Paranoia as Art, a Big Ass Music Festival, and a Different Kind of Nordic Mythology

STAGE

David Sedaris You looooove him. And now you can get more than a once-a-year fix. He’s trying out pieces from his newest humor collection, Calypso, scheduled for a June release. Broadway Performance Hall, 1625 Broadway. $50. 7 p.m. Fri., Jan. 5–Thurs., Jan. 11, plus 2 p.m. Sun., Jan. 7.

CLASSICAL, ETC.

Jeff Witscher, die Reihe, Kaori Suzuki, RM Francis An evening of experimental electronic music “featuring the hybrid concrète/digital synthesis constructions of Jeff Witscher, die Reihe’s conceptual deconstructions of dance-music genres, and a presentation of a multichannel work by Kaori Suzuki, with an opening set by local artist RM Francis.” Gallery 1412, 1412 18th Ave., gallery1412dotorg.wordpress.com. 8 p.m. Sat., Jan. 6.

BOOKS & SPEAKERS

Anu Partanen Her book The Nordic Theory of Everything explores why Scandinavian countries seem to function so smoothly—and “dispels myths fueling the widespread American dismissal of Nordic methods as ‘socialism’ that only works in small, homogeneous countries with a collectivist mindset and an altruistic tolerance for high taxes.” Kane Hall, UW campus, townhallseattle.org. Free. 7 p.m. Wed., Jan. 10.

VISUAL ARTS

Gallery 4Culture Among this month’s First Thursday Art Walk openings: Survivalism, doomsday preppism, and eschatological paranoia (or is it???) of all kinds interconnect in “Loaves and Fishes,” an exhibit of Francisco Guerrero’s sculptures and drawings. Opening reception 6 p.m. Thurs., Jan. 4; ends Jan. 25. Also, and not unrelated, Sri Prabha’s film/installation Night Lands 3, exploring human dependence on the water cycle, is shown 7–10 p.m. daily. Gallery4Culture, 101 Prefontaine Pl. S., 4culture.org.

MUSIC

Big Ass Boombox This annual midwinter celebration of music is a rarity, thrice over: It is all local, all free, and (mostly) all ages. Over the course of two days, stages at the Crocodile (all ages) and Jupiter Bar (21 and over) will host a sampling of various scenes, including veteran acts you can count on (Theoretics, Vox Mod, The Purrs) and relative newcomers worth checking out (Peyote Ugly, Sleepy Genes). Drop by for a much-needed kick-start to the new year. The Crocodile, 2200 Second Ave.; Jupiter Bar, 2126 Second Ave. Suite A; seattle.bigassboombox.com. Free. 7 p.m. Sat., Jan 6–Sun., Jan. 7.