3 THINGS TO DO TODAY

Opera

Larry Hancock to preview 'Magic Flute'

Opera San Jose's Larry Hancock and company singers will preview their upcoming production of Mozart's "The Magic Flute" at noon, today. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Library, Beethoven Center, 150 E. San Fernando St., San Jose. Free. www.sjoperaguild.org.

Music

Pink Martini singer performs solo work

Pink Martini singer China Forbes performs songs from her solo debut album, " '78," at 8 tonight, Great American Music Hall, 859 O'Farrell St., San Francisco. $17-$20. (800) 225-2277, www.musichallsf.com.

Literary

Writer Peter Orner at Mills College talk

Mills College's next Contemporary Writers Series event will feature a discussion with Peter Orner, author of the bestselling novel "The Second Coming of Mavala Shikongo," and "Esther Stories," a prizewinning collection of short stories. 5:30 tonight, Mills College, Mills Hall Living Room, 5000 MacArthur Blvd., Oakland. Free. www.mills.edu.