ARCHITECTURE

CIVIC PRIDE The exhibit “Civic Spirit: Changing the Course of Federal Design” celebrates the 10th anniversary of the U.S. General Services Administration program for design. The exhibit features 20 federal projects from around America and explores how the GSA program has improved the architecture of office buildings, border stations, and other government structures. Through Wednesday, November 10, Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-8 p.m., Saturday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Center for Architecture, 536 La Guardia Place, between Bleecker and West 3rd streets, 212-358-6111, free.

ART

ART ON LOCATION The Chelsea Art Museum’s retrospective of the work of conceptual and environmental artist Agnes Denes closes this weekend. “Projects for Public Spaces” includes proposal drawings, sculptures, photographs, and documentation of public works created by Ms. Denes from 1968 to the present. For 1982’s “Wheatfield: A Confrontation,” the artist planted and harvested 2 acres of wheat in a Battery Park landfill. In the mid-1990s, she built an earth pyramid in Finland and planted 11,000 trees there, intended to last 400 years and to become the first manmade virgin forest. Through Saturday, today, tomorrow, Friday, and Saturday, noon-6 p.m., Thursday, noon-8 p.m., Chelsea Art Museum, 556 W. 22nd St. at Eleventh Avenue, 212-255-0719, $5 general, $2 seniors and students, free for children under 12, pay-what-you-wish Thursdays after 6 p.m.

BENEFITS

WOMEN IN SCIENCE The Weizmann Institute of Science holds a gala to celebrate women who have contributed to science. This year’s “Women of Vision” are the founders of Project A.L.S., sisters Meredith and Valerie Estess, an innovator in breast cancer research, Hadassa Degani, and philanthropist Barbara Levinson. Thursday, 6 p.m. cocktails, 7 p.m. dinner, Mandarin Oriental Hotel, 80 Columbus Circle at West 60th Street, 212-895-7931, $1,000.

BOOKS

ITALIAN-AMERICAN HISTORY Two discussions on the evolution of the Italian-American community take place tomorrow. The co-editor of “The Lost World of Italian-American Radicalism: Politics, Labor and Culture” (Praeger), Gerard Meyer, discusses his study of how radicals shaped the Italian-American community. Tomorrow, 6 p.m., New York University, Bobst Library, 70 Washington Square South at La Guardia Place, 10th floor, 212-998-2596, free. In Brooklyn, the editor of “Are Italians White?” (Routledge), Jennifer Guglielmo, joins contributing authors to discuss the anthology of essays examining the role of perceived race in the Italian-American self-image. Tomorrow, 7:30 p.m., Barnes & Noble Park Slope, 267 Seventh Ave. at 6th Street, Park Slope, Brooklyn, 718-832-9066, free.

SOUTH AFRICAN STORY A correspondent for ABC News, Jim Wooten, reads from his book “We Are All the Same” (Penguin). The book tells the short life story of Nkosi Johnson, a South African boy who was born with HIV and became an international symbol for the AIDS crisis by the time of his death in 2001. Tomorrow, 7:30 p.m., Barnes & Noble Upper West Side, 2289 Broadway at 82nd Street, 212-362-8835, free.

DANCE

JAZZ AND DANCE Jazz at Lincoln Center presents “Jazz in Motion,” a dance and music blend that includes new works by JALC’s artistic director, Wynton Marsalis. Participants include tap-dancer Savion Glover, choreographer Peter Martins, and Joe Chambers and his percussion ensemble. Tomorrow through Friday, 8 p.m., Jazz at Lincoln Center, Frederick P. Rose Hall, Broadway at 60th Street, 212-721-6500, $30-$150.

UKRAINIAN MOVES The 85-member Virsky Ukrainian National Dance Company presents a program of energetic folk dance accompanied by live music. Sunday, 2 p.m., Lehman Center for the Performing Arts, 250 Bedford Park Boulevard West, between Paul and Goulden avenues, Bronx, 718-960-8833, $20-$35.

DESIGN

ART V. DESIGN A symposium on the relationship between design and art features speakers including gallery owner Max Protech, artist Richard Tuttle, and designer Tord Boont je. The daylong event is sponsored by Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum. Its current exhibit, “Design Art,” explores the same topic.

Symposium: Saturday, 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Cooper Union Great Hall, 7 E. 7th St. at Third Avenue, 212-849-8380, $125 general, $75 Cooper-Hewitt members, $25 students. Exhibit: Through February, Tuesday-Thursday, 10 a.m-5 p.m., Friday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Sunday, noon-6 p.m., Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum, 2 E. 91st St. at Fifth Avenue, 212-849-8400, $10 general, $7 seniors and students, free for members and children under 12.

