The Stranger

On the eve of the conventions, watch the best movie ever made about the people living, working, and agitating on the margins of America's grandest political theater tradition. Set during and filmed amid the chaos of Chicago 1968, Haskell Wexler's film is a heady mix of protest chic, Appalachian romanticism, and agony over journalistic objectivity. The phrase "medium cool" refers to Marshall McLuhan's theory that TV is a "cool" medium—one that invites viewer participation—in contrast to the "hot" quality of film, which sucks up all your attention and energy. Medium Cool may be hot, but it wants you to holler back. (Northwest Film Forum, 1515 12th Ave, 267-5380. 7 and 9:15 pm, $8.50.)

ANNIE WAGNER

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Indian Jewelry's Free Gold! combines gauzy, desert-rock drones with warped vocals that sometimes loop and melt as if playing from a record left too long in the hot sun. But beneath the heatstroke and haze, Indian Jewelry's songs are simply catchy, slightly sinister pop. From the far opposite end of the experimental spectrum come Eats Tapes, whose all-analog, acid-touched hyper-rave workouts should leave you adequately parched for the headliners. (Vera Project, Seattle Center, 956-8372. 7:30 pm, $5/$6, all ages.) by Eric Grandy

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Mirah Yom Tov Zeitlyn's voice is a thing of wonder—perfectly tuneful yet distinctly personal, able to tackle everything from klezmer to electropop to folk without ever sounding dilettantish. More impressive than her voice, though, is her songwriting, which is full of idiosyncratic humor, home-sewn pillow talk, and a depth of emotion that ranges from geographical longing to deeply internalized anxiety, all expressed with deft poetic language. Mirah is a treasure. With Tender Forever and Fences. (Neumo's, 925 E Pike St, 709-9467. 8 pm, $12, all ages.) by Eric Grandy

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Tapas: It's back. Opened in the last five minutes: Txori in Belltown, Ocho in Ballard, Tidbit near Roanoke, Bilbao in the University District, and Olivar on Broadway. Of these, Ocho is the most authentic: a small, crowded bar with superdelicious, inexpensive snacks meant to go with drinking. But the bar at Tango—a Seattle favorite for a billion years—comes close, especially at happy hour (Sun–Fri 4:30–6:30 pm) and especially on half-price-wine night (Mon). Chili-cinnamon carnitas, shrimp-and-avocado ceviche, and a bottle of Albariño equals a splendid summer supper. (Tango, 1100 Pike St, 583-0382. 5–10:30 pm.) by Bethany Jean Clement

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Check out this heee-larious new reality show in which normal, everyday Democrats are videotaped and forced to live together for days in a filthy convention center. Watch as they ramble on incessantly about politics while drinking and screwing themselves silly. But here's the twist! Instead of winning a million dollars, one lucky contestant is eventually chosen to leave the convention center and lead the country for at least four years! (ABC/NBC, debuts Mon Aug 25.) by Wm.™ Steven Humphrey

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Robert Bresson's most famous movie that is not about a donkey is a thing of minimal pretense and maximal refinement. In it, there are acts of petty crime spelled out with thrilling precision. There is a bare Parisian garret. There is a girl so perfect and serene you expect her to pop out a second Son of God any minute. But the component parts add up to something far more basic and bracing, something like cold water, or a punch to the gut. (Metro Cinemas, 4500 Ninth Ave NE, 781-5755. 7 and 9 pm, $10.) by Annie Wagner

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