Who’s in town

• Laura Dowling, chief floral designer at the White House, speaks at the Bouquets to Art exhibition. [1:30 p.m., de Young Museum, 50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive, Golden Gate Park, S.F.]

Lectures

• Peter Blair Henry: The economist and business school dean discusses what the United States and other large economies can learn from the fiscal policies of former Third World nations. [7 p.m., World Affairs Council, 312 Sutter St., S.F.]
• Sponsoring women: Speakers discuss how to empower female leaders through personal sponsorships. [6:30 p.m., Quadrus Conference Center, 2400 Sandhill Road, Menlo Park; www.commonwealthclub.org]
• James LaValle: The Living Longer Institute co-founder discusses how people can assess the factors affecting metabolism and take steps to achieve optimal metabolism. [6 p.m., Commonwealth Club, 595 Market St., S.F.]
• Lera Boroditsky: The Stanford University psychology and neuroscience professor discusses her view that language shapes thoughts. [7:30 p.m., Herbst Theatre, 401 Van Ness Ave., S.F.]

Literary events

• Taiye Selasi: The debut novelist talks about “Ghana Must Go.” [7:30 p.m., Booksmith, 1644 Haight St., S.F.]
• David McConnell: The novelist and journalist talks about “American Honor Killings: Desire and Rage Among Men,” a work of literary nonfiction. [7 p.m., City Lights Bookstore, 261 Columbus Ave., S.F.]

At the colleges

• Women’s History Month concert: Blues and jazz vocalist and bandleader Lavay Smith performs. [Noon, Lange Reading Room, UCSF Library, UCSF, 530 Parnassus Ave., S.F.]

At the public library

• Rock clips: Music journalist Richie Unterberger presents “The British Invasion Part 3,” a program containing rare film clips of British rock acts from 1970 to 1975. [6:30 p.m., Park Branch, 1833 Page St., S.F.]
• Sourdough workshop: Cat Shimizu, from Sour Flour, talks about the art and science of making bread with a sourdough starter. [5 p.m., Visitacion Valley Branch, 201 Leland Ave., S.F.; to register, call (415) 355-2848 or email alicechan@sfpl.org]
• Artists talk: The San Francisco Arts Commission Galleries present Berndnaut Smilde, Jason Hanasik and Melissa Buron speaking on themes including ephemerality vs. permanence and “truth” in image making. [6 p.m., Main Library, 100 Larkin St., S.F.]  

R&B Songstress

• R&B singer-songwriter Dawn Richard, a founding member of the multiplatinum-selling group Danity Kane, performs to promote “Goldenheart,” her debut solo release. [8 p.m., Yoshi’s, 1330 Fillmore St., S.F.]

Local activities

• Fete for Fido: The Bark & Whine Ball, benefiting the San Francisco SPCA’s Cinderella Fund, features food, music and a chance to dance with your dog. Well-behaved pooches are welcome. [6:30 to 10 p.m., Festival Pavilion, Fort Mason Center, Marina Boulevard and Buchanan Street, S.F.]
• Comedy show: Guitar-playing comic Nick Thune performs. Thune’s credits include eight appearances on the “Tonight” show and a comedy album, “Thick Noon.” [8 p.m., Punch Line Comedy Club, 444 Battery St., S.F.]
• Indie-pop: Ivan and Alyosha, an indie-pop band from Seattle, performs a concert to promote its debut album, “All the Times We Had.” [9 p.m., Brick and Mortar Music Hall, 1710 Mission St., S.F.]
• Garden show: The San Francisco Flower and Garden Show — featuring gardens, a plant mart, seminars and chefs — begins. It runs through Sunday. [10 a.m. to 7 p.m., San Mateo Event Center, 1346 Saratoga Drive, San Mateo]

• State Bird Provisions: The California State Bird With Provisions — fried buttermilk-marinated quail on a bed of wilted lemony, rosemary-cooked onion with Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese — is highlighted. [1529 Fillmore St., S.F.; (415) 795-1272]