Happening Tuesday: Zurich v. L.A., the Gracies and more

BOOKS

Fred Thompson Sandwiched between reminisces of small-town life growing up in Lawrenceburg, Tenn., Thompson charts his many incarnations — as a Republican U.S. senator from Tennessee, attorney, sometime lobbyist, talk-radio host and character actor (“Law & Order”) who telegraphs governmental authority like nobody’s business — in his new book, “Teaching the Pig to Dance: A Memoir of Growing Up and Second Chances.” Book Soup, 8818 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3410. https://www.booksoup.com.

Thomas Levenson The acclaimed author of “Einstein in Berlin,” “Measure for Measure” and “Ice Time” turns his scrutinizing eye toward a near-forgotten chapter of Isaac Newton’s life. The English physicist, mathematician, astronomer, alchemist and theologian also enjoyed a short stint as a professional sleuth. As Warden of the Mint, Newton tracked the budding criminal William Chaloner, which Levenson covers in his new book, “Newton and the Counterfeiter: The Unknown Detective Career of the World’s Greatest Scientist.” Aloud at Central Library, 630 W. 5th St. Los Angeles. 7 p.m. https://www.lfla.org.

EVENTS

The Gracies American Women in Radio and Television presents its 35th annual black-tie dinner and awards ceremony celebrating and honoring women in the media. Grammy winner Macy Gray will perform, and Maria Menounos of “Access Hollywood” will host. Beverly Hilton, 9876 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills. 6 p.m. $450. (703) 506-3290. https://www.thegracies.org.

Zurich vs. LA: Which Is the Most Democratic City? Andreas Gross, a member of the Swiss parliament, and Swiss journalist Bruno Kaufmann face off against attorney George Kieffer and Kathay Feng, executive director of California Common Cause, to consider which is the most democratic city, and what each could learn from the other. National Center for the Preservation of Democracy, 111 N. Central Ave. Little Tokyo. 7:30 p.m. Free. (213) 830-1880. https://www.zocalopublicsquare.org.