EVENTS WEDNESDAY 4/9 Around Town MBA’s ...

Around Town

MBA's For AIDS Research Fundraiser feat. eclectic mix of rock, reggae, fusion, r&b, dance & spoken word performances?all proceeds benefit the AIDS Research Alliance of America; Sofia's, 221 W. 46th St. (B'way), 212-719-5799; 7-11, $50 sugg. don..

Ringling Bros. & Barnum & Bailey 133rd Circus spectacular's last week at 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; 7:30, $12.50-$45.50 [repeats Sun. at 11, 3:30 & 8].

"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. & Mon. at 10:30 & 7:30, Sat. at 12, 4:30 & 8, Sun. at 12, 3:30 & 7].

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

"New York International Independent Film & Video Festival" screens over 300 features, premieres, shorts, documentaries & animations incl. Big Apple, Bitten, Play'd A Hip Hop Story, It Is What It Is & Drop Dead Roses by high profile & novice filmmakers?fest also feat. after-parties, seminars & lectures; Village East Cinemas, 181 2nd Ave. (12th St.), 212-777-7100, www.nyfilmvideo.com; see website for full schedule, free-$10 [repeats Thurs.-Sat.].

"Ninth-Annual Avignon/New York Film Festival" screens 17 American & French independent features vying for the "21st Century Filmmaker Awards." Today, director Martin Provost's Juliette's Belly (5:45 p.m.), director Zev Berman's Briar Patch (8) & director Virginie Wagon's Under My Eyes (10:15); the Screening Room, 54 Varick St. (Canal St.), 212-334-2100, www.avignonfilmfest.com; see website for full schedule, $9.50, $6 st./s.c. [repeats Thurs.-Sun.].

Okay "Modern Tales From the North: Denmark" pres. Jesper W. Nielsen's 2002 dramedy about a contemporary family whose life is far from okay, Danish w/English subtitles; Scandinavia House, 58 Park Ave. (betw. 37th & 38th Sts.), 212-879-9779; 6:30, $8.

"The People's Poetry Gathering Film Series" Week-long trib. to poetry & cinema begins w/directors Lars Movin & Niels Plenge new doc. Something Wonderful May Happen: The New York School Poets And Beyond (feat. appearance by Movin & Plenge on Sun.) & shorts Poem by Ernst Jandl (1989), directed by Eku Wand & 15th of February (1995), directed by Tim Webb; Pioneer Theater, 155 E. 3rd St. (Ave. A), 212-254-3300, www.peoplespoetry.org; 7, $9, $6.50 st./s.c. [repeats Thurs. at 7, Fri. at 7:45, Sat. at 8, Sun. & Tues. at 6, Mon. at 9:30].

"Third-Annual Brooklyn Jewish Film Festival: Artists & Activists" BAMcinématek's celebration of worldwide Jewish cinema pres. 30 films. Today, 2000 doc. Keep on Walking: Joshua Nelson, The Jewish Gospel Singer, feat. Black American Jew who combines Torah & gospel (4:30), director Dan Wolman's 2000 drama Foreign Sister, Hebrew w/English subtitles, followed by q&a w/Wolman (6:15) & director Nicholas Hytner's 1996 drama The Crucible, based on Arthur Miller's play (9:30); BAM Rose Cinema, 30 Lafayette Ave. (Ashland Pl.), Ft. Greene, 718-777-FILM, www.bam.org;, $10, $7 st., $6 s.c./child. under 12 [through 4/12].

Lectures

"Books for Breakfast" Continuing series pres. David Denby (Great Books: My Adventures with Homer, Rousseau, Woolf and Other Indestructible Writers of the Western World) discussing literary masters who influenced his life; Brooklyn Public Library, Grand Army Plaza, Flatbush Ave. (Prospect Park W.), 718-230-2100; 8:30-10, $20.

"Golden Age of Radio" Panel discusses radio's influence on American culture in the 1920's, race relations & how it sparked support for WWII; CUNY Grad Center, 365 5th Ave. (34th St.), 212-817-8215; 1:30-3, $15.

