Who’s in town

Michio Kaku: The host of “Science Fantastic,” professor of physics at City College of New York, and author of “Physics of the Future,” gives a sold-out talk at Cubberley Theatre in Palo Alto.

Lectures

Unfriendly skies: Speakers discuss how man-made elements in our skies may have more to do with global climate change than we know. [6 p.m., Commonwealth Club, 595 Market St., S.F.]

Spring reception: World Affairs Council’s Young Professionals International Forum celebrates Nowruz, the Persian New Year, with a program and reception. UC Berkeley’s Jaleh Pirnazar speaks. [6 p.m., WAC, 312 Sutter St., S.F.]

Timothy Sandefur: The author of “Your Economic Liberty” presents his view that government intrudes on the essential constitutional right of economic freedom. [6 p.m., Commonwealth Club, 595 Market St., S.F.]

Literary events

Joel Selvin: The rock critic talks about “Smartass” and California rock and roll, in conversation with KFOG’s Peter Finch. [7 p.m., Jewish Community Center, 3200 California St., S.F.]

Robert Frost night: Poets are invited to take part in a “Robert Frost Memorial Reading” by bringing a favorite Frost poem to read. [6:30 to 9:30 p.m., Caffe Greco, 423 Columbus Ave., S.F.]

At the colleges

Gottfried Helnwein: The painter and photographer, who is known for his radical use of the portrait and self-portrait, discusses his work. [7:30 p.m., San Francisco Art Institute, 800 Chestnut St., S.F.]

Paul Hersh: The faculty pianist, joined by friends, performs chamber music by Schumann. [8 p.m., San Francisco Conservatory of Music, 50 Oak St., S.F.]

Maternal health: “Local and Global Perspectives on the Politics of Pregnancy” is the focus of a panel discussion. [6:30 p.m., USF, Lone Mountain 100, 2800 Turk Blvd., S.F.]

Local activities

Rock giants: Longtime creative partners and Rock and Roll Hall of Famers David Crosby and Graham Nash perform at the Warfield. [8 p.m., 982 Market St., S.F.]

Fresh notes: Earplay presents “Sound Tangents,” a concert of modern and contemporary music. Featured composers include Elliott Carter, Mae-Fang Lin and Michelle Lou. [6:45 p.m., Herbst Theatre, 401 Van Ness Ave., S.F.]

Argentinean film: “Carancho,” a noir thriller from Argentina featuring an unlikely romance, is playing at the Lumiere Theatre. [5:45 and 8:10 p.m., 1572 California St., S.F.]