WEDNESDAY 3/24
Gordon Wilson
O'Neal (left) and Sandstrom watch movies while dancing at NWFF.
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Books/Environment: Less Impact Woman
The phrase "viral video" usually inspires a shudder of revulsion (see: "Two Girls, One Cup"), but Seattle-raised environmentalist Annie Leonard scored a very different kind of hit with the 2007 YouTube short she's now expanded into a book. The Story of Stuff (Free Press, $26) is like the macroeconomic companion volume to Colin Beavan's No Impact Man: Rather than making herself the guinea pig in a living-with-less experiment, Leonard patiently explains why the rest of us are living with more. Meaning more than we need, more than we can afford, more than natural resources can support. Her video, a cheerfully animated takedown of the consumer cycle, has been used in classrooms, and her book now supplies the footnotes and supporting graphs. Still, the former Greenpeace activist doesn't present herself as an academic: The Story of Stuff is Leonard's friendly polemic against the excess waste and toxic by-products of our super-sized shopping habits. And her message is delivered without too much finger-wagging and guilt-mongering, which ought to further endear her to a hometown audience already converted to recycling, reusing, co-housing, and backyard chicken-raising. Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave., 652-4255, townhallseattle.org. $5. 7:30 p.m. BRIAN MILLER
THURSDAY 3/25
Sports: Prelude to a Kick
"YOU-CALL-THIS/M-L-S???" was the taunting chant from the Portland section at March 11's demoralizing charity soccer match at Qwest Field, which drew over 18,000 fans to stand in the rain to watch their Timbers (who won't join Major League Soccer until 2011) best our Seattle Sounders in a soggy canapé to the season formally opening tonight. One goal won them the game, though we outplayed them; it's just that all our shots seemed to land squarely, securely in their keeper's arms, as if a mother were tossing him her child. Since successful labor negotiations last weekend forestalled a strike, we'll be playing the Philadelphia Union, this season's expansion team, in their debut. Be sure to join the rowdy "March to the Match" at Occidental Park at 5 p.m. Qwest Field, 800 Occidental Ave. S., 877-657-4625, soundersfc.com. $25–$95. 6:30 p.m. GAVIN BORCHERT
Dance: Look Both Ways
At most dance shows, the division of labor is pretty clear: The audience watches and the dancers perform. But in too, dancers Amy O'Neal and Ellie Sandstrom will be watching as well, their eyes on a video montage of 30-plus artists, including Reggie Watts, David Dorfman, and Corrie Befort. O'Neal is acting as choreographer and instigator here, but she's followed closely by Sandstrom, a dancer who was fierce long before Project Runway took the fangs out of the word. O'Neal's work combines funky moves with structural precision; Sandstrom is as sensual as she is scary. This is definitely one of those times when you come to see the artists, no matter what they're doing—or whom they're watching. (Through Sat.) Northwest Film Forum, 1515 12th Ave., 267-5380, tinyrage.com. $12–$15. 8 p.m. SANDRA KURTZ
FRIDAY 3/26
Comedy: Level Headed
Wyatt Cenac has no use for foolishness, no cause for raised voice or bugging eyes, no need to yell punch lines about bitches this, hos that. He doesn't really seem upset about anything, which is part of his sleepy, sneaky charm. He'd been kicking around the comedy circuit for years (writing for King of the Hill, among other credits) before landing a prime perch on The Daily Show two years ago. (Brought on as a political correspondent, he complained about the endless 2008 campaign, "How does something this dull not get canceled?") Even when dispatched to cover Tea Party rallies or the financial crisis, he doesn't get too riled up. His attitude is one of droll, if misplaced, concern. Sure, some credit-card companies are jacking up their rates on distressed consumers; but, Cenac sympathetically reasons, "Bank of America has a sick child, too. Its name is Merrill Lynch." He's droll, he's funny, and he even showed a romantic side in the recent indie Medicine for Melancholy. Just don't expect him to get too excited about his own success. (Through Sat.) Parlor Live Comedy Club, 700 Bellevue Way N.E., Suite 300, Bellevue, 425-289-7000, parlorlive.com. $25–$35. 7:30 & 10:30 p.m. BRIAN MILLER
Festivals: House of Bounce
No, it's not too soon to start feeling sad and nostalgic about the Fun Forest, which will remain for the duration of the annual Whirligig! festival, but not much longer. (The Chihuly Museum we'll worry about next year, if it gets built.) But never mind the scourge of overpriced glass—Whirligig! is for kids, with activities and events for toddlers up to preteens. Face painting, clowns, and crafts are offered; and the rides range from super-sized inflatable slides (for older children) to a gentler, cordoned-off area in the Center House for those age 3 and under. (Behold: The House of Bounce!) Tickets are sold a la carte or as an all-day pass, and the prices are very family-friendly. What you spend on food is a different matter, and admission is separate for the monorail, Pacific Science Center, Children's Museum, Space Needle, and (sniff) Fun Forest. (Through April 11.) Seattle Center, 684-7200, seattlecenter.com. $1.50–$7.50. 11 a.m.–6 p.m. T. BOND
SATURDAY 3/27
Radio: Drawing Blood in the Heartland
