EVENTS WEDNESDAY 11/13 Around Town The Daffodil Project Benefit ...

Around Town

The Daffodil Project Benefit Breakfast honors Holland's B&K Bulbs' Hans van Waardenburg for his generous donation of daffodil bulbs planted in NYC parks to honor the fallen heroes of 9/11 & ensures this tradition will endure another year?benefits New Yorkers for Parks; the Bryant Park Grill, 25 W. 40th St. (betw. 5th & 6th Aves.), 212-838-9410 x223; 8 a.m., $150-$500.

UN Guided Tours The UN celebrates its 50th anniversary by reinstating lecture tours (suspended after 9/11), visiting rooms feat. Kodak's new photo exhibit, the Security Council & the General Assembly Hall. Thirty-seven million visitors have toured the facility, why haven't you!?; United Nations, 1st Ave. (46th St.), 212-963-TOUR; 9:30 a.m., $8:50, $7 s.c., $6 st., $5 child.

Family

Butterfly Conservatory: Tropical Butterflies Alive in Winter Learn to recognize your favorite butterfly species by color & pattern, watch an adult butterfly emerge from its cocoon & hear more about these vibrant creatures from museum staff; American Museum of Natural History, Central Park W. (79th St.), 212-769-5200; call for times, $17, $12.50 st./s.c., $10 child.

Marvelous Mystery Things Examine dozens of transit-related artifacts collected over the last 25 years?ages 6+; Brooklyn Public Library, Bushwick Branch, Bushwick Ave. (Siegel St.), Bklyn, 718-694-5139; 3:30, free.

Film/Video

Amy's Orgasm Julie Davis stars in comedy she wrote & directed about self-help author who encourages women to stay single, until she finds herself smitten & about to take the plunge; Makor, 35 W. 67th St. (betw. Columbus Ave. & Central Park W.), 212-601-1000; 7:30 & 9:30, $9 [repeats Thurs.].

"Directors from the Edge" screens gangster comedy/drama shot in Berlin mostly at night, Helsinki Napoli All Night Long (1987); Scandinavia House, 58 Park Ave. (betw. 37th & 38th Sts.), 212-779-3587; 6:30, $8.

Hiphop Odyssey Film Festival Five-day celebration of hiphop culture w/documentaries, features, shorts & PSAs, begins today at the Bronx Museum of Art, 1040 Grand Concourse (165th St.), Bronx, 718-681-6000 or www.h2ofilmfestival.org for sched.; free [through 11/17].

Lectures

"125th Street" As the heart of a vibrant neighborhood, this strip has been a defining presence in Harlem. Join panelists as they discuss the street's complex ethnic history; the New-York Historical Society, 2 W. 77th St. (Central Park W.), 212-873-3400; 6:30, $6, $4/sts.

Iraq Under Siege Learn how the last 12 years of sanctions & war have affected Iraqi people & what we can do to challenge this?booksigning, plus film & photo exhibit; Caipirinha Productions, 510 La Guardia Pl., 4th fl. (betw. Bleecker & Houston Sts.), RSVP 212-780-5737 or www.caipiriinha.com; 7, free.

"Living with the American Landscape" Not a discussion on the natural landscape of our country, but on the human-induced changes we have inflicted upon our land & the consequences to follow; Donnell Library Center, 20 W. 53rd St. (betw. 5th & 6th Aves.), 212-753-1722; 6:30, $10.

"Matchmaking & Finding the Right Person" Pick the brain of matchmaker extraordinaire Janis Spindel as she discusses her business & why it has become such a great way for busy, modern singles to find a mate; 92nd St. Y (Lexington Ave.), 212-415-5500; 7, $30.

Readings

Babar's Yoga for Elephants Author of controversial new book Laurent De Brunhoff appears for signing only (you fucking pussy!); Barnes & Noble, 240 E. 86th St. (betw. 2nd & 3rd Aves.), 212-794-1962; 7, free.

