WEDNESDAY 12/3 WEDNESDAY 12/3 Around Town Alvin Ailey ...
Around Town
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Season Kick-Off Morgan Freeman chairs performance & gala dinner/dance celebrating the company's 45th season; City Center, 131 W. 55th St. (betw. 6th & 7th Aves.), 212-581-1212; 7, $25-$2,500.
Big Apple Circus: Carnivale Big Top meets Cirque du Soleil in this multi-cultural, multi-dimensional, world-class performance feat. masquerade balls, puppets, confetti, and floats; Damrosch Park Bandshell, W. 62nd St. (betw. B'way & Amsterdam Ave.), 212-875-5108; 6:30, $18-$72 [repeats Thurs. at 6:30, Sat. & Sun. at 12:30 & 4:30, Tues. at 2, through 1/11].
Celebrity Sports & Entertainment Auction Fundraiser for the American Diabetes Association honors Earl "the Pearl" Monroe during holiday party feat. cocktails, hors d'oeuvres & live entertainment; Park Avenue Country Club, 381 Park Ave. S. (27th St.), 212-725-4925; 6, $100.
Korean Food Festival Korean Chefs Yim Gi Ho & Choi Yun Ja showcase the best of their native cuisine offering a daily lunchtime buffet of more than 100 dishes?res. req.; United Nations, 46th St. (1st Ave.), res. req. 212-963-7625; 11:30-2:30, $22.50 [repeats daily through 12/12].
71st-Annual Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony The 79-ft. tall tree is back again to delight onlookers w/its many bright & shiny lights; Rockefeller Center, Rockefeller Plaza (betw. 48th & 51st Sts.), 212-632-3975; 7.
St. Nicholas Celebration 10th-annual fundraiser to benefit the work of AIDS Action International feat. live music by Tim Brumfield, Sandra Goodman, Lavender Light: Black & People of All Colors Lesbian & Gay Gospel Choir, Andrew Gibbons, Mark Snyder, and Dante?bring unwrapped holiday gifts for people of all ages living w/HIV/AIDS; Cathedral of St. John the Divine, 1047 Amsterdam Ave. (112th St.), 212-633-1062; 7, free.
Sugar & Spice Ali Larter & Karen Lauder host second-annual fundraiser to benefit Step Up Women's Network?feat. comedian & live auction; PM, 50 Ganesvoort St. (betw. 9th & Washington Sts.), 212-846-4471; 7, $125, $80/adv.
Tse Fall Sample Sale Overpriced clothing store embraces the holiday spirit w/sales of up to 70% on cashmere, silks & superfine wools & cottons; Tse, 418 W. 15th St. (betw. 9th & 10th Aves.), 917-606-6795; 10-7 [repeats Thurs. 10-7, Sat. 10-6 & Sun. 11-5].
Film/Video
Featuring...Russia Engages the Cinema Celebrate the 300th anniversary of St. Petersburg, Russia's founding w/Russian film screenings. Today, the 1944 classic Ivan the Terrible (Part I) by Eisenstein, plus a short; Donnell Library Center, 20 W. 53rd St. (betw. 5th & 6th Aves.), 212-621-0618; 2:30, free.
Lectures
Authors on Auteurs Author Louis Begley discusses the work of French poet/novelist Pierre Jean Jouve; Florence Gould Hall, French Institute, 55 E. 59th St. (betw. Madison & Park Aves.), 212-355-6160; 7, $20.
Ethnic & Religious Diversity in Iran: Past & Present Panelists Mohammed J. Mahallati, Rudi Matthee, Houman Sarshar & Oktor Skjaervo explore "interfaith relations & society in Iran from the 16th-century to present day"; Asia Society, 725 Park Ave. (70th St.), 212-517-ASIA; 6:30, $15, $7 st.
Do You Have the Next Great American Business Idea? Panel of entrepreneurs discuss how they got started & stayed in business?feat. Grant Johnson, Adam Dell, Scott Ganeles, Dany Levy, Brock Yetso, Monty Davis, Justine Stamen, and Emily Spivak; the Lighthouse Aud., 111 E. 59th St. (betw. Lexington & Park Aves.), RSVP 415-374-8222, www.acteva.com; 6:30, $15.
