It’s hard to tell whether Thurlow Evans Tibbs Jr. is a man of overbroad taste or just a soft touch. His collection of African-American art encompasses impressive work by both stars (Jacob Lawrence’s poignant, funny, class-conscious The Graduation, James Van Der Zee’s stylish portraits of athletic teams) and outsiders (J.W. Banks’ intent, sweat-oozing Blacksmith, William H. Johnson’s brilliantly graphic stencil prints). But it also contains such vulgarities as Lev T. Mills’ Weekly Reader-ready Gemini I and Lewis Delsarte’s amateurish, cornball Blue Day of Yesteryear. Find out what’s up when the collector discusses his gifts to the Corcoran with the Smithsonian’s Steven Newsome at an “Homage to Thurlow Evans Tibbs Jr.” (I’m guessing sometimes he just can’t say no to a hard sell; after all, he’s keeping some of his best stuff.) At 7 p.m. at the Corcoran Gallery of Art’s Hammer Auditorium, 17th & New York Ave. NW. $16. For reservations call (202) 639-1770. (Glenn Dixon)