Top 8 Arts & Culture Happenings in February
I can’t believe it’s already February! I feel like I just finished taking down my holiday decorations and now there's Valentine’s Day candy in every store. If you're looking for a break from the start-of-the-year-craziness, Seattle has a ton of great arts & culture events this month to help you take a moment to stop and think/laugh/explore--including some great options for Valentine’s Day.
If You're Going to See One Thing This Month...
Bliss
The 5th Avenue Theatre
Feb 6-23
$29-109
A brand new pop/rock musical comedy, Bliss flips the traditional fairytale narrative upside down to tell a tale of empowerment and self-discovery. Hidden away in a castle for years by their protective father, four independent princesses finally escape to explore the world beyond the castle walls. Outside, they find balls and princes, but also difficult questions about who they are and what it means to live “happily ever after.” The show features comedian and actor Mario Cantone (perhaps best known as Charlotte’s gay best friend, Anthony Marentino, on Sex in the City). He’s playing the character of Sir Pincus Glimmermore, who is a Fairy Godfather of sorts and bound to be hilarious!
Over 140 LBS
ACT Theatre
Feb 6-16
$18-28
Headlining ACT’s inaugural ACTLab Solo Fest, Susan Lieu’s autobiographical solo show tells the story of her mother’s death during a routine tummy tuck when Lieu was 11. While the surgeon was charged with medical negligence, Lieu's family opted to move on by never discussing or processing the event and its circumstances. Fast forward nineteen years later to Lieu at her own wedding, where she decides she cannot continue to ignore her past. Watch as she sets out on a journey to uncover the truth about her mother, herself and the impossible ideals of Vietnamese female beauty. Directed by Seattle theater powerhouse, Sara Porkolab, Over 140 LBS premiered last year in Seattle with a sold-out run and is returning home as the last stop on a 10-city nationwide tour.
If You Happen To Be In...
Seattle Asian Art Museum, photo by Tim Griffith.
Capitol Hill: Check out the Seattle Asian Art Museum
Closed Monday and Tuesday
Adults $14.99, FREE on the first and second Thursdays and first Saturday of each month
The museum reopens on February 8 after 24 months of renovation and expansion. Located in Volunteer Park, this beautiful 1933 Art Deco building was the original home of its parent, the Seattle Art Museum, before SAM moved to its current home. Now it’s one of only a few museums in the United States dedicated to Asian art. In addition to a physical renovation, the museum has also changed the way the art is presented: instead of being grouped by country, the art will now be grouped by themes that are central to Asian art and culture.
Tickets to the free opening weekend are sold out, but SAM members can get an early sneak peak on February 5 or 6. Everyone else can visit starting February 12.
Nicole Gordon, Finishing Touches, 2015.
Bellevue: Check out the Bellevue Arts Museum
Jan 24-Jun 14
Adults $15, FREE on the first Friday of each month
If you’re looking for an break from the Eastside mall scene, take refuge in the Bellevue Arts Museum (across the street from Bellevue Square), currently featuring two eye-catching exhibits. In “Altered States,” Chicago artist Nicole Gordon uses super-saturated colors to present surreal images that mix the mundane and the subconscious. And “Playa Made” displays over 200 pieces of jewelry created for and made during the Burning Man festival held annually in the Nevada desert. You won't find any of these pieces at the Nordstrom across the street!
If You're Looking for a Full Night Out...
Theme Park Improv, Los Angeles, Photo by Tommy Lau.
Seattle Festival of Improv Theater
Various venues in Seattle
Feb 12-16
$22-35 ($75 for an all access pass)
Seattle-based Jet City Improv presents the 18th annual Seattle Festival of Improv Theater, which features performances from 26 improv comedy groups, including a number of Seattle favorites. National talent is on display, too: the headliner, LA's Theme Park Improv, features performers you’ve seen in movies like Best in Show, Pitch Perfect and Bridesmaids. Each show will include performances from multiple groups, so it's a great chance to discover new favorites.
Black Bois
Moore Theatre
Feb 14
$40-50
Black Bois, which sold out its 2018 run at On the Boards, celebrates the black experience through dance, live music, installations and a large, multi-talented cast of local performers. Conceived by Seattle artist, Dani Tirrell, the show pushes back against representations that have simplified what it means to be black, celebrating a more nuanced, human picture.
Solo: A Festival of Dance
On the Boards
Feb 20-23
$12-75
Between ACTLab’s Solo Fest and this show, February is shaping up to be the month of solo works! Solo features…well…solo dances from five internationally recognized choreographer/performers. All five solo artists will perform each night, so you'll get to see a range of performers and styles. If you want to learn more, check out the New York Times profile of Mariana Valencia, one of the artists.
Last Days of the Tsars
Stimson-Green Masion, First Hill
Feb 25-Mar 15
$49
Last Days of the Tsars is a world premiere immersive theater experience being held at the historic Stimson-Green Mansion on First Hill. Set in 1917 on the eve of the fall of Tsarist Russia, this "choose your own adventure" production allows you to follow any characters you want, including Tsar Nicholas or Princess Anastasia, as they tell a tale of a world on the precipice of change. We're pretty excited about this show since the producing company, NYC-based Witness, has gotten great reviews for their previous shows!