2007 TRIBECA FILM FESTIVAL

MAY DAY DOWNTOWN Esther Robinson’s documentary “A Walk Into the Sea: Danny Williams and the Warhol Factory” (2006) follows the life of the filmmaker’s uncle (Williams), a onetime lover of Andy Warhol, who was an integral part of the Factory era (Today, 4 p.m., Tribeca Cinemas I, Tribeca Film Center, 375 Greenwich St., between Franklin and North Moore streets, 212-941-2400, $14). Jon Poll’s “Charlie Bartlett” (2007) documents the struggles of a teenage boy who fails to fit in at high school until he declares himself the school “psychiatrist.” Featured actors include Robert Downey Jr. and Anton Yelchin (Today, 5:30 p.m., Pace University, Michael Schimmel Center for the Arts, 3 Spruce St., between Park Row and Gold Street, 212-346-1231, $25). The Korean-American film “West 32nd” (2007), directed by Michael Kang, situates itself in the heart of Koreatown as an ambitious lawyer infiltrates the neighborhood’s underworld, searching for clues to solve a murder mystery (Tonight, 6 p.m., AMC Kips Bay, 570 Second Ave. at 32nd Street, 212-447-0638, $18). David Volach’s Israeli film “My Father My Lord” (2006) follows a respected rabbi — who is also a father and husband — in an ultra-Orthodox community as he is forced to come to terms with the demands of his faith and the welfare of his own family (Tonight, 7 p.m., AMC 34th Street, 312 W. 34th St., between Eighth and Ninth avenues, 212-244-8850, $18).

ART

REVELATIONS A.I.R. Gallery hosts an opening reception for Judith Cooper’s “New Orleans Sunday,” an exhibit of photographs that combines Ms. Cooper’s previous series, “Church Ladies” and “Second Liners.” The works depict two facets of the local black community’s observance of Sunday traditions, both secular and religious. The artist seeks to highlight the important historical and present-day role women members of the church and social clubs play and have played in the New Orleans community. Thursday, 6 p.m., exhibit through Saturday, May 26, Tuesday–Saturday, 11 a.m.–6 p.m., A.I.R. Gallery, 511 W. 25th St, between Tenth and Eleventh avenues, 212-255-6651, free.

FILM

SMALL FISH FESTIVAL In the shadow of the Tribeca Film Festival comes “Befilm: The Underground Film Festival,” a fourday series of narrated live action and animated shorts. The festival begins with screenings of Sherif Nakhla’s “Miraculum” (2007), Pini Tavger’s “Weitzman St. # 10” (2007), Tim Guthrie’s “Last Call” (2007), and Ciaran Foy’s “The Faieries of Blackheath Woods” (2007). Tonight, 7 p.m., Bryant Park Hotel Screening Room, 40 W. 40th St., between Fifth and Sixth avenues, $25. For complete information, go to befilm. net.

A DIRECTOR’S HABITAT The Department of Film of the Museum of Modern Art hosts the opening of “Filmmakers at MacDowell: The Studio System Reconsidered,” a touring film series presented in conjunction with the centennial celebration of the MacDowell Colony, the oldest artists’ residency program in America. The series features 26 film and video works selected from submissions of work created by MacDowell students, who were asked to reflect in some form the Macdowell studio experience. The program kicks off tomorrow with a screening of “Seasons of MacDowell,” a quartet of short films by David Pederson, Elisabeth Subrin, Michael Almereyda, and George Griffin. A question-and-answer session with the filmmakers follows. The curator for film at MoMA, Jytte Jensen, is organizer of the event. Tomorrow, 7 p.m., through Wednesday, May 16, dates and times vary, MoMA, Theater 1 T1, 11 W. 53rd St., between Fifth and Sixth avenues, 212-408-6347, $10 general, $8 members, $5 students and seniors. For complete information, go to moma.org

FOOD & DRINK

A MAY BREATHER “Giorno dei Lavoratori” is the Italian name for the first dayof May, and translates as the “day of workers.” Locals take the day off to enjoy the spring weather. Aroma Kitchen & Winebar hosts an evening version of the holiday featuring a dinner with winemaker Matteo Ascheri of Asheri Vineyards. Four wines are served with dishes including a braised shoulder of lamb and hazelnut panna cotta. Tonight, 7:30 p.m., Aroma Kitchen & Winebar, 36 E. 4th St., between the Bowery and Lafayette Street, 212-375-0100, $100.

