New York City (Fodor's, 2012) - Fodor's [103]
First-run domestic and foreign films—with a firm commitment to independent ones—are the fare at the IFC Center (323 6th Ave., at 3rd St., Greenwich Village | 10014 | 212/925–7771 | www.ifccenter.com | Subway: A, B, C, D, E, F, M to West 4th St./Washington Sq.). Despite the mod wire-mesh facade, there are still clues that this was once the iconic Waverly Theater.
Movie lovers are quite attached to the Quad Cinema (34 W. 13th St., between 5th and 6th Aves., Greenwich Village | 10011 | 212/255–2243 | www.quadcinema.com | Subway: 1, 2, 3, F, M to 14th St.; L to 6th Ave.) despite the patina of its early 1970s vintage—probably because the four teacup-size theaters feel so much like their own private screening rooms. A finely balanced selection of first-run art documentaries and foreign films is the fare here.
Music
Bleecker Street holds onto its musical history a bit longer with the timely conversion of the venerable Village Gate location to the 2008 upstart (Le) Poisson Rouge (158 Bleecker St., between Sullivan and Thompson Sts., Greenwich Village | 10012 | 212/503–3474 | lepoissonrouge.com | Subway: A, B, C, D, E, F, M to W. 4th St./Washington Sq.).The sound system is quite good, and the layout rewards those who like to get up close to the artists—which is especially nice if you’re there for one of their classical chamber shows or a fine guitarist.
Other times the music mix runs from Afropop to electronic, indie, jazz, and DJ. As at most clubs, you’re not assured a seat, so get here early and be prepared for a minimum drink charge as well.
Readings and Lectures
The Center for Architecture (536 LaGuardia Pl., between W. 3rd and Bleecker Sts., Greenwich Village | 10012 | 212/683–0023 | www.aiany.org | Subway: A, B, C, D, E, F, M to W. 4th St./Washington Sq.), a contemporary glass-faced gallery, hosts lively discussions (which may be accompanied by films or other visuals) on topics like radical architecture in Mexico City or visionary American architects of the 1930s.
The Cornelia Street Café (29 Cornelia St., between W. 4th and Bleecker Sts., Greenwich Village | 10014 | 212/989–9319 | www.corneliastreetcafe.com | Subway: A, B, C, D, E, F, M to W. 4th St./Washington Sq.) is a good bet for original poetry—the Pink Pony West open-mike series takes place here—and fiction and nonfiction readings, live jazz, and a good meal serving up dishes such as steak frites and black sesame–crusted salmon as well.
At The New School (66 W. 12th St., between 5th and 6th Aves., Greenwich Village | 10011 | 212/229–5488 | www.newschool.edu/events | Subway: 1, 2, 3, F, M to 14th St.) topical panels predominate (Women Writers of the Diaspora), but are complemented with poetry (An Evening with John Ashbery) and film; expect incisive and thought-provoking results, whether the subject is philosophy, economics, or design. Jazz and chamber music performances are also part of New School’s low-priced lineup ($5 is typical for panel events; free–$20 for music).
The venerable New York Studio School (8 W. 8th St., between 5th and 6th Aves., Greenwich Village | 10011 | 212/673–6466 | www.nyss.org | Subway: A, B, C, D, E, F, M to W. 4th St./Washington Sq.) hosts two—usually free, almost always on Tuesday and Wednesday—evening lecture series on contemporary issues in art. Hear from both emerging and established artists, and from some of the biggest names in art history and criticism.
Theater
A pristine wood-lined theater, the 866-seat Skirball Center for the Performing Arts (566 LaGuardia Pl., at Washington Sq. S, Greenwich Village | 10012 | 212/352–3101 tickets | www.skirballcenter.nyu.edu | Subway: A, B, C, D, E, F, M to W. 4th St./Washington Sq.), supports emerging artists, with a growing repertoire of