Black Oak Nights – New York

Tillman's - 165 West 26th Street

Tillman’s Bar & Lounge
165 West 26th Street
New York, NY 10001
212-627-8320
tillmansnyc.com, @tillmansnyc
Categories: Afterwork, Music, Bar, Lounge, Nightlife
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Thursday night, or as many call it, the “Pre-Weekend” is finally here. Hopefully, you already know what you’re getting into after work, but if you still need some ideas, here are some of tonight’s better options. From live music at S.O.B.’s to great food at Tillman’s, the Thursday Nightlife Rundown for February 25, 2010 is chalk-full of stuff to do afterwork and well into Friday morning. Read the rest of this entry »

It’s the middle of the week, the weather sucks, and it’s probably not going to get any better this weekend. But don’t let the winter weather ruin your nightlife. Here are a few things to break up the work week on Hump Day. Read the rest of this entry »

I’m sure you have a case of the Mondays, especially after having one of the best weekends, weather-wise, that we have had in New York City in a while. Unfortunately, the forecast calls for a return to snowy days on Tuesday, so you better get out while you can. Here’s the Monday Nightlife Rundown: Read the rest of this entry »

Leslie Uggams

Saturday has arrived and it looks like it is going to be a beautiful day. Thankfully, there are plenty of things to do in the City today, including a fresh look at the Knicks and a Mardi Gras-themed party. So get out there and have a fun time today, because come Tuesday, snow is back in the forecast. Read the rest of this entry »

Are you a jazz enthusiast, or just trying to familiarize yourself with this antediluvian musical form? Well, here are a couple of spots in New York City where jazz enthusiasts of all levels are welcome—and trust me, I know, because I am more of a novice than most when it comes to jazz!

B.B. Kings – 237 W. 42nd Street, New York, NY
If you’re looking for spectacular jazz performances, certainly B.B. King Blues Club & Grill is one of your better options. Yes, B.B. King himself stops by every now and then, but far more talents and jazz acts come through for their nightly 8 o’clock shows that include performances ranging from Eddie Trunk to The Lovin’ Spoonful. Tickets are not costly either. Depending on the act, ticket prices range from $10 to not much more than $20 or $25. It is an affordable experience, for the most part, as they do have per-person minimums for each performance, however, that’s pretty standard. Besides, the food is more than okay at B.B. Kings, which can’t really be said about most jazz establishments. But once again, you won’t go for the food, as the eclectic jazz performers and bands they put on display on a nightly basis makes B.B. Kings one of the few upscale places in New York where you can get your jazz on every night of the week.

Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola – 33 West 60th Street, New York, NY
Located inside the “Shops at Columbus Circle,” Dizzy’s is not exactly a place full of what most jazz connoisseurs would call “character.” Dizzy’s is set in a pristine, modern, stylish get-up that oozes with comtemporary appeal. Therefore, if you are a jazz traditionalist, who loves your jazz music played in cozy basements and cellars, this isn’t the place for you. However, if you’re all about the music, then Dizzy’s won’t disappoint you in the least. This venue sports some of the most interesting jazz musicians in the business, including Judy Carmichael, the Cedar Walton Trio, the Carlos Henriquez Quartet and one of my favorites, the Amina Figarova Quintet. So check it out! It’s a little pricey for the tickets and the food minimum, but the shows are definitely priceless—to an extent of course!

Iridium – 1650 Broadway, New York, NY
This split-level basement club is a haven for jazz enthusiast. If you’re looking for character this place has it, and Iridium has the jazz talent to turn this cozy spot into a packed, candlelit arena for some of the finest jazz performances there are in Manhattan. Catering to pure acoustic performers, Iridium has played host to some of the great jazz instrumentalists, including McCoy Tyner, Pharoah Sanders and one of my favorites, the late David “Fathead” Newman. Located right in the middle of the Theater District, Iridium has no problem putting on show stopping performances of its own. In fact, every Monday, Les Paul (the solid-body electric guitar guru) packs the house for what is one of the best weekly jazz events in New York City. To add to all of that, the food at Iridium is great, and the prices are not too far over the top.

One of the things about being in New York City is that there is so much to do that one can truly convince themselves that there is nothing to do at all. It is like the government’s approach to healthcare reform, where there has been so much to do for so long, but instead of fixing healthcare, officials have just passed it off as being too big of a task to tackle for the past 50 years.

