ART

PORTRAITS OF THE ARTIST’S FAMILY For 35 years, Brooklyn artist John Milisenda has been photographing his mother, father, and brother, who has a developmental disability. In pictures on display in “Dennis, Rose and Sal,” Mr. Milisenda captures his brother mimicking his mother’s slightest gestures, even assuming her slouch as she ages. The exhibit is part of a series showcasing contemporary Italian-American artists. Through Tuesday, February 8, Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Queens College, Italian American Museum, 28 W. 44th St., between Fifth and Sixth avenues, 17th floor, 212-642-2020, free.

MYSTERY WOMAN The exhibition of Raphael’s painting “La Fornarina” has been extended through Thursday at the Frick Collection. The portrait of a mystery woman, believed to have been Raphael’s mistress, is on display for the first time in America on loan from the National Gallery of Art at the Palazzo Barberini in Rome. Through Thursday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., the Frick Collection, 1 E. 70th St., between Madison and Fifth avenues, 212-288-0700, $12 general, $8 seniors, $5 students. Note: Children under 10 not admitted; children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. The museum is closed this Saturday.

BENEFITS

CHEFS FOR CHARITY New York chefs pitch in at a tasting fund-raiser for Save the Children and Unicef’s tsunami relief efforts. Participating restaurants include Bouley, Cafe Boulud, Chantarelle, Cru, Nobu, and Payard. Wednesday, 7-10 p.m., Tribeca Rooftop, 2 Desbrosses St. at Hudson Street, 203-221-4161, $50 in advance, $60 at the door.

BOOKS

RIGHT TO FIGHT Terry Golway reads from his book “Washington’s General: Nathanael Greene and the Triumph of the American Revolution” (Henry Holt). Green was a Rhode Island Quaker who turned from his pacifist roots to become a leader in the Revolutionary War. Tonight, 7 p.m., South Street Seaport Museum, 213 Water St., between Fulton and Beekman streets, 212-748-8735, $5 suggested donation.

WAR STORIES David Anthony Durham reads from his biography of Hannibal, “Pride of Carthage” (Doubleday). Tomorrow, 7:30 p.m., Barnes & Noble Upper West Side, 2289 Broadway at 82nd Street, 212-362-8835, free.

FASHION

BURNING-HOT STYLE Asia Society showcases New York Asian-American fashion designers including Chrishabana, Maki Doherty-Ryoke, Eugenia Kim, Siri Kuptamethee, Mary Ping, Tammy Tiranasar, and Jean Yu. “Burn It Up: Breakout Asian American Designers in Fashion” features a profile of each designer consisting of video, installations, live performances, and photography. A reception follows. Friday, 6:30-9 p.m., Asia Society and Museum, 725 Park Ave. at 70th Street, 212-517-1741, $15 general, $12 members, $7 students.

FILM

DENIS DAYS The French Institute/Alliance Francaise honors French film director Claire Denis with a screening series. It opens with “Vendredi Soir” (“Friday Night”), a 2002 drama about a woman whose romantic fate is altered by a transit strike (tomorrow, 12:30, 3:30, 6:30 and 9 p.m., $9 general, $7 students, free for members). Ms. Denis will appear in person to introduce “Nenette et Boni” (1996), about a runaway who shows up on her estranged brother’s doorstep. Ms. Denis will discuss her career with Film Comment’s Kent Jones (Tuesday, February 22 at 7 p.m., $15 general, $10 members). Series: Tuesdays, tomorrow through February 22, Florence Gould Hall, 55 E. 59th St., between Park & Madison avenues, 212-355-6160. Note: All films are in French with English subtitles, except a French-only short that opens the February 15 program.

FOOD & DRINK

TASTE OF PYGMALION Suba’s “Dinner and a Movie” series pairs a Spanish tasting menu created by chef Alex Urena with screenings of musicals in the restaurant’s Skylight Room. The Audrey Hepburn musical “My Fair Lady” is next on the menu. Tonight, 7:30 and 8 p.m. seatings, 8:30 p.m. screening, Suba, 109 Ludlow St., between Rivington and Delancey streets, 212-982-5714, $29.

NEW YORK TREATS Winter Restaurant Week enters its second and final week today. Eateries all over the city, from Aquavit to Zoe, offer three-course prix-fixe lunches for $20.12 (in a nod to the city’s Olympic dreams) and dinners for $35. Monday-Friday, all participating restaurants are listed at www.nycvisit.com and reservations can be made at www.opentable.com.

