The Stranger

(FILM) Director Michael Winterbottom works in a delightful profusion of genres, with sometimes less-than-delightful results, but his recent docudramas about the Middle East—In This World, about human smuggling, and now The Road to Guantánamo—are savage and brilliant. The Road to Guantánamo tells the story of the so-called "Tipton Three," British nationals who tried to go to a wedding in Pakistan but ended up imprisoned at Guantánamo Bay. The movie is a primer on torture that says more than any printed directive will ever communicate. (Uptown Cinemas, 511 Queen Anne Ave N, 285-1022.) ANNIE WAGNER

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(MUSIC) Ray Davies isn't getting any younger, and you should see him while you still can. He's 62, and anyone of sound mind is aware that the Kinks frontman is one of the greatest songwriters of all time. His new (and interestingly, first official) solo record may lack the immediacy and intellect of his early offerings, but he'll undoubtedly spend a fair amount of time excavating his back catalog. (Moore Theatre, 1932 Second Ave, 467-5510. 8 pm, $32–$43.50 plus fees, all ages.) by Hannah Levin

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(MUSIC) It's been just over 25 years since these London loons got together to make extraterrestrial pop that vacillates between dark psychedelia and childlike dreamscapes. Their latest release, Your Children Placate You from Premature Graves, continues that tradition. For anyone disenchanted by the formerly great Flaming Lips' current preference for supermodels and cartoon characters, the Legendary Pink Dots are a heady, pleasantly challenging respite. With Hypatia Lake and Eric Lanzillotta. (Chop Suey, 1325 E Madison St, 324-8000. 8 pm, $13.50, 21+.) by Hannah Levin

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(HIPHOPERA) The Brown Derby crew—infamous for their fast-and-loose staged readings of everything from Showgirls to The Exorcist—take on R. Kelly's epic tangle of sex, cops, sex, midgets, cheating, sex, and sex. They will perform all 12 released episodes of Trapped in the Closet, plus what they claim to be the as-yet-unreleased 13th episode. Featuring Ian Bell, Imogen Love, Nick Garrison, Sarah Rudinoff, Cory Nealy, Kirk Anderson and Evan Mosher of "Awesome," and others. (Re-bar, 1114 Howell St, 233-9873. 8 pm, $10, 21+.) by Brendan Kiley

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(CIRCUS) This is your last chance to peer inside Circus Contraption's extraordinarily delightful cabinet of curiosities—clairvoyant aerialists, acrobatic devils, singing fetuses—before they cart the show off to New York City. Tonight's is a preview with discounted tickets—$15. (Magnuson Community Center Auditorium, Magnuson Park, Building 47, 7400 Sand Point Way NE, 442-2004. Thurs–Sun through July 23, 8 pm, $20–$23, www.brownpapertickets.com, mature content.) by Amy Kate Horn

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(ART & LITERATURE) On the evening of the day that the Trimpin: Klompen exhibit opens, local being/beacon of light/literature Rebecca Brown reads a whole new work. From her own mouth: "It is a new short story. A dark American tale inspired by the Robyn O'Neil show that's set up there [at the Frye] at this moment." Do not miss the musical art of Trimpin, the epic drawings of O'Neil, and the rhythmic prose of Rebecca Brown. (Frye Art Museum, 704 Terry Ave, 622-9250. 6–10 pm, free.) by Charles Mudede

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(CD RELEASE PARTY) Putting out music on Jace "DJ/rupture" Clayton's excellent Soot label is worth celebrating. So that's what Filastine's gonna do tonight, with Orkestar Zirkonium (brass and drum unit featuring Circus Contraption and Infernal Noise Brigade members), DJ Michito, and Poison Ring supporting. The CD in question, Burn It, displays Filastine's finesse with polyglot beat derangement and nonexploitative ethnodelic instrumentation. Filastine possesses skills that can unleash anarchic energy. (Lo_Fi Performance Gallery, 429 Eastlake Ave E, www.lofiseattle.org. 10 pm, $5, 21+.) by Dave Segal

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