Summer at SAM
One of the best outdoor cultural offerings is the annual lineup of free programming at SAM’s Olympic Sculpture Park. Birth a creation at one of the art making tables. Help yourself to some live music. How about some yoga and zumba? And did I mention July 21 will be Dog Night? The season kicks off Thursday evening with music by Deep See Diver, artmaking with Romson Regarde Bustillo and Izzie Klingels and a My Favorite Things art tour by yours truly. It skips The Eagle but will highlight a certain silvery tree. Come join me!
If you go: Summer at SAM, Olympic Sculpture Park, 6 p.m. July 7 (Free)—F.D.
Under the Bridge: The Criminalization of Homelessness
This documentary goes in-depth to show the community and challenges of a homeless camp in Indianapolis, Indiana. Led by their unofficial mayor, the charming and well-spoken Maurice, this is a group of people that “American society has left behind”. It's an eye-opening way of viewing homelessness which is a problem we try to ignore as citizens and many cities try to criminalize. A public showing of this documentary will only help to continue the conversation on homelessness, and inspire innovative new community-supported solutions. Seattle's media joined forces to address the Seattle's homeless issue on June 29, you can read a round-up of that coverage here and check out the Twitter conversation at #SeaHomeless.
If you go: Under the Bridge: The Criminalization of Homelessness, Central Library, 7 p.m. July 7 (Free)—N.C.
Jovino Santos Neto and Andre Feriante
There’s something about flamenco music that sends me to a summer courtyard in Spain. This then is your ticket to an evening of transportive music. Andre Feriante plays classical, flamenco and Brazilian-style guitar (along with ukulele and the nylon-stringed banjo). He takes the stage with the winsome Jovino Santos Neto and his expressive musical styles on the piano.
If you go: Jovino Santos Neto and Andre Feriante, The Triple Door, July 8 ($20)—F.D.
Unlocking the Cage
Don’t mistake Unlocking the Cage for another nature documentary or even an industry exposé. The film's subject — and lawyer — Steven Wise is the heart of “a suspenseful courtroom thriller,” in which he argues for the rights of nonhuman animals. In this case, Wise represents four captive chimpanzees living in New York, who currently have no rights. It doesn’t take a scientist to tell you that chimps are profoundly social and intelligent (though many scientists do, very convincingly) yet hundreds are still used and discarded for medical research in the U.S. Others still languish in cages and as pets, receiving treatment far worse than we’d give our dogs. Steven Wise has spent the last 30 years trying to change how we look at nonhuman animals — you'll feel stimulated, engaged, and totally inspired by his work in Unlocking the Cage, of which Jon Stewart said, “Thoughtful, compelling, and heroic. The film made me proud to be a primate.” If you can make it to opening night, Steven Wise and directors Chris Hegedus and DA Pennebaker will be in attendance.
If you go: Unlocking the Cage, SIFF, opens July 8 ($7-$12)—N.C.
Seattle Outdoor Theater Festival
Here’s to our green spaces and to the folks who serve up free cultural offerings en plein air (also see above). This outdoor theater fest serves up a full weekend of live theater at Seattle’s Volunteer Park and all of it is free. Eight local theater companies and 16 performances including Hamlet by Wooden O, Raggedy Ann and Andy by Theater Schmeater and The Siblings Grimm, a twisted, re-working of three classic fairy tales by The 14/48 Projects. Bring a blanket. Pack a lunch. Well-behaved dogs are welcome.
If you go: Seattle Outdoor Theater Festival, Volunteer Park, July 9-10 (Free)—F.D.
