass
TUESDAY TICKETS + INFORMATION
WEDNESDAY TICKETS + INFORMATION
THURSDAY TICKETS + INFORMATION
FRIDAY TICKETS + INFORMATION
SATURDAY TICKETS + INFORMATION
SUNDAY TICKETS + INFORMATION
The annual Free Jazz festival. It’s all great, although I guess Friday night’s bill gets a slight nod for the List-inclined.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: In person, eclectic New American at As You Are. Streaming at home, have a Tony’s Ascension: pour 1/2 oz. allspice dram into a chilled Champagne fluit, and then, slowly, 1/4 oz. Campari and then 2-1/2 oz. Champagne. Top with 1 oz. Absinthe.
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Tuesday, June 13, 2023, 6:00 PM – 11:59 PM
PERFORMANCE
MoDRAG
TUESDAY, JUNE 13, 2023 (continuing throgh JUNE 30)
6:00 PM
Brick Aux
579 Metropolitan Avenue, Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Free-$50
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Drag considered and enacted.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Free pizza at the Alligator Lounge!
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Tuesday, June 13, 2023, 6:00 PM – 11:59 PM
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Tuesday, June 13, 2023, 4:00 PM – 11:59 PM
PERFORMANCE / DANCE
Aunts: Barchive
TUESDAY & THURSDAY – SUNDAY, JUNE 13 & 15 – 18, 2023
4:00 PM TUESDAY & THURSDAY – SATURDAY
2:00 PM SUNDAY
The Arts Center at Governors Island, Governors Island, Manhattan
Free
TICKETS + INFORMATION
It’s a bar! It’s a performance archive! It’s a bar and a performance archive!
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Lots to eat and drink on Governors Island, with my usual shout out to the almost ridiculously scenic and pleasant Island Oyster, which doesn’t need to have food (and drink!) nearly as good as it does.
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Tue, Jun 13, 2023, 12:30 PM – Sun, Jun 18, 2023, 11:59 PM
MUSIC / PERFORMANCE
Ryuichi Sakamoto & Tin Drum: KAGAMI
TUESDAY – SUNDAY, JUNE 13 – 18, 2023 (continuing through JULY 2)
12:30, 2:00, 3:30, 5:00 & 6:30 TUESDAY
12:30, 2:00, 3:30, 5:00, 6:30 & 8:00 PM WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY
12:00, 1:30, 3:00, 4:30, 6:00, 7:30 & 9:00 PM FRIDAY & SATURDAY
12:00, 1:30, 3:00, 4:30, 6:00 & 7:30 PM SUNDAY
The Shed
545 West 30th Street, Hudson Yards, Manhattan
$38-$70; $31-$65 students/seniors
TICKETS + INFORMATION
The last of Ryuichi Sakamoto’s collaborations with Tin Drum, in which Tin Drum’s VR creates what appear to be landscapes surrounding the audience — including, in this show, the appearance that the late composer Sakamoto is performing the music for this show in the hall.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Spanish from the grill at Leña.
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Tue, Jun 13, 2023, 10:00 AM – Sun, Jun 18, 2023, 11:59 PM
MUSIC / PERFORMANCE
Gelsey Bell & Joseph White: Meander
TUESDAY – SUNDAY, JUNE 13 – 18, 2023 (ongoing)
10:00 AM – 8:30 PM TUESDAY & THURSDAY
10:00 AM – 6:00 PM WEDNESDAY & FRIDAY – SUNDAY
Brooklyn Botanic Garden
150 Eastern Parkway, across the street from Prospect Heights, Brooklyn
$18; $12 students/seniors; free children under 12
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Having created a wonderful sound walk through Green-Wood Cemetery, the dream team of Gelsey Bell and Joe White do the same for the Brooklyn Botanic Garden (one of my favorite places on earth, if you want to know). The soundtrack is available on the BBG website.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Early, the best pancakes in town (and other great stuff) at Tom’s Restaurant. Later, meet the Guadalajaran Torta Ahogada — sure to become your new obsession — at Cruz del Sur.
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Monday, June 12, 2023, 8:00 PM – 11:59 PM
MUSIC
Sam Weinberg Quartet / Brandon Seabrook
MONDAY, JUNE 12, 2023
8:00 PM
Sisters
900 Fulton Street, Clinton Hill, Brooklyn
$10-$20
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Two acts specializing in twitchy rhythmically disjunct improvisation: the Free/Noise Jazz of saxophonist Sam Weinberg and guitar improvisations of Brandon Seabrook.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: You can eat and drink perfectly well at Sisters.
