Who’s in town
Comedian and writer Heather McDonald, seen on “Chelsea Lately” and “After Lately,” performs a stand-up show. [8 p.m., Cobb’s Comedy Club, 915 Columbus Ave., S.F.]
Lectures
Colin Powell: The former U.S. secretary of state and former chairman of the joint chiefs of staff appears in conversation. City Arts & Lectures presents the evening. [8 p.m., Herbst Theatre, 401 Van Ness Ave., S.F.]
‘Brews and Views’: Gina Glantz, of the Planned Parenthood Action Fund, discusses how social media can affect global politics and U.S. elections. [6 p.m., Half Moon Bay Brewing Company, 390 Capistrano Road, Half Moon Bay]
Literary events
California Book Awards: The literary celebration features an awards ceremony honoring California authors in several categories, plus pre-program and dessert receptions. [5:15 p.m., Commonwealth Club, 595 Market St., S.F.]
Gayle S. Rubin: The professor and LGBT historian discusses “Deviations: A Gayle Rubin Reader” and the importance of LGBT archives. [7 p.m., GLBT History Museum, 4127 18th St., S.F.]
Daniel Wilson: The novelist talks about “Amped.” [7:30 p.m., Booksmith, 1644 Haight St., S.F.]
Al Barkow: The golf writer talks about “The Upset: Jack Fleck’s Incredible Victory Over Ben Hogan at the U.S. Open.” [7 p.m., BookShop West Portal, 80 West Portal Ave., S.F.]
Ted Rall: The political cartoonist, opinion columnist and graphic novelist talks about “The Book of Obama: From Hope and Change to the Age of Revolt.” [7 p.m., Cartoon Art Museum, 655 Mission St., S.F.]
Terry Bisson: The novelist talks about “Any Day Now.” [7 p.m., Green Arcade, 1680 Market St., S.F.]
At the colleges
Personalized medicine: Cardiologist Euan Ashley discusses how the sequencing of the human genome has resulted in the dawn of personalized medicine. [7 p.m., Francis C. Arrillaga Alumni Center, 326 Galvez St., Stanford University, Stanford]
Local activities
Pride Month: The National Queer Arts Festival presents “X,” Australian performer Sunny Drake’s solo show exploring quick fixes and fixations that are hard to quit. [8 p.m., the Garage, 715 Bryant St., S.F.]
Solo comedy: Will Franken plays various characters in “Elementary, My Dear Watson, It Was Crack.” The evening is slated to be recorded for a DVD. [9 p.m., Purple Onion, 140 Columbus Ave., S.F.]
Reggae extravaganza: The Wailers, the legendary band from Jamaica, and Gondwana, from Chile, appear in a show also featuring DJ Stepwise and DJ Julicio. [9 p.m., Mezzanine, 444 Jessie St, S.F.]
Dining out
Grand Cafe: A steak dish — a seven-ounce filet, with potato and broccoli-rabe gratin, arugula, grilled red onion and chimichurri — is recommended today. Bar special: $15 for 12 oysters and a drink . [501 Geary St., S.F.; (415) 292-0101]
Music
African music: The Yerba Buena Gardens Festival presents a concert of pan-African music with Congolese salsero Ricardo Lemvo and Makina Loca. The evening includes a dance lesson. [6 p.m., 736 Mission St., S.F.]
Dance
Modern works: Kunst-Stoff’s “Arts Fest ’12,” a festival of contemporary dance, presents “Program 1.” Featured companies: Dance Elixir and Kunst-Stoff Dance Company. [8:30 p.m., Kunst-Stoff Arts, 1 Grove St, S.F.]
At the public library
Parents for Public Schools: The session provides information about getting children ready to start kindergarten and about family involvement during the school year. [5:30 p.m., Ocean View Branch, 345 Randolph St., S.F.]
Creative writing: Writer, filmmaker and journalist Shevi Rosenfeld Loewinger conducts a class focusing on writing stories, developing characters and finding your voice. [12:30 p.m., Potrero Branch, 1616 20th St., S.F.]
