Send listings two weeks in advance to
Puget Sound Underworld: Inhabitants, Hideouts, and Exposures Like a localized version of Finding Nemo, this photo exhibit at Odyssey Maritime Discovery Center reveals a rollicking society of undersea dwellers native to Puget Sound, as captured by a quintet of local diver-photographers. 2005 Alaskan Way (Pier 66), 206-374-4000 ext. 101. $7 for adults, $5 for seniors/students. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tue.-Sat.; noon-5 p.m. Sun. Wed. March 31-Wed. June 30.
Tacoma Dome Boat Show Fishing boats, ski boats, pontoons, and kayaks are just a few examples of what this yearly boat bonanza has to offer. 2727 East D Street (Tacoma), 253-756-2121. $9 for adults, $7 for seniors (62+), $5 for children (6-16). 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Wed. March 31-Thu. April 1. 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Fri. April 2-Sat. April 3. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sun. April 4.
Alaskan Way Viaduct Project Meeting Curious citizens may attend this meeting regarding the infamous but indispensable waterfront eyesore. Mayor Greg Nickels and other city leaders will be on hand, but the public is requested to simply observe. Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave., 206-652-4255. Free admission. 4:30-6:30 p.m. Wed. March 31.
Spring Plant Sale The South Seattle Community College Garden Center throws open its doors, offering a wide variety of plants at 20 percent off to usher in springtime. 6000 16th Ave. S.W. (West Seattle), 206-764-5339. Free admission. 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Thu. April 1-Sat. April 3.
David Suzuki The acclaimed environmentalist and geneticist holds forth on “The Challenge of the Third Millennium: Setting the Real Bottom Line.” He’ll be speaking in ecological terms, no doubt, as this lecture is part of the sustainable-design forum GreenWorld. Seattle Center (Fisher Pavilion), 206-448-4938. $15-$55. 6:45 p.m. Thu. April 1.
Conversations on the Flora and Fauna Historian George Eisentrout discusses the ecological findings of Lewis and Clark during their famed expedition. State Capitol Building (Olympia), 360-753-2580. Free admission. 7 p.m. Thu. April 1.
Drum Circle Where else but a chai house to get your drum on? University District newbie Trabant Chai Lounge welcomes “seasoned percussionists as well as novices” to a jam led by drum enthusiast Ed Miller. 1309 N.E. 45th St., 206-675-0668. Free admission. 9-11 p.m. Thu. April 1.
Sacred Buddhist Relics More than 1,000 items said to have belonged to the Buddha—some of them allegedly 2,500 years old—make their way to Seattle for a two-day stint at the Co Lam Temple. 3503 S. Graham St., 206-417-4870. Free admission. 5-8 p.m. Fri. April 2. 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Sat. April 3.
Breaking News: The State of Today’s Information Media Bainbridge Island Arts & Humanities Council concludes its series of media forums with a panel discussion on the objectivity and accessibility of modern news-gathering organizations. Moderated by KUOW-FM’s Ross Reynolds, the scheduled panel features Carole Carmichael of The Seattle Times, Mark Trahant of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, and Prof. Margaret Gordon of the University of Washington’s Evans School of Public Affairs, among others. Bainbridge High School (LGI Room), 9330 N.E. High School Rd., 206-842-7901. $10 for adults, $5 for students/seniors. 7 p.m. Fri. April 2.
World Rhythm Festival Performances in styles ranging from Cuban to Senegalese, participatory drum circles, and a variety of vendors offering all things percussive await you at Seattle’s 12th annual journey to the Land of Beat. Seattle Center (Center House), 206-548-0916. Free admission. 7-10 p.m. Fri. April 2. 10 a.m.-10:30 p.m. Sat. April 3. 11 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Sun. April 4.
G.R.O.W. Benefit A new Seattle organization, Giving Real Options to Women, provides education and guidance to domestic abuse survivors who fought their abusers and were imprisoned for it. The group’s opening fundraiser is a combined cabaret/swing show featuring the Vargas Girls, as well as H.B. Radke and the Jet City Swingers. Sky, 332 Fifth Ave. N., 206-383-5215. $15. 8 p.m.-2 a.m. Fri. April 2.
Save Your Marriage Before It Starts You know what they say about a stitch in time. Seattle Pacific University instructors and “nationally known relationship experts” Les and Leslie Parrott offer guidance for engaged couples and newlyweds at this daylong seminar. SPU campus (Upper Gwinn Commons), 206-281-2543. $140 per couple. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sat. April 3.
Scottish Heritage Festival Rediscover your brogue at this all-out celebration of music, dancing, and kilts from the land that gave us Macbeth. Puyallup Fairgrounds, 110 Ninth Ave. S.W. (Puyallup), 253-968-3405. $5 for adults, $3 for seniors, free for kids under 12. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat. April 3.
