Around town
Who’s in town
Jazz saxophonist Pharoah Sanders performs with his ensemble, joined by special guest Zakir Hussain. [8 and 10 p.m., Yoshi’s, 1330 Fillmore St., S.F.]
Lectures
Art talk: Designers discuss the work and influence of artist-designer Matt Kahn. A visit to an exhibit of Kahn’s work, at the San Francisco Museum of Craft + Design, follows the talk. [6 p.m., Larkspur Hotel, 524 Sutter St., S.F.]
Loving chocolate: Chocolate as a high art is the focus of “Women and Chocolate: A Natural Combination,” a talk and tasting featuring local chocolatiers. [6 p.m., Commonwealth Club, 595 Market St., S.F.]
At the public library
‘Wiser Spending, Greener Living’: Panel discusses how to live cheaply and green in San Francisco. [6:30 p.m., Richmond Branch, 351 Ninth Ave., S.F.]
Hula dancing: Parents and kids can learn basic hula steps and Hawaiian chants in this program for ages 5 and older. [3 p.m., Western Addition Branch, 1550 Scott St., S.F.]
At the colleges
Outdoor science talk: David Magnus, director of the Stanford Center for Biomedical Ethics, discusses the “ownership of life.” [7 p.m., on the lawn outside Cantor Arts Center, Stanford University]
Local activities
Meow mixer: To celebrate Adopt a Shelter Cat Month, the San Francisco SPCA hosts “Catnip,” a fundraiser featuring food, drinks and the chance to meet available cats (and dogs). [6:30 p.m., S.F. SPCA, 250 Florida St., S.F.]
Pottery exhibit: “Warren MacKenzie: Legacy of an American Potter” contains about 300 works reflecting 50 years of MacKenzie’s career. [11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Museum of Craft and Folk Art, 51 Yerba Buena Lane, S.F.]
Literary events
James Der Derian: The global-media expert talks about “Virtuous War: Mapping the Military-Industrial Media-Entertainment Network.” [7 p.m., City Lights Bookstore, 261 Columbus Ave., S.F.]
Mark Abramson: The novelist reads from “Cold Serial Murder.” [7 p.m., Books Inc., 2275 Market St., S.F.]
Dining out
Wexler’s: This new Financial District restaurant serves Southern comfort food and barbecue fare. Chef Charlie Kleinman’s dinner entrees include dry-rub-crusted scallops with creamy grits and bourbon-braised mushrooms, and smoked short ribs with Macomber turnips, fingerling potatoes and barbecue au jus. Lunch items include a pulled-lamb sandwich dressed in watermelon vinegar with green-peach and red-cabbage slaw. [568 Sacramento St., S.F.; (415) 983-0102]
