This week, our arts critics have recommended the best events in every genre—from an oyster festival to the Seattle Festival of Improv Theater, and from Seattle Immersive Theatre's Romeo and Juliet to Joel McHale. See them all below, and find even more events on our complete Things To Do calendar.
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MONDAY
MUSIC
Party for Michael
"If you spend much time on Capitol Hill, chances are high you’ve encountered Michael Loftus’s work. ... You a foodie? You’ve probably eaten something he helped put together. Go to shows? If you’ve seen Deadkill or “Grindr-core” group Sashay, you’ve seen Mikey in action. Unfortunately, Mikey had to undergo some severe hand surgery recently and that’s hampered his ability to work. Tonight the restaurant and music community come together to help one of their own. And good causes aside, you shouldn’t miss any opportunity to catch the acerbic slash-and-skronk of Constant Lovers and Blood Drugs."
THEATER
The Birds
Strawberry Theatre Workshop pits two women (Sarah Harlett and Meme Garcia) and one man (Shawn Belyea) against ALL THE BIRDS IN THE WORLD UNITED TO ATTACK AND DESTROY HUMANKIND in Conor McPherson's 2009 stage adaptation of The Birds, based on Daphne du Maurier's 1952 short story (which also inspired Hitchock's 1963 horror/thriller flick, which has aged poorly and which the play in no way resembles). The cast of this claustrophobic, beautifully designed production also features Stranger Arts & Music Editor Sean Nelson, but don't let that stop you. (Also Thurs-Sat)
FILM
Silent Movie Mondays
This month, the Trader Joe’s Silent Movie Monday series is focusing on films that are “silent treasures." Tonight's film is The Big Parade, a 1925 film set in World War I France.
FOOD & DRINK
Seattle Burger Month
Li'l Woody's is featuring a different special burger from celebrated PNW chefs every week this month. Tamara Murphy (Terra Plata)'s Chorizo Bomb Burger special ends today, and Ethan Stowell's "The Scooter" will be highlighted starting tomorrow.
TUESDAY
Mayhem with Mama
"Love musical theater but too pressed for time to sit through an entire show? Well, Mama Tits is here to help, with a one-night-only triple-header of abbreviated Mamma Mia!, Little Shop of Horrors, and Hairspray. Each production is a whirlwind of song and dance and quick-change magic, ranging from 15-ish to 30-ish minutes as the drag ensemble careens across the stage." -Matt Baume
READINGS & TALKS
Garrison Keillor
Prairie Home Companion host, stentorian vocal presence in the lives of NPR-fed yuppies of all ages, and all-around literate, gregarious presence in the living rooms of white people, Garrison Keillor graces the Benaroya Hall with his presence this February.
School of Drama Lecture Series: Revisiting the Newness of “New Drama"
What does "new drama" mean? Find out from scholars, theater artists, and administrators in this annual event put on by UW Drama.
MUSIC
Sonny Fortune
"Marvel at Philadelphia saxophonist/flautist/clarinetist Sonny Fortune's résumé: stints with Elvin Jones, Mongo Santamaria, McCoy Tyner, Nat Adderley, Buddy Rich, Leon Thomas (immortal for his vocals on 'The Creator Has a Master Plan' by Pharoah Sanders, with whom Fortune also played), and credits on Miles Davis's Big Fun, Get Up With It, Agharta, and Pangaea." -Dave Segal (Through Wed)
Breez Talent Show
"For a promising iteration of Seattle’s ever-present open-mic scene, it would behoove you to seek out this “talent show” at anything-goes/everything’s-great Capitol Hill holdout Chop Suey. MCed by Tacocat/Childbirth bassist (and occasional Stranger contributor) Bree McKenna, the evening promises a loose and entertaining collection of Broadway oddballs and the extended musical family McKenna and crew have cobbled together over years in the scene." -Kyle Fleck
Ches Smith Trio
"This sort of thing could appeal to fans of the Rock in Opposition group Henry Cow or highbrow jazz legend Cecil Taylor. It’s somewhat difficult listening, but with a substantial cumulative payoff." -Dave Segal
The-Dream
R&B genius The-Dream (who's also co-written hits like "Umbrella" and "Single Ladies") comes to Neumos as part of his "Genesis Tour."
