ART

AFTER THE BEGINNING “The Second Day” is an exhibit featuring the works of Danish painter Maja Lisa Engelhardt. The paintings are influenced by the book of Genesis: There are seven series of paintings that depict the creation of the world. Through Saurday, 11 a.m.–6 p.m., Elizabeth Harris Gallery, 529 W. 20th St., between Tenth and Eleventh avenues, 212-463-9666, free.

A TOUCH OF NIRVANA The Japan Society presents the opening of “Awakenings: Zen Figure Painting in Medieval Japan,” an exhibit of 47 Japanese and Chinese works painted between the 13th and the 16th centuries. The exhibit explores the origins and traditions of painting associated with Zen Buddhist communities during an era of singular artistic merit. In many of the works, Buddhist monks are depicted in spirit-infused states, whether sleeping, dreaming, walking, or reaching enlightenment. Since World War II, there have been only two large-scale shows mounted on this subject outside Japan. Through Sunday, June 17, Tuesday–Thursday, 11 a.m.–6 p.m., Friday, 11 a.m.–9 p.m., Saturday-Sunday, 11 a.m.–5 p.m., Japan Society, 333 E. 47th St., between First and Second avenues, 212-832-1155, $10 general, $8 students and seniors, free to members and children under 16.

DANCE

SONG TO A SEAGULL The City Center presents the Eifman Ballet of St. Petersburg’s threeweek engagement in celebration of its 30th anniversary. Among the four full-length ballets is Boris Eifman’s “Anna Karenina” and “Russian Hamlet,” the latter of which is danced to Beethoven and Mahler. In “Russian Hamlet,” a parallel is drawn between Shakespeare’s tragic hero and the only child of Catherine the Great, Paul. Friday–Sunday 8 p.m., through Sunday, April 29, dates and times vary, New York City Center, 131 W. 55th St., between Sixth and Seventh avenues, 212-581-1212, $35-$100. For complete information, go to citycenter.org.

BITTER TASTE Choreographer Amanda Loulaki and her troupe, Short Mean Lady, dance “Delirium, or That Taste in My Mouth.” The dancers rely on Ms. Loulaki’s direction but frequently improvise in this highly physical piece. Among the company members are Pedro Osorio, Rebecca Serrell, and Caroline Hall. Sunday’s performance is followed by a discussion with the choreographer and her collaborative partners. The artistic director of Dance Theatre Workshop, Carla Peterson, is moderator of the talk. Through Sunday, 8:30 p.m., St. Marks Theatre, 131 E. 10th St. at Second Avenue, 212-674-6377, $10–$15.

FLOWERS

BEAUTIFUL BLOOMS “Flora Exotica” is the theme of this year’s Macy’s Flower Show, featuring rare flowers in garden settings situated all across the department store. The Black and White Garden features roses, tulips and daffodils that are shades of dark purples, deep reds, and whites, and the Community Garden hydrangeas, azaleas, and tulips that will be replicated in a city park by a Flower Show provider, Ireland Gannon. Children’s gardens are featured on the seventh floor. Through Sunday, Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m.–9:30 p.m., Sunday, 10 a.m.–8:30 p.m., Macy’s, 151 W. 34th St., between Broadway and Seventh Avenue, 212-695-4400, free.

HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL DAY

REMEMBRANCE The Jewish Community Center of Manhattan honors Holocaust Memorial Day (Yom HaShoah) with a 20-hour reading of the names of Holocaust victims. In 2005, the JCC began honoring the holiday by reading names from a two-volume set of books provided by the German government. Every year since then, approximately 32,000 names are read during the observance. Interested readers should contact the JCC. Reading begins on Sunday, 10 p.m., Society for the Advancement of Judaism, 15 W. 86th St., between Columbus Avenue and Central Park West; continues on Monday, 9 a.m., JCC, 366 Amsterdam Ave. at 76th Street, 646-505-4458, free.

MUSIC

THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA The New York Pops presents “Broadway Then and Now,” a concert to celebrate the musical magic of the Great White Way. The program features selections that reflect stylistic changes to the genre, from the bold and brassy sound of Jule Styne’s “Funny Girl” to the lush music of Jerome Kern’s “Show Boat.” Pianist and conductor Rob Fisher leads the orchestra, and vocalist Kelli O’Hara, of “The Light in the Piazza” and “The Pajama Game,” is a featured performer. The New York Pops, founded by Skitch Henderson in 1983, is the only symphonic orchestra in New York City specializing in popular American music. Friday, 8 p.m., Carnegie Hall, Stern Auditorium, 54 W. 57th St. at Seventh Avenue, 212-247-7800, $27–$98.

