CONCERTS

Apr 12
Elvis Costello and the Imposters: The Revolver Tour
As the one new waver who never faded, Elvis Costello is entitled to some kitsch. On his latest tour, he chooses his set by spinning a game-show wheel with 40 songs on it. No, really. Paramount Theatre, $36–$76.

FILM

Apr 14–22
Langston Hughes African American Film Festival
The fest returns with more screenings to a newly renovated venue. Director Andrew Dosunmu premieres his critically acclaimed Sundance selection Restless City, about an African immigrant in the Big Apple, which opens for a longer run May 4. Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center, single tickets $8; festival pass $50–$75.

BOOKS & TALKS

Apr 14
Rachel Maddow
The uberpopular—tickets sold out in February—MSNBC host wants to remind us there’s a war going on; her new book Drift analyzes the recent history of America’s military spending. Town Hall, sold out.

CLASSICAL & MORE

Apr 13
Rush Hour: Tchaikovsky’s Fourth Symphony
The symphony goes “untuxed” for this shorter, no-intermission concert featuring the fury of violins in Tchaikovsky’s spirited Fourth. Benaroya Hall, $15–$79.

DANCE

Apr 13–22
Apollo and Carmina Burana
The double bill opens with George Balanchine’s oldest surviving ballet, Apollo, scored by Igor Stravinsky. After the Greek god tangles with the Muses of dance, song, mime, and poetry, the program moves on to Kent Stowell’s Carmina Burana spectacle with a 72-person choir and gilded 26-foot wheel hanging midair. McHaw Hall, $28–$168.

Apr 13–22
Petruchska
In Donald Byrd’s modern reimagining of the classic ballet, audience members will (literally) follow the tragic tale of a puppet come to life, through Madrona Park and into the theater, as he endures the brutal highs and lows of love. Spectrum Dance Theater, $20–$25.

Apr 12–14
Chunky Move
Though the Australian dance troupe is dynamic in its own right, the star of this show is the undulating aluminum grid dangling from above. For Connected, California artist Reuben Margolin created a kinetic sculpture suspended by cables that the dancers manipulate like a marionette of an ocean wave. Meany Hall, $20–$39.

FAMILY

Apr 12–May 13
Help
Before they were the Beatles (insert high-pitched squeal here), they were just a few floppy-haired Liverpool teens. Dutch director Moniek Merkx adapts the story of the days before their big break as a family-friendly musical. Seattle Children’s Theatre, $20–$39.

SPORTING EVENTS

Apr 13
Seattle Mariners 2012 Home Opener
After starting the season on the road (including two games in Japan), the Mariners come home for (another) game against the Oakland Athletics. King Felix Hernandez will be on the mound and his King’s Court cheering section will be loudly rooting him on. Will the much maligned Mariners offense from the past few years turn over a new leaf thanks to a crop of young hitters (Dustin Ackley, Jesus Montero, Justin Smoak, Kyle Seager, etc.)? Only time will tell… Safeco Field, $20–$205.

SPECIAL EVENTS

Apr 13–15
Cherry Blossom and Japanese Cultural Festival
Seattle Center’s Festàl series takes on a whiter shade of pink as the sakura bloom while the taiko drums beat. Eat award-winning yakisoba and outfold your rivals in the origami airplane contest. Seattle Center, free.