EVENTS WEDNESDAY 4/2 Around Town "Behind the ...

Around Town

"Behind the Gold Curtain: The Edward Johnson Era at the Met" Exhibition of Metropolitan Opera memorabilia from 1935-1950 incl. rare photographs, autographs, posters & vintage recordings; Gallery at Lincoln Center, Bíway, concourse level (64th St.), 212-580-4673; Mon.-Sat. 10-8, free [through 5/3] [repeats Thurs.-Sat., Mon & Tues., through 5/3].

Ringling Bros. & Barnum & Bailey 133rd Circus spectacular takes over the Garden w/thrills, chills & microphoned tigers-oh my! Ringmaster Johnathan Lee Iverson oversees three rings feat. Bello the clown, ten Bengal tigers, the Globe of Death & Bailey's Comet; Madison Square Garden, 2 Penn Plaza (32nd St.), 212-465-MSG1; 12 & 7:30, $12.50-$45.50 [through 4/13] [repeats Sat. & Sun. at 11, 3:30 & 8, Mon. at 7:30].

"Thinking and Drinking" Dust off your noggin & head downtown to compete in five fast rounds of trivia for prizes of $10-$25 bar tabs; Dempsey's Pub, 61 2nd Ave. (betw. 3rd & 4th Sts.), 212-388-0662; 7:30, free.

Universoul Circus Atlanta's one-ring circus pres. tenth-anniversary production of Poppin, Soul feat. ringmaster Casual Cal & sidekick Zeke, acrobatic dogs the Olates, the Soul Circus Band, China Soul acrobats, daredevil motorcyclists, Ameera Diamond' s Siberian tigers, dancing elephants, the Flying Navas on trapeze, Drumline, boxing kangaroo & much more; Prospect Park, Parkside Ave. (Ocean Ave.), Bklyn, 212-307-7171; 10:30 & 7:30, $10-$45 [repeats Thurs., Fri. & Tues. at 10:30 & 7:30, Sat. at 12, 4:30 & 8, Sun. at 12, 3:30 & 6:30, through 4/13].

Wednesday Night Skate Strap on a helmet & join roller & in-line skaters as they roll through the city streets passing Central Park, the Brooklyn Bridge & Times Square on this two-hour ride; Union Sq. Park, 17th St. (B'way), 212-696-7247; 8, free.

Film/Video

"Eighth-Annual Gen Art Film Festival" promoting American independent filmmakers, opens tonight w/director Vanessa Parise's 2002 romantic drama Kiss the Bride starring Alyssa Milano & Sean Patrick Flanery, preceded by Katie Fleischer's 2002 short Bun-Bun & followed by after-party at NV; Loews Cineplex Lincoln Square, 1998 B'way (68th St.), 212-255-7300, www.genart.org; 7:30, see website for full schedule, $30 [through 4/8].

"New Directors/New Films" MOMA's 32nd-annual film series continues w/something new every day. Tonight, director Sergio Umansky's 2002 Mexican short Here Was the Anthem, Spanish, followed by Chuan Lu's 2003 debut feature The Missing Gun, Mandarin; Alice Tully Hall, 1941 Bíway (65th St.), 212-875-5050, www.filmlinc.com; 9, see website for complete list, $12 [repeats Thurs. at 6 at the Walter Reade Theater].

Son of the Bride Director Juan José Campanella's 2001 Argentinean comedy focuses on Rafael's rekindled relationship w/a childhood friend, after a heart attack spurred mid-life crisis makes him question his life, Spanish w/English subtitles; Makor, 35 W. 67th St. (betw. Columbus Ave. & Central Park W.), 212-601-1000; 7:30 & 9, $9 [repeats Thurs.].

"Telephone Bar Town Meeting" feat. screenings of director Nancy Cohen's 1989 documentary My Dinner w/Abbie & directors Rob Smiley & Vincenzo Trippetti's 1999 animated feature Our Friend, Martin, inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. w/author Mike Golden reading his new work; Telephone Bar & Grill, 149 2nd Ave. (betw. 9th & 10th Aves.), 212-529-5000; 8, don.

