WEDNESDAY 7/16 WEDNESDAY 7/16 Around Town HurryDate Party ...

Around Town

HurryDate Party Go on 25 three-minute dates, then mark on your SCOREcard whether you want to see any of 'em again; Flow, 150 Varick St. (Vandam St.), 212-871-6707; 7, $35.

Summer in the Square Kick back today at the 14th Street-Union Square LDC & BID's fifth-annual performance series feat. music from the Joe Rybczyk, Jr. Trio, dance by Paul Taylor's "Taylor 2" & Ann Brashare's children's storytelling; Union Square Park, Center Lawn, 16th St. (Park Ave. S.), 212-460-1208, www.unionsquarenyc.org; 12:30, free.

Film/Video

Film Series Under the Stars Restaurant offers prix fixe meals combined w/weekly outdoor movies. Today Fellini's 1963 drama 8 1/2 in French, Italian & English, starring Marcello Mastroianni & the lovely Anouk Aimée; Barolo Restaurant, 398 W. B'way (betw. Spring & Broome Sts.), 212-226-1102; 9, free w/dinner.

On the Waterfront: Celebrating the Cultural Diversity of Queens Weekly outdoor screenings w/international themes, dance & food. This week, Senegalese director Ousmane SembËne's 2000 dramedy Faat Kiné, set in Dakar, about an African woman's struggles w/the pressures of male dominated tradition; Socrates Sculpture Park, B'way (Vernon Blvd.), LIC, 718-956-1819, www.socratessculpturepark.org; 7, free [through 8/27].

"Featuring...Roaring Into the Twenties: The New, New York Woman" Series, in conjunction w/art exhibit of same name, pres. director Wesley Ruggles' 1926 silent 16mm b&w short The Collegians, followed by Dorothy Arzner's 1929 dramedy The Wild Party, starring Clara Bow; Donnell Library Center, 20 W. 53rd St. (betw. 5th & 6th Aves.), 212-621-0618; 2:30, free.

Trash Sinema Three weeks of dirty films w/shout-out to John Waters. Today, the director's grotesque comedy Pink Flamingos, about 'the filthiest people alive' & starring Divine; Pioneer Theater, 155 E. 3rd St. (Ave. A), 212-254-3300; 7:45, $9, $6.50 st./s.c. [repeats Thurs. at 7:45, Fri.-Sun. at 6:15 & 10, Mon. & Tues. at 10:15].

Readings

Absolutely American: Four Years at West Point From the back cover: "[David] Lipsky, a Rolling Stone writer and an award-winning novelist, chronicles daily life at the U.S. Military Academy during the most tumultuous period in its history"; Barnes & Noble, 2289 B'way (82nd St.), 212-362-8835; 7:30, free.

The Polished Hoe Not the inevitable J.Lo biography, but Austin Clarke's new "richly detailed" novel, winner of Canada's Giller Prize; Chelsea Barnes & Noble, 675 6th Ave. (21st St.), 212-727-1227; 7, free.

Stillness: And Other Stories From Booklist: "Of Croatian descent, [Courtney] Brkic worked as a forensic archaeologist in Bosnia-Herzegovina after the war, and she now imaginatively re-creates the last days of the dead and the sorrows of the displaced..."; Astor Place Barnes & Noble, 4 Astor Pl. (betw. B'way & Lafayette St.), 212-420-1322; 7:30, free.

Under the Banner of Heaven: A Story of Violent Faith From Amazon.com: "In 1984, Ron and Dan Lafferty murdered the wife and infant daughter of their younger brother Allen...claim[ing] that they were acting on direct orders from God. Jon Krakauer tells the story of the killers and their crime but also explores the shadowy world of Mormon fundamentalism from which the two emerged"; Union Sq. Barnes & Noble, 33 E. 17th St. (betw. B'way & Park Ave. S.), 212-253-0810; 7, free.

