Fundraiser: La Cage Aux Follies by Seattle Men's Chorus, April 30th, $125. These guys definitely know how to throw a bash, a great party essential on the Seattle social calendar. Their natural exuberance transforms this blast into a must-do. ۰ Else, Bill's Birthday Bash by the Seattle Shakespeare Company, April 25th, $60. The Bard is celebrating his 441st birthday, and he certainly has aged well. A pretty fun event, and you certainly don't need to a Shakespeare fanatic to have a good time.
Family Activity: Zoo overnight adventure, $38. Imagine sleeping overnight at the zoo with all of the vivid sounds of animal life, from the serene to the spooky. Look up a couple of ghost stories, grab your friends and a sleeping bag, and head over to the zoo for a night. ۰ Else, New season celebration for Elliott Bay Water Taxi, May 1st, free, at piers 55/56. Go ride the water taxi free all day. Even if you just hop aboard for a little round trip, it's still a pleasant afternoon excursion. Music and special festivities from noon - 2 PM. Also, Learn how to build a bat house, April 30th, at Discovery Park. They may look like little flying rodents, but bats certainly eat gobs of pesky bugs. Learn how to encourage bats in your area.
Club: Sex Life Live, every Tuesday at the Rebar, $7. The world's oldest topic discussed in a mature, offbeat, positive environment. Ask questions and become educated. ۰ Else, the Rebar also hosts Fallen Women Follies, April 29 - 30th, $15. Girl behaving badly through burlesque, spoken word, and the trapeze. Get semi-wild for a night.
Event: ICW Pro Wrestling, April 29th, $10. A smack-down of Seattle proportions. Just as fun as monster trucks, BBQ ribs, and big hair, this show will have you putting your neighbor into a headlock and applying the noogies afterwards.
Shows: StripJoint II, by Circus Contraption, April 30th, $15. A parody of strip clubs with plenty of clown-on-clown action. A show Timothy Burton would love, where an overly active imagination is applied to the quirky and oddball. It's the celebration of the freakish and edgy without being seriously creepy.
Business: Seattle Chamber of Commerce Tradeshow, April 27th, $12. For business by business. A good show to make some contacts and expand your network, get introduced to the small business side of Seattle and find a good, honest vendor.
Festival: NW Yoga Fest, April 28 - May 1st, $135+. Get your slice of calmness. Yoga and meditation for all skill levels, plus plenty of special events, films, and exhibits. Going to a yoga event is certainly refreshing to the body and spirit, but come around next Monday, it certainly does remind one of the weight of going back to a regular 9-5 grind and the necessity of making yoga an active element of your life. ۰ Else, Seattle Poetry Festival, April 29 - May 1st, $10. The collage of the spoken word over every emotion. Get your beret out of the closet and attend one of their poetry slams.
Music: Seattle Jazz Vespers, May 1st, free. A cool jazz concert that'll have you tapping your foot ; a good way to lift and inspire your spirit through music. ۰ Else, Iosis Art Party, April 29th, $10. The intersection of art and music in a dance party celebrating both forms. ۰ Also, Paula Maya at the Camille Bloom, April 28th, $5. Paula presents an electric rock sound from Brazil - should be a good show.
Outdoors: Cruise for the Cure, May 1st, free. The largest gathering of Volkswagen vehicles in a fundraiser. One thing cool about these car-fests is gaining the opportunity to overview how people tricked out the same model car you have, providing plenty of new ideas. Now, go let your Volkswagen return to the mothership for a day.
Organization: Initiative for Global Development, a great organization, that is, if you can get invited to join. Leaders in academics, business, and policy-makers putting their skills to work in combating global poverty. Since much of the misery in poverty stricken nations comes back to haunt the US, such as providing festering grounds for terrorist activities, this group believes the benefits of reducing poverty in the world is ultimately paid back in peaceful dividends towards the US.
Direct Donations: Mr. Howie, owner of Seastar Restaurant and Sport Restaurant, has donated over one million dollars in certificates and services over the last three years to various charities. Attend a charity auction, and it's the norm to find a donated certificate to one of Mr. Howie's restaurants, going for full price or above, or to be eating food donated, prepared, or served from Mr. Howie's establishments.
Philanthropy: Christine Keff, owner of Flying Fish. Ms. Keff is an active leader on seafood sustainability, making sure what we take out of the ocean can be replaced. Ms. Keff is an active contributor to many local charities, including the March of Dimes, AIDs Alliance, Share our Strength, and the Women's Funding Alliance. She's not some figurehead loaning her name; she's actually doing real work on top of her regular job of running a restaurant, making significant contributions for these worthy causes.
The Arts: McKay restaurants supports local artists. Before dining at El Gaucho, take a moment to savor the commissioned art works hanging on the walls from local artists such as Nina Mikhailenko. Go downstairs to the Pampas Room and groove along to a Vegas style lounge act from top city talent. Else, go to Troiani and enjoy the light sounds of a classical guitarist serenading your mood along with your meal. These restaurants provide a venue for artists to express their talents, and most importantly, actually get paid.
Feeding the Hungry: St. Cloud's Restaurant. Every third Wednesday of the month, this restaurant invites anyone to come in with donated food at 9 AM. Whatever potpourri of food people present, they cook it all up and serve to the homeless. You don't just drop off some food, you getta stay and help cook and clean up too!