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Mon, Jun 12, 2023, 7:30 PM – Thu, Jun 15, 2023, 11:59 PM
THEATER
Abe Koogler: Deep Blue Sound
MONDAY – THURSDAY, JUNE 12 – 15, 2023
7:30 PM MONDAY – THURSDAY
3:00 PM WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY
Summerworks
Clubbed Thumb @ The Wild Project
195 East 3rd Street, East Village, Manhattan
$30-$60; $25 students
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Strange doings on an island. Climate (and other) change is discreetly invoked.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Roberta’s opens a wine-and-pasta bar in the East Village with Foul Witch.
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Monday, June 12, 2023, 7:30 PM – 11:59 PM
MUSIC
American Composers Orchestra: Sonic Festival
MONDAY, JUNE 12, 2023
7:30 PM
Elebash Recital Hall, CUNY Graduate Center
365 Fifth Avenue, Midtown, Manhattan
Free
TICKETS + INFORMATION
The close of a wide-ranging festival of New Music of various strains.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Very nice Shanghainese at Little Alley.
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Mon, Jun 12, 2023, 7:30 PM – Tue, Jun 13, 2023, 11:59 PM
MUSIC
New York Guitar Festival
MONDAY & TUESDAY, JUNE 12 & 13, 2023
7:30 PM
The Greene Space In Person & Live Stream
44 Charlton Street, Soho, Manhattan
$27.95; free live stream
MONDAY TICKETS + INFORMATION
TUESDAY TICKETS + INFORMATION
Two nights of guitar, and nothing but guitar.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: In person, Basque at Haizea. Streaming at home, have a Gibson (see what I did?): pour 2 oz. Gin and 1 oz. dry Vermouth into an ice-filled cocktail shaker. Stir. Strain into a chilled Martini glass or coupe. Garnish with a cocktail onion (or three).
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Monday, June 12, 2023, 7:30 PM – 11:59 PM
MUSIC
Invisible Scissors / Matt Wellins
MONDAY, JUNE 12, 2023
7:30 PM
Microscope Gallery
525 West 29th Street, Chelsea, Manhattan
$10
TICKETS + INFORMATION
A new theremin/guitar-voice duo(!) from Rachael Guma and Sarah Halpern called Invisible Scissors. Electromagnetic transducers emitting signals from Matt Wellins. In between, videos by MV Carbon (who usually gets Listed for her electronic cello music) (but then, Guma and Halpern are best known as filmmakers).
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Fun fake Southern at Porchlight.
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Monday, June 12, 2023, 7:30 PM – 11:59 PM
DANCE
Molly Lieber & Eleanor Smith: Zero Station
MONDAY, JUNE 12, 2023
7:30 PM
River To River Festival
Flamboyan Theater, The Clemente
114 Norfolk Street, Lower East Side, Manhattan
Free
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Molly Lieber and Eleanor Smith not only move as one person — they seemingly think as one person as well. And what they’re thinking about now is how much the hypersexualization of women sucks — and how contrary it is to women’s natural life experience.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Argentine at Balaverna.
