NYC Arts: The Complete Guide to Art and Culture

At an age when most 8-year-olds are just learning the words to "Baby Beluga," Christina Bianco was performing them on Broadway, with Raffi himself.

The actress and singer later originated the role of Dora in the long-running Dora the Explorer Live and has since starred in over 40 theater productions, including RENT, Evita and Forbidden Broadway, for which she nabbed a Drama Desk nomination. Today you can see her in Newsical the Musical and around town as a fixture at New York City's cabaret rooms.

The busy performer took an intermission from her busy showbiz schedule to share with NYC-ARTS her favorite venues, artist haunts and places to soak up New York culture.

Christina Bianco:

My favorite thing about New York is also my least favorite—there is always so much going on! You don’t ever have to do the same thing twice, yet it’s impossible to take advantage of every opportunity.

This is particularly true with the arts. I’m always wondering what I’m missing. There are so many cabarets, museum exhibits and shows out there, but who has the time or money to see them all?  Often, the most publicized and popular art in the city is the most expensive and most fleeting. But the good news is that some of the most affordable arts in the city are also the most permanent!

Recently, I’ve found myself going back to my favorite haunts from my college days at NYU's Tisch School of the Arts. Happily, they are all still as thrilling and lively as I remember them.

The Broadway Playhouse Series at Merkin Hall is an educational concert for the whole family that spotlights the work of a different composer or lyricist each time. Very often, the subjects themselves (most recently Alan Menken and Tom Jones) attend to share the stories behind the songs. Interactive games and sing-alongs keep the kids happy and the enthusiasm of the audience is contagious!

Taci Opera Nights at Cafe Taci is a chance to see professional opera singers letting loose after-hours performing their favorite arias, often with a cocktail in hand! It’s a unique chance to feel laid back while listening to Wagner. Plus, there's no cover.

Broadway Ballyhoo at Feinstein’s is the best deal for your dollar! It's a musical revue that’s different every week starring an ever changing lineup of Broadway and cabaret stars. You’ll never see this many celebrities in one room singing and drinking together.

The Knickerbocker Bar and Grill is this classic Village restaurant where you can sit down for dinner, dessert or just a drink at the bar. There is never a cover, and you get to hear incredible live jazz, including legends like Bucky Pizzarelli, Junior Mance and Ron Carter.

The York Theatre Company is an NYC theater institution. It produces new musical works and rediscovers forgotten gems. Performances are always affordable and often, free.

Can’t afford opera at The Met? You can watch it live for about $18 at The Met Live in HD at The Film Society of Lincoln Center. You also get the bonus of being able to eat popcorn during the performance!

While you walk along the beautiful High Line, enjoy ever changing, free, local art commissioned by High Line Art. From videos to performances to sculptures, new pieces are added all the time. 

Smalls is a fabulously dark and small jazz dive that showcases up-and-coming talent. Once you’ve entered and paid the cover, you can stay all night!