Lectures

"From Russia With Love" Acclaimed writers Gary Shteyngart (The Russian Debutante's) & Paul Greenberg (Leaving Katya) discuss perspectives of contemporary Russian-Jewish fiction; JCC, 334 Amsterdam Ave. (76th St.), 646-505-5708; 8, $10.

Little Gray Book Lecture No. 18 pres. "What Will Happen In the Future?" feat. forecasts from ex-online horoscope writer Diane Vadino & Paul Tough (openletters.net). Also incl. Chuck Klosterman's (Fargo Rock City) Midwestern psychics revelations; Galapagos, 70 N. 6th St. (betw. Wythe & Kent Aves.), 718-782-5188; 8, $5.

"Public Art?" Debate asks which art receives funding from taxes, whom it addresses & what is its sociological purpose w/panelists incl. public artist Miele Laderman Ukeles & New York City's Department of Cultural Affairs members; Vera List Center for Art and Politics, 66 W. 12th St. (6th Ave.), 212-229-5684; 8, free.

New York Public Library Public Program Series Niall Ferguson, financial expert & author (The Rise and Demise of the British World Order and Lessons for American Global Power) discusses the historical landscape of financial domination & how it relates to current events; NY Public Library, 5th Ave. (42nd St.), 212-930-0855; 6:30, $10.

Douglas Rushkoff celebrates the release of his latest book Nothing Sacred: The Truth About Judaism & lectures about one's relationship to religion; NYU's Edgar Bronfman Center, 7 E. 10th St. (betw. University Pl. & 5th Ave.), 212-998-4114; 6, free.

Readings

A World of Decent Dreams Photographer Ellen Kaplowitz; Barnes & Noble, 240 E. 86th St. (betw. 2nd & 3rd Aves.), 212-794-1962; 7, free.

Food For Thought One act play & light sandwich lunch, every week & verrry literary dahling. Today, Agatha Christies' answer to Willard-"The Rats"; National Arts Club, 15 Gramercy Park S. (20th St.), 212-475-3424; 1, $40.

Workshops

"Learn to Meditate" Silence your inner chit-chat w/meditation. Discover ways to develop mental clarity, calmness & creativity; Shambhala Meditation Center, 118 W. 22nd St. (6th Ave.), 212-675-6544; 6, free.

THURSDAY 4/3

Around Town

Bellevue Book Sale Bargains Two-day sale of used books at bargain prices-proceeds benefit Bellevue's patient library; Bellevue Hospital Center, 1st Ave. (27th St.), 212-562-3833; 10-4, free [repeats Fri.].

Camera Club Book Sale Phaidon Press pres. books by photographer & contemporary artists incl. Doug Aitken, Robert Capa, Tina Modotti, Nadar & Julia Margaret Cameron, followed by reception-proceeds benefit the Camera Club of New York; Up & Co., 257 Church St. (betw. Franklin & Leonard Sts.), 212-652-5400; 12-9, free.

Sage Fitness Open House Pilates studio's three-day open house gives you ample time to check out the recently acquired Gyrotonic equipment & Gyrokinesis training system-now you have no excuses!; Sage Fitness, 80 E. 11th St., # 414 (betw. B'way & University Pl.), 212-982-5756; 12-1:30, free [repeats Fri. 5:30-7, Sat. 11:30-1].

Film/Video

"An Evening With Slava Tsukerman" feat. screenings from the Russian director incl. Poor Liza, 1998 adaptation of Nickolai Karamzin's tragic love story & documentary Moscow Doesn't Answer (1973), feat. Russian Jews- followed by q&a w/Tsukerman & guest; JCC, 334 Amsterdam Ave. (76th St.), 646-505-5708; 7:30, $10.

