ART

ONCE ON THIS ISLAND “Infinite Island: Contemporary Caribbean Art,” an exhibit of more than 80 works created in the last six years, is on view at the Brooklyn Museum. The show features contributions from 45 artists who represent the complexity and vibrant nature of this culture. The art explores Caribbean societies through video, photography, print and drawings, sculpture, and installation. Through Sunday, January 27, Wednesday–Friday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m.–6 p.m., until 11 p.m. on first Saturdays, Brooklyn Museum, 200 Eastern Pkwy. at Washington Avenue, Prospect Heights, Brooklyn, 718-638-5000, $8 general, $4 students and seniors, free for children under 12.

THE SWEETEST TABOO The Von Lintel Gallery presents “Sweet Sweetback’s Baadasssss Song,” an exhibit inspired by director Melvin Van Peebles’s controversial 1971 film of the same name, which aimed to turn the “blaxploitation” genre on its head. The show features the work of 14 African-American artists, whose contributions examine the representation of blacks in popular culture, using a range of media. From blackface and iconic advertising symbols to diamond-studded slave ships and postmodern nudes, the works explore not only ideas about black culture, but also what it means to be a black artist. Titus Kaphar, Renee Cox, and Barkley Hendricks are among the featured artists. Through Sunday, Tuesday–Saturday, 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Von Lintel Gallery, 555 W. 25th St., between Tenth and Eleventh avenues, 212-242-0599, free.

IN THE ABSTRACT Born in 1930, Robert Natkin is considered to be one of a pioneering group of abstract painters who flourished in Chicago during the 1950s and ’60s. In recent years, he has increasingly focused on painting portraits. Still, he has not abandoned entirely his signature abstract works, which feature oblong shapes painted with soft lines. A selection that reflects both genres is currently on view. Through Saturday, January 26, 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.

DANCE

A STUDY IN SLEEP The Parsons Dance Company celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. The artistic director and founder of the troupe, David Parsons, stages two eclectic programs, which include his “Caught,” as well as other pieces from the company’s repertory of more than 70 dances. This week, dances include “Kind of Blue,” “Sleep Study,” “Closure,” and Mr. Parsons’s signature piece. Tomorrow, Wednesday, and Sunday, 7:30 p.m., and Thursday–Friday, 8 p.m., Joyce Theater, 175 Eighth Ave. at 19th Street, 212-691-9740, $25–$44.

DESIGN

YOUR WORLD UP CLOSE The Pratt Manhattan Gallery at the campus of the Pratt Institute presents “My World,” an exhibit of works by seven contemporary British designers. The touring show’s appearance at the gallery marks its only stop in America. The pieces reflect what the designers perceive as our desire for a stamp of personal identity in the things that populate our lives — from mattresses to standing lamps. Highlights include Alison Willoughby’s installation “One” and “10 Skirts,” a collection of sizeless circle skirts juxtaposed with a stack of raw fabric. The garments are embellished with small collages of dye, glass, and other materials. Other featured designers include Peter Tragg, Danny Brown, and Neutral, the brainchild of Christian Grou and Tapio Snellman. Through Saturday, February 23, Tuesday–Saturday, 11 a.m.–6 p.m., Pratt Manhattan Gallery, 144 W. 14th St., between Sixth and Seventh avenues, 212-647-7778, free.

FILM

THREE’S COMPANY “Woman on the Beach” (2006), director Hong Sang-Soo’s wicked comedy of manners, screens this weekend at Film Forum. The movie follows a trio of 30-somethings who gather for a weekend at the beach during the off-season. Things quickly go wrong when the slumping filmmaker, played by Kim Seung-woo, falls for his pal’s girlfriend, played by Ko Hyun-joung. Confronted by his bespectacled pal, played by Kim Tae-woo, the auteur asks the woman at the center of the threesome to choose. (In Korean with English subtitles.) Through Tuesday, January 22, 1:15, 3:45, 6:45, and 9:15 p.m., Film Forum, 209 W. Houston St., between Sixth and Seventh avenues, 212-727-8110, $10.50 general, $5.50 for seniors weekdays before 5 p.m., $5.50 children.

