by Jas Keimig
Ahhhhh, at last — spring is just around the corner. Just as evenings get brighter, the cherry blossom trees start to bloom, and bunnies hop along the sidewalks around the city, there are some wonderful things to fill your spring days. From a Persian New Year celebration to International Women’s Day fêtes to a cute queer Pride Skate, there’s lots to do around these parts!
Think we missed something? Let us know at Arts@SeattleEmerald.org.
Sanctuary City
March 1–31
Seattle Rep
155 Mercer St.
Martyna Majok’s Sanctuary City is set in Newark, New Jersey, in 2001. It follows the story of two undocumented teens, G and B, who hang out on the fire escape every night to discuss their dreams, challenges, and visions for the future. When G becomes naturalized, she promises to marry B so they can both get their papers, but when their relationship changes, it calls everything into question.
Roger Reeves & Anastacia-Reneé
March 4, 7:30 p.m.
Rainier Arts Center
3515 S. Alaska St.
This evening at Rainier Arts Center will feature two excellent award-winning poets: Roger Reeves and Anastacia-Reneé. They’ll be discussing their books (Reeves’ Best Barbarian and Anastacia-Reneé’s Side Notes from the Archivist), poetry, and everything else under the sun with interdisciplinary artist, writer, activist, and educator Amber Flame.
Jo Cosme: Welcome to Paradise: ¡Viva Puerto Rico Libre!
March 7–28
4Culture
101 Prefontaine Place S.
For her first solo exhibition, artist Jo Cosme is presenting an immersive multimedia installation “contrasting widespread perceptions of Borikén (colonially known as Puerto Rico) as a Caribbean Paradise with the capitalist and neocolonialist realities endured by Native Boricuas for over a century,” Cosme says in the event description. There will be a 10-foot inflatable Vejigante mask, VR set on the beach, lenticular photos of housing inequities, as well as a Discover Puerto Rico tourism campaign sign made of hurricane tarps.
Promise You’ll Make Me Up: New Work by Natalie Krick
March 7–30
Mini Mart City Park
6525 Ellis Ave. S.
I’m obsessed with Natalie Krick’s work – I love the way she utilizes collage, photography, and blank space to meditate on performance, femininity, branding, and what it means to have a body. There’s not much info about what this new show will consist of just yet, but save space in your calendar to check it out.
International Women’s Day Live Sessions Concert
March 8, 7 p.m.
The Royal Room
5000 Rainier Ave. S.
The Seattle Composers Alliance’s Live Session series at The Royal Room will feature The Kate Olson Sextet this month in honor of International Women’s Day. The jazz, funk, and fusion sextet will play works by 16 local composers over the course of the evening: Amy Denio, Ann Merryfield, Ann Reynolds, Antonia Harding, Ash Snow, Barbara Hubers-Drake, Brittany Allyson, Cullen Cochran, Jenny Davis, Kaeli Earle, Kathleen Ultis, Megan Vinther, Morgan Paris Lanza, Sabine Khandelwal, Tara Forth, and Teri Card Heller.
National Women’s Day Celebration
March 8, doors at 8 p.m.
Clock-Out Lounge
4864 Beacon Ave. S.
Celebrate Women’s Day at Clock-Out Lounge with slices of delicious pizza, a photo booth, and performances by Carrie Akre, Star Anna, Brittany Davis, Kim Virant, Dejha, and Kathy Moore, with Cathy Faulkner emceeing.
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
March 15–17
The Paramount Theatre
911 Pine St.
Dancer and choreographer Alvin Ailey occupies a vaunted position in the history of American dance. Come bask in Ailey’s legacy and the beauty of Black American dance by checking out Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater rep’s stop here in Seattle.
Queer Prom at Pride Skate: WC Pride Fundraiser
March 20, 8:30–11 p.m.
Southgate Roller Rink
9646 17th Ave. SW
We are T-minus three months from Pride, so now would be the moment to start thinking about all the ways you’ll be gay in June. Help White Center Pride make all its queer dreams come true at its Queer Prom Pride Skate fundraiser this month. This 21+ event will feature a photo booth, decorations, and excellent music. Come donning your prom best and bring a cutie to snowball with.
Da Village Community
Every third Wednesday starting March 20 at 5 p.m.
LANGSTON Seattle
104 17th Ave. S.
Now in its third season, Da Village Community is back at LANGSTON every third Wednesday. Every month, organizers will plot out an evening of healing through free catered food, live entertainment, community connections, and more.
Los Huracanes del Norte
March 22, doors at 7 p.m.
The Neptune Theatre
1303 NE 45th St.
Norteño music veterans Los Huracanes del Norte are in town for one night only! Make it count!
Princess Angeline SovereignTEA Social
March 23, 11 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
Duwamish Longhouse & Cultural Center
4705 W. Marginal Way SW
The annual Duwamish Tribe Princess Angeline Tea Party is a moment to sip tea, get updated on the Duwamish Tribe’s federal acknowledgment case, and discuss the importance and impact of Native sovereignty with the Duwamish Tribe’s leadership. Tea and hors d’oeuvres will be served, with $5 of each ticket sold donated to the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) through WomenSpirit Coalition in honor of Princess Angeline (Kikisoblu), Chief Seattle’s daughter.
Nowruz 2024: 4th Annual SISCA International Celebration of the Persian New Year
March 24, 12–5 p.m.
Seattle City Hall
600 4th Ave.
Seattle–Isfahan Sister City Advocacy is a group of Iranian American volunteers who are advocating to “reverse decades of hostility between the United States and Iranian governments” by making Seattle and Isfahan, Iran, become sister cities, it says on its website. Come through and celebrate the Persian New Year at its Nowruz 2024 event. There will be music, dancing, art, choir, food, and Haft-Sin.
Just Speak After Dark
March 29, 6 p.m.
Gallery Erato
309 1st Ave. S.
This quarterly event held by Surge Reproductive Justice is an opportunity for the community to come together to tell stories and build bonds around reproductive justice. This installation’s theme is “After Dark” sex-positive storytelling with a focus on queer, trans, and sex workers of color. Goddess Briq House will host.
Jas Keimig is a writer and critic based in Seattle. They previously worked on staff at The Stranger, covering visual art, film, music, and stickers. Their work has also appeared in Crosscut, South Seattle Emerald, i-D, Netflix, and The Ticket. They also co-write Unstreamable for Scarecrow Video, a column and screening series highlighting films you can’t find on streaming services. They won a game show once.
📸 Featured Image: Catch the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater at the Paramount this month. (Photo: Dario Calmese)
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