PERSON IN TOWN
Jazz pianist McCoy Tyner performs at Yoshi’s. His quartet, with special guests Gary Bartz and Bobby Hutcherson, joins him. [8 and 10 p.m., 1330 Fillmore St., S.F.]
LECTURES
Egypt and the Middle East: Speakers discuss the history-making political change that is rocking the Middle East. [7 p.m., Commonwealth Club, 595 Market St., S.F.]
Jeremiah “Jeb” Ridgeway: The photographer and former soldier discusses his current photography exhibit and the issues facing troops in Afghanistan. [6 p.m., Commonwealth Club, 595 Market St., S.F.]
Bonsai artist: The Bonsai Society of San Francisco presents a talk by bonsai artist Ryan Neil, headliner at the 2010 Golden State Bonsai Federation Convention. [7:30 p.m., County Fair Building, 1199 Ninth Ave., Golden Gate Park, S.F.]
LITERARY
Poetry night: Readers Cafe and Bookstore poetry series welcomes poets devorah major and Lincoln Bergman this week. Jack Hirschman hosts the evening. [6:30 p.m., Building C, Fort Mason Center, S.F.]
Cheryl Lu-Lien Tan: The New York-based food writer talks about “A Tiger in the Kitchen: A Memoir of Food and Family.” [7 p.m., Books Inc., 601 Van Ness Ave., S.F.]
COLLEGES
Stephen R. Hammond: The chief scientist at the Ocean Exploration Program of the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration gives a presentation on deep-sea life. [5:45 p.m., USF, Fromm Hall, 2130 Fulton St., S.F.]
Menahem Pressler: The pianist and founding member of the Beaux Arts Trio appears in a “Chamber Music Masters” concert. [8 p.m., San Francisco Conservatory of Music, 50 Oak St., S.F.]
Cecilia Ridgeway: The Stanford professor presents “Framed by Gender,” her talk about the troubling endurance of gender inequality. [4:15 p.m., Oak Room West, Tresidder Union, 459 Lagunita Drive, Stanford University, Palo Alto]
PUBLIC LIBRARIES
Thursday films: Movies from the 1930s screen this month. Today’s feature: “Dinner at Eight” (1933), directed by George Cukor and based on the hit stage play. [Noon, Main Library, Koret Auditorium, 100 Larkin St., S.F.]
Homework help: Volunteers assist K-7 students with homework assignments. [4 to 6 p.m., Mission Branch, 300 Bartlett St., S.F.]
CITY
Asian film fest: The 2011 San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival begins with a screening of “West Is West” (7 p.m., Castro Theatre, 429 Castro St., S.F.) and an opening gala (9:30 p.m., Asian Art Museum, 200 Larkin St., S.F.). [Details at www.caamedia.org]
Women’s HIV event: The Family Service Network, a UCSF project, hosts its 2011 Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day event, “She’s Living Positive.” [6:30 to 9 p.m., LGBT Center, 1800 Market St., S.F.]
Ocean Film Festival: The documentary “Keiko: The Untold Story” about the “Free Willy” star who became the first and only captive orca to be released into the wild, screens. [7 p.m., Theatre 39, The Embarcadero and Beach Street, S.F.]
Comedy show: Comic Felipe Esparza, seen on “Last Comic Standing” and “Comics Without Borders,” performs a stand-up show. [8 p.m., Punch Line Comedy Club, 444 Battery St., S.F.]
Zoo tour for seniors: The San Francisco Zoo hosts a Senior Stroll, a chance for seniors to enjoy a guided walking tour of the zoo before it gets crowded. [9 to 10:15 a.m., 1 Zoo Road, S.F.]
DINING OUT
Chouchou: Chef Jean-Gabriel Ferrandon serves French cusine, and his traditional dishes are recommended today. Starters include onion soup gratinee and escargots a l’ail. Entrees include sterling salmon papillote with fingerling potatoes, yam puree, leek compote and lemon-thyme butter; pan-seared veal chop with sauted white corn, hedgehogs, pommes gaufrette and veal demi-glace; and two mussels dishes. [400 Dewey Blvd., S.F.; (415) 242-0960]
