Can't Miss It: Monday

LITERATI: Russell Banks has long since ascended into the American literary pantheon, which makes it somewhat fitting that his first work of non-fiction, Dreaming Up America, is an exploration of the invention of the nation itself. We haven't read it (yet), but if there's anyone with the pedigree to explore the fear and loathing at the heart of American Exceptionalism, it's the author of Cloudsplitter and Continental Drift.

7 p.m. // Microsoft Auditorium, Seattle Public Central Library // 1000 Fourth Ave. // free, space is limited

HEADBANGERS' BALL: In conversations of late, this Seattlester has adopted the theory that the problem with contemporary music is that we've lost all the heavy metal influence that made the grunge rock breakthrough possible. Enter Chicago's Russian Circles, a trio that delivers the churning, melodic hard rock to get the long hair flying. Playing Neumo's tonight with Daughters amd Young Widows.

8 p.m. // 925 E. Pike St. // $10 adv. // all ages, bar w/ ID

STIFF: Mmm...SIFF, the Seattle International Film Festival. Cinéastes all faklempt over the delicious global offerings on Seattle screens. But every festival has to have its naysayers, and SIFF's is STIFF's, the Seattle True Independent Film Festival, which, in an attempt to ensure the smallest audiences possible, runs opposite SIFF. The offerings are diverse and run at a variety of theaters--Central Cinema, CHAC, Rendezvous/Jewelbox Theatre. Check here for the listing. Our fave tonight: Cineoke, interactive movie musical karaoke.

7 p.m. // Cineoke @ the Jewelbox Theatre (Rendezvous) // 2322 Second Ave. // $8 door // 21+