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 media, from painting and sculpture to installation and video. Selections include Lewis deSoto’s “Paranirvana” (1999), top, and Yoko Inoue’s untitled video work from 2006. A screen capture of the video is shown above. 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 and Sunday, 11 a.m.–6 p.m., Rubin Museum, 150 W. 17th St, between Sixth and Seventh avenues, 212-620-5000, $10 general, $7 students, seniors, artists, and museum neighbors, free for children and members. For complete information, go to rmanyc.org.

MIX AND MATCH Painter and sculptor Jennifer Viola participates in an artist’s talk presented by the Educational Alliance. Her talk, “Sculpture Into Painting,” discusses how the two media influence her body of work. Ms. Viola also talks about how other artists can attempt to mix media. Audience members are encouraged to bring in their own art for discussion. Wednesday, 6:30 p.m., Educational Alliance, 197 E. Broadway, between Jefferson and Clinton streets, 212-780-2300 ext. 378, free. Reservations required for those who want to bring their artwork for analysis.

FILM

NOT GOING TO TAKE IT Sidney Lumet’s “Network” (1976) featured actor Peter Finch as an aging news anchor who threatens to commit suicide on-air after being fired for poor ratings. As his rant attracts a growing audience, he alters his fate and clouds the future of his co-workers. The film is screened as part of the “Monday Nights With Oscar” series presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Mr. Lumet is joined in a post-screening conversation with biographer Robert Osborne. Tonight, 7:30 p.m., the Academy Theater, Lighthouse International, 111 E. 59th St., between Park and Lexington avenues, 888-778-7575, $5.

MUSIC

SING ON HIGH The Brooklyn Conservatory Community Orchestra performs “American Journey,” a program presented as part of the “Music on the Heights” series mounted by the Plymouth Church of the Pilgrims. The orchestra performs Duke Ellington’s “King of the Magi” from “Three Black Kings,” and Aaron Copland’s “A Lincoln Portrait,” featuring a narration by Broadway actor Jeffrey Wright. Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Plymouth Church, 75 Hicks St., between Orange and Cranberry streets, Brooklyn Heights, 718-622-3300, $10.

READINGS

PEMBERLEY BOUND Broadway actress Kathleen Chalfant reads selections from Jane Austen’s various works as part of an event cosponsored by the New York Public Library and the Jane Austen Society of North America. Despite writing since her early 20s, Austen didn’t begin publishing her novels until she was 35, releasing “Sense and Sensibility” in 1811. Tomorrow, 6 p.m., NYPL, Donnell Library Center, 20 W. 53rd St., between Fifth and Sixth avenues, 212-621-0619, free.

ANALYZE THIS “Critical Mess: Art Critics on the State of Their Practice” (Hard Press Editions) is a volume featuring essays on the current debate of the importance and nature of contemporary art criticism. Writers include J.J. Charlesworth, Eleanor Heartney, Nancy Princenthal, and Katy Siegel. The editor of the collection, Raphael Rubinstein, is on hand for a book release party. Wednesday, 6 p.m., Galerie Lelong, 528 W. 26th St., between Tenth and Eleventh avenues, 212-315-0470, free.

SOIRÉES

HELPING ISRAEL The Bnai Zion Foundation presents the third installment of its Sports Legends Dinner Series, featuring a former Islanders forward, Bobby Nystrom. An auction of sports memorabilia is offered. The nonprofit organization raises funds in support of various humanitarian projects in Israel and America. Wednesday, 6 p.m., Bnai Zion Auditorium, 136 E. 39th St. at Lexington Avenue, 212-725-1211, $125.

TALKS

GOOD VIBRATIONS The Housing Works Bookstore Café presents an evening of conversation in honor of the songwriter Doc Pomus. His songbook includes “Lonely Avenue,” “Save the Last Dance for Me,” and “Viva Las Vegas.” Participants include the jazz musician Dr. John, soul singer Ben E. King, record producer Joel Dorn, writer Alex Halberstadt, and attorney Raoul Felder, Doc Pomus’s younger brother. Tonight, 7 p.m., Housing Works, 126 Crosby St., between Houston and Prince streets, 212-334-3324, free, donations of used books encouraged.

BIG WORKS The Artists on Artists lecture series, hosted by the Dia Foundation, features conceptual artist Fred Wilson in a discussion about the work of the land artist Robert Smithson, and the installation artist Robert Irwin. One of Smithson’s most famous projects is “Spiral Jetty” (1970), a sculpture made from 6,500 tons of earth and salt, located in the Great Salt Lake in Utah. Tonight, 6:30 p.m., Dia Art Foundation, 535 W. 22nd St., between Tenth and Eleventh avenues, 212-989-5566, $6 general, $3 students, seniors, and members.

NOT A DROP TO DRINK The Cooper Union hosts a panel discussion on World Water Day, which raises awareness on how global trends such as population growth are affecting the world’s water supplies and how green building practices can make a difference. Panelists include a senior vice president for General Electric Water, Jeff Fulgham, and a sustainable design expert at Gensler Architecture Firm, Rives Taylor. The founder and chief executive officer of the consulting firm GreenOrder, Andrew Shapiro, is moderator of the event. Thursday, noon–1:30 p.m., the Cooper Union, 30 Cooper Square at Astor Place, fifth floor, 212-353-4220, free.

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.