A 60s Mod Garage Party with the Black Hollies, Big Nasties, Autolite Strike

I'm a firm believer that finance should never dictate fashion. Some of the best, worst, and most memorable outfits I've ever worn were bought by the bag at some thrift store for what a kid at Mickey D's makes in one hour. Others were used but tastefully chosen by those fashionably forward kids at Atlas or Red Light. My greatest find ever was a black A-line dress by '60s mod manufacturer Bleeker Street. A feat of tailored excellence with its perfect pleats, fitted empire waist, and hem just above the knee, wearing it always made me feel like a chubby Audrey Hepburn, simply sophisticated and tastefully timeless. Tonight's show, with its mod theme, "tastefully timeless" throwback bands, and crowd of dedicated followers of fashion, makes me think of that dress, and of perhaps getting on the treadmill so my post-baby booty will one day wear it again. Sigh. With the Black Hollies, Big Nasties, Autolite Strike. Comet Tavern, 922 E. Pike St., 323-9853. 8 p.m. MA'CHELL DUMA LAVASSAR

Comet Tavern

Sun., May 18, 8:00pm

Kublakai, Cancer Rising, D. Black, Neema, JFK of Greyskul

Besides a clever title, the 206 Degrees and Rising tour features a busload of Seattle hip-hop talent. See, in case you haven't heard, there's something happening here—something steaming in the underground rhymesayers' lairs in a part of the country heretofore known only for incessant rain, big planes, dirty rock, and rich white people. Organized by Sportin' Life's DeVon Manier and Ian Waller, aka Kublakai (also a performer), the pavement-pounding event will hit at least eight cities throughout the Northwest, bringing the wide and varied styles (and that's the thing about the scene—no one sound dominates, let alone defines, it) of Cancer Rising, D. Black, Neema, JFK of Greyskul, and a rotating cast of local MCs, DJs, and hosts in venues across the slate-gray Pacific Northwest. Tonight's the kickoff. Be there. High Dive, 513 N. 36th St., 632-5656. 9 p.m. $8. KEVIN CAPP

High Dive

$8. Sun., May 18, 9:00pm

Was (Not Was), Courtney Jones

Don Was boasts an astonishing legacy as a Grammy-winning producer, working with everyone from Roy Orbison to Iggy Pop to George Clinton. He also fathered Eve 6's drummer and supervised the Thelma and Louise soundtrack. But his crowning accomplishment remains Was (Not Was), the nine-piece funk juggernaut he co-founded. During the 1980s, Was (Not Was) released brazen tunes such as "Walk the Dinosaur" (fueled by the caveman chant "boom-boom-hacka-lacka-boom-boom") and "Knocked Down, Made Small (Treated Like a Rubber Ball)," (which features an awesome, YouTube-preserved video in which the group travels back in time to confront a boorish father with magical ball-and-string toys). On this year's Boo!, their first studio album since 1990, Was (Not Was) supplements its blazing horns, potent rhythms, and slaphappy bass with slow-burning soul and falsetto balladry. Sir Harry Bowens and Sweet Pea Atkinson haven't let their pipes rust: Both versatile vocalists can still belt out the blues, unleash power-rock growls, and melt together during Motown-style harmonies. Touring with its original lineup, the Detroit-based outfit only plucks a couple selections from the new disc, spending the bulk of its set transforming classic cuts (such as the aforementioned hits and its incendiary cover of "Papa Was a Rolling Stone") into rich, expansive jams. With Courtney Jones. Tractor Tavern, 5213 Ballard Ave. N.W., 789-3599. 8 p.m. $25 adv./$27. ANDREW MILLER

Tractor Tavern

$25 adv./$27. Sun., May 18, 8:00pm

Sugar and Spice

Extra Info

Photographic Center Northwest Daily from Sun., May 18 until Wed., May 28, 12:00pm-9:30pm

Her blonde hair trails down over her red ’50s polka-dot dress with plunging neckline. Mascara-laden eyelashes flip upward to reveal the stunning hazel eyes of Danica. But hold it, gentlemen: She’s only 5 years old and hoping to win a beauty pageant. Little Danica is just one of Susan Anderson’s subjects showcased in “High Glitz” (through May 28). Anderson, a fashion photographer who’s also shot for Playboy, focused her lens on child beauty-pageant contestants, using on-location studios to capture these aspiring Miss Americas in the heat of competition. Her portraits offer a disturbing glimpse into the world of Little Miss Sunshine and JonBenet Ramsey. Her young models are so composed, it’s hard to believe they’re real. Don’t be fooled by fellow exhibitor Alex Prager’s fun-loving subjects in “Polyester,” though. Prager manipulates mannequins in narrative scenes that are stunningly lifelike. Anyone for a dip in the hot tub with Lucy? Photographic Center Northwest, 900 12th Ave., 720-7222, www.pcnw.org. Free. Noon–9:30 p.m. JOSHUA LYNCH

To Do List

Saturday, May 17

Dead Meadow, SubArachnoid Space, Whalebones, Patrol
Man, the stoners haven't had a pairing this perfect since Comets on Fire pl... More>>
El Corazon, Sat., May 17, 7:00pm, $10 adv./$12

Peter Bagge
Artist Peter Bagge will show off a form of panels from Hate, his pioneering... More>>
Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery, Sat., May 17, 6:00pm-9:00pm

Thee Emergency (CD release), the Valley, the Hands
With Dita Vox at the helm, Seattle garage-rock band Thee Emergency speciali... More>>
King Cobra, Sat., May 17, 8:00pm

174 more things to do today>>