Brandi Carlile, Black Strings Uncensored and Other Weekend Musts

MUST HEAR
Brandi Carlile
Opens Friday (11/23-11/25) – The Northwest country star returns to Benaroya Hall to perform music from her new album, Bear Creek. The Seattle Symphony accompanies her big, beautiful voice. Read Brangien Davis’ interview with the singer from our November issue.
11/23–11/25. 8 p.m. Prices vary. Benaroya Hall, 200 University St.; 206.215.4747; seattlesymphony.org

MUST JAM
Black Strings Uncensored
Friday (11/23) – For one night only, the CD Forum presents a night of unscripted, beautiful music at Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center. Featured local artists Paul Rucker, Evan Flory-Barnes and Cristina Orbe will jam out on a variety of instruments, accompanied by the band Big World Breaks.  
11/23, 8pm. $15. Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center, 104 17th Ave S; 206.323.4032; cdforum.org

MUST TASTE
Mamnoon
By the end of this week, you’ll no doubt be screaming for anything but the classic American meat and potatoes.Time to try Mamnoon, a new Middle Eastern restaurant featuring flavors of Syria and Lebanon that just opened in Capitol Hill. Allison Austin Scheff has more details.
1508 Melrose Ave.; reservations via opentable.com

MUST SHOP
Boozy Black Friday Gifts
Some might say you can’t have a decent holiday party without good booze. Cocktails and spirits expert A.J. Rathbun is on the hunt for the perfect gifts for any cocktail lover.

MUST WIN
Saddest Wall Contest
Every house has one: the ugly, underperforming wall, 12×10 feet and bearing only a paltry letter-sized college diploma. (Or worse, an over-sized novelty clock.) Local art-finder Artsyo is on a mission to help you solve this dilemma with a clever contest.