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

TheFilmSchool Application Deadline Wednesday, Jan. 5, is the last day to register for this high-octane screenwriting academy, staffed by actor Tom Skerritt (recently seen in Intiman’s production of Our Town), local film-events kingpin Warren Etheredge, and Oscar-winning screenwriter Stuart Stern (The Ugly American, Rebel Without a Cause). Register online at www.thefilmschool.com. Classes held at “a private estate in Seattle.” 9 a.m.-9:30 p.m. weekdays; 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturdays. Sat., Feb. 5-Sat., Feb. 26.

GIS Workshops Those with no prior experience using a geographic information system (GIS) need not fret, as the Portland-based firm SmartGirl Technologies offers three daylong seminars this week, emphasizing GIS capabilities in the fields of social service and sociological research. New Horizons Computer Training Center, 2601 Fourth Ave. (Suite 120), 877-241-6576. $299 (includes materials). 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Wed., Jan. 5-Fri., Jan. 7.

ISM Discussion Cafe The local branch of the International Solidarity Movement, a group in favor of “nonviolent resistance” to Israel’s occupation of Palestine, sponsors this monthly meeting to discuss the issues and plan trips to the area. B&O Espresso, 204 Belmont Ave. E., 206-633-1086. Free. 5-8 p.m. Wed., Jan. 5.

NION Fund-raiser Folk musicians take the stage to raise money for the Seattle chapter of Not In Our Name, an organization responsible for extensive antiwar activism since 2002. Richard Hugo House, 1634 11th Ave., 206-322-7030. $5-$15 sliding scale (no one turned away). 5-11 p.m. Wed., Jan. 5.

Jobs With Justice Meeting The Seattle Organizing Committee of the labor advocacy organization holds its monthly confab. Labor Temple Hall, 2800 First Ave., 206-441-4969. Free. 5:30 p.m. Wed., Jan. 5.

Redistricting Forum The second of four public hearings on the upcoming redistricting of King County, which includes reduction of the number of districts from 13 to nine, at Lake Forest Park Council Chambers. 17425 Ballinger Way N.E. (Lake Forest Park), www.metrokc.gov/council/districting. Free. 6 p.m. Wed., Jan 5.

Global Issues Lecture Series Ahna Machan, director of the humanitarian aid group CARE USA, christens Antioch University’s new series with a talk titled “Rights, Responsibilities, and the Root Causes of Poverty: Holistic Approaches to Sustainable Development.” 2326 Sixth Ave., 206-268-4906. Free. 7-9 p.m. Wed., Jan. 5.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day Rally An evening celebration and march honoring the famed civil-rights leader. Meet at 722 18th Ave., 206-296-0321. Free. 7-8:30 p.m. Wed., Jan. 5.

American Historical Association Annual Meeting The AHA occupies various downtown venues for a four-day blowout sure to tempt history buffs. On the agenda: panels, some including local scholars, on such topics as the theft of public records and exploring China’s history through its artifacts. Various locations; visit www.historians.org/annual for details. Panels and lectures are free to the public; $110 registration fee to visit exhibit hall and attend other events. Thurs., Jan. 6-Sun., Jan. 9.

New Year’s Lunch for Seniors Want a little music with your Talmud? Richard Dean and Asher Hashash provide the piano and guitar, respectively, and Don Armstrong and Rivy Poupko Kletenik deliver the punditry at Stroum Jewish Community Center’s first event of 2005. 3801 E. Mercer Way, 206-232-7115 ext. 269. $7. 12:30-2:30 p.m. Thurs., Jan. 6.

Redistricting Forum The third of four public hearings on the upcoming redistricting of King County, which includes reduction of the number of districts from 13 to nine, at Auburn City Council Chambers. 25 W. Main St. (Auburn), www.metrokc.gov/council/districting. Free. 6 p.m. Thurs., Jan. 6.

Anger Management Course Nicknamed WHOA! (Why Hang Onto Anger?), this eight-week class for parents emphasizes staying cool during a crisis. Burke Gilman Community Room/Office, 5100 40th Ave. N.E., 206-992-2831. $240 (“payment plans available”). 6:30-8:30 p.m. First session: Thurs., Jan. 6.

Women’s Advisory Board Meeting The WAB monitors women’s rights in King County; its monthly meeting is open to the public. Safeco Center, 306 23rd Ave. S. (Suite 200), 206-205-6486. Free. 6:45-8:45 p.m. Thurs., Jan. 6.

