VISUAL ART

Jan 28–June 10
Hungry Planet: What the World Eats
The traveling exhibit (based on the book by Peter Menzel and Faith D’Alusio) compares the eating habits of 10 families around the world. See what a week’s worth of groceries looks like in Germany, China, the U.S., and Chad, and explore cultural differences in sustainability and consumption. The January 27 preview (6–8pm) includes a bluegrass band, refreshments, and a food drive for Northwest tribal communities. Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture, $8–$10.

Thru May 20
Tacoma Art Museum’s 10th Northwest Biennial
Thirty up-and-coming Northwest artists show new projects: an assortment of painting, photography, prints, sculpture, video, and installation art. Several projects have a social conscience—Harrell Fletcher collaborates with landscape artists and environmentalists—while others call for interaction (look out for the pants exchange). Tacoma Art Museum, $8–$10.

FAMILY

Thru Feb 5
Northwest Film Forum’s Children’s Film Festival
Now in its seventh year, Northwest Film Forum’s Children’s Film Festival boasts more than 100 films from almost 30 countries, dance parties with Caspar Babypants, a Claymation workshop, and the don’t-miss-it-unless-you-hate-happiness pancake breakfast on January 28. The pancake breakfast is at Central Lutheran Church; all screenings are at Northwest Film Forum.

CONCERTS

Thru Jan 28
Erin Jorgensen and Steve Fisk: Redemption
Fisk, a legendary producer of Nirvana and Soundgarden, mixes Jorgensen’s marimba melodies, hushed vocals, and ambient noise as a concept album that navigates loneliness. On the Boards, $20.

CLASSICAL

Jan 27
Seattle Modern Orchestra: Layers of Time
Now in its sophomore season, the modern chamber music ensemble performs pieces from the 1980s that were “coexistent layers of music”: Piece no. 2 for Small Orchestra by Conlon Nancarrow, Steve Reich’s Eight Lines, and Gérard Grisey’s Talea. Cornish College of the Arts. Update: This event is sold out.

THEATER

Jan 27–Feb 11
White Hot
This psychodrama by playwright Tommy Smith is a far cry from the silly fun Smith and producer Mark Siano have as members of sketch troupe the Habit. Instead, tragedy unfolds onstage as a young couple’s marriage crumbles, thanks to Shakespearean-sized helpings of madness and betrayal. West of Lenin, $9–$18.

FILM

Jan 27–Feb 2
How the Fire Fell
Edward P. Davee won the 2011 Local Sightings Film Festival with his black-and-white feature about the rise and fall of the Brides of Christ, a turn-of-the-century cult in Oregon. It enjoys an encore screening this week. Northwest Film Forum, $6–$9.

Ongoing
Seattle Met’s Oscar Nominees Movie Marathon
Now that the Oscar nominees are in, we’ve mapped out a weekend-long film binge at cinemas around town. Time to catch up.

LAST CHANCE…

…to see Seattle Shakespeare’s Coriolanus at Center House Theatre (closing Jan 29) and Seattle Opera’s Attila at McCaw Hall (closing Jan 28).