Along with New York's regularly scheduled gallery and museum openings, there's always a slew of art-related events happening in the city just below the radar. ArtWeLove's weekly events digest helps you navigate the art scene's offerings, on and off the beaten track.

MONDAY: Preview 35 Stories of Survival

Last year the New York Theater Workshop’s Jessica Blank and Erik Jensen journeyed to Iraq to collect accounts of life during wartime from 35 Iraqi civilians, and they have now woven these stories into a dramatic, multi-voiced theatrical event: "Aftermath—The Iraqi Refugee Project." The performance won't debut until the fall, but this Monday you can catch a sneak peak of this powerful work at the Guggenheim, where Blank and Jensen will read excerpts from the play and discuss their experience making it. Hours: 7:30 p.m. Admission: $30 ($25 members, $10 students).

TUESDAY: Birdwatch with Audubon

Did you know that John James Audubon, perhaps the most famous painter of birds and wildlife, conducted his studies right here in New York City? That's right: once a 40-acre wilderness, today’s Washington Heights was the 19th century artist’s stomping ground. To honor Audubon's work, the Dia Art Foundation is presenting "Lessons in the Sky: A Filmic Tribute to Audubon," a series of artist-made short films and videos at the Hispanic Society--appropriately located on Washington Heights' Audubon Terrace--to reflect the impact of the great American naturalist's work on later generations of artists. Participating artists include Simone Bennett, Klara Hobza, and the Black Forest Fancies, just to name a few. Hours: 8:30 p.m. Admission: free.

WEDNESDAY: Celebrate Art Books!

Join artists and authors to celebrate Art in General's launch of three new books documenting projects that were produced through the indispensable non-profit organization's New Commissions series. Meet the projects' artists Adam Simon, Fawn Krieger, and Little & Furgason, schmooze, and learn a little more about how independent art gets made in New York. Hours: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Admission: free.

THURSDAY: Learn Why Art Goes Up in a Downturn

Want to enhance your creative thinking by turning the stifling economic climate to your advantage? Come to the Whitney for "Why Does Art Matter Now?," a panel discussion on the topic led by historian and filmmaker Peter Galison and featuring artist Vik Muniz, physicist Lisa Randall, ace political pollster Nate Silver, and choreographer Elizabeth Streb--all detailing the ways they harness innovation in their fields. Hours: 7 p.m. Admission: $8 (general admission).

FRIDAY: Watch Bustamante Bust a Move

Discover the hilarious and provocative work of Nao Bustamante with "Silver & Gold," an event at the New Museum that will showcase performances and video by the artist, all accompanied by extravagant original costumes. Exploring ideas of identity and exposing stereotypes, Bustamante pays homage to Dominican movie star Maria Montez, muse to underground filmmaker Jack Smith. Hours: 7 p.m. Admission: $12 (general admission).

SATURDAY: Embrace the Paranormal at P.S. 1

Don your black leather and bejeweled turbans for "Summer Solstice at P.S.1: Blood Transfusion for a Ghost," an evening of mystical performances inspired by the work of experimental filmmaker Kenneth Anger. Guests will include artist Frank Haines, Blanko & Noiry, filmmaker Rose Kallal, curator Mark Beasely, psychedelic metal band Miracle Birth, and poet Cedar Sigo. Hours: 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. Admission: $12.

SUNDAY: Hear MoMA Express Abstractionism

Join FIT art professor Richard Turnbull as he leads you through "Abstraction: From Wassily Kandinsky to Piet Mondrian," a guided tour of MoMA’s halls for an in-depth analysis of some of Modernism's biggest players. Learn how to decipher the jumbles of color and line, and hear how outside influences (like Jazz music) helped shape one of the most influential forms of artistic expression. Hours: 11:30 a.m. Admission: $20 ($12 for students). At the Donald B. and Catherine C. Marron Atrium, second floor