League of Women Voters Forum The League meets monthly to discuss current issues; this week, they’ll be planning programs for the coming year. Seattle First Baptist Church, 1111 Harvard Ave., 206-329-4848. Free. 7:30 p.m. Thurs., Jan. 6.

Athens Boys Choir The “queer, political, poetry-spittin’ duo” rolls into town for a show at the Wildrose. 1021 E. Pike St., 206-324-9210. Free. 8 p.m. Thurs., Jan. 6.

New Art Exhibit “Asian and Pacific Islander Adoptees: A Journey Through Identity,” which runs through Sept. 4 at the Wing Luke Asian Museum, documents the struggles and achievements of adopted children seeking to retain their heritage while adapting to Western culture. 407 Seventh Ave. S., 206-623-5124 ext. 115. $4 ($3 students, $2 children). 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Tues.-Fri.; noon-4 p.m. Sat.-Sun. Fri., Jan. 7-Sun., Sept. 4.

CityClub Forum The new year at CityClub begins with a state legislative preview conducted by a panel that includes House majority leader Lynn Kessler (D-24th District) and Senate minority leader Sen. Bill Finkbeiner (R-45th District). Crowne Plaza, 1113 Sixth Ave., 206-682-7395. $40. Noon-1:30 p.m. Fri., Jan. 7.

Web Browsing Workshop Using the Web efficiently for research is easy in theory but tricky in practice. This class, sponsored by local nonprofit NPower Seattle, teaches savvy surfing and antivirus protection in one fell swoop. 403 23rd Ave. S., 206-286-8880. $20. 1:30-3:30 p.m. Fri., Jan. 7.

Second Annual Chemistry Show Highline Community College reboots its yearly science fair for grown-ups; this edition, according to HCC prof John Pfeffer, includes “fire-breathing, screaming gummi bears.” 2400 S. 240th St. (Des Moines), 206-878-3710 ext. 3513. Free. 2:10-3 p.m. Fri., Jan. 7.

Friday Night at the Meaningful Movies The political film series returns with Warren Beatty’s controversial 1998 polemic Bulworth, in which the director plays a politician who undergoes a crisis of conscience and begins telling it like it is, to the glee of his constituents and the horror of everyone else. Discussion to follow. Keystone Church, 5019 Keystone Pl., wnfp@bridgings.org. Free (donations accepted). 7 p.m. Fri., Jan. 7.

Elvis Invitationals At tonight’s EMP-sponsored competition, you should get a heapin’ helpin’ of faux Presley fever, with Elvis impersonators running the gamut from precocious teenagers to octogenarian AARPsters. 325 Fifth Ave. N., 206-770-2702 (to attend) or 206-517-4826 (to enter; deadline is Thurs., Jan. 6!). $15. 8 p.m. Fri., Jan. 7.

World Religions Seminar Series Seattle University kicks off the series with Hinduism, as explicated by University of Washington grad student Prem Pahlajrai. 900 Broadway Ave. E. (Engineering Bldg.), 206-547-4077. $25 per seminar, $120 for all six. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sat., Jan. 8.

Redistricting Forum The last of four public hearings on the upcoming redistricting of King County, which includes reduction of the number of districts from 13 to nine, at the King County Courthouse. 516 Third Ave., www.metrokc.gov/council/districting. Free. 10 a.m. Sat., Jan. 8.

Wedding Show In 2005, the matrimonial ritual requires five basic elements: a tuxedo, a dress, a DJ, a photographer, and an ice sculptor. This labyrinth of 400-plus vendors should help you choose one of each. Washington State Convention Center, 800 Convention Pl., 425-744-6509. $15 ($13 advance). 10:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Sat., Jan. 8. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sun., Jan. 9.

Family Fun Workshops While another aviator rules the box office, learn about the two men who first ruled the skies: This weekend’s hands-on classes at the Museum of Flight are all about the Wright Brothers. 9404 E. Marginal Way S., 206-764-5720. Free with museum admission ($12 adults, $11 seniors, $7.50 youth). 11:15 a.m. and 1:15 p.m. (two sessions per day). Sat., Jan. 8-Sun., Jan. 9.

