BENEFITS

SAVING GRACE Highline Ballroom presents “Teddy Thompson & Friends Christmas Show: A Benefit Concert for SaveDarfur.org.” A British singer and songwriter, Mr. Thompson performs with accompanying musical guests, including Rufus Wainwright, Martha Wainwright, Ben Lee, Sonya Kitchell, and Neal Casal, among others. Pulitzer Prize-winning author Samantha Power gives a brief talk on foreign policy and Africa. All proceeds from the event benefit SaveDarfur.org. Tomorrow, 8 p.m., Highline Ballroom, 431 W. 16th St., between Ninth and Tenth avenues, 212-414-5994, $35.

DANCE

THESE ARE THE BREAKS A hiphop dance and theater company, Full Circle Productions, began working on the piece “Innaviews” in January 2006 at Dance Theater Workshop. The completed work was constructed as a duet between dancers Kwikstep (Gabriel Dionisio) and Rokafella (Anita Garcia), and tells the stories of the pair’s efforts to bring street dance to the professional stage, as well as to debunk misconceptions about the art form. The workshop hosts a performance of the piece, which combines high-impact movement with monologues, poetry, and video. Mr. Dionisio and Ms. Garcia choreographed “Innaviews,” and Gamal Chasten is director. Tomorrow through Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Dance Theater Workshop, 219 W. 19th St., between Seventh and Eighth avenues, 212-924-0077, $20 general, $12 students, seniors, and members.

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).

DRAWINGS

FROM HAND TO STONE “Beginnings: Sculptors as Draftsmen” features preparatory drawings by four sculptors — Shida Kuo, Louise Hindsgavl, Sun Koo Yuh, and Vesa-Pekka Rannikko. These drafts represent the groundwork for sculptures eventually created by the artists. Some of the drawings, such as those of Mr. Rannikko, depict vibrant mini-scenes unfolding around his sculpted characters, while those of Mr. Kuo are illustrated with an animated hand. Selections include Mr. Rannikko’s “New Actresses” (2007), left, and Mr. Kuo’s “P. Series No. 1 – No. 6” (2007), above. Through Saturday, January 12, Tuesday–Saturday, 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Nancy Margolis Gallery, 523 W. 25th St., between Tenth and Eleventh avenues, 212-242-3013, free.

FILM

DANNY IN REAL LIFE The Museum of the Moving Image pays tribute to actor Danny Glover. The gala program includes a discussion with director John Sayles, whose latest film, “Honeydripper” (2007), features a performance by the actor. Blues guitarist Gary Clark Jr., who also appears in the film, performs during the event. Mr. Glover has won critical acclaim for his roles in such films as Steven Spielberg’s “The Color Purple” (1985), playing the cruel husband, “Mister,” who ultimately finds redemption, and in Jonathan Demme’s “Beloved,” in which he was cast opposite Oprah Winfrey as Paul D, a freed slave. He is perhaps best known to moviegoers for the buddy flick series “Lethal Weapon.” Mr. Glover discusses his career with the chief curator at MMI, David Schwartz. Tomorrow,7 p.m., the Times Center, 242 W. 44th St., between Seventh and Eighth avenues, 718-784-4520, $25 general, $17 members, free for sponsor-level members.

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. The three sisters are Lee (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. Tonight through Monday, December 24, 1:25, 3:30, 5:35, 7:40, and 9:45 p.m., and an additional midnight screening on Friday and Saturday, 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.

HOLIDAY

SINGING ON HIGH For many of those who celebrate Christmas, the holiday isn’t complete until they have taken in a performance of Handel’s “Messiah.” The Oratorio Society of New York presents a pre-Christmas performance at Carnegie Hall. Soloists include soprano Leslie Fagan, countertenor Jason Abrams, tenor Philippe Castagner, and baritone Sidney Outlaw. The Oratorio Society has been performing since 1873 and is made up entirely of volunteers; its musical director is Kent Tritle. Tonight, 8 p.m., Carnegie Hall, 881 Seventh Ave. at 57th Street, 212-247-7800, $20–$75.

