TeenTix Blog

A: Very awesome.Why? Well, did you know that tickets to Seattle Arts & Lectures events are always free for students? Truth. And before all you professional cynics out there start going "oh, that's because it's boring crap that nobody wants to see," step back. A mere selection of the creative geniuses whom SA&L have brought to Seattle recently:Movie star/hyper genius/legendary beauty Isabella Rossellini (that's her over there on the right)Author (of, among many other things, the short story that was made into a little film called Brokeback Mountain) Annie ProulxSuper star author (The Yiddish Policemen’s Union, The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay) Michael ChabonThe most famous celebrity photographer in the history of ever, Annie LeibovitzRock legend Patti SmithAnd so. many. more.So, that all seems pretty noteworthy already, right? Wait. There's more. Because Seattle Arts & Lectures loves its Teen Tix patrons so much, they have extended a special offer to you guys: Free admission always for all Teen Tix members PLUS $5 companion tickets for all SA&L events. This means you get in for free just for showing your Teen Tix pass, and you may bring along anyone you like, including an adult, and get them in for $5. Roof=raised.So, um, here's a little something you might be interested in:Daniel Handler (aka Lemony Snicket): "Why Does Lemony Snicket Keep Following Me?" Daniel Handler will be introduced by Sherman Alexie, who will also conduct and moderate the audience Q&A. Lemony Snicket (aka Daniel Handler) is the author of many books, most famously 13 children's books comprising A Series of Unfortunate Events. The story of three orphans, the Baudelaire children, began with The Bad Beginning (1999) and quickly developed a following. The series has sold more than 53 million copies and was made into a film starring Jim Carrey. The Snicket books are loved by adults and children for their humor-on many levels-and their grip on "reality" (whatever that is), or the understanding, at least, that "It is very difficult to make one's way in this world without being wicked at one point or another, when the world's way is so wicked to begin with."Presented by Seattle Arts & Lectures @ Benaroya HallTuesday November 9 @ 7:30 pmmore infoAnd next up at Seattle Arts & Lectures: Nora Ephron, director and screenwriter of such little-known, indie films as Julie & Julia, When Harry Met Sally and, ahem, Sleepless in freaking Seattle. That's Thursday, November 18th at Town Hall. More info here.Thank you Seattle Arts & Lectures. We

How awesome it was to discover an incredible museum right under my nose! I live within just a few miles of BAM but had never been before. I went to see the Clay Throwdown and was taken with a work that had two cornucopias yielding food and then guts onto a pile below. Also, I found a gallery of photographs near the museum store in which I knew every single artist! They were all students, teachers, or alumni from my high school.- Rowan T.Age 17October 31, 2010Image: Dirk Staschke, My Beautiful Nothing, Ceramic, mixed media, Photo: Courtesy of the artistWhat is this? It's the Teen Tix (he)ARTSCrush Adventure Quest, a month-long contest where you can win prizes for going to see art. All you have to do is go to an arts venues you've never been to before, write us a note about it, and you might win a fabulous prize pack including tons of tickets and memberships to local arts venues. It's the Teen Tix (he)ARTSCrush Adventure Quest! To enter, go to this form, write a note (150 words or less) about your experience at a new-to-you arts venue, and hit "Submit." Boom. You're entered to win. Do it over and over and over again and you might get crowned Seattle's Bravest Young Arts-Goer TM. More details here. SUBMISSIONS ACCEPTED THROUGH NOVEMBER 5, 2010. Good luck!

WOW!!! The McCaw Hall's contemporary/ballet was amazing! I enjoyed going into some of the stores and looking at all of the merchandise. My favorite part was going into the giant bathrooms and practicing some of my own dance routines from REACH with the PNB. I timed exactly how long everybody clapped for the dancers after the show. The longest was when the whole show ended, we clapped for 3 minutes and 30 seconds strait! My hands are still red! My mom and I had a blast in our really cute dresses. I love seeing the dancers from the show exit the building through the stage entrance door. When they meet with their loved ones. That's one of my favorite parts when I finish dancing at McCaw Hall. The orchestra ROCKED! GO DANCERS!!!- Angelou D.Age 13October 3, 2010What is this? It's the Teen Tix (he)ARTSCrush Adventure Quest, a month-long contest where you can win prizes for going to see art. All you have to do is go to an arts venues you've never been to before, write us a note about it, and you might win a fabulous prize pack including tons of tickets and memberships to local arts venues. It's the Teen Tix (he)ARTSCrush Adventure Quest! To enter, go to this form, write a note (150 words or less) about your experience at a new-to-you arts venue, and hit "Submit." Boom. You're entered to win. Do it over and over and over again and you might get crowned Seattle's Bravest Young Arts-Goer TM. More details here. SUBMISSIONS ACCEPTED THROUGH NOVEMBER 5, 2010. Good luck!

