THEATER: Theatrical innovators The Civilians, who you may remember for Gone Missing, their funny reportage play about stuff people lost, is giving people a taste of their forthcoming production, Paris Commune. The cabaret-style show is inspired by the actual events that took place in Paris during the 1871 working class revolution in the wake of the Franco-Prussian war; the full production will be presented next month at the Public Theater. The one-night-only preview tonight will be followed by a discussion with Steven Cosson and Michael Friedman, two founders of The Civilians, and Daniel Gerould, a professor of theater and comparative literature at The Graduate Center, CUNY. – John Del Signore

6:30 p.m. // Martin E. Segal Theatre Center @ the CUNY Graduate Center [365 Fifth Ave] // Free

READING: Tonight reacquaint yourself with former Bronx Zoo employee and current author, Justin Courter, who last year brought Skunk: A Love Story to bookshelves. Tonight he'll read from that, and other stories, at Half King. Get ready for some skunk musk love.

7 p.m. // The Half King [505 W 23rd St] // Free

MUSIC: Shut out of the Stephen Malkmus show tonight? We suggest heading over to the good 'ol Knitting Factory for a full lineup that includes Health, Genghis Tron, High Places, Telepathe and Hard Bop. In particular, we recommend checking out High Places (pictured). Give their song on the new Stereogum compilation/Björk tribute album a listen (they cover "Modern Things").

7:30 p.m. // Knitting Factory [74 Leonard St] // $8

COMEDY: As part of their Spank Series, UCB introduces Baby Steps -- which will bring on stage two folks named Eliot & Ilana screening their best "WTF-style home videos." Joining them is Zach Galifianakis, who will deliver some of his own childhood memories to your minds.

9:30 p.m. // UCB Theater [307 W 26th St] // $5

The listed events were chosen by Gothamist and brought to you by the 2009 Toyota Corolla.