Who’s in town

Singer-songwriter Fiona Apple performs at the Warfield. “The Idler Wheel” is her latest album. [8 p.m., 982 Market St., S.F.]

Lectures

Liam Reidy: The geographer explores the history of San Francisco’s Mountain Lake. The San Francisco Museum and Historical Society presents the talk. [7:30 p.m., Jewish Community Center, 3200 California St., S.F.]

Global town hall: The World Affairs Council’s International Forum holds its September discussion. “Aid vs. Trade: The Future of International Development?” is the topic. [6:30 p.m., WAC, 312 Sutter St., S.F.]

Decorative arts: The American Decorative Arts Forum presents a talk on Victorian cottage and wicker furniture. Brock Jobe, a Delaware-based professor, speaks. [7:15 p.m., Walt Disney Museum, 104 Montgomery St., Presidio, S.F.]

Literary events

Michael Chabon: The Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist appears in conversation. “Telegraph Avenue” is his latest book. The evening benefits the 826 Valencia scholarship program. [7:30 p.m., Herbst Theatre, 401 Van Ness Ave., S.F.]

Jefferson Graham: The technology columnist and host of the “Talking Tech” video show discusses “Video Nation: A DIY Guide to Planning, Shooting, and Sharing Great Video.” [7:30 p.m., Booksmith, 1644 Haight St., S.F.]

At the colleges

Art show: Artist Tom Killion, who brings California landscapes to life in woodcut prints, presents “Silent Poetry,” an exhibit of his work. [All day, Thacher Gallery, Gleeson Library/Geschke Center, University of San Francisco, 2130 Fulton St., S.F.]

Local activities

Jazz percussionist: Brazil-born jazz percussionist Airto Moreira performs with fellow musicians. [8 p.m., Yoshi’s, 1330 Fillmore St., S.F.]

Men’s chorus: Golden Gate Men’s Chorus presents “A Grand Night for Singing,” a concert featuring some of the group’s favorite songs, plus tunes from American musicals. [8 p.m., St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church, 3281 16th St., S.F.]

Black history: Bayview Opera House hosts a school assembly in conjunction with Zaccho Dance Theatre’s “Sailing Away,” a performance inspired by San Francisco’s early black settlers. [10:30 a.m., 4705 Third St., S.F.; www.zaccho.org]

South African art: “Master Class,” an exhibit of works on paper by South African women presenting highly personalized views of their country, is on view at Bekris Gallery. [10 a.m. to 6 p.m., 49 Geary St., Suite 235, 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: mambo. [6 to 8 p.m., Courthouse Square, 2200 Broadway, Redwood City]

Dining out

Elite Cafe: The jambalaya with shrimp, andouille sausage and duck confit is a house specialty, as is the California seafood gumbo with shrimp, scallops, oysters, and crabmeat. [2049 Fillmore St., S.F.; (415) 673-5483]