The Stranger

(READING) I've read some of her short stories (they're great), and I keep meaning to read her first novel, Liars and Saints, (I've heard Meloy read from a section about a young couple who tie each other up and have sex in the surrey parked backstage during a production of Oklahoma!). Her new novel, A Family Daughter, which casts Liars and Saints in a whole new light (it's complicated), is getting rave reviews. (Elliott Bay Book Company, 101 S Main St, 624-6600. 8 pm, free.)

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(FILM) Three reasons to see the 1935 movie Ruggles of Red Gap, even if you've never heard of director Leo McCarey: (1) it mocks your neighbors—Ruggles is set in Washington State, and it demonstrates that, among other deficits of knowledge, none of us rubes can recite the Gettysburg Address; (2) it stars the hilarious Charles Laughton; and (3) there's only one print in existence, so this may be your only chance to see it on the big (well, moderately sized) screen. (Grand Illusion, 1403 NE 50th St, 523-3935. $5–$7.50, 7 and 9 pm.)

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(FILM) This is the only movie I've seen in a long time that I wanted to be longer. It's about the sheer lunacy of trying to make a movie adaptation of Tristram Shandy, the most lunatic book ever written. The script is awesome, Gillian Anderson (playing herself) is awesome, the huge womb Steve Coogan has to climb into is awesome, the circumcision-by-falling-window scene is awesome... It's funny, it's surprising, and it flies by. (See Movie Times for more info.)

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(DANCE CONTEST) Ever up late channel surfing, stumble across a wild gang of dance contestants chanting "Head to head!" as some booty-hootchie in the middle of the swarm shakes her ass like she's a paint mixer, and find yourself completely transfixed by the horror of it all? This was the beauty of Dance 360, a televised hiphop dance competition (RIP), and I fucking LOVED it. Well, a couple of geniuses had the idea to re-create the show live, and it's even BETTER. (Re-bar, 1114 Howell at Boren. 10 pm, $3 to compete/$5 to watch.) CORIANTON HALE

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(ART OPENING) Like, gulp down? Swig? Scarf? Choke? Frye Art Museum contemporary curator Robin Held's use of the imperative case in the title of her latest exhibition makes me want to obey. Plus, Swallow Harder is the first public glimpse at the holdings of local couple Ben and Aileen Krohn, who began building their regional, national, and international contemporary collection of video, sculpture, photography, painting, and performance works in the late '90s. (Frye Art Museum, 704 Terry Ave, 622-9250.Tues–Sat 10 am–5 pm, Sun noon–5 pm, and Thurs 10 am–8 pm, through May 14, free.) JEN GRAVES

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(ART & MUSIC) Months ago Art Star Photo, a local organization with the goal of giving unknown artists an opportunity to share their work, put out the call to local photographers, asking them to submit their favorite images. Tonight is the culmination: The entries will hang on the walls of the Sunset while Speaker Speaker, Racetrack, and Key Note Speaker totally rock the joint. (Sunset Tavern, 5433 Ballard Ave, 784-4880. 9 pm, $7.) MEGAN SELING

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