VISUAL ARTS

Claire Cowie: Unreliable Source
Thu–Sat at 10:30 am; Elizabeth Leach Gallery

Revealing that no one medium can contain her, Seattle artist Claire Cowie has added fantastical monster masks and photos to her increasingly surreal body of work. Her pen and watercolor pieces feel like twisted Day-glo, Edward Gorey-tinged adult fairy tales, where people and animals blend parts and live in houses suspended from trees. Her wall of cast urethane fingers is truly creepy (and wonderful), each finger pasty white and drained of blood, some with green mold under the nails or still oozing cuts. And while her masks are intriguing, the photographs of her family wearing them on the couch or at the beach feel amateur and out of place.

CONCERTS

Azar Lawrence Quintet
Thu–Fri at 8; Jimmy Mak's

Low-profile jazz legend Azar Lawrence rose to prominence as a tenor and soprano sax player with former John Coltrane pianist McCoy Tyner in the 1970s. He's doing a two-night stand at Jimmy Mak's surveying a set list of classic Coltrane compositions with a backing band that includes local sax man Devin Phillips and distinguished drummer Alan Jones.

Blitzen Trapper
Fri at 9; Doug Fir Lounge

Happy anniversary, Blitzen Trapper! It was just 10 short years ago that this protean Portland group peaked up from the sod with its self-titled debut album. The lads celebrate the re-release of the album with bonus tracks—a totally necessary acquisition for rabid fans.

Disjecta Quiet Music Festival
Fri–Sat a 8; Disjecta

You can safely leave the ear plugs at home for this contemplative concert. For two nights, listen intently to the likes of cellist Lori Goldston (she played with Nirvana!), Tara Jane Oneil, Dragging An Ox Through Water, and frequent Beastie Boys collaborator Money Mark (pictured).

SPECIAL EVENTS

Live Wire!
Sat at 8; Alberta Rose Theater

It's your last chance to see a Live Wire broadcast until September! Join host Luke Burbank as he welcomes Kristen Schaal from Bob's Burgers, crusading sex columnist Dan Savage, happily childless comedian Jen Kirkman, local band of renown The Builders and the Butchers, and former host Courtenay Hameister, who will read something edifying.

THEATER

Crooked
Thu–Sat at 7:30, Sun at 2; CoHo Theater

"Written by Kansas-based dramatist Catherine Trieschmann, Crooked is a small wonder of a play—its 90 minutes as magically packed with big ideas about reason and faith as Mary Poppins's carpetbag". Read the full review of Crooked.

Ithaka
Thu–Sun at 7:30; Artists Repertory Theatre

Local playwright Andrea Stolowitz delves into the military mindset of recently returned Afghanistan war veteran Captain Elaine Edwards, a guilt-ridden soldier still reeling from her combat experience. It's a story of duty, friendship, and finding a way to come to terms with decisions made under fire. Read our Q&A with Stolowitz.

Rock of Ages
Thu–Sun at 7:30; Keller Auditorium

For anyone still pining for the days of loud-and-proud rock anthems performed by Hollywood hair bands, this fist-pumping, head-banging musical should be a welcome trip back in time. Sing along to a lite-metal hit parade from Whitesnake, Twisted Sister, Night Ranger, Journey, and more.

BOOKS, TALKS, COMEDY

Dan Savage
Sun at 3: Powell's City of Books

Seattle sex-columnist and founder of the "It Get's Better" campaign will share some passages from his latest collection of essays American Savage: Insights, Slights, and Fights on Faith, Sex, Love, and Politics. Warning! This reading may contain adult themes and content that is not appropriate for all members of the family. Read our Q&A with Savage.

Jen Kirkman
Sat at 7:30; Hollywood Theatre

The Chelsea Lately writer and costar is a standup comic as well as the author of I Can Barely Take Care of Myself: Tales From a Happy Life Without Kids. But really, she wants everyone to know that her lack of maternal instinct is not just her schtick—it's a profoundly genuine sentiment that just happens to be really, really funny. Read our Q&A with Kirkman.