LISTENUPNYC Calendar for Dec. 4 - Dec. 10!!
So many amazing artists, so little time... Steer clear of the TV to take in the talents of so many folks who have poured their hearts into creating inspiring music, movies and events just for you!
Thanks for listening up! My second newsletter features so many amazing artists playing in so many great venues, all sure to warm you up on these chilly nights! If you are an artist with an upcoming event, please hit me up on Instagram @listenupnyc4arts to let me know! Otherwise follow along with daily updates on IG, and tune in weekly, soon to include artist features and a ListenUpNYC podcast!! Would love to hear your feedback and ideas of what you want to see more of:) XX
monday, december 4
Beyondo Band
Lowlands Bar
8:30 pm - 10:30 pm
This band is the brainchild of uber-talented Brooklyn-based trumpet player, drummer, keyboardist, singer, bassist, bandleader, arranger, producer and recording engineer Eric Biondo. The “genre-bending” music is as fun and unique as the composer himself, whose talent extends as well to inspiring young composers (including my son!!)
Lowlands has become the go-to spot for cool experimental composers to play their music to eager audiences in a low-key setting.
—
Also on monday, december 4…
If you happen to be upstate, I’m doing a sound bath at The Local, a cool new venue in Saugerties, 6 pm - 7 pm
tuesday, december 5
Bastards of Fine Arts
11th St. Bar
8:30 pm
Songwriters extraordinaire Matt Keating and Steve Mayone are anything but bastards, except for in the band these two warm wonderful terrifically-talented gentlemen started back in 2015. By turns funny and heartbreaking, their songs always ring terribly true (so much so that I hired Matt to teach me piano/songwriting the first time I heard him years back, and he helped me write my old podcast jingle!)
It’s always a special feel-good vibe when these guys play, especially at their long-favored 11th St. Bar where they seem right at home!
wednesday, december 6
Fallen Leaves
Film by Finnish director Aki Kaurismäki
The Angelika
See link for show times
https://www.angelikafilmcenter.com/nyc/film/fallen-leaves
This newly released tragicomic film about two lonely people (Alma Pöysti and Jussi Vatanen) who meet by chance in the Helsinki night is the fourth part of Kaurismäki's working-class trilogy (Shadows in Paradise, Ariel, and The Match Factory Girl). Like the others, which seeing this film prompted me to watch, it is a harsh and hilarious send-up of making it through a hard life and trying to find love to make it worth living! Searing and sad, but oh so true. Always love the Angelika!!!
thursday, december 7
Tim Berne & Friends
Lowlands Bar
8 pm
The last time I went to see “avante garde” saxophonist Tim Berne play, at The Local upstate, there was silence when the music stopped. No one moved a muscle, not to clap, speak, get up. We all just sat there, still mesmerized. When he asked me why, afterward, I told him I could only compare it to a play I saw once with Laurie Metcalf called “The Other Place” by Sharr White. Similarly, the audience had been lulled into another deeper world where it took a few minutes for re-entry, to realize where you were. This is to say, be ready to be transported. Don’t resist. Listen to every instrument. Enjoy him and the other wonderful musicians he’s compiled at his weekly (when he’s in town) spot at Lowlands.
ALSO on thursday, dec 7
Ourida
Barbes
8 pm - 9:30 pm
http://ourida.com/wordpress/main/?event_id1=77
The first time I saw French-Algerian singer/songwriter Ourida was at Bar LunAtico years back. She was playing with my amazing guitarist friend Raed El-Khazen, in from Beirut, and his bestie Ben Zwerin, a French bassist I have followed around the city for more than a decade, cause he is great and always plays with great people. Her German drummer, Joe Hertenstein, I’d never heard of but he immediately wowed, and became a friend, someone I have been to see often and hired for a benefit. (Sadly now back in Berlin, but still comes back, and plays there a lot!) I proceeded to attend every show of Ourida’s for the next number of years, to bring friends, celebrate my bday, host her at my house…In French or in English, on piano or ukelele, she transcends with her intense energy and flare for the feelings that we’re all feeling but often can’t express. Must. See.
friday, december 8
Wayne Tucker
Nublu (New)
7 pm
I first saw Wayne Tucker one night at Wild Birds in Brooklyn, now sadly defunct. Boo hoo, cause I’d just barely discovered it when it was bulldozed for condos:( Suffice to say, he blew me away, and I introduced myself months later when I saw him playing at a benefit for Prospect Park. With his brother Miles and other heart-stopping musicians, in the new not so new but fancy modern Nublu, down the street from the classic original dive where I spent far too many nights/mornings, and fell in love with the New York music scene. A great spot, but I’m a bit bitter. I get over it though, cause this is definitely a cool spot, very high-tech with great sound.
Wayne Tucker - Trumpet/Vocals
Miles Tucker - Tenor Sax
David Linard - Keyboard
Addison Frei - Keyboard
Tamir Shmerling - Bass
Diego Ramirez - Drums
saturday, december 9
Lightscape
Brooklyn Botanic Garden
Still tix for Saturday, $45, at this writing! (Thursday).
Runs through Jan. 1.
Originally started in London's Kew Gardens in 2014, this wondrous light-up of the beautiful Brooklyn Botanic Garden began in 2021, and is now a seasonal staple. One light installation, Kaleido Circle, is set to the rhythm of a playlist of Brooklyn hip-hop artists, curated by Queens-based artist Sherwin Banfield in celebration of the 50th anniversary of hip-hop. Dress warm, pick up some spiked cider on-site, and enjoy!
sunday, december 10
Kavitah Shah Quartet
Mezzrow
Sets at 7:30 PM + 9:00 PM
I saw Kavitah Shah at the now-closed 55 Bar in the West Village, playing with a slew of folks I knew. And she was awesome. Sometimes I remember that the voice is a very very powerful instrument, and when wielded as she does, it is almost as cathartic as singing yourself if you could. Afterward you will want to go to karaoke to try!
And Mezzrow, a little basement spot down the street from its larger sister, Smalls, is the sweetest most iconic jazz room in the city. Love.
Kavita Shah / Vocalist
Julian Shore / Piano
Francois Moutin / Bass
Varun Das / Drums
—
That’s a wrap! Follow me @listenupnyc4arts on Instagram for daily updates and adds…things come up! And have a great week:)