This week, our arts critics have recommended the best events in every genre—from the closing week of the first (and potentially only) show at Paul Allen’s new arts venture to the Seattle Fringe Festival to the Seattle Symphony’s take on the music of Led Zeppelin. See them all below, and find even more events on our complete Things To Do calendar.
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MONDAY
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. (Through Tues)
Mo Daviau
Mo Daviau reads from Every Anxious Wave, a quirky novel that combines ’90s indie rock (check out that Sebadoh reference in the title, NERD!) with wormholes that take you back in time—every Seattleite’s dream.
COMEDY
Collide-O-Scope
Collide-O-Scope is the cavalcade of curated video delights that takes over Re-bar twice a month. The show keeps getting better, with thematic suites, hallucinatory repetition, and inspired guests. Perennial bonuses: free popcorn and Red Vines, and multiple prizes waiting to be won via drawings throughout the show.
FOOD & DRINK
Trader Joe’s Silent Movie Mondays: Lime Kiln Field Day
This month, the Trader Joe’s Silent Movie Monday series is focusing on films that are “silent treasures.” The second-to-last film in the series is Lime Kiln Field Day, a 1913 film thought to be the oldest existing film featuring African-American actors.
Seattle Burger Month 2016
Li’l Woody’s is featuring a different special burger from celebrated PNW chefs every week this month. Ethan Stowell’s “Scooter” special ends today, and Edouardo Jordan (Salare)’s “150 Gram Burger” will be highlighted starting tomorrow. (All week)
COMEDY
Abbi Jacobson and Ilana Glazer of Broad City
The irreverent, hilarious, unapologetically bizarre Abbi Jacobson and Ilana Glazer come to the HUB Ballroom for a night of live comedy and hedonistic weirdness.
MUSIC
Migos
“Migos are the unassuming, party-starting, non-fuck-giving workhorses of the rap game at the moment. Hailing from the nuclear-hot rap hub of Atlanta, the trio of Quavo, Takeoff, and Offset are unashamed about who they are and what they do, delivering endlessly amusing triplet rhymes and reigniting the concept of a true hiphop crew in a genre filled with lone stars.” -Kyle Fleck
Linda’s 22nd Anniversary
Linda’s celebrates its 22nd birthday with a DJ set by Gazebos, tarot readings, an all-night happy hour, and free cake.
FILM
Pretty Poison
A little-seen, legendarily amazing neo noir, and winner of the 1968 New York Film Critics Circle Award for best screenplay.
ART
Darius X
Transgender, globe-roaming artist Darius X presents a series of emotional and wrenching linoleum block prints. (Closes Thurs)
Zack Bent: Spires
A solo show by SPU art professor Zack Bent, who photographed the beautifully devastating destruction caused by a forest fire south of Cle Elum alongside sculptural and performance works. (Closes Fri)
TUESDAY
READINGS & TALKS
Charles M. Payne
The University of Chicago professor in the School of Social Service Administration gives a talk called “Doing Race Better: Race and the Reform of Urban Schools.” He will argue the ways that racial dynamics shape urban schools and school systems.
MUSIC
Pat Martino Trio
“For over 50 years (save for a stretch in 1980 when he suffered a brain aneurysm and lost much of his memory and had to learn how to play from scratch), Pat Martino has been one of jazz’s most preternaturally smooth and fluid guitarists.” -Dave Segal (Through Wed)
Parquet Courts
“It isn’t mature or sophisticated, but it’s stupid in the way that only truly smart music, like the first Ramones album, can be. Instead of brats and bats, they sing about ducking and dodging and frying and abiding. Deep? Not so much. Fun? Most definitely.” -Kathy Fennessy
Sissy Spacek
“The longest song on Los Angeles band Sissy Spacek’s album Lead Their Exit is called “Oils of Our Eyes,” and lasts a whopping 54 seconds. In case you’re worried you won’t get your money’s worth at this ear-bleed-worthy show, though, never fear: I counted no fewer than 17 releases on these grindcore maniacs Bandcamp page.” -Kyle Fleck
COMEDY
Comedy Nest Open Mic: Andie Main
The rules of this pro-lady stand-up night are refreshing in their simplicity: no misogyny, racism, homophobia, hatred, or heckling. Tonight’s show features Portland-based Andie Main.
