Magical Musical Tour of NYC

1. By Shelley Dempsey
From the neon wonderland of Times Square to the smooth jazz clubs of
Greenwich Village, New York’s music calendar is as busy as the Manhattan
skyline. And the good news is that if Broadway shows are beyond your budget,
music can fit the entertainment bill at a much lower cost, especially in
summertime, when there are free concerts in the parks.
Blues or Broadway or both?
We set out to do a family music tour of New York on a budget and found there
was a lot we could afford, despite the punishing exchange rate. Even the
teenage boy musician was happy – he found pianos to play all over the city. We
found that like Sydney, New York may be a beast that runs on adrenalin, real
estate buzz and rush hour lunacy, but at it’s heart it’s a destination with music
pumping through it’s arteries. Whether it’s a discount Broadway musical, opera
in Central Park, a blues night at BB King’s, a sax serenade in Washington
Square Park, a show-stopping busker on the subway, or a splurge night out to
see a show at Madison Square Garden, New York offers more in the way of
glory for music nuts than just about any other big city on the planet. And there’s
something for everyone.
Just a word of warning here. It’s easy to over-indulge your music passion to
such extremes that this obsession may really annoy the hell out of whoever you
travel with. Wise perhaps to take someone who understands or just go on your
own. Don’t worry, New Yorkers are so friendly that you’ll find someone to talk
to at the bar.
Here are 15 great music must-sees in Manhattan that won’t break the bank.
1. Discount Broadway. Unforgettable. Big musicals such as King Kong
(and plays such as Harry Potter and the Cursed Child) are coming up next
year in 2018, so try to get in early to get tickets. Yes, it is possible to get
discount tickets for most Broadway shows - by using the lottery system,
by getting “rush” tickets by lining up at theatres on the day of
performance or by lining up for same-day tix in Times Square at TKTS.
(http://www.broadwayforbrokepeople.com)
2. Free and cheap summer concerts. Beautiful Central Park and other
parks. Spend a lazy warm night in the most famous and beautiful park in
the world. Whether it’s hip-hop that takes your fancy or a bit of ballet,
summertime is the season for incredible concerts in various parks in New
York. This year’s music calendar has the Charlie Parker Jazz Festival
(free), Elvis Costello & The Imposters ($US55) or the Metropolitan

2. Opera Summer Recital Series at Central Park (free).
www.cityparksfoundation.org/summerstage/
3. Harlem Gospel Tour. Church as you’ve never seen it before. With more
soul and groove than a heavenly choir of angels, this show will wow you
in your seat. See the sights of Harlem by bus, then sing and clap along at
a Pentecostal Revivalist Church with a cast of thousands on stage and a
Michael Jacksonesque concert feel in the air. Unmissable. $US65
www.harlemspirituals.com
4. John Lennon Memorial (Strawberry Fields in Central Park). Eeerily,
like a real gravesite, so take the hankies as it’s really hard not to cry.
Buskers play Lennon songs as quiet tourists and fans quietly pay their
respects to the great man and lay flowers on a mosaic memorial that reads
Imagine. The spooky Dakota Apartments building where he lived and
was murdered in the driveway is just across the road and Yoko still lives
there, so that adds a ghostly and unsettling dimension. Free
www.centralpark.com
5. Blue Note Jazz Club, Greenwich Village. Pretend you are a New York
sophisticate and be transported into the dreamy jazz age. The standard is
so high that you will wish you could go every week. Sunday brunches
cost $US35 per person for table bookings but include brunch, music and a
drink. www.bluenote.net
6. Ellen’s Stardust Diner Times Square. One of the best theme restaurants
in New York. Be blown away by the young voices belting out show tunes
on the catwalk here in this retro 50s style themed American diner, where
the future stars of stage and screen sing for their supper while waiting
table. Many Broadway stars started here. The most fun diner meal you
will ever have, and all for the price of a plate of food. Serves breakfast,
lunch and dinner. www.ellensstardustdiner.com
7. Hill Country BBQ. Nashville is big business these days and this is where
America’s finest country music comes conveniently on a road trip to the big
city. Get down to this Texas-themed country music venue which showcases
real down-home Americana acts served with smoked meats such as brisket
that melt in the mouth. Even those who hate the twang of country music will
love it if you give them a bourbon to keep them happy.
www.hillcountry.com/nyc/
8. Hard Rock Café, Times Square. Seating more than 700, this suitably
large-scale Hard Rock is one of the biggest and does not disappoint. The

3. big screens blast out rockstar clips from Bowie to Bon Jovi and The
Clash and wandering round all the memorabilia alone makes you feel like
you’re in a museum of music royalty. There’s stuff here from The Who,
The Beatles, Madonna, Led Zeppelin, Nirvana, Jimi Hendrix, Billy Joel
and Elvis. A real thrill. www.hardrock.com/cafes/new-york/
9. BB King Blues Club & Grill. Times Square. Here they sing the blues
like nowhere else and you may also catch other shows such as the artist
Lulu or tributes to the Beatles, Sinatra, Bob Dylan or Beyonce. ($US44
for Beatles brunch every Saturday.) www.bbkingblues.com/
10. Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola. Lincoln Center. New York means jazz and
fans will love this jazz space with live shows nightly, southern cuisine
and cocktails, overlooking the Manhattan skyline. Around $US35 to $45
per person. www.jazz.org/dizzys/
11. Mary O’s Irish pub. Get a taste of East Village grunge at one of New
York’s longest-running Irish music jams every Thursday night. The
owner Mary will welcome you herself with open arms as she tends bar.
https://maryos.nyc/
12. The Bitter End. Greenwich Village. New York’s oldest club has nightly
acts and history oozing from every bar coaster. The legendary space has
been around since 1961 and has showcased more famous names than can
be found on Hollywood Boulevard - Lady Gaga, Bob Dylan, Van
Morrison, Woody Allen, Stevie Wonder, Joni Mitchell, Mick Ronson and
Joan Baez. Or if you prefer the unknown element of surprise, the Sunday
songwriters night costs only $US5. www.bitterend.com/
13. Madison Square Garden. Yes it’s a splurge night, but it’s not a trip to
New York if you leave out this famous venue. This year see Katy Perry,
Bruno Mars, Eric Clapton, Neil Diamond’s 50th
anniversary tour, Billy
Joel, Andrea Bocelli or Earth Wind and Fire. www.thegarden.com
14. Washington Square Park, Greenwich Village. Sit in the sun and hear
some of the best buskers in New York City play some smooth sax or
some glorious guitar, perhaps a bit of banjo, double bass or even a harp.
And give them some tips. Free www.nycgovparks.org
15. Sidewalk Café. East Village. An all-ages venue which is handy for
people with youngsters that has the longest-running open mic session in
New York. Indie rock, comedy, soul and more are also on the menu.
www.sidewalkny.com/

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