Inter-Mentions

The Oddly Hot Couple

Before last week, Al Gore and Cameron Diaz seemed to suffer from 360 degrees of separation, the former being a sweaty — if not altogether stuffy — politician, the latter, a smokin' hot actress. However, on Feb. 15 they joined forces to announce a series of worldwide concerts aimed at raising awareness about global warming. Save Our Selves — The Campaign for a Climate in Crisis begins with a 24-hour event on July 7, featuring musicians such as the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Snoop Dogg, Sheryl Crow, Foo Fighters, Duran Duran and many more. The concerts will be held in Shanghai, China; Johannesburg, South Africa; Sydney, Australia; and London as well as many cities in Japan, Brazil and the United States. The former vice president has become increasingly well known for his efforts to curb global warming, recently picking up an Oscar nomination for his documentary An Inconvenient Truth. With Diaz in the picture, though, it seems Gore may be fighting an uphill battle to cool the planet down.

A Close Shave with Sanity?

Apparently rehab isn't all it's cracked up to be. After spending mere hours fighting substance abuse, Britney Spears was spotted at a small Los Angeles tattoo parlor, sans hair. Now, as a die-hard fan, I've stuck by Britney through thick (baby fat) and thick-skulled (K-Fed), but at this point I'm seriously considering rescinding my wedding proposal, at least until her hair is back to shoulder length. Hear that Brit? You can takeyour restraining order and shove it! Geez! What a psychopath! I knew one of us had to be crazy from the get-go ...

02/22

6 p.m., Easy Street Records, 20 Mercer St. — Kristin Hersh (of Throwing Muses and 50 Foot Wave). Free, live and in-store.

7 p.m., University Book Store — Jason Tanz discusses and signs Other People's Property: A Shadow History of Hip-Hop in White America. Free.

7:30 p.m., Playhouse Theater — Jane Eyre. Ends March 4 (2 p.m.). $8-$15 general, $12 seniors, $10 students w/ID.

7:30 p.m., El Corazon — Bummed to hear about the dissolution of Audioslave? Well, no worries, there's yet another alternative rock supergroup ready to take their place. Army of Anyone boasts the shredding of Stone Temple Pilots' DeLeo brothers and the raw vocal power of Filter's Richard Patrick. I say, hey, what a nice lineup. What a good lineup, man. All ages. $20 adv, $23 dos.

8 p.m., Meany Hall — The Parsons Dance Company. "Hailed for witty, intelligent works that bristle with energy and precision, David Parsons is one of the world's most beloved and inspired choreographers." Additional performances Friday and Saturday. $39.

9 p.m., Crocodile Café — The Lights, The Girls and Tall Birds. 21+. $7.

02/23

Movies opening today:

Reno 911!: Miami — OK, so after all that insanity, you're probably in dire need of a crazy good time. Based on the popular television show, which follows the adventures of Nevada's finest, most tightly outfitted men and women in blue, Reno 911!: Miami is sure to leave its target audience immobilized, rolling face-down in the aisle. Be prepared to laugh now or forever hold your piece. R.

The Astronaut Farmer — What's sanity got to do with it? After leaving NASA to save the family farm, Charlie Farmer (Billy Bob Thornton) retains his passion for space travel — perhaps at the expense of a few brain cells — and decides to build a rocket in his barn. Co-starring Virginia Madsen and Bruce Dern. PG.

The Number 23 — "A man's life unravels after he comes into contact with an obscure book titled The Number 23. As he reads the book, he becomes increasingly convinced that it is based on his own life. His obsession with the number 23 starts to consume him, and he begins to realize the book forecasts far graver consequences for his life than he could have ever imagined" [from Yahoo! Movies]. Whoa! The movie opens on the 23rd. Of February! 2+2+3=7. As in 2007! Starring Jim Carrey and Virginia Madsen...who co-stars in The Astronaut Farmer...which also opens today! And she has the word "mad" in her name. How utterly, insanely perfect! Hee, hee, hee...now excuse me while I go jump off the nearest 23-story building...Rated R.

Becket — "Two of the screen's best actors, at the height of their powers, shine in director Peter Glenville's intelligent and thought-provoking spectacle, for which both received Academy Award nominations. Peter O'Toole, fresh from Lawrence of Arabia, plays the lusty and powerful King Henry II in 12th-century England. Richard Burton plays Thomas à Becket, his best friend and close advisor. Thomas serves the king well until Henry, against his advice, insists on making Becket Archbishop of Canterbury. Visually and emotionally stunning, this is one of the best historical epics ever made." Varsity Theatre. One week only.

7 p.m., Easy Street Records, 20 Mercer St — "If you're familiar with Aqueduct, you'll be happy to hear that David Terry's love of the pop hook has only gotten stronger with time. However, unlike I Sold Gold's huge, blown-out drum sounds and blip-pop synths, [Aqueduct's new album] Or Give Me Death (out Feb. 20) finds Terry broadening his tonal horizons to encompass mariachi horns, Gershwin-esque strings, looped and layered vocals and grand piano. Oh, and there's also quite a lot more electric guitar." Catch Aqueduct in-store for a free live performance.

