ART

FINE ART FAIR The National Black Fine Art Show features 38 exhibitors offering work by American, African, and Caribbean artists. The Bahamian dealer New Providence Art & Antiques exhibits work by self-taught artists; actress C.C.H. Pounder’s PounderKone Artspace focuses on artists from Los Angeles, and Michigan’s Revolution Gallery shows photographs by Dawoud Bey. Today and tomorrow, noon-8:30 p.m., Saturday, 11 a.m.-8:30 p.m., Sunday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Puck Building, 295 Lafayette St. at Houston Street, 212-925-5257, $15 general, $10 students, $35 three-day pass.

GRAVE MATTERS A collection of Chinese tomb objects from Shandong province goes on display today, for the first time in America, at the China Institute Gallery. The exhibit includes terra-cotta figures, gilded chariot ornaments, jade masks, and bronze vases. Today through June 4, Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Tuesday and Thursday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m., China Institute Gallery, 125 E. 65th St., between Park and Lexington avenues, 212-744-8181, $5 general, $3 seniors and students.

BEHIND THE GALLERY “Regarding Clementine,” a group exhibit that explores the inner workings of the Clementine Gallery, closes tomorrow with a public reception. Artwork in the show examined the curatorial process, the neighborhood of West Chelsea, and how art is priced and purchased. The former co-owner of the gallery Debs & Co. and Gawker Media’s editorial director, Choire Sicha, curated the exhibit. Reception: Tomorrow, 6-8 p.m., Clementine Gallery, 526 W. 26th St., between Tenth and Eleventh avenues, second floor, 212-243-5937, free.

BENEFITS

CHARITY ON STAGE Guests at the 20th anniversary benefit for Lincoln Center Theater will have dinner on the stage of the Vivian Beaumont Theater. Dinner is followed by a cabaret show including Audra McDonald performing “Marie Christine,” Michael Hayden and Sally Murphy with music from “Carousel,” and numbers from “Anything Goes” and “A Man of No Importance.” Donald and Susan Newhouse serve as honorary chairmen. Monday, 7 p.m. cocktails, 8 p.m. dinner, 9 p.m. performance, Vivian Beaumont Theater, 150 W. 65th St., between Columbus and Amsterdam avenues, 212-501-3251, $1,000 and $2,500.

PARTY FOR PLAYWRIGHTS Betsy von Furstenberg chairs the Theater for the New City’s “Love ‘n’ Courage” event, which benefits its emerging playwright program. The evening includes readings and performances by Zoe Caldwell, Eli Wallach and Anne Jackson, John Tartaglia, and Marion Seldes. Dinner will be followed by dancing to the reggae band Liv-I-Culture. The benefit will honor the late Robert Whitehead, a longtime supporter of the theater. Monday, 7 p.m., Theater for the New City, 155 First Ave. at 10th Street, 212-254-1109, $100.

BOOKS

CRIME CONVENTION The Black Orchid Bookshop hosts the Winter Cavalcade of Crime in conjunction with the Mystery Writers of America meeting. Authors scheduled to appear include Linda Fairstein, Leslie Glass, Reed Farrel Coleman, and Gary Phillips. Tonight, 7 p.m., Black Orchid, 303 E. 81st St., between First and Second avenues, 212-734-5980, free.

LUNCHTIME Steven Sorrentino reads from “Luncheonette” (Regan), his memoir about moving back home to New Jersey and taking over his family’s diner after his father fell ill. He had been an openly gay performer in New York City, but going home pushed him back in the closet and far from his long-held goals. Tonight, 7:30 p.m., Barnes & Noble Upper West Side, 2289 Broadway at 82nd Street, 212- 362-8835, free.

SHOT OF ENERGY Fashion photographer Arthur Elgort signs his book “Camera Crazy” (Steidl), a collection of snapshot style pictures of people toting cameras. Tomorrow, 7 p.m., Barnes & Noble Chelsea, 675 Sixth Ave. at 21st Street, 212-727-1227, free.

