7 p.m.

FLICKS

"The Princess Bride": The most un-fairy-tale fairy tale with sword fights, true love, R.O.U.S., giants and a wisecracking Sicilian. Central Cinema, 1411 21st Ave.; 206-686-6684; central-cinema.com. $5.

"Louise Bourgeois: The Spider, the Mistress and the Tangerine": 7:30 p.m. A documentary about the icon of modern art. SIFF Cinema, Nesholm Family Lecture Hall, McCaw Hall, 321 Mercer St.; 206-464-5830; seattlefilm.org. $7-$10.

HEAR THIS

Larry Karp: The Seattle author and former medical specialist talks about his new book, "King of Ragtime." Third Place Books, 17171 Bothell Way N.E., Lake Forest Park; 206-366-3333.

Randy Jackson: The "American Idol" judge talks about his new memoir, "Body With Soul: Slash Sugar, Cut Cholesterol and Get a Jump on Your Best Health Ever." University Book Store, 4326 University Way N.E.; 206-634-3400.

Steven Kazlowski: The Seattle wildlife photographer talks about his book about polar bears. Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave.; 206-652-4255. $5, brownpapertickets.com.

Cliff Mass: 7:30 p.m. The author talks about his book, "The Weather of the Pacific Northwest." Kane Hall, Room 130, University of Washington.

Kate Jacobs: 7:30 p.m. The best-selling Los Angeles author of "A Friday Night Knitting Club" reads from her new book, "Knit Two." Barnes & Noble University Village; 206-517-4107.

MUSIC

Bob Jackson First Thursday Band: New Orleans Creole Restaurant, 114 First Ave. S.; 206-622-2563.

Daniel Davison: El Gaucho, 2505 First Ave.; 206-728-1337.

106.1 KISS-FM Jingle Bell Bash with Fall Out Boy, Boys Like Girls and The Academy Is: 7:30 p.m. Paramount Theatre, 911 Pine St.; 206-682-1414. $32-$103.

Eddy Fukano: Dance and watch the ships go by. Ballard Elks Club, 6411 Seaview Ave. N.W.; 206-784-0827. $5.

Brian Kirk's SCCC Jazz Ensemble: 7:30 p.m. Tula's Restaurant and Jazz Club, 2214 Second Ave.; 206-443-4221. $6.

Greg Ruby and His Musette Trio: 7:30 p.m. Pink Door, 1919 Post Alley; 206-443-3241.

Guitars and Saxes Christmas: 7:30 p.m. With Richard Elliott, Paul Brown and Jessie J. Jazz Alley, 2033 Sixth Ave.; 206-441-9729. $28.50. Also at 9:30 p.m.

Seattle Symphony: 7:30 p.m. "A Marvin Hamlisch Christmas," holiday favorites with the popular conductor. Benaroya Hall, 200 University St.; 206-215-4747; seattlesymphony.org. $17-$100.

STAGE

"Ghosts": Henrik Ibsen's tale examining sexuality, morality and the consequences of our decisions. Odd Duck Studios, 1214 10th Ave.; 800-838-3006, eclectictheatercompany.org. $10-$20.

"Boom": 7:30 p.m. An end-of-the world romantic comedy by playwright Peter Sinn Nachtrieb. Leo K. Theatre, Seattle Center. 206-443-2222; seattlerep.org. $29-$45.

"My Ántonia": 7:30 p.m. Book-It Repertory presents Willa Cather's story about a friendship between an immigrant and a pioneer at the turn of the century on the Great Plains. Center House Theatre, Seattle Center. $15-$40; book-it.org, 206-216-0833.

WILD CARD

Annual Holiday Party: DJs spinning classic holiday tunes, vintage holiday

TV shows on both screens, dreidel games and a visit from Santa. Northwest Film Forum, 1515 12th Ave.; 206-329-2629. nwfilmforum.org. $5-$8.

8 p.m.

FLICKS

"Mr. Smith Goes

to Washington": 8:30 p.m. The Frank Capra gem stars James Stewart as an idealistic small-town senator who battles ruthless politicians. Grand Illusion, 1403 N.E. 50th St.; 206-523-3935; grandillusioncinema.org. $5-$8.

HEAR THIS

Philip Gourevitch: The editor of The Paris Review talks about his new collection, "The Paris Reviews, Vol. III." The Elliott Bay Book Co., 101 S. Main St.; 206-624-6600.

MUSIC

Andalibre Flamenco: Bilbao Tapas Bar, 4500 Ninth Ave. N.E.; 206-547-5034.

The English Beat: Showbox at the Market, 1426 First Ave.; 206-628-3151. $20.

Jam Dawgs: R&B, upbeat funk, soul and classic rock. Malarky's Sports Grill, 1025 N.W. Gilman Blvd., Issaquah; 425-392-6356.

