The Short List: A&E highlights from Pixies to puppets

Movies

'An Education'

This coming-of-age movie stars the captivating and mercurial Carey Mulligan as a teen overeager to grow up — plus the always-excellent Peter Sarsgaard as the older man who obliges her. Now playing at the Egyptian. For showtimes, see H9. For Moira Macdonald's recent 4-star review, go to www.seattletimes.com/movies.

Theater

'Raven and the Box of Daylight'

Hand-carved cedar marionettes and masks by Nuu-chah-nulth artist George David bring to life familiar tales of Raven, the trickster. Even the set and score are created by families of the Makah tribe. Opens Saturday and plays 1 and 3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through Nov. 22, Northwest Puppet Center, 9123 15th Ave. N.E., Seattle; $8.50-$10.50 (800-838-3006 or www.brownpapertickets.com).

Pop music

Pixies

The real deal: Kim Deal, that is, plus bandmates Joey Santiago, David Lovering and Frank Black, bringing their inimitable sound to the Paramount on Thursday and Friday, 911 Pine St., Seattle; $55 (877-784-4849 or www.stgpresents.com).

Classical music

Northwest Sinfonietta

Noted pianist Craig Sheppard joins the regional orchestra for a program entertainingly titled "Mozart vs. Beethoven," 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nordstrom Recital Hall at Benaroya Hall, 200 University St., Seattle; $19-$29 (253-591-5894 or www.orchestraexperience.com). The program is repeated at Tacoma's Rialto Theatre on Saturday night.

Dance

Complexions

Founded by two Alvin Ailey Dance Company alums, this energetic company works crowds into a lather.8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, Meany Theater, University of Washington campus, Seattle; $20-$39 (206-543-4880 or www.uwworldseries.org).

Literary events

Tod Marshall / Ron Slate

Marshall, a poet from Spokane, reads from "The Tangled Line," while Slate reads from his most recent collection, "The Great Wave." 3 p.m. today, Open Books, 2414 N. 45th St., Seattle (206-633-0811 or www.openpoetrybooks.com).

Ken Auletta

The New Yorker columnist chats with Seattle Times technology writer Brier Dudley about "Googled: The End of the World as We Know It," 7 p.m. Monday, Seattle Central Library, 1000 Fourth Ave., Seattle; free (206-386-4636 or www.spl.org).

Visual arts

Fay Jones

Paintings by one of the Northwest's most well-loved artists are on view through Dec. 18 at Grover/Thurston Gallery, 309 Occidental Ave. S., Seattle; free (206-223-0816 or www.groverthurston.com).