EVENTS WEDNESDAY 2/6 Around Town America’s Coin Banks encourages saving ...

Around Town

America's Coin Banks encourages saving w/exhibit of over 70 unusual & antique coin banks; Museum of American Financial History, 28 B'way (Exchange Pl.), 212-908-4695; 10-4, $2 [repeats Thurs.-Sat. & Tues., through 3/6].

Christmas in July Cody Camps of Freedom offers two free weeks of summer camp to kids age 8-15 who lost a parent in the Sept. 11 attacks, incl. transportation, meals, etc.; 800-399-4436 or www.codycamps.com for more info.

Free Benefits Counseling Need health insurance for you or the kids? Food? Money for the heating bill? You may be eligible for Medicaid, Child Health Plus, Public Assistance, Food Stamps, Social Security & other benefits; call 212-604-8685 to set up an appointment.

Family

A Baker's Dozen Theatrical adaptation by Theater Project Ensemble of kids, plus other American folk tales incl. Mark Twain's A Fable; Playspace, 2473 B'way (92nd St.), 212-358-9401; 7, $10, $5 kids under 12 [repeats Thurs. & Fri.].

Extreme Choices 3-D Laser show exposes kids to dangers of smoking; Liberty Science Center in NJ, 201-200-1000 for info; $3-$3.50 [repeats daily, through 6/02].

Helping Your Child to Talk Learn how to improve your child's language development; 6 E. 94th St. (betw. Madison & 5th Aves.), 212-360-0259, reg. req.; 6:30, $25/couple, $15/person.

"Jerry & Brian Pinkney" Exhibit of illustrations by father & son; Children's Museum of Manhattan, Tisch Bldg., 212 W. 83rd St. (B'way), 212-721-1224; call for times & prices [through 4/19].

Sesame Street Live: Big Bird's Sunny Day Camp Out Sesame Street characters come alive during B'way-like musical; the Theater at Madison Square Garden, 32nd St. (7th Ave.), 212-465-MSG1; 10:30 a.m., $14.50-$45 [repeats Thurs.-Sun., through 2/18].

Film/Video

African-American History on Film pres. Glory; St. Agnes Library, 444 Amsterdam Ave. (81st St.), 212-877-4380; 2, free.

Half-Past Autumn: The Life & Works of Gordon Parks In the spirit of Black History Month, the museum celebrates the accomplishments of photographer, artist, composer, writer & director?you might have seen this advertised on the subway; Museum of Television & Radio, 25 W. 52nd St. (betw. 5th & 6th Aves.), 212-621-6600; 12:15, $6, $4 st./s.c [repeats Weds.-Sun., through 2/31].

New Icelandic Film Festival kicks off today w/2001's Mavahlatur (The Seagull's Daughter)?in Icelandic w/English subtitles; Scandinavia House, 58 Park Ave. (37th St.), 212-879-9779; 6:30, $8.

New York International Independent Film & Video Festival Ten-day forum for filmmakers, distro companies & talent agencies debuts more than 250 films, shorts & docs. from around the world. Today's highlights incl. Anacardium, thriller w/Frank John Hughes (6:10) & Em and Me starring Alan Young (8); Sutton 1 & 2, 205 E. 57th St. (3rd Ave.), 866-468-7619 or 212-387-0957; free-$10 [through 2/14].

"Star Theater" Retro film series shows Down Among The 'Z' Men (1968) starring Peter Sellers; Den of Cin, Two Boots, 44 Ave. A (betw. 3rd & 4th Sts.), 212-714-3575; 7, $5 incl. 1 drink.

Readings

Best-Selling Author Series cont. today w/Rick Moody of The Ice Storm; Manhattan Marymount College Writing Center, 221 E. 71st St. (betw. 2nd & 3rd Aves.), 212-734-4419; call for times & prices.

Black Livingstone Book chronicles real-life adventures of African-American missionary circa 1890, read by author Pagan Kennedy; Rocky Sullivan's, 129 Lexington Ave. (betw. 28th & 29th Sts.), 212-725-3871; 8.

