ART

LOST AND FOUND Howard Scott Gallery presents an exhibit featuring works by two artists: Philadelphia-based Ron Klein, and Austin, Texas-based Lance Letscher. Both use composition techniques, including collage, in their art. “Found Objects + Collage,” the title of the exhibit, refers to the artists’ use of altered paper and random materials, including pods and beeswax, in the works on display. Selections from the show include Mr. Klein’s “I to I” (2007), left, and Mr. Letscher’s “Keep Going” (2007), above. Opens today, exhibit through Saturday, January 12, Tuesday–Saturday, 10:30 a.m.–6 p.m., Howard Scott Gallery, 529 W. 20th St., between Tenth Avenue and the West Side Highway, 7th floor, 646-486-7004, free.

HAPPY FACES David Mach’s artistic output has been characterized by his responses to consumerism: Large-scale installations often include a range of objects, from tires and matchsticks to newspapers. Of late, Mr. Mach has taken to creating collages using postcards. One such work features a nude figure composed of postcards depicting Thomas Harris’s fictional serial killer Hannibal Lecter. Through Saturday, January 12, Tuesday–Saturday, 10 a.m.–5:30 p.m., Forum Gallery, 745 Fifth Ave., between 57th and 58th streets, 212-355-4545, free.

DANCE

DANCING IN DECEMBER The Juilliard Dance Ensemble opens its winter season with newly commissioned dances performed by the school’s third- and fourth-year dance students. Featured choreographers include Nicolo Fonte, Robert Battle, and Adam Hougland. The pieces are set to a program of music by “recovered voices,” a selection of composers whose lives were adversely affected by the Nazi regime. Conductor James Conlon leads the Juilliard Orchestra in Erwin Schulhoff’s Ogelala, Op. 53, “Ballettmysterium,” and Alexander von Zemlinsky’s Sinfonietta, Op. 23. Tonight and tomorrow, 8 p.m., Saturday, 3 p.m., the Juilliard School, Peter Jay Sharp Theatre, 60 Lincoln Center Plaza, between Broadway and 65th Street, 212-721-6500, $20 general, $10 students and seniors.

A PROBLEM LIKE MARIA The Doug Elkins Dance Company dances “Fraulein Maria,” a suite of pieces inspired by the popular Rodgers and Hammerstein film score for “The Sound of Music” (1956). The show is presented as part of the “dancemOpolitan Holiday Series” at Joe’s Pub. “Fraulein Maria” is revamped for the season, and given a downtown edge. Featured dancers include Jen Nugent, Arthur Aviles, Archie Burnett, and Nicole Wolcott. Friday, 7:30 p.m., and Saturday, 1:30 and 7:30 p.m., Joe’s Pub at the Public Theater, 425 Lafayette St., between East 4th Street and Astor Place, 212-967-7555, $20–$25, $12 for children under 16 (matinee only).

YOUNG SWANS A nonprofit, Brooklyn-based organization that provides educational arts programming, the Young Dancers in Repertory, celebrates its 10th annual Holiday Performance at IS 220 (Pershing) Intermediate School. The Repertory’s touring ensemble and students from its Center for Dance Studies perform ballets from “The Nutcracker,” and a selection of dances from the troupe’s folkloric and classic repertoire. Saturday, 1:30 p.m., Intermediate School 220 (Pershing), 4812 Ninth Ave., between 48th and 49th streets, Brooklyn, 347-702-7155, free.

MARCH OF THE TOY SOLDIERS Marching toy soldiers and adorable dancing mice take to the stage at Lincoln Center during New York City Ballet’s presentation of “George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker.” The seasonal staple for the entire family features little Marie at her family’s Christmas party, and a timeless cast of lavishly costumed characters, including the Sugar Plum Fairy and Mother Ginger in her 85-pound dress, all set to Tchaikovsky’s memorable score. Tonight, 6 p.m., Friday, 8 p.m., Saturday, 2 and 8 p.m., Sunday, 1 and 5 p.m., through Sunday, December 30, dates and times vary, New York State Theater, 20 Lincoln Center Plaza, between West 63rd Street and Columbus Avenue, 212-870-5570, $20–$120.

FAMILY

A DARK AND STORMY NIGHT The Unterberg Poetry Center of the 92nd Street Y hosts the inaugural session of its new children’s reading series. The program includes a celebration of Madeleine L’Engle’s “A Wrinkle in Time” (Yearling), published 45 years ago. Charlotte Jones Voiklis, L’Engle’s granddaughter, reads from the Newbury Award-winning novel as well as other selections, and discusses her grandmother’s life and work. The Saturday reading series will feature regular appearances by actors and writers. Saturday, 1 p.m., 92nd Street Y, Weill Art Gallery, Lexington Avenue at 92nd Street, 212-415-5500, $10.

