ART

SIDEWALKING “The Secret Lives of Streets” is an exhibit organized by 10 Brooklyn high school students who researched how Brooklyn’s streets were originally named. The students used the resources of the Brooklyn Historical Society to complete their research, in a pilot after-school program called Exhibition Laboratory. The teenagers curated the entire exhibit, showing how culture, historic Brooklyn events, and notable Brooklyn residents factored into the naming of the streets. Thursday, 5:30 p.m. opening reception, exhibit through Sunday, September 2, Wednesday-Sunday, noon–5 p.m., Brooklyn Historical Society, 128 Pierrepoint St. at Clinton Street, 718-222-4111, free.

IMPRESSION, SUNRISE The Wildenstein & Co. Gallery presents “Claude Monet: A Tribute to Daniel Wildenstein and Katia Granoff,” an exhibit of more than 60 paintings by the Impressionist culled from public institutions and private collections to benefit the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. The show, which honors the late and highly influential art dealers, is the largest retrospective of Monet’s work to be held in New York in more than 30 years and spans the length of his career. Through Friday, June 15, Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Wildenstein & Co., 19 E. 64th St., between Fifth and Madison avenues, $10 general, $5 students and seniors.

NEO-GERMAN EXPRESSIONIST The Metropolitan Museum of Art presents the opening of an exhibit of new paintings by a German artist, Neo Rauch. The show includes 14 paintings that feature Mr. Rauch’s distinctive industrial palette. The works depict a parallel world of hypertrophied humans, for which the acclaimed 47-year-old artist references Surrealism, public murals, and the heroic 1950s workmen and women of Eastern bloc political posters — all elements of the Socialist Realist aesthetic of communist East Germany, where Mr. Rauch grew up and received his artistic training. Gary Tinterow is curator of the exhibit. Through Sunday, October 14, the Met, 1000 Fifth Ave. at 82nd Street, 212-535-7710, $20 suggested donation, $10 seniors and students, free for members and children under 12. For more information, go to metmuseum.org.

DRAWINGS

DRAW IT OUT Nancy Grossman first became prominent in the art world for her exhibits of sculpted heads in the 1960s. But the artist also draws and creates collages: Michael Rosenfeld Gallery celebrates the artist’s collection of drawings in a self-titled exhibit. Selections include “Liliaceae” (1973), above. Through Friday, July 27, Tuesday–Saturday, 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Michael Rosenfeld Gallery, 24 W. 57th St., between Fifth and Sixth avenues, 212-247-0082, free.

FAMILY

TIPPY TOES The American Ballet Theater’s ABTKids program presents a performance of excerpts from this season’s works, including “Sleeping Beauty.” ABT’s resident children’s ballerina, Angelina Ballerina, dances the parts, and is available after the show for photographs and autographs. Saturday, 11:30 a.m., Lincoln Center, Metropolitan Opera House, Broadway and 65th Street, 212-362-2000, $25.

LITTLE STRINGS Midori & Friends, founded by the violinist Midori, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing music education programs to public school children throughout New York City. More than 100 public school students participate in the second annual Midori & Friends Children’s Music Festival, performing classical, jazz, Latin, and hip-hop pieces. Featured guests include jazz musician Arturo O’Farrill, pop classical violin duo Nuttin’ but Stringz, and the African percussion ensemble Forestdance. Storyteller David Gonzalez is the host of the concerts. Saturday, 3 p.m., Borough of Manhattan Community College Tribeca Performing Arts Center, 199 Chambers St., between Greenwich Street and the West Side Highway, 212-767-1300, free.

FILM

TELL IT LIKE IT IS The “Truth Be Told” documentary film festival at the New School is a four-night series featuring 18 short documentaries, each categorized under a different theme each night. The second night of the series takes place tonight, with the theme of “Who Are You?” featuring films about political identity. Tonight, 7 p.m., the New School, Tishman Auditorium, 66 W. 12th St., between Fifth and Sixth avenues, 212-229-8903, free.

SUMMER OF 1967 The IFC Center hosts a special screening of D.A. Pennebaker’s “Monterey Pop” (1968), a concert film that documents the historic three-day festival in 1967 that included appearances by Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, the Mamas & the Papas, the Who, and Jefferson Airplane, among others. The film, which is considered a masterwork of the genre, has been digitally restored in honor of the 40th anniversary of the festival. A former singer with the Mamas & the Papas, Michelle Phillips, and an acclaimed music producer, Lou Adler, are on hand to introduce the film. Tomorrow, 7:30 p.m., IFC Center, 323 Sixth Ave, at 3rd Street, 212-924-7771, $15 general, $5 museum members.

MUSIC

SING IT, SISTER The monthly Broadway Spotlight series at Ars Nova allows up-and-coming Broadway actors to perform new and different material, expanding their repertoires. This month’s installment features Marya Grandy, who has acted in “Les Misérables” and “The Great American Trailer Park Musical,” as she appropriates her musical alter egos, including “Rocker Chick,” “R&B Diva,” and “Redneck Woman.” Tonight, 8 p.m., Ars Nova, 511 W. 54th St. at Tenth Avenue, 212-868-4444, $15.

MEET IN PERSON The New York Philharmonic goes “Offstage” and presents pianist Lang Lang before he begins a four-night recital series with the Philharmonic at Avery Fisher Hall on Thursday. Mr. Lang performs and discusses his career with a host from the radio station 96.3 WQXR, Jeff Spurgeon. Wednesday, 7:30 p.m., Barnes & Noble, 1972 Broadway at 66th Street, 212-875-5656, free.