MUSIC

MELODIES FOR MATING Perhaps it was during that summer spent at camp in 1984, or maybe it was the third date that ended with a kiss — the first time you knew you’d fallen head over Capezios. The moment was fleeting, but it turns out the song that was streaming from the speakers was enduring: “You can’t start a fire, you can’t start a fire without a spark. This gun’s for hire even if we’re just dancing in the dark.” For those who can appreciate the pathos in a Bruce Springsteen tune, the New York Festival of Song and the Juilliard School present “A Modern Person’s Guide to Hooking Up and Breaking Up,” a concert dedicated to the music of loving and losing. The eclectic program, divided into themes such as “Working It Out” and “Desire,” includes selections by Leonard Bernstein, “the Boss,” right, Frank Loesser, and Paul Moravec, among others. Performers include Meredith Lustig, David McFerrin, and Paul LaRosa. Wednesday, 8 p.m., the Juilliard School, Peter Jay Sharp Theatre, between 65th Street and Broadway, 646-230-8380, free.

OPERA

BLACK MAGIC WOMAN The Gotham Chamber Opera and the Morgan Library & Museum present “Scenes of Gypsy Life,” a cautionary tale set to the music of Janácek and Dvorák. In it, tenor Garrett Sorensen plays a wholesome farm boy who is seduced by a sultry Gypsy woman. He abandons provincial life and joins her clan soon after. The artistic director, Neal Goren, and the stage director for Gilder Lehrman Hall at the Morgan, Eric Einhorn, collaborated on this fully staged work. Wednesday and Thursday, 7:30 p.m., Morgan Library & Museum, 225 Madison Ave., between 36th and 37th streets, 212-685-0008, ext. 560, $35–$45.

PHOTOGRAPHY

JUST ANOTHER GIRL ON THE IRT Photographer Jaishri Abichandani immigrated to Queens from India when she was 14 years old. Her latest work, featured in the exhibit “Reconciliations,” speaks directly to her migration experience. The show focuses on her attempts to reconcile differing worlds. Ms. Abichandani creates collages from photographs of boroughs and cityscapes — both her own and appropriated — by employing Photoshop software to build overlapping scenes that address social and political issues. In “La Paz Caracas Havana” (2007), above, the cities represent countries whose leaders have signed an anti-American trade agreement. Other highlights include “Willets Point Dharavi” (2007), which draws parallels between the downtrodden areas of two places — one in India, the other in Queens — and asks the viewer to consider the consequences of urban planning and immigration policy. Through Sunday, March 23, Wednesday–Friday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, noon–5 p.m., Queens Museum of Art, New York City Building, Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Grand Central Parkway and Roosevelt Avenue, 718-592-9700, $5 general, $2.50 seniors, free for children.

SCULPTURE

INDIANA’S LOVE JONES “Love Wall,” a 12-foot-high steel sculpture, was initially conceived of in 1968 by artist Robert Indiana in the form of a painting. This reinterpretation of the artist’s iconic work is featured as part of “Art in the Parks: Celebrating 40 Years,” a tribute to the 40th anniversary of New York City’s public art program. In “Love Wall,” four “LOVE” sculptures have been stacked to create a sort of visual puzzle. Mr. Indiana became famous for employing the symbols of commercial art to express an existential viewpoint. The exhibition is presented by the Paul Kasmin Gallery and the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation. On view through Friday, February 29, at Park Avenue and 57th Street, 212-563-4474, free.

THEATER

SWEET LITTLE LIES The Italian theater company Teatro Del Carretto makes its American debut with an adult adaptation of “Pinocchio.” In this version, based on the traditional text by Italian author Carlo Collodi, Pinocchio (a carved, wooden puppet) comes to life, matures into manhood, and faces the prospect of making self-discoveries in a world full of danger. The play is performed in Italian, and directed by Maria Grazia Cipriani. Featured actors include Giandomenico Cupaiuolo and Elsa Bossi. Thursday–Sunday, 7:30 p.m., through Sunday, January 27, LaMaMa E.T.C., 74A E. 4th St., between Second Avenue and the Bowery, 212-475-7710, $20 general, $15 students and seniors.

COME ON DOWN! In her one-woman show, “You Bet Your Life Live!,” comedian Lisa Levy takes on the role of game show host. Basing the unscripted piece on the 1950s Groucho Marx quiz program, Ms. Levy uses the original music and commercials employed by Marx. Audience members are encouraged to participate and answer trivia in such categories as “Oprah!,” “Formerly Unanswerable Not Trivial Questions,” and “Body Functions.” Friday, 10:30 p.m., open run, the Green Room, 45 Bleecker St. at Lafayette Street, 212-239-6200, $12.

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