ShowBox SoDo: So-So

The Showbox SoDo has hella room for big acts, however the sound quality of the venue is nowhere near as good as it's sister, the original Showbox (or Showbox at the Market for anyone who really doesn't have a clue). The beers are a little on the pricey side, however it's the Showbox so this shouldn't come as a surprise. Drinks are served up with panache by the bartender, and with a few improvements on sound, the Showbox SoDo will become a much better venue for us music-crazy Seattleites who do truly care about the sound, and I'm not just talking about Puget.

Saturday Night It's ON at the High Dive!

With the Cute Lepers and Holy Name Dropouts already on the lineup, I am stoked to see who the surprise performance will be! And it's FREE! It doesn't get better than this. Happy Birthday High Dive!

Forgetting Sarah Marshall: Worth $9.00

This movie is pretty dang funny, and I wasn't the only one who thought so- the whole audience at Oak Tree Cinema was laughing, and cringing, and then laughing again at this romantic comedy set almost completely in Hawaii. 'Forgetting Sarah Marshall' works because it isn't typical chick-flick romantic comedy schtick about love and flowers and la-dee-dah; rather it's about the horrible, heart-wrenching experience of losing all that. Who hasn't been curled up in the fetal position on the floor, wailing like a little girl over some jerk who is already off with their next love interest? If the guffaws were any indication, the audience on Sunday afternoon had certainly been. Boys and girls will love this movie, although (SPOILER ALERT!!!) if you are opposed to gratuitous male frontal nudity, you might want to skip it.

You can read, Seattle, but can you rhyme?

Seattle prides itself on being very literate, with book sales sky high and library rentals out the wazzoo- but can any of these bookworms rhyme? April is National Poetry month; come out to Tost and see if you too can be laughed off stage.

Rock It at the Rockin' Horse Dance Barn

What one activity promotes physical, emotional, social, and spiritual well-being? Watching TV? Hoarding pink umbrellas? Singing nursery rhymes in German? No, no, no, it's DANCING! And you can learn how at the Rockin' Horse Dance Barn in Renton. On 4000 square feet of dance floor, they teach singles and couples to dance: ballroom, country-western, swing, latin, line, and NIGHTCLUB dancing, whatever that is: Booty-dancing? Shakin' it with a vodka-cran in hand? The Get-the-Hell-Off-Me-I-Don't-Know-You Jam? Whatever dance you choose you can learn to do it and do it well, in Renton no less, at the Rockin' Horse Dance Barn. Events in barns rule.

Oasis is Bigger Than the Beatles!

Well no, of course not, but isn't that what Liam said, before he bashed his brother Noel in the face with a beer bottle? I may not have my facts totally straight but Oasis is almost as well known for their knack for stirring shit up as they are for their music. When they first busted on the scene back in the 90's, I freaking hated Oasis; they were everywhere and you could not get away from the the wailings of Wonderwall. Years later I gave them another listen and now I really love SOME of their songs; 'Don't Look Back in Anger" is even on one of my top itunes playlists. And yes, I do like them for their old school rock and roll attitude, summed up by these humble words (actual quotes from Noel): "We're not arrogant, we just think we're the best band in the world," and "those plate glass windows are just saying, 'throw a chair through me' ." Let's hope there are no plate glass windows at WaMu Theater this summer.

Mulally Makes Me Cry

-and with art and music, that is a good thing. When a band singing about love and hate and fear and longing and wanting rocks as hard as Mulally, it's bound to stir up deep emotions in you. And if you are an sensitive Pisces who wears her emotions on her sleeve like me, Chris Mulally's heartfelt wails of love lasting forever will make you cry. Mulally is on an upward trajectory in the Seattle scene; Katrina is an awesome keyboardist, and the whole sound of the band is set off perfectly by Cary's trumpet, whose rich and warm tones echo the emotive nature of Chris' lyrics. Catch Mulally before they become huge and move to LA. These guys rock.

Music Center of the Northwest

At the Music Center of the Northwest, they are all about the music. Like the Dalai Lama and anyone else with half a brain, they believe "in the transformative power of music in the lives of people and our community." With classes for students of all ages and abilities, the Music Center of the Northwest not only talks a good game, they back it up with actions. From violin workshops to brass quintet recitals to early childhood music education, there is a place for all of us at this community music school.