Fool's Fire BAMcinématek pres. director Julie Taymor's 1992 adaptation of Edgar Allen Poe's story "Hop Frog," feat. puppets-plus Michael J. Anderson as a court jester seeking revenge on his king, early screening followed by q&a w/Taymor; BAM Rose Cinema, 30 Lafayette Ave. (Ashland Pl.), Ft. Greene, 718-636-4100; 7 & 9:30, $9, $6 st./s.c.

"New York International Independent Film & Video Festival" screens over 300 features, premieres, shorts, documentaries & animations incl. Four Fingers of the Dragon, A Pillar of Salt: The Angry Woman Syndrome, Outpatient, Waiting for Johnny Walker & Controlled Chaos by high profile & novice filmmakers; Village East Cinemas, 181 2nd Ave. (12th St.), 212-777-7100, www.nyfilmvideo.com; see website for full schedule, free-$10 [repeats Fri.-Tues., through 4/12].

"Nicholas Ray, Writ Large" Longtime champion of Nicholas Ray, Michael Almereyda, pres. the most comprehensive retrospective in North America w/nearly two dozen films. Today month-long series continues w/docudrama Lightning Over Water (1980), co-directed by Wim Wenders, illustrating Ray's resolve to finish his last work while cancer pervaded his entire body; MOMA's Gramercy Theater, 127 E. 23rd St. (betw. Lexington & Park Aves.), 212-708-9680; 8, $12 [through 4/12].

The Well China Century Entertainment pres. director Li Yalin's 1987 feature centering around a bourgeoisie student grasping w/her privileged status during the Cultural Revolution, using the well to symbolize the "power of tradition and people's resistance to change"-Chinese w/English subtitles; Asian Cultural Center, 15 E. 40th St. ((betw. Madison & 5th Aves.)), 212-789-9098; 6:30, $10 don.

Lectures

"An Interview with George Plimpton" Infamous for boxing w/ Archie Moore & founding The Paris Review, best-selling author discusses his new book Ernest Shackleton w/New York Times reporter Christopher Lehmann-Haupt; Small Press Center, 20 W. 44th St. (betw. 5th & 6th Aves.), 212-764-7021; 6-7:30, $10.

"The Nijinsky Diaries" English edition editor Joan Acocella reviews the dance icon's intriguing journals coinciding w/ exhibition Vaslav Nijinsky: Creating A New Artistic Era; Bruno Walter Auditorium, 111 Amsterdam Ave. (65th St.), 212-642-0142; 6:30, free.

"Talking Across Generations Series" Ruth Gruber reported first-person views of international Jews. Join 90-year-old journalist & niece Dava Sobel (Galileo's Daughter) as they discuss Gruber's new book Inside of Time-My Journey from Alaska to Israel, chronicling travels, friendship w/Eleanor Roosevelt & numerous humanitarian efforts; Museum of Jewish Heritage, 18 First Pl. (West St.), 212-968-1800; 7, $7.

Readings

Zadie Smith & Jonathan Safran Foer White Teeth & Everything is Illuminated, respectively; Housing Works Used Book Cafe, 126 Crosby St. (betw. Houston & Prince Sts.), 212-334-3324; 7, free.

Superbad "Story" "collection" by "Ben Greenman" has received mixed reviews. Domenick Ammirati also reads; Pete's Candy Store, 709 Lorimer St. (betw. Frost & Richardson Sts.), Williamsburg, 718-302-3770; 7:30, free.

Workshops

"Introduction To Feng Shui" Clean up your act! Feng Shui Gallery owner Zaihong Shen offers methods for eliminating inner & outer clutter. Practice creates harmony & "uninhibited flow of natural energy to a space"; 92nd St. Y, 1395 Lexington Ave. (92nd St.), 212-415-5500; 7-9, $30.