GATEWAY TO THE GATES Christo and Jeanne-Claude sign copies of “The Gates, Central, Park, New York 1979-2005” (Taschen), the artists’ account of their endeavor to construct the temporary installation of 7,500 saffron-colored banners that will be unveiled in Central Park on February 12. Tomorrow, 6-8 p.m., the Strand Bookstore, 828 Broadway at 12th Street, 212-473-1452, free.

COMEDY

LIVE CHAT At the faux talk-show “Sara Schaefer Is Obsessed with You,” all that’s missing are the television cameras: Ms. Schaefer opens with a monologue, performs sketch comedy with other comedians, and interviews celebrities. At this week’s one-year anniversary show, comedian Todd Barry is on the couch and songwriter Chris Mills is the musical guest. Every show also gives the star treatment to an actor who has appeared on “Law & Order,” even if they have merely played a dead body or a juror. Tomorrow, 8 p.m., Juvie Hall Sketch Comedy Theatre, 24 Bond St., between Bowery and Lafayette Street, 212-868-4444, $8.

DANCE

DRINKS AND DANCE The Dancenow/NYC series “dancemOpolitan” opens its season with a pair of performances this weekend. The series is known for its laidback atmosphere – audience members can drink and eat during performances – and for its unusually broad program of contemporary dance. Tomorrow and Saturday, 9:30 p.m., Joe’s Pub, 425 Lafayette St. at Astor Place, 212-239-6200 for tickets, 212-539-8778 for dinner reservations, $15, reservations recommended.

FAMILY

FAMILY FONZ Henry Winkler (aka the Fonz from “Happy Days”), signs “Help! Get Me Out of the Fourth Grade” (Grosset & Dunlap), his children’s book about a struggling student who tries to stop his parents from attending a parent-teacher conference. Tonight, 7 p.m., Barnes & Noble Lincoln Triangle, 1972 Broadway at 66th St. 212-595-6859, free.

NORDIC NAVES A weekend workshop invites children ages 5 to 10 to visit Scandinavia House’s architecture exhibit “Sacral Space: Modern Finnish Churches.” Then they can make models of their own building designs. The exhibit features drawings, photographs, videos, and three-dimensional models of 12 modern houses of worship in Finland. Workshop: Saturday, 2 p.m., 212-847-9740 for reservations, $6 general, $4 members. Exhibit: Through Saturday, February 19, Tuesday-Saturday, noon-6 p.m., Scandinavia House, 58 Park Ave., between 37th and 38th streets, 212-879-9779, $3 general, $2 seniors and students.

SATURDAY CELEBRATION This weekend’s installment of the Brooklyn Museum’s First Saturday program celebrates Carnival. A Brooklyn-themed collage inspired by Romare Bearden will be made in a collaborative, hands-on workshop (6:30-8:30 p.m., tickets available at 6 p.m.), Cabello Rolim and Korimbatasamba perform a family concert of traditional Afro-Brazilian music and dance, including the martial art capoeira (7 p.m., tickets available at 6 p.m.), and Samba New York plays tunes for the popular family dance party (9-11 p.m.). To celebrate the museum’s exhibit of Marilyn Monroe photographs, the museum hosts an all-ages Monroe look-alike contest (8 p.m. judging), and screens “The Seven Year Itch” (9 p.m., tickets available at 8 p.m.). Saturday, 6-11 p.m., Brooklyn Museum, 200 Eastern Parkway at Washington Avenue, Brooklyn, 718-638-5000, 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. Tomorrow, 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

LOVE AND MONEY Taiwanese filmmaker Edward Yang’s “Yi Yi” (2000), a tangled story of love and business, is screened in a retrospective of his work. Nathan Lee wrote of the film in The New York Sun, “This shattering masterpiece about modern city living could be the richest emotional experience you’ll have at the movies all year.” Tonight, 7:30 p.m., Anthology Film Archives, 32 Second Ave., between 1st and 2nd streets, 212-505-5181, $8 general, $5 members.

