Happenings

The day has come. After decades of abandoned plans, thwarted expansions, space limitations and slow construction, the glistening ship-shaped new home of the Whitney Museum of American Art is set to opens on the banks of the Hudson. Monday’s gala kicks off a week of events to let the elite feast their eyes on the sweeping vistas of the water and the giant exhibition spaces, which contain “America is Hard to See,” a show of works from the permanent collection that’s said to be breathtaking. Each event will have its perks, but this gala for donors seems particularly starry, with Michael Bloomberg and Sarah Jessica Parker holding up the social end of the guest list, and the elusive master Jasper Johns standing out among the list of expected artists.

FRIDAY, APRIL 17 Talk: Peter Saul in conversation with Joe Bradley at Neuehouse Now, here’s an interesting pairing. Peter Saul, who has a mad funhouse of a show up at Venus Over Manhattan, will be talking to one of this decade’s most prominent market darlings, Joe Bradley. The invitation tells us the chat will cover topics such as “painting today, the intersection of art and politics, and the impact of early versus later life recognition,” so they could really be talking about, well, anything.