Weekend Highlights for May 1-4

I feel ya: You're ready to get out there and practice democracy. You've been hearing the water-cooler discussion for months and you're fairly itching to exercise the hell outta your right to vote. I'm happy to tell you that the wait is over: Your 2008 NWsource.com People's Picks is here! Vote now for your favorite Seattle dining, shopping, nightlife, entertainment and recreation. Tell us what's good!

Restaurants
New Urban Eats
Check out the rising stars of Seattle's culinary scene -- Coupage, Crush, Enotria, The Jones, Lucia, Opal and more -- and enjoy three delicious courses for $30.
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Nightlife
The Saint
This fabulous Capitol Hill tequila bar has nearly 90 individual bottles of tequila waiting for you right now. That's not a variety; that's a conquering force.
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Movies
'Iron Man'
All human achievement has been building up to the moment that Robert Downey Jr. puts on a jet-powered iron suit and smashes into your local theater. Summer's here, baby!
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Families
Cultivate your kids' interest in gardening
Kids hardly need an excuse to play in the dirt, but Seattle Tilth gives them a purpose. The local nonprofit teaches kids how to make things grow in that soil.
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Music
DeVotchKa
This terrific Denver band has picked up notes and phrases from Tijuana to Athens and reassembled them into a beautiful American sound. They're at the Showbox SoDo.

Gourmet
'Cheese 101'
Beecher's Handmade Cheese and The Tasting Room are offering a class in cheese appreciation, with the proceeds benefiting Black Sheep Creamery.

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The Tractor welcomes legendary country singer Wanda Jackson.

Playmatters, a new hangout for kids and parents, opens on Phinney Ridge this weekend.

Wing-It's Productions' "Lease" is a Seattle-themed rock opera created from audience suggestions.

Boating season kicks off Saturday. Enjoy the festivities from land or sea.

His days as an angry young man are long behind him, but Joe Jackson still looks sharp, and his songs still cut close.

Beyond the weekend
The Funhouse may well fall apart after a Monday night garage/punk show featuring Dead Vampires, Dragstrip Riot, All American Playboys and Telephone and Telegraph. Speaking of shimmying shacks, the B-52s play a way, way sold-out show at the Showbox at the Market on Tuesday. Do as I do: Hang out in front of the venue and offer to trade sexual favors for tickets. Ha, I kid!

The great Chicago dance band Poi Dog Pondering comes to town Wednesday. These guys play to tens of thousands in their hometown, so I fully expect to see a packed house at Neumos' or I'll be ashamed for us all. Of course, I could hardly blame you if you find yourself torn between this gig and the Trachtenburg Family Slideshow Players at the Sunset. And speaking of pretty pictures, Seattle Art Museum Gallery celebrates its 35th anniversary Thursday with an exhibition of new work by Deborah Bell, John Dempcy, Etsuko Ichikawa and many others.

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