The Stranger

Yes, yes, The Stranger's been suggesting the shit out of SIFF's Essential Art House festival, but there's simply no way to stop now: Originally released in 1956, Ingmar Bergman's Smiles of a Summer Night remains the richest and most intoxicating romantic comedy ever made. The plot—tracking the intricate romantic dealings of four Swedish couples at the end of the 19th century—was co-opted by Stephen Sondheim for A Little Night Music, but Bergman's work is where the real magic lies. (If you don't trust me, listen to Pauline Kael, who lauded Smiles as "one of film history's great tragicomedies, a bittersweet view of the transience of human carnality.") (SIFF Cinema at McCaw Hall, 321 Mercer St, www.seattlefilm.org. 7:30 pm, $7.50/$9.) by David Schmader

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Local soul star Choklate does her thing with the talented Eric Roberson and Peter Hadar. The show is part of a new soul consciousness—an awareness that's committed to the music rather than sales or fame. The only ambition these singers have is providing you with the best soul possible. Also, this will be your last chance to see Choklate before she embarks on a tour of the East Coast. (The Triple Door, 216 Union St, 838-4333. All-ages show at 6:30 pm, 21+ at 10:30 pm, $15.) by Charles Mudede

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Louise Bourgeois's fountain monument to the limits of masculine family relationships is finally finished and marking the southwestern corner of the Olympic Sculpture Park. The thick columns of white water that alternately cover stainless-steel father, then stainless-steel son obscure them from each other as their hands reach across the divide. To me the figures are stiff and the psychology overdetermined compared to much of Bourgeois's work, but the shoots of water are pleasantly solid, almost like two pure white marble shrouds. (Olympic Sculpture Park, 2901 Western Ave, 654-3100. 7 am—6 pm, free.) by Jen Graves

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Wild animals have all kinds of ways to make themselves appear larger than they actually are—cats arch their backs, cobras show their hoods, bears rise up on their hind legs. Ratatat, the slight pair of Evan Mast and Mike Stroud, pull off a similar trick, inflating their guitar/synth studio hybrids into arena-sized instrumental jams via the magic of multitracking. Live, the duo sound like an army of axe-men riding on loose grooves and bedroom hiphop beats. (Neumo's, 925 E Pike St, 709-9467. 8 pm, $13, all ages). by Eric Grandy

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Wednesday night's most reliable diversion continues at Capitol Hill Arts Center, where tonight brings another installment of Laff Hole, the weekly standup roundup corralled by the People's Republic of Komedy. This week's main attraction: Black Daisy, the video-making comedy troupe who'll be celebrating the release of their new DVD. Also on the bill: booze, bombs (there's always one, at least), and a bunch of comedians with impressive track records for hilarity. (CHAC Lower Level, 1621 12th Ave, 388-0569. 9:30 pm, $5, 21+.) by David Schmader

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