Who’s in town
Jazz guitarist Charlie Hunter performs. [8 p.m., Regency Ballroom, 1290 Sutter St., S.F.]
Lectures
Richard Wolffe: The award-winning journalist and author of “Renegade: The Making of a President” tells the inside story of the defining period of President Barack Obama’s administration. [6 p.m., Commonwealth Club, 595 Market St., S.F.]
Art talk: Erin O’Toole, the assistant curator of photography at the SFMOMA, gives a talk titled “Picturing the Modern Century: Henri Cartier-Bresson and His Decisive Moment.” [Noon, SFMOMA, 151 Third St., S.F.]
Literary events
Andrew Lam: The essayist and journalist talks about “East Eats West: Writing in Two Hemispheres.” [6 p.m., Book Passage, 1 Ferry Building, S.F.]
Erik Davis: The essayist and cultural critic talks about “Nomad Codes.” [7 p.m., City Lights Bookstore, 261 Columbus Ave., S.F.]
Kathleen Barry: The sociologist and professor talks about “Unmaking War, Remaking Men.” [7 p.m., Modern Times Bookstore, 888 Valencia St., S.F.]
Thomas Larson: The essayist and critic discusses “The Saddest Music Ever Written: The Story of Samuel Barber’s Adagio for Strings.” [7 p.m., Books Inc., 601 Van Ness Ave., S.F.]
At the colleges
MFA film showcase: The program features short films created by first-year MFA film students. [7:30 p.m., Annenberg Auditorium, 435 Lasuen Mall, Stanford University]
Faculty artist recital: Violist Jodi Levitz performs sonatas by Brahms. [8 p.m., San Francisco Conservatory of Music, 50 Oak St., S.F.]
At the public library
North Beach poetry series: Poet, artist and teacher Rosemary Manno and poet and activist Sarah Menefee read from their work. [7 p.m., North Beach Branch, 2000 Mason St., S.F.]
Homework help: Volunteers assist K-7 students with homework assignments. [4 to 6 p.m., Mission Branch, 300 Bartlett St., S.F.]
Local activities
Rock band: The Doobie Brothers headline KFOG’s Concert for Kids, a show benefiting the Marines’ Toys for Tots and the Make It Better Project programs. [7:30 p.m., Nob Hill Masonic Auditorium, 1111 California St., S.F.]
Scrooge returns: American Conservatory Theater presents “A Christmas Carol,” its annual music-infused play based on Charles Dickens’ story about the transformation of mean miser Scrooge. [7 p.m., A.C.T., 415 Geary St., S.F.]
Movie night: Serramonte Center hosts a free screening of “Toy Story 3” as part of a series of holiday movie nights. Canned-food donations are welcome. [6 p.m., Harvest Food Court, Serramonte and Gellert boulevards, Daly City]
Top brass: Noontime Concerts presents its 22nd-anniversary concert, featuring a performance by the Monteverdi Brass Quintet. [12:30 p.m., Old St. Mary’s Cathedral, 660 California St., S.F.]
Dining out
Chez Papa: Chef Shawn Paul cooks Provencal French cuisine, and a three-course pre-fixe dinner ($34.95) is available. Appetizer selections include Lyonnaise salad and Kobe beef tartare. Entrees include roasted salmon with squash puree, fava beans, piquillo coulis and nicoise-olive tapenade; and pan-roasted branzino with roasted salsify, poached artichokes and lobster nage. Desserts include chocolate fondant. [1401 18th St., S.F., (415) 824-8205]
