Compiled by sarah norris
Film
Robert Downey: A Prince
Robert Downey, Sr. will be in attendance on the series’ closing night, Thursday, Sept. 18, to answer questions after the 7:30 p.m. screening of “Chafed Elbows” and to introduce “Moment to Moment” at 9 p.m. From Sept. 12-18, the theater will show the newly preserved earliest films of Robert Downey, Sr., including “No More Excuses” (1968) and his seemingly lost mid-70s movie, “Moment to Moment” (aka “Two Tons of Turquoise to Taos Tonight”). All four movies are noteworthy for their zany playfulness and humor. Sept. 12-18. $8 general, $6 students/seniors. Anthology Film Archives. 32 Second Ave. (at 2nd St.) anthologyfilmarchives.org.
Joanna Rudnick and her sister, Lisa, a radiologist, look at a mammogram.
In the Family
At 31, filmmaker Joanna Rudnick faces an impossible decision: remove her breasts and ovaries or risk incredible odds of developing cancer. Armed with a genetic test result that leaves her vulnerable and confused, she balances dreams of having her own children with the unnerving reality that she is risking her life by holding on to her fertility. “In the Family” follows Joanna as she connects with other women trying to navigate the unpredictable world of predictive genetic testing. Following this New York premiere screening will be a panel discussion with the filmmaker and experts in several fields. Sept. 15 at 6:30 p.m. Free. The Paley Center for Media. 25 West 52 St. RSVP online at www.inthefamilyfilm.com.
Lecture
Oliver Sacks, “Musicophilia”
Neurologist and author Oliver Sacks discusses the mind’s relationship to music. His 2007 book, “Musicophilia: Tales of Music and the Brain,” uses medical case studies to illustrate this extraordinary interaction, including a man struck by lightning who is suddenly inspired to become a pianist, a group of children who are hyper-musical from birth, and a man whose memory spans only seven seconds—for everything but music. Sacks has written many best-selling books, including “The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat,” and his articles appear regularly in “The New Yorker” and “The New York Review of Books.” Sept. 24 at 6:30 p.m. Free. The Great Hall at Cooper Union. 7 E. 7th St. (at 3rd Ave.) 212-353-4195, cooper.edu
Books
Legends of the Chelsea Hotel
Author Ed Hamilton will be reading from “Legends of the Chelsea Hotel: Living with the Artists and Outlaws of New York’s Rebel Mecca.” Hamilton’s book pays homage to the vast and varied famous and non-famous guests of the legendary Chelsea Hotel. His stories paint pictures of Chelsea life that are funny and heartbreaking, and both believable and absurd. Sept. 19 at 7 p.m. Free. Bluestockings Books & Cafe. 172 Allen St. (btw Stanton and Rivington). 212-777-6028, bluestockings.com.
Theater
Azikiwe Mohammed.
Soprano Nicole Tori and bass baritone Roland Burks
Calling
Based on her book “A Mother’s Essays from Ground Zero,” Wickham Boyle’s play is described as “an opera of forgiveness.” “Calling” recounts the up-close experience of one Downtown family on 9/11 and the following month. Blending drama, music, choreography, and a soaring architectural set, the show captures the family members’ reactions to having witnessed the attack on the World Trade Center at close range, and the path they take to move from chaos to recovery and hope. La MaMa’s production marks the work’s first full showing. Sept. 12-28. Thurs.-Sat. at 8 p.m.and Sun. at 2:30 & 8 p.m. $25. Students/seniors $20. La MaMa E.T.C. 74A E. 4th St. 212-475-7710; lamama.org; callingtheopera.com.
