Calendar
This article is from the archive of The New York Sun before the launch of its new website in 2022. The Sun has neither altered nor updated such articles but will seek to correct any errors, mis-categorizations or other problems introduced during transfer.
ART
PATTERNED PAINTINGS Paintings by Roger Brown (1941-97) are on display in the first solo exhibit of his work in New York in 10 years. He often used silhouetted figures and patterned forms to create a graphic vision of the American landscape. Through January 15, Tuesday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Adam Baumgold Gallery, 74 E. 79th St., between Park and Madison avenues, 212-861-7338, free.
BENEFITS
SCHOOL DAYS An awards dinner benefits the Inner-City Scholarship Fund. Edward Cardinal Egan presents an award for supporting education to a vice chairman of AIG, Martin Sullivan. The nonprofit scholarship organization provides funds for needy children to attend Catholic schools in New York. Tonight, 6:30 p.m. reception, 7:30 p.m. dinner, Waldorf-Astoria, Park Avenue between 49th and 50th streets, 212-371-1011 ext. 3332, $750.
BEARY NICE Comedian Mo Rocca speaks about his book “All the Presidents’ Pets” (Crown) at a benefit for the Teddy’s Bears for Kids program. The Theodore Roosevelt Association created the program to distribute teddy bears to hospitalized children in honor of “the father of the teddy bear.” Wednesday, 6-9 p.m., Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace National Historic Site, 28 E. 20th St., between Broadway and Park Avenue, 516-921-6319, $50 in advance, $60 at the door (credit cards only).
BOOKS
PUBLIC SOLITUDE The author of “The Fortress of Solitude” (Doubleday) and the new short-story collection “Men and Cartoons” (Doubleday), Jonathan Lethem, reads from his work. Tonight, 6:30 p.m., Cooper Union Great Hall, 7 E. Seventh St. at Third Avenue, 212-866-5798, free.
TREK TALK Kira Salak reads from her book “The Cruelest Journey” (National Geographic Press), about her 600-mile trip down the Niger River to Timbuktu from Mali’s Old Segou. Ms. Salak followed the trail of Scottish explorer Mungo Park, who attempted (and failed) to make the journey in the late 1800s. When Ms. Salak reached her destination, weak with dysentery, she celebrated her arrival by buying the freedom of two slaves with gold. Tonight, 7 p.m., Half King, 505 W. 23rd St. at 10th Avenue, 212-462-4300, free.
DANCE
‘SPIRIT’ SIGNING The artistic director of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Judith Jamison, joins members of the troupe for a signing of “Ailey Spirit: The Journey of an American Dance Company” (Stewart, Tabori and Chang). Tonight, 6 p.m., Hue-Man Bookstore, 2319 Frederick Douglass Boulevard at 125th Street, 212-665-7400, free.
IN THE NOW The NuDanceNow Festival showcases emerging choreographers and companies with a series of performances and workshops. The first two days feature open rehearsals with choreographers, so audiences can observe the creative process (tomorrow and Wednesday, 7 p.m., $5). Performances over the next three days feature the Alpha Omega Theatrical Dance Company, La Manga, and other up-and-coming companies (Thursday-Saturday, 8 p.m., $15 general, $12 seniors and students). All events: The Theatre of the Riverside Church, 91 Claremont Ave., between 120th and 122nd streets, 212-870-6784.
DANCE PREMIERES Jeanette Stoner presents a program of premieres with dancers including Chase Booth, Peter Davis, and Akiko Ko. Thursday-Saturday, 8 p.m., Sunday, 5 p.m., Loft, 83 Leonard St., between Broadway and Church Street, 212-226-1576, $12.
FOOD & DRINK
SIPPING SAKE A sake dinner features a menu of sashimi, sake black cod, sirloin steak, and kabocha (pumpkin) pie. The RKA Sake Club provides drinks and the four-course meal is prepared by the chef from Matsuri, Tadashi Ono. Tonight, 6:30-8:30 p.m., 212-421-7144, Maritime Hotel, Matsuri restaurant, 369 W. 16th St., between Eighth and Ninth avenues, 212-421-7144, $65, reservations required.
HOLIDAYS
PUPPY LOVE Leashes and Lovers presents a holiday cocktail party for New York singles and their dogs. Freshly baked dog biscuits are on the canine menu. Tonight, 7-9 p.m., Biscuits & Bath, 41 W. 13th St. at Fifth Avenue, $25 in advance, $30 at the door.
ICE ESCAPADES Drag-king comedian Murray Hill presents a holiday variety show at the loungey basement venue Fez. “Santa Claus” hosts, and Murray Hill performs a figure skating routine that includes less talent but more laughs than the Olympic variety. Audience members can also compose letters to Santa on the spot, and receive answers right away. Wednesday, 9:30 p.m., Fez Under Time Cafe, 380 Lafayette St. at Great Jones Street, 212-533-7000, $18.
