FAMILY

ALL IT’S QUACKED UP TO BE The Urban Park Rangers of the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation help to teach city dwellers about the environment, caring for the parks, and restoring the city’s natural heritage. On Saturday, the Urban Park Rangers lead a special winter waterfowl prowl at Central Park. Park-goers will be on the lookout for such exotic birds as mergansers, pintails, and buffleheads. Participants are encouraged to wear warm clothing and comfortable shoes; binoculars are also a plus. Saturday, 10 a.m., Central Park, meet at the North Gatehouse, mid-park at 94th Street, free. For more information, call 311.

ART

WHO’S THE BOSS? An artist based in Hangzhou, China, Chen Xiaoyun, presents “Love You, Big Boss,” his first New York exhibit. The show comprises three videos and four large-scale photographs depicting staged scenes of everyday life. The allegorical images are meant to confront America’s role as superpower and how it is perceived abroad. Through Sunday, March 30, Monday–Saturday, 10 a.m.–6 p.m., the Project Gallery, 37 W. 57th St., between Fifth and Sixth avenues, 3rd floor, 212-688-1585, free.

FAMILY

GIANT STEPS With a catalog that includes hits such as “Particle Man” and “Istanbul,” the group They Might Be Giants has always been a child-friendly band. The quirky, Brooklyn-based Giants are now making music for specifically for youngsters. The release this month of the album “Here Come the 123s” follows the 2005 recording “Here Come the ABCs,” and offers songs for families to bop to together. The band performs tracks from the new CD this weekend. Members include keyboardist John Linnell and guitarist John Flansburgh. Saturday, 3 p.m., Borders Columbus Circle, 10 Columbus Circle at Broadway, 212-823-9775, free.

JOINING THE CIRCUS Cirque Le Masque brings its touring show, “Carnivale,” to the Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts. “Carnivale” tells the story of a female tourist who dreams of becoming a performer or showgirl in Brazil. Her wish is granted — she is swept into the colorful world of the pre-Lenten Carnivale season. A European-style circus troupe based in East Farmingdale, N.Y., Cirque Le Masque combines theater with traditional circus fare, including jugglers, aerialists, and contortionists. Sunday, 2 p.m., Brooklyn College, Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts, Walt Whitman Theatre, 2900 Campus Rd. at Hillel Place, 718-951-4500, $20–$35, reduced admission for age 18 and under.

MUSIC

THIS IS THE RE-MIX “Eco-designer” Nina Valenti constructed an evening gown made entirely of scraps from the trash. The frock, designed from thousands of recycled juice drink pouches, is worn by pianist Soyeon Lee during Ms. Lee’s Carnegie Hall performance, “ReInvented.” The concert program is equally mindful of the sustainability cause and features musical pieces by Prokofiev, Ravel, and others, that have been reworked in some way from the original.

Tonight, 7:30 p.m., Carnegie Hall, 57th Street at Seventh Avenue, 212-247-7800, $75–$100.

TRUE LOVE WILL FIND YOU In the 1980s, singer-songwriter Daniel Johnston began producing lo-fi cassette recordings of his music at home. His work eventually made him a favorite of the alternative music scene in the 1990s, drawing the attention of such artists as Kurt Cobain and members of Sonic Youth and Yo La Tengo. A documentary focusing on Mr. Johnston, produced by a Dutch broadcasting station, only heightened his profile. Now, having weathered the ups and downs of the music industry and battling manic depression, the musician returns to the stage, performing selections from his album, “Welcome to My World,” and other tunes. Thursday, 9 p.m., Highline Ballroom, 431 W. 16th St. at Tenth Avenue, 212-414-5994, $20.

PIANO MAN Pianist Markus Groh, who has garnered praise for his imaginative interpretations of Liszt, was the first German musician to win the Queen Elizabeth International Music Competition of Belgium. During a solo concert, he performs Erwin Schulhoff’s “Five Études de Jazz,” Ginastera’s Sonata No. 1, Op. 22, and Liszt’s Sonata in B minor. Sunday, 5 p.m., Frick Collection, 1 E. 70th St. at Fifth Avenue, 212-547-0715, $25.

TALKS

FURNITURE FOR THE FUTURE

Scandinavia House presents “Scandinavian Design: New Classics for the 21st Century,” a lecture given by a professor at the New York School of Interior Design, Judith Gura. The modern look of Nordic furniture design first gained international popularity after World War II; the approach emphasized nature and humanism. Ms. Gura discusses developments and radical changes put forth by a young generation of designers.

Tonight, 6:30 p.m., Scandinavia House, 58 Park Ave., between 37th and 38th streets, 212-879-9779, $10 general, $8 members, free for students.

PAINTINGS

STROKES AND STANZAS “The Poetry of Objects,” a new retrospective of works by Loren MacIver, pays tribute to the artist’s friendships with 20th-century poets, including Dylan Thomas, e.e. cummings, and Elizabeth Bishop. MacIver was herself an influential Modern artist: Her first major exhibit opened in 1946 at the Museum of Modern Art. Selections from the retrospective include “Patisserie” (1970), above. Through Friday, February 29, Tuesday–Saturday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Alexandre Gallery, 41 E. 57th St. at Madison Avenue, 212-755-2828, free.

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.