Nicola Vruwink

(VISUAL ART) In Overcoming the Spins, with sculptures fashioned and installed to recall the effects of a disco ball, artist Nicola Vruwink looks at old-fashioned social interaction in the age of isolation. It's not a discotheque like anyone remembers a discotheque--no lights, no music, no damn disco ball--but a series of works in an empty room, sad and regretful like a party the day after. This is escapism without any escape, the accessories of fun without fun itself. But Vruwink's work always saves itself through wit and the artist's precise methodology; like an anthropologist of the future, she remembers the things we've already forgotten. (Opening reception tonight from 5:30-7:30 pm. James Harris Gallery, 309A Third Ave S, 903-6220. Through May 18.) EMILY HALL

Radar Bros

(LIVE MUSIC) If you were an early fan of the bands Acetone or Idaho, you've no doubt heard of their contemporaries the Radar Bros, who put out two slow-paced, bittersweet albums in the mid-'90s before disappearing just as their "sound" was about to become all the rage. Radar Bros returned in 2000 with The Singing Hatchet, and though the band came across as somewhat less hushed this time out, things became even more minimal. The title of the forthcoming And the Surrounding Mountains (out in May on Merge) sounds like fans can expect a scenic mix of lush highs and dry lows, and though normally a three-piece, tonight's lineup will feature two more members, adding strings and orchestral accents to the stark sentimentality. (I-Spy, 1921 Fifth Ave, 374-9492, $8.) KATHLEEN WILSON

Resfest

(DIGITAL FILM FEST) Canceled last fall because of the attacks on America, the digital film festival RESFEST finally opens in Seattle on April 19. Kicking off at the Cinerama and wrapping up at the EMP, RESFEST offers three virtual days of the world's best and most innovative digital entertainment. Today the EMP hosts a pair of (free) digital video seminars and a trio of short film collections; on Sunday, RESFEST wraps up at EMP with 1 Giant Leap, a high-tech audio-visual time capsule exploring "unity in diversity," and featuring Michael Stipe, Dennis Hopper, and Kurt Vonnegut. (Check out www.resfest.com for programming and ticket info.) CHARLES MUDEDE

Sneak

(CINEMA EVENT) This excellent Sunday-morning film series happens once a month at Pacific Place Cinema. Inspired by San Jose's Camera Cinema Club, Sneak shows a mix of foreign and independent films to an audience that doesn't know what it is about to see: All films go unannounced until the title appears on the screen. Since most of Sneak's films aren't released or have little or no distribution, the audience really gets to see something without preconceptions. After the screening, someone relevant to the film talks with moderator Warren Etheredge, curator of the One Reel Film Festival and the Warren Report. As the casual master of ceremonies, he keeps the caffeine-aided Q&A lively and funny. (Pacific Place Cinema, 600 Pine St, 652-2404, 10:30 am, $15 at door, $40 for half-season membership.) NATE LIPPENS

Michael Moore

(READING) In one unforgettable episode of Michael Moore's TV show The Awful Truth, a group of senior citizens gather in the halls of the Philip Morris tobacco company. As mortified executives look on, the seniors, who all have holes in their throats from cancer, struggle to sing Christmas carols through electronic voice boxes. It's a totally creepy, perfect TV moment and a good example of what Moore is capable of. Go check him out this afternoon when he speaks about his new book, Stupid White Men... and Other Sorry Excuses for the State of the Nation. (Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave, 3 pm, free tickets must be picked up at Elliott Bay Book Company, 624-6600.) PAT KEARNEY

Charles D'Ambrosio

(READING) Tonight, the superb Save Yourself reading series, curated by Emily White, presents Charles D'Ambrosio, who recently abandoned our city for some place called Philipsburg, Montana (a move that was inspired by a Richard Hugo poem, "Degrees of Gray in Philipsburg"). Despite all of this, D'Ambrosio is a splendid fellow and a brilliant writer. Tonight he talks about his journey into the "gray heart of Philipsburg, Montana." Fine, fine, fine--I wish he'd just get over the Hugo poem and return to our city by the sea. (Richard Hugo House, 1634 11th Ave, 322-7030, 7 pm, $6.) CHARLES MUDEDE

'Titus Andronicus'

(THEATER) It's hard to care about the hero of Shakespeare's Titus Andronicus, and the play's tone is awfully slippery--but that doesn't prevent this from being one of the most superbly staged productions I've ever seen. Rigorously conceived, visually gorgeous, filled with ingenious touches that are not simply clever but illuminative, cast with a seamless and topnotch mix of local and out-of-town talent--this is what professional theater should be. Dark, lush, and vigorous. (Intiman Theatre, Seattle Center, 201 Mercer St, 269-1900. $30-$42 [$10 for anyone 25 & under]. Tues-Thurs & Sun at 7:30 pm, Fri-Sat at 8 pm, Sat-Sun at 2 pm [added Wed matinee at 2 pm on April 24]. Through April 27.) BRET FETZER