Who's in town
Emmy-winning actress Shohreh Aghdashloo shares her flight from her native Iran during the 1979 revolution in her memoir “The Alley of Love and Yellow Jasmines.” [6:30 p.m., Koret Auditorium, Main Library, 100 Larkin St., S.F.]
Lectures</b>
Political reporting: Ken Walsh, chief White House correspondent for U.S. News & World Report, reflects on the cult of personality that surrounds the presidency. [Noon, Commonwealth Club, 555 Post St., S.F.]
Yogurt ideas: James Beard Award winner Janet Fletcher shares new ideas for yogurt in her book “Yogurt: Sweet and Savory Recipes for Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.” [6:30 p.m., Omnivore Books on Food, 3885a Cesar Chavez St., S.F.]
Women in the Middle East: Egyptian–American activist Mona Eltahawy discusses women’s rights in her new book, “Headscarves and Hymens: Why the Middle East Needs a Sexual Revolution.” [7 p.m., Jewish Community Center, 3200 California St., S.F.]
Literary events
N.Y. squatters: Stacy Wakefield’s novel “Sunshine Crust Baking Factory” and Ash Thayer’s photography book “Kill City: Lower East Side Squatters 1992–2000” both document the New York squatting community of the 1990s. [7:30 p.m., Booksmith, 1644 Haight St., S.F.]
Longmire mystery: Best-selling author Craig Johnson’s Longmire mystery series, which has inspired a Netflix show, continues with “Dry Bones.” [7 p.m., Book Passage, 51 Tamal Vista Blvd., Corte Madera]
At the public library
Henna tattoos: A henna artist discusses the history of traditional henna tattoos and applies designs on participants ages 12-18 with signed permission forms. [3:30 p.m., Excelsior Branch, 4400 Mission St., S.F.; register at marla.bergman@sfpl.org or (415) 355-2868]
Gender reflections: Willy Wilkinson, author of “Born on the Edge of Race and Gender: A Voice for Cultural Competency,” leads a discussion about changing views on gender. [6 p.m., Latino/Hispanic Room, Main Library, 100 Larkin St., S.F.]
At the colleges
Student films: A film screening showcases the work of San Francisco State University film students. [7 p.m., Sundance Kabuki Cinemas, 1881 Post St., S.F.; sffilmfinals.com]
Local activities
Ladies who laugh: “Really Funny Comedians (Who Happen to Be Women)” showcases comedians of the XX-chromosome variety. [8 p.m., Punch Line Comedy Club, 444 Battery St., S.F.]
U.K. pop: British pop star Jessie J is best known in America for songs like “Bang Bang,” her collaboration with Nicki Minaj and Ariana Grande. [8 p.m., Fillmore, 1805 Geary Blvd., S.F.
Indie rock: Local indie-rock group Pretty Alright is headlining a bill that also includes High Cliffs. [9 p.m., Bottom of the Hill, 1233 17th St., S.F.]
Rock show: Irish band U2, which has been together nearly 40 years, is on its “Innocence and Experience Tour.” [7 p.m., SAP Center, 525 W. Santa Clara St., San Jose; sold out]
Roots rock: Mississippi blues-rocker Jimbo Mathus, a founding member of the Squirrel Nut Zippers, offers a noisy tour of the South on his latest album, “Blue Healer.” [8 p.m., Hotel Utah, 1312 Utah St., S.F.]
