ART

ANIMAL INSTINCT Missouri artist Peggy Guest displays horticulturally inspired works in honor of the 90th anniversary of the Children’s Garden at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. Her paintings and sculptures portray plants of all kinds, from real to imagined. In a painting called “Dandy Lions,” hardy weeds dwarf a group of lions admiring themselves in hand mirrors. In the sculpture “Behold the Tortoise Who Carries His House on His Back,” the turtle is carved of balsa wood and decorated with Spanish moss and a nest filled with quail eggs. Ms. Guest began her career in the Army and Air Force during the 1970s and ’80s, creating technical drawings and models. She will make an appearance during the garden’s Harvest Fair on Sunday, September 12. Exhibit opens: Sunday. Runs: Sunday through Sunday, September 12, Tuesday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Steinhardt Conservatory Gallery, parking lot en trance at 900 Washington Ave. at Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn, 718-623-7200, $5 general, $3 seniors and students (Tuesdays: free for all, Fridays: free for seniors, members, and children under 16).

PICTURE PERFECT The comprehensive exhibit 150 Years of Photography in Spain chronicles Spanish photography from the first daguerreotype in Barcelona in 1839 to art photography from the 1990s. Highlights include an 1863 image of Andalusian gypsies, Robert Capa’s iconic Spanish Civil War photograph of a falling man who had been shot in the head, and Alberto Garcia Alix’s elegant 1989 image “Three Females.” Spanish photo historian Publio Lopez Mondejar curated the show, which has been touring internationally since September 2001. Through Friday, August 27, Tuesday-Friday, 12:30-6:30 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Instituto Cervantes, 211-215 E. 49th St., between Second and Third avenues, 212- 64 1607 140 1617308-7720, free.

BENEFITS

HEROIC SWIM New York Families for Autistic Children holds the Swim for Hope to raise money for children with autism in the New York area. A 48-yearold Ben Kramer, a 48-year-old who is himself autistic, will swim the 29 miles around Manhattan Island. Families can register and raise money for the cause (see www.nyfac.org for more information) or cheer Mr. Kramer from various points around Manhattan. After the swim, festivities continue at Antarctica Tavern (Saturday, 5:30 p.m.-1 a.m., 287 Hudson St. at Spring Street, 212-352-1666, $50 cover includes open bar buffet). Saturday, swim from approximately 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Battery Park, near Statue of Liberty Boat Launch, Pier 83, West 42nd Street and Twelfth Avenue, Pier 16, South Street Seaport, Fulton and Water streets, 718-641-3441 ext. 101, free.

A JEWEL OF A CONCERT Tiffany & Co. sponsors the Eos Orchestra summer benefit, which includes a program of three fullystaged short operas. The event takes place in the newly renovated 1905 barn of the founder of Eos, Jonathan Sheffer. Saturday, August 21, 6:30-8:30 p.m., exact location disclosed with ticket purchase, 212-691-6415, $250 and $500.

BOOKS

CARNIVAL IMAGES Author and photographer Lourenso Ramautar gives a slide-illustrated lecture based on his book “Mask: The West Indian-American Carnival” (IntrigueVision). Saturday, 2 p.m., Queensborough Public Library, Langston Hughes Branch, 100-01 Northern Blvd. at 126th Place, Corona, Queens, 718-651-1100, free.

WISH YOU WERE HERE Robert Olen Butler reads from “Had a Good Time: Stories of American Postcards” (Atlantic Monthly). The Pulitzer Prize-winning author draws on 15 early-20th-century postcards as inspiration for his latest volume of short stories, painting a pic ture of love, loneliness, and faith. Monday, 7-8 p.m., Barnes & Noble Chelsea, 675 Sixth Ave. at 21st Street, 212-727-1227, free.

OLYMPIAN FEATS Tony Perrottet discusses his book “The Naked Olympics” (Random House), shows images from ancient vase paintings, and even plays some ancient Greek music. Herodotus unveiled his history during the ancient Greek Olympics, so it is only fitting that this summer’s Greece Olympics bring a reading of a book about the history of the Games. Monday, 7 p.m., The Half King, 505 W. 23rd St. at 10th Avenue, 212-462-4300, free.

BOOKS IN THE CITY Candace Bushnell,author of “Sex and the City” (Warner) and, most recently, “Trading Up” (Hyperion) reads from her new novel. Tuesday, noon, Bryant Park Reading Room, 42nd Street, between Fifth and Sixth avenues, 212-803-5890, free.

DANCE

ALOHA HULA A San Francisco-based hula dance troupe, Na Lei Hulu I Ka Weiku, performs traditional and contemporary hula. The dances are presented with an engaging narrative explaining their significance. The performance is preceded by a film screening, “American Aloha: Hula Beyond Hawaii.” Saturday, 2 p.m., National Museum of the American Indian, 1 Bowling Green, between State and Whitehall streets, 212-514-3700, free.

