TeenTix Blog

I loved this movie. I found it to be both aesthetically gripping and informatively entertaining. It made me feel excited to live in this period of time, that there were important, constructive things happening - more than war or economic depression. I thought the most chilling possibility, however, was not the possibility of the waste being unearthed far into the future. When the movie mentioned that it is theoretically possible to rework nuclear waste, it hinted at a scenario in which people in the near future who know full well about radiation trying - and perhaps failing - to reuse the waste. As the director Michael Madsen states, we think of ourselves as a "potent society."

Travelers: Objects of Dream and Revelation @ Bellevue Arts MuseumTimothy Horn: Mother-Load, 2008We're all familiar with that butterflies-in-your-stomach, aching-to-go, so-happy-you-could-burst feeling right before you take a trip somewhere--and Travelers does a darn good job of recreating that very feeling. This exhibit brings nine contemporary artists together to take us on a journey through travel itself and explore the methods and objects we normally associate with it. The audience is left dreaming, hoping, expecting, and anticipating the journey, all while experiencing breathtaking and unique motifs of the thrill of adventure.Travelers: Objects of Dream and RevelationAugust 26 - October 1Bellevue Arts Museum

Review of The Sky Turns @ NW Film Forum by Sandrine G. An audience member asks, “Does it end when they all die?” The Sky Turns features the 14 remaining elderly inhabitants of an ancient Spanish village. The film moves as they move: slowly but deliberately, satisfying essential requirements while taking time to contemplate the Big Questions. It takes a subject, like the one posed by the inquisitive viewer, and twists it into metaphor. It is not a beautiful movie, but the overcast memoryscapes of the windswept Iberian countryside perfectly complement the wistful narration by graying villagers. They talk over each other like extended family at the dinner table as they discuss the desiccated old elm tree. Pictures of it in its prime dance across the screen, revealing that more people once gathered around it during a single party than the entire current population of the town. But it became diseased as time marched on and families departed the old-fashioned agrarian community. The disease and yellow lichen worked away at its bark, and its knots and cavities are easily imagined into grotesque faces by minds searching for human familiarities. Its branches cut off, it stands in solemn isolation in the courtyard of a mysterious palace. Some of the morbid secrets of the land are exposed meticulously by the archeologists who excavate the stony remains of a pre-Roman township whose history ended in mass suicide. But sometimes stones are unearthed by the inheritors of the land themselves as they till the soil and tend flocks in their ancient manner. Director Mercedes Álvarez, the last child to be born in the village before her family moved away, uses this information to fuel reflection. Death and history are thematic, every gray frame hinting at the transience of life, but the slow, thoughtful rambling of the villagers and the humorous bleating of their exotic Arab sheep are entertaining in a fitting way. They belong to a certain place and to an instant when the villagers were still young and the scars of the Spanish Civil war had not yet been romanticized by the passage of time. That moment has already begun to depart, but it will never end as long as there are movies like this and people to watch and question. The Sky Turns Through August 25 Northwest Film Forum

Young Playwright's Program @ ACT TheatreACT's Young Playwright's Program (YPP) is now being offered as an after-school program! Whether you're a seasoned writer, or the only writing you do is in your diary, this program will help you utilize your personal experiences, thoughts, and ideas and transform them into words and stories on paper. After-School YPP ends with a student showcase on December 6, with a chance for your play to be featured in ACT's 2012 Young Playwrights Festival!To get more information on how to sign up, go here.Young Playwright's ProgramFor teens ages 14 - 18September 20 - December 6ACT Theatre

Have you heard about our Teen Steering Committee? It's a group of opinionated and highly dedicated individuals who are committed to making the arts accessible for young people. Once on the committee, you get to see shows, organize and come up with marketing techniques for promoting the arts to teenagers, help set the course for the future of the Teen Tix program, and much more!Sound interesting? Fun? Exciting? It is. It's easy to sign up and this could even qualify for Service Learning Credit at your school! To learn all about this fabulous opportunity, visit this page.

