MUSIC: Delightful and energetic married indie duo, Mates of State, who's latest album, Mountaintops, is on SFist's stereo as we speak, hit the Independent tonight, along with guest, The Stepkids. Your Monday night could use a little inspiration, no? (8 p.m., The Independent, 628 Divisadero Street)

FILM: Dystopian flick, Beyond the Black Rainbow, which is described as a "Reagan-era fever dream inspired by hazy childhood memories midnight movies and Saturday morning cartoons," is centered around a young girl who's kept captive and undergoing mind-control in the mysterious Arboria Institute. The film makes its San Francisco premiere tonight at the Roxie and runs through July 12th. (7:15 and 9:30 p.m., Roxie Theater, 3117 16th Street)

LITERARY: It's another installment of the Quiet Lightning series, which is a submission-based literary mixtape featuring all forms of writing, "without introduction or banter," that moves to a different venue each month and publishes each show as a book, available to buy at the event. Tonight's event will feature a musical performance by Michael Musika, and art by Steven Gray. (7:30 to 9 p.m., Galería de la Raza, 2857 24th Street
)

ART: Creative Explored pays tribute to Pride with Fabulous, a group exhibition that celebrates fashion, fame, identity, and queer culture with glamorous portrait paintings, wearable, multi-media hats, gender-bending drawings, and a full-size hot pink cardboard drum kit. Tonight's event will feature music by DJ Ry Toast and a special performance by BeBe Sweetbriar, dubbed the Omni Present Drag Chanteuse, along with additional performances by local entertainers. (7 to 9 p.m., Creativity Explored Gallery and Studio
, 3245 16th Street)

THEATER: Berkeley Rep celebrates summer solstice in the courtyard after tonight's showing of Eve Ensler's Emotional Creature, which is made up of original monologues — and irresistible songs — about and for girls. Tonight's show is the last preview night before the opening tomorrow night. (8 p.m., Berkeley Repertory Theatre, 2025 Addison Street)

STORYTELLING: Porchlight hits the Contemporary Jewish Museum for their second show this week for a night of California Dreaming, riffing off the themes in both the museum's current exhibition and The Mamas & the Papas song by the same name. Storytellers include All Things Considered commentator Dayvid Figler, comedian Michael Capozzola, Burning Man co-founder John Law, co-director of SF Sketchfest Janet Varney, and iconic skateboarder Judi Oyama. (7 to 8:30, Contemporary Jewish Museum, 736 Mission Street)

FILM: Frameline presents Call Me Kuchu, which explores the life and brutal death of veteran activist and the first openly gay man in Uganda, David Kato, in his undeterred fight for the rights of the LGBT community, as he boldly dares to protest publicly—in the courts, on television, at the United Nations—despite the great personal danger it poses to him and his small band of fellow kuchu activists. (7 p.m., Castro Theatre, 429 Castro Street)

MUSIC: This month's Brazilian Wax will feature live musical guest Boru-Coe, whose Afro-Brazilian psychedelic sound ranges in influence from Colombia, Peru and Brazil, along with samba dancers, Amor Do Samba, and resident DJs Carioca & P-Shot. (9 p.m., Elbo Room, 647 Valencia Street)

LITERARY: Write Club, which originated in Chicago, describes the concept behind the event as simply, "Literature as bloodsport. Prize money to charity," featuring "2 opposing writers. 2 opposing ideas. 7 minutes each. Audience picks the winner. Proceeds go to winner's charity of choice." (7 p.m., Make-Out Room, 3225 22nd Street)

THEATER: Tom Bruett and BATS Improv hosts Marriage Equality Plays, an evening of short, original plays benefiting the American Foundation for Equal Rights (AFER), featuring new short plays by William Bivins, Michelle Carter, Garret Jon Groenveld, Lauren Gunderson, Peter Sinn Nachtrieb and Lauren Yee. (8 p.m., BATS Improv's Bayfront Theater, B350 Fort Mason Center)