Alpacapalooza 2004 When your kids ask what an alpaca is, you’ll want a ready answer. Thanks to the Alpaca Association of Western Washington and its annual celebration of “peace, love, and livestock,” you’ll have a working definition at your fingertips. The event includes an “alpaca fashion show,” alpaca fleece competitions, and “unusual retail items for sale.” Evergreen State Fairgrounds (Monroe), 425-334-5896. $2 ($1 with canned-food donation). 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat. April 3. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sun. April 4.
What Is Nonviolent Communication? In a city that loves to protest—and at a time when there seems to be more to protest than ever before—this event could be a dose of good medicine. Learn the hows and whys of peaceful demonstration at a workshop organized by the Puget Sound Network for Compassionate Communication. 8511 15th Ave. N.E., 206-382-8576. Pay what you can ($45-$125 suggested donation). 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. (drop-in format). Sat. April 3.
Seattle Animal Shelter Volunteer Orientation If you’ve ever thought about working at a pet shelter, this is your carpe diem moment. The city’s premier animal-adoption center receives more than 50,000 hours of volunteer service per year; begin your contribution with this info session. 9600 College Way N. (North Seattle Community College), 206-386-PETS. Free admission. Noon. Sat. April 3.
Dragon Boat Racing, Anyone? This playfully named symposium is the first of three area info sessions on the subject. The 2,400-year-old sport features 43-foot boats powered by 20 paddlers apiece; as it happens, Tacoma has its very own dragon boat association, which is seeking new members. Third Place Commons, 17171 Bothell Way N.E., 206-523-4518. Free admission. 2 p.m. Sat. April 3.
Black Tie Bingo This benefit for Providence Mount St. Vincent, the 80-year-old West Seattle eldercare facility, is probably the dressiest bingo night you’ll ever attend. Enjoy a gala dinner, then listen for “B-6” and “I-22.” Two grand-prize winners get a weekend in New York! Salty’s on Alki, 1936 Harbor Ave. S.W., 206-938-6191. $100. 6 p.m. Sat. April 3.
Mysteries of the Kalakala We’re guessing ghosts are among the enigmas slated for discussion at Peter Bevis’ lecture on the recently departed ferry. Seattle Museum of the Mysteries, 623 Broadway Ave. E., 206-328-6499. $3 for members, $5 for non-members. 7-9 p.m. Sat. April 3.
Ralph Nader Troublemaker to some, hero to others, the perennial Green Party presidential candidate (and longtime consumer advocate) makes a campaign stop at Town Hall to speak, take questions, and chat with supporters and other interested parties. Joining him at the rally will be Seattle School Board member Sally Soriano and Senate candidate Mark Wilson. 1119 Eighth Ave., 206-222-7522. $5 for adults, $3 for students. 11:30 a.m. Mon. April 5.
Tom Ridge The Homeland Security Secretary has been a key figure on the domestic front after 9/11, and this “town hall” forum is a rare opportunity for Seattle residents to voice their concerns about personal and national safety in light of the ongoing war on terror and the recent bombings in Spain. A panel of local officials, including Seattle Fire Department Deputy Chief A.D. Vickery and Major General Timothy Lowenberg, homeland security advisor to Gov. Locke, will add to the discussion, which TV journalist Frank Sesno will moderate. Seattle University (Campion Ballroom), 914 E. Jefferson St., 202-530-3242 or www.excelgov.org. Free admission. 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Tue. April 6.
Global Rhythms: Traditions from the Horn of Africa A sneak peak at the African programming from the upcoming Folklife Festival (May 28-31), this Town Hall dance/concert hybrid features Ethiopian flautist Wase Kasa and an Eritrean dance troupe. A discussion will follow the show. Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave., 206-684-7300. $10 for adults, $8 for students and Town Hall members. 7:30 p.m. Tue. April 6.
DesignTrends This two-day interior design show covers everything from ergonomics to sustainable indoor lighting and toxic mold. Panels and speakers will address green design, both figuratively (environmental standards) and literally (color trends). Washington State Convention & Trade Center, 800 Convention Pl., 877-739-2112 ext. 228. Seminar prices range from $20-$85. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Wed. April 7. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Thu. April 8.
Diabetes Management Seminar Diabetics can acquire new strategies for combating an old foe—high blood sugar—at this free workshop, led by 28 Days to Diabetes Control! author Lance Porter. Senior Center of West Seattle, 4217 S.W. Oregon St., 206-932-4044. Free admission. 1-2 p.m. Wed. April 7.
Panel Discussion As part of the Nextbook series on Jewish culture, U.W. profs Susan Glenn, Nikhil Singh, and Paul C. Taylor join Colors Northwest journalist Silja J.A. Talvi to discuss the history of “passing” in film and literature. Seattle Art Museum, 100 University St., 206-625-8900. 7:30 p.m. Thurs. April 8.