You can fast forward into winter, and start gearing up for snow season, with Saturday’s Sphere Of Influence Tour.

Absinthe Films documents the feats of some of the world’s best snowboarders, in a film that’s sure to evoke a sense of awe (how do they do that?) and get all boarders eager to get up to the slopes.  The filmmakers will be there to discuss how and why they got the shots that the did.  But the evening is not just about the film, riders Blair Habenicht, Wolfgang Nyvelt, and Matt Beardmore will also make appearances. 

Location:  King Cat Theatre, 2130 6th Avenue (corner of 6th & Blanchard), downtown (map it)

Date & Time:  Saturday, September 6th.  Doors open at 7:30 pm, show at 8 pm.

Tickets:  $7, with $2 going to support Washington Bus and the Protect Our Winter Foundation ($1 to each of those organization).  Available online from the King Cat Theater and at Snowboard Connection (263 Yale Avenue North).  Limited availability at the door.

Special Promotion:  100 Snoqualmie spring day tickets will be given to the first 100 people through the door.  Two season passes will also be given away.

This looks like a great evening – the film, the people in it, and the people who made it!

Here’s a sneak peek:

Post from: The Seattle Traveler

. . . grab a blanket and head to the Seattle Center’s Mural Amphitheater, and the ginormous 45-foot screen, and watch the summer series of Movies at the Mural. 

You can see The Princess Bride on Friday, August 1st, and Juno on Saturday, August 2nd.  And if you can’t make it this weekend, try next when you can see The Goonies on Friday, August 8th, and Batman Begins on Saturday, August 9th.  As an added bonus, you can enjoy a midnight screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show on Saturday, August 9th.

The movies begin at dusk (except for Rocky Horror Picture Show), so arrive early enough to get settled in.  Pick up something to eat and drink at the nearby Center House, and you’re set for the evening.

The summer movie series makes a great date, family evening out, or a great time to hang out with friends.  And it’s FREE, too!

Photo credit:  Seattle Center

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Post from: The Seattle Traveler

Singles, families and couple set up viewing sites, bring seating that ranges from camping equipment to couches from the living room.  Theme nights add in the twist of costumes and prizes, and some special entertainment provided by the cast of Jet City Improv. 

Seating is general admission, with the front third of the lot reserved for low back chairs.  Wacky seating is encouraged, but you will be directed behind the lower back seats.

You can bring in your own food and beverages, but alcohol is not permitted.  Local vendor have food for sale.

Pets are permitted, as long as they are on a leash.

So pop up a batch of corn, curl up with your favorite friend (2 or 4 legged), and settle in for a movie beneath the stores.  A drive in movie, with out the car!

Location:  Old Redhook Trolleyman Pub, North 35th & Phinney Avenue, Fremont (map it)

Date & Time:  Every Saturday during the summer, June 28th – September 13th.  Lot opens at 7:30 pm, movie shown at dusk.

Admission:  $5 donation/person

Parking:  There is lots of street parking in the area, as well as a couple of pay lots.

Here’s the movie line up for the summer:

• June 28th – Superbad (Theme night:  Fake ID)
• July 5th – Hot Fuzz (Theme night:  Law Enforcement)
• July 12th – Project Moonbase (Theme night:  Outer Space.  Jet City Improv will perform).
• July 19th – Ghostbusters (Theme night:  I Ain’t Afraid of No Ghost)
• July 26th – An Inconvenient Truth (Theme night:  Save the World; there will also be a “Bicycle Fashion Show.”
• August 2nd – The Omega Man (Theme:  Zombie, Jet City Improv will perform.)
• August 9th -  Cloverfield (Theme:  Big Giant Monster)
• August 16th – The Iron Giant (Theme:  Robo)
• August 23rd – Hairspray (Theme:  the 60’s)
• August 30th – Juno (Theme:  Safe Sex)
• September 6th – Fireball XL5 (Theme:  Puppets; Jet City Improv will perform.)
• September 13th – TBA (Theme:  Oktoberfest)

The movie will be shown in a light rain, and since the lot is paved, you don’t need to worry much about sliding away.  But, if it really pours, or if lightning starts, the movie will be stopped.  If the movie is stopped you will be provided with a complimentary ticket to use for a return visit.

Photo credit: SXC

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Post from: The Seattle Traveler

. . . indulge your love of movies at the 2008 Seattle International Film Festival.  This year over 400 films are scheduled for screening over the 25 days of the festival.  That’s a lot to choose from, so take a look at the schedule of events and screenings, and start mapping out your plan of attack.

The SIFF opens May 22nd and runs through June 15th, 2008, at various venues.

Ticket prices vary, and are available online, at the SIFF Cinema (321 Mercer Street at McCaw Hall, Seattle Center), the SIFF Main Office (400 Ninth Avenue North), and the SIFF Pacific Place box office (600 Pine Street).

Photo credit: SXC

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Post from: The Seattle Traveler

First, is the family friendly, Horton Hears a Who, a take on the Dr. Seuss book of the same name.  Although not exactly true to the book, the movie does follow the adventures of Horton the Elephant and his dealings with all the Who’s down in Whoville.  You can find theater locations and show times, as well as buy tickets, online.

At the adult end of the spectrum, is Chicago Ten, a drama/animation about the trial(s) stemming from the protests during the 1968 Democratic Convention in Chicago.  Using archived footage, along with courtroom animation, the era is reconstructed — with a bit of revisionist history.  Since convention fever looms upon us, this would be a good time to take a peek back at a previous convention during a not-so-gentle era.  Chicago Ten is playing at the Varsity Theater, 4329 University Way NE in the University District.  Tickets can be purchased online.

Photo credit:  wikimedia

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Post from: The Seattle Traveler

The plot of the movie is about a young hacker (played by Matthew Broderick) who unknowingly gets into the Pentagon’s defense system while playing a computer game with a friend (played by Ally Sheedy), and World War III gets accidentally set into motion.  While the concept of hacking into the Pentagon computer system may have seem far-fetched at the time the movie was made, these days it sound all too believable.

Before you know it, you can’t tells what a game and what’s for real.  Take a look at the theatrical trailer —

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Post from: The Seattle Traveler

10 MPH

It’s a buddy film, told at a very slow speed. 

The independent film was released in May 2007, and it is now available as a free iTunes compatible download.  To get the download, go to OurStage to register.  The registration gets you the free download as well as a contribution from OurStage to the filmmakers.  The movie run 96 minutes.

Photo credit:  wikimedia

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Post from: The Seattle Traveler

The festival is features films that showcase the all too often over-looked human rights atrocities around the world, and brings to the public films that would otherwise not be available.  Through awareness of these issues comes the power to change them.

The films are powerful, and full of hope, survival, and the need for positive change.  They’ll make you laugh and cry, but perhaps, more importantly, they’ll make you think.

Location:  Films will be screened at the Northwest Film Forum, 1515 12th Avenue, between Pike and Pine Street on Capitol Hill.

Dates & Times:  Through February 17th.  Times vary.

Tickets:  $8, available online.

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Post from: The Seattle Traveler