Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
uninterrupted sightlines, there's hardly a bad seat in the house. The
theater also hosts dance performances; family entertainment; a num-
ber of annual awards shows, such as the Essence Awards, the GQ
Man of the Year Awards, and anything MTV is holding in town.
1260 Sixth Ave. (at 50th St.).
&
212/247-4777,
or 212/307
-
7171 for Ticketmaster.
www.radiocity.com or www.ticketmaster.com. Subway: B, D, F, V to 49th-50th
sts./Rockefeller Center.
3 Live Rock, Jazz, Blues & More
Arlene's Grocery
This casual Lower East Side club boasts a
friendly bar and a good sound system; unfortunately, music isn't
always free anymore, but the quality of the artists is usually pretty
high, and the cover usually tops out at $7. Arlene's Grocery prima-
rily serves as a showcase for bands looking for a deal or promoting
their own CDs. The crowd is an easygoing mix of club-hoppers, rock
fans, and industry scouts looking for new blood. Monday nights the
club hosts the popular “Hard Rock Karaoke,” which is exactly what
it sounds like.
95 Stanton St. (btwn Ludlow and Orchard sts.).
&
212/995
-
1652.
www.arlenesgrocery.net. Subway: F to Second Ave.
B.B. King Blues Club & Grill
This 550-seat venue is one of the
prime anchors of Times Square's “new” 42nd Street. Despite its
name, B.B. King's seldom sticks to the blues; what you're likely to
find instead is a bill of pop, funk, and rock names, mainly from the
past. The big-ticket talent runs the gamut from George Clinton and
the P. Funk All Stars and John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers to
Tower of Power to Jimmy Cliff and Delbert McClinton. Tourist-tar-
geted pricing makes for an expensive night, and word is that the food
isn't as good as it was in the beginning, but there's no arguing with
the quality of the talent. The Sunday gospel lunch is a slice of joy.
237 W. 42nd St. (btwn Seventh and Eighth aves.).
&
212/997-4144,
or 212/
307-7171 for tickets. www.bbkingblues.com. Subway: A, C, E, Q, W, 1, 2, 3, 7, 9 to
42nd St.
Blue Note
The Blue Note has attracted some of the biggest names
in jazz to its intimate setting. Those who've played here include just
about everyone of note: Dave Brubeck, Ray Charles, B.B. King,
Manhattan Transfer, Dr. John, George Duke, Chick Corea, David
Sanborn, Arturo Sandoval, Gato Barbieri, and the superb Ahmad
Jamal. The sound system is excellent, and every seat in the house has
a sightline to the stage. However, in recent years, the hard edge that
once was the Blue Note has faded. Softer, smoother jazz is the
domain now, so if that's your thing, enjoy.
But be warned:
Prices are