FILM: Castro Theatre is currently running the Fab Four's classic animated fantasy film, Yellow Submarine, which has been digitally restored in 4K resolution frame by frame, all by hand. Rock out to classics such as "All You Need Is Love," "Lucy In the Sky With Diamonds," "Eleanor Rigby," "When I'm Sixty-Four" and much more, as John, Paul, George and Ringo save the day! (7 and 9 p.m., Castro Theatre, 429 Castro Street)

LITERARY: In his latest book, The (Honest) Truth About Dishonesty, behavioral economist Dan Ariely (Predictably Irrational and The Upside of Irrationality) presents his "unique blend of intellectual curiosity, groundbreaking research, and down-to-earth appeal," to explore why we cheat, what causes our dishonest behavior, and how we can curb and limit it. (7:30 p.m., The Booksmith, 1644 Haight Street)

ART: Head over to the Verdi Club tonight for the mother of all live drawing events, Southern Exposure's famous Monster Drawing Rally, which features more than 120 artists working side by side and selling their completed work for $60 each, the proceeds of which will provide direct support to Southern Exposure's programs. (6 to 11 p.m., Verdi Club, 2424 Mariposa)

LITERARY: Take a gander at the famous William Westerfeld Mansion, which is packed with history, at the fifth installment of Quiet Lightning's Neighborhood Heroes series, featuring a huge line-up of local literati. (7 to 9 p.m., William Westerfeld House, 1198 Fulton Street)

MUSIC: Underground SF plays host to another round of Push The Feeling, featuring a live performance by Oakland-based multi-instrumentalist and "musical chameleon," Yalls, a DJ set from Avalon Emerson, and DJ sets from Push The Feeling residents YR SKULL and epicsauce DJs. (9 p.m. to 2 a.m., Underground SF, 424 Haight Street)

LITERARY: Bestselling author of Shit My Dad Says fame, Justin Halpern, celebrates the release of his latest collection of stories, I Suck at Girls, "an exploration of Halpern’s romantic adventures (read: mostly failures) - from his first kiss, to getting engaged, and every awkward moment in between." (7:30 p.m., The Booksmith, 1644 Haight Street)

MUSIC: The Make-Out Room hosts a night of brass as part of its free First Mondays series, featuring, Erick Jekabson Quartet, Heule-Chandler-Aspelin Trio, and Patrick Wolff & The Good Habits. (8 p.m., Make-Out Room, 3225 22nd Street)

FILM: The film Hide Away follows a man with no name who arrives in a small town in Michigan nursing a private grief that unfolds in flashback, as a few inquisitive locals watch him haltingly repair a dilapidated boat. (5, 7 and 9 p.m., SF Film Society Cinema, 1746 Post Street)

MUSIC: It's a stellar line-up of S.F.-based bands at Cafe Du Nord tonight, featuring beloved punk veterans The Avengers, along with indie rockers Erase Errata and singer-songwriter Carletta Sue Kay. (9 p.m., Cafe Du Nord, 2170 Market Street)

LITERARY: Hang out at the Red Vic again for the SF Writers’ Grotto and The Booksmith's Grotto Nights, a literary cabaret night filled with prose, hijinks, hula, comedy, rock and clown foolery, featuring all the usual literati suspects and their friends. (8 p.m., The Red Vic Movie House, 1727 Haight Street)

ART: Recology SF presents an exhibition featuring the work of current San Francisco Dump Artists in Residence, Beau Buck, who is "obsessed with creating spaces where recognizable forms paired with abstract materials can live," and Karrie Hovey, who is re-creating natural landscapes in constructed from the bi-products of our buy-product disposable society. (5 to 9 p.m., Recology San Francisco Art Studio, 503 Tunnel Avenue)

FESTIVAL: Arrive at tonight's Giants game early for The Giants Carnaval Festival at the Park, featuring live 2012 SF Carnaval King Roberto and Queen Ashlee, music, dancing, and food and drink specials. And be sure to grab your limited edition Pablo Sandoval Chia ‘Fro. Partial proceeds from tickets sale go to San Francisco Cultural Arts Traditions (SFCAT). (5 to 7 p.m., AT&T Park, 24 Willie Mays Plaza)

