ENTERTAINMENT

Bob Blumenthal discusses “Jazz: An Introduction to the History and Legends Behind America’s Music”
7 p.m.
Regattabar
@ the Charles Hotel
One Bennett St., Cambridge
MBTA: Red Line to Harvard
Free, 617-661-1515
www.harvard.com
Former Globe jazz critic Blumenthal celebrates the release of his new boppin’ tome; Branford Marsalis moderates the discussion.

“The Pint and The Pen”
7 p.m.
Bukowski’s
1281 Cambridge St., Cambridge
MBTA: Red Line to Central
21+, 617-497-7077
www.harpoonbrewery.com
Harpoon and everyone’s favorite literati watering hole, Bukowski’s, team up for their annual writing contest, “The Pint and the Pen.” Listen to the winning essays — which best weaved the words “pen,” “pint,” “Bukowski’s” and “Harpoon” — and sip one of more than a hundred beers. Or raise a glass to the man himself and order a Vodka7.

MUSIC

Von Bondies
9 p.m.
Great Scott
1222 Comm. Ave., Boston
MBTA: Green B Line to
Harvard Ave.
$14, 18+, 617-566-9014
www.greatscottboston.com
The Von Bondies hit town as part of a warm-up tour in advance of their forthcoming “Love, Hate and Then There’s You,” a snarling platter of rock crunch and pop swing with highlights such as “I Don’t Wanna” and “Wake Me Up.” To tide you over, the Detriot fivesome will have a taster EP, “We Are Kamikazes Aiming Straight for Your Heart,” with them. SSM and Freer kick off the night.

“Hearthrob” Dance Night
9 p.m.
Middlesex Lounge
321 Mass. Ave., Cambridge
MBTA: Red Line to Central
Free, 21+, 617-868-6739
www.middlesexlounge.com
Your bedroom walls have seen enough — throw on those rainbow lamé pants and whip it to Justice, Tiga and Klaxons with, get this, other people!

Reunion Band
8:30 p.m.
Johnny D’s
17 Holland St., Somerville
MBTA: Red Line to Davis
$10, 21+, 617-776-2004
www.johnnyds.com
These bluegrass stalwarts kick down traditionals along with Bill Munroe and Bob McDill covers.

LOCAL

“Climate and Energy: The $6 Trillion Dollar Gamble” Discussion
7:30 p.m.
The Boston Synagogue
55 Martha Road, Boston
MBTA: Green Line to Science Park
Free, 617-523-0453
www.bostonsynagogue.org
It’s not the end of the world. Yet. And MIT Professor Jeffrey Steinfeld discusses the local effects of climate change and what individuals can do to help stem it.

CULTURAL

An Evening With John Irving
6:30 p.m.
Walnut Hill School
Keiter Performing Arts Center
12 Highland St., Natick
MBTA: Commuter Rail to Natick
Free, 508-652-7814
www.walnuthillarts.org
The last time we went to an event called “An Evening with John Irving,” the esteemed Granite State author read from an incomplete story about a deflating raft, which sounded like the main character’s vibrator. The kicker of the story was, that because of a previous incident, everybody on the beach made the same connection. Hopefully he’ll share with Walnut Hill listeners the same sort of intimate Irving anecdotes that remind us how painful and great it is to be human.

“Investigating the Renaissance” Exhibit
Through June 30
Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday 1-5 p.m.
Fogg Art Museum
32 Quincy St., Cambridge
MBTA: Red Line to Harvard
$9/$6 students, 617-495-9400
www.artmuseums.harvard.edu
You woke up this morning and said, “I need me some Botticelli.” Wish granted.

SPORTS

Golden Gloves Boxing
Tuesdays through Feb. 19
7:30 p.m.
Lowell Memorial Auditorium
50 East Merrimack St., Lowell
MBTA: Commuter Rail to Lowell
$11-$15, 978-454-2299
www.lowellauditorium.com
www.ticketmaster.com
See some of the best up-and-coming fighters before they start showing off their “Scarface”-inspired home theatres on “Cribs.”