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Monday, June 12, 2023, 7:00 PM – 11:59 PM
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Mon, Jun 12, 2023, 12:00 PM – Fri, Jun 16, 2023, 11:59 PM
MUSIC
Metropolis Ensemble: Biophony Pop-Up NYC
MONDAY – FRIDAY & SUNDAY, JUNE 12 – 16 & 18, 2023 (continuing through JUNE 24)
12:00 PM MONDAY (Corona), TUESDAY (Jackson Heights), FRIDAY (Park Slope)
5:00 PM MONDAY (Astoria) & THURSDAY (Civic Center, Manhattan)
4:00 PM TUESDAY (Greenpoint), FRIDAY (Chinatown) & SUNDAY (Manhattan Valley)
10:00 AM WEDNESDAY (Sunnyside)
2:00 PM WEDNESDAY (Brownsville)
9:00 AM SUNDAY (Chinatown)
MONDAY 12:00 PM: Corona Plaza, Corona, Queens
MONDAY 5:00 PM: 31st Avenue Pedestrian Plaza, Astoria, Queens
TUESDAY 12:00 PM: 34th Avenue Open Street, Jackson Heights, Queens
TUESDAY 4:00 PM: North 15th Open Street, Greenpoint, Brooklyn
WEDNESDAY 10:00 AM: Lowery Plaza, Sunnyside, Queens
WEDNESDAY 2:00 PM: Osborne Plaza, Brownsville, Brooklyn
THURSDAY 5:00 PM: Thomas Paine Park, Civic Center, Manhattan
FRIDAY 12:00 PM: 5th Avenue & President Street, Park Slope, Brooklyn
FRIDAY 4:00 PM: Doyers Street, Chinatown, Manhattan
SUNDAY 9:00 AM: Forsyth Open Street, Lower East Side, Manhattan
SUNDAY 4:00 PM: Riverside Park @ West 103rd Street, Manhattan Valley, Manhattan
Free
TICKETS + INFORMATION
The Metropolis Ensemble sends great local musicians to play Contemporary Classical in public spaces all over the City.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Monday in Corona, Corona Plaza is not just one of the best places to eat in New York City, it’s one of the best places to be: you’ll swear you’re in Mexico. Monday in Astoria, Diamond Dogs is a gem of a local cocktail bar. Tuesday in Jackson Heights, bonkers Colombian hot dogs at El Perro. Tuesday in Greenpoint, beerhall beer and food at Spritzenhaus33. Wednesday in Sunnyside, Romanian pastries and baked goods at Nita’s European Bakery. Wednesday in Brownsville, if you want chicken or lobster, you’re in just the right place: Brooklyn Chkn ‘n’ Lbstr. Thursday in Manhattan’s Civic Center, cheffed up Peruvian at Artesano. Friday in Park Slope, ramen at Naruto Ramen. Friday in Chinatown, dim sum with a side of family drama at Nom Wah Tea Parlor. Sunday on the Lower East Side, stick around after the show and hit Wah Fung No. 1 upon opening. Sunday in Manhattan Valley, fantastic pizza at Mama’s TOO!.
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Mon, Jun 12, 2023, 8:00 AM – Sun, Jun 18, 2023, 11:59 PM
MUSIC / PERFORMANCE
Gelsey Bell feat. Joseph White: Cairns
MONDAY – SUNDAY, JUNE 12 – 18, 2023 (ongoing)
8:00 AM – 7:00 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 that you could actually Go Out! to back in the days of The Lockdown (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, Jun 12, 2023, 6:00 AM – Sun, Jun 18, 2023, 7:59 PM
MUSIC / PERFORMANCE
Ellen Reid: New York, New York
MONDAY – SUNDAY, JUNE 12 – 18, 2023 (ongoing)
6:00 AM – 1:00 AM
New York Philharmonic
Central Park, Manhattan
Free
TICKETS + INFORMATION
What do you know? The New York Phil has gone and renamed Ellen Reid’s SOUNDWALK. Reid, one of the more soundscapey (and certainly one of the best) of today's many excellent young composers, put together a highly allusive soundtrack, played by members of the Philharmonic and a bunch of Alt Classical players about town. 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, June 11, 2023, 8:30 PM – 11:59 PM
MUSIC
Tribeca Music Lounge: Iranian Live Music Showcase
SUNDAY, JUNE 11, 2023
8:30 PM
Baby’s All Right
146 Broadway, Williamsburg, Brooklyn
$20
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Iranian-American is more like it. But who’s complaining when that means the adorably chirpy Brooklyn school-girl-and-boy sibling duo LuNika, Brooklyn retro-rock band Habibi, and the eminent composer-singer Sussan Deyhim?
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Somewhat overrated New American at Meadowsweet.
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Sunday, June 11, 2023, 8:00 PM – 11:59 PM
MUSIC
Sean Meehan & Austin Larkin / Sawt Out
SUNDAY, JUNE 11, 2023
8:00 PM
FourOneOne
411 Kent Avenue, Williamsburg, Brooklyn
$20
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Berlin’s sonic maniacs Sawt Out continue their New York Invasion with a Brooklyn show. They will do something you’d have previously thought impossible: make the sonically out-there Sean Meehan (percussion) and Austin Larkin (violin) sound almost a little conventional.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Riverside sea food at Sea Wolf Waterfront.
