Send listings two weeks in advance to braincity@seattleweekly.com.

Multicultural Health Fair A daylong information expo featuring reps from 15 local organizations, including Jewish Family Service, Kin on Community Health Care, and Asian Counseling and Referral Service. Crossroads Shopping Center, Northeast Eighth Street and 156th Avenue Northeast (Bellevue), 425-644-1111. Free. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wed., Sept. 21.

Vigil for Darfur Poetry, music, speakers, and information on the Sudanese region where genocide has killed 400,000 people and displaced another 2.5 million. Westlake Plaza, Fourth Avenue and Pine Street, www.savedarfur.org. Free. Noon-12:45 p.m. Wed., Sept. 21.

Composting Workshop Turn yard waste into a nourishing soil additive with help from Washington State University King County Extension instructor Darcy Batura. Auburn Parks & Rec (Administration Building), 910 Ninth St. S.E. (Auburn), 206-205-3130. Free (reservations recommended). 6:30-8:30 p.m. Wed., Sept. 21.

Home and Garden Class The Phinney Neighborhood Association’s summer series ends with a class on working with tile. Phinney Neighborhood Center, 6532 Phinney Ave. N., 206-783-2244. $25 ($20 PNA members). 7-9 p.m. Wed., Sept. 21.

Seattle Follies A political cabaret to celebrate the retirement of David Brewster, the founder of Seattle Weekly, Sasquatch Press, and Town Hall. Expected: former Seattle City Attorney Mark Sidran, frequent Follies emcee Mike Egan, author Jonathan Raban, and Book-It Theatre heads Jane Jones and Myra Platt. 1119 Eighth Ave., 206-214-9980. Free (RSVP required). 7:30 p.m. Wed., Sept. 21.

Panel Discussion Top businesspeople under 40 share their secrets at a CityClub-sponsored discussion moderated by Puget Sound Business Journal‘s Mike Flynn. Panelists include Ben Bridge Jeweler’s Herb Bridge and Wallace Properties’ Joan Wallace. Harbor Club, 777 108th Ave. N.E. (Bellevue), 206-682-7395. $40 ($30 CityClub members). Noon-1:30 p.m. Thurs., Sept. 22.

Skatepark Design Meeting Weigh in on Seattle Parks and Rec’s plans to relocate Seattle Center’s skatepark to 531 Elliott Avenue West (and redesign it in the process). Queen Anne Community Center, 1901 First Ave. W., 206-386-4240. Free. 6:30-8 p.m. Thurs., Sept. 22.

Yappy Hour One of two events this week to benefit animals stranded by Katrina (via Homeward Pet Adoption Center), this fancy cocktail hour is also intended to match up human attendees with homeless pups. Hotel Monaco, 1101 Fourth Ave., 800-715-6513. $50. 6:30-9:30 p.m. Thurs., Sept. 22.

Manny Crisostomo The photojournalist’s 1989 project on a Detroit high school won the Pulitzer Prize, and 2005’s “The Leftover People” (about Hmong refugees in the Midwest and California) received the Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Award. He’ll discuss and show slides of his work tonight at the Washington State History Museum. 1911 Pacific Ave. (Tacoma), 888-238-4373. Free. 7-8 p.m. Thurs., Sept. 22.

Julie Moir Messervy The creator of the Toronto Music Garden, inspired by Bach’s First Suite for Unaccompanied Cello, describes her collaboration on the project with famed cellist Yo-Yo Ma. Meany Hall, 15th Avenue East and Northeast 40th Street, 206-543-0415. Free (RSVP recommended). 7:30 p.m. Thurs., Sept. 22.

Beyond the Ballot Box A CityClub panel discussion on “Working Effectively With Your Elected Officials,” led by staff from the offices of City Council member Peter Steinbrueck, U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell, and other local pols. City Hall (Council Chambers), 600 Fourth Ave., 206-682-7395. Free. Noon-1:30 p.m. Fri., Sept. 23.

Labyrinth Walk Venture into St. Mark’s circular labyrinth, 42 feet in diameter and modeled after the maze in the floor of France’s Chartres Cathedral. 1245 10th Ave. E., 206-323-0300. $5 (suggested). 6-10 p.m. Fri., Sept. 23.

Volkswalk A noncompetitive “people’s walk” through Capitol Hill, sponsored by the Evergreen State Volkssport Association. Walk begins at 1242 18th Ave. E., www.esva.org. Free. Start time: between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. End time: 4 p.m. Sat., Sept. 24.

Benefit Concert Groove to Celtic, maritime, and folk music to raise money for the Tall Ship Wawona, an endangered historic vessel in need of critical repairs. Northwest Seaport, 1002 Valley St., 206-448-0707. Pay what you can. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat., Sept. 24.

The Big Four-O The Museum of Flight celebrates its 40th birthday with two new exhibits, “The Founders of American Aerospace” and “The Boeing Story: 1935–1958,” as well as cake, music, and prizes. 9404 E. Marginal Way S., 206-764-5720. $14 ($13 seniors, $7.50 youth). 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat., Sept. 24.

Bungalow Fair Historic Seattle shines a spotlight on architecture, interior design, and “craftspeople in wood, textiles, metal, tile, glass, ceramics, and lighting” at its annual bungalow expo. Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave., 206-622-6952. $10 (includes two seminars; $10 extra per lecture). 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat., Sept. 24. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sun., Sept. 25.