Best American Essays 2002 Contributors (that incl. Barbara Ehrenreich, Jonathan Franzen, Christopher Hitchens & Sebastian Junger, though it may be a crap shoot as to who'll show) appear for panel discussion at Union Sq. Barnes & Noble, 33 E. 17th St. (betw. B'way & Park Ave. S.), 212-253-0810; 7, free.

Thomas E. Kennedy Author of Kerrigan's Copenhagen: A Love Story reads at New York's real Filthy McNasty's; Rocky Sullivan's, 129 Lexington Ave. (betw. 28th & 29th Sts.), 212-725-3871; 8, free.

A Love Supreme: The Story of John Coltrane's Signature Album Ashley Kahn, Ravi Coltrane & Elvin Jones at Lincoln Triangle Barnes & Noble, 1972 B'way (66th St.), 212-595-6859; 7, free.

Tony Millionaire! The creator of "Maakies," Sock Monkey, and, ord help us all, a new-born baby appears today at Jim Hanley's Universe, 4 W. 33rd St. (5th Ave.), 212-268-7088; 4-7, free.

So What: The Life of Miles Davis It's the battle of the jazz men today! Well, if the winner has anything to do with who consumed the most cocaine or destroyed the most property, we may have one at Chelsea Barnes & Noble, 675 6th Ave. (21st St.), 212-727-1227; 7, free.

Workshops

Health Issues Anonymous 12-step group for those living w/health concerns; St. Luke's, Roosevelt Center, Rm. 205, 324 W. 108th St. (betw. B'way & Riverside Dr.), 212-362-7214; 5:30-7, free.

Making an Informed Decision About Complementary & Alternative Approaches to Cancer Management Learn how to enhance the quality of life by addressing the mind, body & spirit; Cancer Care, 275 7th Ave. (betw. 25th & 26th Sts.), 212-712-8359 res. req.; 12:30-1:30, free.

THURSDAY 11/14

Around Town

Kaiju Rampage New York Join 1800 screaming fans (18 & over) for the tournament-style Kaiju Big Battel feat. 22 monsters, aliens & heroes battling it out, giant video screens, Danger Cage & Danger Zone audience participation area; the Roxy, 515 W. 18th St. (betw. 10th & 11th Aves.), 212-654-5156; 9, $19, $17 adv.

New York Young Republican Club's General Meeting Syndicated columnist Deroy Murdock scolds Republicans for being too nice!?; Soldiers, Sailors, Marines & Airmens Club, 283 Lexington Ave. (betw. 36th & 37th Sts.), 212-533-4940; 7:30, $8, $2 st.

Family

Cool Happenings Special feature screening of The New Guy, a movie about how an awkward high school senior gets a second chance, leaving his uncool days behind; Sony Wonder Technology Lab, 56th St. (Madison Ave.), 212-833-7858, 6, free.

Film/Video

The Eternal Evil of Hong Kong Post-Halloween "goop-fest of all the horrors that have come crawling, oozing, flying and screeching out of Hong Kong," presented by Subway Cinema. Last chance to catch gangsta comedy Bio-Zombie (6:30), in which punks battle the dead underneath a shopping mall. And the disgustingly slimy hump-a-thon Devil Fetus (8:30); Anthology Film Archives, 32 2nd Ave. (2nd St.), 212-505-5181; call for prices [through 11/14].

"The Flying Jacobs Family" Series devoted to both the art & family life of avant-garde filmmaker Ken Jacobs, his son Azazel Jacobs, daughter Nisi Jacobs & painter Flo Jacobs. Tonight, short video works by Nisi Jacobs are screened; Donnell Library Center Aud., 20 W. 53rd St. (betw. 5th & 6th Aves.), 212-621-0609; 6, free.

The Genius of Ennio Morricone Trib. honoring Italian maestro's birthday focuses on his futuristic & glamorous film scores, and his work as a 60s pop composer. Night also feat. guest DJs?where's NYC's only Ennio Morricone trib. band, Morricone Youth?; Cinema Classics, 332 E. 11th St. (betw. 1st & 2nd Aves.), 212-677-5368; 8:30, free.