...doctors are prescribing theatre to sick people. Seriously.From Arts Journal:"...those of us who value the arts have a new ally in the form of Turku, European capital of culture for 2011. The city in south-west Finland has decided that 'culture cures' and seen to it that its board of healthcare will distribute 5,500 free tickets for cultural events to people who show up at its municipal health centres. Turku's mayor, Aleksi Randell, has effectively handed the medical establishment control of the box office."Blasted: Not SalubriousTo me, the funniest thing about this article is that the photo they used is from a production of Sarah Kane's rapey, cannibal-y, torture-y, absolutely brutal play Blasted, a piece of theatre almost guaranteed to make you sick (if you weren't already.)- Holly A.

I went to see Picasso again because the first time I went it was really crowded. I was once again shocked at the sheer quantity of art in the exhibit as well as the flexibility exhibited in Picasso's styles. Last time I had to rush by one of my favorite pieces, El Matador, but this time I stood and really looked at it. It's exciting to simply be in the room with a work painted by the hands of a well known master. But there's also something wonderful about forgetting who painted a work and just falling into it and seeing it afresh.- Rowan TAge 17October 30, 2010The Matador, October 4, 1970, Oil on canvas, Pablo Picasso, Spanish, (worked in France) 1881–1973, Courtesy Musée National Picasso, Paris, © 2010 Estate of Pablo Picasso / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New YorkWhat is this? It's the Teen Tix (he)ARTSCrush Adventure Quest, a month-long contest where you can win prizes for going to see art. All you have to do is go to an arts venues you've never been to before, write us a note about it, and you might win a fabulous prize pack including tons of tickets and memberships to local arts venues. It's the Teen Tix (he)ARTSCrush Adventure Quest! To enter, go to this form, write a note (150 words or less) about your experience at a new-to-you arts venue, and hit "Submit." Boom. You're entered to win. Do it over and over and over again and you might get crowned Seattle's Bravest Young Arts-Goer TM. More details here. SUBMISSIONS ACCEPTED THROUGH NOVEMBER 5, 2010. Good luck!

Review of The Scarlet Letter at Intiman Theatre by Safaa D.Zabryna Guevara as Hester. By Chris BennionThis is the story of a young woman brought to love beneath unlucky stars and her child, Pearl (Renata Friedman and Izabel Mar) who bears the burden of her mother’s sin. Hester (Zabryna Guevera) is a young gentlewoman living within the heat of the Salem witch trials. In love with the Pastor Dimmsdale (Frank Boyd) she conceives a child by him out of wedlock. Through their sin, Hester is plunged into a merciless void. Scorned by the villagers, she struggles to live in a world without mercy.Accompanied by a haunting violin serenade an adult Pearl (Friedman) appears, weak in demeanor, reciting an invective against Hester’s name, blaming her for all the strife she lives with. Here, her mother enters with the pastor following close behind, both are blissful and care free. Dancing through ash trees. Jubilant. This scene is cut short, quickly moving to Hester’s humiliation within the court of justice.Pearl’s memories are interwoven with Hester’s life, contrasting the two characters: Zabryna Gueavera portrays Hester as a pillar of strength, standing like a soldier in spite of her sin; Renata Friedman as Pearl is younger and a head taller but appears slumped and weak. Mother and daughter are depicted as having opposite bearings, yet make many of the same mistakes in their lives: Pearl regrets her mother and wishes never to see her, while Hester declares her lover a coward and dead to her. The audience is engaged and responsive to the powerful emotions on stage.