EXPANDING A SHOEBOX The Home Depot hosts a clinic for apartment dwellers who want to make their living spaces seem more spacious. Interior decorator Stephen Saint-Onge gives tips about lighting, opening up kitchen spaces, and making bathrooms feel larger. Saturday, 10 a.m. and noon, the Home Depot, 40 W. 23rd St., between Fifth and Sixth avenues, 212-929-9571, free.

FAMILY

PARTISAN PAGES The “Kids VOTE!” program invites children ages 5 and older to read and compare five recently published children’s books and then to vote for their favorites. After a winner is announced, the favorite book will be read in the museum’s literacy room throughout the week. Today, 11 a.m., noon, 2, 3, and 4 p.m., Children’s Museum of Manhattan, 212 W. 83rd St., between Broadway and Amsterdam Avenue, 212-721-1223, $7 general, $4 seniors, free for children under 1, all activities free with admission.

O BROTHER, DONDE ESTAS? The Society of the Educational Arts/Sociedad Educativa de las Artes, a Latino theater company for young audiences, presents “Little Brothers/Hermanitos.” The new interactive clown comedy uses the style of vaudeville and silent films to tell the story of two brothers who have a competition to see who can dance better, walk better, eat more, laugh funnier, and get messier. Saturdays, November 6 and 20, and December 11, 3 p.m., Teatro Sea at Los Kabayitos Puppet & Children’s Theatre, 107 Suffolk St., between Delancey and Rivington streets, second floor, 212-260-4080 ext. 14, $12 general, $10 children.

‘TWEEN ANGELS The play “Dear Maudie” follows four years in the lives of two New York City schoolgirls through their letters and e-mail, which touch on everything from Brad Pitt to September 11. The play was scheduled to close last weekend but recently added an additional performance. Sunday, noon, the Triad, 158 W. 72nd St., between Columbus and Amsterdam avenues, 212-352-3101, $10 general, $5 for children ages 16 and under.

FILM

BUNUEL IN MEXICO Eighteen rarely seen films by Luis Bunuel are screened during a three-week festival that focuses on the Spanish artist’s work during his exile in Mexico. Highlights include “Una mujer sin amor (A Woman Without Love)” (1952), which follows a woman whose affair comes back to haunt her (tomorrow, 8 p.m.). “The Exterminating Angel” (1962) makes a statement about the ruling class in Franco’s regime – which was responsible for ousting Bunuel from his home – by depicting guests unable to leave an elegant dinner (Friday, November 19, 6 p.m.). Bunuel’s 1954 version of “Wuthering Heights” transports Emily Bronte’s love story from the moors of England to Mexico’s desert chaparral (Wednesday, November 10, 6 p.m., in Spanish only).The screenings are part of the “Mexico Now” cultural festival. Festival: Through Friday, November 19, days and times vary, Instituto Cervantes, 211-215 E. 49th St. at Third Avenue, 212-308-7720, free, reservations recommended. See www.cervantes.org for full schedule.

WORLD PEACE The documentary “Peace Through Understanding” uses archival footage and firsthand recollections to tell the story of the 1964-65 New York World’s Fair. After a screening, historian Marc Miller discusses the fair and its depiction on film. Thursday, 6:30 p.m., CUNY Graduate Center, 365 Fifth Ave. at 34th Street, 212-817-8215, free.

FOOD & DRINK

TASTE OF FREEDOM A South African food festival that coincides with the 10th anniversary of the end of apartheid in the country includes prix-fixe lunches and dinners paired with South African wines. Dishes includes ostrich carpaccio, Durban “bunny chow” (a mutton dish with curry), and traditional Malva pudding. Through Friday, November 12, Millennium UN Plaza Hotel, Ambassador Grill & Lounge, 44th Street between First and Second avenues, 212-702-5014, $25 lunch, $40 dinner, add $15 for wine.

MUSIC

AFTERNOON TUNES Post-election peace can be found at an afternoon recital that’s part of the “Music for the Spirit” series. Borys Medicky performs a program of harpsichord music that includes works by Georg Bohm, Dietrich Buxtehude, and others. Tomorrow, 1:15-1:50 p.m., St. Francis of Assisi Church, 135 W. 31st St., between Sixth and Seventh avenues, 212-967-9157, free.

ZEROING IN The literary-minded band One Ring Zero, which has spent time as McSweeney’s magazine “house band,” performs songs with lyrics by prominent authors. Lyricists present at the event include Rick Moody and Paul Auster. (Jonathan Lethem, Margaret Atwood, and Dave Eggers also contributed songs.) The two-man band signs its accompanying book, “As Smart As We Are: The Author Project” (Soft Skull). Tomorrow, 7 p.m., the Winter Garden at the World Financial Center, 220 Vesey St. at West Street, 212-945-0505, free.