ART
TURN
“You’ve heard of an exquisite corpse drawing, probably, or if you haven’t, you’ve probably still been part of making one in an art class at some point—it’s a drawing where one person puts down a part, then the next person, without looking at the first, adds her own part, and on and on until the paper is filled with a segmented beast of a thing. Turn, this year-long collaborative series, is something like a sculptural exquisite corpse.” -Jen Graves
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
The Figure in Process: de Kooning to Kapoor, 1955 – 2015
“On December 5, Seattle gained a new nonprofit arts center created by billionaire Paul Allen, the businessman and philanthropist who’s also a major blue-chip art collector (and creator of Seattle Art Fair). The first exhibition, The Figure in Process, contains 20 works—a handful owned by Allen and the rest borrowed from around the world,” Jen Graves wrote. The exhibit closes on Sunday, and it’s unknown whether any other shows will be scheduled.
Ryan Molenkamp & Kentree Speirs
New paintings by Ryan Molenkamp and Kentree Speirs, both known for their depictions of mountains and volcanoes. (Closes Sat)
WEDNESDAY
MUSIC
Stickers
“When speaking of Stickers, Gabi Page-Fort’s raspy-gnar punk poetry and free-jazz saxophone blasts are a great place to begin. With beautiful force, Page-Fort’s lyrics brush uneasily, like petting a cat the wrong way, forcing listeners to confront the dark corners of her thought-space in the same way they are forced to recon with her squealing sax.” -Todd Hamm
ART
Complex Exchange: Tradition | Innovation
“With violinist Quinton Morris, technologist Zithri Saleem, and writer and painter Barbara Earl Thomas, tonight’s talk should be a spirited conversation about innovation and tradition as it relates to the super-subjects of race, power, and the politics of representation in the art at SAM (Kehinde Wiley: A New Republic, with its variations on Old Master themes) and at NAAM (The Harmon & Harriet Kelley Collection, with its older generations of artists).” -Jen Graves
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.
Dylan Neuwirth: Not a Hologram
Dylan Neuwirth, famous for his work in neon (but adept in text, sculpture, digital media and public art) presents a solo show at Glass Box. (Closes Sat)
Rick Araluce: The Great Northern
“Rick Araluce, the Seattle sculptor (who is also lead artist at Seattle Opera), typically creates and builds miniature hyperrealistic interiors, but The Great Northern is colossal in comparison. It’s a just-less-than-half-scale replica of the actual Great Northern tunnel entrance under Third Avenue, with light and sound suggesting an actual train running in the 40-foot-long black tunnel in the gallery.” -Jen Graves (Closes Sat)
Steffani Jemison: Sol
“There’s a secret black language on display at the Jacob Lawrence Gallery, put there by the New York artist Steffani Jemison. Hieroglyphs painted in black acrylic on transparent sheets of polyester film are hung on the white walls like long calligraphic scrolls.” -Jen Graves (Closes Sat)
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.” -Rich Smith (Through Sun)
FILM
Morphine: Journey of Dreams
The history of the ’90s indie rock band told by the surviving members and the people close to them.
THURSDAY
READINGS & TALKS
“we do it to one another”
“Tracy K. Smith is the knockout poet who wrote the Pulitzer Prize–winning collection of poetry Life on Mars in 2011. … Joshua Roman is the knockout cellist who was commissioned to turn the book into a song cycle; he called it we do it to one another. Soprano Jessica Rivera (conducted by Roman himself) will perform, then Smith and Roman will sit and talk to each other about the creative process, music, and poetry.” -Jen Graves
Critical Issues in Contemporary Art Practice: Amelia Saul
NY-based video artist and writer Amelia Saul comes to Seattle as a part of The University of Washington’s CICAP (Critical Issues in Contemporary Art Practice) lecture series.
Dialogue: Curator David Anfam and Director Ben Heywood (Cancelled due to travel complications)
Curator of The Figure in Process David Anfam will speak with Director Ben Heywood about curatorial practice.