PHOTOGRAPHY

DANCE WITH THE STARS The Gallery at Hermès presents the opening of “In the Company of Stars,” an exhibit of Gérard Uféras’s photographs of the Paris Opera Ballet. The highly personal collection takes the viewer behind the scenes, from the stage wings to the rehearsal rooms of the Parisian dance company. A photojournalist, Mr. Uféras’s work has appeared in publications such as Time magazine and the French daily Libération. In the Paris Opera Ballet, whose origins can be traced back to 1661, an etoile, or star, is the highest rank among five for dancers. Opens Friday, exhibit through Saturday, July 21, Monday–Saturday, 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Thursday, 10 a.m.–7 p.m., the Gallery at Hermès, fourth floor, 691 Madison Ave. at 62nd Street, 212-751-3181, free.

READINGS

BAD BEHAVIOR The Nerve.comWeb site publishes provocative and critical essays about culture and lifestyle: The Web site celebrates the release of its latest anthology, “2033: The Future of Misbehavior: Interplanetary Dating, Madame President, Socialized Plastic Surgery, and Other Good News From the Future,” with a reading and book signing by contributors including Jay McInerney, Doug Rushkoff, Rachel Shukert, and Lisa Gabriele. Cocktails are provided by Svedka Vodka. Tonight, 7 p.m., Borders Bookstore, Time Warner Center, 10 Columbus Circle, Broadway and Eighth Avenue, 212-823-9775, free.

QUIET AND DISTURBED Lydia Davis reads from her newly published short story collection, “Varieties of Disturbance” (Farrar, Straus and Giroux), a collection of cerebral tales that include an account of a husband and wife who subject themselves to a “good-taste contest” judged by a jury of their peers, and another in which Czech writer Franz Kafka frets over what to cook for dinner. Tonight, 8 p.m., 192 Books, 192 Tenth Ave. at 21st Street, 212-255-4022, free.

PERSONAL JOURNAL The Bryant Park Word for Word reading series presents four authors who discuss the art of memoir writing for budding writers and readers. Authors include Josh Kilmer-Purcell, Carole Radziwell, Kevin Sessums, and Danielle Trussoni. The reading is hosted by the author of “Straight Up and Dirty” (HarperCollins), Stephanie Klein. Wednesday, 12:30 p.m., Bryant Park Reading Room, between 40th and 42nd streets and Fifth and Sixth avenues, 212-274-0343, free.

GIVE PEACE A CHANCE An awardwinning American short story writer and political activist, Grace Paley, gives a rare public reading during a fund-raiser to benefit Brooklyn Parents for Peace. The Bronx-born writer is the author of collections including “The Little Disturbances of Man” (Penguin) and “Later the Same Day” (Penguin). The event also features a wine reception, buffet, and the music of Strings for Peace. Brooklyn Parents for Peace is a network of residents of the borough who take a dovish stance on war. Thursday, 6:30 p.m., the International Center for Tolerance Education, fourth floor, 25 Washington St., between Plymouth and Water streets, DUMBO, Brooklyn, 718-624-5921, $100 and up.

DISTRICT SIX IN CAPE TOWN The Housing Works Bookstore Café hosts “Dream in the Next Body: Women Writers From South Africa,” an evening of readings by authors whose work offers a diverse view of the region and womanhood. Among the featured readers is playwright Nadia Davids and poet Gabeba Baderoon, who often explores such themes in her verse as the life of an exiled adult and negotiating the self against the backdrop of a world demanding explanations for identity. Ms. Baderoon is the author most recently of “The Dream in the Next Body” (Kwela/Snailpress). Thursday, 7 p.m., Housing Works Bookstore Café, 126 Crosby St., between Houston and Prince streets, 212-334-3324, free, donated books wel come.

SOIRÉES

EASTERN SENSATIONS The Russian American Cultural Center’s an nual gala, held this year at Sothe by’s, features an exhibit and silent auction of works by Russian artists including Nikolai Roerikh, Nikolai Akimov, Alexander Arefiev and Tatiana Bruni. The gala raises funds for the center’s goal of establishing a permanent home and museum. Honorees at the event include the president of Manhatan, Scott Stringer, and performers include Felix Ivanov and his collection of antique instruments, and actors from the new musical “Raisa, a Love Story That Changed the World,” based on the life of Mikhail Gorbachev’s wife Raisa. Tonight, 7:30 p.m., Sotheby’s 1334 York Ave., between 71st and 72nd streets, 646-831-0554 $200–$350.

EATING FOR A CURE The American Cancer Society heads to Brook lyn for “Eat, Drink, and Be Hopeful,” a fine food tasting and auction that raises funds for the Society’s efforts to find cures for various cancers. Authors Arthur Schwartz and Rozanne Gold are on hand for book signings. Tomorrow, 6 p.m VIP admission, 7 p.m. general admission, powerHouse Arena, 37 Main St. at Water Street, DUMBO Brooklyn, 800-227-2345, $75-$100 $125 for VIP admission.

GREAT LAWN, GREAT FOOD The Central Park Conservancy’s annual Taste of Summer benefit features chefs from restaurants in cluding Fred’s at Barneys, Osteria del Circo, Thalassa, and Sushi Samba. Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten cooks for a VIP café. The Conservancy works to raise funds to improve the grounds and landmarks in Central Park. Wednesday 7 p.m., Central Park Bandshell, mid park at 72nd Street, 212-310-6691 $350.

TALKS

A FAMILIAL VIEW Photographer Andrea Stern discusses her latest monograph “Inheritance” (Mona celli), capturing the everyday events of a wealthy Jewish family in New York. She chronicles mo mentous family gatherings, and al so concentrates her photographs on the struggles of individuals within families to gain a sense of in dependent identity. She discusses her craft during the “Meet the Artist” series at the Jewish Com munity Center. Tomorrow, 7 p.m. JCC, 334 Amsterdam Ave. at 76th Street, 646-505-5708, $12 general $10 members.

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