EVENTS WEDNESDAY 7/10 Around Town Barefoot Dancing Let your tootsies ...

Around Town

Barefoot Dancing Let your tootsies loose on this 28-acre public garden w/casual dance instruction followed by open dancing; Wave Hill, W. 249th St. (Independence Ave.), 718-549-3200; 7-8:30 p.m., $4, $2 st./s.c.

Declaration of Independence Who needs the Smithsonian when we have the NY Public Library! Check out John Hancock's john hancock on this complete copy of our nation's deed to freedom?plus original letter from Ben Franklin to George Washington; Wachenheim Gallery of the Humanities & Social Sciences Library, 5th Ave. (42nd St.), 212-869-8089; 11-7:30, free [repeats Thurs.-Sat. 10-6].

Farmers Market Eight farm stands offer home-grown organic produce, fresh cut flowers, cooking herbs & NY wines, cheeses, breads, eggs & baked goods?plus it's Honey Day! Beekeeper Jim Conklin shows off his bees (safely behind glass!); Tulip Tree Allée, NY Botanical Garden, 200th St. (Southern Blvd.), Bronx, 718-817-8700; 10-3, free.

Feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Celebrate St. Paolino's release from captivity w/live entertainment, parades, game bazaar, children's rides & Italian delicacies at 115th-annual feast; Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, 275 N. 8th St. (Havemeyer St.), Williamsburg, 718-384-0223, www.olmcfeast.com; 7 p.m.-12 a.m., free [repeats Thurs., Fri., Mon. & Tues. 7-12, Sat. & Sun. all day].

Henri Bendel's Body & Soul Week Celebrity skincare guru Kimberly Sayer gives free facials, skin analysis & product demos feat. organic products from her Kimberly Sayer of London line?plus free gift w/any purchase; Henri Bendel, 712 5th Ave. (56th St.), 212-247-1100; 10-7, min. purchase req. [repeats Thurs. 10-8, Fri. & Sat. 10-7].

Meet Mata Amritanandamayi (Ammachi) You've missed your chance to meet Mother Teresa, but there's still time to receive a healing hug from South India's newest living saint! Ammachi shares inspiring talks, meditations & devotional singing?also, check out special puja (worship ceremony) followed by a Devi Bhava program at 6:30; Roone Arledge Aud., Columbia University, 2920 B'way (114th St.), 212-714-5445; 10 a.m. & 6:30 p.m., free.

Qi Gong Tony Lee teaches you to integrate the body, mind & breath, while strengthening the immune system; meet on the 70th St. Pier at the fish table in Riverside Park S., Riverside Dr. (68th St.), 212-408-0219; 7:30 p.m., free [through 10/28].

Salute to the Sun: Hatha Yoga for Beginners, but all levels are welcome to join Ruth Vargas' after-work yoga?bring mat & wear loose clothing; meet on the 70th St. Pier at the fish table in Riverside Park S., Riverside Dr. (68th St.), 212-408-0219; 6:30 p.m., free [through 8/28].

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

Family

New York Stories TADA!, NYC's leading youth theater, pres. its ongoing summer series of "Musical Theater Week-longs" where kids 8-18 learn to sing, dance & act in productions of original musicals. Courses run Mon.-Fri.; TADA! 15 W. 28th St., 3rd fl. (betw. 5th & 6th Aves.), 212-252-1619; 9:30-2:30, call for details & prices [repeats Thurs. & Fri.].

The Peter Pan Game ABBA is Swedish & they have a song called "I'm a Marionette"?coincidence? I think not! Anyway, this take on Never Never Land feat. new marionettes, hand-painted scenery & original score?plus ask questions & learn the workings of marionettes; Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre, Central Park, 79th St. (midpark), 212-988-9093, res. req.; 10:30 & 12, $6, $5 contrib. [repeats Thurs., Fri., Mon. & Tues.].