ART
Charles Parrish Art Show and Sale
"Parrish is a carver, more often than not carving the heads of Black Americans, and he is so prolific that he has to use foam because he would not be able to afford as much bronze and marble as he'd need to satisfy his desire to create. He's got a studio at the James and Janie Washington Foundation, which itself is a small museum, a trip into fascinating history through the life of the late artist and Seattle civil rights leader. You will not forget this whole evening." -Jen Graves
COMEDY
Comedy Nest Open Mic
Comedy Womb has become Comedy Nest in the name of inclusivity, and unsurprisingly, they write that "although the name has changed the mission is still the same." The rules of this pro-lady stand-up night are refreshing in their simplicity: no misogyny, racism, homophobia, hatred, or heckling. Tonight features Seattle-based Andrew Murphy.
WEDNESDAY
COMEDY
The Seattle Festival of Improv Theater
"If you care at all about comedy (which you should, to keep from crying), make it a priority to get to Jet City Improv for the five-day Seattle Festival of Improv Theater. In addition to workshops and parties, SFIT offers 12 improv shows executed by 28 comedy groups consisting of 106 performers." -Dave Segal (Through Sun)
READINGS & TALKS
Too High and Too Steep: Weekly Series on Reshaping Seattle's Topography
The local hills and waterways that you know and love aren't as natural as they look. Seattle has been redrawn and rebuilt; remnants of the old city lurk underneath our streets, and the topography itself has changed dramatically with human intervention. In this weekly four-part series, learn more about the history and impact of these interventions with David B. Williams, Burke Museum Educator and author of the new book Too High and Too Steep.
ART
Mindfulness Meditation at the Frye
As distractions swarm around us, the importance and elusiveness of focus becomes increasingly evident. Reclaim your brain at the Frye with this free 30-minute meditation session.
THEATER
Constellations
"Playwright Nick Payne's rom-com dramatizes courtship in the era of quantum physics. Within this framework of reality, one where lives and loves play out in many dimensions and universes, Roland tries to seduce theoretical physicist Marianne. The actors' body movements indicate changes in time-space, which, understandably, throws a wrench in many pair-bonding strategies." -Rich Smith (Through Sun)
Where the Wild Things Are
The audience actually becomes the Wild Things in this intimate "guided play" experience from Vancouver's Presentation House Theatre. (Through Sun)
FILM
Never Get Tired: The “Bomb the Music Industry!” Story
The Seattle premiere of this crowdfunded documentary about the punk-rock band Bomb the Music Industry! comes to Northwest Film Forum.
THURSDAY
READINGS & TALKS
Alexander Chee
Alexander Chee (essayist, poet, reviewer, novelist) comes to Hugo House to talk about his newest novel, The Queen of the Night, set in Paris.
A.O. Scott
Renowned New York Times film critic A.O. Scott comes to Elliott Bay to discuss Better Living Through Criticism: How to Think about Art, Pleasure, Beauty, and Truth, his meta analysis of the importance of art writing today.A.O. Scott
THEATER
Romeo and Juliet
"God, finally! A performance of Romeo and Juliet where you, the audience member, actually get to be part of the masquerade party. According to word from Seattle Immersive Theatre, "free-flowing champagne" and hors d'oeuvres will be on offer, along with a contemporary take on the classic everyone already knows. Just don't drink anything from any apothecaries, okay?" -Christopher Frizzelle (Through Sun)
2155: An Exploration of Afrofuturism in Performance Art
"Seattle's contribution to the futuristic aesthetic of the Afrodiaspora extends beyond the universes Octavia Butler created in her sci-fi novels, as this performance aims to show. ... Stranger Genius Award finalist Erik Blood, the composer and musician known most recently for his work with Shabazz Palaces, performs a closing set on Saturday, February 20." -Rich Smith (Through Sun)
FOOD & DRINK
Dinner with Texas Monthly Barbeque Editor
Daniel Vaughn, Texas Monthly Magazine's "barbecue editor," joins guests at Jack's for a night of BBQ trivia, knowledge, and insight.
Guest Chef Night: Erickson Pak
FareStart is a fantastic organization that empowers disadvantaged and homeless men and women by training them for work in the restaurant industry. Every Thursday, they host a Guest Chef Night, featuring a three-course dinner from a notable Seattle chef for just $29.95. This week FareStart welcomes Chef Erickson Pak of Dragonfish Asian Cafe.
Seattle’s “Best Damn Happy Hour”
On the third Thursday of the month, the “Best Damn Happy Hour” (their title) has live DJs, mini golf, board games, giant Jenga (TIMBERRRRR!), and deals on cocktails and food at the many places inside the Armory.