Workshops

The Art of the Book: Bookmaking Workshop for the Teachers of Continuing Ed Two day workshop for city edumacators on how to bind books w/the pamphlet stitch, Japanese stab binding?careful!?& accordion binding; Booklyn, 37 Greenpoint Ave., 4th fl. (Franklin Ave.), Bklyn, 718-383-9621; 10-4, $30-$100.

Discovering Your Own Voice: A Poetry Workshop Find your ability to express yourself on the page in verse in just six sessions. Read poems & develop a style to make your poetry stand out from the masses; Makor, 35 W. 67th St. (betw. Columbus Ave. & Central Park W.), 212-601-1000; 6:30-8, $150.

For Women Who Want To Take Control Of Their Lives Institute pres. open house offering full scholarship course w/training program to teach floundering women how to get better jobs; Grace Institute, 1233 2nd Ave. (betw. 64th & 65th Sts.), 212-832-7605; 10-4, free.

THURSDAY 7/17

Around Town

Brooklyn Peace Vigil Continues That's right! Bring your friends & a poster if you're feeling artistic. Speak out against such issues as the war in Iraq & ethnic profiling; Junction, Flatbush Ave. (Nostrand Ave.), Bklyn, 718-768-3202, www.warresisters.org; 5:30-7, free.

Brooklyn Solstice Golf Marathon Fundraiser for Prospect Park's preservation & continued restoration. Go it alone or get a team together to win a trip to the Bahamas; Dyker Beach Golf Course, 86th St. (7th Ave.), Bklyn, 718-965-6992; 6-6, $275, $1000 team of four.

"Ethiopian Cultural Experience" "An expression of Ethiopian culture through music, fashion & art" feat. lecture & performance; Forchheimer Aud., Center for Jewish History, 15 W. 16th St. (5th Ave.), 212-294-8301, www.cjh.org; 7, $10.

The Ice Cream Man is Coming to NYC! Edy's Grand Ice Cream official taster, John Harrison, is in search of new flavor ideas. Share yours, taste his & learn ice cream history from the man with the best job in the world; Food Emporium, 305 E. 86th St. (2nd Ave.), 510-601-4211, kagoelle@edys.com; 10 a.m., free [repeats Fri.].

Meeting of the Lower East Side Family Union Join the people who have benefited from this multilingual & multicultural community-based group that's helped "people help themselves" since 9/11; Living Room, 84 Stanton St. (Allen St.), 212-475-6914; 5:30-7:30, free.

Sephora Anniversary Event They want to say "thank you for 5 beautiful years in Soho, New York" so don't rain on their parade...your mascara will run! Beauty experts & their "must-have ingredients" will be on-hand to make you purdy; Sephora Soho, 555 B'way (Prince St.), 212-625-1309; 12-6, free.

Film/Video

Creature from the Black Lagoon Get retro at Celebrate Brooklyn!'s 3-D screening of 1954 campy horror classic, feat. live dialogue& soundtrack by the Jazz Passengers?preceeded by Guy Klucevsek & Phillip Johnston's spooky melodies; Prospect Park Bandshell, 9th St. (Prospect Pk. W.), Park Slope, 718-855-7882; 7:30, $3 don.

Fourth Annual Brooklyn Bridge Park Summer Film Series Enjoy popcorn at twilight & enjoy the Coen Bros.' dark satire Fargo, starring Frances McDormand as a sheriff w/an unforgettable accent; Empire-Fulton Ferry State Park, 26 New Dock St. (Water St.), Bklyn, 718-802-0603; 8:45, free.

Hip Hop Film Festival NYC Parks & madame agnes b. pres. films & live performances. Today, DJ Lord Finesse & Chief Rocker Busy Bee perform (7 p.m.), followed by screening of director Michael Schultz's 1985 musical drama about the record industry, Krush Groove, starring Run D.M.C., Sheila E. Blair Underwood & other familiar faces; Indian Lake, Crotona Park, Charlotte St. (Crotona Park E.), Bronx, 311; 8:45, free.

