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MUST HEAR
Rick Bass and Stellarondo
Thursday (3/7) — Acclaimed Northwest writer and environmental activist Rick Bass recently teamed up with Montana-based indie band Stellarondo to create an album of live story readings and music. Lucky us, the release tour includes a live performance by both at Columbia City’s The Royal Room. It’s not that Rick Bass needs musical accompaniment to make his writing enjoyable. His experience on the front lines of environmental activism (after previously working as a geologist for big oil companies) and his talent for penning profound, personal narratives in the context of vast natural wildernesses makes him endlessly fascinating. A little music on the side, featuring cello and musical saw, is just icing on the cake.
3/7. 8 p.m. Suggested donation $5–$15. Royal Room, 5000 Rainier Ave. S; 206.906.9920. No advanced ticket sales. theroyalroomseattle.com; stellarondo.com/rickbassandstellarondo.html

MUST HAVE
The Pike Place Fish Guy’s Cookbook
Thursday (3/7) —  Seattle’s (and perhaps the world’s?) favorite fish-throwing fishmongers release their brand new cookbook today, which Leslie Kelly preview on the blog. To celebrate the project, which has a been a long time in the making, the fish guys have planned a big splash at their seafood shop in the market, offering sample recipes, bites from the book and plenty of access for autographs.
3/7. Noon – 3 p.m. Free. Pike Place Market. pikeplacefish.com

MUST SEE
Ed Wicklander and others at First Thursday Art Walk
Thursday (3/7) — The “English walnut cat” is not a new feline breed—it’s the subject of Ed Wicklander’s wooden cat carvings, which comprise a major part of his new exhibit on view at Greg Kucera Gallery. It opens tonight, for First Thursday Art Walk in Pioneer Square. These whimsical sculptures nap together in a pack, soar through the air in graceful arcs and emerge from a box as disembodied heads, stacked like a totem pole. A prolific local carver, Wicklander has helped shape the Seattle sculpture scene. Also worth seeing during First Thursday Art Walk tonight: John Anderson photographs at Linda Hodges Gallery; Paper Unbound at Wing Luke Museum and Mark VonRosenstiel’s installation, “I Want All This” in the Olson Kundig Storefront.
More info and neighborhood map at firstthursdayseattle.com

MUST SHOP
Goodwill Accessory Sale
Starts Friday (3/8-3/9) — If you’re a label-loving bargain hunter, head to the U District Goodwill this weekend for their Designer Accessory Sale, which features shoes, handbags and other accessories from high-end brands such as Dooney & Bourke, Coach, Betsy Johnson, Marc Jacobs, Steve Madden and Nine West for both women and men. Proceeds from the sale benefit the organization’s free job training and education programs.
3/8–3/9. 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Free admission. U District Goodwill, 4552 University Way NE; seattlegoodwill.org

MUST ROCK
New Jimi Hendrix Album
Seattle’s own Jimi Hendrix is back from the dead, bringing with him his trademark explosive riffs and melodic genius in the form of a new posthumous album, People, Hell and Angels. The 12 tracks include previously unreleased recordings of songs you’ve heard before—but perhaps not like this. The album traces the period between 1968 and ’69, when the monster musician was diverging from The Jimi Hendrix Experience and experimenting in ways that were bold as love.
jimihendrix.com