John Waters
(VISUAL ART) In June, Seattle becomes Baltimore-sur-mer-Pacifique, with John Waters virtually taking over the art scene. The musical version of his classic film Hairspray opens next week, he's a guest filmmaker at SIFF, and there's an exhibition of his artwork to boot. What Waters does is sit around and aim his camera at his television set, using these low-definition images in collages that illustrate his Watersian slant on life: strange, deadpan, patchworked, funny-sad-kitschy, gay. (Opening reception--he'll be there!--Thurs June 6, 6-8 pm, Greg Kucera Gallery, 212 Third Ave S, 624-0770, through June 29.) EMILY HALL
For All Mankind
(FILM) For all you far-out space nuts who are sick and tired of crappy movies like Apollo 13 and From the Earth to the Moon trying to approximate the space program aesthetic, try this baby on for size. It's a compilation of film footage shot by astronauts, in space, over the course of the 17 manned moon missions (15 if you count the successes) between 1968 and 1972. YEAH! Accompanying this heroic and beautiful assemblage of over 80 hours of footage is a score by no less a music giant than Brian Eno. You can see this on DVD--perhaps you already have. But it doesn't count and you know it. (The Little Theatre, 608 19th Ave E, 675-2055, Fri-Sun June 7-9 at 7 and 9 pm.) SEAN NELSON
Mike Watt
(MUSIC) A lot of rock stars publish online tour journals these days. But I've been a devotee of those written by former Minutemen member Mike Watt since way back in '95, when I became hooked on his blue (flannel) collar sensibilities and dry, self-effacing wit. He chronicles not only his musical career, but takes time to write about the tiny things. He talks about apartments and the pets that he shares them with; his friends and the trials and tribulations of his beloved tour vans. Check out www.hootpage.com/hoot_ouroarstourdiary1.html for Watt's latest report of his tour with the Secondmen, his current endeavor featuring a bass/organ/drums trio playing songs centered around the serious illness Watt nearly died of a couple of years back. (Crocodile, 2200 Second Ave, 441-5611, $10.) KATHLEEN WILSON
DJ Shadow
(MUSIC) Though I'm not feeling his latest CD, The Private Press, DJ Shadow deserves respect for Endtroducing... and his key role in U.N.K.L.E., the true predecessor to the Gorillaz. The problem with The Private Press is it lacks sex; all the erotic musings and mists that floated through the pounding drum worlds of Endtroducing... have evaporated in The Private Press, and we're exposed to the reality of harsh noises and existential scratches. But the problems of his new CD will not prevent me from watching his performance tonight. (The Showbox, 1426 First Ave, 628-3151, 8 pm, $20 advance/$22 at the door, all ages.) CHARLES MUDEDE
The Sexual Life of Catherine M.
(DIRTY BOOK) The Sexual Life of Catherine M. is a memoir written by Catherine Millet, a highly regarded art critic who has a taste for anonymous sex. The Guardian writes: "By day [Millet] was a sought-after curator and well-respected member of the French intelligentsia; by night she was an insatiable hedonist whose passion was indiscriminate sex with anonymous men." The pornographic book was a huge success in the land of France (it sold 400,000 copies), and is now available in English. (Available at Elliott Bay Book Company, 101 S Main St, and Bailey/Coy Books, 414 Broadway E, $23.) CHARLES MUDEDE
Cursive, 31 Knots
(MUSIC) Perhaps it's a lesson in restraint that local band Suffering and the Hideous Thieves is not opening for Omaha, Nebraska's Cursive tonight. After all, even the most self-punishing survivors of exploded romance can only take so much woe at a time. Portland's 31 Knots will instead provide a slightly less tortured lead-in to Cursive's body-strewn post-rock--while 31 Knots are masters at rolling around in the jagged detritus of prog and coming up, somehow, bloodless, Cursive rolls around in the jagged detritus of love and comes out totally blood-soaked, and wanting for more. (Paradox Theater, 5510 University Way NE, 524-7677, 8 pm, $10, all ages.) KATHLEEN WILSON
Lube Wrestling!
(SPORTING EVENT) The always fabulous Sylvia O'Stayformore and Sofonda Cox host this night of slippery, sleazy fun every Wednesday night at the Timberline. There is a real ring (full of lube!), real men (covered in lube!), and real live wrestling (in the lube!). There are some regular champions, but newcomers (including women) are always welcome. Winners take home cash prizes, or at the least some free drink tickets. (Timberline, 2015 Boren Ave N, 883-0242, 9:30 pm, free.) KELLY O
