The voice of Africa
Town Hall presents Wangari Maathai at 7:30 p.m., Sunday, April 19. Maathai became the first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize for her impact on Africa's environmental and political landscape in 2004. She was elected to Kenya's Parliament in 2002 and appointed Deputy Minister for the Environment and Natural Resources in 2003. Now living in Nairobi, Maathai is the author of "The Challenge for Africa," which examines the complex and dynamic nature of her continent. Tickets are $5. For additional information, visit www.townhallseattle.org. 1119 8th Ave.
THEATRE
The Intiman Theatre presents Fyodor Dostoevsky's Crime and Punishment through May 3. See director Sheila Daniels' 90-minute take on this deft, three-actor adaptation of Dostoevsky's famous novel. Tickets are $10 to $55. For more information, call 269-1901 or visit www.intiman.org. 201 Mercer St.
The Seattle Repertory Theatre presents Wishful Drinking through May 3. Author, actress and Hollywood chronicler Carrie Fisher wryly dishes on life with her famous parents (Debbie Reynolds and Eddie Fisher), her brief marriage to pop star Paul Simon, her stint as the original Princess Leia in "Star Wars" and more. Tickets are $10 to $65. For more information, visit www.seattlerep.org or call 443-2222. 155 Mercer St.
Shakespeare in Hollywood directed by Shana Bestock comes to the Bathhouse Theater on Greenlake April 17-19 and April 24-25. Shakespeare in Hollywood is a fast paced comedy out of the screwball 1930s films to which it pays homage. Lights, Camera, Shakespeare! It's 1934, and Shakespeare's most famous fairies, Oberon and Puck, have magically materialized on the Warner Bros. Hollywood set of Max Reinhardt's A Midsummer Night's Dream. Instantly smitten by the glitz and glamour of show biz, the two are ushered onto the silver screen to play (who else?) themselves. With a little help from a feisty flower; blonde bombshells, movie moguls and arrogant "asses" are tossed into loopy love triangles, with raucous results. The mischievous magic of moviedom sparkles in this hilarious comic romp. The show is free and performed by the Seattle Public Theater Youth Ensemble. For more information visit www.seattlepublictheater.org.
On the Boards presents Sister Taking Nap at 8 p.m., Wednesday, April 15 through Sunday, April 19. "Wynne Greenwood (a former member of the band Tracy + the Plastics) premieres a new performance piece which fuses sculpture, installation and music." Tickets are $18. For more information, visit www.ontheboards.org. 100 W. Roy St.
Center House Theatre presents The Beautiful Things That Heaven Bears at 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, April 15 through Saturday, April 18, at 2 p.m., Sunday, April 19. Watch director Kevin McKeon's dramatization of Dinaw Mengetsu's debut novel about an immigrant Ethiopian grocer forge a new life in Washington D.C. Tickets on Friday/Saturday are $35 for adults; for adults 60 tickets are $30; Student tickets are $15. Midweek or Matinee Adult tickets are $30; adults 60+ tickets are $25; Student tickets are $15. Thursday Preview all seats are $20. Opening Nights all Seats are $40. Groups of 8 or more received a10% off Service Charge: $5 per order Students and 60+ must show ID at door. For more information, visit www.book-it.org. 305 Harrison St.
Theatre of Puget Sound presents The Rez As I Saw It at 8 p.m., Friday, April 17 and Saturday, April 18, at 2 p.m., Sunday April 19. Come see "Caleb Penn's drama about life as a white kid on the Suquamish Indian Reservation." Tickets are $15 for general admission and $10 for seniors, Theatre of Puget Sound members, and students. 305 Harrison St.
The Seattle Repertory Theatre presents Breakin' Hearts and Takin' Names at 7:30 p.m., Friday, April 17, at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., Saturday, April 18 and Sunday, April 19. "A new piece created and performed by the quirky Minnesota writer-storyteller Kevin Kling and accordion-player Simone Perrin, directed by Seattle Repertory Theatre staffer Braden Abraham." Tickets are $10 to $55. For more information, visit ww.seattlerep.org or call 443-2222. 155 Mercer St.
