Are You suprised ? WEDNESDAY 9/18 Around Town Feast of ...

Around Town

Feast of San Gennaro We can't all be Sopranos, but we can party like them at the 75th-annual celebration honoring the Patron Saint of Naples. Feat. games, excitement & plenty of red, white & green?plus musical events at 7 p.m. incl. live WCBS-FM broadcast from Cousin Brucie (9/18); the Turcels (9/19); Reminisce (9/20) & Heart and Soul (9/22); feast performance stage, Grand St. (Baxter St.), 212-768-9320, www.sangennaro.org; 11:30 a.m.-11:30 p.m., free [repeats Thurs.-Sun.].

The Great Recipe Swap Roundtable of food professionals meet for interactive sharing of ideas & recipes. Bring a copy of your own recipe & pull up a chair; Tangine Dining Gallery, 537 9th Ave. (40th St.), RSVP 212-252-3762; 6, $40 incl. three-course dinner w/wine.

Wednesday Night Skate Avoid the crowds?skate after dark! NY recreational skate group moves in giant swarm through Central Park, Union Square, across Brooklyn Bridge & more; meet at Union Sq. N. (17th St.), 212-696-7247; 8, free.

Wine & Food Tasting Astor Wines & Spirits hosts wine & food tasting of seven different tapas, focusing on garlicky & salty foods, served w/traditional matching wines & new alternatives; Sala, 344 Bowery (Great Jones St.), 212-674-7500 x15; 6-8, $40.

Family

"ARTifacts: Kids Respond to a World in Crisis" Memorial exhibition feat. 75 works incl. drawings, photos & musical recordings created by tri-state area students in reaction to the events of September 11th; the Center for Arts Education Gallery; 180 Maiden La. (Front St.), 212-971-3300; 9-5, free [repeats Thurs.-Fri., Mon.-Tues., through 12/31].

The New York Story Exchange Barbara Aliprantis, author of Down by the Riversid e, reads from her story about the ancient art of storytelling through family stories & folklore; South Street Seaport Museum, 207 Front St. (Fulton St.), 212-748-8735; 6:30, free.

Film/Video

"Depression Funnies: Comedies from the Early 30s" Month-long series tackles the one topic upon which men & women will never agree?Duck Soup, starring the Post's Jared Paul Stern as Zeppo Marx; St. Agnes Library, 444 Amsterdam Ave. (betw. 81st & 82nd Sts.), 212-877-4380; 2, free [through 9/25].

The New York Independent International Film & Video Festival Annual showcase of feature-length movies, animations, shorts & documentaries kicks off w/opening night gala of film, fashion & art; Madison Square Garden, 7th Ave. (32nd St.), 212-777-7100, www.nyfilmvideo.com for sched., 7 p.m.-12 a.m., $20 [through 9/27].

"William Wyler" 35 mm classics from the studio era, incl. The Little Foxes, Roman Holiday, The Best Years of Our Lives & Dead End, screen over the next four weeks for the 100th anniversary of this Hollywood director; Film Forum, 209 W. Houston St. (Varick St.), 212-727-8110; call for sched. & prices [through 10/10].

Lectures

Drawing a Conclusion by Jeffrey Kipnis, Curator of Architecture and Design, Wexner Center for the Arts at the Ohio State University?reception to follow; MOMA, 787 7th Ave. (51st St.), 212-554-4818; 5:30-8.

Readings

The Bitter End: Hanging Out at America's Nightclub Now owners Paul Colby & Martin Fitzpatrick tell what Woody ate, Neil threw & Carly kissed (!); Barnes & Noble, 396 6th Ave. (W. 8th St.), 212-674-8780; 7:30, free.

Empire of Dreams & Miracles Proof someone still cares about the art of the title from Phobos Science Fiction Anthology, edited by Orson Scott Card & Keith Olexa; Barnes & Noble, 160 E. 54th St. (3rd Ave.), 212-750-8033; 12:30, free.

