ART

OUT OF THIS WORLD Lee Muslin’s digital photomontages are on exhibit in “Transcendent Worlds” at Franklin 54 Gallery. By scanning pieces of photographs, then altering layers of various scans, she combines imaginary scenes with realistic night skies and rocky beaches. Like illustrations for a dark children’s book, Ms. Muslin places mysterious tunnels and closed garden gates at the center of many of her works. Through Saturday, January 29, Wednesday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Franklin 54 Gallery, 54-56 Franklin St. at Cortland Street, 212-732-0009, free.

FILLING A WHITE SPACE White Box displays paintings and photographs by Lee Kang-So, an original member of the artists’ collective Korean Avant Garde Association. “Wide White Space” is curated by Esra Joo. Reception: Tomorrow, 6-8 p.m. Exhibit: Tomorrow through Saturday, February 5, Tuesday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m., White Box, 525 W. 26th St., between Tenth and Eleventh avenues, 212-714-2347, free.

BENEFITS

DAY AT THE BEACH City Harvest presents a benefit luncheon with Arthur Agatston, the author of “The South Beach Diet” (Rodale). The women’s magazine More sponsors the event, which is co-chaired by Carol Atkinson, Joy Ingham, Emilia Saint-Amand, and Topsy Taylor. The menu, of course, complies with the South Beach Diet. Wednesday, 11:30 a.m. registration, noon-2 p.m. luncheon, the Pierre, Fifth Avenue and 61st Street, 212-874-5457, $300 and $500.

BOOKS

MEMORIES OF ROOSEVELT John Barrett discovered Supreme Court Justice Robert Jackson’s unpublished memoir “That Man: An Insider’s Portrait of Franklin D. Roosevelt” (Oxford University) while working on a biography of Jackson. He also edited the book, which offers glimpses of Roosevelt’s decision-making in matters from war to fishing. Tonight, 7 p.m., Barnes & Noble Lincoln Triangle, 1972 Broadway at 66th Street, 212-595-6859, free.

VICE SQUAD Susan Shapiro reads from “Lighting Up: How I Stopped Smoking, Drinking and Everything Else I Loved in Life Except Sex” (Delacorte), a memoir of her struggle with a two-packs-a-day smoking habit and other addictions. Tonight, 7:30 p.m., Barnes & Noble Greenwich Village, 396 Sixth Ave. at 8th Street, 212-674-8780, free.

COMEDY

LIVE CHAT In the last installment of the faux talk-show “Sara Schaefer Is Obsessed with You,” Ms. Schaefer paid homage to Oprah by giving the audience a bundle of freebies: a photocopied homemade collage was among the gems. This week, she’ll interview comedian Victor Varnado, and songwriter Kieran McGee will be the musical guest. Every show also gives the star treatment, including video clips and a gushing interview, to an actor who has appeared on “Law & Order.” Tomorrow, 8 p.m., Juvie Hall Sketch Comedy Theatre, 24 Bond St., between Bowery and Lafayette Street, 212-868-4444, $8.

DANCE

SOUTHERN INSPIRATION Alonzo King’s Lines Ballet performs “Before the Blues,” a dance based on archival field recordings from the Deep South after the Civil War. The score includes music by a founder of Sweet Honey in the Rock, Bernice Johnson Reagon, and narrative recordings by Danny Glover. The program also includes the Indian-inspired “Who Dressed You Like a Foreigner?” Tuesday, Friday, January 21, and Saturday, January 22, 8 p.m., Sunday, January 23, 2 p.m., NYU Skirball Center for the Performing Arts, 566 LaGuardia Place at Washington Square South, 212-992-8484, $20-$40.

FAMILY

CIRCUS, CIRCUS Families can sit by Alexander Calder’s sculpture “Circus” as they listen to stories about the circus at the Whitney Museum. Ian Falconer’s “Olivia Saves the Circus” and other big top books will be read as part of the museum’s “American Stories” series connecting art and children’s literature. The program is intended for families with children between the ages of 5 and 10. Saturday, 4-5 p.m., Whitney Museum of American Art, 945 Madison Ave. at 75th Street, 212-570-7745, free with admission, registration recommended.

