SIFF hosts the MIFFF.

NWFF presents a new entry in their Live at the Film Forum series with Bridging Wounds in which artists Paris Hurley, Ezra Dickinson, Jamie Iacoli, Tilla Kuenzil, Amanda Moore and Paurl Walsh blend original movement, music, and animation to explore the connection between words and perception. Friday and Saturday at 8:00 pm.

On Sunday, NWFF offers three screenings of Speaking in Tongues, a documentary that examines bilingual education in America at the level of the students enrolled in it, following two native English speaking students in a Mandarin immersion program and two ESL students who also retain their original language. A panel discussion including local academic figures follows the 3:00 pm screening.

If you missed Revanche earlier this year, or if you caught it and would like to see it again, you get your chance to see it at the Grand Illusion starting Friday. Nominated for the year’s best foreign film Oscar, Revanche is a powerful neo-noir about revenge and how a single event can connect even the most unlikely of people.

Midnight at the Egyptian: Harold and Maude, the 70s black comedy about the relationship between a fun-loving senior citizen and a suicidal young man.

12:00 PM – Wendy Hornsby: In the Guise of Mercy
Seattle Mystery Bookshop
6th book in a series that hasn’t been updated in over a decade.
[LINK]

6:30 PM – Heather Davis: Never Cry Werewolf
Queen Anne Books
The author presents her first YA novel.
[LINK]

7:30 PM – Stephen Elliott: The Adderall Diaries: A Memoir of Moods, Masochism, and Murder
Elliott Bay Book Co.
“The Adderall Diaries begins like the ocean, seemingly able to take in everything—prize fights to Paris Hilton—until the ocean forms into a river, making its way through unmapped territories—a murder, an absent father—and finally this river is stilled into one precious teardrop. Stephen Elliott is one of those ‘people who keep searching when everything is dark’ – I don’t know a more hauntingly fearless writer, and this is an immediate, visceral, and ultimately beautiful book.” – Nick Flynn. “You don’t just read The Adderall Diaries, you fall right into them … It’s a brilliant book.” – Roddy Doyle
[LINK]

At long last hockey season is finally starting up again and the Seattle Thunderbirds are kicking off opening weekend with games against the reviled Everett Silvertips and the decades-long rival Portland Winterhawks along with a beer garden, barbecue, music and free stuff.

Friday night the Tbirds, who finished last season in 5th place in the Western conference, take on the ‘Tips (who finished 7th) at 7:35 pm. The last time these two teams met in a regular season game was last season’s final game when the Birds annihilated the Tips in an astonishing 10-0 shut out. Everett’s shown some improvement over the summer, however, beating Seattle twice in September pre-season games. Whatever the final score turns out to be, any time these two teams meet it’s an exciting game.

Saturday night at 7 pm the Birds take on the Portland Winterhawks. The rivalry between the two teams is so intense that Tbirds fans chant “Portland Sucks” even when the Birds aren’t playing Portland. Last year the Winterhawks struggled through a rebuilding year and finished at the bottom of the league rankings but boosted by some talented new rookies and the maturing skills of existing team members, the Winterhawks are poised to be serious contenders this season. Will this be enough to make them a serious threat to the Thunderbirds?

Prior to both games, the ShoWare Center plaza will be home to Party on the Plaza events with beer gardens, barbecues, free samples from Coke and Vitamin Water, and music provided by team sponsor Funky Monkey 104.9 FM. All fans at the home opener Friday night will receive magnetic schedules. On Saturday the first 1,000 kids through the door will receive a free hat.

Doors open at 6pm both nights.

