Princess Mononoke: The 1997 Japanese epic historical fantasy anime film by Hayao Miyazaki screens (with English subtitles) in a special 20th anniversary presentation. [7 p.m., Century 20, 1901 Junipero Serra Blvd., Daly City]
Manjula Martin: The author of the essay collection “Scratch: Writers, Money, and The Art of Making a Living,” speaks, in a session with writers Caille Millner, Laura Goode, Susie Cagle and Yiyun Li. [7:30 p.m., Green Apple Books, 1231 Ninth Ave., S. F.]
Rhino in the Castro: Theatre Rhinoceros, The City’s pioneering queer stage company, hosts a series of readings of plays reflecting the LGBTQ community and its allies. [7 p.m., GLBT History Museum, 4127 18th St., S. F.]
Stolas: The Las Vegas-based progressive-rock trio opens for The Number Twelve Looks Like You, a “mathcore” band from Fair Lawn, N. J., combining “grindcore, progressive metal, and later salsa, funk and jazz.” [8 p.m., Brick and Mortar Music Hall, 1710 Mission St., S. F.]
Selena Bartlett: The neuroscientist and professor at Queensland University of Technology in Australia speaks about her book “MiGGi Matters: How to Train Your Brain to Manage Stress and Trim Your Body.” [7 p.m., Book Passage, 51 Tamal Vista Blvd., Corte Madera]
Dorothie and Martin Hellman: The couple is promoting “A New Map for Relationships: Creating True Love at Home and Peace on the Planet,” their collaborative book about how they saved their failing marriage. [7 p.m., Books Inc., 74 Town & Country Village, Palo Alto]
Drop In Improv: The $15 session offers the opportunity for experienced actors and practitioners to sharpen skills, and newcomers to get introduced to the world of improvisation. [7 p.m., Leela Improv Training Center, third floor, 901 Mission St., S. F.]
Closing Time-Music of Tom Waits, Leonard Cohen and Nick Cave: DJs Omar (Popscene) and Cole (Ownership) play music by the master songwriters in the eclectic club night. [Make Out Room, 9:30 p.m., 3325 22nd St., S. F.]
Tim Lee: The “scientist turned comedian” opens a two-night engagement. [8 p.m., Punch Line, 444 Battery St., S. F.]
Vintage Toy Buying Show: In an event described as “‘Antiques Roadshow’ meets Vintage Barbie,” America’s Toy Scout Joel Magee offers on-the-spot cash payments for popular 20th century (and earlier) toys, including “Star Wars” action figures, Transformers, Hot Wheels and 1960s comic book collections, [9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.. Courtyard San Francisco Airport, 1050 Bayhill Drive, San Bruno]
Janie Chang: The best-selling author of “Three Moons” is promoting her new novel, “Dragon Springs Road.” [7:30 p.m.. Kepler’s, 1010 El Camino Real, Menlo Park]
Everyone Deserves a Home: An event corresponding with the exhibit of photographs by Audra Miller (and coordinated by Ariel Fortune and Lauren Hall) offers visitors the opportunity to meet the formerly homeless San Franciscans whose portraits and oral histories comprise the show. [4 p.m., Latino Hispanic Room, Main Library, 100 Larkin St., S. F.]
Son of the Velvet Rat: The band, the project of Austrian songwriter Georg Altziebler and his wife Heike Binder on organ and accordion, appears on a bill with Step Jayne and Dan Cantrell. [8 p.m., Hotel Utah, 500 Fourth St., S. F.]
Zadie Smith: The best-selling, award-winning English novelist (“White Teeth”), essayist and short story writer appears in a sold-out City Arts & Lectures presentation. [7:30 p.m., Nourse Theater, 275 Hayes St., S. F.]
Bay City Blues with Chris Cain: The evening’s special guest is Chicago blues guitar veteran Rockin Johnny Burgin. [7:30 and 9:30 p.m., Biscuits and Blues, 401 Mason St., S. F.]
Mark Shaw: The former criminal defense attorney and legal analyst discusses his new work “The Reporter Who Knew Too Much: The Mysterious Death of What’s My Line TV Star and Media Icon Dorothy Kilgallen.” [7 p.m., Books Inc., 1375 Burlingame Ave., Burlingame]
