At Town Hall: Future of Health: T.R. Reid: A Quest for Better Health Care. According to the World Health Organization, the United States, the richest country in the world, ranks 37th overall on healthcare costs, quality, and coverage. As politicians, providers and just plain folks debate how to reform America's healthcare system, NPR commentator and author T.R. Reid took a more global view: He visited successful healthcare systems around the world, examining why other countries have better, fairer, and cheaper healthcare than we do - and looking for ideas we could use. In his new book, The Healing of America, Reid concludes that one key lesson is that most foreign countries do not use socialized medicine. Japan has 99 percent private hospitals and 5,000 health-insurance companies, for example, but provides universal coverage and excellent care for less than half what we spend per capita. Presented as part of the Future of Health Lecture Series with University Book Store. Downstairs at Town Hall; enter on Seneca Street. 7:30 - 9 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 8.
THEATRE
Hailed by critics as honest, exhilarating, compassionate and unexpectedly funny, Joan Didion's The Year of Magical Thinking looks at how grief can make you crazy, and what it means to come out on the other side. At the Intiman Playhouse, 201 Mercer St., 206-269-1900 through Sept. 20. $10-$55. Visit www.intiman.org.
Jet City Improv and Wing-It Productions present Seattle's Best Comedy, a night of hijinks and improvisational fun with audience participation. At the Historic University Theatre, 5510 University Way N.E. 206-352-8291. Visit www.jetcityimprov.com for more show times and information.
It's hard to believe that in 79 years, and countless hours tinkering on this nation's greatest stages, Stephen Sondheim has never worked in Seattle. On Oct. 26, musical theater's living legend will make this first momentous journey to Seattle for an onstage conversation with his friend and respected New York Times columnist Frank Rich. A Life in the Theater: An Onstage Conversation with Stephen Sondheim & Frank Rich is Oct. 26 at Benaroya Hall. Tickets are $48 - $78. Call 206-215-4747 or online at www.benaroya.org.
LIVE MUSIC
This week at the Tractor Tavern: 8/26 - blue collar country Jason Boland & The Stragglers, Sugarwall; $10, 9 p.m.; 8/27 - it's the Tractor's 15th anniversary with our favorite bearded roots rockers
The Maldives - CD release for Listen To The Thunder, their new full length release on Mt. Fuji Records. Also North Twin, 17th Chapter, $10, 9 p.m.; 8/28 - The Tractor & Square Peg present at The Paramount the Avett Brothers, Heartless Bastards at the Paramount at 911 Pine St., $25-$30, 8 p.m.; 8/28 - it's the Tractor's 15th anniversary with our favorite bearded roots rockers The Maldives (again) with The Moondoggies, Zoe Muth & The Lost High Rollers, $10, 9 p.m.; Want more Maldives? OK. 8/29 - it's the Tractor's 15th anniversary with our favorite bearded roots rockers, yes, you guessed correctly, The Maldives. This time they play with Shim, Three Emergency and Pickwick, $10, 9 p.m.; 8/30 - singer/songwriter Tim Easton, Kate Tucker, $10, 9 p.m.; 8/31 - Monday Square Dance featuring music by The Tallboys, hellacious square dancing starts at 8 p.m. There is also a special Bake Sale to benefit "Dare to be Square West" more details at www.bubbaguitar.com/d2bs. $5, 7 p.m.; 9/2 - spiky indie rock Nico Vega, Gringo Star, Dirty Sweet, $8, 9 p.m.; Visit www.tractortavern.com for more information or call 206-789-4250.
The ZooTunes concert series continues Aug. 26 with its final show: Amos Lee, $22. Doors open at 5 p.m. Music starts at 6 p.m., and shows end at approximately 8:30 p.m. For more information visit www.zoo.org.
VISUAL ARTS
Queen Anne's Fountainhead Gallery is hosting an exhibition of ceramic artwork by five contemporary artists. The show, Contemporary Baskets Summer Group, features Dona Anderson, Jill Nordfors Clark, Jennifer Falck Linssen, Marilyn Moore, Polly Adams Sutton. Through Aug. 30. The Fountainhead gallery is located at 625 W. McGraw St. 206-285-4467.
