Wednesday’s Top Picks

BOOKS

Charlie Huston The bestselling pulp/noir author will talk about his newest work, “Sleepless,” set in July 2010, in which an L.A. police officer battles the social and cultural effects of a wave of insomnia sweeping the city. Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 7 p.m. Free. (626) 449-5320. www.vromansbookstore.com.

Garth Stein It’ll be a busy day for dog fiction scribe Garth Stein. First, he’ll be on hand for Diane Leslie’s Book Group, where they will chat about his “The Art of Racing in the Rain,” narrated by the TV-watching philosopher pup Enzo. Then he’ll stick around for a discussion and signing of the book later in the evening. Diesel Bookstore, Brentwood Country Mart, 225 26th St., Suite 33, Santa Monica. Book group, 5 p.m.; $20. Signing, 7 p.m.; free. (310) 576-9960.

COMEDY

Laughing With the Stars Admission is free to anyone who can show proof of unemployment at this new weekly comedy showcase. Host Tom Arnold and special guests dish up recession-busting belly laughs aimed at easing the dour mood caused by the economic climate. Laugh Factory Hollywood, 8001 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, 8 p.m. $20. (323) 656-1336. www.laugh factory.com.

MUSIC

Prefuse 73 An evening of future-forward beats headed up by Prefuse 73, the brainchild of hip-hop producer and Intelligent Dance Music frontiersman Scott Herren. Supporting him is the Gaslamp Killer, whose style includes dubstep and left-field breaks, and VOICEs VOICEs, L.A.’s own sound experimentalist duo. Troubadour, 9081 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, 8 p.m. $15. www.troubadour.com.