ALL INCLUSIVE: Knowledge is power. Bone up on making your website design more accessible to every PC, Mac, and Blackberry by taking this course, sponsored by Refresh Seattle. Consultant Wendy Chisholm will speak and everyone will head over to the Red Door for snacks afterward. 6:00 p.m. // Fremont Public Library, 731 N. 35th St. // Free WEDDING SEASON: Our ex-boyfriend from college introduced us to the excellent band The Wedding Present. Even his... [continue]

ARTSY TAILGATE PARTY: Let's hang out in the parking lot of performance space On the Boards with actors, dancers, season subscribers and the staff of On the Boards at their season opening tailgate party. We'll defy artsy-fartsy stereotypes and indulge in free hot dogs, birthday cake, and $1 beers while we sit in the beds of pickup trucks and blast our music loud enough to piss off the entirety of lower Queen Anne. We... [continue]

PURE HILARIUM: Frank Entertainment Showcase brings Wits Up!, a showcase of its best and brightest talent to Town Hall. It's a lively night of 8 mini-performances by satirists, musical wizards, and solo artists--from jazz humorist Jay Leonhart to cabaret songwriter Ray Jessel to Stephanie Satie's solo shows about female American immigrants. Think Marvin Hamlisch meets Noel Coward meets Anna Deavere Smith, before they became the names that they are. 7:00 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. //... [continue]

TALKING ABOUT SPACE: Portland, Maine artist, Anna Hepler, gives a talk at the Henry Art Gallery about her current piece, Arrest, Array. Arrest, Array is showing at Bellevue's hippest contemporary art space, Open Satellite. Hepler's work uses small pieces to create a complex and huge geometric whole that invites interaction and changes as we move around it. Hepler's art is for the math nerds and lovers of beauty. 7:00 p.m. // The Henry Art Gallery... [continue]

HILARIOUS TOMFOOLERY: Andrew Connor of The Cody Rivers Show, a brilliant physical comedy group out of Bellingham, has brought MissoulaOblongata's newest show, The Last Hurrah of the Clementines, to Theatre Off Jackson. Connor, who has great taste, and is rumored to be the newest curator of Seattle Sketchfest, is pretty much guaranteed to bring in a winner. If you're not convinced, check out the synopsis: Late one night, a stranger knocks at the door of... [continue]

Jason Mesnick, second place on last season's The Bachelorette, was scheduled to host the August 14 radio show Chat With Women at the Waterfront Seafood Grill's romantic outdoor deck. It's been cancelled due to low attendance. The $125 ticket, a portion of which goes to the Kirkland Boys and Girls Club, includes three drinks, appetizers, and a chance to win dessert and an after-event drink with Mesnick. Do Seattle women scoff at such mating practices?... [continue]

RETAIL AMBIVILENCE: Ballard boutique Olivine is closing—quelle tragédie! The store had designer favorites, as well as a healthy dose of local designer treats, guaranteeing that you won't show up to a party in the same outfit as anyone else. Over the next few days, Olivine will have a store-closing sale, with prices from 50-70 percent off—quel plaisir! August 13-17 // Olivine // 50-70% of regular prices HAPPY MUSICALS: Remember when musicals were based on... [continue]

MEET AN ASTRONAUT: NASA celebrates it's 50th anniversary and sends astronaut Clay Anderson to Seattle! Anderson will throw the first pitch at tonight's Seattle Mariners game against the Minnesota Twins. Don't expect to stay in your seat, as Anderson will be signing autographs on level 300 at the top of the second inning. 1:40 p.m. // Safeco Field, 1250 1st Ave S // $7-$73 MIDWEST, HARDCORE RAP: TECH N9NE sports fierce, personal rhymes, hard beats... [continue]

'70S NOSTALGIA: Called "the perfect musical antiheroes for the Seventies” by the Rolling Stones, the not oft-toured band, Steely Dan, makes an appearance at the Chateau Ste. Michelle out in Woodinville. Drive out to the beautiful winery, have a glass, and remember the days in which people stood in line at the gas stations and screamed at each other, rather than simply paying through the nose for a full tank. 7:00 p.m. // Chateau... [continue]

Photo of actor Jaime Roberts by 14/48 photographer Deb Fialkow If you avoided Seattle Center last weekend because of Bite of Seattle crowds, you'll want to make the trip this Saturday or Sunday for weekend two of 14/48: The World's Quickest Theatre Festival. 14/48 premieres 14 brand new plays. Plays are written, rehearsed, and scored by a live band, all within a mere 48 hours. The choices you see tend to be big, bold,... [continue]

