Stranger in a strange play

Imagine a man so shy he pretends he can't speak English. And imagine he's in a comedy set at a fishing resort. Based on that premise, we predict you already know whether you'll be into "The Foreigner," now playing at the Olympia Little Theater. But in case you want more, the mix-ups and misunderstandings involve both a minister and a member of the Ku Klux Klan. Shows are at 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and May 13 and 14, with matinees at 2 p.m. Sunday and May 15 at the theater, 1925 Miller Ave. N.E., Olympia. Tickets are $8. Call 360-786-9484, or visit www.olympialittletheater.org.

6 friday

Arabian night

Hey, literary types! If you're feeling up for something more highbrow than most of our suggestions, here's one for you: Award-winning Arab writers Raja Alem, Suheir Hammad and Ibtihal Salem will speak at 7 p.m. Friday at The United Churches, 110 11th Ave. S.W., Olympia. Alem of Saudi Arabia is a popular novelist, playwright and poet whose "Fatma: A Novel of Arabia" explores patriarchy and gender roles. Hammad, from Palestine, is a hip-hop poet, and Salem of Egypt writes experimental pieces that hover between story and poem. The free event, hosted by The Evergreen State College, is part of a series on "Women Writers of the Arab World." Visit www.hedgebrook.org.

7

saturday

Something's brewing

Beer lovers and music lovers alike might want to consider a road trip to Centralia on Saturday for the ninth annual McMenamins Olympic Club Brewfest. The fest features beer samples ($1 each) from McMenamins and other breweries, half-price pool, tours and free birthday cake. There'll also be free music. All-female Black Sabbath tribute band Black Bettie plays at 6 p.m. and the Dirty Birds go on at 8. The free event runs from 2 p.m. until midnight. All ages are welcome, but the brewery and theater are restricted to ages 21 and over. The Olympic Club is at 112 N. Tower Ave., Centralia. Call 866-736-5164, or visit www.hoteloregon.com.

Run for the Roses

Whether you love horses or you simply need an excuse to drink mint juleps (even if they do taste kind of like mouthwash), you probably already know that Saturday is the Kentucky Derby. In some circles and some parts of the country, this is a genuine holiday. To us, well, it's both shorter and more appealing than the Super Bowl. The live broadcast of the run begins at 2 p.m. Saturday on NBC.

Zen and the art of country music

If it sounds like an unlikely mix, you haven't been introduced to Chuck Pyle. A reviewer dubbed him "the Zen Cowboy" for his New Age wit and cowboy poetry, and Pyle took it from there. He's earned much acclaim for his songwriting, his "campfire-smoked voice," his acoustic guitar playing and even his boots. He's best known for his songs "Jaded Lover" and "Cadillac Cowboy" and has written hits for Jerry Jeff Walker, the late Chris LeDoux, and The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. So jump out of the saddle and give him a listen at 8 p.m. Saturday at Traditions Cafe & World Folk Art, 300 Fifth Ave. S.W., Olympia. Call 360-705-2819, or visit www.traditionsfairtrade.com.

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sunday

Guilt with a capital 'M'

That's what you'll be feeling for the rest of the year if you don't know what you're supposed to be doing Sunday. Hint: It's a day when greeting-card companies, restaurants and florists are all rejoicing and the child-free are trying to stay out of the way. Yep. You got it. What Mom might want is highly individualized, but since we're in hinting mode, our thoughts run to breakfast out, something handmade by our favorite artist (age 5) and a certain flower-bedecked poncho we've had our eye on.

The Planner is compiled by Molly Gilmore-Baldwin, an Olympia freelance writer.

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