ART

IDENTITY POLITICS ON PAINT

“Midnight’s Daydream,” an exhibit at the Studio Museum in Harlem, explores the “the witching hour.” The show highlights the work of the museum’s 2006–07 artists-inresidence, Titus Kaphar, Wardell Milan II, and Demetrius Oliver. Among the highlights is a diptych titled “Conversation Between Paintings no. 3: Descent” (2007). Mr. Kaphar engages historical issues of race in Europe and the New World by juxtaposing and mashing two works: John Baptiste de Medina’s portrait”James Drummond, 2nd Titular Duke of Perth” (c.1700) and Anne-Louis Girodet’s “Jean-Baptiste Balley” (1797), a likeness of the Senegal-born representative of Santo Domingo (now Haiti) in the French Parliament. Through Sunday, October 28, Studio Museum in Harlem, Wednesday–Friday and Sunday, noon–6 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m.–6 p.m., 144 W. 125th St., between Lenox and Seventh avenues, 212-864-4500, $7 general, $3 seniors and students, freeformembers and children under age 12.

BLACK AND BLUE “Breaking Barriers: Louis Armstrong and Civil Rights,” an exhibit of film clips and artifacts from the 1950s that includes the jazz trumpeter’s FBI file, is presented by the Louis Armstrong House Museum. Armstrong came under criticism from early on in his career for playing before segregated, white audiences. But the influential singer and musician with a flamboyant stage personality and an ever-present smile, was also a quiet financial supporter of activists such as Martin Luther King Jr. Through Monday, October 8, Tuesday–Friday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Saturday–Sunday, noon–5 p.m., Louis Armstrong House Museum, 34-56 107th St., between 34th and 37th streets, Corona, Queens, 718-478-8274, $8 general, $6 seniors, students, children, and groups, free for members.

EXTRAORDINARY Barbara Mathes Gallery presents an exhibit of paintings by German artist Karin Kneffel, who takes both somber and over-size looks at ordinary items. Through Saturday, Monday–Friday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Barbara Mathes Gallery, 22 E. 80th St., between Fifth and Madison avenues, 212-570-4190, free.

DRAWINGS

BLURRING THE EDGES Founded in 1972, the Pastel Society of America is the nation’s oldest organization devoted to the pastel medium. The Society holds its 35th Annual Exhibition, featuring more than 200 works, with an emphasis on those created by this year’s Society Hall of Fame honoree, Sally Strand. Selections from the exhibit include Ms. Strand’s “Still Life with Tangerines — Ocean View” (2002), above. Friday through Sunday, September 30, Wednesday–Friday and Monday, 10 a.m.–noon and 2–5 p.m., Tuesday, 3–5 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m., National Arts Club, 15 Gramercy Park So., between Irving Place and Park Avenue South, 212-475-3424, free.

MUSIC

BROOKLYN TWO-STEP New Yorkers get a taste of Southern culture during the fourth annual Brooklyn Country Festival, curated by Alex Battles. The festival features homegrown city bands that have taken up country and bluegrass. Tomorrow, the Y’All Stars and the CasHank Hootenanny Jamboree perform. Among the bands performing on Friday are Sweet William and the Defibulators. On Saturday, Grizzly’s Banjo Assault, Susquehanna Industrial Tool & Die Co., and the Doc Marshalls perform during a daylong, downhome marathon. Tomorrow, 8 p.m.–midnight, Buttermilk Bar, 577 Fifth Ave. at 16th Street, Park Slope, Brooklyn, 718-788-6297, free; Friday, 8 p.m.–1 a.m., Saturday, 4 p.m.–1 a.m., Southpaw, 125 Fifth Ave., between Sterling Place and St. John’s Place, Park Slope, Brooklyn, 718-230-0236, $10 general on Friday and Saturday.

READINGS

ON THE ROAD, AGAIN The Library of America Series celebrates the 50th anniversary of the publication of Jack Kerouac’s “On the Road,” by publishing “Jack Kerouac: Road Novels, 1957–1960,” a collection that includes the classic account as well as four other novels and selected travel essays. The new book is edited by historian Douglas Brinkley, who gives a talk at the Cooper Union about Kerouac’s lasting influence. Often regarded as the Beat bible, “On the Road,” has become an enduring account of the highways and byways of America and Mexico as toldthroughtheperspectiveoftwo friends, Sal Paradise and Dean Moriarty. Tomorrow, 6:30 p.m., Cooper Union, Albert Nerken School of Engineering, 51 Astor Pl., between Third and Fourth avenues, room 21E, 212-353-4195, free.

LENIN PLAYED TENNIS The Strand Bookstore hosts a reading by the author of “The Last Novel” (Shoemaker & Hoard), David Markson. In his newly published book, Mr. Markson creates a cross between a writer’s guide, bits of trivia, and a collection of satirical maxims about a variety of literary and historical notables. An aged protagonist named Novelist is also introduced, and comments wearily on his depression. Tonight, 7 p.m., Strand Bookstore, 828 Broadway at 12th Street, 212-473-1452, free.

SHOPPING

ANOTHER WOMAN’S TREASURE At the City Opera Thrift Shop, a Fall Preview gives shoppers a first look at a growing collection of designer garments, accessories, home furnishings, books, art, and more at reducedprices. Thepreviewisheld in conjunction with the start of the New York City Opera’s 2007–08 season and its third annual “Opera-for-All”festival, forwhichtickets are sold at $25. Among the finds is a Marc Jacobs overnight bag for $495, a Gucci black leather jacket for $475, and a Wedgwood tea set with a Sandringham (pink) pattern for $150. Tomorrow, 5 p.m.–8 p.m., City Opera Thrift Shop, 222 E. 23rd St., between Second and Third avenues, 212- 684-5344, $10 suggested donation.

THEATER

IN THE HEART OF THE SEA Burgess Clark’s “Purple Hearts” revisits the true story of sailors who were trapped on the sunken U.S.S. West Virginia after the attacks on Pearl Harbor in December 1941. The sailors survived for three weeks waiting to be rescued. The Invisible City Theatre Company stages the play, which won the “Best of the Fest” award at the Edinburgh International Festival. “Purple Hearts” is directed by David Epstein, and featured actors include Ryan Serhant, Dan Patrick Brady, and Rebecca White. Tonight through Saturday, September 22, Wednesday–Saturday, 8 p.m., Gene Frankel Theatre, 24 Bond St., between Lafayette Street and the Bowery, 212-352-3101, $18. 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.

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.