Fantastic Fiction pres. Richard A Lupoff (illustrated history of mass-market publishing The Great American Paperback) & Michael Swanwick (The Iron Dragon's Daughter & Bones of the Earth about?yes?dinosaurs & time travel!); KGB, 85 E. 4th St. (betw. 2nd & 3rd Aves.), 212-505-3360; 7, free.

In Search of America Peter Jennings & Todd Brewster appear to promote their exercise in relating modern day stories to morals of the founding fathers; Union Sq. Barnes & Noble, 33 E. 17th St. (betw. B'way & Park Ave. S.), 212-253-0810; 8, free.

On the Road with Bob Dylan: Rolling with the Thunder Larry Sloman reads at New York's real Filthy McNasty's; Rocky Sullivan's, 129 Lexington Ave. (betw. 28th & 29th Sts.), 212-725-3871; 8, free.

Street Boys From Booklist: "[Lorenzo] Carcaterra dramatizes a story he heard many times growing up about a real-life band of Italian children, orphaned by the Nazi invasion, who refused to leave their beloved Naples"; Lincoln Triangle Barnes & Noble, 1972 B'way (66th St.), 212-595-6859; 7, free.

Strong of Heart: Life and Death in the Fire Department of New York Thomas Von Essen appears tonight at 92nd St. Y, 1395 Lexington Ave. (92nd St.), 212-415-5500; 8.

Workshops

Adobe Illustrator 10 Upgrade Learn what new tools, warping, enveloping, symbols & web features have changed since version 9; Noble Desktop, 594 B'way (betw. Prince & Houston Sts.), 212-226-4149, nobledesktop.com/seminar.cfm to sign up; 2:30-4:30 or 6-8 p.m., free.

Cooking 101: The Course for Absolute Beginners If you can barely manage instant coffee then this relaxed, fun-filled three-day course on basic cooking equipment, menu planning & knife skills is for you; the Institute of Culinary Education, 50 W. 23rd St. (betw. 5th & 6th Aves.), 212-847-0700; 10-1, $285 [continues Thurs. & Fri.].

Elements of Nature Drawing Free lunchtime instruction in pencil, charcoal, watercolor & pastel; Battery Park City, Robert F. Wagner, Jr. Park, Battery Pl. (W. Side Hwy.), 212-267-9700; 11:30-1:30 [through 10/30].

Healing and Health Through Play and Laughter Professional clown/certified laughter leader Marilyn Galfin teaches playtime workshop for adults on understanding how laughter can stimulate your immune system & much more?-must present photo ID; McBurney YMCA, Robert Ross room, 215 W. 23rd St. (betw. 7th & 8th Aves.), 212-410-0613; 7-8:30, $20.

Health Issues Anonymous Twelve-step program for those living w/health concerns; St. Luke's, Roosevelt Center, 324 W. 108th St. (betw. B'way & Riverside Dr.), 212-362-7214; 5:30, free.

JCC Art Studios & New York Writers' Workshop Open House Meet program directors & teachers, visit the studios & find the class that is right for you; Samuel Priest Rose Bldg., 334 Amsterdam Ave. (76th St.), 646-505-5700; 6:30-8:30, free.

THURSDAY 9/19

Around Town

Back-to-School Benefit International Center of Photography's inaugural event honoring talented alumni photographers feat. outdoor slides, DJs & dancing, Sephora makeovers, portrait sessions & food?plus wine & cheese tastings; ICP School & Grace Plaza, 1114 6th Ave. (43rd St.), 212-857-0039; 7-10:30, $50.

Harvest in the Square Meet the chefs, sample delicious dishes & sip on wines, brews & hot beverages from 44 Union Square area restaurants incl. Gotham Bar & Grill, City Bakery & Heartland Brewery?VIP package incl. early admission, no lines & champagne reception; Union Sq. Park, North Plaza (betw. 14th & 17th Sts.), VIP: 212-460-1208, 6-10, $350; 212-239-6200, 7:30-10, $85, $70 adv.

A Movable Feast The New Yorker celebrates its first-ever food issue w/tasting dishes made by top chefs, incl. Aquavit's Tomas Bengtsson, Zarela's Zarela Martinez & Tabla's Susan David, all inspired by their favorite books; Boylan Studios, Starrett Lehigh Bldg., 601 W. 26th St. (11th Ave.), 212-286-5326; 7-9, $75.

