The Weekend Shortlist February 17 to 19

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Friday February 17

Location: Midtown West, NYC
Music: Aretha Franklin
Show time: 8 PM
Venue: Radio City Music Hall
Food: Sullivan Street Bakery
Drink: Rudy’s Bar & Grill
Miscellaneous: The Shops at Columbus Circle

It’s hard to doubt her title as the “Queen of Soul” and with 17 Grammy Awards and countless other prestigious lifetime Achievement Awards, Aretha Franklin remains one of music’s greatest voices, which is one reason to catch her sing from her vast catalog of music at Radio City Music Hall. Arguably one of the top bread makers on the east coast, and good to get gourmet pizza’s and sandwiches, Sullivan Street Bakery makes exquisite food using ingredients you’d see on the Food Network! More bar than grill, Rudy’s Bar & Grill is like going back to college, minus the books. The beer is cheap and by “grill,” they mean free popcorn and hot dogs. If you have trouble finding the bar, just look for the 6 foot tall fiberglass pig standing outside! To get out of the cold and see what an upper-class mall is like, stop by The Shops at Columbus Circle. Expensive restaurants like MASA and shops like Williams Sonoma are fun to browse through to see how the other half lives.

Friday February 17

Location: Midtown West, NYC
Music: Sleigh Bells
Show time: 8 PM
Venue: Terminal 5
Food: Eatery
Drink: Valhalla
Miscellaneous: Central Park

Noise pop duo Sleigh Bells, made up of Derek E. Miller and Alexis Krauss recently released their new album Reigh of Terror, so catch them live as they generally are a lot of fun to watch perform, plus the music sounds even better. Also on board is the incredible Black Bananas (formerly RTX). Nearby and delicious, Eatery offers a new American menu that’s asian influenced. Try the Red Curry Chicken Breast over roti pancake, with baby carrots and red curry coconut sauce ($16.95). Valhalla’s minimalist space is chill, letting the 24 brands of beer from all over the world on tap be the main attraction at this bar. While its warm out, waste a little time walking through Central Park, relax, and get out of the hustle and bustle of the city. Just watch your step. The working horses tend to leave surprises behind them!

Saturday February 18

Location: Union Square, NYC
Music: Zola Jesus
Show time: 8 PM
Venue: Webster Hall
Food: Momofuku
Drink: The Village Pourhouse
Miscellaneous: Sundaes and Cones

Combining experimental rock with industrial, classical, electronic and goth, Zola Jesus makes edgy music while her vocals swoon and tie everything together. 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.

Saturday February 18

Location: SoHo, NYC
Art: Bye Bye CBGB
Show time: See website for schedule; Through February 28
Venue: Clic Bookstore & Gallery
Food: Nha Trang
Drink: Naked Lunch
Miscellaneous: La Esquina

Bye Bye CBGB is a final goodbye to one of the last relics of New York punk rock and 1970s/1980s underground culture and features black and white prints and silver prints mounted on light boxes with the flickering electric lights animating the figures. The accompanying sketches are rendered with a mix of ink and pencils. CBGBs is a place that continues to thrive on in the collective unconscious; a historic landmark that belongs just as much to teenagers buying their first Ramones album as it does to those who attended the first Ramones gigs in 1974 One of the best affordable Vietnamese restaurants in the city, Nha Trang is right near the downtown courthouse, making it a high volume place. Despite that, the food is great and the Pho (rice noodle soup) dishes are $5 and under. Named after William S. Burroughs novel, Naked Lunch is a cool and comfortable bar where local artists usually gather. No shooting up though! One of the best taqueria’s in the city, the Mexican food at La Esquina is authentic and to die for. While tacos will set you back $3, plates are in the $6 to $7.25 range.

Sunday February 19

Location: West Village, NYC
Theater: Carrie: The Musical
Show time: See website for schedule
Venue: The Lucille Lortel Theatre
Food: Tortilla Flats
Drink: White Horse Tavern
Miscellaneous: Magnolia Bakery

Based on Stephen King’s bestselling novel, Carrie: The Musical hasn’t been seen since its legendary 1988 Broadway production. Now, the show’s original authors have joined with director Stafford Arima (Altar Boyz) and MCC Theater for a newly reworked and fully re-imagined vision of this gripping tale. Check out Tortilla Flats. The food is Mexican and delicious, but it’s the insanity within (bingo and hula-hoop nights) that is the real calling for this place. For drinks afterwards, hit the White Horse Tavern, a great bar and the old haunting grounds for Dylan Thomas. If you somehow have time before all of this, stop by Magnolia Bakery for some of the best tasting cupcakes in the city.

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