Free & cheap New York: Sat., March 10

Mesmerized by KLEZMER?Golem, who plays klezmer music without a clarinet, is one of the go to groups New York folk-rock Eastern European. The group will perform songs in Yiddish, Russian, French and Ladino at BAMcafé Live. 21 free. 30 Lafayette St., Brooklyn. (718) 636-4100.

CHERYL, meet CINDY. PopRally presents CHERYL, a collective of four members, sometimes disguised as cat artist. The Brooklyn group will give one of their performances over-the-top to celebrate the new exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art, Cindy Sherman. 21 $ 18. 11 W 53rd St (212) 708-9400.

The JIG is up Kids can celebrate St. Patrick's day approaching learning to dance step. 14 $ 6. Staten Island children's Museum, 1000 Richmond Terrace. (718) 273-2060.

Watch the birdie!To celebrate family day, Bard Graduate Center asked Caroline Borderies to create a new shadow-puppet play called "there's a bird in my hat!" and after the show, children can make their own marionette duck, goose or ostrich. Noon-4 p.m. $ 3-$ 5. 18 w. 86th St. (212) 501-3011.

Saturday night fever. Get groovy Spot Moxie family disco at night. Children eat for free and if you dont want to boogie the night, there are board games, toys and crafts to keep them entertained. 18 free. 81 Atlantic Ave., Brooklyn. (718) 923-9710.

BROOKLYN IN BLOOM. Brooklyn Botanic Garden will host the annual making Brooklyn Bloom 31, a day of workshops that celebrate the sustainable city gardening. The Conference will be coverclimate change and community composting. Dr. Sandra Henderson and give a keynote address: "when talking about plants, listen: gardeners as citizen scientists. 10-16. 900 Washington Ave. (718) 623-7200.

' PARTY ' leader.Arden Myrin and Lisa deLarios will host "The Party Machine", a wacky comedy lineup of actsand party, among other artists. 19:30 $ 5. Union Hall 702 Union St, Brooklyn, New York. (718) 638-4400.

Hi, HOLLY!Catch the latest exhibition of photographer Holly Andres, "The Fall of Spring Hill," at the Robert Mann Gallery. It depicts childhood memories in a summer Church camp. 11 free. 210 11th Ave. (212) 989-7600.

Have a ball. Experience of some popular ballroom dances of England denza at the New York Public Library. Presented by the istorical Dance Company in New York, Mary Ball fantasy is part of "Shelley's Ghost: the afterlife of a poet" exhibition. No prior dance experience is required, but wear comfortable shoes. 14 free. Webster Library, 1465 York Ave. (212) 288 5049.

A green thumbs-up Enjoy family day children's Garden HSBC. The hands-on program for small-large planters, age 11:55, teaches them about nature while enjoying a beautiful outdoor environment. 2-4 p.m. free. Queens Botanical Garden, 43-50 Main St (718) 886 3800.

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Top 10 TV things for the week of March 11, 2012

1. “Once Upon a Time” (ABC, Sunday, 8 p.m.) While ABC has been trying to find the next “Desperate Housewives”-style soap smash for Sunday, this fairy tale drama has quietly built a nice following. It’s good gentle fun.

2. “The Good Wife” (CBS, Sunday, 9 p.m.) It’s gotten a little soapy, but it still may be the best legal drama on TV.

3. “The Walking Dead” (AMC, Sunday, 9 p.m.) Or, if you don’t feel like watching lawyers chew each other up, maybe you should watch zombies give it a try.

4. “Breakout Kings” (A&E, Sunday, 10 p.m.) This is what cable dramas can do well: a simple, stripped-down, focused drama with characters we like.

5. “The Voice” (NBC, Monday, 8 p.m.) It’s more than a fad. It may not deliver an army of stars, but it’s fast-moving and fun.

6. “2 Broke Girls” (CBS, Monday, 8:30 p.m.) It’s a rerun this week. Shut up and watch anyway.