Southbridge Towers Community Yard Sale Discover knickknacks & buried treasures at bargain prices; Southbridge Towers courtyard (betw. Pearl & Fulton Sts.), 212-285-1256; 10-6, free [repeats Fri. & Sat.].

Family

Afternoon Chess Teens who haven't succumbed to the allure of Grand Theft Auto 3 can learn strategy in a more constructive way Thursday afternoons through the end of October. Chess in the park is free & lessons are also available Mondays for a $56 fee; Nelson A. Rockefeller Park (Chambers St.), 212-267-9700; 3:30-5:30.

Film/Video

"David Bowie: Sound + Vision" Five-part screening celebrates 30th anniversary of The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust & the Spiders from Mars. We're currently on episode five, which incl. "Jump They Say!" & "Little Wonder" videos; Museum of Television & Radio, 25 W. 52nd St. (betw. 5th & 6th Aves.), 212-621-6800; 6, $6 [repeats Fri. at 7, Sat. & Sun. at 4, Tues. at 2, through 9/29].

"Directors from the Edge" showcases careers of the five influential Nordic directors making films. Today, 66 Scenes From America (1981) by Jorgen Leth, the Danish Andy Warhol (all films in English or subtitled in English); Scandinavia House, 58 Park Ave. (37th St.), 212-879-9779; 6:30, $8 [through 12/18].

"The Films of Jacques Becker" Nine-film retrospective for eclectic director Jacques Becker (1906-1960) continues today w/Edouard et Caroline (1951); BAM Rose Cinemas, 30 Lafayette Ave. (Ashland Pl.), Ft. Greene, 718-636-4100; 4:30, 6:50, 9:10, $9 [through 9/29].

The New York Independent International Film & Video Festival Annual showcase boasting 350 feature-length movies, animations, shorts & documentaries kicks off today. Highlights incl. Kings of Brooklyn; God Has a Rapsheet directed by Kamal (formerly of the Jerky Boys); Love Her Madly based on a Jim Morrison story; and, Temptation, story about two p.c. pornographers; Village East Cinemas, 181 2nd Ave. (12th St.), Clearview Cinema, 239 E. 59th St. (betw. 2nd & 3rd Aves.), 212-777-7100 or www.nyfilmvideo.com for sched., $10 [continues daily, through 9/27].

Siddhartha Newly restored print of Conrad Rooks' 1972 film from the novel by Hermann Hesse begins screening today (hey, it beats the shit out of Little Buddha); Anthology Film Archives, 32 2nd Ave. (2nd St.), 212-505-5181; call for times [through 9/29].

Lectures

"Arts and Letters" Historian and former Ringling Brothers & Barnum & Bailey Circus clown David Carlyon reads from & signs his fascinating new biography, Dan Rice: the Most Famous Man You Never Heard Of; Melville Gallery, 213 Water St. (betw. Fulton & Beekman Sts.), 212-748-8735; 6:30, $3 contrib.

Metropolitan Opera Lecture Series Soprano Mirella Freni, one of the premier voices of our time, talks about her career and art w/Bridget Paolucci; Kaplan Penthouse, Lincoln Center, B'way, 10th fl. (65th St.), 212-769-7028; 6:15-7:45, $15.

September 11th: Religious Perspectives on the Causes and Consequences Panel discussion on 12 compelling articles, written by Hartford Seminary faculty, that offer a variety of perspectives on the background, causes & continuing repercussions of the terrorist attacks; CRI at St. Bartholomew's Church, 109 E. 50th St. (betw. Park Ave. S. & Lexington Ave.), 212-378-0222, free.

Readings

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Apt, 3W Gabriel Brownstein reads today at Three Lives & Co., 154 W. 10th St. (Waverly Pl.), 212-741-2069; 7:30, free.