"Preparing for the Unexpected" Feel empowered when disasters strike after presentation teaches steps to take during calamities; American Red Cross, 150 Amsterdam Ave. (66th & 67th Sts.), 212-874-5839; 6:15-7:30, free.

FRIDAY 4/4

Film/Video

Chain Times Three Director Jem Cohen introduces her 2002 "three-projector panoramic triptych"-look it up-documentary focusing on six years worth of images incl. malls, highways & corporate centers from around the world w/music by God Speed! You Black Emperor, preceded by Cohen's 2000 short Little Flags; MOMA's Gramercy Theater, 127 E. 23rd St. (betw. Lexington & Park Aves.), 212-777-4900, www.ticketweb.com; 6, $6, $4.25 st./s.c.

Investigation of a Citizen Above Suspicion Elio Petri's 1970 thriller about a Roman police inspector who violently kills his mistress, then gets assigned to head the investigation; Film Forum, 209 W. Houston St. (betw. Varick St. & 6th Ave.), 212-727-8110; 1, 3:10, 5:20, 7:40 & 9:50, $9.75, $5 child. under 12.

Showgirls Elizabeth Berkley (aka Saved by the Bell's Jessie Spano) stars as a Vegas stripper/aspiring showgirl who must leave her "inhibitions at the door" in Paul Verhoeven's 1995 bomb-part of "Sunshine@Midnight" series; Sunshine Cinema, 143 E. Houston St. (betw. 1st & 2nd Aves.), 212-358-7709; 12 a.m., $10, $6.50 s.c. [repeats Sat.].

Readings

Pink Pony West This week, Wanda Coleman from Watts; Cornelia St. Cafe, 29 Cornelia St. (6th Ave.), 212-989-9318; 6, $6 incl. one free drink.

Workshops

Psychology Discussion Group Join serious monthly discussion about gay life w/lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered & gay-friendly men & women; LGBT Community Center, 208 W. 13th St. (betw. 7th & 8th Aves.), 212-228-5153; 8, $5.

SATURDAY 4/5

Around Town

"Fourth-Annual Amazing Bronx River Flotilla" Bronx River Alliance celebrates the beginning of paddling season w/six-mile riverside paddle (9:30), followed by live musical performances, games & prizes, free boat rides & walking tours (12:30-4:30); Cement Plant Park, Westchester Ave. (betw. Whitlock & Bronx River Aves.), Bronx, 718-430-4665; 9:30, free.

Non-Fiction Book Fair feat. rare, out-of-print, used & antique books-plus sheet music, photographs, magazines, records, posters, calendars & paper items; Tip Top Shoe Bldg., 155 W. 72nd St. 4th fl. (B'way), 212-579-0689; 10-2, free.

"The War on Iraq" Speak out against the war at Westside Peace Action's town hall meeting feat. speakers incl. Rev. Robert Brashear, Congressman Major Owens, journalist Amy Goodman, author Barbara Garson, Peace Action's Kevin Martin & World Policy Institute's William Hartung; West Park Presbyterian Church, 165 W. 86th St. (Amsterdam Ave.), 212-499-7409; 1, free.

Film/Video

"New Directors/New Films" MOMA's 32nd-annual film series continues w/Victor Viyuoh's 2002 coming of age tale Mboutoukou from Cameroon, followed by director Mahamat-Saleh Haroun's drama Abouna, French; MOMA's Gramercy Theater, 127 E. 23rd St. (betw. Lexington & Park Aves.), 212-875-5050, www.filmlinc.com; 3:30, see website for complete schedule, $12 [repeats Sun. at 6].

"Ninth-Annual Avignon/New York Film Festival" screens 17 American & French independent features vying for the "21st Century Filmmaker Awards." Tonight director Alexandre Rockwell & actor Steve Buscemi pres. 2002 comedy 13 Moons (8), followed by Christophe Ruggia's 2002 French drama The Devils (10:15); the Screening Room, 54 Varick St. (Canal St.), 212-334-2100, www.avignonfilmfest.com; see website for full schedule, $25, $22 st./s.c. [repeats daily, through 4/13].

