Calendar

Thursday: 5.8

Lectures

Thomson 317 –

Wendy Swartz, assistant professor of pre-modern Chinese literature, presents a discussion of Xie Lingyun’s poetry. 3:30 p.m. Free.

Concerts

Brechemin Auditorium –

The School of Music presents a piano recital by their students. 7:30 p.m. $5.

Friday: 5.9

Movies

Speed Racer –

Speed Racer, played by Emile Hirsch, a skilled young car driver who belongs to a family of racing fanatics, is blackmailed by the head of the nefarious corporation Royalton Industries to participate in The Crucible, the annual, cross-country rally that claimed his brother’s life years ago. PG.

What Happens in Vegas… –

13 – Joy, by Cameron Diaz, and Jack, Ashton Kutcher, meet during a night of heavy drinking. Their drunken nuptials are only part of a larger problem: what to do when Jack wins $3 million with Joy’s quarter. If they are to see a penny of their winnings, they are forced to spend six months as husband and wife. PG

Concerts

Tacoma Dome –

Country superstar Alan Jackson will be entertaining a sold out crowd at the Tacoma Dome. 7:30 p.m. $35-$65.

Saturday: 5.10

Films

HUB Auditorium –

The French Graduate Association is proud to present the first annual French and Francophone Film Festival. The film series has been structured to explore several key issues surrounding ethnicity, multiculturalism and identity in the postcolonial francophone world. 7 p.m. $7 general public, and free with Husky Card.

Concerts

Showbox SoDo –

NOFX, the American punk rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1983, will be stopping by Seattle as part of their international tour. 8:30 p.m. $20.

Comedy

Mainstage Comedy and Music Club –

Seattle-born comedian Dwight Slade will be performing his comedy showcase for a crowd aged 21 and over. 10:30 p.m. $20.

Sunday: 5.11

Performing Arts

Mainstage Comedy and Music Club –

Join Cathy Sorbo and Dwight Slade for an Elephant-Sized Comedy Gala and Live Art Auction to support getting the Woodland Park Zoo elephants out of their living conditions at the zoo and into the 2,700 acre Elephant Sanctuary. 7 p.m. $40.

Concerts

Paramount Theatre –

California-based band Cake will bring its alternative rock sound to Seattle for an all ages show. 7 p.m. $32.

Monday: 5.12

Concerts

Mainstage Comedy and Music Club –

enjoy Monday Music Madness. The Mainstage Comedy and Music Club offers a full bar and kitchen serving gourmet pizzas. 21 and over. 6 p.m. $7.50.

Benaroya Hall –

The world premiere of “Ghetto Songs,” a bold new Music of Remembrance commission by Paul Schoenfield based on the Yiddish poetry of the Krakow Ghetto’s “troubadour,” Mordecai Gebirtig. 7:30 p.m. $36.

Tuesday: 5.13

Visual Arts

Ceramics and Metal Arts Gallery –

Opening reception for Rachel de Conde, MFA candidate in ceramics. The exhibit runs through May 17. 6 p.m. Free.

Lectures

Henry Art Gallery auditorium –

Belgian artist Georges Vantongerloo was one of the great pioneers of abstract sculpture, yet his work is still largely underappreciated. Marek Wieczorek, an associate professor of art history, will lecture on the important parts of Vantongerloo’s vision of art. 6 p.m. Free.

Wednesday: 5.14

Visual Arts

Jacob Lawrence Gallery –

Opening reception of group exhibition featuring the work of students receiving their BFA in painting and drawing, sculpture, fibers or metals. The exhibit runs through May 31. 4 p.m. Free.