Visual Arts
Highlights
Haicheng Wang, UW assistant professor of art history will talk about the influence of other cultures on early Chinese art on Oct. 8 at 6pm. UW Art Building, Room 317, Seattle campus.
“La Influencia – The influence of Oaxacan master artists Fulgencio Lazo, Enrique Flores Gonzalez, & Shinzaburo Takeda” is a group show that examines the steady exchange of artists between Seattle and Oaxaca. This show highlights the contribution of contemporary Oaxacan culture to the Northwest as well as the growing connections between our two regions as exemplified by the inclusion of Seattle artists Manuel Bernal, Romson Regarde Bustillo, Isidro Fabian, Eva Isaksen, and Kamla Kakaria. It also sheds light on a small but steady group of Japanese immigrants who have made Mexico their home throughout the years including artist Shinzaburo Takeda. On view through Oct. 25. Co-presented by Pratt Fine Arts Center and the M. Rosetta Hunter Art Gallery at Seattle Central Community College. 1701 Broadway on Capitol Hill. Free. (206) 934-4379 or go to www.seattlecentral.edu/artgallery.
“A-Z Northwest Natives – New Crayon & Pencil Carvings” is a show of new work by Seattle artist Diem Chau. On view through Oct. 12th at G. Gibson Gallery at 300 S. Washington. (206) 587-4033 or go to www.ggibsongallery.com.
“Drawn From The Olympics” is a site specific installation now on view at Suyama Space created by Wade Kavanaugh & Stephen B. Nguyen. Inspired by the temperate rain forest’s textures and meshing the relationship between seeing and memory, the two Brooklyn-based artists create a fetid environment of twisted three-dimensional paper that turns drawing into environmental sculpture. It is up till Dec. 13, 2013. M – F from 9am – 5pm with free admission. 2324 Second Ave. (206) 256-0809 or go to www.suyamaspace.org for details.
Kirkland Arts Center hosts another group exhibition entitled “Observations from the New Gold Mountain”. This show features the figurative work of Lu Yansheng, a visiting painter from Beijing and a collection of work by local Seattle artists Alan Lau, MalPina Chan, Kathy Liao, Barry Wong and Ron Ho. It was curated by Cheryll Leo-Gwin. On view through Nov. 2, 2013. 620 Market St. in Kirkland. (425) 822-7161 or go to www.kirklandartscenter.org.
“Facets Of Life” is a group show featuring local ethnic artists Humaira Abid, Stewart Wong, Sabah Al-Dhaher, Esther Ervin and Gail Tremblay currently on view till June 29, 2014. Ethnic Heritage Art Gallery on the 6th Floor Plaza of Seattle Municipal Tower located at 700 Fifth Ave. For details, go to www.seattle.gov/EthnicArtGallery.
“Empowering Women: Artisan Cooperatives that Transform Communities”. All over the world, female artisans are creating grassroots cooperatives to reach new markets, raise living standards and transform lives. This exhibit looks at ten such enterprises in ten countries including India, Thailand and Mongolia. At the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture on the Seattle UW campus. On view till Oct. 27, 2013. 17th Ave. NE & NE 45th St. (206) 543-5590 or go to http://burkemuseum.org/empowering.
Though IDEA Odyssey Collective lost their physical gallery space in the ID, they continue to do interesting projects all over town. “This Place Called Home” is a collaborative art project with Asian elders from Legacy House, an assisted living care facility. Artists Kathy Liao and Darius Morrison worked with the elderly to use their memories to create art. On view during regular business hours from M – F. SCIDpda’s IDEA Space is at 409 Maynard Ave. S., Plaza Level. Want to know more about what IDEA Odyssey Collective is up to? Log on to http://ideaodysseygallery.com/blog.
New and recent shows due to open at the Wing include the following – “SWEET” explores the role of sweets in the traditions. On view through Jan. 5, 2014. There will be an “Asian Sweet Tour” of the neighborhood. Offered at 3pm on Oct. 19th. RSVP required. Call (206) 623-5124 to purchase tickets. On view till Jan. 19, 2014 is “War Baby/Love Child: Mixed Race Asian American Art” co-curated by Laura Kina and Wei Ming Dariotis. “Under My Skin – Artists Explore Race in the 21st Century” continues at the Wing. Work was selected from 27 artists after months of discussions and viewing. Artists in this show include John Armstrong, Jenny Asamow, Wanda Benvenutti, Jasmine Brown, Kathy Budway, Minh Carrico, Lemuel Charley, Ling Chun, May Coss, Carina del Rosario, Tatiana Garmendia, Erin Genia, Ronald Hall, Chau Huynh, Akiko Jackson, Laura Kina, Naima Lowe, Fumi Matsumoto, Kathleen McHugh, Darius Morrison, Cahn Nguyen, Polly Purvis, Jennifer Smith, Joseph Songco and Tim Stensland. On view till Nov. 17, 2013. Opening Sept. 5 is “#iconic: Power and Pop Culture” which explores how Asian American pop icons are made and what it means to look up to – or challenge – these figures. Upcoming are two more interesting shows. “Hometown Desi: South Asian Culture in the Pacific Northwest” is a semi-permanent display that opens Oct. 3. It will explore the history of South Asians in this area up to the present. Opening Dec. 13 and remaining on display through Oct. 19, 2004 is “Grit: Asian Pacific Pioneers Across the Northwest”. Stories of pioneers and trailblazers who persisted through challenges of natural disasters, racial discrimination and violence to carve out a home in this new territory. 719 South King St. (206) 623-5124 or visit www.wingluke.org. Closed Mondays. Tuesday – Sunday from 10am – 5pm. First Thursday of each month is free from 10am – 8pm. Third Saturday of each month is free from 10am – 8pm.
The work of Patti Warashina is included in “First Light”, a regional group exhibition curated by 7 local curators including Norie Sato. It is just one of the many exhibitions in the sparkling new Bainbridge Island Museum of Art, the most recent addition to our Northwest museums and just a walk away from the ferry. 550 Winslow Way East. Open daily from 10am – 6pm. Free admission. Go to www.biartmuseum.org for details.
The work of Paul Horiuchi, Joseph Park and Akio Takamori is included in “For the Love of Art: Creating the New Northwest – Selections from the Herb and Lucy Pruzan Collection” currently on view at Tacoma Art Museum through Oct. 6. 1701 Pacific Ave. in Tacoma. Open Wed. – Sun. from 10am – 5pm and Third Thursdays from 10am – 8pm. For details, go to www.TacomaArtMuseum.org.
“Patti Warashina – wit and wisdom” is a not-to-miss retrospective of this Northwest treasure known for her witty, satiric and immaculately crafted figurative sculpture that looks at the politics and foibles of life. Through Oct. 17th. Bellevue Arts Museum. 510 Bellevue Way N.E. Go to www.bellevuearts.org for details.