"Portraits of Israel: An Exploration Through Film" Columbia University pres. director Yaron Shane's documentary Festival Under War, examining the role of art during conflict, followed by Michal Bat-Adam's Israeli drama Love At Second Sight (1998); Rennert Hall, Kraft Center, 606 W. 115th St. (B'way), 212-854-5111, www.portraitsofisrael.org; 9 p.m., $5, $3 st. sugg. don.

Star Trek Entire movie saga in chronological order plays weekly. Series continues w/Star Trek: Generations (1994), feat. both Captain James T. Kirk & Jean-Luc Picard-plus the cast of The Next Generation; Pioneer Theater, 155 E. 3rd St. (Ave. A), 212-254-3300; 2, $8.50, $6 st./s.c. [through 5/3].

"Third-Annual Brooklyn Jewish Film Festival: Artists & Activists" Bamcinématek's celebration of worldwide Jewish cinema pres. 30 films incl. New York premiere of Steve Suissa's 2000 autobiographical comedy Taking Wing, about a boy who quits school to take theater classes, French w/English subtitles; BAM Rose Cinema, 30 Lafayette Ave. (Ashland Pl.), Ft. Greene, 718-777-FILM, www.bam.org; 7, $10, $7 st., $6 s.c./child. under 12 [through 4/12].

Touch of Evil Writer/director Orson Welles' 1958 b&w crime thriller set in a Mexican border town where a crooked police chief frames an innocent young man-starring Charlton Heston, Janet Leigh, Marlene Dietrich & Zsa Zsa Gabor; YWCA, 610 Lexington Ave. (53rd St.), 212-735-9717; 4:30, $7 [repeats Sun.].

Workshops

"Woodcraft Circle Day" Program feat. poetry readings, storytelling & discussions honoring Native American writers; National Museum of the American Indian, George Gustav Heye Center, 1 Bowling Green (betw. State & Whitehall Sts.), 212-514-3700; 12-5, free.

SUNDAY 4/6

Around Town

Deb's Family Disco Dance Drag your kid to this single-parent disco meat market & display hustle & bump moves while digging on crystal tattoos, disco ball necklaces & inflatable shoes-plus snacks for the wee ones. This week expect a visit from competitive ballroom munchkins performing tango, rumba & waltz demos; Jack Rose, 771 8th Ave. (47th St.), 212-586-7425; 5, $12, $7 w/multi pass.

"15th-Anniversary MS Walk' Join the New York City Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Foundation's annual fundraising 2.5-12.5 mile walk through downtown neighborhoods incl. Greenwich Village, Chinatown, Little Italy & Battery Park; South Street Seaport, South St. (Fulton St), 212-463-9791, www.msnyc.org; 9:30 a.m. check-in, $50.

Marion's Fashion Brunch Enjoy breakfast while "e-tailer" Ravin Style.com's girlie goods from Cammie Hill, Rebecca Minkoff, Minium & Bramaosole sashay before you; Marion's, 354 Bowery (betw. 3rd & 4th Sts.), res. req. 212-475-7621; 12 & 1:30, $17.95 incl. cocktail.

Sage Women's Spring Dance Join 500 women at 20th-anniversary annual event feat. raffle & music by DJ NancyB-proceeds help Sage advocate for LGBT senior citizens; Vue, 151 E. 50th St. (betw. Lexington & 3rd Ave.), 212-741-2247; 3:30-8:30, $25, $20 adv.

Film/Video

"Baghdad: Portrait of a City" Video artist Paul Chan pres. slides & videos of Baghdad residents from his December 2002 visit to the UN sanctioned area as an Iraq Peace Team member-proceeds benefit the Iraq Peace Team & Voices in the Wilderness; Ocularis at Galapagos, 70 N. 6th St. (betw. Wythe & Kent Aves.), Williamsburg, 718-388-8713; 8:30, $6.

