Just when you thought the Riot Grrls had turned in their barrettes for bassinets, what with Kathleen Hanna posing as the dutiful wife and mother every time a flashbulb pops within 10 feet of Adam Horowitz, Bratmobile's Allison Wolfe and several other Grrls are planning Ladyfest 2000, to take place August 1-6 in Olympia. Inspired by the recent spate of interviews Experience Music Project conducted with several key Grrls; Wolfe, Carrie Brownstein, Sarah Dougher, Tobi and Maggie Vail, Audrey Marrs, some folks at Kill Rock Stars, and others, hope to present a festival that features performances by bands, spoken word artists, authors, visual artists, and more. Workshops, panels, and dance parties are also planned. Wolfe insists that Ladyfest 2000 is a woman-run event, but that all genders are welcome to attend.

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Lovely shoegazers Carissa's Weird will play their last show with drummer Robin when they open for Modest Mouse in Portland on Jan 15. Don't bother sending in any resumes, though. The band already found a replacement in Mike Epting.

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More transition news: After 11 years and countless lineup changes, hippie space-ravers Sky Cries Mary have decided to call it quits. "It's a difficult decision, but one that we all agreed on," says founder and frontman Roderick Romero, of his band that once counted Posies Jon Auer and Ken Stringfellow as members. Though I would love to comment personally on Sky Cries Mary's passing, Seattle's Postmaster General and our neighbors at the East Precinct have strongly advised against it.

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Pearl Jam guitarist Mike McCready contributed to the Rockfords' forthcoming self-titled album, due out on Epic February 1. The Rockfords are comprised of Goodness members Chris and Rick Friel, and Danny Newcomb. The album's first single, "Silver Lining," will be featured in the upcoming Freddie Prinze Jr. movie, Down to You.

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Here's a twist: Teenage heartthrobs the Catheters will join Teen Cthulhu at the Kirkland Senior Center at 406 Kirkland Ave on Jan 22. In other teen news, Seattle has finally entered the modern world and will begin presenting all-ages shows (as in teens and over 21-ers) at liquor-serving venues like the Breakroom and the Showbox. As in just about any other enlightened city, the kids will be barricaded from the bar area, but allowed to hang anywhere else while the old farts guzzle booze and benefit from the added enthusiasm all-ages shows contribute. Hallelujah!