Currently on view at Seattle Asian Art Museum in Volunteer Park –On view through April 13, 2014 is “A Fuller View of China, Japan And Korea” which shows how museum founding director Dr. Richard Fuller, his family and friends built up SAM’s celebrated Asian art collection. On view through June 29, 2014 is “INKED – Wan Qingli”. This artist trained during the Cultural Revolution, uses a sharp wit and brush to match to address contemporary social ills with playful brush strokes full of humor and universal themes. On view till June 28, 2014 is “Hometown Boy: Liu Xiaodong”. Now heralded as one of China’s renowned contemporary artists, Lui grew up in a small industrial town before moving to Beijing. As a mature artist he returns to his hometown to find childhood friends still struggling, undeveloped rice paddies and his parents’ house still the same. Now an outsider, he captures the nuances of small town life in a typical Chinese town. Chinese sculpture scholar Derek Gilman speaks about “The Imperial Luohans of Zhongdu” on Thurs., Oct. 3 at 7pm. And a Fall Saturday University Lecture Series entitled “Empires That Changed Asia” runs from Oct. 5 – Dec. 7th at 9:30am at Stimson Auditorium. Nine speakers investigate empires from ancient to 20th century Asia. Co-sponsored by Elliott Bay Book Company. Stanford University Professor Mark Edwar Lewis talks about “First Emperor, 1st King: The Creation of the Chinese Empire” on Oct. 5th. Oct. 12th, Rahaab Allana of the Alkazi Foundation for the Arts in New Delhi talks about “Images of India: Past and Present”. Oct. 19th brings “The Mongol Empire between Ecology and History: Environmental Quests about the Rise of Chinggis Khan” by Nicola di Cosmo. Oct. 26th is UW Professor/author Vincete Rafael on “Amid three Empires: The Philippines Under Spain, the United States and Japan 1565 – 1946”. Series tickets on sale now. (206) 654-3210 or visit tickets.seattleartmuseum.org/public. 1400 E. Prospect St. Closed Mondays & Tuesdays. (206) 654-3100 for general information.
Artist Mira Kamada has work in the group show entitled “Putting Things in Their Best and Proper Place” at Arts West Gallery in West Seattle. Show remains on view through Nov. 16th, 2013. (206) 938-0339 or go to artswest.org.
The work of Aaliyah Gupta is included in Columbia City Gallery’s 8th Annual Juried Exhibit on view through Nov. 17th, 2013. Juried by Juan Alonso-Rodrigues, Randy Engstrom & Yoko Ott. 4864 Rainer Ave. S. (206) 760-9843 or go to www.ColumbiaCityGallery.com.
Local artist Junko Yamamoto’s colorful abstract paintings explore the space between things. She likes to push and pull two -dimensional spaces with paint to bring them light and atmosphere. See her work displayed at TASTE, the restaurant at Seattle Art Museum downtown. Opening reception is Oct. 9 from 5 – 6pm. Remains on view through Feb. 9, 2014. Presented by SAM Gallery. 1300 First Ave. (206) 903-5291.
Modernist horse oil paintings from Mongolia is what’s in the show entitled “Chimeddorj: Mongolian Modernism” opening Oct. 18th and running through Nov. 14th. Gage Academy at 1501 10th Ave. E. (206) 323-4243 or go to gageacademy.org. Open Mon. – Sun.
Kathy Liao shows some bold new oil paintings in a show at Core Gallery which opens Oct. 30th and runs till Nov. 30th, 2013. 117 Prefontaine Pl. S. (206) 467-4444 or go to coregallery.org. Open Wed. – Sat.
Kim Sooja is an acclaimed contemporary Korean installation artist who over the past thirty years has drawn on traditions of her homeland, especially that of “bottari” (Korean colorful bed covers) to bring up issues of migration, social change and shifting cultural identity. Locally you can see her performance piece on film in Seattle as she stands motionless as a crowd swirls past her in large metropolitan cities across the world in front of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Office across from Seattle Center. Kim Sooja will give a talk on Tues., Oct. 8 at 7pm about her recent work representing South Korea in the Venice Biennale. Again on Oct. 10th at 6pm, she will give a tour of the exhibition with curator Daina Augaltis. For this event, you must RSVP by calling (604) 622-4747. Oct. 11 – Jan. 26th, 2014. Vancouver Art Gallery. 750 Hornby St. in Vancouver B.C. Canada. Go to www.vanartgallery.bc.ca or call (604) 662-4719.
“Stir Fry” is a show by Jean Chen described as a “feast of nature and cultural diversity”. On view till Dec. 20th, 2013. Come to the artist’s reception with a special poetry performance by recent “Kollaboration” award-winner Troy Osaki on Thurs., Oct. 3 from 4 – 6pm. UW School of Social Work Gallery (1st floor) at 4101 15th Ave. NE. Gallery hours are M – F from 8am – 6pm.
The work of Jill Beppu, James Kurihara, Ken Morisawa and Nguyen Ly Phuong Ngoc is included in a group show entitled “SURFACE TREATMENT” which explores surface through texture, ranging from the physicality of material to tromp l’oeil effects in a wide array of art from realistic to abstract. On view till March 3, 2014. University House Issaquah at 22975 SE Black Nugget Rd. (425) 557-4200. Curated for Era Living by June Sekiguchi.
Issei Artists is a group show of three artists from Japan, – Teiko Shimazaki, Hiroko Seki and Naoko Morisawa. On view till Dec. 11th. Aljoya Thornton Place at 450 N.E. 100th St. in Seattle. Curated for Era Living by June Sekiguchi.
“Turning Point: Transformative Experiences” is a group show that has art that conveys transformations of life changing experiences from the simple to the profound. The work of Kazie Good and David Ko is included in this show. Opens Oct. 17th from 5:30 – 7:30pm. On view till Feb. 8, 2014. University House Wallingford at 4400 Stone Way N. in Seattle. RSVP (206) 545-8400 if you plan to attend the opening. Artist talk set for Nov. 19th at 7:30pm. Curated for Era Living by June Sekiguchi.
Azuma Gallery has a show of “Recent Acquisitions” on view till Oct. 5, 2013. This fall season exhibit includes work new to the gallery by Umetaro Azechi, Joichi Hoshi, Clifotn Karhu, Toru Mabuchi, Haku Maki, Yoshitoshi Mori, Kazuyuki Otsu, Kiyoshi Saito, Toko Shinoda, Ryohei Tanaka and Kohka Saito Tsubaki. 580 – 1st Ave. S. (206) 622-5599. Open Tues. – Sat. from 11:30 – 5:30pm.
“Salon de ArtXchange is a gallery wide re-design and installation of the gallery’s local and overseas artists such as June Sekiguchi, Donald Cole, Jonathan Wakuda Fischer, Marcio Diaz, Cong Khanh, Hai & Thanh, Gillchun Koh, Yang Bai Ping & others. Opens in late Nov. ArtXchange Gallery at 512 1st Ave. S. (206) 839-0377 or go to www.artxchange.org.
