W I T N E S S:
WITNESS: A Silent Reading Party via Zoom
When describing the allure of Seattle’s monthly Silent Reading Party, Christopher Frizzelle explained that “something underrated blossoms between strangers who aren't talking to each other.” It’s perhaps this blossoming, or maybe the fact that during lockdown we’re all desperate to meet strangers without the awkwardness of actually speaking to them, that have made virtual silent reading parties such a success. And successful they are; bringing in hundreds of attendees from around the world, they now take place every Wednesday (instead of just once a month) at 6pm PST via Zoom.
According to Frizzelle, attendees at the first Zoom silent-reading party included “famous actors, writers, composers, artists, families, teenagers doing their homework, people staring into space listening to the music because it was just so beautiful, cats, and even one household on Orcas Island that was eating dinner and decided to broadcast the reading party as their background music.” While we look forward to the day when we might be able to attend a silent reading party in person at The Sorrento Hotel (where they first began) and read in front of the roaring fire as Paul Matthew Moore plays the keys. For now, this is a nice reprieve from the winter pandemic doldrums. More details are available here.
W A T C H:
A Comedic Spin on A Charles Dickens Classic
The classic tale of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol is one that has seen a myriad of renditions in popular culture. Whether or not you are a fan of the story, UP Improv’s refreshing take is definitely worth a watch. Members of the Seattle improv group take in random audience suggestions that dictate how they’ll play the tale. Major plot points, like where does Scrooge work, or what afflicts Tiny Tim are dictated by the whims of the audience. The results are often impressive, sometimes unwieldy, and always hilarious.
Up Improv has been performing A Christmas Carol since 1985, and this year they’ll be making it available for streaming at home for the very first time. If you are looking for a safe way to celebrate the holidays with family and friends, this is certainly a great option. Tickets and showtimes for A(n Improvised) Christmas Carol are available here. If Dickens really isn’t your thing, plenty of other holiday classics will be available to watch from the comfort of your own home. Check out local seasonal favorites like PNB’s The Nutcracker, or maybe The Burlesque Nutcracker. Seattle Center’s Annual Winterfest is also a hometown favorite with both in-person and virtual iterations.
V I S I T:
An Outdoor Winter Market at The London Plane
We miss dining at The London Plane, a light-filled restaurant/café with floor-to-ceiling windows that look out onto Pioneer Square, and make even the cloudiest of days feel somehow sunny. That said, The London Plane is still open for business. They’ve got a floral shop, bakery, coffee counter, expertly-curated wine selection, and tantalizing menu options available for take-out every day of the week. From now through December 25, they are also hosting an outdoor winter market every Saturday and Sunday with gifts from a variety of Seattle shops, as well as eggnog lattes, holiday cookies, and plenty of gorgeous seasonal wreaths and flower arrangements available for purchase. Don’t miss this festive occasion. Bring a friend, sip something hot & sweet in their “winter forest,” and try to remember that it’s the most wonderful time of the year, at least according to this guy.