Contest Seeks Spiritual Poems from New Yorkers w/$1000 grand prize; Texas Poetry Alliance, www.freecontest.com.

International Library of Poetry Contest announces 250 prizes worth over $58,000, plus "entering is free" (welcome to the wonderful world of publishing); [www.poetry.com](http://www.poetry.com/) for more info.

Jewish Book Club series continues today w/the New York Observer's Anne Roiphe reading her memoir 1185 Park Avenue; 92nd St. Y, 1395 Lexington Ave. (92nd St.), 212-415-5500; 7:30, $15.

Journey Through Heartsongs If you've glanced at the New York Times Book Review in, oh, say the last several months, you might have noticed the poems of 11-year-old Mattie Stepanek (who suffers from muscular dystrophy) holding their own. Hear him read today at Barnes & Noble, 240 E. 86th St. (betw. 2nd & 3rd Aves.), 212-794-1962; call for times, free.

Open Performance Night First 10 people to sign up perform for 10 minutes?theater, dance, music, poetry, rubber chickens?it all comes out after dark, folks; Dixon Place, 309 E. 26th St. (betw. 1st & 2nd Aves.), 212-219-3088; 8, free.

Yeats Poetry Competition Sponsored by the W.B. society. Prize money is insignificant but winners will read at the New York is Book Country Literary Luncheon in April; [www.YeatsSoceity.org](http://www.YeatsSoceity.org/) for complete info.

Workshops

Health Issues Anonymous Twelve-step program for those living w/a health concern; St. Luke's-Roosevelt Center, 324 W. 108th St., #205 (betw. B'way & Riverside Dr.), 212-362-7214; 5:30-7.

Learn English for Free at NY Public Library branches; 212-221-7676 or www.nypl.org for locations & times [through 3/21].

THURSDAY 2/7

Benefits

Star Spangled Spirit Survey of 20th-century photos of the American flag from artists incl. Diane Arbus & Robert Frank, portion of proceeds goes to WTC charities; Bonni Benrubi Gallery, 52 E. 76th St. (betw. Madison & Park Aves.), 212-517-3766; 11-6 [repeats Fri., Sat. & Tues., through 2/16].

Family

Winter Preschool Play Toys, games, stories & songs for children six months to four years; the Regatta Community Room, 21 South End Ave. (W. Thames St.), 212-267-9700 x348; 10-12 p.m., free [through 2/28].

Film/Video

"Brooklyn Young Filmmakers Film Salon Series" Third annual series screens first Thurs. of the month through May. Call for sched.; Long Island Univ., Bklyn Campus, Spike Lee Screening Room, Flatbush Ave., 718-952-9342 for sched.; 5:30-8:30, $5 contrib.

"Greatest Hits" series finishes its run w/screenings of Jean Renoir's Grand Illusion (2:40, 6:30 & 10:20) & the incomparable L'Atalante (1, 4:50, 8:40); Film Forum, 209 W. Houston St. (Varick St.), 212-727-8110; $9.

"Meet the Makers" Filmmaker Bill Miles & producer Juanita Howard screen & discuss their film I Remember Harlem; Donnell Library Center, 20 W. 53rd St. (5th Ave.), 212-621-0618; 6, free.

New York International Independent Film & Video Festival Today's highlights incl. He Died with a Falafel in His Hand starring Noah Taylor (Almost Famous) & "Lethargy" short w/Ed Burns & Robert Downey Jr.; Sutton 1 & 2, 205 E. 57th St. (3rd Ave.), 866-468-7619 or 212-387-0957; call for times, free-$10 [through 2/14].

Lectures

Balancing the Equation: Where are Women & Girls in Science & Technology? Panel discussion on lack of female representation in the sciences; the James Room, Barnard Hall, 117th St. (B'way), 212-854-2037; 9:30-4:30.

Brown Bag Lunch Lectures on modern art continue today w/"Art for Art's Sake: The Parisian Avant-Garde, 1888-1900"; MoMA's Art Consortium Aud., 1 E. 53rd St. (betw. 5th & Madison Aves.), 212-708-9781; 12:30, $5.