SNOW SCREEN A screening of the adventure movie “The Abominable Snowman of the Himalayas” (1957) puts an extra chill in the air. The Rubin Museum of Art, which specializes in Himalayan art, will serve “Abominable Snowball” cocktails during the film. Saturday, 7 p.m., Rubin Museum of Art, 150 W. 17th St., between Sixth and Seventh avenues, 212-620-5000, free admission, $12 drink minimum.

MCKELLEN’S MACBETH The Shakespeare Society pays tribute to Ian McKellen’s work in films of the Bard’s plays. Actor and director Roger Rees and theater critic John Simon will provide commentary for a selection of clips from “Macbeth,” “Richard III,” and “Othello.” Monday, 6:30-8 p.m., Hunter College, Kaye Playhouse, 68th Street between Park and Lexington avenues, 212-327-2253, $25-$40.

FOOD & DRINK

MEATY MENU Beacon hosts a decadent beefsteak dinner, a New York tradition that’s a dream for meat lovers (and their cardiologists). Waldy Malouf and David Emil prepare pounds of aged steak, kidneys wrapped in bacon, crabmeat cocktail, and lamb chops. Adventurous gastronomes can wash it down with unlimited quantities of beer. Tuesday, 6:30 p.m., Beacon, 25 W. 56th St., between Fifth and Sixth avenues, 212-332-0500, $95.

MUSIC

SWEET AND LOW The mellow Minneapolis band Low headlines two concerts this week at the Bowery Ballroom. Witty rockers Pedro the Lion open the shows (tonight and tomorrow, 8 p.m., $15). At the same venue later in the month, Luna has added a matinee show to its farewell tour – both evening shows have already sold out (Sunday, February 27, 2 p.m., $25 in advance, $30 at the door). Bowery Ballroom, 6 Delancey St. at the Bowery, 212-533-2111.

RARE WELSHMAN The lead singer and songwriter for the Super Furry Animals, Gruff Rhys, performs a solo set downtown. His upcoming first solo album, “Yr Atal Genhedlaeth,” is sung entirely in Welsh. The experimental music club he’s playing at, Tonic, is facing extinction due to rising rents, a robbery, and the expense of a recent plumbing repair. It is holding a series of benefit concerts with the goal of raising $100,000 in the next several weeks. Mr. Rhys’s set is not one of the benefit shows, but concertgoers can still make a donation. Tonight, 8 p.m. Tonic, 107 Norfolk St., between Delancey and Rivington streets, 212-358-7501, $12. Please go to www.tonicnyc.com for a list of benefit shows.

SOWE TO SOUNDS The Soweto Gospel Choir performs in six of South Africa’s official languages, accompanied by drumming and dancing. Friday, 10 p.m., Carnegie Hall, Zankel Hall, 57th Street and Seventh Avenue, 212-247-7800, $30-$42.

PROGRESSIVE PIANO Brahms’s dramatic “Piano Quintet” is performed as part of a series focusing on “Brahms the Progressive.” Pianist Christopher Taylor joins the Ying Quartet for the performance. The program also includes two piano quintets influenced by the Brahms piece, one by Anton Webern and another by American Peter Lieberson. Thursday, February 10, 8 p.m., Columbia University, Miller Theatre, 2960 Broadway at 116th Street, 212-854-7799, $25.

NATURAL SELECTION NYC Atheists present Richard Milner in the one-man musical “Charles Darwin: Live & In Concert.” 915 1317 1013 1327Mr. Milner is an anthropologist at the American Museum of Natural History – but he’s gotta sing, too! Thursday, February 10-Sunday, February 12, 8 p.m., Where Eagles Dare Theater, 347 W. 36th St., between Eighth and Ninth avenues, rmilner@nyc.rr.com for reservations, $20.

READING

TEA AND COMPANY The Writing Aloud reading series, presented by the NY Writers Coalition, provides complimentary tea service for guests during the reading. Tomorrow’s event features poet Cheryl B., monologuist Frank Damico, and prose writer Norman Douglas. Tomorrow, 7:30 p.m., Prince George Tea Room, 14 E. 29th St., between Fifth and Madison avenues, 718-398-2883, $6.

