TeenTix Blog

Radoslaw Rychcik | In the Solitude of Cotton Fields @ On the Boards

The National Theatre Live: HamletTONIGHT at SIFF CinemaSIFF is kicking off a year-long series of screenings high-def "digital cinema exhibitions" from Britain's National Theatre with a modern-dress Hamlet that folks say is "suberb." The thespians at the National Theatre, as you might expect, have got some game, and, anyway, Shakespeare always sounds better coming off of English lips. Well, it does. The National Theatre Live: HamletMonday, January 10 @ 7:30SIFF Cinema

Nervous about using your Teen Tix pass for the first time? Never fear! Veteran Teen Tix users are here to tell you that they feel your pain, but it's really just not that scary. Watch!

Name: HallieB.Age: 16School: Seattle Waldorf High SchoolFavorite Teen Tix experience (so far): Speech & Debate at Seattle RepTeen Tix venue you wish more people knew about: YATCWhich foreign language do you most want to learn? I want to get better at Spanish, but I also want to learn Arabic.What is your perfect Saturday? Going to dance, meeting friends, and then going to see a show!Do you have any New Year's resolutions? No, I don't usually make them.What is one thing you must do before you die? Live in a foreign country.In/OutCollege Right Away or Gap YearCoffee or TeaEnglish or BioPoetry or ProseFacebook or Not FacebookCar or BusEarly Bird or Night OwlJeggings or Pajama JeansThe Teen Tix Steering Committee is a group of young, committed arts leaders who help guide and shape the Teen Tix program. We'll be introducing you to one member of your Steering Committee every few days here on the blog. Interested in joining the Steering Committee? More info can be found here.

Connor Toms really is becoming a SST's favorite.

Hi there,No, Teen Tix eligibility is NOT restricted to certain performances. Seattle Shakespeare Company participates in Teen Tix, therefore, any performance in their regular season is Teen Tix-eligible. However, Teen Tix tickets are available day-of-show only, so, if a show sells out before the day-of, there will be no Teen Tix available. If you're concerned about that possibility, we encourage you to call ahead and double check on Teen Tix availability. The number for SSC's box office is 206-733-8222.Hope that helps. Feel free to email us at teentix@seattle.gov or call 206-233-3959 if you have any more questions.HollyTeen Tix Program Manager

Are there certain days that we can use our Teen Tix for the showing?

Chamber Cymbeline @ Seattle Shakespeare CompanyLike any good fairytale, Cymbeline is full of darkness and deceit. Mothers try to poison daughters, fiances try to entrap fiancees into cheating on them, people cut off other people's heads and float them down rivers, long-lost whathaveyous are revealed.Cymbeline is a show that doesn't get done too often, perhaps because the original is a big ol' mess (some scholars think it was never actually finished), but early reports are that adapter/director Henry Woronicz has been brave enough to slap the text around, shave off the nonsense, and deliver and tight, actor-driven story.If nothing else, it's got great people in it, including Jennifer Lee Taylor as the princess, Imogen, and perpetual heartthrob Connor Toms as both of her suitors. Chamber CymbelineSeattle Shakespeare CompanyJanuary 5 - 30

