Pacific Northwest Ballet's Emergence
I’m not one to use the term brilliant often. But that’s the most apt descriptor for Crystal Pite’s Emergence. That, along with sexy, dark, aggressive and jaw dropping fabulous. Consider: all the dancers enter the stage from a tunnel; the women are in what look like black corsets with face masks; when the women march on pointe Rockettes-style, they are nothing but fierce. Pite was inspired in part by bees and their hive mentality (the Owen Belton score features insect sounds). What she’s created and what the company delivers is a hands down tour de force. Emergence is the fourth work in this all-contemporary rep. Another rep production that is not to be missed is Jessica Lang's, The Calling. One dancer in a huge, sweeping skirt. You’ll be talking about it during the first intermission.
If you go: PNB’s Emergence, McCaw Hall, Through Nov. 15 (Tickets start at $30) --F.D.
Hello! Exploring the Supercute World of Hello Kitty
I know at least two adults who go absolutely bonkers over all things Hello Kitty. If that happens to be you—or your kid—then this show will make you squeal like a middle schooler listening to the latest gossip about Taylor Swift. The exhibit, according to an EMP press release, is both an historical look and a sociological examination of Kitty, with more than 600 items including the Hello Kitty dress worn by Lady Gaga, a couture bustier worn by Katy Perry, and a Hello Kitty talking robot. Break out the hair bow.
If you go: Hello! Exploring the Supercute World of Hello Kitty, EMP Museum, Nov. 14 through May 15 ($25) --F.D.
Ampersand Live*
Ampersand magazine is “a collection of stories, essays, journalistic reports and art about or natural and built environments and some of the people in them.” (It also happens to be edited by Crosscut arts writer Florangel Davilla.) This live incarnation of the magazine, hosted by public radio’s Luke Burbank (Wait Wait ... Don't Tell Me, Live Wire Radio), features some big Seattle names, including artist Nikki McClure, KEXP’s John Richards, Hot Cakes chocolatier Autumn Martin and photographer David Moskowitz, among many others, all using their own unique perspective and stories to celebrate the Pacific Northwest and our humanity. Also, get ready to meet and fall in love with special guest Sampson the Dog (scat detective).
If you go: Ampersand Live, Town Hall, Thursday 11/12 at 7:30 p.m., $10 --N.C.
Canções Profundas (Deep Songs)*
Seattle composer Steve Peters explores his family’s connection to the Azores Island (an autonomous region of Portugal) with a soundscape that features six musicians playing environmental sounds recorded on site. What kind of sounds? Simmering geothermal pits, ocean waves and religious ceremonies. Recordings of sperm whales also make a sonic appearance.
If you go: Canções Profundas, Luso Food and Wine, Nov. 15 ($10 concert only; $25 concert and full Portuguese buffet) -- F.D.
David Sedaris
David Sedaris is a best-selling author, unparalleled storyteller and national treasure. His last book, Let’s Explore Diabetes With Owls, was perhaps his best yet – combining self reflection with the hilariousness that can only come from a guy who’s just more and more unapologetically himself. We’ve got awhile until Sedaris’ next book, Theft By Finding, comes out (July 2017), but he continues to tour, reading uproarious, observational bits from his journals, delighting his audiences, and signing every autograph at the end of the night.
If you go: David Sedaris, Benaroya Hall, Sunday 11/15, 7:30 p.m. $45-54 --N.C.
Anthony Doerr
Anthony Doerr writes lovely, evocative fiction, sometimes taking the form of short stories, other times novels. I recommended him last year, when he was at Elliott Bay supporting his newest book All the Light You Cannot See. I said then that “what I love about Doerr is that he . . . infuses each of his stories with a hint of the fantastical and a nerdy level of scientific expertise on all sorts of subjects (a shell collector, a meteorologist, a hunter).” And when I saw him speak, to the dozen people scattered in the basement of Elliott Bay, he talked about the inspiration for his characters, his themes, showing slides of things from the natural world that he’d pursued with passion, becoming one with his writing. Since, All the Light You Cannot See went on to win the 2015 Pulitzer Prize, and thus Doerr’s speaking at Benaroya Hall as part of the Seattle Arts & Lectures series. Like the other great author talks I’ve seen (George Saunders, Junot Diaz, Jeffrey Eugenides), Doerr on stage is modest, funny, and thrives on actively relating to his audience. His talk, titled “The Beautiful Art of Failure,” is not be missed.
If you go: Anthony Doerr, Benaroya Hall, Wednesday 11/18 at 7:30 p.m. $20 -- N.C.
*Events that are $15 or less