Kim Deitch has been one of the heroes among underground comics artists since that genre exploded in the 60s?but you probably know him best for Waldo. He's celebrating a new book, Boulevard of Broken Dreams, w/screenings of the vintage cartoons his work evokes; the Little Theater at the West Side YMCA, 5 W. 63rd St. (betw. Central Park W. & B'way), 212-875-4128; 7, free.

Emma Donoghue Slamerkin scribe shares new collection of shorts, The Woman Who Gave Birth to Rabbits, the majority of which occur on the emerald isle during the 17th & 18th centuries; NYU's Ireland House, 1 Washington Mews (Washington Sq. N.), 212-998-3950; 7.

Thomas Harrison, Esq. hosts monthly poetry salon in its 10th season at 153 W. 21st St. (betw 6th & 7th Aves.), 212-989-5950; 8, $5 don.

Jump the Shark Jon Hein appears, no doubt, no doubt, to discuss the nature of dignity as well as the epic, archetypal qualities his website has realized, thereby justifying the two hardcovers on either side of this otherwise completely unnecessary journey into pop culture; Chelsea Barnes & Noble, 675 6th Ave. (21st St.), 212-727-1227; 7, free.

The Rival Queens Restoration London portrayed in this bodice-ripping historical mystery, the sequel to Unnatural Fire; Partners & Crime, 44 Greenwich Ave. (Charles St.), 212-243-0440; 7, free.

Workshops

Axxess Business Center Seminar Join a support group to learn about "Taking Your Business to the Next Level"; 128 Chambers St. (betw. Hudson & Greenwich Sts.), 212-566-7734; 8:30 a.m., $55, $50 adv.

Discovering Your Own Voice: A Poetry Workshop Eight-part series on making your work stand out begins today at Makor, 35 W. 67th St. (betw. Central Park W. & Columbus Ave.), 212-601-1000; 7-8:30, $160 [every Thurs. through 11/7].

Speaking Frankly Series of four mini-classes taught by Dr. Ruth on love, sex, family & health. Classes can be taken individually or as a series; NYU's School of Continuing & Professional Studies, 7 E. 12th St. (betw. 5th Ave. & University Pl.), 212-998-7070; 2, $100/class, $355/series.

FRIDAY 9/20

Around Town

Arm Wrestling Qualifier Still wish to fulfill Stallone's Over The Top arm wrestling antics? Here's your chance! GNC Pro Performance invites men & women w/big-ass biceps to arm wrestle for cash prizes & the chance to compete at the National Arm Wrestling Championships; Mac Menamin's, South St. Seaport, Pier 17 Pavilion, South St. (Fulton St.), 212-714-1280 x345; 6-10 p.m., free.

Full Moon Ritual Celebrate the moon w/Steve Jones feat. light, fire, live music & poetry?bring a moon poem or story; 6th & B Garden, 6th St. (Ave. B), 212-982-5673; 8-10, free.

MAS Walking Tour Architectural historian Francis Morrone leads stroll through historical Murray Hill while offering tips on the lovely streets & buildings around Park Ave., Grand Central & the Morgan Library; Grand Central Terminal, meet at Track 29 entrance, 212-439-1049; 11 a.m., $12.

Organic Vegetarian Cooking Event Can't boil water?not a problem at holistic health counselor Alok's cooking class, which incl. easy-to-follow take-home recipe, dinner & music by Italian singer/songwriter Irene Mastrangeli; Alok Holistic Health, 224 E. 7th St., #13 (betw. Aves. B & C), res. req. 212-388-1516; 6:45, $35 [repeats Tues.].

Second-Annual New York City Pen Show 200 exhibitors buy, sell & trade new & vintage pens & accessories. Toss out your BICs & Papermates & replace them w/fountain pens that cost more than a new SUV!?plus there's pen & ink giveaways, free Pen World magazines & an appearance by Krone Pens owner Robert Kronenberg; NY Helmsley Hotel, 215 E. 42nd St. (3rd Ave.), 212-490-8900; 12-6, $10, free 12 & under w/adult [repeats Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-5].

