Surrender to the Imaginative Impulse
Find inspiration in this last week of the year to get creative yourself!!
Being a groupie of various bands over the years and a regular at a fair number of the establishments I write about here has had a huge impact on my own creativity. My childhood piano playing—limited for years to playing scales and then a stint attempting to play the classics—has turned into joyous improvisation. My collection of percussion and facilitation of drum circles in schools, senior centers and homeless shelters has morphed along the way into meditative compositions dubbed ‘sound baths’ that I so love offering at spots around Brooklyn and beyond.
It is so lovely to be a listener and also amazing to try own’s own hand at creating beautiful music. This last week of the year, be creative!! Find a way to create harmony at home, alone or with others. In our mind’s eye, we are all artists, all musicians, all creators. Let those who are performing this week out in the world inspire your own imaginative impulses…Enjoy!!
monday, december 25
Enjoy the day! Make your own music with loved ones, whatever instruments you have on hand, with your voices. Gather round and be merry (even if it’s not your holiday.)
tuesday, december 26
Patrick Olson’s Emergence
Alice Griffin Jewel Box Theater
7:30 PM
(Through Jan. 7 if another day works)
This thought-provoking off-broadway show apparently purposely defies classification, spanning genres from musical to monologue for an uncanny performance art experience. Sounds super cool if you can make it.
wednesday, december 27
Countdown Festival Sextet II “Blue Train”
Smoke Jazz & Supper Club
Sets at 7 PM, 9 PM and 10:30 PM
Countdown 2024 at the cool uptown supper club, Smoke, continues with an all-star sextet with two special guests: Trumpeter Eddie Henderson and trombonist Steve Davis. This outstanding group is co-led by pianist Eric Reed and alto saxophonist Vincent Herring with the unbeatable rhythm team of bassist Dezron Douglas and drummer Joe Farnsworth. This is a wow.
Eddie Henderson – trumpet
Vincent Herring – alto & tenor saxophone
Steve Davis – trombone
Eric Reed – piano
Dezron Douglas – bass
Joe Farnsworth – drums
thursday, december 28
Rachelle Garniez
Pangea NYC
7 PM
An absolutely amazing evening, a “salute to the dear departed artists of the past year.” By turns touching and hilarious, the multi-instrumentalist, vocalist and composer Garnier along with beautiful bassist Derek Nievergelt and searing violist Karen Waltuch will pay homage to Tina Turner, Sinead O’Connor, Harry Belafonte and others in her own inimitable style. Book NOW! This dinner club is a lovely room, with delicious food. Great date night, with the holiday stress behind you…Buy tix now! Also on Jan. 4.
friday, december 29
Bar Bayeux
Caleb Wheeler Curtis Birthday Celebration w/Orrin Evans, Sean Conly, Michael Sarin
8 PM & 9:30 PM
Come celebrate the bday of prolific composer and saxophonist Caleb Wheeler Curtis. This wunderkind will be joined by acclaimed pianist Orrin Evans on whose Grammy-nominated albums Curtis has played on, bassist Sean Conly and drummer Michael Sarin. In this cozy space, should be a great winter evening.
saturday, december 30
“You Are Here” Film Immersive
Museum of the City of New York
10 AM -6 PM
Part of the centennial anniversary of the founding of the Museum of the City of New York, This Is New York: 100 Years of the City in Art and Pop Culture explores the many ways that the city has inspired storytelling across art forms. A special gallery, “You Are Here,” dedicated to New York on film, provides an immersive 16-screen experience drawn from hundreds of movies about the city made over the past century. The film immersive also includes an introductory installation, “Scenes from the City” which explores how New York has been used as a movie set for the past century. You can catch it through July 21.
sunday, december 31
Though I usually choose to stay in with friends on this last day of the year, far from the madding cheering crowds gathered in Times Square, maybe you’ll venture out to do something exciting. Did not include anything here as reservations are mostly required and not sure what’s still available at the clubs around town. Good luck! Check before you head out! Whatever you choose to do, enjoy the last precious moments of 2023! And see you next year for more awesome events. Make a resolution to trying out new places, taking in great music MORE OFTEN in 2024, and tuning in to ListenUp NYC for hot picks and more articles and features about this city’s great artists!!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!
XX
Steph