Looking for something to do this weekend here are a few ideas:

Ghost Light Theatricals' Metamorphosis

Whether you’re a Kafka fan or you had to read Metamorphosis as part of your High School curriculum, Ghost Light Theatricals’ production of Matamorphosis at the Ballard Underground is worth seeing.

The play, written and directed by Wilder Nutting-Heath, is based on the famous short story by Franz Kafka and tells the story of Gregor Samsa, a salesman who is the sole provider of his parents and sister. One morning he wakes up to find that he has transformed into a bug overnight. His appearance is horrific and he is no longer able to leave his room and risk being seen. He goes from being the family’s provider to being the burden in need of his family’s care.
Nutting-Heath’s adaptation of the short story watches almost like an independent film. Nutting-Heath creatively uses shadows to portray the bug rather than using a costume. Samsa’s dreams and transformation are told through artful work of puppeteers and a great sound track. Dialogue is strong but limited and instead, beautiful music composed specifically for the show by sound designer Dan Yost carries the play. Yost played the piano and pulled a violinist from the Bellevue philharmonic for all the violin parts. Music and the violin specifically are a character in itself in Kafka’s short story and the play did a very good job in portraying this.
The acting is solid as well. Samsa’s alter ego, “the well-dressed man” played Dan Reaume, is a particularly entertaining and strong character.
The Ballard Underground is a small 80-seat theatre which fills up fast. I’d recommend getting there early and sit in the center or to the right of the stage. Those sitting on the left won’t be able to see the transformation scene which is a defining moment in the story.

Read more about the play in our previous coverage, here.

Metamorphosis will be performed at the Ballard Underground January 21th through 23rd, and 27th through 30th. The Jan 30 showing is a 2 p.m. matinee. Tickets are $15 for general public, $12 for students and seniors. They’re available at the door or online from Brown Paper Tickets.
The Ballard Underground is located at 2220 NW Market.

Music: Teen Showcase

The Salmon Bay Eagles Club is hosting another Teen Showcase night. Admission is free and it’s open to all-ages.

Folksy acoustic performer Carly Calbero will warm up the crowd. The 17-year-old vocalist from Everett says she sounds like “KT Tunstall’s guitar left in the hands of a darker Sarah Mclachlan; Brandi Carlile; Metric; Tegan and Sara’s kid sister”. Curious what that sounds like? You might just have to check her out.

Electricity and It's Double, a rock band made up of a bunch of Cornish students will follow up with a loud rocking set. They’re getting ready for the EMP Sound Off! next month so here’s your chance to discover them before everyone else does.

And the high school age garage band “Radio Static” will headline the evening with another loud set of rocking music.

Rumor has it that the members of Soundgarden might come in to take a look at these youngsters, which would be a great opportunity for these teen bands.

The Salmon Bay Eagles Club is located at 5216 20th Ave. N.W. Admission is free. Show starts at 8 p.m.

Help Design the Salmon Bay Playground

The Salmon Bay Playground Steering Committee has entered the community design phase for the playground renovation at Salmon Bay School and invites the community to share ideas.

Salmon Bay removed the failing playground last spring and hasreceived a $13,000 Small and Simple Projects Fund grant from the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods to replace it.

The community is invited to share their design ideas at the workshop in order to ensure that the playground continues to be a community asset that reflects the vision of our community.

The playground is being designed to be inviting for all children, including those with Asperger's and autism. The first design workshop will tomorrow, Saturday Jan 22, at Ballard First Lutheran Church located at 2006 N.W. 65th St.