GREEK TO ME As the Olympics begin in Athens this week, New Yorkers can get into the Greek spirit with traditional folk dances from Greece and Cyprus. The Greek American Folklore Society leads the dances. Saturday, 6:30 p.m., Esplanade Plaza, Liberty Street Bridge at Church Street, 212- 528-2733, free.

FAMILY

PLAY DATE PlayDay, part of the Lincoln Center Out of Doors 2004 series, features interactive music, dance, and puppetry performances for families. The highlight of the event is the Cullman Summer Chess Open, which introduces children to chess and provides them with the opportunity to compete in matches with their peers. Saturday, 2-5 p.m., Lincoln Center plazas, between 62nd and 64th streets and Amsterdam and Columbus avenues, 212-875-5766, free.

BOUNTIFUL BROWN BAGS Chef Aaron Bashy’s Little Buddy Cooking Classes spice up back-to-school lunch-making. Children create a peanut-butter club, a veggie wrap sandwich, homemade potato chips, and chocolate pudding. Following the class, parents can taste their children’s culinary masterpieces. Sunday, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., The Minnow, 442 9th St., between Sixth and Seventh avenues, Park Slope, Brooklyn, 718-832-5500, $60 for each child-parent pair.

FILM

SILENT SCREEN Anthology Film Archives screens “The Mammals of Victoria” (1994) and “The God of Day Had Gone Down Upon Him” (2000), two silent works by filmmaker Stan Brakhage.The films represent Brakhage’s imagined biography of his second wife, Marilyn. A Princeton University professor and Anthology co-founder, P. Adams Sitney, discusses the films after the Saturday screening. Through Thursday, 8 p.m., Anthology Film Archives, 32 Second Ave. at 2nd Street, 212-505-5181, $8 general, $5 students, seniors, and members.

BOWLING FOR LEBOWSKI Lebowski Fest celebrates all things related to the 1998 Coen Brothers film “The Big Lebowski.” A pre-party concert at The Knitting Factory features bands including Bling Kong, The Trouble with Sweeney, and Medina Sod. Jeff “The Dude” Down, a friend of the Coen brothers who inspired the character played by Jeff Bridges in the movie, also makes an appearance. The evening ends with a screening of the movie (Friday, 8 p.m. doors open, 9 p.m. music, midnight movie, The Knitting Factory, 74 Leonard St., between Church Street and Broadway, 212-219-3132, $15, 21 and over). The festival itself takes place at a bowling alley and features contests for best costume, trivia knowledge, and bowling, and an award for the fan who has traveled the farthest to attend. Movie-specific drinks such as White Russians and Oat Sodas are served as refreshments (Saturday, 8 p.m.-1 a.m., The Cozy Bowl, 98-18 Rock 341 1871 460 1881away Blvd., between 98th and 100th streets, Queens,www.lebowskifest.com,$25 includes bowling and shoe rental, but bowling is general admission and not guaranteed).

BRITISH BELLYLAUGHS Makor’s Monty Python-a-Thon screens several movies by the beloved British comedy troupe. Some of the highlights: “Life of Brian,” a 1979 film rereleased this year, is an irreverent spoof of religion (Monday-Thursday). 1971’s “And Now For Something Completely Different” is a collection of refilmed sketches from the classic TV comedy show “Monty Python’s Flying Circus” (Monday, August 23). The 1975 film “Monty Python and the Holy Grail,” which was voted Britain’s favorite British film of all time, screens Thursday, August 26. Monday through Thursday, August 26, Monday-Thursday, 7 and 9 p.m., Makor, 35 W. 67th St., between Central Park West and Columbus Avenue, 212-601-1000, $9. 530 1515 632 1525

MUSIC

TRUMPETS BLARING The Festival of New Trumpet Music is a monthlong celebration including performances and classes at several locations in Manhattan. Upcoming highlights at the 14th Street Y include two performances of original compositions featuring the trumpet. The first program includes works by Laurie Frink, Bach, and Morton Feldman (Sunday, 7 p.m.). The second program features pieces by James Mobberly, Britton Theurer, and Dave Ballou (Monday, 7 p.m.). Mr. Ballou also holds a master class focusing on improvisation for musicians of all styles (Sunday, 2 p.m.). Listed events: 14th Street Y, 344 E. 14th St., between First and Second avenues, $10. See www.fontmusic.org for full schedule and events at other locations. 530 1858 679 1868

THE BEAT GOES ON Cuban-born percussionist Francisco Aguabella has performed with Dizzy Gillespie, Carlos Santana, and Paul Simon. His music fuses traditional African and Latin rhythms with jazz and soul. Tuesday and Wednesday, 8 and 10:30 p.m., The Blue Note, 131 W. 3rd St., between Sixth Avenue and MacDougal Street, 212-475-8592, $25 at tables and $15 at the bar.

