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Next 50 Visual & Performing Arts

As The Next Fifty progresses through its second of six months of activities in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the 1962 Seattle World’s Fair, it continues to present outstanding, entertaining and highly impactful Arts, Culture and Design and History programming. The visual and performing arts, films and other initiatives are intended to spark the imagination, provoke reflection, delight the spirit, and enhance the visitor experience. Here are a few of the highlights through the end of July.

ARTS, CULTURE AND DESIGN AND HISTORY:

People Building Walls, through June 30, International Fountain Walkway. This group of string musicians, led by Michela, Nikolas, and Lukas Bentel, builds walls out of pallets to create a monument to the collaboration that produced it; with regular performances inside the walls.

The Next Fifty Plays The First Fifty, July 7, various Artists, Mural Amphitheatre. This outdoor concert spotlights up-and-coming Northwest artists while celebrating the region’s prolific musical history. The series will feature bands playing their own material as well as a cover of a legendary act who has performed live at Seattle Center between 1962 and 2012. This program is created in collaboration with EMP Museum.

Celebrating Century 21, through Oct. 21, three exhibits highlighting the 1962 World’s Fair and its impact, in partnership with the Museum of History and Industry.  Century 21 Collection of Artifact tells the story of the 1962 Seattle World’s Fair, alongside a travelling exhibit, Centuries of Progress: American World’s Fairs, 1853-1982. An exhibit by Seattle photographer Davis Freeman, Looking Forward:  the New Heroes, explores the lives of young social entrepreneurs making a difference in the world.

Chroma Voyage, textile installation by Janice Arnold, through Oct. 21, KeyArena northeast corner.

Metropolis, “personal biosphere” filled with Northwest plants, by Vaughn Bell, through Oct. 21, Seattle Center Armory/Center House 3rd floor.

Sightings (Landings), a lonely spaceship on a quest to find home, by Christian French, through Oct. 21, roving locations.

Spherae, investigating audience interaction and perceptions through video and computer vision, by Nathaniel Hartman, through Oct. 21, Intiman Playhouse Lobby.

Put the Needle on the Record, recording one-of-a-kind “documents” for inclusion in a time capsule, by Tyler Potts, through Oct. 21, north side of Intiman Playhouse.

Unexpected Arts, Seattle Center and Jack Straw Productions, through Oct. 21, various locations.

Parking Squid, parking for eight or more bicycles within the tentacles of a deep-sea creature, by Susan Robb, through Oct. 21, Harrison Street entrance.

Mapping the Next 50, an autonomous and interactive exhibit space, July 11 – 30, Mobile Arts Platform.

NEXT 50 FILM SERIES, 7 p.m., Wednesdays through Oct. 21, at SIFF Film Center:

Plug & Pray, June 20, focusing on engineering, robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) and questioning researchers on  their scientific faith in technological supremacy. What are the consequences for humankind?

Queen of the Sun, June 27, focusing on life sciences and highlighting the unsung heroes from past and present who are dedicated to the survival of bees.

The Invisibles, July 11, focusing on global health, Javier Bardem teams with Doctors Without Borders to produce a powerful collection of short films from five acclaimed directors depicting heroic, unsung humanitarian efforts to combat international crises.

No Woman No Cry, July 18, focusing on maternal health and at-risk pregnant women in four parts of the world, including Tanzania, Bangladesh, Guatemala, and the United States.

More To Live For, July 25, focusing on cancer research, the film follows three diverse individuals on their singular mission to bring awareness about life-saving bone marrow donation to the millions of people.

The Next Fifty continues through Oct. 21, 2012 with events, attractions and family activities focusing on Arts, Culture and Design, History, Global Health, Learning, Commerce and the Innovation Economy, and Civic Action. Seattle Center Foundation heads up the 50th anniversary celebration.  For more information, visit www.seattlecenter.com or call 206 684-7200.