City Week: Feb. 12 - Feb. 18, 2010

Black History Highlights February is Black History Month and many venues across the city have special programming focused on African-American history in New York City. Here are just a few of the events taking place in the area. Merkin Concert Hall at Kaufman Center: Fordham United Methodist Church presents a concert of spirituals by the legendary African-American composer Hall Johnson. Feb. 25, 129 W. 67th St., 212-501-3330; 7:30 p.m., $25. 13th Street Repertory Company: The building that the 13th Street Repertory Company occupies long served as an Underground Railroad stop. As a tribute, the company presents an all-black cast in the play LINE, by Israel Horovitz. The play revolves around five people standing in line, striving to be first. Feb. 12 to 27, 50 W. 13th St., 212-352-3101; 9:30 p.m., $15 to $20. African Americans: Seeing and Seen, 1766-1916: Babcock Galleries presents an overview of the controversial fine art and popular images of African Americans as artists and subjects, alternating between cruel caricature and positive portrayals. Through Apr. 21, 724 Fifth Ave., 212-767-1852; weekdays 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Free. The New-York Historical Society: The society features exhibits on Abraham Lincoln, John Brown and the Civil War. On Saturdays, find out what it was like to be a soldier during the Civil War with reenactment troops and living history actors. Other highlights include a talk by Reverend Dr. Calvin O. Butts III about the Abyssinian Baptist Church (Feb. 16) and a discussion about the life of David Ruggles, the best-known ?conductor? of the Underground Railroad in New York City (Feb. 18). 170 Central Park West, 212-873-3400; free during Presidents? Day week, $7 to $12 other times. Lincoln Center: The cultural center hosts a number of events throughout the month. Wynton Marsalis directs the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with special guest pianist Cyrus Chestnut in Basie and the Blues, a tribute to Count Basie and his impact on the blues (Feb. 12, Rose Theater, Frederick P. Rose Hall, 212-721-6500; 8 p.m., $30 to $120). A group of powerful women pay homage to the works Nina Simone wrote, touched or transformed during her career in, American Girl, World Citizen: A Musical Journey of Nina Simone (Feb. 18, Gerald W. Lynch Theater, 899 10th Ave., 212-875-5474; 7 p.m., Free). The Film Society of Lincoln Center presents the New York premiere of RISEUP (2009) a film by Luciano Blotta, which goes to the heart of Jamaica to understand the phenomenon of reggae (Feb. 25, Walter Reade Theater, 165 W. 65th St., 212-340-1874; 6 p.m., $23 to $30). ---------- Friday, February 12 A Bloody Valentine?Blood Manor presents a special Valentine?s weekend attraction featuring jilted lovers, lonely hearts and those looking to hook up with a freaky last minute date. The ?Bloody Valentine?s Weekend? includes an unholy matrimony celebration, an insane asylum featuring a couple that have been married a bit too long and a feast concocted by the manor?s chef. Blood Manor, 542 W. 27th St., 212-290-2825; 7:30 p.m., $25 to $45. Jazz Hands?Drummer Bill Stewart, who made his name as the percussionist behind jazz guitarist John Scofield from 1990 to 1995, performs with his quartet. The group includes Steve Wilson on alto saxophone, Seamus Blake on tenor saxophone and Peter Washington on bass. Smoke Jazz Club, 2751 Broadway, 212-864-6662; 8 p.m., 10 p.m. and 11:30 p.m., $30. Saturday, February 13 Dog Prints?The William Secord Gallery presents Pamela Hall?s first New York solo exhibition, ?The Comforts of Home, Dog Portraits by Pamela Hall.? Hall?s portraits include bulldogs, English setters, foxhounds, pointers and pugs. Hall has specialized in the depiction of dogs since 1990. Similar portraits from the 19th century inspire her paintings. William Secord Gallery, 52 E. 76th St., 212-249-0075; 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., Free. Paper Tiger?Celebrate the year of the Tiger and learn traditional Chinese paper cutting techniques, just in time for the Chinese New Year. Museum of Arts and Design, 2 Columbus Circle, 212-299-7790; 2:30 p.m., free with museum admission ($12 to $15). Good Luck Dance?The 25th annual New York Sword Dance Festival features 15 teams from around the country performing in public spaces throughout the city. Sword dancing is a winter celebration practiced in the northern regions of England, where it was thought to guarantee good luck for the year. Live music accompanies the dancing. Dana Discovery Center, Central Park near 100th Street, and Museum of the City of New York, 1220 Fifth Ave., 212-569-4374; 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m., Free. Chamber Orchestra Premiere?The opening concert of the Chamber Orchestra of New York?s 2010 season includes the world premiere of the Respighi-Di Vittorio ?Concerto for Violin,? with guest soloist Laura Marzadori on violin. The concert also features the U.S. premiere of Salvatore Di Vittorio?s ?Sinfonia No. 2.? Church of St. Jean Baptiste, 184 E. 76th St., 866-468-7619; 8 p.m., $25 to $35. Sunday, February 14 Political Comedy?Marc Blitzstein?s musical comedy The Cradle Will Rock depicts an everyman fight against the power of corruption. It was originally part of the Federal Theater Project and directed by Orson Welles in 1937. Theater Ten Ten, 1010 Park Ave., 212-352-3101; 3 p.m., $25. Monday, February 15 Living Tribute?The Jupiter Symphony Chamber Players perform a living tribute to conductor Jens Nygaard, featuring Roman Rabinovich on piano and Misha Keylin on violin. The players perform pieces ranging from Haydn to Dvorak. Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church, 152 W. 66th St., 212-799-1259; 7:30 p.m., $10 to $25. Tuesday, February 16 Romantic Opera?The Kaufman Center and New York Festival of Song present ?The Voluptuous Muse,? a celebration of the decadent Romanticism of late 19th-century song. The concert includes rising Metropolitan Opera star Joseph Kaiser, who was recently in the operetta Fortunio in Paris. Merkin Concert Hall, 129 W. 67th St, 212-501-3330; 8 p.m., $40 to $55. Wednesday, February 17 Annual Exhibit?The National Academy?s ?185th Annual: An Invitational Exhibition of Contemporary American Art? opens. The Annual features 65 artists, all at different stages in their careers. The techniques vary from traditional painting to installation pieces. All work has been selected by a jury of National Academicians. National Academy Museum and School of Fine Arts, 1083 Fifth Ave., 212-369-4880; Noon to 5 p.m., free with museum admission ($5 to $10). Thursday, February 18 Political Parody??The Thalia Follies: A Political Cabaret? continues its sixth season with ?Which Way, America?? The parody tackles issues like New York City?s race for mayor and the upcoming midterm elections. The Thalia Follies is curated by Isaiah Sheffer and now includes a glass of wine and a light evening meal from unWINEd. Symphony Space, 2537 Broadway, 212-864-5400; 7:30 p.m., $20 to $30.