Did I go to the Stranger Suggests event last night? No, I went to see The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug. Frequently, I hear people say that these Hobbit movies need editing, and that Peter Jackson inserts content to pad out the story because the book doesn’t contain enough material to source eight hours of films. I do not share this opinion. I believe that, if anything, the film should have been longer, that Peter Jackson can add whatever he wants, and that the contents of the book have no bearing on this discussion whatsoever. I also think the man sitting next to me at the Cinerama last night may have been Paul Allen. Sorry about accidentally eating out of your bag of popcorn, Mr. Allen. I’m only human.

Tonight, we recommend two events.

Dave Schmader recommends the Balagan Production of Hedwig and the Angry Inch lead by Jerick Hoffer’s performance in the title role. Hoffer is known for winning RuPaul’s Drag Race as Jinkx Monsoon. If Jerick Hoffer were to play a character in the Hobbit, it would probably be Thranduil, the Elvin king, father of Legolas. Definitely an elf, anyway.

Paul Constant recommends a poetry reading put on by Copper Canyon Press, an independent small press based in Port Townsend, which features a reading by Roger Reeves. If you show up early, you get a free book of poetry. If Roger Reeves were to play a character in The Hobbit, it would be Bard the Bowman.