Today
Brass tracks: “Benefit for Brass II: Musicworks Family Fundraiser” brings a lineup of top local musicians to the Living Room, where collaborators of Arcade Fire, Feist, Norah Jones and others will play a concert to support a music school for underprivileged kids in Ecuador. 4 p.m., $20 (tax-deductible). 154 Ludlow St., at Rivington Street; 212-673-5179.
Twinkle twinkle: Wear slip-ons to “Twisted Twirling Twinkling Toes,” part of Dance Theater Workshop’s Family Matters series. The barefoot performers look like they’re having so much fun, you’ll be tempted to kick off your shoes. Today and tomorrow, 2 p.m., $15 for adults, free for kids. 219 W. 19th St., between Seventh and Eighth avenues; 212-924-0077.
Tomorrow
Do the write thing: Filmmaker Spike Lee and wife Tonya Lewis Lee (“Please, Baby, Please”) will appear at powerHouse Arena in DUMBO, Brooklyn, to read from their new book, “Giant Steps To Change the World.” Illustrator Sean Qualls joins. 3 p.m., free. 37 Main St., at Water Street; 718-666-3049.
Recycled rythm: Kids’ group Bash the Trash celebrates Tu Bishvat, the Jewish festival of trees, by adding more wood-based recyclables to their usual roster of noisy junkyard finds — by which we mean instruments. 3 p.m., $12. 92nd Street Y, 1395 Lexington Ave., at 92nd Street; 212-415-5500.
Multigrain music: Cirene — a remarkably multitalented group that includes a cellist, violinist, dancer, percussionist and painter/animator — interprets classic tales from around the world in “One Grain of Rice, An Exponential Fairytale,” at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Ages 4 and up. 3 p.m., $30 for adults, $15 for kids. 1000 Fifth Ave., at 81st Street; 212-570-3949.
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