ROO$+3R Fest
(BENEFIT) In April, 20-year-old former street kid Nick Helhowski--a.k.a. "Rooster"--was beaten to death after he stepped off the bus near Green Lake. His killers haven't been found, frustrating the homeless-youth group he worked closely with, Peace for the Streets by Kids from the Streets (PSKS). So they're hosting a benefit festival tonight, with music from Children of the Revolution and Nu Sol Tribe, documentary film, and a silent auction, to raise money for PSKS and for a reward to find Helhowski's killers. Help them out, drink beer, and get your hair styled by the ladies from VAIN all in one night. (Fremont UNconventional Centre, 160 N Canal St, 6 pm to 1 am, all ages, $12.) AMY JENNIGES
Jennifer West
(FAREWELL) We are losing Jennifer West to Los Angeles at the end of this month--a huge loss, since she's one of the best video artists around. Her installations explore how video projections shape emotion and dimensionality, in this case with water towers and industrial silos collapsing in reverse, exploding the act of witnessing and the very contemporary addiction to documentation. Bye-bye Jennifer. (Opening reception Thurs Aug 8, 5:30-7:30 pm. James Harris Gallery, 309A Third Ave S, 903-6220. Through Aug 31.) EMILY HALL
Rock Till You Drop
(MUSIC) Rock Till You Drop is a fitting motto for a bill that includes Dead Moon, a band that's older than time itself yet still commands a certain amount of reverence from the rock world. Personally, I'm more excited about the youngsters in this lineup--both the Spits and the Popular Shapes always put on a good show, and in the case of the Spits, the band puts on a good costume as well. The kiddies' bill is pretty good too, matching the Briefs with the Stitches and the Hollow Points. Punk rock! (Graceland, 109 Eastlake Ave E, 262-0482. Two shows: 6 pm and 10 pm, $7 per show or $10 for both.) JENNIFER MAERZ
Battle at the Boat
(PRIZEFIGHTING) This Saturday at the Emerald Queen Casino, boxing continues to enjoy its revival in the Northwest. The fight series is billed the "Battle at the Boat" because the main casino portion is on an old riverboat, but the fights themselves are held in the cozy event pavilion next door. Seattle's own Tim "Sandman" Shocks faces Louis Sargeant in a 168-pound match-up. Also featured is local brawler Neil "I'm gonna kick your ass and then drink a case of Newcastle Brown Ale" Stephens in a six-round light-heavyweight bout. (Emerald Queen Casino, 2102 Alexander Ave, Tacoma, 253-594-7777, 7:30 pm, $20-$75.) MATT SORENSON
Women with Balls
(THEATER) A little pop quiz for ya. Women with Balls refers to: (A) the WNBA's scary new top-secret weapon; (B) an experiment in drag gone cataclysmically awry; or (C) feisty, ferocious dames who made significant herstorical impact. Not sure? Then hows about singing a few bars from that snappy tune about exploded Challenger astronaut Christa McAuliffe instead? Never heard it? That's EXACTLY why you need to hightail your clueless little ass to Donna Rae Davidson's fun, feisty, award-winning musical review. (Bathhouse Theatre, 7312 West Green Lake Drive N, 325-6500. $10-$20. Thurs-Sat at 8 pm, Sun at 7:30 pm, with late shows Fri-Sat at 10:30 pm. Through Aug 11.) ADRIAN RYAN
The Kid Stays in the Picture
(MOVIE) This brilliant documentary on the rise, fall, and minor re-rise of producer Robert Evans is both a ridiculously entertaining work and an absurd cautionary tale. Narrated by swanky, gravel-voiced Evans himself, which alone is worth the price of admission. (Metro Cinemas, NE 45th St and Roosevelt, 633-0055.) BRADLEY STEINBACHER
Do-Ho Suh
(ART) I saw pictures of Suh's The Floor about a year ago and quipped that we'd never see it in Seattle, since it was obviously too cool; well slap me silly--it's here! Korean artist Suh understands the power of "a lot," understands how repetition gives a kind of dignity to modest things. He imbues his projects--a suit of armor made from thousands of dog tags, a floor held up by thousands of tiny figures, wallpaper made of thousands of faces cut out from his high-school yearbook--with political feeling as well. The Seattle Art Museum is hosting, via the Anne Gerber Biennial series, the first survey of Suh's work. (The survey is split between SAM, 100 University St, 654-3255, and SAAM, Volunteer Park, 654-3255. Through Dec 1.) EMILY HALL
E. Lynn Harris
(READING) I believe E. Lynn Harris may have the honorable distinction of being the first New York Times best-selling author to officially commit the term "bling-bling" to page, in his latest romance novel, A Love of My Own. Beloved by both gays and sisters, Harris' massive success reminds us why America is a strange and wonderful place. (Bailey/Coy Books, 414 Broadway E, 323-8842, 7 pm, free.) CHARLES MUDEDE
