CONCERTS

Sun, Oct 11
Modern Sky Festival
The latest import from China? Music festivals. (Like we don’t already make enough of those ourselves.) Making its first Seattle stop, Modern Sky Festival differentiates itself from the pack with a lineup that crosses cultural barriers. The bill mixes Chinese pop punk (New Pants) and rock (Miserable Faith) bands with postpunk icons Gang of Four and the garage rock of Black Lips. Seattle Center Mural Amphitheatre, $48–$150

Thur, Oct 8
A Tribute to Byrdie
When the local hip-hop scene was struggling in the early 2000s, Byrdie was an one of the MCs making sure Seattle’s voice was still heard. After a long battle with cancer, Byrdie passed away in December 2013. To pay tribute to the man and to mark the posthumous release of his final album Byrd’s Eye View, Byrdie’s label Street Level Records has organized a tribute show featuring Grynch, a reunited Clockwork, and more. Admission includes a CD copy of Byrd’s Eye View. Nectar Lounge, $8–$12

Oct 9–Nov 18
Earshot Jazz Festival
With more than 50 concerts on the docket, the Earshot fest simultaneously brings top players to Seattle while showcasing the breadth of local talent the city has to offer. It’s a jazz smorgasbord that’s worth at least a little sample. Various venues, Free–$65; Festival pass $400

Sat, Oct 10
A Benefit for Eddie Spaghetti
For decades Eddie Spaghetti and his band Supersuckers have been an alternative to the prevailing Seattle alt-rock sound of the moment thanks to their country punk style and irreverent sensibility. Spaghetti was recently diagnosed with stage 3 oropharynx cancer, and the rock scene has rallied around him. Mudhoney headlines the latest benefit show to raise money to help cover Spaghetti’s medical bills. El Corazon, $25–$30

Sat, Oct 10
V. Contreras with Seattle Rock Orchestra
The tunes of alternative soul songstress V. Contreras get a lush sonic boost when the Seattle Rock Orchestra joins her for an evening at the Triple Door. Soak in Contreras’s ’60s retro chic during this intimate night of crooning and orchestra accents. The Triple Door, $22

BOOKS & TALKS

Fri, Oct 9
The Best American Poetry 2015 Launch Party
The Best American Poetry 2015 is the most controversial book of the year. Guest editor Sherman Alexie took a massive amount of criticism for being tricked by Yi-Fen Chou—an Asian pseudonym used by white poet Michael Derrick Hudson in an attempt to not get overlooked by editors seeking diversity—and then still including the poem after realizing he’d been duped. While the topic is sure to come up at the book’s launch, it shouldn’t overshadow the other poets’ superb works. The reading lineup for the night includes Natalie Diaz, Ed Skoog, Joan Kane, Cody Walker, and Jane Wong. Hugo House, Free

VISUAL ART

Thur & Sat, Oct 8 & 10
Strauss Zarathustra
Strauss’s Also Sprach Zarathustra became ingrained in the modern cultural consciousness when Stanley Kubrick masterfully used the composition to score 2001: A Space Odyssey. Hear Seattle Symphony perform the piece in its full majestic splendor as part of a program that also includes Norwegian violinist Vilde Frang playing Britten’s stirring Violin Concerto No. 1. Benaroya Hall, $21–$121

FILM

Oct 8–18
20th Seattle Lesbian and Gay Film Festival
It’s celebration time for Three Dollar Bill Cinema, as the nonprofit’s Seattle Lesbian and Gay Film Festival marks its 20th anniversary of providing an outlet for queer cinematic voices. This edition’s highlights include Julianne Moore and Ellen Page in Freeheld, a drama about the battle for domestic partnership rights, and the documentary about Seattle drag superstar Jinkx Monsoon, Drag Becomes Him. Various venues, $5–$33; Festival pass $85–$225

SPECIAL EVENTS

Sat & Sun, Oct 10 & 11
GeekGirlCon 2015
Let your geek flag fly at the 5th edition of the yearly celebration of female nerdom. This years festivities feature a myriad of panels addressing geek girl issues, an official GeekGirlCon fashion show, gaming galore, plenty of cosplay, and even Bechdel Test Burlesque. Washington State Convention Center, $30–$45

Sun & Mon, Oct 11 & 12
The Price Is Right Live!
Todd Newton, the man with a face you can’t forget and a name you can’t recall hosts two nights of The Price Is Right Live! at the Paramount Theatre. They’ll be plenty of Plinko, Showcase showdowns, wheel spins, and presumably “a brand new car!” or two. So now you have no excuse for forgetting Ole What’s His Face. Paramount Theatre, $16–$46