The Stranger

Edward Burtynsky is a photographer of what might be termed the human sublime. His landscapes of industrial waste combine stark compositional beauty with awe at human achievement with horror at its ecological fallout. The surprising and wonderful thing about Manufactured Landscapes, a documentary about the artist, is that it never takes the photographs at face value. Turns out the landscapes that contain Burtynsky's landscapes have a lot to say. (Varsity, 4329 University Way NE, 781-5755. See Movie Times for more info, $6.25—$9.25.) by Annie Wagner

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I bet this is one of the best public pools in the country. It sits right next to Puget Sound and saltwater is pumped into it, so you float better. To get there, you hike a little, either through woodsy Lincoln Park or along the beach. And it has a slide, a high dive, a low dive, and one very dark-skinned regular who sits at the deep end between dips. Somebody should find out who he is and how he has that much time. (Colman Pool, 8603 Fauntleroy Way SW, 684-7494. Noon—7 pm, $3.75.) by Jen Graves

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Even the cockroaches couldn't survive: Bridges would crumble, concrete would crack, a mighty forest would stretch from the Mississippi River to what was New England, long-buried rivers would retake the streets, cities would turn green again. Ever wonder what the world would be like if the people suddenly vanished? Alan Weisman elaborates on his award-winning Discover magazine article, imagining a human-free planet. Consider it porn for the radical environmentalist inside all of us. (Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave, 652-4255. 7:30 pm, $5.) by Jonathan Golob

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The star attraction of Madrona Park—that inviting stretch of grass and sand nestled against Lake Washington at the end of the number 2 bus line—is back up and running for another summer. Mama Williebell's will thrill lovers of well-sauced meat (chef Artie B offers pulled chicken and ribs), megaburgers (the awe-inspiring Willie Burger is roughly the size of an infant's head), and Southern food (collard greens and candied yams). Bonus: a one-of-a-kind veggie burger to die for. (853 Lake Washington Blvd. 11 am—9 pm, through Sept.) by David Schmader

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Ellen Forney's black-and-white hands on red backgrounds are big and fucking. The largest paintings are shorthand for sex acts (a fist gripping an index finger); the smaller ones are individual portraits of friends' hands miming actual sexual acts. What a difference there is between the broad comedic shorthand and the surprisingly quiet, intimate gestures. We stand in the gap, a little embarrassed, a little turned on. (Liberty, 517 15th Ave E, 323-9898. 4 pm—2 am, free, 21+.) by Jen Graves

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