Can't Miss It: Thursday

MAKING MERRY: Looking for the perfect first-date comedy? Shakespeare may not be your first pick, but perhaps he should be. The Bard's version of reality TV, The Merry Wives of Windsor is quick, witty...and sure to make you look cultured.
The Merry Wives of Windsor // Center House // 7:30 p.m. // $22-32

Image from the SAM website

QUIZZICAL: Wing-It Productions' (so-called because its shows hinge on lacking a script) newest offering is Quiz Show. The show is a "fast-paced, audience-interactive, British-style panel show," in which the cast competes nightly for the audience's favor. It will be improvised nightly, and, without a doubt most importantly, it promises "intellectual barbarism." We've never witnessed intellectual barbarism in person. We've only heard the harrowing, second-hand tales of witty and biting fights to mental death. Will the beat downs be as brutal as promised? One can hope.
8:00 p.m. // Wing-It Productions 5510 University Way NE // $10-$14

BATTLE BOTS: If a band comprised entirely of robots came back in time from the 22nd Century, studied up on jazz, math rock, sludge and psychedelia (because those things will be destroyed by then because, duh, Skynet hates us), and then if those robots learned how to sort of talk and express emotion, AND provided there's enough oil and steam to keep the whole nuts-o thing going, then that band might sound something like Battles. Except Battles is comprised of humans, which is of course preferable. Oh and what do you know? There's a video out there that pretty much proves the point entirely.
8 p.m. // The Crocodile // $15

STRUMMING YOUR PAIN WITH HIS FINGERS: Guitar legend Tim Reynolds is ready to blow your mind at Neumos tonight. The man in shades, whose style ranges from jazz to blues and rock, will change the way you think about the humble six- (or twelve-) stringed instrument.
Tim Reynolds & TR3, Danny Barnes // Neumos // 8 p.m. // $18 advanced // 21+

STORM THE BARN: Where would we be without Twitter? Our followers reminded us of another epic event tonight: the opening of the Barnstorm Cabaret, a feisty three-night engagement in an empty Belltown space. Funded in part by Kickstarter, this kind of pop-up engagement is exactly what Seattle needs. Which means you probably need to be there.
Barnstorm Cabaret // 1927 Third Avenue // 6 p.m. // $5

HIP TO BE SQUARE: And of course, it's First Thursday, which means a whole lot of things are happening. Nick Cave's soundsuits are planning an exodus from their home at SAM--they'll be descending on Pioneer Square in a procession that starts at 5:30. At 8 p.m., look for a special dance performance by Spectrum Dance Theater.

And while you're in the area, you may want to check out the final show at the Catherine Person Gallery, or head to Deli Seattle and Pulp Lab in introducing new eyewear by Royal Optics, as well a limited line of bags by Ampersand As Apostrophe.

First Thursday // Happening All Over Pioneer Square // Plot your course here