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Sunday, June 11, 2023, 8:00 PM – 11:59 PM
MUSIC
Da Capo Chamber Players: Young Composers Abound III
SUNDAY, JUNE 11, 2023
8:00 PM
Tenri Cultural Institute
43A West 13th Street, Greenwich Village, Manhattan
$30; $15 students/seniors
TICKETS + INFORMATION
They say that young composers abound as if that’s news. Where do they think old composers come from? Anyway, among the abounding young composers are Katherine Balch and Matthew Ricketts, so worth attending.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: The broth is particularly rich at E.A.K. Ramen.
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Sunday, June 11, 2023, 8:00 PM – 11:59 PM
MUSIC / THEATER
William Parker & Andrew O’Conner: Music and the Shadow People
SUNDAY, JUNE 11, 2023
8:00 PM
Roulette In Person & Live Stream
509 Atlantic Avenue (entrance on Third Avenue), Boerum Hill, Brooklyn
$25 advance; $30 door; $20 students/seniors advance; free live stream
TICKETS + INFORMATION
A dramatization of a story written by the titanic Free Jazz bassist William Parker, set to music by Parker, with multi-channel sound design by Toronto radio producer Andrew O’Conner.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: In person, superb Palestinian at AlBadawi. Streaming at home, have a Toronto: pour 2 oz. Rye and 1/4 oz. each of Fernet and Simple Syrup, with 2 dashes of Angostura bitters, into an ice-filled cocktail shaker. Stir. Strain into a chilled Martini glass or coupe. Express an orange twist into the drink and use as garnish.
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Sunday, June 11, 2023, 6:00 PM – 11:59 PM
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Sunday, June 11, 2023, 2:00 PM – 11:59 PM
MUSIC
Summer Thunder: KeiyaA
SUNDAY, JUNE 11, 2023
2:00 PM
Union Pool
484 Union Avenue, Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Free
TICKETS + INFORMATION
You can’t spit at a stage in New York these last few weeks without hitting Alt R&B diva KeiyaA. Which is fine with me. And this time, she’s playing for free.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Let’s honor KeiyaA’s hometown (of course she ended up moving to Brooklyn) by having Dog Day Afternoon‘s supernal Chicago-Style Hot Dogs at H&H Reserve.
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Sunday, June 11, 2023, 1:00 PM – 11:59 PM
MUSIC
Michael Century: Improvisations on Accordion with Expanded Instrument System
SUNDAY, JUNE 11, 2023
1:00 & 3:00 PM
Harvestworks Art & Technology Building
Nolan Park Building 10a , Governors Island, Manhattan
Free
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Michael Century plays Pauline Oliveros’s axe using a suite of techniques developed by Oliveros for the algorithmic processing of time delays.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Plenty to eat and drink on Governors Island; maybe lets try some Frenchish sandwiches (and boules!) at Carreau Club.
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Saturday, June 10, 2023, 8:30 PM – 11:59 PM
OPERA
Mozart: Die Zauberflöte
TUESDAY, THURSDAY & SATURDAY, JUNE 6, 8 & 10, 2023
7:30 PM TUESDAY & THURSDAY
8:30 PM SATURDAY
Metropolitan Opera
30 Lincoln Center Plaza, Upper West Side, Manhattan
$39.50-$462.50
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Simon McBurney’s celebrated maximalist production of Mozart’s magical, disjointed, über-melodic singspiel comes to the Met, with its reconfigured auditorium, video and audio effects, flying singers, and so much more. Will we like it as much in New York as they did in Amsterdam and London and elsewhere?
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: P.J. Clarke’s swears it’ll be open after Saturday 8:30 PM performance. We’ll see.
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Saturday, June 10, 2023, 8:00 PM – 11:59 PM
MUSIC
Chase Elodia: Walking in the City
SATURDAY, JUNE 10, 2023
8:00 PM
National Sawdust
80 North 6th Street, Williamsburg, Brooklyn
$25.76 advance; $30.76 door
TICKETS + INFORMATION
A diverse set of writers read texts about walking in their neighborhoods while drummer/composer Chase Elodia generates musical responses.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Modern Mexican on the roof at elNico.
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Saturday, June 10, 2023, 8:00 PM – 11:59 PM
MUSIC
Infrequent Seams
WEDNESDAY – THURSDAY & SATURDAY, JUNE 7 – 8 & 10, 2023
8:00 PM
FourOneOne
411 Kent Avenue, Williamsburg, Brooklyn
$20
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Three nights of bassist/composer James Ilgenfritz’s ongoing project to present the kind of exploratory music we List around here.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Incredibly fun Brazilian at Miss Favela.
