Most people currently living in Seattle are not from Seattle. One of the ways this plays itself out is in Seattle's landscape, where it seems that developers can write policy directly without the need for actual legislation. The city is their playground, to graft, raze and recreate as they see fit, largely because no one cares. So it is somewhat heartening to see Mayor Mike McGinn sign the new resolution creating a Downtown Historic Theatre District. more ›

Sting is, as ever, an incredible performer and one of the most well-known musical figures of the century. There's a reason he's sold out two nights at the Paramount with many fans still left out in the cold, ticketless. Last night was a concert Morgen won't soon forget, luckily she snapped some photos so you can reminisce with her. more ›

If you are one of the few people that remember Robyn only for her contributions to pop music in the 90s, then please allow us to bring you up to speed. As catchy as her hits "Do You Know (What it Takes)" and "Show Me Love" are, Robyn has really gone through a transformation since those songs topped the charts. more ›

Bon Iver may sound soft-spoken on his album, but the show last night was anything but low-key. With a beautiful light show from bright flashy rock to low-lit contemplative he really knows how to set the mood. more ›

What are you doing tonight? Catch a parade of Lions as they descend on downtown. Or, you can head to Central Cinema for the purrfect pub quiz. more ›

While many are still recovering from marching in parades, running marathons and generally enjoying the weekend, we know you're not the type to stay in on a Monday night. Here's what we'll be up to tonight. more ›

When we had the chance to see the touring production of Mary Poppins, we emphatically said yes, mostly for nostalgic reasons. Our VHS version of the musical staring Julie Andrews was a staple for hours of entertainment. Fast forward twenty or so years, we still know most of the songs from the Academy Award winning classic, however we weren't sure what to expect from the nationally touring version produced by Disney on Broadway. more ›

Saturday was pretty stormy. Rain was dripping, reddened leaves were falling, and most people probably chose to stay indoors catching up on household projects or the latest Stieg Larsson novel. We, however, chose to catch up with our new BFF, Rainn Wilson. Okay, okay. "best friend forever" may be pushing it a bit, as our time with him was roughly 4 minutes, squeezed between his signing Dwight Schrute bobbleheads and Dunder Mifflin t-shirts. But, nonetheless, getting to know Rainn Wilson and all he stands for was a pretty sweet way to spend a rainy Saturday. more ›

After ten minutes of straining to see over the heads in front of them despite being perched on thick cushions, two girls in the row in front of us found comfort and height sitting on their father's legs. It seemed appropriate, as we all watched and enjoyed the story of Tevye, his five daughters, and the Anatevka community in Fiddler on the Roof at the Paramount Theatre. more ›

PRO: Over the last ten years Los Angeles label ANTI-Records has been home to some of pop music’s rawest singers. Tom Waits, Nick Cave, Joe Strummer, Man Man, and Spoon have all released albums on Epitaph’s more-mature-sister label. Bettye LaVette and Marianne Faithful also call ANTI home, and so it makes perfect sense that rhythm and blues legend Mavis Staples has released her last two albums for the label. Staples has been identified by her soulful wails and low, smoky voice since the early 60s when The Staple Singers released album after album of remarkable early r&b and gospel music. Mavis Staples had it then, that gruffness and rawness often emulated but rarely matched, even by ANTI’s younger crooners, and she still has it in 2010. Enjoy this video of a live performance in 1971 of “When Will We Be Paid.” more ›

SEX AND CUPCAKES: Editor Rachel Kramer Bussel and local authors Kerry Cohen and Janet Hardy will be reading from their selected work in the annual collection, Best Sex Writing 2010 tonight. For this year's anthology, Bussel reveals that if she had to pick a theme it would be centered around the idea of a sexual outlaw. And along with stories on ideas such as married sex vs. affair sex, or cunts and their relationship to sexuality, there will be free cupcakes from Trophy on a first come, first served basis. All in all pretty darn enticing. 7:30 p.m. // Elliott Bay Book Company, 101 S. Main St. // FREE more ›

Paramount Theatre and the Seattle Theatre Group present Marty Riemer and Jodi Brothers' sixth annual Marty Riemer's Funny Festival this Friday with a fantastic cast of comedians including Bill Burr, Jeff Garlin, Nick Thune, and Kyle Cease. And, it's for a good cause--a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Seattle Humane Society of Bellevue. more ›

SONICSGATE: Only two more days to catch this feature documentary film narrated by John Keister of Almost Live! fame. Sonicsgate exposes the truth behind how Seattle lost the SuperSonics. The team's 41-year run in Seattle included an NBA Championship, three Western Conference titles, six division titles, and legendary players such as Gary Payton, Shawn Kemp, Ray Allen, Tom Chambers, Xavier McDaniel, Jack Sikma, Freddy Brown, Slick Watts, and Spencer Haywood...just to name a few. more ›

SIGN LIGHTING PARTY: The original sign, in place since 1930, is damaged beyond repair. The new sign is made from environmentally responsible materials and is 90% more energy efficient. The new sign will be lit for the first time tonight. more ›

BYRNE BABY BYRNE: David Byrne is back in town for a visit to the Paramount. Famous in his heyday for biting the heads off bats in his over-the-top metalhead shows...wait that doesn't seem...where's that bio again? Ah. Yes, the former Talking Heads front man is on a summer tour, playing songs by himself and Brian Eno. You'll hear stuff from Everything that Happens will Happen Today, and some back-catalogue Heads music than Eno had a hand in. Something old, something new, what's not to like? more ›