Readings

The Flamboyant From Publishers Weekly: "Based on the life of pioneering aviatrix Clara Livingston, [Lori Marie] Carlson's sedate novel tells the surprisingly muted story of an adventurous young woman's coming of age"; Barnes & Noble, 2289 B'way (82nd St.), 212-362-8835; 7:30, free.

The Hours Michael Cunningham gives Mrs. Dalloway a makeover at Union Sq. Barnes & Noble, 33 E. 17th St. (betw. B'way & Park Ave. S.), 212-253-0810; 7, free.

Passwords: Meena Alexander on Love Poetry From India at Poets House, 72 Spring St. (Lafayette St.), 212-431-7920; 7, $7.

Workshops

eBay Class If you're still in the dark about online buying & selling, here's your chance you get in the know w/Jim Griffith, "Griff," as he shares tips on shopping for the holidays; 92nd St. Y (Lexington Ave.), 212-415-5500; 1-2, free.

How to Advance Your Career Using Secrets of Hollywood Producers Learn how to broadcast your talents in a way that produces powerful results w/Adam Vane. Not only has he created many successful fictitious characters, he has coached 1000s of real people to success; Makor, 35 W. 67th St. (Central Park W. & Columbus Ave.), 212-601-1000; 7, $40. [repeats 11/21].

FRIDAY 11/15

Around Town

Ageless the Definitive Guide to Botox, Collagen, Lasers, Peels and Other Solutions for Flawless Skin Dr. Frederic Brandt celebrates the release of his long-awaited book w/personalized skin consultations (12-4), followed by Green Tea 30-minute Facials, tea bag eye treatments, steamings, ice cream & iced cocktails (10-6)?plus receive a autographed copy of his book; Sephora, 130 34th St. (betw. B'way & 7th Ave.), 212-629-9135; $35.

Balancing Act Ever since we had a facial using Dr. Hauschka's products two years ago, we've become a Hauschka whore. Find out why we won't use any other face products today w/a free mini-facial; Sephora Times Sq., 1500 B'way (betw. 43rd & 44th Sts.), 212-944-6789; 12-6.

Fifth-Annual Chocolate Show Experience all that the ultimate comfort food has to offer incl. yummy chocolate samples, pastry & product demos, wearable chocolate fashions, sculptures, holiday gifts, children's activities, book signings at the Barnes & Nobles cookbook store & educational "From Bean to Bar" exhibit; Metropolitan Pavilion, 125 W. 18th St. (betw. 6th & 7th Aves.), 212-865-6100, www.chocolateshow.com; 1-8, $15, $12 st./s.c., $6 child. 6-14, free child. 6 & under [repeats Sat. 10-8, Sun. 10-6].

Free Flu Shots NYC Dept. of Health & Visiting Nurse Service of NY give free flu shots for residents over 50 & those w/chronic diseases or other flu risk factors; Empire Medicare Services, Medicare Education Center, 800 2nd Ave., 1st fl. (betw. 42nd & 43rd Sts.), info 866-FLU-LINE, 212-476-2289; 9-12, free.

Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art 1st-Anniversary Celebration Join comic & cartoon artists, experts & fans in honoring this often overlooked art form w/food, beverages, raffles & viewing of jam drawing; Stretch Films, 6 W. 18th St. (betw. 5th & 6th Aves.), 212-691-9969, res. req.; 8 p.m.-12 a.m., $25 don.

Party at Fred's at Barneys Countdown to 16th-annual Miracle on Madison Children's Aid Society fundraiser begins w/party feat. cocktails, hors d'oeuvres & dessert; Fred's at Barneys, 660 Madison Ave., 9th fl. (betw. 60th & 61st Sts.), 212-949-4936; 9 p.m., $75, $65 adv.