"Lost Tribe: Jewish Fiction From the Edge" Playwright, novelist & composer Liz Swados explores the work of "provocative Jewish writers" w/Nelly Reifler, Ellen Miller & Aryeh Lev Stollman; Museum of Jewish Heritage, 36 Battery Place (betw. 1st Pl. & B'way), 212-945-0039, www.mjhnyc.org; 7, don.
"Soft Structures: Sensory Architectures" Artist Michelle Fornabi explores the relationship between the "body & our built environment" using "patterning as a key metaphor" & fashion as a "research source"; Whitney Museum of American Art, 945 Madison Ave. (75th St.), RSVP 877-WHITNEY; 7, $8, $6 st./s.c.
Readings
Anja the Liar Thomas Moran reads from WWII novel about marriage of convenience; Rocky Sullivan's, 129 Lexington Ave. (29th St.), 212-725-3871; 8.
James Carville reads from his latest: Had Enough?; Union Square Barnes & Noble, 33 E. 17th St. (betw. B'way & Park Ave. S.), 212-253-0810; 7, free.
City Lights Celebration NYC throws 50th anniversary party for San-Francisco bookseller; Poetry Project at St. Mark's Church, 131 E. 10th St. (2nd Ave.), 212-674-0910; call for times & prices.
Madame Bovary: C'est Moi "is an anecdotal account of the great characters of literature by Andre Bernard?did Beckett mean to call Godot God, and just how did a wealthy bootlegger named Max Guerlach metamorphose into Jay Gatsby?"; Barnes & Noble, 2289 B'way (82nd St.), 212-362-8835; 7:30, free.
August Wilson, introduced by James Earl Jones; 92nd St. Y, 1395 Lexington Ave. (92nd St.), 212-415-5500; 8, $16.
Workshops
"How Medicare Benefits Can Work for You" Representatives from the non-profit health care organization, Healthfirst, describe the "variety of free or low-cost New York government sponsored healthcare programs"?in Spanish; Beth Israel Medical Center, Dazian Bldg., E. 16th St. (1st Ave.), RSVP 888-232-5415; 10:30.
THURSDAY 12/4
Around Town
Atlantic Avenue's Holiday Tree Lighting City Councilman David Yassky officiates annual ceremony & announces the winners of Atlantic Avenue's Window Design Competition; Belarusian Church, Atlantic Ave. (Bond St.), Bklyn, 718-875-8993; 6.
"Girls Rock & Girls Rule II" Benefit for the Voices of Women Organizing Project feat. Alysson Light, Katy Pfaffi, Loudlife w/Lorraine Ferro, G-spot w/Gail Silverman, Erin Hill, Lara Herscovitch & KJ Denhert; Downtime, 251 W. 30th St. (betw. 7th & 8th Aves.), 212-695-2747; 6:30, $10.
Holiday Craft Sale Handmade gold & silver jewelry, mugs, ceramic vases, decorative/wearable art, and more?proceeds benefit YWCA-NYC Craft Students League; YWCA, 610 Lexington Ave. (53rd St.), 212-735-9731; 12-8 [repeats Fri.].
Live & Silent Auction w/celebrity chef Michael Lomonaco feat. weekend getaways, overseas vacation packages, art, books, personal services/instructional classes, and holiday gift baskets?proceeds support foundation-sponsored, student-financial-assistance programs; New York City College of Technology, 300 Jay St. (Hudson St.), Bklyn, res. req. 718-260-5025; 6, $25.
The Nitpicker Benefit Concert Actors Edward Norton & James Urbaniak join bands, singers & songwriters incl. Nada Surf, the Silos, Laura Cantrell, Sex Mob, Crookston, King of France, Craig Wedren, Sam Bisbee, Amy Miles, Aaron Maxwell, Laurena Allan, Nina Hellman, Jeremy Shamos, and Carolyn Baeumle performing songs from Mary McBride's new musical; Sin-È, 150 Attorney St. (betw. Clinton & Ridge Sts.), 212-439-8122, www.hourglassgroup.org; 7, $25, $20 adv.
