The museums have ended their budget-caused winter furloughs. Santa-themed burlesque shows have faded from memory. And maybe, just maybe, you can get the Tchaikovsky out of your head and look forward to something a little more modern? You’re in luck: Dozens of new shows are opening this spring, from SAM on down to that neighborhood fringe venue you’ve always been meaning to visit. And to make sense of the new season, we offer an extensive calendar of all that’s worthwhile in dance, theater, music, visual arts, and lit. Also, we meet the “Contessa DeLuxe” of Teatro ZinZanni, the Sign Savant of West Seattle, a master of the electric bassoon (yes, really), and an Issaquah lyricist who just won a Tony. And we consider how downtown space for artists is both disappearing and (paradox alert!) being given away for free.