THURSDAY 5/10

SEATTLE SYMPHONY--Joined by the NEXUS percussion ensemble for Fusion--West to East: East to West, a program of music of the Pacific Rim. Free pre-concert lecture by Dr. Patricia Campbell. Benaroya Hall, 200 University, 215-4747, 7:30 pm, $15-$49. Also Sat May 12, 8 pm.

SATURDAY 5/12

SEATTLE CHORAL COMPANY--Wrapping up its 19th season with Haydn's The Creation. Benaroya Hall, 200 University St, 363-1100, 8 pm, $20-$30.

SUNDAY 5/13

NW CHAMBER ORCHESTRA--The final concert in NWCO's Viva Vocé vocal ensemble series features sopranos Amy Bils and Sarah Mattox performing a collection of folk songs from around the world with pianist Judith Cohen. Seattle Art Museum, 100 University St, 343-0445, 2:30 pm, $17.50.

SEATTLE YOUTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA--SYSO marks its final performance with music director Jonathan Shames with a program of operatic works by Verdi, Wagner, plus two new pieces by American composers Steven Stucky (Son et Lumiere) and Samuel Jones (Elegy for String Orchestra). Benaroya Hall, 200 University St, 362-2300, 3 pm.

MONDAY 5/14

YOUNG VIRTUOSI CHAMBER ORCHESTRA--Seattle Conservatory of Music presents works by Holst, Weber, Beethoven, Mozart, Vivaldi, and Faure. Benaroya Hall, 200 University St, 215-4747, 7 pm, $20 general, $10 students/seniors.

RADIO SHOWS
by Nathan Thornburgh

THURSDAY 5/10

SOUNDPRINT--Kids and Guns. Producer Maria Hinojosa puts a socially aware spin on the issue of kids and gun violence, examining the area around a Brooklyn high school and finding that violence within the school is simply an extension of the violence of the outlying community. While most media outlets are still yakking about the phenomenon of the suburb shooter, this show reminds us that gun violence in the inner city remains largely ignored and unchecked. KUOW 94.9 FM, 7:30 pm.

FRIDAY 5/11

NEW VOICES--NPR introduces ethnic-oriented programming to prove it does more than cater to melanin-impaired soccer moms. New Voices is a full hour of reporting from diverse young reporters who apparently are dripping with "fresh perspectives." Support their efforts by tuning in, but KUOW should be reminded that it will take more minority-oriented programming to offset The Splendid Table, A Prairie Home Companion, and St. Paul Sunday. KUOW 94.9 FM, 10 pm.

SUNDAY 5/13

THE PUZZLE MASTER--Will Shortz, the evil genius behind the New York Times crossword puzzle, invites you to wake up at dawn on Sunday morning and listen in as obsessive morning people try to solve his quirky word games and brain benders. The whole premise makes one wonder how many letters there are in GOBACKTOFUCKINGSLEEP. KPLU 88.5 FM, 7:40 am.

SUNDAY 5/13

JACK ROBERTS JAIL MINISTRY--For 16 years, Jack Roberts has been providing bibles and "biblical counseling" for the unhappy campers at the Snohomish County Jail. Tune in to hear the minister try to convince inmates to stop breaking the ten commandments. Other topics of discussion might include "Thou Shalt Not Huff: What the Bible Says about Household Cleaners," "If Jesus Died for My Sins Then How Come I Ain't Out Yet?," and "Cutting a Deal for Christ: A Christian Perspective on Plea Bargaining." KGNW 820 AM, 8:15-8:30 am.

GROUND ZERO WITH KID REDD--From the rap-metal radio station that brought you the Pile Driver Rock and Wrestling Show and excessive overuse of the word "shiznit" comes FCC-mandated community affairs programming. Kid Redd takes on all questions and comments about civic affairs in the Puget Sound. Expect impassioned conversation about everything from teen dance ordinances to high-school security crackdowns as the Limp Bizkit crowd tries to answer that eternal Funky Monkey question, "What the dillio?" KFNK 104.9 FM, 8-9 am.

OUT OF TOWN

SOULS OF MISCHIEF, DJ APOLLO, SILENT LAMBS PROJECT: Thurs May 10, Roseland Theater, Portland

TONY BENNETT: Thurs May 10, Spirit Mountain Casino, Grand Ronde

OLD BLIND DOGS: Thurs May 10, Capitol Theater, Olympia

PAUL REVERE & THE RAIDERS: Thurs May 10, Tacoma Dome

THE MELVINS, HANK WILLIAMS III: Fri May 11, Pine Street Theater, Portland

CHARLIE HUNTER: Sat May 12, Aladdin Theatre, Portland

2001: A POLKA ODDITY: Sat May 12, Eagle's Lounge, Portland

THOMAS MAPFUMO & THE BLACKS UNLIMITED: Sun May 13, Crystal Ballroom, Portland

LEO KOTTKE: Mon May 14, Pantages Theater, Tacoma

FRANK BLACK & THE CATHOLICS: Tues May 15, Crystal Ballroom, Portland

DIGITAL UNDERGROUND: Tues May 15, Wettbar, Vancouver, BC

BEVIS FROND, HELIO SEQUENCE, THE PRIDS: Wed May 16, Lola's, Portland

COUCH: Wed May 16, Plan B, Portland

BADLY DRAWN BOY: Wed May 16, Berbati's Pan, Portland

MARK KNOPFLER: Wed May 16, Arlene Schnitzer Hall, Portland

Headed to Portland? Visit www.portlandmercury.com.