Kubota Garden Tour Take a guided stroll around the South End’s largest authentic Japanese garden. Renton Avenue South and 55th Avenue South, 206-725-5060. Free. 10 a.m. Sat., Sept. 24.

Try Rowing Bash The Lake Washington Rowing Club hosts a session that covers the basics and awards all participants a souvenir T-shirt. 910 N. Northlake Way, 206-547-1583. $30. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Sat., Sept. 24.

Gardening Class A husband-and-wife team of “pruning professionals” explains how to keep your shrubs well kempt. Swanson’s Nursery, 9701 15th Ave. N.W., 206-838-2722. Free. 11 a.m. Sat., Sept. 24.

Italian Festival You’re unlikely to run into any godfathers here, but you will find Italian cars and food, a grape stomp worthy of Lucille Ball, and “puppet theatre.” Seattle Center (Center House and Fisher Pavilion), 206-684-7200. Free. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sat., Sept. 24-Sun., Sept. 25.

Family Fun Workshop Questions about comets? Drop by the Museum of Flight’s kid-friendly class on the mysterious heavenly bodies. 9404 E. Marginal Way S., 206-768-7126. $14 ($13 seniors, $7.50 youth). 11:15 a.m. and 1:15 p.m. Sat., Sept. 24-Sun., Sept. 25.

Adoption Information Meeting Talk to an adoptive family and learn about the logistics of adopting a child from Asia, Russia, or the U.S. Sponsored by the World Association for Children and Parents. Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church, 2400 N.W. 85th St., 206-575-4550. Free. 2-4 p.m. Sat., Sept. 24.

Panel Discussion In conjunction with Seattle Public Library’s September Project, SPL board member Eric Liu leads a lineup of local attorneys and other community members in a discussion of “The Chilling of Speech in America” in the post-9/11 era. Central Library, 1000 Fourth Ave., 206-386-4636. Free. 2 p.m. Sat., Sept. 24.

Roger Knights The local Bigfoot buff holds forth on his favorite subject. Museum of the Mysteries, 623 Broadway Ave. E., 206-328-6499. $5 (suggested). 7-9 p.m. Sat., Sept. 24.

Whose Planet Is It, Anyway? Sponsored by Foolproof, a diverse panel featuring Grist editor Chip Giller, Rich Cizik of the National Association of Evangelicals, and Haida Nation leader Giindajin Guujaaw contemplates the future of environmentalism. Paramount Theatre, 911 Pine St., 206-325-2993. $15. 8 p.m. Sat., Sept. 24.

Rendezvous for Relief Co-sponsored by Space City Mixer and the Progressive Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), this benefit show features Hater, the Earaches, and other indie-rock bands, all playing to raise money for pets rendered homeless by Katrina. Rendezvous, 2320 Second Ave., 206-441-5823. $10 (suggested). 9 p.m. Sun., Sept. 25.

Gardening Class Sponsored by the University of Washington Botanic Gardens, this week’s workshop focuses on planting vegetables using baskets. Center for Urban Horticulture (Douglas Classroom), 3501 N.E. 41st St., 206-543-8616. $55. 7-9 p.m. Mon., Sept. 26 and 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Sat., Oct. 1.

An Uncensored Celebration In an event co-sponsored by the ACLU of Washington, actors from Book-It Repertory Theater read works by Toni Morrison, Dr. Seuss, and other American authors threatened with censorship. Intiman Theatre, 201 Mercer St., 206-624-2184. $5 (suggested; no one turned away). 7 p.m. Mon., Sept. 26.

Jonathan Kozol The National Book Award winner talks about racial inequality in America’s public schools, a theme he investigates in his latest book, The Shame of the Nation. Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave., 206-325-3554. $10 ($5 students/Foolproof members). 7:30 p.m. Mon., Sept. 26. Fairmont Olympic Hotel, 411 University St., 206-389-7263. $50. Noon-1:45 p.m. Tues., Sept. 27.

Carlos Jimenez The Houston-based architect discusses his aesthetic philosophy, which involves the interplay between terrestrial and ethereal design and the assertion of vitality in urban settings. Seattle Art Museum, 100 University St., 206-842-2283. $15 ($12 advance). 6:30 p.m. Tues., Sept. 27.

John Graham The author of Stick Your Neck Out: A Street-Smart Guide to Creating Change in Your Community and Beyond talks about the joys and challenges of civic involvement. Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave., 206-682-7395. $10 ($7 for those under 25). 7 p.m. Tues., Sept. 27.

Hiking Seminar Hiking expert and instructional-video creator Jayah Faye Paley demonstrates how hiking poles can make your next mountain trek safer and more of a workout. REI, 222 Yale Ave. N., 206-223-1944. Free. 7-8:15 p.m. Wed., Sept. 28.

David Rothkopf He interviewed Madeleine Albright, Henry Kissinger, Colin Powell, Condoleezza Rice, and 126 other foreign-policy experts for his new book, Running the World: The Inside Story of the National Security Council and the Architects of American Power, which he’ll discuss tonight at Town Hall. 1119 Eighth Ave., 206-652-4255. $5. 7:30 p.m. Wed., Sept. 28.