THURSDAY 7/21
Visual Arts: Monkey Man
So much anti-German feeling erupted during World War I that the once-august reputation of Gabriel von Max (1840–1915) fell into steep decline. (World War II didn’t help either.) But lately he’s climbed back into favor, as has Albert von Keller (featured at the Frye last fall), a fellow member of the Munich Secession movement. Von Max’s first dedicated museum exhibition in the U.S. is subtitled “Be-tailed Cousins and Phantasms of the Soul,” a mouthful. But his was a full life, including two wives, several kids, a hoard of anthropological artifacts (including Native American costumes), and many pet monkeys. In 36 paintings and 100-odd supporting objects on display, von Max emerges as a strange amalgam of contradictory 19th- century currents. He was fascinated with Darwin and naturalism, yet also painted many religious scenes (of ecstatic/dying saints, especially) and even conducted seances with fellow dabblers in the supernatural. In his best work, like The Anatomist, he’s fixated on the uncanny boundary between life and death, where pallid bodies retain their form, though emptied of spirit. And if that doesn’t do it for you, there are always the monkeys. Look—there’s one trying to play the piano! How cute. (Through Oct. 30.) Frye Art Museum, 704 Terry Ave., 622-9250, fryeart.org. Free. 11 a.m.–7 p.m. BRIAN MILLER
Dance: Summer Sampler
One of the side benefits of having a large ballet company in town is seeing all the offshoots it creates. Like some of the more recent spin-offs, ARC Dance was founded by a Pacific Northwest Ballet alum, Marie Chong. The repertory she’s pulled together reflects both her ballet roots and her interest in contemporary dance. Her ensemble of young dancers bring a great fresh quality to their performing; and in the intimate space at the Leo K. Theater, we can see details without needing binoculars. They’ve got new work by Alex Ketley, of San Francisco Ballet, and Penny Hutchinson, a former Mark Morris Dance Group member, alongside rep from ARC stalwarts Jason Ohlberg and Betsy Cooper. It should be a charming program in an equally charming space. (Through Sat.) Seattle Repertory Theater, 155 Mercer St. (Seattle Center), 443-2222, arcdance.org. $18–$35. 8 p.m. SANDRA KURTZ
FRIDAY 7/22
Dance: You Got Served!
Almost every artist has or once held a day job, something that pays the bills while one learns the craft. It isn’t too often that you can combine the two, but dancemaker Alice Gosti has been making a habit of it, presenting herself and guests in tiny bites of their choreography at the Pink Door, where she also works as a server. It is indeed a tasting menu, with each work under five minutes. Besides Gosti, tonight’s lineup includes veteran artists KT Niehoff and Amy O’Neal, with sneak peeks of their new directions, and a mashup that really fits the name: a version of Gosti’s latest Spaghetti Co. work, Are You Still Hungry? Appropriately, she explains, “There will be spaghetti, there will be wine!” (Performances are roughly quarterly, on Friday nights.) The Pink Door, 1919 Post Alley, 443-3241, gostia.net. Free (with drinks). 10:30 p.m. SANDRA KURTZ
SATURDAY 7/23
Pets: Short and Swift
If there’s anything cuter than a wiener dog, it’s a frantic and hyper wiener dog running as fast as it possibly can on its stubby little legs. Star 101.5’s 15th annual Wiener Dog Races at Emerald Downs is like Thoroughbred racing, in that its rules snootily state that entrants must be purebred (as in, have your papers ready). Unlike with Thoroughbred racing, however, animal lovers don’t have to feel bad about the dachshunds carrying any riders on their backs or being whipped or shot if they stumble and fall. Today, Emerald Downs becomes a very family-friendly venue: Kids under 17 are admitted for free, and there will be face-painting and pony rides. But if parents wish to gamble away the money they saved on their kids’ admission (or the college fund), there will be horse racing, too. In the main event, two qualifying heats will lead to the final race. In recent years, two scheming sausage dogs named Lucy Lu and Reggie have dominated the race by taking either first or second place between them. We’re cheering for a newcomer to take down those attention hogs today. But remember: No growling, biting, or fighting! (Also note a preceding wiener dog rally, noon Thursday at Fisher Plaza.) Emerald Downs, 2300 Emerald Downs Dr., 253-288-7000, emeralddowns.com. $7 (kids free). 3 p.m. ERIN K. THOMPSON
Beer: Suds Ahoy!
As much as some of us like to root for Bremerton—the unfairly maligned Puget Sound Rust Belt burg serviced by those creaky old ferries you see from the posh Bainbridge boats—it’s really not a weekend destination . . . yet. The 60-minute ferry ride is better than the 35-minute alternative to upscale B.I.; but at the end of the Bremerton run, there’s not been much to keep visitors there. All that will change today—I can feel it; I decree it!—with the the first-annual Bremerton Summer BrewFest, which features 50-plus beers from 23 Washington brewers. With entrants including Blokken, Silver City, Hood Canal, Sound, Slippery Pig, and Valhöll proudly representing Kitsap, Seattle tourist drinkers will get a taste of all the craft-brew talent that’s been percolating across the Sound. And don’t forget your brown bag. It’s a long ride home. Downtown Bremerton (Pacific Avenue between Burwell Street and Sixth Street), washingtonbeer.com. $15–$20 (21 and over). Noon–9 p.m. CHRIS KORNELIS
