DIVERSIONS
THURSDAY 9/16
KALAKALA EXHIBITION -- Over 75,000 artifacts and 500,000 photographs cram the Museum of History & Industry, and now some of 'em have to do with the ferry Kalakala. Did you know that the Kalakala was featured in Ripley's Believe It Or Not? These and other bizarre facts can be found at the Museum of History & Industry, 2700 24th Ave E (Montlake), 324-1126, Mon-Fri 11-5, weekends 10-5.
FRIDAY 9/17
THE BYGONE ZOO -- Woodland Park Zoo was established in 1899, and Senior Keeper Dana Payne has been there ever since. Well, not really, but he's full of historical facts and can ably lead you through the zoo's historical multimedia presentation. Woodland Park Zoo, N 50th St & Fremont Ave N, 684-4800, 7:30, $5/$6.
SATURDAY 9/18
WALTZ -- Now that swing's moving out from being the thing, maybe waltzing will come back! Living Traditions, an organization dedicated to "reviving partner dance," is betting on it. Join them for Valse Cafe Orchestra, a Harvest Ball, at the Leif Erikson Ballroom, 2245 NW 57th (Ballard, of course), 781-1238, workshop at 7:30, dance at 8:30, workshop $6, dance $10, both $14.
OKTOBERFEST -- An authentic German Oktoberfest, with delicious food, yodeling, steins, Die Rasenden Innveirtler, and Oberosterreich Express. Ah yes, that lighthearted Oberosterreich Express! Gold Creek Equestrian Center, Woodinville, 800-992-8499, call for times and prices.
SUNDAY 9/19
ZINE ARCHIVE -- Hang out at the Hugo House and peruse their international collection of zines. This three-year-old project includes zines from the well known to the obscure. Richard Hugo House, 1634 11th Ave, 322-7030, open to the public Sun 12-4, Mon 6-9, free.
WEDNESDAY 9/22
ARTS OF INDIA -- Marco Polo embarks on a series of India-themed events, all gauged to help you plan a trip. Marco Polo, 713 Broadway E, 860-3736, 7:30, free.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
SATURDAY 9/18
THE AUTOMATON ADVENTURE SERIES -- Do not -- under any circumstances -- accuse the AUTOMATON Adventure Series of being a cutie-pie boy band. There are no matching outfits here. No pelvic choreography. Just a trio of friends (Pat Kearney, Chris Duryee, and The Stranger's James van Leuven) who proudly describe themselves as "a beat kickin', proto punk noise band." The AUTOMATON Adventure Series also incorporates sound-generation devices, samples, and vintage 16mm film images into their live shows to create audio/visual treats for those who can handle a little two-way stimulation. See the band for a great cause at the Homeless Youth Awareness Concert, presented by Peace for the Streets by Kids from the Streets. And if you snooze, you lose -- AUTOMATON is leaving Seattle in October for a national tour to promote their debut release, "futura transmitta." -- Min Liao The Mural Amphitheater (Seattle Center), 2 pm, free, bring non-perishable food donations; for more info call 568-6915.
SUNDAY 9/19
PAULA GILOVICH -- Award-winning poet, New York Times researcher, and Stranger contributor Paula Gilovich has an incredibly intrinsic understanding of language -- how it feels on the ear, how it mulches in the stomach, how it carries plot and character. Her chapbook, Notes on an Architect's Lecture, was written during a visit to Rome, and captures the peeling patina of that city's history as well as its humanity in one fell, monumental swoop. She reads from current work as part of Red Sky Poetry Theatre's 19th season. Open mic follows. Globe Cafe, 1531 14th Ave (off Pine), 633-5647, 7:30 pm, donation.