LIVE MUSIC
The Funhouse presents The Valley, Jack Saints, Shotwell, and Waterbeds at 9:30 p.m., Friday, April 17. Admission is $6. Check these bands out at www.myspace.com/thevalleyrules,www.myspace.com/thejacksaints, and www.thrillhouserecords.com/bandShot.html. Then at 9 p.m., Saturday, April 18 listen to DJ Sparkle and enjoy the Rat City Rollergirl Bout After Party. Tickets are $5. For more information, check out ww.ratcityrollergirls.com. Then at 9:30 p.m., Sunday, April 19, check out KingDro, Lorenzo The First, The In & Outers, JusWes, and Guests. Tickets are $6. For additional information, visit www.myspace.com/pimpdynasty and also visit www.thefunhouseseattle.com. 206 5th Ave. N.
The Tractor Tavern presents Ryan Montbleau Band, Lazybones, and National Broadcast at 8:30 p.m., Friday, April 17. Tickets are $12.50 in advance and $15 at the door. For more information, visit www.ryanmountbleauband.com, www.myspace.com/lazybones, and www.myspace.com/nationalbraodcast. Then at 9:30 p.m., Saturday, April 18 see Kristen Ward and Hurricane Chaser, along with Star Anna at the CD release show. Check out their websites at www.kristenward.com, www.myspace.com/starannakrogstie, and www.myspace.com/hurricanechasermusic. Tickets are $8. For more information, visit tractortavern.ypguides.net. You can also call 789-3599. 5213 Ballard Ave NW.
VISUAL ARTS
Seattle Center presents the Meito Shodo Kai Calligraphy Exhibit at 12 p.m., Saturday, April 18 and at 10 a.m., Sunday, April 19. Check out this fascinating exhibit of 100 exquisite scrolls of Japanese calligraphy. 305 Harrison St.
Deporting Cambodians: How Immigration Policy Shapes Our Communities, will be the newest visual exhibit through Oct. 18 at the Wing Luke Asian Museum in the International District at 719 S. King St. For more information visit www.wingluke.org.
The Fountainhead Gallery presents The Object of Our Attention, figurative paintings by Aaron Coberly through April 24. Museum hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, otherwise by appointment. For more information, visit www.fountainheadgallery.com or call 285-4467. 625 W McGraw St.
The Winston Wachter Fine Art presents Abundance, an exhibit by Betsy Eby, at 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. through May 2. For more information, call 652-5855 or visit www.winstonwachter.com. 203 Dexter Ave. N.
CONCERTS
Town Hall presents the South Lake Union Civic Orchestra at 7:30 p.m., Friday, April 17. Listen to Carl Maria von Weber's Overture to Der Freischutz, Alberto Ginastera's Harp Concerto, and Hindemith's Symphonic Metamorphosis. Tickets are $15 and $10 for students and seniors, chidren 12 and under are free. For more information visit www.luco.org. 1119 8th Ave.
READINGS
Open mic at El Diablo coffee house. Poetry readers are encouraged to join the fun the second and fourth Tuesdays of every month The event is co-hosted by Margaret Roncone and Lainne Dexter. This series is getting a trial run every 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month. Show up to listen or bring poetry to read at this all open mic venue that can continue if enough people want to make it happen. ... tell others about it.... always good to have more places to read and help indie business survive in these hard times.... 8 p.m., at El Diablo coffee house 1811 Queen Anne Ave. N.
Queen Anne Books presents Steven Galloway at 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, April 15. Galloway will read from his new book "The Cellist of Sarajevo." Admission is free. For more information, visit www.queenannebooks.com. 1811 Queen Anne Ave. N.
Town Hall presents Wangari Maathai at 7:30 p.m., Sunday, April 19. Maathai became the first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize for her impact on Africa's environmental and political landscape in 2004. "She was elected to Kenya's Parliament in 2002 and appointed Deputy Minister for the Environment and Natural Resources in 2003. Now living in Nairobi, Maathai is the author of The Challenge for Africa, which examines the complex and dynamic nature of her continent, offering "hard-headed hope" and realistic options for improvement that stress responsibility and accountability." Tickets are $5. For additional information, visit www.townhallseattle.org. 1119 8th Ave.
