American torture: The Thomas Jefferson School of Law Center for Global Legal Studies and the International Law Society are hosting a conference on United State’s torture (both in and outside the country) from 3-5:30 p.m. Guest speakers, considered leaders on the subject matter, include professors William J. Aceves of California Western School of Law, Jordan J. Paust of the University of Houston Law Center, Michael Scharf of Case Western Reserve among others. There is no admission charge for the conference. The conference will be held at the Thomas Jefference School of Law Center’s Courtyard Building in room 200. The Thomas Jefferson School of Law Center is located at 2120 San Diego Ave. in Old Town. For more information, call 619-297-9700, ext. 1420 or e-mail dgehlken@tjsl.edu.

‘boom’: The San Diego Repertory Theatre will perform boom at 8 p.m. boom is about gay marine biologist Jules who believes a comet is due to hit and destroy the planet. He has a plan to repopulate the human race: with the help of Craigslist he has lured Jo, a mysterious journalism student, to his subterranean research lab for a hookup that promises “sex to change the world.” But Jo has no intention of playing a doomsday dating game. So begins a wacked-out bedroom farce with nothing less than the future of humanity hanging on the outcome. The San Diego Repertory Theatre is located at 79 Horton Plaza in Downtown. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 619-544-1000 or visit www.sdrep.org.

The Legendary Count Basie Orchestra: The Legendary Count Basie Orchestra will perform at Anthology at 9:30 p.m. William “Count” Basie started the Count Basie Orchestra in 1935 in Kansas City, Missouri. Within one year, America was listening in on popular radio shows throughout the country to hear what would become “the swingingest band in all the land.” Since Basie’s passing in 1984, Thad Jones, Frank Foster, Grover Mitchell and now, Bill Hughes (who joined Basie in 1953) have led the Count Basie Orchestra and maintained it as one of the elite performing organizations in jazz. Admission starts at $32. Anthology is located at 1337 India St. in Downtown. For more information or to purchase tickets visit www.anthologysd.com or call 619-595-0300.

Women of Color United: Women of Color United will meet for their weekly discussion at the San Diego LGBT Community Center from 1-3 p.m. The group is geared specifically towards lesbian, bisexual and transgender women of color. The group is faciliated by dynamic host Danyeil Woods and meets downstairs at The Center’s Latino Services room. The Center is located at 3909 Centre St. in Hillcrest. For more information, call 619-692-2077, ext. 212 or e-mail aschwartz@thecentersd.org.

‘Viruses, Plagues and History’: Michael B.A. Oldstone, professor and head of Viral-Immunobiology Laboratory at Scripps Research Institute, will talk about his recently revised and expanded book Viruses, Plagues and History at D.G. Wills Books at 7 p.m. In Viruses, Plagues, and History, Oldstone illuminates the history of how devastating diseases have tormented humanity, a story of fear and ignorance, as everything from demons and the wrath of the gods to minority groups have been blamed for epidemics from smallpox to yellow fever to AIDS. Admission is free. Wills Books is located at 7461 Girard Ave. in La Jolla. For more information, call 858-456-1800 or visit www.dgwillsbooks.com.

Hodge Podge: The Beauty Bar will host Hodge Podge at 8 p.m. The event features film, art and music by DJ War, Head$hake, HVC3 and Kellen Holt. Admission is $5. The Beauty Bar is located at 4746 El Cajon Blvd. in the Kensington-Talmadge area. For more information, call 619-516-4746 or visit www.beautybar.com/sd/home.html.

Tae Kwon Do: Mo Martial Arts will host a free tae kwon do course at the Golden Hill Park at noon. Develop your mind, body and spirit through traditional training of discipline, motivation, dedication and perseverance. Whether this will be an introduction to the world of martial arts, continued training, or just a way to learn a little more about yourself, all are invited. The class is about out finding ways to develop your mind, body and spirit. Golden Hill Park is located at the end of 25th Street and North of Broadway in Golden Hills. For more information, e-mail instructor@momartialarts.com or visit www.momartialarts.com.

History of the porsche: The San Diego Automotive Museum will host an exhibit on the history of the porsche. Like its compatriot the Volkswagen, the porsche (pronounced por-sha) – with its compact sleek design and air-cooled rear-engine – embodies the concept of German engineering in auto-making. The San Diego Automotive Museum’s exhibition includes examples of early “356” models to a bright yellow 917 Le Mans-style race car. The exhibition gives visitors a chance to get up close with over a dozen finely crafted machines that span the history of porsche’s manufacturing line. Admission for adults is $8. The San Diego Automotive Museum is located at 2080 Pan American Plaza in Balboa Park. For more information, call 619-231-2886 or visit www.sdautomuseum.info.

An Evening of Hope: San Diego Young Positives will host An Evening of Hope, a fundraiser, at Martinis Above Fourth at 6 p.m. The fundraiser includes a three-course dinner and the talents of Carol Curtis, Clayton Wright, Ria Carey, Don LeMaster, Kenny Ard, Nathan Fry and Janice Edwards. Tickets are $85 or two for $150. For more information, visit www.sdyp.org or call 619-400-4500.

Mixt Mondays: Bourbon St. hosts Mixt Mondays at 9 p.m. Mixt Mondays features the Best Booty Shaking Contest with more than $300 in cash and prizes. DJ Price will spin. Bourbon St. is located at 4612 Park Blvd. in University Heights. For more information, call 619-291-4043 or visit www.bourbonstreetsd.com.

‘Siren of the Tropics’: The Loft will screen Siren of the Tropics at 8 p.m. Legendary performer Josephine Baker made her feature-film debut in this rags to riches tale about a free-spirited, animal-loving girl who falls in love with a sophisticated young man from Paris and follows him back to the City of Lights. Though silent, Siren of the Tropics abounds with musical energy, aided in no small part by your participation and the musical talents of Scott Paulson and his Teeny-Tiny Pit Orchestra for Silent Films. This fabulous performance will include special guest Gene Perry, Afro-Latin Percussionist. Tickets are $12. The Loft is located at the University of California San Diego Price Center East (4th floor) at 9500 Gilman Drive in La Jolla. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.artpwr.com or call 858-822-3199.

Climate Change Challenges: The Reuben H. Fleet Science Center will host Climate Change Challenges at 5:30 p.m. Climate Change Challenges will look at allegations of research misconduct and what one should make of those allegations in context of climate change research. The event is part of the center’s Exploring Ethics Series. Bring questions and join the discussion. Admission is free. The Reuben H. Fleet Science Center is located at 1875 El Prado in Balboa Park. For more information, call 619-238-1233 or visit www.rhfleet.org.

Vivian Girls: The Vivian Girls will perform at the Casbah at 8:30 p.m. The Vivian Girls are an all-girl band from Brokklyn whose gritty lo-fi tunes nod to seminal indie pop acts like Black Tambourine, Talulah Gosh, and Tiger Trap. Comprised of Cassie Ramone, Kickball Katy, and Ali, the Vivian Girls sprang into the indie circuit in 2008 with a handful of 7 inch singles released on a passel of small labels. Their self-titled debut full-length became something of a sensation and the trio spent the year touring and gaining fans the world over. Their quickly recorded follow-up album, Everything Goes Wrong, was released in late summer of 2009.The Casbah is located at 2501 Kettner Blvd. in Little Italy. For more information, call 619-232-4355 or visit www.casbahmusic.com.