Film/Video
Edward Zwick speaks after a preview screening of his upcoming Tom Cruise epic, The Last Samurai; 92nd St. Y, 1395 Lexington Ave. (92nd St.), 212-415-5500; 7:15, $25.
Featuring...Give My Regards To Hollywood "Cinematic Takes on Great Broadway Musicals" series pres. 16mm-screening of William Wyler's Funny Girl (1968), starring Barbra Streisand & Omar Sharif; Donnell Library Center, 20 W. 53rd St. (betw. 5th & 6th Aves.), 212-621-0618; 2:30, free.
I Spy Owen "Wildcat" Wilson teams up w/Axel Foley but little else is known cause no one's seen it; Sony Wonder Technology Lab, 550 Madison Ave. (56th St.), 212-833-8100; 6, free.
2003 Native American Film & Video Festival Flicks from North, Central & South America as well as Hawaii reflecting native perspectives; National Museum of the American Indian, George Gustav Heye Center, 1 Bowling Green (betw. State & Whitehall Sts.), 212-668-6624; call for times, free.
Lectures
AIDS Treatment for Africa: the South African Struggle While the South-African government sits back & watches, 600 people die every day from AIDS?Pulitzer-prize-winning author Samantha Power speaks w/Stephen Lewis & Eric Goemaere about the work of local & international activists in the campaign for a national AIDS treatment plan; Khayelitsha Conference Room, 333 7th Ave., 2nd fl. (betw. 28th & 29th Sts.), 212-847-3151; www.doctorswithoutborders.org; 7.
Peter Beard "Photographer, writer, diarist, anthropologist, historian & socialite" pres. & discusses his work; Amphitheater at the School of Visual Arts, 209 E. 23rd St. (betw. 2nd & 3rd Aves.), 212-358-5147; 6:30, $10.
Michael Fitzgerald & the Gorky Archive Art historian leads tour of current Gorky exhibit, exploring the artist's work "through the lens of important documents in the artist's life"; Whitney Museum of American Art, 945 Madison Ave. (75th St.), 877-WHITNEY; 7, $8, $6 st./s.c.
Hans Haacke Contemporary artist discusses the life & work of artist Joseph Beuys; Dia:Chelsea, 548 W. 22nd St. (betw. 10th & 11th Aves.), 212-989-5566; 6:30, $6, $3 st./s.c.
"Have a Holly Jolly Christmas" Producers Arthur Rankin, Jr. & Jules Bass discuss their work w/"stop-motion animation" incl. the creation of the classic television special Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer; Museum of Television & Radio, 25 W. 52nd St. (betw. 5th & 6th Aves.), 212-621-6600; 6, $15.
Living Arts: A Forum for Exchange Master percussionist Angel Rodriguez discusses the "history of Latin Music in the South Bronx" w/live demonstrations on the Conga, Bongo, Timbal & Chekere; Bronx River Art Center, 1087 E. Tremont Ave. (Devoe Ave.), Bronx, 718-589-5819; 6, free.
"Performing Video" Artists Carolee Scheemann, Carrie Dashow & Erika deVries discuss the "development, creation and presentation of art works using new technologies and digital tools"; Eyebeam, 540 W. 21st St. (betw. 10th & 11th Aves.), 212-252-5193; 7, don.
Race & Labor Matters Leading labor scholars & trade union activists consider the "significant economic, social, historical, and political conditions affecting racial stratification in union/non-union labor"? feat. Manning Marable, Robin D.G. Kelley, Leith Mullings, Juan Gonzalez, Frances Fox Piven & Roger Toussaint; Graduate Center, CUNY, 365 5th Ave. (34th St.), 212-817-8215; www.gc.cuny.edu; 6, $35, $10 st., free s.c [repeats Fri. 9-6].