Family

"Friday Night at the Movies" Series for high school students only screens Coming to America, Eddie Murphy comedy about African prince who breaks tradition of arranged royal marriage & decides that Queens, NY is the place to find true love; MOMA, Arts Consortium Aud., 1 E. 53rd St. (betw. 5th & Madison Aves.), 212-708-9828; 5, free.

A Year with Frog and Toad From the award winning children's book by Arnold Lobel, this new musical follows Frog, a cheery & gallant fellow & Toad, a rather grumpy bloke, through four fun-filled seasons; New Victory Theater, 209 W. 42nd St. (betw. 7th & 8th Aves.), 212-239-6200; call for times, $10-$30 [cont. weekends through 12/1].

Film/Video

The Billy Rose Tribute to Delphine Seyrig Retrospective of one of France's most celebrated actresses; MOMA at the Gramercy Theatre, 127 E. 23rd St. (betw. Park & Lexington Aves.), 212-777-4900; call for sched., $12, $8.50 st. [through 11/21].

"From Hanoi to Hollywood: The Vietnam War on Film" Program takes diverse look at longest war in U.S. history through film & video. Tonight & tomorrow directors Peter Davis & Tran Van Thuy, participate in q&a following screenings of Hearts & Minds and How to Behave, respectively; BAM Rose Cinemas, 30 Lafayette Ave. (Ashland Pl.), Ft. Greene, 718-636-4100; 6:30 & 9:30, $9 [through 11/30].

"New Films from Germany" Twenty-fourth extensive showcase of fiction & doc. works by contemporary filmmakers continues at MOMA at the Gramercy Theatre, 127 E. 23rd St. (betw. Park & Lexington Aves.), 212-777-4900, www.goethe.de/newyork for sched., $12 [repeats daily, through 11/18].

"New York on Film: Skyscrapers to Subways" Bimonthly series devoted to compelling stories shaped by the city's infrastructure, continues w/Spike Lee's detective drama focusing on Brooklyn housing project, Clockers (1995); the New-York Historical Society, 2 W. 77th St. (Central Park W.), 212-873-3400; 6:30, free w/mus. adm. [continues 11/29].

Lectures

"Urban Warrior" From Waco to the WTO protest, weaponry & tactics that were once reserved for the battlefield have been used in police operations. Join the debate over the issue of military tactics in law enforcement & look at the impact this trend is having on American civil liberties; Brecht Forum, 122 W. 27th St. (betw. 6th & 7th Aves.), 212-242-4201; 7:30, $6-$10.

Workshops

Breathyoga, Mindbody & Buddhahood Robert Thurman, the first westerner to be ordained as a monk in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, talks about the ties that bind breath w/yoga, the mind w/actions & its relations to the individual quest towards Buddhahood; Jivamukti Yoga Center, 404 Lafayette Ave. (betw. Astor Pl. & 4th St.), 212-353-0241; 8-10 p.m., $30.

SATURDAY 11/16

Around Town

Adoptive Parent Committee General Meeting feat. discussions, workshops, guest speakers & bookstore covering topics on adoption & parenting; Fashion Institute of Technology, A Bldg., Faculty Dining, 8th fl. 27th St. (8th Ave.), 917-432-0234; 7:30, free.

Music Memorabilia & Rare, Used, Out-of-Print Book Fair feat. records, CDs, posters, photos & books w/wide array of literary & musical genres?plus sheet music from 1800s-1980s, antiques, collectibles & art books; Tip Top Shoe Bldg., 155 W. 72nd St., 4th fl. (B'way), 212-579-0689; 10-2, free.

The New York City Record & CD Collectors Expo New, used & collectable CDs, LPs & tapes in all genres?first 100 customers receive free CD; Embassy Ballrooms, Holiday Inn, 440 W. 57th St. (betw. 9th & 10th Aves.), 973-773-6067; 10-4, $6.

