Mike's adventures in art: Titanish, COSMOS, Dream, Night Market

If you're looking for tips on how to experience art in the Seattle area, you're in the right place. In this weekly post, KUOW reporter Mike Davis has suggestions for what to do around Seattle over the weekend so you can have your own adventures in arts and culture.

Theater

Titanish, is playing at Seattle Public Theater. This theatrical parody of the classic movie "Titanic" is a hilarious farce. Presented by The Habit, the award-winning comedy troupe behind “A Very Die Hard Christmas,” this 60-minute production is a whirlwind of comedy, music, and pop-culture references.

The pacing is so fast, that I missed a joke here and there, but the story being told had a nice flow that carried throughout. I enjoyed the mix of original and cover music that ensured the audience got plenty of classic Titanic sprinkled throughout, while also providing numbers we haven’t heard that were delightful.

If you head to Green Lake to catch the performance, be sure you are mindful of which tickets you purchase. If you sit in the First Class Deck, you will find yourself in the action of the show! The folks in that section on opening night seemed to have a blast, and the theater was rocking with laughs and cheers all night.

This is a great change of pace from a lot of the theater in town tackling tough issues, but this production still manages to provide a critique of class, wealth, and patriarchy, while still finding room to poke fun at submersibles and Super Mario.

Titanish, showing at Seattle Public Theater until September 17.

"Dream!" is showing at Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute. This is the 27th installment of Seattle’s Teen Summer Musical. Presented by Acts on Stage, in partnership with Seattle Parks and Recreation, this latest production from writer and director Isiah Anderson, Jr., follows the story of a group of teens who are overcoming societal obstacles as they chase their dreams. With a cast of talented youth, this is a chance to get an early peek into the upcoming talent in the region.

"Dream!" at Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center Aug. 18-20 and 25-27.

Music

COSMOS, is playing a reunion show at Madame Lou’s. For one night only, the former Sound Off! champs will take the stage. Back in my days as a music reporter, I had the chance to cover this band and catch their performances, so I must say, this show excites me. With a blend of hip-hop, funk, and rock, that comes together with strong vocal performances from frontman Campana, this is a show that music lovers will enjoy.

To get ready for this show, you can go back and listen to the COSMOS record, "Moonshine", which was produced by four of the five members of the band, and which allowed for the individual songs to showcase the tastes of the talented individual musicians in the group. Saxophonist Daniel Leong was a stand out with his solo riffs, but the powerful, often social justice inspired lyrics of Campana was the glue that brought it all together.

COSMOS, playing at Madame Lou’s Thursday Aug. 17.

Arts Events

Columbia City Night Market, is this Saturday in Columbia City. This event, located in South Seattle, features food trucks, performing artists, vendors and makers, live music, fresh produce, and lots of fun for the whole family. It’s similar to a farmers market, except, this happens at night, and includes a beer garden.

Columbia City Night Market, Saturday Aug. 19, 6-10 p.m. at 3702 S Hudson St Seattle, WA 98118.