I became acquainted with Portland artist Anna Peters after seeing her work in a Seattle show last year. I love her work—pieces of found wood that she festoons with old photos, cartoon images, lots and lots of tiny nails, bits of maps, old linoleum, and the shiny name plates from retro cars (think: Impala, Pinto, New Yorker). Since buying one of her pieces, I've gotten to know her a bit (we hung out with a bunch of kids and dogs on a windy Manzanita beach last summer), which of course makes me love her work even more.
Bike lovers, kick-off the cycling season this Sunday at the Cascade Bicycle Club’s Chilly Hilly on Bainbridge Island. Whether you’re into fast-paced-edge-of-your-tiny-seat racing or leisurely day treks, this 33 mile ride—packed with 2,675 feet of climbing--is a scenically breathtaking and challenging race. Fair warning: as its name suggests, the race can be both chilly and hilly (and also damp), so layer up!
What's great about birding is that anyone can get out and enjoy it while taking in some fresh air and getting a little exercise. If you're interested in it but not sure where to start, tag along on with an Audubon Master Birder on a bird walk through Carkeek Park.
The 5th Avenue Theatre started the year in style with the touring production of South Pacific, which sailed into Seattle last Friday and will be playing thru February 21. Bartlett Sher, former Artistic Director for Seattle’s Intiman Theatre, directed the Broadway revival of the classic 1949 Rodgers and Hammerstein musical—and won a 2008 Tony for doing so.
Seattle actress and writer Marya Sea Kaminsky steals the show with her moving (and rocking, roiling, spitting, moaning, shaking) portrayal of Electra, a woman imprisoned by her own mourning and hunger for vengeance. She is riveting. But there's lots more to like in this production--notably Sheila Daniels' clever directorial touches, including her nods to modernity...which I think falls under the category of spoilers.
There was a ton of creative, clever (not to mention painstaking!) work on view at the NW Film Forum's showcase of short film animation, but my overall fave was The Sinking of the Huntley, by Seattleite Drew Christie, who told me after the screening that he painted and drew this whole story on the pages of 12 vintage books—mostly Civil-War themed, until he ran out of those:
MUST CELEBRATENew Year's Eve Celebration at the Century BallroomGiven the lineups of years past (live salsa, Afro-Cuban and swing dance music) and 2,000 square feet awaiting your best moves, we’re pretty sure this is exactly where you want to ring in the new year. 7 p.m. dinner; 9:30 p.m. dance. $40–$120 (reservations required; formal attire encouraged). Century Ballroom, 915 E Pine St.; 206.324.7263
We’re counting down the Christmas shopping days with an editors’ gift guide. Check back daily to find out our must-have items this holiday season.
Efeste Evergreen 2008 Riesling (Columbia Valley ($16)
We’re counting down the Christmas shopping days with an editors’ gift guide. Check back daily to find out our must-have items this holiday season. Goodbyn Bento-style Lunch Box
Editor's note: This week, we're giving you our Weekend Must List a day early so you can nail down the perfect Thanksgiving weekend itinerary.
FRIDAY, NOVMEBER 27Spaced Out: The Final Frontier in Album Coversvisual art
The 1st Annual Gregory Awards, presented by Theatre Puget Sound, took place last night in the packed and festive Intiman Theater lobby. This long overdue celebration of local theater started out modestly, with only six awards, plus a "Sustained Achievement Award" for theater photographer Chris Bennion. But the short list of awardees belied the gigantic feeling of camaraderie among this happy gathering of theater geeks.
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