Dinner to Benefit the Institute of Classical Architecture follows lecture by Michael Graves (2001 AIA winner) on importance of Greek & Roman innovations; the Metropolitan Club, 1 E. 60th St. (betw. Madison & 5th Aves.), RSVP 917-237-1208; call for times, $250-$2500.

Remembering Jim Crow Lecture & discussion w/writers on their everyday experiences in segregated South; Studio Museum in Harlem, 144 W. 125th St. (betw. Lenox Ave. & Adam Clayton Powell Blvd.), 212-864-4500; 7.

Readings

Kurt Thometz reads from the magnificent Life Turns Man Up and Down, a collection of Nigerian literature, at the Court St. Barnes & Noble, 106 Court St. (State St.), Carroll Gardens, 718-246-4996; 7:30, free.

Under My Wings: My Life as an Impresario by Paul Szilard?learn about the time this 50-year dance veteran bought a dildo in Japan for Romola Nijinsky & other seedy, harmless "Page Six" soirees into the world of "artistic tastes"; Barnes & Noble, 66th St. (B'way), 212-595-6859; 7, free.

FRIDAY 2/8

Around Town

Fish In Your Reef Tank Keep them ick-free & bid on some fish & coral w/free parking, refreshments; New York Aquarium, Surf Ave. (W. 8th St.), Coney Island, 718-837-4455; 7:30, $5 contrib.

Free Vision Screening You're not getting any younger?better get your eyes checked; Medicare Education Center, 800 2nd Ave., 3rd fl. (betw. 42nd & 43rd Sts.), 212-476-2289, res. req.; 10-2, free.

Family

The Ten Star All-Star Summer Basketball Camp Boys & girls ages 10-19 eligible to apply, camp is by invitation only, past celebs incl. Michael Jordon & Antawn Jamison; 704-568-6801 for free brochure [through April 15].

Winter Olympic Kick-Off w/hockey players, Olympic trivia & autographs; Scholastic Store, 557 B'way (betw. Prince & Spring Sts.), 212-343-6166; 3, free.

Film/Video

"The Films of Lasse Hallström" begins w/My Life As a Dog (6) & A Lover and His Lass (8:30)?in Swedish w/English subtitles; Scandinavia House, 58 Park Ave. (37th St.), 212-879-9779; $8 [through 2/17].

Life and Debt Stephanie Black's doc. about economic globalization in Jamaica, screens as part of "Black History Month" series at BAM, 30 Lafayette Ave. (Ashland Pl.), 718-636-4100; 2, 4:30, 6:50 & 9:10, $9 [repeats Sat. & Sun. w/panel discussion at 6:50 on Sat.] .

"Outside the Frame: Self-Taught Artists on Film" Debut showing of new films & videos, plus classics?discussions follow screenings; American Museum of Folk Art, 45 W. 53rd St. (betw. 5th & 6th Aves.), 212-977-7170; call for sched., $15, $10 st./s.c.

Readings

Langston Hughes Turns 100 He's got a stamp, too?come celebrate w/free reading by Thelma Thomas; 212-221-7676 for location & times [repeats Tues.].

Todd Solondz Creator of Happiness & Welcome to the Dollhouse discusses & signs his latest screenplay, Storytelling, at Three Lives & Co., 154 W. 10th St. (Waverly Pl.), 212-741-2069; 7, free.

SATURDAY 2/9

Around Town

Rare, Used & Out-of-Print Book Fair All kinds of old books, sheet music, photos & records available; Tip Top Shoe Bldg., 155 W. 72nd St., 4th fl. (B'way), 10-2, free to look.

Snowfall in Central Park They bring the (man-made) snow, you bring your sled?weather permitting (call to confirm); East Meadow Central Park, 99th St. (5th Ave.), 212-360-1311, 10-4, free.

Veggie Valentine Dance Party Enjoy soy/tofu treats & dance w/guys named Jason & girls named Abby; Devi Center, 837 Union St., 2nd fl. (betw. 6th & 7th Aves.), Park Slope, 718-633-9817; 7:30-11:30, $12-$18 incl. buffet & drinks.

