CLASSICAL, ETC.
Gun to my head: best Seattle Opera production ever? I can’t think offhand of one with more emotional impact, narrative drive, or musical beauty than its 2011 Porgy and Bess. Two of the cast members who made it so, Mary Elizabeth Williams as Serena and Jermaine Smith as Sportin’ Life, are back; Alfred Walker/Kevin Short and Angel Blue/Elizabeth Llewellyn are double-cast in the title roles. Sung in English with English captions. McCaw Hall, seattleopera.org. $89–$249. 7:30 p.m. Aug. 11, 15, 17, 18, 22, 24, & 25; 2 p.m. Aug. 12 & 19.
BOOKS
You probably know Laura Ingalls Wilder’s “Little House” books, and you surely remember that 1974–83 TV series, which started out with good intentions but devolved ridiculously into Little Telenovela on the Prairie. But the author’s real life is more interesting than any of these—especially Wilder’s conflicts with her erratic daughter Rose over how much the former’s rather dark Midwest pioneer childhood should be prettied up for publication. Mercer Island author Caroline Fraser dug into all that backstory in detail—and in April earned a Pulitzer Prize for Prairie Fires: The American Dreams of Laura Ingalls Wilder. Elliott Bay Book Company, elliottbaybook.com. 3 p.m. Sun., Aug. 12.
MUSIC
Sometimes you just want to cry-dance. Jenn Champion is here to help. After penning an all-time great indie-rock breakup record in S’s 2014 Hardly Art release Cool Choices, the now-former Seattleite returns to town with the electronic pop dance party that is Single Rider. While the new album is a complete overhaul of Champion’s sonic palette with electro-beats and room-filling synth swells replacing guitar licks, her knack for curl-up-in-a-ball melancholy lyricism remains thankfully intact. Groove away the sad with a night featuring Champion, PSA, and Stres. (Pro tip: If you cry-dance hard enough, nobody can tell the difference between tears and sweat.) Chop Suey, chopsuey.com. $12–$14. 8 p.m. Thurs., Aug. 9.
COMEDY
With apologies to Father John Misty, the funniest part of Sub Pop’s 30th anniversary celebration will assuredly be A Night of Comedy From the Cast of Bob’s Burgers. (Sub Pop put out a collection of the show’s wonderful songs—The Bob’s Burgers Music Album—in case you were trying to figure out the connection.) One of the best TV shows in years, the animated misadventures of the Belchers and their family restaurant goes down like the best comfort food with its warm-hearted empathy and sharp humor. It also happens to feature the vocal talents of some of the best comedians alive: Eugene Mirman (Gene), Kristen Schaal (Louise), H. Jon Benjamin (Bob), John Roberts (Linda), and Larry Murphy Jr. (Teddy), who will all perform stand-up sets (which probably will be slightly less kid-friendly than the show) and musical numbers from the fan-favorite episodes. The Moore, stgpresents.org. Sold out. 8 p.m. Fri., Aug. 10.