Film/Video

Before the Ball: The Unseen Cinderella Rehearsal Tape, which was recorded two weeks before the March 31, 1957 broadcast, screens at the Museum of Television & Radio, 25 W. 52nd St. (betw. 5th & 6th Aves.), 212-621-6800; 4, $6, $4 st./s.c. [repeats Thurs.-Sun.].

"Movies Under the Stars" Free outdoor screenings in Hoboken, on the waterfront overlooking the Hudson River, continue w/the over-hyped Ocean's Eleven; Pier A Park, 1st St. (Frank Sinatra Dr.), Hoboken PATH Station, 201-420-2207; 9.

Rocco and His Brothers New 35mm print of uncut version of Luchino Visconti's "operatic tale of the rise and fall of an Italian family"; Film Forum, 209 W. Houston St. (Varick St.), 212-727-8110; 1:20, 4:40, 8, $9.75 [repeats Thurs.].

"Take Me to the River" Hudson River Park's series of movies, concerts, plays & dance performances, screens one of the funniest movies from the 80s, Revenge of the Nerds?w/free popcorn; Hudson River Park's Pier 54, 13th St. (West St.), 212-533-PARK; 8, free.

Simon Magus Flick obsessed w/obscure dreams & the devil is set in Poland during the 19th century; Makor, 35 W 67th St. (betw. Columbus Ave. & Central Park W.), 212-601-1000; 7:30 & 9:45, $8-$10 [repeats Thurs.].

Lectures

The Great Shark Hype Despite all the shark attack drama of last year, you're more likely to be struck by lightning! Author & marine conservation advocate Peter Benchley considers, "Just how safe are we in the water?"; American Museum of Natural History, Central Park W. (79th St.), 212-769-5200; 7, $15, $13.50 st./s.c.

Readings

Philip Davison reads from The Crooked Man at New York's Filthy MacNasty's; Rocky Sullivan's, 129 Lexington Ave. (betw. 28th & 29th Sts.), 212-725-3871; 8, free.

Inflating a Dog: The Story of Ella's Lunch Launch Eric Kraft, the novelist John Strausbaugh elusively refers to as "a funny guy," appears today at Barnes & Noble, 240 E. 86th St. (betw. 2nd & 3rd Aves.), 212-794-1962; 7, free.

New American Literary Magazines are now on display (although unlike Barnes & Noble, there is no cafe) at the DeWitt Wallace Periodical Room, New York Public Library's Humanities & Social Sciences Library, 5th Ave. (42nd St.), 212-869-8089; call for times, free [through 8/17].

Prague Remember back in the early to mid-90s, when everyone was moving there? Well so does Arthur Phillips; Upper West Side Barnes & Noble, 2289 B'way (82nd St.), 212-362-8835; 7:30, free.

Workshops

The Figure Al Fresco Traditional figure drawing class for beginner & advanced students keen on sketching models; Battery Park City Parks Conservancy, South Cove (W. Thames St.), Battery Park City, 212-267-9700; 3, free.

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

THURSDAY 7/11

Around Town

Box Opera 3 Night of lunacy w/a bout between David Leslie & Gerry Cooney, reenactment of Lincoln's assassination, life-size Rock'Em Sock'Em Robots, topless ring card girls & girls boxing; St. Ann's Warehouse, 38 Water St. (Dock St.), DUMBO, 718-858-2424; 8, $25-$50.

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 summer. 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.

Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within Realistic computer generated sci-fi adventure, based on the game of the same title, feat. voice of Ming-Na Wen, makes you wonder why any movie needs live actors! Rated PG-13, children under 17 will not be admitted without parents; Sony Wonder Lab, 550 Madison Ave. (56th St.), RSVP 212-833-7858; 5:45, free.

Neil Gaiman reads from, discusses & signs copies of his latest fairy-tale novel, Coraline, that follows the eerie adventures of a little girl's alternative reality; illustrated by Dave McKean; Barnes & Noble, 33 E. 17th St. (betw. 5th & 6th Aves.), 212-253-0810; 6, free.

