Yves Saint Laurent: The Perfection of Style
Even if you’re not the sort to get giddy at the sight of, oh, the September issue of Vogue, this exhibit will dazzle you: fashionista or not. Yves Saint Laurent revolutionized style with his haute couture and his ready wear designs and it’s impossible not to fall in love with his creations in this fabulous show. Part of what makes it such a knockout is how it engulfs you with the clothing — but it takes you inside the mind of an artist showing you sketches and design boards and fabric swatches. Don’t miss the paper dolls at the beginning of the show; stop to gawk at the famous Mondrian dress; and whip out your cellphone camera when you get to the embroidery and beadwork. Thirty minutes into the show and I was already plotting my second and third and fourth returns.
If you go: Yves Saint Laurent: The Perfection of Style, Seattle Art Museum, Through Jan. 8 ($24.95) — F.D.
Social Justice Film Festival
There’s no other film festival quite like this one. Since 2009, the Social Justice Film Festival has been a platform to raise attention to the most important issues of our time, from incarceration to labor rights to women’s rights, in Seattle and beyond. This festival takes us to FIint, MI in two documentaries that explore the water crisis, to Milwaukee 53206, the zip code with the highest incarceration rate, to Sweden, where a Romani women tells her story in Katarina Taikon, to our own Duwamish River, where two native tribes are still fighting for treaty rights and recognition. Check out the website for specific programs on Black Lives Matter, Immigration, and Indigenous Voices, among others. And now, for the first time ever, all of the previous festival selections are available in one spot, catalogued by SPL.
If you go: Social Justice Film Festival, UW Ethnic Cultural Center, NW Film Forum, and University Christian Church, Friday through Oct. 25, $7-10. — N.C.
Torrey Pines
The film alone is a must-see: an animated queer punk coming-of-age ode about a 12-year-old and his schizophrenic mother. But it’s also made by local filmmaker Clyde Petersen who never fails to wow. And it world premieres as part of TWIST, Seattle Queer Film Festival with a soundtrack played live by a whole host of musicians including Lori Goldston, Kimya Dawson, The Beaconettes and Peterson’s band Your Heart Breaks. If I weren’t headed out of town I would So Be There.
If you go: Torrey Pines, SIFF Cinema Egyptian, Thursday, $33 — F.D.
Ghostland: An American History in Haunted Places
To some people, the idea of spooky, towel-shaped creatures wallowing under their beds or flowing around their room is terrifying, but author Colin Dickey is not one of those people.
Dickey sought out famous haunted places across the country and has documented them in his book, Ghostland: An American History in Haunted Places. He provides both historical context and facts to the ghost stories he came across, and also reveals things that were left untold — elements that may make you think twice about whether ghosts exist. Attend the reading at Town Hall to find out more.
If you go: Ghostland: An American History in Haunted Places, Town Hall, Friday at 7:30 p.m., $5. — P.D.
Sunset Hill Motown Dance Party
Just thinking about this event makes me want to dance. I can’t remember a wedding or dance party I’ve been to where I didn’t think it to myself “Why don’t they just play ALL Motown?” — as I embarrassed myself by overzealously air-punching my way through “Superstition.” And “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg.” And “ABC.” At the fourth annual Sunset Hill Motown Dance Party, it’s all Motown all night. Let’s just hope the music is loud enough to drown out everyone singing along. Each ticket includes one free drink and all proceeds go to managing the vintage clubhouse.
If you go: Sunset Hill Motown Dance Party, Sunset Hill Community Clubhouse, Friday 7 to 10 p.m., $20/person, $30/couple. — N.C.
