WHO’S IN TOWN
Nashville-based bluegrass artist Gillian Welch performs at the Fillmore. [8 p.m., 1805 Geary Blvd., S.F.]
AT THE COLLEGES
Edward Espe Brown: The Zen chef and master breadmaker discusses “The Complete Tassajara Cookbook: Recipes, Techniques and Reflections From the Famed Zen Kitchen.” [6 p.m., Mechanics’ Institute, 57 Post St., S.F.]
LECTURES
Bethany Cobb: The U.C. Berkeley astronomer talks about Edwin Hubble’s 100-inch telescope and what it has told us about the scale of the universe. [6 p.m., Commonwealth Club, 595 Market St., S.F.]
LITERARY EVENTS
Chitra Divakaruni: The novelist, appearing with KALW’s Sandip Roy, talks about “The Mistress of Spices” and answers audience questions. [7 p.m., San Mateo Performing Arts Center, 600 N. Delaware St., San Mateo]
AT THE PUBLIC LIBRARY
Feedback session: The library’s African American Center holds a focus group to get public feedback on its usefulness. All who use the center are invited to attend. [6 p.m., Main Library, Latino/Hispanic B, 100 Larkin St., S.F.]
DINING OUT
Wexler’s: Chef Charlie Kleinman’s menu features southern comfort food and barbecue fare. Entrees include smoked Fulton Valley chicken breast with black-eyed peas, pickled cauliflower, bourbon-plumped raisins and cauliflower puree; and crispy smoked rainbow trout with apple, celery-root and lobster-mushroom hash and apple-cinnamon vinaigrette. Lunch and dessert, too, are available. [568 Sacramento St., S.F.; (415) 983-0102]
LOCAL ACTIVITIES
Breaking pointes: “The Red Shoes,” (1948), Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger’s film based on Hans Christian Andersen’s tale of ballet slippers whose wearer can’t stop dancing, screens at SFMOMA. [7 p.m., 151 Third St., S.F.]
Museum mixer: “Exploratorium After Dark” series explores music and the physics of sound this month. Guests include scientist Thomas Humphrey and musician Kieran Kane. [6 to 10 p.m., Exploratorium, 3601 Lyon St., S.F.]
Benefit show: Singer-songwriter Boz Scaggs performs with the Blue Velvet Band. The evening benefits the Richard de Lone Special Housing Project. [8 p.m., Great American Music Hall, 859 O’Farrell St., S.F.]