MUSIC

PIANO PROGRAM Russian pianist Alexander Izbitser performs a solo program of Shostakovich, Mussorgsky, and Rachmaninoff. Tonight, 8 p.m. Carnegie Hall, Weill Recital Hall, 154 W. 57th St. at Seventh Avenue, 212-247-7800, $25.

CAN DO Philip Glass joins the performance ensemble Bang on a Can for a performance of his 1969 work “Music in Similar Motion.” The People’s Commissioning Fund concert also features three world-premiere works by Cynthia Hopkins, Carla Kihlstedt, J.G. Thirlwell. Thursday, 8 p.m., Merkin Concert Hall at Kaufman Center, 129 W. 67th St., between Broadway and Amsterdam Avenue, 212-501-3330, $20.

STORIES

COME IN FROM THE COLD Humorist Andy Borowitz hosts a “story slam” competition sponsored by the Moth. The theme is all things cold, from city streets to ex-boyfriends’ hearts, and all are welcome to bring their best chilly stories to recount on stage. Each story should be five minutes long, no notes are allowed, and organizers say that contestants should stick to the theme and tell a story that has both a conflict and a resolution. Monday, 7 p.m. registration, 7:30 p.m. show, the Bitter End, 147 Bleecker St., between Thompson Street and La Guardia Place, $6.

TALKS

ART AND THE MTA The director of MTA Arts for Transit, Sandra Bloodworth, and artist James Carpenter, participate in an illustrated talk about Mr. Carpenter’s artwork in the Fulton Street Transit Center. Tonight, 6:30 p.m., Center for Architecture, 536 La Guardia Place at Bleecker Street, 212-358-6111, free.

GALLERY GUIDES An art critic for The New York Sun, David Cohen, moderates “The Review Panel,” a discussion series in which critics discuss four preselected exhibitions on view in New York museums and galleries. James Gardner of the New York Post, Kim Levin of the Village Voice, and Alexi Worth of Art forum join Mr. Cohen in this week’s installment. Friday, 6:45 p.m., National Academy, Fifth Ave. and 89th Street, 212-369-4880, $5.

THEATER

STAR TALK Actors in “Verbatim Verboten” read word-for-word transcripts of taped conversations of the rich and famous. The lineup changes, but covertly recorded chats involving Britney Spears, Mayor Giuliani, Michael Alig, Orson Welles, Madonna and her daughter Lourdes, and Enron executives are in regular rotation. The show made headlines when Tom Cruise threatened to sue after a performance included a phone conversation he had with Nicole Kidman as their marriage was on the verge of collapse. It arrives in New York tonight after successful runs in New Orleans and Chicago. Mondays, tonight through February 28, 6:30 p.m. doors open, 7:30 p.m. show, Fez Under Time Cafe, 380 Lafayette St. at Great Jones Street, 212-533-2680, $10.

SHYLOCK RECONSIDERED The Perry Street Theatre has reopened after nine years with a production of Gareth Arm strong’s “Shylock.” The story is told from the perspective of the best friend of Shylock, the villain of “The Merchant of Venice.” Frank Barrie directs the show, which stars Mr. Armstrong. Through Sunday, March 13, Wednesday-Friday, 8 p.m., Saturday, 3 and 8 p.m., Sunday, 3 and 7 p.m., Perry Street Theatre, 31 Perry St. at Seventh Avenue, 212-868-4444, $55 general, $20 senior and student rush tickets.

BROADLY SPEAKING Previews begin today for “A Life…A Broad,” a rock musical starring Melanie Rey as a Latina woman in conflict with her mother. Opens: Sunday, 7 p.m. Runs: Monday, 8 p.m., Sunday, 3 and 7 p.m., Greenwich Street Theatre, 547 Greenwich St., between Charlton and Vandam streets, 212-252-2439, $30 general, $15 seniors and students.

WORKSHOP

SOCK HOP The “Sox and Lox” workshop at Knit New York promises, “Yes, YOU will make a sock in this class!” The group meets on a Sunday morning over brunch (with mimosas). Each member receives two balls of yarn and double pointed needles. The first sock is knitted in class, and attendees take with them the skills to make the other one. Sunday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Knit New York, 307 E. 14th St., between First and Second avenues, 212-387-0707, $125. Please go to www.knitnewyork.com for details.

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.