Summer Cavalcade for Kids The Lucky Brothers lead the procession, which begins on the plaza, in front of the pier, Riverside Park S., Riverside Dr. (68th St.), 212-408-0219; 9 a.m., free.

Young Dancers in Repertory offers tuition-free dance classes for children ages 4-14. So kick up your heels & head to Sunset Park, 44th St. (6th Ave.), Bklyn, 718-567-9620; 10:30 a.m., free.

Film/Video

"Brooklyn Bridge Park Summer Film Series" For four weeks, starting tonight, free movies are shown in Empire-Fulton Ferry State Park. The film noir Double Indemnity, starring Barbara Stanwyck & Fred MacMurray, kicks things off; Water St. (betw. Manhattan & Brooklyn Bridges), 718-802-0603; 8:45, concessions available.

"David Bowie: Sound + Vision," five-part screening series for the 30th anniversary of The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust & the Spiders from Mars. Videos, outtakes, interviews & rarely seen performances have been amassed from archives & the duke's own library; Museum of Television & Radio, 25 W. 52nd St. (betw. 5th & 6th Aves.), 212-621-6800; call for times, $6 [through 9/14].

Unforgiven Clint Eastwood stars in & directs this dark Western, as part of "BAMcinématek Favorites" at BAM Rose Cinemas, 30 Lafayette Ave. (Ashland Pl.), Ft. Greene, 718-636-4100; 2, 4:30, 7, 9:30, $9.

Lectures

Slavery in the 21st Century American Anti-Slavery Group activist Maria Sliwa reveals how millions suffer through debt bondage, kidnapping or outright sale in this supposedly extinct practice; Makor, 35 W. 67th St. (betw. Central Park W. & Columbus Ave.), 212-601-1000; 7:30, $15, $12 adv.

Readings

Adam Haslett Author of "Notes to My Biographer" reads from new collection of shorts, You Are Not a Stranger Here, to the college crowd at Astor Pl. Barnes & Noble, 4 Astor Pl. (betw. Lafayette St. & B'way), 212-420-1322; 7:30, free.

To Be Followed by The Solace of Leaving Early From Amazon.com: "In her rich and nuanced debut novel, Haven Kimmel brings to life two irresistible people at odds with their small-town lives and with each other"; Astor Pl. Barnes & Noble, 4 Astor Pl. (betw. Lafayette St. & B'way), 212-420-1322; 7:30, free.

Workshops

24th-Annual Marxist Intensive Study Marxists of the world unite at four-day seminar discussing the -isms bred & supported by capital, feat. teachers incl. Horace Campbell, Sangeeta Kamat, Nan Rubin & Neil Smith; New York Marxist School, 122 W. 27th St. (betw. 6th & 7th Aves.), 212-242-4201; 8:30 a.m. reg., $75-$125 all four days [repeats Fri.-Sun.].

FRIDAY 7/12

Around Town

The Big Apple Comic Book, Art & Toy Show Buy, sell & trade comics, anime, memorabilia, action figures & movie posters?plus special appearances by Michael Berryman, Gerard Christopher, Denny O'Neil, Joe Michael Linsner & James O'Barr; St. Paul's Church Aud., 9th Ave. (betw. 59th & 60th Sts.), 201-865-3288, www.bigapplecon.com; 12-8, $6 [repeats Sat. 10-6]..

City Pass Has Arrived Check out the discounted ticket book containing passes for attractions at the Whitney, Circle Line, Guggenheim, Intrepid & more, allowing you to skip the lines & save time; available at participating attractions or online at www.citypass.com, 707-256-0490 for info; $38, $31 ages 12-17.

Co-Ed Soccer World Cup fever doesn't have to end! Relive your favorite soccer moments, learn why those guys are so out of breath or just kick the ball around w/coach Martin Jacobson?all levels are welcome, but don't wear cleats!; soccer field, Riverside Park S., Riverside Dr. (68th St.), 212-408-0219; 7:30 p.m., free.

