Who’s in town

Psychologist and poet Adrienne Amundsen, who works with the nonprofit Afghans 4 Tomorrow, is reading from her collection “Reclaiming the Apple: Poems From Afghanistan.” [6 p.m., 1 Ferry Building,
1 Ferry Building Plaza, S.F.]

Lectures

Human evolution: Stanford University history professor Ian Morris looks at the long-term trends that shape human behavior in “Foragers, Farmers, and Fossil Fuels: How Human Values Evolve.” [6 p.m., Commonwealth Club, 555 Post St., S.F.; sold out]

Franciscan friars: Journalist Elias Castillo examines the history of Franciscan friars in California, and their widespread abuse of Native Americans, in his book “A Cross of Thorns.” [7 p.m., Mountain View Library, 585 Franklin St., Mountain View]

Cyclotron innovations: Pulitzer-winning writer Michael Hiltzik unveils the secrets of the cyclotron, the particle accelerator invented at UC Berkeley in the 1930s, in his book “Big Science: Ernest Lawrence and the Invention that Launched the Military-Industrial Complex.” [7 p.m., Book Passage, 51 Tamal Vista Blvd., Corte Madera]

Literary events

Board games: Pull up a chair and open up a board game at Alley Cat Books’ game night. [7 p.m., Alley Cat Books, 3036 24th St., S.F.]

At the public library

Older Writers Laboratory: Seniors can share their poetry. [10 a.m.-noon, Bernal Heights Branch, 500 Cortland Ave., S.F.]

Math help: Volunteer tutors can answer questions. [2-4 p.m., Ingleside Branch, 1298 Ocean Ave., S.F.]

At the colleges

Beautiful monsters: “Beasts and Books,” a collection of art depicting medieval beasts and other grotesque antiquities, is nearing the end of its run. [10 a.m.-6 p.m., Bing Wing, Stanford University, 459 Lasuen Mall, Stanford]

Science fun for kids: Children can cobble together their own adventures at the Lawrence Hall of Science’s Ingenuity Studio. [10 a.m.-5 p.m., Lawrence Hall of Science, UC Berkeley, 1 Centennial Drive, Berkeley; www.lawrencehallofscience.org]

Local activities

Stand-up comedy: Check out local comedians at the “People Under The Stairs” comedy showcase. [8 p.m., Lost Weekend Video, 1034 Valencia St., S.F.]

Pioneers of psychedelia: “Dying to Know,” narrated by Robert Redford, documents the lives of Timothy Leary and Ram Dass, two Harvard psychology professors who pushed the boundaries of human perception. [7 and 9 p.m., Roxie Theater, 3117 16th St., S.F.]

Choral music: The opening ceremonies kick off the Golden Gate International Choral Festival, which is showcasing groups from all over the world through Saturday.  [7 p.m., Scottish Rite Center, 1547 Lakeside Drive, Oakland]

Local rock: Seemway calls its music “American dreamwave.” [9 p.m., El Rio, 3158 Mission St., S.F.]

Rock show: The minimalist rockers of Shellac are promoting their latest album, “Dude Incredible.” [9 p.m., New Parish, 579 18th St., Oakland]eventslocal activitiesSan Franciscothings to do