Today
REMEMBER: Readings and performances mark the anniversary of 9/11 at the Brooke Jackman Foundation Read-a-thon: A Celebration of Literacy and Hope. (Jackman, who had a passion for literacy, was 23 when she perished in the attacks). Rosie Perez, cast members of “Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark” and teen band Care Bears on Fire will all be reading. But don’t forget to save some applause for the REAL stars — the uniformed heroes of 9/11. Noon, free. World Financial Center, 220 Vesey St., at West Street; 212-945-0505, worldfinancialcenter.com
SHINE A LIGHT: Experience some Asian dance and song at Solar One’s “Sun to Stars: South Asian Cultural Festival.” Besides traditional music and dance performances modeled after the all-night concerts at India’s Ganges River, kids can learn how to wrap saris, decorate clay pots and more! 2 to 4 p.m., free. Stuyvesant Cove Park, at FDR Drive Service Road East, between 22nd and 23rd streets; 212-505-6050, solar1.org
TOMORROW
HOT DOGS: Before you finally cave and add a canine (or feline) companion to your family, be sure to stop by “Adoptapalooza” (hosted by the Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals). It’s a crash course in dog and cat adoptions, featuring info on everything from purebred rescue groups to microchipping, this free event will also feature dog-training sessions and performances by a skateboarding dog and canine Broadway star Sandy from the soon-to-open “Annie: the Musical.” Noon to 5 p.m. Union Square, 14th to 17th streets between Broadway and Park Avenue South; 212-252-2350, animalalliancenyc.org
HALF-PINT HIPSTERS: Expect this month’s installment of Littlefield’s “Hip Tot Music Fest” concert series to be a seriously rockin’ time, thanks to Brooklyn’s own Audra Tsanos (better known as AudraRox). Before the show, kids can chill out and listen to a reading by Melanie Hope Greenberg and/or build a cardboard castle with Mini Jake and Makedo. 2 p.m., $12 for adults, $8 for kids (family of four, $35). 622 Degraw St., between Third and Fourth avenues, Brooklyn; 718-855-3388, littlefieldnyc.com