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ART

STORMY WEATHER The exhibit Into the Storm examines artists’ interest in storms in paintings, drawings, and prints. Violent seascapes, gathering clouds, and farmland drenched in rain show how stormy imagery is used to signify both destruction and renewal. The exhibit includes works created between 1800 and 1940 by artists such as Thomas Cole, Jasper Cropsey, and Albert Bierstadt. One section focuses on works by William Trost Richards. Through Sunday, October 10, Wednesday and Thursday, noon-5 p.m., Friday-Sunday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m., The National Academy Museum, 1083 Fifth Ave. at 89th Street, 212-369-4880, free.

BENEFIT

CARING PARTY New York Cares, the city’s largest volunteering organization, hosts an informational happy hour for potential volunteers. The event features music, dancing, and raffle prizes.

Thursday, August 19, 6:30-9:30 p.m., Mission Nightclub, 217 Bowery St., between Prince and Rivington streets, 212-402-1129, $25 in advance, $30 at the door, admission include free drinks.

BOOKS

TENSE THOUGHTS Lauren Grodstein reads from her novel “Reproduction is the Flaw of Love” (Dial). The book focuses on one man’s musings as he awaits the results of his girlfriend’s pregnancy test. Monday, 7 p.m., Barnes & Noble, 106 Court St., between State and Schermerhorn streets, Brooklyn, 718-246-4996, free.

LIFE IN IRAN Roya Hakakian reads from her novel “Journey From the Land of No: A Girl Caught in Revolutionary Iran” (Crown). Ms. Hakakian provides a firstperson account of Iran after the fall of the Shah. Tuesday, 7:30-8:30 p.m., Barnes & Noble, 4 Astor Place at Broadway, 212-420-1322, free.

DANCE

TINY DANCERS The Smuin Ballet performs a program that features the premiere of Michael Smuin’s “Come Dance Me a Song,” a playful ballet set to a medley of Elton John tunes. “Les Noces,” a dance set to Stravinsky, was influenced by traditional Russian folk art. Mr. Smuin is the former director of the San Francisco Ballet, and principal dancer and resident choreographer for American Ballet Theatre. Monday through Saturday, August 21, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, 8 p.m., Wednesday and Saturday, 2 and 8 p.m., the Joyce Theater, 175 Eighth Ave. at 19th Street, 212-242-0800, $40.

FAMILY

MOVING POETRY Museum staff at the New York Transit Museum read poems from the Poetry in Motion series, seen on subway trains throughout the city. Children age 7 and older then have the opportunity to pen their own poetry. The event is free with museum admission. Saturday, 1-2:30 p.m., Sanford Gaster Education Center, New York Transit Museum, corner of Boerum Place and Schermerhorn Street, Brooklyn, 718-694-1600, $5 general, $3 children ages 3-17 and seniors, free for museum members.

FILM

MODERN SPIRITUALITY David Holbrooke’s short documentary “Time For a New God” (2004) features the president of the National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership, Rabbi Irwin Kula, who asserts that the sacred is often not found in a house of worship, but in our relationships with one another. Through Sunday, 5 p.m., The Pioneer Theater, 155 E. 3rd St. at Avenue A, 212-254-3000, $6.

MUSIC

AFRO-LATIN FLAVOR Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra brings 476 1264 587 1274swing uptown with a concert in the Bronx. Pianist Arturo O’Farrill leads the orchestra in a selection of classic and original tunes. The band plays two sets during the show, which is part of its Mambo Madness tour and is sponsored by Lincoln Center Out of Doors. Friday, 7:30 and 9:30 p.m., El Teatro Miranda, Kelly Street between St. John and Legget avenues, Bronx, 718-402-6130, free.

PUB IN THE PARK The series Joe’s Pub in the Park kicks off with a performance by bossanova vocalist Bebel Gilberto (Monday, 7 p.m., $40 general, $35 Joe’s Pub members). The concerts take place on the set for Shakespeare in Central Park’s production “Much Ado About Nothing.” The next day, the series features performances by Jonatha Brooke and Suzanne Vega (Tuesday, $40 general, $35 members). All concerts: 7 p.m., Central Park, Delacorte Theater, enter at 81st Street and Central Park West or 79th Street and Fifth Avenue, 212-239-6200, prices vary and many performances are free. Seewww.publictheater.orgfor more information and full schedule.

THEATER

THE BLUES “Blue Collar,” a program of works by playwright Israel Horovitz,in cludes excerpts from “North Shore Fish” and a new play, “Sins of the Mother.” Both works focus on the toll the depressed fishing industry takes on the residents of one Massachusetts town. Through Sunday, August 22, Thursday-Saturday, 8 p.m., Sunday, 3 p.m., 78th Street Theatre Lab, 236 W. 78th St. at Broadway, third floor, 212-868-4444, $15.

TOURS

WHAT’S IN A NAME? The Municipal Art Society hosts a tour exploring how downtown streets such as Stone, Bridge, and Gold got their names. Urban historian Joe Svehlak hosts the walking tour. Tomorrow, 11 a.m., meet on the steps of the former U.S. Custom House at Broadway and Bowling Green, 212-935-3960, $12 general, $10 members.

HISTORIC HARLEM A tour organized by SwingStreets guides walkers through Harlem’s most beautiful residential blocks, with a special focus on notable architecture, historic sites and the neighborhood’s rich jazz history. Saturday, August 21, 10 a.m., meet at 3940 Broadway at 165th Street, 718-680-6677, $15.