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Fall Arts: Your guide to the season's best music, theater, movies and more

The great rock band, which has a Seattle connection by way of guitarist and local resident Peter Buck, will bring its long-awaited world tour to classy McCaw Hall, Seattle Center, for two shows in November.

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Alongside the homeland talent, though, comes proof that Seattle's an international destination for the likes of Russia's Bolshoi Ballet, Latina music stars, and pianists from around the world.

Our critics have picked and plucked and chosen their top picks for the coming cultural season. They've singled out rising stars to watch and sleuthed for bargain events.

Our guide offers suggestions for every taste in music, theater, art, books and movies from now to Thanksgiving. Pencils ready? Start planning. And if you attend only a few events this season, we suggest you start with these.

POP MUSIC

R.E.M. The great rock band, which has a Seattle connection by way of guitarist and local resident Peter Buck, will bring its long-awaited world tour to classy McCaw Hall, Seattle Center, for two shows on Nov. 19 and 20.

The band releases its new album, "Around the Sun," partially recorded in Vancouver, B.C., on Oct. 5.

Tickets go on sale Oct. 2 at Ticketmaster outlets, information: www.remhq.com.

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— Patrick MacDonald

THEATER

"The Lion King." Maybe you've seen the Disney animated movie of the same title. But this live Broadway version of the same simple tale, about the coming of age of a lion cub, is something else again: a vibrant animal kingdom of glorious masks, puppets and humans, all romping to an African beat.

The Elton John-Tim Rice score benefits from the glorious pageantry of Julie Taymor's Tony Award-winning direction. Nov. 30-Jan. 16, Paramount Theatre.

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— Misha Berson

BOOKS

An Evening with Roddy Doyle. The Booker Prize-winning Irish author ("Paddy Clark Ha Ha Ha") is one of most versatile writers working in English today, and wielder of a puckish sense of humor that should make this an evening to remember.

He will focus on his latest novel, "Oh, Play That Thing," the sequel to "A Star Called Henry." Nov. 15, Seattle Arts & Lectures at Benaroya Hall.

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— Mary Ann Gwinn

	This year, the Bolshoi Ballet returns to the Paramount with a traditional "Don Quixote" and a not-so-traditional version of "Romeo & Juliet."

DANCE

Bolshoi Ballet. "Bolshoi" means "big" in Russian. In English, it has become synonymous with ballet danced in the grand classical style (think rows of identical ballerinas in white tutus). This year, the stellar Russian troupe returns to the Paramount with a traditional "Don Quixote" and a not-so-traditional version of "Romeo & Juliet." Take your pick; you won't be disappointed. Oct. 27-31, Paramount Theatre.

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— Lynn Jacobson

MOVIES

"The Incredibles." "Toy Story," "A Bug's Life," "Toy Story 2," "Monsters, Inc.," "Finding Nemo." Do the wizards at Pixar, makers of enchanting animated comedies for all ages, ever make a false move? Their latest confection is a suburban-hero saga called "The Incredibles." And while it's a bit of a departure for the studio — Brad Bird ("The Iron Giant") makes his debut as a Pixar writer/director, rather than the usual crew — it's sure to carry their trademark blend of technical dazzle and whimsical soul. Nov. 5 in theaters everywhere.

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— Moira Macdonald

VISUAL ARTS

"Spain in the Age of Exploration 1492-1819." A rare opportunity to see artworks from acclaimed Spanish museums, "Spain in the Age of Exploration" includes some of the great artists of all time: El Greco, Goya, Titian, Bosch.

Arranged thematically, the exhibit will also feature historical objects that help illustrate the Spanish approach to science, religion and the pursuit of power. Oct. 16-Jan. 2, Seattle Art Museum.

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— Sheila Farr

CLASSICAL MUSIC

Seattle Symphony's Opening Night Gala. For once, a gala that really deserves its name. The Seattle Symphony's Opening Night Gala has an array of top classical stars assembled to celebrate the 20th anniversary season of Gerard Schwarz as the orchestra's music director: soprano Jane Eaglen, tenor Vinson Cole, violinist Elmar Oliveira, pianists Garrick Ohlsson, Gary Graffman and Lorin Hollander.

They'll perform arias and movements from concertos by Brahms, Ravel, Mozart, Prokofiev, Verdi, Halevy, Goossens and Wagner. This should launch the fall season in fine style. Saturday, Benaroya Hall.

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— Melinda Bargreen

JAZZ

Earshot Jazz Festival. Always the highlight of the fall jazz scene, this eclectic festival features an intelligent selection of musicians from the jazz mainstream, as well as the avant-garde and world music.

Artists promised thus far: Abdullah Ibrahim, Jim Hall, Randy Weston, Benny Golson, the Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra, Hermeto Pascoal, ICP Orchestra, Rokia Traore, Tinariwen, Don Byron, Jason Moran, Brad Mehldau, T. S. Monk, Sex Mob, Peter Brotzman, Tony Malaby, Vijay Iyer, Julian Priester, Bud Shank, Bill Ramsay, Pete Christlieb, Nicholas Payton, and Wayne Horvitz with Bill Frisell and a 22-piece chamber orchestra, performing the Earshot commission, "Joe Hill." Oct. 7-17, multiple venues in Seattle and surrounding area.

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— Paul de Barros

Copyright © 2004 The Seattle Times Company

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