ART

AMERICAN ART DEBUT The Mitchell-Innes & Nash Gallery presents the opening of an exhibit of works by Veron Urdarianu. The Romanian-born artist’s works explore the relationships between sculpture, architecture, and painting, using such materials as wood, plastic, and metal. Tonight, 6 p.m., exhibit through Friday, February 17, Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Mitchell-Innes & Nash Chelsea, 534 W. 26th St., between Tenth and Eleventh avenues, 212-744-7400, free.

FAMILY

MONKEY AROUND A six-member band, the Funkey Monkeys, give a concert for families that features a blend of comic sketches and improvisation, and quirky musical selections such as “Hip Hop Hatikva.” The band is led by a musical director for Nickelodeon’s “Dora the Explorer,” composer Joshua Sitron. Sunday, 2 p.m., the Jewish Museum, 1109 Fifth Ave. at 92nd Street, 212-423-3200, $12 general, $10 members.

MUSIC

THE BEST DAYS OF MY LIFE One of the most successful pop artists of the mid-1980s and 1990s, Canadian singer-songwriter Bryan Adams, performs selections from his lengthy catalog of heartland rock, power ballads, and catchy pop hits, many of which were the product of a successful collaboration with veteran songwriter Jim Vallance. Tonight, 8 p.m., Beacon Theatre, 2124 Broadway at 74th Street, 212-496-7070, $49.50–$69.50.

ROSSINI AT THE ROSE As part of the “Rose Studio Concerts” series, the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center performs Rossini’s Duetto in D major for Cello and Bass, and Schubert’s Piano Quintet in A major, D. 667, Op. 114, (“Trout”). The latter composer was among Rossini’s great admirers and overtly demonstrated his enthusiasm by writing in the Italian style. Ensemble members include violinist Joseph Silverstein and cellist Efe Baltacigil. Tonight, 6:45 p.m., Lincoln Center, Samuel B. and David Rose Building, Daniel & Joanna S. Rose Studio, 10th floor, 165 W. 65th St. at Amsterdam Avenue, 212-875-5775, $28.

GIRL FROM IPANEMA Joe’s Pub and the Polish Cultural Institute present singer Gretchen Parlato, who performs Brazilian samba and world-beat originals with African guitarist and percussionist Lionel Loueke. Ms. Parlato was the winner in 2004 of the Thelonious Monk Jazz Vocals Competition. Aga Zaryan, among Poland’s renowned jazz vocalists, is a featured performer. Tonight, 7 p.m., Joe’s Pub, 425 Lafayette St., between 4th Street and Astor Place, 212-539-8778, $15.

SINGING IN THE DEAD OF NIGHT A six-member ensemble, Eighth Blackbird, performs selections from their often harmonically dissonant repertoire. Group members include flutist Tim Munro, violinist Matt Albert, and pianist Lisa Kaplan. Tonight and tomorrow, 8 p.m., the Kitchen, 512 W. 19th St., between Tenth and Eleventh avenues, 212-255-5793, $10.

BRIGHT LIGHTS Saxophonist Claire Daly and the Bright Mo ments perform a tribute to the music and spirit of Rahsaan Roland Kirk, a blind, multi-in strumentalist whose work was rooted in hard bop and soul jazz Band members include human beat box artist Napoleon Maddox and pianist Eli Yamin. A spoken word artist, Kirpal Gordon, is a featured performer. Tonight and Thursday, January 25, 8 p.m. Bowery Poetry Club, 308 Bowery between Bleecker and Houston streets, 212-614-0505, $10 general.

AND THE WINNER IS … Symphony Space presents a performance by the winners of Canada’s Honens International Piano Competition. Founded in 1991, Honens is the country’s leading presenter of music for piano, holding more than 50 concert, education, and outreach events in Canada each year. The triennial Honens competition is considered one of the world’s great music competitions. Friday, 7:30 p.m., Symphony Space, Leonard Nimoy Thalia Theatre, 2537 Broadway at 95th Street, 212-864-5400, $21 general, $18 members, $15 students and seniors.

READINGS

VERY PRIMITIVE PEOPLE Author Francine Prose discusses her most recent offering, “Reading Like a Writer: A Guide for People Who Love Books and for Those Who Want To Write Them” (Harper-Collins). The talk is featured as part of the BAM series “Eat, Drink, and Be Literary.” The author talks about craft and urges aspiring writers to reread the classics — Chekhov in particular. A former editor of the Paris Review, Brigid Hughes, is moderator of the talk. Tonight, 6:30 p.m., BAMCafé, 30 Lafayette St., between Ashland Place and St. Felix Street, Fort Greene, 718-636-4139, $10 general, $7 students, seniors, children, and members.

PHOTOGRAPHY

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Aperture Magazine celebrates its 55th anniversary with the opening of an honorary exhibit, “On the Wall: Aperture Magazine ’05-’06.” Artists in the exhibit include William Christenberry and Katherine Wolkoff. Selections in the exhibit include Mary Ellen Mark’s “Tiny blowing a bubble” (1983). Tonight, reception, 6-8 p.m., exhibit through Thursday, March 8, Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Aperture Gallery, 547 W. 27th St., between Tenth and Eleventh avenues, 212-505-5555, free.

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