CLASSICAL & MORE

Sept 29
Amadeus Leopold
A violin virtuoso who finds as much inspiration in Freddie Mercury as Tchaikovsky, Amadeus Leopold (formerly known as Hahn-Bin) is classical music’s Great Mohawked Hope. His concerts double as daring performance art, complete with leopard-print tights and Kabuki makeup; and after a decade studying under Itzhak Perlman, the 25-year-old artist has the talent to back up the tights. Kirkland Performance Center, $35.

BOOKS & TALKS

Sept 28
Damien Echols
After serving 18 years in prison for the murder of three young boys, the West Memphis Three (including Damien Echols, who had been sentenced to death) were released last year to cheers and anger. Echols tells his side of the story in his new memoir Life After Death, with Too Beautiful to Live host Luke Burbank moderating. Town Hall, $5.

COMEDY

Sept 28–Oct 6
SketchFest
This year’s sketch-comedy showcase marks the return of the Cody Rivers Show (yay!). Bellingham’s Mike Mathieu and Andrew Connor—known for their whiz-bang wordplay, pratfalls, song and dance, and the occasional bear costume—have new work to show off. Visit website for venues, $15.

THEATER

Sept 27–30
Gob Squad's Kitchen (You've Never Had It So Good)
German-British collective Gob Squad reimagines Andy Warhol’s Factory in this cheeky film-theater performance riffing on the pop-artist’s movie Kitchen (which featured a cast that was too stoned to remember its lines and Edie Sedgwick sneezing a lot). On the Boards, $12–$25.

FILM

Sept 28–Oct 4
Local Sightings Festival
While it lacks the glitz and star power of SIFF, the Film Forum’s Local Sightings Festival captures much more of the Northwest’s filmmaking essence. Small-scale features like Film Forum Fund recipient Off Label and The International Sign for Choking by 2010 Local Sightings winner Zach Weintraub top the lineup. Northwest Film Forum, single ticket $10–$12, festival pass $100.

Thru Oct 3
The Master at Cinerama
The latest film from Paul Thomas Anderson (Boogie Nights, There Will Be Blood) is unofficially about Scientology and features powerhouse performances by Philip Seymour Hoffman and Joaquin Phoenix. While it's sure to be in theaters through awards season, audiences can only see Cinerama's 70mm print for a limited time. Seattle Cinerama, $12.

SPECIAL EVENTS

Thru Sept 30
Decibel Festival 2012
Seattle’s electronic music-and-new media festival isn’t for people who want to sit during a concert—it’s for dance floor mavens. Kimbra, UK rave pioneer Orbital, and Erykah Badu’s new psychedelic hip-hop project the Cannabinoids coheadline this year’s event. Various venues, festival pass $115–$215.

DANCE

Sept 28 & 29
Voices of Strength
This traveling mini festival showcases different contemporary dance styles across Africa, inspired by the work and words of women on the continent. See performances by artists from Mali, South Africa, Mozambique, Morocco, Cote d’Ivoire, and more. Moore Theatre, $30.

EAT & DRINK

Sept 29
Seattle Underground Market
After setting up an underground market in Atlanta, Michaela Graham is doing the same for Seattle. She has rallied about 35 to 40 up-and-coming chefs for the inaugural Seattle Underground Market at a secret location. This incubator and food-testing ground will feature small bites ($1–$5) and requires patrons to sign up before you go—only members will be given the location and allowed enterance. Location TBA, $5.

FAMILY

Thru Oct 28
Dr. Seuss's The Cat in the Hat
“I know that it’s wet and the sun is not sunny. But we can have lots of good fun that is funny.” Dr. Seuss would have fit in well in Seattle. Originally adapted by the National Theatre of Great Britain, The Cat in the Hat is an all-ages show that keeps the book’s rhymes intact and adds a little extra chaos, courtesy of Thing One and Thing Two. Seattle Children's Theatre, $20–$36.