LIVE MUSIC: If you're looking to start your weekend a day early, why not head to the Showbox Downtown for Minus the Bear. Fresh off the hottness of Coachella, the band's back in town to rock you hard.

8 p.m. // Showbox Downtown // $17.50 adv, $20 dos // all ages

ART & WINE: Personally, we can think of no better pairing than art and wine, when it comes to nights out. The Frye will be offering a lecture on the topic, including "objects from the 'Sumerian Standard of Ur' to 'Renoir's Luncheon of the Boating Party' celebrate the conviviality of fellowship and wine."

7 p.m. // Frye Art Museum // $10 non-members, $6 members/seniors/students/teachers/artists

AFTER THE TALIBAN: Author and statesman Ashraf Ghani was so instrumental in designing a post-Taliban settlement in Afghanistan that he's been nominated to be the Secretary General of the UN and considered for the presidency of the World Bank. He'll be discussing his book Fixing Failed States tonight at Town Hall.

7:30 p.m. // Town Hall // $5

WHEN ELMO GROWS UP: We once went to Sesame Street Live as an adult, and found it to be a delightful, fun way to enjoy an evening. Besides, kids love Sesame Street. So grab the munchkins and head to Tacoma for a little dose of people in muppet suits.

7 p.m. // Tacoma Dome // $12-28

photo from Seattlest Flickr user pink_fish13