Three Kings This 1999 adventure drama stars George Clooney, Mark Wahlberg & Ice Cube as soldiers at the end of the Gulf War, whose noble pursuit is to make like pirates & find hidden treasure; MOMA's Gramercy Theater, 127 E. 23rd St. (betw. Lexington & Park Aves.), 212-777-4900; 4, $12, $8.50 st./s.c., child. under 16 free.

Unit One Enjoy 12 of the original 30 episodes of Danish series, soon to be remade for U.S. tv, likened to Law & Order & The X-Files?two episodes per viewing; Scandinavia House, 58 Park Ave. (betw. 37th & 38th Sts.), RSVP 212-847-9746; 6:30, $8 [through 8/14].

Readings

Candy Sex, drugs & rock 'n' roll book about girl who runs away from home was banned in China only to become "an underground bestseller." Author Mian Mian appears today; Housing Works Used Book Cafe, 126 Crosby St. (betw. Houston & Prince Sts.), 212-334-3324; 7, free.

Douglas Coupland reads from Hey Nostradamus!; Chelsea Barnes & Noble, 675 6th Ave. (21st St.), 212-727-1227; 7, free.

Feast of Roses From Publishers Weekly: "[Indu] Sundaresan picks up the story of Mehrunnisa, the remarkable heroine from her debut novel, Twenty Wives, as the so-called "Light of the World" consolidates her power as wife of Emperor Jahangir of the Mughal Empire in 17th-century India, only to see her dominion destroyed by her own aggressive tendencies"; Borders, 461 Park Ave. (57th St.), 212-980-6785; 7:30, free.

Heckle Slam The most creative taunt wins...finally! A must-attend Urbana event; Bowery Poetry Club, 308 Bowery (betw. 1st & 2nd Aves.), 212-614-0505; 6:30.

Poetry Reading "A tribute to the creative genius of translation" feat. Joshua Beckman, Lisa Lubasch & Pierre Joris; Dactyl Foundation for the Arts & Humanities, 64 Grand St. (betw. W. B'way & Wooster St.), 212-219-2344; 7, $8 don.

Workshops

Art(ifacts) and Science of Chocolate Chocolate is for eating, not watching! But if you want to know how a chocolate sculpture is created, incl. what chemical & physical properties let you mold the chocolate, you'll enjoy this workshop; American Museum of Natural History, Central Park W. (79th St.), 212-769-5100; 7-9, $15.

Meditation Exercise "Blueprint to the Future" discussion series helps you visualize a process 'for attracting abundance'?of what you ask? That's for us to know & you to find out; Community House, 15 Borage Pl. (41st St.), Forest Hills, 718-263-3501; 1, $10-$12.

Overcoming Perfectionism Is everything so perfect in your life that you find something wrong w/everything? Well, you are a twisted individual, get thee to this workshop & overcome it all; 92nd St. Y, 1395 Lexington Ave. (92nd St.), 212-415-5500; 8:30-10, $30.

Prepare for the Unexpected The American Red Cross is concerned for your safety, let them help you prepare for disasters; American Red Cross, 150 Amsterdam Ave. (betw. 66th & 67th Sts.), 212-875-2168; 6-7:30.

FRIDAY 7/18

Around Town

Unique Historic Adventures with Historian Diana Stuart: West Village-South Section They don't call her the "manhole cover lady" for nothing. Stuart literally wrote the book on our decorative, iron manhole covers. Learn about this area & its history from someone who has all the fun, even random, details; meet at Winston Churchill Square, 6th Ave. (Bleecker St.), 212-685-6150; 2, $15.

Film/Video

"Blast From Your Past What Gen X Watched: 1969-1985" Classic Night :1977. If you snuck out of bed & down to the den on 11/22/77 you would have seen these three shows: Laverne & Shirley, M*A*S*H* & Soap; Museum of Television & Radio, 25 W. 52nd St. (betw. 5th & 6th Aves.), 212-621-6600; 12:30 & 3, $10, $8 st./s.c, $5 child. under 14 [through 7/27].

