SATURDAY
VISUAL ARTS
FRAUD
A fabulous gala party kicks off ConWorks’ fall multidisciplinary series, this time trading on the theme “Fraud.” The visual arts element opens first: an installation from Seattle artist Jason Puccinelli that places visitors on the set of a glamorous photo shoot, except the setting implicates you in things like clubbing seals, clear-cutting a forest, and serving in a dictator’s cabinet. To get us in the moodand to demonstrate how this exhibit can “potentially challenge one’s morals and ethics”awesome photog Adam Weintraub will show his extremely challenging series of shots, staged on the Puccinelli sets, depicting really hot babes wearing very little clothing. Artist reception: 6-8 p.m. Party: 8 p.m.-2 a.m. Sat., Oct. 18. $10. Consolidated Works, 500 Boren Ave. N. 206-381-3218. MARK D. FEFER
THURSDAY
READINGS
MARC SPITZ
If you’re looking for a genius idea for a first novel, I’m afraid this one’s already taken: hapless N.Y.C. music journalist tries to get the Smiths back together. In the hipster best seller How Soon Is Never? (Three Rivers Press, $13), ’80s-obsessed Joe measures his days in mixtapes, playlists, and rock arcana, while nursing his dream of reuniting the Mozzer with reclusive jangle-master Johnny Marr. He and his g.f. finally venture to England where, yes, they confront Morrissey himself . . . or at least the doorbell to his home. Do they actually meet their hero? You’ll have to ask Spitz, a senior writer at Spin, who’s encouraging all attendees to deck themselves in full-on ’80s regalia for this reading. We’re feeling nostalgic already. 7 p.m. Thurs., Oct. 16. University Book Store, 4326 University Way N.E., 206-634-3400. BRIAN MILLER
FRIDAY
FILM
EVERY DAY GOD KISSES US ON THE MOUTH
This intense, somewhat uncategorizable film might’ve entered Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer territory but more nearly follows Woyzeck’s path instead. Dan Condurache (pictured) delivers an absolutely riveting yet always human performance as a killer released from jail who swiftly goes back to his old village and old murderous ways. The guy’s an enigma like there’s an invisible on/off switch between psychopath and gentle drunk. It’s De Niro- level acting; nobody can get a read on Dumitrunot the hapless characters he encounters, not even the audience. The movie combines savagery with moments of magical realism as Dumitru is haunted by visions on his bloody picaresque through an almost medieval Romanian wasteland. Fri., Oct. 17- Thurs., Oct. 23. (Closed Mon.) $7.50. Grand Illusion, 1403 N.E. 50th St., 206-523-3935. BRIAN MILLER
SATURDAY
OPERA
MOURNING BECOMES ELECTRA
Eugene O’Neill transposed ancient Greek myth to the Civil War period to create this lavish trilogy of playsmelodrama at its juiciest, with mother/ daughter romantic rivalry, suicide, murder, and incest. How could it not become an opera? Marvin David Levy first took up the challenge, a rare commission from New York’s Metropolitan Opera, in 1967; Seattle Opera will premiere his revised version, tightened from three acts to two. As Christine Mannon, the matriarch of this dysfunctional clan, we’ll have Lauren Flanigan (pictured), known as a captivating actress and an adventurous advocate of contemporary opera. Intiman artistic director Bartlett Sher makes his opera-directing debut; Richard Buckley conducts. Opens 7:30 p.m. Sat., Oct. 18. Runs through Sat., Nov. 1. $37-$118. McCaw Hall, Seattle Center, 206- 389-7676. GAVIN BORCHERT
SUNDAY
MAGIC
VACLAV
Look at this poster. You’ve seen it at the Safeway. You cannot resist it. It’s magic. And so you will find yourself driving to Kirkland in the middle of a Sunday afternoon to watch Vaclav the Czech Illusionist perform his 90-minute, two-part act: the first in which he plays a character based on his grandfather, with “spooky illusions and mind reading,” the second featuring stunts such as eating needles, levitating people from the audience, and dividing his assistant into three pieces. Vaclav performs regularly at Rendezvous cabarets and Bouchee Cafe in Fremont, but this is your first chance to catch his full act, Insanity in D Minor, in a theatrical setting. You will go. 2 p.m. Sun., Oct. 19. $11- $14. Kirkland Performance Center, 350 Kirkland Ave., Kirkland, 425-893-8900. MARK D. FEFER
