NEW YORK TODAY
Enjoy more NYC with a daily look at where to go and what to do — close to home and around the city.
MOONLIGHT MUSIC.
Get serenaded by singer Lise Vachon, who is joined by a guitarist, a percussionist and a French horn player at Cornelia Street Cafe. “What Good Would the Moon Be? — Songs on the Times We Live In” combines world music with traditional jazz, classical and pop. Admission includes a drink. 6 p.m. $20. 29 Cornelia St. (212) 989-9319.
GARDENING PARTY.
Stop and smell the flowers at the New York Botanical Garden’s “Spring Gardening Open House Weekend.” Take tours of the rock, azalea and rose gardens and participate in a variety of home gardening demos and wine tastings. Noon-4 p.m. $20. 2900 Southern Blvd., Bronx. (718) 817-8700.
LAUGH OUT LOUD.
Get your giggle on for World Laughter Day, organized by the Laughter Salon, Yoga Laff and Better Health Chiropractic. Learn laughter yoga exercises. 1-2:30 p.m. Free. Riverside Park, North Lawn at W. 79th St. (212) 243-2365.
ROCK THE BLOCK.
Head to the Henry Street Settlement for an old-fashioned block party celebrating the social services and arts organization’s 145th birthday. There’ll be street games, arts and crafts, refreshments, a birthday cake baking contest and tours of the historic headquarters. Noon. Free. 265 Henry St. (212) 766-9200.
FARM FEST.
At “Celebrate Queens Farm!” you can watch sheep shearing and spinning demos, learn about the Community Compost Project and enjoy live music, hayrides and some of the city’s best food trucks. Join farmerled tours and buy vegetable seedlings and flowers at the Spring Plant Sale. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. $5. 73-50 Little Neck Parkway. (718) 347-3276.
HIGH ART.
Head up Staten Island’s Lighthouse Hill, one of the highest points on the Eastern seaboard, to find the Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art. The museum, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is designed to resemble a small Himalayan mountain monastery. 1-5 p.m. $4-$6. 338 Lighthouse Ave. (718) 987-3500.
BORN BEHIND BARS.
Learn about women in prison during “A Conversation With Author Deborah Jiang Stein,” who was born and lived the first year of her life in prison. She’ll share details from her book “Even Tough Girls Wear Tutus: Inside the World of a Woman Born in Prison.” 3 p.m. Free. Judson Memorial Church, 55 Washington Square South. (212) 477-0351.
FILM, THE NEXT GENERATION.
Attend the 23rd annual Dusty Film and Animation Festival to see works by more than 100 filmmakers and animators graduating from the School of Visual Arts. The festival, produced by filmmaker and SVA faculty member Annie Flocco, includes short films, videos and animation. 1 p.m. Free. 333 W. 23rd St. (212) 592-2000.
SEW WHAT YOU REAP.
See how seeds turn into clothing when Lefferts Historic House hosts the “Sow and Sew Flax Weekend.” Visitors help prepare the soil, plant the seeds and see how flax is turned into thread and then into cloth. Visitors get to sew their own linen pouch using a needle and thread. 1-4 p.m. Free for children, suggested donation for adults. 95 Prospect Park West, Brooklyn. (718) 789-2822.
KIDS’ ZONE.
Spend the afternoon “Celebrating Japan’s Children’s Day: Kodomo No Hi” at the Japan Society. Watch theatrical performances of classic Japanese stories, songs and dances while the kids sample traditional snacks and create samurai helmets or carp streamers. 2-4 p.m. $12. 333 E. 47th St. (212) 832-1155.
LOOKING AHEAD:
MOVIE MAGIC.
Get inspired by “Man With a Movie Camera,” an experimental 1929 Russian silent documentary. The flick presents everyday urban life, and is famous for the range of cinematic techniques that director Dziga Vertov pioneered. Mon., 4 p.m. Free. Cafe Fledermaus at Neue Galerie, 1048 Fifth Ave., at E. 86th St. (212) 628-6200.
SAX AND THE CITY.
Dynamic and versatile saxophonist Jay Rodriguez takes the stage at the Blue Note. The Colombian born, New York-trained musician is a two-time Grammy nominee who has played with Elvis Costello, Erykah Badu and Tupac Shakur. Mon., 8 p.m. $10-$15. 131 W. Third St. (212) 475-8592.
HELP YOURSELF.
Meet Augusten Burroughs, the best-selling author of “Running With Scissors,” when he presents his new “self-help” memoir “This Is How” at Barnes & Nobles. Priority seating is given to people who purchase the book. Tues., 7 p.m. Free. 33 E. 17th St. (212) 253-0810.
SPIRITUAL SYMPHONY.
The Brooklyn Philharmonic performs works inspired by H.T. Burleigh, one of the first AfricanAmerican students admitted into the Conservatory of Music. “Chamber Concert: Spirituals, Rags and Strings” features poet Tyehimba Jess and a viola soloist. Wed., 7 p.m. Free. Brooklyn Public Library, Dweck Center, 10 Grand Army Plaza. (718) 488-5700.
STUDENT DESIGNS.
Admire the creativity and innovation of more than 800 students in the “Art and Design Graduating Student Exhibition 2012” at the Museum at FIT. Featured works come from 17 areas of study such as fashion, advertising and toy design. Wed., Noon-8 p.m. Free. Seventh Ave. at 27th St. (212) 217-4558.
GET UP, STAND UP.
Burst out laughing with “The Daily Show Live: Stand-up Comedy From ‘The Daily Show’s’ Staff.” Rory Albanese, seven-time Emmywinning executive producer and writer for the late-night show, has recruited some of his staff for a night of live comedy at the Tribeca 92Y. Thurs., 9 p.m. $15. 200 Hudson St. (212) 601-1000.
QUICK LOOK.
Watch a selection of short films at the Open Road Rooftop on the lower East Side. The eight titles in the “This Is What We Mean by Short Films” program range in length from 4 to 21 minutes and all focus on the theme of revolution. Fri., 8 p.m. $12. 350 Grand St. (718) 417-7362.
ART ATTACK.
Bring the family to Gantry Plaza State Park for an “Art Adventure” that includes face painting, mask making, theater games, unicycles, balloon animals and pastel workshops. The celebration is part of the LIC Arts Open festival that celebrates the thriving arts community in Long Island City. Sat., 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Free. 4-09 47th Road, Queens. (718) 786-6385.