We know you're kind of a cheap date, so we've put together three very inexpensive options for your Monday evening. On tap, we've got a couple of films for your enjoyment, as well as a picture-perfect performance reading of a most excellent playwright. You don't have to blow your wad to step out tonight. more ›

It's Memorial Day weekend, which means you get an extra (probably rainy) day to enjoy yourself and commemorate things. What are you going to do with the day? Check out the weekend schedule to lock in your plans. more ›

Vampires, check. Pale skin, check. Erotic elements, check. Forks, Washington... not quite check. Charlaine Harris' Southern Vampire Mystery series lacks the semi-local setting of Stephenie Meyer's teen-friendly Twilight series, but the books--and their protagonist, Sookie Stackhouse--have managed to sink their fictional fangs into the hearts (throats? eyes? brains?) of many fans, and also inspired the popular HBO series True Blood. With more than a month to go before True Blood starts a new season, vampire fanatics have some time to start catching up on the books. more ›

Plastic and you, photography and war and yes, the Mariners keep plugging away. more ›

'CAUSE HATE IS JUST UGLY: The California Supreme Court announced last Friday that they would be handing down their decision today on the constitutionality of the infamous Prop 8. The court upheld the same-sex marriage ban, but allowed the existing 18,000 unions to stand. Since the news is mixed, it's fitting that there's a rally and/or protest taking place at Westlake Center Park tonight. Get out and show your support either way. more ›

He's an American journalist with street cred in two countries: a graduate of the School of Journalism at Columbia and founder of the alternative Fort Worth Weekly. Robert Camuto moved to the south of France 12 years ago (his wife is French), started a blog and began contributing to Wine Specator. And, of course, writing a book. more ›

might blow, and sure, Kirk Hammett & co. are getting pretty old, but somehow, they've managed to sell out the house. Scalpers are busy at it, though, so if you've got $250 (going price at more ›

LAUGH SO HARD YOU'LL CHOKE: Actor/comedian Aziz Ansari will probably make you laugh. So, if you like laughter, you might want to go to his show. If you don't like laughter, we have other suggestions. But, at any rate Ansari, who has appeared in will be appearing tonight at the Triple Door. Get your mojito on, get some tasty vittles, and then laugh until you choke. more ›

COO COO CANNONBALL: The Breeders are at Neumo's tonight. The freaking Breeders, people. If we hadn't already made up our minds to spend the evening watching a guy we'd never heard about until yesterday, we would so be there. But you should go, because the Breeders are responsible for a good chunk of our development as a songwriter, and homage needs to be paid. Dammit. The Breeders! Seriously. more ›

CAJUN BLUES: Wow, who forgot to clue us into this one until the last minute? We'll have to fire some interns over this, but that's what they get. Tab freaking Benoit is playing two sets at the Tractor tonight. It would be a real shame if the place wasn't crazy packed. The man is a legend. Bar none. Be there. We're going to do our damnedest to cancel our plans and join you. more ›

BOOZE AND SCHMOOZE: Michelle Goodman has written a book called My So-Called Freelance Life! (Full disclosure: this Seattlest let ourselves be interviewed for another book she wrote.) Tonight, she'll be reading from the book and providing folks with snacks and drinks, prizes, and an opportunity to network will fellow freelancers. Get thee to Office Nomads for the party/reading. more ›

DRINKING GAMES: It's too predictable at this point to use the word "maverick" for your drinking game. Considering McCain's newly announced strategy of character smears and trying to make the country hate their savior, we would suggest going into tonight's debate with a list of drinking game terms that includes "Ayers," "palling around," "that's not true, John." Just a thought. Oh, did we bury the lead? The second presidential debate is happening tonight at Washington University in Missouri. Tune in to any channel. They'll all be showing it. more ›

YOU BETCHA: As far as Seattlest is concerned, there really is nothing worth doing tonight aside from watching the Sarah Palin show. Will she deliver endless bullshit answers full of noun phrases that seem to have nothing to do with one another? Will she address that "Putin flying over Alaska gives me foreign policy cred" absurdity? Will Joe Biden totally slaughter her, or will he make some "woops" remark that actually makes her come out looking like the more poised option? There is so much on the line, but mostly there's just so much entertainment value. We'll start you off on your drinking game plan: drink when Palin says "You Betcha!" more ›

DIAL M-A-C-E-O: You know how some people are so funny (Steve Carell, Ellen DeGeneres) that just looking at them makes you laugh? Well, that's kind of how Maceo makes us feel, but instead of making us laugh, he makes us get funky. He's played with everyone who matters—from James Brown to Prince—and he's here tonight and for the rest of the weekend to bring the funk to you. How lucky you are! more ›

ROOTS MUSIC IN BALLARD!?: Yeah, we know this happens pretty much every night, but there's a good batch of bands at the Tractor tonight. Local singer-songwriter outfits Husbands Love Your Wives and Jack Wilson & The Wife Stealers open a bill for the wonderful and interesting anti-folk fabulousness of Elliot Brood from north of the border (and east a bit). more ›

