events

Events listings are compiled by Sarah Han. See 8 Days a Week for information on how to submit items to the listings.

wednesday 14

Authors

'Perpetual Motion Roadshow' Modern Times Bookstore, 888 Valencia; 282-9246. 7:30pm. With performances by Cynthia Gould, Jack Saturn, and E. Belew.

Anthony Swofford A Clean Well-Lighted Place for Books, 601 Van Ness; 441-6670. 7pm. The author discusses his Gulf War memoir, Jarhead.

thursday 15

Authors

Billy Collins Herbst Theatre, 401 Van Ness; 392-4400. 8pm, $18.50. The poet discusses his work.

Eileen Myles, Leslie Scalapino City Lights Booksellers, 261 Columbus; 362-8193. 7pm. The authors read from their works.

Christopher Scheer, Robert Scheer Cody's Books, 2454 Telegraph, Berk; (510) 845-9095. 7:30pm. The authors discuss their book, The Five Biggest Lies Bush Told Us About Iraq.

'ZYZZYVA New Writer's Reading' Book Bay at the Main Library, 100 Larkin; 557-4258. 6pm, free. Four authors read from their work; Howard Junker hosts.

Benefits

'San Francisco International Art Exposition Opening Night Preview' Herbst and Festival Pavilions, Fort Mason Center, Marina at Laguna; 749-4569, www.sfiae.com. 7pm, $175-10,000. Tonight's gala reception for "San Francisco International Art Exposition" includes a reception and a preview of the works in the show. The exposition runs Fri/16-Mon/19.

friday 16

Around town

'Out of the Red and into the Black' Fine Arts Gallery, Fine Arts Building, San Francisco State University, 19th Ave and Holloway; 338-2176. 6-8pm, free. This benefit for the art department's Headland Center for the Arts MFA residency scholarship features a silent auction and a performance by Grey Otter.

'San Francisco International Art Exposition' Fort Mason Center, Festival Pavilion, Marina at Laguna; 749-4569, www.sfiae.com. 11am-7pm, $10-12. This art event features works from more than 100 galleries by more than 2000 international contemporary and modern artists. Through Mon/19.

Bay Area

'An Evening with Frankie Manning' Ashkenaz, 1317 San Pablo, Berk; (510) 525-5054. 7:30pm, free. Dance legend Frankie Manning speaks.

Martin Luther King Jr. event Oakland Federal Building, 1301 Clay, Oakl; (510) 839-5877. Noon-5:14pm. The Peoples NonViolent Response Coalition presents this vigil against war and violence featuring readings of King's speech "Beyond Vietnam: A Time to Break the Silence."

saturday 17

Around town

Harlem Globetrotters Cow Palace, Geneva and Santos; 998-TIXS. 1pm, $11. The world-famous basketball team perform.

'PolyPEDAL Lab' Exploratorium, 3601 Lyon; EXP-LORE. 2pm, $8-12. This event explores the work of UC Berkeley's PolyPEDAL Lab, which studies animal physiology and locomotion to better understand robots.

'San Francisco International Art Exposition' Fort Mason Center, Festival Pavilion, Marina at Laguna; 749-4569, www.sfiae.com. 11am-7pm, $10-12. See Fri/16.

Benefits

'Alameda County Leather Corps' Leather Elegance 2003' Elio's Banquet Room, 260 Floresta Blvd; www.frantix.net, 1-866-372-6849. 7pm, $33. This leather event features live entertainment, a sit-down dinner, and dancing; proceeds benefit Eldrige Elementary School's science fair.

sunday 18

Around town

'FIRST LEGO League Robot Missions' Exploratorium, 3601 Lyon; EXP-LORE. Noon-4pm. For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology presents the winners of its FIRST LEGO League Mission Mars Challenge – robots constructed out of LEGO blocks.

KUSF Rock 'n' Swap McLaren Hall, University of San Francisco, Masonic and Golden Gate; www.kusf.org. 10am-4pm, $2. KUSF presents this record collector's event.

'San Francisco International Art Exposition' Fort Mason Center, Festival Pavilion, Marina at Laguna; 749-4569, www.sfiae.com. 11am-6pm, $10-12. See Fri/16.

Bay Area

'Knitty with Kitty' Mama Buzz Cafe, 2318 Telegraph, Oakl; (510) 465-4073. 1-3pm. DJ Kitty English hosts this beginners knitting class.

'Unraveling the Lying Liars of the Great American Dynasty' Berkeley Community Theater, 1930 Allston Way, Berk; (415) 392-4400. 7pm, $15. See 8 Days a Week.

monday 19

Around town

'Anniversary of the Sea Lions' Arrival at Pier 39' Pier 39; 705-5500, www.pier39.com. 11am-5pm, free. Celebrate the 14th anniversary of the sea lions' return to the San Francisco Bay Area.

'San Francisco International Art Exposition' Fort Mason Center, Festival Pavilion, Marina at Laguna; 749-4569, www.sfiae.edu. 11am-6pm, $10-12. See Fri/16.

'Sex Workers Art Show' Cafe du Nord, 2170 Market; 861-5016. 9pm, $7. Sex educator Ducky DooLittle presents this burlesque-inspired comedy show.

Bay Area

'Make the Dream Real' Taylor Memorial United Methodist Church, 1188 12th St, Oakl; (510) 708-8671. 10am-noon, free. Dr. Matthew Fox and Rev. Ron Swisher host this Martin Luther King Jr. celebration, featuring keynote speaker Rafael Jesus Gonzalez.

tuesday 20

Benefits