Classic Thalia From the Kino International Collection Italian double feature, feat. director Vittorio De Sica's 1948 b&w drama The Bicycle Thief, about a father & son looking for a bicycle, followed by Roberto Rossellini's 1945 b&w war drama Rome, Open City, starring Anna Magnani & Aldo Fabrizi; Leonard Nimoy Thalia, Peter Norton Symphony Space, 2537 B'way (95th St.), 212-864-5400; 7, $10, $8 s.c. [repeats Sat. at 3, through 8/31].

Cremaster Due to popular demand, artist Mathew Barney's Cremaster 1-5 films, the inspiration for his recent Guggenheim installation, screens Fridays throughout July; Guggenheim Museum Peter B. Lewis Theater, 1071 5th Ave. (89th St.), 212-360-4321; 10-8, $10, $20 1-day pass [through 7/25].

Last Call Party Brooklyn Underground Film Festival closes shop w/screenings incl. Daniel Bitton's Canadian film The Daddy of Rock and Roll, about a schizophrenic & German film The Whiz Kids, about kids bonding through violence, porn & poisonings?plus DJs & dancing (11 p.m.); Brooklyn Underground Film Festival, 88 Front St. (Washington St.), Bklyn, www.brooklynunderground.org; 8, free.

Repertory Nights Tonight, Contempt, that's "Le Mépris" en FranÁais. Jean-Luc Godard's 1963 drama about the making of a film, starring Michel Piccoli, Jack Palance, Fritz Lang & temptress Brigitte Bardot, as a wannabe, middle-class wife; American Museum of the Moving Image, 35 Ave. (36 St.), Astoria, 718-784-4520; 7:30, $10, $7.50 st./s.c., $5 child. 5-18, child. 4 & under free [repeats Sat. & Sun.].

Riverflicks Movies under the stars, tonight, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, J.K. Rowling's first movie based on her books, that spawned literacy among kids?& adults?across the nation; Hudson River Park, Pier 25, N. Moore St. (West St.), 212-533-PARK; 8, free.

Rooftop Films Seventh-annual film fest screens short films on hot roofs. Today's theme is "New York Non-Fiction"; OfficeOps, 57 Thames St., 2nd fl. (betw. Morgan & Knickerbocker Aves.), Bklyn, 718-418-2509; 9, $6.

Tron "Sunshine@Midnight" series pres. one of the first computer animated features, 1982's Tron. Starring Jeff Bridges as a hacker who ends up inside a computer network & must battle the evil Master Control for the good of programs everywhere; Landmark Sunshine Cinema, 143 E. Houston St. (betw. 1st & 2nd Aves.), 800-555-TELL; 12 a.m., $10, $6.50 s.c. [repeats Sat.].

Lectures

Notes of a Naughty Jewish Girl Naughty, naughty Amy Sohn, what would your mother say? Or your brother, for that matter? You've invited all these folk to Shabbat dinner to tell them about your life as a sex columnist, tsk, tsk; Makor, 35 W. 67th St. (betw. Columbus Ave. & Central Park W.), Reg by 7/15 req. 212-601-1000; 8, $30.

SATURDAY 7/19

Around Town

Bear Cafe Picnic Lounge w/crowd of "big, hairy men." Bring your own food & drinks? as well as other picnic staples?to partake in laid-back bear on bear recreational activities; Riverside Park, 89th St. (Riverside Dr.), 201-313-8705; 1-6, $1-$2 don..

Bleeker Street BAMRA Festival "Over 100 vendors with many of your favorite Bleecker Street restaurants & stores participating"; Bleecker St.(betw. 6th Ave & LaGuardia Pl.), 646-230-0489; 11-7, free.

Bobby Gonzales: Stories For All Ages Bobby Gonzales relates Native American stories incl. "The Skunk Who Fell in Love with the Moon"; Battery Park City Rector Park, Rector St. (W. Thames St./Rector St. Bridge), 212-267-9700, info@bpcparks.org; 11 a.m., free.