The City of Auburn has the following shows in their gallery at city hall. Students of watercolor instructor JoAnne Iwasaki display their art work from Oct. 3 – 31st. Nov. 4 – Dec. 3rd brings “Time and Place: Indian Women’s Ornamentation and Globalization”, photographs by Christine Beaderstadt that captures the beauty of women’s ornamentation and tradition in India while at the same time commenting upon changes over time that have occurred largely due to Western contact. The City Hall Gallery is at 25 Main and is open M – F from 8am – 5pm. Call (253) 931-3043 or go to www.auburnwa.gov/arts for details.
“LUMINASIA – The Larger-Than-Life Lantern Festival” is an exclusive new attraction at the Washington State Fair on weekends through Oct. 13th. The traditional form of Chinese lantern making has been modernized, using high tech materials with state-of-the-art lighting and production. Designed for the entire family. Tickets start at $10. Information & tickets at thefair.com.
“Samurai!” is an exhibit of ancient pieces of armor and weaponry from the 14th-19th centuries in Japan. This exhibition highlights the functionality, variety and evolution that came with the increased demand during wartime. Opens Oct. 5 at Portland Art Museum and runs through Jan. 12, 2014. This is the only West Coast stop for this show. Princeton University Professor of Art Emeritus, Yoshiaki Shimizu will speak on “Curriculum For The Samurai: Conflicted World of Medieval Japanese Warriors” on Oct. 6th at 2pm. Portland Art Museum’s Curator of Asian Art, Maribeth Graybill speaks on the topic of “Samurai in Myth, History, and Art” on Dec. 8th at 2pm. Portland State University History Professor and Director of The Center For Japanese Studies” will address the topic of “What Became of the Samurai in Modern Japan?” on Jan. 12 at 2pm. 1219 S.W. Park Ave. (503) 226-2811. Closed Mondays. Go to www.portlandartmuseum.org for details.
The Art Stop features handmade American craft representing Northwest artists as well as those from around the country. “Vases and Vessels” is a solo show featuring new work by Reid Ozaki complete with his own floral arrangements to compliment his stoneware vases. Remains on view through Oct. 31. 940 Broadway in Tacoma. (253) 274-1630 or go to www.artstoptacoma.com.
KOBO Gallery at Higo in Japantown/International District has the following – “Signs of Life, evidence of a human experience” is the title of a collection of photographs by Adam Collet that look at human artifacts illuminated by decommissioned X-ray viewers. On view till Oct. 17th. Graphic designer and illustrator Junichi Tsuneoka has a show entitled “Chibi Pocket Toy Sculptures” on view Oct. 5 – Oct. 26th. Opening reception is Oct. 5. Come see his new series of art toy collectibles made from recycled materials and the latest printing techniques. Local Northwest art treasure Patti Warashina gives a slide about her work currently on view at Bellevue Arts Museum through Oct. 27th in “An Afternoon with Patti Warashina” set for Oct. 12 from 4 – 6pm. Hosted by Alan Lau. “Celebrating Nuno Japanese Textiles” is an exhibition by a Tokyo-based design and production studio led by artistic director and co-founder Reiko Sudo. Where traditional techniques and recycled materials are re-interpreted with cutting edge technology. On view Oct. 19 – Nov. 23rd. Opening reception is Oct. 19th from 5 – 7pm. Nov. 2 through end of Dec. is the “7th Simple Cup Invitational Show” with the best cups from ceramic artists from the U.S. & Japan. Nov. 30 – Dec. 14th features the work of Geidai instructor Kou Kitago who is “Artist-in-Residence” at Tacoma Community College’s Art Department.604 S. Jackson. Go to koboseattle.com for updates. 604 S. Jackson St.
Seattle artist Naoko Morisawa won the Puffin Foundation Grant and was a finalist for the 2013 Art Kudos International juried Competition & Exhibition.
Photo Center NW celebrates its 20th Anniversary with an exhibition of diverse photography related to the Pacific Northwest. “20th Anniversary Exhibition – Northwest Focus”. On view till Oct. 16th. With new work by Susie Lee and many others. The center has their “20th Anniversary Benefit” on Oct. 18th and people who attend can purchase pieces from this show. For details on the benefit, go to www.pcnw.org/benefit. 900 – 12th Ave. (206) 720-7222 or go to www.pcnw.org.
Pacific Northwest Nikkei WWII veterans are featured in a special exhibition entitled “Our Humble Heroes: Stories of Service and Sacrifice during WWII.” Through Jan. 5th. Oregon Nikkei Legacy Center at 121 NW 2nd Ave. in Portland. (503) 224-1458 or visit www.oregonnikkei.org.
At the University of Washington’s Henry Art Gallery they have the following – “Camera Nipponica: Photographs from Japan, 1880 – 1930” is currently on view till Jan. 5th, 2014. Includes examples of hand-colored souvenir albumen prints and delicate glass alntern slides from the Meiji and Taisho eras plus a selection of vernacular portrait photography taken by unknown photographers. An intimate and compelling look at Japan’s cultural history. Catherine Roche, guest curator of this show gives a talk on Dec. 5 at 7pm. Opening Oct. 15 will be the first solo museum exhibition given to Korean-born artist Haegue Yang who presents “Towers on String”, a series of sculptures constructed with venetian blinds. 15th Ave. NE & NE 4lst St. on the UW Seattle campus. (206) 543-2280 or go to info@henryart.org.
When the Museum of the City of New York wanted something to decorate the rotunda plaza of their building and bring visitors in, they turned to architectural designers. Manhattan-based Cooper Joseph Studio envisioned a light installation “Starlight” which would have a celestial array of brilliant LEDS suspended from the dome ceiling of the rotunda. They selected Kenzan Tsutakawa-Chinn of Studio 1 Thousand in New York to collaborate with on this project. He designed clear, plastic circuit boards resembling guitar picks. The completed sculpture has been a great success bringing visitors from off the street. Tsutakawa-Chinn shows locally at Artxchange Gallery and is the son of Mayumi Tsutakawa and Glenn Chinn and sculptors George Tsutakawa and Gerard Tsutakawa are his grandfather and uncle, respectively.
If your travels take you to the Bay Area and you like Chinese ink painting, then don’t miss this – “The Moment for Ink” is a massive group show designed to promote the awareness of the ink painting tradition in America. One of the curators was struck by a remark made by noted Chinese art historian Michael Sullivan that many of the greatest Chinese painters in the latter half of the 20th century lived in the U.S. Thus the genesis for this show that looks at the history of ink painting in this country as it grew and blossomed and changed. It represents one of the first times so many institutions of art have collaborated on presenting one show. On view through Oct. 27 at Asian Art Museum of San Francisco (415-581-3500 or www.asianart.org) at 200 Larkin St.
