100 Heartbreaks
If you don't already know what it's like to be a single lady in Seattle, I can tell you from personal experience that it can best be described as amusing. Imagine the stream of oddballs and eccentrics you see every day in the streets, restaurants, bars, and clubs of Seattle. Now imagine going on dates with those oddballs. Hilarity, of course, ensues. The experiences of a single lady have now been transformed into a musical performed by one Charlane Tucker (played by Joanna Horowitz), but not just any kind of musical, a country musical.
After a year of single life in Seattle, Joanna Horowitz was inspired to create a one woman country musical based on her experiences called 100 Heartbreaks, premiering at CHAC on February 15.
Ah, the humorous woes of a misguided woman... who wouldn't want to see that? Horowitz currently resides in Seattle, but she has attained her true country cred by growing up in Eastern Washington where she performed at some "suitable downhome venues" including fairs and farmer's markets. Teaser of Horowitz performing a song from the show in the video below:Just in time for Valentine's Day, 100 Heartbreaks chronicles a singer's quest to get loved and left 100 times - all with the sole purpose of accumulating enough "country cred" to be taken seriously. As Charlane Tucker sees it, each failed relationship gets her "one man closer to Nashville." A little bit country music, a little bit theater, a little bit cabaret, 100 Heartbreaks combines quick-witted storytelling with live country music inspired by the likes of Loretta Lynn, Hank Williams and Johnny Cash, crafted under the musical direction of John Osebold (of the band "Awesome").
"One Man Closer to Nashville"
The opening night "hoedown" on February 15 will feature musical guest Purty Mouth and country drag by Dusty Hauck.
Show Dates: Feb. 15, 16, 22, 23, 29 and March 1, 8:30pm
Location: Capitol Hill Arts Center Lower Level (map)
Price: $15
This Morning in Seattle: A Winter Wonderland of Chaos
Here is my advice:
When it snows in Seattle and the Seattle Metro buses all pass you by at your bus stop because the few buses that are running are already packed full with people, skip work and go skiing.
Seriously, you will be a much happier person if you just leave Seattle instead of trying to comprehend how an entire city can freak out and almost completely shut down every time it snows within the city limits.
I snapped the above photo at Stevens Pass this weekend, and I can attest, there is a ton of snow. Camille (pictured above) works in the T-Bar at Stevens on Friday nights and makes a great latte.
When it snows in Seattle and the Seattle Metro buses all pass you by at your bus stop because the few buses that are running are already packed full with people, skip work and go skiing.
Seriously, you will be a much happier person if you just leave Seattle instead of trying to comprehend how an entire city can freak out and almost completely shut down every time it snows within the city limits.
I snapped the above photo at Stevens Pass this weekend, and I can attest, there is a ton of snow. Camille (pictured above) works in the T-Bar at Stevens on Friday nights and makes a great latte.
Comixtravaganza
The Seattle Public Library is hosting an afternoon which celebrates comics this Saturday at the Central Library. The event appears to be marketed towards teens, but I strongly doubt I will be the only adult in attendance. Comics have long since evolved from a media reserved for the pimpled youth. Like many adults, most of my pimples are gone now, but my love of comics is still strong. The schedule for Comixtravaganza is:
2:00pm - Comic Workshop: make your own mini comic.
3:30pm - Panel of experts discusses what it's like being in the industry of comics.
4:30pm - Cartoonist Ellen Forney talks about stuff.
Speaking of Ellen Forney, Fantagraphics has released a new book with Ellen Forney's illustrations called LUST: Kinky Online Personal Ads From Seattle’s The Stranger. It features Forney's artistic renditions of those zany personal ads in The Stranger's LustLab; definitely not marketed towards teens. You can view samples of the personal ads and illustrations on her blog. The book release will be at Fantagraphics on February 9 from 6-9pm, and the party will include a multimedia presentation of the book by Forney. Forney is not only funny and witty on paper, but she has a great sense of humor in person, too, so I highly recommend seeing her speak either at Fantagraphics on February 9 or this Saturday at the Seattle Central Library.
2:00pm - Comic Workshop: make your own mini comic.
3:30pm - Panel of experts discusses what it's like being in the industry of comics.
4:30pm - Cartoonist Ellen Forney talks about stuff.
Speaking of Ellen Forney, Fantagraphics has released a new book with Ellen Forney's illustrations called LUST: Kinky Online Personal Ads From Seattle’s The Stranger. It features Forney's artistic renditions of those zany personal ads in The Stranger's LustLab; definitely not marketed towards teens. You can view samples of the personal ads and illustrations on her blog. The book release will be at Fantagraphics on February 9 from 6-9pm, and the party will include a multimedia presentation of the book by Forney. Forney is not only funny and witty on paper, but she has a great sense of humor in person, too, so I highly recommend seeing her speak either at Fantagraphics on February 9 or this Saturday at the Seattle Central Library.Columbia City Cabaret
Last Friday I went to a Variety Show. Yep, like The Sunny and Cher Comedy Hour, only this show was less Sunny and more Cher. Imagine, if you will, if Cher were blonde and did a trapeze act while being silly, quirky, and funny. And imagine if Cher was dressed like a conservative school teacher for half of the show, and then wore pasties for the other half of the show. Hosted by Tamara the Trapeze Lady, this weekly review is different every show. The show I saw included death defying stunts with swords and rebar by Pure Cirkus, fun striptease and burlesque by both Tamara the Trapeze Lady and Miss Indigo Blue. There was comedy, daredevil stunts, fire dancing, and a great performance by the girl pictured on the left who was one of my favorite acts of the evening.
