ART

BROOKLYN BRUSH Brooklyn’s Bruno Marina Gallery displays new abstract paintings by Craig Taylor.The exhibit, “These Dandies are in Focus,” is Mr.Taylor’s first solo show in New York. Through Sunday, April 3, Thursday–Sunday, noon–6 p.m., Bruno Marina Gallery, 372 Atlantic Ave., between Bond and Hoyt streets, Brooklyn, 718-254-0808, free.

AUCTION

OPEN HOUSE Christie’s kicks off its “First Open” series of sales of “accessible and affordable” post-war and contemporary art. Preview: Tomorrow and Saturday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Sunday, 1–5 p.m., Monday, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Auction: Tuesday, 10 a.m., Christie’s Galleries, 20 Rockefeller Plaza, between Fifth and Sixth avenues, 212-636-2000, free.

BENEFITS

IMMIGRANT AID Asian Americans for Equality celebrates New Yorkers who have contributed to the city’s immigrant community at a benefit next week. Tonight, 5:30 p.m. VIP reception, 6:30 p.m. dinner, 7:30 p.m. program, Jing Fong Restaurant, 20 Elizabeth St., between Bayard and Canal streets, 212-680-1374, $100–$250.

HAMPTONS HIGHLIGHTS Composer Sheldon Harnick, novelist Louis Begley, artist Cindy Sherman, and philanthropist Marshall Rose receive lifetime achievement awards presented by Guild Hall’s Academy of the Arts. East Hampton actress Angela LaGreca emcees the gala evening, which honors people who have contributed to cultural life on Long Island’s East End. Monday, 6:30 p.m. cocktails, 7:30 p.m. dinner, Rainbow Room, 30 Rockefeller Plaza, 50th Street between Fifth and Sixth avenues, 631-324-0806, $600–$1,500.

ACTORS IN THE AUDIENCE Actor Matthew Modine plays host to a benefit for Young Audiences New York. Robert De Niro presents a tribute to Gregory Hines in front of an audience that includes Hines’s son and daughter. Other honorees include an executive producer of “Law & Order: SVU,” Neal Baer, and the president of Carat USA, Charlie Rutman. Artwork by New York City public schoolchildren will be on display. Wednesday, 6:15 p.m., cocktails and silent auction, dinner to follow, Marriott Marquis, Broadway and 45th Street, 212-355-5702, $600.

BOOKS

AFTER THE WHITE HOUSE Patricia O’Toole discusses her book “When Trumpets Call” (Simon & Schuster), which traces Theodore Roosevelt’s unorthodox postpresidency life: He went on safari, made an unsuccessful bid for the Republican nomination, and then formed a third party to try again. Tonight, 6 p.m., Corner Bookstore, 1313 Madison Ave. at 93rd Street, 212-831-3554, free.

RATHER CONFIDENT The gossip editor at the National Enquirer, Mike Walker, thinks he has a thing or two to teach CBS News. He’ll discuss his book “Rather Dumb” (Nelson Current), a send-up of Dan Rather’s perceived shortcomings. Tonight, 6 p.m., Coliseum Books, 11 W. 42nd St., between Fifth and Sixth avenues, 212-803-5890, free.

HEALING WATER Keith McDermott reads from his novel “Acqua Calda” (Avalon). The book’s protagonist is a gay man preparing for his death from AIDS when new anti-retroviral drugs give him a second chance at romance and an acting career. Tonight, 7 p.m., Barnes & Noble Chelsea, 675 Sixth Ave., between 21st and 22nd streets, 212-727-1227, free.

COMEDY

FUNNY FEMALES “So Laugh a Little” is an evening celebrating Jewish women comedians, with performances by Judy Gold, Wendy Liebman, Jackie Hoffman, Rain Pryor, and others. Excerpts from Joan Micklin Silver’s new documentary “Only Faster” will be screened; the film tells the story of pioneering comedians Fanny Brice, Judy Holliday, Madeline Kahn, Molly Picon, Gilda Radner, and Sophie Tucker.The evening begins with a reception featuring “noshes and schnapps.” Proceeds go to the Jewish Women’s Archive, a nonprofit historic-preservation organization. Monday, 6 p.m. reception, 7 p.m. performance, Copacabana, 560 W. 34th St., between Tenth and Eleventh avenues, 617-232-2258, $250 and up.

DANCE

POLKA DOTTY Before a dance demonstration and concert by the contemporary polka band Brave Combo, those with two left feet can learn some polka moves during a brief lesson. Tonight, 6:30–7 p.m. dance lesson, 7 p.m. show and public dancing, World Financial Center Winter Garden, 220 Vesey St. at West Side Highway, free.

THINGS FALL AWAY Mary Seidman and Dancers perform a program of modern dance titled “All Things Fall Away.” “Homage” is set to Celtic music played by live musicians, “Picture Perfect” features an 8-year-old dancer and her mother, and “Who Will Roll Away the Stone?” is a piece for five dancers that explores the afterlife. Tonight and Friday, 9 p.m., Saturday, 8 p.m., Merce Cunningham Studio, 55 Bethune St. at Washington Street, 212-629-3107, $20 general, $15 dancers, $10 children.

FILM

OVERSEAS SCREAMS “Otaku Cinema Slam!” features recent Japanese films that celebrate otaku — geeks with monomaniacal pop-culture obsessions. Tonight, a gruesome double feature highlights the work of horror manga artist Hideshi Hino. “Jihoku kozo” (The Boy From Hell) is about a mourning mother who brings her son back to life — unfortunately, not as she remembers him. “Tadareta ie: Zoroku no kibyo” (The Ravaged House: Zoroku’s Disease) follows a man whose disfiguring disease causes his family to be ostracized by their village. The event marks the North American premiere for both movies. Tonight, 6:30 p.m., Japan Society, 333 E. 47th St., between First and Second avenues, 212-752-3015, $10 general, $5 seniors and students. Note: Tonight’s screening is not recommended for children.