SARA MOUNTJOY-PEPKA (November): When we last heard from Sara Mountjoy-Pepka she was getting ready to open Womb Escape IV at Unexpected Productions and enjoying the power associated with her macho motorcycle helmet. Now that Womb Escape is over, she shares some of her experiences. When asked about hidden talents, she brings up another teammate, Ahsan, who she discovered could do spot-on impressions of Lucille Ball in I Love Lucy. Her most memorable experience at Unexpected Productions was being freaked out by a group of ghost hunters who came by the theater to investigate. She is currently working on “a sci-fi with a tiny bit of singing and dancing thrown in” called The Duel of the Linguist Mages at Annex Theatre, and plans to teach a winter K-2 camp at the Seattle Public Theatre. Sara says that someone who is interested in music, sports, AND acting (like her) should focus on music and sports during the school year and act in community theaters and camps during the summer. “Sports and music are a great compliment to theater - and they actually all relate [more] than you'd think. I can't tell you how much I've been called on to play bassoon, accordion, piano, recorder, and singing for theater productions.” When asked about her job title, Sara gives “actor”. - Allison C.MOSES YIM (August): Q: What's been keeping you busy since your interview with Teen Tix in August?A: I have been keeping relatively busy since the interview. For one the show ran pretty successfully and then I had a couple of stage readings which were fantastic! It was the first time I had ever done anything like that and it was fun and different. Its like adult story time and I was asked to do two different readings which I was stoked and very fortunate to do.Q: What was it like to be Crush of the Month?A: Wow... when Holly sent me the email I was very flattered. I've never really considered myself crush worthy and am trying really hard to not let it get to my head! haha just kidding. Its pretty cool because for a long time I've always thought asians haven't really been viewed as attractive or crush worthy, but to receive the crush of the month in any form was really reassuring. If I were to be crush of the year, it would be for my asian peeps!!Q: A: My perfect saturday would run something like this. Basketball game in the morning, lunch with a close friend, playing a bit of music with my "band" brothers and sisters, dinner with my family, then snuggling up with my hypothetical girlfriend for some dvd time!! I'm a simple man Safaa...ZOEY BELYEA & TALLIS MOORE (July): Zoey:Q: What shows have you done since we last caught up with you during Past Curfew? A: Hair at SCT summer season. I played Janie, the pregnant one. Had so so much fun rocking out to hippie songs in the sunny end of the summer. And Reckless at my school, Seattle University, where I'm currently a junior. This show was really exciting for me, I got to work with Braden Abraham who also works at the Rep. He was such a great director, it was a huge learning experience for me. Also my character was in a wheel chair and deaf so that was a challenge.Q: What’s your next project that we can point your fans towards?A: I'm performing in Theater Schmeater's production of Crooked January 14-February 15. It's this really hilarious and beautiful story about a 14 year old girl, a little bit of an outcast, who finds an ultra religious friend (that's me!) when her mother moves her back to Mississippi. I think it's something all Teen Tix members will really enjoy, it's a super honest portrayal of the issues and stresses that teens deal with everyday. And my mom's in it too!!Q: What are your 2011 New Year’s resolutions, theatre-related or not?A: I almost always have to resolve to get more exercise. That's an important part of being an actor and just being a healthy person. I also want to start writing more poetry, I'm taking a class on it next quarter so hopefully that one will stick.Q: And finally, what was it like to be Crush of the Month?A: I feel honored to even be named Crush of the Month. Teen Tix is such an AMAZING organization. I have personally benefited from my Teen Tix pass more times than I can count, and often been one of the youngest people in the audience. Just know that I love Teen Tix, I was a teen tix member almost from the beginning, and as long as teenagers keep seeing theater and keep encouraging their friends so see more theater I'll be happy. We are the future, dudes. Let's own it!!LAURA GILBREATH (March): Q: Since "Three By Dove" you've been in quite a few more performances, do you have a favorite for 2010?A: 2010 has been a great season of dancing. The ALL BALANCHINE program stands out in my mind as one of my favorite programs yet. Getting to perform the Waltz Girl in Serenade was amazing, Choleric in The Four Temperaments was also a highlight; it was just a fantastic program. In addition, the second movement pas de deux in Jerome Robbins' Glass Pieces [during the DIRECTOR’S CHOICE program] was fantastic. Q: What blunder stands out in your mind?A: I think I was an apprentice at the time and we were performing Brahms-Schoenberg Quartet. I was in the fourth movement corps section. I remember this night very clearly; it was Friday the 13th (the only reason I remember this is because Kent Stowell [PNB’s founding artistic director] was offstage in the wings joking and telling me to be careful out there because of the date!) I made my entrance and things were going pretty smoothly. Then we got to this rather chaotic crossing section and I must have tangled feet with another dancer. I went down hard right in the middle of the stage! I think it took me a minute to get up, but of course when I did, I was laughing hysterically (my typical reaction to falling and everything else!) It didn't help that another girl in the company was laughing just as hard, so every time I would look at her I would bust up again. Not to mention the fact that my knee was bleeding! I guess I should have been embarrassed, but I thought it was too funny. So I guess that blunder always stands out to me.Q: What are you studying at Seattle U?A: I'm just trying to get my core credits finished as of now. I just finished Spanish 115, so I'll take 125, then 135, and then I'll at least have gotten my foreign language credits taken care of. I believe I'll be a sophomore after this next Spanish class.Q: In 2015 where will you be?A: I hope to be a Principal dancer with PNB, dancing great ballets, and hopefully I'll be married by that point. I would love to have a baby while I'm still dancing, so maybe I would be contemplating a family.Q. Still listening to country music? Who are the top artists/songs on your play list?A: I will ALWAYS listen to my country music! It is my roots, after all:) I love Taylor Swift's new album, and I think Keith Urban has some great new songs as well. Rascall Flatts never disappoints! - Safaa D.JUSTIN HUERTES (January): Q: What have you been doing since Speech & Debate closed?A: I've been missing Speech & Debate! Haha! Luckily, I've been keeping busy. I got to be a part of a fantastic workshop at the Rep for a new play written and directed by Adam Rapp called Welcome Home, Dean Charbonneau. And that was a crazy-amazing experience! Adam Rapp's an incredibly talented playwright and director, so I learned a lot from him and from the actors.I also worked with my friends at Contemporary Classics again on Zanna, Don't! and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (on which Contemporary Classics worked with RK Productions). Spelling Bee was great! I've never been a part of a cast that was so tight-knit. We're all still best friends and plan get-togethers as much as we can!My current job, I'll save for a couple of questions down....Q: What was it like to be Crush of the Month?A: Honestly, that was a little surreal! Especially being the FIRST Crush of the Month! I was definitely flattered. My friends loved it. During Speech & Debate, Erin Stewart would introduce me to her friends as "Crush of the Month Justin Huertas"! She still greets me like that sometimes: "Is that Crush of the Month Justin Huertas?" Actually, when my friends heard about this follow-up interview, they all got so excited!Q: How do you keep in touch with your cello roots now that you have moved on to acting?A: I'm currently the cellist for the national tour of Spring Awakening, which is a Tony Award-winning Best Musical -- one of my favorites actually. So, lucky for me, I get to play rock music every night on my cello!- Julie H.

