FILM

POCKET-SIZE PULP During the Adolf Eichmann trials of the 1960s, Israelis heard — some for the first time — the horrific details of abuse and killing in concentration camps. As Holocaust survivors were giving chilling testimony, a curious literary trend began: Pocket books of torture pornography began appearing on the shelves of Israeli news vendors. While some at the time believed the books, called Stalags, were translations of foreign materials, the volumes were actually produced in Israel. Director Ari Libsker’s documentary, “Stalags” (2007), explores the history of these stories, which often contained graphic depictions of female SS officers torturing Allied soldiers, then being raped or killed by their male prisoners in retribution. Mr. Libsker, whose grandparents were Holocaust survivors, interviews authors of those books, as well as fans and collectors, some of whom chose to remain anonymous in the film. In an April 9 newyorksun.com exclusive review titled “A Strange History of Torture Pornography,” Bruce Bennett described one scene in particular as offering “an incredibly vivid cinematic illustration of the formative Freudian blueprints from which both art and pornography are unconsciously assembled.” Through Tuesday, April 22, 1:15, 3, 4:45, 6:30, 8:15, and 10 p.m., Film Forum, 209 W. Houston St., between Sixth and Seventh avenues, 212-727-8110, $10.50 general, $5.50 seniors and members.

COMEDY

FUNNY FACE The first Hysterical Festival of women’s comedy hits the stand-up circuit in October. Until then, audiences who like their comedy with a side of sass can support the cause at the Hysterical fund-raiser, presented by Bust magazine. The evening’s host is comedian Carolyn Castiglia (VH1, MTV2). Performers include Heather Lawless (“Flight of the Conchords,” “Be Kind Rewind”), Adira Amram (Upright Citizens Brigade), Rachel Feinstein (Comedy Central’s “Premium Blend”), Ophira Eisenberg (VH1, Us Weekly Fashion Police), and Bridget Everett (Ars Nova’s “At Least It’s Pink”).

Monday, 8 p.m., Comix Comedy Club, 353 W. 14th St. at Ninth Avenue, 212-524-2500, $20.

FAMILY

CANDIED APPLE ORCHARDS It may not be apple-picking season, but there’s still plenty of fun to be had in the apple orchard at the Queens County Farm Museum, where a children’s carnival opens. Among the event highlights are carnival rides, a petting zoo, hayrides, and magic shows. Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m., and April 19–20, Queens County Farm Museum, 73-50 Little Neck Parkway, between 73rd Road and 74th Avenue, Floral Park, Queens, 718-347-3276, $9.

MUSIC

LADINO ROCKS Inspired by her Sephardic heritage, vocalist Sarah Aroeste takes traditional Ladino melodies, and infuses them with rock and jazz sounds. Ladino is a Spanish dialect that was spoken by Jews who were forced from their homeland during the Spanish Inquisition. Ms. Aroeste, whose ancestors left 15th-century Spain and settled in Salonika, Greece, performs songs from the Sarah Aroeste Band’s second album “Puertas,” among other musical numbers. Her fellow band members are Yarom Eilam on electric guitar, Emmanuel Mann on bass, Dan Nadel on flamenco guitar and oud, and Liron Peled on percussion. Saturday, 8 p.m., Drom, 85 Ave. A, between 5th and 6th streets, 212-777-1157, $12.

MUSICAL UNION Musica Reginae presents “Parlor Music: The Schumanns,” a concert program at Flushing Town Hall that focuses on the chamber music of Robert and Clara Schumann. The husband-and-wife team were both accomplished pianists, and the German composer’s better half was a concert-stage star of the Romantic period. Musicians include Caroline Chin (violin), Tom Rosenthal (viola), Robert Burkhart (cello), and Barbara Podgursk (piano). Violinist Philippe Graffin is a guest performer. The artistic director and conductor of the Oratorio Society of Queens, David Close, hosts the event, offering some history about the couple. Sunday, 4 p.m., Flushing Town Hall, 137-35 Northern Blvd. at Linden Place, Flushing, Queens, 718-894-2517, $20.

NEXT STOP: SOWETO The band Antibalas, whose name is Spanish for “Bulletproof,” emerged on the music scene in the late 1990s and gained a local following playing spicy Afrobeat. The 12-piece Bushwick-based collective is heavy on horns and drums, and pushes an eclectic sound that incorporates elements of jazz, funk, dub, improvised music, and traditional drumming from Cuba and West Africa. Antibalas performs songs from its latest album “Security,” as well as classics by Bob Marley and African pop masters. Friday and Saturday, 9 p.m., Southpaw, 125 Fifth Ave. at Sterling Place, 718-230-0236, $20–$25.

HARLEM SWING Jazz trumpeter and composer Wynton Marsalis and his orchestra give the debut performance of his newest commission, a mass for the Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem. The concert series is organized in support of and to honor the church’s bicentennial. The Abyssinian choir also performs. Friday–Saturday, 8 p.m., Jazz at Lincoln Center, Frederick P. Rose Hall, 33 W. 60th St. at Broadway, 212-721-6500, $82.50–$127.50.

PAINTINGS

DROWNED WORLD Geishas and courtesans who worked in Japan’s Yoshiwara district during the Edo period were complex figures who tended to carnal desires but also spiritual needs. The samurai, governing shogunate, and elite men of Edo (present-day Tokyo) enjoyed unfettered access to beautiful courtesans. Their exploits are captured in Japanese ukiyo-e, or “floating world,” in “Designed for Pleasure: The World of Edo Japan in Prints and Paintings, 1680–1860” at the Asia Society. Through Sunday, May 4, Tuesday–Sunday, 11 a.m.–6 p.m., Asia Society, 725 Park Ave. at 70th Street, 212-288-6400, $10 general, $7 seniors, $5 students, free for members, children under 16, and for all Friday 6–9 p.m.

THEATER

GOLDEN TICKET The Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts presents an afternoon with the Chinese acrobatic touring company, the Golden Dragon Acrobats. Chinese acrobatics dates back to the fourth century B.C.E. The Golden Dragon Acrobats are currently the only Chinese acrobatic company to tour year-round in America. The troupe’s show features elaborate costumes, traditional dance, and both ancient and contemporary music. Sunday, 2 p.m., Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts, Whitman Theatre, 2900 Campus Rd. at Hillel Place, 718-951-4500, $20.

GALLERY-GOING

THE TUG OF WAR Justin Francavilla’s work is known for dissecting and re-imagining explicit violence. His latest exhibit, “I Said You FCKN Die!” is a visual representation of the aggressive sentiment from which the collection gets its name. The ink and ink washes on paper are inspired by sports photographs, which Mr. Francavilla used for his sketches, replacing team uniforms with the white-collar attire of businessmen. Selections from the exhibit include “Knot Cycle” (2008), above. Through Saturday, May 3, Tuesday–Saturday, 11 a.m.–6 p.m., Daniel Cooney Fine Art, 511 W. 25th St., between Tenth and Eleventh avenues, 212-255-8158, free.

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