The Stranger

This basement arcade is an unbelievable gem. The beer is cheap and so are the games (pinball, a weird/awesome soccer thing, and, most importantly, Ms. Pac-Man). There’s a microwave-popcorn vending machine with a built-in microwave, and one time the proprietor Silly-Stringed our table for no reason. Once you find Add-a-Ball (behind and under a head shop in Fremont), you’ll want to (a) spend every night there forever and (b) never tell anyone about it so they don’t make it busy or cool or just, y’know—not yours. But hey, there’s room for everybody here and a taco truck in the parking lot. (Add-a-Ball, 315 N 36th St #2B, 696-1613, 3 pm–midnight, cash only, 21+) by Anna Minard

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Michael Glawogger is the Austrian film director, screenwriter, and cinematographer celebrated for his documentaries about contemporary labor, three of which are showcased this month at Northwest Film Forum. Tonight brings the third installment of Glawogger’s Globalization Trilogy—Whores’ Glory, a cinematic triptych on prostitution involving three countries, three languages, and three religions. Go learn a bunch of new stuff about the world’s oldest profession. (Northwest Film Forum, 1515 12th Ave, www.nwfilmforum.org, 7 and 9:15 pm, $10) by David Schmader

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General strike! Take to the streets! And get some gelato from the new D’Ambrosio Gelateria Artigianale on Capitol Hill! D’Ambrosio has been serving some of Seattle’s best gelato from a small shop on Ballard Avenue for a good couple of years, and now you can get their remarkably creamy, velvety treat at their new, bigger shop on the corner of 12th and Pine on Capitol Hill, too. The spring menu includes Fichi, Mascarpone & Caramello (figs and caramel), Zenzero & Limone (ginger lemon), and a cantaloupe sorbet that will change your life. (D’Ambrosio Gelateria Artigianale; 5339 Ballard Ave NW, 327-9175; 1542 12th Ave, 328-4285; noon–10 pm) by Megan Seling

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There’s a new three-level gallery on Olive Way where two painters—Laura Hamje and Sara Long—have studios on top, and where the inaugural exhibition on the first two levels is by Kimberly Trowbridge. Trowbridge is a notable Seattle painter, a processor (like so many) of European cubism. But in this show, called Bolted Dream, she expands into Americana as well as three dimensions (and some palm-sized low reliefs, too). She’s bold, prolific, and, frankly, grooving. Watch her grow. (Blindfold Gallery, 1718 E Olive Way, Suite A, www.blindfoldgallery.com, 1–7 pm, free) by Jen Graves

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There once were two people who so loved each other who, rather than having a child, had plastic surgery so they looked more alike, until they basically looked the same, despite the fact that one was born a man and one a woman—and it wasn’t weird, it was great. This is a true story, the story of Genesis Breyer P-Orridge and Lady Jaye, two performance artists. This is their movie. It kicks off Translations: The Seattle Transgender Film Festival, and you will love it. (SIFF Cinema at the Uptown, 511 Queen Anne Ave N, www.threedollarbillcinema.org, 7:15 pm, $11) by Jen Graves

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Now in its fifth year, Debacle Fest offers three nights of adventurous music from local and national acts. Tonight’s opening salvo includes some of the greatest talents ever to play Debacle, including Mark McGuire, Sean McCann, No UFO’s, Brain Fruit, Brother Raven, Panabrite, Megabats, Secret Colors, and Eye Myths. Unconcerned with catchy choruses and conventional song structures, these musicians opt for restless tonal exploration and gnomic evocations of rarefied beauty. With Debacle’s cabal of sonic mavericks, altered states are the new normal. (Black Lodge, www.debaclerecords.com, 8 pm, $10 adv/$12 DOS) by Dave Segal

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