FILM

CHORUS LINES “Les Choristes” (The Chorus), a film about a rural boys school in midcentury France, plays at the Museum of Modern Art in its celebration of Miramax’s 25th anniversary. Christophe Barratier’s film is the French submission to this year’s Academy Awards in the best foreign-language feature category. The film will be shown with English subtitles. Tonight, 6 p.m., Museum of Modern Art, 11 W. 53rd St. at Fifth Avenue, 212-708-9480, $10 general, $8 seniors, $6 students, free for children under 16. Note: Tickets do not include admission to the museum but the cost may be applied to a museum ticket within 30 days. Paying the full museum admission allows admission to same day screenings.

HEIMAT HEIGHTS Anthology Film Archives presents a series of 1950s German Heimatfilms – a genre that set movie stars in cheerful Alpine scenery in a break from the many dour, postwar black-and-white films. Hans Konig’s “Roses Bloom on the Grave in the Meadow” follows a farmer’s daughter betrothed to an older man who is in love with a childhood friend (tomorrow, 9:15 p.m., Monday, 7 p.m.). Other highlights include Hans Deppe’s successful “Black Forest Girl,” a zany confection about the love and quarrels of a painter, a jeweler, an actress, and the title character (tomorrow, 7 p.m., Monday, 9 p.m.), and “Echo of the Mountains,” Alfons Stummer’s tale about a conflicted forester (Saturday, 4:30 p.m., Tuesday, 7 p.m.). All screenings: Anthology Film Archives, 32 Second Ave. at 2nd Street, 212-505-5181, $8 general, $5 seniors and students, $5 members.

FOOD & DRINK

SUNTORY TIME For those who have been considering membership at the Japan Society, now is an excellent time to join. A members-only event next week features a tasting of Japanese singlemalt whisky. Grain chemist and whisky connoisseur Lincoln Henderson leads the tasting, which focuses on Suntory Yamazaki 12- and 18-year-old whiskies at various stages of the aging process. Wednesday, 6:30 p.m., Japan Society, 33 E. 47th St., between First and Second avenues, 212-752-3015, $25, members 21 and older only, reservations strongly suggested.

GAMES

VIDEO TEST-DRIVE “Gamers Nite Groove” is a showcase of new video games set up for test playing – some games haven’t even hit stores yet. Tonight, 7-11 p.m., Asia Society and Museum, 725 Park Ave. at 70th Street, 212-517-1741, free, reservations atgame@newyork-tokyo.com.

MUSIC

CARLYLE CABARET Songstress Ute Lemper begins a seven-week engagement at Cafe Carlyle tomorrow. On Thursday nights, she presents “A Walk on the Weill Side,” a special program of songs mostly from 1920s Berlin. Tomorrow through Saturday, February 26, Tuesday-Thursday, 8:45 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 8:45 and 10:45 p.m., Cafe Carlyle, the Carlyle Hotel, Madison Avenue at 76th Street, 212-570-7189, $55 weekdays, $65 weekends, $40 at the bar.

PHILHARMONIC FILMS The Brooklyn Philharmonic launches its 50th-anniversary season with a concert that celebrates the borough’s role in the early years of film. “Brooklyn Goes Hollywood” includes music by Aaron Copland, Bernard Herrmann, John Corigliano, and Arnold Schoenberg. A highlight is the New York premiere of George Gershwin’s “Watch Your Step Ballet.” Saturday, 8 p.m., Brooklyn Academy of Music, Howard Gilman Opera House, 30 Lafayette St., between Ashland Place and St. Felix Street, Brooklyn, 718-488-5913, $20-$60.

STRING THEORY The American String Quartet performs with guest violinist Arnold Steinhardt and a founding member of the group, cellist David Geber. The program includes works by Beethoven, Shostakovich, and Brahms. Sunday, 3 p.m., Manhattan School of Music, John C. Borden Auditorium, Broadway and 122nd Street, 917-493-4428, free.

