This week brings together some of my favorite things (they doubtlessly pop up on this calendar again and again): foreign films, short story authors, queer one-woman shows and any excuse to proselytize the glory of John Cusack in "Say Anything." Spoiler alert: This calendar includes me declaring myself “no Romeo,” words I had never planned to utter or type.
Jennifer Jasper’s It Will Kill Them
Gay City Health Project, Thursday 2/6-Saturday 2/8 at 8 p.m., Sunday 2/9 at 2 p.m., $15
Jennifer Jasper is a storyteller, a comedian, the star of her own one-woman shows, and a director (among other things), who’s been vital to Seattle’s performing scene for over two decades. Her latest show, It Will Kill Them, is all about her sexual identity, and told in Jasper’s comedic, improvisational storytelling style. Jasper also hosts the monthly Family Affair at the Jewelbox Theatre — a night dedicated entirely to family storytelling in an array of mediums. More to come on this event, but pencil Wednesday 2/19 into your calendar right now.
Sera Cahoone
Tractor Tavern, Saturday 2/8 at 9 p.m., $15
Another installment of the Tractor’s 20th Anniversary Celebration, this night should be a memorable one. Seattle singer-songwriter extraordinaire Sera Cahoone (former drummer of Band of Horses) will be backed by a full band, adding another layer to her already soulful folk songs, driven by her strong yet sweet vocals and careful lyrics.
Ark Lodge Cinema, 2/6-2/9, $11 general
This festival, which this year strived to focus local filmmakers, has something for everyone: inspiring documentaries (American Revolutionary: The Evolution of Grace Lee Boggs and Seeking Asian Female), an LGBTEQ showcase, the opening night sports documentary Linsanity, a handful of dramas and a few short film showcases (war docs and animated shorts! For free!). Take this as an excuse to head down to the ever-cute Columbia City and support this ambitious, diverse festival, now in its second year after a hiatus.
Say Anything and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Central Cinema, 2/7-2/11, $6
Every week this month, Central Cinema is killing it on programming; each week are two films rife with nostalgia and quality (and somehow very much like I would have dreamed the pairing into life). We launch off a memorable month with Say Anything and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. Weep silently as these two great soundtracks and poignant love stories reverberate through every fiber of your being. And, Eternal Sunshine will be only 99¢ on Tuesday — all the more to spend on snacks!
A Night of Modern Love
Hugo House, Monday 2/10 at 7 p.m., $5
Editor of The New York Times column Modern Love Daniel Jones will join a few local memoirists for a memorable night discussing love in many of its aspects and incarnations. Jones book Love Illuminated draws from the 50,000 stories that have been submitted to him over the years and explores 10 sides of love — pursuit, destiny, vulnerability, connection, trust, practicality, monotony, infidelity, loyalty and wisdom. I’m no Romeo (or Juliet, though perhaps a bit of the apothecary), but this sounds like a lovely way to spend an evening.
Photo at right: Modern Love editor Daniel Jones. Hugohouse.org.
Roddy Doyle
University Bookstore, Tuesday 2/11 at 7 p.m., Free
Irish fiction writer Roddy Doyle comes to Seattle to read from his newest novel The Guts, a continuation of sorts of his 1980s novels. I first heard of Doyle when Dave Eggers read one of his short stories on The New Yorker fiction podcast, of which I love to sing the praises. Known for his humor and capturing working class Dublin life, Doyle’s work has spanned decades and mediums, with a collection of short stories, a memoir, and some screenplays thrown into the mix. Big Time Brewing company will also be providing free beer at the reading, which seems like a rare treat to me.
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.
Jennifer Jasper’s It Will Kill Them
Gay City Health Project, Thursday 2/6-Saturday 2/8 at 8 p.m., Sunday 2/9 at 2 p.m., $15
Jennifer Jasper is a storyteller, a comedian, the star of her own one-woman shows, and a director (among other things), who’s been vital to Seattle’s performing scene for over two decades. Her latest show, It Will Kill Them, is all about her sexual identity, and told in Jasper’s comedic, improvisational storytelling style. Jasper also hosts the monthly Family Affair at the Jewelbox Theatre — a night dedicated entirely to family storytelling in an array of mediums. More to come on this event, but pencil Wednesday 2/19 into your calendar right now.
Sera Cahoone
Tractor Tavern, Saturday 2/8 at 9 p.m., $15
Another installment of the Tractor’s 20th Anniversary Celebration, this night should be a memorable one. Seattle singer-songwriter extraordinaire Sera Cahoone (former drummer of Band of Horses) will be backed by a full band, adding another layer to her already soulful folk songs, driven by her strong yet sweet vocals and careful lyrics.
Seattle Asian American Film Festival
Ark Lodge Cinema, 2/6-2/9, $11 general
This festival, which this year strived to focus local filmmakers, has something for everyone: inspiring documentaries (American Revolutionary: The Evolution of Grace Lee Boggs and Seeking Asian Female), an LGBTEQ showcase, the opening night sports documentary Linsanity, a handful of dramas and a few short film showcases (war docs and animated shorts! For free!). Take this as an excuse to head down to the ever-cute Columbia City and support this ambitious, diverse festival, now in its second year after a hiatus.
Say Anything and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Central Cinema, 2/7-2/11, $6
Every week this month, Central Cinema is killing it on programming; each week are two films rife with nostalgia and quality (and somehow very much like I would have dreamed the pairing into life). We launch off a memorable month with Say Anything and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. Weep silently as these two great soundtracks and poignant love stories reverberate through every fiber of your being. And, Eternal Sunshine will be only 99¢ on Tuesday — all the more to spend on snacks!
A Night of Modern Love
Hugo House, Monday 2/10 at 7 p.m., $5
Editor of The New York Times column Modern Love Daniel Jones will join a few local memoirists for a memorable night discussing love in many of its aspects and incarnations. Jones book Love Illuminated draws from the 50,000 stories that have been submitted to him over the years and explores 10 sides of love — pursuit, destiny, vulnerability, connection, trust, practicality, monotony, infidelity, loyalty and wisdom. I’m no Romeo (or Juliet, though perhaps a bit of the apothecary), but this sounds like a lovely way to spend an evening.
Photo at right: Modern Love editor Daniel Jones. Hugohouse.org.
Roddy Doyle
University Bookstore, Tuesday 2/11 at 7 p.m., Free
Irish fiction writer Roddy Doyle comes to Seattle to read from his newest novel The Guts, a continuation of sorts of his 1980s novels. I first heard of Doyle when Dave Eggers read one of his short stories on The New Yorker fiction podcast, of which I love to sing the praises. Known for his humor and capturing working class Dublin life, Doyle’s work has spanned decades and mediums, with a collection of short stories, a memoir, and some screenplays thrown into the mix. Big Time Brewing company will also be providing free beer at the reading, which seems like a rare treat to me.
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.