Izabel Mar as Pearl and Zabryna Guevara as Hester. By Chris Bennion.The setting and costumes support the play well. Rigid colors spin a somber red, white and black atmosphere. Still true to the time period, the sharp, unadorned costumes amplify the characters. The lighting gives wonder and mystique to the performance while the live violinist—Emily Holden—adds a haunting melody to the ambiance.This is a piece of work not to be missed! I enjoyed the simple presentation built upon a complex structure of society’s rules and morals. Even though more than 300 years has passed since the time this play is set in, our systems have changed, yet we maintain prejudices against people with different values, showing not as much progress as one might hope. I would encourage you dear readers to take the chance of viewing this wonderful production of The Scarlet Letter.The Scarlet LetterIntiman TheatreThrough December 5Ages 13+ for adult language and themes

Manic Mouth Congress is the poetry slam collective at the UW. They host open mics, writing circles, and send a team to rep UW at the College Unions Poetry Slam Invitational, where last year they came in sixth. On Thursday, I went to Manic Mouth's open mic in the attic of Cafe Allegro. The place was packed, the energy level was high - it's a real community. If you haven't been to a poetry slam before, definitely check it out. This isn't the poetry you know: it is fierce and in your face. It's also familiar, you'll catch yourself wondering how they found the perfect words to describe exactly how you feel.- Zoe BAge 19October 22, 2010More about Manic Mouth Congress here.Manic Mouth Congress photo by Patrick Riley.What is this? It's the Teen Tix (he)ARTSCrush Adventure Quest, a month-long contest where you can win prizes for going to see art. All you have to do is go to an arts venues you've never been to before, write us a note about it, and you might win a fabulous prize pack including tons of tickets and memberships to local arts venues. It's the Teen Tix (he)ARTSCrush Adventure Quest! To enter, go to this form, write a note (150 words or less) about your experience at a new-to-you arts venue, and hit "Submit." Boom. You're entered to win. Do it over and over and over again and you might get crowned Seattle's Bravest Young Arts-Goer TM. More details here. SUBMISSIONS ACCEPTED THROUGH NOVEMBER 5, 2010. Good luck!

Ha ha. Just kidding. Kind of.We are delighted to announce the 2010-2011 class of the Young Critics Workshop:Jackie Allison - Shorecrest High SchoolMackenzie Batali - Edmonds-Woodway High SchoolElla Chodos-Irvine - The Center SchoolAmarra Ferrell - Tahoma High SchoolSamantha Gavin - Eastlake High SchoolAixa Loor - The Northwest SchoolWei Wei Magnuson - Holy Names AcademyMykaila Ostrom - Forest Ridge High SchoolEmma Petersky - Interlake High SchoolDrew Powell - Ballard High SchoolSage Toliver - Holy Names AcademySamantha Vick - HomeschoolAmanda Watson - Interlake High SchoolMarina Weber - Eastlake High School

Seattle Shakespeare Company's Hamlet is just a really good story, told really well.by Andrew W.“Who’s there?” The words are shouted out into the shadows. I must admit, I didn’t expect for the first five minutes of a play to be done in complete darkness, especially considering the glitzy brightness of the scenes that follow. But so begins a play filled with contradictions, deceit, revenge, and lots of murder.Darragh Kennan as Hamlet and Mary Ewald as GertrudePhoto by John UlmanHamlet is a complicated, well-known play. Written in the early 1600s by William Shakespeare, it is widely considered to be one of his greatest works. Now for many people Shakespeare causes a knee-jerk negative reaction: the language is too hard, the clothes are weird, it’s too fancy, etc… Well, to anyone who feels that way, I would strongly suggest checking out the Seattle Shakespeare Company’s performance of Hamlet, directed by John Langs.For those who don’t know the story, it involves Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, being visited by the ghost of his dead father, who claims that he was murdered by his brother (aka Hamlet’s uncle,) and that Hamlet should avenge his death. What follows is a long struggle to uncover the truth and dispense justice. It’s a play full of false starts, backstabbing, and mixed allegiances, which is amplified by clever lighting and costumes (which, thankfully, are modern!) The whole show is done in blacks and whites portrayed in front of an empty, grey set, which helps to focus attention on the characters (and the skillful actors behind them.)Darragh Kennan as HamletPhoto by John UlmanTaking front and center is Darragh Kennan playing the titular prince. Kennan does a fantastic job of playing Hamlet just on the cusp of madness, always leaving the audiences guessing his true intentions. He knows when to exaggerate his insanity, but at the same time he (in the words of his character) “in the whirlwind of passion … begets a temperance that may give it smoothness.” Not to mention that Kennan manages to maintain his intensity throughout the entire (very long!) play. It’s a pretty impressive display of stamina. That, plus the fact that he has a quality ensemble behind him to play off of, gives this play noticeable concentration and focus.In all, Hamlet is a very well done play, and anyone who loves interesting stories, full of drama and tension (plus the occasional dark comic relief) would do themselves a favor by going to see this performance. And if you’re worried about the language, fear not! To quote the good prince, it’s just “words, words, words!” The acting can tell the whole story.HamletSeattle Shakespeare CompanyThrough December 5

