ART

POP-UP ART Minnesota artist Thomas Allen uses vintage books and pulp fiction to create photographs of cliff-hanging adventures and femmes fatales. He cuts out figures from the covers or pages of books, poses the cut-outs to create miniature dramas, and photographs them. The new exhibit “Uncovered” includes images of a ship bobbing on a paper sea, a seductress rising from a stack of novels, and castaways bobbing above a waterlogged volume. Through February 5, Wednesday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Foley Gallery, 547 W. 27th St., between Tenth and Eleventh avenues, 212-244-9081, free.

BENEFITS

STARS AND STRIPES The USO of Metropolitan New York honors the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Richard Myers, and the chairman of the Empire State Development Corporation, Charles Gargano, at its annual benefit. The Armed Forces Gala and Gold Medal Dinner features performances by the West Point Glee Club and the Alex Donner Orchestra. Wednesday, 6:30 p.m. reception, 7:30 p.m. dinner, the Plaza Hotel, 212-888-7003, $1,000.

BOOKS

RINGS ARTIST The illustrator of a new centenary edition of J.R.R. Tolkien’s “Lord of the Rings” series, Alan Lee, signs copies of the books. Saturday, noon-2 p.m., Books of Wonder, 18 W. 18th St., between Fifth and Sixth avenues, 212-989-3270, free.

IRANIAN CHILDHOOD Iranian-Jewish writer Farideh Goldin reads from and discusses her book “Wedding Song” (University Press of New England), which tells her story of growing up in the Iranian city of Shiraz during the 1960s. Writer Kate Roiphe leads the discussion, which follows Shabbat morning services. Saturday, 1 p.m., Kane Street Synagogue, 236 Kane St., between Court and Clinton streets, Brooklyn, 718-875-1550, free.

LOVE HURTS The author of “Against Love: A Polemic” (Pantheon), Laura Kipnis, discusses her ode to untethered single hood, which asks, “Why are ‘good’ long-term relationships more work than play?” Saturday, 2 p.m., Brooklyn Public Library, 1044 Eastern Parkway at Grand Army Plaza, Park Slope, Brooklyn, 718-953-4225, free.

CHESS KING Garry Kasparov signs “My Great Predecessors, Part III” (Everyman Chess), his compilation of play from the World Chess Championships in the 1960s and 1970s. Sunday, 2 p.m., Barnes & Noble Lincoln Triangle, 1972 Broadway at 66th Street, 212-595-6859, free.

COMEDY

NEW YAWK MINUTES The short-form improv group New Yawk Tawk, recently reformed under its original director, Richmond Shepard, begins an open-ended run this weekend. Fridays, 10:40 p.m., Tuesdays, 8 p.m., Dillon’s, 245 W. 54th St., between Broadway and Eighth Avenue, 212-307-9797, $10 admission and $10 minimum.

BILL’S BACK Bill Cosby performs at the Apollo Theater for the first time since 1968. His humor is often of the genial family variety, but lately he has been making public statements with a political angle. Sunday, 3 and 7 p.m., Apollo Theater, 253 W. 125th St., between Adam Clayton Powell and Frederick Douglass boulevards, 212-531-5305, $49.50.

DANCE

FLAMENCO FLAVOR The flamenco dance theater Alegrias en la Nacional presents a stage production of flamenco music, songs, and dance. Saturday, 8:30 and 11 p.m., La Nacional townhouse, 239 W. 14th St., between Seventh and Eighth avenues, 917-667-2695, $10, reservations strongly suggested.

FAMILY

WINTER VERSE The founding director of the children’s arts organization the Touchstone Center, Richard Lewis, reads poems for children ages 4 through 10 celebrating winter. Attendees also make their own small book of poems examining the season’s possibilities. Sunday, 11 a.m., Poets House, 72 Spring St., between Lafayette and Crosby streets, 212-431-7920, free.

SOCK SONGS The Dirty Sock Funtime Band celebrates the release of their album, “Mr. Clown & the Day the Sun Got Wet,” with a party and concert for children between ages 4 and 14. Sunday, 1:30 p.m. doors open, 2-3:30 p.m. concert, Dillon’s Restaurant & Lounge, 245 W. 54th St., between Eighth Avenue and Broadway, 212-591-2253, $12 in advance at www.theatermania.com, $15 at the door.

FILM

TRIFFID TRAUMA Wave Hill screens the 1955 horror movie “Tarantula,” about an experimental nutrient intended to prepare for human overpopulation. Instead, the nutrient creates an enormous spider that, in its own way, helps stave off the problem. Saturday, 3 p.m., Wave Hill, West 249th Street and Independence Avenue, Bronx, 718-549-3200 ext. 222, $4 general, $2 members.

EARLY BEAUTY Jean Cocteau’s 1946 film “La Belle et la Bete” is a haunting version of the French fairy tale “Beauty and the Beast,” best known in America through Disney’s incarnation. The film is screened at the Rubin Museum of Art’s “Cabaret Cinema” series in a relaxed setting. Saturday, 7 p.m., Rubin Museum of Art, 150 W. 17th St., between Sixth and Seventh avenues, 212-620-5000, free admission, $12 minimum.

