WHO’S IN TOWN
Jazz saxophonist Boney James performs at Yoshi’s. The evening is a release party for James’ latest CD, “Contact.” [8 and 10 p.m., 1330 Fillmore St., S.F.]
Lectures
Bill McKibben and Paul Hawken: The authors and environmental advocates discuss a range of topics, from climate change to organic food. [Noon, Commonwealth Club, 595 Market St., S.F.]
Gavin Newsom: California’s lieutenant governor discusses his positions on important issues facing the state, in conversation with KQED’s Scott Shafer. [6:30 p.m., Commonwealth Club, 595 Market St., S.F.]
Bruce McCormack: The neurosurgeon and director of the Neurospine Institute talks about the MANOS system, a new surgical technique for carpal tunnel syndrome. [6 p.m., Commonwealth Club, 595 Market St., S.F.]
Gretchen LeBuhn: The San Francisco State University associate professor talks about the “Great Sunflower Project,” a citizen science effort designed to help the bee population. [7:30 p.m., Randall Museum, 199 Museum Way, S.F.]
Literary events
Indie bookselling: Andy Laties, who has launched five bookselling companies in the past 30 years, talks about “Rebel Bookseller.” Booksmith co-owner Christin Evans joins him. [7:30 p.m., Booksmith, 1644 Haight St., S.F.]
David Calonne: The editor discusses the work of Charles Bukowski, in celebration of the release of “More Notes of a Dirty Old Man.” [7 p.m., City Lights Bookstore, 261 Columbus Ave., S.F.]
Bin Ramke: The award-winning poet (“Tendril,” “Theory of Mind”) shares his work. [7 p.m., BookShop West Portal, 80 West Portal Ave., S.F.]
At the colleges
Blood drive: The Red Cross holds a public blood drive. Call (800) 733-2767 to schedule an appointment. [9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., SFSU, Cesar Chavez Student Union,Rosa Parks Conference Rooms A-C, 1650 Holloway Ave., S.F.]
Local activities
Free symphony concert: The San Francisco Symphony, conducted by Michael Tilson Thomas, presents a free concert and 100th-birthday festivities. [11 a.m., Civic Center Plaza, Polk Street between Grove and McAllister streets, S.F.]
Sound art: The 2011 San Francisco Electronic Music Festival begins with an evening of live and fixed media works for sound and video. Featured artists include singer-performer Dina Emerson. [7 p.m., SFMOMA, 151 Third St., S.F.]
