The Stranger

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

Link  |  Post Comment (0)

Forget toilet paper. Whatever with paper towels. Cardboard tubes are for fighting: It's the civilized way to satisfy the deep-seated human urge to bash each other with sticks. Cardboard Tube Fighting League is new and delicate—the only way to keep it from degenerating into some kind of Renaissance Faire awfulness is to show up early, bring friends, and make this event your own. (Gas Works Park, 2101 N Northlake Way, www.tubeduel.com. 4—6 pm, $1.) by Brendan Kiley

Link  |  Post Comment (0)

Yes, it makes me a traitor to my sex or humanity as a whole or whatever, but chocolate is not my favorite thing. It's good and all, but way down on the list of what I want to put in my mouth. For those who are not insane in this particular manner, voilà: The Chocolate Box, a whole store made of chocolate (not really, but that'd be neat, wouldn't it?) near the Pike Place Market, replete with high-end, often locally made, cocoa-based indulgences. Per the inevitable accompanying verbiage: "See the store that leaves you begging for more" and "get your fix" of "the decadence within"! (The Chocolate Box, 108 Pine St, 443-3900. 10 am—9 pm.) by Bethany Jean Clement

Link  |  Post Comment (0)

When it comes to Judd Apatow, I'm a fair-weather fan: When he's winning (the sublime Freaks and Geeks), I couldn't love him more; when he's stumbling (the light and gassy 40-Year-Old Virgin), I can't be bothered. From beginning to end, Knocked Up is a winner, featuring too many brilliant performances to list here and packed with more messy, hilarious life than any comedy in years. (See Movie Times for more info.) by David Schmader

Link  |  Post Comment (0)

The polyrhythmic spectacle unleashed by Femi Kuti and the Positive Force is peerless. The proud torchbearer of Afrobeat's musical and political legacy, Kuti brings a massive band: costumed dancers, horn players, a wire-tight rhythm section, and his own half-braggadocio/half-polemic vocals. The sound is bigger than big, funkier than funky, infectious and totally unstoppable. (Showbox, 1426 First Ave, 628-3151. 8 pm, $25 adv/$28 DOS, 21+.) by Jonathan Zwickel

Link  |  Post Comment (0)