Loni Rose: Tractor Tavern,

5213 Ballard Ave. N.W.; 206-789-3599.

Sandra Locklear: Martins Off Madison, 1413 14th Ave.; 206-325-7000.

Scratching Post: Open mike

for artists; sign up at 7:30 p.m.

A beatboxer, singer-songwriters and spoken-word artist all under the same roof. Mr. Spots Chai House, 5463 Leary Ave. N.W.; 206-297-2424.

The Thermals, The Shaky Hands, Champagne Champagne: Chop Suey, 1325 E. Madison St.; 206-324-8000. $14.

Throw Me the Statue, No Fi Soul Rebellion, Truckasaurus, DJ F.I.T.S., Sam Rousso Soundsystem: Neumo's, 925 E. Pike St.; 206-709-9467. ticketswest.com. $10.

Fu Kun Wu Trio: 8:30 p.m. Jazz. Thaiku (Fu Kun Wu Lounge), 5410 Ballard Ave. N.W.; 206-706-7807.

STAGE

"Beauty and the Beast":

The stage adaptation of Disney's Academy Award-winning film. Village Theatre, 303 Front St. N., Issaquah; 425-392-2202. villagetheatre.org. $22-$58.

"Othello": Shakespeare's tragedy about a general who marries, but allows his love to be corrupted and destroyed. Balagan Theatre, 1117 E. Pike St.; 206-718-3245. brownpapertickets.com. $12-$15.

"Seven Brides for Seven Brothers": The musical comedy about a woman trying to whip her brothers-in-law into shape for marriage. 5th Avenue Theatre, 1308 Fifth Ave.; 206-625-1900; 5thavenue.org. $22-$81.

"An Improvised Christmas Carol": 8:30 p.m. Unexpected Productions presents the Dickens classic with a twist. Market Theater, 1428 Post Alley; brownpapertickets.com. $12.

WILD CARD

Trivia Night: Take your dog along

to this animal-friendly bar; the winning team takes home a cash prize, and the losing team takes home a 40-ounce PBR. Norm's Eatery & Ale House, 460 N. 36th St.; 206-547-1417. $5 team buy-in.

Nite Owl

DANCING

DJ Marc Sense: 9 p.m. Ohana, 2207 First Ave.; 206-956-9329.

Round Robyn Thursdays: 9 p.m. With DJ Aku, DJ Graham, DJ Courtney and Awggie. Contour, 807 First Ave.; 206-447-7704.

Wicked & Wild: 9 p.m. With Soul One and Johnny Horn. The War Room, 722 E. Pike St.; thewarroomseattle.com. $5.

DJ Roc'Phella: 9:30 p.m.

Irish Emigrant, 5260 University Way N.E.; 206-525-2955.

FLICKS

Found Footage Festival: 9:30 p.m. and midnight. More than an hour's worth of footage from tapes found at garage sales, thrift stores, warehouses and trash bins throughout the country. Central Cinema, 1411 21st Ave.; 206-686-6684; central-cinema.com. $5.

MUSIC

The Bad Things, Orkestar Zirkonium, The Atomic Bombshells, DJ Underground Speakeasy: 9 p.m. Nectar, 412 N. 36th St.; 206-632-2020. $8.

Black Swedes with the Seattle Rock Orchestra, Jeremy Burk, World History: 9 p.m. High Dive, 513 N. 36th St.; 206-632-0212. $6.

Endkrya, Ugly Baby, Buddahbrot: 9 p.m. Skylark Cafe, 3803 Delridge Way S.W.; 206-935-2111.

Marmalade: 9 p.m. Seattle's improv, soul, funk and love collective with members of Phat Sidy Smokehouse, Super Sonic Soul Pimps, Nu Soltribe, Trwst & Jambalaya. ToST, 513 N. 36th St.; 206-547-0240. $6.

The Preons, Goldie Wilson, Civilized Animals: 9 p.m. Comet Tavern, 922 E. Pike St.; 206-323-9853. $6.

Red Means Go, Dylan Morrison:

9 p.m. MarsBar, 609 Eastlake Ave. E.; 206-624-4516. $6.

Son Jack Jr.'s Delta Hothouse Band:

9 p.m. Highway 99 Blues Club, 1414 Alaskan Way; 206-382-2171. $5.

Sourmash Steveadores, Salmon Skin, Glorydog: 9 p.m. Blue Moon, 712 N.E. 45th St.; 206-675-9116.

Star Anna, Kindness Kind, Motorist: 9 p.m. Sunset Tavern, 5433 Ballard Ave. N.W.; 206-784-4880. $6.

One Undone, Alalingua, Working Holiday: 9:30 p.m. Funhouse, 206 Fifth Ave. N.; 206-374-8400. $5.

STAGE

Can Can Presents "Maybe Manic?": 9:30 p.m. The Castaways' newest show mixing flamenco, belly dance, hip-hop

and more. The Triple Door, 216 Union St.; 206-838-4333. $25.