He used to fire a revolver at readings. William Vollmann is probably not going to do that here, but you never know. This inarguably brilliant, slightly dangerous man publishes a big book a year, both fiction (Europe Central is his War and Peace, but start with Rainbow Stories) and non- (about child prostitution, hoboes, and inventing systems of moral calculus). The latest book (non-) has a 34-word title involving transgender women, Japanese Noh theater, porn, and Andrew Wyeth. Prepare to be startled. (Northwest African American Museum, 2300 S Massachusetts St, 624-6600. 7 pm, free.)