HE’S THE MANN Director Michael Mann discusses his work after a screening of his recent film “Collateral.” Set in Los Angeles, the film follows a contract killer’s coincidental attachment to a cabdriver. The event is part of a retrospective of Mr. Mann’s work presented by the American Museum of the Moving Image. Monday, 7 p.m., Loews Kips Bay Theater, Second Avenue at 32nd Street, 718-784-4520, $18 general, $12 members.

FOOD & DRINK

SMART SIPPING The author of the book “Oldman’s Guide To Outsmarting Wine” (Penguin), Mark Oldman, discusses holiday wine selection. At a tasting, he introduces attendees to basic wine types paired with food prepared by chef Kristof Czartoryski. The menu includes coconut-crusted shrimp, pork tenderloin, and sashimi on cucumber slices. Friday, 7-9 p.m., BLVD, 199 Bowery at Spring Street, 212-982-7767, $40.

HOLIDAYS

FAMILY FESTIVAL A family Chanukah festival includes games, olive oil press demonstrations, dreidels, tzedakah boxes, an instant photo booth, and festive music. Latkes and jelly donuts are served. Sunday, 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., 92nd Street Y, 1395 Lexington Ave. at 92nd Street, 212-996-1100, $15.

CELEBRATE WITH FRIENDS The Young Friends of the Museum of Jewish Heritage host a “candles and cocktails” Chanukah party. Fisherman’s Xylophonic Orchestra provides festive music, and guests can tour the museum during the party. Tuesday, 7 p.m., Museum of Jewish Heritage, 36 Battery Place at Little West Street, 646-437-4321, $60 general, $45 Young Friends members.

MUSIC

FOR THE FOLKS Singer/songwriter Dar Williams plays folk tunes at the Bowery Ballroom. Ana Egge opens. Friday, 8 p.m. doors open, 9 p.m. show, Bowery Ballroom, 6 Delancey St. at Bowery, 212-533-2111, $30.

BACH AND CAROLS Grace Church’s annual Christmas concert features the Episcopal church’s choral society and orchestra performing seasonal works including Bach’s “Magnificat.” The audience is invited to sing carols along with the choir, organ, and orchestra. Friday, 8 p.m., Saturday, 4 p.m., Grace Church in New York, 802 Broadway at 10th Street, 212-254-2000, $20.

GREAT PERFORMER Mezzo-soprano Elizabeth Shammash performs in the next installment of Lincoln Center’s “Great Performers” series. Pianist Israel Gursky joins her for a program that includes works by Faure, Debussy, and Ravel. Composer and conductor Rob Kapilow hosts the series, which takes the theme “What Makes It Great?” Monday, 7:30 p.m., Lincoln Center, Walter Reade Theater, 65th Street between Broadway and Amsterdam Avenue, 212-721-6500, $30.

READINGS

LARK AND ARC Lillian Hellman used her experiences with the McCarthy hearings as the basis for her adaptation of “The Lark,” Jean Anouilh’s 1955 play about the life and trial of Joan of Arc. Vivienne Benesch reads Hellman’s work after a luncheon. Friday, 12:30 p.m. lunch, 1:30 p.m. reading, the National Arts Club, 15 Gramercy Park South, between Irving Place and Gramercy Park West, 212-362-2560, $47. Note: Business attire required.

SHOPPING

TONIC TAG SALE The experimental music venue Tonic hosts a tag sale that has items for hipsters on New Yorkers’ shopping lists. Browsers can check out records, handmade jewelry, baby clothes, and an eclectic book selection while enjoying Bloody Mary drink specials and music from a house DJ. Saturday, 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Tonic, 107 Norfolk St., between Delancey and Rivington streets, 212-358-7501, free.

TALKS

LOOKING AT BOOKS A class at the New York Academy of Medicine provides information for those who want to find out more about historic books in their possession. Issues of authorship, value, and research techniques are discussed. Friday, 10 a.m.-noon, New York Academy of Medicine library, 1216 Fifth Ave. at 103rd Street, 3rd floor, 212-822-7367, $10 general, $5 seniors and students.

FUTURAMA Astrologer Shelley Ackerman gives her forecast for 2005 in a talk that predicts changes in politics, movement in religion, and – unsurprisingly for Manhattan – “an above average number of exquisite weddings.” Sunday, 3 p.m., New York Theosophical Society, 240 E. 53rd St., between Second and Third avenues, 212-758-5521, $10-$15 suggested donation.

THEATER

PLAY TIME Gloria Steinem talks with the cast and playwright of “The Penetration Play” after a performance on Monday. Winter Miller’s edgy dark comedy tells the story of a love triangle set on the Jersey Shore. Josh Hecht directs the 13P production. Monday, 8 p.m. performance, Mint Space, 311 W. 43rd St., between Eighth and Ninth avenues, 212-868-4444, $15.

TOURS

AFTERNOON BEFORE CHRISTMAS A walking tour explores historic Chelsea, with a focus on the neighborhood’s development. The Bowery and Canal Walking Company stroll also touches on holiday themes – Clement Clarke Moore, the writer of “A Visit from Saint Nicholas” lived there on a 94-acre estate during the early 1800s. Sunday, 2 p.m., meet on the southwest corner of West 23rd Street and Seventh Avenue, 212-979-8013, $12 general, $10 seniors and students.

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