Pencil This In

ART: The "I Kiffe New York" festival kicks off today and runs through October 28th; borrowed from Arabic, “kiffe” is French slang meaning "passionately in love." Presented by The Cultural Services of the French Embassy, the multidisciplinary festival features music, hip-hop-inspired dance, gritty fiction films and documentaries, art and discussions, all "celebrating France’s underground—its trans-cultural, vibrant, largely immigrant banlieues (literally, suburbs)." Tonight Brooklyn-based, French-American painter and illustrator Jerome Lagarrigue’s exhibition opens in DUMBO. Peruse the full array of events here. – John Del Signore

5 p.m. to 7 p.m. // powerHouse Arena [37 Main Street, Brooklyn] // Free

EVENT: Tonight Galapagos (NYC's first LEED certified "green" cultural venue) gets greener, hosting a conversation with Andres Lepik and Steffen Lehmann about how "Green is the New Black" in terms of emerging urban design principles and strategies for energy-efficient cities beyond the individual building.

7 p.m. // Galapagos [16 Main St, DUMBO] // Free

READING: The Half King is hosting a release party for the Best Music Writing 2008. "The ninth entry in the acclaimed series celebrating the best writing on every style of music, from rock to hip-hop, R&B to jazz, pop to blues, and more."

7 p.m. // Half King [505 W 23rd St] // Free

MUSIC: It's a packed night for music in the city, with Madonna at MSG, Death Cab at Radio City, Andrew Bird at Hiro, the Gimme Shelter benefit at Highline, Tegan and Sara at Terminal 5 and Okkervil River at Webster Hall...how can one decide? We suggest checking out our interviewees for today, Department of Eagles, for their first ever show in their 8-year-career! Catch them now before they're off to play bigger venues (in fact, tomorrow they're at Town Hall!).

7:30 p.m. // The Bell House [149 7th St] // $10

"Carwash" courtesy Jerome Lagarrigue.