Review of Nine Nation Animation at Northwest Film Forum by Alyssa T. Nine Nation Animation is an intellectual LOL. It’s ten times freakier than any wonderland Alice could ever imagine, and funnier, too. If you’re into visual art, storytelling, social criticism, or light laughs, this is for you. If you dig Norwegian construction workers, failing cat and mouse marriages, operatic birds, or candy-farting clowns, this is also for you. And if your primary animation feed comes in the form of mainstream television cartoons, Nine Nation Animation will make you feel malnourished. The film, a little over an hour long, is a collection of nine animation shorts produced by various artists around the globe. Each short carries its own unique style, culture, message, characters, and sometimes even language. Though the dialogue is rarely in English, there was never a time I felt it needed to be. The subtitles don’t detract from the animation at all. If anything, I have a feeling viewers will be more concerned with the overload of visual awesomeness. Do you remember those boxy N64 graphics? In the short “Please Say Something,” David O’Reilly manipulates simplistic 3D shapes to give birth to an interesting romance between a cat and a mouse. It’s bizarre, unnatural, relatable, inappropriate, and charming at the same time, and it leaves you wanting more dysfunctional animal relationships. This animation ended up as my favorite, and if it doesn’t end up as yours, there are eight more animations to choose from, each with its own voice. Every move, every sound, and frame is created for a purpose other than fulfilling your expectations. Nine Nation Animation is as fun to watch as those Saturday morning cartoons, and as meaningful as good literature. The film can open your eyes to animation as a boundless art form, versus animation as an ordinary entertainment tool. It’ll be worth your time to see, because there’s a whole new world of animation out there, trying its best to make itself known in a planet conditioned to line-and-color cartoons. Nine Nation Animation Northwest Film Forum January 1 - 6 Watch the trailer:

