ARCHITECTURE

WRIGHT TO THE SKY
The Skyscraper Museum presents a lecture series in connection with its exhibit “Frank Lloyd Wright: The Vertical Dimension.” The show’s curator, Hilary Ballon, speaks tonight on “Wright’s Urbanism” (tonight, 6:30 p.m., Center for Architecture, 536 LaGuardia Place, between Bleecker and West 3rd streets, 212-968-1961, free, reservations suggested).The exhibit explores Wright’s high-rise designs. Though the architect is known for his work on horizontal planes, he translated his theories to the vertical for designs including his 1956 Mile-High Skyscraper Project – an 8-foot-tall section of which is on view at the museum. He drew up plans for 12 but only two were built: The Johnson Research Tower in Racine, Wis., and the Price Tower in Bartlesville, Okla. Exhibit: Through January 9, Wednesday-Sunday, noon-6 p.m., Skyscraper Museum, 39 Battery Place at Little West Street, 212-968-1961, $5 general, $2.50 seniors and students.

BENEFITS

EQUAL NIGHT
Asian Americans for Equality celebrates its 30th anniversary with a gala dinner honoring Senator Inouye and the president of Asia So ciety, Vishakha Desai, among others. An art exhibit, “Now: Contemporary Asian American Artists,” opens and music is provided by Second Generation and Kevin So. Friday, 6 p.m. reception, 7 p.m. dinner and awards, Grand Hyatt New York Hotel, Empire State ballroom, Park Avenue and 42nd Street, 212-680-1374 ext. 110, $250.

BOOKS

MATTERS OF LIFE AND DEATH
A writer for The New Yorker, Lawrence Weschler, discusses and reads from his book “Vermeer in Bosnia: Cultural Comedies and Political Tragedies” (Pantheon). The essay collection covers such disparate ground as the Yugoslav war crimes tribunal, David Hockney’s inspirations, and Roman Polanski’s survival of World War II. Tonight, 6 p.m., Coliseum Books, 11 W. 42nd St., between Fifth and Sixth avenues, 212-803-5890, free.

MAIN MANN
Michael Henry Heim reads from his translation of Thomas Mann’s “Death in Venice” (Ecco), which includes an introduction by Michael Cunningham. Mr. Heim has also translated works by Anton Chekhov and Milan Kundera. Tomorrow, 7 p.m., 192 Books, 192 Tenth Ave. at 21st Street, 212-255-4022, free, reservations requested.

FAMILY

BEARDEN BONANZA
In conjunction with the new exhibit “The Art of Romare Bearden,” the Whitney presents a program of family activities designed to help children understand Bearden’s work. Storyteller Tammy Hall retells a story written and illustrated by Bearden and the Mathew Rybicky Quartet plays a narrated jazz concert (Saturday only). Artist Allen Eisenstein transforms the museum’s lobby and lower gallery into a fantastical space filled with colorful balloon sculptures. Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Whitney Museum of American Art, 945 Madison Ave. at 75th Street, 212-671-5300, free for families, registration requested.

MUSIC

SPINET DOCTORS
Artist Birgit Ramsauer collaborates with composers, dancers, and poets in her “Spinet” pieces, which use the instrument in various forms of music. The first evening of performances focus on contemporary compositions. A panel discussion featuring acoustics professor Jim Abbot, German pianist Jens Barniek, Swiss composer Katharina Rosenberger, and others kicks off the evening (tomorrow, 6 p.m.).Then, a con cert of spinet pieces by composers from Germany, Italy, and Switzerland puts music to the panel’s words (tomorrow, 8 p.m.). The next evening focuses on experimental spinet works, again with a panel discussion and performance (Friday, 6 p.m. talk, 8 p.m. performance). Both sessions: Cooper Union Great Hall, 7 E. 7th St. at Third Avenue, 212-353-4195, free.

PARKER BROTHER
Toby Parker (Sarah Jessica’s brother) croons on stage as part of a cabaret act featuring old and new standards. Saturdays through November 20, 7:30 p.m., Opia, 130 E. 57th St. at Lexington Avenue, 212-688-3939, $25.

SHOPPING

FASHION FORWARD
A selection of Meatpacking District boutiques hold trunk shows to preview their holiday, spring, and summer must-haves. Shoppers can enjoy a champagne reception at several of the boutiques on opening night. 720 1343 877 1354Participating stores include Alexander McQueen, La Perla, and Rubin Chapelle. Receptions: Thursday, 6-8 p.m. Shopping: Thursday through Saturday, times vary, locations on West Side between Jane and 15th streets, 212-929-7525, free. See www.meatpacking-district.com for full list of stores. 915 1093 990 1103

TALKS

PHILOSOPHY ON THE COUCH
Feminist philosopher Julia Kristeva lectures on “Narration in Literature and Psychoanalysis.” Tomorrow, 6 p.m., NYU Vanderbilt Hall, Tishman Auditorium, 40 Washington Square South, between MacDougal and Sullivan streets, 212-998-8661, free.

THEATER

DOT-COM CAWDER
Alexandre Marine’s play “Macbeth.com” is set during a presidential election and uses video news footage, live actors, and filmed scenes to tell the story of an anti-globalization hacker. The conflict, appropriate for the digital age, ends in an epic computer game battle. Through Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Sargent Theatre, 314 W. 54th St., between Eighth and Ninth avenues, 212-868-4444, $15.

RATHER FUNNY
“Kenneth – What Is the Frequency?” a new dark comedy, examines the assault on Dan Rather on the street in New York City in 1986. Paul Allman’s play – the title is taken from the words of Mr. Rather’s attackers – posits that postmodern-fiction writer Donald Barthelme ordered the hit on Mr. Rather because of their mutual connection to a 1961 Texas hurricane. Opens: Sunday, 8 p.m. Runs: Sunday through Sunday, November 21, Thursday-Saturday, 8 p.m. 78th Street Theatre Lab, 236 W. 78th St., between Amsterdam Avenue and Broadway, 212-868-4444, $15. Additional performances on Sundays, October 24 and November 21.

TOURS

LIFE IN A NORTHERN BOROUGH
A walking tour of the Bronx includes a visit to Poe Cottage. In the clapboard building, Edgar Allen Poe nursed his wife Virginia as she succumbed to tuberculosis; later he wrote “Annabel Lee” in her memory there. The tour follows Fordham Road to Belmont, where walkers can have lunch at one of the neighborhood’s Italian salumerias, bakeries, or pasta shops. A visit to the Hall of Fame for Great Americans, on NYU’s former campus, concludes the walk. Saturday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., meet on the northeast corner of Fordham Road and the Grand Concourse, Bronx, 212-439-1049, $20.

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