Events happening Monday

BOOKS

Hilton Als Critics are often lambasted as wannabes of whatever they’re covering — but times are even tougher now that they are typically the first to go on newspaper and magazine staffs across the country. Als, the theater critic for the New Yorker, will give a talk about fact, fiction and the role of the critic in contemporary art. REDCAT, 631 W. 2^nd St. 8:30 p.m. $5-$10. (213) 237-2800.

COMEDY

Damon Wayans The Wayans family is nothing if not prolific, having written, directed, produced and starred in sketch shows, sitcoms, cartoons and movies. Now the clan can count a novelist among its members, as Damon Wayans has published “Red Hats,” the story of an elderly widow struggling to rediscover meaning in her life. Wayans will sign — but, alas, not discuss — the new book. Diesel, A Bookstore, 225 26th St., Santa Monica. 7 p.m. (310) 576-9960. https://www.dieselbookstore.com.

EVENTS

Meet the Galaxy’s Neighbors What kinds of galaxies populate outer space? And just where did those galaxies come from? Carnegie fellow Janice Lee provides answers to these questions and others as she discusses a study she leads that aims to provide the most complete census of local galaxies to date. Huntington Library, 1151 Oxford Road, San Marino. 7:30 p.m. Free. (626) 405-2100. https://www.huntington.org.

POP MUSIC

Sweethead The four piece sports an alum of Queens of the Stone Age, but the attraction here is singer Serrina Sims, a platinum-tressed piranha of a frontwoman at home on gleefully brutal bangers as much as snazzy punk blitzes.They’re named for a Bowie B-side, and while they hit a bit harder than Mr. Stardust, they share his pan-sexual swagger. Club Spaceland, 1717 Silver Lake Blvd., L.A. 8 p.m. Free. https://www.clubspaceland.com.