Second-Annual Harlem Renaissance Farmers Market Harlem Renaissance Economic Development Corp. pres. flowers, handcrafted soaps & local farm-fresh produce, plus music to shop by; Lenox Ave. & Malcolm X. Blvd. (betw. 111th & 112th Sts.), 212-932-2141; 8 a.m.-4 p.m., free [through 12/20].

The Soho Stroll 2002 Soho Partnership pres. food, drinks, music, entertainment, discounts, sample sales & free gifts w/purchase from over 60 downtown businesses incl. 45-minute Shiseido facials, Harry Potter events at Scholastic & open rehearsals at Joyce Soho?benefits recovering homeless persons; check out www.sohonyc.org or Helena Runbinstein Beauty Gallery, 135 Spring St. (betw. Wooster & Greene Sts.) for list of participating venues, 212-274-0550; 12, free.

The Triple Pier Antiques Show New York's largest antique show w/600 dealers. Event boasts eclectic mix of 20th-century Art Deco, lacquer wear, Fiesta ware, perfume bottles & jewelry (Pier 88); Americana pier offers rustic furniture, prints, posters, samplers, Native American art, vintage toys & patriotic collectibles (Pier 90); 18th- & 19th- century European furniture, sterling silver, porcelain, art glass, fine paintings & estate jewelry (Pier 92); Passenger Terminal Piers 88, 90 & 92, 12th Ave. (betw. 48th & 55th Sts.), 212-255-0020; call for times, $12 [repeats Sun.].

University Place Autumn Festival The Independent Downtown Republicans pres. fifth-annual trendy family street fair offering restaurant food, arts & crafts & antiques from over 250 international vendors, plus corporate & cultural displays; University Pl. (betw. Waverly Pl. & 14th St.), 212-809-4900; 11-6, free.

Family

Beauty and the Beast Classic musical w/music by Mark McGee & lyrics by Brenda Bell, presented by Literally Alive, for children ages 3-10. A hands-on interactive creative workshop is held prior to each show; YWCA, Hitchcock-Rockefeller Aud., 610 Lexington Ave. (53rd St.), 212-866-5170; 1, $15 show, $5 workshop. [cont. Sunday]

Catch a Falling Leaf Using instruments, art projects, puppetry & stories, children explore autumn colors, leaves, pumpkins & Thanksgiving?ages 1-8; Children's Museum of the Arts, 182 Lafayette St. (betw. Broome & Grand Sts.), 212-941-9198; 2, $5.

Harry Potter Saturday Dress up as your favorite Harry Potter character & take part in the potions class, just like at Hogwarts. Don't forget to guess the number of Bertie Botts Beans in the jar; Scholastics Store, 557 B'way (betw. Prince & Spring Sts.), 212-343-6166; 3, free.

History Time Henry Take a musical journey back in time w/Henry & his time machine stopping at such pivotal moments in time as the writing of the U.S. Constitution & the landing of the first American on the moon; Vital Theater Co., 432 W. 42nd St. (betw. 9th & 10th Aves.), 212-592-4508; 1, $14. [cont. Sat. 11/23]

Teen Arts Day Performing arts workshops from jazz to circus art & much more designed for teens, followed by a pizza/dance party in the evening; Brooklyn Arts Exchange; 421 5th Ave. (betw. 7th & 8th Sts.), Park Slope, 718-832-0081; call for times; free.

Film/Video

"Directed by Martin Scorsese" Comprehensive two-month retrospective incl. every feature, doc., short & commercial this American filmmaker shot. Series continues w/B-movie, Boxcar Bertha (1972), followed by Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore starring Kris Kristofferson; American Museum of the Moving Image, 35th Ave. (36th St.), Astoria, 718-784-0077; 2 & 4, $8.50 [through 12/29].

"The Flying Jacobs Family" Series devoted to both the art & family life of avant-garde filmmaker Ken Jacobs, his son Azazel Jacobs, daughter Nisi Jacobs & painter Flo Jacobs, feat. w/new print of Ken Jacobs' 150 min. 16 mm Star-Spangled to Death, Part One; Donnell Library Center Aud., 20 W. 53rd St. (betw. 5th & 6th Aves.), 212-621-0609; 1:30, free.

