What’s happening in Los Angeles: Jan. 23, 2012

BOOKS

Richard Sparks The choral conductor and co-author of “Along the Cherry Lane” discusses the music industry memoir he penned with father-in-law Milton Okun, the music producer and founder of Cherry Lane Music. Book Soup, 8818 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 7 p.m. Free. (310) 659-3110. https://www.booksoup.com

Norman Lebrecht The author of “Why Mahler? How One Man and Ten Symphonies Changed Our World” will discuss the life, work and legacy of Gustav Mahler. Lebrecht will be joined by Deborah Borda, president and chief executive of the L.A. Philharmonic. Central Library, 630 W. 5th St., L.A. 7 p.m. Free (reservations recommended). (213) 228-7025. https://www.lfla.org

ART

Do Museums Matter? James Cuno, president and chief executive of the Getty Trust and author of “Museums Matter: In Praise of the Encyclopedic Museum,” addresses critiques of public museums to make the case for their cultural importance and the pivotal role they play in society. Petersen Automotive Museum, 6060 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. 7:30 p.m. Free with reservation. https://www.zocalopublicsquare.org

MUSIC

David Scott Stone The electronica artist had been performing with LCD Soundsystem’s live band, but on his own he wanders down sometimes harsh, sometimes ephemeral paths of ambient noise made with an ever-modulating next of gadgetry. Here he DJs what’s sure to be an inscrutable dance party. The Smell, 247 S. Main St., L.A. 9 p.m. $5. https://www.thesmell.org