The Filtered Excellence: January 2, 2014

Bob Geldof once asked us, “Where is the filtered excellence!?” It’s right here. Here are this weeks picks of the best things to watch, the most interesting things to do, great things to try, the best picks to read, our favorite things to listen to and more:

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WATCH THIS:

The NFL Playoffs Wildcard Weekend.   There’s 4 games this weekend as the NFL playoffs begin and that means Saturday games.  Saturday, January 4th:  Number 5 seed Kansas City Chiefs go to Indianapolis to face the number 4 seed Colts at 4:35pm Eastern on NBC.  Number 6 seed New Orleans visits Philadelphia to take on the NFC East Champs, the number 3 seed Eagles at 8:10pm Eastern on NBC.  Sunday, January 5th:  Number 6 seed San Diego Chargers challenges the number 3 seed Bengals in Cincinnati at 1:05 Eastern on CBS Number 5 seed San Francisco goes to Lambeau to face the number 4 seed Green Bay Packers at 4:40pm Eastern on FOX.

In No Great Hurry: 13 Lessons In Life With Saul Leiter. New York photographer Saul Leiter was one of the first photographers to regularly shoot New York City in color. His work was acclaimed by critics, although relatively unknown to the public. Saul Leiter passed away in November of last year, but not before the final chapter of his life could be documented in “No Great Hurry”. The film deals with his apartment full of photos and memories and how he was handling  the fame that he should have had sooner, but but didn’t arrive until he was in his 80s. The film opens in New York at the Film Society at Lincoln Center on Friday, January 3rd and then in different cities across the country.

 

The Vizio BCS National Championship Game. This is the game played for the title of best team in the nation and that crystal football trophy. This year it’s the number one Florida State Seminoles along with Heisman winner Jameis Winston and his core of highly touted receivers versus the number two Auburn Tigers and their secondary which has been giving up big yardage in its last few games. As of now, the ‘Noles are 8 1/2 point favorites over the Tigers. The game will be settled Monday night on January 6th on ESPN. Coverage starts at 8pm Eastern.

Masterpiece Classic: Downton Abbey – Season 4 Premiere. What’s been called “the most elegant show on television” returns to PBS for a 4th season. The new season picks up 6 months after the death of Matthew Crawley in a car accident. The household is stilling grieving and trying to move on from the tragedy. The new season of “Downton Abbey” premieres Sunday, January 5th at 9pm Eastern on Masterpiece Classic on PBS. Be sure to check your local Public Broadcasting listings for exact times.


DO THIS:

NEW YORK CITY. Indie Essentials: 25 Must-Play Video Games. Now through March 2nd, the Museum of the Moving Image in New York City will host a playable exhibition of video games that represent the indie gaming scene. It’s a demonstration of designers and developers exploring new methods of play for video games. Many of the games on display are IndieCade 2013 Award winners.

 

NEW YORK CITY: Neil Young at Carnegie Hall. Neil Young returns to Carnegie Hall 40 plus years after appearing at the famed venue to preview material from his soon-to-be classic album After The Gold Rush.  While there is zero guarantees that he’ll repeat the feat, solo Neil Young is always a memorable event.  In other words, expect the unexpected.  A few tickets still remain, but they are going fast.  A rare chance to see a legendary singer-songwriter in a venue for the ages.

NEW YORK CITY:  Winter Jazz Festival 1/7 – 1/11.  Now in its 11th year, The Winter Jazz Festival has become the premier place for the best, brightest and upcoming in jazz.  This lineup includes everyone from Dr. Lonnie Smith and Henry Threadgill to new jacks Robert Glasper, Bilal, and Ravi Coltrane.  For fans who love improv-driven music, this is festival is it.

 

CINCINNATI, OHIO. Amy Schumer. One of the funniest stand-ups working today, Amy Schumer comes to Cincinnati on Saturday, January 4th. The star of “Inside Amy Schumer” on Comedy Central, will be performing at the Pavilion at the Horseshoe Casino in Cincy at 8pm. And be sure to watch for the return of Amy’s Comedy Central show in April.

 

MIAMI, FLORIDA. B.B. King. The blues legend who is also number 6 on Rolling Stone’s greatest guitarists of all time, B.B. King is performing Sunday, January 5th in Miami. After almost 70 years in show business, B.B. King is still on the road and performing his blues classics. B.B. will be in concert at Miami’s Knight Concert Hall at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County. Tickets are still available and the show begins at 8pm.

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