Send listings two weeks in advance to braincity@seattleweekly.com.
Noam Chomsky The MIT professor, author, and famed political thinker appears at Meany Hall to speak on the topic "Illegal But Legitimate: A Dubious Doctrine for the Times." UW Meany Hall, 206-634-3400. Free (tickets required). 7 p.m. Wed., April 20.
Hot Spots in Our World The University of Washington–sponsored lecture series continues with "Human Rights in Southeast Asia," presented by International Studies chair Mary Callahan. UW campus (call 206-897-8939 for exact location and to register). $15. 7-8:30 p.m. Wed., April 20.
Meet the Mammals The biweekly lecture series at the Burke Museum continues with "Encountering Whales: The Historic Return of Mammals to the Sea." 17th Avenue Northeast and Northeast 45th Street, 206-543-9681. Free (pre-registration required). 7-8:30 p.m. Wed., April 20.
Miriam Rajkumar One of the world's foremost thinkers on the subject of WMD proliferation, she speaks at Kane Hall on the current U.S. policy toward Iran's nuclear program. Sponsored by the World Affairs Council. UW Kane Hall (Walker-Ames Room), 206-441-5910. $10 ($5 WAC members). 7 p.m. Wed., April 20.
Keith Boykin The author of Beyond the Down Low: Sex, Lies, and Denial in Black America, about the phenomenon of black men who identify as straight but sleep with other men, talks about the research that went into the book and the media hoopla that followed. Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center, 104 17th Ave. S., 206-624-6600. $7 ($5 CD Forum members/students/seniors). 7:30 p.m. Wed., April 20.
Edward P. Jones The author of last year's Pulitzer Prize–winning Civil War novel The Known World reads from and talks about his oeuvre, which deals extensively with the African-American experience. Sponsored by Seattle Arts & Lectures. Benaroya Hall, 200 University St., 206-621-2230. $20-$25 ($10 students/under 25). 7:30 p.m. Wed., April 20.
Seattle Follies The monthly political cabaret show at Town Hall rolls on, with Microsoft's Mike Egan as emcee and Seattle Times columnist Joni Balter, comedian Cathy Sorbo, and KVI-AM host John Carlson in the cast. 1119 Eighth Ave., 206-652-4255. $18 ($15 advance). 7:30 p.m. Wed., April 20.
Washington Weekend The University of Washington's Seattle, Bothell, and Tacoma campuses host three days of free events, including departmental open houses, science and history lectures, dance performances, and documentary film screenings. UW campuses; visit www.washington.edu/alumni/weekend for complete schedule and directions. Free. 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Thurs., April 21. 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Fri., April 22-Sat., April 23.
Panel Discussion Artist Cheryl Dos Remedios, arts administrator Cath Brunner, and attorneys Cinnamon Stephens and James Greenfield talk about the legal complexities of public art commissions. Sponsored by Artist Trust. Second & Seneca Building, 1191 Second Ave. (14th Floor), 206-328-7053. $40 attorneys, $30 paralegals, $15 students/artists. 11:45 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Thurs., April 21.
Job Search Workshop Put your résumé to the test at a critique session hosted by North Seattle Community College. 9600 College Way N., 206-527-7656. Free. 1:30-3 p.m. Thurs., April 21.
Exploring Our World The University of Washington–sponsored science lecture series continues with "How Ocean Biology Shapes the Health of our Planet," presented by UW oceanography professor Virginia Armbrust. UW Kane Hall (Room 130), 206-543-0540. Free. 7-8:15 p.m. Thurs., April 21.
Gardening Class Nursery owner Tory Galloway advocates simple abundance in a class titled "Beautiful Plant Combinations for Worry-Free Gardening." Shoreline Conference Center, 18560 First Ave. N.E. (Shoreline), 206-368-4122. Free. 7 p.m. Thurs., April 21.
Lewis and Clark Lecture Series Washington State University professor Jacki Peterson discusses "Northwest Indian-Missionary Encounters in the Wake of Lewis and Clark." Museum of History and Industry, 2700 24th Ave. E., 206-324-1126. $7 ($5 youth/seniors). 7 p.m. Thurs., April 21.
Panel Discussion Col. James Powers of the Joint Special Operations University and International Crisis Group worker Kathy Ward are among the panelists to discuss "Wars, Disasters, Governance: The Need for Civil-Military Collaboration in the Post-9/11 World." Sponsored by the World Affairs Council. University of Washington, Parrington Hall Commons (Room 308), 206-441-5910. Free. 7-9 p.m. Thurs., April 21.
Dave Pelzer His memoir A Child Called IT dealt frankly with child abuse and shot to the top of the New York Times best seller list; at Town Hall, he talks about that work as well as his personal involvement in fighting child abuse. Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave., 800-530-0045. $15. 7 p.m. Thurs., April 21.
UnFashion Show Not your usual runway extravaganza, this Seattle University event celebrates Earth Day with a show of locally made hemp and organic-cotton clothing and stone jewelry. 901 12th Ave. (Student Center), 206-296-6000. $3. 7 p.m. Thurs., April 21.
Mary Robson As part of Seattle Pacific University's spring lecture series, the Seattle Times gardening columnist explains how to set a timetable for planting, trimming, and beautifying your garden. 3307 Third Ave. W. (Demaray Hall 150), 206-281-2138. $12. 7:15 p.m. Thurs., April 21.
Guerry Hoddersen At a meeting of Seattle Radical Women, she reports on unionizing efforts in El Salvador, where she visited the organization's sister chapter. New Freeway Hall, 5018 Rainier Ave. S., 206-722-6057. Free. 7:30 p.m. Thurs., April 21.
Art and Math Symposium Bellingham's Western Washington University hosts a weekend of lectures by prominent mathematicians on the relationship between math and art. Topics include "Geometric Sculpture" and "Opt Art: Using Math Optimization Techniques to Create Pictures, Portraits, and Sculpture." Arntzen Hall (Room 100), 516 High St. (Bellingham), 360-650-3801. Free. Fri., April 22-Sat., April 23.
