Safe and Sane Bondage

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Art Exhibition Political artist Deborah Lawrence (see "For This We Won the Right to Vote?" below) makes collages that satirize current events; her work is on display at New Freeway Hall through Tuesday. 5018 Rainier Ave. S., 206-722-6057. Free. 10 a.m.-8 p.m. weekdays. Through Tues., Aug. 31.

Femme Talk "Feminine-identified queers" are invited to participate in this weekly forum; tonight's discussion centers on ideas of community. Dunshee House, 303 17th Ave. E., 206-322-2437. Free. 6 p.m. Wed., Aug. 25.

Evergreen State Fair Whether you prefer to throw rings haphazardly at milk bottles, gaze in awe at very large pigs, or just ride the Ferris wheel over and over, the State Fair is a great getaway. Mainstage entertainment this year includes itsy-bitsy pop diva Stacie Orrico (Aug. 29) and the lovable Smothers Brothers (Aug. 31). 14405 179th Ave. S.E. (Monroe), 360-805-6709. $8 adults, $6 seniors, $4 youth. 10 a.m.-10 p.m. weekdays; 10 a.m.-11 p.m. weekends. Thurs., Aug. 26-Mon., Sept. 6.

FAA Flight Safety Seminar At this Museum of Flight event, aviation authorities will teach amateur and aspiring pilots how to be safer in the sky. 9404 E. Marginal Way S., 206-764-5720. Free. 7 p.m. Thurs., Aug. 26.

STRIVE Job Training Seattle Goodwill encourages the un- and underemployed to participate in this free course devoted to strengthening "workplace behaviors, attitudes, and skills that are necessary to get and keep a good job." 1400 S. Lane St., 206-329-1000. Free. 9 a.m. Fri., Aug. 27.

Blood Drive Everybody has it, and most of us can spare some, so head down to Ivar's Acres of Clams and make your donation to the Puget Sound Blood Center. (Or visit www.psbc.org for many other donation dates and venues.) Pier 54, 800-398-7888. Free. 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Fri., Aug. 27.

Sand in the City Sand sculpting is the name of the game at this annual Olympia festival, which combines castle-building competitions, fancy galas, a "tide-pool touch tank," and a community beach party. Port Plaza, Olympia (across the street from Anthony's Home Port, 704 Columbia St. N.W.), 360-956-0818. Free (galas cost between $65 and $150). Visit www.hocm.org/sitc/html/about.html for event schedule. Fri., Aug. 27-Sun., Aug. 29.

Underworld Tour If you find the usual Underground Tour excessively wholesome, this new version should speak to your depraved side. Highlights include the dark tale of Violet McNeal, the Sweeney Todd of spices, who dispatched disgruntled clients using cayenne pepper. 608 First Ave., 206-682-4648 ext. 118. $15. 7:30 p.m. Fri., Aug. 27-Sat., Aug. 28.

For This We Won the Right to Vote? A Radical Women event centered on the timely topic of voting. Tamara Turner provides the campaign satire, Christina Orbé performs her spoken-word poetry, and Deborah Lawrence weighs in with "wickedly political art." New Freeway Hall, 5018 Rainier Ave. S., 206-722-6057. $3. 8 p.m. Sat., Aug. 28.

Japanese Garden Symposium Asian horticulture gets the weeklong treatment, complete with workshops, lectures, and Japanese entertainment. Sponsored in part by the University of Washington. Center for Urban Horticulture, 3501 N.E. 41st St., 206-543-8616. $250-$300. Sat., Aug. 28-Thurs., Sept. 2.

Penny Arcade Expo A video-game festival from the creators of Penny Arcade, the online comic strip named "Best Destination for Gamers" by Seattle Weekly arts writer David Stoesz in last year's Best of Seattle issue. Meydenbauer Center, 11100 N.E. Sixth St., 206-369-4953. $15. Expo runs nonstop from 9 a.m. on Sat., Aug. 28 until midnight on Sun., Aug. 29.

Community Walk, Bite, and Jazz Festival Sponsored by the Black Dollar Days Task Force, a nonprofit organization that supports inner-city businesses, this Squire Park fest combines a one-mile fund-raising walk with local food and live music from Young Gifted Brothers, Lady a Baby Blues Band, and an African drumming ensemble. Walk begins at People's Institutional Baptist Church, 159 24th Ave.; festival takes place at Pratt Park, 20th Ave. and E. Yesler Way. Free (call 206-324-3114 for pledge information). Walk at 10 a.m., festival after. Sat., Aug. 28.

On With the Show A guided walking tour of historic theaters, organized by the Seattle Architectural Foundation. Tour begins at Rainier Square Atrium, 1333 Fifth Ave. (Suite 300), 206-667-9184. $12 ($10 in advance). 10 a.m.-noon. Sat., Aug. 28.

Plant Killers Support Group If houseplants quiver in fright when you enter the room, this workshop is for you. In Bloom, 4437 California Ave. S.W., 206-932-2588. Free. 10:15-11:15 a.m. Sat., Aug. 28.

Back in Time: Art Deco Seattle The week's second Seattle Architectural Foundation walking tour examines the influence of turn-of-the-century architectural style on the Northwest aesthetic, and vice versa. Tour begins at Rainier Square Atrium, 1333 Fifth Ave. (Suite 300), 206-667-9184. $12 ($10 in advance). 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Sat., Aug. 28.

Dominatrix Class "Safe, Sane, and Consensual" is the theme of this helpful workshop on bondage and discipline, the B and D in "SM/BD." Lovers Lane, 4001 198th St. S.W. (Lynnwood), 425-775-4502. $30. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Sat., Aug. 28.

MOHAI Walking Tour First Hill was once the happening spot for society types in Seattle; this excursion, led by MOHAI director Leonard Garfield, examines the museums, churches, and opulent residences that made the neighborhood Seattle's ritziest. Frye Art Museum, 704 Terry Ave., 206-324-1126. $25 ($20 in advance). 11 a.m. Sat., Aug. 28.