ART

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. Tonight, 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.

TYPING IT OUT “Key Promises” is a gallery-wide installation by Jean Shin made entirely from hundreds of deconstructed computer key caps that wrap around the gallery walls. The exhibit also features “Duet,” a video installation of two keyboards typing simultaneously. Through Saturday, April 7, Tuesday–Saturday, 11 a.m.–6 p.m., Frederieke Taylor Gallery, 535 W. 22nd St., between Tenth and Eleventh avenues, 6th floor, 646-230-0992, free.

FILM

WORDS ON A SCREEN The repertory film program at BAM Rose Cinemas, BAMcinématek, presents “Graham Greene Noir,” a program that focuses on screen adaptations of the writer’s works that were made in the 1940s, including “Ministry of Fear” (1944), “This Gun for Hire” (1942), and “The Third Man” (1949). The program continues with “Brighton Rock” (1947), about the antics of a sadistic teenage gang leader at a 1930s seaside resort. The film was directed by John Boulting, and featured actors include Richard Attenborough and Hermione Baddeley. A chat with film historian Elliott Stein follows the 6:50 p.m. show. Tonight, 4:30, 6:50, and 9:15 p.m., BAM Rose Cinemas, 30 Lafayette Ave., between St. Felix Street and Ashland Place, Brooklyn, 718-636-4100, $10 general, $7 students, seniors, and members.

FOOD & DRINK

A FEAST HOLIDAY Norouz is a 13-day Persian holiday celebrated to ring in spring. Chef Michael Mir of Bha! Bha! Restaurant in Naples, Fla., prepares traditional Iranian dishes as part of a dinner at the James Bearch House. Dishes include tamarind-laquered shrimp skewers, lamb-pistachio meatballs with sautéed butternut squash, pomegranate, and pinot noir-infused mint sauce, and ghayme’h bade june, slow-braised lamb with sun-dried Persian limes and roasted baby eggplant. Tonight, 7 p.m., James Beard House, 167 W. 12th St., between Sixth and Seventh avenues 212-627-2308, $130 general, $100 members.

MUSIC

MODERN WORKS AND MOZART The Nash Ensemble of London makes its only New York appearance of the season: The group performs both classical works and contemporary and commissioned works. The ensemble performs Mozart’s Quartet for Flute and Strings in D Major, Ravel’s Introduction and Allegro for Flute, Clarinet, Harp and String Quartet, and a piece the group commissioned from British composer Mark-Anthony Turnage, “Three Farewells for Flute, Clarinet, Harp and String Quartet.” Tonight, 8 p.m., 92nd Street Y, 1395 Lexington Ave. at 92nd Street, 212-415-5500, $40.

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.

PHOTOGRAPHY

THROUGH A VISITOR’S EYE Born in Jackson, Mich., in 1876, chemist William Richardson had a passion for nature and photography. He visited New York City in the 1920s and shot famous venues such as the Brooklyn Bridge. Selections from a self-titled sites of prints at Gitterman Gallery include “Grand Central Station” (c. 1920s), above. Through Saturday, May 5, Wednesday–Saturday, 11 a.m.–6 p.m., Gitterman Gallery, 170 E. 75th St., between Lexington and Third avenues, 212-734-0868, free.

READINGS

LITERARY INFLUENCES The “Selected Shorts: A Celebration of the Short Story” reading series presents playwright and screenwriter John Patrick Shanley, who introduces three short stories by Ernest Hemingway and Haruki Murakami. Readers include actors Ron Cephas Jones, Dana Ivey, and John Turturro. Tonight, 8 p.m., Symphony Space, 2537 Broadway at 95th Street, 212-864-5400, $19–$30.

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. Tonight, 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. Tonight, 6 p.m., Bnai Zion Auditorium, 136 E. 39th St. at Lexington Avenue, 212-725-1211, $125.

SALVATION FROM DISASTER The Salvation Army in Greater New York holds its annual Spring Gala benefit, raising funds for its Emergency Disaster Services program. President Clinton is honored for his work in raising awareness and funds for victims of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami and the hurricanes of 2005. A co-anchor of ABC’s “Good Morning American,” Robin Roberts, is the host of the event, and Broadway actor Brian Stokes Mitchell performs. Friday, 6:30 p.m., Hilton New York, Grand Ballroom, 1335 Sixth Ave. at 54th Street, 212-337-7340, $600.

TALKS

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 sustainabledesign 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. Tomorrow, noon-1:30 p.m., the Cooper Union, the Great Hall, 7 E. 7th St. at Third Avenue, 212-353-4220, free.

THE IMPORTANCE OF STOWE In conjunction with the exhibit “New York Divided: Slavery and the Civil War,” the New-York Historical Society presents a discussion with the chairman of the African American Studies Department at Harvard University, Henry Louis Gates Jr., and a writer and co-founder of Jazz at Lincoln Center, Stanley Crouch. The two men discuss the modern impact of Harriet Beecher Stowe’s novel “Uncle Tom’s Cabin.” Tomorrow, 6:30 p.m., 170 Central Park West at 77th Street, 212-868-4444, $15 general, $10 students, seniors, and educators, $8 members.

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