Stars, Stripes & Skates Olympic skating stars Nancy Kerrigan, Timothy Goebel, Viktor Petrenko & Surya Bonaly strut their stuff to raise funds for the Coalition of 9/11 Families; Madison Sq. Garden, 2 Penn Plaza (32nd St.), 212-307-7171; 8, $10-$75.

Film/Video

"Friday Night at the Movies: New York on Film" Tonight, Skyscraper Souls (1932). IMDB declares, "Aspirations and lives of several people working at the gigantic Seacoast National Bank Building interweave in various plots during this pre-code delight"; New-York Historical Society, 2 W. 77th St. (Central Park W.), 212-873-3400; 6:30.

Skins, adapted from the Adrian C. Louis novel about two brothers growing up & eventually apart, on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota, premieres at National Museum of the American Indian, 1 Bowling Green (Whitehall St.), 212-514-3700; 6, free.

Lectures

"Arts and Letters" Author & Connecticut Post columnist Lenore Skomal reads from & signs her intelligent biography The Keeper of the Rock: The Remarkable True Story of Ida Z. Lewis, America's Most Celebrated Lighthouse Keeper; 213 Water St. (betw. Fulton & Beekman Sts.), 212-748-8735; 6:30, $3 contrib.

Readings

Detectives on Everest Jochen Hemmleb, who was part of the team that discovered the body of George Mallory (who disappeared in 1924 trying to reach the summit), attempts to answer questions Ghosts of Everest left behind; the Explorers Club, 46 E. 70th St. (Madison Ave.), 212-628-8383; 7.

The Tuli Show Teach Yourself Fucking, 1001 Ways to Live Without Working author/"the funny bone of the Fugs" reads at Bowery Poetry Club, 308 Bowery (betw. Bleecker & Houston St.), 212-614-3040; 7, $5.

Workshops

Tai Chi Battery Park City hosts free weekly class at Esplanade Plaza, Liberty St. Bridge (Church St.), 212-267-9700; 8:30 a.m., free.

SATURDAY 9/21

Around Town

Autumn on Fifth Avenue Brooklyn shows how bomb a borough can be w/day-long celebration feat. in-store deals, face-painting (Lulu's Cuts & Toys, 2-4), storytelling (Go Fish, 11), food & wine tastings (Bierkraft, 2-4), music, tarot readings (Nancy Nancy, 12-4), raffle drawing (Red, White & Bubbly, 4:30) & special promos at restaurants & shops adorned w/red balloons incl. Kimera & Diana Kane?plus pick up the free new 5th Ave. map; Fifth Ave. (betw. Flatbush Ave. & 14th St.), Park Slope; 11 a.m.

The New York City Record & CD Collectors Expo New, used & collectable CDs, LPs & tapes in all genres?first 100 customers receive free CD; Embassy Ballrooms, Holiday Inn, 440 W. 57th St. (betw. 9th & 10th Aves.), 973-773-6067; 10-4, $6.

Second-Annual Harlem Renaissance Farmers Market Harlem Renaissance Economic Development Corp. pres. flowers, handcrafted soaps & local farm-fresh produce?plus music to shop by; Lenox Ave. & Malcolm X. Blvd. (betw. 111th & 112th Sts.), 212-932-2141; 8 a.m.-4 p.m., free [through 12/20].

Steuben Parade Magicians Siegfried & Roy lead 45th-annual German-American (w/25 percent, the largest American ethnic group) parade along 5th Ave. w/prominent New Yorkers Mayor Mike & Gov. Pataki; 5th Ave. (betw. 63rd & 86th Sts.); 12-2, free.

Walk & International Coastal Cleanup Join Take a Walk, New York! for healthy jaunt to Plumb Beach while collecting & recording marine debris. Participants receive Chase volunteer t-shirt!; meet outside at Sheepshead Bay Road Station off Q train, www.WalkNY.org, 212-379-8339; 9:30, free.

Family

"Be a Bee" Ever wonder what it would be like to be a bee? Today you can find out as you help build hives, use your wings, antennae & buzz around the flowers at Kerlin Learning Center, Wave Hill, W. 249th St. (Independence Ave.), 718-549-3200; 1-4, $4, $2 st./s.c. [repeats Sun.].