Readings

Lost in a Good Book Second installment of Jasper Fforde's new series starring literary detective Thursday Next; Barnes & Noble, 2289 B'way (82nd St.), 212-362-8835; 7:30, free.

No Place, Louisiana From Publishers Weekly: "Louisiana-born Pousson debuts with a tightly wound novel about a claustrophobic Cajun marriage"; Borders, 461 Park Ave. (57th St.), 212-980-6785; 7:30, free.

Homotext series "focuses on literary work by gay and lesbian writers, with an emphasis on writers of color." Tonight: Sharon Bridgeforth & James Scruggs; Housing Works Used Book Cafe, 126 Crosby St. (betw. Houston & Prince Sts.), 212-334-3324; 7.

The Interpreter "[Author] Suki Kim fractures the image of the happy Asian immigrant and reassembles it shard by compelling shard"; West Side YMCA, 5 W. 63rd St. (Central Park W.), 212-875-4124; 7, free.

"Melville as Poet: On War, At Sea, In Love" Reading to celebrate National Poetry Month; South Street Seaport, Melville Gallery, 213 Water St. (betw. Fulton & Beekman Sts.), 212-748-8735; 7.

Workshops

"Ancient Vitality Secrets of Radiant Youth" Free your mind! Learn vitalizing exercises to release yourself from habitual thinking & living. Activating internal energy awakens senses & purifies system; Joyous Life Center, 119 W. 23rd St. #700 (betw. 6th & 7th Aves.), 212-352-9910; 10 a.m., $10.

"Unorthodox Chant & Voice" Feel rhythms of the universe. Dha-Fusion founder Akim Ndlovu, teaches throat singing, African & Asian chants, guttural techniques & other self-generated sounds; Tribal Soundz, 340 E. 6th St. (1st & 2nd Aves.), 212-673-5992; 7-8:30, $15.

THURSDAY 4/10

Around Town

Access to Essential Medicines Expo Doctors Without Borders mobile exhibit parks at Columbia's Health Sciences campus & lets you meet aid workers, experience the global access to medicine crisis by spinning the "wheel of misfortune" & learn more about their work; Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, 722 W. 168th St. (Ft. Washington Ave.), 212-847-3146, www.doctorswithoutborders.org; 9:30-6, free [repeats Fri. & Sat.].

43rd-Annual New York Antiquarian Book Fair Gala Preview Sneak a peak at rare books, manuscripts, autographs, bound volumes, maps & modern firsts in all categories from over 180 international dealers at preview feat. wine, hors d'oeuvres & music; 7th Regiment Armory, Park Ave. (67th Sts.), 212-777-5218, www.sanfordsmith.com; 5-9, $45 incl. run-of-the-show adm.

Meet Mr. Met Bring a camera & have your photo taken w/NY icon & Mets' mascot Mr. Met?a giant baseball head wearing a tiny cap?in the store's MLB feature shop; Toys "R" Us, 1514 B'way (44th St.), 646-366-8855; 1-3, free.

Film/Video

Give Us Their Names Brooklyn/Manhattan War Resisters League pres. Tracy Gross' doc. highlighting the Brooklyn Metropolitan Detention Center's 2002 demonstrations protesting the secret detainment of Arab & Muslim immigrants?followed by discussion w/NYC Labor Against War's Michael Letwin; Community Book Store, 143 7th Ave. (betw. Carroll St. & Garfield Pl.), Park Slope, 718-768-7306; 6:45, free.

"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 ends this week w/director Wim Wenders' West German thriller The American Friend feat. Dennis Hopper, Bruno Gantz & cameo by Ray; MOMA's Gramercy Theater, 127 E. 23rd St. (betw. Lexington & Park Aves.), 212-708-9680; 8, $12.

Too Late to Apologize China Century Entertainment pres. 1995 story of Grandpa Shen who retires to his hometown from the city w/hopes of building a library, but is thwarted by local rascals, directed by Liang Husheng & Yu Ji?Mandarin w/English subtitles; Asian Cultural Center, 15 E. 40th St. ((betw. Madison & 5th Aves.)), 212-789-9098; 6:30, $10 don.