Peter Davenport It’s a tough job, but somebody has to direct the National UFO Reporting Center; tonight at the Museum of the Mysteries, Davenport talks about what the job entails and whether recent reports of new sightings are bona fide or bogus. 623 Broadway Ave. E., 206-328-6499. $10 (suggested donation). 7-9 p.m. Sat., Jan. 8.

bodyBODY Project A multimedia collaboration between filmmaker Kathlyn Albright, playwright Vanessa McGrady, and photographer Amanda Koster, this performance piece explores issues surrounding female body image. Empty Space Theater, 3509 Fremont Ave. N., 206-523-7300. $15. 8 p.m. Thurs.-Sat.; 2 p.m. Sun. Sat., Jan. 8-Sat., Feb. 12.

Film ScreeningArgentina: Hope in Hard Times, directed by Melissa Young and Mark Dworkin, chronicles the South American nation’s recovery from economic implosion in 2001. The University of Washington’s Ethnic Cultural Theater hosts the screening. 3940 Brooklyn Ave., 206-543-7661. $5 (suggested donation). 8 p.m. Sat., Jan. 8.

Entrepreneurship Lecture Series Paladin Partners executive Janis Machala talks about creating an effective business plan. Seattle University, 901 12th Ave., 206-296-5730. $35. 3:45-5:45 p.m. Mon., Jan. 10.

Debt Relief Forum Join other concerned citizens for a discussion of debt relief for developing nations. St. Mark’s Cathedral, 1245 10th Ave. N., 206-382-3785. Free. 5:30-7 p.m. Mon., Jan. 10.

Radical Women Discussion Group The local feminist organization evaluates Undivided Rights: Women of Color Organize for Reproductive Justice, a book that examines abortion rights from various minority perspectives. UW Ethnic Cultural Center, 3931 Brooklyn Ave. N.E., 206-722-6057. Free. 7-8:30 p.m. Mon., Jan. 10.

ECC Lecture Series Anti-racism consultant Tim Wise discusses the persistence of subtle racist thought, and how to identify and combat it within what he calls a “culture of denial.” Edmonds Community College, 20000 68th Ave. W. (Lynnwood), 425-640-1313. Free. 12:30-1:30 p.m. Tues., Jan. 11.

Parenting Class A two-tiered course for parents and children who have experienced violence in the home, sponsored by Jewish Family Service. Call for location: 206-461-3240 ext. 3159. Free. 6:30-8:30 p.m. Tues., Jan. 11-Tues., March 29.

“The Crusades” Lecture Series The University of Washington Alumni Association presents a five-week series on Christianity’s most notorious pet project. The inaugural talk, by UW history professor Robert Stacey, examines how the whole mess began in 1096, when European Christians began plotting to recapture Jerusalem from Muslim occupation. UW Kane Hall (Room 130), 800-289-2586. $15 per lecture, $60 for the series ($5/$20 for students). 7 p.m. Tues., Jan 11.

Introduction to Qigong It’s a form of Chinese medicine said to exceed Western techniques in relieving problems with mobility, stamina, and the immune system; learn its ABCs tonight at Sakya Monastery. 108 N.W. 83rd St., 206-789-2573. $12. 7:30 p.m. Tues., Jan. 11.

Association for Corporate Growth Meeting Don Bielen of the Rainier Group is the guest speaker at tonight’s gathering; he’ll explain how businesses can weather the economic storm by identifying and retaining crucial staffers. Washington Athletic Club, 1325 Sixth Ave., 206-362-6975. $40 ($25 ACG members). 5:30-7:30 p.m. Wed., Jan. 12.

Kathryn Gustafson The renowned landscape artist talks about her work in Seattle (which includes Kreielsheimer Promenade) and other cities around the world. Sponsored by the Seattle Art Museum. 100 University St., 206-654-3121. $8 ($5 students). 6:30 p.m. Wed., Jan. 12.

ISO Forum Jesse Hagopian of the Washington Teachers Union addresses the topic “Is Revolution Possible in the United States?” at an event sponsored by the International Socialist Organization. Seattle Central Community College, 1701 Broadway Ave. E., 206-931-2922. Free. 7-9 p.m. Wed., Jan. 12.

Peter Whybrow The director of UCLA’s Neuropsychiatric Institute deals with U.S. consumerism run amok in his new book American Mania: When More Is Not Enough, which he’ll discuss tonight in a talk hosted by Seattle University. Wyckoff Auditorium, 901 12th Ave., 206-296-6000. Free. 7-9 p.m. Wed., Jan. 12.

Morris Dees The domestic-terrorist tracker, whose experience in that field includes suing branches of the KKK and keeping tabs on radical militias, chats about his chosen profession at Shoreline Community College. 16101 Greenwood Ave. N., 206-546-4606. $14. 7:30 p.m. Wed., Jan. 12.