So you didn’t get Chomsky tickets. Wipe away those tears because this week brings two highly anticipated New York literary type events to Seattle. And not your garden-variety reading events, we’re talking about rock and roll schenanigans.

First up on your literary calendar, Jonathan Safran Foer will be at Chop Suey on Thursday for a reading and dance party. The event is being promoted by just about everyone — the Stranger, the W hotel, Elliott Bay Book Company, and Club Club — and for good reason. In addition to being the hot new book of the moment, Foer’s latest novel Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close [$] happens to be pretty amazing and lovely, too. He will be joined by Awesome (the band) and Charles D’Ambrosio for a free can’t miss event. If all of that literary and musical goodness isn’t enough, hang around for a “strictly soviet” dance party. Arrive at 7 to get a good spot for the 8 pm reading.

On Sunday, New York’s favorite literary magazine thing invades Seattle. The lovely and talented Pindeldyboz crew is taking the show (and brand new issue #5) on the road to see the great left side of the country. And what West Coast tour would be complete without a stop in Seattle? Witness the magic for yourself — they’ll be at the Rendezvous Jewel Box Theater along with local favorites Sean Carman and Ryan Boudinot. Short entertaining readings will be complimented by the musical stylings of Great Guy (a superhero down on his luck). The show starts at 7 pm, all for the very low price of $5.

It’s not clear what Seattle did to deserve it, but two chances in one week for readers to hang out and have fun in non-bookish settings is certainly something to celebrate.

–

note: For those too young to drink or for people who just can’t get enough Jonathan Safran Foer, he’ll also be appearing at Richard Hugo House on Thursday from 4-6.

update: Great Guy has a Myspace profile! You might like to look at (and listen to) it. [myspace]