Mon, Mar 13
John All
No amount of danger could scare Western Washington professor John All away from studying climate change. When he fell down a 70-foot crevasse near Mount Everest and broke fifteen bones, the passionate scientist climbed out to keep on his mission (video he took of the injured climb even went viral). He’s collected some of the best stories of his daring adventures—from encounters with wild beast to bouts of internal bleeding—for his new book Icefall, which takes readers to every crooked edge of the planet. All will read from the tome at Town Hall, assuming he can get there in one piece. Town Hall, $5  

Thur, Mar 16 
Word Works: Mary Gaitskill
Novelist Mary Gaitskill, author of National Book Award Finalist Veronica, describes the curious facet of fiction that makes even the most out there plots and characters seem real as “the inner weave.” As part of Hugo House’s Word Works series, Gaitskill heads to Washington Hall to discusses the mystery involved with the inner weave—crafting subtle layers of detail and feelings in order to make the alien feel authentic. Following the talk, she’ll engage in a Q&A led by Peter Mountford. Washington Hall, $12

Fri, Mar 17
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
Clap Your Hand Say Yeah isn’t so much a proper indie rock band anymore as the creative outlet for its lone remaining original member, frontman Alec Ounsworth. With that said, the new album The Tourist is the best Clap Your Hand Say Yeah release in over a decade. There’s a longingly personal quality to all of Ounsworth’s twitchy eccentricities and frail moans across the record’s 10 tracks. The Crocodile, $20

Sat, Mar 18
Japandroids
After releasing the best rock record of the last decade (2012’s Celebration Rock), Vancouver duo Japandroids went radio silent for almost three years. The band made a welcome comeback in January with Near to the Wild Heart of Life. Don’t miss out on the sweaty ecstasy of Japandroids live. Neptune Theatre, $19

Sun, Mar 19
Seattle's French Fest
France is so much more than the cliched stereotypes: curling mustaches, the Eiffel Tower, baguettes, and berets. Seattle’s French Fest offers locals a chance to learn more about this European culture (and other French-speaking countries) with vendors, dance troupes, wine tastings, and more. And let’s not forget why many young aspiring chefs venture off to Paris—French cuisine is not only something you taste, it’s something you experience. Indulge in true French flavor at this free fest. Seattle Center Armory, Free