Review of Handel's Messiah at Seattle Symphony by Emma M.Most people know Handel’s Messiah for its spectacular Hallelujah chorus, associating it with Christmastime. But Messiah is so much more. The wonderful baroque style and the soaring vocals make this piece a much deserved classic and Seattle Symphony’s rendition of this stirring classic is beautiful.Seattle Symphony and ChoraleOver the course of a few weeks in the summer of 1741, George Frideric Handel composed one of the most brilliant choral pieces of all time. His oratorio, Messiah, has been a favorite piece for nearly 270 years since. The Messiah tells the life story of Jesus Christ. Messiah is an oratorio, which is basically a narrative opera, designed to be played in a concert setting. The oratorio is broken down into three parts. Part the First, is the prophesying and birth of the Messiah. This part is the baroque style at its best. Stunning flourishes, and notes held for impossible lengths of time are characteristic of this part. As stunning as this part may be, it's almost an appetizer to the real meat of the piece, in Part the Second and Part the Third. Part the Second describes the hardships of Christ and includes some stunning music. “Behold, and see if there be any sorrow like unto his sorrow” is beautifully poignant piece. At the same time, all of this pain and sadness is juxtaposed by the famous Hallelujah chorus, with it’s soaring jubilation. It is remarkable that after such an incredible piece of music as the Hallelujah chorus, Handel could continue onto a third part and not lose any of the splendor that he just created. Indeed, Part the Third holds the most beautiful piece, “The trumpet shall sound,” a rich harmony between bass voice and solo trumpet. And at the very end is the Amen chorus which is just as spectacular, if not more so, than the famed Hallelujah chorus.HandelThe interplay between the strings-heavy symphony and the melodious voices of the Seattle Symphony Chorale is soft and smooth. I particularly enjoyed bass-baritone Charles Robert Austin’s performance. Austin’s ebony tones lend a richness and weight to the first part, and continue to astound in the third part with “The trumpet shall sound.” A real vocal highlight is Soprano Dominique Labelle. Labelle, while effortlessly trilling the baroque pieces, has a weight behind it. She has a vocal clarity which punctuates all of the humming strings. Then of course there is the man himself. Gerard Schwarz is fascinating to watch conduct. He has a thousand and one gestures and expressions to convey his meaning to the symphony, the solo artists, and the chorus.one of the many gestures of Maestro SchwarzAlthough Messiah is a religious piece, if we can look beyond that, the oratorio is incredibly stirring and uplifting. Handel’s absolutely incredible music, and Seattle Symphony’s lovely rendition is sure to touch all people.Handel's MessiahSeattle SymphonyThrough December 19th