Frost/Nixon plays tonight at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 and 8 p.m., and Sunday at 1 and 6:30 p.m. at the Paramount Theatre. Tickets are $18-$60 plus fees. more ›

Flight of the Conchords are performing three nights at the Paramount Theatre next week and if you get off your sugar lumps and get moving, you've still got a good chance at getting tickets for you and the most beautiful girl (or boy) in the room. more ›

ONE WEEKEND ONLY more ›

It feels like the dance event of the year--three performances of Mozart Dances by the Mark Morris Dance Group at the Paramount, this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday (tickets: $35-$75 plus fees). See the preview video here. more ›

GLUTEN FREEDOM: Dr. Stephen Wangen, founder of the IBS Treatment Center, has a new book out called Healthier Without Wheat: A New Understanding of Wheat Allergies, Celiac Disease, and Non-Celiac Gluten Intolerance. As you can tell from the title, his contention is that you don't have to have celiac disease to be gluten intolerant. Personally, we are disturbed by intolerance of any kind, so we are glad to hear that he's working on a cure--what? Just don't eat wheat? more ›

THE SEARCH FOR ALANIS: Is over. She's appearing at the Paramount Theatre tonight for a show that has to be in part an extended post-election celebration. Honestly, we haven't listened to Flavors of Entanglement yet, but come on, who has? Besides, she never responds to our emails. Join the Alanis faithful and boo that one guy from Two Guys, a Girl and a Pizza Place. Van Wilder or something. more ›

FACT: The Seattle Cinerama is not Seattle's original Cinerama. That'd be the Paramount, which sacrificed 1600 seats to fit the screen and three projection booths required. They screened Cinerama films from September 1, 1956, to January 26, 1958. The Cinerama we know and love today opened January 24, 1963, as the Martin Cinerama. (The Paramount twice installed and removed CineMiracle, a rival technology that never took off.) more ›

Seattlest likes to put on a party-planner hat for you every once in a while (we blame it on unresolved "feelings" stirred up by Julie from the Love Boat). Tonight we've got a one-two punch all lined up, centered around a screening of the silent-era Zorro, with Douglas Fairbanks, at the Paramount (7 p.m., $12). The more we watch Fairbanks, the more certain we are that he invented parkour back in the 1920s. Watch this three-minute YouTube excerpt from Zorro to get in the mood. However, be warned that the tinny soundtrack you hear is in no way comparable to the magnificence of the Paramount's majestic Mighty Wurlitzer organ, helmed by Dennis James. The food and drink to complement this evening's imaginary expedition to Mexico are waiting at The Saint, which is conveniently a walkable distance from the Paramount—and depending on how enthusiastic you are about sampling the Saint's tequila cocktails, walking might be a legal requirement. more ›

For those of you without tweens, HSM is the story of smart Gabriella and jock Troy, teens from different high schools who meet during their winter break, sing some karaoke together at a ski lodge, exchange cell numbers, and go back to their respective lives. Gabriella moves to Albuquerque's East High School, home of the Wildcats...and--completely coincidentally!--Troy. The show begins with a he-said/she-said recounting of their meeting (think "Summer Lovin'" from Grease) with their friends from the Archetype Depot. Troy's the basketball star, Gabriella's the academic decathelon star, and they both wind up trying out for the high school musical, Juliet and Romeo, written by Shy Asian Musician Girl. In matching teal, the high school drama queen, Sharpay, and her twin brother Ryan (sort of an understudy for Ugly Betty's Marc St. James) conspire against our two star-crossed lovers for the leads in the musical. Throw in the must-win brain brawl and the big game--both in conflict with the musical call-backs--and, well, you get the idea. It all works out, and all main characters (except Ryan, 'cause this is Disney...) pair up in the end. more ›

Straight outta London's West End (video trailer) where it ran for two years at Drury Lane, this revival of Lerner & Loewe's My Fair Lady is only at the Paramount through Sunday, May 4. Tickets are $25-$72. Anglophiles, if you have the slightest inclination, we advise you to hoof it on over; this one's as English as a tea, fried tomato and egg breakfast--as befits a Cameron Mackintosh and the National Theatre of Great Britain production. Musical fans, you won't believe the number of hit songs. Patriots, there's a good joke about the French. Talk about crowd-pleasing. more ›

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The 4th Annual Care for the Market luncheon, held yesterday at The Paramount Theatre, was a wake-up call for us. When we think of Pike Place Market, we picture ourselves gorging on Beecher's macaroni and cheese. We envision ourselves carrying bundles of ginormous dahlias, sampling oh-my-god-these-are-good peaches, and listening to the funky sounds of street musicians. We don't necessarily think of meals and housing for low-income senior citizens, childcare for those who can't otherwise afford it, and a food bank that gives a quarter of a million bags of groceries to neighbors in need each year. But yesterday, were asked to think of the historical and social importance of the market. more ›

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magazine claims, "You can't swing a dead cat this time of year without hitting a Top 10 List." Never one to waste a perfectly good dead cat, we decided to take a swing and create a Top Random-Number Shows Seattlest Saw This Year. And now, without any further ado, here's how your favorite bloggers broke down the year: more ›