Illustration from the January issue of Seattle mag

SB 5539, the Washington state film incentive (Dana Standish wrote a great article about it for Seattle mag), a bill that would entice filmmakers and film studios to shoot more movies on location in Washington state (versus taking their proven economic benefits to our neighbors in Oregon and Canada), is in dire straits. Read more »

Greensky Bluegrass band plays Bellevue's Wintergrass music festival this weekend.

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Wintergrass
This annual bluegrass music festival is taking over the Hyatt Regency Bellevue for the entire weekend, jam-packing it with back-to-back concerts, workshops and impromptu jam sessions in every nook and cranny of the hotel. You can bring your axe and join in, or just meander through, listening to the sounds of a hundred mandolins strumming. Headliners include Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder, Tim O’Brien and Greensky Bluegrass. Note: 520 is closed all weekend. Detour appropriately. Read more »

PNB Company dancers in Suspension of Disbelief, another piece in the New Works program

I fell in love with the contemporary dance piece Cylindrical Shadows  long before it was finished. Choreographed by Colombian/Belgian Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, it debuted in Seattle at a Whim W'Him show in January 2011. Read more »

After all, thanks to Cameron Crowe, Seattle is the ultimate singles town.

The editors at Seattle mag are looking for the most interesting singles in Seattle to include in an upcoming feature in the print magazine.

Do you know any men or women who are unattached and fascinating? Do you have an irresistible urge to play matchmaker for a single friend who you just know is a total catch? Then you should get in touch with us. Read more »

You don’t have to save a trip to one of Seattle’s best breweries for date night anymore! Lucky for Seattle beer-loving parents, there are plenty of spots around the city to take your little ones and enjoy a brew. A couple of tips for a family-friendly trip to a brewery – order rootbeer for the little ones, it’s typically brewed in-house and very tasty. Also, don’t forget to get a growler of your favorite brew to go – perfect for enjoying once the kiddos are in bed! Read more »

Writer Knute Berger atop the Space Needle

There are two ways to visit the Space Needle: one as a casual observer, mooning over views of Elliott Bay, exploring the checkerboard of Belltown rooftops, and thinking to yourself: Huh. 99 looks really small from up here.

The other—and probably the best possible way—is in the company of writer and Seattle history buff Knute Berger. Give him half an hour and your mouth will soon be gaping in dumb shock as he describes from memory the 78th bizarre moment of history that happened in the very carpeted vestibule in which you are standing. “Bill Cosby did what?” 

We’ll come back to that.

 Seattle fans of the PBS show Downton Abbey are pushing it to ever higher ratings.
The show is so popular in the Seattle area, KCTS is consistently the No. 1 or No. 2 PBS station in the country for "Abbey" ratings. Last Sunday's two-hour episode was second only to the Grammy Awards in the Seattle market.

The brother of Abbey actress Elizabeth McGovern lives in Seattle, and he understands the show's appeal.

Andrew Durand in War Horse at Lincoln Center Theater

Seattle Rep is celebrating its 50th anniversary next season (September 2012-May 2013), and the theater has booked a trio of plays to represent a half-century of producing timeless classics, new works and big hits. It will be very interesting to see how they tackle the puppet master magic that made War Horse such a hit on London's West End.

Here's the lineup of shows as described in today's press release:

Pullman Porter Blues Read more »

Local singer/songwriter Damien Jurado

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Damien Jurado
Friday (2/17) - Beloved local alt-folk crooner Damien Jurado releases his tenth album this month, Maraqopa, which marks a new beginning of sorts, with songs that sound more psychedelic than ever before. It’s just more proof that Jurado’s talent runs deep—and is well worth hearing live. The album is officially released Tuesday, February 21. You can order it online here.
Read more »

Mmm...breakfast pizza.

Try one of RedTri.com's quick and easy, kid-approved breakfast recipes with your your munchkins, and start off the day like a champion.

Morning Pizzas: Here's a healthy, delicious and homemade pizza recipe for a champ's morning kick! Toast English muffin halves, drizzle with olive oil, and layer some tomato slices and hard cooked egg slices, top with some cheese and broil 5 minutes or until the cheese melts. Read more »