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Saturday, June 10, 2023, 7:00 PM – 11:59 PM
MUSIC
Sawt Out
SATURDAY, JUNE 10, 2023
7:00 PM
Harvestworks Art & Technology Building
Nolan Park Building 10a , Governors Island, Manhattan
Free
TICKETS + INFORMATION
The first New York gig ever by Berlin’s Sawt Out, a percussion-trumpet-percussion trio that makes sounds you’ve never even thought of thinking of.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Lots to eat and drink on Governors Island, with my usual shout out to the almost ridiculously scenic and pleasant Island Oyster, which doesn’t need to have food (and drink!) nearly as good as it does.
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Sat, Jun 10, 2023, 7:00 PM – Sun, Jun 11, 2023, 11:59 PM
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Saturday, June 10, 2023, 7:00 PM – 11:59 PM
MUSIC
Nabihah Iqbal
SATURDAY, JUNE 10, 2023
7:00 PM
Public Records
233 Butler Street, Gowanus, Brooklyn
$23.69
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Nabihah Iqbal has kind of moved from Electrodance Pop to Electrodream Pop, and whether I think her music is the better for it depends mainly on my mood at the time.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Good, fresh Korean at Insa (as always, forego the barbecue and east in the lounge/bar room, which is much nicer than the drab dining room).
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Saturday, June 10, 2023, 6:00 PM – 11:59 PM
PERFORMANCE
MoDRAG
SATURDAY, JUNE 10, 2023 (continuing throgh JUNE 30)
6:00 PM
Brick Aux
579 Metropolitan Avenue, Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Free-$50
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Drag considered and enacted.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Free pizza at the Alligator Lounge!
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Saturday, June 10, 2023, 5:00 PM – 11:59 PM
DANCE / OPERA
nora chipaumirie: Nehanda
SATURDAY, JUNE 10, 2023
5:00 PM
Summer for the City
Alice Tully Hall
1941 Broadway, Upper West Side, Manhattan
$5-$55
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Nora chipaumire is fierce — ferocious, even — and totally unafraid (she also seems to have some affinity for the letter “f”). Oh, and don’t forget charismatic. Her dance-theater is raw, and it hits hard — while happily remaining enigmatic and suggestive rather than obvious or simplistic. This is a three-part, six-hour “Juridicial Opera” based on the adjudication of a South African native uprising against the British Imperialists during the Victorian period. (Chipaumire trained as a lawyer in Zimbabwe before she became a dancer here in the U.S., so the usual suspicions of non-lawyer artists attacking legal themes don’t apply.)
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Mouthwatering Indian kebabs at Kebab au Sharab.
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Sat, Jun 10, 2023, 4:00 PM – Sun, Jun 11, 2023, 11:59 PM
PERFORMANCE / DANCE
Aunts: Barchive
SATURDAY & SUNDAY, JUNE 10 & 11, 2023 (continuing through JUNE 18)
4:00 PM SATURDAY
2:00 PM SUNDAY
River to River Festival
The Arts Center at Governors Island, Governors Island, Manhattan
Free
TICKETS + INFORMATION
It’s a bar! It’s a performance archive! It’s a bar and a performance archive! Note that Sunday’s program focuses on sound is a curated by Rena Anakwe.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Lots to eat and drink on Governors Island, but I myself have taken to walking over to the wonderful Neo-Red Sauce spot Cafe Spaghetti in Carroll Gardens/Columbia Waterfront from the Brooklyn Bridge Park Pier 6 Ferry Landing after a day on Governors Island.
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Saturday, June 10, 2023, 4:00 PM – 11:59 PM
-
Sat, Jun 10, 2023, 4:00 PM – Sun, Jun 11, 2023, 11:59 PM
MUSIC
Metropolis Ensemble: Biophony Pop-Up NYC
SATURDAY & SUNDAY, JUNE 10 & 11, 2023 (continuing through JUNE 24)
4:00 PM SATURDAY & SUNDAY (Elmhurst)
12:00 PM SUNDAY (Ridgewood)
SATURDAY: Liberty Avenue Plaza, Ozone Park, Queens
Bliss Plaza, Sunnyside, Queens
SUNDAY 12:00 PM: 71st Avenue Plaza, Ridgewood, Queens
SUNDAY 4:00 PM: Diversity Plaza, Jackson Heights, Queens
Free
TICKETS + INFORMATION
The Metropolis Ensemble sends great local musicians to play Contemporary Classical in public spaces all over the City.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Saturday in Ozone Park, Curry Roti Box’s predecessor, S&A West Indian Restaurant, served some of the best roti in the City. Is the new place as unbelievably good? Saturday in Sunnyside, go Goan at Cardamom. Sunday in Ridgewood, some of the best papusas in the City (I’m totally serious about this) at Papusas Ridgewood. Sunday in Jackson Heights, not just Nepalese, but regional Nepalese, at Mustang Thakali Kitchen.