Lucia di Lammermoor at the Seattle Opera was awesome! It was dramatic and beautiful and disturbing. The costumes were perfect 19th century. The lighting was so evocative of the mood of each particular scene, going from warm gold tones to gray-blue suddenly at one pivotal point of madness and despair. I think I expected stiffer performances, but the acting was superb, very emotional and involving. Go just for the spectacle and excitement, if not for the absolutely wonderful music! Seeing all these people in spectacular costume, on all the different levels of an imaginative castle set, singing for all they're worth-- it really is an experience. And it's not all gloom and doom, if I gave that impression. There's some unexpected comedy. It's only playing for a couple more days, so go so it now!What is this? It's the Teen Tix (he)ARTSCrush Adventure Quest, a month-long contest where you can win prizes for going to see art. All you have to do is go to an arts venues you've never been to before, write us a note about it, and you might win a fabulous prize pack including tons of tickets and memberships to local arts venues. It's the Teen Tix (he)ARTSCrush Adventure Quest! To enter, go to this form, write a note (150 words or less) about your experience at a new-to-you arts venue, and hit "Submit." Boom. You're entered to win. Do it over and over and over again and you might get crowned Seattle's Bravest Young Arts-Goer TM. More details here. SUBMISSIONS ACCEPTED THROUGH NOVEMBER 5, 2010. Good luck!

Arts Education ForumMonday, November 86:30 - 7:30Pigott Auditorium, Seattle U1017 E Marion St.Teen Tixers: The Seattle Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs specifically asked us to ask you if you would please attend this event. It's a "student-directed community forum about creative learning and student success." A student panel will lead a discussion with, ahem, the Mayor of Seattle, Mike McGinn, and Seattle Public Schools' Chief Academic Officer Susan Enfield (also known as the lady who decides what you get to learn) about "how the arts engage, challenge, and motivate young people." So, y'know, it would be good if there were some actual young people there for that.Seriously, you're all aware that the economy is bad, budgets are getting slashed - you've probably already felt the impact of that at your school. Arts education is always vulnerable in times like these. So, if you value your drama class, your photography lab, your digital media whathaveyouthingthatyouyoungsterslikethesedays, come to this event and say that to people who actually have the power to make a difference.It's from 6:30 - 7:30 at Pigott Auditorium at Seattle University, 1017 E. Marion St., with a post-forum chat and refreshments from 7:30 - 8:00.More info at seattle.gov/arts.

As all you old school Teen Tixers know, Pacific Northwest Ballet's wildly popular Nutcracker ballet is the only PNB show all year that is not Teen Tix eligible. Sad face. However, every year, because they love us so much, PNB puts aside a little stash of Teen Tix tickets for one Nutcracker performance. Happy face! This year's Teen Tix-able Nutcracker show is Sunday, November 28th @ 5:30.Although this performance lands on a Sunday there are NO companion (2 for $10) tickets available, just regular Teen Tix tickets. These tickets will be available in person at PNB's McCaw Hall box office starting at 4:00 pm on the 28th only. There are a limited number of Teen Tix tickets available, and they always sell out, so plan to arrive early.We heart you, PNB. BFFs 4eva.For more information about the Nutcracker, please visit PNB's website.

Hamlet @ Seattle Shakespeare CompanyDarragh Kennan is HamletRecently overheard in the lobby of Seattle Shakespeare Company at the intermission of a preview of Hamlet:YOUNG GUY #1. Dude, this is kind of long.YOUNG GUY #2. Yeah. (Surprised) It's kind of good, though. That Hamlet guy is, like, GOOD. YOUNG GUY #3. Yeah, he is. But why do they have to talk like that? I have no clue what they're saying.YOUNG GUY #2. Yeah, but you kind of get what's going on anyway, right?YOUNG GUY #1. Yeah, actually...you do. (Guy #2 nods in agreement.They go back in.)END SCENEIf guys numbers 1, 2, and 3 can get into Hamlet, so you can you.Because, here's the thing: plays live. They're not meant to be read off the page by one person sitting quietly in English class. They're meant to have breath and color and texture and bodies and sounds and (sometimes, if you're close enough) smells. If you're someone who's been forced to read plays in school and have therefore come to the conclusion that plays are boring death, we can't blame you. But before you write them off altogether, just do us this one favor, would you? See Hamlet. Because Hamlet actually kind of is really really good. There's actually a reason that people have been doing it over and over and over again for 400 years. And you should find that reason out. That is all.Nope, one more thing: Darragh Kennan, who's playing Hamlet this time around, totally rocks. Okay, that's all.HamletSeattle Shakespeare CompanyThrough December 5

