The Week Ahead | Arts and entertainment highlights

Festivals and fairs

Bumbershoot

The three-day arts binge continues today and Monday at Seattle Center. For in-depth previews, go to www.seattletimes.com/entertainment. For today's highlights, see today's news story about Bumbershoot.

Puyallup Fair

The annual hoedown gets under way Friday. On the concert lineup this year: Fergie, Carrie Underwood, Al Jarreau and much, much more. Through Sept. 21, 110 Ninth Ave S.W., Puyallup (www.thefair.com).

Movies

"The Girl Who Leapt Through Time"

One of the best anime features to reach these shores in recent years, this charming sequel to the popular, oft-adapted 1965 novel by Yasutaka Tsutsui centers on an impulsive teenage girl who suddenly discovers an ability to literally leap through time. At the Varsity. For showtimes, see Page I6. For Jeff Shannon's three-and-a-half star review, go to www.seattletimes.com/movies.

Pop music

Built to Spill

The Northwest band plays its 1997 masterpiece "Perfect from Now On" in its entirety at the Showbox. Heads will explode. Thursday, Showbox at the Market, 1426 First Ave., Seattle; sold out (info: www.showboxonline.com).

Circus

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey

The 138th edition of the "Greatest Show on Earth" comes to Everett. Opens Thursday and runs through next Sunday. Comcast Arena at the Everett Events Center, 2000 Hewitt Ave., Everett; $14-$76 (866-332-8499 or www.comcastarenaeverett.com).

Classical music

Olympic Music Festival

Summer's most bucolic music festival comes to a close with a program of Mozart, Ravel and Brahms. Last chance for glorious "music in the barn" until next year. Saturday-next Sunday, Olympic Music Festival Barn, 7360 Center Road, Quilcene, Jefferson County; $11-$27 (206-527-8839 or www.olympicmusicfestival.org).

Visual arts

"Alloy of Love"

Dario Robleto's alluring show of sculptures, installations, collages, drawings and photos ends Monday at the Frye Art Museum, 704 Terry Ave., Seattle; free (206-622-9250 or www.fryeart.org).

Seattle Art Walk

A host of new shows previews in downtown and Pioneer Square galleries, open late for First Thursday. Pioneer Square galleries, downtown, Seattle.

Literary

Frequently Asked Questions

Actor/writer Mike Daisey and musician/comic Reggie Watts wax philosophical, explaining the meaning of life. 8 p.m. Wednesday, Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave., Seattle; $15-$18 (800-838-3006 or www.townhallseattle.org).