Emigre Directors pres. two Fritz Lang b&w classics incl. 1931 German thriller M (2 p.m.) & 1936 drama Fury, starring Spencer Tracy (4); American Museum of the Moving Image, 35 Ave. (36 St.), Astoria, 718-784-4520; 4, $10, $7.50 st./s.c.

"Portraits of Israel: An Exploration Through Film" Columbia University pres. films, followed by discussions, incl. Richard Trank's 2001 documentary In Search of Peace (10 a.m.), Psychedelic Zion (12:45), Dennis Praeger's Israel In a Time of Terror (2), Tzipi Trope's Close and Far Away (2:30) & 2001 documentary Promises (4), directed by B.Z. Goldberg & Carlos Bolado; Altschul Aud., International Affairs Bldg., 420 W. 118th St. (Amsterdam Ave.), 212-864-5111, www.portraitsofisrael.org; 10 a.m., $5, $3 st. sugg. don.

"Third-Annual Brooklyn Jewish Film Festival: Artists & Activists" Bamcinématek's celebration of worldwide Jewish cinema continues w/30 films incl. director Mirra Bank's 2002 dance documentary Last Dance-followed by q&a w/Arthur Yorinks & Bank; BAM Rose Cinema, 30 Lafayette Ave. (Ashland Pl.), Ft. Greene, 718-777-FILM, www.bam.org; 6:15, see website for complete schedule, $10, $7 st., $6 s.c./child. under 12 [through 4/12].

Lectures

"The Bad and the Beautiful: Hollywood in the 50's" Explore this decadent decade, when pinups, garter belts & martinis were all the rage. Journalists Sam Kashner & Jennifer MacNair review it's influence on our culture; Martin Luther Jr. High School, 122 Amsterdam Ave. (65th St.), 212-2735304; 1-2, $3.

"The Restoration of the Republic Former Senator Gary Hart & CNN's Jeff Greenfield discuss homeland security's weaknesses & our economic outlook. They will also debate the Bush Administration's lackluster efforts to combat terrorism; 92nd St. Y, 1395 Lexington Ave. (92nd St.), 212-415-5500; 7:30, $22.

Workshops

"Nia Demonstration" Explore and unleash your creative beast! Intense workout opens "physical, mental, emotional & spiritual body" through sequence of easy moves, influenced by martial & healing arts; Joyous Life Center, 119 W. 23rd St. #700 (betw. 6th & 7th Aves.), RSVP 212-352-9910; 10-11:30, $15.

"Your On the Air: How To Really Make It In Voiceovers" You may not have a booming voice like James Earl Jones & David Letterman announcer Alan Kalter, but there is a demand for articulate speakers. Tony Award-nominated composer & producer Dan Levine demonstrates ways to break into the field; 92nd St. Y, 1395 Lexington Ave. (92nd St.), 212-415-5500; 3, $30.

MONDAY 4/7

Around Town

"The Big Quiz Thing" When drinking isn't enough...Noah Tarnow hosts team trivia feat. DJ GB & $200 grand prize; Slipper Room, 167 Orchard St. (Stanton St.), 212-592-0965; 8, $5.

"14th-Annual GLAAD Media Awards" honors media figures, incl. Diane Sawyer, & institutions that fairly portray the lesbian, gay, bisexual & transgender community. Ceremony feat. cocktails, dinner & celeb appearances-plus performances by Tony Bennett & K.D. Lang; Marriott Marquis, 1535 B'way (betw. 45th & 46th Sts.), 888-655-6529, www.glaad.org; 6, $250-$1250.

Symphony Space 25th-Anniversary Gala celebrates 25-years of music, dance, theater, literature, film & educational programming at fÍte feat. performances by Broadway's Melissa Errico, Ballet Hispanico, Sonido Isle-o & the Spanish Harlem Orchestra, readings by Cherry Jones & Rosie Perez, champagne, wine, hors d'oeuvres & dessert receptions & silent auction; Symphony Space, 2537 B'way (95th St.), 212-864-1414 x232; 6:30, $500-$1000, 8, $150-$250.

