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

Days of Empowerment Shoreline Community College hosts a two-day “conference/teach-in” on American foreign policy. Nicaraguan activist Dr. Maria Acosta, Seattle School Board member Sally Soriano, and assorted SCC professors are among the scheduled speakers. 16101 Greenwood Ave. N. (Shoreline), 206-546-4101. Free. 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Wed., May 25-Thurs., May 26.

Bob Dylan Lecture Series Led by EMP artistic director Bob Santelli, the series concludes with a discussion of 1966’s Blonde on Blonde, arguably the songwriter’s greatest masterwork. Experience Music Project, 325 Fifth Ave. N., 206-367-5483. Free. 7-8:30 p.m. Wed., May 25.

Romila Thapar The author of many scholarly works on India provides her own “Interpretations of Early Indian History” as part of the University of Washington’s Solomon Katz Distinguished Lectures series. UW Kane Hall (Room 110), 206-543-3920. Free. 7 p.m. Wed., May 25.

Health Lecture Sponsored by the University of Washington School of Nursing, nutritionist Cynthia Lair explains how to get enough nutrition from fewer calories as you age. UW Health Sciences Center (Hogness Auditorium), 206-543-1060. Free. 1:30 p.m. Thurs., May 26.

Art Lecture Metropolitan Museum of Art curator Helen Evans discusses Constantinople’s role as a crossroads of art and culture during the Byzantine era (330–1450 A.D.). Seattle Art Museum, 100 University St., 206-654-3100. $5-$10. 7 p.m. Thurs., May 26.

Northwest Folklife Festival The largest of its kind on the West Coast, this annual fest offers almost every conceivable form of folk expression, including dance, music, visual art, and performance art from across the globe. Seattle Center, 206-684-7300. Free. 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Fri., May 27-Mon., May 30.

Panel Discussion Preston Gates Ellis partner David K.Y. Tang moderates a CityClub-sponsored panel on the economic ties between China and the Northwest. Panelists include Mic Dinsmore of the Port of Seattle, Microsoft VP Pamela Passman, Boeing exec Starr Tavenner, and former Gov. Gary Locke. Crowne Plaza Hotel, 1113 Sixth Ave., 206-682-7395. $40 ($30 CityClub members). Noon-1:30 p.m. Fri., May 27.

Science Seminar Highline Community College continues its spring seminar series with “M.C. Escher: To Infinity and Beyond,” presented by math professor Ed Morris. 2400 S. 240th St., 206-878-3710, ext. 3513. Free. 2:10-3 p.m. Fri., May 27.

Queering Femininity Conference Performance artist and former sex worker Annie Sprinkle is among the guests of honor at this national confab, where workshops, panels, and other forums will address the theme of “exploring queer feminine gender expression.” (Visit www.femmeconference.org for more info.) Washington State Convention Center, 800 Convention Pl., 206-694-5000. $145 full pass ($50 one-day pass; individual events vary in price). 6 p.m.-1 a.m. Fri., May 27. 8:15 a.m.-10 p.m. Sat., May 28. 8:15 a.m.-2 a.m. Sun., May 29. 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Mon., May 30.

Aces From World War II The Museum of Flight devotes Memorial Day weekend to the bravery of WWII fighter pilots. A panel on Saturday at 2 p.m. includes retired Air Force colonels and commanders “who all scored five aerial victories”—each!—”in one day of combat”; Sunday at 2 p.m. there’s a panel of P-51 Mustang pilots; and at Monday’s 1 p.m. Memorial Day ceremony, assorted aces will speak and the names of American soldiers killed in Iraq and Afghanistan will be read aloud. 9404 E. Marginal Way S., 206-764-5720. $14 ($13 seniors, $7.50 youth 5 to 17). Sat., May 28-Mon., May 30.

Exhibit Opening Woodland Park Zoo unveils its Willawong Station exhibit, which “vicariously transports visitors to the world of the Australian parrot.” Among its avian inhabitants: budgerigars, cockatiels, and rosellas. 5500 Phinney Ave. N., 206-684-4800. $10 ($7 for children 3 to 12). Opening festivities: 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m. (zoo closes at 6 p.m.). Sat., May 28.

