TODAY

SHADOW AND SUBSTANCE: AFRICAN-AMERICAN IMAGES FROM THE BURNS ARCHIVE: This exhibit, covering 160 years of rarely seen photography, is at the Albin O. Kuhn Library Gallery at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, 1000 Hilltop Circle. The exhibit of portraits, snapshots and photographs runs through March 19. The event is free. Call 410-455-2270 or go to umbc.edu.

SWING TIME: Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers put some swing in their dance steps in this 1936 musical, screening as a part of the revival series at the Charles, 1711 N. Charles St., at 9 p.m. Tickets are $8. Call 410-727-3456 or go to the charles.com.

LOUDON WAINWRIGHT III: He's not just Martha's and Rufus' dad. The folk singer and humorist was also hilarious as the father on "Undeclared." Wainwright performs at Rams Head on Stage, 33 West St. in Annapolis, at 8 p.m. He's joined by another offspring, singer/songwriter Lucy Wainwright Roche. Tickets are $26.50. Call 410-268-4545 or go to tickets.ramsheadonstage.com.

TRADING PARTY: There's a new Kid- Robot Dunny series on the scene and Atomic Books, 3620 Falls Road, celebrates the Fatale series of vinyl art toys with a trading party at 7 p.m. For this release, each of the blind box figures has been designed by a female artist. Bring duplicate toys from other releases that you'd like to trade. The event is free. Go to atomicbooks.com.

SEA OF BIRDS: White Box Theatre's "Sea of Birds" is both performance art and art installation. The work includes a paper sculpture animated by dancers, live music and shadow play. Post-show dialogues follow each performance at the Theatre Project, 45 W. Preston St. Showtimes are 8 p.m. through Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday and 8 p.m. Feb. 4-6. Tickets are $10 to $20. Go to missiontix.com.