* Denotes events that are $15 or less
Soledad Barrio & Noche Flamenca
A must in my line of work is reading what Alastair Macaulay has to say. The New York Times’ dance critic happens to crush big-time on Pacific Northwest Ballet. But another artist who has thrilled and delighted him time and time again is the flamenco dancer Soledad Barrio (below).
She is, Macaulay has maintained, one of the best in her genre. Here’s what he wrote after seeing her in 2011: “While framing her face gorgeously with hands and arms like a wreath, she’s never saying ‘Look at me’ but always ‘Where next?’ Holding one arm flexed, she waits as if deciding; then she brings her raised hand softly over her face as if ruefully; and then pow! She’s off, her whole body driving her forth into the next adventure of her soul.”
If that doesn’t make you want to rush out and see her, well I don’t know what else to say — other than Barrio and her Noche Flamenca are world premiering “Antigona” this weekend at UW’s Meany Hall. Be one of the first audiences to see the Greek tragedy danced flamenco style. In Spanish with English supertitles.
If you go: Soledad Barrio & Noche Flamenca, UW’s Meany Hall, Oct. 23 through Oct. 25. ($47 - $52). — F.D.
Lit Crawl Seattle *
Literature hits the streets again with the return of the annual Lit Crawl Seattle. The fun begins at 6 p.m., with themed readings throughout the night and a handful of local institutions playing host, from Vermillion to Babeland to the Hugo House. It's a treat just to look at the schedule, with its array of scintillating, something- for-everybody events. On my radar: Amuse Bouche with Seattle cooks and cookbook authors; Show and Tell with artists sharing comics and illustrated works; and Moving Pieces, showcasing the Poetry on Buses Program. After-party starts at 9 p.m. at Hugo House.
If you go: Lit Crawl Seattle, Locations vary, October 23 at 6 p.m. (Free, and $5 for the after party). — N.C.
Delta Spirit
Delta Spirit is one of those bands where the name says it all. This is Americana rock with a streak of folk a mile thick. Lead singer Matthew Vasquez's vocals have a warbling, utterly sincere quality that is impossible to ignore, and the rest of the band often bolsters him with harmonies. The group is a lot of fun live, managing to be at once lively and contemplative. As a bonus, funky indie rock group Deep Sea Diver opens for them.
If you go: Delta Spirit, Neptune Theatre. Oct. 23. ($16.50.) All ages. — J.S.H.
Seattle Women’s Chorus’ “Hallows in the Cathedral: Moonshadow”
What could be better on a (stormy?!) fall night than an evening at St. Mark’s enveloped by the voices of the Seattle Women’s Chorus? The program will pair traditional choral pieces with contemporary classics that are all moon-themed: “Moonlight Serenade,” “Moondance,” “Old Devil Moon.” Maybe, if you’re lucky, the moon’s glow will come cascading through one of the cathedral’s majestic windows.
If you go: Seattle Women’s Chorus’ “Hallows in the Cathedral: Moonshadow,” St. Mark’s Cathedral, Oct. 24 and 25 ($25 to $45). — F.D.
Irish Reels Film Festival *
The season of football, spiders and (most importantly) the Irish Reels Film Festival! The festival celebrates Irish art and culture through film of many forms, from features to shorts to documentaries. Just the artists’ names are a sight for sore eyes, and I imagine the accents will only improve what promises to be a fun and touching weekend. I’m excited about The Irish Pub (showing Sunday at 3 p.m.), a documentary about these seminal gathering spaces/family-run businesses and the “publicans” behind them. As usual, I highly recommend the Short Program: narrative as a great way to experience a sweeping variety of work and moods. Watch The irish Pub trailer and feel your spirits lift.
If you go: Irish Reels Film Festival, SIFF Film Center, Oct. 24 to 26. All Ages ($10) — N.C.
EMA
EMA approaches pop rock with a darkness that few aside from The Cure's Robert Smith could understand. But there is one crucial difference: Before this project, Erika Anderson was in the band Gowns with her then-boyfriend. Gowns is best described as "drone folk," pairing singer-songwriter sensibilities with noise and a jaded, monotone delivery. Hints of this oh-so-wonderfully cynical vibe comes through in EMA, but everything from her two albums released under this moniker is much more listenable.
If you go: EMA, Barboza. Oct. 24. ($13.) 21 and over — J.S.H.
Mozart's "Don Giovanni"
Seattle Opera has been billing the protagonist in this classic opera as Mozart’s “Bad Boy.” I’ve seen social media posts of this particular Casanova paired with the likes of Tony Soprano. But what came to my mind was Wilt Chamberlain. Wasn’t he the one who used to go on and on about all of his sexual conquests?
The way Giovanni sees it, it’s his obligation to love a lot of women. With his long hair, bare chest and leather pants (there’s a good-looking motorcycle in the opening scene), you’re pushed and pulled into liking and then hating the guy (the “d” word comes to mind). It’s hard not to stay transfixed. The set is one fun, giant Advent calendar, doors sliding open and close to reveal bedrooms or an elevator. There’s a charming, goofy sidekick, and a glorious fiery “hell” scene at the end. And I loved Lawrence Brownlee’s Don Ottavio so much that it didn’t matter what the supertitles were saying. All I cared about was listening to that voice.
If you go: “Don Giovanni," McCaw Hall, Oct. 25 through Nov. 1 (Tickets start at $25). — F.D.
Cory Doctorow on Alice, Bob, and Clapper: What Snowden Taught Us About Privacy *
You’ve doubtlessly encountered Cory Doctorow at some point, whether on his blog Boing Boing, or in Wired or The New York Times, or in the plethora of sci-fi he’s written since 2003. Most notably, though, Doctorow is known for his outspoken advocacy on behalf of access to information in the age of technology. His immensely popular first book, 2003’s Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom, garnered attention as the first book released digitally on Creative Commons — for free. Ever since, Doctorow has been championing his case for access. He’ll be here to talk about the past, present, and future of internet privacy. The lecture is a warm-up for Surveillance & Privacy: Art, Law, and Social Practice, a multi-day symposium at UW running from November 20-22.
If you go: Cory Doctorow, Kane Hall, Oct. 25 at 7 p.m. ($10) — N.C.
Perfume Genius
The only complaint I have about Seattleite Mike Hadreas' last two albums under his stage name Perfume Genius' is that they're too short. Each clocks in at around 30 minutes, and are over before the listener can get enough of his perfectly sculpted (and perfectly melancholy) art pop ballads. His voice is as light as gossamer and he plays the piano with equal subtlety.
If you go: Perfume Genius, Neptune Theatre, Oct 25. $15. All ages. — J.S.H.
