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 Welcome to A Nite Out NYC ... 
                            your source for the real New York!

The Darktown Strutters' Ball 
A Great New Musical Revue from
The American Composer Series
at Don't Tell Mama on Restaurant Row

That jewel for lovers of great American songs from the "Tin Pan Alley" era, The American Composer Series, returns with its 15th production, The Darktown Strutters' Ball, a celebration of the music of three great African American composers.  

Musical director Earl Wentz, crafted this fast-paced, funny, and sentimental hour-long revue of music by these composers, who, despite their contributions of dozens of popular and jazz standards, have been too-often overlooked in the Great American Songbook. 

The composers are Shelton Brooks, Maceo Pinkard, and Spencer Williams.  And if you love popular American music, you already are familiar with their work.  They are responsible for such standards as "Sweet Georgia Brown," "Them There Eyes," "Basin Street Blues," and "Some of These Days."  The show's title is taken from Shelton Brooks's 1917 hit that begins with the famous lyric, "I'll be down to get you in a taxi, honey..." and that has been recorded by artists as diverse as Alberta Hunter, Fats Domino, Pete Fountain, Chet Atkins, and The Beach Boys.  You'll hear all of those and 20 more performed by Sheryl Fields, Nicole Pacent, Ravin Patterson, and William Watkins.  Both Pacent and Patterson make their cabaret debuts with this production, while Fields and Watkins are cabaret- and American Composer Series- veterans. Series creator Earl Wentz will accompany on the piano at each performance.

Earl Wentz's credits include guest appearances with the Nashville, Charleston, Glenn Miller, and Jan Garber Orchestras and at such varied venues as the Fontainebleau Hotel in Miami, the Greenbrier, and the UN. He has been featured as a performer/director/arranger/composer from coast to coast.  Wentz is music and artistic director for the ongoing American Composer Series, which he created in 2000.

Catch this show while the fun lasts at Don't Tell Mama on New York City's Restaurant Row at 343 W. 46th Street.  We haven't tried their new menu yet but either check it out or enjoy a great meal before or after the show at one of the many great spots along the street.

Show Dates and TimesThe American Composer Series plays limited runs.  We highly recommend making reservations early.

Tuesday, July 21, 2009 - 7:00 p.m.

Thursday, July 23, 2009 - 8:30 p.m.

Friday, July 24, 2009 - 7:00 p.m.

Saturday, July 25, 2009 - 8:30 p.m.

Reservations:  Call Don't Tell Mama any day after 4:00 p.m. at (212) 757-0788.  Or reserve online right away by clicking on www.donttellmamanyc.com.

There is a $15 cover charge and a 2-drink minimum. 
Please note: Don't Tell Mama accepts cash only in its show rooms (no credit cards).

Getting There: 

Don't Tell Mama is on Restaurant Row (46th Street between 8th and 9th Avenues) in midtown Manhattan.

By Subway: (Options abound!)

8th Avenue Subway - "A", "C", or "E" train to 42nd Street/Port Authority.  Exit and walk 4 blocks north on 8th Avenue.  Turn left on 46th Street and walk about a half a block.

7th Avenue Subway - "1", "2", or "3" train to 42nd Street/Times Square.  Exit and walk one block west to 8th Avenue.  Turn left on 46th Street and walk about half a block.

Broadway Subway - "N", "Q", "R", "W" train to 42nd Street/Times Square.  Exit and walk one block west to 8th Avenue.  Turn left on 46th Street and walk about half a block.

42nd Street/Flushing Subway - "7" train to 42nd Street/Times Square.  Exit and walk one block west to 8th Avenue.  Turn left on 46th Street and walk about half a block.42nd Street Shuttle Subway - "S" train from Grand Central Station to 42nd Street/Times Square.  Exit and walk one block west to 8th Avenue.  Turn left on 46th Street and walk about half a block.

