Paper work: The Museum of Craft and Folk Art presents “Beyond Craft: Kamisuki, Paper as Process,” an exhibit spotlighting a centuries-old Japanese papermaking technique. [11 a.m. to 6 p.m., 51 Yerba Buena Lane]

Who’s in town

Judge Cristina Perez, host of the TV show “Cristina’s Court,” will be master of ceremonies for the 2007 ILRC Phillip Burton Immigration and Civil Rights Awards Dinner and Auction. Proceeds benefit the Immigrant Legal Resource Center. [5:30 to 9 p.m., Julia Morgan Ballroom, Merchants Exchange Building, 465 California St.]

City activities

Making an impact: The Impact Fund hosts its annual reception. Honorees, chosen for their civil-rights focus, are writer-performer Anna Deavere Smith and the Fox and Robertson law firm. [5:30 p.m., Westin St. Francis, 335 Powell St.]

Social science: The Academy of Sciences hosts its May “Third Thursday” soirée. Swing and jazz set the tone. The evening includes live music and a “Swankiest Dressed” costume contest. [5 to 9 p.m., 875 Howard St.]

At the public library

Older Writers Laboratory: OWL hosts a free poetry workshop for seniors. [1:30 p.m., Bernal Heights Branch, 500 Cortland Ave.]

Study session: Quiet study time, for children of all ages, is designed for completing homework assignments. [4:30 p.m., Bayview Branch, 5075 Third St.]

Lectures

Barbara Simpson: The journalist and media consultant discusses fact versus fiction in glossily packaged news reportage. [6 p.m., Commonwealth Club, 595 Market St.]

Marwan Al-Sayed: The internationally recognized architect discusses his ideas, inspirations and practice. [7 p.m., SFMOMA, 151 Third St.]

Literary events

Nayan Chanda: TheYaleGlobal Online Magazine editor discusses “Bound Together: How Traders, Preachers, Adventurers and Warriors Shaped Globalization.” [6 p.m., World Affairs Council, 312 Sutter St.]

Chuck Barris: The former “Gong Show” host and self-proclaimed CIA hit man discusses “The Big Question.” [7 p.m., Booksmith, 1644 Haight St.]