Fashion: Caribbean Spring Fashion Show, April 16th, $30. A progressive line of clothes without being too trendy, showcasing fashions by BGN. One of the most forward looking fashion shows of the year in this town for haute couture. Fashion shows seem to go one of two extremes: it's either dowdy and something that even your mother wouldn't wear, or something lifted from the pages of Vogue: beautiful and artistic, but unrealistic to wear. So, if you want something cool that you can actually wear, look here. ۰ Else, Ebony Fashion Fair, April 17th, $50. A traveling fashion show emphasizing the bold and exciting. Emphasis on the big name European and American designers. Go see what people are bringing in from the fashion capitals.
Theater: Beau Jest at Taproot Theater, until April 30th, $17+. A delightful light-hearted comedy about a gal who tries to please everyone but herself. Laugh to the trouble you can get into when you hire someone to portray your boyfriend just to please your parents. ۰ Else, Haroun and the Sea of Stories, April 10th - 24th, $13. A whimsical tale of Haroun who travels to a strange land recovering lost tales, encountering plenty of wily animals and breathtaking adventures along the way.
Festival: Seattle Erotic Art Festival, April 15th - 17th, $5 - $40. This one can be a noodle scratcher. There are some wonderfully creative and provoking works that you're not going to be seeing hanging on the walls of SAM. No matter your perspective on the subject, one can still appreciate the vivid expressions and the enormous talent and creativity. Yet, sometimes the skeptical question arises, isn't this festival really just a bunch of pervies trying to disguise pornography as art just using this medium to express wanton carnality? Well, you can always go and decide for yourself.
Fundraiser: Show at the Catwalk, April 18th, $10 minimum donation, Swedish Housewife fundraiser for the Burlesque Museum. If only most fundraisers could be this fun, certainly a lot more entertaining than sitting around in uncomfortable clothes, making trite conversation with strangers, and eating an overpriced meal. Seattle's top burlesque talent performs for this show. ۰ Else, if you're a traditionalist, go for the American Parkinson's Disease Association dinner, April 16th, $40. Theme is "Rockin for a Reason", of dance and costume. Prizes for best costume and hair. Actually, this seems like a pretty fun party.
Food: White River Buddhist Temple Fundraiser Lunch, April 17th, 11 AM - 3 PM. Get some zen with your next meal. A beef bowl and chow mein meal, and the serenity is free. Whatever amount you pay, don't ask for your change - that comes from within.
African Themes: Africa Party, April 15th, at the Columbia Tower, $50. Wines, food, drummers, clothing, jewelry and celebration: everything you need in one package! Go to a foreign land for the night in one blast of a party. ۰ Else, Africa in America, April 16th, $18+. An all-star mix of African musical works providing the best of that vast and rich continent.
Lectures: Iran as a Model Case in Social Theory, Revolution, Education, and the Media, April 13th, 7:30 PM, free in Kane Hall at the UW. For a small-ish country, Iran certainly gets a lot of attention nowadays. Never hurts to learn more about it. ۰ Else, Cultural Memory: Resistance, Faith and Identity — A Study of the Tseltal Mayan Indians of the State of Chiapas of Mexico, April 13th, 7 PM, also free. A title for brainiacs, but luckily, the discussion is much easier to understand.
Fairs: Lots of little fairs to browse through. NW Crafts Alliance, April 15th - 17th, $6. Go see what grandma has been up to for the winter. ۰ Else, Eros Antique Market, April 10th, at Magnuson Park, Hanger 30. 250 antique vendors displaying old stuff that your parents made you throw away back when you were a kid. ۰ Else, Seattle Public Library Book Sale, April 15th - 17th. This sale is more crazy than a 50% off sale the day after Thanksgiving. Great bargains galore. Bring along some strong bags, some extra muscles, and a sense of patience. ۰ Else, Lake City Elks Club Rummage Sale, April 16th, opens at 9:30 AM. Proceeds go to Children's Hospital. Amazing how someone's castoff is someone else's treasure.
Activity: April Pool Day, April 16th - 17th, free. Over 40 pools open up providing all sorts of instruction on water safety, including life jackets, foul weather gear, throwing and rescue techniques, CPR, and boat safety. Good instruction for both kids and adults. Like an insurance policy, you don't want to ever have to use it, but when you do, are you ever glad you got it!
Organization: Washington Lawyers for the Arts. You can probably imagine that artists aren't the richest group in the world. So, this group helps artists with the legal and intellectual property issues surrounding their works, which in turn helps foster a healthy arts community. Next time you hear a bad lawyer joke, think of this organization as a counter weight.
Better than sex? OK, sex is certainly great and all that, but with the way the topic sometimes seems to saturate just about every theme in society, you'd think that sex would be the only path to naturally feeling moments of human ecstasy. Sex is a great part of life, but it's definitely not the only part. So, what else might be some alternatives to experience bliss?
Sailing: Life always seems just a little better when you're on a sail boat. Imagine the sun's gentle rays kissing the face, the soft breeze caressing the skin, and the abundance of nature's beauty from glowing sunsets to hidden coves. The word "harmony" starts to come to mind. If you're thinking of sailing, then check out Star Sail Cruises, a local company with good routes and packages. There's just something about being on a sail boat that makes you wonder what all of the poor people are doing today.
Skydiving: Can anything else beat the euphoric rush of leaping out of a plane into the wild blue? Inject 20 seconds of intense exhilaration into your veins, and afterwards, you're ready to take on the world. This is one of those things that everyone should do once in life. If you're interested, check out skydiving in Snohomish or Seattle. Go skydiving and feel like you're touching the finger of God.
Massages: Get your 30 minutes of tranquility. All of the world's worries melt away along with your tight muscles, and you come out feeling as pliable as a wet bath towel. All thoughts evaporate from the mind while the serenity of the relaxed body provides peace of spirit. If it's been a crummy week and you could use a good massage right about now, then check out Eastside Oasis, Yellow Umbrella Message, or Ballard Massage Center.
Chocolate: So get this: a friend-of-the-staff is a bookkeeper at a Catholic institution. As part of his job, he reviews the expense reports of a bunch of nuns. Well, these nuns don't exactly go out drinking and partying on weekends, staying up carousing all night. So, what's one way nuns feel delight? Chocolate! If you want your bit of chocolate fix, then check out Dilettante's Chocolates, Heavenly Chocolates, or Fran's Chocolates.
Dancing. Dancing is a form when the hunt can be better than the capture. With a slight touch and a subtle glance, excite both you and your partner. The heart quickens, the blood boils, and the mind entertains wicked little notions. Dancing is not about sexuality, but sensuality. If you're ready to take on a sultry dance move, then consider dancing or lessons at the Century Ballroom.
