Here is a sampling of the week’s events and how to tune in (all times are Eastern). Note that events are subject to change after publication.
Monday
Listen to a conversation between the authors Russell Banks, Major Jackson and Alice McDermott, as part of Write America, a reading series created by the writer Roger Rosenblatt and hosted by Book Revue, a bookstore in Huntington, N.Y. The writers will read excerpts from their work and discuss the role that literature can play in healing divided communities. This event is free.
When 7 p.m.
Where bookrevue.com/write-america-banks-jackson-mcdermott
Celebrate Abraham Lincoln’s life and legacy this Presidents’ Day with a series of family-friendly events from the Chicago History Museum. Children 6 and older are encouraged to take a virtual tour of Chicago as seen through Lincoln’s eyes, design a campaign poster and even tune in to a virtual hangout with the former president, who is played by the actor Kevin J. Wood. This event is free, and donations are encouraged.
When 12 p.m.
Where chicagohistory.org/event/virtual-presidents-day-2021
Tuesday
Stream Susan Soon He Stanton’s “Today Is My Birthday,” a comedy about a 29-year-old returning home to Hawaii from Manhattan and the loneliness she faces. Directed by Lily Tung Crystal and starring Katie Bradley, the play focuses on the search for connection, even through isolation. Tickets to this event, which is prerecorded and produced by Theater Mu with support from East West Players, are need-based and can be purchased for as little as $5.
When On demand through Feb. 21
Where theatermu.org/today-is-my-birthday
Wednesday
Join Kelly McMasters, a professor at Hofstra University, for a conversation with Jia Tolentino, the author of the essay collection “Trick Mirror” and a staff writer at The New Yorker. Ms. Tolentino will discuss her past and current work and will also take questions from viewers. This event is free, but registration is required. Attendance is capped at 300.
When 6:30 p.m.
Where hofstra.edu/gwgr/
Tune in to a talk between two members of the Tuskegee Airmen Inc. to celebrate Black History Month. Harry Quinton was a member of the Tuskegee Airmen, the renowned Black flying unit, and served as a World War II aviation mechanic. He will be interviewed by Howard Baugh, whose father was also a Tuskegee airman. This event, presented by the Virginia War Memorial, is free, but registration is required. Attendance is capped at 100, but can be streamed live through the memorial’s Facebook page if registration exceeds the limit.
When 2 p.m.
Where vawarmemorial.org/events/tuskegeequinton
Thursday
Watch Nic Brierre Aziz, artist and community engagement curator for the New Orleans Museum of Art and manager of the Haitian Cultural Legacy Collection, in conversation with Joëlle Ferly, an artist and founder of L’Artocarpe, a nonprofit based in Guadeloupe that promotes contemporary art. Moderated by Grace Aneiza Ali and presented by the Caribbean Cultural Center African Diaspora Institute, the discussion will center on art initiatives that revolve around the French Caribbean and its diaspora and on the artists’ work to create alternative spaces and methods of curating. This event is free to watch.
When 6 p.m.
Where The Caribbean Cultural Center African Diaspora Institute’s YouTube, Instagram and Facebook platforms.
Friday
Honor the history of older adults who identify as L.G.B.T.+ with “Not Another Second,” an exhibition that explores the lives of 12 individuals, the discrimination they faced and the courage and resilience they have shown. The individuals, including a former politician, a Black Panther and military veteran, and a participant of the Stonewall uprising, share their stories in a series of portraits and video interviews shot by the photographer Karsten Thormaehlen in a collaboration with SAGE and Watermark Retirement Communities. The 12 discuss their experiences and the years they lost by hiding part of their identity. This exhibit is free.
When Anytime
Where notanothersecond.com
Saturday
Learn a new recipe for Mardi Gras in a kid-friendly cooking class from BLVD Kitchen, a cooking school in Los Angeles. The chef, Michal Harris, will teach children 5 and up how to make Fat Tuesday pancakes and cover basics, such as measuring and following a recipe. Adult assistance is recommended for students 8 and younger. Tickets cost $20, and registration closes at 1 p.m. on Feb. 19.
When 1 p.m.
Where theblvdkitchen.com/new-classes-page/kidscelebratemardigras
Listen to a story told by with Gene Tagaban, also known as “One Crazy Raven,” a storyteller, speaker and mentor who tells traditional Native American tales as well as stories from his own experiences through song, dance and movement. Mr. Tagaban will recount stories from his grandmother during this kid-friendly story time presented by the National Museum of the American Indian. This prerecorded event is free and will be available on demand through February.
When 11 a.m.
Where youtube.com/user/SmithsonianNMAI
Sunday
Tune in to a conversation between the artist Ai Weiwei and Yael Lipschutz, a curator at the Skirball Cultural Center. Mr. Ai and Mr. Lipschutz will discuss Mr. Ai’s views on human rights violations around the world, as well “Trace,” his touring exhibition that features portraits of 83 individuals from over 25 countries, whom Mr. Ai and various human rights groups consider to be activists, prisoners of conscience and advocates of free speech. Registration closes at 3 p.m. on Feb. 19. This event is free and is prerecorded.
When 2 p.m.
Where skirball.org/programs/words-and-ideas/conversation-ai-weiwei
Attend a virtual symposium as part of Fashion In/Action: Dressing for Global Unrest, a new exhibition from N.Y.U. Steinhardt’s Costume Studies program. The exhibition and symposium explore the ways that Covid-19 and Black Lives Matter protests in 2020 have changed fashion, including designers using their factories to make personal protective equipment and the symbolism of clothing worn to demonstrations. The symposium will feature original research from students and a keynote speech from Korina Emmerich, a fashion designer and the founder of EMME Studio. This event is free.
When 10:30 a.m.
