The Stranger

For over 10 years, the Slip have chased a sound that refuses to settle. Eisenhower, their recent breakout record, is experimental and sentimental, with tightly wound hooks snagging on intricate, intimate compositions. Hopelessly caught up in the process of self-discovery, the East Coast trio stretches the indie-rock form to its most eloquent and introspective. Generation Whatever might be the most narcissistic of all time, but, judging by the music it makes, it's also the most talented. With Holy Fuck and Bronze Fawn. (Crocodile, 2200 Second Ave, 441-5611. 9 pm, $15, 21+.) by Jonathan Zwickel

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More than 60 local designers have their work in this year's Thread, a fashion party/shopping melee that, according to organizers, 1,500 people showed up at last year. Goods is showcasing rare vintage sneakers, Blvd Gallery is hosting screen printing and a graffiti wall, Vain is doing something involving wigs, and goodie bags (with giveaways from Sub Pop) will be given to the first 250 shoppers. (Fremont Studios, 155 N 35th St, www.threadshow.com. 11 am—6 pm, $7 adv/$10 at the door.) by Christopher Frizzelle

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What we get lots of in this IRA movie by British director Ken Loach is not 1920s politics or guerrilla warfare, but beauty. There are lots and lots of beautiful Irish men, women, villages, huts, valleys, mountains, trees, shrubs, pubs, towns, streets, courthouses, animals, voices, hands, hair, hats, horses, hay, air, sky, clouds, shoes, earth, rocks, vests, milk, jails, maids, nights, mists, deaths, ruins, and music. Loach has finally surrendered everything, even his dependable socialist realism, to the power of beauty. (Varsity, 4329 University Way NE, 781-5755. See Movie Times, page 85, for more information, $6.25—$9.25.) by Charles Mudede

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For years, the Brown Derby reading series has turned movies—from Flashdance to Alien—into entertaining, always-almost-falling-apart comedy clusterfucks. But the decision to do Trapped in the Closet—R. Kelly's inadvertently hilarious serial hip-hOpera—was inspired. Considering how much audiences loved last year's production of Derby's Closet, the decision to bring it back is just merciful. Starring Sarah Rudinoff, Nick Garrison, Rebecca Davis, Ian Bell, and other funny fucks. (Re-bar, 1114 Howell St, 233-9873. 8 pm, $12 DOS, 21+.) by Brendan Kiley

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While watching this dark Canadian masterpiece from 1969, my boyfriend and I became obsessed with whether it was real. "It has to be fiction. Look at those facial expressions!" "It's a documentary, but he's wearing bikini briefs because it's funny." "But they're constantly at each other's throats." "I think they're us." "I am not hysterical." "Well, you're the guy, and she's me." Then they started hitting each other, and we were both too alarmed to speak. (Northwest Film Forum, 1515 12th Ave, 267-5380. 7 and 9 pm, $5—$8.50.) by Annie Wagner

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