Lectures

"Sex, Lies and Field Notes: Katherine Rutledge and Easter Island Archaeology" Rutledge was the first to conduct archaeological surveys, researching statues & burial grounds. Jo Anne Van Tilburg, an expert on Easter Island statues & author of Among Giant Stones: The Life of Katherine Rutledge and Her Remarkable Expedition to Easter Island, shares her experience & archives; Explorers Club, 46 E. 70th St. (Madison & Park Aves.), 212-628-8383; 6:30-8:15, $15.

"Writing Lives: The Past and Future of Biography" Conference explores dynamics of life writing, its audience & differences encompassing all disciplines. Literary critics discuss Darwin, Sappo & Louis Armstrong; CUNY Grad Center, 365 5th Ave. (34th St.), 212-817-8215; 12:30-8:30, free.

Readings

The Brother of Jesus: The Dramatic Story & Meaning of the First Archaeological Link to Jesus & His Family From Publishers Weekly: "Last October, biblical archaeologists stunned the world with news that a limestone ossuary with the inscription 'James, son of Joseph, brother of Jesus' had surfaced in Palestine and may have once contained the bones of James, the early church leader and brother of Jesus of Nazareth"; St. Bartholomew's Church, 109 E. 50th St. (Park Ave.), 212-378-0248; 7:30.

Harold Bloom Tries to dodge lace panties while discussing his latest, Hamlet; Borders, 461 Park Ave. (57th St.), 212-980-6785; 6:30, free.

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.

In the Steps of Jane Austen Anne-Marie Edwards signs new edition of detailed look at the countryside (and its inhabitants) that influenced Austen's work; Rizzoli Books, 31 W. 57th St. (betw. 5th & 6th Aves.), 212-759-2424; 5:30.

Jim Knipfel The only writer out of NYPress' stable to ever appear on 60 Minutes?or anywhere else, for that matter?reads from his third book & first novel, The Buzzing (and to think we once had him working the phones?geesh!); Barnes & Noble, 267 7th Ave. (betw. 5th & 6th Sts.), Park Slope, 718-832-9066; 7:30, free.

Shackling Water From Library Journal: "This might be the best fictional work about jazz since James Baldwin's beautiful and soulful Sonny's Blues"; BookCourt, 163 Court St. (Dean St.), Bklyn, 718-875-3677; 7.

Tale of Genji New translation by Royall Tyler of 11th century Japanese epic; Barnes & Noble, 2289 B'way (82nd St.), 212-362-8835; 7:30, free.

Workshops

"Bridge Club" Playing this stimulating game doesn't mean you qualify for movie discounts or automatic residence in Boca Raton, it's gaining popularity among younger New Yorkers. Club welcomes all levels; 92nd St. Y, 1395 Lexington Ave. (92nd St.), 212-415-5500; 7-10, $15.

"The Six Secrets of Getting Published" Literary critic/writer reveals outstanding non-fiction ideas & how to find an agent; 92nd St. Y, 1395 Lexington Ave. (92nd St.), 212-415-5500; 7:30, $30.

FRIDAY 4/11

Around Town

Fast n' Fab Dinner Meet up w/the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender cycling club to discuss weekly rides & future vacations at monthly dinner; Saigon Grill, 620 Amsterdam Ave. (90th St.), 212-567-7160; 7, pay-what-you-eat.

"43rd-Annual New York Antiquarian Book Fair" Over 180 international dealers pres. fairy tale, African American, botanical, travel, poetry, art & fashion books incl. rare copies, manuscripts, autographs, bound volumes, maps & modern firsts?plus Sunday from 12-3 exhibitors will give free appraisals on up to five items for paid visitors; 7th Regiment Armory, Park Ave. (67th Sts.), 212-777-5218, www.sanfordsmith.com; 12-8, $15, $35 three-day pass [repeats Sat. 12-7, Sun. 12-5].