High Noon Nov. 12 was Grace Kelly's birthday. What better way to celebrate then catching her in this 1952 western directed by Fred Zinnemann; the St. Agnes Library, 444 Amsterdam Ave. (betw. 81st & 82nd Sts.), 212-877-4380; 2, free.

Margaret Mead Film & Video Festival Now in its 26th year, showcase incl. works from nearly 20 countries incl. Tibet, China, Mexico & South Asia. Tonight's program incl. Two Towns of Japser & Railroad of Hope, discussions w/directors follow both screenings; American Museum of Natural History, 79th St. (Central Park W.), 212-769-5800 or www.amnh.org for sched.; 4 [continues Sun.].

Lectures

"The Ways of Wise Women: Creating Fulfillment After 50+" Join Gloria Steinem & other speakers at this celebration of 50+ woman; Roosevelt Hotel, 45th St. (Madison Ave.), 800-862-7538; 8-6, $195.

Readings

Rare, Used, Out-of-Print Book Fair "Mostly antiques, collectibles & art," but some fiction, music, film, etc. at Tip Top Shoe Bldg, 155 W. 72nd St. (B'way); 212-579-0689; 10-2, free.

Workshops

"The Art of Joyful Living" Learn how to cultivate a joyful mind & vibrant body (naturally) during seminar w/yoga, meditation & other introspective techniques; Subud Chelsea Center, 230 W. 29th St. (betw. 7th & 8th Aves.), 800-822-4547; 1-4, $49.

Songwriting Workshop Learn the basic elements of writing music & lyrics w/singer/songwriter David Hall in this three-day class that covers topics from melody to rhyming, as well as methods through which to get songs published & recorded; Brooklyn Conservatory of Music, 58 7th Ave. (Lincoln Pl.), Park Slope, 718-622-3300; 4, $150. [repeats 11/17 & 11/24 at 2 p.m.]

Table Harvest Baskets & Centerpieces Get in the holiday spirit by creating your own woven baskets?sure beats the ones at K-Mart. Materials & refreshments provided; Merchants House Museum, 29 E. 4th St. (betw. Lafayette & Bowery Aves.), 212-777-1089; 10 a.m., $20 contrib.

SUNDAY 11/17

Around Town

Big Brother is Watching Surveillance Camera Outdoor Walking Tours reveal the frightening abundance of cameras that monitor public spaces. This week: keeping an eye out for dissatisfied Korean citizens at the UN; meet on SW corner of 2nd Ave. (42ns St.), 212-561-0106; 2, free.

Family Disco Dance We are family!? Let mom & dad show you how to hustle like John Travolta while you boogie on down?plus there's snacks for wee ones & full bar for the elders; Jack Rose, 771 8th Ave. (47th St.), 212-586-7425; 5, $12.

Madison Ave. Holiday Expo St. Patrick's Cathedral pres. array of gifts, food & merchandise from over 500 vendors?plus corporate displays & product samples; Madison Ave. (betw. 42nd St. & 57th St.), 212-809-4900; 10-6, free.

Family

Animal of the Year Musical comedy about an animal pageant that seems to be running smoothly until the underdog gains the lead; Vital Theater Co., 432 W. 42nd St. (betw. 9th & 10th Aves.), RSVP 212-592-4508; 1 & 3, $14 [repeats 11/24].

From Tent to Temple Children hunt for food, grind wheat, weave clothes, dress up & build little houses all while learning what life was like in the Ancient Near East?ages 6-12; 515 W. 20th St., #4E (10th Ave.), 212-924-4500; 2-5, $5.

Undersea Fossils Children take a journey back in time to discover the undersea life that inhabited the oceans before the dinosaurs by uncovering buried fossils in a simulated dig & creating replicas?ages 9 & 10, must bring bag lunch; American Museum of Natural History, 79th St. (Central Park W.), 212-769-5200; 10:30-1:30, $$28.