Soul Nite! @ NW Film ForumJoin Northwest Film Forum for their popular soulful dance night, featuring vintage performance footage of artists such as Aretha Franklin, James Brown, and Otis Redding. Celebrate heart and soul, dance, groove and passion with the Film Forum!Soul Nite!August 20Northwest Film Forum

The Talent Show @ Henry Art Gallery

Footloose @ Three Dollar Bill CinemaWhen teenage Ren McCormack moves from Chicago with his family to a small Western town, he's disappointed to find out that his new home doesn't allow rock music or dancing. To make matters worse, Ren falls in love with Ariel, the daughter of the bible-thumping minister who is responsible for the repression of dance. Even though his classmates also oppose the law, only Ren has the courage to stand up to the minister so he can take Ariel to the prom.This classic tale of teenage rebellion and true heart from '84 will have you on the edge of your seat with honest and moving performances from Kevin Bacon and Lori Singer, and rockin' and rollin' through popular hits like "Let's Hear it for the Boys" and, of course, "Footloose."Note: This showing is FREE!FootlooseAugust 19Three Dollar Bill Cinema

Attention Music Lovers! Bumbershoot is making a special offer just to Teen Tix members. You can order single day Bumbershoot tickets in advance, for just $25 (plus fees). That's a savings of $10 off the advance price, or $20 if you waited to buy at the gate! And they can be used any day of the weekend. Buy now and decide which day to attend later. An awesome good deal on an awesome music festival. Bumbershoot runs September 3-5 at Seattle Center. For tickets, visit The Stranger ticketing website here. Be sure to enter the password TEENTIX. Limit of 4 tickets per person. Do it now while supplies last!!

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Review of Seattle Confidential @ ACT Theatre by Chelsea D. Walking into one of ACT Theatre’s stages to see Seattle Confidential, I am almost worried I have walked into the wrong venue. Instead of the customary even rows of seats marked with neat plaques, the stage looks more like a coffee shop than a formal theatre. Small tables with people clustered around them fill the room, with the small stage in the front — suspended just a foot or so above the ground.

The Real Story of the Quileute Wolves @ Seattle Art Museum

Thank you, Twilight. Yeah, we said it. Let's face it, if not for the books and films that brought the Quileute people to life (even if mistakenly stereotypically) it's likely that the vast majority of America never would have heard of them at all. But thankfully for them and for us, Twilight inspired this exhibit at the Seattle Art Museum, which cleared up a lot of, er, misconceptions... most notably that each male member of the Quileute tribe runs around shirtless at all times.

Review of In The Next Room, or the vibrator play @ ACT Theatre by Joyce R.Sex.Now that I have your attention, let’s talk about the play In the Next Room.Just the premise of the play sounds hilarious. This is a play about the creation of the first vibrator! Are you not laughing already? Are you not even a little curious as to what possible absurdities are going to occur? I know I was. With funny, smart, well-written dialogue, charming characters, and a touching story, playwright Sarah Ruhl (The Clean House– 2005 Pulitzer Finalist) will show you love, marriage, humor, loss, and sex. Yes, sex.This play is erotic enough that I wouldn’t want to take my parents, but at the same time in a sweet, innocent, romantic way, in a way that doesn’t make me squirm uncomfortably in my seat. I am also utterly won over with these quirky characters. Whether it be tactless, or awkward, or overly-analytical, the actors portray their characters wonderfully, and I fell in love with all their unique little idiosyncrasies. Especially the ever awkward Mr. Daldry (Michael Patten), jumping in at the worst times saying things like, “I like sausages.” And Dr. Givings (Jeff Cummings), talking about the weather whilst administering “treatment” on his patients’ nether-areas. And Mrs. Givings’ (Jennifer Sue Johnson) thoughtless comments on wanting to have “a few extra kids around” just in case one of them dies. And… heck, I like them all! Jeff Cummings as Dr. Givings and Jennifer Sue Johnson as Mrs. GivingsPhoto by Chris BennionThis comedy had me laughing, but also surprised me with moments of solemnity, insight on life, and endearing tenderness. The time in the theater passed by quickly. The idea so absurd, the script so clever, I was thoroughly entertained the entire 2 hours and 15 minutes that the play ran.Having only ever been to big productions at the Paramount of at 5th Avenue, I was also pleasantly surprised by the intimacy of the ACT, where the play is being shown. Additionally, the late-18th century set and costumes were gorgeous and very well suited for the play.All in all, my first gut reaction after seeing this play is that I like it immensely. All the factors, the quirky, lovable characters, the beautiful set and costumes, the witty script, and the absurdity of the premise meshed together nicely, and unless you are touchy and embarrassed at even the thought of sex, I recommend all to go see this curious little play about the invention of the first vibrator.Note: This play contains adult material and is recommended for ages 16+.In the Next Room, or the vibrator playThrough August 28thACT Theatre

