BEN THOMAS
This drummerless trio of vibraphonist Ben Thomas, Eric Likkel on clarinet, and bassist Paul Gabrielson play straight-ahead jazz for those who don't want to wade through Bumbershoot's crowds. Still Life in Fremont, 709 N 35th St, 547-9850, 8 pm, $5.
LA SONIC ARTS ONION
Don't miss this omnibus show of solos and collaborations by an all-star cast of adventurous musicians from Los Angeles: LA Free Music Society alumnus Joseph Hammer, instrument builder Leticia Castaneda, and electronicist Mitchell Brown, who hosts a sound-collage radio program in L.A. Guitarist Jeremy Drake and bassist David Kendall provide additional layers in the onion. Also on the bill: Super Unity Group, an ever-rotating cast of free improvisers from Portland, and Stevie Ray Lobdell, who fans of Krautrock will recognize from Faust. Le Voyeur Cafe, E 404 Fourth Ave, Olympia, 360-943-5710, 10 pm, $3.
HARUKO NISHIMURA
It isn't summer without stumbling under a starry sky to hear experimental music in the woods. Nishimura, chief co-conspirator behind the Degenerate Art Ensemble, haunts Lincoln Park with Butoh dance and performance art. Other DAE musicians including Josh Stewart, Joshua Kohl, and Sam Mickens contribute assorted sounds. Look for signs at the main entrance. I'm told that tea and cake will be served and to expect "challenging audience interaction." Lincoln Park, 8300 Fauntleroy Way SW, 279-4135, 9 pm, free.
OLYMPIC MUSIC FESTIVAL
Ah, a bevy of Brahms. This festival's second all-Brahms concert showcases two great chamber works for clarinet. Shortly after meeting and hearing clarinetist Richard Mühlfeld in 1891, Brahms wrote the Trio in A Minor for Piano, Clarinet and Strings, op. 114 and the Quintet in B Minor for Clarinet and Strings, op. 115. Brahms' clarinet parts demand a lyrical tone and unerring rhythmic accuracy in all registers, so to give clarinetist Larry Combs a rest, the ensemble will also tackle the Quintet in G Major for Strings, op. 111 no. 2. Also Sat Aug 31 at 2 pm. The Barn, Center Road outside of Quilcene, 527-8839, 2 pm, $13-$22.
COMPLINE CHOIR
Circa A.D. 530, St. Benedict suggested music and manual labor as an antidote to the excesses of monasticism (self-flagellation, standing on a pillar year after year, vermiform mortification, etc.). To keep those devoted to God somewhat sane and on task, Benedict outlined seven offices to be spoken and sung. Compline, the last holy office of the day, is sung after dinner, hence the late Sunday start time. St Mark's Cathedral, 1245 10th Ave E, 323-0300, 9:30 pm, free.
BLACK FRAMES
Featuring Skerik on saxophone, this quartet spins long melodic lines atop a percolating bed of keyed percussion instruments: marimba, vibraphone, and tympani. Sitting in is New York City-based trombonist Joshua Roseman, who has gigged with the usual list of heavyweights including Dave Douglas, Lester Bowie, and John Zorn. Also Wed Sept 4 at 10 pm. I-Spy, 1921 Fifth Ave, 621-7187, 10 pm, $10.