TREE TIME An ornament-making workshop and tree-decorating party precedes the holiday lighting ceremony in Central Park. Band music plays on the plaza at the festival holiday event. Thursday, 4-6 p.m., Central Park, the Charles A. Dana Discovery Center, inside the park at 110th Street between Fifth and Lenox avenues, 212-860-1370, free.
MUSIC
TWO, PLEASE Singer/songwriter Rufus Wainwright signs copies of his new CD, “Want Two.” Tomorrow, 12:30 p.m., Barnes & Noble Union Square, 33 E.17th St. at Broadway, 212-253-0810, free.
CAN-DO CANTINERO Expatriate Brit Chris Hicken’s band, Cantinero, plays his tuneful grown-up pop music with just a little rock ‘n’ roll. Tomorrow, 9 p.m., the Mercury Lounge, 217 E. Houston St., between Ludlow and Essex streets, 212-260-4700, $8.
DEUX ENFANTS The Juilliard Opera Center presents its first main stage production of the year, a French double bill that features Ravel’s “L’enfant et les sortileges” and Debussy’s “L’enfant prodigue.” Yves Abel conducts and Lillian Groag directs. Wednesday and Friday, 8 p.m., Sunday, 2 p.m., the Juilliard Theater, 155 W. 65th St., between Broadway and Amsterdam Avenue, 212-769-7406 for information, 212-721-6500 for tickets, $20.
READINGS
POETIC TRIBUTE The New York Quarterly and the Phoenicia Project present “A Dying Art: The William Packard Festival of Original Works.” Named after the Quarterly’s late founder, the festival includes two evenings of one-act plays and a night of poetry. The plays are inspired by Packard’s writing and teaching; a piece by the poet himself is also included (Thursday and Friday). During the poetry evening, poets published in the Quarterly read from their work (Saturday). All readings: 8 p.m., American Theatre of Actors, Chernuchin Theatre, 314 W. 54th St., between Eighth and Ninth avenues, 212-480-2728, donations requested.
SATIRIC STORIES Actors Alec Baldwin, Rosie Perez, Molly Shannon, and Liev Schreiber read holiday short stories by David Sedaris at a benefit next week. The program includes “Dinah, the Christmas Whore” and “Six to Eight Black Men.” Proceeds benefit the children’s literacy organization Everybody Wins. Monday, December 13, 8 p.m., Studio 54, 254 W. 54th St., between Broadway and Eighth Avenue, 800-494-8497, $25 in advance, $30 at the door.
TALKS
TALKING SHOP Sculptor Josiah McElheny talks about his recent projects inspired by a 1920s conversation between R. Buckminster Fuller and Isamu Noguchi. Tomorrow, 7 p.m., Whitney Museum of American Art, 945 Madison Ave. at 75th Street, 877-944-8639, $8 general, $6 seniors, students, and members, reservations strongly recommended.
REMEMBER NOVEMBER Senator Dole discusses the implications of the presidential election. Tomorrow, 8 p.m., 92nd Street Y, 1395 Lexington Ave. at 92nd Street, 212-415-5500, $25.
THEATER
STORIES FROM SOUTH AFRICA A performance of the new play “Two Men Talking” benefits the support group Friends in Deed, which works with seriously ill patients and their caregivers. Playwrights Paul Browde and Murray Nossell perform in their story about growing up white, wealthy, Jewish, and gay in South Africa during the 1970s. Dan Milne directs. A reception with the performers follows (Ramscale, 463 Washington St. at Watts Street, 13th floor). Tonight, 7 p.m., Bank Street Theatre, 155 Bank St. at Washington Street, 212-316-1070, $100.
SMOKE SIGNALS Comedian Tommy Chong takes over the role he was born to play when he joins the ongoing production of “The Marijuana-Logues.” Mr. Chong appears with the show’s creators, Doug Benson and Tony Camin. Tomorrow through Sunday, December 19, Tuesday-Thursday, 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 8 and 10 p.m., Sunday, 4:20 p.m., the Actors’ Playhouse, 100 Seventh Avenue South, between Christopher and Bleecker streets, 212-239-6200, $55-$65.
SIDE DISH “Side Man” is based on playwright Warren Leight’s memories of a turbulent 1950s childhood as the son of a jazz musician in New York. Through Sunday, Thursday-Saturday, 8 p.m., Sunday, 3 p.m., the Gallery Players, 199 14th St., between Fourth and Fifth avenues, Park Slope, Brooklyn, 718-595-0547, $15 general, $12 seniors and children under 12.
WORKSHOPS
SCULPTING SESSION An afternoon art workshop for adults brings sculpture to the lunch hour. Artist Doris Staal leads the session, which uses a variety of sculptural materials – none of which will ruin work clothes. Wednesday, 12:15-1:05 p.m., Dahesh Museum of Art, 580 Madison Ave., between 56th and 57th streets, 212-759-0606, free with admission, $9 general, $4 seniors and students.
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