This weekend, look at beautiful women for the betterment of area dogs, dress up as Santa and join a mob, check out a fantastic all-ages show, and then dance until the moon drops. And maybe, if you're lucky, get some sleep. more ›

Gigs4Good, Spanish Gypsy guitarists and all-ages comedy at the Vera Project. Yup, it's a good Thursday. more ›

Travel abroad by heading down to Columbia city, watch out for Raindogs and Swordfishtrombones in Ballard, silkscreen your favorite shirt and get your holiday shopping done at Seattle Center, and more! more ›

Today's CMI brings you a bounty of events guaranteed to stimulate your body, brain, ears, and conscience. Not all at once, granted, but an impressive spread nonetheless. more ›

It's a big ol' bummer that Brent Knopf decided to leave Menomena a few months ago. Especially since their newest release Mines was such a hit, we just didn't get it. Then we remembered that Brent had been a part of another band, Ramona Falls, while Menomena had been taking a hiatus for the first half of 2010. more ›

Like we said this past Wednesday, we we had extremely high hopes for Elephant 6's return to our city. We're not quite sure where to start, seeing as the night was filled with a spontaneity that definitely topped most of the shows we've ever attended, and it most definitely took the cake for best show we've ever seen at the Vera. more ›

Sunday evening, we dragged our barely thawed out bodies to the M. Women, Abe Vigoda, and Wild Nothing show at the Vera. We're glad to announce it was well worth the cold and dreary journey. The night was so full of catchy, dreamy, and gothy sounds. Our usual frustration with the lackluster crowds of Vera (is it the sobriety? The emphasis of all-ages? The multicolored bathroom stalls?) were completely stifled because the sets were so good. more ›

1ST 1ST THURSDAY: Today is the first First Thursday of 2011, which means there are plenty of free events going on around town, including Pioneer Square's first art walk of the new year. This year marks the 30th anniversary for the city's largest art walk. Experience Music Project opens its doors to the public for one free day. From 5 p.m. - 8 p.m., they'll offer entrance to Battlestar Galactica: The Exhibition and free music by Gig Harbor group Us On Roofs. The Baltic Room (1207 Pine St.) hosts Scratch Lounge, a monthly event for DJs to show each other what they can do, also featuring Q&A scratch sessions, juggling exhibitions, and beat/production exhibitions. Scratch Lounge goes from 8 p.m. - 1 a.m. with drink specials until 11 p.m. more ›

The Vera Project's first concert was a stellar all-local bill with Murder City Devils, Botch, and then-up and coming Eastsiders Blood Brothers. The need for Vera was clear - the $6 show rapidly filled the space's 500-person capacity, and hundreds more were turned away after the show sold out. more ›

SOMEWHERE OUT THERE: Ralph Lemon, pillar of postmodern dance and multimedia conceptual artist, makes his Seattle debut with How Can You Stay in the House All Day and Not Go Anywhere? The mixed media performance investigates loss and transcendence experienced in human partnerships, particularly regarding Lemon's recent loss of his artistic mentor, 102-year-old former sharecropper Walter Carter. Lemon, who is regarded as one of the most important American choreographers in the business, always challenges expectations and definitions of dance performance. How Can You Stay... includes film, live narration and dance. Tonight's performance is the first of four nights in Seattle. For more on Lemon and tonight's performance, click here. more ›

SHAKE, RATTLE & HANG 10: The three-day Shake the Shack Rockabilly Ball begins tonight with Surf Nite at The Tractor. The Ball, presented by KEXP, is in its 23rd year and 2010 starts off with four groups that keep the waves rolling and sun shining. Remember this summer? Yeah, us neither. But we remember a summer, and that's all we need to bask in the joy that is surf rock. Seattle bands The Mercury Four and King of Hawaii join San Francisco's Frankie & The Pool Boys and Souther California's Slacktones. Vocals? We don't need no stinking vocals. We got surf rock. Three day passes are only $30. Buy tickets individually and they're $18. more ›

After adjusting to the cheery disposition of the folks who run Vera Project, consisting mostly of under agers, we went downstairs to the stage. more ›

Under the ‘genre’ section of their MySpace, Light Pollution classify themselves as Religious/Psychedelic/Healing/Easy Listening. A strange mix, yet we can’t help but agree. more ›

DICK DALE: 72 years old and still going strong, Dick Dale continues to ride the wave that made him a star. Arguable inventor of the classic surf sound, Dale was also a collaborator with Leo Fender, pushing guitar amps out of their clean and quiet beginnings up into 11. He is justifiably a legend. A very loud legend. more ›

This weekend, we’re happy to recommend two events that may just enhance your mental and physical health, while helping to connect you with your neighbors one last time before the rain-induced hibernation officially begins. These two events combine three of the city's strengths: local music, community and the great outdoors. more ›