Fall into Fun Go fishing, learn how to fix your own bike, take a bird walk, enjoy a family performance; Robert F. Wagner, Jr. Park, Battery Park City (Battery Place & W. Side Hwy.), 212-267-9700; 10-3:30, free.

Honey Sampler Have a taste of the various types of honey produced by bees. "Compare the rich, molasses-like flavor or buckwheat honey with the light but complex wildflower honey made by Wave Hill bees"; Wave Hill, W. 249th St. (Independence Ave.), 718-549-3200; 2, $4, $2 st./s.c.

The Little Red Lighthouse Festival James Earl Jones, Dr. Ruth & Carol Higgins Clark read excerpts from The Little Red Lighthouse & the Great Gray Bridge. Day-long event incl. making crafts, swimming, hayrides, boat rides & much more; Fort Washington Park, Riverside Dr., Hudson River (betw. 155th & 179th Sts.), 212-360-1324; 12-5, free.

Meet Murphy & Myrtle at a special storytime by Martha Atwater, author of Murphy & Myrtle: The First Day of School?don't forget your cameras! Scholastic Store, 557 B'way (betw. Prince & Spring Sts.), 212-343-6166; 3-4, free.

Storytelling in the Park Children of all ages encouraged to hear classics in idyllic setting?today, Melissa Heckler & Diane Wolkstein read from The Magic Orange Tree & The Elephant Girl; Hans Christian Andersen statue, Central Park, 72nd St. (5th Ave.), www.centralparknyc.org; 11, free.

Film/Video

All About Eves: A Celebration of Wicked Women, Femme Fatales, Scheming Starlets & Heartless Hussies It's men called Ashley & women whose names simply cannot contain too much alliteration?yes, it is the South; yes, it is Gone With the Wind; Symphony Space, 2537 B'way (95th St.), 212-864-5400; 2 & 7.

Lectures

"Conversations with Contemporary Artists: Bill Viola" Widely regarded as one of the leading video artist of his generation, Mr. Viola discusses the creation of his video/sound installation, "Going Forth By Day"; Guggenheim Museum, Peter B. Lewis Theatre, 1071 5th Ave. (89th St.), RSVP 212-423-3587; 7, $10.

The Dinner Party Judy Chicago discusses exhibition that is making its way into BMA's permanent collection, w/art historian Francis Borzello; Brooklyn Museum of Art, 200 Eastern Pkwy. (Washington Ave.), Bklyn, 718-638-5000 x330; 5, $6.

Readings

Open Reading for Greek-American Writers Literature is finally forced to adhere to the strict esthetic demands of WWF when it's asked, "can you wow us in five minutes?" Cornelia St. Cafe, 29 Cornelia St. (6th Ave.), 212-989-9319; 6-8, $6.

Workshops

Aggressive Inline Skating Grind your soul on the ramps & rails at Battery Park City?beginners & advanced skaters welcome; Battery Park City, North Esplanade (Chambers St.), 212-267-9700; 2:30, free [through 10/31].

T. Cooper Author celebrates debut novel, Some of the Parts (Akashic) w/performances by NoNoBunBun & Jennifuh Leathuh; CBGB Downstairs Lounge, 313 Bowery (Bleecker St.), 212-677-0455; 8-10.

Drawing In the Park Artist/educators Louise Johnson & Larry Dobens instruct & critique students working in pencil, pastel, charcoal & watercolor; Battery Park City, South Cove, W. Thames St. (Rector St. Bridge), 212-267-9700; 10:30-12, free [through 10/26].

SUNDAY 9/22

Around Town

Big Brother is Watching Surveillance Camera Outdoor Walking Tours reveal the frightening abundance of cameras that monitor public spaces. This week, spying on faux-Fendi hawkers & millionaires on 5th Ave.; meet on NE corner of 45th St. (5th Ave.), 212-561-0106; 2, free.

