ON THE WHITNEY Curators of the Whitney Biennial, which opens in March, gather to discuss their choices. This year, for the first time in its 70-year history, the exhibit will include American artists working abroad and foreign-born artists working in America, along with American artists who have worked here throughout their careers. This year’s curators, Chrissie Iles and Philippe Vergne, are joined by past curators including Klaus Kertess, Louise Neri, Lisa Phillips, and Elisabeth Sussman. The talk is the first in a series presented by Artforum International and the New School. Tonight, 6:30 p.m., the New School, 66 W. 12th St., between Fifth and Sixth avenues, 212-229-5488, $10.

MUSIC FROM AFRICA Focus on Africa, a three-day music festival, celebrates historical and contemporary African mu sic. The festival closes with a symposium featuring composers, performers, and scholars. Tonight, 8 p.m., Miller Theatre, 2960 Broadway at 116th Street, 212-854-7799, $15.

DIALOGUE AND DISCUSSION A panel discussion sponsored by the Dialogue Project and the Peace Task Force addresses the Israeli-Palestinian conflict from several angles. Panelists at “A Circle of Diaspora” include the Palestinian-American Christian minister of the Salaam Arabic Church in Brooklyn, Khader El Yateem, and the Jewish-American founder of the Dialogue Project, Marcia Kannry. Tomorrow, 7 p.m., Unitarian Church of All Souls New York, 1157 Lexington Ave. at 80th Street, free, contributions welcome.

SMALLEST CREATURES For his book “The Smaller Majority,” Piotr Naskrecki of Harvard University focused his cam era on the 99% of animal life, mostly invertebrates, that are smaller than a human finger and live in highly threatened biodiversity hotspots around the globe. He’ll discuss that challenge and sign copies of his book at the Museum of Natural History, where his work is featured in the exhibit “Vital Variety.” Tomorrow, 7 p.m., American Museum of Natural History, Linder Theater, Central Park West at 79th Street, 212-769-5200, $15 general, $13.50 seniors, students, and members.

LIVES IN JAZZ The discussion series Harlem Speaks continues with a conversation with drummer Rudy Lawless. Up next: tuba player Howard Johnson (February 9) and Paul Robeson Jr., who will discuss his father’s legacy as a singer, actor, and activist (February 23). Thursday, 6:30-8 p.m., Jazz Museum in Harlem, 104 E. 126th St., between Park and Lexington avenues, 212-348-8300, free.

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