"Drink for the Kids" is the annual benefit for the all-ages Vera Project, the music and arts center for kids who can't drink, and we for one can't wait for an end to this scourge too soon. Imagine not being able to drink! How thirsty would you be?! We're not up on all the science, but we're happy to support the race for the cure, and that means we're off to Neumos tonight to hear fleet, foxy Robin Pecknold, Throw Me The Statue, and Grand Hallway. Tickets are $15 in advance, doors at 8 p.m. more ›

">Skullcrusher Mountain," is about an evil genius who analyzes the problems of his would-be relationship with his beautiful victim. Coulton is goofy and clever, and his show should be wonderful. more ›

It's been a long time since Kim had a tourist to show around, so she's looking forward to giving her father a stellar tour of Seattle and its environs. On the agenda: Chateau Ste. Michelle, Bainbridge Island, the Fremont troll, and plenty of great food--finally an excuse to go to the Kingfish! Before pops arrives, she'll kick the weekend off right, with Sera Cahoone and Zoe Muth tonight at the Tractor. more ›

What'll you have: Dewars or Redhook? Go to Saint, Hazlewood, Shorty's, or the West Seattle Easy Street Records tonight, plunk down some cash, toss back a drink and support The Vera Project, one of the city's most avid supporters and nurturers of Seattle's underage music scene. Starting tonight and running through Saturday, participating bars around town will donate money to the Vera for every Dewars or Redhook you buy in a fundraising effort called A Drink For The Kids. Locations switch up every night, so check the website for times/places. What a fantastic, easy excuse to get drunk and simultaneously support a very deserving local venue! more ›

Even if you're going to tonight's John in the Morning at Night, Friday's best bet is DJ/blue-eyed soul man/gold lamé bathrobe-wearer/consummate performer Jamie Lidell, along with opener Janelle Monae at Showbox. Jamie also has an instore at Easy Street Queen Anne this evening at 6:30 p.m. more ›

BATTLING HIPSTER SHOWS: Which music venue will the hoodied fixie-riders descend upon tonight? We think the vast majority will suffer the all-ages (no drinking) five-band-strong line-up at the Vera Project with Raggedy Annes, Strong Killings, and Japanther. The stragglers, who can't see a show without PBR or at a venue off the Hill, will be heading to Chop Suey for Does It Offend You, Yeah? and Team Robespierre. more ›

Head to the Sunset tonight for Sub Pop band Oxford Collapse. Along with Love as Laughter, it's a veritable indie pop fest! more ›

Who will triumph as the West Coast champion of the DMC turntablist competition tonight? And--perhaps even more interesting--what interesting tricks of the turntablist trade will he or she bring to the tables? 206 Zulu somehow finagled to host the left coast heat of the international championships here in Seattle, at the Vera Project. The only kind of scratching Seattlest does personally is of the "where it itches" variety, and DJs from all over the West Coast will be competing, so this should be a real treat. more ›

Don't call it a comeback, but the Cherry Poppin' Daddies have a new album out (Susquehanna) after a nearly ten-year hiatus. The '90s swing revival band plays two shows tonight at the Triple Door. more ›

10 a.m. - 6 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday // Washington State Convention Center, 800 Convention Pl // Two Day Pass: $30, Saturday Only: $20, Sunday Only: $15 more ›

Things are pretty dead, what with all the local music folk in Austin. Here's your limited options: more ›

Seattlest spotted this taxi, that had made its way into a store window on Denny Avenue, when leaving the VERA Project last night. We're not sure what store the cab exactly crashed into, but we certainly don't envy the business owner or the cab driver. Oops!
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Tonight, if you're not already going to the second sold-out Magnetic Fields show, there's still a few tickets left for John in the Morning at Night at Neumo's, with the Duke Spirit, the Voom Blooms, and Tulsa. There's also PWRFL Power's (aka Kaz Nomura) second CD release show at the Vera Project. Since Kaz won a slot at last year's Capitol Hill Block Party (via the Stranger's Block Star contest last spring), he also won a spot in an Esurance ad, resulting in "the most unusual Esurance commercial to date." Check it: more ›

This weekend, it's all about Friday and Saturday; Sunday is the Lord's day, so music is taking a night off. Tonight, there's another great Canadian band, Immaculate Machine, at the Vera Project. The pop trio features Kathryn Calder, who just so happens to be the New Pornographers' Carl (A.C.) Newman's niece. Way to keep it in the family. more ›

We've already mentioned this weekend's Pyramid Alehouse Snowed In Party, featuring the Presidents of the USA (tonight) and the Dandy Warhols (tomorrow). Tonight, there's also Black Dice bringing their wall o' noise to the Vera Project. more ›