The late Alfonso Ossorio, one of the first Filipino American modern abstract painters and a contemporary and friend of Jackson Pollock will have a show of his work till October, 2013 in New York at Michael Rosenfeld Gallery at 100 Eleventh Ave. at 19th. (212) 247-0082 or go to michaelrosenfeldart.com.
In commemoration of Asian Heritage Month, an exhibit entitled “I Want the Wide American Earth: An Asian Pacific American Story” opened in May at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History in Washington D.C. and remains on view there through June 18. The exhibit celebrates the history of Asian Pacific Americans. The exhibit travels to the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles in September and continues on a 13-city national tour. Closest Northwest stop will be in Ontario, Oregon. The exhibit was curated by Lawrence-Ming Bui Davis, coordinator of the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center Initiative. On December 21, it opens at the Four Rivers Cultural Center at 676 SW Fifth Ave. in Ontario, Oregon. Call (541) 889-8191 or go to www.4rcc.com. For information about the exhibit, go to www.apa.si.edu.
Chinese artist/activist Ai Wei Wei has his first show in Southeast Asia at Michael Janssen Singapore. Entitled “Baby Formula” the show criticizes the Chinese Government’s 2008 Melamine milk scandal in which thousands of children consumed tainted milk and fell ill or died. The show is composed of prints selected from his tweets about the safety of mainland produced baby milk formula and one installation which is a map of China composed of more than 1,800 cans of baby formula. For more information, email Pamela Ng at p.ng@galeriemichaeljanssen.com.
“Meet Me at Higo” permanent exhibit- Part Two” presented and sponsored by the Wing is a multi-media presentation and self-guided tour that tells the origins and history of the store as a Japanese American five and dime. At Kobo at Higo, 604 South Jackson. E-mail info@koboseattle.com or call (206) 381-3000.
The Wing has the following shows and activities. “Under My Skin: Exploring Race in the 21st Century” is a new group show of 27 artists chosen after dozens of meetings and thoughtful discussions. Show remains on view through Nov. 17. An on-going exhibit “I Am Filipino” continues and offers a gateway of history through the telling of personal stories from Filipino American local families. Also small exhibits examine the identity and culture of Sikhs in America and the history of the “Killing Fields” in Cambodia. “Vietnam in the Rear View Mirror” explores the complex, interwoven identity of Vietnamese Americans as seen through the eyes of a younger generation. A YouthCAN exhibit entitled “Ghosts in The Field”. “Manifest” is a new show of photography by Seattle Girls’ School students from a workshop taught by Mugi Takei as part of the Teensway Program. For information on all of the above, go to www.wingluke.org or call (206) 623-5124.
Bryan Ohno, former Pioneer Square gallery owner is back in business. His new gallery is now in the ID at 521 S. Main St.
San Diego-based artist Wendy Murayama’s “Tag Project” is currently touring the country as part of a “Executive Order 9066” exhibition. She and volunteers replicated the tags used to identify each Japanese American internee from every camp and constructed an art installation. Maruyama is a U.S. – Japan Creative Artist fellow and recently concluded a two- week residency at Pilchuck School of Glass. Here, glass tusks were constructed for her USA Project Proposal, The WildLIFE Project.
Performing Arts
Highlights
SIS Productions presents “Revealed: In Search of Bruce Lee”. This one-of-a-kind theatrical walking tour of Seattle’s Chinatown/International District focuses on exploring iconic Asian American, Bruce Lee. Savor the stories, snacks and culture of a unique neighborhood as you learn the real stories behind this famous action hero and kung-fu artist and his time in Seattle. With special guests along the way. Meet in Hing Hay Park at 423 Maynard Ave. S. Takes place on Oct. 3 at 6pm, Oct. 5 at 10am. Oct. 12 at 10am and Oct. 19 at 10am. Event is free but you must RSVP by going to artscrush.org. Part of the October series of Arts Crush arts events all around town, a program of Theatre Puget Sound.
Ragamala presents a sitar concert by Sugato Nag with Ravi Albright on table. Oct. 5 at 7:30pm. At Brechemin Auditorium located in the Music Building on the University of Washington, Seattle campus. Please visit www.ragamala.org for details.
Blaine Memorial United Methodist Church Bazaar takes place on Oct. 5th from 11am – 6pm. This event features food, crafts and exhibits on the church grounds. 3001 24th Ave. S. in Seattle. (206) 723-1536.
Playwright Rajiv Joseph asserts that it’s his mixed-race background that makes him fearless when writing about race. One of his breakaway productions entitled ‘Bengal Tiber at the Baghdad Zoo” which was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize is currently on stage through Oct. 7th by the Washington Ensemble Theatre. What does a large tiger roaming the streets of the city think about the meaning of life? Go to washingtonensemble.org for details.
Hanz Araki made his debut with the Japanese shakuhaci in 1988 continuing his family’s long tradition with that instrument. Over time, Araki transferred that love to the Celtic music and the penny-whistle and Irish flute became his sole focus with jigs and reels a second language. He also sings, interpreting the folk songs of Scotland, Ireland and England. He moved to Portland in 2006 and began a musical partnership with Kathryn Claire, a self-taught guitarist, vocalist and fiddle-player. Together they perform a concert on Oct. 13th at 7pm at the Treehouse on Bainbridge Island. $12 admission. 4569 Lynnwoood Center Rd. NE. (206) 842-2814 or email info@treehousebainbridge.com.
Seattle composer/performer Byron Au Yong has been busy composing music for his recent contemporary operas that took him to the Bay Area and the East Coast. Oct. 19th gives folks in Seattle a chance to see what he’s been up to when he performs a set of original music as part of Nonsequitar’s “Wayward Music Series”. You may have got a peek when he recently contributed a piece in a group show at Frye Art Museum about how the writings of James Joyce have inspired local artists in various mediums. “Welladay! Welladay!” looks at 36 love poems by the Irish master from “Chamber Music” published in 1907. Au Yong also takes inspiration from the fact that the performance space was once an orphanage and home for unwed mothers and “at risk” girls. Performing will be singing children, soprano Betsy Baeskins and a trio consisting of violinist Tari Nelson-Zagar, cellist Lori Goldston and pianist Tiffany Lin. 8pm. $5 – $15 donation suggested (cash/checks only). The Chapel Performance Space. 4649 Sunnyside Ave. N. on the fourth floor of the old Good Shepherd Center. Go to waywardmusic.blogspot.com for details.
Earshot Jazz Festival 25 brings musicians from all over the country and all over the world from Oct. 1 – Nov. 17 at various venues all over Puget Sound. Local musicians like Cuong Vu, Eyvind Kang and Paul Kikuchi are featured at several concerts. Also includes concerts at local clubs and institutions like the Royal Room, Tula’s and Seattle Art Museum. Another interesting feature is the film component where films on jazz and their intersections with cinema will be screened at Northwest Film Forum. Go to www.nwfilmforum.org for tickets and information on that series. For details on the Festival, go to www.earshot.org or call the Festival Hotline at (206) 547-6763.