Fourteenth Street SummerFest Arts & crafts, quality merchandise, demos & food from over 100 vendors; W. 14th St.(betw. 29th & 41st Sts.), 646-230-0489; 11-7, free.

Happy 150th Birthday Celebration for Central Park feat. bicycle & foot races, Olympic & world archery championships, discovery hunts & tours, theater performances & dog parade. Plus, birthday fixings incl. cake & renowned tenors, Marcel Alvarez & Salvatore Licita, singing "Happy Birthday"?locations vary; Central Park, 59th St. (6th Ave.), info 212-310-6638; 6 a.m.-8 p.m., free.

Learn More About Central Park Urban Park Rangers lead "history hike" through Central Park?running shoes suggested, mace optional; Belvedere Castle, Central Park, 79th St. (Central Park W.), 311, www.nyc.gov/parks; 1, free.

Lions, Tigers & Bears! An obligatory "Oh my!" is called for. Experience African, Asian & Native American music, dance, crafts & Wildlife Jeopardy?as part of the sixth-annual SPARKS Science Fair?also find out what, in the name of all that is holy, lions, tigers & bears have to do with any of this; Bronx Zoo, Bronx River Parkway (Fordham Rd.), 718-367-1010; 11:30-4:30, free w/adm. [repeats Sun.].

The New York City Record and CD Collectors Expo Record, CD, tape & memorabilia dealers from all over New England and beyond. New, used, rare, imports, out of print music, posters & memorabilia?first 100 customers get a free CD; Embassy Ballroom, Holiday Inn, 440 W. 57th St. (betw. 9th & 10th Aves.), 973-773-6067, www.showsandexpos.com; 10-4, $6.

Nokia T-Mobile Ramps and Amps Invitational Day full of freestyle moto X, vert skating, BMX competitions & West Coast punkers MxPx! See top action athletes incl. Bucky Lasek & Ryan Nyquist compete for lots of money to showcase Nokia's 3650 camera & video phone; Randall's Island, Under Triborough Bridge, E. River (betw. Manhattan, the Bronx & Queens), 212-682-7700, 917-554-5921; 12-8, free.

Park Avenue Summerfest Hang w/over 400 American & international merchants & exhibitors hawking arts & crafts, food & antiques in this bustling neighborhood; Park Ave. S.(betw. 17th & 23rd), Union Square, 212-809-4900; 11-6, free.

Film/Video

Movie Night at Freedom Hall Director Bill Duke's 2003 made-for-cable drama Deacons for Defense, based on a true story stars Forrest Whitaker as Marcus, a man unfairly arrested & beaten by a cop in the wake of 1964's Civil Rights Act; Freedom Hall, 113 W. 128th St. (betw. Malcolm X & Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. Blvds.), 212-222-0633; 8, $3.

Orphans of the Storm Director D.W. Griffith's 1921 film, based on Adolphe d'Ennery's play The Two Orphans, is set during the French Revolution & centers on two sisters torn apart by their surroundings; MOMA's Gramercy Theater, 127 E. 23rd St. (betw. Lexington & Park Aves.), 212-777-4900; 1, $12, $8.50 st./s.c., child. under 16 free.

SUNDAY 7/20

Around Town

Astoria Summerfest Over 200 vendors provide entertainment, quality merchandise, children's rides & pony rides; 30th Ave.(betw. 29th & 41st Sts.), Astoria, 646-230-0489; 11-7, free.

Bronx Beach Cleaning Set your Sunday afternoon alarm. Come help the Urban Park Rangers clean the Bronx's "sandy strand"; Pelham Bay Park, Bruckner Blvd. (Wilkinson Ave.), Bronx, 212-360-1311; 1, free.

Celebration of Nations Festival Experience & celebrate the diverse cultures that make this city great. Food, arts & crafts, antiques & multi-ethnic entertainment; Madison Ave.(betw. 42nd & 57th Sts.), 212-809-4900; 11-6, free.

