*LOS NORTE--OS

Latin sensuality, sexuality, and passion in prose, poetry, and drama take the stage for a cabaret-style evening presented by Seattle's alliance of Latino writers, Los Norteños. Readers include Joann Farias, with last years' hit monologue "Too Early for a Margarita"; slam poet Marta Sanchez; Marissa Martinez and Raul Sanchez; as well as Carmen Carrion, Jaime Gallardo, Donna Miscolta, Olga Sanchez, Susanne Villegas, and screenwriter/actor Steve Barron. Hugo House, 1634 11th Ave, 322-7030, 7 pm, $6 donation.

ROGER DOWNEY

Read all about that highly inconvenient Kennewick Man in Downey's down-and-dirty account of the controversy, Riddle of the Bones. Now we're gonna have to rewrite the textbooks again! University Book Store, 4326 University Way NE, 634-3400, 7 pm, free.

ROBERT WINTNER

Who knew? The original Snorkel Bob lives here in the Northwest, and he's written two novels: The Prophet Pasqual and Homunculus. Funny, rough, and picaresque, Wintner's writing lands somewhere between Pynchon and Burroughs. Elliott Bay Book Company, 101 S Main St, 624-6600, 7:30 pm, free.

*PICO IYER

See Stranger Suggests, page 44. Elliott Bay Book Company, 101 S Main St, 624-6600, 7:30 pm, free.

*FRIENDS OF ED DORN

Poet Ed Dorn died in December, leaving behind many who were grateful for his inspiration. Tonight, writers Tom Raworth (visiting from Britain), Charles Potts, Judith Roche, Belle Randall, Stephen Thomas, Joe Safdie, Bob Rose, Paul Nelson, Kurt Hemmer, Billy Little, and others pay tribute to that inspiration by reading selections from Dorn's work and material influenced by it. The evening is sponsored by The Raven Chronicles. Hugo House, 1634 11th Ave, 322-7030, 7 pm, $3 donation.

JAMES BUSH

Seattle Weekly music writer since 1979, James Bush presents his Encyclopedia of Northwest Music: From Classical Recordings to Classic Rock Performances, Your Guide to the Best of the Region, with promised accompaniment from mysterious musical guests. Elliott Bay Book Company, 101 S Main, 624-6600, 1:30 pm, free.

*ANNA MOCKLER, NICO VASSILAKIS,

GERALD X. DIAMOND

This month's Titlewave reading promises to be a perfect blending of funk and culture. Mockler and Vassilakis, two prolific, young, local writers and seasoned readers, present work from their fields of experiment; Gerald X. Diamond is an older gentleman who reads his poetry as if it were a linguistic Frisbee match -- entertaining and beautiful. Fathia Atalla, Seattle's answer to Françoise Hardy, provides musical accompaniment. Titlewave Books, 7 Mercer St, 324-6379, 7:30 pm, free.

*MARTIN ESPADA

Espada, winner of the 1996 National Book Critics Circle Award for his collection Imagine the Angels of Bread, visits Seattle to lecture on "Poetry and the Political Imagination." Espada's poetry brooks no pansy -- he's had forceful political run-ins with NPR because of a poem about Mumia; he incorporates his work as a legal advocate for prisoners, mental health patients, and farm workers; and he writes with a keen awareness of his Latino politicization. He should have lots to say about his chosen subject. Hugo House, 1634 11th Ave, 322-7030, 5 pm, $6.

JENNIFER CRUSIE

Readers proclaim themselves utterly charmed by Crusie's twist on a romance, Welcome to Temptation. Two fiery young sisters visit Temptation, Ohio to document the return of an aging film star, and find themselves -- whoops! -- making amateur porn, against the little town's statutes. Sexual hijinks and hilarity ensue. Crusie, who found herself writing romances for Harlequin after finishing up a Ph.D. on feminism in romance, brings all her brains and wit to bear. University Book Store, 4326 University Way NE, 634-3400, 7 pm, free.

WILLIAM CALVIN

The evolution/language question rears its tattooed head again in UW professor William Calvin's new book, Lingua ex Machina: Reconciling Darwin and Chomsky with the Human Brain. Calvin, a neuroscientist, also wrote the bestseller Conversations with Neil's Brain. Kane Hall Walker Ames Room, UW Campus, 634-3400, 7 pm, free (tickets).

MALCOM GLADWELL

Gladwell traces the trundling course of fate in The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference. How are crime rates and graffiti linked? How does an unknown book become a bestseller without Oprah? The fascinating mechanisms are all right here. Elliott Bay Book Company, 101 S Main St, 624-6600, 7:30 pm, free.

ERIC HANSEN

The lunatic world of orchid collectors is visited again (for all of you who loved The Orchid Thief) in Hansen's nonfiction account, Orchid Fever. Hansen, whose travel writing finds its way into reputable venues such as The New Yorker, traces the power of the rare to inspire illicit doings. Elliott Bay Book Company, 101 S Main St, 624-6600, 7:30 pm, free.

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.

665

Count the days no more -- 665 is back, reconfigured by Salon Productions. This open mic is hosted by Sarah Sharp, featuring Hope Amico. Four Angels Cafe, 1400 14th Ave at Union, 264-5139, 7:30 sign-up, free.

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.

WINDOW PAIN

An eclectic open mic that encourages you to "bring your circus act!" Lottie Mott's Coffee Shop and Collective Baggage, 4900 Rainier Ave S, 725-8199, 7 pm, free.

RED SKY POETRY THEATER

Seattle's longest-running reading series livens up the tiny Globe Cafe. This week's featured reader is Robin Schultz. Globe Cafe, 1531 14th & Pine, 633-5647, 7:30 pm, free.

HOMELAND

Hosted by Circus and friends, "Seattle's own Little Bohemia". Tonight's featured reader is Phillip Pope. The Globe Cafe, 1531 14th Ave at Pike, 264-5139, 7:30 sign-up, free.

SEATTLE POETRY SLAM

Seattle's highest-powered slam hunkers down at Dutch Ned's, with featured readers each week, plus open mic for money. Dutch Ned's, 206 First Ave S, 340-8859, www.seattlepoetryslam.org, 9 pm, $3.

CATHARTICISM

Confess your sins at this open mic: a forum for cleansing your soul in public. Poets, writers, musicians, welcome. This week's theme is "Sin-Be-Gone," and promises to feature a live crucifixion. Coffee Messiah, 1445 E Olive Way, 860-7377, 8:30 pm, free.