ART

GO WEST, YOUNG MAN Fashion photographer Vincent Skeltis documents the life of his largely absent father in the exhibit “Nowhere But Up.” Skeltis Sr. disappeared when his son was 4 and reappeared 20 years later to tell him that he was dying. Mr. Skeltis traveled to Visalia, Calif., to learn about his father’s life and be with him while he died. The resulting exhibit includes collages, maps, handwritten receipts, a framed Beretta, pages of books, drawings, and portraits of the father, his town, and his family. The exhibit also includes a short newspaper obituary for the elder Skeltis, who died at age 52. Through Sunday, March 13, Friday-Monday, 1-7 p.m., 31 Grand, 31 Grand St. at Kent Avenue, Williamsburg, Brooklyn, 718-388-2858, free.

LITTLE LOVE The exhibit “Small Scale Love Stories,” which closes this weekend, features New Yorker Cammi Climaco’s small sculptures and a suite of gouache drawings. The show includes porcelain cigarette cases, a puppy on a diving board, and a 14-karat gold wire spelling out “You are forbidden to sit under the apple tree with anyone else but me.” Through Sunday, noon-6 p.m., Silo, 1 Freeman Alley, off Rivington Street between the Bowery and Christie Street, 212-505-9156, free.

BENEFIT

TRAIN TRAVEL The New York Junior League celebrates its volunteers at a gala fund-raiser. Mayor Giuliani will present his wife, Judith, who will be the guest of honor. In accordance with the theme “The Orient Express,” the black-tie evening includes a silent auction in an environment designed to mimic a luxurious, old-fashioned train. Dinner tickets are sold out, but there is room left for those who just want to dance. Saturday, 7 p.m.-1 a.m., 10 p.m. dancing, Cipriani, 110 E. 42nd St., between Lexington and Park avenues, 212-288-6220 ext. 267, $200 dancing only.

BOOKSPROSE AND PREP Francine Prose reads from her latest book, “The Changed Man” (HarperCollins), which Benjamin Lytal called an “excellent social novel” in The New York Sun. Curtis Sittenfeld joins Ms. Prose to read from her debut novel “Prep” (Random House), a best-seller about a scholarship student at an East Coast private school. Sunday, 7 p.m., KGB Bar, 85 E. 4th St. at Second Avenue, 212-505-3360, free.

SENSE AND SENSIBILITY Coliseum Books plays hosts to two authors who look to Jane Austen for inspiration. Lauren Henderson reads from her book “Jane Austen’s Guide to Dating” (Hyperion), which offers advice about wooing one’s very own Mr. Darcy (Sunday, 12:30 p.m.). The next day, Emily Auerbach reads from “Searching for Jane Austen” (University of Wisconsin), in which she combs through Austen’s novels, adolescent writings, and letters to find the “real” woman behind the treasured stories (Monday, 6 p.m.). Both readings: Coliseum Books, 11 W. 42nd St., between Fifth and Sixth avenues, 212-803-5890, free.

COMICS

‘SIMPSONS’ ENSHRINED The Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art opens a new exhibit of recently acquired animation artwork at a reception. Work from “The Simpsons,” “Power Puff Girls,” and “Ice Age” is included in the show. Friday, 8-11 p.m., Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art, 594 Broadway, between Houston and Prince streets, 212-254-3511, $5 general, free for members.

DANCE

SPINA TAP Seven dancers perform in the Peggy Spina Tap Company’s “Tap Spree.” The program includes the premieres of the trio “Crystal Epitaph” and a blues number, “Fact or Fiction.” The Joel Forrester Quartet accompanies the ensemble. Friday, 8 p.m., Saturday, 6 and 8:30 p.m., Spina Loft, 115 Prince St. at Greene Street, 212-674-8885, $20, reservations suggested.

SOPHISTICATED SMORGASBORD Glamorous Sybil Bruncheon hosts the next installment of DanceNow’s “dancemOpolitan,” a laid-back evening of cocktails and contemporary dance. Fourteen dancers and choreographers, including Stuart Hodes, Gus Solomons Jr., Paul Matteson, and Neta Pulvermacher, offer minutes-long performances on stage at Joe’s Pub. Last month’s installment included a solo piece set to a Rufus Wainwright song, a hip-hop group, and a silly striptease. Friday and Saturday, 9:30 p.m., Joe’s Pub, 425 Lafayette St. at Astor Place, 212-239-6200, $15, two-drink minimum.

