* Denotes events that are $15 or less
A Chorus Line
The life of a Broadway dancer — young, in the prime, aging far too quickly — is celebrated in this spectacularly entertaining restaging of the 1975 Broadway hit. Seventeen dancers are auditioning for a spot in the chorus and for two hours we get to glimpse their hopes, fears, insecurities and the joy they experience when they get to move to music. The songs are catchy (“I Can Do That”), poignant (“At the Ballet” and “What I Did For Love”), hilarious (“Sing!” and “Dance: Ten; Looks: Three”) and spot on (“I Hope I Get It” remains THE song I sing to myself when I’ve gone after jobs). The choreography is jazzy and, yes, sometimes campy (we’re the ‘70s). But it all comes together wonderfully and you’ll be doing kick-ball-changes and jazz hands hours after the final curtain falls.
If you go: A Chorus Line, 5th Avenue Theatre, Now through Sept. 28, (Tickets start at $29). — F.D.
Seattle’s Favorite Poems *
I’m pushing poetry events these days and the reason is simple: Poetry is at its best when it's performed live, where you can listen with the intentionality that went into writing the poem, or simply let the cadences wash over you, like waves. This free event is the perfect gateway to the form. Instead of hearing one poet you may or may not like, you experience Seattle artists from all walks reading their favorite poems. Soak up the excitement of these poetry fans, and become one yourself. Sponsored by Seattle Arts & Lectures, Seattle Public Library, Poetry Northwest and Hugo House. (Talk about cred.)
If you go: Seattle’s Favorite Poems, Town Hall, Sept. 18, All Ages (Free) — N.C.
PARK(ing) Day *
The final bang of Seattle Design Festival, PARK(ing) Day shines a spotlight on what the entire festival aims to do: “Celebrate the ways design makes life better.” And this event brings design to the community street level. More than 50 parking spots scattered throughout the city will be turned into temporary parks. Keep your eyes peeled for one as you stroll through your 'hood or be grab the map and visit SPL’s banned books library in Belltown or help create a Rube Goldberg machine or do a walk of mini trees in south Seattle’s Urban Forest.
If you go: PARK(ing) Day, Throughout Seattle 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 19, All Ages (Free) — N.C.
Spectrum Dance Theater’s LOVE
The cello might very well be my most favorite instrument and here she is, live, in partnership with the equally captivating Spectrum Dance Theater and its show called LOVE. And we get to watch it unfold in an airplane hangar at Magnuson Park, with white-clad dancers on a multi-tiered white stage. Cellist Wendy Sutter will play the Benjamin Britten score. Four new dancers have joined the company and for this pair of LOVE shows, alum Vincent Lopez (Yes!) returns.
If you go: Spectrum Dance Theater’s LOVE, Building 30 at Magnuson Park, Sept. 19 and 20 ($30). — F.D.
La Roux
A good place to start in analyzing La Roux’s pop appeal is her aesthetic, which is similar to David Bowie’s. Both musicians possess artful sexuality, glamour, mercurial intelligence and a futuristic fashion sense. Musically, La Roux falls somewhere between the club-ready synthpop of Robyn and the freaky/funky mod sounds of the Scissor Sisters, with just a hint of Bowie (from his soul music phase) sprinkled throughout. She’s touring behind her catchy new album, “Trouble in Paradise,” her first in five years.
If you go: La Roux, Showbox Market, Sept. 19 ($24.50). — J.S.H.
Meshell Ndegeocello
Heralded as one of the progenitors of the Neo-soul movement that has helped propel artists Beyonce, Frank Ocean, Sharon Jones, etc. to so much acclaim, Meshell Ndegeocello’s music, in fact, transcends all sorts of musical genres. Ndegeocello has dabbled in R&B, Reggae, Rap, Funk and Jazz, creating a body of work with something for almost everyone. By working within this suite of disparate-yet-related genres, she achieves eclecticism without sounding forced or stretched out of her comfort zone.
If you go: Meshell Ndegeocello, The Triple Door, Sept. 19 ($28). All ages. — J.S.H.
Temples
Temples are alternately lauded as the next great installment in psychedelic rock and derided as overly-indebted to the classic artists from which they draw inspiration. I tend to be more forgiving of bands that freshen up established genres and hence fall into the Temples-as-“creators-of-great-sounding-rock” camp. The band's debut album, “Sun Structures” is a KEXP favorite. If the city’s greatest radio station views Temples as something more than an homage to the past, then Seattle music fans should probably give the band a listen.
If you go: Temples, Neptune Theater, Sept. 20 ($18.50). All ages. — J.S.H.
Chee! One Year Anniversary Hot-Pot Dinner
For a year now, Food and Sh*t has been hosting pop-up restaurants at Inay’s (on Beacon Ave South) on the third Monday of each month. If you’ve missed them, here's a chance to come in for what’s looking like the best one yet. Hosts Geo Quibuyen (aka Prometheus Brown) and Chera Amlag describe the dinner like this: “We’re bringing it back to where it started, with a Korean-Filipino-Hawaiian-Whatever potluck-style feast (We’ll bring all the food) with live music.” There will be a Korean/Northwest hot-pot for each table, plus eight side dishes, including Kalua pork, beef watercress soup, kimchi and Kahlua Pie. Both dinner times (5:30 p.m. and 8 p.m.) are filling up FAST so reserve your spot now for a memorable night.
If you go: Chee! One Year Anniversary Hot-Pot Dinner, Inay’s, Sept. 22, All Ages ($40 per person) — N.C.
