EVENTS WEDNESDAY 12/25 Around Town Coat Drive Spread ...

Around Town

Coat Drive Spread holiday cheer by donating a wearable adult or children's overcoat, jacket or parka to MTA LIRR & New York Cares 14th-annual clothing drive for the needy; Penn Station escalators, 34th St. entrance (betw. 7th & 8th Aves.), 212-598-5800, www.nycares.org; 7:30-9:30, free & so generous.

Fourth-Annual Holiday Light Show Haagen-Dazs transforms Grand Central into 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 [repeats daily Thurs.-Tues.].

Grand Central Holiday Train Show Explore a detailed miniature world feat. underground & elevated subways of yesteryear & today, an upstate suburban commuter village, bridges, hills & Greg Ruth's festive mural; Transit Museum Gallery, Grand Central Terminal, 42nd St. (Park Ave.), 212-878-0106; 8-8, free [repeats Thurs.-Fri., Mon. & Tues. 8-8, Sat. & Sun. 10-6, through 1/11].

Family

A Family Celebration on December 25th Visit the permanent collection, "Culture and Continuity: the Jewish Experience" or interactive family exhibit, "Camels and Caravans: Daily Life in Ancient Israel." Also, gallery talks & drop-in art workshop at Jewish Museum, 1109 5th Ave. (92nd St.), 212-423-3200; 11 a.m.-4 p.m., free w/mus. adm.

Klez for Kids! "Holiday family program that incl. music, dancing, snacks and plenty of audience participation"; Eldridge St. Synagogue, 12 Eldridge St. (betw. Canal & Division Sts.), 212-219-0903; 12 & 2:30, $6-$10.

The Polar Express Experience Take an imaginary journey into the fantastic world of Chris van Allsburg's novel, complete w/antique locomotive & discover the true spirit of the holiday season; Bronx Zoo, 185th St. (Southern Blvd.), 718-367-1010; 5-9, $10, $7 s.c., $6 child [nightly through 1/6].

Prospect Park's Kate Wollman Rink has reopened for months of outdoor skating, glide over well-maintained & freshly polished ice?fun for the whole family!; Prospect Park, Ocean Ave. entrance, 718-287-6431 for rink hours & other info; $4, $2 s.c./child.

THURSDAY 12/26

Around Town

Norma Kamali Vintage Sale feat. clothing & accessories from sample lines incl. swimwear, evening gowns & sportswear?plus a century's worth of items from Kamali's private collection, all under $100; Norma Kamali, 11 W. 56th St., 3rd fl. (betw. 5th & 6th Sts.), 212-957-9797; 10-6, free [repeats Fri., Sat., Mon. & Tues.].

Family

Beauty and the Beast Musical composed by Mark McGee & Brenda Bell presented by Literally Alive for children ages 3-10?hands-on interactive creative workshop held prior to each show; YWCA, Hitchcock-Rockefeller Aud., 610 Lexington Ave. (53rd St.), 212-866-5170; 1, $15 show, $5 workshop [through Mon.].

The Butterfly Conservatory Tropical Butterflies alive in the winter?a great way to forget the gloomy winter blues; American Museum of Natural History, 79th St. (Central Park W.), 212-769-5200; call for hours, $17 adults, $12.50 st., $10 child.

Children's Museum of Manhattan's Winter Arts Festival Today, "Build a Photograph Collage!" Kids construct a "new photograph" by using pieces of others?"whether they're funny or just unusual, they're guaranteed to be unique"; Tisch Bldg., 212 W. 83rd St. (B'way) 212-721-1234; call for times & prices [through 12/31].

New Shanghai Circus The acclaimed 20-member troupe defies gravity & executes breathtaking feats as they stretch the limits of human ability. Exotic scenery & distinctive music help celebrate 2000 years of Chinese circus tradition; New Victory Theater, 209 W. 42nd St. (B'way), 212-239-6200; call for sched., $10-$30 [through 1/12.].

Personalized Aprons Make your own w/colorful fabric paints?for toddlers & their grownups; Staten Island Children's Museum, 1000 Richmond Terrace (Snug Harbor Rd.), 718-273-2060; 1:30, $3 [repeats Fri.].

"Super Janitor Meets the Garbage Beast" Improv. group the Grand Falloons tackle maintenance worker w/"delusions of grandeur," complete w/dancing, magic, masks & "bad poetry"; Jewish Museum, 1109 5th Ave. (92nd St.), 212-423-3200; 11 a.m.-4 p.m., free w/mus. adm.

Film/Video

"Positif Champions: 50 Years of Cinema" Retrospective film series honors 500 issues of the French film journal Positif. Today, Robert Altman's 1974 film about a compulsive gambler who pawns just about everything to enter poker game in Reno, California Split; MOMA at the Gramercy Theatre, 127 E. 23rd St. (betw. Park & Lexington Aves.), 212-777-4900; 6:15, $12, $8.50 st./s.c. [through 1/30].

