Every Tuesday at 12:30 p.m., musicians and faculty members from the Juilliard School perform an hour of chamber music at 180 Maiden Lane, just south of South Street Seaport. Usually free, sometimes $20, but half for students and seniors. Info at: 212 769-7406.
Les Lieber, grand master of the alto sax and penny-whistle, and his band play mainstream jazz from noon to 2 p.m. every Friday at the National Arts Club, 15 Gramercy Park South. It’s a short-term gig for Les. He’s only been there since 1965. Admission is free, but they’ll ask you to buy lunch. The food’s good, prices are a la carte. 212 475-3424.
Off for the summer, back in the fall.
Bryant Park — 42nd Street and Sixth Avenue — Noontime outdoor piano sessions. The musicians hold forth from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, in the upper terrace.
Aug. 30-Sept. 3: Frank Owens, a pianist, conductor, arranger, composer.
Sept. 6-Sept.10: Ayako Shirasaki.
Sept. 13-Sept. 17: Larry Ham.
Sept. 20-Sept. 24: Dan Manjovi.
Sept. 27-Oct. 1: Kunk Mikami.
For a full list of Bryant Park activities, including bird walks, yoga sessions, tai chi: www.bryantpark.org/plan-your-visit/calendar.html
All are at the Lang Recital Hall, fourth floor of the North Building. Enter on East 69th Street between Park and Lexington Avenues. Take the elevators on the left. (Elevators on your right don’t go to the fourth floor.)
Back in the fall.
The York Theatre Co. presents actors’ readings of brand new, untried musicals by new and established writers. All are at 3 p.m. at the theater in the basement below St. Peter’s Church, 54 St. at Lexington Ave. The shows are free, but call to reserve tickets: 212 935-5824, Ex. 24. Also see: www.yorktheatre.org
All at 1 p.m. at Elebash Recital Hall, CUNY Graduate Center, 365 5th Ave. at 34th Street. Free, but call to save yourself a seat: 212 817-8215.
The Gotham Jazzmen, led by the musical history-hip piano man Pete Sokolow, play 90 minutes of trad jazz at noon every Tuesday. The Bruno Walter Auditorium, 111 Amsterdam Ave., just south of 65th Street. (That’s at the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, Lincoln Center.) Free. Through June 29.
The jazzmen will return Sept. 21.
On Tuesdays, Central Synagogue sponsors an organ concert at 12:30 p.m. All are free. 652 Lexington Ave. at 55th St. Call for info: (212) 838-5122. Or see: www.centralsynagogue.org/index.php/
The series has concluded for Summer 2010. It will return in the fall.
The legendary jazz joint offers early, low-price shows on weekdays. It’s at 315 W. 44th St., between 8th and 9th avenues. Call 212 581-3080. See: www.birdlandjazz.com/
Wednesdays, 5-7 p.m.: David Ostwald’s Louis Armstrong Centennial Band. $10.
Fridays, 5-7 p.m.: The Birdland Big Band, led by Tommy Igoe. $20.
Sirius XM Live on Broadway happens at noon to 1 p.m. every Wednesday. Seth Rudetsky emcees live broadcasts featuring interviews and performances by Broadway stars. At:
Broadway Concierge and Ticket Center, 1560 Broadway, between 46th and 47th streets. Free.