Jim Henson (1936-1990)-artist, puppeteer, film director and producer-created elaborate imaginary worlds filled with unique characters, objects, environments and even languages and cultures. His work is enjoyed in dozens of languages in more than 100 countries. Jim Henson's Fantastic World offers a rare peek into the imagination and creative genius of this multitalented innovator and creator of Kermit the Frog, Big Bird and other beloved characters. The exhibition features 100 original artworks, including drawings, cartoons and storyboards that illustrate Henson's talent as a storyteller and visionary. Among the variety of exhibition objects are puppets and television and movie props, photographs of Henson and his collaborators at work and original video productions, including excerpts from Henson's early career and experimental films. At the EMP through Aug. 16.
THEATRE
Seattle Public Theater presents Hay Fever, the 2009 Senior Show featuring 2009 graduates of the youth ensemble. The show is a Noel Coward classic and is directed by Shana Bestock. Light, luminous, and charming... and hilariously funny! An English country house in the 1920s is the setting for this high farce and comedy of manners, as the four eccentric members of the Bliss family behave outlandishly when they each invite a guest to spend the weekend. Can we ever escape our families? Glamour, poise and sparkling wit from the graduating seniors of the SPT youth program.* The show times are July 3-5 and July 10-11. The performances are free but donations are strongly suggested. The plays take place at the Green Lake Bathhouse at Green Lake. Parking is free. For more information visit.
Othello at Intiman. Director Arin Arbus ignites Seattle's summer with one of the most acclaimed stagings of a Shakespeare play in a decade, the Theatre for a New Audience production of Othello. When Othello and Desdemona elope to consummate their undeniable passion, Iago sees his chance to destroy the Moor he secretly hates. Iago convinces Othello his bride is having a tawdry affair with Lieutenant Cassio. Othello becomes enraged, Iago fuels the scandal and Othello's world comes crashing down. And a handkerchief undoes them all. Runs July 2 through Aug. 2. For tickets and more information visit www.intiman.org
5th Avenue Theatre presents Catch Me If You Can. A precocious teenager with a silver tongue, Frank Abagnale posed as a Pan Am pilot, a doctor and a lawyer...and made off with millions! His remarkable true story, based on the DreamWorks motion picture, now comes to thrilling new life on the stage. Created by the Tony Award-winning team who brought us Hairspray, this truly promises to be the theatrical event of the season. July 23-Aug. 16.
The regional premiere of Smoke on the Mountain Homecoming opens at Taproot Theatre on July 10. Smoke on the Mountain Homecoming is a toe tappin', knee slappin', heartwarmin', bluegrass gospel extravaganza filled with comedy and celebration. Visit www.taproottheatre.org or call (206) 781-9705 for more information.
LIVE MUSIC
This week at the Tractor Tavern: 7/1 - country & roots Stone River Boys featuring Dave Gonzalez of the Hacienda Brothers, Chuckanut Drive. $15, 8 p.m.; 7/2 - The Tractor & KBCS 91.3FM present ground-breaking Scottish folk band Old Blind Dogs playing all night. $20, 8 p.m.; 7/3 - from honky-tonk to jump blues to rock n' roll The Dusty 45s, Vince Mira, $15, 9:30 p.m.; 7/4 - The Tractor will be closed in observance of Independence Day; 7/7 - inspirational & extraordinary British talent William Topley former frontman of The Blessing, The Fiasco, $15, 8 p.m.; 7/8 - good-time, honky tonkin' The Gourds, Baby Gramps, $15, 9 p.m.; Visit www.tractortavern.com for more information or call 206-789-4250.
