The hotties: Critics' top picks for the season

VISUAL ARTS

Louis Comfort Tiffany: Artist for the Ages

Just the name Tiffany evokes opulence. Decorative-arts fans will leap at the chance to see furniture, pottery, jewelry, stained glass, metalwork and paintings by one of the greats. This traveling show of 120 objects will be the last big event before the downtown Seattle Art Museum closes for expansion in January. Oct. 13, 2005-Jan. 4, 2006. Seattle Art Museum, 206-654-3100 or www.seattleartmuseum.org.

— Sheila Farr, Seattle Times art critic

DANCE

Pilobolus

This dance troupe's Web site informs visitors that Pilobolus is "a sun-loving fungus that grows in barnyards and pastures." Good description, but it doesn't quite convey the extraordinarily physical and exuberantly collaborative athleticism — sometimes the entire group seems to move as a single organism — Pilobolus Dance Theatre has become known for. Audiences love this company, and performances sell out quickly, so get your tickets now for their performance in the UW World Series. 8 p.m. Nov. 17-19, Meany Theater, 206-543-4880 or www.meany.org.

— Mary Brennan, Seattle Times staff

THEATER

"Cathay: Three Tales of China." This world premiere puppet trilogy based on three traditional and modern Chinese tales, and commandeered by noted director Ping Chong, opens this week at Seattle Repertory Theatre. And if the success of Chong's Japanese-themed 2002 puppet vision at the Rep, "Obon: Tales of Rain and Moonlight," is any harbinger, score your tickets as early as possible. This time, Chong taps two great puppet troupes to pull the strings: Seattle's own Carter Family Marionettes and the lauded Shaanxi Folk Art Theatre of China. Through Oct. 9, Seattle Repertory Theatre, 206-443-2222 or www.seattlerep.org.

— Misha Berson, Seattle Times theater critic

JAZZ

Carla Bley and the Lost Chords

The quirky and quixotic pianist/composer — "Elevator Over the Hill," "A Genuine Tong Funeral" — visits Seattle so rarely, it's an occasion when she does. The straw-blond iconoclast recently contributed some caustic compositions to the new Charlie Haden Liberation Orchestra and appears here with husband Steve Swallow (bass), Andy Sheppard (saxophone) and Billy Drummond (drums). Sept. 20-21, Dimitriou's Jazz Alley, 206-441-9729 or www.jazzalley.com.

— Paul de Barros, Seattle Times jazz critic

BOOKS

Salman Rushdie

The Booker Prize-winning author ("Midnight's Children") returns to Seattle to read from his strongest novel since 1995's "The Moor's Last Sigh." Rushdie usually draws a huge crowd here, and his new book, "Shalimar the Clown," should only expand his audience. A blend of thriller and magic-realist tragedy, it's a globe-hopping tale about an American diplomat's assassination that isn't as narrowly "political" as it seems. 7:30 p.m. Sept. 22, University Book Store Presents at Town Hall. Tickets are free with purchase of "Shalimar the Clown" at University Book Store locations, otherwise $5. 206-634-3400.

— Michael Upchurch, Seattle Times book critic

POP CONCERTS

The Rolling Stones

Are they still "the greatest rock 'n' roll band in the world"? Find out when the "Bigger Bang Tour," named after the Stone's new album, plays KeyArena the night before Halloween. The new album, their most politically charged in decades, does not suck! They will play a two-hour show with several of the new songs, and lots of old hits. Oct. 30, KeyArena, 206-628-0888 or www.ticketmaster.com.

— Patrick MacDonald, Seattle Times music critic

CLASSICAL

Itzhak Perlman

Superstar fiddler Itzhak Perlman returns to Benaroya Hall for a program with the Seattle Symphony, led by young associate conductor Christian Knapp. Perlman will play not only the Bruch Violin Concerto No. 1, but also will solo in two short but lovely Fritz Kreisler gems: "Liebesfreud" and "Liebesleid." Oct. 18, Benaroya Hall, 206-215-4747 or www.seattlesymphony.org.

— Melinda Bargreen, Seattle Times music critic