PERFORMANCE: As part of the Asian Contemporary Art Consortium, Southern Exposure presents Off the Wall, featuring performances by two Bay Area artists, Mike Lai, who recreates a scene from Kung Fu genre films through sound and vocal performance joined by music ensemble Charming Hostess, followed by comedic performer Jenifer Wofford who examines Filipina stereotypes from an absurdist perspective. (7 to 9 p.m., Southern Exposure, 3030 20th Street)

LITERARY: David Talbot, founder and CEO Salon, celebrates of his new book, Season of the Witch, "recounts the gripping story of San Francisco in the turbulent years between 1967 and 1982 -- and of the extraordinary men and women who led to the city’s ultimate rebirth and triumph." (7:30 p.m., The Booksmith, 1644 Haight Street)

MUSIC: French-Chilean MC Ana Tijoux takes the stage with her full band in support of her latest release, La Bala, which is described as "a whirlwind trip through hip-hop, jazz, and funk, spiced up with a bit of politics and her great sense of humor that has made audiences around the globe fall in love with her." (8 p.m., The Independent, 628 Divisadero Street)

FOOD/LITERARY: This month's Feast of Words: A Literary Potluck, which is themed Back to the Future, will feature Sister Spit's Cassie J. Sneider, who will read from her new book Fine, Fine Music, and culinary guest Kuukua Dzigbordi Yomekpe, who will be cooking up some dishes from her Ghanaian culture. (7 to 9 p.m., SOMArts Cultural Center, 934 Brannan Street)

FILM: Evolver Bay Area's May Salon presents a screening and discussion of the film Edible City, which follows ten extraordinary stories exploring what’s going on in the food movement today, from the grassroots growth to the politics in Washington, D.C., from Occupy Oakland to creating community resiliency and local economic infrastructure. (7 to 10 p.m., The Happiness Institute, 1720 Market Street)

MUSIC: Folk Yeah presents quartet Sweet Chariot, who perform "timeless power-pop, classic biker rock, and dusty desert jams trimmed in the bygone tones of west coast canyon-twang," along with folk singer-songwriter Joseph Childress. (9 p.m., Brick and Mortar, 1710 Mission Street)

LITERARY: Author Alison Bechdel returns with Are You My Mother?, the long-awaited sequel to her 2006 literary and pop culture phenomenon, Fun Home, which is about Bechdel's relationship with her father. Are You My Mother? is "another brilliantly told tale of filial sleuthery, this time about Bechdel becoming the artist her mother herself wanted to be." (7:30 p.m., The Booksmith, 1644 Haight Street)

ART: Swords to Plowshares, a San Francisco-based veteran service organization, presents the fourth annual, SHOUT! Art by Women Veterans, which is an ongoing initiative that celebrates women who served our country and encourages expression and healing through art. (6 to 10 p.m., The Women's Building, 3543 18th Street)

ART: Project One Gallery presents Ceci n’est pas une Galerie, a group tribute to Surrealism that invites viewers to ask themselves, "if this is not a gallery, what is it?," featuring works that "usher us into the alternate universe of the unconscious mind, encompassing the nightmarish and the sublime." (6 p.m., Project One Gallery, 251 Rhode Island Street)

FILM: Yerba Buena Center for the Arts kicks off its series, From a Whisper to a Scream: Discovering Andrzej Zulawski, which features five films by the acclaimed European auteur. Tonight's feature is Szamanka (The Shaman), Zulawski’s "most deranged effort, which is saying a lot." The film is described as "[a]udacious, mystical, transgressive and explicit" with "a disturbingly apocalyptic finale." (7 p.m., Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, 701 Mission Street)

PHOTOGRAPHY/LITERARY: Photographer Julie Michelle and writer William Taylor Jr. pair up for The Road from Artifice to Nowhere, a photography show with selected readings by William Taylor Jr., along with Zarina Zabrisky and Matthew James DeCoster, plus music by Jonathan Hirsch. (7 p.m., a.Muse art gallery & meeting place,
614 Alabama Street)

MUSIC: Some folks might be at the Warfield (Pulp) or Great American (Godspeed You! Black Emperor) tonight, but lots of others will be at The Regency Ballroom to see the Queen of Rockabilly and recent Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Wanda Jackson. Tonight's show also features Sallie Ford and the Sound Outside. (8 p.m., The Regency Ballroom, 1290 Sutter Street)