Densho’s annual fundraising event, “Sushi & Sake Fest 2013” takes place on Oct. 16th from 6 – 8:30pm. Servings by five local sushi restaurants and seven kinds of sake and beer. At the Museum of History & Industry at 860 Terry Ave. N. in Seattle. For tickets, call (206) 320-0095. For details, visit www.sushisakefest.org.
The Wacocoro Brothers Concert featuring Masahiro Nitta on Tsugaru shamisen with Shinta on taiko and DJ Tsuyoshi Takashiro takes place on Oct. 16th at 7pm. Portland Art Museum’s Kridel Grand Ballroom at 1119 SW Park Ave. Get your tickets at https://pam.spotlightboxoffice.com.
API Chaya’s Second Anniversary event held in honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month takes place on Oct. 19th at 2:30pm at Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Washington. 1414 South Weller St. in Seattle. Go to www.apichaya.org for details.
Uwajimaya celebrates their 85th Anniversary with the following events at their various stores. “One World Taiko” perform Oct. 5th in Seattle, Oct. 13th in Bellevue, Oct. 19th in Renton and Oct. 27th again in Bellevue. On Oct. 27th, they will have a live cutting of a 200 lb. raw tuna at the Bellevue store. From Oct. 23 – 31, 10% off storewide (some restrictions apply, see store for details. All of October, you have a chance to win in weekly raffle contests. There will be an $850 gift card grand prize and a children’s coloring contest as well. Go to ww.uwajimaya.com for details.
David Hsieh’s ReAct Theatre is back with a special presentation of Shakespeare’s “Star Wars” by Ian Doescher. Oct. 20th at 2pm at Elliott Bay Book Company. This is the official retelling of George Lucas’ epic tale done in the style of the Bard of Avon. Doescher will participate and sign books. Free but donations are accepted. To make a reservation, go to http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/383485. For information, call (206) 364-3283 or go to www.reacttheatre.org.
The Edmonds Center for the Arts has a concert for lovers of world music. Taken from the PBS Special, it features “Malamako Aloha: Keep Your Love” with an all-star cast including Hawaiian singer/guitarist Keola Beamer, Native American flautist R. Carlos Nakai, jazz pianist Geoffrey Keezer and hula dancer Moa Inalani Beamer in a celebration of cultures and the island tradition of Hawai’i. Oct. 25th. 410 Fourth Ave. N. in Edmonds. (425) 275-9595.
If music from the Pacific islands is what you like, keep these in mind. The 5th Annual Hawaiian Cultural Festival entitled “Fall Ho’olaule’a 2013” presented by Lokahi Foundation takes place from 11am – 9pm on Oct. 19th. Chief Leschi Schools at 5625 52nd St. East in Puyallup. The 5th Annual Seattle Slack Key Festival takes place on Nov. 10th at 2pm with Cyril Pahinui, Jeff Peterson, Roland Cazimero and Nathan Aweau at Town Hall Seattle.
There are a myriad of choices at Benaroya Hall and not all of them involve classical concerts by Seattle Symphony although even there is a wide mix of genre and style. The “Live@Benaroya Hall” series has a wide selection of popular music for all tastes. Chris Cornell, lead singer of Soundgarden has an Oct. 20 concert at 7:30pm that has already sold out. But what’s also interesting is the opening act, Sri Lankan American singer/songwriter Bhi Bhiman who performs with just acoustic guitar and voice with original songs about living in America. On Nov. 7 at 7:30pm, internationally acclaimed slack key guitarist, singer, composer, philosopher and activist Makana performs. His music was featured in the Grammy-nominated soundtrack to the film, “The Descendants” starring George Clooney. For this series, go to benaroyahall.org or call 1-866-833-4747 toll-free for tickets. Classical musicians Ingudesman and Joo have grabbed audience attention with their unique and funny theatrical shows which combine comedy with classical music and popular culture. (206) 215-4747 or go to seattlesymphony.org.
UW WORLD Series features extraordinary performances from around the world in the fields of dance, music, piano and chamber music. Some highlights include the following – Anda Union is comprised of 10 singers and instrumentalists from Inner Mongolia They create a new form of music based on Mongol traditions using indigenous instruments and sung in “khoomii” throat-singing style. The group makes their Seattle debut on Nov. 8 at 8pm. Call (206) 543-4880 or toll-free at 800-859-5342 or go to uwworldseries.org for details.
Theatre Puget Sound presents the fourth annual Arts Crush event which takes October and turns it into an every day adventure in art, literature, music, theatre, dance, film and more. There will be many free events, special discounts and more. For a full schedule, go to artscrush.org.
“Hold These Truths” (formerly known as “Dawn’s Light: The Journey of Gordon Hirabayashi”), a play by Jeanne Sakata featuring Joel de la Fuente gets a rare one-time staging by Theatre Willamette University in Salem, Oregon. Oct. 25th at 7:30pm at M. Lee Pelton Theatre on campus. The play centers around Hirabayashi’s challenge to the U.S. Government re: Executive Order 9066, the order for forced removal and mass incarceration of all Japanese Americans on the West Coast. Hirabayashi was posthumously awarded the Presidential Metal of Freedom in April 2012 for his efforts. Call (503) 370-6221 or email thtr-tix@willamette.edu or go to Willamette.edu/arts/theatre for details. For those planning to make the trip, Travel Salem is a hotel in downtown Salem and their # is (503) 581-4325.
During October, the Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHS) celebrates the history and contributions of Filipinos in America with a whole host of talks, art and music. If you want to know what it was like “growing up brown in white Bremerton” or “teenage Americanization in the Central District” or like a glimpse at Filipino art and music, check this out. Email fanhsnational@gmail .com or call (206) 322-0203 for details.
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Seattle Washington State Korean Association is hosting the 7th Korean Day on Oct. 5th. Initiated by the Foreign Affairs Division and Overseas Korean Foundation in 2007, the event celebrates Korean history and culture. This year’s event introduces a traditional Korean wedding ceremony. Sat., Oct. 5th from 5pm – 8:30pm. Mercer Island High School Auditorium at 9100 SE 42nd St. on Mercer Island. After the ceremony, traditional Korean food will be served to guests. Organized by Seattle Washington State Korea Association, Washington Tacoma Korean American Association, Spokane Korean American Association and Vancouver Korean American Association. Of you are planning to attend then please RSVP to Yong Hwan Seo at barryseo@gmail.com.
Velocity Dance Center presents “The Engendering Project: Ever Betweening” as part of their “Speakeasy Series”. Join director/performer Joan Laage of Kogut Butoh with collaborators Kaoru Okumura and Jackie An, with artists Douglas Ridings, Taja Woloshen and Velocity co-founder Michele Miller in a roundtable discussion on gender fluidity and transformation in the creative arts. Free. Oct. 6th at 5pm. Go to http://velocitydancecenter.org/program/speakeasy-series/ to see the whole series.