Well, pass off your summer fun no longer, New Yorkers. Like the budding healthcare reform going on now in our nation’s capital, you just need a little “change” to get you up and out of your apartment. Here are a few things you probably haven’t tried out that can reinvigorate your City-venturing spirit.

Latin Tunes at Fort Tryon Park
In the Upper West Side, go to Fort Tryon Park at midnight on a particular Saturday, and you will truly be reminded as to why this is called the city that never sleeps. At a time when every other city in America is calling it a night, Robert Ferreira, and his drumming group called “Astrolabio”, take over an area of the park and play percussion-laden, Latin beats for anyone and everyone who cares to listen. From the beating of congas to the thumping of African drums, the rhythms play well into Sunday morning, as gatherers and passersby clap, dance, smoke and drink the night—and the semi-morning—away.

Trapeze School New York at Pier 40
Are you afraid of heights? Do you want something to do after work besides happy hour? Or are you just looking for something thrilling to do? Well, why not just jump from a trapeze from 23-feet high in the air and fall into a net? Does that sound like something you might be interested in? That’s the opportunity being offered at Pier 40, where you can stretch your imagination, and your yoga-flexed limbs, as you swing and do back flips off a trapeze, all the while achieving your goal of a catharsis and/or an adrenaline rush. No matter what your reason is, taking part in this Summer-long event is a New York tradition, and if you’re going to be living in the city for years to come, you will eventually do this—whether you like it or not.

Turntables on the Hudson
Turntables on the Hudson (TOTH) is an organization that has been providing New Yorkers with late night musical events since 1998, and this Summer is no different. “From parking garages, lofts & boats to residencies at renowned NY clubs and venues like The Frying Pan, Opaline, Shelter, The Brooklyn Loft, Cielo, Element, Hiro Ballroom, SOB’s and Spiegelworld,” TOTH is bringing house, soul, funk and hip-hop music to the city via outdoor events like no one else in the city does it. This summer, they will be performing at Governors Island on several different occasions, including July 24th, August 23rd, and September 6th. So, at some point this summer, come out and enjoy the soulful grooves of TOTH at Governors Island. It’s free of charge and is sure to be a very good time—and I know, because I went to their last event!

Another work week is drawing to its end, and that means another weekend of partying has arrived. There are plenty of things going on this weekend, here are 3 of the top events going down this weekend in New York City.

Thursday, October 16, 2008
Primetime Thursdays
Check out this weekly event going down at Prime, located at 511 West 28th Street. It’s a beautiful venue, and the party is even more breathtaking. Over the past couple of weeks, many swanky crowds have come through the doors, including the entourages of Red Café, Fabulous and Ghostface Killa. This week, there will be a special Hip Hop vs. Reggae Faceoff, which should be an entertaining display of some of music’s biggest and greatest innovators. Ladies are free until 12:30 with RSVP (646-261-1328), and Fellas are free until midnight. So check out Primetime Thursdays tonight and every Thursday night over at Prime.

Friday, October 17, 2008
World Famous Fridays
In an exhibition of pure, unadulterated fun, World Famous Fridays at Club H2O (24th Street between 7th and 8th Avenues) is one of the best places to get down at the end of the week. I’ve been to the event a couple of times, and it was well worth the price of admission. But you don’t even have to pay the price of admission if you get there before midnight because everyone who does is free. After midnight, it’s $20. The event is a broad diversity of the African Diaspora, and the music will reflect that with plenty of R&B, Hip-Hop and Reggae music. There are plenty of bottle specials and great opportunities for birthdays and other private parties. Holla at Club H2O for the details.

Saturday, October 18, 2008
BB King
One of the longest running events in New York City is Saturday Night Live at BB King’s on 42nd Street. So excuse me if you’ve already been, but then again, if you’ve been there you probably already know that it is well worth the return visit. It’s set up in the lovely venue that is BB King’s and young, black professionals from all over New York City come through to partake in the mayhem that ensues. The music, the eye candy, the drinks, the food, and everything else is top notch, and the high quality crew of people that keep coming every week will tell you the same thing. It’s free if you RSVP (text 646-270-2807), and it’s $20 if you don’t. DJ Self and DJ Norie are on the 1’s and 2’s along with other notable names spinning tunes, as well.