Around town
Who’s in town: Sitar player and world-music star Anoushka Shankar performs at the Palace of Fine Arts. [8 p.m., 3301 Lyon St., S.F.]
Lectures
Iran talk: Three distinguished Iranian intellectuals — each of whom has suffered threats for questioning the regime — discuss how the power of ideas is shaping the future of Iran. [6 p.m., World Affairs Council, 312 Sutter St., S.F.]
Andrea Husby: The art historian talks about the life and world of Artemisia Gentileschi (1593-1652), one of the first female artists to live exclusively on her income from her art. [6 p.m., Commonwealth Club, 595 Market St., S.F.]
Literary events
Sarah Vowell: The author (“The Wordy Shipmates”), humorist and commentator appears in conversation with Daniel Handler. [8 p.m., Herbst Theatre, 401 Van Ness Ave., S.F.]
Isabel Allende: The best-selling author presents “Island Beneath the Sea,” a novel. [7 p.m., Books Inc., 301 Castro St., Mountain View]
At the colleges
Walead Beshty: The Los Angeles-based photographer discusses his work. [7:30 p.m., San Francisco Art Institute, 800 Chestnut St., S.F.]
At the public library
Animal-rescue film: “Dark Water Rising,” a documentary about the major animal-rescue effort conducted to save pets in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, screens. [6 p.m., Main Library, Koret Auditorium, 100 Larkin St., S.F.]
Poets Eleven: San Francisco poets read from their work on a district-by-district basis in this 11-part celebration of poetry and diversity. Poets from District 5 read today. [7 p.m., Western Addition Branch, 1550 Scott St., S.F.]
Local activities
Director honored: The San Francisco International Film Festival presents its Founder’s Directing Award to Brazilian director Walter Salles. The evening includes an onstage tribute and a screening. [6:45 p.m., Kabuki Cinemas, 1881 Post St., S.F.]
Job fair: The Transgender Economic Empowerment Initiative presents its annual Transgender Job Fair, designed to help transgender job-seekers find employment in safe workplaces. [1 to 4 p.m., LGBT Community Center, 1800 Market St., S.F.]
Dining out
Bocadillos: Chef Bob Petzold recommends a pair of dishes. First up is calamari a la plancha, with red mojo sauce (a sauce with origins in the Canary Islands) and squid ink. Also, look for the octopus carpaccio with picked rhubarb and Meyer lemon. [710 Montgomery St., S.F., (415) 982-2622]
