Big week for art!

After a Thanksgiving lull, there is just a ton of art to see this week. My dance card is full, and I haven't even looked at the holiday offerings. Here's what my extended weekend looks like:

Thursday I'm seeing Kings of Pastry at the Northwest Film Forum
Hardcore Euro pastry chef competition - sounds like the anti-Ace of Cakes. I'm so there!

I'm really excited about the mixed media installation A Clear Day and No Memories at Jack Straw Studios on Friday night. It's a collaboration between artist Jim Hobbs and Seattle band Kinski and to be honest I've no idea what to expect. Sometimes that's the best way to walk into a new work.

I'm afraid it will come down to a coin toss on Saturday between two worthy productions. Velocity Dance Center is presenting its annual NEXT Fest NW, a collection of dance works from Northwest choreographers. On the slate this year are perpetual faves SANDSTROMMOVEMENT and Kristin Hapke/tindance, Salt Horse, the mysterious Aluminum Siding & mattisonthemove, and Portland's Eliza Larson. Over in Queen Anne, On the Boards has the premiere of former 33 Fainting Spells' Dayna Hanson's new work Gloria's Cause. There is just a ridiculous number of talented Seattle artists associated with this piece, and even though the show is movement based, I expect a highly theatrical experience.

Then on Monday it's back to the NWFF for Next Dance Cinema, the film component of Velocity's NEXT Fest. Whew!

Other events going on I know I won't make but I wish I could: Annex Theater's Spin the Bottle on Friday, and a new work by Freya Wormus, formerly of BetterBiscuitDance, at Yoga on Beacon. I don't know much about the latter work, but it's been too long since I've seen Freya on a stage. Playing both this weekend and next. Ticket info is here, and I hope I can make it next week.