BAWDY BROADWAY Linda Ann Loschiavo’s play “Courting Mae West” is about the blond bombshell’s arrest for obscenity in a Broadway theater on February 9, 1927. A staged reading on the anniversary of the event is preceded by a discussion led by Ms. Loschiavo about censor ship on Broadway during the late 1920s. Wednesday, 8 p.m., CUNY Graduate Center, 365 Fifth Ave. at 34th Street, 212-817-8215, $15.

TALKS

GARDENS OF THE RICH AND FAMOUS Landscape historian Tracy Ehrlich gives a lecture about the role of garden design in 17th-century social hierarchies. She explores how pastoral design – as opposed to formal fountains and statues – became a symbol of the elite. The talk will focus on the country residence of a nephew of Pope Paul V, Cardinal Scipione Borghese (1576-1633). Tonight, 6-7:15 p.m., Bard Graduate Center, 38 W. 86th St., between Central Park West and Columbus Avenue, 212-501-3011, $17 general, $12 seniors and students.

BUILDING HISTORY Cooper Union kicks off a lecture series dedicated to women in architecture with a talk by Toshiko Mori about her influences. Tonight, 6:30 p.m., Cooper Union Great Hall, 7 E. 7th St. at Third Avenue, 212-353-4220, free.

BOYS WILL BE BOYS The author of “Raising Cain: Protecting the Emotional Life of Boys” and “Speaking of Boys” (Ballantine), Michael Thompson, gives a lecture about the importance of fathers in their children’s lives. Tonight, 8:15 p.m., 92nd Street Y, 1395 Lexington Ave. at 92nd Street, 212-415-5500, $25.

ODE TO THE RIDICULOUS The founder of the Ridiculous Theatrical Company, Charles Ludlum, is the focus of a panel discussion this weekend. The panel includes Ridiculous Theatrical Company veteran Lola Pashalinski; Ludlam’s biog rapher, the theater critic David Kaufman; Argentinean visual artist and photographer Leandro Katz, and “glitter artist” Thomas Lanigan-Schmidt. Theater critic and NYU professor Joe Jeffreys moderates the discussion and Ridiculous alumna Black-Eyed Susan will give a special performance. Ludlum was a playwright, director, and lead actor in counter-cultural off-Broadway theater. He was diagnosed with AIDS in November 1986 and died May 28, 1987. The discussion is a complement to the ongoing exhibit “Bedlam Days: The Early Plays of Charles Ludlam and The Ridiculous Theatrical Company,” which includes 67 photographs by Mr. Katz, who documented Ludlam’s productions. Talk: Saturday, 3 p.m., free. Exhibit: Through Saturday, March 5, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday, noon-6 p.m., Thursday, noon-8 p.m., New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, Bruno Walter Auditorium, 40 Lincoln Plaza, Columbus Avenue between 63rd and 64th streets, 212-870-1630, free.

GIVING IT AWAY The president of the Oram Group, Hank Goldstein, gives a talk about current trends in philanthropy. The Nonprofit Group of the School of Public Affairs at Baruch College hosts the event. Wednesday, 5 p.m., Baruch College, 135 E. 22nd St. at Lexington Avenue, third floor, room 301, 212-802-2988, free, reservations required.

THEATER

SOUTH AFRICAN SUN Judylee Vivier ‘s new play “Oranges Like the Sun” explores her childhood in a working-class white family in South Africa. Tom Bullard directs. Through Sunday, February 20, Thursday-Saturday, 8 p.m., Sunday, 3 p.m., 78th Street Theatre Lab, 236 W. 78th St., between Amsterdam Avenue and Broadway, 212-868-4444, $20 general, $15 seniors and students.

THEY’RE HERE AGAIN Samuel Beckett’s “Happy Days” is in previews at the Classic Stage Company. Lea DeLaria and David Greenspan star in the story of a woman who doesn’t know she’s been buried alive – the plot passes for comedy in Beckett’s bleak world. Jeff Cohen directs the Worth Street Theater Company production. Opens: Tuesday, February 15, Classic Stage Company, 136 E. 13th St., between Third and Fourth avenues, 212-279-4200, $45 and $50.

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