LEGO Master Model Builders Help?or just watch in awe?builders construct a 13-foot model of Harry Potter grounds keeper Hagrid from 100,000 Lego bricks over three days; Toys "R" Us, 1514 B'way (44th St.), 646-366-8800; 10-6, free [repeats Sat. 10-6, Sun. 11-8].

"The Women's Mosaic Swanky Spring Soiree" Non-profit's spring fundraiser feat. wine & Absolut open bar (7-9), hors d'oeuvres, music by DJ Winston & plenty of socializing w/men & women interested in promoting "intercultural understanding & personal growth"; 203 Spring Street, 203 Spring Street (Sullivan St.), 917-816-0834, www.thewomensmosaic.org; 7-10, $65, $55 adv.

Film/Video

"The Middle of the World" Series celebrates classic & contemporary Swiss ?it's good to be neutral?cinema w/director Patricia Plattner's 2002 dramedy Les Petites Couleurs, French w/English subtitles (1 & 7, repeats Sun. at 8:40), Miklós Gimes' 2002 exploration of "his parents' relationship and the legacy of their politics" Mutter (9:15, repeats Sat. at 7)?plus Valerien Schmidely & Hans Trommer's 1941 classic Romeo and Juliet in the Village, both German w/English subtitles (3); Walter Reade Theater, Lincoln Center, 165 W. 65th St. (B'way), 212-875-5600;, $9.50, $7 st., $4.50 s.c. Mon.-Fri. before 6 [through 5/1].

American Psycho Christian Bale suppresses the accent to play Wall Street trader gone psycho-killer-qu'est-que-c'est in Mary Harron's 2000 thriller, also starring Samantha Mathis, Reese Witherspoon, Jared Leto & Willem Dafoe?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.].

Spring Symphony Writer/director Peter Schamoni's 1983 romantic drama about "self-destructive musical genius" Robert Schumann's (Herbert Grönemeyer) love for young piano prodigy Clara (Nastassja Kinski); NYU Deutsches Haus, 42 Washington Mews (University Pl.), 212-998-8663; 6:30, free.

Readings

Family History Dani Shapiro reads; Barnes & Noble, 2289 B'way (82nd St.), 212-362-8835; 7:30, free.

People's Poetry Gathering kicks off today at Bowery Poetry Club & continues tonight, Sat. & Sun. w/different events at various venues around town; Bowery Poetry Club, 308 Bowery (betw. 1st Ave. & Bleecker St.), 212-614-0505, www.peoplespoetry.org; call for times & prices.

SATURDAY 4/12

Around Town

Billion Dollar Babes Sale of mens & womens contemporary & couture samples from more than 40 designers incl. Diane Von Furstenberg, Miss Sixty, YA-YA & Tracy Reese?proceeds benefit Dress for Success; Metropolitan Pavillion, 110 W. 19th St. (betw. 6th & 7th Aves.), 212-591-1491, www.billiondollarbabes.com; 8-6, free.

"The Fed Bash IV" Scotty the Blue Bunny hosts fundraiser feat. go-go goddesses Ms. Tickle, Lady Ace & Amber Ray, s&m enthusiasts Conversio Virium, music by Vinyl Theory, Indian dancing from Taal, art & video installations & CKY's havoc?proceeds benefit student satirist paper the Fed; Alfred Lerner Hall, Columbia University, 2920 B'way (betw. 114th & 115th Sts.), 212-280-4180; 8, $5.

"Fourth-Annual World Tai Chi-Qigong Day" Tai chi instructor Richard Jesaitis leads gathering of Tai Chi & Qigong practitioners performing mass demos & leading exercises "to promote world cooperation & health & to reduce stress"; East Meadow, Central Park, 5th Ave. (betw. 97th & 99th Sts.), 646-698-3375, www.classicalyangtaichi.com; 10, free.

Stan Brakhage Memorial Benefit Screenings & Sonic Youth Concert Film all week and "chamber concert" tonight to assist family w/medical bills. (P.S. Vote for candidates who support a national health care plan!); Anthology Film Archives, 32 2nd Ave. (2nd St.), 212-505-5181; 9, $50.

