Inspiring week alert! Indian cookbook author Madhur Jaffrey is in town along with urban agriculture expert Will Allen — and that's just for starters.
Cinema Italian Style
SIFF, 11/14- 11/21, $11
This is just one of several mini festivals that SIFF is hosting this fall. See the latest in contemporary Italian film from film noir to coming-of-age stories to box office hits like The Best Offer. For several, you can look forward to meeting actors and directors who will be in attendance. I’m particularly eager for Slow Food Story, about Slow Food movement founder Carlo Petrini.
Drunken Spelling Bee
Re-Bar, Thurs. 11/14 at 9 p.m., $10
For just $10, enter a spelling bee — and get a free drink. They present it as a friendly competition hosted by local rec baseball team The Northwest Honkers, but bring your game face and don’t expect to skate by on mediocrity or booze-induced charm.
Blitz Capitol Hill Arts Walk
Thurs. 11/14 from 5- 8 p.m., FREE
On the second Thursday of each month, traverse Capitol Hill to see new and continuing art exhibits — in bars, performance spaces or after hours at galleries. Take the new Picture’s Worth a Thousand Words exhibit at the LTD Gallery (Pike and Bellevue), for example: 40 pieces inspired by works of literature. Use the map to plot a course, or just wander, with pit stops for coffee or cocktails.
God Loves Uganda
SIFF Film Center, 11/15- 11/20, $11
This evocative documentary explores the far-reaching influence of evangelical missionaries in Ugandan politics, specifically their support for a proposed death penalty for homosexuality. This scary and spreading phenomenon is told masterfully by Academy Award winning director Roger Ross Williams. “Williams allows these Christian missionaries and their leaders to speak for themselves," writes Salon, "and there is no doubting their sincerity.”
Moonface
Columbia City Theater, Sun. 11/17, $10
Spencer Krug (of indie bands Wolf Parade and Sunset Rubdown) has been using Moonface as his moniker since 2010. I love his work, particularly Sunset Rubdown’s 2007 album Random Spirit Lover, and I’m looking forward to this solo piano show at Columbia City Theater, which I believe is as close to the perfect concert venue as one can get. Krug’s warbly voice stands out, but more striking to me is the surrealism that laces his work; as always, Krug’s songwriting, rife with arks and courtesans, never fails to transport.
Town Hall, Tues. 11/19, $5 students, $15 general
Few cookbook authors have the name recognition of Madhur Jaffrey, whose Indian recipes and age-defying good looks have been impressing people since the '60s. Jaffrey, who is largely credited with popularizing Indian cuisine in the U.S., will be discussing her latest book Curry Nation, as a part of the Seattle Arts and Lectures series.
Will Allen and the Good Food Revolution
Central Library, Wed. 11/20 from 6-8:30 p.m., FREE
Fellow Wisconsinite (and MacArthur Genius) Will Allen is in town! Ever looming and down-to-earth, Allen is a former basketball player turned urban farmer revolutionary who will be here as part of a community information fair on urban agriculture. Based out of Milwaukee, Allen’s organization Growing Power transforms poverty-stricken communities in post-industrial cities around the Midwest by growing sustainable produce and raising fish year-round (in frigid Wisconsin!). Allen’s tireless work is endlessly inspiring.
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.
Cinema Italian Style
SIFF, 11/14- 11/21, $11
This is just one of several mini festivals that SIFF is hosting this fall. See the latest in contemporary Italian film from film noir to coming-of-age stories to box office hits like The Best Offer. For several, you can look forward to meeting actors and directors who will be in attendance. I’m particularly eager for Slow Food Story, about Slow Food movement founder Carlo Petrini.
Drunken Spelling Bee
Re-Bar, Thurs. 11/14 at 9 p.m., $10
For just $10, enter a spelling bee — and get a free drink. They present it as a friendly competition hosted by local rec baseball team The Northwest Honkers, but bring your game face and don’t expect to skate by on mediocrity or booze-induced charm.
Blitz Capitol Hill Arts Walk
Thurs. 11/14 from 5- 8 p.m., FREE
On the second Thursday of each month, traverse Capitol Hill to see new and continuing art exhibits — in bars, performance spaces or after hours at galleries. Take the new Picture’s Worth a Thousand Words exhibit at the LTD Gallery (Pike and Bellevue), for example: 40 pieces inspired by works of literature. Use the map to plot a course, or just wander, with pit stops for coffee or cocktails.
God Loves Uganda
SIFF Film Center, 11/15- 11/20, $11
This evocative documentary explores the far-reaching influence of evangelical missionaries in Ugandan politics, specifically their support for a proposed death penalty for homosexuality. This scary and spreading phenomenon is told masterfully by Academy Award winning director Roger Ross Williams. “Williams allows these Christian missionaries and their leaders to speak for themselves," writes Salon, "and there is no doubting their sincerity.”
Moonface
Columbia City Theater, Sun. 11/17, $10
Spencer Krug (of indie bands Wolf Parade and Sunset Rubdown) has been using Moonface as his moniker since 2010. I love his work, particularly Sunset Rubdown’s 2007 album Random Spirit Lover, and I’m looking forward to this solo piano show at Columbia City Theater, which I believe is as close to the perfect concert venue as one can get. Krug’s warbly voice stands out, but more striking to me is the surrealism that laces his work; as always, Krug’s songwriting, rife with arks and courtesans, never fails to transport.
Madhur Jaffrey
Town Hall, Tues. 11/19, $5 students, $15 general
Few cookbook authors have the name recognition of Madhur Jaffrey, whose Indian recipes and age-defying good looks have been impressing people since the '60s. Jaffrey, who is largely credited with popularizing Indian cuisine in the U.S., will be discussing her latest book Curry Nation, as a part of the Seattle Arts and Lectures series.
Will Allen and the Good Food Revolution
Central Library, Wed. 11/20 from 6-8:30 p.m., FREE
Fellow Wisconsinite (and MacArthur Genius) Will Allen is in town! Ever looming and down-to-earth, Allen is a former basketball player turned urban farmer revolutionary who will be here as part of a community information fair on urban agriculture. Based out of Milwaukee, Allen’s organization Growing Power transforms poverty-stricken communities in post-industrial cities around the Midwest by growing sustainable produce and raising fish year-round (in frigid Wisconsin!). Allen’s tireless work is endlessly inspiring.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.
