Who’s in town
Alto saxophonist Kenny Garrett performs at Yoshi’s, joined by fellow members of his quartet. “Seeds From the Underground” is the jazz artist’s latest album. [8 p.m., Yoshi’s, 1330 Fillmore St., S.F.]
Literary events
Eleni Gage: The debut novelist talks about “Other Waters.” [6 p.m., Book Passage, 1 Ferry Building, S.F.]
Gerald Nicosia: The journalist presents “One and Only: The Untold Story of ‘On the Road’ and Lu Anne Henderson, the Woman Who Started Jack Kerouac and Neal Cassady on Their Journey.” [3 p.m., Books Inc., 601 Van Ness Ave., S.F.]
Lectures
‘The Manovill Conversations’: Journalists Nicholas D. Kristof and Casey Parks discuss advocacy journalism and their reporting trip to Central Africa. [7 p.m., Jewish Community Center, 3200 California St., S.F.]
Akiva Tor: Israel’s consul general, Pacific Northwest region, discusses current challenges facing Israel and the new Middle East. [Noon, Commonwealth Club, 595 Market St., S.F.]
Global town hall: The World Affairs Council’s Young Professionals International Forum holds its May discussion. “Striking a Balance: Erosion of Civil Liberties vs. National Security” is the topic. [6:30 p.m., WAC, 312 Sutter St., S.F.]
Aparna Venkatesan: The USF assistant physics and astronomy professor talks about primordial stars, the first sources of light in the universe. [7:30 p.m., California Academy of Sciences, 50 Music Concourse Drive, Golden Gate Park, S.F.; RSVP: (415) 379-8000]
Jojo Capece: The author of “All Roads Lead to Rome” talks about the art of Bernini and how it helped define the visual style of the Baroque age. [6 p.m., Commonwealth Club, 595 Market St., S.F.]
At the colleges
Martin Amis: The British novelist reads from his work. “Lionel Asbo: State of England” is his latest book. [8 p.m., Cemex Auditorium, Zambrano Hall, Knight Management Center, Stanford University, 641 Knight Way, Stanford]
At the public library
‘La Bamba’: Local author and rock music historian Richie Unterberger shows and discusses film clips of Latino performers from the 1950s through the 1980s. [6:30 p.m., Mission Branch, 300 Bartlett St., S.F.]
First Monday Movies: “It Happened One Night” (1934), directed by Frank Capra and starring Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert, is May’s featured film. [6:30 p.m., Excelsior Branch, 4400 Mission St., S.F.]
Local activities
Greek cinema: The weeklong San Francisco Greek Film Festival begins. “The Guide,” a comedy directed by Zacharias Mavroeidis, gets things rolling. [7 p.m., Delancey Street Screening Room, 600 Embarcadero, S.F.; www.grfilm.com]
Comedy show: Comics Nato Green and W. Kamau Bell present “Comedy SuperPAC,” their weekly humor showcase “promoting good comedy and great causes.” [7 p.m., Hemlock Tavern, 1131 Polk St., S.F.]
Access day: People with disabilities are invited to view the art exhibit “The Cult of Beauty” at the Legion of Honor when it is less crowded. Admission is by appointment. [10 a.m. to 1 p.m., 100 34th Ave., S.F.; (415) 750-7645 or tbrown@famsf.org]
Sexy clowning: The Picklewater Clown Cabaret presents its annual “Cabaret of Sexy Sex.” Silliness and sultriness are promised. Performers include Circus Finelli and Bottle Rocket Betty. [7 and 9 p.m., Stage Werx, 446 Valencia St., S.F.]
Dining out
E&O Trading Company: Chef Arnold Eric Wong cooks contemporary Asian-inspired cuisine, from crispy lemon grass risotto cakes to shiitake mushroom dumplings. [314 Sutter St., S.F.; (415) 693-0303]