IMPROV MOVES The Dance Improv Game Show lets children have input into what happens on stage. Dancer/choreographers Sheila Anozier, Peter Sciscioli, Perry Yung, and 12-year-old Misra Walker begin by dancing three-minute pieces that show off their individual styles. Then host Treva Offutt invites audience members to suggest settings and sounds to be performed on the spot. Saturday, 2 p.m., the Kitchen, 512 W. 19th St., between Tenth and Eleventh avenues, 212-255-5793 ext. 11, $8.

DESIGN

HAVE A SEAT Design Within Reach celebrates the classic furniture designs of Charles and Ray Eames. On display are original fiberglass chairs along with the new polypropylene versions, Eames ephemera, and films of the manufacturing process. Friday, 7-9 p.m., Design Within Reach studio, 408 W. 14th St. at Ninth Avenue, 212-242-9449, free.

FAMILY

FRAMES AND POEMS Artist Lynn Jadamec leads a workshop combining poetry with photographs. The “Framing It All” session is presented with the Children’s Museum of the Arts. Saturday, 11 a.m., Poets House, 72 Spring St., between Lafayette and Crosby streets, second floor, 212-431-7920 ext. 19, registration requested.

PRINCESS AND THE PAUPER In the family play “Polly Princess and the Penniless Fry Cook,” the Princess of Queen’s Island falls in love with (gasp!) a foodservice worker. Dianna Tucker wrote the words and Adam Baritot wrote the music for the show, which is presented by the new company Tuckaberry Productions. Saturday, 1 and 3 p.m., Impact Theatre, 190 Underhill Ave., between St. John’s Place and Sterling Place, Brooklyn, 718-783-1348, $7 general, $5 children 12 and under. Also: Sunday, 3 p.m., A.R.T. Building, 138 South Oxford St., between Greene and Atlantic avenues, Brooklyn.

HANDS ON Each session of the “Well-Crafted Weekends” series focuses on a specific medium – clay, metal, glass, etc. Objects from the Museum of Art & Design’s collection serve as inspiration. Sundays, 2-4 p.m. Museum of Art & Design, 40 W. 53rd St., between Fifth and Sixth avenues, 212-956-3535 ext. 159, $7 for each family, reservations suggested, ages 6 and above.

FILM

GEEK CHIC “Otaku Cinema Slam!” features recent Japanese films that celebrate otaku – geeks with monomaniacal pop-culture obsessions. The series kicks off with “Geroppa” (Get Up), a 2002 film about two middle-age friends who love James Brown more than the average music fan: They impersonate his singing style, collect memorabilia, and hatch a plot to kidnap him (Friday, 6:30 p.m.). Series: Friday through May 27, days vary, 6:30 p.m., Japan Society, 333 E. 47th St., between First and Second avenues, 212-752-3015, $10 general, $5 seniors and students.

WHO IS THAT MASKED MAN? Wes Craven’s “Scream” (1996) makes fun of horror movie cliches – even as it uses them to great effect. Kevin Williamson, who was best known before the film for creating the teen television melodrama “Dawson’s Creek,” wrote the screenplay. The screening is part of the Museum of Modern Art’s celebration of Miramax’s 25th anniversary. Saturday, 7:30 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.

ITALIAN COLLECTION Luigi Comencini’s short 1946 documentary “Bambini in Citta” was shot in Milan just after World War II. It is screened as part of “Six in Italy,” an Ocularis program of documentary shorts that also includes contemporary experimental works shot in Venice, Rome, and Asissi. Sunday, 7 p.m., Galapagos, 70 N. 6th St., between Kent and Wythe avenues, Williamsburg, Brooklyn, 718-782-5188, $6.

MUSIC

STARRY JAZZ Jazz lovers can enjoy live music, tapas, and wine under the stars at the American Museum of Natural History’s Rose Center for Earth and Space. Salsa drummer Ray Mantilla and his band, the aptly named New Space Station, are the next performers in the series. Friday, 5:30-6:30 p.m. and 7-8 p.m., American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West at 79th Street, 212-769-5100, $12 general, $9 students and seniors, $7 children.