"13th-Annual Upper Broadway Spring Celebration" Broadway Mall Assoc. celebrates 29 years of progress w/festival feat. wares from over 400 artist, craftpersons & antique dealers, 28 food stalls & community exhibits; B'way(betw. 110th & 118th Sts.), 212-764-6330; 11-6, free.

Film/Video

Mr. Freedom Director William Klein's 1969 comedy about pro-American super hero, Mr. Freedom, who heads to France to battle communism but ends up destroying the country when they fail to accept him?in French & English; Ocularis at Galapagos, 70 N. 6th St. (betw. Wythe & Kent Aves.), Williamsburg, 718-388-8713; 7, $5.

Star Trek Entire movie saga in chronological order plays weekly. Series continues w/director Jonathan Frakes' Star Trek: First Contact (1996), Captain Picard & crew go back in time to battle the Borg; Pioneer Theater, 155 E. 3rd St. (Ave. A), 212-254-3300; 2, $8.50, $6 st./s.c. [through 5/3].

"The West in Black & White" Director Raoul Walsh's 1949 western Colorado Territory, based on the novel High Sierra about an outlaw sprung to pull one last bank robbery?starring Joel McCrea, Virginia Mayo, Dorothy Malone & James Mitchell; YWCA, 610 Lexington Ave. (53rd St.), 212-735-9717; 4:30, $7 [repeats Sun.].

Lectures

"The East Village and the Formation of Queer Identity" Roundtable discussion reminisces on 80s East Village art scene, examining creations of queer identities, postmodern performance strategies & AIDS' volatile effect on the community. Panel incl. Carlo McCormick (Paper Senior Editor); New School University, 66 W. 12th St. (5th & 6th Aves.), 212-229-5488; 10:30-12:00, $5.

SUNDAY 4/13

Around Town

Bowery Ball New Museum of Contemporary Art celebrates their future move to huge new downtown facility w/ball honoring arts patron Jan Cowles & collector Eugenio Lopez feat. cocktails, dinner, dancing & live auction of contemporary art works from Lawrence Beck, Jeremy Blake, Cecily Brown, Julian LaVerdiere & James Rosenquist; Capitale, 130 Bowery (betw. Broome & Grand Sts.), 212-219-1222 x223; 7, $500.

Iwe Chillax, doodle or boardgame (chess, dominoes & scrabble), as Iwe (April Koester & Robert Boston) produce Sunday tunes on laptop & keyboard, respectively; Office Ops, 57 Thames St., 2nd fl. (betw. Morgan Ave. & Vandervoort Pl.), Williamsburg, 718-418-2509; 4 p.m., free.

Passover Presents Calling volunteers of all ages to deliver well wishes & packages w/traditional Passover food to elderly East & Upper West Side residents, when DOROT celebrates house warming feat. ribbon cutting to inaugurate their new building (10:30); DOROT Headquarters, 17 W. 85th St. (Amsterdam Ave.), 917-441-5072, www.dorotusa.org; 10 a.m. orientation, free.

Film/Video

"An Evening With Abel Ferrara" Director Ferrara (King of New York) screens his 1992 crime drama Bad Lieutenant & student films, answers questions & might even play a tune or two; Arlene Grocery, 95 Stanton St. (betw. Ludlow & Orchard Sts.), 212-358-1633; 8, free.

"How To Be A Jewish Son" Screening & discussion of 1970's The David Susskind Show episode feat. Mel Brooks, Larry Goldberg, Dan Greenberg, Stan Herman, George Segal & David Steinberg kvetching about how their mothers shaped their lives & comedy, preceded by audio excerpts from Gertrude Berg's 1964 LP How To Be a Jewish Mother; Jewish Museum, 1109 5th Ave. (92nd St.), 212-423-3200; 3, $12, $10 st./s.c.