WATCH THE TOUR DE FRANCE: The Cascade Bicycle Club presents its annual Cyclefest. There's something for everyone--races for those who like to watch, a bike decorating station for those who like to do, and a lot of people in spandex for those who like to drool. After the sun goes down, watch the 17th stage of the Tour de France (that's the part where they race up the Alps. The Alps!) on a big screen.... [continue]

SNEER AND SNEER AGAIN: In 1989, when the rest of the world was listening to New Kids on the Block, those who knew better were listening to The Jesus and Mary Chain. A mix of punk, pop and pure distortion, this Scottish group's shows were often followed by rioting. After breaking up in 1999, the JMC is now back together. Their work has been featured in Sofia Coppela's film, Lost In Translation and popular TV... [continue]

ENJOY THE HEAT: Coleman Pool, a public pool in West Seattle is an inexpensive way to enjoy the warm weather (finally!). Even if it's not sweltering, the heated salt water pool and the giant tube slide make for hours of healthy fun in the sun, as long as you don't forget to wear sunblock! 7 days a week, 12-7pm // Coleman Pool, 8603 Fauntleroy Way SW // $3.75 adults, $2.75 children and seniors LIFE... [continue]

Tonight, head out to an event that will keep your finger on the pulse of the Seattle music scene. Seattle’s very hidden and very trendy Sole Repair Shop hosts six local artists: The Half Brothers, birds may bite, Gretta Harley, Johntana (featuring John Osebold of the indie-prog band “Awesome”), Trent Hill and Misty Weaver. It’s also the CD release party for Misty Weaver’s “Lost Saints for Long Roads,” and includes a cakewalk (win non-edible... [continue]

HAVE SOME FAITH: George Michael wrote songs that informed the sexuality of millions of young girls around the world—songs that went on to become gay anthems, long before he came out. The 25Live Tour promises to be the hottest, funnest, gayest, screamy-est concert Key Arena has seen all year. Wave to this Seattlest who will be sitting in the second row. 8 p.m. // Key Arena, Seattle Center // $49.40-$250 A BIG NIGHT OUT: Columbia... [continue]

POLITICALLY CRAFTY: If you're a Washingtonian for Obama and you love arts and crafts, you'll love making buttons for Obama. The buttons you make will be passed out locally at voter registration and special events, and in communities as far away as West Virginia. Make a difference with a small piece of metal. 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. // Vivace Espresso // 901 East Denny Way // FREE JOB HUNTING/LIFE SEARCHING: Richard Bolles, author... [continue]

MORE THAN CLOWNS: Two college friends who shared a love of making balloon animals blow the balloon world wide open with their film TWISTED: A Balloonamentary. This documentary shows how eight balloon twisters' lives have been changed by balloon animals. The opening night screening includes a balloon twisting workshop (get that dog you always wanted). Bonus: the film is at Central Cinema, so you can kick it with a beer and a pizza while... [continue]

JUG BAND IDOL: Starting today, Greg Vandy of KEXP's The Roadhouse will hold live auditions for a new jug band. Without a harsh Brit, we're not sure what to expect, but we know it's unmissable. 6 p.m. // 90.3 FM // Free, not including cost of radio CELEBRITY SIGHTING: Danny Glover is expected to attend the showing of Trouble the Water, a SIFF documentary about one couple's stuggle to overcome the devastation wrought by... [continue]

Back to Back Theatre’s small metal objects is produced by On the Boards but takes place at the Olympic Sculpture Park (through Sunday, June 1, tickets are $24). Much is made of the fact that Back to Back is a company composed of a full-time ensemble of 6 actors with intellectual disabilities, but this is merely incidental, as the piece stands on its own merit. Transcendent scenery, creative use of technology, and a clean, uncluttered... [continue]

REALLY GOOD DOCUMENTARY: Here's yet another reason that SIFF has won the loyalty of Seattle's filmgoers, They Killed Sister Dorothy, a terse, refreshingly un-preachy documentary that attempts to unravel the mystery behind the murder of an American nun in the Brazilian rainforest. 4:30 p.m. // Harvard Exit // $9-11 SUPPORTING LOCAL GROWERS: Sometimes you want fresh basil in the middle of the week. Unlike most of the farmers markets in Seattle, the Colombia City farmers... [continue]