Wing Luke Asian Museum: The International District Comes Alive

An affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, the Wing Luke Asian Museum is hailed as one of the premier Pan Asian American museums in the country. A Grand Opening of their new location at South King Street takes place May 31; until then enjoy the International District with a tour from Chinatown Discovery Tours: learn about Bruce Lee, fortune cookies, and the lasting impact of Asian cultures on the city of Seattle.

Tacoma Art Museum

The Tacoma Art Museum is nothing to sneeze at; the space's collection of American, European, and Asian works is regularly supplemented by rotating exhibitions from all over. Located in Tacoma's Cultural District, the museum has excellent framed views of Mount Rainier as well as an indoor, open-air stone garden, creating an inspiring environment for viewing art.

Museum of Glass is 'All Glass, All the Time'

With it's giant 90' foot cone, you can't miss the Museum of Glass in Tacoma. Part of the Tacoma Museum District, this 13,000 square foot place has a studio, theater, and live glassmaking demonstrations throughout the day. Come and find out about the art of glassblowing, its history, and what the future of the craft might look like.

Seattle Asian Art Museum

The Seattle Asian Art Museum is the best thing about Volunteer Park in Capitol Hill, it is free every first Thursday and only $5 any other day. The effects of Asian culture on Seattle and indeed every other city in America is tangible and the Seattle Asian Art Museum gives a small glance of what "Asian Art" means.

Eco-Weekend at the Zoo Sounds Fantastic, just like the Monkeys

What a great chance to have fun and educate your kids on the importance of conservation for all animal species! Each day has a theme, there's a frog day, a wolf and bear day, a primate day (hooray home team!) and my favorite- a coffee and chocolate day. Save our environment and laugh at the funny animals while you do.

Ghostland Observatory: Music With Kahoonas

The two Austin boys Aaron and Thomas state on their Myspace page under "who I'd like to meet": ANYONE WITH BALLS. As a native Texan transplanted to Seattle I often feel the same way. Don't get me wrong; I love Seattle and in fact think Texans in general have an overabundance of balls (sometimes even hanging from the back of their pickups), but the whole passive-agressive mousy namby-pamby crap up here sometimes gets to me. So THANK MT RAINIER I have tix to the sold out show for Ghostland Observatory, who will rock it hard enough for this whole city of, "no please, you first."

Seattle Gum Wall and the Market Theatre

Past Pike Place Market, below Rachel the Pig, just down Post Alley is the Market Theatre. Even more exciting however is the fabulous Gum Wall created by patrons of the Market Theatre waiting in line. If you don't know what a Gum Wall is, just tune into the Travel Channel where this one was featured as a Seattle tourist attraction! Mmm mmm Hubba Bubba. The Market Theatre is available for rent; the Gum Wall is available for photo ops. Chews wisely.

UW's Ethnic Cultural Theatre

Home to a multitude of performances including readings, lectures, concerts, and films, the Ethnic Cultural Theatre on the University of Washington campus promotes cross-cultural interaction and celebration. The space is also available for rental and often hosts shows by Jet City Improv and the Seattle Shakespeare Festival.

Gorgeous Columbia City Theater

This could be my favorite venue in all of Seattle; it is classic and unique, elegant and beautiful, and has a history no other theater can match. The Columbia City Theater hosts live music, burlesque shows, comedy acts, and private parties; the VIP level is where I would like to hang out and the catwalk is just cool. Anyplace where Jimi Hendrix hung out is fine by me, and The Columbia City Theater holds its own in any arena. Five stars!

West Seattle's Theater Home: The ArtsWest Playhouse and Gallery

The Artswest Playhouse and Gallery is a theater and art gallery rolled into one, an intimate chamberhouse-like experience where you always enjoy a compelling performance, no matter which of the 149 seats you are in. The summer education program for 8-21 year olds has earned not one but three awards from the National Endowment for the Arts-pretty cool especially considering all the cuts in arts funding in our country lately (thank you President Bush). If I had an award, I would give it to ArtsWest Playhouse and Gallery too!

