The Stranger

On June 1, 1909, the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition (catchy name!) had its grand opening, becoming Washington's first world's fair. An upside-down house and natives of the Philippines were among the "exhibits." A whole bunch of events will mark the 100th anniversary, including Seattle artists Dawn Cerny and Patrick Holderfield remixing it all up with flags and posters that look back with an eye to what's better and what's worse since 1909. What's worse: no more upside-down house. (Gallery4Culture, 101 Prefontaine Pl S, 269-8674. 9 am–5 pm, free.) by Jen Graves

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Skream, based in London, helped to pioneer dubstep's dark, pitiless sound, evocative of bleak urban landscapes. Though he reportedly marred his last Seattle performance with some mixing gaffes, Skream is one of dubstep's foremost producers and pioneers. His own productions radiate swarming, stalking bass frequencies and sinister atmospherics infused with soulfulness. How will Skream's chest-caving dubstep seem in Pioneer Square? Odd—but this unlikely setting could enhance Skream's powerfully disorienting selections. (Trinity, 111 Yesler Way, 447-4140. 10 pm, $12 adv/$15 DOS, 21+.) by Dave Segal

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Shellac frontman Steve Albini is one of those sharp-witted curmudgeons who's always seemed older than his years. Now he's nearly 47, and it doesn't seem odd that he still cranks out Mensa-level tough-guy rock that's as tense as a Mexican standoff. Shellac—which also includes drummer Todd Trainer and bassist Bob Weston—has wrenched out five riveting albums of immaculately analog-recorded dissonance and white-knuckled dynamics. Go for the tightly executed molten rock; stay for the barbed between-song witticisms. (Vera Project, Seattle Center, 956-8372. 7:30 pm, $13/$12 with club card, all ages.) by Dave Segal

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It's a bit of a grower, but Art Brut's latest album, Art Brut vs. Satan, proves to be a totally solid addition to the band's fine catalog of sharp, smart-alecky pop rock 'n' roll. Frontman Eddie Argos is on again about being broke, working shit jobs, and listening to too much music. And the band, here recorded by Frank Black of the Pixies, sounds as effortlessly tight as ever. They're unbelievably fun live, and tonight's show is part of the Noise for the Needy concert series benefiting Transitional Resources, so it's for a good cause. (Neumos, 925 E Pike St, 709-9467. 8 pm, $13, all ages.) by Eric Grandy

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Based on the novel by Clare Allan, Benjamin Ross's Poppy Shakespeare tells the platonic love story of two women: N, a devoted patient of a mental-health clinic in London, and Poppy, a violently unhappy new admission who's as certain of her sanity as N is of her own compromised mental state. The result is a rich, stylizedblack comedy illuminating the vast perversities of "mental illness," executed with an assured and meaningful quirkiness reminiscent of young Jane Campion. (Harvard Exit, 807 E Roy St, thestranger.com/siff. 9:30 pm, $11.) by David Schmader

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You know who's one of the funniest movie stars of all time? Bugs fucking Bunny, that's who! If you haven't watched the crossdressing, duck-taunting wiseass since you were a kid, you'll be blown away by this program of 12 cartoon classics. It's shocking how funny—and how nasty—Bugs can be as he pricks at his foes' inflated egos, revealing them as the simpering, blubbering fools they really are. Bonus points to the Grand Illusion for including two of the best cartoons of all time: "What's Opera, Doc?" and "Rabbit of Seville." (Grand Illusion, 1403 NE 50th St, 523-3935. 7 and 9 pm, $8.) by Paul Constant

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