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Sat, Jun 10, 2023, 3:00 PM – Sun, Jun 11, 2023, 11:59 PM
MUSIC
Punk Rock Mini-Golf
SATURDAY & SUNDAY, JUNE 10 & 11, 2023
3:00 – 10:00 PM
Maker Park Radio
450 Front Street, Stapleton, Staten Island
$12.71
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Bands! Mini-golf!
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Mind-boggling Sri Lankan at Lakruwana (and speaking of mind-boggling, if you go on Sunday there’s a buffet).
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Sat, Jun 10, 2023, 1:00 PM – Sun, Jun 11, 2023, 11:59 PM
PERFORMANCE
Lotto Royale
SATURDAY & SUNDAY, JUNE 10 & 11, 2023
1:00, 2:00, 3:00, 4:00, 5:00 & 6:00 PM
River to River Festival
The South Street Seaport Museum
12 Fulton Street, FiDi, Manhattan
Free
TICKETS + INFORMATION
You show up at the Seaport Museum at a reserved time and you’re paired by lottery with a performer who will take you to a nearby (public) space and give you a one-on-one performance.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Burgers and soft-serve at Mr. Dips.
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Fri, Jun 9, 2023, 8:30 PM – Sun, Jun 11, 2023, 11:59 PM
PERFORMANCE
La MaMa’s Squirts: Generations of Queer Performance
FRIDAY – SUNDAY, JUNE 9 – 11, 2023
8:30 PM
La MaMa
66 East 4th Street, East Village, Manhattan
$10-$60
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Drag, considered and enacted.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Mexican insect cuisine at The Black Ant.
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Fri, Jun 9, 2023, 8:00 PM – Sun, Jun 11, 2023, 11:59 PM
MUSIC
ChamberQUEER: We Refract
FRIDAY – SUNDAY, JUNE 9 – 11, 2023
8:00 PM FRIDAY & SATURDAY
3:00 PM SUNDAY
FRIDAY: Littlefield
635 Sackett Street, Gowanus, Brooklyn
SATURDAY: Red Eye NY
355 West 41st Street, Hell’s Kitchen, Manhattan
SUNDAY: Newhouse Center for Contemporary Art, Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden
1000 Richmond Terrace, Building C, Randall Manor, Staten Island
$12.47-$31
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Queer performers improvising and playing music by queer composers. Raising the musical question: how is this night different from all other nights? (It’s all great, of course.)
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Friday night in Gowanus, slightly Mediterranean-inflected New American out of the big oven at Victor. Saturday night in Hell’s Kitchen, the good Hunanese restaurant that nobody knows about: China Xiang. Sunday in Staten Island, Nurnberger Bierhaus is worth the walk.
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Friday, June 9, 2023, 8:00 PM – 11:59 PM
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Fri, Jun 9, 2023, 7:30 PM – Sat, Jun 10, 2023, 11:59 PM
MUSIC
Andrew Cyrille & Caribbean Cross-Generations
FRIDAY & SATURDAY, JUNE 9 & 10, 2023
7:30 & 9:30 PM
Dizzy’s Club, Jazz at Lincoln Center
10 Columbus Circle, Upper West Side, Manhattan
$25-$55; $25 students
TICKETS + INFORMATION
This List has always remarked that Andrew Cyrille is one of the most distinctive and listener-friendly of Free Jazz drummers — and the reason is the Caribbean lilt supplied by his Haitian background. Here he goes full-on Caribbean, sharing the stage (and his wisdom) with younger generations of Caribbean players.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Drink the ($21) minimum at Dizzy’s Club, and then stroll over to Guantanamera for festive Cuban.