CINEMA
The Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF) presents the movie, A Warm Heart at 7:30 p.m., Friday, April 17. "Konstanty (Bohdan Stupka), a businessman and oligarch who for the first time in his life, is confronted with a problem in which he is completely helpless." See Ruby Wedding at 10 p.m., Friday, April 17. "The main characters of this contemporary comedy are Anka and her husband Mundek. She is a Kyokusin Karate master, he a great pianist. Above them lives Kazimierz, a pensioner." Then on Saturday, April 18 catch a marathon showing of the following movies: at 10 a.m., see Field of Dreams. At 1:30 p.m., see Independent Films, a selection of five short films from various directors. At 3:30 p.m., watch The Offsiders. Then at 7 p.m., watch Hania. Finally at 9:45 p.m., catch The Reliable System. Matinee prices are $7 for adults and $2 for children. Non-matinee tickets are $10 for general admission, $8 for SIFF Supporters. For more information on what's playing at SIFF during the weekend, visit www.siff.net or call 324-9996. 321 Mercer St.
OTHER STUFF
The Experience Music Project and The Science Fiction Museum present Family Day at 10 a.m., Saturday, April 18. Check out the performance by local band The Raggedy Anns, 12:30 and 1:30 p.m. Admission starts at $12 to $15. For more information, visit www.empsfm.org or call 770-2702. 325 Fifth Ave.
See Kent's Stowell's Swan Lake. This is classical ballet at its best and the most beloved story ballet of all time. Famous for its romantic, treachery laced plot and enchanted setting, Swan Lake is equally renowned for offering ballerinas the ultimate challenge of a dual role: Odette, trapped in the body of a white swan, and Odile, the temptress daughter of the malevolent sorcerer Baron Von Rothbart. Performances are at 1 p.m., 7 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. through April 19 at McCaw Hall. Visit www.pnb.org for tickets.
The Children's Museum presents Curious George: Let's Get Curious through May 10. Check out H.A. Rey's Curious George and The Man with The Yellow Hat! Kids can enjoy stories, a produce stand, mini golf, space adventure, and Museum within the Museum. Tickets range from $6 to $7.50. For more information, call 441-1778 or visit www.thechildrensmuseum.org. 305 Harrison St.
The Pacific Science Center presents GPS Adventures at 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, through May 3. Learn to navigate your way out of a maze with a GPS unit. Get a feel for how this global positioning system satellite-based technology works. Plus be introduced to the global treasure hunting game called Geocaching. Visit www.pacsci.org for more information. 200 Second Ave. N.
Safeco Insurance Festál 2009, a series of 22 cultural festivals presented by Seattle Center in partnership with community organizations, continues with four lively festivals scheduled during the month of May:
Asian-Pacific Islander Heritage Month Celebration
12-5 p.m., May 3, at Center House
The festival, kicking off Asian-Pacific Islander Heritage Month in Seattle, explores the deeply rooted cultures of Asia through spectacular lion dances, youth drill teams, martial arts, Taiko drums and incredible artists from around the state. This diverse culture includes China, the Philippines, Samoa, Japan, the South Pacific Islands and Cambodia.
Spirit of West Africa 12-8 p.m., May 9, at Center House
The traditions of six West African countries are explored through hip hop, jazz, rock, exhibits and storytelling. Live performances by top local and touring artists from Ghana, Senegal, Benin, Nigeria, Gambia and Guinea highlight this day-long event. Festival-goers may take part in ritual and celebratory African drum and dance workshops, learn how a drum talks and witness the healing drums of West African drum masters trained since birth to serve their communities.
Northwest Folklife Festival May 22 - 25, various times, throughout Seattle Center
One of the largest folklife gatherings in North America celebrates the diverse cultural heritage of the Pacific Northwest on Memorial Day weekend with music, art and dance. The festival hosts over 7,000 participants in more than 1,000 performances at 27 venues throughout Seattle Center campus. Folklore exhibits, diverse performances, cooking demonstrations, workshops and crafts explore the folk, ethnic and traditional arts of the region.
Glimpse of China: Chinese Culture and Arts Festival 11 a.m. - 6 p.m., May 30, at Center House
Music, art and movement tell the story of a rich and ancient culture. Festival-goers enter a virtual Chinese garden and partake in cultural traditions covering 5,000 years of China's history in this celebration of one of the world's oldest cultures. Martial arts and costumes provide the color and excitement. Gift booths offer authentic Chinese goods, and nationally acclaimed artists from the Northwest and China share their crafts and talents.
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