The Arts

Movies

'Margaret'

Kenneth Lonergan ("You Can Count On Me") is back with a messy, wonderful movie about a young woman catapulted into adulthood by a senseless accident. Anna Paquin stars. Now showing at SIFF Cinema at the Uptown. For showtimes, see Page H6. For Seattle Times movie critic Moira Macdonald's recent 3.5-star review, go to www.seattletimes.com.

'The Grey'

Liam Neeson stars in a movie about a plane crash that strands a small group of survivors in the Alaskan wilderness. His co-stars are a pack of ferocious wolves, closing in for the kill. A harshly beautiful movie, now showing at several theaters. For showtimes, see Page H6. For Soren Andersen's recent 3-star review, go to www.seattletimes.com/movies.

TV

'Gossip Girl'

Blair's getting married? And to a prince, no less! OMG! Oh, and Georgina (Michelle Trachtenberg) is back! Had enough of the exclamation points? If not, tune in to the 100th episode of this drama for what is sure to be eventful nuptials. XOXO. 8 p.m. Monday, on the CW.

'Grey's Anatomy'

The long-running medical drama explores alternative universes by imagining the world of Seattle Grace if Meredith's mother (the wonderful Kate Burton) hadn't succumbed to Alzheimer's. 9 p.m. Thursday, on ABC.

Food

Belgianfest

Washington Beer Commission hosts 30 breweries with more than 70 varieties of Belgian-style beer, noon-4.p.m. or 5:30-9:30 p.m. Saturday, Bell Harbor International Conference Center, 2211 Alaskan Way, Pier 66, Seattle; $30/advance, $35/at the door includes tasting glass and 10 4-oz. samples; designated driver admission $5 at the door only (800-838-3006 or www.washingtonbeer.com).

Taste of Africa

We don't get a lot of great African food events here. So it's always a big deal when local cooks throw one of these meals. The latest: a "pop-up dinner" featuring Moroccan spiced roasted lamb, Boerewors sausage and Injera. It will be held Monday at Volunteer Park Café, 1501 17th Ave. E., organized by David Howe and Kalen Schramke. More info at savagecuisine.com.

Festivals

Seattle Boat Show

Whatever floats your boat, it's on display, from luxury yachts to inflatables, fishing boats to kayaks, plus 200 seminars by boating experts and kids' activities. Through Feb. 5 at CenturyLink Field Event Center (800 Occidental Ave. S., Seattle) and South Lake Union. Don't miss the free shuttle between venues (www.seattleboatshow.com).

Pop music

Alabama Shakes

The undisputed highlight of the 2011 CMJ confab in New York, Alabama Shakes — and its make-you-crazy-she's-so-good vocalist Brittany Howard — are the real, soulfire deal. 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Crocodile, 2200 Second Ave., Seattle; sold out (206-441-4618 or thecrocodile.com).

Laura Gibson

Oregon-bred singer-songwriter Gibson is getting deserved raves for her new album, "La Grande" (Barsuk), with its crisp vocals and pastoral, Northwest-inspired lyrics that occasionally rise to anthemic bliss. 9:30 p.m. Saturday at the Tractor, 5213 Ballard Ave. N.W., Seattle; $10-$12 (206-789-3599 or www.tractortavern.com).

Theater

'Tartuffe'

Molière's comedy of a charming impostor comes complete with "star-crossed lovers, a badgering grandma and a plot that could be ripped from the headlines." Karen Lund directs. Previews Wednesday and Thursday, opens Friday-March 3, Taproot Theatre, 204 N. 85th St., Seattle; $15-$37 (206-781-9707 or www.taproottheatre.org).

'The Lost Folio'

Local cutups star in this bit of fun from Wing-It Productions, in which a troupe of players collects suggestions from the audience in order to create a new work in the style of Shakespeare. 8 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays through Feb. 10, Wing-It, 5510 University Way N.E., Seattle; $10-$14 (www.wingitpresents.com).

Classical music

Seattle Chamber Music Society Winter Festival

James Ehnes takes the reins of the venerable program this year, and he's not the only thing that's new in 2012: Selections by Shostakovich, Strauss, Bartok, Suk and Dvorak will get their first airings by the SCMS. Chamber favorites by Brahms, Beethoven and Mozart are on the bill, too. Free preconcert recitals each night at 6:30 p.m. and concerts at 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday; recital at noon and concert at 1 p.m. on Feb. 5. Benaroya Hall, 200 University St., Seattle; $15 and $45 (206-283-8808 or www.seattlechambermusic.org).

Thalia Symphony Orchestra

Stephen Rogers Radcliffe leads the orchestra in its second concert of the season, a bill that will include Stravinsky's "Firebird" Suite, Copland's "The Tender Land" Suite and Bruch's folk-influenced Scottish Fantasy in E-flat Major, Op. 46. 2 p.m. Sunday at Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave., Seattle; $15-$20 (800-838-3006 or www.thaliasymphony.org).

Dance

'Don Quixote'

The famous tale from Spain's golden age is told in movement. Pacific Northwest Ballet, through Feb. 12, Marion Oliver McCaw Hall, 321 Mercer St., Seattle; $28-$168 (206-441-2424 or www.pnb.org). See related story, Page H1.

Literary events

Kristin Hannah

The popular Bainbridge Island author discusses her new novel, "Home Front." 7 p.m. Tuesday, Third Place Books, 17171 Bothell Way N.E., Lake Forest Park; free (206-366-3333 or www.thirdplacebooks.com).

Lorraine McConaghy

The local historian and author discusses her new book, "New Land North of the Columbia: Historic Documents that Tell the Story of Washington State from Territory to Today." 7 p.m. Tuesday, University Book Store, 4326 University Way N.E., Seattle; free (206-634-3400 or www.ubookstore.com).

Visual arts

Foster/White Gallery

Whimsy is the word of the moment at the gallery, as works by painters James Martin (think Mona Lisa on a blimp) and Ben Darby (think Buddhas and a bus) take over. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays through Feb. 25, Foster/White Gallery, 220 Third Ave. S., #100, Seattle (206-622-2833 or www.fosterwhite.com).

Seattle Art Museum

The museum is showing off recently acquired ceramic works through Sept. 2 in Here and Now, its third-floor space dedicated to new acquisitions. Included are works by Michelle Erickson ("Koi Junk") and Brendan Tang ("Manga Ormolu version 5.0-h"), plus pieces by Ron Nagle, Ken Price and Toshiko Takaezu, also recent additions to SAM's collection. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesdays-Sundays (until 9 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays), 1300 First Ave., Seattle; $9-$15 (206-654-3100 or www.seattleartmuseum.org).