Events for $20 or Less Friday

Simon Boccanegra Opera
Four decades into a legendary Met career, Plácido Domingo makes history singing the baritone title role. With James Levine on the podium, Adrianne Pieczonka, Marcello Giordani, and James Morris star in Verdi’s gripping political thriller. At the Metropolitan Opera. 8 p.m. $20*
*(Only if you buy tickets through Lincoln Center’s day-of discount window at the David Rubenstein Atrium on Broadway between 62nd and 63rd Streets. Line forms at 8 a.m. Limit 2 tickets per person.)

The Beats of NYC: A Culture Slam
For our first-ever Culture Slam, Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra drummer Ali Jackson takes a hard and swinging look at the function of the beat in contemporary musical culture such as music, dance and spoken word and how they tangle with the classic traditions of jazz percussion. Ali will present an evening of original compositions and re-imagined interpretations of Duke Ellington, Horace Silver and Dizzy Gillespie to explore this collision of rap, tap, poetry and song. Special guests will include Hope Boykin from the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and pianist Marc Carey. At the Allen Room, Jazz at Lincoln Center. 9:30 p.m. $20*
*(Only if you buy tickets through Lincoln Center’s day-of discount window at the David Rubenstein Atrium on Broadway between 62nd and 63rd Streets. Line forms at 8 a.m. Limit 2 tickets per person.)

Balanchine’s Birthday with the NYC Ballet
In honor of Founder George Balanchine’s birth, this special, one-time-only program features music from three countries that influenced him greatly. The winter’s only performance of Balanchine’s Walpurgisnacht Ballet, features a passionate score from France’s Charles Gounod. To create his latest, Peter Martins turns to longtime collaborator and respected American composer John Adams. The evening also includes an encore performance of the season’s second premiere, Miroshnichenko’s narrative work based on a Russian score by Rodion Shchedrin. At the David Koch Theater in Lincoln Center. 8 p.m. $20*
*(Only if you buy tickets through Lincoln Center’s day-of discount window at the David Rubenstein Atrium on Broadway between 62nd and 63rd Streets. Line forms at 8 a.m. Limit 2 tickets per person.)

South Pacific
Now in its first Broadway revival, South Pacific won seven 2008 Tonys and has been playing to sold-out houses since the first preview in March 2008. At Lincoln Center Theater. 8 p.m. $20*
*(Only if you buy tickets through Lincoln Center’s day-of discount window at the David Rubenstein Atrium on Broadway between 62nd and 63rd Streets. Line forms at 8 a.m. Limit 2 tickets per person.)

Family Friday in Central Park
Come out of the cold and join us in Central Park for Family Fridays. Jump-start your weekend with nature-inspired art and craft activities that are guaranteed to be fun for the whole family! Programs are ongoing between 2:00 pm and 4:00 pm; drop in anytime before 3:30 pm to participate. At the Charles A. Dana Discovery Center in Central Park. 2 p.m. FREE.

Fanny Hensel: The Other Mendelssohn
Author Larry Todd will discuss Mendelssohn: A Life in Music, and Fanny Hensel: The Other Mendelssohn (Felix’s sister and a composer in her own right). The Colorado Quartet will perform. At Lincoln Square Barnes and Noble. 6 p.m. FREE

Jewish Film Festival
Presented by The Jewish Museum and The Film Society of Lincoln Center. At The Film Society of Lincoln Center. Check listings for showtimes. $11.

All prices quoted are for non-member adults.