This is a weekly show that happens every Friday at the Columbia City Theater at 8pm. Most of the performers are local performers, and it's great show to see for $20 ($25 at the door) in a beautiful old theater. I suggest buying your tickets in advance. Every seat in the house is a good seat, but I got a great table when I bought my tickets in advance last week.
Location: Columbia City Theater (map)
Time: Fridays at 8pm
Is It Summer Yet?
For those of you who are getting tired of the gloomy winter days in Seattle, here are a couple of links to clips from Almost Live which might make you chuckle:
Crispin Glover!
I generally fear celebrities because they are nuts, but there is one celebrity who I like. Granted, he is also a little strange, but I am in love with him and his work: Crispin Glover.
Crispin Glover is famous for being an actor in cult classics such as River's Edge and Rubin and Ed, and he has also played key roles in the blockbusters Charlie's Angels and Back to the Future. He is one of few artists who has been able to maintain his indie status while trying out his craft in the mainstream. He is also known for his quirkiness. I have heard rumors that he is a collector of glass eyes.
Aside from a successful acting career, Crispin Glover also performs spoken word, and this weekend he is performing live at the NW Film Forum in Capitol Hill and presenting his movie, It's Fine! Everything's Fine. Everything's Fine is a horror movie and sequel to What is It? Beware: this movie looks really disturbing, so leave the kids at home if you want to see it, m'kay? Or bring the kids, but only if you are a lousy parent.
Crispin Glover will be doing an introduction and live dramatization of the movie in conjunction with Crispin Glover's Big Slide Show.
I saw a version of Crispin Glover's Big Slide Show about 10 years ago in San Francisco, and it was quite entertaining. It included a short movie, starring Crispin Glover as a small town boy who wanted to win the local talent show by singing along to a boombox while in drag as "Olivia Neutron Bomb." Then there was a slideshow, and I remember there being some sort of emphasis on pelts, which was a topic of his book being released at the time. Beaver pelts. You must be open to the quirky and offbeat to enjoy this show.
More information about the show on KEXP's blog. On the KEXP blog post, you can also play a short audio clip of Crispin Glover explaining some details of the show. Note how he introduces himself as "Crispin Glover Dot Com."
Location: NW Film Forum (map)
Dates and Time: January 10, 11, 12 (What is It? will be playing), and 13 at 7pm
Price: $17/NWFF Members, $20/General CASH ONLY
Crispin Glover is famous for being an actor in cult classics such as River's Edge and Rubin and Ed, and he has also played key roles in the blockbusters Charlie's Angels and Back to the Future. He is one of few artists who has been able to maintain his indie status while trying out his craft in the mainstream. He is also known for his quirkiness. I have heard rumors that he is a collector of glass eyes.
Aside from a successful acting career, Crispin Glover also performs spoken word, and this weekend he is performing live at the NW Film Forum in Capitol Hill and presenting his movie, It's Fine! Everything's Fine. Everything's Fine is a horror movie and sequel to What is It? Beware: this movie looks really disturbing, so leave the kids at home if you want to see it, m'kay? Or bring the kids, but only if you are a lousy parent.
Crispin Glover will be doing an introduction and live dramatization of the movie in conjunction with Crispin Glover's Big Slide Show.
I saw a version of Crispin Glover's Big Slide Show about 10 years ago in San Francisco, and it was quite entertaining. It included a short movie, starring Crispin Glover as a small town boy who wanted to win the local talent show by singing along to a boombox while in drag as "Olivia Neutron Bomb." Then there was a slideshow, and I remember there being some sort of emphasis on pelts, which was a topic of his book being released at the time. Beaver pelts. You must be open to the quirky and offbeat to enjoy this show.
More information about the show on KEXP's blog. On the KEXP blog post, you can also play a short audio clip of Crispin Glover explaining some details of the show. Note how he introduces himself as "Crispin Glover Dot Com."
Location: NW Film Forum (map)
Dates and Time: January 10, 11, 12 (What is It? will be playing), and 13 at 7pm
Price: $17/NWFF Members, $20/General CASH ONLY
Burlesque Bonanza and Variety Show
Some of the best burlesque performers in Seattle are appearing in Ballard at the Tractor Tavern this Saturday, Jan 11. I have seen a lot of these performers before, and my cynical seen-it-all-before eyes have always been shockingly pleased with their elaborate costumes and entertaining performances. And they are totally hot, too.
Performer Miss Indigo Blue is THE Miss Indigo Blue of Miss Indigo Blue's Academy of Burlesque. Ravenna Black is THE Ravenna Black who made headlines last spring. I'm guessing this show will surely sell-out, so get there early to get a good spot.
A few performer websites:
Free Admission Tonight: Experience Music Project
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The first Thursday of every month marks Art Walk in Seattle area neighborhoods. Art Walk includes free admission to the Seattle Art Museum, as well as galleries all over Seattle that feature local artists. Tonight is the first night that EMP and The Science Fiction Museum will be offering free admission. Admission will be free for viewing the permanent collections from 5pm - 8pm, and this will continue every first Thursday of every month.
Tonight, local band The Moondoggies will be playing at EMP's Sky Church at 6pm and 7pm. I like the Sky Church as a venue because it's so futuristic looking. I feel like the Sky Church is what music venues are supposed to look like in 2008. Might as well check it out if you haven't before because it's all free tonight.
Date: Thursday, January 3, 2008
Time: 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Venue: EMP|SFM 325 5th Avenue North, Seattle, WA 98109 (map)
