BY SCOTT STIFFLER
MONK IN MOTION: THE NEXT FACE OF JAZZ
BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center and the Thelonious Monk Institute’s annual partnership concert series returns, with performances by the finalists from 2014’s Thelonious Monk International Jazz Competition. Three top trumpet players emerged from a Gala Concert event last November, chosen by a judging panel whose members included Quincy Jones and Arturo Sandoval. Each will appear with their combos, performing selections that demonstrate the versatility and skill that made them winners. The winner, Chicago native and current NYC resident Marquis Hill, snared a recording contract with Concord Music Group and secured the opening Jan. 31 slot. On Feb. 14, Billy Buss (who backed up saxophonist Godwin Louis during last year’s series) returns to the “Monk in Motion” stage, this time as a runner-up. Brookynite and respected composer Adam O’Farrill (second runner-up) closes the series, on Feb. 28.
All shows at 7:30 p.m. In Theater 2 at BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center (199 Chambers St. | btw. Greenwich Ave. & West St.). Tickets are $25 for each concert (students/seniors $15). Purchase by calling 212-220-1460, at the box office or at tribecapac.org. For info on the artists, visit monkinstitute.org.
THE NEW YORK NEO-FUTURISTS present “THE HUMAN SYMPHONY”
Those hardworking New York New Futurists deserve a break, considering the pressure they’re under. This is the troupe that performs 30 plays in 60 minutes, twice a week, in the East Village (“Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind”). For their new mainstage production (created and directed by Dylan Marron), you might be the one tasked with breathing life into various permutations of the human condition. These funny, tragic, uplifting, depressing and deeply bizarre scenarios were culled from Marron’s trolling of the web for, well, people who troll the web…for love. The result, “The Human Symphony,” creates a performance ensemble culled from randomly selected audience members. They follow instructions given to them via mp3 tracks, providing the remaining viewers with firsthand accounts of Internet dating in NYC.
Through Feb. 14. Mon., Wed. & Sat at 8 pm. Sun. at 3 p.m. At The New Ohio (the Archive Building at 154 Christopher St. | btw. Greenwich & Washington Sts.). Tickets are $18 online, $20 at the door. For reservations and info, visit nynf.org.
“CHELSEA NIGHTS” FREE CONCERT SERIES
The music in the air has a pleasing indie vibe, when a triple bill of talent appears in the February edition of this new concert series, curated by Brooklyn’s Paper Garden record label. On the first Friday of every month, local artists perform in the halls of Chelsea Market, with occasional breaks to hand out some mighty sweet swag. This month, raffle winners will walk away with a Crosley turntable, a PGR vinyl pack, a Mailchimp hat, a Chelsea Market cookbook and more. The female-fronted lineup features Little Strike at 6:30 p.m., Stranger Cat at 7:15 p.m. and Salt Cathedral at 8 p.m. For a preview of their various strengths and styles, check out littlestrike.com, strangercat.com and saltcathedralmusic.com.
Free. Fri., Feb. 6 with sets beginning at 6:30 p.m. At Chelsea Market (75 9th Ave. | btw. 15th & 16th Sts.). For more info, visit chelseamarket.com.