Labyrinth @ Three Dollar Bill CinemaOverwhelmed with angst, 15-year-old Sarah wishes her baby brother Toby to be taken away by goblins, though hardly expects it to happen. But when Jareth, the Goblin King (played by David Bowie) shows up in her room in the form of an owl and her baby brother is missing, Sarah realizes her mistake. She is then transported on a long journey through an enormous maze-like otherworld to search for Toby: along the way meeting fantastically puppeteered fairies, dwarves, beasts and other mystical creatures. Will she rescue Toby from the Goblin King or will she be lost in the Labyrinth forever?

Woohoo! We have a whole-new website!Hey Teen-Tixers, our website has been updated. Seriously, go look at it. It's decked out with a color-coded calendar, a cool scrolling picture bar and easy-to-follow links--all at the ready for you to use!No more wasting time lookin' for stuff you want. Link to our newsletter, get more info on our participating organizations, and connect to any of our social networking sites. If you'd like to pay us a visit, go here.

Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead @ Young Americans' Theatre CompanyEver wondered how the Peanuts characters would do "all growed up?" Good ol' Charlie and the gang (equipped with new names special to the parody) are finding out what real life is like--and it ain't pretty. This dark, high school comedy presented by the Young Americans' Theatre company is an unexpected twist in one infamous childhood comic strip. Tackling issues like death, the afterlife, image and acceptance this play is both hilarious and upsetting and sure to amuse both those familiar with the comic and those who aren't.Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage BlockheadAugust 4 - 7Young Americans' Theatre Company

Agree with Alyssa. This is an addiction (full blown) if it cannot be stopped for two or three hours straight. Last evening yet another great film here in NYC was spoiled by one young lady's constant texting and all of us around her having to be subjected to the 15 watt bulb from her blackberry or IPhone. I asked her to stop and she did for a while 20 minutes. But she started texting again, it was clear she was "jones'ing" as if coming off of a drug and could stay off texting on her phone. She was irritating everyone and several said things and the same process would happen. Using one's cell and texting in theaters and cinemas or in churches (increasing) is rude to everyone who has paid money around her; there is no reason to see a film or play if one is not fully engaged in the entire experience; people's time management issues are not others' burden to carry; texting is making a lot of teens and 20-somethings just appear to be rude and ill mannered. It is as if they've an electronic tracking bracelet. If one is engrossed in a machine one is not engaged by others. Instead of Texting Rows how about they just stay home and text or walk public streets and text? Why enter any theater, church, synagogue, library, restaurant, cinema at all if one is that distracted and disengaged?

