SCIENCE: At Nerd Nite SF #9: Real Estate Shenanigans, Dirty Archaeology, and Roller Derby Fundamentals, learn all about how the $10 trillion world of "shadow banking" went boom, and why it’s not going away; the "thieves, bootlegging, prostitutes, venereal disease and prophylactics" of San Francisco's past; and the history, rules and basic strategy of roller derby.

7:30 p.m. // Rickshaw Stop (155 Fell Street) // $8

FILM: City Arts presents a screening and discussion of The Practice of the Wild, featuring Gary Snyder & Will Hearst in person. The documentary film follows the legendary Beat poet Gary Snyder and novelist and lifelong friend Jim Harrison as they amble through the landscape of California’s Central Coast, discussing Zen Buddhism, Bay Area bohemia, memories of Allen Ginsberg and Jack Kerouac, and the interdependence of all living things.

8 p.m. // Herbst Theatre (401 Van Ness Avenue) // $21, buy tickets

ART: SF Weekly presents its Fourth Annual Artopia, a showcase of the 2011 Masterminds Finalists as they compete for grants to fund future artistic endeavors. Enjoy a hosted bar, performances from local artists, live music, a collaborative art project and more. A portion of the proceeds from the evening will go towards the artists' grants.

7 to 10 p.m. // Public Works (161 Erie Street) // $20