Movies

'Robot & Frank'

This dramedy, about the relationship between an aging former cat burglar (Frank Langella) and his robotic caregiver (voiced by Peter Sarsgaard), is clever and unexpectedly touching. Now playing at the Egyptian and Lincoln Square Cinemas. For showtimes, see Page H4. For a review by Michael O'Sullivan of The Washington Post, go to www.seattletimes.com/movies.

TV

'MTV Video Music Awards'

Comedian Kevin Hart hosts this annual celebration of music. Rihanna, Frank Ocean, Taylor Swift, Green Day, Pink, Alicia Keys and One Direction are among those scheduled to perform. 8 p.m. Thursday on MTV and VH1.

Food/Drink

Washington Cider Week

Cider houses rule. Hard ciders have become so popular in bars, that we now have Washington Cider Week. It kicks off with a tasting event featuring ciders from around the world. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday on the lawn by South Lake Union Discovery Center, 101 Westlake Ave. N., Seattle; $20 in advance, $25 at the door (www.cidersummitnw.com/seattleeventinfo.html).

Festivals

Bumbershoot

There are still two more days to enjoy Bumbershoot, Seattle's annual cornucopia of creativity. Sunday, look for ageless crooner Tony Bennett, rappers Big Sean and Mac Miller, Lg! Cabaret and Symphony Untuxed (see below). Monday brings Maxiumum Velocity's showcase of local choreographers, Skrillex, Trivia Night (with "Jeopardy" champ Ken Jennings) and Bombino. 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Sunday and Monday at Seattle Center (ticket information, see www.bumbershoot.org).

The Puyallup Fair

This is the big one, folks; this is The Puyallup to Do — with all the classic favorites (mutton bustin', the newly renovated wooden roller coaster, hot scones) and new things to check out (Zip It ride, Rainforest Adventure). Sept. 7-23, Puyallup Fair and Events Center, 110 Ninth Ave. S.W., Puyallup; $9-$12.50, ages 5 and younger free (253-841-5045 or www.thefair.com).

Arts Gumbo: Cuba!

The Arts Gumbo program, celebrating Latino cultures, opens with the spicy taste of Cuba. Listen to Orchestra Zarabanda, take a salsa-dance workshop and sample Cuban food, all without leaving Seattle. 6-9 p.m. Saturday, Rainier Valley Cultural Center, 31 S. Alaska St., Seattle; $5-$10 (800-838-3006 or www.brownpapertickets.com).

Pop music

My Morning Jacket,

Shabazz Palaces

The long-haired Louisville, Ky., band with the powerful grooves and instrumental hooks, led by Jim James, joins forces with Seattle's own psychedelic rappers Shabazz Palaces for what should be an elevational show. 6:30 p.m. Friday at Marymoor Park, 6046 W. Lake Sammamish Parkway N.E., Redmond; $39.50 (800-745-3000 or www.ticketmaster.com).

Bonnie Raitt

The soulful, committed blues singer's new album "Slipstream" made the Top 10 on the Billboard album charts, no mean feat for a roots musician, and well-deserved. One of Raitt's inspirations, gospel superstar Mavis Staples, also is on the bill. 7 p.m. Saturday and Sept. 9 at Chateau Ste. Michelle, N.E. 145th St., Woodinville; sold out (425-415-3300 or www.ste-michelle.com).

Theater

'This Land/Woody Guthrie'

Strawberry Theatre Workshop adds its own festivities to the centennial of Guthrie's birth with a "play for puppets and actors derived from the drawing, writing and music" of the folk hero. Sept. 6-Oct. 6, Erickson Theatre, 1524 Harvard Ave., Seattle; $10-$30 (800-838-3006 or www.brownpapertickets.com).

Classical music

Symphony Untuxed

Seattle Symphony's "Untuxed" program returns to Bumbershoot with chamber music that is wide-ranging, to say the least. For example: Violinist Mikhail Shmidt will record on, replay and perform with a portable cassette recorder in Michel van der Aa's Memo for Solo Violin and Portable Cassette Recorder. The program includes works by Piazolla and Shostakovich, too. 12:15 p.m. today, Bagley Wright Theatre, Seattle Center; single-day Bumbershoot tickets are $25-$55 (www.bumbershoot.org).

Literary events

Kathleen Fleniken

The Washington state poet laureate will discuss and read from several of her books, including her latest, "Plume." 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Eagle Harbor Book Co., 157 Winslow Way E., Bainbridge Island; free (206-842-5332 or www.eagleharborbooks.com).

Visual arts

Seattle Asian Art Museum

This fall, the museum is home to two exhibitions of art from India: "Many Arrows From Rama's Bow: Paintings from 'The Ramayana,' " depicting scenes and heroes from the ancient Hindu text, and "Women's Paintings from the Land of Sita," paintings adapted to paper from the Mithila cultural region's traditional form of wall paintings. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesdays-Sundays (10 a.m.-9 p.m. Thursdays) through Dec. 2, SAAM, 1400 E. Prospect St., Seattle; $5-$7 (206-654-3100 or www.seattleartmuseum.org).