The Moore: 'Nuff Said

HELLO, Pearl Jam's Even Flow video was filmed here, what else do you need to know? Okay, here goes: The Moore Theatre was built in 1907 by the rich and extravagant Mr. Moore (duh), making it the oldest theater in Seattle. Like most performance halls, it's simple white ceramic tile and terracotta exterior belies the opulence you find once inside the doors. After many renovations including adding larger seats for larger 21st century butts, The Moore now hosts local events like beauty pageants, musical performances, and comedy shows. You need to go to The Moore and experience this fantastic piece of Seattle history. The Moore: Approved by Eddie Vedder.

Happy 21st Birthday Annex Theatre! It's Time to Party!

There are a lot of fringe, weird, avant-garde theaters in Seattle, but none have been around as long as the Annex Theatre which turns 21 this year! Woo-hoo! Dedicated to "creating bold new work in an environment of improbability, resourcefulness and risk," the Annex Theatre always has new, innovative performances. Soon in addition to the mainstage, there will also be late-night shows- keep your eyes out! Happy Birthday Annex Theatre!

ACT Theatre: A Community of Artists

The ACT Theatre in downtown Seattle has long been the home of contemporary theater in our city, promoting new and exciting plays since it's inception in 1965. Now with over 6000 subscribers, the ACT Theatre also promotes youth involvement in the performing arts. The Young Playwrights Program includes over 300 students from 16 different area schools, and the ClassACT Matinee and Workshop Series engages youth with discussion of performances. Plus there is an awesome gift shop, Stagecraft Gifts, which showcases the other artistic talents of actors involved with the ACT Theatre. What a community!

Snoqualmie: Falls and So Much More

Everyone knows about beautiful Snoqualmie Falls; we all take our friends there to gaze at the 270' cascade whenever they come to town. Why not make a weekend of it and stay in the historic village of Snoqualmie? With small-town charm and plenty of restaurants and shops, Snoqualmie is only 25 miles east of Seattle. Come for the the Falls; stay for the culture and outdoor recreation.

Lovely Vashon Island

You can only get to Vashon Island via a beautiful ferry ride with views of the Olympic and Cascade Mountain ranges which is the perfect introduction to the isle. The downtown area of Vashon Island hosts events like the summer Strawberry Festival, but for lodging you should head out of town and look for one of the twenty B&B's around. Whether you want a romantic weekend getaway or a fun family adventure, Vashon Island is the place to find it.

Masons Swing Dance?

Apparently so, and in West Seattle no less, at the Alki Masonic Temple. I may just have to check this event out this weekend.

A Circus for Animal Lovers! Cirque du Soleil in Seattle

As a child I loved the circus: the snowcones, elephant rides, crazy clowns, balloons, and ladies riding horses. Then I grew up and learned that elephants don't necessarily like or want to do handstands and tigers aren't really that fond of posing on a stool like some sort of teddy bear. I thought my days of circus-going were over. Then I discovered Cirque du Soleil! The only animals abused at this circus are humans, and they all do it willingly. So animal lovers can finally rejoice at the circus experience once again. I can't wait to see what the new show, Corteo, will bring to Seattle.

Margaret Cho is a Funny Woman

Back in day when I had cable television I could watch hours and hours of comedy shows with the push of a button and the flick of a wrist. Now I'm so cool I only read books, don't watch TV- and I have to be a bit pickier about the comedians I pay to see. Margaret Cho will always get my dollars; she is funny and outspoken and (though she would hate to hear it) a role model for young girls trying to look up to a female whose self-worth is based on her looks. The Paramount will be rolling in the aisles; be sure to get a seat!

Seattle Art Walk in Pioneer Square

I am so excited about this month's art walk in Pioneer Square and downtown Seattle, hopefully the rain will hold off and the buskers, actors, and street performers will return to hobnob with the artists, gallery owners, and onlookers wondering around, soaking up the art (like me!) Rain, rain, stay away, don't pour down on First Thursday!

Beats for Obama, Turnips for Hillary

Thank you Nectar for hosting a fund raiser with dubstep, drum and bass, breaks, and hip-hop; Futuredub is the bomb and Dig-Dug is always fun; the other deejays I am not totally familiar with but if they are playing for Obama, then they get my vote. Obama '08!

Django Gypsy Swing Lives On!

Django Reinhardt should be revered, and at Bake's Place in Issaquah Pearl Django will do just that, illuminating the floor with their unique brand of swing. A bit ethereal and dreamlike, Pearl Django's sound is a unique tribute to a genre which must survive. Django lives on!

Thee Emergency, Call 911!

Thee Emergency is coming up quick in Seattle; their CD release party at King Cobra on Capitol Hill is going to go off the hook. With all the folksie-indie crap coming out of Seattle these days, Thee Emergency is a much welcomed kick in the ass- no passive Pacific Northwest melancholia here- just bad ass rock and roll.