Can't Miss It: Wednesday

ATTENTION! GENERAL AT THE HALL!: Hoo-ah! Former Commanding General of Multi-National Force-Iraq, Gen. David Petraeus, now Commander of United States Central Command, is truly entering the lion's den--the peacenik Fortress of Solitude that is Town Hall. El General will talk about the lessons that our Afghanistan-bound troops can take from Iraq; how to prevent Pakistan from falling into a state of anarchy, and counterinsurgency that works. It's all part of the World Affairs Council's Leadership series--Petraeus was recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of our 25 Best Leaders--which means that members get in for cheap and the rest of you hoi-polloi types pay full freight.

7-8:30 p.m. // Town Hall, Eighth & Seneca // Tickets: $20 WAC members/$40 general

CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVUS: It's that time again--the Seattle Chamber Music Festival has set up shop at the Lakeside School (through August 14), and it's time to get intimately classical. Tonight, after a 7 p.m. recital, there's a concert featuring Felix Mendelssohn's Trio for Violin, Cello and Piano in C minor, Op. 66; Darius Milhaud's La création du monde, Suite de concert in D minor for Piano and Strings, Op. 81; and Antonín Dvořák's Trio for Violin, Cello and Piano in E minor, Op. 90, "Dumky." Call us crazy, but that sounds like a helluva lineup, even though we're not all that tuned into Milhaud.

7 p.m. // Lakeside School, 14050 First Avenue NE // Tickets: $31-$42

OTHELLO? OH HELL YES!: Arin Arbus's production of Othello is direct from its critically acclaimed and sold-out NYC run, a production that has the New York Times calling her a "potentially important artist." Variety says, "Shakespeare's domestic tragedy has been stripped of its stage trappings and presented virtually in the raw," and says it's "riveting." With this much buzz, opening night is going to be an event--so, like, hie thee hence.

7:30 p.m. // Intiman Theatre, 201 Mercer Street // Tickets: SOLD OUT, but there may be returns--call 206.269.1900 to check on rush availability