The Weekend List: The arts and culture guide to Seattle's good life

A play about cerebral palsy, modern dance with pillows, Rainy Dawg Radio's birthday fest and Seattle Beer Week.
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Tran Trung Hieu's "Velociraptor Skeleton" 2011

A play about cerebral palsy, modern dance with pillows, Rainy Dawg Radio's birthday fest and Seattle Beer Week.

Crosscut archive image.Folding Paper: The Infinite Possibilities of Origami
I can barely fold a paper hat. But I’m looking forward to checking my ego and getting lost in the paper-folding genius of 45 origami masters. I mean, seriously: an origami velociraptor?! The artists hail from Japan, Uruguay, Russia and the U.S. There are more than 140 works on display in an exhibit about an art form with links to modern architecture as well as the peace movement.  On Saturday, artist Linda Mihara will talk about origami fashion. The lecture is free (with museum admission).

If you go: Folding Paper: The Infinite Possibilities of Origami, Bellevue Arts Museum, Through Sept. 21 ($5-$10). – F.D.

Whim W’him’s #unprotected
I am unabashedly an Olivier Wevers groupie. He’s the former PNB dancer who launched this contemporary dance company in 2009. Whim W’him shows are always fresh, physical and visual. And rarely have I missed one of the reps or not touted them to some dance-seeking friend.

Now, there are more reasons to celebrate: The company has migrated to the Erickson Theater (intimate and so well suited for dance); the repertory features three world premieres by Wevers, Andrew Bartee and Annabelle Lopez Ochoa; the company is on its way to being a full-time Seattle company; and by the looks of this preview video, giant pillows will play a prominent role on stage.

If you go: Whim W’him’s #unprotected, The Erickson Theater, Through May 23 ($25). — F.D.

CREEPS
A teeny basement theater in Ballard has been converted into that unique same-sex sanctuary: the bathroom. In this case, it’s a drab-looking men’s room that offers the only respite for five guys with cerebral palsy. That’s the story of CREEPS, a one-act play from Canadian playwright David E. Freeman, who had cerebral palsy. It’s a hard one to sit through.

The men are segregated from the outside world in a place that employs only those with severe disabilities.When they're not working, they hide out in the bathroom to lash out about getting paid in pennies and taken to “cultural” events like a visit to a glue factory. They’re pissed off, crass smart asses. (The content is graphic). They also dream about living independently.

I saw the play on Opening Night, when the acting was all over the place. I have no idea how accurate the spastic movements, drooling, forced breathing or disfigurations are. But they looked real. Parts of the production are gripping. Director Gregg Gilmore said none of the actors is disabled. To prepare, they worked and volunteered with Provail, which supports people with disabilities.

If you go: CREEPS, Seattle Subversive Theatre, Through May 31 ($25). Adults only. — F.D.

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Seattle Beer Week
This is the second and last weekend of Seattle Beer Week and there are still kegs to be tapped, special casks to be unveiled and new microbrews to sample. The last couple years have been exciting ones for brewers and imbibers in Seattle, with Peddler Brewing, Reuben’s Brews and Gastropod (among many others) tapping their first kegs. For this week’s celebration, the full list can be a bit intimidating. So here are some highlights: sour beers on tap at Capitol Cider, maibocks at Prost! German Pubs around town, Elysian Unusuals at The Yard Café in Greenwood. Pick your favorite type of beer, sample a new brewpub, make it your mission to finish out Seattle Beer Week strong.

If you go: Seattle Beer Week, All over town, Through May 18 (prices vary) — N.C.

Rainy Dawg Radio Birthday Fest *
The UW’s student-run Internet radio station, Rainy Dawg Radio, is celebrating its 11th “birthday” on Thursday by hosting a bevy of hip local acts. It’s all going down in Sylvan Grove, a secluded little amphitheater of sorts just southeast of Drumheller Fountain on the UW campus. The lineup includes two great hip-hop acts: Vic Mensa and young Tacoma posse IllFIGHTYOU. Local pop rock act Dude York, a ubiquitous presence in Seattle’s music scene, is also playing. As a headliner, the Rainy Dawg folks wrangled psychedelic garage band Unknown Mortal Orchestra. Music goes from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.

If you go:  Rainy Dawg Radio Birthday Fest 2014UW Campus, May 15 (free). All ages. — J.S.H.

Fantastic Mr. Fox *
Wes Anderson + Roald Dahl + Claymation = too much whimsy to be contained in one film. It’s arguably Anderson at his funniest and most perfectly (and forgivably) twee, aided of course by an outstanding soundtrack and the vocal stylings of George Clooney and Meryl Streep as Mr. and Mrs. Fox. It’s as perfect a children’s film as exists, and if you feel extra nostalgic, you can stay to watch Anderson’s Bottle Rocket.

If you go: Fantastic Mr. Fox, Central Cinema, May 16 – May 19 ($7)— N.C.

Phinney Ridge/Greenwood Garage Sale Day
It’s the season of garage sales and none do I anticipate more than the Phinney Ridge/Greenwood Neighborhood one.  Last year I got a collection of mini-glass animals, a pair of Danskos, a book of William Wegman postcards, and a mini chopper for under $10 –and that was just at one place. With 105 sales (and counting!) and a convenient map to plan your route, you are sure to find a treasure you can’t live without. Or, better yet, stay at home and leave them all for me.

If you go: Tons of venues throughout the neighborhoods, May 17 (Free)

ASUW Spring Show 2014 *
Perhaps I’m overstepping my bounds as a proud UW alumnus, but I can’t argue with free music and the Huskies have finagled two great shows this week. This second show takes place on Saturday. It leans away from Rainy Dawg’s hometown focus and towards bigger-name pop groups (with the exception of anagrammatic local bubblegum punks Tacocat). Playing are fuzzed-out indie rockers Wavves, the vaguely electronic pop rockfish STRFKR, and gothy pop star Sky Ferreira. The show is out on Rainier Vista and the weather forecast is a little iffy, so keep your fingers crossed.

If you go:  ASUW Spring Show 2014, UW Campus, May 17 (Free). — J.S.H.

Purity Ring (DJ set) *
I can’t guess exactly how this show will unfold, but Neumos has been on point with its DJ sets recently, and Purity Ring’s principle composer/producer Corin Roddick  has excellent taste in dance music.  Some scant videos on YouTube hint at a sound vaguely similar to the group’s slower, ethereal beats. However, Roddick replaces singer Megan James’ spectral vocals with the hip-hop and pop samples one might expect in a club setting, except for a few brief moments. It’s also likely, judging by the videos, that James won’t be present. The few times her vocals entered the set, they were pre-recorded.

If you go:  Purity Ring (DJ set)Neumos, May 18 ($15). 21+. — J.S.H.

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About the Authors & Contributors

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Joseph Sutton-Holcomb

Joseph is a full-time landscaper, part-time journalist and full time culture junkie discovering the hidden joys of life as a UW graduate in Seattle. When not taking care of plants or writing, he spends his time in the company of good friends enjoying film, music and the great outdoors.