Who’s in town
Americana singer-songwriter Ryan Bingham, known for his Oscar- and Grammy-winning work with T-Bone Burnett on the film “Crazy Heart,” performs a concert. [8 p.m., Great American Music Hall, 859 O’Farrell St., S.F.]
Lectures
‘70 Years On’: Speakers discuss the U.S. internment of Japanese-Americans during World War II and successful legal challenges to it. [6 p.m., Commonwealth Club, 595 Market St., S.F.]
Ship project: Alan Olson, of Educational Tall Ships, discusses plans to build a brigantine for sailing education. [6 p.m., J. Porter Shaw Library, Building E, Fort Mason Center, Marina Boulevard and Buchanan Street, S.F.]
Literary events
Laird Hunt: The novelist reads from “Kind One.” [7 p.m., City Lights Bookstore, 261 Columbus Ave., S.F.]
Book group: The Fourth Tuesday (Margie’s) Book Club discusses “The Night Circus,” by Erin Morgenstern. [7 p.m., Books Inc., Town and Country Village, Palo Alto]
E.L. James: The author of “50 Shades of Grey,” “50 Shades Darker” and “50 Shades Freed” signs copies of her books. [7 p.m., Books Inc., 601 Van Ness Ave., S.F.; www.booksinc.net]
Renee Gibbons: The locally based writer, formerly a columnist for the Irish Herald, talks about “Longing for Elsewhere: My Irish Voyage Through Hunger and High Times.” [7 p.m., Green Arcade, 1680 Market St., S.F.]
Senior poets: TODCO Poets, whose members include seniors in San Francisco’s Yerba Buena neighborhood, read from their work. [12:30 p.m., Esplanade, Yerba Buena Gardens, 770 Mission St., S.F.]
At the colleges
Art exhibit: “Temporary Structures,” a group exhibit exploring the allure of temporary architecture as a site of human interaction, spectacle and fun, is on view at the San Francisco Art Institute. [11 a.m. to 6 p.m., 800 Chestnut St., S.F.]
At the public library
Plastic pollution: “The Plastic in Question,” an exhibit of art made from seashore debris, illustrates how plastic pollution affects marine ecosystems. [9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Environmental Center, Main Library, 100 Larkin St., S.F.]
Finger-painting: The session, for ages 2 and up, offers a chance to finger-paint. Wear clothing suitable for this untidy activity. [3:30 p.m., Richmond Branch, 351 Ninth Ave., S.F.]
Local activities
Summer arts: “Summer of Art” at United Nations Plaza presents “What’s on Stage?,” showcasing CounterPulse performers. Featured artists include Deborah Slater Dance Theater. [Noon, Seventh and Market streets, S.F.]
Stage thriller: Magic Theatre presents “The Other Place,” Sharr White’s thriller about a brilliant scientist who unravels a personal, 15-year-old mystery. [7 p.m., Building D, Fort Mason Center, Marina Boulevard and Buchanan Street, S.F.]
Community dancing: Redwood City’s Dancing on the Square series hosts an evening of community dancing, plus instruction. This week’s dance form: salsa. [6 to 8 p.m., Courthouse Square, 2200 Broadway, Redwood City]
Midday music: The Munich Trio performs works by Beethoven, Jan Koetsier and Willem de Fesch. [12:30 p.m., Old St. Mary’s Cathedral, 660 California St., S.F.]
Dining out
Shanghai: Recommended items include lion head (pork meatball stewed in brown sauce, with greens) and xiao long bao (steamed pork-filled dumplings and broth). Coming Sunday: dim sum brunch. [2029 Market St., S.F.; (415) 701-8866]
