Katrina vanden Heuvel (Getty Images)

It’s time to do some good: this year’s NYU Cancer Institute Gala honors the university’s progress against cancer with a passel of honorees, all of whom are working to eradicate the disease and palliate its effects. Meanwhile, The New School features a chat between prominent public liberals including Katrina vanden Heuvel of The Nation and Chris Hayes of that early, early morning show on MSNBC. They and others will be discussing “the role of progressives in the next election.” As we go to press, we have absolutely no idea if the shifting tides of news will make this event high-spirited and giggly or grimly determined!

NYU Cancer Institute Gala, Plaza Hotel, 768 Fifth Avenue, 6pm, tickets and information can be obtained by calling (212) 404-3551; The Nation at The New School discussion, The New School auditorium, 66 West 12th Street, 7pm, free and open to the public.