MEDIEVAL MIDTOWN The performers in the group Trefoil are selfdescribed “modern minstrels.” (The group is named for the symbol that represents the Christian Holy Trinity.) Trefoil performs medieval musical works during a lunchtime performance for the “Midtown Concerts” series. The program also includes traditional laude, songs from 14th-century Italy about the ancient themes of Christmas. Tomorrow, 1:15 p.m., St. Bartholomew’s Church, 109 E. 50th St. at Park Avenue, 212-967-9157, free.

COCKTAILS WITH ISAAC “A Holiday Celebration with Isaac Mizrahi” features the fashion designer and television personality, who shares a campy compilation of holiday stories and cheerful anecdotes. Premium seating includes cocktails and a holiday menu. Mr. Mizrahi is joined by a few surprise special guests. The Brooklyn native opened his successful eponymous clothing label in 1987. By 2003, he was on to his second act, hosting a talk show on the Style network, and producing women’s sportswear, accessories, and a home collection for Target stores. Friday, 9 p.m., Blender Theater at Gramercy, 127 E. 23rd St. at Lexington Avenue, 212-777-6800, $349 table seating, $24 general.

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 and 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.” Tonight, 7 p.m., the Fillmore New York at Irving Plaza, 17 Irving Plaza at East 15th Street, 212-777-6800, $31.50–$35.

TWO HANDS TOGETHER Pianist Leon Fleisher lost the ability to use his right hand as a child as the result of a neurological disorder. But having recently regained use of his afflicted hand, he recorded his first “two-handed” performance in 2004. He performs during the 92nd Street Y’s Chamber Music at the Y series, which focuses on three lesser-known works by Robert Schumann: Adagio and Allegro for Horn and Piano in A-flat Major, Op. 70, “Fantasiestücke” for Cello and Piano, Op. 73, and the Andante and Variations for Two Pianos, Two Cellos, and Horn. Accompanying performers include pianists Katherine Jacobson Fleisher and Alon Goldstein, cellists Julia Bruskin and Sharon Robinson, and French horn player David Jolley. Tonight and tomorrow, 8 p.m., 92nd Street Y, 1395 Lexington Ave. at 92nd Street, 212-415-5500, $40, $25 for ages 35 or under.

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

‘CRAZY’ AFTER ALL THESE YEARS Vocalist Carolyn Sills and the Brooklyn-based alterna-country band, the Poor Man’s Roses, perform a tribute to country music legend Patsy Cline. Ms. Sills and her band perform such classics as “Crazy” and “I Fall to Pieces,” as well as a program of holiday favorites made famous by Cline. Ms. Sills (also of the blues-Americana band Boss Tweed) and The Poor Man’s Roses have attracted a following on the East Coast with nostalgic renditions of Cline’s catalog. Thursday, Rodeo Bar, 375 Third Ave. at 27th Street, 212-683-6500, free.

READINGS

POETRY FOR ALL Sip Lounge, a stone’s throw from Columbia University, hosts its monthly reading series, Sip Lit. Featured writers include poet Sarah Arvio, who reads from her two collections, “Sono” and “Visits From the Seventh” (Knopf), and Peter Cameron, who reads from his latest novel, “Someday This Pain Will Be Useful To You” (Farrar, Strauss and Giroux). Ms. Arvio’s work has earned her the Rome Prize, a John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation fellowship, and the Paris Review’s Bernard F. Connors Prize. Tomorrow, 8 p.m., Sip Lounge, 998 Amsterdam Ave., between 109th and 110th streets, 212-316-2747, free.

TALKS

MONEY MATTERS A nonprofit organization whose goal is to provide career instruction to young female professionals, New York Women in Communications, presents a discussion with business news anchor Maria Bartiromo. Ms. Bartiromo is the host of CNBC’s “Closing Bell” and “The Wall Street Journal Report with Maria Bartiromo.”She discusses her career in journalism, and how she has worked to land interviews with leading figures in finance and government. The chief executive officer of the Dilenschneider Group, Robert Dilenschneider, serves as moderator. Tonight, 8 p.m., New York University, Wasserman Center, 133 E. 13th St., between Third and Fourth avenues, 212-297-2133, $50 general, $35 members, $20 students.

THEATER

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 performers play off members of the audience, drawing them into the action and allowing them to help shape it. Tonight and tomorrow, 7:30 p.m., Performance Space 122, 150 First Ave. at East 9th Street, 212-352-3101, $20 general, $15 students and seniors, $10 members.

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