Can't Miss It: Monday

Fishbone during an earlier, happier time. The band is the subject of the new documentary called Everyday Sunshine, playing through Thursday at the Grand Illusion.

Things are kind of slow on the Monday before Thanksgiving, but what is happening is still pretty engaging. Among the offerings are two new documentaries on fascinating subjects, both products of the 80s: an intelligent and acerbic wit, and a ska/punk band that should have been bigger than they were. Also, closing night on one of the strangest plays of the year.

Cantankerous Raconteur: Directed by Martin Scorcese, the Fran Lebowitz documentary Public Speaking contextualizes the popular essayist and explicates the world she emerged from. Describing a New York City that was run down and dirty, Lebowitz juxtaposes that with the stunning array of verbose, literate aesthetes that inhabited Manhattan during Reagan's 80s. This is just a fraction of what's covered in Speaking, which otherwise offers a fascinating look at one of our generation's celebrated intellects.

Tonight at 6:30p.m. and 8:30p.m. // SIFF at Uptown Cinema, 511 Queen Anne Avenue North // $10

Confounding Allegory: Tonight is the final performance of WET's The Mormon Bird Play, which is written and directed by Gregory Award Winner Roger Benington. The piece defies easy explanation, although it can be considered an impressionistic exploration of Mormon society. As John Allis said in his Seattlest review: "It presents some beautiful images to drive to the heart several touching and complicated moments."

Tonight at 7:30p.m. // Washington Ensemble Theatre, 608 19th Ave // $10

Bonin' In The Boneyard: Over the course of three albums and an EP, the Los Angeles quintet known as Fishbone gave off the overwhelming impression that they were going to be every bit as important and influential as The Clash on the American music scene. This impression was further solidified by their live shows, which showcased the group's pellmell energy and sense of humor. They were instrumental in launching the careers of several bands, the biggest being the Red Hot Chili Peppers (when their lyrics were about things other than some mythical Southern California), and Reality of My Surroundings -- the last album created during their peak -- is still a towering achievement in rock music. So, the fact that they never were able to make something more of their cult status is a mystery, even to those who are aware of the circumstances the band faced at the time. Thankfully, the new documentary Everyday Sunshine, playing this week at the Grand Illusion, goes over all of that history, and shows us where the band is now, which is unfortunately in a state of disarray, at each other's throats and the one balancing member not wanting to deal with unnecessary pressures and surface pleasures. Check out the trailer below.

Tonight at 9:00p.m. // Grand Illusion Cinema, 1403 NE 50th Street // $8