FRIDAY
FILM
THE UGLY AMERICAN
Timely again, this 1963 political drama stars Marlon Brando as a controversial U.S. ambassador who hopes to improve relations with the fictional nation of Sarkan amid the regional threat of Communism. American, rarely screened and in a restored print, still packs a wallop without feeling dated or place-specific. When Brando (pictured with Sandra Church) intones the film’s overarching message”We can’t hope to win the Cold War unless we remember what we’re for as well as what we’re against”he might as well be talking about today’s War on Terrorism. Fri., Aug. 29-Thurs., Sept. 4 (closed Mon.). $7.50. Grand Illusion, 1403 N.E. 50th St., 206-523-3935. NEAL SCHINDLER
THURSDAY
MARKETING
YODELING COMPETITION
We are so sick and tired of cynical corporations thinking they can order up a bunch of free publicity by descending on our town with some kind of wacky, media-ready talent show or contest or other. A couple months ago, it was the Meow Mix cat food people who showed up at Seafair to hold “auditions” for the company’s Oxygen network show “Meow TV.” Now it’s the Web search engine Yahoo!, which is bringing its “search for America’s favorite amateur yodeler” to Westlake Park. (Pro yodeler Wylie Gustafson, pictured, the voice of Yahoo! and a resident of Dusty, Wash., will appear.) If these Yahoo!s think we’re so desperate for copy that we’re going to write about their “celebration of a universal brand icon,” they are sadly mistaken. Noon-2 p.m. (registration starts at 11:30 a.m.). Thurs., Aug. 28. Westlake Park. MARK D. FEFER
FRIDAY
VISUAL ARTS
MUNDO GIGANTICO DEL ROCK
When you’re finished checking out Flatstock 3the massive Bumbershoot rock poster bazaar taking place in the building we’re supposed to call the Center House but will always call the Food Circus (see p. 89 for details)come check out what some of these same artists can do in other media and with extra D’s (3-D and 2-D). Sub-Pop’s Jeff Kleinsmith and EMP’s Jacob McMurray have organized a show of paintings, sketches, and sculptures that are all infused with the spirit of the concert poster but try to be a little more “fine art.” (A piece by Shawn Wolfe is pictured.) And tonight’s opening reception promises to be a very fine party. 6-10 p.m. Fri. Aug. 29. Crespinel Studios, 2316 Second Ave. MARK D. FEFER
SATURDAY
CLASSICAL
DARRAGH MORGAN
“New music” for this Irish violinist can mean David Bowie and the Spice Girls, on whose CDs he’s appeared, or the work of contemporary music ensembles from all over the world. His program this weekend already looks to be the most intriguing of the fall seasonand I can guarantee you’re not going to hear anything like it at the Bumbrella Stage. In the first half: five U.S. premieres of works by young European composers. In the second half: music by Americans from the four corners of the stylistic spectrumGeorge Crumb (the innovative colorist), Morton Feldman (the Rauschenberg-esque minimalist), Charles Wuorinen (the post-Webernian serialist), and John Cage (the Zen sound liberator). With pianist Mary Dullea. 8 p.m. Sat., Aug. 30. $10-$15. Brechemin Auditorium, UW School of Music, 206-789-3628. GAVIN BORCHERT
SATURDAY
CLASSICAL
BUTTROCK KARAOKE
I’ve heard “Wel-come to the Jungle,” arguably the crown jewel of the buttrock pantheon, rendered in karaoke approximately a zillion times and I well know that if you’re not capable of executing Axl’s machine gun “Sha-na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na-knees!” you have no right to tackle Ratt, Winger, Maiden, Priest, the Crüe, or any torch song from the halcyon days of hairspray, hot lixx, and crotchless leather pants. Thankfully, tonight’s only partially about you making a spectacle of yourself. Members of the Divorce, Minus the Bear, Ms. Led, Dorkweed, Visqueen, and Dear John Letters will make even more egregious spectacles of themselves, rocking the mike for prizes and, um, “bragging” rights. 9 p.m. Sat., Aug. 30. $5. Chop Suey. 1325 E. Madison St. 206-324-8000. ANDREW BONAZELLI