"Jem Cohen: Recent Work" Director Cohen introduces two documentaries incl. 2000's Benjamin Smoke, starring "Atlanta-based speed freak, drag queen, and underground music legend" Benjamin Dickerson (4 p.m.) & 1998's Instrument about political hardcore band Fugazi (6); MOMA's Gramercy Theater, 127 E. 23rd St. (betw. Lexington & Park Aves.), 212-777-4900, www.ticketweb.com; 4, $6, $4.25 st./s.c.

"The Silent Clowns Film Series" pres. "Our Gang: The Early Years," screening silent pre-Little Rascals comedies incl. 1922's tinted Kodascope print of Fire Fighters & 1923's Backstage, The Dogs of War & Derby Day feat. piano accompaniment by Ben Model; the Little Theater at the West Side YMCA, 5 W. 63rd St. (Central Park W.), 212-969-0968; 2, $8, $5 s.c./child. under 12.

Readings

KGB Fiction Series This week: John Haskell (I Am Not Jackson Pollock) & Marc Nesbitt (Gigantic); KGB, 85 E. 4th St. (betw. 2nd & 3rd Aves.), 212-505-3360; 7, free.

Workshops

"The Food-Mood Connection" If you eat like a skank, chances are you'll feel like one! Learn why what you consume influences your attitude & about food's relationship to mood & energy; Joyous Life Center, 119 W. 23rd St. #700 (betw. 6th & 7th Aves.), 212-352-9910; 12-1:30, $15.

MONDAY 4/14

Around Town

Passover "Pre-Sedar" Program Israel America Foundation pres. glatt kosher sedar two days before Passover officially begins feat. full course meal, wine, special hagaddah & service leader Rabbi Paul Levenson w/Dave Gordon?proceeds benefit Israel's Clalit Health Services; Workmen's Circle Bldg., 45 E. 33rd St. (betw. Madison Ave. & Park Ave. S.), 212-869-9477; 1:30, $35.

P.S. 41 April Auction Auctioneer William J. Roland (Roland Antiques) takes bids on art works from artists incl. Jeff Koons & Peter Max, antiques, weekend getaways, gym memberships, pedigreed puppies, furniture & tasting parties at benefit feat. buffet, wine bar & live music?proceeds benefit children of P.S. 41; City Stage, 435 W. 19th St. (betw. 9th & 10th Aves.), 212-929-2645; 7-10, $25, $20 adv.

Film/Video

"The Baron of Blood: Mario Bava" Nine films screen during two-month retrospective on Italian horror filmmaker. Series continues w/one of Bava's fave flicks, 1963's Black Sabbath, starring Boris Karloff & feat. three tales based on short stories by Howard Snyder, Alexei Tolstoy & Anton Chekhov?Italian w/English subtitles; BAM Rose Cinema, 30 Lafayette Ave. (Ashland Pl.), Ft. Greene, 718-636-4100, 718-777-FILM; 4:30, 6:50 & 9:10, $10, $7 st., $6 s.c. [through 4/28].

"The Den of Very Silly Movies" screens Stanley Kubrick's first feature Fear & Desire (1953), an embarrassing war drama about soldiers caught behind enemy lines?obviously filmed in a park?plus Jules White's 1949 Three Stooges short Malice in the Palace; Two Boots Den of Cin, 44 Ave. A (3rd St.), 212-254-0800; 8, $5 [through 4/28].

Lectures

"Herpes Support Meeting" Dr. Mark Lebwohl discusses herpes research, recent treatments & prevention; Mt. Sinai Medical Center, E. Building, 1425 Madison Ave. (98th St.), 212-628-9154; 7:30, free.

"Paul Poiret: Firebird of Fashion" Poiret's startling innovations in women's dress influenced Chanel's liberated style. Costume historian June Weir examines the flamboyant designer's career.; Beaux Arts Alliance, 119 E. 74th St. (Park Ave.), 212-639-9120; 6:30, $25.

Readings

Paper Son: One Man's Story NYU celebrates don. of personal papers & unpublished writing belonging to Wing Fong Chin & Tung Pok Chin w/reading by their daughter; NYU's Bobst Library, 70 Washington Sq. S. (betw. University Pl. & W. B'way), 212-998-2520; 5.

