ART

LADIES FIRST The work of eight female artists is the focus of an appropriately titled winter exhibit, “8 Women,” at David Findlay Jr. Fine Art. The show features both paintings and sculptures ranging from fantastical realism to abstraction. Mary Abbott, Gertrude Barrer, Lorrie Goulet, Marian Jacob, Ida Kohlmeyer, Ellen Lanyon, Emily Mason, and Nina Tryggvadottir contribute to the group effort. Highlights include Ms. Lanyon’s “Dance of the Dahlias” (2006), above, and Ms. Mason’s “Lexicon” (2007), right. Through Saturday, Monday–Saturday, 10 a.m.–5:30 p.m., David Findlay Jr. Fine Art, 41 E. 57th St. at Madison Avenue, 212-486-7660, 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.

ONCE FORGOTTEN Helen Torr is perhaps best known as the wife of the American abstract painter Arthur Dove. But during her decades-long career, she was widely considered an important Modernist painter in her own right. Alexandre Gallery celebrates Torr’s career with an exhibit of “Selected Sketchbooks” to accompany an exhibit of works by Anne Harris. Through Saturday, December 29, Tuesday–Saturday, 11 a.m.–6 p.m., Alexandre Gallery, the Fuller Building, 41 E. 57th St. at Madison Avenue, 13th floor, 212-755-2828, free.

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. Through Saturday, January 12, Tuesday–Saturday, 10:30 a.m.–6 p.m., Howard Scott Gallery, seventh floor, 529 W. 20th St., between Tenth Avenue and the West Side Highway, 646-486-7004, free.

DANCE

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 Gingerinher85-pounddress, allset to Tchaikovsky’s memorable score. 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 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.

FILM

SOUL SISTERS The Film Forum hosts a screening of Woody Allen’s “Hannah and Her Sisters” (1986), which follows two years in the lives of a trio of siblings, beginning one fateful Thanksgiving. The three sisters are Lee (played by Barbara Hershey), a drifting Alcoholics Anonymous member who is married to a misanthropic painter; Holly, a failed actress, writer, and caterer, played by Dianne Wiest, and Hannah, the beautiful, famous actress, who seems to have the perfect life, played by Mia Farrow. The balance is shattered when Hannah’s husband, played by Michael Caine, falls in love with Lee. The author of “Conversations With Woody Allen” (Knopf), Eric Lax, introduces the 7:40 p.m. screening on Friday. Friday and Saturday, 1:25, 3:30, 5:35, 7:40, 9:45 p.m., and midnight, through Monday, December 24, dates and times vary, Film Forum, 209 W. Houston St., between Sixth and Seventh avenues, 212-727-8112, $10.50 general, $5.50 seniors weekdays before 5 p.m., $5.50 children.

MUSIC

A FIASCO IN THE MAKING Rapper Lupe Fiasco performs songs from his latest release, “Lupe Fiasco’s The Cool,” as well as tracks from his critically acclaimed, Grammy-nominated debut “Food & Liquor.” The Chicago native has been lauded for writing introspective lyrics that often draw provocative contrasts between the excess and hedonism of hip-hop culture with the reality of everyday life in the inner city. His razor-sharp political commentary is showcased to full effect on recent singles such as “Superstar” and “Dumb It Down.” Tuesday, 7 p.m., the Fillmore New York at Irving Plaza, 17 Irving Plaza at East 15th Street 212-777-6800, $31.50–$35.

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. Tuesday 7 p.m., Cachaça Jazz ‘n’ Samba Club, 35 W. 8th St. at Sixth Avenue 212-388-9099, $5.

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. Cosmin Chivu directs. Through Sunday, December 23, Saturday–Thursday, 8 p.m. Sunday, 3 and 7 p.m., Altered Stages, 212 W. 29th St., second floor, 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, 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.