Ecofest Environment Benefit First fundraising effort feat. musical & dance performances by Celeste Holm, Lilias White, David Amram & Cab Calloway Orchestra; Carnegie Hall, 881 7th Ave. (57th St.), 212-496-2030; 7-9:30, $25-$65.

Memory Walk 2002 Anchorman Bill Ritter emcees 14th-annual nationwide fundraising walk aimed at helping the more than five million Americans suffering from Alzheimer's Disease. Walk incl. guests Willard Scott & Alice Stockton-Rossini, breakfast & lunch served, plus entertainment afterwards; Riverside Park, Riverside Dr. (83rd St.), 212-983-0700; reg. at 8 a.m., free.

The New York City Camera Show & Sale feat. cameras, lenses & other photo paraphernalia incl. books, memorabilia & film?cash paid for old cameras & equipment; Embassy Ballrooms, Holiday Inn, 440 W. 57th St. (betw. 9th & 10th Aves.), 973-472-5460; 10-3, $6.

Family

Babe: Pig in the City Film screening recommended for ages 5-12; Donnell Library Center, 20 W. 53rd St. (5th Ave.), 212621-0636; 3, free.

Lid-Zone Oxford Health Plans sponsors skate safe program w/activities such as contests, demonstrations, music & prizes; Riverside Park, 108 St. (Riverside Dr.-Hudson River & W. 72 St.-Clair Pl.), www.lid-zone.com; 10-6, free.

Film/Video

The Limey Cinematographer Ed Lachman speaks before screening of Steven Soderbergh film starring the tenacious Terrence Stamp & far-out Peter Fonda; American Museum of the Moving Image, 35th Ave. (36th St.), Astoria, 718-784-0077; 2, $16.

Readings

Frequency Soft Skull Press celebrates new store w/new reading series. Today, Thomas Kelly (The Rackets) & Shawn Hollyfield; Soft Skull Shortwave, 71 Bond St. (State St.), Bklyn, 718-643-1599; 2, free.

Sunday Night Fiction Series continues w/writers from Tin House; KGB, 85 E. 4th St. (betw. 2nd & 3rd Aves.), 212-505-3360; 7, free.

Unorganicized Reading High school seniors smile in smug self-satisfaction during this open reading at ABC No Rio, 156 Rivington St. (betw. Suffolk & Clinton Sts.), 212-254-3697; 3, free.

Workshops

Aggressive Inline Skating Grind your soul on the ramps & rails at Battery Park City?beginners & advanced skaters welcome; Battery Park City, North Esplanade (Chambers St.), 212-267-9700; 2:30, free [through 10/31].

A-Vert-ing Skateboarding Injuries Each year more than 100,000 skaters are seriously injured, don't be one of them?join Oxford Health Plans in one of their safe-skate programs; Riverside Park, 108th St. (Riverside Dr.), www.lidzone.com; 10-1:45 & 2:15-6, free.

MONDAY 9/23

Around Town

Haircut for Life Men & women (first-time Novo customers only) are invited to receive discount designer cuts (usually $65 & up) from Roberto Novo & his staff. Plus, enter raffle (for great prizes) & help those in need because all proceeds benefit "NY1 For You" recipients; Novo Salon, 192 8th Ave. (betw. 19th & 20th Sts.), 212-929-1652; 10-7, $30 min. don.

Yoga With free classes popping up everywhere, incl. this one for early birds taught by Joan Coddington, there's no excuse for being yoga-phobic (unless it's really just the guys in leotards who scare you). Comfy clothes & a towel are a must; 6th & B Garden, 6th St. (Ave. B), 212-982-5673; 7 a.m., free.

Family

Advanced Art Instructor Miki Iwamura teaches free weekly course in Battery Park City for "skilled artists" (ages 10-18). Participants apply drawing & painting techniques to still-lifes & landscapes. Practice sculpting skills & participate in projects such as printmaking & t-shirt design?BYO Bedazzler; Nelson A. Rockefeller Park (Chambers St.), 212-267-9700; 4-5:30, free.

