Who’s in town
Pianist Gabriela Montero performs Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue” during an appearance with the San Francisco Symphony.” The concert, “My Classic American Composers,” is part of the “Summer and the Symphony” festival. [8 p.m., Davies Symphony Hall, 201 Van Ness Ave., S.F.]
Lectures
Arts funding: Panelists discuss the similarities between current times and the New Deal era as they relate to public arts and government funding. [6 p.m., California Historical Society, 678 Mission St., S.F.]
Art talk: Meredith Tromble, coordinator of the San Francisco Art Institute’s Contemporary Practice program, talks about “John Baldessari: A Print Retrospective.” [10 a.m., Legion of Honor, 100 34th Ave., S.F.]
Literary events
John Lescroart: The novelist reads from “A Plague of Secrets.” [7 p.m., “M” Is for Mystery, 86 E. Third Ave., San Mateo]
Joanna Smith Rakoff: The novelist reads from “A Fortunate Age.” [7:30 p.m., Kepler’s Books and Magazines, 1010 El Camino Real, Menlo Park]
At the colleges
InterHarmony International Music Festival: “The Evolution of the Violin Bow” is the subject of a lecture given by Janet Packer. [4 p.m., SFSU, Creative Arts Building, 1600 Holloway Ave., S.F.]
Public libraries
Diva worship: Editor Michael Montlock and contributing writers read from and discuss “My Diva: 65 Gay Men on the Women Who Inspire Them.” [6 p.m., Main Library, Latino/Hispanic B, 100 Larkin St., S.F.]
‘Films to Draw By’: Film series presents Woody Allen’s “Manhattan” (1979). [Noon, Main Library, Koret Auditorium, 100 Larkin St., S.F.]
Local activities
Jewish culture: “Oy Vey,” the Contemporary Jewish Museum’s new evening series, presents a talk about art and German-Jewish relations. Related exhibit: “Susan Hiller: The ‘J. Street Project.’” [5 to 8 p.m., 736 Mission St., S.F.]
Science social: “NightLife” at the California Academy of Sciences features. DJ Aaron Pope and a full-dome premiere of the planetarium show “Bella Gaia” this week. [6 to 10 p.m., Golden Gate Park, S.F.]
Lunchtime jazz: Hafez Modir’s Sound Come-Unity, a jazz ensemble consisting of master musicians from selected musical cultures of the world, performs. [12:30 p.m., Yerba Buena Gardens, Third and Mission streets, S.F.]
Dining out
Sens: Chef Dane Boryta recommends a pair of dishes. First is grilled prime rib-eye steak, with shallot-sherry sauce, baby carrots and white-corn potato cake. Also look for a grilled natural pork chop, with Black Mission figs, toy-box squash and a trio of rices. [Four Embarcadero Center, S.F.; (415) 362-0645]
