Photo by furcafe.

TALK: An Evening with James Franco brings in the Oscar-nominated actor for a night of food and discussion to benefit 826DC, an organization that works with local kids on their writing skills. The event at The Hotel Monaco (700 F Street NW) tonight is a true fundraiser, so tickets are quite pricey: VIP tickets are $1,000, and General Admission will set you back $250. 6:30-7:30 p.m. VIP reception, 7:30-10 p.m. dinner.

FOOD & DRINK: Chinatown Coffee Company’s (475 H Street NW) first food truck happy hour kicks off tonight and will continue every Thursday. This evening, Takorean will be out front serving up Korean BBQ to pair with $3 beers from Chinatown Coffee. 6:30-8:30 p.m.

COMEDY: Comedian Judah Friedlander, who plays the slovenly, trucker hat-wearing writer on 30 Rock, brings the funny to DC Improv (1140 Connecticut Avenue NW) tonight through Sunday. 8 p.m. Tickets: $17-$20.

MOVIE: Solas Nua celebrates the 20th anniversary of the film The Commitments at the Goethe-Institut (812 7th Street NW). Tonight’s event is a fundraiser for the Capital Irish Film Festival and will include a screening of the film, a party and a tribute band. 8 p.m. Tickets: $50.

>> See a screening of the campy 1954 film Creature From the Black Lagoon at the Smithsonian American Art Museum (8th and F Streets NW). 6:30 p.m. Free.

SHOPPING: The Admo Pop-Up Shop (2421 18th Street NW) continues to sell its crafty wares, but will also be hosting a pet surprise outside (4:30-6:30 p.m.) and pet patter (6:30-7:30 p.m.) inside. There aren’t any more details on what that will entail, so if you’re curious and like animals, come check it out.

MUSIC: Mike Watt and his band The Missingmen play The Black Cat’s Backstage (1811 14th Street NW). Suns of Guns open. 8:30 p.m. $13.

>> The Felice Brothers and Diamond Doves play the Rock and Roll Hotel (1353 H Street NE). 8:30 p.m. $18.

JAPAN FUNDRAISER: Help support victims of the recent earthquake in Japan at the Restore: Japan fundraiser, an exhibit of 32 local artists at the Lamont Bishop Gallery (1314 9th Street NW). 7-11 p.m. $10 suggested donation.

>> The DCheartsJapan fundraising happy hour at Current Sushi Lounge (1215 Connecticut Avenue NW) will feature drink specials and a cherry blossom-themed cocktail. 5-9 p.m. $5 suggested donation at the door, 100 percent of which will go to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund.