The Weekly Must List: January 28 - February 3

MUST GROOVE
Grupo de Rua
Thursday - Sunday (1/28 - 1/31) · Brazilian choreographer Bruno Beltrão and the nine male dancers who comprise Grupo de Rua bring their Rio de Janeiro street-influenced physical pyrotechnics to this Seattle debut. Their genre-busting music soundtrack bridges the chasm between classical and hip-hop, and their dance blends krumping, popping and floor spins—all to mesmerizing effect. 1/28–1/31 8 p.m. $24. On the Boards, 100 W Roy St.; 206.217.9888

MUST TASTE
Deathcake Royale
Daily (1/29 - 2/14) ·  Death by chocolate? Not a bad way to go, if you ask the mad baking scientists at Cupcake Royale. They’ve whipped up a lethal treat just in time for Valentine’s Day. And it’s not just any cupcake. It weighs about a thousand pounds. It’s made of so much chocolate, it should be illegal. It’s “Deathcake Royale”. Made with Theo Chocolate, Stumptown espresso ganache and delicious chocolate cake, the deadly concoction is available through February 14. Don’t miss a free sampling paired w/ Stumptown coffee at any of the four stores Thursday, January 28. And P.S. If you’re Twitter-literate, listen up: Blow a #DEATHCAKE KISS hashtag to your followers that Thursday, print the proof and take it to any Cupcake Royale to get a free limited-edition Deathcake Royale sticker. Cupcake Royale locations: Capitol Hill, Ballard, Madrona and West Seattle; Also available online at cupcakeroyale.com; Follow them on Twitter @CupcakeRoyale (Amy Minor)

MUST PLAY
The Georgetown Invitational Pinball Tournament
Sunday (1/31) · While it’s been nearly 80 years since the advent of the first commercially successful pinball machine, Pin-heads and novices alike still clamor for a chance to play the popular table game known for bells, lights and even favorite Star Wars characters. This month, amateur players age 21 and older are invited to test their hand-eye coordination at The Georgetown Invitational Pinball Tournament. Careful, though. Pinball remains a game where a hole in one should never be par for the course. 1/31. Registration at 12 p.m. at Jules Maes Saloon. Tournament at 2 p.m. at Jules Maes Saloon, Calamity Jane’s and 9lb Hammer. $10 entry fee. Jules Maes Saloon, 5919 Airport Way S; 206.669.9059 (Jamie Trudel)

MUST LEARN
Northwest Flower & Garden Show
Wednesday - Sunday (2/3 - 2/7) ·  After some underground difficulties (the show was on the brink of shutting down until being bought by new owners last June), Seattle will once again have flowers popping up in February—plus expert gardeners and tips—at the annual (phew!) Northwest Flower & Garden Show. This year’s theme, “Beauty and Functionality,” introduces seminars on vegetable growing in small city gardens as well as a children’s gardening area, the handiwork of high school horticulturists and the ever-impressive floral display competitions. 2/3 - 2/7; Wed.–Sat. 9 a.m.–8 p.m., Sun. 9 a.m.–6 p.m. $5–$20 for one-day pass; multiday passes available. Washington State Convention & Trade Center, Seventh Avenue and Pike Street; 800.343.6973; gardenshow.com

MUST SEE
Isabelle Pauwels: The Brink
Days vary (1/30 - 5/6) · Vancouver, B.C.-based video installation artist Isabelle Pauwels is the first recipient of the Henry Gallery’s newly established (in 2009) Brink Award, which honors “an artist in the early stages of a promising professional career” from Oregon, Washington or British Columbia. As such, she’s earned this exhibit at the gallery—along with a cool $12,500. That money should go a long way toward assisting in Pauwels’ pursuit: melding autobiography, documentary, talk shows and reality TV in a way that is distinctly of our brave new media world. Times and prices vary. Henry Art Gallery, 15th Avenue NE & 41st Street; 206.543.2280