Marcie Sillman
Stories
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Poet Calvin Trillin Puts Presidential Politics In Verse
Journalist Calvin Trillin is a longtime writer for The New Yorker and The Nation magazine's "Deadline Poet." He has published more than 20 books, ranging from memoir ("About Alice") to humor ("Quite Enough of Calvin Trillin: Forty Years of Funny Stuff"). His latest book, "Dogfight: The 2012 Presidential Campaign in Verse," is a poetic recap of the memorable milestones along the campaign trail. Trillin joins us to reflect on the people, pitfalls and promises of the 2012 campaign.Also this hour: gluten-free doesn’t have to mean cookie-free over the holidays. Gluten-Free Girl Shauna James Ahern shares some of her favorite recipes.
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The Meaning Of Marriage
Same-sex marriage is a reality in Washington state and the weddings have begun. Some of the first couples were married at City Hall on Sunday, others are making plans for the coming year. One couple joins us with their story. Are you newly wed? If you’re planning a wedding, tell us about it. If not, how has the possibility of marriage changed your relationship? Share your thoughts with us at 206.543.5869 or weekday@kuow.org.
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How London Redefined Jimi Hendrix
Jimi Hendrix may be one of Seattle’s most famous musical sons, but the legendary guitarist really made his name after he left home. A new show at the Experience Music Project, “Hear My Train A Comin': Hendrix Hits London,” argues that while Jimi Hendrix had a solid musical career in the United States, it wasn’t until he arrived in London in 1966 that he became the rock icon we remember.EMP Senior Curator Jacob McMurray, who organized the exhibit, says London was the epicenter of music and youth culture when Jimi Hendrix arrived there. The British bands he encountered, bands like the Animals and the Rolling Stones, were infatuated with American blues music. They welcomed Hendrix and helped to promote his new band, the Jimi Hendrix Experience. According to McMurray, the Experience started out backing up more well-known acts. By the time Hendrix returned to the states in 1967 to play at the Monterey Pop Festival, the Jimi Hendrix Experience drew its own fans.The EMP show includes more than 100 objects, from shattered guitars to some of the Sergeant Pepper-style mod clothing that Hendrix bought and wore around town. McMurray says the EMP actually owns more than 5,000 Hendrix-related artifacts. He says that’s one reason why Seattle and Hendrix are so closely associated. But the connection transcends the museum. While Jimi Hendrix only played in Seattle a handful of times after he left home at age 17, his family stayed here, and Hendrix is buried in a local cemetery. His music may belong to the world, but at least a piece of his heart stayed home in Seattle.VIDEO: "Hey Joe" performed by Jimi Hendrix Experiencehttp://youtu.be/kE3FAY-NOiU
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Who's The Busiest Holiday Worker In Seattle?
As the busy holiday shopping season revs up, it seems like retail stores and delivery services have the hardest working folks in town. But another industry shifts into high gear after Thanksgiving: the arts.From sacred choral music to off-kilter Christmas comedy, 'tis the season to celebrate with friends and family at a magical, holiday-themed performance. But it takes more than a wave of a wand to make this magic happen. Legions of unseen, unsung workers spend every December backstage, hoisting scenery, running spotlights and sewing costumes.Sandra Barrack is Pacific Northwest Ballet's stage manager. She oversees a crew of almost 40 people behind the scenes at the company's annual production of "Nutcracker." Barrack has been at PNB for six years; before that she did a similar job back east. She will call the shots for 30 performances this December. "Anytime the lights change, or the scenery moves, or there's a sound effect, that's me saying 'go,'" she said.Barrack oversees everything from special backstage guests to finding the right shoes for each dancer. She's one of a legion of stage managers who spend most of the winter holiday season at work. Like PNB, most arts groups present special productions this time of year, from "Nutcracker" to Handel's "Messiah." Ticket sales from holiday shows make up a healthy chunk of an arts group's annual budget.The cynics among us might imagine the potential to fall into a rut when you spend most of December working on the same show every day, sometimes twice a day. But PNB's Sandra Barrack said it's always like she's backstage for the first time when she sees young ballet students dance in their first performances, or when she hears school groups applaud when the orchestra starts to play."They're excited," she said. "So even if it's my 300th 'Nutcracker,' it's new for them."Barrack says if she does her job right, those kids will never know she's behind the curtain making the magic happen.
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Dance Theatre Of Harlem Includes Seattle On Revival Tour
When Dance Theatre of Harlem was forced to close its professional company in 2004, it was a blow to dance lovers around the country and to fans in the Pacific Northwest. Seattle had been a frequent stop during the company's 35-year history, attracting raves for its productions of classical ballets as well as contemporary work influenced by African and African-American cultural traditions. So it seems fitting that after Dance Theatre of Harlem re-started its company two years ago, then mounted its first national tour in 2012, Seattle would be on the itinerary.
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Nate Silver: The Benefits And Limits Of Political Numbers Crunching
Nate Silver is the statistician and New York Times polling whiz known for his accurate forecasts of the 2008 presidential election. Four years ago Silver called the correct outcome in 49 out of 50 states and picked the winner in every senate race. But he got his start in baseball, using statistics to project how well players would perform over the season. Marcie Sillman spoke with Silver about this year’s election and the benefits and limits of data-driven analysis.
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Women Artists Take Over Seattle Art Museum
Nobody would argue over the fact that women have made significant contributions to the art world. But a major new exhibition at Seattle Art Museum not only highlights contemporary women artists; it puts them front and center. “Elles: Pompidou” is a collection of more than 130 works from the famed Centre Pompidou in Paris, one of the world’s major contemporary art museums. Acclaimed artists like Frida Kahlo share gallery space with women you may not know as well. To complement “Elles: Pompidou," SAM curators have cleared out the museum’s 3rd floor and installed paintings and sculptures by women from SAM’s collection and from local private collectors. “Elles: Pompidou” is at SAM until mid-January 2013. “Elles: SAM” will be on display until mid-February. KUOW’s Front Row Center attends “Elles” on Friday, December 7, 2012.
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New Play At Seattle Repertory Theatre Honors Pullman Porters
For most of the 20th century, luxury travel meant train travel. And if you were lucky enough to afford it, you spent the night in a private Pullman sleeping car.