RIGHT BEFORE THE EYES Barbara Mathes Gallery presents an exhibit of paintings by German artist Karin Kneffel, who takes both somber and over-size looks at ordinary items: In one painting, a distant cityscape is seen through a giant bunch of ripe cherries. Selections include “Carpet” (2006). Through Saturday, September 8, Monday–Friday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Barbara Mathes Gallery, 22 E. 80th St., between Fifth and Madison avenues, 212-570-4190, free.

DANCE

ONCE ON THIS ISLAND Jennifer Muller/The Works performs a trio of dance pieces as part of the “Summer In The Square” outdoor series presented by Union Square Partnership. Among the featured dances is “Bounce” (2003), a signature piece of the company set to a bold score by Lawrence Nachsin, and “Island” (2005), which was inspired by Roberto Dutesco’s photographs of wild horses on Sable Island, the small Canadian island southeast of Nova Scotia. The latter features an original score by Marty Beller, a drummer for the band They Might Be Giants. The newest piece, “Edge” (2007), explores the nature of fear. It is set to the music of Zap Mama. Tonight, 12:30 p.m., center lawn at Union Square Park, between Broadway and Park Avenue South, enter at 16th Street from east or west side of park, 212-691-3803, free.

FILM

LATIN GROOVES Fernando Trueba’s “Calle 54” (2000) a documentary tribute to the Latin American jazz scene, features instrumental greats such as Tito Puente, Arturo O’Farrill, Rolando Guerrero, and Joe Gonzales. The film is screened aspartoftheSocratesSculpturePark’sfestivalofinternationalfilmandculture. The Latin soul quartet Cuban Grooves also performs, and Cuban food is provided by Latin Cabana. Tonight, 7 p.m., Socrates Sculpture Park, 32-01 Vernon Blvd. at Broadway, Long Island City, Queens, 718-956-1819, free.

BAD AND BEAUTIFUL Best known for musical films such as “Meet Me in St. Louis” and “An American in Paris,” Vincente Minnelli was also at home producing heartwrenching melodramas that still maintained moments of classiness. Anthology Film Archives celebrates Minnelli’s melodramatic work with a four-day series. The showcase begins with “The Bad and the Beautiful” (1952), about the ruthless rise of an aggressive Hollywood producer, played by Kirk Douglas. Tonight, 7 p.m., Friday, 9:15 p.m., Sunday, 4 p.m., Anthology Film Archives, 32 Second Ave. at 2nd Street, 212-505-5181, $8 general, $6 students and seniors, $5 members.

HEARTBREAK HOTEL The Museum of the Moving Image presents a screening of Neil Simon’s “The Heartbreak Kid” (1972), an acerbic variation on Mike Nichols’s “The Graduate.” In it, a New York couple on their honeymoon in Miami discovers each other’s quirks and grows to dislike the other, before the husband falls for an attractive blonde. The film, directed by Elaine May, is presented as part of the museum’s “Uneasy Riders: American Film in the Nixon Years, 1970–1974,” a series that highlights rarely seen gems produced by the film industry during a period marked by the unrest of the Vietnam War. Featured actors include Cybil Shepard and Charles Grodin. Saturday, 3 p.m., through Sunday, September 2, dates and times vary, Museum of the Moving Image, 35th Avenue at 36th Street, Astoria, Queens, 718-784-0077, $10 general, $7.50 students and seniors, $5 children under age 18, free for members. For complete information, go to movingimage. us.

MUSIC

NATIONAL TREASURE The National’s most recent album of dark, dramatic indie pop, “Boxer,” has helped this New York band to gain wider exposurebeyond their home bases in Brooklyn and Cincinnati. The group recently finished a tour during which they opened for the Arcade Fire. Band members include lead singer Matt Beminger. The National performs this weekend as part of the River to River Festival, with bands Takka Takka andtheForms.Friday,7p.m.,South StreetSeaport,Pier17,FDRDriveat Fulton Street, 212-732-7328, free.

READINGS

SLEEP WITH THE PENGUINS Donna Andrews’s “The Penguin Who Knew Too Much” (Minotaur) is the 8th in the Meg Andrews mystery series: The character is known for getting herself into hilariously unusual situations, many of which involve her family. This time, Meg’s father is found with penguins — and a dead body — in his basement. Meg works to figure out if the body is that of the former zookeeper who was keeping the penguins before his zoo went bankrupt. The author reads from and signs copies of her books. Tonight, 7 p.m., Partners & Crime, 44 Greenwich Ave., between Charles and 11th streets, 212-243-0440, free.

SOIRÉES

TENNIS GALA Looking forward to theU.S.Open,theNewYorkJunior Tennis League presents its annual Summer Gala with the Stars, featuring former tennis stars Jim Courier and Patrick McEnroe, the wife of tennis player Arthur Ashe, Jeanne Moutoussamy-Ashe, and local broadcaster Maurice DuBois. Funds are also raised for the Arthur Ashe Endowment for the Defeat of AIDS. The League is a nonprofit junior tennis program, offering free tennis programs and educational support for city children. Tonight, 6:30 p.m., Loeb Boathouse at Central Park, Fifth Avenue at Park Drive North, 718-786-7110, $175–$250.

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.