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Friday, June 9, 2023, 7:30 PM – 11:59 PM
MUSIC
Nerissa Campbell
FRIDAY, JUNE 9, 2023
7:30 & 9:30 PM
The Jazz Gallery In Person & Live Stream
1158 Broadway (entrance on West 27th Street), NoMad, Manhattan
$33-$44; $22 live stream
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Singer-songwriter goes experimental, and good for her.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: In person, José Andrés goes Middle Eastern at Zaytinya. Streaming at home, have a Japanese Slipper: pour 1 oz. each of Midori, Cointreau, and lemon juice into an ice-filled cocktail shaker. Shake. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a melon slice.
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Friday, June 9, 2023, 7:30 PM – 11:59 PM
DANCE
Maleek Washington
FRIDAY, JUNE 9, 2023
7:30 PM
92nd Street Y
1395 Lexington Avenue, Upper East Side, Manhattan
$30-$50; $10 students (limited)
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Maleek Washington is a fabulous dancer who’s becoming quite a good choreographer in the vernacular-goes-straight (or the straight-goes-vernacular) vein.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Fun South African food and wine at Kaia Wine Bar.
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Friday, June 9, 2023, 7:00 PM – 11:59 PM
MUSIC
The Last Poets
FRIDAY, JUNE 9, 2023
7:00 PM
Performance Space New York
150 1st Avenue, East Village, Manhattan
Free
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Claims that these guys “invented rap” are, shall we say, reductionist, disregarding The Dozens, Jamaican toasting, and any number of other precursors. Which is not to say that the Last Poets’ debut album didn’t stun listeners in 1970: I can still remember my 1970 self, having been blown back to the far wall, thinking “what IS that?” It wasn’t the spoken-word-over-jazz I was (ruefully) expecting, that’s for sure; but rather something a lot a lot streeter and (important to my 1970 self) a lot more poppin’. I wanted more — and I couldn’t have anticipated how much more I’d be getting by the end of the decade. It didn’t hurt that their political acuity thrilled my 1970 self (and continues to thrill my 2023 self).
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Rowdy Rooster: putting the heat in hot fried chicken.
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Friday, June 9, 2023, 7:00 PM – 11:59 PM
MUSIC
Bob Bellerue feat. Katie Porter: Eternities
FRIDAY, JUNE 9, 2023
7:00 PM
Harvestworks Art & Technology Building
Nolan Park Building 10a , Governors Island, Manhattan
Free
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Sound artist (and then some) Bob Bellerue goes exploring with Katie Porter, who is not your everyday clarinetist.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: It’s worth noting that douchey Riviera Maya transplant Gitano Island has opened for the season.
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Friday, June 9, 2023, 7:00 PM – 11:59 PM
MUSIC
Bobby Mitchell: Celebrating Frederic Rzewski (1938-2021)
FRIDAY, JUNE 9, 2023
7:00 PM
Bargemusic
1 Water Street, Fulton Ferry Landing, Brooklyn
$35
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Can’t hear enough Rzewski, whose music is genuinely populist and genuinely avant-garde — and is resolutely refusing to fade.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Snacky seafood on the Ferry Landing (with a spectacular view!) at High Tide.
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Friday, June 9, 2023, 7:00 PM – 11:59 PM
DANCE / MUSIC
Living Room: Malcolm-x Betts / Pink Tacos
FRIDAY, JUNE 9, 2023
7:00 PM
FourOneOne
411 Kent Avenue, Williamsburg, Brooklyn
$20-$100 advance; Free-$100 door
TICKETS + INFORMATION
Malcolm-x Betts makes the kind of formally rad dance you’d expect from someone who’s also a visual artist. Speaking of rad, Pink Tacos takes abstracted Hip Hop farther than you might have thought it could go while still staying street.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Speaking of tacos, Mexican party at Aldama.
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Friday, June 9, 2023, 7:00 PM – 11:59 PM
MUSIC
Talea Ensemble: Encores
FRIDAY, JUNE 9, 2023
7:00 PM
The Invisible Dog
51 Bergen Street, Boerum Hill, Brooklyn
$20; $10 students/seniors
TICKETS + INFORMATION
The expert Talea Ensemble plays a set of solo pieces by an estimable bunch of composers whose work they’ve played before during this season: George Lewis, Hannah Kendall, Rebecca Saunders, and Saariaho (who by progam-note convention now gets referred to by only her last name since she is shockingly, unbelievably, sadly-beyond-sadly no longer a living composer).
