ART

MEAT AND POTATOES Ralph Eugene Meatyard (1925-72), an optometrist who took pictures at weekends and developed and printed his photographs in a small home darkroom, captured life in small-town America. An exibition of his work features a selection of more than 150 images chosen by scholar, poet, and friend of the artist Guy Davenport. Through February 27, Tuesday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Friday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. International Center for Photography,1133 Sixth Avenue at 43rd Street, 212-857-0000, $10 general admission, $7 seniors and students.

RIVER OF DREAMS Video artist Rosalind Schneider exhibits her projected-video installation “River Meditations” in the display windows of the Donnell Library Center. The work uses images recorded from the banks of the Hudson River during the winters of 1999 and 2003. Ms. Schneider discusses the work and shows related work on January 20 at 6 p.m. at the library. Exhibit: January 6-February 6, on view 24 hours, Donnell Library Center, 20 W. 53rd St., between Fifth and Sixth avenues, 212-621-0619, free.

SEEING THE CITY The Precisionist artist Louis Lozowick (1892-1973) immigrated to America from Russia in 1906 and was inspired by his adopted country’s developing industrial landscape. Many of his works focus on machinery, bridges, and skyscrapers. The paintings and lithographs in the exhibit “Building a City” date from the 1920s and 1930s. Included is a series of New York bridges, including the Brooklyn, Queensboro, and Williamsburg. A 1925 lithograph titled “Minneapolis” is one of several on view that incorporate harsh geometric angles, inspired by Cubism, in a bustling cityscape. The exhibit also features art inspired by granite quarries he visited during summers spent in Rockport, Mass. He was intrigued by the process by which the raw blocks were extracted from the earth to be used to pave Manhattan and build the Chrysler Building. Through Wednesday, January 22, Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Mary Ryan Gallery, 24 W. 57th St., between Fifth and Sixth avenues, 212-397-0669, free.

DEBATES

HAMILTONIAN SPIRIT Aumni from the law schools of Columbia University and the University of Virginia take the viewpoints of Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson, respectively, in a debate on which man had the greatest impact on modern America. The exhibit on Hamilton at the New-York Historical Society will be open for viewing before and during the debate. Thursday, January 6, 6:30 p.m., New-York Historical Society, 170 Central Park West, between 76th and 77th streets, 212-873-3400, $10 general, $5 members, seniors, students.

FILM

MARQUEE DANCE The Dance on Camera Festival celebrates the cinematic beauty of tango, tap, ballet, and trance. A highlight of the festival, presented by the Dance Film Association and the Film Society of Lincoln Center, is the ballet film “The Red Shoes” (Friday, January 7, 3 476 1027 564 1037p.m., and Friday, January 21, 6:15 p.m.). Festival: Friday and Saturday, January 7 & 8, 14 & 15, 21 & 22, Walter Reade Theater, 165 W. 65th St., 212-875-5600, $10 general, $7 students, $6 members. See www.filmlinc.com for a full schedule.

INCREDIBLE ANIMATION Avoid the crowds packing the theaters for Christmas movie releases. Instead, see the first feature film from the director of “The Incredibles,” Brad Bird. “The Iron Giant,” also animated, tells the story of a young boy who befriends a 50-foot robot. It features the voices of Vin Diesel, Jennifer Aniston, and Harry Connick Jr., Monday, December 27-Friday, December 31, 1:30 p.m., American Museum of the Moving Image, 35 Avenue at 36 Street, Astoria, Queens, 718-784-0077, $10 adults, $7 seniors and students, $5 children ages 5-18.

HOLIDAYS

A PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR The Merchant’s House Museum keeps alive the tradition of “coming to call” with its New Year’s Day Open House. The public is invited to dress in period costumes and stop by the museum with their 21st-century calling cards. The afternoon includes New Year’s toasts with Champagne punch and a selection of holiday cakes. Proceeds from admission benefit the Museum’s restoration, collections conservation, and public education programs. Saturday, January 1, 2005, 3-6 p.m., Merchant’s House Museum, 29 E. 4th St., between Lafayette Street and Bowery, 212-777-1089, $25 general, $15 members.

CHOO-CHOO CHRISTMAS A model train exhibit at Citigroup Center celebrates the holiday in small scale. A miniature 915 1291 1003 1301world decorated in the style of mid-century New York bustles with holiday activities. “High Noon” plays in a miniature drive-in theater and children decorate a Christmas tree as the train winds its way through the scenery. Through January 1, Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Sunday, noon-5 p.m., Citigroup Center atrium, 153 E. 53rd St. at Lexington Avenue, 212-559-1747, free.

POLITICS

YOUNG REPUBLICANS The New York Young Republican Club hosts its first social of 2005 (Wednesday, January 5, 7-10 p.m., G2, 29 Ninth Ave. at 14th Street).The January meeting for members of the club features remarks by the Director of the Center for Immigration Studies, Mark Kirkorian. (Thursday, January 13, 7 p.m., Union League Club, 38 E. 37th St., between Park and Madison avenues, business attire required). General information: 212-465-3377, $35 annual membership; e-mail events@nyyrc.com for more information.

TALKS

ART IMITATING LIFE Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter Steve Earle and Oscarwinning director Jonathan Demme converse about their work, with special attention to the subject of how politics and current events influence artistic expression. January 14, 7 p.m., The New York Public Library, Celeste Bartos Forum, 42nd Street and Fifth Avenue, 212-930-0855, $10 general, $7 members.

THEATER

TRYING TIMES Andre Gide and Jean-Louis Barrault’s adaptation of Kafka’s “The Trial” stars John Lenartz as Joseph K. in the Phoenix Theatre Ensemble production. Opens: Friday, 8 p.m. Runs: Friday through Sunday, January 9, days vary, 8 p.m. all days except Sundays, 3 p.m., the Mint Space, 311 W. 43rd St. at Eighth Avenue, fifth floor, 212-352-3101, $15.

---

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.