Tonight, we have an open mic and a discussion about evidence-based policy, which is something that I can’t really begin to explain, and so I will link to the similarly unhelpful Wikipedia page. All I will say is that it seems like an idea with some problems.

Also!

At the Seattle Public Library, there’s a discussion called “Africa 101.” Apparently, it’s going to provide an overview of African history and culture. If they really expect to provide an overview of an entire continent’s history and culture, it could go well into next week, so you might want to pack a nice sack lunch.

At the University Bookstore, Alan Drew reads from his new novel, Gardens of Water. It’s about a Kurdish girl falling in love with an American boy in Istanbul. I expect that if you’re a fan of The Kite Runner, or you’re in a book club that reads middling novels set in other cultures, you might enjoy this book.

Stephin motherfucking Merritt is in a discussion with Lyall Bush at the Hugo House at Town Hall at 8 o’clock. I think that, despite David Schmader’s wonderful self-interrogation about interrogating Stephin motherfucking Merritt on stage at Bumbershoot in this issue of The Stranger:

Merritt’s one-word answers and long stretches of scowly muteness didn’t help. Eventually, we just sat there, silently staring at each other. It was a standoff—he wasn’t going to force himself to be bubbly and forthcoming for my sake, and I wasn’t going to force myself into some solicitous Larry King buffoonery for his sake. It was extremely odd and awkward, perhaps one of the great Dada moments in media relations. Afterward, Merritt came up to me and apologized.

or, perhaps because of it, this would definitely be worth checking out. It could be painfully awkward. Also, it’s Stephin motherfucking Merritt. You owe him a debt you can never fully repay for 69 Love Songs and you know it.

If you want to avoid the inevitable crush of people at the Hugo House Town Hall, maybe you should make your way down to the always-delightful Faire Coffee Shop and Gallery for the Louis Liard 20th issue release party. I have yet to read an issue of Louis Liard, the self-proclaimed Franco-American “International journal of creative expression,” but their MySpace page has some zippy French music on it for your morning enjoyment. They apparently always celebrate new releases of the magazine with dual launch parties in Seattle and Bordeaux, so they must know how to throw a party, and there will be live music and it will be free, so even if the magazine sucks, there is that.

Full listing of readings, including the next week or so, here.

Thanks to Chris McCann for the correction on the Merritt reading/performance. Sorry to everyone for the misinformation.