Friday June 4
Location: Union Square, NYC
Band: JFK
Show time: 8 PM
Venue: Webster Hall
Food: Momofuku
Drink: The Village Pourhouse
Miscellaneous: Sundaes and Cones
One half of MSTRKRFT, Jesse F. Keeler or JFK spins at the dance party Girls & Boys and brings lots of techno fuzz and distortion to his remixes. If you like ramen noodles and pork, then Momofuku is your spot for food. The Berkshire pork is the best I’ve had and it’s the only place I’ll eat pork period, which should tell you just how good Momofuku really is! The Village Pourhouse may look like a neighborhood bar to watch sports but actually has three more rooms, where you can order food or find a quiet place to smooch! For dessert a little left of the dial, Sundaes and Cones offers eclectic flavors like wasabi and corn and many more flavors that are familiar.
Friday June 4
Location: Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Band: Stars Get Tickets Here
Show time: 8 PM
Venue: Music Hall of Williamsburg
Food: SEA
Drink: Zablozki’s
Miscellaneous: Lovin’ Cup Cafe
Canadian band Stars return with their new album The Five Ghosts which is filled with indie rock goodness, electronic touches and hooks galore. Joining them is Dead Child Star, which though is not exactly an appropriate name, the music is a mix of folky indie rock and electro beats. Just as much fun as any show and just as big a venue, SEA is one BIG Thai restaurant. Big enough to have a pool surrounded by tables as a giant Buddha stands above it. Luckily, the food is really great. Offering traditional Pad Thai ($7) to more involved dishes like the Mummy Fish ($14). On N6th, a street full of bars and restaurants, Zablozki’s is the local bar of the bunch, with a pool table and a friendly atmosphere and 12 beers on tap. For a quick bite, check out Lovin’ Cup Cafe where you can get great diner fare. The atmosphere is filled with artists, acts perform nightly, and there’s a performance space called Cameo Gallery in back. Overall, it’s a great joint.
Saturday June 5
Location: Union Square, NYC
Band: Broken Bells Get Tickets Here
Show time: 8 PM
Venue: The Fillmore at Irving Plaza
Food: Momofuku
Drink: The Village Pourhouse
Miscellaneous: Sundaes and Cones
The duo of Danger Mouse and James Mercer of The Shins seems random and unlikely but together they are Broken Bells and their album is neither, in fact it’s a very tight collection of indie rock gems with electronic production touches that will most likely put their collaboration in the running for album of the year. If you like ramen noodles and pork, then Momofuku is your spot for food. The Berkshire pork is the best I’ve had and it’s the only place I’ll eat pork period, which should tell you just how good Momofuku really is! The Village Pourhouse looks like a neighborhood bar to watch sports but is actually has three more rooms, where you can order food or find a quiet place to smooch! For dessert a little left of the dial, Sundaes and Cones offers eclectic flavors like wasabi and corn and many more flavors that are familiar.
Saturday June 5
Location: Midtown West, NYC
Band: Living Colour
Show time: 3 PM; FREE
Venue: Central Park SummerStage
Food: Brother Jimmy’s Bait Shack
Drink: BB&R
Miscellaneous: Dylan’s Candy Bar
When Living Colour came out with their debut album Vivid in 1988, they were a kick in the head talking about racism and politics in a time of hair metal. I listened to that album nearly every day till the cassette tape broke. Now they’re back and their music still stands the test of time. Plus it’s FREE. If you’ve got a craving for barbeque, check out Brother Jimmy’s Bait Shack as the ribs, chicken, beef, and pork are all smothered in some amazing BBQ sauce. BB&R, which stands for Blonde, Brunette, and a Redhead is the brainchild of three best friends. What they’ve created is something between a neighborhood bar and a lounge with leather seats in the front and a pool table, photo booth, and video games in the back. Looking more like it came out of Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, Dylan’s Candy Bar is a colorful place to get lollipops, licorice, and all things sugary. Don’t go crazy or your sweet tooth might melt here!
Sunday June 6
Location: Midtown East, NYC
Art: Graphic Heroes, Magic Monsters
Show time: See website for schedule; Through June 13
Venue: Japan Society
Food: Peking Duck House
Drink: Blackstones Pub & Restaurant
Miscellaneous: New York Milkshake Company
In the exhibition Graphic Heroes, Magic Monsters, the work of Utagawa Kuniyoshi showing scenes of history and legend from 150 years ago are featured here along with more than 130 depictions of spiders, skeletons, women warriors, ghosts and samurai in combat. At one of my favorite places to get duck, The Peking Duck House, the meat is succulent and the skin crunches like a potato chip. Sometimes you just want to grab a pint without paying a cover charge or playing host to a group of people after work, which is why I like Blackstones Pub & Restaurant. It looks like an old-time saloon and has two pool tables in the back and plenty of other games, while also being big enough to grab traditional American food from the menu. If you’re still hungry, check out the New York Milkshake Company for one of the best $6 shakes of your life.
