Openers: Ferraby Lionheart, Anni Rossi

Chop Suey (On Madison, between 13th and 14th)//All ages// Doors 8pm

The foyer of the Moore Theater was crawling with people during the early hours of the Bonnie Prince Billy show last Thursday (better late than never). It was a sea of sophisticated hats and seriously serious thick framed glasses. Like Urban outfitters—grown up. And with a venue like the Moore Theatre next to the Whiskey Bar, what else would you expect?

My inability to be punctual lead me to miss the opener, Pillars and Tongues, but judging by the response of the general masses, everyone was happy listening from the foyer, drinking a concoction of ginger ale and whiskey called Cursed Sleeps after a single on BPB’s album, The Letting Go. I followed suit. Tasty.

Bonnie Prince Billy’s epic voice echoed through the Moore theater, where the acoustics did not do his talent justice. Still, the dynamics between him and his band-mates swirled around the air to captivate the audience. Little chuckles rippled through the seats periodically in response to the “boingboing” of his mouth harp (which has other less politically correct names), and to the silly inside jokes that filled the spaces between songs. Their harmonies were so genuinely emotional, their playing so obviously enjoyable—none of it was contrived! Well, maybe Will Oldham’s dance moves were a bit contrived. That aside, his alternating pee pee dance and one legged hops were entertaining and quirky.

How? Email seattle.metblogs@gmail.com with “Mirah” in the title. These tickets are guest list spots, so be sure to include your name (and maybe the name of your guest.) You email ASAP, we choose by Friday, March 27^th

Jammin' for Justice

The Justice Tour visits Seattle, San Francisco and Los Angeles and is coordinated by Tom Morello of Rage against the Machine. Each city on the tour-stop has a community partner which receives the proceeds from each respective concert. In Seattle, this organization is New Horizions Ministries, an organization with slight religious undertones that helps support street youth in downtown Seattle. Musical guests include Steve Earle, Kim Thayil, Ben Shepherd, Mark Arm, Wayne Kramer, Boots Riley, Blue Scholars and more. You can find out more about the event at the Justice tour website. That’s where you can also purchase your $15 ticket (which is less than half of what the Shins are charging for their show in May– AND none of their proceeds are benefitting any community partners. Unless you count the Showbox as a community partner… anyway, I digress) The Justice Tour website says to “Bring socks!” to the Croc event (for donation, not to wear), and help out this local organization. If you’re like me, and have religious commitment issues rest assured that NHM programs are still helping kids more than that neighborhood crack dealer.

As for the community partners in the other cities—San Francisco will be the partnering with Project Open Hand, while the Los Angeles partner will be PATH. If you’re into the music, go! If you’re into the cause, go! If you’re on the fence about both but want to see the Croc, go! If not, then find your own reason to go. or not.

If you’re willing, here’s what you have to do:

email: seattle.metblogs@gmail.com with your name, mailing address (for the tickets) and the REAL name of Prince Billy. First correct answer wins a pair!

For the unlucky few who don’t win and still don’t mind sacrificing March Madness for some great Appalachian indie folk (if you can call it a sacrifice), you can still buy tickets here!

Bonnie Prince Billy// Thursday, March 26th//The Moore Theater (On Pine, between 5th and 6th ave)// doors 7:30pm

March 13th & 14th, state officials, community leaders, advocates, academics, policy makers and service providers serving the immigrant and refugge population in the state of Washington will get together at the University of Washington for the annual Washington State Immigrant and Refugee Conference. The Conference will provide a series of workshops and lecture topics given by experts in the field to promote awareness of emerging immigrant and refugee issues. Participating organizations include the Somali Community Services Coaltion, UW school of Law, World Relief, International Rescue Committee, and many more. For more information on how to get involved, visit the conference website.

photo by petergawa courtesy of flickr pool: Hank III & Assjack

Wednesday night at the Showbox Market was packed like a good cigarette with  Hank III and AssJack enthusiasts. This rockabilly turned metcalcore show was littered with groups of bearded moshers armed with whiskey in their back pockets and pbr’s in their hands. The dreary, rainy outside air did nothing to dampen the mood of the crowd– one that bounced to every honky-tonk beat, and shoved with every scream and croon of AssJack. My soft spot for the roots of Hank III didn’t do much for increasing my interest in metalcore, but the energy was hard to argue with. After a few whiskeys of my own and a pbr in hand, I bucked up and joined the crowd for jumping, jiving and a little agro-dancing. Let me just say, jumping side-by-side with large Hank III fans is much more fun than I could’ve imagined. The enthusiasm of the night can be summed up in one lyric:  “Even though I’m broke, I got a six pack of beer”

Wednesday Feb 4th
One Water, 7pm Foege Auditorium, University of Washington
In Partnership with the UW Global Health Resource Center

Thursday Feb 5th
In Prison my Whole Life, 7pm, Cinerama 

Friday Feb 6th
At the Death House Door, 7pm, Northwest Film Forum
Letter to Anna, 9pm, Northwest Film Forum

Saturday Feb 7th
Breaking Ranks, 11:30am, Northwest Film Forum
Fire Under the Snow, 1pm, Northwest Film Forum
To See if I’m Smiling, 3pm, Northwest Film Forum
Female Faces of War, 5pm, Northwest Film Forum
The Sari Soldiers, 7pm, Northwest Film Forum
Shame 9pm, Northwest Film Forum

Sunday, Feb 8th
A Journey Through Hell, 11:30am, Northwest Film Forum
Argentina: Turning Around & Voice of a Mountain, 1pm, Northwest Film Forum
(double feature) 
Come Back to Sudan & As we Forgive, 3:15pm, Northwest Film Forum
(double feature)
Sand and Sorrow, 7pm, SIFF Cinema

Tuesday Feb 10th
Pray the Devel Back to Hell, 7pm, Varsity
In partnership for the Global fund for Women

For more details, check out the official shrff website.