Western Bridge Gallery is like no other!

The Western Bridge Gallery is a warehouse of 10,000 feet squared which displays contemporary pieces of photography, video, and other media. Calling into question our idea of public and private, this space creates and artistic experience which cannot be found in the sterile, always minimalist galleries that saturate our city. Right on!

Gallery 110 in Pioneer Square

Walk around Pioneer Square for the Seattle Art Walk on every first Thursday, and you will see dozens of pieces of art and many galleries. Some will stand out, some will fade in, and then there is Gallery 110. Gallery 110 shows contemporary art from solo artists as well as groups; that is about all I can say because absolutely nothing stands out about this uninspired gallery. Next!

The Avant-Garde Find a Place at the Garde Rail Gallery

The Garde Rail Gallery specializes in "self-taught, folk, and outsider art" as they state on their extensive website. What these words mean exactly is up for debate, but the pieces on display at the gallery speak for themselves- this place is the shit. The Garde Rail Gallery laughs at fine arts degrees, showing ten exhibitions a year from excellent artists from around the U.S., Canada, and Great Britain. This is the most thought-provoking gallery in Pioneer Square, and I love it!

Grover/Thurston Gallery Deserves a Visit

Wow! This art is good, accessible, and not hoity-toity at all. In fact, the Grover/Thurston Gallery inspires me to continue visiting other art venues in the city in hopes that they, too, will have such thought-provoking pieces. This gallery should definitely be a stop on the Seattle Art Walk every first Thursday!

Howard House is Artsy Fartsy

The space? Looks like an uninspired gallery, mweh, nothing more. The upcoming show is entitled, "This World's Just Not Real To Me," which screams artsy-fartsy. I mean, like this world is real to any of us? I guess only art-tistes feel that way and the rest of us commoners will go about our real business that does not involve pastels and canvas. Exhibits like this are why people think art is for uppity elitists who think they are better than everyone else. I'll pass.

Benham Gallery is Exciting Photography

The Benham Gallery in downtown Seattle shows local and international photography talent, both emerging talents and established artists. Artist lectures and discussions are often held at the Benham Gallery and other places as well, like Genova Italy.

Sole Repair Shop for Your Parties

The Sole Repair Shop on Capitol Hill is a private event facility for company parties and other functions. The Sole Repair Shop arranges catering including delicious hors d'oeuvres and a nice wine list; and their minimalist open space is suitable for any function whatsoever.

Girls Just Wanna...go to the True Colors Tour

Anything conceived by or having to do with Cyndi Lauper is 100% for me. The Goonies? Pink hair? Time After Time? She tours the world in support of human rights and besides that was one of my top three play personalities in my make-believe 80's world of youth, along with Madonna and Tina Turner. Thank you MTV. The True Colors tour will shine through and inspire another generation of girls who just wanna have fun.

Roxanne is 30 years old! Arrest the Police!

When I think of The Police, I always remember that Cheech and Chong movie where Chong is getting arrested (for smoking dope, imagine that) and exclaims, "but I love all your albums!" to the cop about to cuff him and book him. That movie is really really old, which makes Sting even older- maybe 84? I'm not sure, but The Police haven't "officially" toured since 1984; they are probably just getting rested up from the last brouhaha. Yawn. We need new blood! Though no doubt thousands will make the trek to the Gorge to hear new songs that nobody likes and old songs that everybody likes. I'd rather spend my money on a seventy-five cent beer at the Blue Moon Tavern.

Simian Mobile Disco Tears it Up!

If I was having a giant house party, I would want Simian Mobile Disco raging it all night long- though my home would no doubt be totally trashed by midnight before. SMD just rocks, old-school style, and their shows are as inspired and spontaneous as their music. Neumo's is goin' up, no doubt!