Wall Street Community Day Festival Community Board No. 1 sponsors sixth-annual event feat. foods, arts & crafts, jewelry & more from over 50 local shops & restaurants; Wall St. (betw. South & Water Sts.), 212-809-4900; 11-6, free.

Family

Cartoon POWER!!! "Celebrating Cartoon Network's 9 3/4 Birthday"?part of the museum's trib. to Cartoon Network's original programming & contributions to animation?the Powerpuff Girls marathon continues its run at the Museum of Television & Radio, 25 W. 52nd St. (betw. 5th & 6th Aves.), 212-621-6600; 1, $6, $3 child. [repeats Sat. & Sun. 1-6, Tues. at 1].

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 Jordan & Antawn Jamison; 704-568-6801 for free brochure [through 7/15].

Film/Video

Metropolis Digitally-restored 35mm print of Fritz Lang's science fiction epic debuts in New York in honor of its 75th anniversary; Film Forum, 209 W. Houston St. (Varick St.), 212-727-8110; 1, 3:15, 5:35, 8, 10:15, $9.75 [through 7/25].

"Rooftop Films" Weekly showcase of independent shorts screened on top of a Brooklyn rooftop. Today, 30th anniversary for arts organization, Women Make Movies, which promotes films by & about women; 265 McKibbin St. (Bushwick Ave.), www.rooftopfilms.com for info, 8:30, $6 [through 9/13].

"Take Me to the River" Hudson River Park's series of movies, concerts, plays & dance performances, continues w/Broadway Danny Rose?free popcorn; Hudson River Park's Pier 25, N. Moore St. (West St.), 212-533-PARK; 8, free.

Workshops

The Universe is Talking?Learn to Listen Debbie Chapnick teaches busy New Yorkers like you, using meditation exercises & your intuition, to better your decisions, time management & focus; 78th St. Theatre Lab, 236 W. 78th St. (betw. B'way & Amsterdam Ave.), 212-685-5375; 7, $35.

SATURDAY 7/13

Around Town

Giant Annual Flea Market & Antique Sale There's something in everyone's price range at this benefit for the WAHC. Hot dogs & lemonade will tide you over while you peruse books, clothes, records, tapes, paintings, furniture, pottery, tools & even a two-seater bike; Williamsburg Art & Historical Center, 135 B'way (Bedford Ave.), 718-486-7372, Williamsburg; 9-11, $5; 11-6, free [repeats Sun. 10-6].

Music Memorabilia Show Thousands of LPs, 45s, 78s, CDs, books, sheet music, posters & photos in every music category from 1800s to 1980s; Tip Top Shoe Bldg., 155 W. 72nd St., 4th fl. (B'way), 212-579-0689; 10-2, free.

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; 8-4, free [through 12/20].

Staten Island Waterfront Festival Jazz up July w/progressive & experimental beats from Paul "Sequence" Ferguson?plus enjoy arts & crafts, children's entertainment, flea market & food court; St. George Municipal Parking Lot, across from Staten Island Ferry Terminal, Staten Island, 718-815-3874; 11-6, free.

Family

Cinderella The classic tale is told w/marionettes?from the traveling branch of the Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre?followed by a puppet-making workshop; Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Queens Museum of Art, Grand Central Pkwy. (Northern Blvd.), 718-592-9700 x222; 1:30, free.

Family Art Project: Roll Out the Landscape Sketch the natural landscapes of Wave Hill & copy one onto a paper movie scroll; Kerlin Learning Center, Wave Hill, W. 249th St. (Independence Ave.), 718-549-3200; 1-4, $4, $2 st./s.c. [repeats Sun.].

"Folklore & Fairytales" Storytelling series feat. colorfully costumed performers acting out tales, continues w/the Brothers Grinn (not a typo, merely clever marketing); Everett Children's Adventure Garden, NY Botanical Garden, Bronx River Pkwy. (Fordham Rd.), Bronx, 718-817-8700; 2 & 3, $6, $4 st./s.c., $2.50 child 12 & under.

