TALKS

MORE MONEY, MORE MANAGEMENT The New-York Historical Society presents “The Price of Liberty: Paying for America’s Wars,” a discussion of America’s wartime financial policies, with the managing director of Goldman Sachs, Robert Hormats. Mr. Hormats talks about the fiscal decisions made by administrations from the Revolutionary War to the present day. Also participating is author Richard Brookhiser, who wrote “What Would the Founders Do?” (Perseus), a book that compares the philosophies of the founding fathers to current problems that America faces. Tonight, 6:30 p.m., New-York Historical Society, 170 Central Park West at 77th Street, 212-868-4444, $15 general, $10 students, educators, and seniors, $8 members.

FAMILY

BIKES ON PARADE The first annual Kids Art Bike Ride for the Lower East Side takes place on Saturday. To help the children of New York get their bicycles and tricycles parade-ready, the Children’s Museum of the Arts is hosting the Art Bike Workshops. Attendees can make decorations that will transform their wheels into moving works of art for Saturday’s parade. Workshops, tomorrow through Friday, 1–4:30 p.m., Children’s Museum of the Arts, 182 Lafayette St., between Grand and Broome streets, 212-274-0986, $8; parade, Saturday, 11 a.m.–2 p.m., Tompkins Square Park, meet at 9th Street and Avenue A, 212-979-2344, free.

DOG PARK PARTY The Central Park Conservancy hosts the My Dog Loves Central Park Country Fair, an afternoon of activities for dogs and their owners. Events include an open casting call for the “Pet Tricks” segment on “The Late Show with David Letterman,” and the Best in Park Dog Show — the dog with the best Central Park behavior wins an agility course. Saturday, 11 a.m.–4 p.m., Central Park, mid-park at 72nd Street, 212-310-6638, between the Band Shell and Sheep Meadow, free.

FLOATING DOWN The Big Apple Splash — a six-mile flotilla for boating amateurs — is part of this year’s “New York Water Fest,” presented by Riverkeeper. An experienced river guide is on every raft, so families can relax and have a boating adventure. Advance registration is required and includes lunch, rafting equipment, and an event T-shirt. Saturday, 12 p.m., Pier 96 Boathouse, Clinton Cove Park, 56th Street and the West Side Highway, 914-478-4546, $100.

MUSIC

SECRETARIAL ROCK The Chicago-based quintet Office, a new wave pop band known for wearing business attire and getting crowds dancing, just released “A Night at the Ritz” (Scratchie/New Line Records). The album, recorded this past winter, has new songs, including “If You Don’t Know By Now” and “Suburban Perfume,” as well as popular tracks, including “The Big Bang Jump,” from their 2005 self-released album “Q & A.” Office performs with Earlimart and Louis Logic. Tomorrow, 8 p.m., the Knitting Factory, 74 Leonard St., between Leonard and Church streets, 212-319-3132, $15.

READINGS

SHORT DELIGHTS Selected Shorts: A Celebration of the Short Story opens with a reading hosted by mystery author Stephen King, featuring stories that were included in the collection “The Best American Short Stories 2007.” Writer Joanna Gleason reads a story by Karen Russell and Judith Ivey reads a story by T.C. Boyle. Mr. King guest-edited parts of this year’s collection and says what he looked for in stories included a “sense of emotional involvement, of flipped-out amazement … like a big hot meteor screaming down from the Kansas sky.” Tomorrow, 7:30 p.m., Symphony Space, Peter Jay Sharp Theatre, 2537 Broadway at 95th Street, 212-864-5400, $26 in advance, $30 at the doors, $24 for members.

SOIRÉES

SAIL AWAY Gilda’s Club, named after the late comedian Gilda Radner, raises funds and awareness for families stricken by cancer. Gilda’s Club Worldwide is holding a benefit cocktail reception aboard the SeaFair Grand Luxe, a five-level ship with onboard galleries specializing in 17th-century to 19th-century decorative arts, and more. Tonight, 6:30 p.m., Chelsea Piers, Pier 59, 23rd Street and the Hudson River, 914-579-1000, $250 and up.

TALKS

ART AS OURSELVES The School of Visual Arts’s MFA Art Criticism and Writing Department presents a lecture by a contributing editor to “Art in America,” Carter Ratcliff, as he discusses art as a means for preserving and improving civil society. He talks about how modern art sustains various ideas of individuality and history for those who define themselves through art. Tonight, 7 p.m., SVA, Amphitheater, 209 E. 23 St. at Third Avenue, 3rd floor, 212-592-2145, free.

THEATER

TAFFETA, SWEETHEART The 37 Arts theater presents the new off-Broadway musical “Frankenstein,” about the antics of a scientist who creates a monster during an experiment. Bill Fennelly directs the play, and Hunter Foster plays Dr. Victor Frankenstein. Other actors include Christiane Noll and Steve Blanchard. Tomorrow through an open run, Monday, Thursday, and Friday, 8 p.m., Wednesday, 3 and 8 p.m., Saturday, 2 and 8 p.m., Sunday, 3 p.m., 37 Arts, 450 W. 37th St. at Dyer Avenue, 212-307-4100, $50–$120.

DRAWINGS

HOMETOWN PERSPECTIVE “The Drawing Room,” artist Anton van Dalen’s third exhibition at the Adam Baumgold Gallery, features works from over 40 years of his career. More than 70 drawings and sketchbooks are on display, with subjects including the changing East Village, Mr. van Dalen’s neighborhood for many years. Selections include his “Abandoned Car with Dog and TV” (1977), above. Through Saturday, Tuesday–Saturday, 11 a.m.–5:30 p.m., Adam Baumgold Gallery, 74 E. 79th St., between Park and Madison avenues, 212-861-7338, free.

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.