Worldly Conversations w/Hendrik Hertzberg Times deputy foreign editor Alison Smale moderates discussion w/former speech writer for President Jimmy Carter; NYU Vernon Center, 58 W. 10th St. (betw. 5th & 6th Aves.), res. req. 212-992-9091; 6.
Readings
Christmas at the New Yorker: Stories, Poems, Humor, and Art Dan Menaker (Random House) presides; Barnes & Noble, 2289 B'way (82nd St.), 212-362-8835; 7:30, free.
The Gift: A Novel From Publishers Weekly: "Black comedy meets social satire meets British farce in this winning novel by the author of Man Kills Woman, which shows how one man's generosity can become the source of another man's insanity"; Barnes & Noble, 396 6th Ave. (betw. Waverly Pl. & W. 8th St.), 212-674-8780; 7:30, free.
The Receiving: Reclaiming Jewish Women's Wisdom Author/Rabbi Tirzah Firestone "counters the impression that Post-biblical Jewish history was devoid of stories about Jewish holy women or the existence of a feminine wisdom tradition"; 92nd St. Y, 1395 Lexington Ave. (92nd St.), 212-415-5500; call for times & prices.
Sacred Time From Publishers Weekly: "A boisterously funny opening is followed by family tragedy in this moving if occasionally manipulative novel by [Ursula] Hegi (Stones from the River, etc.) charting a tumultuous half-century in the lives of a delightful Italian-American Bronx family"; Barnes & Noble, 1972 B'way (betw. W. 65th & W. 66th Sts.), 212-595-6859; 7, free.
FRIDAY 12/5
Around Town
"Broadway Babies" Deaf students & theater professionals perform a "fast-paced, high-spirited show" pairing "memorable movie moments from the heyday of Hollywood musicals with the stories of aspiring young dancers who follow their dreams"; Lexington School & Center for the Deaf, 30th Ave. (75th St.), Jackson Heights, 718-350-3315; www.lexnyc.org; 1, $10, $5 child.
From Antique to Unique "Gigantic sale" feat. American, European & Asian antiques & collectibles, wardrobes, dressers, cabinets, chairs, tables, mirrors, dinnerware, decorator items, and artwork?all proceeds go to the Partnership for the Homeless; Furnish A Future, 20 Jay St., 2nd fl. (betw. John & Plymouth Sts.), Bklyn, 718-875-5353; 10-4 [repeats Sat. 10-2].
Metro Tour Service History & landmark specialist Mauricio Lorence leads three-hour tour around the ethnic communities & institutions of Brooklyn Heights, Ft. Greene & Clinton Hill; Marriott Hotel Brooklyn, 333 Adams St. (betw. Pearl & Willoughby Sts.), Bklyn; 2-5, $25 [repeats Sat. & Sun.].
Film/Video
From Here to Eternity Fred Zinnemann's 1953 star bonanza feat. Burt Lancaster, Montgomery Clift & Old Blue Eyes himself?that's right, Owen Wilson?check www.filmforum.com for times; Film Forum, 209 W. Houston St. (betw. Varick St. & 6th Ave.), 212-727-8110; $10 [repeats Sat.-Tues].
Best of the Best The corny 1989 martial arts flick w/James Earl Jones? You wish?these are actually grant-winning short films submitted to NYFA, directors to speak afterwards?more shorts & directors on Wed.; Anthology Film Archives, 32 2nd Ave. (2nd St.), 212-505-5181; 7:30, $5.
Girlsalon Film Nite Support queer filmmakers & stick around for a lesbian rock party w/Karen Curious (The New Professionals) spinning; Remote Lounge, 327 Bowery (2nd St.), 212-228-0228; 9:30.
Jailbreak Cool Hand Luke & Johnny Cash Live in Prison screen; ABC No Rio, 156 Rivington St. (betw. Suffolk & Clinton Sts.), 212-254-3697; 8, $5.
Kino 2003: 25 Years of German Films at MOMA Ulrike Ottinger's Freak Orlando (1981) at 8 p.m.?more films throughout the week?German w/English subtitles; MOMA's Gramercy Theater, 127 E. 23rd St. (betw. Lexington & Park Aves.), 212-777-4900; $12.
