W I T N E S S:
Claudia Rankine at Seattle Arts & Lectures
Author, playwright, poet, and artist Claudia Rankine, known for her book Citizen: An American Lyric, just published a new book. Just Us: An American Conversation reflects the artist and writer herself in this literary feat that combines a variety of mediums including “poetry, essay, visuals, scholarship, analysis, invective, and arguments into a passionate and persuasive case about many of the complex mechanics of race in this country,” according to Kirkus Review. On Friday September 25, Rankine will be speaking about her new book and performing readings for the Seattle Arts & Lectures series. Each ticket purchased includes a copy of her book. Tickets for the online lecture are available here.
T R Y:
Wide Eyed Wines at Chophouse Row
Owner Eli Dahlin and partners Ezra Wicks, Will Mason, and Salomon Navarro are behind Light Sleeper, the new “terroir bar” set to open in the old Bar Ferdinand space later this month. The menu will feature a selection of carefully curated food and wine options, with specific emphasis on sustainably grown, small-production wines from around the world. Their sister shop, Wide Eyed Wines has already opened in Chophouse Row and offers a fantastic selection of bottles, many of which will be available by the glass at Light Sleeper. While there, we recently picked up a bottle of naturally sparkling Semillon from Deux Punx. This effervescent, floral bomb paired beautifully with some spicy thai curry, but would also work well all on its own. Serve it very cold as a last toast to the waning days of summer.
W A T C H:
We Are Who We Are on HBO
Fans of Call Me By Your Name, a film that inspired a sort of cult-like adoration of its beautiful but tormented characters and dreamy sun-soaked Italian vistas, will be happy to know that Director Luca Guadagnino has just released a new series on HBO that debuted earlier this week. While certain stylistic elements harken back to Call Me By Your Name, his new series We Are Who We Are, also set in Italy but this time inside of an American army base, focuses more intently on the relationship that unfolds between two adolescents who are both experimenting with their identities and the fluidity of their evolving love interests. While there are still tender moments of dreaminess, the tone feels darker and at times, more confined. An interesting juxtaposition arises between the strict order of the army base, and the chaotic freedom that Italy provides just beyond its barbed walls.