Winter on a String Discover & collect treasures made by nature & then learn how to combine these natural wonders w/beads to make great seasonal gifts & decorations; Kerlin Learning Center at Wave Hill, 675 W. 252nd St. (Indep. Ave.), Bronx, 718-549-3200; 1-4, free.

Film/Video

"Directed by Martin Scorsese" screens film that justified Scorsese's career: Taxi Driver (1976) w/Robert De Niro, Cybill Shepherd & Jodie Foster. Later screening feat. 1940's jazz trib., New York, New York starring Robert De Niro & Liza Minnelli; American Museum of the Moving Image, 35th Ave. (36th St.), Astoria, 718-784-0077; 1:30 & 3:45, $8.50 [through 12/29].

Margaret Mead Film & Video Festival ends today, visit www.amnh.org for sched.; American Museum of Natural History, 79th St. (Central Park W.), 212-769-5800; call for times & prices.

Lectures

"From the Rat Pack to Joan Crawford, etc." Lawrence Quirk & William Schoell shed light on & share stories of a special period in entertainment; Martin Luther King, Jr. High School, 65th St. (Amsterdam Ave.), 212-273-5304; 1, $3.

Readings

ABC No Rio continues their "Unorganicized Reading Series" today, advertising "no time limit, no list, no features & no b.s."; ABC No Rio, 156 Rivington St. (betw. Suffolk & Clinton Sts.), 212-254-3697; 3, $2 contrib.

Sunday Night Fiction Series Tonight, contributors to On the Rocks: The KGB Bar Fiction Anthology at KGB, 85 E. 4th St. (betw. 2nd & 3rd Aves.), 212-505-3360; 7, free.

Workshops

The Art of Internal Stress Defense Ron NaVarre teaches how to heal oneself of stress from the inside out. Put on some comfy clothes, bring your notebook & pens & come learn how to improve your life; the Joyous Life Energy Center, 119 W. 23rd St., #700 (betw. 6th & 7th Aves.), 212-865-5709; 1-4, $75.

MONDAY 11/18

Around Town

Tequila Tasting Who knew there was more out there than Cuervo? La Palapa & Astor Wines & Spirits bring you a five-course tequila & food tasting meal, feat. authentic Mexican cuisine, paired w/traditional tequilas?adv. ticket sales only; La Palapa Cocina Mexicana, 77 St. Marks Pl. (betw. 1st & 2nd Aves.), 212-674-7500; 7, $85.

Family

Advanced Art Instructor Miki Iwamura teaches free weekly course in Battery Park City for "skilled artists" (ages 10-18). Participants apply drawing & painting techniques to still lifes & landscapes. Practice sculpting skills & participate in projects such as printmaking & t-shirt design?BYO Bedazzler to Nelson A. Rockefeller Park (Chambers St.), 212-267-9700; 4-5:30, free.

Film/Video

The American Friend 1977 thriller exploring the art worlds of Germany & America, starring Dennis Hopper as a U.S. art dealer; Barbes, 376 9th St. (6th Ave.), Park Slope, 718-965-9177; 9, free.

Lectures

"Arts & Letters" Join William Langewiesche, the only writer to have access to the World Trade Center site after 9/11, as he reads from his firsthand account of the Ground Zero recovery effort; Melville Gallery, 213 Water St. (betw. Fulton & Beekman Sts.), 212-748-8735; 6:30, $3 contrib.

"Escape from Lucania" Writer David Roberts tells the incredible story of how Bradford Washburn & Bob Bates, in 1937, not only climbed the 17,150 ft. Mt. Lucania in the Yukon, but also escaped across 100 miles of uncharted territory; Explorers Club, 46 E. 70th St. (betw. Madison & Park Aves.), 212-628-8383;

7, $20.

In Schools We Trust Author & principal Deborah Meier talks about the value of standardized testing & other important educational issues; CUNY Grad Center, 365 5th Ave. (34th St.), 212-817-8215; 6, free.

