"The Price"
What’s the price of giving up your dream? It’s a powerful, provocative question and this production of an Arthur Miller-scripted play, set in 1967, hit me squarely in the gut. Two brothers face off in a Manhattan brownstone: one’s a cop (Charles Leggett), the other’s a doctor (Peter Lohnes). They haven’t spoken to each other in 16 years. Now they’re forced to figure out the value of their father’s estate while reassessing – and regretting? — the life choices they’ve made.
If you go: The Price, ACT – A Contemporary Theatre, Through June 22 ($20 - $61). — F.D.
One-hour Cheese
While cheese may be a creation from the heavens, it can actually be made by mere mortals like you and me. Lucky for us though, we have an Obi-Wan: Claudia Lucero has created an easy-to-use, photo-centered guide on how to make 16 simple cheeses at home, each in just an hour. She’ll be at Fremont’s community cookbook store Book Larder to demonstrate one of her recipes and answer all of your pressing (high-brow cheese pun) cheese questions.
If you go: One-Hour Cheese, Book Larder, June 12 (Free) — N.C.
Best of SIFF
If you were biding your time committing to SIFF, it seems you’ve won. You can now go see the best of this year’s film festival, as voted on by the viewers, for one week at SIFF! Watch Mason, the boy who Richard Linklater filmed over 12 years, in the drama Boyhood. It nabbed the Golden Space Needle award. Or, take a road trip through Chinese mountain villages in The Nightingale by French filmmaker Phillippe Muyl. I’m most excited about the Best of SIFF Shorts, showing one surprising short after another Sunday at noon.
If you go: Best of SIFF, SIFF Cinema Uptown and SIFF Film Center, June 12 to 18 ($12/showing) — N.C.
Seattle International Dance Festival: Beyond the Threshold
It’s like SIFF for dance aficionados: a 10-day festival and a chance to see performers from all corners of the world. But there’s also a series of events celebrating Seattle dance makers and an opportunity to bust a move (or two). The Inter|national Series showcases troupes from Brazil, India and Romania; and the Spotlight on Seattle features programs curated by local faves Andrew Bartee, KT Niehoff and Jerome Aparis. I’m personally excited about Aparis (of Massive Monkees) joining forces with PNB’s Ezra Thomson on June 20. The festival kicks off with a free dance party called “Art on the Fly” on South Lake Union.
Jerome Aparis of Massive Monkees, who is both dancing and curating a performance at the Seattle International Dance Festival. Photo courtesy of Jeroma Aparis.
Khambatta Dance Company, one of dozens of performers at this year's Seattle International Dance Festival. Photo: Briana Jones
If you go: Seattle International Dance Festival: Beyond the Threshold, Cornish College of the Arts’ Raisbeck Hall and other venues, June 13 to 15 and June 20 to 22 ($15 to $50) —F.D.
Capitol Hill Garage Sale Day
How to succeed at garage saling (from a girl whose own double couponing, Midwestern mother has marveled at): 1) make a list of all the things you need/want/have unsightly, placeholder versions of, 2) scope out garage sales using Craigslist and your eyeballs, or wait for neighborhood garage sale days, 3) armed with the list, a thermos of coffee or tea and bills of varying sizes, start the gallivanting and be prepared to meet awesome people whose stuff you will love and cherish. You will also likely receive a great story about the object’s acquisition as well as a special high that one can only get from hard-fought thrift.
If you go: Capitol Hill Garage Sale Day, All around the hill, June 14, (prices vary!) — N.C.
The Dusty 45s
When Wanda Jackson, the queen of rockabilly, came to Bumbershoot a couple years back, she chose The Dusty 45s as her backing band. That fact by itself should convey the level these fellas are on. As their nostalgic name suggests, it’s a reference to vinyl (in case you’re an especially young reader). The Dusty 45s kick it old school. This show will feature standup bass, a classic deep rockabilly drawl from singer Billy Joe Huels and probably some harmonica and trumpet action.
If you go: The Dusty 45s, The Crocodile, June 14 (time?) ($12). — J.S.H.
Yann Tiersen
Yann Tiersen might be best known for his distinctive and eternally charming work on the Jean-Pierre Jeunet film “Amelie.” Now a cult classic, the film’s poignant-yet-whimsical plot is propelled and accentuated by Tiersen’s poignant-yet-whimsical music, which makes unusually liberal use of piano and accordion combinations. Tiersen is also excellent at intertwining classical, orchestral aesthetics with pop, which is perhaps why he has enjoyed such success as a producer of film soundtracks in addition to his stand-alone musical compositions.
If you go: Yann Tiersen, Neumos, June 14 ($20). — J.S.H.
Gift of Gab
Gift of Gab is the kind of rapper that can be intimidating upon first hearing him. He’s highly intelligent, and a student of the mile-a-minute school of lyrical delivery. The combination of these traits results in raps with such depth and nuance, they can initially overwhelm the listener.
But Gift of Gab is never pretentious. He knows when to use $10 words and when to tell it how it is; when to break out a complex litany of internal rhymes; and when to reign things in and keep the message simple. Best known for his work in the rap group Blackalicious, Gift of Gab also has three solo albums to his name.
If you go: Gift of Gab, Nectar Lounge, June 15 ($10). —J.S.H.
Trader Joe’s Silent Movie Mondays
I’ve spent many a happy Monday evening perched in the Paramount’s balcony, drink in hand, absorbing the transportive sounds of the Mighty Wurlitzer Organ. Of course there’s a film to be watched and look what’s being screened for the rest of the month: Show People with Marion Davies, The Wind with Lillian Gish and The Circus, featuring Charlie Chaplin – all films that date back to 1928. But it’s the live organ music that makes this film series something special, with or without a date.
If you go: Trader Joe’s Silent Movie Mondays, The Paramount, Every Monday in June ($10). — F.D.
Crosscut's arts coverage is made possible through the generous support of the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation.