Tickets are available at the arena box office but will go fast for these two games – your best best is to buy ahead online.

the depreciation guild (above) & the pains of being pure at heart (below) played neumo’s on tuesday. more pictures in the photoset [flickr]

On Tuesday night, early-arriving fans at Neumo’s were no doubt disappointed to find that a burrito in Idaho had spoiled their efforts to see Cymbals Eat Guitars. Food poisoning had derailed the band’s plans to claim a much-anticipated opening set, leaving its members unfortunately ill and Seattle with a bit more time on its hands to get a drink. Sadness about missing them aside, I think that anyone who has suffered from severe digestive illness knows which party got the better end of this arrangement.
That left the Depreciation Guild, basically the shoegaz[ier] A/V club (or rather subcommittee) of the Pains of Being Pure at Heart, in the role of warming the crowd. Combined with the last-gasp of summer outside, the poor ventilation inside, and videogame bleeps blipped over guitar washes and energized by a live wall of shifting color blocks, they stepped-up to the task admirably, holding and gathering a crowd.
Although the all-ages balcony had plenty of breathing room, the main floor soon attracted a perspiration-heavy gathering for the headliners, who ran through most of their recorded material — including geographically-appropriate “Kurt Cobain’s Cardigan” (which, they admit, cribs more from the Vaselines than Nirvana), and venue-appropriate “103″, and closing with an encore of their rock out freakout “Gentle Sons”. Along the way, they played some material from their forthcoming Higher Than the Stars EP along with old favorites about library sex, taboo love, and dedicated a get well song to their ailing tourmates. Predictably, the vocals were sometimes swallowed by the giant wall of fuzzed out guitars, but it was OK. We heard about how they loved Seattle and that season of the Real World with the fish throwers, the slap heard ’round the world, and the teddy bear sacrificed to the Sound. The front rows pogoed madly and more than a few guys with giant hair air drummed aerobically.
By the end, during the “banter part”, some people implored them to ditch Brooklyn for Capitol Hill. And while I’d concur that we’d love to have them in town all the time, I’d not encourage anyone to live in the basement at Neumo’s. Until then, though, we’ll have the records and the hope that they’ll bring their big tour van back someday soon.

one bus away in the app store.

I’ve long been a fan of One Bus Away, a University of Washington-based project, and their multi-modes of quickly, cleanly, and efficiently finding out when your bus will arrive (often the most frustrating part of the public transit lifestyle). To the list of phone, SMS, and web, they’ve now added a smart new iPhone application that improves the already great experience dramatically. Namely, it uses GPS to show you all nearby buses on a map, lets you save your regular stops, saves your history, and streamlines the process of finding routes.

If you have an iPhone and take the bus ever, get it. [itunes]

(via seattletransitblog)

John Vanderslice, the nicest man in indie rock.

John Vanderslice is no stranger to the Seattle area. He has played just about every area venue, festival, and record store in support of his 7 studio albums. He even once played a special secret show on the Fremont Bridge after performing at Capitol Hill Block Party, which is what the picture above is from. His latest album; “Romanian Names” is yet another accomplished record and well deserving of your ears.

John kicked off a small Pacific Northwest tour yesterday in Vancouver, BC and will be playing tonight in Seattle at The Crocodile. The show only costs $14 if you buy advance tickets. I’ll assume somewhere around $15-$20 if you pay at the door. Either way, a good deal for some great music.

Personally I’m really excited for this show. John Vanderslice is easily one of my favorite artists of the last 10 years. I’m also interested in seeing the inside of The Crocodile for the first time since it was reopened.

The lineup tonight is:

John Vanderslice
The Pink Mountaintops
Mimicking Birds

The Crocodile (2200 2nd Ave in Belltown)
8pm
$14 adv
21+

12:00 PM – Jon Katz: The Soul of a Dog: Reflections on the Spirits of the Animals of Bedlam Farm
Elliott Bay Book Co.
“Jon Katz understands dogs as few others do, intuitively and unburdened by sentimentality. His keen insights cut to the heart of the human-pet relationship—its immense joys and painful sorrows. With wisdom and grace, he unlocks the canine soul and the complicated wonders that lie within, and offers powerful insights to anyone who has ever struggled with, and loved, a troubled animal.” – John Grogan
[LINK]

5:00 PM – Tod Davies: Jam Today: A Diary of Cooking with What You’ve Got Pilot Books “A diary of cooking with what you’ve got.” Doesn’t The Splendid Table do a weekly segment like this: “Hi Lynn, I’ve got moldy goat cheese, peanut butter, a head of cabbage, orange juice concentrate, and ground lamb…”
[LINK]