PRINCE OF ALL NEW YORK U2 rode a flatbed truck around New York City last November, performing for thousands of thrilled fans. The decidedly less up-tempo Will Oldham, aka Bonnie “Prince” Billy, and Matt Sweeney will perform their own version of that whirlwind tour this weekend, playing at five independent music stores. They’re singing in support of their new album “Superwolf.” Saturday, 1 p.m.: Sound Fix, 110 Bedford Ave. at North 11th Street, Williamsburg, Brooklyn. 3 p.m.: Kim’s Mediapolis, 2906 Broadway, between 113th and 114th streets. 5 p.m.: Built by Wendy, 7 Centre Market Place at Grand Street. 7 p.m.: Mondo Kim’s, 6 St. Mark’s Place, between Second and Third avenues. 9 p.m.: Other Music, 15 E. 4th St., between Lafayette Street and Broadway.

CANTERBURY SONGS The Canterbury Choral Society performs Haydn’s “Paukenmesse” (Mass in a Time of War). The soloists are soprano Kathleen Kelly, mezzo-soprano Lucyane Bouchardet, tenor Phillip Smith, and bass-baritone Ralph Braun. Charles Dodsley Walker conducts the program, which also includes music by Verdi and Bach. Sunday, 4 p.m., Church of the Heavenly Rest, Fifth Avenue and 90th Street, 212-222-9458, $20 general, $10 seniors and students, free for children under 12.

STYLE

COCKTAILS AND WORLD PEACE The Miss L.E.S. Pageant does not draw the tanned and hair-sprayed lovelies typical of most beauty contests. Despite the distinctly downtown vibe, competitors face off in familiar categories such as platform statement, swimsuit, evening gown, and interview. The judges themselves could each reasonably vie for the title of princess (or prince) of the neighborhood. They include the “Village Voice” columnist Michael Musto, writer and performance artist Mike Albo, musician JD Samson, and the burlesque beauty World Famous *BOB*.The winner will receive a plastic tiara, a sash, $100 in dollar bills, and several drink tickets. Saturday, 8 p.m., Fez Under Time Cafe, Fez Under Time Cafe, 380 Lafayette St. at Great Jones Street, 212-533-7000, $12, reservations strongly recommended.

TALK

AFRICAN ART A curator of African art at the New Orleans Museum of Art, William Fagaly, discusses how he built the museum’s collection. He’ll talk about objects on display and those that aren’t on view. Saturday, 3 p.m., Museum for African Art, 36-01 43rd Ave. at 36th Street, Long Island City, 718-784-7700, $6 general, $3 seniors and students. Note: The lecture is for ages 16 and over.

THEATER

VIRAL MARKETING Matthew Paul Olmos’s new play “Seal Sings Its Song” is set during the 1980s and follows a man infected with the still-unnamed HIV virus. Eriko Ogawa directs the WokenGlacier production. Through Saturday, March 19, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday, 8 p.m., Gene Frankel Theatre, 24 Bond St. at Lafayette Street, 646-654-6433, $15. Note: Additional performance takes place on Thursday, March 17.

HARD WORK Jean-Claude Grumberg’s “The Workroom,” set in Paris during the years after World War II, follows eight war survivors attempting to repair their lives. Moni Yakim directs the Unbound Theatre production. Through Saturday, March 12, Wednesday-Saturday, 8 p.m., matinees at 3 p.m. on March 5 and 12, Manhattan Theatre Source, 177 MacDougal St., between Waverly Place and 8th Street, 212-868-4444, $15.

GENUINE GIOTTO? David Edgar’s “Pente cost” follows a curator and an art historian debating the authenticity of what appears to be a Giotto painting. Through Friday, April 25, Wednesday-Friday, Sunday, and Monday, 8 p.m., Saturday, 2 and 8 p.m., the Barrow Group, 312 W. 36th St. at Eighth Avenue, third floor, 212-868-4444, $40.

TOUR

GATED GRAMERCY A walking tour of Gramercy Park explores the historic residents who have made their homes in the buildings around the private park. Sunday, 1 p.m., meet in front of the Gramercy Park Hotel, 21st Street and Lexington Avenue, 212-979-8013, $12 general, $10 seniors and students.

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.