What's Happening in Seattle this Week

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Finances: Family Financial Series, with Women and Money on June 17th, $10 suggested donation.  This group covers the financial basics, which of course, most people lack.  Most of these seminars are about picking up the one or two gems that make a real difference.  Upcoming seminars include Saving Savvy Kids, Teens & Money, College Saving, and Estate Planning.  *  Also, as long as we've mentioned a women's themed event, then we'll just mention Embodied Voice, June 14th, $50, a singing workshop for women to improve singing voice through breath work, movement, toning, chant, and strengthening the voice/body connection. Ceremony: Japanese Ground Purification, June 16th, free with regular admission.  The Japanese have such great ceremonies for everything.  Before putting up a building, if they don't go through the protocol of requesting permission from the earth spirit Kami, well, the anger of Kami will come back to wreak havoc on the building and its occupants.  Another purpose of the Jichisai is to pray that construction proceeds safely, without incident.  Hey, if it helps bring the project in on-time and on-budget, then more construction managers should be calling upon Kami. Beauty: The Wax Bar opens in Seattle; prices vary, for waxing and skincare services.  Essentially, these folks are taking the most profitable spa-salon service, and carving it out into its own specialty business.  This means they do one thing, they do it really well, by optimizing the quality, services, environment, and prices.  They have this specialty speed waxing - a Brazilian bikini wax completed in 15 minutes.  *  Also, 7 Salon, a place that makes those hundred-dollar hair cuts worth it, for people who aren't interested in just a hair cut, but a relationship with their stylist.  This means flawless style, full service, and people who actually make you better-looking.  This is your beauty at top form. Environmental: Green Home Tour; Going Green to the Beach, June 14th, free but must RSVP.  Take a little tour of the greenest home in the Northwest to date, winner of various green awards.  These green home tours are actually a little anticlimactic, since all of the interesting stuff is out of view, underneath the floor or wallboards.  It works better as an educational opportunity for building green, and asking questions of the pros. Theater: ACT Theater has two events coming up worth calling out.  First, the theater is celebrating with a gala, June 14th, $125.  Those theater types are always a hoot when they get to a party.  Mingle and meet the talent, both on and off stage.  Also, ACT puts on A Marvelous Party, starting June 13th, $15-$55 (pay what you can on June 15th and 26th).  They cherry-pick the best into a mash-up of 34 Noel Coward tunes along with comedy sketches, anecdotes, and musings.  There's a lot of creativity and talent put together into this production, so you'll probably be impressed. Eating: Ponti Seafood Grill, scoring high on three points.  First is the outdoor dining, with the view of the boats passing under Freemont bridge; second is the seafood, which is notable even in seafood-rich Seattle; third are the specials and happy hours.  Actually, Ponti was was one of the creators of the 25-for-$25 specials, banding together with other restaurants to get out of the post 9/11 slump.  *  Also, Murder Mystery Party, June 14th, $60, of fun along with your meal.  These murder mystery parties are a fun diversion worth doing at least once, for some special-occasion excuse. Bicycle Event: Flying Wheels Summer Century, June 14th, $35.  This is the warm-up for the Seattle-to-Portland ride coming up next month.  They're offering 25, 45, 65, and 100-mile loops, from beginner to gonzo level, so all can make it.  They're also having a costumed contest of four-person relay teams around the Velodrome, sacred ground usually only available to registered pros. Charity: Cocktails for Charity, June 12th, $50 (RSVP through info@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx or 425-587-1507), of drinking to help make the world a better place, the beneficiary being Dress for Success.  Pravda Studios opens its door for the night.  Between the cocktails and the uber-art, the swank factor will be high this night.  The savvy socialites will be here. Appearance: Seattle Mariners? left fielder, Raul Ibanez, is showing up at Macy?s to sign the first 200 autographs on June 14th.  The man will put his pen to work for the fans.  He will only be signing items purchased from Macy's, or the photos Macy?s makes available, and not personal memorabilia.  For these events, you always need to show up wicked early; better have a store of patience with you. Organization: School of Visual Concepts - actually, their website is a little too hip for its own good.  This school helps people communicate and market through the visual arts, so you get a real zippy image, but you also gotta make sure the message is clear.	Cirque de Soleil Alternatives: The Redmond show is getting lukewarm reviews, along with criticism for the hefty ticket prices.  It lacks moments of human awe, not up to its Vegas glory.  So, what's an alternative?   Teatro Zinzanni: These folks have been doing good work since they moved into their new home, and the act got warmed up.  The dinner/performance has a magic quality that sticks with you after you leave.  Plus, this one has more of a festive vibe. Circus Contraption: Here's an example of what happens with a lot of imagination on a low budget.  This one is more of a Tim Burton-esque style show where liberal talent is applied to the oddball and quirky, with a slightly gothic flavor.  It's like going to the freak show at the circus, except the freaks are talented performers, instead of mere human oddities to gawk at. Cirque Du Slaque, June 13-14th, $25.  Seattle Men's and Women's Chorus takes up the circus, in a musical story form in the persona of Captain Smartypants.  They sing some classic circus songs, reinvent some others, and present some originals.  There's a special dream sequence, involving those creepy clowns dancing about.  For the eye candy, two burlesque dancers come onto stage and provide titillation.  Cool Video: Iron Maiden playing in Auburn last week:

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