My Mañana Comes
When ArtsWest announced its 2015-16 season, this was the production I was most excited about seeing. In an Upper East Side restaurant, four busboys—two Mexican immigrants, an African American and a Mexican American—dream about their futures. Written by Elizabeth Irwin and directed by Mathew Wright; the production is the Northwest premiere. Take note: The show on Nov. 11 will benefit Ramon Aspeitia, a West Seattle restaurant worker. According to a press release, Aspeitia was left paralyzed after being stabbed by three assailants last month on his way home from work. All proceeds will be given to his family to help with medical expenses.
If you go: My Mañana Comes, through Nov. 22, ArtsWest Playhouse and Gallery (Tickets start at $17)—F.D.
First Thursday Art Walk in Pioneer Square *
First Thursday in Pioneer Square is always something of a treat for art lovers who pour into the streets at dusk in search of the city's loveliest art galleries. Roger Shimomura, who recently had a Tacoma Art Museum exhibit featuring autobiographical Japanese-inspired pop art, will host a highly anticipated opening at the Greg Kucera Gallery. Then head to AXIS, where sculptor Yvette Endrijautzki and painter/sculptor Javier Ortega premiere “Between the Devil and the Deep.” Full disclosure: Ortega is not only a good friend, but a breathtakingly talented painter who’s dark, fantastical portraits always tell a story. While you’re down there, head to Kraken Congee or Damn the Weather for a cocktail and bite to eat.
If you go: First Thursday Art Walk, Pioneer Square, 5 p.m. Nov. 5 (Free)—N.C.
Twilight Noodle Slurp Tour
Seattle’s Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience puts on this guided food and culture tour. Join them on a one-mile route through the International District, tasting noodle dishes of all kinds and learning about history along the way. Descriptions of the event are vague, but sound wonderful — slurping noodles with strangers at twilight and celebrating the stories of local artistry and history. Are you vegetarian? There are options for you as well. If you can’t make this one, there are three other dates before the end of 2015.
If you go: Twilight Noodle Slurp Tour, Wing Luke Museum, 4:30 p.m. Nov. 6 (Tickets start at $25.95) —N.C.
Isabel Allende
In her latest novel, The Japanese Lover, the Chilean-American author transports us to a San Francisco nursing home where a young Moldavian girl with a harrowing past befriends an exquisite, worldly and strong-willed octogenarian named Alma Belasco. Alma, it turns out, has her own secret: a love affair with a Japanese-American man that has lasted 70 years. An exquisite story about passion, age, war, fate and friendship. I’ll be interviewing Allende when she’s in Seattle this Saturday night.
If you go: Isabel Allende, Seattle First Baptist Church, 7 p.m. Nov. 7 ($35 includes a copy of the book)—F.D.
Youssou N’Dour
The global music icon, once dubbed “the world’s most famous singer” by Rolling Stone, returns to Seattle after 11 years. This is the man whose voice has mobilized social movements and entire generations; his songs have fought against malaria and on behalf of women’s rights. The charismatic singer should find a most welcomed audience in a town crazy about world music.
If you go: Youssou N’Dour, UW’s Meany Hall, 8 p.m. Nov. 8 ($50)—F.D.
John Richards: Death and Music *
It has become tradition each year for KEXP DJ John Richards to present "The Mom Show," a three-hour tribute to his mother and those we've all lost. Its a deeper show than most of KEXP's annual celebrations (i.e. "International Clash Day") as Richards shares memories and creates a community bond across the airwaves.
Last year, Richards hosted the powerful “Death and Music” event at Town Hall, hosting musical guests, sharing his inspiration and process for “The Mom Show,” and discussing how music transcends grief to bring us together. It sounds hokey, but as a longtime listener of the show and Richards, I can say he’s onto something. His openness is endearing, and the music coming from your speaker connects you to him and others. It’s hard to sit alone with the emotions that come with helplessly missing someone, but “The Mom Show” makes it better. As John himself says, it’s “for everyone and everything we’ve lost and to always remember who and what we haven’t.” The talk at town hall is Wednesday, Nov. 5 and the “The Mom Show” broadcast is Thursday, Nov. 12 from 6-10 a.m. on 90.3 KEXP.
If you go: John Richards: Death and Music, Town Hall, 7 p.m. Nov. 11 ($5)—N.C
*Events that are $15 or less