Family

Bob Marley Birthday Celebration Peace poster painting workshop (2 p.m.), screening of Rebel Music: The Bob Marley Story (2:30) plus performance by Dominic Kanza & the African Rhythm Machine (4); Museum for African Art, 593 B'way (betw. Prince & Houston Sts.), 212-966-1313; 2:30, $10/weekend, $5 kids.

Dreamlike Puppets Little Miss Muffet & crew of hand puppets entertain kids of all ages; Puppet Playhouse at Mazur Theater, 555 E. 90th St. (betw. York & East End Aves.), 212-369-8890 x159; 10:30 & 12 p.m., $7 [repeats Sun.].

Family Art Project Lounge outside, look for critters & make a pillow cover; Wave Hill, 675 W. 252nd St. (Independence Ave.), Bronx, 718-549-3200, 1-4, free [repeats Sun.].

Free Swimming Classes Beginner classes for ages 3-14 & adults?locations throughout Bklyn, Queens & the Bronx, call for sched.; 59 West Recreation Center, W. 59th St. (betw. 10th & 11th Sts.), 718-699-4219; 9:30 a.m.

Icelandic Love Stories Laura Simms recites The Boy in the Stone Boat?repeats Sun. at NYU at 3 p.m., 212-998-5867 for info; Scandinavia House, 58 Park Ave. (37th St.), 212-879-9779; 11:30, free.

One Mime Show Excerpts from famous silent comedies screen as part of "Reel to Real" series; Walter Reade Theater at Lincoln Center, 165 W. 65th St. (B'way), 212-875-5570; 11:30 & 2, $8-$16.

Pulp & Fiction: A Family Paper Making Workshop teaches families how to make cards; Cathedral of St. John the Divine, 1047 Amsterdam Ave. (112th St.), RSVP 212-932-7347; 10, $5.

The Ransom of Red Chief Play taken from O. Henry short; Vital Theater Co., 432 W. 42nd St. (betw. 9th & 10th Aves.), 212-592-4508; 11 & 1, $10 [repeats Sun., through 3/17].

See Me 3-D View photographs w/stereoscopes; Sony Plaza, 550 Madison Ave. (55th St.), RSVP 212-883-7858; 2-5, $5 [repeats Sun.].

"Untold Stories: All Paths to Freedom" In honor of Black History Month, Brooklyn Children's Museum hosts slew of activities for families, incl. "Investigate Gourds: From Cup to Rattle" about slavery; Brooklyn Children's Museum, 145 Brooklyn Ave. (betw. St. Marks Ave. & Prospect Pl.), 718-735-4574; 1-4, $4 [repeats Sun.]

Film/Video

"Across 110th Street: Images of Harlem on Film" Series incl. 15 features plus rarely-screened archival prints. Today, Shirley Clarke's 1963 improvisational film shot in Harlem, The Cool World (2) & Paradise in Harlem (4); American Museum of the Moving Image, 35th Ave. (36th St.), Astoria, 718-784-4520; free w/adm. [through 2/17].

"Cinema of Shadows: The Hollywood Film Noir" Thirty-one films screened in 16mm format, today, the 1947 b&w inspired by David Goodis' novel, Dark Passage, starring Humphrey Bogart; YWCA, 610 Lexington Ave. (53rd St.), 212-735-9717; 4:30, $7 [repeats Sun.].

"The Films of Lasse Hallström" continues w/Once Around (2) & What's Eating Gilbert Grape (4); Scandinavia House, 58 Park Ave. (37th St.), 212-879-9779; $8 [through 2/17].

New York International Independent Film & Video Festival screens Junked, about young street junkie & three others who try to quit life on the streets; Sutton 1 & 2, 205 E. 57th St. (3rd Ave.), 866-468-7619 or 212-387-0957; 10:10, $10 [through 2/14].

