The Children’s Film Festival Seattle opens Thursday at Northwest Film Forum with a gala event and screening of the animated film Zarafa. The festival continues through February 3rd and features films from 35 countries plus classes and special events. Download the full schedule here.   

Onn/Of, a “light” festival takes over the BMW building on E Pine Saturday and Sunday. The event features visual arts, site specific installations, workshops, and performances (including live sets by bands Ohnonos and Midday Veil). The contributing artists and performance and event schedule are here. Saturday 5 – midnight, Sunday 11a – 10p.     

Thursday, January 24th

• Start a local radio station: learn about the opportunity for non-profits at Langston Hughes Performing Arts (104 17th Ave S), 1p. 
• Hidden Hazards in the Studio, a free class for artists to learn how to protect self and environment while producing vibrant art. Gage Academy, Geo Studio (1501 10th Ave), 12:30 – 1:30p.

• New counter-service-only restaurant on E Olive Kendai Makan plans to open their doors to the public starting at 4:30p.

• Wine tasting of Rhone Syrah vs. Oregon Syrah, Essence Wine Shop (415 Pine St), 6 – 9p 
• James Nolan Book Release Party  plus Free Poetry #2 at The In (17th and Olive), 8:30p.
• Melrose Promenade community visioning meeting — 6 to 8 PM at Broadcast Coffee, Bellevue Ave.
• The liquor board brings its I-502 implementation forum road-show to Seattle City Hall.

---

Friday, January 25th

• Join Mayor McGinn at Velocity Dance Studio as he accepts an award from ArtPlaces, which named Capitol Hill Pike/Pine as one of the top 12 Art Places in the country for 2013. 
• Hear from author Sheri Koons about her book Creating the New Energy-Independent, PreFab Home. Live off the grid! Town Hall, 6 – 7:30p.
• The Boxing Sizzler event offers viewing recreational boxers in the ring, the opportunity to meet boxing fans, check out the gym and talk with coaches and staff at Cappy’s Boxing Gym (1408 22nd Ave) 6:30 – 8:30p.
• Cooperate, an Open Mic Night: All forms of art and performance welcome! Personally, we’d like to hear a good recitation of a literary passage from memory, ala Farenheit 451. Black Coffee Coop (501 E Pine St), 7p.
• Valmont’s Pad, the music night known for lascivious lounge music, lubricious space disco, filthy psych- and garage-rock, and groovy decadent sounds, makes an appearance at Vermillion, 9p. 
• The Electric Tea Garden Anniversary Party features Jacob London and Lawnchair Generals doing a DJ battle. These guys are guaranteed to make the floor bounce at Electric Tea Garden, 10p.  

Saturday, January 26th

• French cooking class: learn how to prepare the classic French dish Le Cassoulet (we had to look it up –  we’re no Julia Child) the authentic way, then have it for lunch at Paris Eastside (816 E Pike), 10:30a – 1:30p
• A Boxing Sizzler provides opportunity for bout-watching recreational boxers in the ring, to meet other boxing fans, check out the gym and talk with coaches and staff at Cappy’s Boxing Gym (1408 22nd Ave) 6:30 – 8:30p.
• More the Merrier! a performance by alum of Academy of Burlesque, featuring duets and groups. Hosted by Gams Galore and with special guest Sydni Deveraux. Oddfellows Building, West Hall, 9p
• Family favorite Caspar Babypants performs twice in one day for the little ones at Town Hall, 11 – 11:45a and 1 – 1:45p. 
• Amy Novesky and Whitney Otto discuss Northwest photographer Imogene Cunningham and their respective books Imogen: The Mother of Modernism and Three Boys, and Eight Girls Taking Pictures. Elliott Bay Book Company, 5p.

Sunday, January 27th

• The Fourth Annual Mozart Birthday Toast features performances of Mozart’s masterworks including chamber music and piano sonatas. Complimentary sparkling beverages and chocolate, too. Town Hall, 7:30 – 9:30p. 
• After Mandela: Douglas Foster, former editor of Mother Jones, speaks on his book about contemporary South Africa, After Mandela: The Struggle for Freedom in Post-Apartheid South Africa at Elliott Bay Book Company, 3p.