by Bruce Reid

THURSDAY 11/18

SEATTLE SYMPHONY -- Awadagin Pratt is soloist in the world premiere of Theodore Shapiro's Piano Concerto, The Avenues (if I were a Shapiro fan this would be exciting news). Plus, Smetana's Moldau and Shumann's Symphony No. 3, Rhenish. Benaroya Hall, Taper Auditorium, 7:30 pm, also Fri-Sat Nov 19-20, 8 pm, 215-4747 or www.seattlesymphony.org, $10-$67.

FRIDAY 11/19

ORCHESTRA SEATTLE -- Stravinsky's burbling collage Symphonies of Wind Instruments is this concert's musical highlight -- though I'm guessing the visual one will be William Zietler's Concerto for Glass Armonica and Orchestra, with the composer himself bellying up to the bar as soloist. Plus Elgar's Serenade for Strings, and Haydn's dramatic Symphony No. 98. Benaroya Hall, Nordstrom Recital Hall, 8 pm, 682-5208, $5-$20.

SATURDAY 11/20

NORTHWEST CHAMBER ORCHESTRA -- With its grace, dramatic gestures, and sublime ending, Stravinsky's Appolon musagete is the great 20th- century piece for string orchestra, and single-handedly justifies attending this event. Britten's Simple Symphony regrettably lives up to its title; Hindemith's Trauermusik is touching; and does anyone need to hear Grieg's Holberg Suite again? Benaroya Hall, Nordstrom Recital Hall, 8 pm; also Sun Nov 21, 2:30 pm, 343-0445 or 292-ARTS, $22.50 students & seniors/$24.50 general (children 17 and under free with paying adult).

TUESDAY 11/23

UW STUDENT COMPOSERS WORKSHOP -- Ah, the music student of today. In 20 years' time he or she could be the new Reich; or churning out scores-by-the-yard for a syndicated cop show. Try to handicap them early with this concert. Pieces by Erick Boling, Patrick Clark, Eric Flesher, Melodie Linhart, and Ben McAllister. University of Washington, Brechemin Auditorium, 8 pm, free.

REGIONAL MUSIC

by Jason Pagano

Thursday 11/18

JIMMIE'S CHICKEN SHACK -- Crystal Ballroom, Portland

Friday 11/19

SUNSET VALLEY, ALL TIME QUARTERBACK -- Thrasher Presents on Pine Street (formerly La Luna), Portland

MARE WAKEFIELD BAND -- Sam Bond's Garage, Eugene

ALLSKANADIAN TOUR -- Starfish Room, Vancouver

Saturday 11/20

BARDO POND -- EJ's, Portland

ELTON JOHN -- General Motors Place, Vancouver

Sunday 11/21

ISOTOPE 217, JET BLACK CRAYON, THE SENSUALISTS -- Thrasher Presents on Pine Street (formerly La Luna), Portland

GEORGE THOROGOOD AND THE DESTROYERS -- Roseland Theater, Portland

REAL KIDS -- Satyricon, Portland

Tuesday 11/23

VIC CHESNUTT -- Aladdin Theatre, Portland

RADIO SHOWS

by Jason Pagano

Thursday 11/18

TRIANGLE RADIO NETWORK -- "Witty, entertaining, informative, and sometimes outrageous" programming focused on the gay, lesbian, bi, and trans community. KBRO 1490 AM, seven days a week.

Friday 11/19

SHAKEN NOT STIRRED -- Classic swing and heavy metal, plus award-winning comedy broadcast from Outpatient Radio's website. www.shaken.net, midnight.

Saturday 11/20

ALTERNATIVE RADIO -- Part 2 of "The Malling of America." KUOW 94.9 FM, 3 pm.

THE Z-MIX -- Hosts Sly and Myzta J. feature national, regional, and local hiphop artists every Thursday through Saturday. KRIZ 1420 AM and KYIZ 1620 AM, 7 pm-midnight.

REGGAE -- Host Johnny Horn plays underground reggae. KCMU 90.3 FM, 9 am-noon.

Sunday 11/21

NO ROOM FOR SQUARES -- Host Aric Effron plays '50s and '60s jazz with a focus on Blue Note artists. 90.1 FM and www.webradio.com/kups, 3-4 pm.

ON THE EDGE -- Industrial, electronic, and gothic music brought to you every Sunday by Paul Aleinikoff. KNHC 89.5 FM, 6 pm-midnight; also real-time at www.c895fm.com.

DIVERSIONS

by Traci Vogel

THURSDAY 11/18

QUESTIONS ANSWERED -- Today, I decree that you should finally get that one question answered that's been itching at the edge of your mind. Perhaps it is something like, "Where did Hemingway find that damned six-toed cat, anyhow?", or something more esoteric like "Is a rose really a rose is a rose?" Regardless, public librarians await your phone call: 386-4636.

SATURDAY 11/20

FIRST ANNUAL NEIGHBORHOODS & COMMUNITIES DANCE PARTY -- You've been wanting to meet them, those surly people who check carefully to see if your grass is taller than theirs. Here's your chance to not only meet them, but to embrace them on the dance floor. Neighborly love, indeed! Gateway Athletic Club, 14th Floor, Key Bank Building, Fifth & Columbia, 721-0217, 5:30-7:30 pm, $10. Sponsored by the NeighborNets Network. Kids welcome.

ST. JAMES CATHEDRAL COUNTDOWN TO 2000 -- It is beyond me how lighting up bridges and buildings around the area for New Years leaves, according to Paul Schell, "a lasting legacy for future generations," but I'm sure St. James looks very pretty in its rich violet light. Go and gawk at it tonight. St. James Cathedral, 804 Ninth Ave, 382-4874, after dark, free.

SUNDAY 11/21

FISH PRINTS -- Doubtless it will be a rainy day today, and what goes better with rain than the smell of fish? Head on down to the docks in Ballard, where processing boats are frequently happy to hand over "junk" fish for your artistic pleasure. Take that baby home, slather one side with water-based acrylic, and press a cotton-fiber piece of paper upon it. Peel off carefully. Voilà! Art!

MONDAY 11/22

DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. ESSAY CONTEST -- OK, brace yourself: Remember eighth grade? Remember essay contests? You knew what they wanted to hear. When I was in eighth grade I won the "What's So Great About Washington State" essay contest, and I think I wrote about, y'know, apples and fish and mountains. Pick up your pedagogical pens, eighth graders, and try your stuff on this theme: "Dr. King's Work: What My Generation Can Do to Complete It in the New Millennium." Mail your typed, double-spaced entry of 750-1,000 words with cover page to: King County Civil Rights Commission, 900 Fourth Ave, Ste 860, Seattle, WA 98164. Deadline is December 17.