The Stranger

Seattle quartet Zony Mash can't help recalling Medeski, Martin & Wood, but it's not a case of imitation so much as coincidence: two instrumentally gifted groups hitting upon a similar approach and manifesting their restlessly inventive jazz-funk sound in parallel time/space. Led by John Zorn–approved keyboardist Wayne Horvitz, Zony Mash can brood film-noirishly, groove swampily à la the Meters, and go bonkers on the astral-jazz plane. Tonight, they will have adventurous sax wildmen Skerik and Briggan Krauss in tow. (Tractor Tavern, 5213 Ballard Ave NW, 789-3599. 9 pm, $15, 21+.) by Dave Segal

Link  |  Post Comment (0)

Thank God that Aleksander Hemon is not one of those namby-pamby MFA writers who spends five years crafting a single book: Last year, he was in town for The Lazarus Project—his brutal, hilarious novel about war and murder and immigration—and he's back tonight with a new book of linked short stories, Love and Obstacles. Hemon is a funny, entertaining reader of his own work; his Bosnian accent makes all the dark humor that much more Slavic. Listen to him read once and you'll be impatient for his next book, too. (University Book Store, 4326 University Way NE, 634-3400. 7 pm, free.) by Paul Constant

Link  |  Post Comment (3)

I know what you're thinking: "Is he really recommending a poetry reading?" Shut up. Yes. There are many reasons why, but here are two: CW&P is a curated series, which means poets don't get in if they're not, at the very least, entertaining readers of their own work. (This month's readers include the always-stunning Stacey Levine and the intriguing ilvs strauss.) The best thing about CW&P is that wine is $1 a glass. Hell, by the end of the night you'll probably want to write some poetry yourself. (Richard Hugo House, 1634 11th Ave, 322-7030. 7 pm, free.) by Paul Constant

Link  |  Post Comment (0)

The subject of anti-gay politicians' secret gay lives is so complex and distasteful that mainstream media won't touch it unless forced to—by Mark Foley's e-mails or Larry Craig's "wide stance" or Jim McGreevey's irrepressible hunger for cock. So thank God for Kirby Dick, the Academy Award–nominated documentarian who does the dirty work of exposing some of America's most notorious closet cases. His film is fearless, methodical, and, in a promising sign of the times, inspires more pity than rancor. UPDATE FROM DAVID SCHMADER: As commenters have noted, Outrage's Seattle run has ended. My apologies for the snafu (sometimes the folks at Landmark are poor communicators), and Outrage should be on cable and/or video soon. by David Schmader

Link  |  Post Comment (6)

You'd think watching an ex-con and a transgender prostitute fall in sweet, sweet love would be weird. But it's not. In A Woman's Way, directed by Panos Koutras, everyone smokes constantly and drinks lots of coffee and booze in Athens, Greece, and our lovers both have a knack for fixing lamps. Then they make graphic love in a whirlpool of rainbow light. Campy friends share the best of advice before keeling over. Funerals are had; babies are fed. It's so wholesome, right? But this modern-day revival of Greek mythology pulls a midpoint mind-fuck that will leave you reeling. (Uptown, 511 Queen Anne Ave N, thestranger.com/siff. 3:45 pm, $11.) by Dominic Holden

Link  |  Post Comment (1)

This collection of films about alternative-transportational lifestyles is "dedicated to highlighting the history and culture of the American train tramp" (i.e., HOBOS), plus their highway-bound and slightly more frightening cousins, hitchhikers. The itinerant festival is currently on a national tour (see, like a hobo! Meta!), screening such intriguing titles as The Great American Hobo, Fruitloop and Arweigian Rick, and Crow Dog, presumably on such intriguing topics as why grain cars are better than coal cars, having a dog who is also a best friend, hobo stew, and freedom. (Central Cinema, 1411 21st Ave, 686-6684. 7 pm, $8.) by Lindy West

Link  |  Post Comment (5)