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Some of the best cocktails in New York at The Clover Club (and amazingly the food’s pretty good, too).
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Fri, Jun 9, 2023, 6:00 PM – Sun, Jun 11, 2023, 11:59 PM
MUSIC
Bill Barclay, Abendmusik & Cathedra: Secret Byrd
FRIDAY – SUNDAY, JUNE 9 – 11, 2023
6:00 & 7:30 PM
The Angel’s Share
The Catacombs, Green-Wood Cemetery
500 25th Street, Greenwood Heights, Brooklyn
$95
TICKETS + INFORMATION
William Byrd, the leading English composer of his time, was an (illegally) practicing Catholic in Elizabethan England. So he officially wrote Protestant church music, surreptitiously wrote Catholic church music, and happily for us also wrote a bunch of secular instrumental music. It’s all great — and we’ll get to hear some of each in the Catacomb.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Sea Witch: a good bar, with good pub grub — and a giant aquarium!
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Fri, Jun 9, 2023, 1:00 PM – Sun, Jun 11, 2023, 11:59 PM
MUSIC / PERFORMANCE
SONIC SPHERE
FRIDAY – SUNDAY, JUNE 9 – 11, 2023 (contining through JULY 1)
1:00, 2:30, 4:00, 5:30, 7:00, 8:30 & 10:00 PM FRIDAY
11:30 AM & 1:00, 2:30, 4:00, 5:30, 7:00, 8:30 & 10:00 PM SATURDAY
11:30 AM & 1:00, 2:30, 4:00, 5:30 & 7:00 PM SUNDAY
The Shed
545 West 30th Street, Hudson Yards, Manhattan
$51 for taped shows; $46 students/seniors for taped shows; $54-$122 live shows
TICKETS + INFORMATION
You go into this huge lighted sculptural sphere and hear 45-minutes sets of music comprising either remixes of albums by people like The xx or Steve Reich or playlists curated by people like Carl Craig(!) or live performances by people like Madame Ghandi (this weekend) or Igor Levit(!) (later in the run).
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Excellent Spanish at Casa Dani.
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Thursday, June 8, 2023, 8:00 PM – 11:59 PM
MUSIC
Monsieur Periné
THURSDAY, JUNE 8, 2023
8:00 PM
The Greene Space In Person & Live Stream
44 Charlton Street, Soho, Manhattan
$12.95; free live stream
TICKETS + INFORMATION
More good Latin American pop. This duo — originally a band, but all the other members left — are from Colombia, but their sound skews more Pan-Latin.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: In person, Basque at Haizea. Streaming at home, have a Bogota Cosmopolitan: pour 2 oz. dark Rum and 1/2 oz. each of lime juice and Simple Syrup into an ice-filled cocktail shaker. Shake. Strain into a chilled Martini glass or coupe. Garnish with a lime slice.
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Thu, Jun 8, 2023, 7:30 PM – Sat, Jun 10, 2023, 11:59 PM
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Thu, Jun 8, 2023, 7:30 PM – Sat, Jun 10, 2023, 11:59 PM
THEATER / PERFORMANCE
Dream Adoption Society: The Books of Jacob
THURSDAY – SATURDAY, JUNE 8 – 10, 2023
7:30 PM THURSDAY & FRIDAY
2:30 PM SATURDAY
La MaMa
74A East 4th Street, East Village, Manhattan
$10
TICKETS + INFORMATION
A VR retelling of Olga Tokarczuk's great novel about (the historically extant) Jacob Frank, who claimed to be the reincarnation of Sabbatai Zevi, who had claimed to be the Messiah.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Overperforming pub grub at Sidney’s Five.
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Thursday, June 8, 2023, 7:30 PM – 11:59 PM
MUSIC
Cantata Profana: The Final Episode
THURSDAY, JUNE 8, 2023
7:30 PM
Roulette
509 Atlantic Avenue (entrance on Third Avenue), Boerum Hill, Brooklyn
Pay what you can
TICKETS + INFORMATION
This fluid vocal-instrumental ensemble has had some of the best programming in town — a piquant combination of the old (sometimes very old) and the new (sometimes very new) — and also, for those of us who care about such things, some of the best program notes. This is their final show. I’ll be sorry to see them go.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Drown your sorrows over losing Cantata Profana at the new bar around the corner from Roulette, The Little Pig.