From Sea to Shining Sea: A Marine Mammal Celebration Learn about beluga whales, sea lions, sea otters & other marine mammals?also enjoy live music, arts & crafts, antique cars & air-brushed face painting; New York Aquarium, W. 8th St. (Surf Ave.), Coney Island, 718-265-FISH; 11, $11, $7 child/s.c. [repeats Sun.].

Mouse Pad Mania Bring some joy to web-surfing & homework by decorating a pad your mouse can be proud to inhabit; Sony Wonder Lab, 550 Madison Ave. (56th St.), 212-883-8100; 2-5, $10.

Out of the Egg Meet the newest snakes, turtles, frogs & birds?plus Bernard Waber's storybook character Lyle the Crocodile, stencil wildlife scenes, listen to music, see stilt walkers & hear reptile & amphibian-themed stories, plus have your face painted like your favorite animals; Bronx Zoo, Fordham Rd. (Bronx River Pkwy.), 718-367-1010; 11:30, $11, $6 child. [repeats Sun.].

P.T. Barnum's Gallery of Wonders Kids create their own Greatest Show on Earth, making a take-home miniature circus out of paints, glue & collage materials, inspired by Barnum's Jumbo the Prize Elephant & "Feejee Mermaid"; South St. Seaport Children's Center, South St. Seaport Museum, Pier 16 (Fulton St.), 212-748-8758; 1-4, $5.

Storytelling in the Park Children of all ages are welcome for classic Andersen tales! Ruth Lesh tells "The Jumping Box" & Carol Lewis shares "Thumbelina"; Hans Christian Andersen statue, Central Park, 72nd St. (5th Ave.), www.dianewolkstein.com; 11, free.

Wearable Vegetables Erin Moriarty teaches children ages 3-12 to make botanical stamps from herbs, fruit & vegetables?bring a plain white t-shirt to decorate; Queens Botanical Garden, 43-50 Main St. (betw. Elder & Dahlia Aves.), Flushing, 718-886-3800; 12, $5.

Lectures

Zen Meditation & Lecture San Francisco Zen Center's abbess Blanche Hartman leads all-day meditation & lecture at the Culture Center, 410 Columbus Ave. (79th St.), 212-979-6870; 10 a.m., $15 contrib.

Readings

Women of Word Annual "spoken word" fest will hopefully not feature the writer responsible for its press release (the mark of a true sophisticate is to avoid starting several sentences w/"Apparently,"?in a row); Nuyorican Poets Cafe, 236 E. 3rd St. (betw. Aves. B & C), 212-505-8183; call for times, prices & complete sched.

Workshops

Ta'ziyeh: Performing Iran's Living Epic Tradition Symposium uses lectures, demos & discussions to explore Islam's only form of music drama, Ta'ziyeh (mourning), a blend of opera & theater feat. animals, actors & musicians; Asia Society & Museum, 725 Park Ave. (70th St.), 212-327-9276; 10-5, $15.

SUNDAY 7/14

Around Town

Bastille Day on 60th Street Happy 213th birthday French democracy! Now that you know what Bastille Day is, celebrate w/the rest of France & eat crepes, dance in the street, check out cultural vendors, stilt walkers & children's activities?plus hear music from Dominic Kanza, Jacques & Marie & their Paris Swing Orchestra & Ginette Bernard?see "Cabaret" listings for info; 60t St. (betw. 5th & Lexington Aves.), 212-355-6100; 12-6, free.

Fourth-Annual Waiters Race Waiters attempt to balance trays loaded down w/restaurant-type stuff, while racing down the block & back, for a chance to win round-trip tickets to France. Additional races for children ages 6-12 are also held; Brasserie Les Halles, 60t St. (betw. 5th & Lexington Aves.), 212-269-6500; 12, free.

The Fabulous Broadway Theatres Trace the history of "the Great White Way" from 1890s to 1990s, looking at architecturally stunning facades & learning their rich histories; meet in lobby, West Side YMCA, 5 W. 63rd St. (betw. B'way & Central Park W.), 212-875-4131; 2:30, $15 & $3 transportation.

