ART

GIVING PEACE A CHANCE The Rubin Museum of Art presents the opening of “Missing Peace: Artists Consider the Dalai Lama,” an exhibit that explores the Dalai Lama’s multiple roles and iconic status through the works of more than 80 contemporary artists from around the world. The exiled Tibetan lama’s work and identity are addressed in a range of styles, from painting and sculpture to installation and video. A selection of paintings and sculptures from the museum’s collection, depicting the historical lineage of the Dalai Lama, is also included. Opens Friday, exhibit through, Monday, September 3, Monday, 11 a.m.–5 p.m., Wednesday, 11 a.m.–7 p.m., Thursday, 11 a.m.–5 p.m., Friday, 11 a.m.–10 p.m., Saturday–Sunday, 11 a.m.–6 p.m., Rubin Museum, 150 W. 17th St., between Sixth and Seventh avenues, 212-620-5000, $10 general, $7 seniors, students, artists, and museum neighbors, free for children and members. For complete information, go to rmanyc.org.

THE HISTORY OF GENGHIS The exhibit “Mongolia: Beyond Chinggis Khan” explores the history of the Asian country on the occasion of the 800th anniversary of the Mongol empire’s founding. Through Monday, April 16, Monday and Thursday, 11 a.m.–5 p.m., Wednesday, 11 a.m.–7 p.m., Friday, 11 a.m.–10 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m.–6 p.m., Rubin Museum of Art, 150 W. 17th St., between Sixth and Seventh avenues, 212-620-5000, $10 general, $7 students, seniors, artists, and neighbors, free for children and members.

BLUE SKIES SMILING The exhibit “Berlin Skies” by Werner Schmidt features multi-paneled paintings of monochrome colors, inspired by artists such as Mark Rothko. “Skies” is a continuation of Mr. Schmidt’s last exhibit, “Berlin Blues.” Selections include “Surching for the light” (2007), above. Through Saturday, April 7, Tuesday-Saturday, 10:30 a.m.–6 p.m., 529 W. 20th St., between Tenth and Eleventh avenues, seventh floor, 646-486-7004, free.

DANCE

THE FAIREST OF THEM ALL Choreographer Ann Liv Young and a cast of three dancers perform an unconventional adaptation of the Grimm Brothers’ fairy tale “Snow White.” Ms. Young, who is known for exploring the psychosexual in her work, departs from the sanitized Disney telling of the porcelain-skinned princess and a jealous queen. Liz Santoro and Lizzy Sise are featured performers. Through Saturday, 8 p.m., the Kitchen, 512 W. 19th St., between Tenth and Eleventh avenues, 212-255-5793, $12.

MUSIC

EXCELLENT BIRDS New York musician Laurie Anderson combines video, performance, photography, sculpture, and music during her live concerts. She has been performing since the late 1960s, and became NASA’s first artist-in-residence in 2003. Ms. Anderson performs classic and new material, most recently from her 2001 album, “Life on a String.” Friday and Sunday, 7 p.m., Joe’s Pub, 425 Lafayette St., between 4th Street and Astor Place, 212-967-7555, $25.

BLOWING OUT THE CANDLES “Sing Into Spring Festival” is a concert given by jazz vocalist Mark Murphy and the Misha Piatigorsky Quartet. A six-time Grammy Award-nominee, Mr. Murphy celebrates his 75th birthday with this engagement. Featured performers include Mr. Piatigorsky on piano, Hans Glawischnig on bass, and Ernesto Simpson on drums. Through Sunday, Friday–Saturday, 7:30, 9:30, 11:30 p.m., Sunday, 7:30 and 9:30 p.m., Jazz at Lincoln Center, Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola, Frederick P. Rose Hall, 33 W. 60th St. at Broadway, 212-258-9800, $30. For complete information, go to jalc.org.

A GYPSY’S LAMENT The New York Philharmonic performs Schumann’s Symphony No. 3 (Rhenish), Bach’s “Ricercar No. 2” from “A Musical Offering,” and the late Jewish Hungarian composer György Ligeti’s Violin Concerto. Ligeti, whose works have been featured in such films as “Eyes Wide Shut,” drew on his Hungarian heritage to create a sort of Gypsy lament in this concerto. The fivemovement piece features shifting timbres and harmonies. Conductor Alan Gilbert leads the orchestra, and violinist Christian Tetzlaff is a featured soloist. Friday, 2 p.m., Saturday, 8 p.m., Avery Fisher Hall, 10 Lincoln Center Plaza, between Broadway and 65th Street, 212-875-5900, $28–$94.

ST. PATRICK’S DAY

ANTICIPATING GREEN The influences behind the music of Irish singer-songwriter Susan McKeown include the ancient Irish legend of the Táin, the words of Chief Seattle, the poetry of Emily Dickinson and Samuel Taylor Coleridge, and urban life in Manhattan. She performs a program of contemporary and traditional Irish songs in anticipation of St. Patrick’s Day. Friday, 12:30 p.m., World Financial Center, Winter Garden, 220 Vesey St. at West Street, 212-945-0505, free.

MARCH AWAY The 246th annual St. Patrick’s Day parade features traditional family clans marching together past Central Park. This year’s grand marshal is Raymond Flynn, a former mayor of Boston, and a former ambassador to the Vatican. Recommended viewing spots include the steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art (1000 Fifth Ave. at 82nd Street), or the ending point of the parade at Fifth Avenue and 86th Street. Saturday, 11 a.m., parade begins on 44th Street and Fifth Avenue, free.

SHAMROCK SHAKE The Scholastic Store hosts a family-friendly St. Patrick’s Day celebration, featuring arts and crafts for children. Families are encouraged to wear their best green attire. Saturday, 3 p.m., the Scholastic Store, 557 Broadway, between Prince and Spring streets, 212-343-6166, free.

STATEN ISLAND SOUNDS Historic Richmond Town celebrates St. Patrick’s Day with Irish Fever, a trio of lively performers playing traditional Irish songs, ballads, and upbeat melodies. Musicians include banjoist Peter Becker, guitarist Michal Bobryk, and bassist Denny Ryan. Saturday, 7:30 p.m. and 9 p.m., Historic Richmond Town, Guyon Tavern, 441 Clarke Ave., Staten Island, 718-351-1611 ext. 281, $15 general, $12 members of the Staten Island Historical Society.

TALKS

PREVENTING DISEASE The Colon Cancer Alliance and the Jay Monahan Center for Gastrointestinal Health at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell present “Conversations About Colorectal Cancer,” an educational seminar about developing ways that patients can speak to doctors about the disease, and vice versa. Colon cancer is the second-leading cancer killer in America. Saturday, 8 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Weill Cornell Medical College, Uris Auditorium, 1300 York Ave. at 69th Street, 877-422-2030, free. Registration required at ccalliance.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.