Lectures

New Yorkers Say No to War Local activist group holds meeting/discussion; John Jay College, 445 W. 59th St. (betw. 9th & 10th Aves.), [www.NYSAYNOTOWAR.org;](http://www.NYSAYNOTOWAR.org;/) 1-5, free.

Parapsychology 101 The Parapsychology Foundation Lyceum offers its intro course today, which is often a prerequisite to their other, more spicy classes about hauntings; 228 E. 71st St. (betw. 2nd & 3rd Aves.), 212-628-1550; 9-4:30, $75.

SUNDAY 2/10

Around Town

Fast & Fabulous Cycling Club NY's lesbian & gay bike club; www.fastnfab.org or 212-567-7160 for meeting place; 9 a.m.

Israeli Non-Stop Bat Sheva dance troupe, Moroccan singers, Russian electronica & over 30 other performers; John Jay College Theatre, 899 10th Ave. (betw. 58th & 59th Sts.), 212-580-0099; 2-8, $15-$20.

Volunteer Open House Become a Park Guide & stun your friends w/knowledge of history, botany & landscape design; Prospect Park Audubon Center Boathouse, Lincoln Rd. (Ocean Ave.), 718-965-6929; 1-4, free.

Family

Cendrillion One-woman's Caribbean version of Cinderella; Children's Museum of Manhattan, Tisch Bldg., 212 W. 83rd St. (B'way), 212-721-1234; 1:30 & 3, call for price.

Children's Galleries for Jewish Culture Museum moves to Chelsea & celebrates w/two new exhibits: "From Tent to Temple" & "From Home to Home"; 515 W. 20th St. (betw. 10th & 11th Aves.), 212-245-8200; 2-5, $5.

Children's Story Hour Hear stories about African-Americans, their heritage & plants from Africa; Brooklyn Botanic Garden, 1000 Washington Ave. (Eastern Pkwy.), 718-623-7200; 2:30, $3, $1.50 st./s.c. [repeats 2/17].

Kids 'N Comedy Kids who think they're funny perform & the bad ones get paddled! No, just kidding; Gotham Comedy Club, 34 W. 22nd St. (betw. 5th & 6th Aves.), RSVP 212-877-6115; 4, $15.

Valentine Making Workshop Make holiday-themed cards?cookies & lemonade served; Battery Park City Parks Conservatory, 21 South End Ave. (W. Thames St.), 212-267-9700; 2-4, free.

Film/Video

"Across 110th Street: Images of Harlem on Film" Today, The Brother from Another Planet about a slave who escapes & ends up in Harlem (2) & The Cotton Club, Francis Ford Coppola's homage to Harlem's legendary nightclub (4); American Museum of the Moving Image, 35th Ave. (36th St.), Astoria, 718-784-4520; free w/adm. [through 2/17].

Essential Cinema Avant-garde filmmaker Marie Menken shows shorts, incl. "Andy Warhol" & "Arabesque for Kenneth Anger"; Anthology Film Archives, 32 2nd Ave. (2nd St.), 212-505-5181; 5:30, call for price.

"Love in a Cold Season" series continues w/Lars von Trier's 1996 story about a women & her paralyzed husband, Breaking the Waves; Ocularis at Galapagos, 70 N. 6th St. (betw. Wythe & Kent Aves.), Williamsburg, 718-388-8713; 7, $10 incl. reception.

Lectures

Sex Tips for Straight Guys: Lesbians Tell All Learn how to please a woman from a woman's perspective; Toys in Babeland, 94 Rivington St. (betw. Ludlow & Orchard Sts.), 212-375-1701, call for times, $20.

Readings

KGB Fiction Judy Budnitz (Flying Leap, If I Told You Once) & Paul Greenberg (Leaving Katya) read; 85 E. 4th St. (betw. 2nd & 3rd Aves.), 212-505-3360; 7, free.

Unorganized Reading No time limit, no list, no bullshit except what gets spewed on stage; ABC No Rio, 156 Rivington St. (betw. Suffolk & Clinton Sts.), 718-638-2927; 3.