By Taxi:

Restaurant Row is cruised regularly by yellow taxi cabs that can be hailed from the curb.  The competition can be fierce depending on time of day and weather!

If you're in the fashionable Chelsea area, be sure to check out La Belle Vie on 8th Avenue (184 Eighth Ave. between 19th & 20th Streets.) You'll find friendly, efficient service, and a menu of French bistro food that's reasonably priced located in a charming setting that actually looks like the kind of warm neighborhood spot you'd find in France without being over the top or "trying to hard." 

The menu is extensive.  We love the incredible steak au poivre, flambeed with cognac and peppercorns and served with a generous portion of pommes frites. At $20.95, it's the most expensive item on the menu but cetainly worth it. You won't go wrong with the classic Coq au Vin, tender chicken cooked in red wine, at just $16.95 or the Cassoulet Toulousaine -- a hearty stew chock full of beans, duck, lamb, pork and garlic sausage. It's a generous portion of homey French deliciousness for $19.95.

If you're heading to the theatre or just in the mood for an early supper, La Belle Vie also offers a prix fixe menu for $21.95, served Monday through Sunday from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm.  We wish this otherwise excellent place would spruce up their dessert menu a bit with a few more creative items, although we recommend without hesitation the fabulous souffles. The chocolate one is completely decadent. Should you decide to indulge, you'll need to place your order at the same time you order your meal due to the long preparation time.

La Belle Vie offers a full bar at pretty much the standard NYC prices for cocktails (starting at around $9.00 depending on what you order and whether you specify brands) and a fairly extensive wine list with prices running from the reasonable to the expensive. Our wait staff has always been knowledgeable and made excellent recommendations whenever we've asked.

In fair weather, sidewalk dining is an option, although we don't see the point in competing with the traffic noise and the crush of the boisterous throngs on the sidewalks, especially when inside is so roomy.  The front section of the restaurant, near the bar, can be a bit on the noisy side.  Quiet conversation is a bit easier towards the back.  We found the piped-in music a little too loud on one occasion and asked nicely that it be adjusted.  They did, without question, and we've been going back ever since.

Getting There: 

La Belle Vie is on 8th Avenue between 19th & 20th Streets in the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan.

By Subway: (Options abound!)

  • 8th Avenue Subway - "C", or "E" train to 23rd Street.  Exit and walk 3 1/2 blocks south on 8th Avenue.  
  • 7th Avenue Subway - "1" train to 18th Street.  Exit and walk one block west to 8th Avenue.  Turn right on 8th Avenue walk 1 1/2 blocks north.
  • 14th Street Subway - "L" train to Eighth Avenue.  Exit and walk 5 1/2 blocks north on 8th Avenue. 

By Taxi:

  • Chelsea is a busy neighborhood especially during evening hours and weekends.  Yellow taxi cabs that can be hailed from the curb cruise the area but are often difficult to come by due to the crowds.  Competition increases depending on time of day and weather.  Consider public transportation if at all possible. 

A Little Tip About Getting Around New York

Best Bet:  The Metropolitan Transportation Authority's (MTA) Metrocard "1-Day Fun Pass"

  • Good for unlimited subway and local bus rides from first use until 3 a.m. the following day.
  • Sold at MetroCard vending machines throughout the subway system and at some neighborhood stores and newstands.  Not available at station booths.
  • Cost: $8.25.  (Usual subway and bus fare is $2.25 per ride.)

Probably the fastest, cheapest, and "greenest" way to get around New York City is its much-celebrated public transportation system, especially the New York City subway.

At $2.25 per ride, it's a bargain!

And...did you know that you can transfer from the subway to the bus for free if you use an MTA Metrocard? 

Metrocards in varying denominations are available at subway token booths and vending machines within the MTA system.  (You can even use your credit or debit card to purchase one at the vending machines!)  Otherwise, it's exact change only (no bills!) on the bus.

Check out our other "Little Tips" in the "Little Tips" Archive.

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c. 2008

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