Readings

The Book That Changed My Life From Booklist: "Talking about favorite books can bring you close to people real fast, and these wonderful interviews with 15 National Book Award winners and finalists say a lot not only about the books that shaped their writing lives but also about why their books speak to us." Diane Osen "and guests" stop by for discussion & signing today at Barnes & Noble, 2289 B'way (82nd St.), 212-362-8835; 7:30, free.

Jonathan Carroll Author of The Wooden Sea reads from White Apples at Astor Pl. Barnes & Noble, 4 Astor Pl. (betw. Lafayette St. & B'way), 212-420-1322; 7:30, free.

Alan Cumming Writer/actor/producer sign copies off his first novel, Tommy's Tale; SBNY, 50 W. 17th St. (betw. 5th & 6th Aves.), 212-691-0073; 11, free.

Adam Haslett & Jonathan Franzen Williams Hurt (that's right, this is the one place in print where Hollywood plays merely a supporting role to literature's star) reads from young Haslett's You Are Not a Stranger Here?Mr. Franzen simply had nothing else to do tonight; Symphony Space, 2537 B'way (95th St.), 212-864-5400; 7, $16, $14 st./s.c.

Paradise Alley Dreamland scribe Kevin Baker appears for reading & signing of his latest historical novel at the Half King, 505 W. 23rd St. (10th Ave.), 212-462-4300; 7, free.

Speak Easy: New York in the 20s "An evening of dancing, dining and debauchery to benefit The Moth" w/that doyenne of all things done in good taste, Rosie O'Donnell! (Stories by Frank "Gatsby" McCourt); Laura Belle, 120 W. 43rd St. (6th Ave.), 212-819-1000; 7, $185.

The Tapestries From Library Journal "[Kien] Nguyen follows up The Unwanted, his memoir of growing up Amerasian in postwar Vietnam, with a first novel based on stories from his grandfather's past. Nguyen relates an epic tale of family, greed, revenge, and love set in Vietnam during the early decades of the 20th century"; Astor Pl. Barnes & Noble, 4 Astor Pl. (betw. Lafayette St. & B'way), 212-420-1322; 7:30, free.

TUESDAY 11/19

Around Town

Fourth-Annual Holiday Light Show Häagen-Dazs transforms Grand Central into a winter wonderland w/six video projection 3-D art displays feat. swirling snowflakes & dancing scarves by artists & designers incl. Leo Villareal, Mumbleboy & KDLAB; Grand Central Terminal, 42nd St. (Park Ave.); 11 a.m., free [through 12/31].

Pure Country NYC Weekly country stomp & music night w/DJ Alan Kohn; line dance lessons courtesy of Rona Kaye at Jack Rose, 771 8th Ave. (47th St.), 212-247-7518; 6:30, $13.

Tuesday Night Trivia It's probably not as fun as Comedy Central's Beat the Geeks, but prizes do incl. $10-$25 bar tabs; Baggot Inn, 82 W. 3rd St. (betw. Thompson & Sullivan Sts.), 212-477-0622; 7:30, free.

Lectures

"Europe & the U.S.?A Widening Gap" Austrian Journalist Michael Fruend discusses the period from de-Nazification to the late reawakening; NYU Deutsches Haus, 42 Washington Mews (University Pl.), 212-998-8663; 7, free.

"Explorations: Great Moments of Discovery from the Royal Geographical Society" Slide lecture of amazing images that provide a glimpse of places & cultures around the world, some of which have already vanished; Explorers Club, 46 E. 70th St. (betw. Madison & Park Aves.), 212-628-8383; 7, free.

"Mayor Bloomberg: How's He Doing?" Political scientist Fred Siegel brings his insightful analysis of the New York City Administration's first 10 months; Cooper Union, Engineering Bldg., Wollman Aud., 51 Astor Pl. (3rd Ave.), 212-353-4158; 6:30, free.