PETER KAMINSKY. Crescent City Farmers Market, Uptown Square, 200 Broadway St., 861-5898; www.crescentcityfarmersmarket.org -- The author visits the market and signs Pig Perfect: Encounters With Remarkable Swine and Some Great Ways to Cook Them . 10 a.m.

DOYLE BRUNSON. Harrah's New Orleans Casino, Canal Street at the River, 533-6000; www.harrahs.com/our_casinos/nor -- Interview and question-and-answer session with the two-time World Series of Poker champion followed by a book signing and celebrity poker autograph session featuring Chris Ferguson, Antonio Esfandiari, TJ Cloutier and others. Must be 21-up. Free admission. 2 p.m. interview, 3:15 p.m. book signing, 3:30 p.m. autographs.

WILLIAM C. DAVIS. Garden District Book Shop, The Rink, 2727 Prytania St., 895-2266 -- The author gives a talk and signs The Pirates Laffite: The Treacherous World of the Corsairs of the Gulf . 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

READING AT THE BRIDGE LOUNGE. The Bridge Lounge, 1201 Magazine St.,299-1888 -- Pet-themed poetry and prose contest called 'A Night to Howl at the Bridge Lounge' to benefit the Humane Society of Louisiana. Win a night at the W Hotel. All friendly dogs welcome. Tickets $10. 6 p.m. event, 8:30 p.m. poetry contest.

SWATI CHANCHANI. Octavia Books, 513 Octavia St., 899-7323; www.octaviabooks.com -- The author signs Yoga for Children: A Complete Illustrated Guide to Yoga . 6 p.m.

PETER KAMINSKY. Culinaria, 1519 Carondelet St., 522-8789 ext. 111; www.culinariaart.com -- The author will sign his book Pig Perfect: Encounters With Remarkable Swine and Some Great Ways to Cook Them at a 'Pig Perfect Dinner' hosted by Culinaria, featuring celebrity chefs. Limited seating. RSVP required. Tickets $110. 7 p.m.

JAZZ & POETRY NIGHT. Sweet Lorraine's, 1931 St. Claude Ave., 945-9654 -- Jazz and poetry night every Tuesday. 9:30 p.m.

Wednesday 25

CHAMELEONS POETRY NIGHT. Chameleons Day Spa Cafe & Coffee, 811 S. Clark St. 486-0929 -- Open-mic poetry night hosted by Kenneth Plaisance. 8 p.m.

POETRY FORUM WORKSHOP. 257 Bonnabel Blvd., Metairie, 835-8472 or 467-9034 -- The New Orleans Poetry Forum hosts a weekly workshop every Wednesday. 8 p.m.

THE TERMINAL HOTEL. Gold Mine Saloon, 701 Dauphine St., 586-0745; www.17poets.com -- Two evenings of puppet theater by Jonathan Kline, followed by open mic hosted by Dave Brinks. Poets, storytellers, dancers, musicians, puppeteers and others are invited to share their art. Free admission. 8 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday.

TAO POETRY OPEN MIC. Neutral Ground Coffee House, 5110 Danneel St., 891-3381; www.neutralground.org -- Open mic poetry reading every Wednesday. 9 p.m.

Thursday 26

CHRISTOPHER PHILLIPS. Octavia Books, 513 Octavia St., 899-7323; www.octaviabooks.com -- The author of Six Questions of Socrates visits Octavia Books for a 'Socrates Cafe' dialogue and book signing. 7 p.m.

Friday 27

LESBIAN CAFE. Fair Grinds Coffee House, upstairs, 3133 Ponce de Leon, 948-3222; www.fairgrinds.com -- Beverly Rainholt, an author, teacher and poet, reads her work. Poets, dancers and songwriters welcome. Free admission. 8 p.m.

Saturday 28

JONATHAN EIG. Garden District Book Shop, The Rink, 2727 Prytania St., 895-2266 -- The author signs Luckiest Man: The Life and Death of Lou Gehrig . 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Sunday 29

MAPLE LEAF READINGS. Maple Leaf Bar, 8316 Oak St., 866-9359 -- Maple Leaf Bar hosts the Everett Maddox Memorial Poetry and Prose Reading Series every Sunday featuring readings by local writers. 3 p.m.

TRIBUTE TO HUNTER S. THOMPSON. Gold Mine Saloon, 701 Dauphine St., 586-0745; www.17poets.com -- Special tribute honoring the life and work of Hunter S. Thompson, featuring presentations by Douglas Brinkley and Andrei Codrescu and a film montage with jazz accompaniment by Quantum Blender. Free admission. 7 p.m.