MUSIC
Perpetual Ritual
"Perpetual Ritual is the solo project of Mitchell Saulsberry, ex-bassist with local goth-tronic rockers Graves Babies. On his own, he’s ranged from Kurt Vile/King Dude-esque, sundown-bummer rock to more challenging, electronic excursions that stress the second word in his musical alias. DAVE SEGAL
Galcher Lustwerk
" 'Werk meets 'werk as enigmatic New York-based producer Galcher Lustwerk brings his cool, clear aquamarine house to Kremwerk. Lustwerk cuts a strange figure in the DJ scene these days, half-rapping, half-mumbling over crystalline, pristine 4/4 beats with a decidedly beatific bent, all marble-gloss synthesizers and subtly funky drum programming." -Kyle Fleck
The West, Trick Candles, and Noddy
"Holy net of aqua, bats cavers and new wavers, dig this evening of three local groups who will be playing the sounds from the age of the new romantics!" -Mike Nipper
Juliana Huxtable
"'Mo-Wave has pulled a coup this time: Juliana Huxtable, a challenging and multitalented artist/DJ from New York City, will be taking to the decks at Chop Suey this evening. Known to interpolate her spoken-word poetry into her mixes, Huxtable is as much interested in stimulating your brain as your ass." -Kyle Fleck
Wussy
"Chuck Cleaver, Lisa Walker, and John Erhardt can make enough noise to fill that room even without drums and bass. Their take on Cincinnati alt rock—noisy and sour, but also romantic in the way that the Afghan Whigs often are—has been moving critics, although not always units, since 2001." -Joseph Schafer
FILM
Cartoon Happy Hour
A two hour block of free classic cartoons every Thursday, plus food specials.
Romeo and Juliet
Hey, you got your techno music in my Shakespeare! Two gorgeous, lusty teens (Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes) defy their familes and make with the illicit lovin' in Baz "Moulin Rouge" Luhrmann's sweaty, hyper-visceral, language-intact modernization of the classic tragedy, where Italy becomes South Florida, swords become handguns, and where a black Mercutio (Harold Perrineau) and a Puerto Rican Tybalt (John Leguizamo) completely steal the show.
ART
Critical Issues in Contemporary Art Practice: Josh Faught
Josh Faught, multimedia artist and winner of SAM's Betty Bowen Award in 2009, comes to Seattle as a part of The University of Washington's CICAP (Critical Issues in Contemporary Art Practice) lecture series.
FRIDAY
READINGS & TALKS
Seattle StorySLAM
A live amateur storytelling competition much like The Moth, hosted by Lindy West, in which audience members who put their names in a hat are randomly chosen to tell stories on a theme. This month: "love hurts."
FOOD & DRINK
All-Star Women's Blues Jam
"The neighborhood of Hillman City is home to Spinnaker Bay Brewing, Washington’s only 100-percent women-owned microbrewery. Owners Janet Spindler and Elissa Pryor don’t hold back, brewing robust, flavorful—and strong—beers. The brewery’s monthly All-Star Women’s Jam features a rotating roster of female blues musicians. Guys are welcome too, but to just to be clear, 'the priority is for the women.'" -Angela Garbes
COMEDY
Joel McHale
Local boy made good, AKA sitcom star (long live Community), former gossip mocker (fare thee well The Soup), and astonishingly physically fit Joel McHale, does a bit of stand-up comedy.
MUSIC
Gazebos
"Not all sonic retro-fetishizations are created equal. One thing Seattle quartet Gazebos have realized is that glam rock and new wave sound fantastic when entangled." -Dave Segal
Witch Ripper
"I first saw Witch Ripper last year the Victory Lounge. That night, after probably a decade of serious concert going, I finally learned my lesson about remembering my earplugs. Witch Ripper played so loudly that I felt a blood vessel in my brain could pop at any moment. Hell, for a minute there, I almost wanted one to." -Joseph Schafer
James Owen’s Classical Mystery Tour: A Tribute to the Beatles
"Real talk: The Beatles’ Magical Mystery Tour is the most underrated of Beatles records, mostly for the inclusion of “Blue Jay Way” ... but those waterlogged organs, George Harrison’s disembodied voice, the wickedly spooky back-masked effects swishing through the whole thing… Psych perfection, achieved in three and a half minutes." -Kyle Fleck
FILM
The Witch
"The long wait for The Witch, the darling of last year’s Sundance Film Festival (which won Robert Eggers the best director award), has been worth it. If you like your horror smart, slow-burning, and suffused with allegorical dread, then you can’t do better than this dark folktale of colonialism, religion, family, and nature gone amok in 1630s New England." -Sean Nelson
THEATER
9 to 5: The Musical
The irresistibly lovable Dolly Parton musical comes to Magnuson Park Theatre (via Seattle Musical Theatre). The production promises perfectly period costumes and tunes you can't get out of your head. (Through Sun)
SATURDAY
FILM
Page to Screen: Hear the Story, See the Film
Both cinema and literature geeks alike will delight at this free event at the Central Library. Audiences will take in both a short story and a movie that it inspired, in addition to discussion about the nature of adaptation. This week, watch the 1953 Marlon Brando film The Wild One, based on Frank Rooney's 1951 "The Cyclist's Raid."