7. “My Super Psycho Sweet 16 Part 3” (MTV, Tuesday, 10 p.m.) Television so rarely embraces the teen slasher genre as lovingly as it does here. It’s almost a shame this is the — heh, heh — last in the series.

8. “Justified” (FX, Tuesday, 10 p.m.) A modern-day Western that can stand with the best of the old ones, thanks largely to Timothy Olyphant as Elmore Leonard’s Raylan Givens.

9. “Nikita” (CW, Friday, 8 p.m.) The CW has almost fallen off the radar lately, but “Nikita” is still a fun action show, and Maggie Q is great to watch.

10. “In Plain Sight” (USA, Friday, 10 p.m.) Alas, this is the final season for this drama about a neurotic marshal who is very good with other people’s lives and not so good with her own.

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Joe Dziemianowicz’s theater picks for week of March 11

1. Michael Esper & Co. (Playwrights Horizons) Today is your last chance to see the ace cast of the terrifically mean-streaked “Assistance.”

2. “The Maids” (Theatre at St. Clement’s) Jean Genet’s 1947 classic French thriller comes courtesy of the ever-adventurous Red Bull Theater.

3. “An Iliad” (New York Theatre Workshop) It’s a story of war and remembrance well-told by the show’s co-writer Denis O’Hare and Stephen Spinella, who alternate the role of narrator.

4. “Newsies” (Nederlander Theatre) How to turn a Disney dud movie into a delightful stage musical? The production, starting Thursday, shows you how.

5. Drama Book Shop (250 W. 40th St.) The invaluable theater resource offers an in-store chat with “Other Desert Cities” writer Jon Robin Baitz on March 15.

6. Linda Lavin. The drop-dead funny actress who returns to Broadway next month in “The Lyons” gets feted on March 12 at the Vineyard Theatre, where the Nicky Silver comedy ran last year.

7. End Stage (480 W. 42nd St.) After a Goldlilocks-like trek through Signature Center’s three theaters, this airy home to “The Lady from Dubuque” is just right.

8. “Tribes” (Barrow Street Theatre). A beautifully acted, directed and designed production of Nina Raine’s drama about a deaf man, an outsider in his own family.

9. Elizabeth Marvel (Booth Theatre). She’s back in the role she originated in “Other Desert Cities,” playing a writer whose memoir shakes up her family.

10. The logo for “Once” (Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre). Star Steve Kazee likes the charming drawing of a guitar so much he’s considering get a tattoo of it.

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Jim Farber’s Top Ten in music for week of March 11

1) The Lijadu Sisters “Danger” and “Mother Africa” : By now, you know all about Fela. Next, you should check out his cousins, the Lijadu Sisters, who also emerged from Nigeria in the ’70s with an Afro-meets-psychedelic sound, heard on four classic albums. The first two have now been reissued: “Danger,” the rockier of the two, sung in English, and “Mother Africa,” a more trad CD, sung in Yoruba. Both disks match the Sisters’ close, conversational harmonies to beats that undulate gorgeously.

2) Caetano Veloso and David Byrne “Live at Carnegie Hall” : David Byrne deserves credit for introducing many benighted Americans to the sumptuous lilts of seminal Brazilian artist Caetano Veloso through several ’90s compilations on his Luaka Bop label. In 2004, Veloso returned the favor by inviting Byrne to split a bill with him at Carnegie Hall. Amazingly, Veloso’s rapturous work works well with Byrne’s jerkier style, providing a sweet and telling contrast.

3) Macy Gray “Covered” : Ironically, Macy Gray has found her most serious voice by covering the songs of others. They range from a sinister run at Eurythmics’ “Here Comes the Rain Again” to a take on Metallica’s “Nothing Else Matters” that’s both funky and graceful.

4) Andrew Bird “Break It Yourself” : Bird’s violin work has a beauty, and formality, ideally suited to his boyish voice.

5) Ana Tijoux “La Bala”: Rappers who sing seldom do both well. But Chile’s Ana Tijoux has a voice that’s fluid and a rapping style of genuine force.