Last Friday night, we sent a bunch of our writers to Picasso Teen Night Out at Seattle Art Museum. Here's what three of them thought (for four more views on the Picasso Teen Night Out, go here.):Samantha V.: Freaky and Sideways with PicassoAs I have already reviewed the Picasso exhibit before, I felt I had seen everything there, and that nothing was going to be different. I was wrong. Now, I didn’t go on the press tour because I couldn’t find it. I went on a My Fave Things tour instead. This tour happens every Friday @ 6:30pm, and this week it was about, what else, Picasso. I really liked the fact that this time the tour was led by art students from the UW, and they seemed to know quite a lot about what they were saying. There was a moment when I had to bite my tongue because one of the art students made a statement that I believe is incorrect about Picasso’s love life, and since I was not leading the tour, I decided not to say anything.I still haven’t decided which piece of Picasso’s is my fave. Well, all that means is another trip to SAM. Yay! Typically when I am at SAM, I’m volunteering, so I normally don’t get to be as spontaneously creative as I was Friday night. I wish everyday was this much fun! I colored a paper mask! I made a button! I modeled, and had my portrait drawn by a wonderful young artist (so happy)! I played theatre games, including a marathon version of “Story! Story! DIE!” which began as a story about a psycho who lived in a hut on a rock, then it spun very sci-fi all of a sudden, then went sorta’ all freaky and sideways on me. So much fun!I had a glorious time experiencing Picasso in a totally different way. He has the best diary in town.Safaa D:Open the doors and they will come. As did many teens for this night of fun and education, free of charge. Not only was a gallery of great works open to us but a contagious atmosphere of singing, dancing and art filled SAM.After you've walked up the stairs from the 1st and Union entrance you feel the energy of the young and talented performers belting out a tune from the stage. People having their photos taken by a pro in front of a large orange back drop. Walk over and see a space crawling with teens on the floor and spilling off the drawing table practicing cubism and other art.My favorite piece of the Picasso’s collection is "Frugal Repast". Depicting a blind man and far seeing woman. A deep-seated portrayal of poverty. I had a wonderful time and hope to return to TNO on May 13th for Nick Cave: Meet Me at the Center of the Earth.Emma P.:Math equations doodled into the margins, splats of tea and grizzly edges have graced the early canvases of Picasso’s unsold early work, but never before have they been shown in such a refreshing and honest way. The Seattle Art Museum’s Picasso exhibit, drawn from the Musée National Picasso in Paris, chronologically presents many of Picasso’s unsold paintings from his early life in Paris to his death. These paintings were truly for Picasso and not for the public, and so the organic natures of each piece have not been inhibited. The 10 months which the SAM spent preparing for this exhibit are seen in every choice of frame, and every position of the pieces. The imperfections on the canvases are not hidden, but thrust into the limelight; sketches are lined up in the middle of several rooms, with the giant paintings taking a back seat.Picasso is NOT Teen Tix eligible. Student (w/ID)/youth (13-17) tickets are $18. But, there are a few ways for you to see this exhibit for less:Thursday January 6, student/youth tickets are $8 all day (10 AM - midnight)Thursdays & Fridays from 5 PM - 9 PM student/youth tickets are $15OR, grab 9 of your closest friends! Student/youth tickets for groups of 10 - 29 are $14.For more information about this exhibit, including a full calendar of special events, visit picassoinseattle.org.

Seattle Symphony Chorale "flash mob" sings Handel's Messiah at Nordstrom

Ah, it's so great to be out of school. No homework, no alarm clocks... Oh crap. I'm totally bored. I am the most boring person who ever lived! I have no life except facebook! Which is not life! There is nothing inherently interesting about me! I am being sucked into a cesspool of ennui! Ahhhhhhhhhhh!!!!! (This has been a pre-enactment of the conversation you will have in your head exactly one and one-half days after school gets out.)Here's some help:Things to do with your family (or, alternatively, to escape from your family) over the holiday breakA Festival of Lessons and Carols @ Seattle SymphonyA Tuna Christmas @ ArtsWestWEST SEATTLE | Dec 1 - 24 | more info | TEEN REVIEWSpend the holidays with your favorite citizens of Tuna, Texas and make some new friends while you're there. Two fabulous performers, along with some split-second costume changes, portray all 22 citizens of Texas' third smallest town, where the Lion's Club is too liberal and Patsy Cline never dies. Safaa D recommends it, saying "Not all audience members celebrate Christmas (myself included) but every one laughs equally well...Please visit Tuna.

Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Christmas Carol @ Taproot Theatre | GREENWOOD | Through Dec 30 | more info | TEEN REVIEWThese then are the facts: The year, 1894. The date, Christmas Eve. The location, 221B Baker Street. After being presumed dead for three years, a hardened Sherlock Holmes resurfaces, turning his back on the people who need him most. Three unexpected callers arrive on Christmas Eve uncovering clues from the detective’s past, present and future. Can they save Holmes and his world from a dire end? Our reviewer, Emma M., calls it "a clever little spin on a Christmas classic."