HOME-COOKED MUSIC The next installment of the “Live from Home” acoustic music series, curated by Tracks magazine’s editor, Alan Lig ht, features Martha Wainwright (Rufus’s sister), Livingston Taylor , and Willy Mason. Proceeds go to Housing Works’ program for homeless people living with HIV and AIDS. Friday, January 21, 7 p.m. doors open, 7:30 p.m. show, Housing Works Used Book Cafe, 126 Crosby St., between Houston and Prince streets, 212-334-3324, $20.

STORIES

SHARING SECRETS The Moth invites storytellers to share “Bedroom Stories from the Family Chamber of Secrets” at its next event. Participants include Jonathan Ames (who has gotten a head start by publishing a book called “My Less Than Secret Life”), comedy writer Patty Marx, actress Tamara Reynolds, and novelist Meg Wolitzer. Tuesday, 6:30 p.m. doors open, 7:30 p.m. stories, Crash Mansion, 199 Bowery, between Spring and Rivington streets, 212-868-4444, $20. Reservations for a table for four: 212-742-0551, $140 general, $135 members.

TALKS

SPEAKING OF CERAMICS Sculptor Ruth Duckworth discusses her long career in the ceramic arts at the opening of the exhibit “Ruth Duckworth, Modernist Sculptor.” Talk: Tonight, 6 p.m., free with admission. Note: Seating is limited so early arrival is suggested. Exhibit: Today through Sunday, April 3, daily 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Thursdays until 8 p.m., Museum of Arts & Design, 40 W. 53rd St., between Fifth and Sixth avenues, 212-956-3535, $9 general, $6 seniors and students, free for members and children under 12.

HARLEM HISTORY Jazz educator Larry Ridley discusses his wide-ranging career with the executive director of the Jazz Museum in Harlem, Loren Schoenberg. Tonight, 6:30-8 p.m., Jazz Museum in Harlem, 104 E. 126th Street, between Park and Lexington avenues, 212-348-8300, free, reservations requested.

LOLLIPOP GUILD Architect Raymond Gomez discusses the work of Edward Durell Stone, who designed the “lollipop” building at 2 Columbus Circle that some want to tear down and others want to name as a landmark. Stone’s son, Hicks, joins in the illustrated talk, offering his reflections on the former family residence on East 64th Street, which was sheathed in a decorative concrete grille. Stone also designed the original Museum of Modern Art, completed in 1939. The talk is sponsored by Landmark West, an organization that works to preserve historic buildings on the Upper West Side and is currently spearheading efforts to save 2 Columbus Circle. Tuesday, 6:30 p.m., Makor, 35 W. 67th St., between Central Park West and Columbus Avenue, 212-415-5500, $15.

THEATER

INTERN ANTICS Rob Handel’s new play “Aphrodisiac” alludes to the last big news story before September 11, 2001: missing intern Chandra Levy and her connection to congressman Gary Condit. The play follows the adult children of a fictional representative under investigation for the disappearance of a young woman as they try to sort out their own responses. Ken Rus Schmoll directs the show, which is the second production of the playwrights collective 13P. Through Sunday, January 30, Thurs day-Sunday, 8 p.m., P.S. 122, 150 First Ave. at 9th Street, 212-477-5288, $15.

IMMIGRATION IMPROV The Big Apple Playback Company performs a new version of the theater piece “Inside the Golden Door: Personal Stories of Immigration” at every show. During each performance, one audience member will be selected to tell their life story or immigration experiences, which will then be acted out on the spot. Tomorrow through Sunday, February 20, Fridays, 8 p.m., Sundays, 2 p.m., Lower East Side Tenement Museum, 90 Orchard St. at Broome Street, 800-965- 4827, $15 general, $12 seniors, students, and members, $22 tickets include 6:30 p.m. guided tour of museum.

CAPTIVATING DRAMA Composer John King’s experimental electronic opera “La Belle Captive” uses text by French writer Alain Robbe-Grillet and poems by women imprisoned during Argentina’s 1970s military dictatorship to explore the relationship between captor and captive. Thursday, January 20-Saturday, January 22, 8 p.m., the Kitchen, 512 W. 19th St., between Tenth and Eleventh avenues, 212-255-5793 ext. 11, $15.

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