Hey everybody. It's Holly.So, I wanted to talk to you about Hamlet. But sometimes it's hard to figure out how to get you excited about something I know you've been forced to read in high school. Our teachers, bless them, select potent masterpieces of literature for us, and, in so doing, sometimes accidentally murder the thrill we would have gotten from the thing had we discovered it ourselves. Such is life. Here's the thing, though: plays live. They're not meant to be read off the page by one person sitting quietly in English class. They're meant to have breath and color and texture and bodies and sounds and (sometimes, if you're close enough) smells. If you're someone who's been forced to read plays in school and have therefore come to the conclusion that plays are boring death, I can't blame you. But before you write them off altogether, just do me this one favor, would you? See Hamlet.Because there's a reason. There's a reason your teacher--who probably honestly, passionately loves literature, by the way, though "passionate" may not the first word you would reach for to describe her--there's a reason she made you read Hamlet. There's a reason everybody's heard the words "To be or not to be." There's a reason people have been doing this play over and over and over again for four-hundred years. There is a reason. And you should find it out. That's all.Nope, one more thing: Darragh Kennan, who's playing Hamlet this time around, totally rocks. Okay, that's all. HamletSeattle Shakespeare CompanyThrough December 5

It's the final week of the Teen Tix (he)ARTSCrush Adventure Quest. All you procrastinators out there are now sufficiently close to the wire, we hope. If you've seen something and you just haven't taken 5 minutes to write your note about it, do that now. If you haven't seen something yet, here's one idea:Spectrum Dance Theatre presents a FREE open rehearsal for The DybbukThursday, October 28 @ 8:00 PM800 Lake Washington BlvdJoin Spectrum Dance Theater for a glimpse into the creative process with an open rehearsal for The Dybbuk, a collaboration between Music of Remembrance and Spectrum Dance Theater. Based on S. Ansky's play of the same name, The Dybbuk tells the story of a young scholar who dies upon learning that he cannot marry the girl he loves. In an attempt to prevent her marrying another, his spirit possesses her. Utilizing this story, the performance explores the world of obsession and unrequited love. Artistic Director Donald Byrd will create a new dance theater piece to the original 1922 incidental music. The rehearsal will take place in Spectrum Dance Theater's intimate Madrona Studio and will allow you the unique opportunity to see the choreographic process in its early stage. The night will include an informal Question & Answer session with Donald Byrd and Spectrum dancers. This event is free, but an RSVP is required.Going to Spectrum Dance Theater for the first time? Write us a note about it, and you might win a fabulous prize pack including tons of tickets and memberships to local arts venues. It's the Teen Tix (he)ARTSCrush Adventure Quest! All you have to do is go to this form, write a note (150 words or less) about your experience at a new-to-you arts venue, and hit "Submit." Boom. You're entered to win. Do it over and over and over again and you might get crowned Seattle's Bravest Young Arts-Goer TM. More details here. Good luck!

Review of Battlestar Galactica: The Exhibition at EMP|SFM by Samantha V.　　Members of the Thirteenth Tribe of Man, come forth to experience Battlestar Galactica: The Exhibition, which has recently docked at the EMP|SFM. There is no need to panic!Unlike what occurred in the series, this exhibit is not a Trojan Horse to be followed by a Cylon sneak attack…which is good considering that Cylons totally freak me out with their red “eye” that moves side to side, and lack of empathy toward all humans. It gives me the willies just thinking about it!