The Producers 1968 Academy Award-winning comedy feat. Gene Wilder in his big screen debut; 35 W. 67th St. (betw. Columbus Ave. & Central Park W.), 212-601-1000; 7:30 & 9, $10.

Sinatra Amidst the Pyramids Debut screening of Sept. 27, 1979 benefit concert held in Egypt, performed outside among the Sphinx & pyramids, incl. songs "My Way" & "New York, New York"; Museum of Television & Radio, 25 W. 52nd St. (betw. 5th & 6th Aves.), 212-621-6800; 6, $10, $8 st./s.c., $5 child. under 13 [repeats Fri.-Sun., through 2/2].

"A Tribute to Walt Disney and His Studio" Second half of two-part series celebrates "The Animated Feature Film." Today, our favorite animated tiger stars in feature, The Tigger Movie. 16 mm animated shorts, "Merbabies" & "The Little House," precede it; Donnell Library Center Aud., 20 W. 53rd St. (betw. 5th & 6th Aves.), 212-621-0609; 2:30, free.

Readings

Police State America Michael Novick appears for signing & discussion at Theater for the New City, 155 1st Ave. (betw. 9th & 10th Sts.), 212-254-1109; 12.

Workshops

Free Basic Judaism Class "Learn what you should have in Hebrew school"; West Side Jewish Center, 347 W. 34th St. (betw. 8th & 9th Sts.), 212-502-5291; 6:30, call for price.

Vietnamese Cooking Workshop "Asia's most challenging cuisine" w/Erica Wides at Institute of Culinary Education, 50 W. 23rd St. (betw. 5th & 6th Aves.), 212-847-0700; 6-11, $200 [through Fri.].

FRIDAY 12/27

Family

Building the Brooklyn Bridge Learn how it was constructed a century ago & join crew of kids to make & test working model; Brooklyn Children's Museum, 145 Brooklyn Ave. (betw. St. Marks Ave. & Prospect Pl.), 718-735-4402; 2:30, call for price.

Czechoslovak-American Marionette Theatre pres. A Christmas Carol, Oy Hanukkah, Merry Kwanzaa, Happy Ramadan?oh, man, this is really gonna cheese off those political correctness types!; Jan Hus Playhouse, 351 E. 74th St. (betw. 1st & 2nd Aves.), 212-206-1515; call for times, $9-$14 [through 1/5].

A Kwanzaa Celebration w/Something Positive performing music & dance dedicated to the African Diaspora; Brooklyn Children's Museum, 145 Brooklyn Ave. (betw. St. Marks Ave. & Prospect Pl.), 718-735-4402; 1:30 & 3, call for price.

The Little Moon Theater Original musical based on book by Irene Haas, about a troupe of child actors who travel from town to town granting wishes through their performances; TADA! Youth Theater, 15 W. 28th St. (betw. 5th & 6th Aves.), 212-252-1619; call for times, $15, $7 child. [through 1/20].

The Travels of Babar Jerry Stiller, Anne Meara, Claire Bloom & Rosamond Bernier narrate Raphael Mostel's musical; Florence Gould Hall, 55 E. 59th St. (Madison Ave.), 212-307-4100; call for times, $25-$50 [through Tues.].

Film/Video

The Apartment Restored version of Billy Wilder's tryst comedy, begins today at Film Forum, 209 W. Houston St. (Varick St.), 212-727-8110; call for times & prices [through 1/2].

Readings

Pink Cornelia Reading Series (formerly the "Pink Pony West") pres. David Radavich; Cornelia St. Cafe, 29 Cornelia St. (6th Ave.), 212-989-9319; 6, $6.

Workshops

Axxess Business Centers Seminar Series Today, "Networking Event for Entrepreneurs"; 128 Chambers St. (W. B'way), 212-566-7734; 6:30-8:30, $10-$15.

SATURDAY 12/28

Around Town

Celebrate Kwanzaa w/traditional African performances, storytelling & live jazz from Tulani Kinard, the Charles Moore Drumming Ensemble, Restoration Youth Dance Ensemble & the National Song and Dance Theatre of Mozambique?plus a marketplace feat. pottery, textiles & jewelry from Africa, the Caribbean & the Americas; American Museum of Natural History, 79th St. (Central Park W.), 212-769-5100; 12-6, free w/adm.

Central Park Conservancy pres. guided walking tour of the Cross Park Promenade unearthing hidden park fixtures incl. an equestrian drinking fountain, a bench that tells time & sculpture celebrating fresh water (woo hoo!); meet at Samuel F.B. Morse statue, Central Park, 5th Ave. (72nd St.), 212-794-6564; 1, free.