The Northwest Tea Festival celebrates the exciting world of tea. Oct. 5th from 10am – 6pm and Oct. 6th from 10am – 4pm. Highlights include tea tasting, a talk on sustainable tea farming in Japan, a modern take on Macha, Korean Tea Ceremony and much more. Fisher Pavillion at Seattle Center. Presented by the Puget Sound Tea Education Association. For details, go to http://www.nwteafestival.com.
Northwest Folklife presents a free “Cultural Dance Series” at Crossroads Mall in Bellevue. Every third Saturday from May to October at 7pm, experience different types of folk music, learn a few dance steps and spend the evening with family and friends. On Oct. 19th, learn the “Dances of India”. 15600 NE 8th in Bellevue. For details, go to www.nwfolklife.com or call (425) 644-1111.
The “Annual Wild Mushroom Show” presented by the Puget Sound Mycological Society is one of the largest and most complete exhibits of mushrooms in the United States. It’s fall and wild mushroom season. Over 200 varieties of mushrooms are displayed. Visitors are welcome to bring in mushrooms from your garden or walks for experts to identify. Oct. 12th from 12pm – 7pm. Oct. 13th from 10am – 5pm. Admission fee is 10.00 for adults and 5.00 for students and seniors. At The Mountaineers in Magnuson Park at 7700 Sandpoint Way NE in Seattle. Go to http://www.psms.org/show.php for details.
Prashant has been hosting his Bollywood dance parties regularly at Chop Suey for quite some time. On Oct. 19th, he presents a special Halloween edition entitled “Jai Ho! Bollywood THRILLER – Halloween Dance Party. There will be a costume contest and a Bollywood Thriller flash mob and dance lesson at 10pm. Register to get in free till 10pm. 1325 E. Madison St. For details, go to JaiHoParty.com.
“TurkFest” presents the cultural roots of Turkey through live performances, visual arts, foods, an authentic Turkish teahouse and a lively bazaar. Free. Oct. 19-20th. Seattle Center Armory. (206) 684-7200 or go to seattlecenter.com.
Margaret Cho’s new stand-up comedy tour entitled “Nothing Is Sacred Least Of All This MOTHER” comes to Seattle’s Moore Theatre on Sat., Nov. 16th. Tickets at STGPRESENTS.ORG or call (877) 784-4849. Tickets on sale at the Paramount Theatre Box Office 7 24 hour kiosk.
The Second Annual Musical Bridge Benefit Concert takes place on Sat., Nov. 13rd from 1 – 3:30pm. Japanese Community Service of Seattle’s second annual benefit concert features a mixture of Japanese and Western entertainment. Renton Ikea Performing Arts Center at 400 S. 2nd St. in Renton. Tickets for this event can be purchased by calling Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Washington at (206) 568-7114.
If you want to learn how to break, pop or lick or just need some help with your moves, go to The Beacon, the Massive Monkees Dance Studio where world famous dance instructors can teach you hip-hop choreography, creative movement and more. All ages and skill levels welcome. 664 S. King St. Go to MASSIVEMONKEES.COM and facebook.com/MassiveMonkeesStudio for information.
Portland Taiko has a concert entitled “Masking Waves” on Oct. 12 – 13th in Portland. Call (503) 288-2456 or go to portlandtaiko.dreamhosters.com for details.
Brenda Wong Aoki and Mark Izu unveil a new production entitled “MU” in the Bay Area. It’s a magical fable based on a Japanese legend about a fisherman who rescues a mermaid.This production features their son, KK as well. Written & directed by Brenda Wong Aoki, music by Mark Izu and choreography by Kimi Okada. A CD soundtrack is also available. For details email aokizu@firstvoice.org or go to www.aokizu.com.
Film & Media
Highlights
Hokubei Hochi Foundation, The North American Post, and Soy Source present a film series entitled “Nikkei Heroes”. Local filmmaker/producer Frank Abe will introduce his award-winning PBS documentary “Conscience and the Constitution” which details the largest organized resistance to the WWII incarceration of Japanese Americans, a movement many people don’t even know about to this day. Shown in English with Japanese subtitles. Sat., Nov. 2nd from 2 – 4pm. For information on this film and project, go to www.resisters.com or www.pbs.org/conscience. “KASH – The Legend and Legacy of Shiro Kashino” is the second film to be screened in this series. This documentary is a tribute to a war hero and a member of the famed Japanese American 442nd Regimental Combat Team who fought so valiantly in WWII. Kashino was born and raised in Seattle. Producer Vince Matsudaira will be present with the widow and daughter of Kashino. Nov. 16th from 2 – 4pm. Donations for both events are gratefully accepted in advance or at the event. Nagomi Tea House at 519 6th Ave. (the old Uwajimaya store) in the Chinatown/ID neighborhood. For more information, email info@hokubeihochi.org or call (206) 623-0100.
Tasveer presents The 8th Seattle South Asian Film Festival (see preview story in this issue) Oct. 4th – 13th with feature films, documentaries and shorts from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka & Tibet. Films screen at SIFF Film Center and SIFF Uptown Cinema in Seattle and North Creek and UW Bothell. Every year, the programming gets more ambitious and the festival gets larger, this year expanding to several locations with forums with directors, local director debuts, programs dealing with issues of being South Asian/Muslim in the U.S. and film programs on gay/lesbian/bi-sexual/transgender/queer identities. You can buy tickets at the SIFF website or call (206) 324-9996 or at the door. If you have questions, call (360) 818-4000 or email info@tasveers.org. The website for Tasveer is www.tasveer.org.
To complement their show on early Japanese photography, Henry Art Gallery screens two Japanese horror films, one a classic and the other modern. “Kwaidan” is a series of Japanese ghost stories with riveting tales guaranteed to haunt. It won director Kon Ichikawa a Special Jury Prize at Cannes back in 1965. Screens on Oct 11 at 7pm. “Hausu” is a cult classic about a teenage girl in a haunted house. From 1977. Screens Nov. 8 at 7pm. Both in the Henry Art Gallery’s theater. 15th Ave. NE & NE 45th Street in the University District. (206) 543-2280 or go to henryart.org.
“Bold is Beautiful” is the title of Three Dollar Bill’s annual “Seattle Lesbian & Gay Film Festival” which brings you 10 days of features, shorts and documentaries from around the world and across the country at various venues around the Puget Sound from Oct. 10th – 20th. Many are Northwest premieres. Some highlights – Director Yen Tan thoughtfully illuminates the complex and challenging lives of gay men living in the remote reaches of small-town America in “Pit Stop” set for Oct. 13th at 4:15pm at Northwest Film Forum. Surunya Noithai’s “She: Their Love Story” is set in the lush beauty of Thailand and based on true stories of Thai women. Screens Oct. 13th at 4pm at Harvard Exit. From Taiwan comes Arvin Chen’s “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?” is a comedy which looks at Weiching who leaves his gay past behind him to marry a woman only to be reminded of that past when his marriage doesn’t work out. Screens Oct. 12th at 9:30pm at Harvard Exit. (206) 323-4274 or go to into@threedollarcinema.org.
