The Colossal Colon
(INSTALLATION ART) At long last, Seattleites get the chance to learn about colon cancer by crawling through a humongous, extremely lifelike replica of a human colon. Created by 26-year-old colon cancer survivor Molly McMaster, the Colossal Colon is a 40-foot-long, four-foot-high crawl-through colon modeled on actual colonoscopy film footage. Currently on a 20-city educational tour across the U.S., the Colossal Colon plops itself down at Seattle Center for a three-day stint, inviting visitors to crawl through the giant fake intestine (or peep through handy viewing portholes) to see healthy colon tissue, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, polyps, and various stages of colon cancer. Go, and wear brown. (Seattle Center, Thurs-Sat July 10-12, 9 am-7 pm, free. ) DAVID SCHMADER
FRIDAY JULY 11
Summer at the Henry
(ART) There are not many glitzy art functions in this town. Not like you see in the style pages of the New York Times, with this and that stilettoed heiress at a fundraiser for this or that arts institution. So let's make the best of what we've got, and the best is the Henry: No other museum in the city stands as solidly behind contemporary art. This party celebrates the opening of shows by Tom Knechtel, Claire Cowie (hooray!), and the extra amazing and permanent skyspace by James Turrell. The Typing Explosion will be there, along with the staples of Seattle art parties, DJs and fire dancing. (Henry Art Gallery, 15th Ave NE and NE 41st St, 543-2280. Opening reception Fri July 11, 7:30 pm-midnight, $30. ) EMILY HALL
SATURDAY JULY 12
Capitol Hill Block Party
(POSSIBLE OVERKILL) Yes, yes, I'm sure you're sick of hearing about the Capitol Hill Block Party by now. After all, damn near this entire issue has been squandered on it. But just take a look at the lineup and you'll see why we're so high on it. Some highlights: Pretty Girls Make Graves, the Catheters, Hint Hint, Visqueen, Silent Lambs Project, Erase Errata, and the Presidents of the United States of America. Plus! Putt-putt, booths by local merchants, and a Stranger dunk tank where you can take out your frustrations on all us chumps who work for this miserable rag. (Corner of 11th Ave and Pine St, Sat-Sun July 12-13, $10 CQ. ) BRADLEY STEINBACHER
SUNDAY JULY 13
Rosie Thomas
(MUSIC) With her astonishing 2002 debut, When We Were Small, Rosie Thomas presented her immense talent through 10 perfect songs--yes, perfect--each so open and personal that she's drawn comparisons to Emmylou Harris. It's a hard disc to follow (check out "Charlotte"), but her forthcoming second album for Sub Pop, Only with Laughter Can You Win, is filled with promise, and the graceful songwriting Thomas is now known for is breathtakingly apparent, especially on the pretty "One More Day." (Graceland, 109 Eastlake Ave E, 262-0482, 9:30 pm, $7. ) KATHLEEN WILSON
MONDAY JULY 14
Garage
(BOWLING) The lack of bowling on Capitol Hill has long been a particularly glaring gap. But now that gap is about to be filled, as tonight marks the opening of the Garage's bowling alley. Located smack up against the popular pool hall, the alley offers 14 lanes on two floors, along with three bars and many a cozy seat. There is also a mezzanine overlooking the lanes that has room for a DJ and offers a perfect sightline to both admire and mock sober and drunken bowlers. The place is going to be ridiculously popular. (Garage, 1134 Broadway, 935-7776. ) BRADLEY STEINBACHER
TUESDAY JULY 15
China Miéville
(READING) Marxist, economist, fan of Dumbudzo Marechera (an almost forgotten but brilliant Zimbabwean author), and winner of several impressive sci-fi and fantasy awards, the London-based China Miéville (who loathes Tolkien and his Aryan fantasies) writes dense and enormous fantasy novels that draw their imagery, monsters, moods, and politics from the forward-looking left rather than a backward-looking right. This reading must not be missed. (UW Campus, Kane Hall, Walker-Ames Room, 7:30 pm, free. ) CHARLES MUDEDE
WEDNESDAY JULY 16
Longwave
(MUSIC) Along with Washington, D.C.'s Phaser, New York's Longwave are the next-next wave of heavy-lidded shoegazing acts, where the effects pedals make brooding lyrics soar and romantics sigh. Longwave's sound doesn't just idle in the work of early-'90s British acts, though, instead culling together the jangle pop of the Strokes and the suited sincerity of Interpol to fit the band comfortably between those two young giants. I'm a sucker for their 2003 release, The Strangest Things, an album that's pure bliss from start to finish and sounds even better live. Tourmates stellastarr* are equally compelling, mixing post-punk Pixies greatness with a penchant for quirky pop and a close vocal proximity to XTC. All in all, I'd be hard-pressed to put together a more perfect pairing of two soon-to-explode buzz bands that I'm more eagerly anticipating. (Crocodile, 2200 Second Ave, 441-5611, 9 pm, $10. ) JENNIFER MAERZ