Last Friday night, we sent a bunch of our writers to Picasso Teen Night Out at Seattle Art Museum. Here's what four of them thought:Ehrik A.:A little known fact is that before Pablo Picasso became an artistic deity, he dropped out of school when he was sixteen years old in order to explore the vast world of art. And while I am certainly not one to ever promote this type of “career move” to any readers out there, it’s notable to recognize the success of the reliable and clichéd formula: do what you love to do and follow your dreams.With this in mind, SAM’s Teen Night Out with Mr. Picasso felt right, allowing the chance for ‘the young people’ to explore Picasso’s art and to share their own—young poets from Writers in the Schools (WITS) performed their own poetry, and museum stations encouraged visitors to make their own Picasso-esque collage-masterpieces. An overall very fun event, TNO was refreshing to see so many excited teens crammed shoulder to shoulder in a gallery already oversaturated with fantastic art. I’m definitely looking forward to the next one.Emma Me.:Picasso is said to be one of the greatest artists who ever lived. I read about him in school, saw some of his paintings in textbooks, and heard his name mentioned in conversation. However, I never really realized exactly what he was famous for until I got to go the Picasso exhibit at the Seattle Art Museum for Teen Night, an attraction where 1000 teens were able to get free admission to the museum and exhibit. The SAM currently holds a vast collection of Picasso’s paintings and sculptures which they have put together to show the artist’s journey through life. From Picasso’s blue period to his surrealistic pieces, my favorite style of Picasso paintings had to be cubism, for it was easy to get lost in a geometrically overwhelming painting, attempting to determine what a depicted object was before glancing at the title. In general, Teen Night was a good way to attract younger people to see the works of Picasso, especially those like me who might not have realized what an incredible and rewarding experience it would be.Nikolina S.:Art should be felt, not explained. As I strolled through the Picasso exhibit at the Seattle Art Museum, I noticed that practically everyone was listening to those funny telephone-looking devices. Something inside of me snapped; I strongly believe that art must be interpreted on an individual basis. I was given a short tour of the exhibit and I couldn’t help but notice that the woman leading the tour seemed to be more concerned with Picasso’s biography rather than giving us a foundation to build our own theories on a particular painting. Frankly, if I were an artist I wouldn’t want people to focus on my personal life, I’d want them to immerse themselves and gain individual insight into my work. People in the museum were listening to facts about paintings, Picasso’s many lovers and an expert’s take on the painting; basically everything except experiencing the art. It was only when I broke away from the tour that I was able to gain an insight behind the genius that is Pablo Picasso. Art speaks to those who give their entire body and soul into understanding the deeper, more complicated meaning and that, of course, is different for everybody. Seattle Art Museum’s Teen Night did, however, succeed in bringing in and captivating young adults; listening to original poetry and making quirky buttons were my personal favorites!Callan C.:First off, I have to say that I’m not a huge art enthusiast – sure, I like going to the art museum once in a while, but I’m not particularly knowledgeable or experienced when it comes to art. But WOW, did the Picasso exhibit at SAM really blow my mind! Both the size and variety of the exhibit are amazing; works spanning Picasso’s entire life are on display. There are paintings and sculptures, and also photos of Picasso and his life. I probably would have had a hard time taking it all in if we had not had such a knowledgeable tour guide explaining the meanings of Picasso’s works as well as the techniques he used to create them. She pointed out to us the fascinating evolution of Picasso’s art over his lifetime, and what caused his changing style. Even for the amateur art enthusiast, it was definitely an experience to remember!Picasso is NOT Teen Tix eligible. Student (w/ID)/youth (13-17) tickets are $18. But, there are a few ways for you to see this exhibit for less:Thursday January 6, student/youth tickets are $8 all day (10 AM - midnight)Thursdays & Fridays from 5 PM - 9 PM student/youth tickets are $15OR, grab 9 of your closest friends! Student/youth tickets for groups of 10 - 29 are $14.For more information about this exhibit, including a full calendar of special events, visit picassoinseattle.org.

