DANCE

REFLECTIONS IN D The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater hosts its season opening gala, for which hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons serves as honorary chairman. The gala features a program of highlights from the season, including Ailey’s “Reflections in D,” which is restaged by artistic director Judith Jameson, and his classic, “Revelations.” The dancers perform to live musical accompaniment led by conductor Eric Reed. Gala-goers are also treated to the American premiere of choreographer Maurice Béjart’s reworking of Fokine’s ballet, “Firebird.” Wednesday, November 28, 7 p.m., through Monday, December 31, dates and times vary, New York City Center, West 55th Street, between Sixth and Seventh avenues, 212-405-9031 for gala tickets, 212-581-1212 for performance tickets, $400 and up for gala tickets, $35 and up for performances. For more information, go to nycitycenter.org.

FILM

JUST SHOOT ME The Film Society of Lincoln Center hosts “American Independent: The Whole Shootin’ Match,” a screening of a restored print of Eagle Pennell’s 1978 dramedy. Set in Austin, Texas, “The Whole Shootin’ Match” tells the story of Loyd and Frank, who believe they have finally discovered the ultimate get-rich-quick scheme, after failed efforts at operating a frog farm, raising flying squirrels, and selling polyurethane to rich hippies, among other plots. Today, 1:30 and 3:30 p.m., tomorrow, 2, 4:15, 6:30, and 8:45 p.m., Lincoln Center, Walter Reade Theater, 165 W. 65th St., between Broadway and Amsterdam Avenue, 212-496-3809, $11 general, $7 students and film society members.

MUSIC

BIRTHDAY FOR BABS Soprano Barbara Cook joins the New York Philharmonic for a celebration of her 80th birthday. The program includes the songs of Lerner & Loewe, Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer, Leonard Bernstein, George Gershwin, and Oscar Hammerstein. Conductor Lee Musiker leads the orchestra. Ms. Cook, a Georgia native who got her start in the early 1950s in Bernstein’s “Candide,” has been hailed as one of Broadway’s greatest lyric sopranos. Tonight, 7:30 p.m., Lincoln Center, Avery Fisher Hall, 10 Lincoln Center Plaza, between Broadway and 65th Street, 212-875-5900, $29–$119.

GO ASK ALICE The eldest son of folk legend Woody Guthrie and a Brooklyn resident, Arlo Guthrie performs a program of folk and blues at Carnegie Hall. The younger Guthrie peppers the concert with protest songs, including his 18-minute, talking-blues composition, “Alice’s Restaurant Massacree.” Conductor John Nardillo leads the University of Kentucky Symphony in an accompanying performance. Saturday, 8 p.m., Carnegie Hall, Isaac Stern Auditorium, 881 Seventh Ave. at 57th Street, 212-247-7800, $35–$60.

WE’LL ALWAYS HAVE PARRIS Jazz vocalist Rebecca Parris performs songs from her new CD “You Don’t Know Me.” The singer is accompanied by her trio, which includes pianist Brad Hatfield and drummer Matt Gordy. A special Birdland Thanksgiving menu — choices include pan-seared grouper with mustard greens and Cajun roasted turkey served with andouille sausage cornbread — is on offer during the engagement. Ms. Parris has performed at venues across the country and abroad, and collaborated with such musicians as the legendary trumpeter, Dizzy Gillespie; clarinetist and bandleader Woody Herman, and saxophonist David “Fathead” Newman. Tomorrow through Saturday, 8:30 and 11 p.m., Birdland, 315 W. 44th St., between Eighth and Ninth avenues, 212-581-3080, $30–$40.

OPERA

ROMAN TRAGEDY The Metropolitan Opera presents “Norma,” a bel canto work featuring vocalists Hasmik Papian, right, and Maria Guleghina, who share the demanding title role. Vincenzo Bellini’s Italian opera tells the tragic story of two lovers, a Roman consul and a druid high priestess, set against a backdrop of war and national entanglements 50 years before the Common Era. Friday, 8 p.m., Monday, 7:30 p.m., through Friday, December 7, dates and times vary, Lincoln Center, Metropolitan Opera, between West 62nd and 65th streets, and Columbus and Amsterdam avenues, 212-362-6000, $15–$275.

PAINTINGS

WHAT’S WRONG WITH ME? Leo Koenig, Inc., presents the opening reception for “What’s Wrong With Me,” an exhibit of paintings by Norbert Bisky. The German artist’s Pop art-inspired, tan, and often blond-haired and blue-eyed boys can be found in this new collection of paintings. But a closer look demonstrates that Mr. Bisky has taken a more visually and thematically aggressive stance, depicting young figures devouring body parts, relieving themselves, or becoming inebriated. Tonight, 6 p.m., through Sunday, December 23, Leo Koenig, Inc., 545 W. 23rd St., between Tenth and Eleventh avenues, 212-334-9255, free.

OHIO RUST Growing up in 1980s Cleveland, Ben Grasso was a witness to the decline of a once-booming city. Mr. Grasso’s paintings reflect the state of blight that engulfed the Ohio city and his childhood. Through Sunday, Tuesday–Sunday, 11 a.m.–6 p.m., Thierry Goldberg Projects, 5 Rivington St., between Chrystie Street and the Bowery, 212-967-2260, free.

SCULPTURE

MIRROR IMAGES Two artists never before shown together in exhibition are paired in “Calder/Melotti: Lyrical Constructions.” Alexander Calder, an American, and Fausto Melotti, an Italian, were contemporaries who were separated by an ocean, but showed common tendencies for structured whimsy in their works. Both sculptors also were interested in similar genres outside of sculpture, as Melotti was a trained classical pianist, and Calder wrote music and choreography for Erik Satie and Martha Graham. Selected works from the exhibit include Calder’s “Tower” (1951), left, and Melotti’s “Contrappunto libero” (1972), right. Through Saturday, December 22, Tuesday–Friday, 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Barbara Mathes Gallery, 22 E. 80th St., between Fifth and Madison avenues, 212-570-4190, free.

TALKS

BIG GIRLS DON’T CRY An independent film producer, Christine Vachon, discusses her memoir, “A Killer Life: How an Independent Film Producer Survives Deals and Disasters in Hollywood” (Hal Leonard). Ms. Vachon heads Killer Films, under which she has produced such acclaimed films as “Boys Don’t Cry” (1999) and “Far From Heaven” (2002). The producer describes the day-to-day life of filmmaking outside the major studio system. The financial reality of the indie world often involves a constant quest to secure financing, especially for films whose provocative content may preclude eventual success at the box office. For Ms. Vachon, who shares candid anecdotes, the work is a labor of love. Tonight, 7 p.m., Strand Bookstore, 828 Broadway at East 12th Street, 212-473-1452, free.

THEATER

THE YIDDISH STAGE A new documentary film, “Yiddish Theater: A Love Story” (2006), examines the struggle to keep Yiddish theater thriving in New York. The film is directed by Dan Katzir, and follows Zypora Spaisman, a Holocaust survivor and actress who became an advocate for preserving elements of an Old World art form. The documentary includes rare interviews with legends of Yiddish theater such as Shifra Lerer, Felix Fibich, and Seymour Rechzeit. Wednesday, 7 p.m., through Wednesday, November 28, times vary, Two Boots Pioneer Theater, 155 E. 3rd St., between Avenues A and B, 212-591-0434, $10.

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.