“American Rimpoche: A Tibetan Lama in the 21st Century” is a documentary film that tells the story of a Tibetan monk forced to flee the country in 1959 when China invaded Tibet and how his life changed abroad. Screens Oct. 27th at 7:30pm. Kirkland Performance Center.
“Not My Life”, a documentary film on the global crisis of human trafficking of children on Oct. 10th. Co-presented by World Affairs Council and Hope for Justice with a post-film panel discussion about this important issue. For tickets, email boxoffice@siff.net.
The Grand Illusion is Seattle’s longest continuously running independent movie theatre and still worth seeking out. On Oct. 4th, Portland’s Kung Fu Theater hosts an “Old School Kung Fu Double Feature” with the theatre’s Dan Halsted on hand to introduce these two classics. Yuen Woo-Ping’s “Snake In The Eagle’s Shadow” has a young Jackie Chan at his martial arts stunt prime and kung-fu fights galore as he tries to defend his master from a rival school. “The Victim (aka Lightning Kung Fu)” is directed by Sammo Hung Kam-Bo and features fight choreography by Sammo Hung at his peak. 1403 – N.E. 50th. (206) 523-3935.
Northwest Film Forum has some interesting screenings coming up. Oct. 4 – 10th has a screening of Megumi Sasaki’s documentary film, “Herb & Dorothy 50×50”. In 2008, she did an award-winning film entitled “Herb & Dorothy” about a working class couple in New York who over the years accumulated a world class collection of modern art in their tiny apartment by limiting their size. This new film follows the wife as she continues on with her life after her husband has passed away, donating their collections to Museums across the country (including our very own Seattle art Museum where their collection is presently on view). Screens Fri. – Thurs. at 7 & 9pm but no 7pm screening on Mon. Seattle Art Museum Contemporary Curator of Art Catherine Manchanda will introduce the film at Wednesday’s screening. The last few years have seen an increasing popularity in Korean popular culture through their music and television melodramas. One of the most popular is “Flower Boy Drama Club” (co-presented with JK Pop), a series about a handsome playboy who hires someone to be his lover in order to sabotage his family’s attempts to marry him off only to gradually fall in love with who he’s hired. Episodes will screen weekly on Thursdays at 9pm until Nov. 21. The NWFF also screens documentary films on jazz as part of Earshot’s annual jazz festival. From Oct. 18 – 24th. One to keep your eye on is the Seattle premiere of “The Girls In the Band” which tells the untold stories of female jazz and big band instrumentalists some of which included Asian Americans like Willie May “Rabbit” Wong who played saxophone in the all-girl band, the International Sweethearts of Rhythm. Oct. 25 – 31st brings Joao Rui Guerra da Mata & Joao Pedro Rodrigues’ “Last Time I Saw Macao”. Ostensibly about a protagonist returning to his hometown to track down a friend in trouble, it ends up as a love song to the city itself. Go to www.nwfilmforum.org for details.
Portland’s Northwest Film Center has a “SAMURAI! CINEMA SERIES” in conjunction with the show on Samurai armor at Portland Art Museum. Samurai films and the Western films they inspired are in the line-up. They screen the following from Oct. 6th – Dec. 21st. Some screenings come with pre-screening introductions by scholars. Akira Kurosawa’s “Ran”, Masaki Kobayashi’s “Samurai Rebellion” & “Harakiri”, Kaneto Shindo’s “Onibaba”, Akira Kurosawa’s “Seven Samurai”, John Struges’ “The Magnificent Seven”, Toshiya Fujita’s “landy Snowbird, Quentin Tarantino’s “Kill Bill: Volume 1”, Jim Jarmusch’s “Ghost Dog: The Way Of The Samurai” , Akira Kurosawa’s “Yojimbo” and Sergio Leone’s “A Fistful Of Dollars”. For details, go to nwfilm.org.
Studio Ghibli has not one but two new feature films to be released this year. The first one by Hayao Miyazaki is entitled “The Wind Rises” and has been #1 at the box office in Japan for over a month. It’s not without controversy, however. Though the film is a fictionalized biography of Jiro Horikoshi, who designed the WWII combat plane, the Mitsubishi A6M Zero – Miyazaki’s real reason for doing the film was to depict the beauty of the creative process. When he heard that Horikoshi had once said, “All I wanted to do was to make something beautiful”, he knew he’d found the subject for his film. The inclusion of the 1923 earthquake that wiped out Tokyo and the Great Depression may have parallels with 2011’s tsunami and the country’s economic stagnation, critics have pointed out. Recently Miyazaki published an essay in which he criticized Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s efforts to amend the constitution so that Japan can once again maintain military forces. The right-wing faction in Japan quickly labeled the film director a traitor while in South Korea, online commentators who had yet to see the film condemned it as right-wing because it did not point out the cause of WWII. Although Miyazaki has done this before, he recently announced that he will officially retire from filmmaking but continue to work at the studio in other capacities. Isao Takahata’s animated feature “Kaguya-hime no Monogatari (“The Tale of Princess Kaguya”) is based on the Japanese folktale, “The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter” centered around the story of a baby girl found inside a bamboo stalk and raised by an old, childless bamboo cutter. It’s release has now been delayed till fall because of the intricate technique employed to give it a painted look.
Korean film director Gina Kim recently rejoined the faculty at Harvard University to teach a class on film production. She first came to prominence with “Gina Kim’s Video Diary” and “Invisible Light”. Both these films garnered praise on the festival circuit in the early 2000’s. Her 2007 film, “Never Forever” starred Vera Farmiga and Ha Jung-Woo and played Sundance. She is currently completing production on a China-Korea co-production entitled “Final Recipe” starring Michelle Yeoh and Henry from the Korean boy band, Super Junior-M.
Chinese activist/artist Ai Wei Wei now under “house arrest” in China has completed his first music video entitled “Dumbass” with the assistance of cinematographer Christopher Doyle. Based on Ai’s 81 days in jail, almost everything was replicated exactly as it was in jail. Doyle has also completed the video portion of Beijing Rocker Cui Jian’s film entitled “Blue Bone” and will start directing his own film about Hong Kong entitled “The White Girl” very soon.
The Japanese Cultural & Community Center presents a Japanese film series entitled “Matinee Eiga” every Sunday at 2pm. When a university student is forced to join the sumo team to earn credit, he gets more than he bargained for in this comedy entitled “Sumo Do, Sumo Don’t” on Oct. 13th. A futuristic action film entitled “Rurouni Kenshin” is set for Oct. 20th. $5 for non-members and $3 for JCCCW members. 1414 S. Weller St. (206) 568-7114 or go to www.jcccw.org. Call (425) 369-1012 for details.
