WHO’S IN TOWN

Novelist Rick Moody talks about his latest book, “The Four Fingers of Death.” [7 p.m., Kepler’s Books and Magazines, 1010 El Camino Real, Menlo Park]

Lectures

Architecture and the City: The festival presents a lecture by Cameron Sinclair, co-founder of Architecture for Humanity. [7 p.m., Adobe San Francisco, 601 Townsend St., S.F.; register: www.aiasf.org]

Literary events

Mike Padilla: The debut novelist talks about “Girls From the Revolutionary Cantina.” [7 p.m., Books Inc., 601 Van Ness Ave., S.F.]

Howard Altmann: The poet talks about “In This House.” [7 p.m., 855 El Camino Real, Palo Alto]

Brent Weeks: The fantasy novelist talks about “The Black Prism.” [7 p.m., Borderlands Books, 866 Valencia St.. S.F.]

Sarah Billingsley and Amy Treadwell: The cookbook authors talk about “Whoopie Pies.” [7:30 p.m., Books Inc., 2275 Market St., S.F.]

At the colleges

Open house: SFSU’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, which provides learning opportunities for ages 50 and up, hosts an open house. [3:30 to 5 p.m., SFSU, Knuth Hall, Creative Arts Building, 1600 Holloway Ave., S.F.]

Carl Pope: The Sierra Club executive chairman talks about melting glaciers in the Himalayas and how they affect the rivers and people of South Asia. [7 p.m., Clark Center Auditorium, 318 Campus Drive, Stanford University]

Ian Swensen: The violinist and
fellow musicians perform works by Chausson, LeClair and Foss. [8 p.m., San Francisco Conservatory of Music, 50 Oak St., S.F.]

At the public library

Anthem Salgado: The multidisciplinary artist and educator offers exercises to help individuals find their unique voice in writing and performance. [5 to 7 p.m., Main Library, Latino/Hispanic Room, 100 Larkin St., S.F.]

‘Amandla!’: The film series, featuring South Africa-related stories, presents “A Dry White Season” (1989). [Noon, Main Library, Koret Auditorium, 100 Larkin St., S.F.]

Russian rock

The band Mumiy Troll, described as “a nuclear meltdown of the Bravery, Tom Petty and the Afghan Whigs,” performs. [9 p.m., Bottom of the Hill, 1233 17th St., S.F.]

Local activities

Galaxy questing: The Exploration hosts its September “Exploratorium After Dark” gathering. Space exploration is the theme. Guests include media artist David Cerf and others. [6 to 10 p.m., Exploratorium, 3601 Lyon St., S.F.]

Balkan music: The Yerba Buena Gardens Festival welcomes Edessa, a band specializing in danceable Balkan music. Dance lessons precede the concert. [6 p.m., Jessie Square, Mission Street between Third and Fourth streets, S.F.]

Trouble in River City: Redwood City’s “Movies on the Square” series presents a community screening of “The Music Man” (1962). [8 p.m., Courthouse Square, 2200 Broadway St., Redwood City]

Dining out

Le Colonial: Chef Joseph Villanueva’s special is a seafood clay pot with catfish, prawns, pork belly and pineapple in a savory caramel sauce. It’s served with lemongrass rice. Also highlighted is the 2-pound Maine lobster, with garlic butter sauce and baby bok choy. Live music happens tonight, provided by the Martini Brothers.
[20 Cosmo Place, S.F., (415) 931-3600]

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