6:00 PM – Miz Floes & the Carmel Latte Duo: Rhythmic Rhyme Spoken Word
Northwest African American Museum
All ages open mic!
[LINK]

7:00 PM – Front Porch Theatre: Abe Lincoln in Illinois
University Bookstore U-District
Community reading and discussion.
[LINK]

7:00 PM – Joann Green Byrd: Calamity: The Heppner Flood of 1903
Fremont Place Books
A disastrous flood did not quite wipe out Eastern Oregon. What a shame.
[LINK]

7:00 PM – Mattox Roesch w/ ULGM & Matthew Simmons: Sometimes We’re Always Real Same-Same
Neptune Coffee
Roesch will read and sign from his debut. ULGM will play music. Simmons will be charmingly self-deprecating. Good times!
[LINK]

7:30 PM – Edward Espe Brown: The Complete Tassajara Cookbook: Recipes, Techniques, and Reflections from the Famed Zen Kitchen
Elliott Bay Book Co.
“With profound-yet-playful regard for his subject matter, Ed Brown has consistently graced us with the practical poetry of his delicious cooking … In our modern era of rapid media images and flashing-light information, The Complete Tassajara Cookbook will provide a glowing sense of calm—hefty with substance, light with spirit, and rich with the experience of a master.” – Mollie Katzen
[LINK]

7:30 PM – Lesley Hazelton: After the Prophet: The Epic Story of the Shia – Sunni Split in Islam
Town Hall Seattle
“…Americans in general, and our politicians in particular, often can’t tell Sunni from Shi’ites. With the publication of this outstanding book, we no longer have any excuse. Hazleton (Jezebel) ties today’s events to their ancient roots, resurrecting seventh century Arabia with reverence and vivid immediacy … The battle to name Muhammad’s successor is gripping—but it is Hazleton’s ability to link the past and present that distinguishes this book … anyone with an interest in the Middle East, U.S. – international relations or a profound story masterfully told will be well served by this exceptional book.” – Publishers Weekly
[LINK]

7:30 PM – SAM Word: Reading
Richard Hugo House
Work from poets Nicole Hardy and Peter Pereira in response to the SAM exhibition, Everything Under the Sun: Photographs by Imogen Cunningham.
[LINK]

Modern Gentlement’s Quartet plays as attendees begin to file into Il Fornaio
for the All for Fall Benefit Bash.

Pacific Place kicked off their five-day All for Fall customer celebration event tonight with the Benefit Bash to raise money for Ronald McDonald House Charities. The event series, which includes a gourmet taste-off, art and fashion shows, and an autograph signing for sports fans, also includes a huge number of discounts, giveaways and door prizes (listed here) that benefit both shoppers and charities.

Tonight’s event was attended by over 100 people, and organizers from the Western Washington & Alaska Ronald McDonald House Charities hoped to raise enough to fund housing for families of seriously ill children being treated at Seattle Children’s Hospital. It costs $80 a night for families to stay at the house, but families are only asked to pay $20 a night, and no one is turned away because of an inability to pay- less than half of the families staying at the house in Seattle pay any portion of the cost of housing. Seattle’s Ronald McDonald House is the third largest in the nation and hosts 80 families each night.

This is the first year that Pacific Place has offered the customer appreciation events for multiple days, according to Lynn Beck, Pacific Place General Manager. The change in format benefits both customers and retailers by driving business to Pacific Place, giving deep discounts to customers, and raising funds for both Ronald McDonald House and America SCORES Seattle, who will be hosting a photo and autograph session with Seattle Sounders players on Sunday, Sept. 20th. The multi-day event came in part through brainstorming between the various retailers who are major sponsors of the events, including Il Fornaio, Something Silver, United Colors of Benetton, MaxMara and Twist.

“It’s a great way to reward Pacific Place’s clients,” said Cullen Tavelli, Twist’s store manager. “The new format allows everyone to enjoy the benefits of the event. By making it a five-day event, it gives a lot more people the opportunity to attend… The management really listened to their tenants, and we wanted to support them with this event; and we can’t help but want to support [Ronald McDonald House]- we think they’re a great charity.”