Crush of the Month Kyle Loven talks about his show, Crandal's Bag. See? Totes crushworthy (wait, are we still saying "totes"?)

Kyle Loven Interview from Washington Ensemble Theatre on Vimeo.Crandal's BagWashington Ensemble TheatreDecember 9 - 20Learn more about Kyle at kyleloven.com

What? Cake-eating, theatre-watching, fun-havingWhen? Sunday, January 16thWhere? Seattle Repertory TheatreHow much? $5.00 for you, $5.00 for your guestMore please: The Teen Tix Teen Steering Committee and Seattle Rep are pleased to invite you to The Kake of Death, a party that will include the eating of delicious cake, the winning of fabulous prizes, the listening-to of great music (by Capitol Hill band FREAKOUT) and the watching of spooky theatre.6:30 – 7:30 = cake-eating, prize-winning| 7:30 – 9:30 = show watchingThe party starts at 6:30 pm in the Rep’s upper lobby. There will be cake (did we mention that already?) and a chance to win fabulous prizes and possibly to fake-murder your friends. Then at 7:30, the special sneak-preview performance of The K of D begins. Actress Renata Friedman brings an entire town to life in a summertime ghost story about a small-town girl with a lethal skill.You can buy your tickets NOW by calling the Rep’s box office at 206-443-2222. You will need a credit card to reserve tickets, so ask your parents. The show is expected to sell out, so we highly recommend buying your tickets ahead of time.Small print: this party is open to Teen Tix members and their guests only. This show is recommended for people ages 14 and up for profanity, mild sexual threat.facebook event

Review of The Nutcracker at Pacific Northwest Ballet by Rheanna M.

Do you have a love for arts and culture? If you do, then we want to hear from you!The Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF) is looking to speak to teens as it plans new programming and outreach for teens. Past attendance at SIFF is not required. It’s just important for us to hear directly from teens about what would make its experience more appealing and exciting, so make your voice heard! We are holding 90 minute discussion groups and as a thank you, everyone who participates will receive a $25 Amazon gift card.For more information and to see if you qualify to participate, go to:http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/SIFF_focusgroupThank you for your willingness to share your thoughts!

Review of Strange Powers: Stephin Merritt and The Magnetic Fields by Rheanna M. The music starts, and you see the nearly-bald, perpetually puppy-dog-eyed Stephin Merritt, founder of the band The Magnetic Fields, who stars in this artsy documentary about the life of a true musical genius. The Magnetic Fields, to some, are a classically unpredictable band that covers more genres than a record store, but to most they are unknown. Fortunately, this film is one that can be enjoyed by all, fan or not. It starts off by introducing the band - how the life-long friendship of band members Stephin Merritt and Claudia Gonson came to form this collaboration of poet and musician, spanning all the way back to 1989. The somber cuteness of Merritt is paired with the energizing frankness of Gonson, and the two are constantly bickering in front of the camera. This seems to work for them, however, as the music they have created over the years is constantly changing and is always a fresh breath of air. The film shows the band recording in Merritt’s studio apartment, and it is inspiring to see what one can create from the comfort of their own home. Since the film focuses not only on the band, but also mainly on Merritt himself, we get an exclusive peek into the life of this indie rock prodigy. His blase, macabre humor is a little difficult to pick up on at first, but once the story progresses it starts to make sense, and you begin to see how it is reflected in The Magnetic Fields' music. This film is brilliantly constructed with gorgeous footage of both the band and the man behind it all, and even as an avid Fields fan I was pleasantly surprised. The ten years of work behind getting the footage for this film has certainly not gone to waste. Strange Powers: Stephin Merritt and The Magnetic Fields Northwest Film Forum December 10 - 16