BOOKS & TALKS

Fri, Sept 26
John Darnielle: Wolf in White Van
After years of brilliant lyricism as the Mountain Goats, it comes as no suprise that John Darnielle got around to writing a great novel. But even fans that scream every word to "This Year" and "The Best Ever Death Metal Band in Denton" have to be impressed by the results, as Wolf in White Van was nominated for 2014's National Book Award even before its release. The novel tells the story of the struggles of horribly disfigured man who runs a play-by-mail fantasy game. It not only explores the power of imagination, but the feeling of having an internal void. Barboza, $10.

Thur, Sept 25
David Mitchell: The Bone Clocks
David Mitchell cares not for your writing conventions. The British author behind mind-altering form benders like Cloud Atlas heads to town Hall with his sixth novel, The Bone Clocks. The story centers on Holly, a teen with a deep connection to the psychic realm beyond our sight. As the book jumps forward decades in Holly’s life, her battle with the otherworldly seeps into the lives of other souls around the globe and across history. Town Hall, $35 (includes book).

FILM

Sept 25–Oct 4
Local Sightings Film Festival 2014
There's a roughness to the Local Sightings Film Festival that makes it all the more beautiful. Northwest Film Forum's yearly celebration of regional filmmakers eschews glitz and glamor for grit. On modest budgets, these features, shorts, and documentaries showcase rising local talent on the ground level and flash glimpses of even more moviemaking potential. Northwest Film Forum, $11–$12; festival pass $250.

FOOD & DRINK

Fri, Sept 26
James Beard Foundation Taste America Seattle
Seattle's culinary experts will be on display at this James Beard Foundation event. The night begins with a tasting reception followed by a four-course dinner designed by James Beard Award Winners Marc Murphy and Tom Douglas, with host chef Kerry Sear. All proceeds go to the Taste America Scholarship Fund, which provides culinary school tuition to aspiring chefs in need of financial assistance. Four Seasons Hotel Seattle, $250.

DANCE

Sept 26–Oct 4
Jewels
Pacific Northwest Ballet opens its season with one of the most colorful works from 20th-century master choreographer George Balanchine. The ever popular three-act Jewels is pure ballet devoid of narrative. The dancers' jewel costumes dictate names of the ballet's acts: Emeralds, Rubies, Diamonds. McCaw Hall, $37–$184.

CONCERTS

Thru Sept 28
Decibel Festival
Decibel Festival offers a week of complete electronic music immersion for both die-hard EDM fans and newbies wanting to see what all the fuss is about. The 2014 lineup includes Nine Inch Nails’ Alessandro Cortini creating ambient synth suites, !!! spinning records for a DJ set, local favorites like Vox Mod, and much, much more. In a way, Decibel is the niche fest that manages to have something for everyone. Various venues, $22–$36; festival pass $160–$225.

Sat, Sept 27
S: Cool Choices Release Show
Jenn Ghetto doesn't fit the traditional vaguely woodsy Pacific Northwest singer-songwriter mold. She keeps things a bit more odd. As S, the former Carissa's Wierd singer mixes quiet, somber writing with tinges of pop punk's raw musicality and emotional vulnerability. She'll maximize this combo at the release show for Cool Choices, her Hardly Art debut produced by Chris Walla, formerly of Death Cab for Cutie. Black Lodge, $10.

THEATER

Sept 25–28
Germinal
The French/Belgian show Germinal unabashedly presents theater as life. The performers create their own world as they build the set in front of the audience. As the set evolves and becomes more fully realized, so do the characters onstage. Maybe not the subtlest metaphor, but effective. On the Boards, $25.

Sept 26–28
The Beauty of Noh
Experience both traditional and modern takes on the ancient Japanese performance art called Noh with this double bill: Japanese Noh master Munenori Takeda performs the classic opera Tomoe, while Seattle's Garrett Fisher Ensemble presents Yoshinaka, a new take on the same centuries-old love story about the spirit of a famed female samurai who resents being unable to die with her master. ACT Theatre, $35.

FAMILY

Sept 25–Nov 9
The Garden of Rikki Tikki Tavi
There have been plenty of great anthropomorphic animal heroes in children's literature, but few have names that are as delightful to say as Rikki Tikki Tavi. Rudyard Kipling's story of a mongoose in India that protects his frieds from a deadly cobra provides humor and suspense to keep kids perched on the edge of their seats. Seattle Children's Theatre, $15–$36.

CHARITY EVENTS

Sat, Sept 27
Seattle AIDS Walk and 5k Run
Serious runners can go all-out at this year's Seattle AIDS 5K Run/Walk as it will be a certified, timed run. More importantly the event benefits Lifelong AIDS Alliance, an organization that prioritizes prevention and helps improve the lives of people living with HIV/AIDS by providing housing, food, and health care services.  Runners must pay a registration fee of $35, but walkers are free. If you can't make it but still want to participate, you can sign up as a virtual walker for free; if you raise $50 you'll receive Seattle AIDS Walk T-shirt. Volunteer Park, $35.

VISUAL ART

Sept 27–Jan 4
#SocialMedium
Anyone who has wandered through an art museum has likely played a quick round of fantasy curator in their mind. Alas, being an actual musuem curator usually requries art degrees and a lifetime of dedication few possess. But this fall, the Frye Art Museum gave the power to the people. #SocialMedium is a crowd-curated exhibit of the Frye's Founding Collection, where the paintings hanging on the walls were selected by public likes and ♥s across Facebook, Instagram, Pintrest, and Tumblr. So if you don't like the works on display, it's your own fault for not voting. Frye Art Museum, free.