7:30 p.m., Playhouse Theater — The Mill on the Floss. Ends March 4 (7:30 p.m.). $8-$15 general, $12 seniors, $10 students w/ID.

7:30 p.m., Vera Space (corner of Warren Ave N. & Republican Street) — Opening weekend of the new VERA Space! Common Market, Grayskul and the Young MCs of Oakland's Youth Movement Records. Hosted by Khingz of Abyssinian Creole. All ages. Free.

Midnight, Egyptian — V for Vendetta. Natalie Portman shaves her head, Britney Spears shaves her head. Coincidence? Or has Spears been enlisted by some secret underground movement? Hmmm ...if only we could find ourselves a totalitarian regime in need of overthrow, then there might be something to this theory. Where, oh, where could we find one of those? R.

8 p.m., Kirkland Teen Union Building — Yes Oh Yes and Occupied Nation. All ages.

8 p.m. (doors), Showbox –— Sound Tribe Sector 9, Kaptain Harris and DJ Rootz. All ages. $20 adv, $25 dos.

8 p.m., El Corazon — El Corazon's Anniversary Show, featuring The Fall of Troy, The Man, Kane Hodder and Tera Melos. All ages. $10 adv, $12 dos.

9 p.m., Crocodile Café — Handful of Luvin' with Tap Habit and Side Project. 21+. $10.

02/24

7:30 p.m., Vera Space — These Arms Are Snakes, Akimbo, Elphaba, Talbot Tagora and Panther. "February 24 is the second night of Vera's opening weekend and this rockin' show will be sure to knock you flat. These Arms Are Snakes' post-hardcore sound combines great riffs and lyrics with a ton of energy, all making for a great live show. Joining them are local hardcore favorites, Akimbo (a Vera staple, with searing guitar, sock-you-in-the-gut vocals and kick-you-while-you're down drums) and Elphaba (newcomers who rock just as much) ..." All ages. Free!

7:30 p.m., Brechemin Auditorium, School of Music — Affinity Ensemble. A "daring and energetic new music ensemble" featuring the works of Northwest composers as well as visual art displays. $10.

8 p.m., Kirkland Teen Union Building — A Chance Without, The Ellis Armor and Gift of Prophecy. All ages.

9 p.m., Crocodile Café — Alexi Murdoch and Midnight Movies. 21+. $15.

Midnight, Egyptian – V for Vendetta. Freedom! Forever! From split ends! R.

02/25

7:30 p.m., Penthouse Theatre – Mad Forest. "Romania, December 1989: Communist dictator Nicolae Ceausescu falls from power as citizens cry out for revolution. But in the days to follow questions begin to arise: 'Did we have a revolution...or what did we have?' Blending interview-based fact with theatrical bravura, [Caryl] Churchill's challenging play explores themes of patriotism, passivism, terrorism and activism in times of tumultuous change." Runs through March 11. $8-$15 general, $12 seniors, $10 students w/ID.

7:30 p.m., Vera Space — "The Vera Project is mixing folk with dancy beats and intricate lyrics for an epic show ..featuring Mt. Eerie, Holy Ghost Revival, Tiny Vipers, Ghost to Falco and Yacht." All ages. Free!

8 p.m., Showbox — A solo acoustic night with Josh Ritter and The Submarines. 21+. $17.50 adv, $20 dos.

02/26

7:30 p.m., Meany Theater — Studio Jazz Ensemble, performing Quincy Jones' "Quintessence," a new composition by student trombonist Jenny Kellog (based on Frank Sinatra's "Fly Me to the Moon") and many more. $10.

8 p.m., El Corazon — Imperative Reaction, SD6, Cylab and Desillusion. All ages. $15.

02/27

7:30 p.m., Meany Theater — Percussion Ensemble: "Winter Beat." Directed by Tom Collier, the UW Percussion Ensemble will premiere a new piece by grad student Christian Krehbiel as well as "The Return of the Crab Nebula" by undergrad student Peter Schmeekle and much, much more. $10.

8 p.m. (doors), Crocodile Café — Bob Schneider and Elliot Morris. 21+. $18.

8 p.m. (doors), Showbox — Steel Pulse and Clinton Fearon. 21+. $25 adv, $30 dos.

02/28

7:30 p.m., El Corazon — Cartel, Cobra Starship, Boys Like Girls and Quietdrive. All ages. $15 adv, $18 dos.

7:30 p.m., Brechemin Auditorium, School of Music — Jazz Innovations, Part 1. $5.

8 p.m., King's Hardware, 5225 Ballard Ave. N.W. — The Ultimate Skee-Ball Tournament, presented by Sonic Boom Records and King's Hardware. Nothin' says rockin' like rollin', so wax up those old balls and come on down!

8 p.m. (doors), Showbox — Big Head Todd & The Monsters, with Reckless Kelly. 21+. $25.

9 p.m., Laff Hole (Capitol Hill Arts Center, 1621 12th Ave, lower level) — "Alternative" comedy from the People's Republic of Komedy, featuring Travis Simmons, Jeff Dye, Scott Moran and Andy Haines. 21+. $5.

9 p.m., Crocodile Café — New West Motels, Lions in the Street, The Brides of Obscurity and Driving the Eights. 21+. $6.

— Christian Nelson