DUCK, DUCK, GOOSE The powerHouse Arena in DUMBO hosts its second annual “Kids’ Holiday Party” featuring a “Brooklyn Santa,” who poses for pictures with guests. Three Brooklyn-based children’s authors also give readings and sign books. Meghan McCarthy reads from “City Hawk” (Simon & Schuster), about the life of New York’s resident hawk, Pale Male. Tad Hills reads from his “Duck, Duck, Goose” (Schwartz & Wade), about a friend who learns that sometimes three’s a crowd, and Lauren Thompson from “The Apple Pie That Papa Baked” (Simon & Schuster), about a father who lovingly gathers ingredients to prepare a sweet treat for his daughter. Sunday, 3 p.m., the powerHouse Arena, 37 Main St. at Water Street, Brooklyn, 866-992-7362, free.

FOOD & DRINK

JUST MY POTLUCK The Alice + Olivia boutique hosts a book signing and shopping event for “Park Avenue Potluck: Recipes From New York’s Savviest Hostesses” (Rizzoli). Godiva “Carameltinis” are served and a portion of the evening’s sales will be donated to the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. Compiled by food writer Florence Fabricant and members of the Society of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, the cookbook features foolproof dishes for successful entertaining, from Cheddar Chutney Croustades to Baked Spinach Risotto. Coco Kopelman, Muffie Potter Aston, and Daisy Soros are among the book’s contributors, and Ms. Kopelman and others are on hand to share helpful tips. Tonight, 6-9 p.m., Alice + Olivia, 80 W. 40th St., between Fifth and Sixth avenues, 212-840-0887, free.

MUSIC

JAZZ AND SAMBA The Jazz Studies Program of New York University showcases its faculty and students during a series of performances at the Cachaça Jazz ‘n’ Samba Club. Featured faculty performers include a saxophonist with the Saturday Night Live Band, Lenny Pickett, and saxophonist George Garzone. Tonight, 7 p.m., and Tuesday, December 18, 7 p.m., Cachaça Jazz ‘n’ Samba Club, 35 W. 8th St. at Sixth Avenue, 212-388-9099, $5.

TALKS

LIT FROM WITHIN The National Academy Museum presents a discussion with its senior curator of 19th-century art, Bruce Weber. He leads a conversation on Joseph Seymour Guy, the Victorian-era painter, born and trained in England before immigrating to New York City in 1854. Guy specialized in genre paintings of children, using a glazing technique he had learned in Europe to give his paintings a smooth, lacquered finish. Guy also became known for his skill at concealing light sources in his paintings, giving his young subjects the unique appearance of being lit from within. The Durand Society sponsors the lecture. Tomorrow, 6:30 p.m., National Academy Museum, third floor, 1083 Fifth Ave., between 89th and 90th streets, 212-369-4880, $5 general, free for Durand Society members.

THEATER

THEN COMES BABY “He’s Having a Baby,” a one-man show featuring writer Andrew Kaplan, recounts the real-life struggle to conceive endured by the performer and his wife. Mr. Kaplan comically gives voice to several characters, including his concerned parents, a teacher at a yeshiva who was less than forthcoming about the young Kaplan’s sexually charged inquiries, a kind Irish nurse, and his unborn child. “Mr. Kaplan and his wife’s relationship is what anchors the show and gives it a depth beyond the typical male perspective on menstrual cycles and talking sperm,” Molly Rose Kaufman wrote in the December 5 New York Sun. Cosmin Chivu directs. Through Sunday, December 23, Saturday–Thursday, 8 p.m., Sunday, 3 and 7 p.m., Altered Stages, second floor, 212 W. 29th St., between Seventh and Eighth avenues, 212-352-3101, $25.

SEND IN THE CLOWNS A Chicago-based theater group that fuses improvisation and circus arts, 500 Clown, performs an adaptation of Mary Shelley’s classic “Frankenstein.” The show follows three clowns as they attempt to assemble Dr. Frankenstein’s laboratory. The performers play off members of the audience, drawing them into the action and allowing them to help shape it. Through Wednesday, December 19, Tuesday–Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Saturday–Sunday, 4 p.m., Performance Space 122, 150 First Ave. at East 9th Street, 212-352-3101, $20 general, $15 students and seniors, $10 members.

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.