"First Annual Rock 'n' Roll Garage Sale" Buy/sell records, amps, drums & souls (vendor space still available); Luxx, 256 Grand St. (betw. Driggs Ave. & Roebling St.), Williamsburg, 718-599-1000; 1-5, free.

Hudson River Swims: Cove-to-Cove Swim Fifth-annual half-mile swim from Battery Park's South to North Cove. Twist up your wet towel & crack it on 2002 winner, 36-year old Robbie Allen's rear?must be 15+ to participate; Battery Park City Rector Park, Rector St. (W. Thames St./Rector St. Bridge), 1-888-NYC-SWIM; 10:30 a.m., $50.

Hudson River Swin: Race for the River Quick 2.4 mile swin downriver to Battery Park City's North Cove. Try to beat the standing record of 33 mins. or just come to watch swimmers get really bad cramps when the race starts at 9?beware floating hazards; Chelsea Piers, Pier 62, 23rd St. (12th Ave.), 1-888-NYC-swim; 8:15 a.m., $90.

Radical Greenwich Village III Walking Tour Dude! Sweet! See the Village's "progressive" churches & learn the history of condoms while you're at it...sinners; Judson Memorial Church, 55 Washington Sq. S. (betw. Thompson & Sullivan Sts.), www.he.net/~radtours; 1, $10.

Tag Sale Celebrity hand-me-downs to benefit the International Fund for Animal Welfare; Hudson Studios, 601 W. 26th St. (11th Ave.), www.hudsonstudios.com; 10 a.m.-4 p.m., $25.

Film/Video

Classic Thalia from the Kino International Collection View new 35mm print of Akira Kurasawa's 1974 adventure Dersu Uzala, made in Russia & Russian about expedition into Siberia; Leonard Nimoy Thalia, Peter Norton Symphony Space, 2537 B'way (95th St.), 212-864-5400; 7:30, $10, $8 s.c.

"The Freed Unit and the Golden Age of the MGM" Three-week tribute to producer Arthur Freed's musicals continues. See Vincente Minnelli's 1958 flick Gigi starring Leslie Caron, Louis Jourdan, Maurice Chevalier & Hermione Gingold (Hermione Granger's namesake?); Film Forum, 209 W. Houston St. (betw. Varick St. & 6th Ave.), 212-727-8110; 1:30, 4, 6:30, 9, $9.75, $5 child. under 12 [through 7/24].

Sunday at the Movies Green-Wood Partnership pres. 1968 family musical Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, adapted for the screen by director Ken Hughes & Mr. Roald Dahl, starring Dick Van Dyke as Caractacus Potts. Stick around after this show & catch 1952 musical Singing in the Rain, directed by & starring Gene Kelly (6 p.m.); the Brooklyn Lyceum, 227 4th Ave. (betw. Union & President Sts.), 718-857-4816; 3, $5-$8.

Readings

Community Readings: Liberian Literature Reading of multicultural classics; Unitarian Church of Staten Island, 312 Fillmore St. (Tysen St.), Staten Island, 718-907-0709; 6:30, free.

Open "We'll take anything you throw at us, but if you do poetry, we'll probably throw something at you"...somewhere in the city a young, determined sort is interpreting that as a challenege, sir!; Black and White, 86 E. 10th St. (betw. 3rd & 4th Aves.), 212-253-0246; call for time, free.

Women of Sufism: A Hidden Treasure "From Muhammad to the present day, women have played a vital role in the development of Sufism, the mystical tradition of Islam"; Sufi Books, 227 W. B'way (betw. Franklin & White Sts.), 212-334-5212; 7, $10.

Workshops

Family Workshop: Butterfly Babies Your child wants to know about the "magical lifecycle of the magnificent monarch butterfly"...we think. Bring them to observe, ask questions & put on a play?costumes & all?based on their experience; Prospect Park Audubon Center, Park Dr. (Ocean Ave.), res. req. 718-287-3400; 2-4, $10.