Recent Iranian Films Today see Letters in the Wind (2001) at 6:30 & The Fifth Reaction (2003) at 8:30?more films Sat.; Asia Society, 725 Park Ave. (70th St.), 212-517-ASIA; $10, $5 st.
Lectures
Joy! Sonia Choquette offers "teachings & practical techniques" to find the joy in simple acts; New York Open Center, 83 Spring St. (betw. B'way & Lafayette St.), 212-219-2527; 7, $25.
"Geologies of Queer Studies: It's Deja Vu All Over Again" Gayle Rubin discusses her research & findings on the progression of the gay & lesbian movement in contemporary society; Graduate Center, CUNY, 365 5th Ave. (34th St.), 212-817-8215; www.gc.cuny.edu; 7.
"Transforming Hatred & Anger into Wisdom: Peace in our World Today" On a rare visit from Tibet, Lama Rinpoche offers hope for a future free from war & violence; SLC Conference Center, 352 7th Ave., 16th fl. (betw. 29th & 30th Sts.), 713-630-0354, www.dawnmountain.org; 9 p.m., don.
Workshops
Power Pilates Class Take Pilates to the "next level" to develop "stamina as well as strength & coordination"; Mang`Oh Studio, 322 E. 39th St. (betw. 1st & 2nd Aves.), 212-661-6655; 11, $15.
SATURDAY 12/6
Around Town
Artists' Sale Health-food store pres. crafts incl. "altered objects," pottery & bath salts from downtown artists Francis Shiro, Darlene, Pamela Popeson & Ellen Reznick at great prices; Earthmatters, 117 Ludlow St. (betw. Houston & Stanton Sts.), 212-475-4180; 12-6, free.
Chengwin DVD party; Galapagos, 70 N. 6th St. (betw. Wythe & Kent Aves.), 718-782-5188; 8, free.
Christmas on Fifth Ave. Visit Rockefeller Center & Macy's during "happy, historic" tour down Fifth Ave.; New York Palace, 450 Madison Ave. (50th St.), 212-969-8262; 2, $10.
Christmas in Historic Richmond Town: Happy Holidays Family "fun-filled" holiday event feat. programs "combining educational content with the scents and flavors of yesteryear" incl. a holiday craft fair; Historic Richmond Town, 441 Clarke Ave. (Richmond Rd.), Staten Island, 718-351-1611; 10 [repeats Sun.].
First Saturday! Cure "wintertime blues" w/live music, a family performance, free dance lessons, and a dance party w/music from the "sexy seventies"?feat. trio Rashanim w/guitarist Jon Madof, Circus Minimus: The One-Man-Circus-in-a-Suitcase & DJ Wicz; Brooklyn Museum of Art, 200 Eastern Pkwy. (Washington Ave.), Bklyn, 718-501-6330; 5-11.
GreenFlea Market Dig through impressive array of antiques, crafts & vintage clothes at weekly flea market and feel good about it?all proceeds benefit P.S. 41; Greenwich Ave.(betw. W. 10th & 11th Sts.); 10-6, free [repeats Sat.].
Holiday Trunk Show Independent designers sell handcrafted jewlery, clothing, accessories, and home-decor items; the Bountiful Collective, 270 W. 123rd St. #5B (Fredrick Douglas Blvd.), 212-726-2415; 1-8 [repeats Sun.].
St. Nick Day Party for the kiddies; Wyckoff Farmhouse Museum, 5816 Clarendon Rd. (Ralph Ave.), E. Flatbush, 718-629-5400; 12.
37th Annual Bazaar Lots of clothes, household goods & toys at thrifty prices?proceeds go to the River Park Scholarship Fund; River Park Nursery School, 711 Amsterdam Ave. (94th St.), 212-663-1205; 10-3.
Welcome to the Neighborhood: Bill Clinton's Harlem Thank the former president for aiding the rapid gentrification of Harlem?find out why he & "so many others" have made the move uptown; meet outside Bill Clinton's Office, 55 W. 125th St. (5th Ave.), 888-377-4455; 1:30, $15.