Ride the Nostalgia Train Enjoy a day-trip to Coney Island aboard the three-car 1920s D-Type Triplex feat. hand-woven rattan seats, flickering light bulbs, ceiling fans & a really smooth ride?it's one of the heaviest cars ever built?sure to illicit a reaction from folks waiting on the platforms; call for meeting location, 718-694-5139, res. req., www.mta.info/museum; 10 a.m., $30, $10 child., free 3 & under.

Family

Children's Galleries for Jewish Culture Chelsea museum feat. two exhibits: "From Tent to Temple" & "From Home to Home" letting children (6-12) dress up, design communities & grind wheat. This week, kids design ancient beaded necklaces & create postcards about life in America?no strollers admitted; 515 W. 20th St. (betw. 10th & 11th Aves.), 212-924-4500; 11-5, $5.

Readings

KGB Fiction John Griesemer reads from No One Thinks of Greenland & Eric Kraft represents w/Inflating a Dog: The Story of Ella's Lunch Launch; KGB, 85 E. 4th St. (betw. 2nd & 3rd Aves.), 212-505-3360; 7, free.

Rudy's Bar and Grill hosts their first "Poetry Picnic" today in the backyard (how long has it been since you paid your respects to Baron von Swine?); 627 9th Ave. (44th St.), 212-974-9169 or www.rudysbarandgrill.com; 4, free.

Workshops

Shakespeare's Enchanted Plants & Medicinal Herbs Join Adrian Bennett to experience herbs featured in the Bard's works via texts, slides & the plants themselves; Brooklyn Botanical Gardens, 1000 Washington Ave. (Eastern Pkwy.), 718-623-7220; 10:30 a.m., $33.

MONDAY 7/15

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; Nelson A. Rockefeller Park, (Chambers St.), 212-267-9700, res. req.; 4-5:30 p.m., free.

Gardening & Farming Stories Children ages 7-12 join education director Gregory Bynum for week of storytelling, then create their own stories drawing on life & their experience at the Mansion; Morris-Jumel Mansion, Roger Morris Park, 65 Jumel Terrace (betw. 160th St. & Edgecombe Ave.), 212-923-8008 res. req.; 1-4, free.

Pirates & Pizzaz TADA!, NYC's leading youth theater, pres. its ongoing summer series of "Musical Theater Week-longs" where kids 8-18 learn to sing, dance & act in productions of original musicals. Courses run Mon.-Fri.; TADA! 15 W. 28th St., 3rd fl. (betw. 5th & 6th Aves.), 212-252-1619; 9:30-2:30, call for details & prices [repeats Tues.].

Film/Video

"Bryant Park Summer Film Festival" Free outdoor festival continues its 10-year "stars under the stars" run every Mon. night. Today, Boris Karloff's horror classic, The Mummy?bring a blanket to sit on & arrive early; 6th Ave. (42nd St.), 212-512-5700, www.hbobryantparkfilm.com; sunset [through 8/19].

"Mondo Mondays" series screens The Jazz Singer (1960), musical drama co-starring Molly Picon & Alan "Fred Flintstone" Reed; Den of Cin, Two Boots, 44 Ave. A (betw. 3rd & 4th Sts.), 212-254-0800; 8, $5.

Lectures

Partners For Life? The Reality of Marriage Institute pres. an analytical look at the romanticized notion of forever; Mid-Manhattan Institute for Psychoanalysis, 239 Central Park W., #1AS (betw. 83rd & 84th Sts.), 212-799-8558; 7:15, call for prices.

Readings

Smokin' Word What's in a title? Hopefully more than you bargained for considering it'll cost ya ten bucks just to get inside; Nell's, 246 W. 14th St. (betw. 7th & 8th Aves.), 212-675-1567; 7:30, $10.