Review of Our National Game @ Seattle Art Museum by Olivia O.Aaah, baseball. Even when the home team is on a losing streak, what makes a better summer day than watching a good game with some peanuts and crackerjack? Just in time to answer that question comes Our National Game at Seattle Art Museum, a celebration of America’s pastime as well as a commentary on the legacy of the color barrier and discrimination in sports.The three artists featured in the exhibit are Norman Rockwell, Douglas Tilden, and Jacob Lawrence, who each bring a different perspective to the game. Tilden’s sculpture, from which the exhibit takes its title, perfectly captures a moment in time; you can practically feel the breeze blowing through the field as the player prepares to bat. Rockwell’s painting The Dugout comically shows the reactions of the disappointed Cubs fans whose team was having a bad season, something any Mariners fan can relate to. I’ve always been a Rockwell fanatic, so it was wonderful to finally see a painting of his live.The Dugout, Norman Rockwell, 1948. However, the works that were most fascinating to me were Jacob Lawrence’s two paintings, Strike and The Long Stretch. His paintings are pretty abstract, a wild departure from Rockwell’s and Tilden’s more realistic works. At first glance, they look like a simple expression of the motion and agility in the sport, which they do brilliantly. But look a little closer and you’ll see Lawrence’s observations on the state of racial equality in the major leagues of the 1940s.The Long Stretch, Jacob Lawrence, 1949. Courtesy of Seattle Art Museum.Although the three artists’ works are the focus of the exhibit, there are several other photographs and paintings to give a historical context to the art and tell the story more fully. There are pictures of teams that were integrated as early as the 1880s (until the infamous Gentlemen’s Agreement that segregated baseball until 1947) as well as women’s teams, known as “Bloomer Girls,” who were playing a whole generation before Title IX.Our National Game not only features the work of extremely talented artists, it’s also a great education in an important milestone in the nation’s history. The artwork and historical documents are a powerful visual history of the sport that unites our country.Our National GameThrough November 27Seattle Art Museum

Review of Rocky Horror Picture Show @ ArtsWest by Dana F.ArtsWest’s Musical Theater Apprenticeship Program’s performance hits you with the sense-shocking bang that only The Rocky Horror Show can. Complemented by an impressively minimalist set, the show’s wacky antics are allowed to shine brightly, absorbing the audience’s whole focus.

Photo by Michael BrunkThe young actors bring a boatload of fresh spark and energy to the cult classic tale, as well as a colossal amount of talent. Vocal performances by Becca Orts (playing Janet Weiss) and Ryan Floresca (playing Dr. Frank ‘N’ Furter), as well as the rest of the cast, did more than simply live up to the time-honored tunes, and I found myself wishing I had the soundtrack to take home and listen to again. The cast demonstrated a powerful love of and commitment to the show, throwing themselves into character with a vengeance.

Photo by Michael BrunkThe show did seem to have some difficulty, however, in deciding what it wanted to be. Costumes and staging frequently deviated from the ever-popular film version of Rocky Horror, giving the performance its own unique identity. At the same time, audience participation lines customarily shouted in movie theaters were incorporated into the ArtsWest script, inserted by various members of the ensemble cast. These additions proved distracting and more than a little confusing, and I would imagine especially to those in the audience less familiar with the Rocky Horror story, who might feel as if there’s a joke they’re just not getting. They also elevated the traditionally mature content to a more extreme level, bordering on obscene.But while this show is not for the faint of heart or the unaware Rocky Horror “virgin”, it will thrill die-hard fans with its talented cast, surging energy, and commitment to anything and everything Rocky.Rocky Horror Picture ShowCLOSEDComing up next at ArtsWest: Amy's View

Xanadu @ Three Dollar Bill CinemaWhen a broke artist named Sonny Malone returned to his job creating album cover art, he never expected that one of his creations would come to life. A beautiful woman by the name of Kira (bearing uncanny resemblance to the woman from his painting) unexpectedly appears to Sonny, kissing him and disappearing just as quickly as she came. Sonny becomes obsessed with finding her and along the way meets an ex-big band leader who has also lost inspiration. Kira appears yet again and encourages the men to start a business together--a nightclub that features a roller skating rink called "Xanadu".Three Dollar Bill Cinema gives us the muses, mischief and mayhem that isXanadu at Cal Anderson Park (for FREE!) If you like big hair and 80's kitsch, this movie is perfect for you!Xanadu: where time stops and the magic never ends!XanaduFriday, July 29Three Dollar Bill Cinema