Deporting Cambodians: How Immigration Policy Shapes Our Communities, will be the newest visual exhibit through Oct. 18 at the Wing Luke Asian Museum in the International District at 719 S. King St. For more information visit www.wingluke.org.
The Wing Luke Asian Museum presents Parallel Lines, 8 Contemporary Seattle Artists. The event features Tram Bui, Mark Takamichi Miller, Jason Huff, Akio Takamori, Patti Warashina, Saya Moriyasu, Thuy-Van Vu and Joseph Park. The work will be on display through Nov. 29. The museum is at 719 S. King St. in Chinatown-International District. Visit www.wingluke.org. for more information.
Coming soon to the Wing Luke are the wild politically charged collections and paintings of Roger Shimomura. Shimomura has been devoted to issues of ethnic identity as a third-generation Japanese American. His paintings tackle socio-political issues of Asian America. It starts Sept. 11 and runs through April 18. Visit www.wingluke.org.
READINGS
Open mic at El Diablo coffee house. Poetry readers are encouraged to join the fun the second and fourth Tuesdays of every month The event is co-hosted by Margaret Roncone and Lainne Dexter. This series is getting a trial run every 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month. Show up to listen or bring poetry to read at this all open mic venue that can continue if enough people want to make it happen. ... tell others about it.... always good to have more places to read and help indie business survive in these hard times.... 8 p.m., at El Diablo coffee house 1811 Queen Anne Ave. N.
Queen Anne Books is holding its Monthly Book Club with The Indian Clerk. Anyone and everyone is welcome to this drop-in, no-guilt book club. Meetings are 7 p.m., on the second Monday and following Wednesday of every month. So pick the day that works best for you and come by, 1811 Queen Anne Ave. N. 206-283-5624.
CINEMA
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince at IMAX. In the sixth installment, Voldemort is tightening his grip on both the Muggle and wizarding worlds. Together, Harry and Dumbledore work to find the key to unlock Voldemort's defenses. Meanwhile, the students are under attack from a very different adversary as teenage hormones rage across the ramparts. Love is in the air, but tragedy lies ahead and Hogwarts may never be the same. Visit www.seattlecenter.com for times.
Attention Star Wars fans and cosmic music enthusiasts! Hear, see and experience Star Wars from a unique multi-media perspective with Star Wars: In Concert. Slices of scenes from the six Star Wars episodes will come to life on a colossal LED screen, while Anthony Daniels (the actor who portrayed C-3PO in all six films) narrates the epic Star Wars tale, all accompanied by John William's iconic music performed on stage by a full symphony orchestra and chorus. Tickets are now on sale. 7:30 p.m., Oct. 13, KeyArena. Visit www.seattlecenter.com for more tickets and information.
OTHER STUFF
Queen Anne Science Café. Join Pacific Science Center for an evening packed with science, drinks and stimulating discussion. Come explore the latest ideas in science and technology from leading researchers and scientists in a relaxed atmosphere. The café is a forum for discussing science issues with local scientists, all while enjoying food and drinks! Presented by Pacific Science Center, KCTS 9 Public Television and Science on Tap. Learn more at pacificsciencecenter.org At 7:30 p.m. Sept. 1 at T.S. McHugh's at 21 Mercer St.
Events at the EMP
The EMP|SFM is hosting a series of events in September that are worth consideration:
• Live music, Thursday, Sept. 3: All Access Night. Free admission and live music from 5 to 8 p.m. on the first Thursday of every month. September's All Access Night will feature performances by indie rock band Basemint at 5:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. in Sky Church, 325 5th Ave. N. Call 206-770-2702 or 1-877-EMP-SFM1
• Family Day, Saturday, Sept. 19. EMP|SFM hosts Family Days the third Saturday of every month. Make your own album cover with an interactive art activity from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. in honor of Spaced Out: The Final Frontier in Album Covers. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., 325 5th Ave. N. Free to EMP|SFM members or with paid admission. Call 206-770-2702 or 1-877-EMP-SFM1
• Smithsonian's Museum Day 2009, Saturday, Sept. 26. EMP|SFM is taking part in the Smithsonian's Museum Day 2009. Free admission for guests when they fill out a voucher from the Smithsonian's Web site prior to arrival. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m325 5th Ave. N. Free to EMP|SFM members or with paid admission. Call 206-770-2702 or 1-877-EMP-SFM1.
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