The A-list

Readings

OWEN SHEERS & AMY HEMPEL
Acclaimed young author Owen Sheers (pictured) has published books of nonfiction, poetry, and a new WWII novel, “Resistance.” To commemorate New York’s Wales Week, he is joined by fellow Welsh poets Lloyd Robson and Richard Gwyn at this free weekly series in Soho. March 1 at 3 p.m. The Ear Inn. 326 Spring St. 646-281-1634, earinnpoetry@mbroder.com NYU’s “New Salon: Fiction Writers in Conversation” hosts Amy Hempel, whose unnerving and superlative “Collected Stories” was named one of the 10 best books of 2006. Hempel discusses her work with best-selling novelist Darin Strauss. February 29 at 7 p.m. Lillian Vernon Creative Writers House. 58 W. 10th St. 212-998-8850, cwp.fas.nyu.edu

Theater

UNCONDITIONAL
In describing LAByrinth Theater Company’s current production, Jerry Taller wrote in the Villager, “‘Unconditional’ starts with a man on a chair, his hands tied, his neck in a noose, just to give you an idea. And yes, race has a lot to do with it.” Featuring Ellen Burstyn, Chris Chalk, Anna Chlumsky, Yolonda Ross, and others, this new drama by Brett C. Leonard tracks nine New Yorkers whose lives converge in racially and sexually explosive events. Rife with riveting drama and violence, the show is definitely not for kids or puppies. Through April 20. Public Theater. 425 Lafayette St. 212-967-7555, LABtheater.org

Photo by Monique Carboni
Isiah Whitlock, Jr. and Yolonda Ross

Music & Film

William Kentridge with a charcoal drawing from “9 Drawings for Projection”

THE REST IS SILENCE
At their annual peace concert, new music collective Ensemble Pi plays evocative works composed in response to war and oppression. Introduced by cultural critic Naomi Wolf, the evening features premieres of Frederic Rzewski’s “Johnny Has Gone for a Soldier” and John Harbison’s “Abu Ghraib,” based on Iraqi songs. Two short animated films from William Kentridge’s “9 Drawings for Projection” are accompanied by a live performance of Philip Miller’s original score. Created between 1989 and 2003, these films comprised of charcoal drawings examine the fraught legacy of apartheid and social change in South Africa. March 1 at 8 p.m. Great Hall at Cooper Union. 7 E. 7th St. ensemble-pi.org

Art

HAL BROMM ANNIVERSARY EXHiBITION
Featuring works by Carlos Alfonzo, Luis Frangella, Keith Haring, and David Wojnarowicz, “30” showcases four artists whose early careers were launched by the gallery, and whose lives where cut short by AIDS. The artists knew one another in the seventies, working in the East Village, and the selected pieces highlight unexamined parallels and relationships between their art and personal lives. Through March 28. Hal Bromm Gallery. 90 W. Broadway. 212-732-6196, halbromm@gmail.com

© Estate of Keith Haring
Keith Haring: Painting Himself Into a Corner at SVA, circa 1978

Concert

DAVID WILCOX
With a voice often compared to James Taylor’s, Wilcox recently departed from his Nick Drake-influenced style to produce an album of sacred poetry set to music. Representing myriad religions, the poems were written by St. Francis of Assisi, Rumi, Jewish mystics, and others. The singer-songwriter plays as part of the “Naked Soul” series of acoustic and unamplified music concerts. Tickets include admission to RMA’s galleries of Himalayan art and happy hour starts an hour before the show. March 7 at 7 p.m. Rubin Museum of Art. 150 W. 17th St. 212-620-5000 ext 344, rmanyc.com