Kings of Leon: Viejas Arena hosts Kings of Leon at 7:30 p.m. Initially embraced as “the Southern Strokes” for its resurrection and reinvention of Dixie-styled rock ’n’ roll, Kings of Leon steadily morphed into an experimental rock outfit during the 2000s. As the band explored different sonic textures with subsequent releases, most notably on 2007’s “Because of the Times” and 2008’s “Only By the Night,” those tenuous links to the Strokes were finally dissolved. Viejas Arena (formerly Cox Arena) is located at 5500 Canyon Crest Drive in College West. For more information, call 619-594-6947 or visit www.as.sdsu.edu/viejas_arena.

Speedy Gonzalez and poetry: San Diego State University professor William A. Nericcio, who studies the representation of Mexicans, will read from his book Tex[t]-Mex: Seductive Hallucinations of the ‘Mexican’ in America at D.G. Wills Books at 7 p.m. Tomas Riley (Mahcic) and Manuel Paul Lopez (Death of a Mexican and Other Poems) will read poetry following Nericcio. The event is free. D.G. Wills Books is located at 7461 Girard Ave. in La Jolla. For more information, call 858-456-1800 or visit www.dgwillsbooks.com.

The Heart Spirit Circle: The San Diego LGBT Community Center hosts The Heart Spirit Circle at 7 p.m. The Heart-Spirit Circle is a gathering for spiritual activity with the intent to provide a time and place to come together with others of like mind and explore the spiritual side of life. The evening will include meditation, guided visualization, voluntary sharing and journaling. All levels of interest are welcome. Be sure to bring a journal. The Center is located at 3909 Centre St. in Hillcrest. For more information, e-mail steve@stephenthomson.net or call 619-422-2997.

SDDC Freedom Awards: The San Diego Democratic Club hosts the Freedom Awards at the San Diego Art Institute at 6 p.m. Steve Hildebrand, the mastermind behind Barack Obama’s groundbreaking presidential campaign, is the keynote speaker. Since 1975, the SDDC has been providing effective political action, advocating for fairness and equality for the GLBT community. Tickets for the awards are $75 and include a wine and beer bar, along with a silent auction. The San Diego Art Institute is located at 1439 El Prado in Balboa Park. For more information, visit www.sddemoclub.org or call 619-200-8194.

Senior Resource Fair: The Center hosts the 4th Annual Senior Resource Fair starting at 10 a.m. The Senior Resource Fair is a day of no-cost services, resources and workshops focused on senior health and well-being. The theme for this year’s fair is “Life Is a Banquet (On a Budget!),” and organizers hope to provide attendees with resources for staying healthy and active, despite the current economic climate. Workshops include “How to Not Outlive Your Money,” “Shopping and Cooking on a Budget,” “Navigating the Medicare System” and “Senior Dating and Intimacy.” For more information, call 619-692-2077, ext. 212 or e-mail aschwartz@thecentersd.org.

MPower pool party: MPower San Diego pool party starts at noon. Enjoy food, guys and fun. MPower San Diego is a social group for gay and bisexual guys, 25 and up. Guys make new connections and socialize in a chill setting while participating in activities such as barbecues, volleyball games, festivals and other exciting events. Limited space is available for the pool party. RSVP to attend. The event is free. For more information, call 619-515-2446, ext. 2998 or e-mail mpowersd@fhcsd.org.

Shakespeare abridged: The Lotus Theatre Collective and Talent to aMuse will perform the complete works of William Shakespeare (abridged) at Swedenbord Hall at 8 p.m. The play promises to show audience members all of Shakespeare’s works in about an hour and 40 minutes of breathless hiliarity. Three actors, Adam Long, Daniel Singer and Jess Winfield, will perform the play. All tickets are $15, and all are general admission. Tickets may be purchased at Swedenborg Hall one hour prior to show time or online at the following Web site. The play runs ’til Saturday, Aug. 29. Swedenborg Hall is located at 531 Tyler Ave. in University Heights. For more information, visit www.lotustheatrecollective.com or call 619-282-8889.

Christopher Lawrence: Wave House Bar & Grill hosts Christopher Lawrence at 8 p.m. Christopher Lawrence is an American DJ and producer, specializing in progressive trance music. Lawrence is widely considered to be America’s top trance DJ export. He has released 10 mix CDs since 1997. Wave House Bar & Grill is located at 3125 Ocean Front Walk in Mission Beach. For more information, call 858-228-9283 or visit www.wavehousesandiego.com.

Jungle fever: Opening reception for artist Mark Donnelly at the La Jolla Art Association Gallery is at 8 p.m. Donnelly builds three-dimensional still-life computer models of rainforests and then digitally paints them, creating large images of them. Admission is free. The La Jolla Art Association Gallery is located at 8100 Paseo del Ocaso, Ste. B, in La Jolla. For more information, call 858-459-1196 or visit www.lajollaart.org.

Defying Inequality: The Birch North Park Theatre hosts Defying Inequality with the cast of Wicked at 7:30 p.m. in North Park. The First National Touring Company of Wicked will host an evening of cabaret performances promoting equality and civil rights, featuring the cast and crew of Wicked as well as guest performers. The evening will also feature live and silent auctions. Tickets for this fundraiser start at $35. The Birch North Park Theatre is located at 2891 University Ave. For more information, visit www.eqca.org/events or e-mail aogle@cox.net.

Water polo: The Cygnets Water Polo team will meet for an evening of water polo at Helix Charter High School at 7:15 p.m. The team welcomes new members of all skill levels. The first practice is free. The Helix Charter High School is located at 7323 University Ave. in La Mesa. For more information, visit www.cygnetspolo.com or e-mail info2@cygnetspolo.com.

Is hell other people?: Librarian Phil Gunderson, Ph.D., leads a discussion of late philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre’s essay “Existentialism is a Humanism” and its relevance to 21st century life at the San Diego Public Library’s Central Library at 6:30 p.m. The discussion will take place in the Wangenheim Room. The Central Library is located at 820 E St. in Downtown. For more information, call 619-236-5800 or visit www.sandiego.gov/public-library.

Women’s Equality Day: The San Diego Democratic Club hosts a feminist panel discussion in celebration of Women’s Equality Day at the Joyce Beers Community Center at 6:30 p.m. Women’s Equality Day is in honor of the sacrifices women have made and a reminder that their struggle is not over. The panel will discuss the continued fight for women’s rights and the close relationship between feminism, GLBT rights and the Democratic Party. Panel members include President of California National Organization for Women Patty Bellasalma, Vice-Chair of the California Democratic Party Alex Rooker and Assemblymember Lori Saldana. The event is free and refreshments will be served. The Joyce Beers Community Center is located at 1220 Cleveland in Hillcrest. For more information, call 619-200-8194 or visit www.sddemoclub.org.

Gentlemen’s Martini Night: The W Hotel San Diego hosts Gentlemen’s Martini Night (GMN) at 6 p.m. GMN is a regular gathering for gay professionals and friends from around the world. The event includes hors d’oeuvres, special menu items, special martinis and drink specials. The dress code is mandatory for all GMN events: Business casual or casual dressy and jeans are acceptable. The event will take place in the hotel’s newly designed space called Access. Cover is $5. The W Hotel San Diego is located at 421 West B St. in Downtown. For more information, e-mail jerry@gentlemensmartini.com or visit www.gentlemensmartininight.com.