SUNDAY, NOV. 10 2013 >>>
1. Fiesta, Familia, Folklore! music and dance performance at Tacoma's Rialto Theater promises to provide an authentic regional representation of Mexican music through the use of traditional songs and dances. Witness the vibrant pageantry of ballet folklórico of Bailadores de Bronce. Hear the bright brass music of the Oaxaca region by La Banda Gozona. Feed off of the inspiring youthful exuberance of Mariachi Huenachi. The fiesta begins at 3 p.m.
2. Tacoma Musical Playhouse opened its 20th anniversary season with the Broadway hit Les Miserables, which ends its run at 2 p.m. TMP raised roughly $1.2 million to renovate the stage, orchestra location and backstage areas. The stage is larger and the orchestra is now placed above and behind the stage which helps the actors voices come through better whether they are mic'd or not. TMP's choice of opening its new stage with Les Mis guaranteed a solid start to its season. With added space, choreography is less cramped and sets are able to be more grand. The spectacle of this production did not disappoint with the sets showcasing the talent and skill of the designers and carpenters. Read Joann Varnell's full review of Les Miserables in the Music and Culture section.
3. 12 Years a Slave is the latest from British director Steve McQueen. The film, adapted from the 1853 autobiographical novel of the same name, chronicles the misfortunes of Solomon Northup (Chiwetel Ejiofor), a free black man living in the northern United States in a time when living in the southern United States would have meant he was someone's property. Yes, Northup lived during that time in American history when literally owning another human being was considered a status symbol rather than a crime against humanity, at least in the south. Tacoma playwright Rosalind Bell will be leading a discussion about the film after its 2:40 screening at The Grand Cinema.
4. See dance as you've never seen it before - trouncing through a bookstore! At 3 p.m. in King's Books, the BareFoot Collective will take to the shelves and deliver a unique performance in a unique venue that is just about the opposite of a formal theatre in every way. Today's performance continues tBFC's modern dance performances out of the black box. The group aims to take dance into public spaces around Tacoma. The road shows will be 30 to 40 minutes long and will incorporate improvisation, contemporary, dance-theatre and hip-hop works. All performances are free. Oh, King's Books will not be held responsible for any airborne books and beverages high-kicked ceremoniously from your hand.
5. Multi-platinum, Grammy Award-winning producer and guitarist Pete Anderson, who melds blues and country to forge a style all his own, will perform at 7 p.m. in The Spar in Old Town Tacoma. Known as a pioneer in the roots-rock genre and an early champion of the Americana movement, he had a hand in introducing the world to artists such as Michelle Shocked, Lucinda Williams, Jim Lauderdale, Rosie Flores and his musical partner of 20 years, Dwight Yoakam.
LINK: Sunday, Nov. 10 arts and entertainment events in the greater Tacoma and Olympia area
