ART

A BIRD’S EYE VIEWING The New-York Historical Society presents the opening of “Audubon’s Aviary: Natural Selection,” an exhibit of 43 watercolor paintings by John James Audubon, drawn from the society’s permanent collection. Twenty-one bird species are represented in the show — portraits that the artist frequently reworked two or three times. The show is complemented by recorded birdcalls from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and a video that underscores Audubon’s mastery at encapsulating each bird’s personality. Through Sunday, May 20, Tuesday-Sunday, 10 a.m.–6 p.m., free admission and open until 8 p.m. on Friday, NYHS, 170 Central Park West at 77th Street, 212-868-4444, $10 general, $7 educators and seniors, $6 students, free for NYHS members and children under 12. For complete information, go to nyhistory.org.

DANCE

FRIENDS FOREVER The New York premiere of “Becky, Jodi and John,” choreographed by John Jasperse, is a piece that celebrates the friendship among Mr. Jasperse and dancers Becky Hilton and Jodi Melnick, who all met in the dance world 20 years ago. The work is a celebration of their varied senses of humor and their commitment to dance. Wednesday through Saturday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Friday, 7:30 and 10 p.m., Dance Theater Workshop, 219 W. 19th St., between Seventh and Eighth avenues, 212-924-0077, $25 general, $15 students, seniors, and members.

FAMILY

THIS LITTLE PIGGY The Museum of the Moving Image presents a spring break workshop and screening of the film adaptation of E.B. White’s “Charlotte’s Web” (2006), about a pig who hatches a plan with a friendly spider to keep himself away from his owners’ dinner table. During a pre-screening workshop, children learn about storytelling and how an author’s words are brought to life on screen. Today, 1 p.m., MMI, 36-01 35th Ave. at 36th Street, Astoria, Queens, 718-784-0077, $10 general, $7.50 students and seniors, $5 children.

PASSOVER

SOUTH ASIAN SEDER Tabla restaurant presents its second annual “Unleavened Bread Bar” dinner, featuring traditional seder dishes combined with Indian spicings and cooking techniques. Dishes include gefilte fish with Goan spices and Goan spiced brisket. Tomorrow, 7 p.m., Tabla, 11 Madison Ave. at 25th Street, 212-889-0667, $90.

PASS THE DANCE The Risa Jarslow Dance Company performs an interactive Passover dance performance for parents and children. The Passover seder’s four questions are turned into dance routines that the audience helps create. Saturday, 2:30 p.m., Jewish Community Center, 334 Amsterdam Ave. at 76th Street, 646-505-5708, free.

PHOTOGRAPHY

FROM ABOVE Andreas Gefeller takes aerial photographs of ordinary spots, such as racetracks, stadiums, and parking lots. In “Supervisions,” his latest exhibit at Hasted Hunt, he juxtaposes the aerial shots with detailed shots of the same scenes. In one pair, he shows a vast golf course green, and in a detailed shot, he shows tiny golf balls against the lawn. Through Saturday, April 14, Tuesday–Saturday, 11 a.m.–6 p.m., Hasted Hunt Gallery, 529 W. 20th St., between Tenth and Eleventh avenues, 212-627-0006, free.

POETRY

COOL CAREER “Carl Sandberg: Modernist?” is a group discussion about the work of the poet who wrote “Chicago” in 1914 and “Prairie” in 1943. Sandberg’s work was considered to be modernist during the first half of the 20th century — his work was championed by Ezra Pound as innovative and inspiring. But Sandberg’s early modernist work was forgotten during the later years of his career. As part of National Poetry Month, New York University hosts this talk on Sandberg’s work, featuring readings of his poetry. Participants include poets Edward Hirsch, Geoffrey O’Brien, Meghan O’Rourke, and Harvey Shapiro, and historian Sean Wilentz. The editor of the American Poets Project edition of “Carl Sandburg: Selected Poems,” Paul Berman, is curator of the event. Wednesday, 6 p.m., NYU, Hemmerdinger Hall, 100 Washington Square East at Washington Place, 212-998-2101, free.

TALKS

BEFORE THE PERFORMANCE The Joyce Theater presents “Dance Talk — A Fresh Look at John Butler,” which is presented as part of the upcoming retrospective “John Butler: An American Master.” Butler created works throughout the 20th century that have been performed by a range of ballet and modern dance companies. He tackled unconventional subjects and clarified their meanings to make a strong impact on his audiences. Speakers include dance artists Carmen DeLavallade and Lawrence Rhodes, and the executive director of the John Butler Foundation, Willaim Soleau. Tonight, 6 p.m., Joyce SoHo, 155 Mercer St., between Houston and Prince streets, 646-792-8377, free, RSVP required.

PARTING THE PARKS “The Wars of the Moses” is a talk about Robert Moses and the controversies that swirled around him, including such issues as public parks and what can and should be built in them, race and class (as they affect parks), and the relationship of interested and disinterested parties to the decision-making process. The talk features the commissioner of parks under Mayor Lindsay, Tom Hoving, the founder of the Central Park Conservancy, Betsy Barlow Rogers, and the president of the Hudson Institute, Herbert London. Henry Stern is moderator of the event. Wednesday, 6:30 p.m., Museum of the City of New York, 1220 Fifth Ave. at 103rd St., 212-564-4441, free.

THEATER

DEAD AND GONE The Chocolate Factory theater group presents Ken Urban’s “2 Husbands,” based on the right-to-die case of Terri Schiavo, who died after lengthy court battles between her ex-husband and her parents, who attempted to keep her alive on life support. The play follows one husband who fights a media circus while attempting to remove his former wife from life support, and another husband who attempts to communicate with his dead wife through spiritual means. “2 Husbands” is directed by Brian Rogers, and featured actors include Sheila Lewandowski, Alanna Medlock, and Victor Villar-Hauser. Thursday through Saturday, April 28th, Thursday–Saturday, 8 p.m., the Chocolate Factory, 5-49 49th Ave. between 5th Street and Hunters Point Avenue, Long Island City, Queens, 212-352-3101, $15.

LIFETIME INFLUENCES Athol Fugard’s “Exits and Entrances,” presented by Primary Stages, is an autobiographical two-character play that chronicles the friendship between a young idealistic playwright and an older actor struggling unhappily to find meaning and dignity in his fading career. Set in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, in 1956 and 1961, the play is based on Mr. Fugard’s relationship with stage actor André Huguenet, who was known at one time as the Olivier of South Africa. The play is directed by Stephen Sachs, and actors include Morlan Higgins and William Dennis Hurley. Through Saturday, April 28, Tuesday, 7 p.m., Wednesday–Friday, 8 p.m., Saturday, 2 and 8 p.m., 59E59 Theaters, 59 E. 59th St., between Park and Madison avenues, 212-840-9705, $60.

SCULPTURE

THREE VIEWS “Small Bodies” is a three-person exhibit at McKee Gallery, featuring the works of Jeanne Silverthorne, Leonid Lerman, and William Tucker. Ms. Silverthorne casts her clay works in rubber to finish them, Mr. Lerman’s works reflect his views on post-communist Russia, and Mr. Tucker’s bronze sculptures are studies for eventual larger works. Selections include Mr. Lerman’s “Small Talk V” (2006), top left, Mr. Tucker’s “Untitled (Study for Dancer)” (2002), top right, and Ms. Silverthorne’s “Bob” (2007), above. Through Saturday, May 5, Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., McKee Gallery, 745 Fifth Ave., between 57th and 58th streets, 212-688-5951, 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.