Welcome to $15 or Less, our eclectic, weekly events calendar for cash-strapped devotees of arts and culture.
Candy-O: A Tribute to the Cars, and Patitude: A Tribute to Pat Benatar
The Sunset Tavern, Friday 4/12 at 9, $10 advance, $12 day-of
There’s an allure to tribute bands — and something warm and fuzzy about being in a room full of fans. And how can you go wrong with bands dedicated to fun-loving rock powerhouses The Cars and Pat Benatar? Show some “patitude,” and sing “Hit Me With Your Best Shot” louder than ever before.
Malts and Milkshakes: 60 Recipes for Frosty, Creamy Frozen Treats
Third Place Books (Lake Forest Park), Friday 4/12 at 6:30, FREE
Autumn Martin, the passionate force behind magical, molten Hot Cakes shares — and signs — her first cookbook. It features an array of recipes for boozy shakes, and a personal fav: the Bacon Oatmeal Raisin Cookie shake. Not sure if there’ll be samples but either way, summer milkshake season is coming.
Eternal Fair, with The Hoot Hoots
Columbia City Theater, Friday 4/12 at 9 p.m., $8 advance, $10 day-of
Local band Eternal Fair, supported by The Hoot Hoots, celebrates the release of their first record. The driving guitar and soaring vocals of their psychedelic rock sound are sure to glow in the intimate, energizing atmo of the Columbia City Theater.
Band of Sisters
Northwest Film Forum, Friday 4/12 -4/18 (see show times), $10
The film follows a group of U.S. nuns, post-Vatican II, who move out of their cloistered, habit-ed convent life and into real communities. The filmmaker, who will be on hand for Saturday and Sunday’s 3 and 7 p.m. shows, interviewed dozens of inspiring sisters, whose ministries range from immigration reform to organic gardening. One of the stars, Sister Nancy Sylvester, will be there for a Q&A on Saturday evening.
Seattle’s Architectural History, Part I: 1880-1935
Seattle Central Library, Saturday 4/13, 1-3 p.m, FREE
UW architecture professor Jeffrey Karl Ochsner has been giving this truly awesome lecture for the last few years now. His funny, down-to-earth style shines as he tells the story of Seattle through its architecture. Mark your calendars for Part II (1935-present), which happens next week.
Dr. Hawa Abdi
University Temple United Methodist Church, Saturday 4/13 at 7 p.m. FREE
Dr. Hawa Abdi, a Somali doctor and human rights activist, reads from her memoir Keeping Hope Alive. Abdi treats and protects 90,000 Somali refugees at her clinic in one of the largest displaced persons camps in the world. Glamour named her Woman of the Year in 2010, dubbing Abdi (and her daughters) "the Saints of Somalia, equal parts Mother Teresa and Rambo.” This year, Abdi has been nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize.
Life+Art: Living with the Mentally Ill Speakeasy
Velocity Dance Center, Sunday 4/14 at 2 p.m., Pay-what-you-can
Local dancer Ezra Dickinson talks about life with his schizophrenic mother at this community discussion of mental health care. This talk takes place in conjunction with Dickinson’s upcoming show Mother for you I made this.
Room 237
SIFF Cinema Uptown, 4/12-18 (see all show times), $8 matinee, $11 evening
In this highly unique documentary, director Rodney Ascher pays homage to the influence of Stanley Kubrick’s haunting, complex film The Shining — and discusses the hidden meanings within it. Ascher weaves footage from The Shining with comments from critics and enthusiasts. At its worst, Room 237 is an exploration of fandom; at its best, a one-of-a-kind masterpiece.
Morning After Fine Art & True Craft Sale
The Tractor, Sunday 4/14 from 10 a.m. -3 p.m., FREE
The Tractor isn’t sharing much about this event, but it sounds promising, and just a slight hop past my ever-favorite Ballard Farmers Market.
Grey Gardens Mimosa Brunch
SIFF Cinema Uptown, Sunday 4/14 at 11 a.m., $15
Sip mimosas and watch (or re-watch) the 1975 cult classic Grey Gardens. The documentary details the eccentric life of former socialites — and Jackie O cousins — Edith Bouvier Beale and her daughter Edie. SIFF added the film in celebration of the musical stage version of Grey Gardens, which is currently showing at ACT.
Paella Monday
Terra Plata, Monday 4/15 from 5p.m.-late, $15
Paella, that delectable Spanish seafood stew, is lovingly and skillfully prepared every Monday at Terra Plata (in Melrose Market) — and accompanied by inspired cocktails, pintxos (akin to tapas) and Spanish music.
What are you doing this weekend? Let us know in the comments area below. And if you hear of any interesting – under $15 - events in or around our grand city, please email editor@crosscut.com.
