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Athletic: Greater Senior Games, June 2^nd - 4^th, $4 per event, for folks age 50 and up.  Don't call 'em "Gramps" - age isn't slowing these competitors down, and they can still give a guy a bruising body check in the ice hockey portion.  If strapping on the skates isn't an option, there are also volleyball, tennis, pickle ball, track & field, and plenty of other games.  Some of these senior athletes post performances putting couch potato 30-somethings to shame.

Lecture: Persepolis author Marjane Satrapi, June 1^st, free, about the author's childhood in Tehran during the Islamic Revolution, expressed through black-and-white comic strip images.  ж  Also, Global Citizen Journey, May 31^st, free.  Hear the trip report through lecture, slides, and music, of a group of volunteers who recently built the Niger Delta Friendship Library.

Thrift Shopping: Crave Party, June 3^rd, $15, it's like an outlet mall for boutiques.  If you care to pick through last season's fashions and compete against other thrift/fashion-crazed shoppers, then there are always a couple of great pieces at cut prices in the mix.  Also, wear leotards so you can try on clothes in semi-public.  ж  Also, Redmond Senior Center Flea Market, June 3^rd, free.  The cool thing about senior garage sales is, they've been collecting stuff their entire lives, so they have a lot of good stuff to sell.

Art Discussions: What Dictates Taste? June 6^th, free, a discussion on the evolution of taste in art over the last century.  They've gathered a high-power panel on this one, paired with works from Paul Allen's private collection, covering art from Monet to Lichtenstein.  ж  Also, William E. Elston: The Plein-Air Painting Scene, June 2^nd, free.  It's visions of French painters wearing berets here; Plein-Air is painting outside the studio, literally, "in the open air."

Outdoor Dining: The unpredictable spring weather is settling down, so outdoor dining is starting to look pretty good now.  Too bad our season is so short though, so enjoy it for these few months while you can.  A couple of good options are Campagne.  Since it's close to the Market, and it is tucked into a little grotto, it does induce the atmosphere of a little French café.  ж  Also, there's the Waterfront on Pier 70.  It's cool, but blustery dining near the water, so be sure to bring along a jacket.  This place has one of the 10 most beautiful bars in the city.  ж  Also, the Frontier Room for BBQ.  This place is coming back up.  They have an old reputation for mediocre food, but in the last year or so, they've turned it around.  If you haven't tried it before, now is the time, or if you tried it in the past and were disappointed, then it deserves a second chance.

Spoken Word: Cheap Wine and Poetry, June 8^th, free.  The micis open, and the wines are a buck a glass.  Noted talent is on hand reading from various works.  If you're signing up for some mic time, then you want to be on either end, at the start when minds are fresh or near the end when they're lubricated.

Performing Arts: Pacific Northwest Ballet is closing the season on a strong performance.  First, they're going with Jewels, June 1^st - 11^th, $20+.  This ballet has somewhat of a haunting vibe to it.  Then, they finish up with 8 Encores, June 11^th, $20+, the best pieces of season meshed together in one rich performance.  ж  Also, Seattle Choral Company performs the Musical Riches of Baltic Sea Countries, June 3rd - 4^th.  Those Baltic states have some heavy stuff; it's not light-hearted.  Better go out to dinner and eat a thick steak to put you in the mood beforehand.

Music: Jazz Etc in the Park, June 4^th, free.  Various high school bands lead the bill in five hours of music.  Typically, only the parents show up for these sorts of events, which is a minor bummer, since the music is top-notch, and you can't beat the price.  ж  Also, Seattle Jazz Vespers, June 4^th, by donation.  It's jazz for the glory of God at this concert.  ж  Also, Young Artists Debut, June 3^rd, $30.  The best of the high school talent on the Eastside premieres.  ж  Also, Jovino Santos Neto Quartet at City Hall, June 1^st, noon - 1 PM, free.  Composer, pianist, and flutist Jovino Santos Neto blends classical, jazz, and indigenous Brazilian music to create a feisty contemporary sound.

Sexuality: Kinky Sex Info, May 30^th, free.  The problem with kinky sex is, you never know where to put your elbows.  If you've got the interest and want to try something new, but are apprehensive on how to proceed, this is a safe start.  It's an interesting world beneath the surface: dungeon parties, swinging parties, and fetish nights, all in the context of proper etiquette and touch.

Organization: Bellevue Schools Foundation, because public schools still need a little lift.  Their big deal is they put together two splashy fundraisers a year.  Bellevue High School has been ranked as one of the 100 best public high schools in the US, and it's behind the scenes efforts like this that make these results possible.

Tiara Wearing Occasions:
Where else could a women don this accessory, besides her wedding day?  This is Seattle after all, so where could a women wear this high-society accessory without coming off as pretentious?  Here's the best this town offers:

Opening night at the Opera.  The current season just closed, so you'd need to look forward to the next season, which is pretty good.  The opera is Seattle's most sophisticated cultural affair.  Most people dress nicely; other's make a night of it and dress fancy for the occasion.  A lady could wear this to the opera and not appear out-of-place.  If you've never been to the opera before, or if it has been a while, then why not consider it?

SAM's Black and White Ball.  This used to be the event in town; too bad they held it only every other year.  They were hoping to hold this ball again this summer with the opening of the Olympic Park, but with the Park opening pushed back until Fall, it'll be difficult to hold this event outside as originally planned.  Stay tuned.

One of Seattle's million dollar galas: There are a couple of big charity auctions that raise over a million dollars, like the Poncho Art Auction or the MS Auction.  Stay away from trying to pull off this headpiece at the Children's Hospital Wine Auction, though.  This summer auction gala has more of a picnic flair to it.  If you want to try something a bit sooner, there's a couple of high profile events coming up, including Goodwill Evening of Stars, June 2^nd, $125; the Children's Therapy Center Wine Tasting, June 2^nd, $55; Ripples of Hope, June 1^st, $125+.

Big Fat Hairy Note: There will be no June 2nd issue next week - staff vacation.

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About: Seattle Spin is a weekly email newsletter highlighting the best restaurants, activities, and venues in Seattle this particular week Contact: Publisher: Gerard Wirz; Editor: Nathaniel Hollywood; Contributors:  Mike Ford and Mary Novak .