Gail Godwin Author of Evensong reads from her latest?Evenings at Five; Barnes & Noble, 240 E. 86th St. (betw. 2nd & 3rd Aves.), 212-794-1962; 7, free.

Rational Mysticism: Dispatches From the Border Between Science and Spirituality Author Robert Thurman says he makes no judgements, just offers the facts; Leonard Nimoy Thalia, Peter Norton Symphony Space, 2537 B'way (95th St.), 212-864-5400; call for times & prices.

Workshops

"Acting Class" No censors allowed! Company members invite you to unleash your creative whims & audition for future productions; Collective Unconscious, 145 Ludlow St. (betw. Stanton & Rivington Sts.), 212-254-5277; 7:30-10:30, $5.

"Fresco Painting" Learn techniques that Renaissance masters Michelangelo & Raphael used at this hands-on demonstration; Educational Alliance, 197 E. B'way (Jefferson & Clinton Sts.), 212-780-2300; 6:30-9:30, $5.

TUESDAY 4/15

Around Town

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 Soho, 561 B'way (betw. Prince & Spring Sts.), 212-941-9816; 6 p.m., free.

SHHH Meeting Manhattan chapter of Self Help for Hard of Hearing people (aka SHHH)?plus speakers Anne Pope & Joe Gordon?discusses issues affecting people w/hearing loss; League for the Hard of Hearing, 71 W. 23rd St., 18th fl. (betw. 5th & 6th Aves.), 718-350-3203; 5:30-7, free.

Tuesday Night Trivia It's probably not as much fun as watching Anna Nicole Smith reruns, 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

Robert Beck Memorial Cinema pres. "Fuck Taxes, Watch Abstract Handmade Movies" & that's exactly what you're gonna get. DIY films made by Sandra Gibson, Luis Recoder, Jo Dery & Devon Damonte?or edit your own loop; Collective Unconscious, 145 Ludlow St. (betw. Stanton & Rivington Sts.), 212-254-5277; 9:30, $5.

"William Klein Film Retrospective" Continues w/director Klein's directorial debut, 1958 short Broadway By Light, which Orson Welles called "the first film in which color is absolutely necessary" & 1966 b&w comedic stab at the fashion world Who Are You Polly Magoo, 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, $6 st.

Readings

Bay of Souls From Booklist: "Stone's seven novels seem very different on the surface, but they share a common theme: characters losing hold of their moorings. It may happen in Jerusalem (Damascus Gate), or on the open sea (Outerbridge Reach), or in Central America (A Flag for Sunrise)?all settings where it's easy enough to become unhinged?but the process by which Stone's people self-destruct is finally an internal one"; Union Sq. Barnes & Noble, 33 E. 17th St. (betw. B'way & Park Ave. S.), 212-253-0810; 6, free.

Important Things That Don't Matter From Publishers Weekly: "Amsden's solid but unremarkable debut novel visits familiar coming-of-age landmarks as it tells the story of a boy growing up with divorced parents"; Village Barnes & Noble, 4 Astor Pl. (betw. Lafayette St. & B'way), 212-420-1322; 7:30, free.

Lost Over Laos Richard Pyle & Russell Burrows discuss "the quest to determine how four top combat photographers lost their lives"; Barnes & Noble, 2289 B'way (82nd St.), 212-362-8835; 7:30, free.

Workshops

"Pandeiro" Multi-level class teaches Brazilian tambourine basics & contemporary rhythms. Instruments will be provided; Tribal Soundz, 340 E. 6th St. (1st & 2nd Aves.), 212-673-5992; 7-8:30, $15.

"Photoshop Illustration Techniques" Seminar reveals more "illustrative" uses of Photoshop to design graphics. Topics also incl. masking, fill layers, gradients & patterns. Course is created for people familiar w/design software; Noble Desktop, 594 B'way (Houston & Spring Sts. ), 212-226-4149; 3-4 & 6-7, free.