Winter Record and CD Sale It's time to buy presents, and the ARChive of Contemporary Music wants to help by offering bargains for the audiophile; ARChive of Contemporary Music, 54 White St. (B'way), 212-226-6967; 11-6 [repeats through 12/14].
You Look Fabulous... Get the "ultimate star skin advice" from celebrity dermatologist Dr. Brandt & his team of experts; Sephora Soho, 555 B'way (Prince St.), 212-625-1309; 12, $35.
Film/Video
Arthur's Perfect Christmas Arthur is so cool, he covers Xmas, Hanukkah & Kwanza for the kiddies; Sony Wonder Technology Lab, 550 Madison Ave. (56th St.), 212-833-8100; 1:30 & 4:30.
Francis Ford Coppola Retrospective continues today w/the director's 1984 film, The Cotton Club (2 p.m.), followed by Peggy Sue Got Married (1987) at 4:30 & 1974's The Conversation at 6:30; American Museum of the Moving Image, 35 Ave. (36 St.), Astoria, 718-784-0077; free w/adm. [repeats Sun.].
Lectures
China's Capitalist Makeover: What Price? Who Pays? Yan Hairong & Dr. Susan Williams examine China's political & social structure as one of the world's last remaining Communist regimes; Freedom Hall, 113 W. 128th St. (betw. Malcolm X & Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. Blvds.), 212-222-0633; 8, $3.
Readings
Creative Habit Looks like Twyla Tharp has the right idea about HOW to create...although she still needs some help with the end result; Borders, 461 Park Ave. (57th St.), 212-980-6785; 6:30, free.
Workshops
Three Hours of Power Black belt Karen Duffy teaches women the "basics of verbal & physical self defense"?just in time to thwart holiday purse-snatchers; One With Heart Indonesian Martial Arts, 248 W. 14th St., 2nd fl. (betw. 7th & 8th Aves.), 212-645-6661; 12:30, $69, $49 adv.
Love, Power & Relationships William Ventimiglia leads day-long seminar focusing on the "mystery of love, its power to transform & our use of power in attempting to control both our partners & ourselves"; C.G. Jung Foundation, 28 E. 39th St. (betw. Madison & Park Aves.), res. req. 212-697-6430; www.cgjungny.org; 10, $70, $55 st.
Wreaths & Evergreen Decoration Bring cloth gloves & decorate your very own wreath using evergreens, pine cones, dried materials, and ribbons; Merchant's House, 29 E. 4th St. (betw. Bowery & Lafayette Sts.), 212-777-1089; 10, $25.
SUNDAY 12/7
Around Town
Annual Riverside Church Christmas Pageant feat. the Riverside Children's Choir, the Riverside Singers & Cherub Choir performing selected Christmas songs; Riverside Church, 490 Riverside Dr. (betw. 120th & 121st Sts.), 212-870-6722; 10:45.
The Baroness' Monthly Fetish Retinue Party "Jingle your bells" w/"sexy latex elves," one "human Christmas tree" & a unique "twist on The Nutcracker Suite"; Alphabet Lounge, 104 Ave. C (7th St.), 212-529-5964; 8, $5-$20.
Christmas Bird Count Discover the birds of Prospect Park during walking tour; Prospect Park Audubon Center, Park Dr. (Ocean Ave.), Bklyn, 718-287-3400; 8 a.m.
23rd-Annual Toy Run Hop on your motorcycle to raise money for Toys for Tots & the Bernard Fineson Developmental Center; Forest Park, Woodhaven Blvd. (Forest Park Dr.), 718-323-0448, www.ibtft.org; 1, $10.
Film/Video
Crossroads: Recent Film & Video From Ex-YSSR Short films from filmmakers emerging out of region's new reality; Ocularis at Galapagos, 70 N. 6th St. (betw. Wythe & Kent Aves.), Williamsburg, 718-388-8713; 7, $6.