FOOD & DRINK
Nom Nom
“Here’s something that’s easy to get behind, cutesy name and all: Nom Nom, a one-day dining-out fundraiser to help kids eat good food and be healthy. Go out to eat at one of the 30-plus participating restaurants throughout the city (including Kedai Makan, Le Pichet, Mamnoon, Salted Sea, and Skillet), and they’ll donate a portion of their sales to organizations that teach kids how to grow and cook food, read nutrition labels carefully, and be physically active.” -Angela Garbes
Guest Chef Night: Nick Novello
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 Nick Novello of Skillet.
PERFORMANCE
Seattle Fringe Festival
“Seattle Fringe Festival showcases local talent that doesn’t often get play on larger stages. This a good thing for several reasons: (1) You get to see fun shows you may have missed throughout the year, (2) There’s a bunch of weird stuff you’re more likely to embrace in a festival-type setting than in an evening at the thea-tah-type setting, (3) You can check out new work.” -Rich Smith (Through March 5)
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)
DANCE, DANCE, DANCE
A trio of dance works by Donald Byrd, DANCE, DANCE, DANCE is the second show of Spectrum’s 2015/16 Season #RACEish.
COMEDY
Michael Che
Comedian, SNL cast member, and writer Michael Che performs at the Columbia City Theater.
MUSIC
Crater
“Seattle’s Crater—core members Kessiah Gordon (drums, samples) and Ceci Gomez (vocals, synths, samples)—sound poised (on their debut album, Talk to Me So I Can Fall Asleep,) to make waves in the indie mainstream.” -Dave Segal
Joe Satriani
“Satriani can make a guitar sound like virtually anything, from heavy blues rock to metamorphic electric jazz. If you’re expecting great songs, go elsewhere; but if guitar-playing-as-spectacle sounds like a ride you want to take, Satriani’s piloting the mothership.” -Joseph Schafer
Bad Luck and Dex Amora
“Dex Amora’s spiritually uplifting hiphop has been winning him deserved fans around town since his arrival from his native Minnesota a few years ago, and his placement on this bill, headlined by experimental jazz duo Bad Luck (drummer Chris Icasiano and saxophonist Neil Welch), is a testament to the wide appeal of Amora’s music, which artfully bridges the gap among the Soulquarian, the Aquemini, and the Native Tongues schools.” -Kyle Fleck
FILM
Ma Vie En Rose
A family and a community confront expectations and prejudices in this funny, warm, moving Belgian movie about a 7-year-old boy who insists that he’s a girl inside.
FRIDAY
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)
MUSIC
Basia Bulat and The Weather Station
“The intimacy of folk and the finesse of jazz (delicate guitar figures, hushed drums) provide sympathetic accompaniment for her supple alto. … Four albums into her career, singer and autoharp player Basia Bulat draws from similar genres for her lush, expansive sound.” -Kathy Fennessy
F-Holes, Comedy of Terrors, and Demolition Kings
“God damn, if this ain’t a proper Slim’s show: three bands, all local, and all playing raucous rock ’n’ roll!” -Mike Nipper
Squall: Jabon, Kblanq, Expert System, and DJ Maire
“It’s a little hippy-dippy, sure, but if you’re in the right, possibly stoned headspace for it, the stuff works like gangbusters.” -Kyle Fleck
Galactic
“Everyone’s favorite New Orleans jam band is back, no doubt revitalized by this month’s Mardi Gras celebration. With 20 years of recording behind them, Galactic have honed a polyglot approach to moving bodies and inspiring smiles, as they cook up a bouillabaisse of funk, blues, rock, jazz, and hiphop while strutting with marching-band brio.” -Dave Segal
The Music of Led Zeppelin: A Rock Symphony
“Whoever would’a reckoned the Seattle Symphony might tackle the sweaty bombast of Led Zeppelin? Okay, FINE, there ARE a clutch of Zep tracks with strings, and I’m sure they’ll trot out ‘Kashmir,’ but I’m more interested to hear what songs they’ll otherwise play.” -Mike Nipper
Yada Yada Blues Band
“Together these skillful veteranss mine obscure blues numbers from the ’60s and ’70s, providing a valuable historical service to a city that’s not exactly overrun with live blues nights that dig deep.” -Dave Segal
FILM
Edge of Tomorrow
“For most of his career, Tom Cruise has played Intense Perfect Men. From Reacher to Oblivion to the Mission: Impossible series, the men Cruise plays know everything, they’re in peak physical condition, and they never fuck up. In other words, they’re boring—and often irritating—to watch. That’s why, early in Edge of Tomorrow, when Cruise, as Major William Cage, is revealed as a shiftless coward with no moral center, I let out a full-body sigh of relief.” -Paul Constant
SATURDAY
THEATER
Assassins
This Sondheim musical, co-produced by the 5th Avenue Theatre, tells the story of American history’s most famous presidential assassins including John Wilkes Booth, Lee Harvey Oswald, Lynette “Squeaky” Fromme, and John Hinckley. Stephen Sondheim delivers his usual quick pace and complicated melodies, and the plot will make you feel an unexpected sympathy with the murderous stars.
