The New York Dolls play a 1974 Save Our Libraries rally, in an image from Darleen Rubin’s “Before The Garden” exhibit (through Feb. 25 at Jefferson Market Library).
BEFORE THE GARDEN: AN EXHIBIT OF PHOTOGRAPHS BY DARLEEN RUBIN
Will our city ever swing quite the way it did in the 1970s? Hard to believe unless you lived through it, but there was a time when the walls came down, a green space went up and The New York Dolls headlined a Save Our Libraries rally. Darleen Rubin was there, and captured it all with her trusty camera and her knack for communicating the essence of an era. Having previously exhibited on topics including the waterfront and Rollerena, “Before The Garden” finds Rubin back at Jefferson Market Library with images that chart the slow dismantling of its infamous next door neighbor: the “House of D” women’s detention facility. Closed in 1971, the shuttered eyesore became a garden three years later. The photos in this exhibit include documentation of that legendary library rally, with the Dolls in their glorious glam rock prime.
Free. Through Feb. 25. At Jefferson Market Library (425 Sixth Ave., at 10th St.). Mon./Wed 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Tues./Thurs. 11 a.m.–6 p.m. Fri./Sat. 10 a.m.–5 p.m. For more info, visit nypl.org/events/exhibitions.
Catherine Russell headlines Feb. 19’s Anniversary Gala, which launches the new season of Jack Kleinsinger’s Highlights In Jazz series.
HIGHLIGHTS IN JAZZ 42nd ANNIVERSARY GALA
Produced by the indefatigable Jack Kleinsinger with a mandate to nurture new talent and honor living legends, New York’s longest-running jazz concert series will launch its 43rd season on Feb. 19, with an anniversary gala featuring the swinging jazz and blues of Catherine Russell and her group. This is the acclaimed vocalist’s “Highlights” debut. An all-star quartet of returning veterans (clarinetist/saxophonist Dan Levinson and singer/trumpeter Bria Skonberg with pianist Gordon Webster and bassist/vocalist Nicki Parrott) will play a repertoire of jazz classics. The series continues on March 19, with a Battle of the Saxes. Trombonist Wycliffe Gordon is saluted on May 7, with the guest of honor in attendance — and in performance. June 11’s “Jazz, Past & Present” theme wraps things up, featuring the Highlights In Jazz New Stars (Steven Frieder, tenor saxophone; Benny Benack, trumpet; Dylan Meek, piano; Devin Starks, bass; Kosta Galanopoulos, drums).
All shows start at 8 p.m. at BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center (199 Chambers St. btw. Greenwich & West Sts.). Tickets are $160 for all four concerts, $45 each ($40 for students with valid ID). To order, visit tribecapac.org or call 212-220-1460. Also visit highlightsinjazz.org.
Get good and Frosty, atop the High Line — when your team enters the Snow Sculpt-Off contest (competition deadline, Feb. 28).
HIGH LINE SNOW SCULPT-OFF
With the kind of winter we’ve been having, chances are you’ll be able to make a few good dry runs before submitting your masterpiece in time for the High Line’s Snow Sculpt-Off competition deadline of Feb. 28. When the next flakes fall, check the High Line’s homepage to make sure the park is open — then head to The Porch (W. 15th St.), the 10th Ave. Square (btw. W. 16th & 17th Sts.), the 22nd St. Seating Steps or The Crossroads (W. 30th St.).
Adults or families in teams of five or fewer can enter by snapping a photo of the proud builders aside their snowy creation — via Facebook, Twitter or Instagram, using the hashtag #SculptOff and the category #family or #grownups. Or, email to programs@thehighline.org. Finalists will be posted on the High Line’s social media in March — then the public votes. Winners will get to wrap their frosty mittens around vouchers for sweet treats, sports apparel, coffee, cookbooks, Bluetooth speakers or iPod shuffles. While you patiently await the next blizzard, visit thehighline.org for details and rules.
PS3 is the place to find comics, classics and everything in between — even ephemera — when the Greenwich Village Antiquarian Book Fair sets up shop from Feb. 20–22.
GREENWICH VILLAGE ANTIQUARIAN BOOK FAIR
Drawing 60+ of the East Coast’s best book dealers, this three-day fair offers both the serious bibliophile and the casual browser a delightful opportunity to peruse rare and vintage books spanning the past four centuries — including children’s books, modern first editions, art, photography and design, maps and prints, political flyers, unusual paper ephemera and memorabilia, Dickensiana, paleontology, architecture, autographs, African American studies, film history and comics.
Fri.–Sun. Feb. 20, 6–9 p.m. Feb. 21, 12–6 p.m. Feb. 22, 12–5 p.m. At PS3, the Charrette School (490 Hudson St. btw. Christopher & Grove Sts.). For info, visit gvabookfair.org.
Hideko Rostad’s “Battery Park City” is on view through March 6, as part of BPCPC’s annual art exhibition.
BPCPC’s ANNUAL ART EXHIBITION and WEEKLY ART CLASSES
Battery Park City Parks Conservancy’s annual exhibition focuses on depictions of Battery Park City, the Hudson River and historical architecture of Lower Manhattan. Everything on display was submitted by the public, and represents work from artists of all ages. Inspired? Take advantage of BPCPC’s free weekly art classes for adults, children and preschoolers (May 1–Oct. 31) and your watercolor, charcoal and pen drawing, collage, wood, clay or mixed media work could end up on the Conservancy’s wall at this time next year. For a program calendar, call 212-267-9700 or e-mail info@bpcparks.org.
Free. Weekdays, 2–4 p.m. through March 6. At Battery Park City Parks Conservancy 75 Battery Place (corner of Second Place & Battery Place). For more info, visit bpcparks.org.
