THURSDAY
Believe it or not, there was a time when xenophobic immigrant bashing wasn't just directed against Latinos and Arabs. For a trip down memory lane, join the authors of Angel Island, Erika Lee and Judy Yung, as they explain how "history reveals how U.S. immigration policies and bias (against Asians) played out in daily practices and decisions, with real consequences on lives and on the country itself." If this item sounds familiar, it's because Paul Constant already recommended it. (Downstairs at Town Hall; from 7:30 to 9 p.m., $5 here or at the door.)
Thursday night may be home to the HIGH COMEDY of The Office, but it's no match for the spectacle of the biweekly meeting of the King County Regional Transit Task Force! This is a perfect opportunity for people who enjoyed The Stranger's Nightlife Throwdown to ask county authorities wonky questions about taxi licensing and regional transit. How 'bout them apples, 30 Rock? (Mercer Island Community Center, Mercer Room, 8236 SE 24th St., Mercer Island from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., free.)
FRIDAY
The mayor will honor six recipients at his annual Arts Awards. Honorees include the artistic director of the city's gay men's chorus (redundant?), Cuban emigre artist Juan Alonso, and Cornish president Sergei Tschernisch. The intolerable streak of biased decisions against artist-practitioners of Viennese actionism endures! (Seattle Center, noon, free.)
If you're alone Friday night, or worse—spending time with someone you don't want to talk to—avoid conversation amongst the company of strangers at a free film screening. No word yet on the film to be shown, though it will apparently be "a powerful drama, hilarious comedy, or insightful documentary." I don't think that includes Piranha 3D. (Leffler House Living Room, next to the Cathedral Shop, south of the Cathedral—1245 10th Ave. E., Seattle, 7:30 p.m, $1 suggested donation.)
Weekend continued after the jump.
SATURDAY
It's the weekend—get your ass off the couch and into a swamp. Become one with the swamp people at the Yesler Swamp work party. Learn the mysterious art of wheelbarrow weaving. Bonus: Afterward, you'll be able to educate friends and family about the horticultural habits of our gentle swamp-loving brethren. (Meet at the Yesler Swamp trail sign at the east parking lot of the Center for Urban Horticulture, 3501 NE 41st Street, 10 a.m. to noon, free.)
First, pretend for a moment we had a real summer, with heat and popsicles and sun. Then, come kiss it all away at Sustainable Ballard's End of Summer Party. Public potlucks like this are a fun opportunity to watch curious non-vegetarians eat all of the vegetarian food before the vegetarians can get to it. (Golden Gardens, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., free)
SUNDAY
If you've already dropped the money for a Bumbershoot ticket, you can witness a live taping of the #1 podcast on iTunes (maybe!), WTF with Marc Maron. It's like Inside the Actors Studio, but with comedian-guests competing with the host to see who is the most emotionally damaged. Guests include Doug Benson, Patton Oswalt, and WTF fan fave El Chupacabra. (Bumbershoot, Charlotte Martin Theatre, Comedy Stage South, 2:45 to 3:45 p.m., included in admission price.)