During the day Rene Duignan works as an economist for the European Union delegation in Tokyo. But the alarming suicide rates in Japan concerned him. In his spare time he self-funded a documentary film entitled “Saving 10,000 – Winning a War on Suicide in Japan” made with collaborator Marc-Antoine Astier. When he’s not working his day job, he tries to screen the film for free in as many places in Japan as he can, giving away DVD copies as he goes. It’s all in an effort to curb the country’s suicide rate. Whether it’s due to the film’s exposure or not, suicide rates did go down in 2012. Now he has made the unusual decision to literally give the film away to anyone who wants to see it. It’s now online at www.saving10000.com. Though reasons for suicide are complex and various, Duignan hopes that the movie will be found “by people who want to see it and need to see it the most.”
Other films that may eventually make their way to the Northwest movie theaters either as festival entries or for extended runs include the following. In September, look for the following – “Herb & Dorothy 50×50” is documentary filmmaker Megumi Sasaki’s follow-up to her 2008 film, “Herb & Dorothy” which told the story of a working class couple who assembled a world-class art collection. After Herb’s death, Dorothy continues on her own in this new film. “Insidious: Chapter 2” by James Wan is a sequel to the 2010 horror film about a middle class family’s encounter with the spirit world. Benson Lee’s “Battle Of The Year” tells the story of an L.A. music promoter who assembles a team of break dancers with the hope of reclaiming an international hip-hop trophy for America where the tradition began. “Piece of Gold” is a documentary by Sven Zeliner about how a new gold rush threatens Mongolia and its’ people. “The Citizen” is a feature film directed by Sam Kadi based on a true story about a Muslim immigrant who is lucky enough to get a green card the day before 9/11. “On The Job” is a feature film from the Philippines about convicts who do contact killings while on day release. Directed by Erik Matti. October brings the following – Evan Leong directs “Linsanity”, the documentary film on Asian American basketball star Jeremy Lin’s rise to the top. Kalyanee Mam directed “A River Changes Course”, a documentary film that looks at how three families in Cambodia try to maintain their traditional way of life as progress closes in. Played last year’s SIFF. Nick Ryan directs “The Summit” which tells the story of the 2008 K2 incident in which 11 mountaineers died trying to scale the peak. Chinese filmmaker Jia Zhangke is back with a new film entitled “A Touch of Sin” which tells four stories of individual protest across China. Yusry Halim directs “Vikingdom” in which a good king takes on Thor, god of thunder. This film comes from Malaysia? In November, Spike Lee’s remake of Korean filmmaker Park Chan-wook’s 2003 Korean thriller “Oldboy” comes out starring Josh Brolin in the lead role of a man set free after 20 years imprisonment.
The Written Arts
Highlights
Seattle writer Harold Taw (“Adventures of the Karaoke King”) participates in “Bedtime Stories Seattle 2013: Pillow Talk”. “Bedtime Stories” is a fundraiser supporting Humanities Washington’s efforts to spark critical thinking and conversation in communities across the state. Every year selected writers are given a theme and asked to write an original piece of writing for it. Other writers this year include Erica Bauermeister, Rebecca Brown and Charles Johnson who will be honored with a Humanities Washington Award. Oct. 4th with reception at 6pm and dinner/ reading at 7pn. The Spanish Ballroom at The Fairmont Olympic Hotel at 411 University St. in Seattle. Go to http://www/humanities.org/programs/bedtime-stories/bedtime-stories-seattle-2013 for details.
University Bookstore co- sponsors a reading by Salman Rushdie on his new memoir entitled “Joseph Anton: A Memoir”. Forced underground by a death threat for more than nine years, the author recounts the realities of living underground, his struggle for support & understanding, issues of freedom of speech and how he re-gained his freedom. Oct. 7 at 7:30pm. Simon Singh reads from “The Simpsons & Their Mathematical Secrets” on Nov. 7 at 6pm. The book reveals how the show’s writers (all with advanced science degrees) slip in chunks of number theory and mathematical concepts into one of television’s most widely watched programs. Seattle Arts & Lectures co-hosts this event entitled “An Evening with Madhur Jaffrey”. Nov. 19 at 7:30pm. Jaffrey is a noted food writer on Indian food and actress. Her latest book is “Curry Nation”. All events held at Town Hall Seattle. 1119 Eighth. Call (206) 652-4255 or go to www.townhallseattle.org for details.
Interested in rare and out-of-print books? The Seattle Antiquarian Book Fair 2013 takes place Oct. 12 from 10am – 6pm and Oct. 13th from 11am – 4pm. Seattle Center Exhibition Hall. For details, go to http://www.seattlebookfair.com/.
The University Bookstore hosts author Amy Tan reading from her new novel entitled “The Valley of Amazement” on Dec. 5th at 7pm. The novel tells the story of three generations of women connected by blood and history and the mystery of an evocative painting. Please note the reading is at a different location than the bookstore. University Temple Methodist Church at 1415 N.E. 43rd St. in the University District. For more details, call (206) 634-3400 .
Open Books, a Poem Emporium is one of the few bookstores in the country that specialize in poetry. In addition, they also have a reading series. Poet/media scholar Tung-hui Hu reads from his new collection on Copper Canyon Press entitled “Greenhouse, Lighthouses”. He teaches at the University of Michigan and his previous collection, “Mine” won the Eisner Prize. Oct. 4th at 7:30pm. 2414 N. 45th in Wallingford. (206) 633-0811.
UW Japan Studies Program’s Colloquium Series presents Associate Professor Rachel DiNitto of the College of William and Mary addressing the topic, “Censoring the Imagination?” – “Fukushima,” Literature, and the End of the World on Fri., Oct. 11 at 5pm at Savery Hall 130 on the Seattle campus. DiNitto examiners the role literature plays in a world where we have already imagined our annihilation and are in many ways indifferent to it. She is working on a book entitled “Writing Fukushima: Imagining Disaster in Japan. For details call (206) 685-9997 or go to japan@uw.edu.
Seattle poet Shin-Yu Pai has a new book out that documents her years working in Texas and Arkansas. Since Asian Americans are a distinct minority in the South, her poems reflect that experience and a longing for place that stretches beyond boundaries. The book features over a dozen photographs by the author as well reminding us of her dual interests in art and the word. Pai reads on Dec. 5 at the Wing. Free. The book is available at local stores or by mail order from the publisher or Small Press Distribution.
Elliott Bay Book Company sponsors and co-presents fascinating readings by authors in venues across the city and in their own bookstore as well. Events take place at the bookstore unless otherwise noted. Noted fiction writer Jhumpa Lahiri reads from her latest book entitled “The Lowland&rdq