PEG KEHRET & GREG FARRAR

True dog survival stories (as told by the dogs themselves?) make up Shelter Dogs: Amazing Stories of Adopted Strays. Kehret and Farrar will read and show slides. Third Place Books, 17171 Bothell Way NE, Lake Forest Park, 366-3300, 7 pm, free.

*MADELINE DEFREES

One of the most notable figures in Northwest poetry, DeFrees has been freeing up the scene for many years, and this night of tribute in honor of her career and her new collection is well deserved. DeFrees and guest readers are featured (see Stranger Suggests). Richard Hugo House, 1634 11th Ave, 322-7030, 6 pm, free.

MIKE DILLON

Dillon puts his designing expertise to use on birdhouses that will inspire you to make your own. This workshop uses two books: The Art of the Birdhouse and The Great Birdhouse Book. Third Place Books, 17171 Bothell Way NE, Lake Forest Park, 366-3300, 7 pm, free.

HARRY POTTER AFTER-SCHOOL PARTY

If you haven't heard about Harry Potter, the little boy wizard, you probably don't hang out with kids much. But if you do, or if you yourself are a kid, you won't want to miss this publication party for the newest Harry Potter: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. There will be lightning bolt tattoos and T-shirt drawings. University Book Store, 4326 University Way NE, 634-3400, 3:30 pm, free.

SUSAN CHOI

Choi reads for the paperback release of her novel The Foreign Student, the story of a young Korean man in the South in the '50s. Reportedly a well-written, absorbing book. Elliott Bay, 101 S Main St, 624-6600, 7:30 pm, free.

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.

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.

665

A Salon production: open mic, spoken word, and music. Four Angels Cafe, 1400 14th Ave, 329-4066, 8 pm, free.

COFFEE MESSIAH

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

OPPORTUNITIES FOR WRITERS:

WORDSCAPE -- The Stranger recommends that you pick up Wordscape, Seattle's free monthly guide to literary events, to find a complete listing of opportunities for writers. Wordscape has an outstanding listing of contests, grants, and calls for writing, which we can only envy. Pick it up at most local bookstores and libraries!