"Third-Annual Brooklyn Jewish Film Festival: Artists & Activists" Bamcinématek's celebration of worldwide Jewish cinema continues w/director Joan Stein's 1999 short One Day Crossing, feat. q&a w/Stein, Hungarian w/English subtitles, followed by 2002 French documentary The Klarsfelds; BAM Rose Cinema, 30 Lafayette Ave. (Ashland Pl.), Ft. Greene, 718-777-FILM, www.bam.org; 6:15, see website for complete schedule, $10, $7 st., $6 s.c./child. under 12 [through 4/12].

Film/Video

"Anti-Semitism Film Series" pres. director Samy Szlingerbaum's 1980

Bruxelles-Transit drama follows a displaced Jewish family searching for a place in 1947 Brussels, Yiddish w/English subtitles; Forchheimer Aud., Center for Jewish History, 15 W. 16th St. (5th Ave.), 917-606-8200; 7, $7, $3.50 st./s.c.

"Mondo Mondays" Not quite retro film series screens Tony Y. Reyes' 1991 musical comedy The Philippine Batman. Tagalog-speaking caped crusader must foil the Joker, the Penguin & Catwoman's takeover of Manila; Two Boots Den of Cin, 44 Ave. A (3rd St.), 212-254-0800; 8, $5 [through 4/28].

Traveling Cinema Film Series screen French director Jean Renoir's 1936's romantic short A Day In The Country & 1928's silent short The Little Match Girl, inspired by Hans Christian Andersen's tale; Barbes, 376 9th St. (6th Ave.), Park Slope, 718-965-9177; 9, free.

Lectures

"Playwrights and the Creative Process" Gain stimulus into how plays are written & participate in creating one. Series of "public rehearsals" also feat. readings from works-in-progress; CUNY Grad Center, 365 5th Ave. (34th St.), 212-817-8215; 7, $10.

Readings

Capital City Author Thomas Kessner discusses "rich and sweeping history of how New York became the national financial capital...as well as the economic engine of America's extraordinary growth in the second half of the nineteenth century"; Borders, 461 Park Ave. (57th St.), 212-980-6785; 6:30, free.

Rick Bass & Annie Proulx entertain the nice old ladies; 92nd St. Y, 1395 Lexington Ave. (92nd St.), 212-415-5500; 8, $16.

The Souls of Black Folks Danny Glover & Phylicia Rashad headline staged reading to celebrate 100th anniversary of Dubois book; CUNY Grad Center, 365 5th Ave. (34th St.), 212-817-8215; 7:30, $25.

TUESDAY 4/8

Around Town

Benefit Reading of independent film screenplay Looking For Che feat. cocktails, tapas, dancing & Cuban music; Carnaval, 159 E. Houston St. (Allen St.), RSVP 718-369-2642; 6, $30.

Japanese Festival of Crafts Celebrate Spring's arrival w/Japanese paper arts demos incl. sumi-e brush painting, tsutsumi gift wrapping, ikebana flower arranging & origami; Kate's Paperie Uptown, 1282 3rd Ave. (betw. 73rd & 74th Sts.), 212-396-3670; 6 p.m., free.

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

Film/Video

"Eighth-Annual Gen Art Film Festival" promoting American independent filmmakers, closes w/NY Premiere of Austin Chick's 2002 romantic drama XX/XY starring Kathleen Robertson (from 90210 fame) & Mark Ruffalo, preceded by Laura Gilkey's short Blissfield & followed by after-party at Show World; Loews Astor Plaza, 1515 B'way (44th St.), 212-255-7300, www.genart.org; 7:30, $30.

