May 10, Wednesday

Sacred Breath Reading Series As part of a quarterly reading series, the UW’s Department of American Indian Studies presents three indigenous writers: poet Cedar Sigo, poet Trevino L. Brings Plenty, and Seattle memoirist Elissa Washuta, who recently announced she’s leaving town for a teaching opportunity. UW Intellectual House, 4249 Whitman Ct., 634-3400, ubookstores.com. Free. All ages. 7 p.m. PAUL CONSTANT

Science, Fact-Checking, and the News With the very notion of “facts” up for debate, journalists and news outlets are finding themselves in the confusing—yet crucial—position of defining and defending the truth. Particularly when it comes to esoteric topics like science, whose interpretation can dramatically influence public policy, this kind of thing can get messy fast. Four local science journalists, including KUOW’s Ashley Ahearn and Investigate West’s Adiel Kaplan, discuss their craft, including how to define “credible” sources, the art of fact-checking, and the importance of skepticism and critical thinking among reporters and readers alike. Panel discussion followed by Q&A. Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave., townhallseattle.org. $5. All ages. 7:30 p.m. SARA BERNARD

Brother Ali’s new album, All the Beauty in This Whole Life, is a deeply personal piece of work. The record finds Ali addressing his albinism, his father’s suicide, and his Muslim faith. It’s not as political as some of his highest-praised work, but as he told XXL Magazine recently, “I have to make a song about everything that’s made me, because that’s what we’re doing.” Neumos, 925 E. Pike St., neumos.com. $17. 8 p.m. DANIEL PERSON

May 11, Thursday

Borough Body Tennessee painter Douglas Degges teams up with Seattle writer Chelsea Werner-Jatzke to create two maps of the New York City subway system: one told visually, one with words. Maybe one day Seattle’s subway system will be large and complicated enough to inspire works of art like this. The Factory, 1216 10th Ave., thefactoryseattle.com. Free. All ages. 6 p.m. PC

Princess Nokia Also known as Destiny Frasqueri, New York City’s Princess Nokia has been pumping out some of the most fun, swagger-filled contemporary hip-hop around. Between her tough, schoolyard-style call-to-arms “Tomboy” or her witchy paean “Brujas” (in which she chides “Don’t you fuck with my energy!”), she’ll fit right in here in the femme-witch stronghold of Seattle. The Crocodile, 2200 Second Ave., thecrocodile.com. $15 adv. All ages. 6 & 10 p.m. KELTON SEARS

Acid Mothers Temple It’s almost comical how much music this Japanese group puts out. In 2008–09 alone, they released seven records, and continue to tour incessantly. They’ve hit a lull in album releases of late, but in 2016 they released Wake to a New Dawn of Another Astro Era, which is billed as the “first record in the second chapter” of the band’s career. The Sunset Tavern, 5433 Ballard Ave. NW, sunsettavern.com. $13. 8:30 p.m. DANIEL PERSON

May 12, Friday

Love and Trouble Reading Bainbridge memoirist, and SW alumna, Claire Dederer debuts her much-anticipated book. Subtitled A Midlife Reckoning, Love and Trouble is about what happens when she finds herself in an unexpected state of sexual reawakening. The book juxtaposes her youth and midlife into a single narrative, tied together through eroticism. Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave., 652-4255, townhallseattle.org. $5. All ages. 7:30 p.m. PC

Torrey Pines Live Screening Local artist, musician, and animator Clyde Petersen’s work is as approachable as it is complex. Torrey Pines, his first feature-length stop-motion animated film, is an entirely wordless tale following an unusual episode of his childhood: getting kidnapped and transported across the country by his own mother. Petersen manages to evoke more with his paper cutouts than most pro actors can with their real human faces. Tonight, the film screens with a live score provided by Petersen and fellow players. Seattle Central Library, 1000 Fourth Ave., spl.org. Free. All ages. 7–10 p.m. KS

May 13, Saturday

Eartha Reading Fantagraphics cartoonist Cathy Malkasian’s latest is a splendidly illustrated graphic novel about a brave young woman in a strange world where people read news printed on biscuits and then very publicly cry. It’s about the Internet. Malkasian will appear in conversation with Fantagraphics co-founder Gary Groth, who knows a thing or two about interviewing. Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery, 925 E. Pike St., 658-0110, fantagraphics.com. Free. All ages. 6 p.m. PC

Pleather Tape Release Seeing Pleather live is like watching a miniature version of a full-blown arena pop production, soundtracked by wrecking balls. Vocalist Claire Nelson struts, poses, and vogues while belting out melodic runs as Andrew McKibben noodles happy-go-lucky tropical riffs on his guitar atop abrasive sampledelic soundscapes—rhythmic gnashing meant to recall the construction sites that dot Seattle. Tonight the band releases its first proper record, Tether—make sure to bring earplugs and your dancing shoes. With Nightspace, DoNormaal, MMMelt. Timbre Room, 1809 Minor Ave., timbreroom.com. $10. 21 and over. 7 p.m. KS

U-District Cleanup Join the U District Partnership and University Heights Center for a day of fun, food, community, and trash. During a pizza lunch, your morning trash haul will be judged for a chance to win these fabulous awards: Most Romantic; Most Fashionable; Best Mother’s Day Gift; Best Lawn Ornament; and People’s Choice. University Heights Center parking lot, 5031 University Way N.E., UDistrictPartnership.org. Free. All ages. 9 a.m.–1:30 p.m. CASEY JAYWORK

Intro Anti-Racism Training Join the Coalition of Anti-Racist Whites (CARW) for a beginner’s class on the language, history, and structures of racism. The class will also include practicing how to talk to family and friends. All Pilgrims Christian Church, 500 Broadway E., CARW.org. Free. All ages. Noon–4 p.m. CJ

May 14, Sunday

Capitalism and Climate Change As part of the radical leftist event series Red May, tonight a panel of experts will discuss a driving force behind climate change: not individual consumers or their habits, but the system that undergirds our entire society—capitalism. Naomi Klein’s 2014 book This Changes Everything attempted to redirect the environmental debate toward one about capitalism, what she saw as the primary culprit; tonight that conversation will deepen. Grand Illusion Cinema, 1403 N.E. 50th St., redmayseattle.org. Free. All ages. 1–3 p.m. KS

May 15, Monday

Keller Family Lecture With Jeffrey Toobin This year’s annual Keller Family Lecture is delivered by Jeffrey Toobin, The New Yorker’s Supreme Court expert—which makes him one of the world’s leading Supreme Court experts. But Toobin has also written books about the Obama administration and, most recently, Patty Hearst. So it’s anyone’s guess as to what this talk will be about. Temple De Hirsch Sinai, 1511 E. Pike St., 624-6600, elliottbaybook.com. Free. All ages. 7 p.m. PC

May 16, Tuesday

Ultimate Lady’s Night With Sisqo and Mya The Y2K look is coming back hard, and few people rocked turn-of-the-millenium chic harder than Sisqo. In the video for his immortal 1999 hit “Thong Song,” he pulled off an all-white hair-and-outfit ensemble—complete with an open-chest vest, a glove that covered only his thumb and pointer finger, and a spike bracelet. At tonight’s ladies-get-in-free event, see the legend live with fellow 2000s-era popstart Mya. Only $1 for champagne glasses. Aston Manor, 2946 First Ave. S., aston-manor.com. 21 and over. 10 p.m.–2 a.m. KS