After former Seattle-area reporter Dorothy Parvaz spent several harrowing weeks in detainment by the Syrian and Iranian government, she's finally returned home safely. And like any good journalist, she's already written the story into a clear, education and horrifying account. more ›

LOSE YOUR AIR VIRGINITY: A first for Seattle, tonight you can get pointers (or even perform) at the Air Sex Championships. Yes, you read that correctly. Think Air Guitar sans the guitar solo, but instead swapping it with two minutes of sexy, saucy, or pure naaasty love-making moves with an imaginary sex partner. All to love-makin' tunes sure to put the audience at El Corazon in the mood. And just so you don't start flashing dollar bills, there is no nakedness at this dry humping festival, however creative costumes are encouraged. more ›

We just got this email from KCTS inviting us to stop in next Saturday, January 10, for a 3 p.m. sneak preview screening and discussion with Rick Steves about his new travel special, Rick Steves' Iran: Yesterday and Today. more ›

BAILAMOS: Yes, yes, today is bright and sunny and lovely outside. But, the rains are coming, we're certain of it. And, if you want to beat the winter bummers this year, there are few things that could light up your life more than dancing all about. So, why not take a dance class through the UW's Experimental College? Tonight kicks off a nine-week class at the Fremont Abbey Arts Center, where you can learn Cuban folkloric dance. Fun! more ›

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Last night there were tons of Ron Paul's people outside the Showbox Sodo. Before, during, and after Barack Obama's fundraising event/rally, the Paul supporters waved their signs and interacted with anyone who would give them the time of day. Too bad they couldn't afford tickets to the event due to the current tax structure--if only someone would abolish the IRS and the Federal Reserve.... Meanwhile, inside the venue was a crowd of teens, twenty-somethings,... more ›

involved with this competition. But no, Seattle. You had to flash those bedroom eyes of yours, do your best (a.k.a. worst) James Brown-ish dancing. You had to beatbox and reach your hand out at the camera like you're beckoning one of those teenage girls to come hither. more ›

Eighteen teams played trivia on Mardi Gras, but none could match the juggernaut that is Husker Don't, who--like the Shah of Iran--returned to reclaim their throne after a short absence. And they missed only 7 of the 80 questions we asked, which is a little scary since we had to look them up beforehand. more ›

Garlic Gulch, that's what Belltown's Fourth Avenue has turned into, between downtown and Denny Way. At the north end, the venerable Zeek's appears to take intergalactic orders for traditional, predictable, topping-heavy slices. Bambino, a block away on Cedar, styles itself as "East Coast Pizza," whatever that means (thin crust, light toppings, one assumes). Given the flap over Domino's so-called Brooklyn-Style Pizza, probably not a great idea. Ordered a Tropicale (east-coast-speak for Hawaiian); despite 575-degree, wood-fired oven, pizza was limp, soggy; application of freshly-grated Parmesan no help. more ›

>>>UW Forum for Science and Ethics Policy, 5:30pm. Dr. Dennis Schatz, VP for Education at the Pacific Science Center, cheerleads for “Making Science as Pervasive as Sports in Society.” His ulterior motive? It can only be to pack the Sonics off to Oklahoma and build our very own Exploratorium right here in Seattle, to which we say “Be Aggressive, Be Be Aggressive!” Free. UW Health Sciences Building, T-478. more ›

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-When the current administration disregards one of your ideas because "it's the sort of thing that could have strengthened anti-American sentiments in Iran," you probably haven't quite hit the sweet spot on that particular issue. Sorry, Mike. more ›

Mark Bowden, author of the best-seller . Bowden has been touring for months, but he is still enthusiastic about this story, leaning eagerly forward onto his hands as he spoke. more ›

Town Hall - All the Thrill of Cable Access, Live! (TM). In Seattle, this is actually a draw. Maybe it's also due to their PBS-minded Upstairs Downstairs set-up. more ›

Remember If All of Seattle Read the Same Book, the Seattle Public Library-sponsored event wherein, as you might guess, all of Seattle was encouraged to read the same book? (At the same time, no less.) more ›

Now that we're well into the new year, movies can go back to sucking. Sure, there's a few Oscar-worthy films that have yet to open in Seattle (see: The New World, Transamerica, Match Point). But for the most part, films released in January blow big-time (don't see: Grandma's Boy, Tristan and Isolde, Last Holiday, Annapolis). Thankfully, there's an alternative to the schlock, in the form of two primo film series opening this week. more ›

If there's anything more inevitable than death, taxes, and indictments during the second term of a presidential administration, it's sports figures making ignorant statements about race. more ›

Twenty-five days and 348 films later, the 31st Annual Seattle International Film Festival came to a close yesterday. This was a big SIFF---over 150 actors/filmmakers were brought to town for the fest (we do so love the Q&A), and organizers are reporting an approximate 5% increase in ticket sales from 2004's record year. Additionally, Sunday's live movie poster auction raised nearly $7000 for the SIFF Group. more ›

’80s nostalgia fetishists from around the globe will descend on Astoria, OR this coming weekend, June 3-5, for the Goonies 20th Anniversary Celebration, honoring the epic Cold War classic that according to many film critics encapsulated an era with its subtle yet strained references to the Iran/Contra scandal. more ›