Monday, March 2
This evening at the Film Forum, writer and producer Don Perry, who is currently at work on a project exploring African American images in popular culture, introduces D.W. Griffith’s 1915 American silent epic drama film "The Birth of a Nation." Created in 1915, "The Birth of a Nation" also marked the birth of American cinema. The film chronicles the relationship of two families in Civil War and Reconstruction-US era: the pro-Union Northern Stonemans and the pro-Confederacy Southern Camerons over the course of several years and remains “a highly inflammatory piece of propaganda” according to British film historian Kevin Brownlow — as the “heroic” group that rides to the rescue is the Ku Klux Klan. "The Birth of a Nation" is one of the greatest box office hits ever and a created a revolution in filmmaking that also provoked riots on first release. 7:40 p.m. 209 West Houston St., Greenwich Village. $13.
Tuesday, March 3
Hello from Japan! is a new interactive exhibit in Children's Museum of Manhattan’s Lower Level Gallery that transports families to two distinct areas of Tokyo that exist side by side: Kawaii Central, a streetscape inspired by Tokyo’s bustling Harajuku district and the Shinto shrine park, which invites children to build a bridge, crawl through a forest, encounter kami spirits, and make a wish at a wishing tree. The Tisch Building, 212 West 83rd Street, Upper West Side. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. $11.
Wednesday, March 4
The Art Show is America’s longest running fine art fair and features exhibitions by 72 art galleries. The Art Show’s booth presentations feature modern and cutting-edge contemporary works and include group exhibitions presented alongside solo booths, many of which this year are dedicated to women artists. On Friday at 6 p.m. in the show’s Keynote Speech, New York City Cultural Affairs Commissioner Tom Finkelpearl will discuss the city’s new cultural diversity initiative. Wednesday to Sunday from 12 p.m. Park Avenue Armory, 643 Park Ave., Upper East Side. $25.
Thursday, March 5
One of New York City’s biggest and best contemporary and modern art fairs, The Armory Show, kicks off today through to Sunday on Pier 92 & 94 on The Hudson River. Devoted to showcasing the most important artworks of the 20th and 21st centuries, The Armory Show also highlights a different New York City neighborhood each day during Armory Arts Week (March 3 to 8) with today’s focus on Chelsea. Specialist art tours — for an extra $30 — can be purchased with your Armory entry tickets ($45). Volta NY, an invitational solo project fair for contemporary art is also kicking off today, conveniently you’ll find it right next door to the Armory Show on Pier 90. Pier 92 & 94, Hell’s Kitchen.