Workshops

Cancer Care Workshop focuses on "Nurturing the Spirit w/Love, Meaning & Hope" & explores ways to maintain a strong spiritual self; Cancer Care, 275 7th Ave. (betw. 25th & 26th Sts.), 212-712-8400; 12:30, free.

The Summer Grill The heat is on, so get out of the kitchen & grill up some seasonal specialties w/Maya Kornfeld, incl. grilled tempeh, eggplant & red onion bruschetta, grilled tofu & grilled salmon w/lime-mustard teriyaki glaze; National Gourmet Institute for Food & Health, 48 W. 21st St. (betw. 5th & 6th Aves.), 212-645-5170; 6:30, $85, $160 for two people.

TUESDAY 7/16

Around Town

Becoming MTV (you know, Media Television) holds open casting auditions for new season of Becoming & hopes for participants eager to be Kelly Osbourne, Avril Lavine, P. Diddy, Usher, Brandy & Eminem?no pressure or anything; Hard Rock Cafe, 221 W. 57th St. (betw.7th Ave. & B'way), 310-752-8850; 10-3, free.

Pure Country NYC Weekly country dance & music night w/line dance lessons from 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 VH1's Rock & Roll Jeopardy, but prizes incl. $10-$25 bar tabs; Baggot Inn, 82 W. 3rd St. (betw. Thompson & Sullivan Sts.), 212-477-0622; 7:30, free.

Family

Monsters Offshore: Seeing from a Creature's Point of View Artist Antonio Sergio Bessa leads four mapmaking workshops. The second visits Scandia: Important Early Maps of the Northern Regions exhibit, which examines the earliest printed maps ever made, then children make maps feat. lots of viewpoints & exotic sea creatures; Scandinavia House, 58 Park Ave. (betw. 37th & 38th Sts.), 212-879-9779; 3:30, $10, $35 for series.

Teen Drumming The beat goes on w/circle led by traditional West African drummer, Maguette Camara, for ages 13-18; Nelson A. Rockefeller Park, Battery Park City, Chambers St. entrance, 212-267-9700; 4-5:30, free [through 10/29].

Young Dancers in Repertory offers tuition-free dance classes for children ages 4-14. So kick up your heels & head to Dyker Beach Park, 86th St. (14th Ave.), Bklyn, 718-567-9620; 10:30-12, free.

Film/Video

"The Sly Grin: Contemporary French Comedies" Double b&w feature: Adorable menteuse (Adorable Liar) (12:30 & 6:30) & Ce soir ou jamais (Tonight or Never) (3:30 & 9); French Institute, 22 E. 60th St. (betw. Madison & Park Aves.), 212-355-6100; $8 per film.

"Visions, Versions & Communities of New York" Rutgers professor Erica Romaine introduces films shot in the neighborhoods of New York. This summer's film series begins w/King Vidor's 1928 silent, The Crowd; New-York Historical Society, 2 W. 77th St. (Central Park W.), 212-873-3400; 6:30, $5, $3 st./s.c. [through 8/20].

Readings

The Ascent of Eli Israel and Other Stories Jon Papernick, a former reporter in Israel, appears w/his new collection of shorts about the Middle East; Upper West Side Barnes & Noble, 2289 B'way (82nd St.), 212-362-8835; 7:30, free.

The Emperor of Ocean Park Stephen L. Carter appears to promote his wildly popular mystery; Union Sq. Barnes & Noble, 33 E. 17th St. (betw. B'way & Park Ave. S.), 212-253-0810; 7, free.

My Less Than Secret Life No, it's not that touching tv show about those very touching teenage years?but it is the decidedly touch-y Jonathan Ames, reading from his latest, today, at Chelsea Barnes & Noble, 675 6th Ave. (21st St.), 212-727-1227; 7, free.

Lillian Ross Veteran New Yorker scribe discusses her latest, Reporting Back: Notes on Journalism, at Barnes & Noble, 240 E. 86th St. (betw. 2nd & 3rd Aves.), 212-794-1962; 7, free.