NYC concerts Dec 7-11
Coming up this week: Rappers Quelle Chris and Billy Woods, a Henry Mancini tribute, free orchestra concerts and more!
It’s the most wonderful time of the year, folks. This weekend sees an onslaught free concerts by community and conservatory orchestras, with programs featuring orchestral favorites by the likes of Tchaikovsky and Mahler (to name a few). NYU hosts a tribute to the legendary film composer Henry Mancini and two of my favorite underground rappers perform shows in Brooklyn. And if you’re looking for something a little different, there’s even a comedy show I’m including in this week’s list.
If you have any events you think I should include in future newsletters, please let me know. I can’t keep everything on my radar as much as I’d like. And as always, if you make it out to something on the list or just have any suggestions about this newsletter, I want to hear from you! I’m still figuring out the kinks towards making the best use of this space.
Saturday, December 7
Billy Woods and Kenny Segal perform Hiding Places | 8 pm
Warsaw (261 Driggs Ave, Greenpoint)
Underground rapper Billy Woods is one of Brooklyn’s best. He’s one half of the duo Armand Hammer, which I’ve seen many times and are always excellent. For this concert, Woods joins up with LA producer Kenny Segal to perform their 2019 album Hiding Places. Bring cash, because the perogies sold at Warsaw are top notch.
Sunday, December 8
Free
Washington Square Music Festival Chamber Orchestra | 4 pm
St Marks Church in-the-Bowery (East Village)
One of many free orchestra concerts this weekend, but I’m highlighting this one in particular because the program is both bookended by pieces you’ll likely already know - Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 5 and Debussy’s Prelude a l'apres-midi d'un faune - and features two incredible works that everyone should know - Clara Schumann’s Lieder op. 12 and Mahler’s “Songs of a Wayfarer.” Performed by The [Washington Square Music] Festival Chamber Orchestra, conductor Ahmed Alom, and mezzo-soprano Rosario Armas.
Free
Columbia University Orchestra | 7:30 pm
Columbia University, Roone Arledge Auditorium, Lerner Hall (2920 Broadway, Morningside Heights)
If you’re looking for feel good orchestral music and maybe can’t afford Nutcracker tickets, you can go see the Columbia University Orchestra perform Tchaikovsky’s crowd-pleasing, explosive Symphony No. 4. Also on the program: Valse Triste by Jean Sibelius and Richard Strauss’s Don Juan.
Quelle Chris | 9 pm
Elsewhere Zone One (599 Johnson Ave, Bushwick)
Detroit producer and rapper Quelle Chris is one of those performers who makes you feel like he’s rapping directly to you no matter the size of the room. He’s one of my favorite underground rappers today, with some incredible records to back it up. Tickets are $20 for this late-ish Sunday show. This is the one show all week that’s a do-not-miss. (Doors open at 8)
Monday, December 9
Pay-what-you-can
Marta Sanchez Trio | 9 & 10:15 pm
LunÀtico (486 Halsey St, Bed-Stuy)
An excellent jazz pianist (Marta Sanchez) with an equally great trio (drummer Savannah Harris and bassist Rashaan Carter), I’d go see a show with any one of these musicians on the billing alone, but together they make magic. Pay-what-you-can sets are at 9 and 10:15 at Bar LunÀtico. It’s a small venue that fills up fast, so get there early and treat yourself to some of the amazing food they offer.
Wednesday, December 11
Free
Moment to Moment: The Music of Henry Mancini | 7 pm
Casa Italiana Zerilli – Marimò (24 W 12th St, Greenwich Village)
The home to NYU’s Italian Department Casa Italiana hosts a Christmas party (free snacks!) and concert celebrating 100 years of Hollywood film composer Henry Mancini, known iconic scores including the Pink Panther theme and Moon River. Performed by vocalist Brian Fahey and a jazz quintet. If you’re looking to get cozy in the holiday spirit without the crowds of the Rockefeller Christmas tree lighting, this is it.
Why Are You Single? | 8 pm
Bell House (149 7th St, Gowanus)
This is a comedy show. Host Marie Faustin brings real live single people, who applied to be on the show in advance, up on the stage and goes through their Instagram and grills them one by one to see what red flags that person has. Audience members have red and green flags to chime in, and the winner is the person with the most red flags. It’s a lot of fun, I promise.