Lectures

Bard Photography Program's Lecture Series Wendy Ewald, photographic pioneer/author of Secret Games: Collaborative Works with Children 1969-1999 & The Best Part of Me: Children Talk About Their Bodies in Pictures and Words, speaks about her most recent projects; Weis Cinema of the Bertelsmann Campus Center, 845-758-6822 for location; 8; free.

Readings

Paul Auster?if you go in for that sort of thing, and yes, several of the best people don't?is interviewed as part of the "The Paris Review Writers-at-Work" series, followed by a reading; 92nd St. Y, 1395 Lexington Ave. (92nd St.), 212-415-5500; call for times & prices.

Food for Thought Weekly readings by actors w/light sandwich lunch-very literary, dahling. Today, David Mamet's The Doctor & Susan Charlotte's The Hairdresser; National Arts Club, 15 Gramercy Park S. (20th St.) 212-475-3424; 1, $38.

Peace Like A River Amazon.com writes, "To the list of great American child narrators that includes Huck Finn and Scout Finch, let us now add Reuben "Rube" Land, the asthmatic 11-year-old boy at the center of Leif Enger's remarkable first novel, Peace Like a River." Enger reads at Barnes & Noble, 240 E. 86th St. (betw. 2nd & 3rd Aves.), 212-794-1962; 7, free.

Wittgenstein's Poker: The Story of a Ten-Minute Argument between Two Great Philosophers Authors David Edmonds & John Eidinow chat w/Simon Winchester (The Professor and the Madman, Krakatoa: The Day the World Exploded) while Anglophiles of both sexes throw lace panties at these BBC employees; Social Sciences Library, 42nd St. (5th Ave.), 212-221-7676; 6:30, $10.

Workshops

Mama Donna's Tea Garden and Healing Haven pres. "Drumming in the Dark: An Autumn Equinox Celebration," bring the kids, drums, percussions & your spirits to this sunset ceremony; 718-857-2247 for location; 6, free.

TUESDAY 9/24

Around Town

Kate's Paperie Holiday Boot Camp Give the holidays a touch of Martha Stewart by learning Kate's special methods of gift wrapping & the how-tos of personalized cards, washi egg ornaments & paper decorations?plus enter the drawing to win 100 custom-printed cards; Kate's Paperie, 1272 3rd Ave. (betw. 73rd & 74th Sts.), 212-396-3670; 6-8, free.

Miracle on Wheels provides free power wheelchairs to qualified seniors 65 & up & permanently disabled persons of all ages; for more information contact 800-749-8778 or visit www.durablemedical.com.

Pure Country NYC Weekly country stomp & music night w/DJ Alan Kohn, line dance lessons courtesy of Rona Kaye; Jack Rose, 771 8th Ave. (47th St.), 212-247-7518; 6:30, $13.

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

Film/Video

"Neo-Noir: Another Shade of Darkness" Fifteen features by French filmmakers, incl. Julien Duvivier, Michel Deville & Claude Chabrol. This week: Police, 1985 murder mystery starring Gerard Depardieu?"while investigating a drug-smuggling ring, a moody, jailed police detective falls for the girlfriend of the head honcho." The frogs continue w/their tireless probing of sex & death at the French Institute's Florence Gould Hall, 55 E. 59th St. (betw. Madison & Park Aves.), 212-355-6160; 12:30, 3:30, 6:30 & 9, $8 [through 12/17].

Readings

J&L Magazine Contributors to new literary journal of fiction & original art share recent work at Housing Works Used Book Cafe, 126 Crosby St. (betw. Houston & Lafayette Sts.), 212-334-3324; 6:30, free.

The New Rabbi Allegedly engaging non-fiction account of Philadelphia's Har Zion Temple at the turn of the 21st century; Barnes & Noble, 2289 B'way (82nd St.), 212-362-8835; 7:30, free.

Socrates Cafe Chris Phillips embarks on his own series of dialogues at Borders Bookstore, 461 Park Ave. (57th St.), 212-980-6785; 7, free.

Workshops

Women's Basketball Tuesday is Ladies' Night?referee & balls provided; Nelson A. Rockefeller Park, Chambers St., 212-267-9700; 6-7:30, free [through 10/29].