Fresh back from a trip to the wild, wild west (well … San Francisco), I’ve gotta be honest to my home city: New York, you’ve got some catching up to do. Okay, okay … I may have been bitten by the SF bug and am therefore seeing the city through rose-colored glasses, but from world-class food to dynamic topography, it offers a lot in little space. Friendly hipsters, garbage-free sidewalks, artisanal cocktails under $14, and coffee to rival NYC’s hoity-toitiest brewers. One thing that may be admittedly lacking, however, is a hearty music scene … and certainly at the very least, a folk music scene.
Case in point: I’ve been excited for weeks about getting to see Israeli mandolinist Avi Avital at Carnegie Hall. The marriage of Avital and his brand of folk-inspired songs to the iconic Carnegie in the midst of a magical New York is something unique to the Big Apple. (You can learn more about Avital and his journey to Carnegie in a series of videos, one of which is posted below.)
And then, there’s also the knowledge that on just about any night of the week, local haunts like Rockwood Music Hall and Jalopy are ready, waiting and brimming with bluegrass talent to be shared (this week it’s Chris Eldridge and Miss Tess and the Talkbacks, for starters).
So all this to say – folkers, do not be dissuaded by my fickle and jaded disposition toward our fine, banjo-laden island. It’s sure to fade.
Wednesday, January 15
8:00 p.m. — Chris Eldridge and Julian Lage at Rockwood Music Hall Stage 3
10:00 p.m. — Bridget Davis at Rockwood Music Hall Stage 1
Friday, January 17
8:00 p.m. — Avi Avital at Carnegie Hall
8:00 p.m. — Charles Bradley and His Extraordinaires at Bowery Ballroom
Saturday, January 18
8:00 p.m. — Charles Bradley and His Extraordinaires at Music Hall of Williamsburg
10:00 p.m. — Miss Tess and the Talkbacks at Jalopy Tavern
grass clippings - Piles of Americana & bluegrass news, reviews and festivals 