Culture Fiend

TONIGHT: Author Jim Lynch at Third Place Books

The Olympia scribe reads from his latest novel, Truth Like the Sun.

Posted by: Seattle Met staff on Apr 25, 2012 at 02:00PM 0 Comments

When Olympia author Jim Lynch researches a topic, he dives in deep. His 2009 novel Border Songs was ostensibly about a Border Patrol guard manning the Washington–Canada divide, but in truth, it was an exploration of a bird-loving savant with an encyclopedic knowledge of winged creatures. You’d think Lynch himself stares off into the sky for hours every day.

The same holds true for his latest novel, Truth Like the Sun, which opens on the dawn of the Century 21 Exposition (aka the 1962 Seattle World’s Fair), and is reimagined with such detail it seems distilled from the Seattle Times archives. In the excerpt of Truth in our February issue, we meet fictional wunderkind Roger Morgan, who oversees opening night at the Space Needle. The book then jumps to the 21st century in the post-tech boom era for what the publisher calls “a cat-and-mouse story of urban intrigue in Seattle over two starkly different eras.”

Lynch will read from Truth Like the Sun tonight at 7 at Third Place Books, tomorrow in Kirkland, and next month on Bainbridge and Mercer Island. For his full book tour schedule, visit jimlynchbooks.com.

Jim Lynch: Truth Like the Sun
Apr 25 at 7, Third Place Books, Lake Forest Park
Apr 26 at 7, ParkPlace Books, Kirkland
May 16 at 7, Island Books, Mercer Island
May 17 at 7:30, Eagle Harbor Books, Bainbridge Island

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Tags: Books & Talks, Third Place Books, Seattle World's Fair

Tom Skerritt, Mayor McGinn Kick Off the Next 50 Celebration

Relive the 1962 World’s Fair with free performances and a ton of food trucks.

Posted by: Seattle Met staff on Apr 19, 2012 at 09:00AM 0 Comments

Gather at Seattle Center’s watering hole.

It feels like we’ve been gearing up for the golden anniversary of the 1962 World’s Fair since February (oh wait—we have), but the countdown clock is nearly at zero. Seattle Center’s six-month celebration officially kicks off this Saturday, with a whole day of food truckin’, beer garden(ing?), free zipline rides (UPDATE: the zipline opens May 25), and a number of performances across the 74-acre campus. Even with Husky Fest going on at the same time—um, who planned that?—it’s going to be a busy weekend at Seattle Center.

In addition to the unveiling of six temporary public art installations and Earth Day festivities, Opening Day highlights include:

• an Almost Live! appearance by funnyman and former host John Keister (opening ceremonies, 10:30–noon, Mural Amphitheatre)

• a dramatic reading of excerpts from The Future Remembered about the making (and legacy) of the 1962 World’s Fair, by actor Tom Skerritt. Resist the urge to yell “Viper!” (opening ceremonies, 10:30–noon, Mural Amphitheatre)

• a massive modern dance performance—The Chair Spectacle, rumored to have several hundred dancers dressed in white whirling red chairs—choreographed by local icon Pat Graney (4:30–5, International Fountain)

• the opening of new MOHAI history exhibits that showcase 129 years of U.S. World’s Fairs and artifacts from MOHAI’s Seattle 1962 collection.

• closing weekend for two popular productions: PNB’s double bill of Apollo and Carmina Burana, and Seattle Rep’s Restoration comedy Or,.

And, of course, the aforementioned food trucks (11–6), beer garden (noon–6), and zipline (noon–4:30). Since this event is as much about looking forward as looking back, the Next Fifty events continue through the spring with the arrival of King Tut’s traveling empire and the Chihuly Garden and Glass. Stay tuned.

The Next Fifty Opening Day
Apr 21, 10–6, Seattle Center campus (start at the International Fountain)

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Tags: Seattle Center, Seattle World's Fair, The Next Fifty

Seattle World’s Fair, a Look Back

New book The Future Remembered rewinds the clock to 1962.

Posted by: Seattle Met staff on Oct 24, 2011 at 10:00AM 0 Comments

Originally published October 2011. In The Future Remembered: The 1962 Seattle World’s Fair and Its Legacy (out October 21, Seattle Center Foundation), Paula Becker, Alan J. Stein, and their fellow historylink.org staffers rewind the clock to a time when Seattle meant little more than airplanes and lumber to the rest of the world. The authors track the quest of local leaders to bring the world to the city and provide a glimpse of Seattle as seen through the eyes of President Kennedy, astronaut John Glenn, actor John Wayne, and Elvis Presley, whose It Happened at the World’s Fair was set at the expo. You’ll be hearing a lot about 1962 in the coming year—when Seattle celebrates the fair’s 50-year anniversary. The Future Remembered is the rocket to bring you up to speed.

Book-It Repertory Theatre has also adapted short stories from the 300-page book and will perform them at Intiman Playhouse on Tuesday, November 15, at 6:30pm. Tickets ($50 on brownpapertickets.com) include a complimentary Bubbleator cocktail and hors d’oeuvres.

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Tags: Books & Talks, Seattle Bookshelf, Seattle World's Fair