ART

BACK TO THE 1970s The Mitchell Algus Gallery presents a dual show of sculptures by Bill Bollinger and paintings by Tom Evans. Bollinger’s and Mr. Evans’s works from the 1970s are considered part of the “antiform” school of thought, which rejected the rules of color and structure in minimalist art. The painting shown above, by Mr. Evans, is untitled and from 1971, and Bollinger’s sculpture, also untitled, is from 1973. Through Saturday, Tuesday–Friday, noon–6 p.m., Saturday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Mitchell Algus Gallery, 511 W. 25th St. at Tenth Avenue, 2nd floor, 212-242-6242, free.

DANCE

STAGE PARTY Evidence Dance Company holds its annual Winter Gala, featuring a dinner and an evening performance by the group, which is led by choreographer Ronald Brown. A former president of the Studio Museum in Harlem, Lowery Stokes Sims, is chair of the event. Senator and President Clinton are honorary cochairpersons. Tonight, 6:30 p.m., Millennium Hotel, Hudson Theater, 145 W. 44th St., between Sixth Avenue and Times Square, 212-868-8450 ext. 209, $750 and up.

FOOD & DRINK

FOR THE LOVE OF SCOTCH The James Beard Foundation presents a dinner featuring tastings of Bowmore Single Malt Scotch, both in cocktails and served neat. Chefs include Chris Cipollone of Dylan Prime restaurant and Christopher Dunn of Devin Tavern. The mixologist of the night is Michael Waterhouse of Drink Tank, Ltd. Tonight, 7 p.m., the Beard House, 167 W. 12th St., between Sixth and Seventh avenues, 212-627-2308, $155 general, $125 members.

MUSIC

MUSIC IN THE AFTERNOON The “Concerts at One” lunchtime series begins its winter season with a performance by the Ikarus Chamber Players, who perform a program of works by Brahms and Muczynski. Musicians include cellist Julia MacLaine and pianist Ilya Kazantsev. Today, 1 p.m., St. Paul’s Chapel, 211 Broadway at Fulton Street, 212-602-0874, $2 donation suggested.

STAND UP The bandleader of the “Saturday Night Live” band, saxophonist Lenny Pickett, and the New York University Jazz Orchestra perform songs from the 2006 album “NYU Jazz Orchestra Plays the Music of Teo Macero.”Tonight, 7:30 and 9:30 p.m., Jazz at Lincoln Center, Dizzy’s Club Coca Cola, 33 W. 60th St. at Broadway, 212-258-9800, free.

LES CHANSONS Mezzo-soprano Susan Graham ends her threeweek cross-country tour with an all-French program featuring traditional French mélodie songs from the 19th and 20th centuries. Songs include Paladilhe’s “Psyché,” Saint-Saëns’s “Danse macabre,” and Bizet’s “Chanson d’avril.” Tonight, 8 p.m., Carnegie Hall, 54 W. 57th St. at Seventh Avenue, 212-247-7800, $25–$80.

STRINGS AND DRUMS The Speculum Musicae ensemble performs four world premieres for baritone, guitar, and percussion by Tom Flaherty and Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Richard Wernick. Musicians include baritone Patrick Mason and guitarist David Starobin. Mr. Flaherty’s piece “A Heckuva Job” features text by writer Calvin Trillin. Tonight, 8 p.m., Merkin Concert Hall, 129 W. 67th St. at Broadway, 212-501-3330, $20 general, $10 seniors, free for students.

NEW JAZZ YEAR The Manhattan School of Music Concert Jazz Band kicks off the new year with a performance of songs by composers Bill Holman and Kenny Wheeler. The band is led by conductor Justin DiCioccio. Tomorrow, 7:30 p.m., MSM, John C. Borden Auditorium, Broadway and 122nd Street, 212-749-2802, free.

POETRY

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Galway Kinnell is best known for rejecting the poetic tradition of escaping reality to ease personal pain, writing poems about dealing with life through examination and meditation. His most well-known poems include “After Making Love We Hear Footsteps.” His 80th birthday is celebrated at the Cooper Union with a gala reading. Featured authors include E. L. Doctorow, Edward Hirsch, Mark Doty, Cornelius Eady, and Sharon Olds. The event is cosponsored by Poets House. Thursday, 7 p.m., the Cooper Union, Great Hall, 7 E. 7th St. at Third Avenue, 212-353-4195, free.

READINGS

HOOP DREAMS AND BEYOND Basketball legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar reads from and discusses his book “On the Shoulders of Giants: My Personal Journey Through the Harlem Renaissance” (Simon & Schuster), about how Mr. Abdul-Jabbar was influenced by figures such as Zora Neale Hurston and Langston Hughes throughout his sports career. Tonight, 6:30 p.m., New-York Historical Society, 170 Central Park West at 77th Street, 212-868-4444, $15 general, $10 students, seniors, and educators, $8 members.

ABRAHAMIC ROCK Steven Lee Beeber discusses his book “The Heebie-Jeebies at CBGB’s: A Secret History of Jewish Punk” (Chicago Review Press) with guests Genya Ravan, Danny Fields, and Chris Stein of the band Blondie. The reading is presented by the New York Book Club. Thursday, 6:30 p.m., Lower East Side Tenement Museum, Visitors Center and Museum Shop, 108 Orchard St. at Delancey Street, 212-431-0233, free, RSVP to bookclub@tenement.org.

TALKS

HONORING LEVI As part of a tribute to the scholar Primo Levi, the Italian Cultural Institute presents a panel discussion about the importance of memory, literature, and science in Levi’s work. Panelists include the 1981 Nobel Laureate in Chemistry, Roald Hoffmann, a professor of Italian literature at Yale, Millicent Marcus, and a professor of Italian Jewish literature at Yale, Risa Sodi. Tonight, 6 p.m., ICI, 686 Park Ave., between 68th and 69th streets, 212-879-4242 ext. 371, free.

OBJECT TO THIS The executive director of the Ayn Rand Institute, Dr. Yaron Brook, and the acting director of the New York University International Relations department, Dr. Michael Gilligan, participate in “Why the U.N. Matters — Or Does It?” a panel discussion about the efficacy and justification of the governing body. The event is presented by the Objectivist Club, the College Republicans, and Informed Democracy. Tonight, 7 p.m., NYU, Kimmel Center, 60 Washington Square South, between Thompson and LaGuardia Place, free, RSVP to nyu@objectivistclubs.org.

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.