NORDIC JAZZ The Jazz House Summer Nights program presents Finnish pianist and composer Mika Pohjolaper playing partly improvised tunes with the help of bassist Thomas Morgan and drummer Mark Ferber. The weekly series is presented on a secluded terrace. The last performance takes place Wednesday, August 25. Wednesday, 6-9 p.m., Scandinavia House, 58 Park Ave., between 37th and 38th streets, 212-879-9779, $3 cover, cash bar. Seewww.scandinaviahouse.orgfor full schedule of performances.

PERSUASIVE PERFORMANCE Brooklynbased group The Persuasions perform their signature R &B a cappella outdoors. Wednesday, 7 p.m., Tobacco Warehouse, Fulton Ferry State Park, between Water Street, New Dock and Main Street, 718-802-0603, free.

DOWNTOWN JAZZ J &R’s JazzFest 2004 consists of three days of free outdoor music and performances by jazz greats including Benny Golson (Thursday), Everette Harp (Friday, August 20), and Melba Moore (Saturday, August 21). Thursday, 5 p.m., Fri day, August 20st, 5 p.m., Saturday, August 21nd,1 p.m., City Hall Park, Broadway and Park Row, 212-238-6305, free.

TALKS

BROOKLYN BOOKS IT The former president of the New-York Historical Soci ety, Kenneth Jackson, and John Manbeck, editors of “The Neighborhoods of Brooklyn” (Yale University Press), discuss the newly revised edition of their book. The book takes the reader on a tour of the 90 neighborhoods of Brooklyn, providing intimate portraits of their history, populations, cultural ac tivities, and abundance of architectural styles. The event is free with museum admission. Sunday, August 22, 2 p.m., Brooklyn Historical Society, 128 Pierrepont St. at Clinton Street, Brooklyn, 718-222-4111, $6 general, $4 students and seniors.

THEATER

IRANIAN LAUGHS Comedian Negin Farsad presents an unconventional perspective on her homeland, Iran, in her one-person show “Bootleg Islam.” Saturday, August 14, 6-6:45 p.m., Saturday, August 21, 3-3:45 p.m., Sunday, August 22, 7-7:45 p.m., Wednesday, August 25, 9:45-10:30 p.m., Thursday, August 26, 6:30-7:15 p.m., Friday, August 27, 9:15-10 p.m., Saturday, August 28, 7-7:45 p.m., Paul Sharpe Contemporary Art, 86 Walker St., between Broadway and Lafayette Street, sixth floor, 212-279-4488, $15.

ITALIAN CHILDHOOD In her one-person show “Tomatoes on a Windowsill,” Rita Andriello re-enacts her childhood in a patriarchal Italian family where Catholicism, opera, and pasta reign supreme. Saturday through Sunday, August 29, Saturday, 7:45 p.m., Wednesday, 10:15 p.m., Wednesday, August 25, 5:15 p.m., Thursday, August 26, 6:30 p.m., Saturday, August 28, 9:45 p.m., Sunday, August 29, noon, The Connelly Theater, 220 E. 4th St., between avenues A and B, 212-279-4488, $15.

AFRICA’S DILEMMA A new musical, “Africa & Plumbridge,” centers on Africa, a young foster girl who is torn between the doctor who wants to commit her and the lawyer who wants to rescue her. Opens: Thursday, 4 p.m. Runs: Thursday through Sunday, August 29, Thursday, 4 p.m., Friday, August 20, 7:15 p.m., Sunday, August 22, noon, Monday, August 23, 10:15 p.m., Sunday, August 29, 2:45 p.m., The Players Theatre, 115 MacDougal St. at W. 3rd Street, 212-279-4488, $15.

TOURS

BROOKLYN CRASH COURSE New York Like a Native presents Brooklyn 101, a walking tour designed to provide an overview of Brooklyn’s history, architecture, lore, and landscape. Stops include Park Slope, Prospect Park, Downtown Brooklyn, and Brooklyn Heights. Saturday, 1:30-4 p.m., 718-393-7537 for meeting place and reservations, $13.

DOWN BY THE RIVER Bike the Borough takes cyclers down Manhattan’s West Side, a ride replete with stunning views of the Hudson and cool river breezes. Sunday, 10 a.m., Inwood Hill Park, Inwood Hill Nature Center, 218th Street and Indian Road, call 311, free.

WORKSHOP

WRITE STUFF The editor of “Fiction Gallery” (Bloomsbury), Alexander Steele, presents The Art of the Short Story, a Gotham Writers’ workshop that teaches the fine points of writing short fiction pieces. Participants read from their work and take part in brief writing exercises on the fundamentals of fiction writing. Thursday, 7-8 p.m., Barnes & Noble, 1972 Broadway at 66th Street, 212-974-8377, free.

To submit an event for consideration for the Calendar, please wire the particulars to calendar@nysun.com, placing the date of the event in the subject line.