(MUSIC) I like the phenomenal New Mexicans for several reasons, the first and foremost being their sweet dispositions. Also, I applaud their ability to rock out while paying no attention to the increasingly irksome cookie-cutter image of the local and national rock bands getting reams of press these days. The New Mexicans have been compared to Drive Like Jehu and Fugazi--except they have a far better drummer in one C. Barrett, a man whom, obviously, I cannot heap enough praise on. Prepare to be blown away by their forceful--and above all, intelligent--musical presence. (Graceland, 109 Eastlake Ave E, 262-0482.) KATHLEEN WILSON

FRIDAY OCTOBER 11
Vera Project's Grand Opening

(CELEBRATION) For the past month the fabulous Vera Project folks and their many volunteers have scraped, painted, sawed, and hammered in order to get their brand-new venue into tip-top shape. The work is finally done, and to celebrate, the Catheters, Fitz of Depression, and Akimbo will do their best to tear it down with a hurricane of rock and roll. (Vera Project, 1916 Fourth Ave, 956-VERA, 8 pm, all ages, $6.) MEGAN SELING

SATURDAY OCTOBER 12
The Swan Tool

(MIND BLOWING) The most engaging performance artist at work today (period), Miranda July, concludes her nearly two-year focus on the one-woman multimedia "live movie" performance piece The Swan Tool with two performances (Friday and Saturday) at Seattle's own On the Boards this weekend. Combining July's manically conscious execution with a complex array of video and digital deconstructions, Swan Tool has garnered praise across the United States and Europe, and recently landed the 28-year-old Ms. July in the Whitney Museum's prestigious Biennial exhibition. (On the Boards, 100 W Roy St, 217-9888. $18. Fri-Sat Oct 11-12 at 8 pm.) ZAC PENNINGTON

SUNDAY OCTOBER 13
Bowling for Columbine

(BENEFIT FOR REAL CHANGE) Feeling guilty about never having that extra dollar to spend on the newspaper sold by the homeless lady outside the QFC? Here's your chance to redeem yourself AND see the new documentary by America's favorite morbidly obese social critic/self-aggrandizing comedian, Michael Moore. Bowling for Columbine examines America's love affair with firearms with Moore's trademark style of letting right-wingers make themselves look like idiots. Fish in a barrel? Maybe. Funny and righteous? Almost always. The film doesn't officially open till October 18, so get it while it's hot. (Egyptian Theater, 801 E Pine St, 8 pm, $5.) SEAN NELSON

MONDAY OCTOBER 14
South Seattle Star

(NEWSPAPER) There's a new community newspaper in town, the South Seattle Star. Less than six months old, the Star has already carved out its turf, beautifully covering the neighborhoods and issues of the south end. As publisher Wallis Bolz wrote in the premier issue, "There is a tension here, [born] of a disparate social and economic order, which compels good reporting." The Star has risen to that challenge with consistently excellent reporting. Pick up the South Seattle Star every other Wednesday. (Look for the snazzy red boxes holding the Oct 9 issue, or check out www.southseattlestar.com.) AMY JENNIGES

TUESDAY OCTOBER 15
Rebecca Brown

(READING) We must never forget, Brown was not discovered by Seattle but by London. To make it, she had to leave this sorry town that has yet to launch one (yes, one!) national literary career on its own terms. Even after publishing several novels, Brown did not receive a grant from any of the primary arts foundations in this city. Brown is not a Seattle writer but a London writer. (Hugo House, 1634 11th Ave, 723-8164, 7:30 pm, $3.) CHARLES MUDEDE

WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 16
Swept Away

(PROBABLE DISASTER) I'm not a huge Wertmuller fan. Nor do I care much for Guy Ritchie. And I do adore seeing huge stars make complete asses of themselves (particularly when it's Madonna in a bikini!). All of these are reasons why this massive turd of a motion picture, which violates all manner of rules for success (married couples should not make films together, never remake good European films, Madonna + cinema = bad), is going to be a sincere pleasure to behold. I know I'm not the only Seattleite who likes seeing things I know are awful, if only just to laugh, so I suggest you line up early for this one. (Various theaters. See Movie Times, page 95.) SEAN NELSON