FOOD & DRINK
Rough Draft No. 2
“Rough Draft, the excellent, imaginative, and thoroughly unconventional pop-up dinner party/actual party, is back with revisions. The model is the same-whimsical, aggressively seasonal food and great local booze-but the setting is different. As you would expect with any second draft, there are a few little edits. This one is held at the Gage Academy of Art, amidst the unfinished projects of its students.” -Tobias Coughlin-Bogue
ART
Artist Trust 2016 Benefit Art Auction
This silent auction event promises champagne, small bites, performances, and the opportunity to purchase some stellar pieces of art. (Lots of work from locals!)
In Search of Conjunctions
This multimedia exhibition, which closes today, features new drawing, photography, video, and sculpture by Demian DinéYazhi’, Kerry Downey, Gabriel Jesiolowski, Ellen Lesperance and Sara Osebold, emphasizing “critical linguistic wit” alongside artistic depictions.
MUSIC
Ringo Deathstarr
“Judging from their most recent album, last year’s Pure Mood, Texan shoegazers Ringo Deathstarr have moved away from the Jesus and Mary Chain-indebted, feedback-heavy bliss-shreds found on their 2009 debut Sparkler to a more layered, Lush-like, sweet and driving pop-gaze sound.” -Brittnie Fuller
Freakwater, Jaye Jayle, and Drunken Prayer
“Evan Patterson’s Jaye Jayle expertly taps into both [Louisville]’s singer-songwriter fringe traditions and their dark and pensive indie predilections. His music’s the perfect middle ground between the brooding and jagged approach he mastered with tension-winders Young Widows and his slow-hand auxiliary guitar work on Freakwater’s new album.” -Brian Cook
Sluggo
“Sluggo creates the sort of diaper-dumping EDM that’s favored among the youth these days, all hypervolume bass drops, euphoric breakdowns, and Tonka truck trap beats.” -Kyle Fleck
SUNDAY
READINGS & TALKS
Speakeasy Series: The Color of Dance – History of Black Dance in Seattle
Velocity Dance Center hosts this free discussion featuring black dance artists currently working in Seattle and Seattle dance legends. Food from That Brown Girl Cooks and desserts from Bessie’s Cakes will also be available.
MUSIC
Beacon
“Ghostly International artists Beacon—Jacob Gossett and Thomas Mullarney III—specialize in downtempo electronic seduction. … Their music’s ambrosial aura isn’t exactly peak-time club fare, but it can certainly stir romantic sensations in those susceptible to its suave, sotto-voce charms.” -Dave Segal
ART
Seattle Makers Market
Enjoy live music and a full bar while you scope out beautiful paintings and jewelry from local artists and designers.
QUEER
Mimosas with Mama
“Good morning, Baltimore/Seattle. Mama’s new show, “30 Minute-ish Hairspray,” features all your favorite songs from the Broadway show plus some elaborate quick-change drag-queen magic. They’ve mushed together the best of the original film and the Travolta travesty for a whirlwind of big-boned euphoria.” -Matt Baume
