Calendar

FAMILY

QUEEN (SPELLING) BEE The New York Botanical Garden teaches children about nature and the alphabet in "Budding Botanists," an early-literacy program for ages 2 through 5. This week, youngsters focus on the letter Q, learning their letters while exploring the world of queen bees, quills, and Queen Anne's lace. The letter theme changes each week; it proceeds, of course, in alphabetical order. Through Friday, October 17, Tuesday–Friday, 1:30–3 p.m., NYBG, Everett Children's Adventure Garden, Bronx River Parkway at Fordham Road, Bronx, 718-817-8700, $20 general, $18 students and seniors, $12 children, free for members and children younger than 2.

ALPHABET CITY The Children's Museum of the Arts presents an exhibit by photographer Joanne Dugan, "ABC 123: Seeing NYC." Images of New York City correspond to each letter of the alphabet, such as "C" and "Chrysler Building" (2005), above. The photographs are taken from Ms. Dugan's books for children, "ABC NYC: A Book About Seeing New York City" and "123 NYC: A Counting Book of New York City" (Abrams). In addition to the pictures, the museum provides alphabet and number-themed activities for visitors of all ages. Through Sunday, tomorrow–Friday, early childhood activities for ages 10 months to 3 1/2 years, 10:45 a.m.–noon, general activities for ages 3 1/12 to 12 years, noon–5 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, general, noon–5 p.m., Children's Museum of the Arts, 182 Lafayette St., between Broome and Grand streets, 212-274-0986, $9.

DANCE

WHAT A CIRCUS "Désir," a show that combines gymnastics, ballet, and circus tricks, shows under Spiegeltent's big top at South Street Seaport. Directed by Wayne Harrison and choreographed by John O'Connell, the show, which revolves around the theme of seduction, features a cast of contortionists, singers, and dancers who take the stage as courtesans, maharajahs, and soldiers. Through Sunday, November 2, Monday, 7:30 p.m., Wednesday and Thursday, 8 p.m., Friday, midnight, Saturday, 6 and 8 p.m., Sunday, 6 p.m., South Street Seaport, Pier 17, Spiegeltent, Fulton Street at Water Street, 212-279-4200, $35-$79.

MUSIC

ACOUSTIC BENEFIT The indie-pop band Nada Surf performs an acoustic set at the Bowery Ballroom, playing songs from its new album, "Lucky," including the melancholic tracks "See Those Bones" and "Weightless." The concert, which raises funds to benefit cancer research, also features musicians Simone White and Richard Buckner, and the bands Sam Champion and Dean & Britta, a husband-and-wife rock duo, both formerly of the band Luna. Today, 7 p.m., Bowery Ballroom, 6 Delancey St., between Chrystie Street and Bowery, 212-533-2111, $20.

TIPPLING MONKS The New York Choral Society performs Carl Orff's "Carmina Burana," a cantata based on a medieval poetry collection of the same name. The German composer's 1937 piece recounts the leisure activities of monks. The audience is invited to join in singing tales of inebriated and love-struck men of the cloth. Conductor John Daly Goodwin leads the program. Tomorrow, 7:30 p.m., Symphony Space, Leonard Nimoy Thalia, 2537 Broadway at 95th Street, 212-864-5400, $15.

WONDERFUL WORLD Jazz musician Victor Lin presents an outdoor, lunchtime performance in Bryant Park. Both a pianist and a violinist, Mr. Lin focuses his talent on the keyboard this week, playing songs such as "What A Wonderful World" and "I Have Decided." A faculty member at the Stanford Jazz Workshop and the director of the jazz program at New York's Calhoun School, he also performs in Lincoln Center's Out of Doors series. Through Friday, noon-1:45 p.m., Bryant Park, Upper Terrace, Sixth Avenue, between 40th and 42nd streets, 212-768-4242, free.

READINGS

RISING WATERS Author Phyllis Montana-Leblanc reads from her book, "Not Just the Levees Broke" (Atria), at the Hue-Man Bookstore in Harlem. The New Orleans-based writer recounts her firsthand experiences of Hurricane Katrina, from the initial weather forecasts to the chaotic aftermath. Her story was featured in director Spike Lee's HBO drama, "When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts" (2006). Today, 6 p.m., Hue-Man Bookstore, 2319 Frederick Douglass Blvd. at 125th Street, 212-665-7400, free.

STYLE GUIDE Fashion guru and editor-at-large for Elle magazine Nina Garcia reads from her book "The One Hundred: A Guide to the Pieces Every Stylish Woman Must Own" (Collins). The "Project Runway" judge explains the 100 pieces that will never go out of style, providing instructions for women seeking to stock their closets with timeless items. Ms. Garcia is also the author of "The Little Black Book of Style" (Collins). Today, 7 p.m., Barnes & Noble, 97 Warren St. at Greenwich Street, 212-587-5389, free.

KEEPING SCORE Among the earliest baseball journalists, Henry Chadwick rose to prominence in the 19th century, designing innovative score-keeping practices and statistics methods. Andrew Schiff's new biography of Chadwick, "The Father of Baseball," traces the Hall of Famer's career, including his tenure as chairman of the first baseball rules committee, during which he invented the concept of batting and earned run averages and made other enduring contributions to the sport. Tomorrow, 6:30 p.m., Mid-Manhattan Library, 455 Fifth Ave. at 40th Street, 212-340-0863, free.

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