Roll with It

Every year, Jazz at Lincoln Center gets bigger. The 2008–09 season, which begins this month, presents more than 3,000 events, including three performances in September by jazz pianist Ahmad Jamal. Don’t recognize the name? Consider this: he was one of Miles Davis’ favorite keyboardists and has played with the likes of George Coleman and Philly Joe Jones. Other performers this season include Dianne Reeves, McCoy Tyner, and Chick Corea. The series continues through June 2009. Continental is an official sponsor of Lincoln Center. 212.258.9800; jalc.org

In 1931, a little elephant with a French accent, good taste in tailoring, and impeccable handwriting captivated the world. Drawing Babar: Early Drafts and Watercolors, an exhibit opening September 19 at the Morgan Library, presents original materials from the beloved children’s series, including illustrations and manuscripts from Jean de Brunhoff’s original book, The Story of Babar the Little Elephant, and Babar’s Cousin: That Rascal Arthur (1946), the first by Laurent de Brunhoff, Jean’s son. 212.685.0008; themorgan.org

Who knew in-line skaters were so hardy? Tuesday Night Skate, which meets at Manhattan’s Blades Board and Skate (156 W. 72nd St.) at 8 p.m., might roll as far as Fort Lee, N.J., if the weather is good enough. If that’s a little too much for your wheels, try Wednesday Night Skate (Union Square, moderate pace) or the Thursday Evening Roll, a leisurely social skate around Central Park’s traffic-free circuit. skatecity.com/nyc — David McDonough

An Examined Life

Dinosaur Mummy CSI: Cretaceous Science Investigation, an exhibit displaying the most perfectly fossilized plant-eating dinosaur ever discovered — with almost all its skin intact after 77 million years — makes its world premiere September 19 at the Houston Museum of Natural Science. Forensic scientists were able to figure out how the “victim” lived, ate, and died (it drowned). 713.639.4629; hmns.org

Though based on the journals of a real-life breast cancer survivor and workaholic, Unbeatable, a new musical at Stages Repertory Theatre, is anything but morbid. After long ignoring a malignant breast lump, the hero, Tracy Boyd, confronts her greatest fear: living. The co-production with Phoenix Theatre and the Pink Ribbons Project celebrates hope, laughter, and the courage to live fully. Opening night is September 3, and the show runs through the 28th. Continental is an official sponsor of Stages Repertory Theatre and the Pink Ribbons Project. 713.527.0123; stagestheatre.com

You’ve heard of Pablo Picasso, no doubt, whose art encompassed many styles. The same is true of his lesser-known but immensely talented contemporary Ary Stillman, a Russian immigrant whose work will be on display at the Jewish Community Center’s Deutser Gallery September 7 through October 24. Stillman’s portfolio ranged from impressionistic oils and watercolors to abstract art. After World War II, the artist turned to etching scribbles on pastel- and charcoal-coated canvases. Continental is an official sponsor of the Jewish Community Center. 713.729.3200; jcchouston.org, stillmanlack.org — Michele Meyer

Fighting Crime and Boredom

Some say Superman came from the planet Krypton. The truth is the guy in tights was born in Cleveland 70 years ago, the brainchild of two local teenagers, Jerome Siegel and Joseph Shuster. The Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage honors the pair along with other comic book artists — and the courageous crime-fighting characters they created — in an exhibit titled Zap! Pow! Bam! The Superhero: The Golden Age of Comic Books, 1938–1950, on display September 16 through January 4. The show features 1940s serial movies, video interviews, and a vintage child-sized Batmobile ride. 216.593.0575; maltzjewishmuseum.org — Laura Taxel

Getting There: All the destinations covered in “Go Explore” can be reached by flying Continental Airlines. To book your vacation, contact Continental Airlines Vacations at covacations.com.