HERALD SQUARE REFUGE Marcus Samuelsson and Ming Tsai demonstrate some of their little-known culinary secrets and share tasty sample menu items. Mr. Samuelsson is an award-winning chef and co-owner of the Aquavit and Riingo restaurants. Mr. Tsai is chef and owner of Blue Ginger and the recipient of numerous accolades, including the James Beard award for the 2002 Best Chef Northeast. Macy’s Culinary Council gathers 15 of the world’s top chefs with the mission of turning the kitchens of their customers into culinary tours de force. Thursday, 6 p.m., Macy’s Herald Square, Cellar Kitchen, 151 W. 34th St., between Sixth and Seventh avenues, free.

MUSIC

GOD BLESS AMERICAN MUSIC The New England Conservatory Percussion Ensemble, directed by Frank Epstein, presents “All-Sound Music21!,” an evening of contemporary American works including three commissions and two New York premieres. The program includes Joan Tower’s “DNA,” and the New York debuts of Jennifer Higdon’s “Splendid Wood” and Robert Xavier Rodríguez’s “El Día de los Muertos.” Tonight, 7:30 p.m., Carnegie Hall, Zankel Hall, 881 Seventh Ave. at 57th Street, 212-247-7800, $20-$25, $15 students and seniors.

READINGS

PROMINENT VOICES Novelist Peter Carey and poet Tom Sleigh read from their works during an installment of Hunter College’s Distinguished Writers Series. Mr. Carey’s “Theft: A Love Story” (Knopf) is about how twin brothers in Wales cope after one brother’s career spirals downward. Mr. Sleigh reads from his collection “Space Walk” (Houghton Mifflin). Today, 1:30 p.m., Hunter College, Hunter West, Faculty Dining Room, eighth floor, southwest corner of 68th Street and Lexington Avenue, 212-772-4007, free.

THE PARIS REVIEW READINGS Housing Works Bookstore Café and the Academy of American Poets present “An Evening With Paris Review Poets.” Featured guests including Emily Moore, Matthew Thorburn, and Mary Karr read from recent work. A professor of literature at Syracuse University, Ms. Karr is the author of four books of poetry and the best-selling memoirs “The Liar’s Club” (Penguin) and “Cherry” (Picador). The Texas native frequently mines her dysfunctional adolescence, including life in a dull town and a subsequent escape into literature in her comic and often razoredged verse. A book signing follows. Tonight, 7 p.m., Housing Works Bookstore Café, 126 Crosby St., between Houston and Prince streets, 212-334-3324, free, donated books welcome.

MODEL BEHAVIOR Supermodel Paulina Porizkova reads and signs coipes of her debut novel, “A Model Summer” (Hyperion), at Barnes & Noble in Chelsea. Set in 1980, Ms. Porizkova tells the story of Jirina, a tall, lanky 15-year-old Czechoslovakian from Sweden who struggles to fit in at home. The young beauty arrives in Paris, signed to a top modeling agency and determined to escape her classmates’ teasing. While Jirina gains confidence, she finds she must struggle to keep her head in the dizzying modeling industry from its vices, including drug abuse, food disorders, long hours, and smarmy photographers. Thursday, 7 p.m., Barnes & Noble, 675 Sixth Ave. West 21st Street, 212-727-1675, free.

SOIRÉES

FIGHT FOR RIGHTS The International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission awards its annual Felipa de Souza Award to the Blue Diamond Society, a gay rights organization from Nepal. The director of the society, Sunil Pant, accepts the award on the group’s behalf. Tonight, 6:30 p.m., Manhattan Penthouse, 80 Fifth Ave. at 14th Street, 212-430-6054, $125.

AN EXCELLENT CAUSE The Center Against Domestic Violence is a nonprofit organization that provides shelter and services to abused women and their children. The group hosts an art exhibit and silent auction that includes works by established and emerging artists and children’s art called “Drawing the Line Against Domestic Violence.” In addition to the exhibit and auction, VIPs are invited to a private reception with the artists. Featured artists include Christo and Jeanne-Claude, Donald Baechler, Danica Phelps, and Elliot Land. Photographer Patrick McMullan is the honorary chair of the event. Tomorrow, VIP reception, 6 p.m., auction, 7 p.m., Metropolitan Pavilion, the Gallery, 123 W. 18th St., between Sixth and Seventh avenues, 718-254-9134, $100 general, $250 VIP admission.

TALKS

TALKING ABOUT JEWISH SCRIBES An essayist and novelist, Cynthia Ozick, gives a talk about views on Jewish writers — including why she disdains the term “Jewish writers” — and discusses themes she finds worth exploring in a Jewish world that has moved beyond its immigrant, working-class roots, including the recent Israeli campaign in Lebanon and the feelings toward Israel displayed by commentators. A reporter who writes about the city, Joseph Berger, is moderator of the event. Tonight, 8:15 p.m., 92nd Street Y, 1395 Lexington Ave. at 92nd Street, 212-415-5500, $25.

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