Film

Let the Games Begin

America’s moving on from boy wizards and hipster vampires to darker fare. In The Hunger Games—Suzanne Collins’s book trilogy newly anointed the Next Big Film Series—teenagers fight to the death in a postapocalyptic version of Survivor. The Hunger Games opens in theaters nationwide Mar 23

Special Event

“Spilling your guts is exactly as charming as it sounds.”

—Fran Lebowitz, in one of her many, many quote-worthy quips. The professional gabber shares the stage with Dan Savage for a night of memorable Public Speaking. 
*Mar 2, Benaroya Hall, seattlesymphony.org/benaroya 

 

VISUAL ART

The Decade’s Most Controversial Art Exhibit

Yes, this is the Hide/Seek exhibit, whose 2010 debut at the National Portrait Gallery prompted a firestorm of public complaint and the removal of David Wojnarowicz’s unfinished film A Fire in My Belly, with its now-infamous ant-covered crucifix. Subtitled “Difference and Desire in American Portraiture,” the retrospective examines homosexuality throughout art history, from the 1880s and Thomas Eakins’s bare-bummed boxer to Andy Warhol’s self-portraits, to Ellen DeGeneres photographed by Annie Leibovitz. Tacoma isn’t putting out any flames: A Fire in My Belly will be on display. Mar 17–June 10, Tacoma 
Art Museum, tacomaartmuseum.org

 

Classical & More

How to Be a Diva

World-class soprano Renée Fleming, who joins conductor Ludovic Morlot and Seattle Symphony at Benaroya Hall this month, shares a few vocal tips:

1. Shoulders down. Hand on ribs. Take in a deep breath that starts low and fills your ribcage. Keep your stomach muscles taut.

2. Add tension, passion, or anger to different phrases—“otherwise it’s just a song.”

3. Only sing operas that end in tragedy. “I made the mistake of singing one happy-ending piece at the Met and I got complaints in the mail.”

Mar 16, Benaroya Hall, seattlesymphony.org

 

Books & Talks

Lei It On Us

This American Life regular Sarah Vowell is the queen of North Americana, penning quirky essays and detailed histories that read like Daily Show segments. (They’re funny ’cause they’re true!) Her latest, Unfamiliar Fishes, recounts bizarre and bloody moments from Hawaii’s past. Who knew Hawaii has America’s only royal palace? The country’s last queen, Liliuokalani, was locked in a room there when the U.S. annexed Hawaii. It’s Manifest Destiny meets medieval fairy tale. Mar 10, Neptune Theatre, stgpresents.org