LOCATION, LOCATION Alejandro Amenábar’s first English-language film, “The Others” (2001), stars Nicole Kidman as a soldier’s wife whose children have a rare allergy to the sun. Tonight, 8:30 p.m., Sunday, 2 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 sameday screenings.

HOTEL HORROR Ready for a late-night scare? Stanley Kubrick’s “The Shining” (1980), based on the Stephen King novel, is screened at midnight this weekend. Jack Nicholson stars as a writer who moves with his family into a remote hotel to act as an offseason caretaker. Tomorrow and Saturday, midnight, Landmark’s Sunshine Cinema, 143 E. Houston St., between Eldridge and Forsyth streets, 212-330-8182, $10.50.

FOOD & DRINK

PALATE PRECISION Chef Vikas Khanna presents a cooking workshop based on his research on taste and visually impaired people. Students at “Vision of Palate” will taste a single spice or herb, then move on to more complex flavors, defining flavors along the way. Yogurt sorbet with grapefruit soup cleanses the palate. Donations go to Save the Children’s work with South Asian children with visual disabilities. Tuesday, 2–4 p.m., Andrew Heiskell Braille and Talking Book Library, 40 W. 20th St., between Fifth and Sixth avenues, 866-543-2781, free, donations requested.

MUSIC

COBB’S MOB Veteran jazz drummer Jimmy Cobb, known for his work with Miles Davis and Dinah Washington, is at the center of a “Highlights in Jazz” tribute. His band, Cobb’s Mob, joins costars from his own generation, such as Clark Terry and Lou Donaldson,along with younger bop stars Bill Charlop, Mike LeDonne, Peter Bernstein, and Kenny Washington. Tonight, 8 p.m., Tribeca Performing Arts Center, 199 Chambers St., between Greenwich and West streets, 212-220-1460, $27.50 general, $25 students.

NEW VOICES A GreenwichVillage caf? inaugurates a bimonthly “Gnu Vox” music series with performances by David Devoe and Julia Dollison.The series focuses on vocal jazz music, from modern to avantgarde. Tonight, 8:30 and 10 p.m., Cornelia Street Cafe, 29 Cornelia St., between W. 4th and Bleecker streets, 212-989-9319, $10.

CHI-CHI CHANTEUSE A Girl Called Eddy (aka Erin Moran) is the opening act for the buzzed-about Keren Ann.The Frenchborn singer-songwriter recorded her latest album, “Nolita,” in Paris and New York. Accordingly, it includes songs in French (“Midi dans le salon de la Duchesse”) and English (“Roses and Hips”). Tonight, 9:30 p.m., Joe’s Pub, 425 Lafayette St. at Astor Place, 212-539-8778, $15.

EAST MEETS WEST SIDE The China Philharmonic Orchestra makes its New York debut with soprano Lüwa Ke and conductor Long Yu.The program includes Rimsky-Korsav’s “The Tsar’s Bride,” Rachmaninoff’s “Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini,”Ye Xiaogang’s “Das Lied auf der Erde,” and Bartok’s “Miraculous Mandarin Suite.” Sunday, 3 p.m., Lincoln Center, Avery Fisher Hall, West 65th Street near Columbus Avenue, 212-721-6500, $35–$68.

POETRY

CONTEMPORARY VERSE American poets Irving Feldman, Jack Gilbert, Maxine Kumin, and Gary Snyder read from their new collections at the Poetry Society of America’s “Contemporary Masters” event. A reception follows. Tonight, 7:30 p.m., New School, Tishman Auditorium, 66 W. 12th St., between Fifth and Sixth avenues, 212-254-9628, $10 general, $7 PSA members and students.

TALKS

LYNNE LOOKS BACK Jazz contralto Gloria Lynne,a Harlem native, discusses her career as part of the “Harlem Speaks” series. Ms. Lynne, who has released 45 albums, is best known for singing “I Wish You Love” and “June Night.” Tonight, 6:30–8 p.m., Jazz Museum in Harlem, 104 E. 126th St., between Park and Lexington avenues, 212-348-8300 for reservations, free.

TELLING STORIES Writer Roger Rosenblatt lectures on the meaning of storytelling in human life. He asserts that our evolution is connected to our ability to tell stories about ourselves. Tomorrow, 7–8:30 p.m., American Museum of Natural History, Kaufman Theater, 79th Street and Central Park West, 212-769-5200, $15 general, $12 members.

WORKSHOP

CUT A RUG The American Folk Art Museum helps visitors make their own folk art at “Rug Weekend,” a two-day festival focusing on hooked rugs. In a “Hook the Blues” workshop, participants use many shades of blue to make a small geometric mat (tomorrow, 10 a.m.–4 p.m., $95 fee, $40 materials, bring sharp scissors). Another workshop offers the chance to make a small shoulder bag based on the “Shoo Fly” quilt pattern (Saturday, 9 a.m.–noon, $45 fee, $40 materials). Linda Rae Coughlin lectures on an exhibit she curated in which a group of rug hookers made rugs based on every playing card in a deck. Several examples are on display at the museum (Saturday, 12:30–1:30 p.m., free with admission). Festival: Tomorrow, 10:30–7:30 p.m., Saturday, 10:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m., American Folk Art Museum, 45 W. 53 St., between Fifth and Sixth avenues, 212-265-1040 ext. 105 for reservations, $9 general, $7 seniors and students, free for members and children under 12.

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.