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STRIKES A CHORD: NYC the pitch-perfect destination for music lovers

City That Never Sleeps has an endless playlist of things to see and do

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There’s that famous old joke about a pedestrian on 57th St. who sees a musician exiting a cab and promptly asks, “How do you get to Carnegie Hall?” The artist responds: “Practice.”

The zinger served as a harbinger when I got turned around not once but twice before finally finding my way into the world-renowned New York concert hall. (I clearly need practice with straightforward directions before I can captivate an audience from the Perelman Stage.)

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Once inside, though, I didn’t want to leave. Lock me up in here and throw away the key. There might be a more beautiful, storied hall than the Andrew Carnegie-financed Midtown masterpiece, but probably not.

Opened in 1891 with a performance from famous Russian composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Carnegie Hall has served to cue stardom and lure the world’s best performers, from Benny Goodman to The Beatles, Judy Garland to Elton John and virtually every popular artist across music, comedy and beyond.

Carnegie Hall and its perfect acoustics are manna from the heavens for the music lover and so is the city itself, a grid brimming with an endless playlist. We recently accepted the difficult assignment — taking in six performances and visiting six iconic venues over three nights — to curate some liner notes for the ultimate music-themed getaway in NYC.

To quote Frank Sinatra, “start spreading the news.” Or, for our Swiftie readership, “Welcome to New York, it’s been waiting for you.”

The reception area at the Hard Rock Hotel New York. CHRIS SAUNDERS/HARD ROCK HOTEL
The reception area at the Hard Rock Hotel New York. CHRIS SAUNDERS/HARD ROCK HOTEL

INTRO — ESTABLISHING THE RHYTHM

Before getting to the greatest hits, “rehearsal space” is needed.

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Check-in at the Hard Rock Hotel New York where, aside from offering 446 rocked-out rooms steps from Broadway, the Rockefeller Center and Times Square, there is indeed rehearsal space. Guests can reserve a vintage Fender guitar, headphones and amplifier to create a pop-up studio in their guest room. It’s one of many easter eggs. Personalized in-room playlists, Rock OM yoga, records and record players to borrow, and guitars embroidered on the pillowcases give an idea of how extensive the theming gets (we loved the pick on the wall by the door, meant to support the door latch).

The property doubles as a sort of museum with memorabilia spread across 36 floors, including Elton John’s Statue of Liberty costume in the main lobby and on my 27th floor the trademark VW medallion necklace worn by the Beastie Boys’ Mike D.

Fuel up at Sessions restaurant on the second level. Later, elevate your stay with a visit to the RT60 Rooftop Bar on the 34th floor, named for the perfect measurement of sound: a reverberation time (RT) of 60 decibels. Both establishments regularly host live music and DJs.

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Merch can be purchased in the street-level Rock Shop. Fans of the Hard Rock Cafe brand should know that it’s a quick six-minute walk from the hotel to the café on Broadway.

The 3,765 square feet, two-level Rock Star Suite can be had at the Hard Rock Hotel for a rumoured $15,000 or so per night.

Benny Goodman's clarinet is dispayed inside the Rose Museum at Carnegie Hall. Goodman's orchestra concert at the hall in 1938 is considered one of the greatest jazz concerts in history. JENNIFER TAYLOR PHOTO
Benny Goodman’s clarinet is displayed in the Rose Museum at Carnegie Hall. Goodman’s 1938 orchestra concert here is considered one of the greatest jazz concerts in history. JENNIFER TAYLOR PHOTO

VERSE — WHERE THE SONG’S STORY BEGINS TO UNFOLD

Get into the groove with a visit to Carnegie Hall, regarded by many as the greatest music hall in the world. Attend a concert if you can, but if not, join a guided tour and visit the Rose Museum, which chronicles the hall’s illustrious history. There are more than 400 artifacts displayed, such as a program autographed by The Beatles backstage in 1964 that includes the misspelling of Paul McCartney’s name as ‘John.’

The museum does not charge admission and it’s open Monday through Saturday as scheduling permits.

Keep up the tempo with a visit to New York’s most famous jazz club, the Blue Note, in Greenwich Village, once home to legendary artists such as Dizzy Gillespie, Sarah Vaughn and Canada’s own Oscar Peterson.

The Juilliard Jazz Duke Ellington Ensemble performs at the Blue Note. IAN SHANTZ/TORONTO SUN
The Juilliard Jazz Duke Ellington Ensemble performs at the Blue Note. IAN SHANTZ/TORONTO SUN

Our visit coincided with performances from the Juilliard Jazz Betty Carter Ensemble and Duke Ellington Ensemble (each of the school’s small ensembles is named after a jazz legend.) If these performers were any indication, the future of jazz music is in good hands.

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A scene from Act II of Puccini's La Bohème. MARTY SOHL/MET OPERA
A scene from Act II of Puccini’s La Bohème. MARTY SOHL/MET OPERA

For something a bit grander, get gussied up (or wear your favourite plaid shirt as this Canadian did) and head to The Metropolitan Opera. The opera house within the Lincoln Center on the Upper West Side is truly majestic, the perfect setting to catch a classic performance such as La Bohème, as we did. This first-time opera attendee would suggest doing some background research on the performance ahead of time, to gain a better understanding of what’s unfolding in real-time. Either way, witnessing world-class opera in a world-class city is an unforgettable experience.