The ZooTunes concert series continues July 1 & 2 - Three Girls and their Buddy (Emmylou Harris, Patty Griffin, Shawn Colvin & Buddy Miller), $36; July 15 - Ladysmith Black Mambazo, $19; July 19 - Los Lobos, $22; July 22 - Cowboy Junkies / Son Volt, $22; July 26 - Indigo Girls, $24; July 30 - Jewel, $28; August 13 - Joan Baez, $22; August 16 - Nanci Griffith, $19; August 19 - Susan Tedeschi with JJ Grey and Mofro, $22; August 26 - Amos Lee, $22. Doors open at 5 p.m. Music starts at 6 p.m., and shows end at approximately 8:30 p.m. For more information visit www.zoo.org.
KEXP and Seattle Center Present Concerts at the Mural: A Summertime Series of Free Outdoor Music. KEXP and Seattle Center Present Concerts at the Mural, a free summer concert series curated by KEXP, 6-8 p.m., every Friday, July 31 - Aug. 21 on the lawn of Seattle Center Mural Amphitheatre. Included in this series is the annual KEXP barbeque, a free-entry event offering a great line-up of bands, 2-9 p.m., Saturday, at Seattle Center. The four Friday evening concerts, presented free-of-charge, will offer an innovative and eclectic blend of artists and performance styles, showcasing up and coming artists alongside long-standing national acts. The series is intended to attract residential neighbors, families, downtown workers and music lovers from throughout the greater community.
VISUAL ARTS
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 Wing Luke Asian Museum presents Parallel Lines, 8 Contemporary Seattle Artists. The event features Tram Bui, Mark Takamichi Miller, Jason Huff, Akio Takamori, Patti Warashina, Saya Moriyasu, Thuy-Van Vu and Joseph Park. The work will be on display through Nov. 29. The museum is at 719 S. King St. in Chinatown-International District. Visit www.wingluke.org. for more information.
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 is holding its Monthly Book Club with The Indian Clerk. Anyone and everyone is welcome to this drop-in, no-guilt book club. Meetings are 7 p.m., on the second Monday and following Wednesday of every month. So pick the day that works best for you and come by, 1811 Queen Anne Ave. N. 206-283-5624.
At Magnolia's Bookstore, author Mike Lawson will be signing copies of his latest Joe DeMarco thriller "House Secrets" 12 p.m., Sunday, July 19. The bookstore is at 3206 W. McGraw St. 206-283-1062.
CINEMA
Public Enemies opens today in several Seattle theatres. Michael Mann directs Johnny Depp, Christian Bale, and Academy Award-winner Marion Cotillard in the incredible and true story of legendary Depression-era bank robber John Dillinger (Depp), the charismatic bank robber whose lightning raids made him the number one target of J. Edgar Hoover's fledgling FBI and its top agent, Melvin Purvis (Bale), and a folk hero to much of the downtrodden public. No one could stop Dillinger. No jail could hold him. His charm and audacious jailbreaks endeared him to almost everyone, from his girlfriend Billie Frechette (Cotillard), to an American public who had no sympathy for the banks that had plunged the country into the Depression. But while the adventures of Dillinger's gang (later including the sociopathic Baby Face Nelson (Stephen Graham)) thrilled many, Hoover (Billy Crudup) hit on the idea of exploiting the outlaw's capture as a way to elevate his Bureau of Investigation into the national police force that became the FBI. He made Dillinger America's first Public Enemy Number One and sent in Purvis, the dashing "Clark Gable of the FBI". However, Dillinger and his gang outwitted and outgunned Purvis' men in wild chases and shootouts. Only after importing a crew of Western ex-lawmen (newly baptized as agents), who were real gunfighters, and orchestrating epic betrayals, from the infamous "Lady in Red" to the Chicago crime boss Frank Nitti, were Purvis and the FBI able to close in on Dillinger.
OTHER STUFF
Festival of the Fountains - Pacific Science Center's 42nd Annual Festival of the Fountains is Friday, July 24. Scott and Sarah Armstrong are chairpersons for the annual fundraising gala that supports science education in Washington. For more information, visit pacificsciencecenter.org/festival or call 206-443-3642, or email festival@pacsci.org.
[[In-content Ad]]
