The Stranger

(HILARITY) Roscoe is a boy inventor straight out of an Encyclopedia Brown book. His dog Scampers can talk. The two of them upset history by drunkenly driving a Timecycle through the past, accidentally killing Abe Lincoln, and causing a randy zebra to bugger the baby Jesus to death. It's horrible; it's wonderful. (Theatre Off Jackson, 409 Seventh Ave S, 800-838-3006. 8 pm, $14.) by Brendan Kiley

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(ALTERNA-CARTOONISTS) Two of Seattle's most beloved and accomplished cartoonists light up Georgetown's brand-new Fantagraphics Bookstore: Peter Bagge will screen rarely seen animated shorts produced by Sub Pop and MTV, and Ellen Forney will present her multimedia performance of I Love Led Zeppelin. Everyone will have a good time. (Fantagraphics Bookstore and Gallery, 1201 S Vale St, 658-0110. 6 pm, free.) by David Schmader

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(LAST-MINUTE GIFT BONANZA) Kill a gazillion gift birds with one simple stone at I Heart Rummage, featuring the work of 50 of the Northwest's most innovative indie designers and "urban crafters," all of which is for sale. (Crocodile, 2200 Second Ave, www.iheartrummage.com. Noon—4 pm, free.) by David Schmader

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(ESCHATOLOGY) On principle, we should un-Suggest Apocalypto for Mel Gibson's criminally awful opinions on everything. But his recent movies are vivid fever dreams about the fall of civilizations. Watch Passion first, then chase it with Apocalypto, a jungle action-thriller about a Mayan Christ-figure wreaking total, empire-razing revenge on his (or His?) enemies. Plus, there's a hilarious scene involving hot pepper and genitals. Hee-haw! (See Movie Times for details.) by Brendan Kiley

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(MUSIC) El Vez, AKA Robert Lopez, is such a freakishly handsome creature that looking at him too long is sort of like staring at the sun. Still, it's worth burning your corneas out to witness his flawless showmanship, and tonight's holiday-themed extravaganza is no exception. (Triple Door, 216 Union St, 838-4333. All-ages show at 7 pm, 21+ at 10 pm, $20 adv/$23 DOS.) by Hannah Levin

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(PEDAGOGY) Piss off, Dead Poets Society. The History Boys, about a pack of smart, crass British kids trying to pass the Oxford and Cambridge entrance exams, is the new boyhood bildungsroman for the Western Hemisphere. Its writing is funny, its characters are tragic, and its 1980s soundtrack is nostalgic. It is substance versus style, youth versus age, straight versus gay versus curious versus celibate—and every man against himself. (See Movie Times for details.) by Brendan Kiley

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