Hush Tours guide RayZa shares some knowledge at the Graffiti Wall of Fame in Harlem during the Birthplace of Hip Hop tour. IAN SHANTZ/TORONTO SUN
Hush Tours guide RayZa shares some knowledge at the Graffiti Wall of Fame in Harlem during the Birthplace of Hip Hop tour. IAN SHANTZ/TORONTO SUN

CHORUS — THE CATCHIEST PART

Every music fan visiting New York City should make time to learn about the city’s flourishing hip-hop scene.

The Bronx is, after all, the birthplace of hip-hop culture. It all started with a legendary party on Aug. 11, 1973, at a high-rise apartment complex at 1520 Sedgwick Ave. That site is one of many visited by Hush Tours which takes participants through Harlem and the Bronx for a crash course on hip-hop.

Learn about the culture’s main elements — DJing, MCing, graffiti and breaking — and even get a breaking lesson (don’t call it breakdancing) from a local expert.

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Our guide RayZa (also a globetrotting freestyle artist) kept the energy at maximum levels throughout the bus tour. Some key highlights included the Graffiti Hall of Fame at 106th St. and Park Ave., Spanish Harlem, the Apollo Theater (be sure to rub the Tree of Hope, a stump that artists rubbed for good luck before going on stage), James Brown Way, Harlem World (site of a legendary rap battle that makes Kendrick Lamar and Drake’s look like child’s play), and the famous Rucker Park basketball court where NBA stars have gathered.

“It’s all about community. It brings people together,” RayZa told us of the culture. “Hip-hop has helped and changed lives.”

Hush Tours offers various tours and experiences in Harlem, the Bronx, Brooklyn and Times Square.

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees Dave Matthews Band perform at Madison Square Garden. IAN SHANTZ/TORONTO SUN
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees Dave Matthews Band perform at Madison Square Garden. IAN SHANTZ/TORONTO SUN

BRIDGE — OPTIONAL, INTRODUCING NEW ELEMENTS

Improvisation has forever been celebrated in music and ad-libbing is easy in a city that is ready when you are. We woke up and decided to catch an 11 a.m. performance of the Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall (around the corner from the Hard Rock Hotel). It’s been a holiday tradition at the Rockefeller Center since 1933 and it’s easy to understand why. We’re positive we’ve never seen a greater Christmas performance.

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Get to the Top of the Rock observation deck with an NYC CityPASS, which includes savings for bundled admissions to attractions. If you haven’t been to Rockefeller Plaza, have you even been to the Big Apple? (Pro tip: NYC is great any time of the year but consider visiting when it’s especially magical around the holiday season.)

For music-themed eats, try Amor Cubano in East Harlem. Aside from killer mojitos and authentic Cuban dishes (try the Vaca Frita), there is live music every Friday and Saturday night.

Back in Midtown, Ellen’s Stardust Diner is home to the “original world-famous singing waitstaff.” Can’t say we’ve had French onion soup in a livelier setting.

Back-to-back Dave Matthews Band concerts at Madison Square Garden were far from improvised, having been on our radar for months. Seeing the newly inducted Rock and Roll Hall of Fame band play ‘The World’s Most Famous Arena’ was the stuff of dreams for this music fan. From YYZ to NYC for DMB at MSG. OMG.

It was equally special seeing the Athens, Ga. band Futurebirds play the Bowery Ballroom just down the street from CBGBs and the birthplace of punk, the East Village. The Bowery Ballroom’s sound and sightlines regularly put it in the conversation for the best club in the U.S. and we’ll agree.

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The city’s wealth of concert venues is truly unmatched.

The pastrami sandwich at Katz's deli is worth waiting out the long lineups. IAN SHANTZ/TORONTO SUN
The pastrami sandwich at Katz’s deli is worth waiting out the long lineups. IAN SHANTZ/TORONTO SUN

OUTRO — BRINGS CLOSURE TO THE SONG

While not music-related, our first visit to Katz’s deli was as memorable as the pastrami was piled high. The pop culture connections are strong at this NYC institution, which opened in 1888 on the Lower East Side. It’s easy to spot a photo on the wall of a musician, or a president.

Similarly, Joe’s Pizza doesn’t have big ties to music, but this popular pizza joint is a mandatory stop when visiting NYC. The joint was featured in the Spider-Man 2 movie, which does have a soundtrack.

New York. Concrete jungle where dreams are made of, indeed.

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WHERE WE STAYED

Hard Rock Hotel New York, 159 W 48th St.

HOW WE GOT THERE

We flew direct from Toronto Pearson International Airport to Newark Liberty International Airport with Air Canada and hitched a ride into the city with Blacklane Car Services.

For more information, visit nyctourism.com.

The Empire State Building is seen from the Top of the Rock observation deck at the Rockefeller Center. IAN SHANTZ/TORONTO SUN
The Empire State Building is seen from the Top of the Rock observation deck at the Rockefeller Center. IAN SHANTZ/TORONTO SUN

ishantz@postmedia.com

On X: @IanShantz

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