THURS-15
LAURA SNYDER--The Frye celebrates National Poetry Month by featuring local poets every Thursday in April. Frye Art Museum, 704 Terry Ave, 622-9250, 7 pm, free.
MICHAEL JENSEN--Jensen's novel, Frontiers, pits Johnny Chapman, a gay pioneer modeled on Johnny Appleseed(!), against the challenges of the West in the mid-1800s, with a smattering of romance and mystery. Bailey/Coy, 414 Broadway E, 323-8842, 7 pm, free.
PONTOON II--Northwest poets anthologized in Pon-toon II read from recent work in a series of linked events. Tonight's reading features Michael Bonacci, Martha Silano, and Diane Westergaard. University Book Store, 4326 University Way NE, 634-3400, 7 pm, free.
BHARTI KIRCHNER--Sharmila Sen, a "thoroughly modern, thirty-two-year-old Chicago-style woman," who wears a power suit and goes to aerobics, has agreed to an arranged marriage in the tradition of her Indian culture, but when she arrives at her husband's house all sorts of mystery awaits. Seattle writer Kirchner reads from her multicultural page-turner, Sharmila's Book. Elliott Bay, 101 S Main St, 624-6600, 7:30 pm, free.
SANDRA STONE--Existential longing mixes with historical detail in the world as imagined by poet Sandra Stone. She reads from Hazel Hall Award-winner Cocktails with Brueghel at the Museum Cafe. Open Books, 2414 N 45th St, 633-0811, 7:30 pm, free.
BRUCE CAPLAN--Caplan reads from his re-release of Logan Marshall's 1912 firsthand account of the sinking of the Titanic (appropriately titled, The Sinking of the Titanic). Third Place Books, 17171 Bothell Way NE, 366-3333, 7 pm, free.
FRI-16
DAVID C KORTEN--A tirade against the tyranny of corporations, Korten's The Post-Corporate World: Life After Capitalism spins a wet dream of a world where life comes before money because small-scale market economies have taken over. Elliott Bay, 101 S Main St, 624-6600, 7:30 pm, free.
*NATALIE ANGIER--Heir to Simone de Beauvoir, New York Times writer Angier offers more than a medical text in Woman: An Intimate Geography. Angier writes about the physical experience of being a woman in the context of new science, an approach that emerges as a feminist polemic and feminist poetic at once. Kane Hall 220, UW Campus, 634-3400, 7 pm, free (tickets required).
SAT-17
*NIKKI FINNEY--See Calendar Box, pg 69. Hugo House, 1634 11th Ave, 322-7030, 8 pm, $6/$5.
SAAB LOFTON--Local writer Lofton's allegories of race, A.D., and his newest, Battle Neverending, parse separatists like the Black Panthers in futuristic doomscapes, in a style reminiscent of Aldous Huxley. Elliott Bay, 101 S Main St, 624-6600, 5 pm, free.
TED JOANS--Beat-style poet Joans reads from his new chapbook, WOW. Joans, who now resides in Seattle, has spent time in Milan and Paris, Elliott Bay, 101 S Main St, 624-6600, 7:30 pm, free.
MON-19
JOE BICE & TROY KLINE--A bare-all memoir, Chippendales: The Naked Truth follows Troy Kline's European adventures as part of the Chippendale male stripper/dance troupe. Elliott Bay, 101 S Main St, 624-6600, 5 pm, free.
BENITA EISLER--Opening with a scene of Byron's followers burning his shocking memoirs after his untimely death, Eisler's biography Byron: Child of Passion, Fool of Fame recreates Byron's wide-ranging sexual affairs, his worries about his weight, and his literary brilliance in satisfyingly thick reportage that's reportedly an addictive read. Elliott Bay, 101 S Main St, 624-6600, 7:30 pm, free.
GEORGE STEPHANOPOLOUS--Part of the tell-all spillway, the Michael J. Fox of politics reads from All Too Human, a "candid portrait" of the Clinton administration. Kane Hall 130, UW Campus, 634-3400, 7 pm, free.
TUES-20
MICHAEL GOLDING--A child who can disappear and reappear at will becomes a weapons thief, saxophone player, and member of the French resistance in Golding's mid-century-set second novel, Benjamin's Gift. A kind of Forrest Gump for the New World Order. Elliott Bay, 101 S Main St, 624-6600, 7:30 pm, free.
LORI FAIRWEATHER--Blood and Water pits a twin sister against a murder charge, set in twisted North California. Mystery fans say it's a gripper. University Book Store, 4326 University Way NE, 634-3400, 7 pm, free.
ANNE PERRY--In the best tradition of Victorian mystery, Anne Perry's Bedford Square is pulp enough to juice up a dry evening. Third Place Books, 17171 Bothell Way NE, 366-3333, 7 pm, free.
WED-21
*EDWARD HIRSCH--Famous poet and teacher Edward Hirsch wants to lead you through National Poetry Month with How to Read a Poem: And Fall in Love with Poetry. Hirsch's course follows his own youthful discovery of Emily Dickinson to more contemporary and hard-to-find poets. Elliott Bay, 101 S Main St, 624-6600, 7:30 pm, free.
PETER CHILSON--WSU Prof reads from his experiences with "road culture" in Nigeria, Riding the Demon: on the Road in West Africa. Kane Hall 220, UW Campus, 634-3400, 7 pm, free.
OPEN MIKE
Note to regularly programmed open mikes: 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.
THURS-15
665--Words and music add up in this evening venue, tonight presenting the ever-popular All Ages Slam. Four Angels, 1400 14th Ave (at Union), 689-8661, 7:30 pm, free.
THE PEARL--Turn irritation into beauty: bring fiction, poetry, film or drama. Every first Thursday celebrates Dead Poets. The Pearl, 4215 University Way NE, 547-3326, 8 pm, free.
OPEN NIGHT--Poets invited to read to a gay and lesbian audience. Beyond the Closet Bookstore, 518 E Pike St at Belmont, 322-4609, 7 pm sign-up, free.
SUN-18
*RED SKY POETRY THEATER--Continuing its 18th season of readings, spotlighting local writers plus an open mike. Tonight featuring writers from the Jack Straw Writers' Program: Jamal Bobobe, Tracie Hall, Gregory Hischak, and Charles Mudede. Globe Cafe, 1531 14th Ave (at Pine), 633-5647, 7 pm, free.
MON-19
LIVINGROOM--Every Monday about this time, people read and rant and play music. Tonight, make room for Jason Calsyn. Habitat Espresso, 222 Broadway E, 689-8661, 7:30 pm, free.
TUES-20
HOMELAND--The homiest of open mikes, tonight featuring Clarice Keegan, along with espresso chocolate chip cookies. Globe Cafe, 1531 14th Ave (at Pine), 324-8815, 7:30 pm, free.