Twist is giving away a blown-glass piece by Viscosity during the event, while Helly Hansen is giving away fleeces to the first 125 guests who mention the promotion. MaxMara is giving away a handbag, and other retailers are offering complimentary yoga classes, massages, consultations with personal stylists or personal shoppers, and Trophy cupcakes(!). A significant number of retailers are offering 10-20 percent discounts on purchases for the next five days as well, so if you’ve been lusting after a cellphone accessory or a Benetton cardigan, you might want to head over to Pacific Place before Sunday.

USA Today and Orbitz.com have both named Fremont’s Oktoberfest as one of the top places in America to celebrate Oktoberfest, but anyone who’s ever been to the annual event knew that without being told. With 35 breweries ranging from small local microbreweries to internationally known big brands represented at Oktoberfest, there are a plethora of beer choices from which to select. San Francisco’s 21st Amendment Brewery offers their Hell or High Watermelon Wheat Beer with a secondary brewing fermentation that uses fresh watermelon for a uniquely flavored beer. Dad Watsons from Seattle has a raspberry ale called Ruby. Georgetown Brewing Company presents their Lisa’s “The Sun is Trying to Kill Me” Chocolate Stout which is loaded with dark and milk chocolate from Theo.

One of my favorites is Kona Brewing Company’s Longboard Lager, aged for five weeks for an exceptionally smooth flavor. Seattle’s Trade Route Brewing Company (previously known as Laughing Buddha) goes seriously old school with their Ginger Pale Ale..and these are just a few of the excellent brews on tap. There are lagers and ales and stouts, Hefeweizen and pilsners a-plenty, all worth giving a try.

In addition to the tasting area, there are two different beer gardens and a variety of lounges. Live entertainment includes bands, DJs, a chainsaw pumpkin carving contest and a comedy show; there’s even a kids’ play area for those of you who want to make it a family event.

Saturday night party with Fremont Outdoor Movies who will be showing Animal House after a pre-party that includes toga style photo sessions and college party games.

On Sunday you’re invited to bring your dog down to hang out with you in the beer garden, join you in the annual Brew HA-HA 5K or enter the CityDog Magazine cover model contest.

Oktoberfest is held on the streets of Fremont between Phinney Ave N and 1st Ave NW and N 35th St and N Canal St on Friday between 5 pm and midnight, on Saturday from 11 am to 12 am, and Sunday between 11 am and 6 pm. Several Metro routes serve Fremont, including the 5, the 26, the 28, the 30 and the 31 and will save you money and all kinds of hassle. The Fremont Oktoberfest benefits the Fremont Chamber of Commerce will helps fund schools, art groups, and community events.

Every year German brewer St. Pauli Girl selects a new spokesmodel to serve as a representative of their iconic logo, making appearances all over the country to introduce people to the long-established beer, first brewed back in the 17th century.

This year’s “Girl” is named Katarina Van Derham, a native of Slovakia now living in LA and working as a model and actor in print and on TV. Katarina is fluent in five different languages and is trained in Krav Maga, a military self-defense technique. When she’s not out promoting St. Pauli Girl, she works on architectural graphic design and developing her own make-up line and enjoys kick-boxing, wrestling, basketball, volleyball and tennis.

She’ll be in town to introduce Seattle to St. Pauli Girl beer on Friday, September 18, stopping in at four different locations to sign autographs, give away copies of her St. Pauli Girl poster and convince people (in Slovak, Czech, Russian and/or Polish, if English won’t do) to try St. Pauli Girl’s Lager, Special Dark and Non-Alcoholic varieties. Both the Lager and the Special Dark have been Gold Medal winners at the American Tasting Institute and are available at bars and retailers throughout Seattle.

Katarina will be appearing Friday from 5:30 – 6:30 at Ram Brewery (4730 University Village Pl), from 7:00 – 8:00 at Duchess Tavern (2827 NE 55th St), from 8:30 – 9:30 at Shultzy’s Sausage (4114 University Way NE) and from 10:00 to 11:00 at Earl’s on the Ave (4333 University Way NE).