ONE SWINGING TIME The Café Carlyle at the Carlyle Hotel presents the “Queen of Swing,” Keely Smith, during a monthlong residency. The 75-year-old singer performs a program of swing classics and jazz standards, including her Grammy-nominated song “I Wish You Love.” She is backed by her big band, the Wildest, led by pianist Dennis Michaels. Through Saturday, April 28, Tuesday–Thursday, 8:45 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 8:45 and 10:45 p.m., Carlyle Hotel, Café Carlyle, 35 E. 76th St. at Madison Avenue, 212-744-1600, $65 for Tuesday-Thursday shows, $75 for Friday and Saturday shows.

MELTING POT Ukrainian-born pianist Inna Faliks immigrated to America at the age of 10, after she had already composed an opera and played her first solo recital in Rome. She performs as part of the Arium series. Pieces include Tchaikovsky’s “Nocturne” in C sharp minor, Massenet’s “Meditation from Thais,” and Paganini’s “Caprice for Solo Violin,” featuring violinist Sergey Ostrovsky. Sunday, 5 p.m., Arium, 31 Little W. 12th St., between Ninth and Tenth avenues, 212-463-8630, $40.

WHEREFORE ART THOU? “Marvelous Sweet Music: Songs and Arias to Shakespeare,” is presented by Christ & St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church as part of its ongoing concert series. The program includes selections from Handel, Haydn, Richard Strauss, and the premiere of “Juliet’s Soliloquy,” written by a local composer, John Graziano. Coloratura soprano Patrice Boyd is a featured performer. Sunday, 7 p.m., Christ & St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church Concert Series, 120 W. 69th St., between Broadway and Columbus Avenue, 212-787-2755, $10.

READINGS

THE BEST OF TIMES As part of its ongoing reading series, the Writers Studio hosts Lesley Dormen, who reads from her debut story collection, “The Best Place To Be” (Simon & Schuster). The eight related stories track the life of Grace Hanford, a New York editor who realizes that she has relinquished the theories about love she espouses each month in her Marvelous Woman magazine. Ms. Dormen teaches fiction writing at the Writer’s Studio. Poet Philip Schultz, who reads from his forthcoming book, “Failure” (Harcourt), is a featured guest. Friday, 7 p.m., Village Community School Auditorium, 272 W. 10th St., between Greenwich and Washington streets, 212-255-7075, $5.

THIS WOMAN’S WORK The author of “Firebrand: The Autobiography of a Feminist Art Critic,” Cindy Nemser, reads from her memoir. In it, Ms. Nemser uses personal experience to document the emergence of the women artists’ movement in the late 1960’s and 70’s. The book also details how the influential Feminist Art Journal, which she published and edited, between 1972 and ’77, was founded, and deals with the lives of such artists as Alice Neel, Lee Krasner, and Eva Hesse. The reading is in conjunction with the ongoing exhibit curated by Ms. Nemser, “Women’s Work: Homage to Feminist Art.” Saturday, 3 p.m., exhibit through Sunday, May 13, Sunset Park Artists’ Community, Tabla Rasa Gallery, 224 48th St., between Second and Third avenues, 718-833-9100, free.

TALKS

NOTES FROM THE UNDERGROUND The Center for the Study of Gender and Sexuality of New York University hosts “After CBGB: Gender, Sexuality, and the Future of Subculture,” a discussion of the role urban subculture plays in how our society thinks about gender, sexual, and racial situations — and whether the underground is being outmoded. Featured speakers include the journalist Kandia Crazy Horse; a member of the bands Matmos and Soft Pink Truth, Drew Daniel; filmmaker and artist James Spooner, and an assistant professor of English and gender studies at the University of Southern California, Karen Tongson. Performance artists Lady Jaye and Genesis Breyer P-Orridge are also featured. The event is co-sponsored by NYU’s Performance Studies and the Clive Davis Department of Recorded Music. Friday, 2 p.m., NYU, Center for the Study of Gender and Sexuality, Room 102, 13-19 University Place, between 8th Street and Waverly Place, 212-992-9540, free.

YOUNG VOICES Etgar Keret is considered a voice of the new Israeli generation: He began writing in 1992, and more than 40 short movies have been based on his stories. He speaks about his career and about writing in Israel in a rare American appearance. Saturday, 9 p.m., Jewish Community Center, 334 Amsterdam Ave. at 76th Street, 646-505-5708, $15 general, $12 members.

THEATER

FUNNY HA HA Primary Stages presents a one-night-only benefit event, “An Evening of Humor and More With Charles Grodin.” Mr. Grodin is best known for his television and stage work. His Broadway plays include “Tchin-Tchin, “Absence of a Cello,” and “Same Time, Next Year.” He is currently a commentator for CBS News. Sunday, 7 p.m., 59E59 Theaters, 59 E. 59th St., between Park and Madison avenues, 212-279-4200, $100–$200.

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.