Seattle's Sorrento calls 'Night School' to order, with books, whiskey and music

Adult education doesn't usually come with a bottle of whiskey to pass around.

But then, there's very little about "Night School at the Sorrento" that counts as "usual."

"Night School" is a series of cultural events happening at the Sorrento Hotel that's the brainchild of chef Michael Hebb, working in collaboration with Sorrento co-owner Barbara Malone. (Hebb's outfit One Pot puts together an eclectic array of dining/performance experiences around Seattle and Portland.)

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the Sorrento, and Malone wanted to do more than just throw a party. In looking through Sorrento's archives, she discovered that soon after its 1909 opening, the hotel became Seattle's answer to the Algonquin, busy with readings and musical events.

Why not do something similar in 2009?

With input from Hebb, she came up with a diverse lineup. This week is especially busy:

Saturday: "Chamber vs. Chamber." This "death match" between chamber musicians and chamber-pop performers features cellist-composer Lori Goldston (Black Cat Orchestra, Spectratone) and Portland indie band Loch Lomond in an evening of music and discussion. Fireside Room, 7:30 p.m., $15.

Wednesday: "The Ugly American: Arrogance, Ignorance, or Innocence Abroad." Seattle author Lesley Hazleton ("After the Prophet") leads a discussion on a sticky topic, with a "hearty stew" and some whiskey and wine to make it go down more easily. Heavy drinkers are advised to bring additional bottles. Seventh-floor Penthouse, 8 p.m., $50. Reservations: nightschool@hotelsorrento .com.

Thursday: "12 books Launch Party: Text/Context No. 1." Here's a novel idea: Put together a room-service menu of reading matter that hotel visitors can order from when they're phoning down for breakfast in bed or late-night snacks. Bruce Benderson inaugurates the series with a new novel, "Pacific Agony," couched as a travelogue by an East Coast writer whose jaundiced take on the region is indignantly contradicted in footnotes by a local historian. Seattle novelist Matt Briggs ("Shoot the Buffalo"), musician/journalist John Roderick (of the Long Winters) and former Seattle writer-publisher Matthew Stadler ("Alan Stein") join the discussion. Fireside Room, free, 7 p.m.

Also: Along with his Sorrento events, Hebb presents a "Vita Table" on Sunday, featuring chefs Brian Parks (Quinn's) and John Sundstrom (Lark and Licorous), with flamenco performers Rafael De Utrera and Eric and Encarnación. 7 p.m., Caffé Vita, 1005 E. Pike St., Seattle; $75 (800-838-3006 or www.brownpapertickets.com). In conjunction with "Flamenco de Raiz," 7 and 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Kirkland Performance Center, 350 Kirkland Ave., Kirkland; $30 (425-893-9900 or www.kpcenter.org).