by Bruce Reid

WEDNESDAY 9/6

SEATTLE SYMPHONY--A slow week for concertgoing is marked only by this light-classics installment from the Seattle Symphony; though if all light classics were of this caliber, even I wouldn't consider the term pejorative. Mendelssohn's fresh and lovely A Midsummer Night's Dream can never get old; each hearing of those three magical notes (borrowed from Haydn's The Seasons) should set your spine to shivering. And Milhaud's Le Boeuf sur la toit is as rhythmically biting but effortlessly and pleasingly melodic as all the best work from this most underrated member of Les Six. Philip Brunelle conducts; Garrison Keillor is also on hand, credited as an "American Storyteller," a much nicer phrase for what he does than I would have come up with. Benaroya Hall, Taper Auditorium, 215-4747 or www.seattlesymphony.org., Wed-Thurs Sept 6-7, 7:30 pm; $15-$49.

RADIO SHOWS

by Kris Adams

THURSDAY 8/31

SOUNDPRINT--"A Visit to Sedona." Two hours south of the Grand Canyon lies Sedona, a pristine desert village once the domain of artists and retirees. Now it has become a mecca for New Age enthusiasts who claim that the land there holds powerful healing energies, where doing poses on top of rocks will cure what ails ya--and Sedona's population has doubled. Longtime residents and local tribal members have grown concerned about how this growth has impacted the land and the sacred ruins in the area. Members of local tribes, longtime residents, and area newcomers are interviewed for their take on Sedona's changing vibes. KUOW 94.9 FM, 7:30 pm.

SATURDAY 9/2

SHAKEN, NOT STIRRED--The season premiere of Seattle's award-winning comedy show has Johnny and Scotty stalking a program director and talking to God, Gerald and Jo opening a gay bar, and Slam getting a girlfriend. Throw in some swing and heavy-metal music, and hold on until Loveline. KQBZ 100.7 FM, 9 pm.

SONARCHY--This week's installment features eight turntablists playing the game "Cobra," in which they respond to directions from James Drage. Get out your old Fisher Price record player if you want to compete from home. KCMU 90.3 FM, 11 pm.

SUNDAY 9/3

GRATEFUL DEAD HOUR--It's no longer possible to follow the Dead all over the place in a VW bus, but tabbouleh-eating hippies can still wear tie-dye with pride and learn interesting facts about the band thanks to the meticulous Deadheads who have documented their prolific career. Kris and Moss play rare tracks, interviews, and vault tapes among other things: This week features the 6/9/76 performance at the Boston Music Hall. KBCS 91.3 FM, 8pm.

MONDAY 9/4

BBC NEWS--In Tomorrow Never Dies, James Bond's superior, "M," comments that MI-6 doesn't rely on CNN for its intelligence like its yokel American counterparts. That's because the Brits have the almighty BBC. Available in 43 languages worldwide, the BBC is the preeminent news service of the world. The BBC is huge. The BBC is a monolith. And you can listen to the news in a sophisticated British accent every weeknight. KUOW 94.9 FM, 9 pm.

Regional Music

BUJU BANTON: Thurs Aug 31, Pine Street Theater, Portland

BO DIDDLEY: Thurs Aug 31, Commodore Ballroom, Vancouver, BC

MACEO PARKER, ZAP MAMA: Thurs Aug 31, Roseland Theater, Portland

SLEATER-KINNEY: Fri Sept 1, Crystal Ballroom, Portland; Sat Sept 2, Commodore Ballroom, Vancouver, BC

COMPAY SEGUNDO, LADYSMITH BLACK MAMBAZO: Sat Sept 2, Portland Art Museum

DEF LEPPARD: Sat Sept 2, Oregon State Fair, Salem

THE MAKERS: Sun Sept 3, EJ's, Portland

BEN HARPER, KARL DENSON'S TINY UNIVERSE: Sun Sept 3, Portland Meadows

JETHRO TULL: Mon Sept 4, L. B. Day Amphitheatre, Salem

GEORGE CLINTON & PARLIAMENT/FUNKADELIC: Mon Sept 4, Roseland Theater, Portland

MODEST MOUSE: Tues-Wed Sept 5-6, Crystal Ballroom, Portland

JOAN BAEZ, JOAN OSBORNE: Wed Sept 6, Commodore Ballroom, Vancouver, BC