Family Workshop: Creatures of the Sea Create charming textile sea creatures?not to be confused w/the treacherous house elf Kreacher?w/Laura Faggionni, who'll let you take 'em home too!; American Museum of Natural History, Central Park W. (79th St.), 212-769-5100; 2 p.m., $25 pair.

The Power of Two: Yoga with a Partner Workshop Trick your partner into this one w/promises of bends, twists, inversions & deep relaxation, as well as a deepening of your relationship; Joyous Life Center, 119 W. 23rd St. #700 (betw. 6th & 7th Aves.), res. req. 212-352-9910; 3 p.m., $25, $40 couple.

To Everything There Is A Season: Creating Prayer & Ritual for the Times in Our Lives Feeling aimless? Use texts, meditation, writing exercises & bibliodrama to find the rituals you need in your daily life w/Alicia Ostriker & Rabbi Jill Hammer; JCC, 334 Amsterdam Ave. (76th St.), 646-505-5708; 10-4, $90.

Yoga for Men Workshop Romy Reading leads beginner & intermediate men through poses that increase flexibility & increase body strength; Joyous Life Center, 119 W. 23rd St. #700 (betw. 6th & 7th Aves.), res. req. 212-352-9910; 12:30-2:30, $20.

You're on the Air: How to Really Make it in Voiceovers Be the next James Earl Jones?a former stutterer?& hear your voice everywhere you go. This class teaches you how to make it happen; 92nd St. Y, 1395 Lexington Ave. (92nd St.), 212-415-5500; 3 p.m.-5:15 p.m., $40.

MONDAY 7/21

Film/Video

"The Freed Unit and the Golden Age of the MGM" Three-week tribute to the musicals of producer Arthur Freed continues w/two screenings for the price of one! Good News, directed by Charles Waters in 1947 [1:30, 5:15, 9:05] & Royal Wedding by Stanley Donen, 1951, [3:25, 7:10]; Film Forum, 209 W. Houston St. (betw. Varick St. & 6th Ave.), 212-727-8110, www.filmforum.com; $9.75.

The Jewish Dating Dilemma: Two Short Films Director Ilan Saragosti's 2002 romantic drama A Match Made in Seven, about Jewish SpeedDating in North America & 2002's Sleeping Diagonally, following the sexual habits of four single Israeli women in Tel Aviv?Hebrew w/English subtitles; Makor, 35 W. 67th St. (betw. Columbus Ave. & Central Park W.), 212-601-1000; 7:30 & 9, $9 [repeats Tues.].

Nothing So Strange VTNYC pres. ongoing film fest of bypassed, independent video/films. This one, directed by Brian Fleming, is about the assassination of Bill Gates & the trouble it starts in an activist group; VideoTheatre, NYC, 85 E. 4th St. (betw. 2nd & 3rd Aves.), 212-868-4444; 7:30, $5.

"One, Two, Three, Four: Billy Wilder" BAMcinématek showcases rarely-seen Wilder films. Today, 1964 b&w comedy Kiss Me, Stupid, starring Dean Martin as a debauched & stranded second rate singer in Climax, Nevada where he meets local hooker, Polly (Kim Novak); BAM Rose Cinema, 30 Lafayette Ave. (Ashland Pl.), Ft. Greene, 718-777-FILM, www.bam.org; 4:30, 6:50 & 9:10, $10, $7 st., $6 s.c./child.

Readings

Cause Celeb Dramatic readings of star autobiographies w/satiric slant by "down-town" types; the Marquee, 356 Bowery (betw. Great Jones & E. 4th Sts.), 212-475-1975; 8, $5.

Due Preparations for the Plague From Publishers Weekly: "[Janette Turner] Hospital is a writer of many gifts...This latest novel is an enthralling tale about the intertwined fates of the survivors and the relatives of those who perished on Flight 64, hijacked by terrorists in 1987"; Barnes & Noble, 1972 B'way (betw. W. 65th & W. 66th Sts.), 212-595-6859; 7, free.