"Christmas in Old Chelsea" Tour the holiday decorations of this quaint neighborhood that once housed The Night Before Christmas author Clement Clarke Moore; meet at the Flatiron Bldg., 23rd St. (betw. B'way & 5th Ave.), 212-969-8262; 2, $10.

New York National Boat Show Tour over 1000 boats roomier than your apartment & more valuable than a college education & check out fun stuff incl. Twiggy the water-skiing squirrel, master illusionist Lawrence Gregory, who will make a 17-footer disappear (Sat. & Sun.), Backyard Bass Casting & face painting?plus preview Kawasaki's newest Jet Skis; Jacob Javits Convention Center, 11th Ave. (betw. 34th & 39th Sts.), www.discoverboating.com/newyork; $12, $5 child., free child. 5 & under [repeats Sun. 11-6, Mon. 12-8 & Tues. 10-4].

Family

Bring Your Family to Meet the Ailey Family Today, a "special program of Alvin Ailey classics" at City Center, 131 W. 55th St. (betw. 6th & 7th Aves.), 212-582-3350; call for times & prices.

New Year's Eve Masks w/tons of feathers & glitter?workshop for toddlers & their grownups; Staten Island Children's Museum, 1000 Richmond Terrace (Snug Harbor Rd.), 718-273-2060; 1:30, $3 [repeats Sun. & Mon.].

New Year's Family Dance Celebration Party w/folks from the Dance Sport Ballroom & Latin Dance Studio at Brooklyn Children's Museum, 145 Brooklyn Ave. (betw. St. Marks Ave. & Prospect Pl.), 718-735-4402; 1:30.

Sky Rink Though the weather outside is frightful, the temperatures are just perfect at the indoor skating rink in Chelsea Piers; 23rd St. (West End Ave.), 212-336-6100; call for hours, $18.25, $14.75 child.

Lectures

Chakrasambara Buddhist Center "Empowerment" talk by "White Tara" to preview "New Year's Eve Retreat" beginning following day; 322 8th Ave. (26th St.), 212-924-6706; 10:30-5:30, $50.

SUNDAY 12/29

Around Town

Big Brother is Watching "Surveillance Camera Outdoor Walking Tours" reveal the frightening abundance of cameras that monitor public spaces. This week: "Madness Ensues in Times Square"; meet at Duffy Sq., 46th St. (betw. B'way & 7th Ave.), 212-561-0106; 2, free.

Family Disco Dance We are family!? Let mom & dad show you how to do the Locomotion, the bump & the hustle?plus snacks for wee ones & full bar for the elders; Jack Rose, 771 8th Ave. (47th St.), 212-586-7425; 5, $12.

"A Village Christmas" Learn about the architecture & history of this famous neighborhood, during walking tour, w/emphasis on holiday lore & local customs; meet at the Washington Square Arch, 5th Ave. (Washington Square N.), 212-969-8262, www.streetsmartsny.com; 2, $10.

Film/Video

"Directed by Martin Scorsese" Comprehensive two-month retrospective concludes today w/246 min. doc. My Voyage to Italy; American Museum of the Moving Image, 35th Ave. (36th St.), Astoria, 718-784-0077; 2, $8.50.

"Positif Champions: 50 Years of Cinema" Retrospective continues w/cult favorite, A Clockwork Orange, by Stanley Kubrick; MOMA at the Gramercy Theatre, 127 E. 23rd St. (betw. Park & Lexington Aves.), 212-777-4900; 7, $12, $8.50 st./s.c. [through 1/31].

Readings

It Can't Get Better Open poetry reading w/Yictove plus the Pink/Brown Band plus Evie & her dancers; Knitting Factory, 74 Leonard St. (betw. Church St. & B'way), 212-219-3055; 7-11, $5.

MONDAY 12/30

Film/Video

"Mondo Mondays" Barbra Streisand plays a neglected NYC housewife in the rarely seen feminist comedy, Up the Sandbox; Den of Cin, Two Boots, 44 Ave. A (betw. 3rd & 4th Sts.), 212-254-0800; 8, $5.

Red Psalm Retro 16 mm series screens film by Hungarian director Miklos Jancso; Barbes, 376 9th St. (6th Ave.), Park Slope, 718-965-9177; 9, free.

Readings

"Saturn Series" Melisa Lewis plus open mic hosted by William Duke & Sue Polo; 213 2nd Ave. (13th St.), Bill@poetrycentral.com; 7:30, $3, 1 drink min.

TUESDAY 12/31

Please refer to the New Year's Eve Guide for events happening today.

Family

Magical Holiday Film Program The Sorcerer's Apprentice (you remember Mickey & the broomsticks!) plus Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone at Donnell Library Center, 20 W. 53rd St. (5th Ave.), 212-621-0636; 1, free.

Noisemakers "Rattle in the New Year" at Staten Island Children's Museum, 1000 Richmond Terrace (Snug Harbor Rd.), 718-273-2060; 1:30, $3.