LITERARY: Author S.G Browne celebrates the release of his new book, Lucky Bastard, which is set in San Francisco and tells the story of Nick Monday: a private detective who’s more Columbo than Sam Spade, more Magnum P.I. than Philip Marlowe, and who "doesn’t know whether his ability to swipe other people’s fortunes with a simple handshake is a blessing or a curse." (7:30 p.m., The Booksmith, 1644 Haight Street)

CLUB: Head to the weekly Lost & Found to hear, as SF Weekly notes, "the slower side of soul with a playlist that sounds tailor-made for some hip ‘60s prom," featuring tracks from an impressive collection of rare vinyl. (9:30 p.m., Make-Out Room, 3225 22nd Street)

MUSIC: Amidst a whirlwind of sold-out shows going on tonight (Firehose, Mazzy Star, M. Ward/Jonathan Richman), there are still a handful of tickets left to catch Radiohead down in San Jose, for a pretty penny. Hop to it! (7:30 p.m., HP Pavilion, 525 West Santa Clara Street, San Jose)

LITERARY: Professor and civil rights expert Michael G. Long will be giving a Q&A session tonight about Bayard Rustin (1912-1987), who, as Flavorpill notes, "was an important, and oft-overlooked, figure in the American Civil Rights Movement, promoting nonviolent resistance while advocating for African American and gay rights." (7 p.m., City Lights, 261 Columbus Avenue)

WORKSHOP: Members of the band, Zoo, will talk about their experience managing and promoting their small, struggling band without a manager at This is Not Self Promotion, a workshop aimed at helping independent artists find or create their audience. (6 to 8 p.m., Main Library, Latino/Hispanic B, 100 Larkin Street)

LITERARY: City Arts & Lectures presents Anne Lamott and her son, Sam Lamott, who are continuing the tradition of documenting the first year of their offspring's life. First, Anne published Operating Instructions 19 years ago, about the first year of Sam's life, and now the pair have come out with Some Assembly Required: A Journal of My Son's First Son, about the first year in the life of Sam's son, Jax. They'll be taking part in a lively discussion about parenting and grandparenting tonight. (8 p.m., Herbst Theatre, 401 Van Ness Avenue)

MUSIC: City Tribe, who describe themselves as "an artistic montage" formed on the principle of vocal harmonies, "and what followed was rhythmic and melodic charisma that would both charm your mother and put you at the tea table with your worst enemy," headline Bottom of the Hill tonight. Also featuring, indie folk fave, Ash Reiter, and hip hop soul outfit, Dirty Boots. (9 p.m., Bottom of the Hill, 1233 17th Street)

WORKSHOP: In celebration of the upcoming Earth Day, Dr. Carol Queen, Ph.D will be explaining of what makes a sex toy green, and how to have a better orgasm with Good Vibes' environmentally sustainable products. (6 to 7 p.m., Good Vibrations, 603 Valencia Street)

MUSIC: SFMOMA presents a stellar free show tonight featuring the groove-tastic Le Le from Amsterdam (check out their cool video.), along with S.F.'s Forlove and DJs Dials, Sleazemore, Eug, and Dreamweapon. (RSVP asap!) (9 p.m., Might SF, 119 Utah Street)

DESIGN: Speaking of books, Chronicle Books and the San Francisco Center for the Book presents an opening reception for the new AIGA’s 50 Books/50 Covers juried exhibition, which showcases the 50 best-designed books and book covers of 2010. The exhibition runs through April 12. (6 to 8 p.m., Chronicle Books, 680 2nd Street)

TALK: Maria Muldaur, of “Midnight at the Oasis” and “I’m a Woman” fame, will speak about her life and work accompanied by live musical interludes with celebrated interviewer, deejay and journalist, Ben Fong-Torres, as part of JCCSF's The Flip Side series. Muldaur has released 35 solo albums spanning the folk revival, early blues, bluegrass and even jug bands. (8 p.m., Jewish Community Center of San Francisco, 3200 California Street)