The Sprocket Society presents Saturday Secret Matinees
Watch the entirety of the highly regarded serial Spy Smasher over the course of twelve weekly installments. Each screening will feature one episode, plus a secret feature film that follows a monthly theme: This month, it's serial heroes and heroines.
MUSIC
Kneedelus
"Weirdo electronica alchemist Daedelus has joined forces with the equally eccentric California jazz quintet Kneebody for the appropriately named Kneedelus project, whose self-titled album emerged from the venerable Brainfeeder label late last year." -Kyle Fleck
The Cave Singers
"Seattle twang gang the Cave Singers will be five albums deep when they drop their latest disc, Banshee, this Friday. Throughout their run, they’ve been able to tweak their style enough to separate themselves from the last decade’s mega-folk wave." -Todd Hamm
Vats
"Soon-to-be LPFM DIY station Hollow Earth Radio hosts this night with local post-punk revivalists Vats, who take cues from the right places, even playing a cover of German post-punk queens Malaria!'s 'Your Turn to Run.' Elsewhere on their most recent tape, 'Melting Culture' lies somewhere between the Fall and early-'80s anarcho post-punk in the discontented realm of Chumbawamba or Hagar the Womb." -Brittnie Fuller
Sumac
"Sumac is the relatively new outfit started by guitarist Aaron Turner (Mamiffer, Old Man Gloom, ex-Isis) and drummer Nick Yacyshyn (Baptists), with bass reinforcements provided by Brian Cook (Russian Circles, Stranger freelancer). They recorded their debut album The Deal last year in Seattle with producer Mell Dettmer, and it's a brooding, cerebral concoction of doom metal and post-rock turbulence." -Dave Segal
Quasi
"Quasi are one of those indie-rock bands you tend to forget about for long periods of time, then when you see that they're coming to town, you wonder why they slipped from your memory. The Portland group—featuring guitarist Sam Coomes and Sleater-Kinney drummer Janet Weiss—have been putting out crunchy, bittersweet rock records for over 20 years." -Dave Segal
QUEER
NW Bears Snow Tubing and Truck Stop Dinner
"When a friend invited me to a bear tubing party, I was afraid I was falling behind on my sexual euphemisms. But no, it's exactly what it sounds like. A bunch of bears and their friends trek out to the mountains, belly-flop onto big rubber inner tubes, and fly down the snowy hillside at dizzying speeds. Sponsored by NW Bears and local clubs like XLBears, everyone's welcome and there's a group dinner afterward at a nearby truck stop." -Matt Baume
Versatile
Jello shots and solid DJ work from Derek Pavone and DJ Spaceotter can be expected at the Eagle Tavern's DJ night.
READINGS & TALKS
Unveiling the Hidden Story of Black Burlesque
Learn about the history and current state of black burlesque from the Foundation for Sex Positive Culture and the International Black Burlesque Company.
SUNDAY
READINGS & TALKS
Monorail Reading Series
"The Monorail Reading Series scoops up nationally touring writers and pairs them with local talent. Tonight's edition features LA writer Feliz Lucia Molina, Portlander Lisa Ciccarello, and Willie Fitzgerald, the program director for Seattle's beloved APRIL Festival." -Rich Smith
FOOD & DRINK
Oyster Fest
"Cold weather means delicious oysters. ... It’s your seasonal responsibility to slurp up as many of these briny local delicacies as possible, preferably with cool, crisp wines. I can’t think of a better place to do that than Oyster Fest at Fremont’s Vif, a cafe that’s also a wine shop dedicated to natural wines, which, like oysters, are left mostly alone, allowing their inherent flavors to shine." -Angela Garbes
READINGS & TALKS
National Geographic Live - Gorongosa Reborn: A Cameraman's Journal
Have you ever wanted to visit an African wildlife park? Now's your chance, minus the long flight...and best of all, professional photographer Bob Poole will show you around.
MUSIC
Coffins
"For nearly 20 years, [Coffins] has adhered to a raw punk aesthetic while churning out swampy, primitive death metal. The reclusive underground doom-sludge champions Noothgrush also make a rare appearance tonight, so fans of unrefined metal have no excuses for being anywhere else tonight." -Brian Cook
