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Must List: ‘Perpetual Vessels’ Premiere, Bridle Trails Winter Running Festival, ‘Present Tense’

Your weekly guide to Seattle's hottest events

By Jorn Peterson January 9, 2020

Trail running action close up of running shoes in action
Trail running action close up of running shoes in action

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MUST DANCE ON WATER

Perpetual Vessels premiere
(1/11)
Created on a century-old steamboat in Anacortes, this site-specific dance film brings together choreographer Alice Gosti and filmmaker June Zandona to showcase the compelling talent of the Malacarne Dance Company. This premiere promises live performances and Q&A with featured dancers and filmmakers. 5:30 p.m. Prices vary. Northwest Film Forum, Capitol Hill;
nwfilmforum.org

MUST MARATHON AND MORE

Bridle Trails Winter Running Festival
(1/11)
Join the club… the Seattle Running Club that is, for a day full of relays, races and running. The winter running festival includes 5, 10 and 15-mile races, along with 50k solo and team races. That’s right, 50k. That’s over 31 miles.
3 p.m. Prices vary. Bridle Trails State Park, Kirkland; bridle.seattlerunningclub.org

MUST GET INSPIRED

Drink & Draw
(1/9
) Flex your creative muscle with cider in hand at an interactive art night designed to push your creative abilities. This twice-monthly event features a live model, free art supplies and a host from Gage Academy of Art. 7 p.m. Free. Capitol Cider, Capitol Hill; capitolcider.com

MUST WRITE, PERFORM, REPEAT

14/48: The World’s Quickest Theater Festival
(1/10-1/18)
This two-weekend event brings what it promises: 14 plays in 48 hours. Each weekend, themes are given on Thursday. Playwrights produce a play overnight and then turn it in to a cast and director chosen at random. The seven plays are performed Friday night, a new theme is assigned, and the process starts again, resulting in seven new plays on Saturday
. Times and prices vary. ACT Theatre, downtown; acttheatre.org

MUST WATER TWICE DAILY

The Ultimate Guide to Houseplants
(1/10)
This crash course will make sure you’ve killed your last houseplant. The 1.5-hour seminar will cover the basics of plant-keeping, including watering techniques, how to solve unforeseen problems and choosing the right plant for your place. Come with questions and leave with your very own baby plant, included with your ticket. 6 p.m. $49. The Works, First Hill;
theworksseattle.com

MUST AID FROM AFAR

Kangaroo and Kiwi Benefit for Australia
(1/10)
With wildfires raging across Australia, local Aussie-themed pub Kangaroo and Kiwi is stepping up to lend a hand from the other side of the world. Benefitting the Wildlife Information Rescue and Education Service (WIRES), the event will include a raffle, sausage sizzle and live auction. 5:30 p.m. Free. Kangaroo and Kiwi, Ballard;
Facebook: ‘Benefit for Australia’

MUST BE OPEN-MINDED

Present Tense
(1/4-2/15)
Seattle-based conceptual artist Shaun Kardinal provokes thought and discussion through embroidered paper collages. The exhibit explores space, time and climate crisis, with all proceeds from the artist’s sales supporting The Sierra Club Foundation.
Times vary. Free. J. Rinehart Gallery, Pioneer Square; jrinehartgallery.com

Coming up:

These events are weeks away but are bound to sell out—get your tickets now.

MUST TRY AMPLE SAMPLES

The Carnival of Cocktails
(3/7)
Cocktail aficionados rejoice: this is a carnival just for you. Part of Seattle Cocktail Week, this intimate learning environment invites guests to taste a new spirit, try it in a cocktail and even pick up a bottle of it on the way out. Tickets come with 12 tasting tokens, more than enough to explore new flavors and revisit a few old favorites. Times and prices vary. Bell Harbor Conference Center, waterfront;
seattlecocktailweek.com

MUST DINE LIKE A SCOT

7th Annual Robert Burns Supper
(1/19)
Celebrate one of Scotland’s great poets with a night of Scottish fare and choral interpretations. James Beard award winner Chef John Sundstrom sets the table for a feast of Haggis and other traditional Scottish dishes, starting with a Scotch toast. Burns’ poetry will be sung by choral ensemble whateverandeveramen, with traditional drinking songs on the lineup as well. 6 p.m. $125. Lark’s Southpaw Pizza, Capitol Hill;
brownpapertickets.com

MUST SIP AND SLEUTH

The Angel in the House
(2/8-3/15)
The latest production by bold Seattle playwright Sara Porkalob (one of our 2018 ‘Ones to Watch’) follows English nobles as their New Year celebration is interrupted by a mysterious stranger and a cold body in the garden. Accompanied by dinner, live music and wine, Porkalob’s social commentary and bloody plotline will stick with you well past the final curtain.
This is an 18+ recommended production. Times vary. $84. Café Nordo, Pioneer Square; cafenordo.com

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