Wild at Heart More David Lynch?this time Nick Cage & Laura Dern hit the road, only to find the road hits back; Cinema Classics, 332 E. 11th St. (betw. 1st & 2nd Aves.), 212-677-1027; 7, $6 [repeats Mon. & Tues. at 8].
Lectures
Julius Lester Award-winning author pres. informal discussion of photographer Frederic Brenner's work; Brooklyn Museum of Art, 200 Eastern Pkwy. (Washington Ave.), Bklyn, 718-638-5000; 4, $6, $3 st./s.c.
The Middle East: Now What? Panelists Ken Pollack, David Makovsky & Hisham Melham discuss current peace plan/roadmap for the Middle East; 92nd St. Y, 1395 Lexington Ave. (92nd St.), 212-415-5500; www.92y.org; 7:30, $25.
Gerhard Weinberg: FDR & the Coming of World War II The U.S. knew what was going on in Germany long before they entered WWII?Professor Weinberg speaks about FDR's "efforts to avoid war"; Museum of Jewish Heritage, 36 Battery Place (betw. 1st Pl. & B'way), 646-437-4200; www.mjhnyc.org; 2:30, don.
Workshops
Arts & Crafts Children ages 6-12 learn to weave & "put together fragments of an ancient picture"; Children's Galleries for Jewish Culture, 515 W. 20th St. 4E (10th Ave.), 212-924-4500; www.jcllcm.com; 2, $5.
"Speaking Your Truth" Emily Branden shows how to "access the particular state of consciousness where creativity can flourish & your true voice can be heard" by exploring the "throat chakra"; Joyous Life Center, 119 W. 23rd St. #700 (betw. 6th & 7th Aves.), RSVP 212-352-9910; 4:30, $35, $30 adv.
MONDAY 12/8
Around Town
Metro Walking Tour visits lower Manhattan, focusing on city's early history & the lives of its African-American inhabitants; Battery Park, State St. (West St.), 212-307-7171; 2-5, $25 [repeats Tues.].
The Mickey Mantle Auction Bid on "significant artifacts from the career of the legendary baseball player" incl. MVP trophies, the silver bat & much more (must purchase auction catalogue to be admitted); Theater at Madison Square Garden, 32nd St. (7th Ave.), 212-794-2280; 2-9 [repeats Sun. 12-8].
Film/Video
Manhood Premiere Dark comedy probes the depths of masculinity in America?starring Janeane Garofalo & John Ritter; Makor, 35 W. 67th St. (betw. Columbus Ave. & Central Park W.), 212-601-1000; 9, $9 [repeats Tues.].
Lectures
Coping Kasse Witte discusses some of the "common communication difficulties that occur as Alzheimer's disease progresses" & how to "compensate for these changes"; Alzheimer's Association, NYC Chapter, 360 Lexington Ave., 5th fl. (betw. 40th & 41st Sts.), res. req. 212-983-0700; 6.
"Gender Benders" Times critic Margo Jefferson explores challenges of portraying another sex w/panel of performers & writers?feat. John Epperson, Mindy Kaling, Brenda Withers, Jefferson Mays, Natalie Venetia Belcon & Doug Wright; LGBT Community Center, 208 W. 13th St. (betw. 7th & 8th Aves.), RSVP 212-620-7310; www.gaycenter.org; 8:30.
Higher: A Historic Race to the Sky & the Making of a City Author Neal Bascomb recalls NYC's dramatic race to construct the "world's tallest building"; Center for Architecture, 536 LaGuardia Pl. (betw. W. 3rd & Bleecker Sts.), 212-683-0023; 6:30.
"Voices of Latin American Leaders" Mario Vargas Llosa, Peru's foremost writer & winner of the prestigious Cervantes Prize, discusses the "economic, social, historical and political dimensions of Latin America's relations with the U.S. and the world community"; NYU Hemmerdinger Hall, 100 Washington Sq. E. (Waverly Pl.), 212-998-INFO, www.nyu.edu/voices; 1, free.
