Augusten Burroughs

Augusten Burroughs has become the rock star of the tell-all dysfunctional-family memoir genre, starting with his bestselling Running With Scissors. He’s now profiting from his uniquely colorful childhood with his fifth biographical account: A Wolf at the Table: A Memoir of My Father (St. Martin’s, 24.95), in which dad is an alcoholic who spends his spare time scratching his psoriasis-ridden body and tormenting hamsters. Burroughs depicts himself as a innocent child sitting in a high chair, gazing at the world through one of the tiny holes in his saltine cracker. (Who remembers shit like that? . . . unless it’s fiction, which many have suggested.) Whether you find Burroughs excessive, creative, narcissistic, suspicious, or—more likely—all of the above, Burroughs reminds us why he’s a major presence in bookstores: He tells one hell of a story. Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave., 634-3400, www.bookstore.washington.edu. Free (advance tickets required from University Book Store). 7:30 p.m. ERIKA HOBART

Town Hall

Tue., May 13, 7:30pm

The Dirtbombs, Dan Sartain, Terrible Twos

Detroit's Dirtbombs are back with their first full-length in five years. That's big news for Mick Collins fans; they're more obsessed than a wolverine devouring a pack of rancid pork chops. Of course, the guy sounds a little older, a little less aggro these days. We Have You Surrounded, the band's latest, trades the sandpaper punk-soul of High Octane Salvation-era Dirtbombs for more of a quirky indie funk/disco-wave aesthetic. On tracks like "Sherlock Holmes" and "La Fin Du Monde" (great beer), Collins and his buddies rely more on mood and atmosphere than sweaty groove research. It's a pretty nifty album overall, although it's not nearly as mind blowing as his work with the Gories. But hey, how many classic records can one man produce? With Dan Sartain and Terrible Twos. Neumo's, 925 E. Pike St., 709-9467. 8 p.m. $12 adv. JUSTIN F. FARRAR

Neumo's

$12 adv. Tue., May 13, 8:00pm

To Do List

Monday, May 12

Dorothy Rissman
Much to the chagrin of her Wallingford neighbors, Dorothy Rissman began dum... More>>
Fetherston Gallery, Daily from Mon., April 21 until Sat., May 24, 11:00am

Correo Aereo
On Monday nights, when most restaurants declare a day of rest, there’s... More>>
Agua Verde Cafe and Paddle Club, Every week Monday, 6:30pm, free

The History of Fashion in Flight
“If the airline industry had a baby book, 1930 would surely be an impo... More>>
Museum of Flight, Daily from Sat., February 9 until Mon., June 2

57 more things to do today>>