Seattle Scrabble Tournament This international competition, sponsored by the Seattle Scrabble Club and featuring around 120 competitors, promises to spell F-U-N. Or perhaps J-O-C-U-L-A-R-I-T-Y. Red Lion Hotel, 1415 Fifth Ave., 206-971-8000. Free. 9:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Sat., May 28-Sun., May 29. 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Mon., May 30.

Festival for the Birds Migratory birds are what this event is all about. Learn about raptors, bird-banding, avian conservation, and other feathered-friend topics at Woodland Park Zoo’s Butterfly Forest. 5500 Phinney Ave. N., 206-615-0076. $10 ($7 children 3 to 12). 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sat., May 28.

Hydro Fever Kent’s Hydroplane and Raceboat Museum celebrates its first year in a new location with free tours of the gallery—packed with such legendary crafts as Miss Burien and Hurricane IV—as well as model boat races and an auction of hydro memorabilia at noon. 5917 S. 196th St. (Kent), 206-764-9453. Free. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sat., May 28.

Kubota Garden Tour Take a guided stroll around the South End’s biggest authentic Japanese garden. Renton Avenue South and 55th Avenue South, 206-725-5060. Free. 10 a.m. Sat., May 28.

Magick Seminar Fans of The Craft and actual practitioners of Wicca should both enjoy this class at Edge of the Circle Books, led by Frater Nirmanakaya and titled “Reclaiming the Wand! Magickal Explanation for a New Aeon.” 701 E. Pike St., 206-726-1999. $10. 4-6 p.m. Sat., May 28.

Pike Place Market Street Festival Blues, jazz, rock, and country music fill the air, edibles from tacos to shortcake fill your mouth, and 80 crafts vendors offer their wares at the Market’s 33rd annual street fair. Pike Place Market, 206-682-7453. Free. 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Sun., May 29-Mon., May 30.

Memorial Day Service This event honoring Japanese-American soldiers killed in World War II is sponsored by Seattle’s Nisei Veterans Committee and features Brig. Gen. Oscar Hilman of the 81st Brigade at Fort Lewis, who will deliver a brief address. Lake View Cemetery, 1554 15th Ave. E., 206-322-1582. Free. 10-11 a.m. Mon., May 30.

National Croquet Championships And where else but Kirkland to hold them? Practitioners of the sport made infamous in Heathers knock dense wooden balls through wickets with mallets for the better part of a week. Puget Sound Croquet Club, 10229 136th Ave. N.E. (Kirkland), 425-885-7027. Free. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Tues., May 31-Sun., June 5.

Blood Drive Give blood at Kidd Valley, where iron-rich burgers are close at hand. What you donate goes to the Puget Sound Blood Center, and all donors get a free milkshake. 4910 Green Lake Way N., 206-547-0121. Free. Noon-6 p.m. Tues., May 31.

Transportation Forum The local chapter of Business Alliance for Local Living Economies (BALLE) hosts a discussion of alternative transportation methods, including bicycling, light rail, and sustainable fuel. E-mail info@balleseattle.org for location. $7 ($5 BALLE members). 6:30-8:30 p.m. Wed., June 1.

Mary Sheedy Kurcinka When you and your kid fight over curfew, it’s a golden opportunity for both of you to learn “important life skills,” according to her new book, Raising Your Spirited Child. Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave., 206-675-3370. $15 ($12 advance). 7 p.m. Wed., June 1.

Dr. Dei Smith The naturopath helps you figure out whether your problem with peanuts, berries, or dairy is a true allergy or just an intolerance. Natural Health Center, 8401 Fifth Ave. N.E., 206-523-4890. Free. 7 p.m. Wed., June 1.

Zoology Lecture “Butterflies of the Puerto Vallarta and Mismaloya Areas of Northwest Mexico” is the subject of this talk sponsored by the Washington Butterfly Association. Center for Urban Horticulture, 3501 N.E. 41st St., 206-364-4935. Free. 7 p.m. Wed., June 1.