VARIETE Things are getting naughty under the Spiegeltent. Teatro ZinZanni’s favorite “Mexican Elvis” El Vez hosts and curates Mezzo Lunatico, TZ’s new late-night comedy and cabaret shows. Expect them to show more skin than usual—and expect the event to sell out. 21+. Get your tickets asap. Nov 20, 11pm-2am.

SPECIAL EVENT Break out your spyglass: Steamcon, the all-things-steampunk convention, returns this weekend. Before last year’s event, we got cocreator Diana Vick to talk gothic fashion and mad science. Nov 19-21.

DANCE Think you have the best Gaga routine? Been dying to wear your Halloween costume again? Strut your stuff—and win cash—at Century Ballroom’s Lady Gaga dance-off on Saturday.

CONCERT Beloved local singer-songwriter Brandi Carlile brings a bit of country, a bit of soul, and a big voice to Benaroya in her Seattle Symphony debut. Nov 19 & 21.

VISUAL ART Contemporary Chinese artist Wang Huaiqing, “a painter’s painter,” eschews politics and “brushes away the ugliness” of the Cultural Revolution with his paintings. Seattle Asian Art Museum hosts his first solo exhibition in the U.S. Nov 18-Apr 10.

Open Satellite hosts its second annual Northwest Artist Edition Program launch party, boasting new artwork by four local big-deals: Eli Hansen (glasswork), Victoria Haven (mixed media), Isaac Layman (photography/prints) and Maki Tamura (hand-painted broaches). The party runs Saturday 7-10pm with cocktails and snacks at Open Satellite in Bellevue.

BOOKS & TALKS Two nights, two sassy women: Comedian Lauren Weedman and writer/director Nora Ephron show off their latest work in Seattle this weekend. Weedman returns to Hugo House on Friday for the latest Literary Series, while Ephron is at Town Hall tonight (sadly, it’s sold out) and Third Place Books Friday night.

BOOK SALE Twenty local authors—Garth Stein, Jim Lynch, and many Seattle7Writers among them—will sign their work and hand out homemade cookies in a book signing free-for-all on Saturday at Phinney Neighborhood Center. Books signed by famous people make for mighty fine holiday gifts…

FILM We don’t have to tell you that Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part One comes out on Friday. You probably booked your tickets weeks ago. If you didn’t, consider watching it at the newly renovated Cinerama, which reopens at midnight tonight. Check back on Culture Fiend tomorrow for our review of the new Potter installment.