READINGS

TRAILBLAZER Before Senator Clinton, there was Belva Lockwood. The New York County Law Association hosts a reading and book signing by author Jill Norgren, whose newly published biography, “Belva Lockwood: The Woman Who Would Be President” (New York University Press), examines Lockwood’s achievements as an advocate for women’s rights in the 19th century. Lockwood, a contemporary of suffragist Susan B. Anthony, not only pushed for voting rights, but campaigned for the presidency on that platform in 1884 and 1888. She became one of America’s first female lawyers, and the first woman admitted to the U.S. Supreme Court bar. Lockwood is pictured, near right, with fellow activist Olympia Brown, in 1913. Ms. Norgren is a professor emeritus of government at John Jay College of Criminal Justice and the Graduate Center of the City University of New York. Tonight, 6 p.m., NYCLA, 14 Vesey St., between Church Street and Broadway, 212-267-6646, free.

FASHION

BAG LADIES The trendy Park Slope clothing boutique Flirt hosts a “Build-a-Bag” workshop as part of its ongoing “Home Ec” program. The sessions are designed to teach the fundamentals of sewing. During a three-hour class, novice designers choose their own fabrics, and are instructed on how to pin, cut, and sew a stylish cotton tote bag. All materials are included; no experience is necessary, although those who know their way around a needle and thread are welcome. Tomorrow, 6:30 p.m., 303 Third Ave., between Carroll and 1st streets, Park Slope, Brooklyn, 718-783-0364, $95.

FILM

SEDUCTION 101 The French Institute Alliance Française hosts a screening of the Richard Temtchine film “How to Seduce Difficult Women” (2007). The comedy centers on Philippe, a Frenchman living in Manhattan who has just written a book about the art of seduction. Philippe recruits 10 relationship-challenged men, promising to help them conquer their dating fears, but finds that not everyone can make it through his course. Admission is on a first-come, first-served basis. Thursday, April 17, 8:30 p.m., French Institute Alliance Française, Tinker Auditorium, 22 E. 60th St., between Madison and Park avenues, 212-231-3903, free.

FIRST COMES LOVE Cindy Kleine’s documentary “Phyllis and Harold” (2008) explores her parents’ 60-year marriage in a cinema-verité style that tracks the couple’s union beginning with their courtship in the 1930s. Ms. Kleine, a film and video artist, follows them through World War II to today, uncovering family secrets along the way and probing what keeps a relationship from unraveling in the face of great challenges. Tomorrow, 8 p.m., Walter Reade Theater, 70 Lincoln Center Plaza, between 64th and 65th streets, 212-875-5601, $11 general, $7 members and students.

LECTURES

IF THE SHOE FITS From the dainty fit of the ballet flat to the coquettish seduction of a kitten-heeled mule, a carefully selected shoe has throughout history had the power to bestow a range of qualities upon its wearer. The Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology hosts “Shoes 101: Footwear of the 18th and 19th Centuries,” a talk given by Leigh Wishner, an associate at the Cora Ginsburg costume and antiques gallery. Ms. Wishner discusses shoes of the past and explains why some styles have endured, while other looks have gone the way of powdered wigs.

Tomorrow, 6 p.m., Museum at FIT, Katie Murphy Amphitheatre, Fred P. Pomerantz Art and Design Center, Seventh Avenue at 27th Street, 212-217-4585, free.

MUSIC

HARPSICHORD HEAVEN Harpsichordist Elaine Comparone and the Queen’s Band Orchestra present “BachFeast,” a celebration of the works of Johann Sebastian Bach. Program highlights include the cantata “Liebster Gott, wann wird ich sterben?,” or “Dearest God, When Will I Die?,” and the composer’s alternate version of the Fourth Brandenburg Concerto, scored for harpsichord. Tonight, 7:30 p.m., Church of the Transfiguration, 1 E.

DRAWINGS

FIT TO REPRINT The news of the day takes on a different gloss in Suzanne Treister’s latest exhibit, “Alchemy.” Ms. Treister reorganizes carefully selected articles, text, and photographs culled from international newspapers, including the British tabloid the Sun, and transforms them into alchemically inspired drawings. The fantastical images subtly highlight the chosen subject matter. Pieces in the exhibit include “Alchemy/The Sun” (2007), above right, and “Alchemy Evening Standard” (2007), above left. Through Saturday, April 26, Tuesday–Saturday, 10 a.m.–6 p.m., P.P.O.W. Gallery, 555 W. 25th St., between Tenth and Eleventh avenues, 212-647-1044, free.

29th St. at Fifth Avenue, 212-280-1086, $25 general, $15 seniors, students, and musicians.

READINGS

UP IN SMOKE Author Denis Johnson’s “Tree of Smoke” (Farrar, Straus and Giroux), the recipient of the 2007 National Book Award for fiction, clocks in at more than 600 pages and tells a sprawling tale with the Vietnam War as its backdrop. The cast of colorful characters includes a CIA operative, a Canadian nurse, and a North Vietnamese spy. Mr. Johnson reads excerpts from this and other works and discusses his literary achievements during a question-and-answer session with readers. Tonight, 6:30 p.m., The New School, Tishman Auditorium, 66 W. 12th St. at Sixth Avenue, 212-229-5611, free.

MOTHER TONGUE The Jewish Museum hosts Michael Wex, who reads from and signs copies of “Just Say Nu: Yiddish for Every Occasion (When English Just Won’t Do)” (St. Martin’s Press). In it, Mr. Wex examines the origins of the Yiddish language and presents a practical guide to using words and phrases in everyday situations, including insults to hurl while driving and expressions for parts of the anatomy. Mr. Wex is widely considered one of the leading forces behind the current revival of the Jewish dialect. Tomorrow, 6:30 p.m., Jewish Museum, 1109 Fifth Ave. at 92nd Street, 212-423-3200, free with museum admission, $12 general, $10 seniors, $7.50 students, free for members, children under 12, and to all on Saturday.

TRIBUTES

MURDER MYSTERY Symphony Space hosts a tribute to the Belgian mystery writer Georges Simenon, best known for his Inspector Maigret novels. In 1966, Simenon was given the highest honor bestowed by the Mystery Writers of America, the Grand Master Award. Fellow writers and admirers, including thriller writer and deputy editor of Harper’s magazine, Colin Harrison, discuss his works. A Tony Award-winning American actor, Fritz Weaver, performs an excerpt from one of Simenon’s novels. Tonight, 7:30 p.m., Symphony Space, Leonard Nimoy Thalia, 2537 Broadway at 95th Street, 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.

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.