WHO WILL SAVE YOUR SOUL?: Wow, Seattlest really loved that song when Jewel first came out back in '96. When we went to Lilith Fair, Jewel's set was the one we thought we'd skip and go have dinner during. Then she started, and she was an absolutely captivating performer. We're not totally sure what she's been up to all these years since then, but we can vouch for the truth of the matter that Jewel puts on a great show. If you're looking for some good live music tonight, she may just be the best thing going on. more ›

MEET ME IN THE CHAMBER: We don't need to sell the symphony fans on chamber music, but maybe you rock and rollers could use a little primer. Catch six chamber ensembles at Town Hall tonight, and get your chamber music in 15-minute doses. It's like tapas, but with violins. more ›

IN A WU TANG WAY: Not being of the hip-hop persuasion ourselves, Seattlest asked our resident hip-hop guru Katelyn how relevant it may be to people that Gza of Wu Tang Clan fame is playing at Neumo's tonight. She basically said it was relevant "in a Wu Tang way." We don't know what that means, but if you do, then Neumo's is your place to be. more ›

ACROBATS AT THE MALL: We understand that, when the Southcenter mall opened up a couple weeks ago, there were some aerialists and acrobats there to provide some fanfare. Apparently, Pacific Place got all jealous, because they'll be welcoming aerialists, diablo artists and comediennes from Teatro ZinZanni Thursdays through Sundays for the rest of the month. Head to the mall tonight to get a free show! more ›

DRINK WITH CHRIS GREGOIRE: Drinking Liberally gathers each Tuesday to talk politics and drink alcohol. Tonight, they'll be joined by unafraid-to-call-herself-a-Democrat Chris Gregoire, who will no doubt be drinking for the votes of all those in attendance. more ›

FREE BUSH: Get your mind out of the gutter. We're talking about Gavin Rossdale. He's in town today to put on a free show at everyone's favorite new venue Showbox SODO. Get there early, because we imagine there'll be a line for blocks to get into this thing. We hope he does some solo acoustic versions of all the Bush classics. more ›

HOW MANY BOYS, HOW MANY GIRLS: A Chorus Line opens at the Paramount tonight. It's being sold on the TV commercials as the best Broadway musical EVAR, and we'd have to agree. Seattlest will be the one singing along with every single word (and dancing along with every bit of choreography in our seat). This is the show, at least in part, responsible for our life-long love affair with music and dance. You've got a week to fall in love yourself. No pressure. more ›

"HISTORY IS ABOUT TO CRACK OPEN": Angels in America may be one of the most moving plays we've ever seen, and it's being reprised in Seattle for the second weekend in a row, before ending its run next week. The performance of the play's first part, "Millenium Approaches," is being performed by Absurd Reality Theatre at the Bagley Wright, in the small theater. May we suggest you head out to the theater and catch a showing? When you're done with Part One, you can always head to ReAct's production of Part Two: "Perestroika." more ›

WHAT A WICKED GAME YOU PLAY: There's some pretty good national names hitting town tonight. But, since Emmylou Harris is sold out at the Zoo, perhaps you'll enjoy the warbling sounds of Chris Isaak at the Chateau Ste. Michelle winery. Tickets for that are still on sale. more ›

HIPPIES UNITE: Innovative guitarist/singer/songwriter Keller Williams is a mainstay on the jamfolk scene and, much like Yonder Mountain Stringband (also on the bill tonight), is responsible for inspiring throngs of hippies to bounce and twirl. We've never caught him live, but we understand he puts on quite the show. He'll be at Marymoor tonight, blowing some minds. more ›

ART FORUM: Art critic Rachel Kushner has written a novel, Telex From Cuba. It starts out like a painting, which only makes sense, considering. You can read the first chapter, or just head to Elliott Bay tonight and let her read it to you. more ›

BAND OF BROTHER AUTHORS: Elliott Bay Books is hosting a reading tonight by brother authors Leif and Lin Enger. According to the listing, "Both are home-state Minnesotans, both still live there, and both have the land of 10,000 lakes as the setting for their new books." more ›

NPR IN DA HOUSE: Seattlest was kind of surprised to hear that tickets are still available for NPR's Wait Wait Don't Tell Me live show at the Paramount tonight. We've never personally been to a live radio show before, but we do love the N to the PR, and we're guessing this'll be well worth your time. In case you don't mack on the NPR, it's the silly quiz show that takes a humorous look at current events. Good stuff. more ›

SCIENCE WITH A TWIST: We've always had fun at the Pacific Science Center's monthly events for adults. If you enjoy science and drinking, you can't get much better than this. This month's event is focused around their new exhibit, Speed, and a drink they're calling the "Turbo Charger." Win tickets to the new Batman movie, watch a speed-themed movie on the IMAX screen, and eat and drink to your heart's content. more ›

FROSH LIT: Desperately hip? Unsuccessful Seattle literary type desperate to bask in the glow of the real thing? Wanna kvetch about how much you hate the stuck-up Ivy League boys over at . It's a book about a bunch of Manhattan office workers, delving deep into the rich inner lives of cubicle dwellers. Or something. Just remember to print a new copy of your manuscript before you try to foist it on him over the book signing table...you want your brilliant new work to stand out! more ›