Readings
War Hospital: A True Story of Surgery and Survival "In April 1992, as Serbs laid siege to the city of Srebrenica in Bosnia, a handful of doctors, both international and national, were trapped along with some 50,000 men, women, and children... While the battle raged, these doctors?not one of them trained as a surgeon?struggled with some of the most intense personal and ethical decisions of their lives"; Half King, 505 W. 23rd St. (10th Ave.), 212-462-4300; 7, free.
Workshops
Ukrainian Christmas Chefs Theodora Chomiak & Jerry Kurowycky unveil the "secrets behind making Pirogis and other delights"?portion of proceeds benefit the Lower East Side Girls' Club; Jarnac Restaurant, 328 W. 12th St. (Greenwich St.), RSVP 212-924-3413; 7, $65.
TUESDAY 12/9
Around Town
Tree Lighting & Singing Santa Claus makes an appearance for the lighting of the "resplendent tree" & leads kids in an "illumination countdown"?followed by the All-University Holiday Sing; Washington Square Park, SE corner W. 3rd St. (B'way), 212-252-3621; 6.
Film/Video
"Petits Bijoux: Overlooked & Under-Seen French Gems" Ciné-club's series screens overlooked works by major filmmakers. Today, Francois Truffaut's Une Belle Fille Comme Moi (Such a Gorgeous Kid Like Me, 1972), critical flop about a homicidal little girl?French w/English subtitles; Florence Gould Hall, French Institute, 55 E. 59th St. (betw. Madison & Park Aves.), 212-355-6160; call for times, $8, $6 st.
Lectures
BAMdialogue Artistic director of acclaimed Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, Kevin Ward, discusses recent work, "The Flight Project," w/choreographers Bebe Miller, Dwight Rhoden & Jawole Willa Jo Zollar; BAM Rose Cinema, 30 Lafayette Ave. (Ashland Pl.), Ft. Greene, 718-636-4100; 6, $8.
Oscar Dytel Former President & CEO of Bantam Books shares his experiences working in the magazine & book publishing industries; Small Press Center, 20 W. 44th St. (betw. 5th & 6th Aves.), RSVP 212-764-7021; 6, $10.
The New Negro & 19th-Century American Art Margaret Vendryes describes the context in which key "African-American professional artists" developed their work; Metropolitan Chapter of the Victorian Society in America, 217 E. 85th St. (betw. 5th & 6th Aves.), 212-886-3742; 6.
PASSWORDS Series Poet/critic John Kinsella speaks about the work of Aboriginal poet Lionel Fogarty; Poets House, 72 Spring St., 2nd fl. (B'way), 212-431-7920; www.poetshouse.org; 7, $7.
Romantic Science: An Anarchist View of Ecology Peter Lamborn Wilson explains how Anarchism "approaches ecology & human behavior towards the environment"; Brecht Forum, 122 W. 27th St., 10th fl. (betw. 6th & 7th Aves.), 212-979-8353; 7:30, don.
Readings
Jeff Bridges The Dude signs copies of his new photo collection; Barnes & Noble, 600 5th Ave. (48th St.), 212-957-2890; 1, free.
Godless Sufism: An Evening of Modern Turkish Poetry Esther Allen, chair of the Pen Translation Committee, hosts; the Kitchen, 512 W. 19th St. (betw. 10th & 11th Aves.), 212-255-5793; 7, $10.
A Spy in Amnesia Author Julian Semilian reads; Brooklyn Public Library, Grand Army Pl., Flatbush Ave. (Prospect Park W.), Park Slope, 718-230-2100; 7, free.
Workshops
Bamboo Flute Ever wanted to play the bamboo flute? Joshua Geisler shows you basic tunes & techniques; Tribal Soundz, 340 E. 6th St. (betw. 1st & 2nd Aves.), 212-673-5992; 7, $15.
Uploading Your Website to a Server Learn all you've ever wanted to know about File Transfer Protocol, domain names, finding & setting up a host & CGI scripts?fun!; Noble Desktop, 594 B'way (betw. Houston & Spring Sts.), res. req. 212-226-4149; 3.