6) Lyle Lovett “Release Me” : Lovett’s latest finds its sweet spot in a loving duet with k.d lang on the title track. Also of note: his rocking revival of Jesse Winchester’s obscure blues gem “Isn’t That So.”

7) Galactic “Carnivale Electricos” : New Orleans’ funk meets Rio’s samba on the latest disk from Galactic. The result? An international party.

8) Tennis “Young & Old” : Singer Alaina Moore has a Lulu-like, girlish purity to it that adds winsome lilt to songs blessed with a ’60s pop snap.

9) Robert Glasper Experiment “Black Radio” : At the hinge of hip-hop and jazz lies pianist Robert Glasper. His latest, sprawling effort creates a radio station of the mind, full of cameos from the likes of Erykah Badu and Lupe Fiasco, together creating a fresco of riffs and rhymes.

10) The Kaiser Chiefs “Start the Revolution Without Me” : Lots of bands went ’80s-crazy five years ago. But on their fifth disk, the Kaiser Chiefs continue to make that retro strategy seem more individual and catchier than any of their peers.

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10 March: mourning the death of Lexington, St Pat's dog and bemoaning the evil in our midst

All dogs go to heaven — especially this one

Closter, NJ: Re "St Pat's dog goes to heaven" (7 March): Lexington, can rest in peace. I love you, and you will always be in my heart. Amy Bezer

Not in my back yard? Could be

Whitestone: a cache of weapons was found in a house in Woodmere, L.I., and all the neighbors said things like that don't happen in neighborhoods like them. When was brutally murdered little Leiby Kletzky, reactions were the same — one of their own could not do a monstrous thing. We are by nature likely to ignore signals that something is a bit off because we are willing to suspect of people who seem to be just like us. It's time to step away from that false sense of security and face the fact that crime happens everywhere, evil can be found everywhere and it is not always that cause problems. If we all accept this fact and became a little more cautious, attentive and willing to speak, everyone would be much safer. Carolyn Bunkley

Missed opportunity

Manchester, N.J.: I agree with Voicer Mike Campisi about all attacks that caused Muslim extremists. Many of them occurred when Bill Clinton was President, and nothing was done. Maybe if we had stopped them, then we would be in the mess we are now. Carol Cavanaugh

On guard

Morganville, N.J.: Voicer Mike Campisi, I say, amen! Unfortunately, the good suffer for evil. Not all Muslims are extremists, but we must be vigilant. Debbie Jordan

The Jersey I connection

Middle Village: If the Governor of New Jersey Chris Christie tries to stop the New York City police from spying on Muslims in his State, perhaps the families of the victims of the attacks of 9/11 and the 1993 Trade Center should sue the State of New Jersey for not doing his job with law enforcement. Most of the terrorists came from New Jersey. Do your job in New Jersey, and NYPD won't have to do it for you! Steven Diaz

Connecting Jersey II

Little Egg Harbor, N.J.: we love Chris Christie the Governor of the State of the garden, but his views on efforts to protect us all NYPD by terrorists are misguided. The terrorists of 9/11 that took down the twin towers had driver's licenses in New Jersey, and that is how they got they hijacked aircraft. We also spy the President if saves lives. Political correctness will be our downfall. Doug Wilson

Uneasy rider

Clifton, NJ: Neydit: cyclist Voicer Bob Evan Neumann was not "doing right by a left lane through lane." The Daily News reported on March 6 that he "was the ticket when policemen saw pedal northbound bike lane ... to get to the other side of the road, turn right on Stanton St." His ticket was for failure to use a bicycle. Ronald K. Samuel

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Free and Cheap NYC for the week of March 11

BUBBLE BLOWER Be amazed by award-winning performer Casey Carle’s one-man show “Bubblemania.” Combining comedy, jazz and bubble blowing, the performance includes fog-filled sculptures, bubble ping-pong and more. 1 & 3 p.m. $14. Queens Theatre, 14 United Nations Ave. South. (718) 760-0064.

