LECTURE: City Arts and Lectures presents Jonathan Franzen In conversation with Mark Breitenberg. Often writing about the geographical and cultural landscapes of the Midwest, Franzen's books utilize "multifaceted plots where the intensely personal stories of his characters intersect with larger social themes." His latest book, Freedom, tells the story of the Berglund family, who seem stable in the beginning, but their lives slowly unravel as the novel unfolds.

8 p.m. // Herbst Theatre (401 Van Ness Ave) // $20

MUSIC: The Mars Volta's Omar Rodriguez Lopez will perform with some key Mars Volta's players, featuring songs from Lopez's Solar Gambling, Los Sueños De Un Higado, and Xenophanes, as well as selections from as-yet-unreleased records, such as Un Escorpion Perfumado. Le Butcherettes will open the show.

7 p.m. // Great American Music Hall (859 O'Farrell St) // $21

LITERARY: This month's Rumpus event is themed "Where's Steve?", featuring authors Creston Lea, Katie Crouch, Rives, and Daniel Alarcón, music by John Craigie and Shovelman Isaac Frankle, and a performance by Chicken John.

7 p.m. // Make-Out Room (3225 22nd St) // $10