Scoop: January 2009 Must List
Our Top To-dos for the month
By Seattle Mag December 31, 1969
Category: Arts + Events Articles
1. Usher in the Ox
Chinese New Year Spectacular
According to the Chinese calendar, the Year of the Ox begins January 26, which means you should yoke yourself to a friend and head to the Chinese New Year Spectacular, a huge, sparkly show featuring classical Chinese dancing, live music and stunning costumes by the NYC-based Divine Performing Arts. What better excuse to get crazy like an ox? 1/18, 2 and 7 p.m. Prices vary. Paramount Theatre, 911 Pine St.; 206.467.5510; theparamount.com. For an updated list of events in Seattle’s International District, visit seattlemag.com
2. Have a Dream
Staged reading of Martin Luther King Jr.’s speeches
We’ve heard a lot of speeches in the last few months, but most pale in comparison to the stirring words of Martin Luther King Jr., whose birthday we celebrate this month. Seattle’s Central District Forum for Arts & Ideas, with award-winning actress Gin Hammond, presents staged readings of excerpts from speeches including “I Have a Dream” and “Beyond Vietnam.” 1/19. Check Web site for time. Free. Center House Pavilion at Seattle Center; 206.323.4032; cdforum.org.
3. Walk, Look and Learn
Seattle Architecture Foundation walking tours
You walk among buildings every day, but do you ever stop to really look at them? The Seattle Architecture Foundation offers a variety of two-hour walking tours that offer a bit of edifice education. Learn about our historic skyscrapers (1/3), or Capitol Hill’s storied mansions (1/10), or our city’s Art Deco gems (1/24). We think that afterward, you’ll find that things are looking up. 10 a.m. $15 ($17 day of tour). Seattle Architecture Foundation, 1333 Fifth Ave., Suite 300; 206.667.9184; seattlearchitecture.org.
4. Get Hooked on Speed
14/48 theater festival
There’s a reason the biannual 14/48 festival exudes a feverish seat-of-your-pants vibe—the intrepid playwrights, directors, actors and musicians have had approximately 12 hours to script, set and rehearse the seven 10-minute plays that appear on each bill. This amazing biannual feat (known as “the world’s quickest theater festival”) generates 14 new plays each weekend and one helluva party. Be warned: It sells out fast, too. 1/9–1/10 & 1/16–1/17. Times and prices vary. Bullitt Cabaret at ACT Theatre, 700 Union St.; 206.292.7676; 1448fest.com.
5. Be a Goal Getter
Dream It. List It. Do It!
Still working on those resolutions? The folks at 43Things.com—a Seattle-based social networking site where people share personal goals—have collected some of the most compelling quests (love my job; fix my finances; do something daring) from their Web site into a chunky book called Dream It. List It. Do It! Read along as fellow self-improvers share their progress and tips for achieving the lives they always dreamed of—then go grab one for yourself! $9.95. Available at Amazon.com.