Entertainment

Movies

'A Separation'

A major breakthrough in Tehran-based cinema, this eye-opening window on modern Iranian daily life has been tagged "Divorce Iranian Style." But it's not just a movie about divorce. Asghar Farhadi's drama (nominated for two Academy Awards, including best-foreign-language film) is partly a courtroom drama, partly a political satire and partly a twisty thriller that gradually draws you in and becomes more engrossing with each new revelation. For showtimes, see Page H6. For John Hartl's recent four-star review, go to www.seattletimes.com.

TV

'Smash'

Yes, its been advertised for weeks, but this new musical drama about the making of a Broadway show has a lot going for it. There's a great cast (Anjelica Huston, Debra Messing and local girl Megan Hilty), the executive producer is Steven Spielberg and the original songs were written by Tony and Grammy award winners Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman ("Hairspray" and "Catch Me If You Can"). Series premiere, 10 p.m. Monday on ABC.

'The River'

Six months after a prominent television documentarian goes missing in the Amazon jungle, his family and co-workers start a search. That's the set-up for this new thriller from the writer/director of the original "Paranormal Activity." If you've seen any of the previews, you know it's going to be creepy. Two-hour series premiere, 9 p.m. Tuesday on ABC.

Food

Foodportunity

Foodies and food bloggers unite! The popular food networking event, Foodportunity, is back, where like-minded food fanatics network and nibble on bites provided by dozens of local restaurants including Rover's and The Coterie Room on Monday. The event is also a chance to mingle with some of the local chefs. $25 in advance. No tickets sold at the door. Held at 2100 Fifth Ave. from 6-9 p. m. More info at www.foodportunity.com.

Theo Chocolate

Be a chocolate expert. Theo Chocolate holds a session about chocolate terroir and how to taste and evaluate gourmet chocolates. "The Tasting for the Connoisseur" takes place Wednesday from 6:30-8 p.m. $15. Theo Chocolate, 3400 Phinney Ave. N., More info at www.theochocolate.com

Festivals

Nirvana for gardeners

Northwest Flower & Garden Show Wednesday-Feb. 12, 25 display gardens with theme "A Floral Symphony: Gardens Take Note," 120 seminars, 350 exhibits and vendors, "The PlayGarden" activities area for kids, 9 a.m.- 8 p. m. Wednesday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Feb. 12, Washington State Convention Center, 800 Convention Place, Seattle; $5-$20, ages 11 and younger free (www.gardenshow.com).

Valentine's Day treats for zoo animals

Valentine-themed enrichment activity treats for a variety of zoo animals, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Woodland Park Zoo, 5500 Phinney Ave. N., Seattle; $8.50-$11.75 (206-548-2500 or www.zoo.org).

Pop music

Wilco

Touring behind its enthusiastically-received eighth album, "The Whole Love," the country-inflected Chicago indie band features singer Jeff Tweedy and innovative guitar ace Nels Cline. 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Paramount Theatre, 911 Pine St., Seattle; sold out (877-784-4849 or www.stgpresents.org).

Brad Paisley, The Band Perry, Scotty McCreery

The country show of the year, featuring chart-topping, rock'n'rolling singer, guitarist and songwriter Paisley, whose current album, "This is Country Music" hit No. 1 on the country charts; the sparkling up-and-coming trio The Band Perry, whose self-titled album has already gone platinum; and startlingly deep-voiced "American Idol" winner Scotty McCreery. 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Tacoma Dome, 2727 E. D St., Tacoma; $25-$59.75 (800-745-3000 or www.ticketmaster.com).

Theater

'The Odd Couple'

Fastidious fussbudget and sloppy sports writer are thrown together as roommates, and hilarity ensues in this classic play by Neil Simon. Local theater favorites Chris Ensweiler (Felix) and Charles Leggett (Oscar) star. Through Feb. 26, Village Theatre, 303 Front St. N., Issaquah; $22-$62 (425-392-2202 or www.villagetheatre.org). Note: Moves to Everett March 2-25.

'Rosencrantz & Guildenstern are Dead'

Tom Stoppard's dark "Hamlet" spinoff gets a tweak in this Seattle Public Theater production: The title characters are played — with delightful timing — by women (Angela DiMarco and Alyssa Keene). Through Feb. 19, Seattle Public Theater at the Bathhouse, 7312 W. Green Lake Drive N., Seattle; $15-$29 (206-524-1300 or www.seattlepublictheater.org).

Classical music

Jan Lisiecki

Born in Canada to Polish parents, it seems natural this piano prodigy has devoted much of his career to Chopin. (Lisiecki was chosen to open the Chopin 200th birthday celebrations from the composers' birthplace.) He'll play Bach, Beethoven, Liszt and Mendelssohn as well in his Seattle stop, part of the UW President's Piano Series. 8 p.m. Wednesday, Meany Hall, University of Washington, Seattle; $20-$32 (206-543-4880 or uwworldseries.org).

Seattle Symphony Orchestra

Guest conductor Roberto Abbado kicks off a triple threat schedule in Seattle this week with a stint at the podium for Mussorgsky's "Pictures at an Exhibition" and Jolivet's Concertino for Trumpet. (He'll stick around for a Masterworks concert on Feb. 16 and 18, and a Rush Hour concert on Feb. 17, too.) 7:30 p.m. Thursday, noon Friday, 8 p.m. Saturday and Feb. 12, Benaroya Hall, 200 University St., Seattle; $17-$115 (206-215-4747 or www.seattlesymphony.org).

Literary events

Wael Ghonim with D. Parvaz

The author of "Revolution 2.0: The Power of the People is Greater Than The People in Power: A Memoir," Ghonim's story of his part in the 2011 revolution in Egypt with D. Parvaz, former Seattle P.I. journalist now reporting for Al-Jazeera. Wednesday, 7:30 p.m., Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave., Seattle; $5 (206-652-4255 or www.townhallseattle.org).

Visual arts

James Harris Gallery

If the big "Gauguin and Polynesia" show at SAM (see story on Page H1) whets your appetite for lush landscapes, you may want to check out South African photographer Guy Tillim's new series, "Second Life," taken in French Polynesia and inspired by Tillim's interest in a "landscape with profound art historical reference." 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays through March 17, James Harris Gallery, 312 Second Ave. S., Seattle (206-903-6220 or www.jamesharrisgallery.com).

Greg Kucera Gallery

Universal Limited Art Editions led a revival of printmaking in America back in the 1950s, and the publishing house continues today to collaborate with renowned artists on prints and books. ULAE master printer Bill Goldston selected works for this show, and his estimable choices include Helen Frankenthaler, Jasper Johns, Julian Lethbridge and Amy Cutler. 10:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays through Feb. 18, Greg Kucera Gallery, 212 Third Ave. S., Seattle (206-624-0770 or www.gregkucera.com).