INSIDE OUT: Audiophiles are pedestrian addicts, and we mean that in a nice way, mostly. Though rarely going to destructive lengths for that next sonic fix, there's little they won't do -- if they can afford it -- to reach the upper echelons of high fidelity, surrounding their heads with the newest means in order to pleasure their growing needs. Well, if surround sound is smack, then Tuning the Air is an organic, opium den. Again, in a nice way. Nine acoustic guitarists encircle the small audience, playing off each other and using spatial techniques to titillate the ears of sitting listeners. The group's repertoire includes classical, ambient, rock, and minimalist music. Tonight's performance is the last of the 2010 season. more ›

If you’ve spent any time in the presence of Stephin Merritt, you’ve most likely learned that the man behind cult-favorite The Magnetic Fields is about as warm (and conversational) as a giant squid. For fans of Merritt’s musical stylings and/or epic tales about giant squids, tonight’s your dream come true as the curmudgeonly mastermind will be performing the score to the 1916 silent classic 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. Merritt will perform the score, which was originally commissioned for the 2010 San Francisco International Film Festival, with accordion and organ accompaniment by Daniel Handler (better known to many by his pen name, Lemony Snicket) and David Hegarty respectively. The spectacle is set to begin at 7:30 PM at the Paramount. more ›

Bumbershoot 2005 hosted the inaugural People Talking and Singing show, where 2,800 festival attendees packed McCaw Hall to see Dave Eggers, Daniel Handler (Lemony Snicket), Mike Doughty, Sarah Vowell, and Death Cab for Cutie, all the while raising $18K for 826 Seattle, the youth writing center in Greenwood. Last year's event, also at Bumbershoot, was hosted by Daily Show Resident Expert™ John Hodgman and singer Jonathan Coulton. Eggers, Handler, Gibbard, and Vowell were back for more, along with Decemberist Colin Meloy, Smoosh, and Stephin Merritt. All together, the benefit raised another $10K. more ›

To have been at McCaw Hall Friday night, is to have been truly blessed. It was a night filled with smiles, laughter and bottomless admiration – not only for the performers, but also for the people behind the scenes for whom this night was meant to benefit. It was a night which, at one point, brought a couple tears to our eyes. But we’re sensitive like that. more ›

So, there's that big, crowded festival-thingy going on this weekend and we could recommend a bunch of stuff to hit there, but ah, we're far too lazy to do that. Here's the schedule - make yourself happy. No one's looking. more ›