Robert Beck Memorial Cinema pres. artist Paul Chan's video installation "Utopia & It's Discontents" feat. works incl. 2002's Happiness (Finally) After 35,000 Years of Civilization (After Henry Darger and Charles Fourier); Collective Unconscious, 145 Ludlow St. (betw. Stanton & Rivington Sts.), 212-254-5277; 9:30, $5.

"Third-Annual Brooklyn Jewish Film Festival: Artists & Activists" Bamcinématek's celebration of worldwide Jewish cinema continues w/director Avi Mograbi's 2002 Israeli documentary August: A Moment Before the Eruption, Hebrew w/English subtitles; BAM Rose Cinema, 30 Lafayette Ave. (Ashland Pl.), Ft. Greene, 718-777-FILM, www.bam.org; 8:40, see website for complete schedule, $10, $7 st., $6 s.c./child. under 12 [through 4/12].

"William Klein Film Retrospective" Begins w/director Klein's 1999 musical documentary Messiah, feat. Handel's masterpiece performed by Les Musiciens du Louvre & conductor Marc Minkowski, Texas inmates, a gay & lesbian chorus & a Harlem drug rehab gospel group; Florence Gould Hall French Institute, 55 E. 59th St. (betw. Madison & Park Aves), 212-355-6160; 12:30, 3:30, 6:30 & 9, $8, $6 st.

Lectures

"The Dancing Body: Reflection Of Race and Culture?" Lyricism of dancing bodies reveals cultures & experiences that words cannot express. Brenda Dixon Gottschild (The Black Dancing Body: A Geography form Coon to Cool) & choreographers Merian Soto & Ralph Lemon debate language carried by movement; New School University, 66 W. 12th St. (5th & 6th Aves.), 212-229-5488; 6, $5.

"Food and Fragrance: Why Were Spices Popular in the Middle Ages?" Europe's desire to vitalize cuisine w/exotic spices motivated "the first globalization of commerce," fueling conquistadors' colonial conquests. Learn why spices were captivating & how they symbolized wellness; Humanities and Social Sciences Library of the New York Public Library, 5th Ave. (42nd St.), 212-930-0803; 6, free.

"Narrative Sculpture and Sculptural Narratives In conjunction w/ Matthew Barney: The Cremaster Cycle, panelists discuss how modern art combines "aspects of narrative & fantasy" following abstraction of Minimalism; Guggenheim Museum Peter B. Lewis Theater, 1071 5th Ave. (89th St.), 212-423-3587; 6:30, $10.

"Television Criticism: A Roundtable |?P?erts discuss current programming, TV critic's role & ways to write "cogent & provocative" reviews. Panelists incl. Ken Tucker (Entertainment Weekly), Anita Gates (New York Times) & Sarah D. Bunting (TelevisionWithoutPity.com); Museum of Television & Radio, 25 W. 52nd St. (betw. 5th & 6th Aves.), 212-621-6600; 6:30-8:00, $15.

Readings

My Life in Heavy Metal, Dogwalker Steve Almond & Arthur Bradford, respectively, read; Housing Works Used Book Cafe, 126 Crosby St. (betw. Houston & Prince Sts.), 212-334-3324; 7, free.

Savor the Latino Poets Louis Ryes Rivera, Willie Perdomo & Naomi Ayala; Brooklyn Public Library, Grand Army Plaza, Flatbush Ave. (Prospect Park W.), 718-230-2100; 6:30, Free.

THURSDAY 4/10

Readings

Bump From Booklist: "Wagman is making something of a name for herself in the world of edgy fiction. Her first novel, Skin Deep (1997), was about a young woman's disturbing obsession with her physical appearance, while her second novel, Spontaneous (2000), addressed the phenomenon of spontaneous human combustion. Her newest book follows the lives of four total strangers whose paths have crossed after a three-car accident on an L.A. freeway"; Borders, 461 Park Ave. (57th St.), 212-980-6785; 7:30, free.