When everyday becomes extraordinary
The Fountainhead Gallery presents Mitchell Freifeld. Freifeld's "Our Town" is a solo exhibition. Freifeld focuses on the routine and ordinary everyday places where people come together or where one might pause and contemplate the way the light collects or bounces on the surfaces. Pictured is his "Dawn Rain in Old Town." The exhibit runs May 7-31. There is a reception with the artist 6-8 p.m., Saturday May 9. For more information, visit www.fountainheadgallery.com.
THEATRE
McClure Middle School's annual Spring Musical is When in Rome by Martin Follose and Bill Francouer. It features more than 50 sixth, seventh and eighth graders in an amusing tale of ancient Rome featuring such songs as "Nothing Ever Changes in Rome," "It's All Here At the Forum" and "Last Gladiator Standing." 7 p.m., May 9 at Whitman Middle School Auditorium. Tickets are $10 adult and $5 student senior and are available at the door only.
5th Avenue Theatre presents Sunday afternoon in the park with George. Only three cities in the world will experience this exciting new production of Stephen Sondheim's musical masterpiece. Developed in London and transferred to Broadway, this Pulitzer Prize-winning love story (inspired by the life and work of impressionist painter Georges Seurat) plays in Seattle through May 10. It features revolutionary state-of-the-art scenic design the New York Post hailed "Unmissable! One of the most visually amazing shows ever!" this moving story answers the question: What does it take to create a masterpiece? Everything you have. For ticket information visit www.5thavenue.org.
5th Avenue Theatre presents Grease, staring American Idol winner Taylor Hicks. The original high school musical, Grease runs from May 12-30. Hicks will not be performing on May 12-13. For ticket information visit www.5thavenue.org.
The Seattle Repertory Theatre presents Breakin' Hearts and Takin' Names through May 10. "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.
Sound Theatre Company presents Top Girls, a compelling look at women in positions of power. Caryl Churchill's groundbreaking drama about women and power in the workplace, at Stone Soup's DownStage Theatre, at 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sundays through May 17. All Thursday and Sunday performances are "Pay What You Can" (at the door only) and will include Talk-Back discussions with the artists. Presale tickets are available through www.brownpapertickets.com and seating is limited.
The Bethany Presbyterian Youth Group Mission Trip is going to Lisbon, Portugal this summer. The group is putting on a fundraiser variety show Friday, May 8. The event will feature music, skits and funny videos. All are invited. Donations encouraged. Call Scott Gronholz for time and more specifics. 284-2222.
Giant Magnet 2009, formerly the Seattle International Children's Festival, begins 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, May 12 at Bagley Wright Theatre in the Seattle Center. The event will feature a variety of artists from around the world, including Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia. The show runs May 12-16 at Seattle Center then May 17-18 in Tacoma. For more information call 800-838-3006 or visit www.giantmagnet.org.
LIVE MUSIC
This week at The Tractor: Wed., May 6:
rootsy Americana folk The Bittersweets, The Legendary Oaks, Moe Provencher 8 p.m., $8; Thurs., May 7: local rock Triumph of Lethargy, Skinned Alive to Death
(feat. members of The Murder City Devils & Pretty Girls Make Graves),
Scout Niblett Tacocat 9 p.m., $8; Fri., May 8,
neo-soul & rock and roll
Left Hand Smoke, The Dusty 45s 9:30 p.m., $12; Sat., May 9: Square Peg Concerts presents Katie Melua, Jim Bianco, 8:30 p.m., $15; Sun., May 10: Blue Turtle Seduction, War Pigeon 8 p.m., $8; Mon., May 11: Monday Square Dance feat. music by The Tallboys. Hellacious square dancing starts at 8 p.m.; also join us for a special Bake Sale to benefit "Dare to be Square West" more details at www.bubbaguitar.com/d2bs
7pm ~ $5
www.thetallboys.com; Tues., May 12 & Wed., May 13
an evening with music legend Leon Russell with Jeff Fielder opening both nights
8 p.m., $30
The ZooTunes concert line-up has just been announced. There are 12 concerts June 17 - The B-52s, $27
June 24 - Mavis Staples with special guest Allen Toussaint, $19; 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.
Experience a night in Norway with A Night of Music, 7:30 p.m., Saturday, May 16 at Kane Hall, University of Washington. The Hellvik Mannskor from Norway and the Norwegian Ladies Chorus and Norwegian Male Chorus of Seattle will perform an evening of Norwegian songs and music. Suggested donation of $10 at door, dessert reception follows. Sponsored by Leif Erikson Lodge, A-Y-P, syttende mai committee, UW Scandinavian Dept. and the choruses. For more information: www.LeifEriksonLodge.com
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 Northwest Craft Center showcases the ceramic sculpture works of John Benn Matt Allison and Reid Ozaki through May 31. At 305 Harrison St. Event is Free. 206-728-1555 or www.northwestcraftcenter.com.
CONCERTS
Seattle Opera presents The Marriage of Figaro by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, libretto by Lorenzo Da Ponte. The classic opera premiered at the Burgtheater in Vienna May 1, 1786 and will be performed at Marion Oliver McCaw Hall May 6, 8 -10, 13, 15 and 16. Sung in Italian with English captions. Evening performances are at 7 p.m., matinees, 2 p.m. For tickets visit www.seattleopera.org.
Mirror of Memory Spring Concert is a musical and dance extravaganza featuring the choreography of Donald Byrd and music Aharon Harlap's Picture's from the Private Collection of God. The event is 7:30 p.m., Monday, May 11 at the Illsley Ball Nordstrom Recital Hall at Benaroya Hall. At 6:45 p.m. John Sharify interviews choreographer Donald Byrd. $36. www.musicofremembrance.org or 206-365-7770.
Spring music and theatre at Seattle Pacific University. Come see Night of Beats 7:30 p.m., Friday May 8 and the Wind Symphony Concert at 7:30 p.m., Friday, May 15. Night of Beats is a collection of beat boxing, hip-hop music and dance performances at the Royal Brougham Pavilion 3414 Third Ave. West and the symphony concert is at the First Free Methodist Church at 3200 Third Ave. W.
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.
CINEMA
The Queen Anne Movie Guild presents "Traces of the Trade: A Story From The Deep North" at 7 p.m., Saturday, May 9 at the Queen Anne United Methodist Church, 1606 5th Ave. W.-the pink church next door to the QA Branch Library. The film is about the DeWolfe family: scions of Rhode Island society, proud of their deep, strong New England roots, patriotic Americans. A family tree reveals that the DeWolfe forefathers made their vast fortune from the slave trade. This documentary follows 10 members of the family as they retrace the triangle trade route of their ancestors, a route that started in Bristol, R.I., went to the coast of Ghana, through Cuba, continued to Charleston, S.C., and ended back in Bristol. This is a family's journey as they struggle to come to grips with this here-to-fore hidden part of their identity. Along the way, we will all discover the extent to which slavery and human trafficking is woven into the very fabric of our American life. Free.
OTHER STUFF
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.
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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