by Traci Vogel

*JOHN ASHBERY

See Books Section, page 35. Kane Hall, UW Campus, 634-3400, 7 pm, free.

THE RAPTURE

Eleventh Hour Productions presents The Rapture -- a performance series "for the end of the millennium." Performers include Robin Dicker with her new band Sea Vixen Fire, National Poetry Slam Champ Roger Bonair-Agard (from NYC and Trinidad and Tobago), and sassy Cass King from Vancouver, BC. Speakeasy Cafe, 8 pm, $5.

RICHARD RHODES

Pulitzer Prize-winning author Rhodes looks into the developing mind of a criminal in Why They Kill: The Discoveries of a Maverick Criminologist, based on Dr. Lonnie Athen's groundbreaking research. Kane Hall 210, UW Campus, 634-3400, 7 pm, free (tickets).

AMY S. WILENSKY

Passing for Normal is Wilensky's account of life with Tourette's Syndrome and obsessive compulsive disorder, a life fraught with unpredictability. University Book Store, 4326 University Way NE, 634-3400, 7 pm, free.

*NANCY RAWLES, BARBARA THOMAS, ELLIE MATHEWS

An event that promises good solid writin' from three local writers, all of whom have won Seattle Arts Commission awards. Hugo House, 1634 11th Ave, 322-7030, 7:30 pm, free.

THOMAS ORTON & MICHAEL DOWNING

See Bio Box, page 75. Elliott Bay, 101 S Main St, 624-6600, 7:30 pm, free.

BARBARA J. SCOT

Pacific Northwest award-winner Scot reads from her newest: The Stations of Still Creek, a memoir in which encounters with nature help to heal. Third Place Books, 17171 Bothell Way NE, 366-3300, 6:30 pm, free.

KAY REDFIELD JAMISON

It's a ripe season for books on depression and suicide, and Jamison's Night Falls Fast, a "historical and scientific exploration," adds to the batch. University Book Store, 4326 University Way NE, 634-3400, 7 pm, free.

JEANNETTE WATSON

Lynne Tillman's biography/anthology of Jeannette Watson, Bookstore: The Life and Times of Jeannette Watson and Books & Co., promises to remind readers what a small bookstore can mean to a writing and reading community. Contributors to the book include Woody Allen, Paul Auster, Susan Sontag, and Fran Lebowitz. Elliott Bay, 101 S Main St, 624-6600, 5 pm, free.

BRIAN & WENDY FROUD

Faeries. If you've ever seen one, you know what I'm talking about. They wear flowers as tiny little caps. Brian and Wendy Froud (Wendy is credited as the fabricator of Yoda) present their books, A Midsummer's Night Faery Tale, and Good Faeries/Bad Faeries. Brentano's, 400 Pine St, 467-9626, noon, free; also, Third Place Books, 17171 Bothell Way NE, 366-3300, 8 pm, free.

ROGER KAHN

The sweet spectacle of boxing comes to life in Kahn's A Flame of Pale Fire: Jack Dempsey and the Roaring '20s. Kahn, who usually writes about baseball, offers what Kirkus calls "one of the most solid and delightful sporting histories of recent times." Elliott Bay, 101 S Main St, 624-6600, 5:30 pm, free.

QUINCY TROUPE

Peopled by metaphor, Troupe's poetry is lively on the page, and he promises to bring more life to it on the stage: Troupe is known for energetic performances. He reads tonight from a new collection, and may also talk about his new memoir, Miles and Me, about his relationship with Miles Davis. Elliott Bay, 101 S Main, 624-6600, 7:30 pm, free.

BEAT POET READING

Get your hep ass on down to this greasy spoon for a little stage action. It's 10 bucks to get your own beat on, but if you just want to watch that's copacetic. All proceeds to a good cause. Word. 5 Spot, 1502 Queen Anne Ave N, 285-SPOT, 10 pm, $10 to read.

STEPHEN PINKER

The ever-popular Stephen Pinker, whose fine populist science writing appears in Slate and The New York Times, hatches his newest: Words and Rules: The Ingredients of Language, which promises to be humorous and philosophical. Kane Hall 120, UW Campus, 634-3400, 7 pm, free (tickets).

OPEN MIC

Note to regularly programmed open mics: The Stranger will list events only if we receive an announcement -- regular listings will be dropped unless we are notified that the events are in fact ongoing.

SPOKEN WORD

Each and every Thursday, this venerable Pioneer Square venue spotlights music, poetry, and comedy. Pioneer Square Saloon, 73 Yesler Way, 624-6444, 8:30 pm, free.

RED SKY POETRY THEATER

Seattle's longest-running reading series turns 19 this season. Celebrate with featured reader Polly Buckingham. Globe Cafe, 1531 14th off Pine, 633-5647, 7:30 pm, donation.

THIRD PLACE BOOKS OPEN MIC

A place to share poetry; all are welcome, but swear words are discouraged (it's a family bookstore, for Christ's sake). Third Place Books, 17171 Bothell Way NE, 366-3300, 7 pm, free.

SEATTLE POETRY SLAM

With a new venue and a new night, Seattle's biggest poetry slam is alive and kickin'. Tonight, attend the 4th Annual Dead Poets Slam, in which classic favorites are pitted against one another, and you decide the winner. Rupert's, 309 First Ave S, 628-7703, www.seattlepoetryslam.org, 9 pm, $3.

CATHARTICISM

Come to confess your sins, stay for a cookie. Open mic for poetry, stories, music, rants, and more. Tonight features a "Spooky Campfire Story Contest." Coffee Messiah, 1554 E Olive Way, 860-7377, 8:30 pm, free.