Can't Miss It: Tuesday

ONE WORLD, TWELVE FINALISTS: Central Cinema will be featuring some of the twelve best short films submitted to the 2009 Manhattan Shorts Festival tonight--the first night of the three-day event. Manhattan's goal is to show the finalists in venues on every continent, uniting audiences around the world, for this one week only. We must admit that they have a point when they ask, "For up-and-coming filmmakers, what greater test for your film is there than to be judged in cinemas by a global audience?" So go join in on the judging fun, and let your inner-critic shine.

9:30-11:30 p.m. // Central Cinema, 1411 21st Avenue // Tickets: $6, 21+

BEAUTIFUL IRISH LANDSCAPES AND LACE: Heather Barbieri will be reading from her latest novel, Lacemakers of Glenmara, tonight. You may remember us talking about this book over the summer, and we have a feeling that this may be one of the last readings Barbieri will be giving, though she lives right here in town. With plenty of love, Irish landscapes, lacemaking, drama, and good ol' Irish accents to go around, this reading will definitely be a favorite with the ladies.

6:30 p.m. // Seattle Public Library (Montlake Branch), 2401 24th Ave. E // FREE

SKETCH COMEDY: As the nation's oldest Sketch Comedy Festival, Theatre Off Jackson is at it again with the second day of the six-day event. Tonight will feature comedy from the Pork Filled Players, Generation Friends, and The Entertainment Show, along with The Chocolate Prophet. All bios and details are available, and we're sure that with booze, snacks, and plenty of laughs, this is one event worth checking out.

7:30 p.m. // Theatre Off Jackson, 409 7th Ave. S // Tickets: $15