FOLK FAVORITE Folk singer (and Staten Island native) Joan Baez performs the earnest tunes that made her a favorite during the 1960s and ’70s. British folkie Thea Gilmore opens the show (9 p.m.). Friday and Saturday, 8 p.m. doors open, Joan Baez plays at 10:15 p.m., Bowery Ballroom, 6 Delancey St. at Bowery, 866-468-7619, $35, 21 and older.

STYLISH SONGS Fashion designer Isaac Mizrahi croons in a cabaret act that also features jazz pianist Ben Waltzer and his quintet. Fridays through November 12, 7:30 p.m., Joe’s Pub, 425 Lafayette St. at Astor Place, 212-539-8778, $20.

TALKS

SUBURBAN WISDOM A panel discusses the factors that are most important for New Yorkers considering a move to suburbs from city. Westchester realtor Randall Katchis, public school expert Clara Hemphill, and psychoanalyst Michelle Ascher Dunn talk about the meaning of moving. Thursday, 8 p.m., 92nd Street Y, 1395 Lexington Ave. at 92nd Street, 212-415-5500, $25.

REMBRANDT RUMINATIONS Photo archivist Louisa Wood Ruby gives a brief talk titled “A Case of Mistaken Identity?” exploring Rembrandt’s painting “The Polish Rider.” After the talk, listeners can explore the Frick’s galleries. Friday, 4:30 p.m. talk, galleries open until 6 p.m., the Frick Collection, 1 E. 70th St., between Madison and Fifth avenues, 212-288-0700, talk free with admission, $12 general, $8 seniors, $5 students, free for members.

THEATER

SICK PLANS AND PENGUINS The host of the humorous “Rejection Show” reading series, Jon Friedman, is the producer and director of the new short plays “Swollen Head” and “Penguin.” Writer and performer Rich Zeroth’s “Swollen Head” is the story of a fifth-grader desperate for attention who feigns illness 127 days in a row. The result is a rare brain disease diagnosis and a school play devoted to his recovery. Adam Wade’s “Penguin” is a glimpse at high school life as observed by a penguin. Wednesdays, November 3 and November 10, 8 p.m., Saturday, November 13, 7 p.m., Juvie Hall, 24 Bond St. at Lafayette St., 917-650 5878, $7, no reservations.

RATHER FUNNY “Kenneth – What Is the Frequency?” a 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 shouted at Mr. Rather during the attack – posits that postmodern-fiction writer Donald Barthelme ordered the hit on Mr. Rather because of their mutual connection to a 1961 Texas hurricane. 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 performance on Sunday, November 21.

TOUR

WALK IN FIELDS OF GOLD Brooklyn’s “emerald gem” – Prospect Park – is turning to gold, so this weekend is a great time for a tour highlighting its fall foliage. The tour also touches on the park’s early history and the goals of its designers. Stops on the NYC Discovery walking tour include Long Meadow, Nethermead, and the Vale of Cashmere. Saturday, 3:30 p.m., 212-465-3331 for reservations and meeting place, $12.

CARICATURE

POLITICS ON THE PAGE Political caricaturist James Gillray’s (1756-1815) unlucky targets included English monarchs, Napoleon, the aristocracy, and other figures of his era. A new exhibit displays 160 hand-colored etchings and early drawings from the collection of a 19th-century New York governor (and presidential candidate), Samuel Tilden. Gillray’s “The Plumb-pudding in Danger; – or – State Epicures Taking un Petit Souper” (1805), seen above, depicts the two great world powers, represented by England’s prime minister, William Pitt, and the emperor of France, Napoleon I, eagerly slicing up the globe. (England claims the oceans while France takes a generous helping of Europe.) Napoleon was a favorite figure for Gillray, who downplayed his threats – and poked fun at his short stature – by depicting him in various miniscule proportions in his comic panels. At right, “Uncorking Old-Sherry” (1805) shows Pitt responding to a vicious speech that “like a bottle just uncorked, bursts all at once into an explosion of froth and air,” he said. Gillray also dabbled in social satire: “Harmony Before Matrimony” contrasts a blissful courtship with a wife hissing “Torture – Fury – Rage – Despair – I cannot can not bear.” Through January 29, Tuesday and Wednesday, 11 a.m.-7:30 p.m., Thursday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., New York Public Library, Print and Stokes Galleries, Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street, 212-869-8089, 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.