Sketch of Viper Mark VIIIn grand EMP|SFM style, the interactive displays are wonderfully fun! I enjoyed conducting my own orchestra complete with lasers in Score a Scene. I found the Dilemma Stations to be both morally and spiritually challenging, as I realized that each decision I made affected not only my life, but also the lives of many others. As such, I have decided that I am not ready and totally do not want to be to be in charge of anyone other than myself at this time.Out of the many displayed series props, I am fascinated by the cutout design of the red dress that Number Six wore. I think that fabulous fashion is to be applauded, even when worn by a Cylon. My impression of viable aerospace design has been reinforced by the three life-size spacecraft which are quite impressive. Standing near them made me see my own pencil-drawn designs from a new perspective, like what may be necessary and what may be fluff when it comes to space travel. My favorite craft is the Viper Mark 7, which is all blue and spacey. Neato fun fact: I learned that the knobs on the avionic control panels onboard these spaceships were gleaned from recording soundboards, like the master volume / sync left / sync right…you get the idea.Cylon Number 6 in the famous red dress (note: actress Tricia Helfner NOT on display in this exhibition.)I had a great time, and humbly request that all members of the Thirteenth Tribe of Man experience Battlestar Galactica: The Exhibition. May you be bold in the pursuit of expanding your vision.“So say we all”Battlestar Galactica: The ExhibitionEMP|SFMThrough March 4, 2011Going to EMP|SFM for the first time? Write us a note about it, and you might win a fabulous prize pack including tons of tickets and memberships to local arts venues. It's the Teen Tix (he)ARTSCrush Adventure Quest! All you have to do is go to this form, write a note (150 words or less) about your experience at a new-to-you arts venue, and hit "Submit." Boom. You're entered to win. Do it over and over and over again and you might get crowned Seattle's Bravest Young Arts-Goer TM. More details here. Good luck!

First off, thank you so much, Spectrum! I went with a group of about ten people to this sold-out show. Spectrum accommodated us by pulling mats onto the ground in front of the first row, so we were comfortable and literally two feet away from the front of the stage. This is a different experience from PNB. I could feel the ground shaking under me. I could see the sweat, hear the dancers breathing. You could really feel the violence that is inherent in dancing. Sometimes you forget, seeing people run around in tutus hundreds of feet away from you: dancing is heaving yourself to the ground, it is contorting your body into impossible positions over and over and over. This realization comes easier given the aggressive sexuality of the pieces. The dancers run from each other, they are possessed. They exam their partners, groping breasts and examining teeth. This isn't your typical dance performance, and it isn't a part of our sexuality that is normally examined. But it's there all the same, so check it out. This weekend is your last chance.NOTE: Peering Into The Ballroom: Three Dances at Spectrum Dance Theater is now closed. Catch Spectrum'sThe Mother of Us All, March 3 - 5 at the Moore Theatre.What is this? It's the Teen Tix (he)ARTSCrush Adventure Quest, a month-long contest where you can win prizes for going to see art. All you have to do is go to an arts venues you've never been to before, write us a note about it, and you might win a fabulous prize pack including tons of tickets and memberships to local arts venues. It's the Teen Tix (he)ARTSCrush Adventure Quest! To enter, go to this form, write a note (150 words or less) about your experience at a new-to-you arts venue, and hit "Submit." Boom. You're entered to win. Do it over and over and over again and you might get crowned Seattle's Bravest Young Arts-Goer TM. More details here. Good luck!

