READINGS: A handful of good readings on the slate for you tonight - Claire Messud reads from the highly anticipated Emperor's Children at Barnes & Noble [see this upcoming weekend's Sunday review, too]; Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie reads from her second novel, Half of a Yellow Sun at 192 Books; and finally, over at McNally Robinson NYC, political reporter Thomas Edsall reads from his new book, Building Red America: What the Conservative Realignment ­Really Means. Too bad you've got to pick just one. - Krissa Corbett Cavouras

7 PM // Barnes & Noble [4 Astor Pl] // Free
7 PM // 192 Books [192 Tenth Ave] // Free
7 PM // McNally Robinson NYC [50 Prince St] // Free

THEATER: Anyone with friends in theater knows that “Come see my one man show!” is deceitful actor code for “Come suffer for my art!” Mercifully, playwright/performer Chris Harcum has been adhering to the Geneva Conventions of solo performance and, according to the Village Voice, doing it with “warmth, humor… and charisma.” His latest venture, “Some Kind of Pink Breakfast”, finds him facing the demons of his 80s adolescence while agonizing over whether to attend his High School reunion. Harcum portrays over a dozen characters in the show, which is described as going “where John Hughes wouldn’t dare.” It was a hit at this year’s Fringe Festival and has been extended through September 23rd.

8pm // Gene Frankel Underground Theatre // For tickets call (212) 252-3989

EVENT: Conflux is the annual New York festival for "contemporary psychogeography, the investigation of everyday urban life through emerging artistic, technological and social practice." It kicks off tonight, and runs through the weekend. With pretty much everything imaginable, we suggest you check the site and handpick the events on your own. We'll also be handpicking some over the next few days.

Various times and locations

MUSIC: We love us some M.Ward. He's playing tonight at Webster Hall with Oakley Hall. A nice mellow show to start your Thursday night off with. Remember to get there on time, it's Webster Hall and it's Thursday, which means the club will take over the venue before midnight.

7:30pm // Webster Hall [ 125 East 11th St] // $20 (still on sale)

If you want more, head over to Sin-e for Crackers United Friction show, also sponsored by KEXP. Tonight A Brief Smile, Femme Generation (Movable Hype alum), Takka Takka (yes, "we" manage them) and Annuals take the stage. We hear there will be either free beer or free Sparks from 9 to 10 (please be Sparks!)

LISTEN: Brother.mp3 - Annuals

8pm // Sin-e [150 Attorney St] // $10