THURSDAY 8/30

RAINIER BRASS QUINTET--This fine quintet will execute the expected potpourri of what is known these days as "Light Classical": Sousa marches and some Dixieland along with transcriptions of Broadway and Big Band hits. I propose a new genre: Corporate Classical Kitsch. Two Union Square, 6th and Union, noon, free.

FRIDAY 8/31

MICHAEL NICOLELLA--Amidst an ocean of singer-songwriters and blues band retreads, Bumbershoot actually deigned to book a Classical performer or two this year. What else can you expect from the ex-hippies at One Reel? One the very few guitarists equally at home with the Classical guitar and the Fender Stratocaster, Nicolella's fleet fingers and agile phrasing are often dazzling. He consistently commissions and premieres intriguing pieces for guitar, so expect adventurous yet accessible music. Kendall-Jackson Music Hall, Seattle Center, 3 pm, $12 adv/$16.

SATURDAY 9/1

LILY CAI COMPANY--Led by a former principal dancer with the Shanghai Opera House, this Chinese company performs court dances of Chinese dynasties as well as creates contemporary works that fuse Classical Chinese folk dances and ballet. Sumptuous music, sumptuous movement, sumptuous costumes. What more could you want? Bumbershoot, Bagley Wright Theatre, Seattle Center, 5 pm, $12 adv/$16. Also Sun 9/2.

OLYMPIC CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL--A passel of musicians serve up a winning program of chamber music including Schumann's Adagio and Allegro for Piano and French Horn, op. 70 and Brahms, Trio in E Flat Major for Piano, Violin, and French Horn, op. 40. Hornists need to rest their chops, so Schumann's Fantasy Pieces for Piano and Cello, op. 73 and Beethoven's Trio in C Minor for Violin, Viola and Cello, op. 9, no. 3 round out the program. And in case the program notes keep mum, the French horn isn't French at all. No one can agree how the French got credit for such a Germanic (think Alphorns) instrument. The Barn, Center Road, Quilcene, WA 527-8839, 2 pm, $14-$24. Also Sun 9/2.

SUNDAY 9/2

B.O.M.B.--Despite a hiphop acronym which cries out for a collaboration with Sir Mix-A-Lot, it's easy to surmise the Benevolent Order of the Medieval Baroque's repertory. B.O.M.B. plays music from the Medieval through Classical periods on period instruments. Aspirant Classical rappers take note: for their Bumbershoot performance, they plan to "sprinkle their performance with amusing anecdotes about the composers and encourage audience participation." Kendall-Jackson Music Hall, Seattle Center, 4:30 pm, $12 adv/$16.

OUT OF TOWN

NEKO CASE AND HER BOYFRIENDS: Thurs Aug 30, Richard's On Richards, Vancouver, BC

WELLWATER CONSPIRACY: Thurs Aug 30, Satyricon, Portland

WEEN: Fri Aug 31, Crystal Ballroom, Portland

JOHN PRINE, TODD SNYDER: Fri Aug 31, Oregon Zoo Amphitheatre, Portland

BLACK CROWES, BEACHWOOD SPARKS: Fri Aug 31, Orpheum Theatre, Vancouver, BC

CAKE, BASTARD SONS OF JOHNNY CASH: Fri Aug 31, Roseland, Portland

MARIA MULDAUR: Sat Sept 1, Wild Buffalo, Bellingham

DANIEL JOHNSTON, R.L. BURNSIDE: Sat Sept 1, Crystal Ballroom, Portland

ME'SHELL NDEG:OCELLO: Sun Sept 2, Aladdin Theatre, Portland

POCO: Sun Sept 2, Riverfront Park, Spokane

SIR MIX-A-LOT, TONE LOC, YOUNG MC: Sun Sept 2, Waterfront Park, Portland

AMERICAN ANALOG SET, THE DIRTMITTS: Tues Sept 4, Starfish Room, Vancouver, BC

NASHVILLE PUSSY, THE REVEREND NORTON HEAT: Tues Sept 4, the Met, Spokane

MOTHER SUPERIOR, ROLLINS BAND: Tues Sept 4, Crystal Ballroom, Portland

NINA HYNES: Wed Sept 5, Railway Club, Vancouver, BC