UniverSoul Circus, films and other San Francisco events

Events for April 4, 2013.

Who’s in town

• Alison Bechdel, author of graphic novel memoirs and creator of the comic strip “Dykes to Watch Out For,” appears in an onstage conversation. [7:30 p.m., Herbst Theatre, 401 Van Ness Ave., S.F.]

Lectures

• Aaron Belkin: The activist, author and professor speaks at Brews and Views. The repeal of “don’t ask, don’t tell” is his topic. [6 p.m., Half Moon Bay Brewing Company, 390 Capistrano Road, Half Moon Bay]
• Joni Seager: The expert on global women’s issues and author of “The Atlas of Women in the World” discusses women’s rights, efforts to silence women and women’s resistance. [6 p.m., Commonwealth Club, 595 Market St., S.F.]
• Micro-unit housing: Speakers discuss the pros and cons of San Francisco’s recently adopted legislation allowing housing units as small as 220 square feet to be built. [12:30 p.m., SPUR, 654 Mission St., S.F.]
• Christian Marclay: The sound and video artist appears in conversation with culture critic Greil Marcus. [7 p.m., SFMOMA, 151 Third St., S.F.]

Literary events

• Mikhail Shishkin: The Russian novelist, joined by translator Marian Schwartz, discusses “Maidenhair.” The Center for the Art of Translation presents the evening. [6:30 p.m., Hotel Rex, 562 Sutter St., S.F.]
• Laleh Khadivi: The novelist talks about “The Walking.” [7:30 p.m., Booksmith, 1644 Haight St., S.F.]
• National Poetry Month: Local poets Keith Ekiss, Gerard Sarnat and Beverly Bie Brahic read from their work. [6 p.m., Books Inc., 855 El Camino Real, Palo Alto]
• Douglas Rushkoff: The award-winning media theorist discusses “Present Shock: When Everything Happens Now.” [7 p.m., City Lights Bookstore, 261 Columbus Ave., S.F.]

Local activities

• Ballpark figures: “Out of the Park: The Art of Baseball” opens with a reception. More than 40 artists depict the national pastime. [5:30 to 7:30 p.m., 77 Geary St., George Krevsky Gallery. S.F.]
• Dance-theater: In the opener of a six-evening run, Carte Blanche re-imagines the story of “Hamlet’s” heroine in “Ophelia,” a site-specific, theatrical, interactive exploration that follows the character from the pages of Shakespeare through  a journey of self-discovery. [8:30 p.m., Firehouse, Fort Mason, Marina Boulevard and Buchanan Street, S.F.]  
• Twenty-five Lusk: Entrees include cinnamon-smoked halibut with water chestnut, saffron oysters and salted almond pesto; and trofiette pasta with artichoke, asparagus and Parmesan. [25 Lusk St., S.F.; (415) 495-5875]

Lecture

• Art talk: Susan Wels, the author of “San Francisco: Arts for the City — Civic Art and Urban Change, 1932-2012” discusses her book. [6:30 p.m., Latino/Hispanic Room, Main Library, 100 Larkin St., S.F.]

Music

• French band: Dirtyphonics, an electronic-music band from Paris, plays to promote its latest album, “Irreverence.” [8 p.m., Fillmore, 1805 Geary Blvd., S.F.]

Film

• Screen scene: The California Academy of Sciences hosts “Reel to Real NightLife,” a cinema-themed evening co-presented by the San Francisco Film Society. Films and filmmakers are on the bill. [6 to 10 p.m., 55 Music Concourse Drive, Golden Gate Park, S.F.]
• Documentary: “Tattoo Nation,” the first feature-length movie about the revolutionary style of black and gray tattoo art, narrated by celebrity tattoo artist Corey Miller, screens. [10 p.m., Balboa Theatre,  3630 Balboa St., S.F.]

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