VISUAL ART

Jan 24–March 22
The Fabric of Our Lives
This year marks the 150th anniversary of the 13th Amendment, which abolished slavery. Anastacia Tolbert marks the occasion with the exhibition The Fabric of Our Lives: Tales of Dirty Laundry, White Sheets, and Bodies—in Parts, which presents works that interpret the legislation’s lasting impact. From cotton laundry to tattered pieces of the 13th Amendment document, Tolbert celebrates the law’s importance and the historical struggle of African Americans that preceeded—and followed—it. Northwest African American Museum, $7.

THEATER

Thru Feb 1
Dirty Dancing
We can’t guarantee the musical will inspire the sentiment suggested in its signature song–“(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life”—but fans of the ’80s romance Dirty Dancing should have a blast at its stage adaptation. There will be summer love, there will be that signature dance lift, but there will be no putting Baby in a corner. Paramount Theatre, $25–$100.

Jan 22–Feb 15
Mwindo
The story of Mwindo, a boy born fully grown with magical powers, has been passed down for generations via the oral tradition of central Africa’s Nyanga people. Seattle Children’s Theatre brings Pullman Porter Blues playwright Cheryl L. West’s epic version to life on stage in this world-premiere production. Seattle Children's Theatre, $25–$36.

FILM

Jan 22–Feb 7
Children's Film Festival Seattle
Much like some of the kids who participated in the first Children’s Film Festival Seattle, the fest is all grown up now. Celebrating its 10th birthday in 2015, the event has become a truly international showcase for the dazzling creativity of young filmmakers. The 2015 edition will feature more than 175 films from almost 50 countries. Northwest Film Forum, $11.

CLASSICAL & MORE

Fri, Jan 23
UW Symphony Orchestra
The star students that comprise University of Washington’s symphony leave the U District for the grand stage of Benaroya Hall. Ludovic Morlot and David Alexander Rahbee conduct a night of Tchaikovsky, Francis Poulenc, and a world premiere by UW’s composition chair, Joël-François Durand. Benaroya Hall, $22.

COMEDY

Sat, Jan 24
W. Kamau Bell: Standup Album Recording
On his gone-but-not-forgotten TV show Totally Biased, W. Kamau Bell analyzed the WTFery of current events, breaking down the difference between Sikhs and sheiks, moderating a debate on the appropriateness of rape jokes, and taping a vox pop segment on stop and frisk that Rolling Stone’s Matt Taibbi cites as inspiration for his book The Divide. Bell—whose Oh, Everything tour stops in Seattle this January—is socially motivated. But his priority is comedy. Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center, $15–$35.

BOOKS & TALKS

Thur, Jan 22
Word Works: Randall Kenan on Place
Good stories establish where the action is taking place. Great stories transport the reader to that place. In the latest edition of Hugo House’s Word Works series, author Randall Kenan (Let the Dead Bury Their Dead) shares what he knows about creating a reality for his characters to inhabit. Hugo House, $12.

FAMILY

Sat, Jan 24
The Bushwick Book Club Seattle: Winnie-the-Pooh
Kangas bring your Roos, as Bushwick Book Club Seattle takes a delightful musical journey into the Hundred Acre Wood. There’s plenty of fodder to give the song-writers inspiration, including Piglet’s anxiety, the sweetness of honey, Eeyore’s depression, or the simple bliss of a game of Poohsticks. Town Hall, $5.

MUSEUMS

On Display Now
Indie Game Revolution
While the big gaming publishers turn out sequel after sequel (do we really need another Call of Duty?), much of the industry’s creativity of late has come from tiny indie developers. EMP showcases 20 of the best playable offerings from recent years, including the unbelievably engrossing storytelling of Gone Home and the retro platformer Shovel Knight. EMP, $18–$22.

PERFORMANCE

Jan 23–Feb 1
ExperiMetal
A sort of intersection between metalwork and Cirque du Soleil, ExperiMetal is exactly the sort of performance you'd expect to find in Fremont's West of Lenin. Performance troupe Lelavision's "hypotheses" are presented using elaborate contraptions made of metal and other materials. If it's been too long since you last witnessed an aluminum dinosaur pet in action, or if you're interested in bending space and time using an energized spring steel loop, go ahead and buy tickets now. West of Lenin, $20–$25.