Can't Miss It: Weekend Edition, Nov. 14-16

MARCH POINT: SIFF Cinema is offering a free screening of this local film production by members of the Swinomish Indian Reservation. March Point is a movie about a movie about oil refineries, Native American communities, and growing up. Isn't it supposed to be raining on Saturday? Perfect: this is indoors and will expand your soul's horizons. (Probably.) RSVP to be on the safe side.

4 p.m., Saturday // SIFF Cinema // Free

ON A GRAVEL ROAD: Lucinda Williams is spinning hay into gold at the Showbox tonight, and the show is sold out. We're mentioning it only because this is one of those shows that's probably worth going down to see if you can buy tickets off someone by the venue, or trying to find tickets online somewhere. Listen to some of her beautiful tunes here, and if you're headed to the show tonight...you're a lucky alt.country-loving duck.

7 p.m., Friday // Showbox At The Market // $35 (sold out)

A HIGHER CAUSE: Lots of people complain about the ugly Christmas seasonal consumer excess. Here's your chance to choose a different experience this year: St. John's, over in Kirkland, is hosting an Alternative Giving Fair this weekend. Along with some handmade craft options for sale, you'll be able to buy, say, blankets for refugees or a cow for a village in the Third World through organizations like Heifer International. You get a gift card that says what you purchased, and you give that gift card to your friend/family member/whomever that says what you bought on their behalf. This option isn't for everyone (if you're viscerally antipathetic towards religion, this might not be the venue for you), but it's a lovely alternative that we've seen firsthand make a difference both at home and in the developing world.

10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Saturday // St. John's Episcopal, 105 State St., Kirkland // Free

AND FINALLY: Take eight minutes to listen to "Korea," by Utah Phillips and Ani DiFranco. That'll be eight minutes of your life you'll be glad you slowed down to really hear a story. Too bad we didn't remember this until now--never too late to celebrate Veteran's Day, though, right? (UPDATE: mp3 now works.)

"Rain Happens" by Photo Coyote
"Broke My Heart" by Prima Seadiva.