Who’s in town
Performance artist, playwright and gender theorist Kate Bornstein talks about her new memoir, “A Queer and Pleasant Danger.” [7 p.m., Books Inc., 2275 Market St., S.F.]
Lectures
Steve Blank: The serial entrepreneur and professor, in conversation with Microsoft’s Dan’l Lewin, discusses how to build a successful startup business. [6 p.m., Commonwealth Club, 595 Market St., S.F.]
Geordie Lynch: The director of the historical documentary-in-progress “City of White Gold” gives a presentation on how silver shaped San Francisco in the 19th-century Gilded Age. [6 p.m., Commonwealth Club, 595 Market St., S.F.]
‘Up Your Alley’: Speakers discuss how San Francisco’s alleys and small streets offer good opportunities for human-scale open spaces, and explore the risks and rewards of retrofitting them. [12:30 p.m., SPUR, 654 Mission St., S.F.]
Art talk: The American Decorative Arts Forum presents a talk titled “Thomas Chambers, American Marine and Landscape Painter.” Art historian Kathleen A. Foster speaks. [8 p.m., de Young Museum, 50 Hagiwara Tead Garden Drive, Golden Gate Park, S.F.]
Literary events
Gail Tsukiyama: The novelist talks about “A Hundred Flowers.” [7 p.m., Kepler’s Books and Magazines, 1010 El Camino Real, Menlo Park]
‘Lines and Lyrics’: Litquake event contains poetry and music. Featured artists include poet Miriam Bird Greenberg, singer-songwriter Jonathan Hirsch and cellist Lara Cushing. [12:30 p.m., Jessie Square, 736 Mission St., S.F.]
‘Words and Pizza’: Teams of local writers and friends vie in word games in this night of pizza, drinks and merriment. [7 p.m., Booksmith, 1644 Haight St., S.F.; advance tickets are required; visit the store or visit www.brownpapertickets.com]
At the colleges
Art Criticism Conference: The annual event presents a staged reading of Oscar Wilde’s “The Critic as Artist.” [7:30 p.m., San Francisco Art Institute, 800 Chestnut St., S.F.; RSVP: www.sfaiartcriticism26.eventbrite.com]
At the public library
Active volcano: The June 15, 1991, eruption of Mount Pinatubo, Luzon Island, Philippines, is shown in “The Eruption of the Century,” a photo exhibit. [9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Main Library, International Center, 100 Larkin St., S.F.]
‘Tuesday Evening Writers’: The session features techniques and inspirational tips that can help aspiring writers get started. All are welcome. [7 p.m., Bernal Heights Branch, 500 Cortland Ave., S.F.]
Local activities
Midday music: Noontime Concerts presents a “Piano Month” program. Pianist Hilda Huang performs works by Bach, Schoenberg and Brahms. [12:30 p.m., Old St. Mary’s Cathedral, 660 California St., S.F.]
Sweet dance fundraiser: ODC Theater hosts “Indulge,” a night of desserts and pop-up dance performances. Proceeds benefit the theater. Featured artists include Scott Wells and Dancers. [8 p.m., ODC Theater, 3153 17th St., S.F.]
Community dancing: Redwood City’s Dancing on the Square series hosts an evening of community dancing, with instruction. Featured dance form: the fox-trot. [6 to 8 p.m., Courthouse Square, 2200 Broadway, Redwood City]
Summer arts: “Summer of Art” at United Nations Plaza presents a Celtic-rock concert by Blue on Green and a presentation by Alonzo King’s Lines Ballet School and Dance Center. [Noon, Seventh and Market streets, S.F.]
Dining out
Boxing Room: Fried alligator with Creole remoulade and lemon is a recommended appetizer today. For an entree, look for the southern fried chicken with braised greens and bacon-giblet gravy. [399 Grove St., S.F.; (415) 430-6590]