MUSIC FOR THE SOUL Be the first to see rising R&B stars on the legendary B.B. King Blues Club stage. “R&B Spotlight,” hosted by Datwon Thomas of Vibe magazine, features musical guests Winslow Dynasty, Rasheeda Wallace, Mio Soul and more. 8 p.m. $12. 237 W. 42nd St. (212) 997-4144.

LIVE ART Bring your own art supplies to “Dr. Sketchy’s Anti-Art School,” an event that is part burlesque and part live drawing class. This week’s model, dominatrix Dante Posh will pose in costumes inspired by historic sculptures. 4 p.m. $15. The Bowery Poetry Club, 308 Bowery. (212) 614-0505.

FIGHT OFF THE BLUES Head to Pete’s Candy Store and listen to hauntingly beautiful music by the Great Republic of Rough and Ready. The group strips down works by artists ranging from Ma Rainey to Skip James to reexamine the traditions of country, folk and blues music. 8:30 p.m. Free. 709 Lorimer St., Brooklyn. (718) 302-3770.

CAMPING OUT Look for the perfect summer camp at “The New York Family Camp Fair Series.” Representatives from camps across New York and New Jersey will help parents find the perfect experience for kids ages 3 to 17. Register at newyorkfamilycamps.com. Noon-3 p.m. Free. Union Temple, 17 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn. (646) 442-1662.

MOVIE STALKER Join writer Geoff Dyer at the Museum of the Moving Image as he talks about his longtime obsession with Russian director Andrei Tarkovsky’s “Stalker.” Dyer turned the movie into a book called “Zona: A Book About a Film About a Journey to a Room.” 3 p.m. $6-$12. 36-01 35th Ave., Queens. (718) 777-6888.

PHOTO OP Get a sneak peek at award-winning photojournalist and filmmaker Ed Kashi’s upcoming book, “Photojournalisms,” based on 20 years of field journal entries and images addressed to his wife. The book launch also features a slide show of Kashi’s recent work for National Geographic. Wine will be served. 5 p.m. $5. powerHouse Arena, 37 Main St., Brooklyn. (718) 666-3049.

FUN WITH ROBOTS Celebrate the opening of RoboFun with a day of kid-friendly events. Build things with Lego, operate a robot, experience stop-motion animation and design a video game. Don’t forget to take home a goody bag. Email openhouse@vemny.org to register. 1-4 p.m. Free. 2672 Broadway, at 101st St. (212) 245-0444.

News Update

Top 10 movie things for week of March 11, 2012

1. “John Carter” finally arrives, without “... of Mars” as part of its title. Disney probably didn’t want audiences to think it was another Republican primary candidate.

2. Angelina Jolie wants a better screenplay for a “Salt” sequel. Her right leg, though, loved a scene where it blew away a team of evil, terrorist legs.

3. “Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax” opens huge, with a Thneed-shaking $70 million-plus weekend.

4. “Hunger Games” author Suzanne Collins gives the movie version “a thumbs-up.” Then she goes back to eating a giant plate of money.

5. A battle royal: Best Actress winner Julia Roberts plays the evil queen in this month’s Snow White update “Mirror, Mirror” — the same role Best Actress winner Charlize Theron plays in June’s “Show White and the Huntsman.”

6. An actor named Joel Kinnaman will be the new RoboCop. Producers searched high and low for just the right chin.

7. Ryan Reynolds says he’s still hoping to do a movie as Marvel character Deadpool. Now showing at the bottom of the Deadpool: A double feature of “The Change-Up” and “Green Lantern .”

8. First picture of Johnny Depp's upcoming "The Lone Ranger" is released. In the comics, LR was related to the Green Hornet, and look how that movie turned out.

9. Lindsay Lohan's March 3 hosting gig on "Saturday Night Live." Her last time on the show was in 2006 to promote "Just My Luck." Now she's pushing her luck.

10. After this summer’s “Battleship,” get ready for the next board-game movie, “Ouija.” Hey look what it’s spelling out! P...l...e...a...s...e... D...o...n...’t... M...a...k...e... T...h...i...s...

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