Oonya Kempadoo & Victor LaValle Authors of Tide Running & The Ecstatic, respectively, read; Housing Works Used Book Cafe, 126 Crosby St. (betw. Houston & Prince Sts.), 212-334-3324; 7, free.

Workshops

Lost CrEaTiVe Weekly performance art workshop focusing on using your subconscious to create art; Collective Unconscious, 145 Ludlow St. (betw. Stanton & Rivington Sts.), 212-254-5277; 7:30-10:30, $5.

TUESDAY 7/22

Around Town

"Pure Country" DJ Alan Kohn keeps the country spinning, while Rona Kaye teaches the particulars of line dancing & ensures you'll have a partner?yeehaw!; Jack Rose, 771 8th Ave. (47th St.), 212-247-7518; 6:30, $13.

Sixth-Annual Great New York Writers in Great New York Places Meshing of literature & location.Celebrate our literary history in "significant architectural & historical sites." Today, reporting civil rights; Thurgood Marshall Courthouse, 40 Centre St. (Foley Sq.), 212-360-1378; 6:30-8:30, $30.

Film/Video

"An Irreverent Wit: The Comedies of Sacha Guitry" Retrospective of actor/director Guitry continues w/1937 b&w comedy Let Us Dream?French w/English subtitles; Florence Gould Hall French Institute, 55 E. 59th St. (betw. Madison & Park Aves.), 212-355-6160; 12:30, 3:30, 6:30 & 9, $8.

The Flew VTNYC's film fest continues screening bypassed, independent video/films. Today, director Clifton Childree's surrealistic film about a mechanical man, a carnival & a broken down ride; VideoTheatre, NYC, 85 E. 4th St. (betw. 2nd & 3rd Aves.), 212-868-4444; 7:30, $5.

Kaurismäki Goes to America Finnish filmmaker Aki Kaurismäki's 14-day retrospective feat. films & shorts. Today, 1993's Leningrad Cowboys Meet Moses, Finnish; BAM Rose Cinema, 30 Lafayette Ave. (Ashland Pl.), Ft. Greene, 718-636-4100; 4:30, 6:50 & 9:10, $10, $7 st., $6 s.c. & child. under 12.

Peripheral Programming: The PDX/JFK Connection Robert Beck Memorial Cinema screens 'contraband cinema' brought to you by the 'finest DIY distribution company'; Collective Unconscious, 145 Ludlow St. (betw. Stanton & Rivington Sts.), 212-254-5277, www.rbmc.net; 9:30, $5.

Lectures

Buffalo Soliders Novelist Robert O'Connor & director Gregor Jordan of up-coming movie adaptation starring Joaquin "who the hell said you could touch me?" Phoenix in conversation; Housing Works Used Book Cafe, 126 Crosby St. (betw. Houston & Prince Sts.), 212-334-3324; 7, $5.

Readings

The Last Good Time: Skinny D'Amato, the Notorious 500 Club, and the Rise and Fall of Atlantic City From Publishers Weekly: "[Jonathan] Van Meter delivers a wonderful narrative?a biography, really?of one of the most controversial cities in the U.S."; Chelsea Barnes & Noble, 675 6th Ave. (21st St.), 212-727-1227; 7, free.

The Vineyard: The Pleasures and Perils of Creating an American Winery From Amazon.com: "When Louisa and Alex Hargrave bought an old potato farm in 1973 with plans to start a vineyard, they had "no farm experience and little life experience." What they did have was enthusiasm, optimism, a strong relationship, and just enough naivete to attempt what no one else had before managed: to create a viable winery on New York's Long Island"; Barnes & Noble, 240 E. 86th St. (betw. 2nd & 3rd Aves.), 212-794-1962; 7, free.

Workshops

Picture This, Imagine That: Kissable Lips Smoochiboochies! John Jack Martin teaches 12-18-year olds to make lip balm & gloss?never buy Lipsmackers again!; Morningside Heights New York Public Library, 2900 B'way (113 St.), 212-864-2530; 3:30, free.