MONDAY 2/11

Around Town

Friendly French Conversation Group Read & discuss literature weekly, no English allowed; Magic Carpet, 54 Carmine St. (Bedford St.), 914-803-0654; 7:30-9:30, free.

Film/Video

"Cult Movie Mondays" screens Beat Street (10), Wild Style (9) & Krush Groove (8); Luxx, 256 Grand St. (betw. Driggs & Roebling Sts.), Williamsburg, 718-599-1000; 8, free.

"Mondo Mondays" Retro film series screens Chained for Life (1951), "world's only Siamese twin murder mystery musical"; Den of Cin, Two Boots, 44 Ave. A (betw. 3rd & 4th Sts.), 212-714-3575; 8, $5 incl. 1 drink.

Lectures

Career Transitions for Dancers Advice from panel of dancers who've started their own businesses & consulting firms; 165 W. 46th St. (B'way), RSVP 212-581-7043; 5-7, free.

Men's Schmooze for Jews Gay men invited to "explore their connection to Judaism in the context of social issues"; Lesbian & Gay Community Services Center, 208 W. 13th St. (betw. 7th & 8th Aves.), 212-627-1921; 8, call for price.

Readings

The Times' Frank Rich reads from his memoir, Ghost Light, at Upper West Side Barnes & Noble, 2289 B'way (82nd St.), 212-362-8835; 7:30.

TUESDAY 2/12

Around Town

Chinese New Year Arts Festival Asia Royal Princess Beauty Pageant finalists, food, acrobatics, martial arts & musical comedy; Theatre for the New City, 155 1st Ave. (10th St.), 212-679-7830; 5-10:30, $10-$25.

Film/Video

"The Artistry of Leontyne Price" series celebrates 75th birthday of renowned soprano; Museum of Television & Radio, 25 W. 52nd St. (betw. 5th & 6th Aves.), 212-621-6600; 2, $6, $4 st./s.c [repeats Weds.-Sun. at 2 & Fri. at 6, through 2/28].

La nuit américaine (Day for Night) François Truffaut directs & stars in 1973 film about a Frenchman in love w/an English woman; French Institute, Florence Gould Hall, 55 E. 59th St. (betw. Madison & Park Aves.), 212-355-6160; 12:30, 3:30, 6:30 & 9, $8.

Massoud L'Afghan Seen as a hero to the Muslim world; Makor, 35 W. 67th St. (Central Park W. & Columbus Ave.), 212-601-1000; 7:30 & 9:30, $9-$12 [through 2/14].

"Movie Love: A Trib. to Pauline Kael" Series honoring The New Yorker's late film critic feat. her favorite films, introduced by her favorite people. Today, Rules of the Game w/ Michael Almereyda at 6:50; BAM, 30 Lafayette Ave. (Ashland Pl.), 718-636-4100; 4:30, 6:50 & 9:10, $9 [through March] .

Lectures

Anarchist Forum meets to discuss "Building Black Bridges International: Starting an Anarchist Mutual Aid Network"; Brecht Forum, 122 W. 27th St. (betw. 6th & 7th Aves.), 212-979-8353; 7:30.

European Defense & Irish Foreign Policy After 9/11 University of Dublin prof. lectures; American Irish Historical Society, 991 5th Ave. (80th St.), 212-288-2263; 6:30.

Mass Market What books sell? Editor of Random House Books for Young Readers speaks; Teachers & Writers Collaborative, 5 Union Sq. W. (betw. 14th & 15th Sts.), 212-691-6590; 7:15, $15.

Readings

"Women & Comics Series" You know, just like in Chasing Amy. Kidding. Comics as in comic books, Jennifer Moore (Tough Love, Jamie Starr Teen Drag Queen) & Abby Denson (DC Comics, Looney Tunes, Powerpuff Girls) appear; Bluestockings, 172 Allen St. (betw. Stanton & Rivington Sts.), 212-777-6028; 7.

Workshops

Glaze & Gab Thirty-somethings invited to throw pottery & mingle at JCC, 334 Amsterdam Ave. (betw. 76th & 77th Sts.), 212-580-0099; 7, $20.