Review of Evil Dead: The Musical at ArtsWest by Callan C.When I first walked into ArtsWest’s production of Evil Dead: The Musical, I wasn’t sure what I was getting myself into. Without having seen the Evil Dead movies, I knew little of the storyline or characters. ArtsWest had billed the show as being “one of the craziest theatrical experiences of all time,” so I had somewhat high expectations of the show’s quality. What I saw that evening, however, did not quite meet those expectations.Kate Jaeger and James Padilla. Photo by Michael Brunk.The story begins with five young people driving out to an abandoned cabin for the weekend. Their leader is Ash, a housewares employee from “S-Mart.” Also in the group are his girlfriend and coworker Linda, his troublemaking friend Scott, his uptight sister Cheryl, and Scott’s ditzy date Shelly. Their weekend in the woods quickly turns sour, however, when they unleash an evil spirit upon the cabin. As his friends are turned to zombies, it’s up to Ash to save the day with a shotgun and chainsaw at his side.With all of this mayhem set to music, it does turn into a pretty bizarre show. The actors are all excellent vocalists, and the live band certainly adds to such musical numbers as “Look Who’s Evil Now,” “All the Men in My Life Keep Getting Killed by Candarian Demons,” and “Do the Necronomicon.” The dance routines, however, do leave something to be desired. And even the enjoyable music doesn’t make up for a somewhat disjointed, hard-to-follow plot. As someone who does not know the movies, I found it hard to keep up at times. The story is supposed to include aspects of all three Evil Dead films, though from what I hear, Evil Dead: The Musical focuses primarily on the second of these films.Basically, Evil Dead: The Musical is supposed to be a parody of its namesake movies and of the entire horror film genre. While there are plenty of well-timed jokes throughout the play, the excessive use of profanity and innuendo make it seem as though the script is trying too hard to be funny. In contrast, the use of fake blood and gore is somewhat underwhelming. ArtsWest warned of “graphic comedic scenes with lots and lots and lots of blood” and even handed out ponchos to audience members in the front row, yet there was only one time in the show that really lived up to such hype.Though it’s true that the show has its flaws, the music, the acting, and many of the jokes are still enjoyable. My high expectations were not quite met, yet I did have a good time, and I know that the rest of the audience did, too. For fans of Evil Dead and other cheesy horror movies, Evil Dead: The Musical is definitely entertaining. For everyone else, just don’t set your hopes too high.Evil Dead: The MusicalArtsWestThrough November 20thNOTE: Contains adult language and themes, and graphic comedic scenes with lots and lots and lots of blood. Recommended for ages 16 and older.Going to ArtsWest for the first time? Write us a note about it, and you might win a fabulous prize pack including tons of tickets and memberships to local arts venues. It's the Teen Tix (he)ARTSCrush Adventure Quest! All you have to do is go to this form, write a note (150 words or less) about your experience at a new-to-you arts venue, and hit "Submit." Boom. You're entered to win. Do it over and over and over again and you might get crowned Seattle's Bravest Young Arts-Goer TM. More details here. Good luck!

My friend, Josh, and I went to see the Picasso exhibit and it was INCREDIBLE even though it was super crowded. Picasso is one of my favorite artists, especially the Blue Period but this was my first time seeing any of his work in person. His stuff is POTENT and BUTCH. I also really loved going with my friend who's studying impressionism in his Art History class right now because he had some awesome insights that he shared with me. Also, eat at that tiny Chinese place in the second floor of Pike Place. The one with the biscuit-things in the window.- Rowan TAge 17October 22, 2010The weeping woman, October 18, 1937, Oil on canvas, Pablo Picasso, Spanish, (worked in France) 1881–1973, Courtesy Musée National Picasso, Paris, © 2010 Estate of Pablo Picasso / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New YorkWhat is this? It's the Teen Tix (he)ARTSCrush Adventure Quest, a month-long contest where you can win prizes for going to see art. All you have to do is go to an arts venues you've never been to before, write us a note about it, and you might win a fabulous prize pack including tons of tickets and memberships to local arts venues. It's the Teen Tix (he)ARTSCrush Adventure Quest! To enter, go to this form, write a note (150 words or less) about your experience at a new-to-you arts venue, and hit "Submit." Boom. You're entered to win. Do it over and over and over again and you might get crowned Seattle's Bravest Young Arts-Goer TM. More details here. Good luck!

Manic Mouth Congress is the poetry slam collective at the UW. They host open mics, writing circles, and send a team to rep UW at the College Unions Poetry Slam Invitational, where last year they came in sixth. On Thursday, I went to Manic Mouth's open mic in the attic of Cafe Allegro. The place was packed, the energy level was high - it's a real community. If you haven't been to a poetry slam before, definitely check it out. This isn't the poetry you know: it is fierce and in your face. It's also familiar, you'll catch yourself wondering how they found the perfect words to describe exactly how you feel.- Zoe BAge 19October 22, 2010What is this? It's the Teen Tix (he)ARTSCrush Adventure Quest, a month-long contest where you can win prizes for going to see art. All you have to do is go to an arts venues you've never been to before, write us a note about it, and you might win a fabulous prize pack including tons of tickets and memberships to local arts venues. It's the Teen Tix (he)ARTSCrush Adventure Quest! To enter, go to this form, write a note (150 words or less) about your experience at a new-to-you arts venue, and hit "Submit." Boom. You're entered to win. Do it over and over and over again and you might get crowned Seattle's Bravest Young Arts-Goer TM. More details here. Good luck!