Theater-going in Seattle and New York

I don't have a giant Seattle agenda (I'm there June 24-27), because what I plan to do is plenty: walk half of the Seattle Rock N Roll Marathon (13 miles in 4 hours!), then go listen to Everclear, eat waffles at Sweet Iron Waffles, start the Clarion Write-a-Thon, see a matinee of Pilgrims Musa and Sheri in the New World at ACT, and make sure that Babeland is packed to the gills for my reading/free cupcake frenzy Monday night before I make a dramatic exit for the airport, take a redeye home, then fly to London the evening of June 30th. I pretty much want to hibernate for a few days as best I can. Too much time in NYC, at least, at this pace, makes me crave solitude, which is why I'm looking into writing retreats for 2012. And Iceland. But first, 3 weeks of extreme everything to get through.

to try to be at least marginally cultured, I am trying to go to events beyond my usual trivia or comedy. I don't go to many readings, because all my Jewish guilt comes to the fore and I am reminded that i should be writing (and, I know it's probably sacrilegious to say this, but I actually kindof prefer reading than being read to, but I like seeing my favorite authors, like Susie Bright, and will see someone like that multiple times).

Here's more on what I plan to see in Seattle:

When Musa, an Egyptian cab driver who’s been in America less than a year, falls for Sheri, a sassy American waitress, his life takes unexpected and delightfully complicated turns. This sexy, "very now" world premiere comedy by Seattle playwright Yussef El Guindi is full of unabashed sweetness and goofy charm, and reminds us that we are all “immigrants” with far more connecting than separating us.

Anyway, all that leading up to the fact that I bought a pass to Second Stage Theatre and unlike my PS 122 passport that I think I will now wind up only having used for the excellent John Kelly's The Escape Artist, I plan to see All New People (by Zach Braff).

I'd say I'll let you know how they are, but I'm more of a book reviewer, but thought I'd pass these descriptions on. If you want great culture reporting, visit Culturebot, and if you're in NYC, make sure to check out all the fabulous free art at the River to River Festival - lots going on! I found out recently I missed an exhibit by Kara Walker, whose work I like a lot, because I didn't know about it, so am trying to pay better attention, but am also determined to finish a big writing project by end of summer and various other tasks so am trying not to overbook myself as I tend to do. Priorities...not my strong suit, but I'm working on being the new, better me.

I like checking out shows in other cities; in London I think I will need all my money just to get through the day in that expensive city, but perhaps I will look into their offerings too.

Here's the plot of All New People:

It’s the dead of winter and the summer vacation getaway of Long Beach Island, New Jersey is desolate and blanketed in snow. Charlie is 35, heartbroken and just wants some time away from the rest of the world. The island ghost town seems to be the perfect escape until his solitude is interrupted by a motley parade of misfits who show up and change his plans. A hired beauty, the townie fireman, and an eccentric British real estate agent desperately trying to stay in the country suddenly find themselves tangled together in a beach house where the mood is anything but sunny.

Seattle Day 1 in photos

I'm off for another gargantuan walk, perhaps not 6.5 miles to where CupcakeCamp Seattle is located, but I'm gonna try. Excited! For some reason I have all this energy and am hoping that translates into writing, cause I haven't been doing much of that lately. I walked from downtown to Capitol Hill to Queen Anne yesterday, ate at Sweet Iron Waffles, The 5 Spot, went to see "This" at Seattle Rep, checked out Cakespy Shop, Cupcake Royale, Elliott Bay Book Company (what a huge and awesome indie bookstore - the Kurt Cobain card below is from there) and saw my friend Sara Schaefer do comedy. Quite a day.


Apple art at JFK


Lemon curd blackberry waffle from Sweet Iron Waffles


random nature


Space Needle from below


cute dog while waiting at The 5 Spot for brunch


Fireplace at my hotel


Hilarity when I searched for "The Canal" in Ballard, where I have to go today for CupcakeCamp. I found the right place.




Font Whore card and more at Cakespy Shop in Capitol Hill (Font Whore card is by JustJENN Designs) - Cakespy owner Jessie Oleson is a brilliant artist and will make any custom Cuppie art you want, she has Cuppie drinking Diet Coke, Cuppie at the L Train, Cuppie with Andy Warhol quotes, you name it. Visit her onlien shop to find out more.


Kurt Cobain card


Books I bought and hope to be inspired by at Elliott Bay Book Company, where I read last year and hope to read again - they have amazing cards, obviously, and all kinds of books, and a good sex section and just the sheer size means you can easily get lost in there and are guaranteed to find something you want to read. At the counter I was asked if I want a customer card, one of those rewards type things, and at first I said no because I don't live in Seattle, but then I said yes because I'll surely be back there, and to Capitol Hill in general, every trip - I still want to eat at Oddfellows and In The Bowl. Contrary to my cab driver's opinion last night, I love the food in Seattle! And I found out about Sweet Iron Waffles and In The Bowl via Yelp, so I do love them and their iPhone app, despite the humor above.