It’s been eight lengthy years since we delivered mediocre grocery retailer muffins to geniuses throughout the town, however subsequent yr, that streak ends. The Stranger’s Genius Awards are again, child.
Within the 4 years since COVID-19 gave all of our beloved cultural establishments a swift kick within the nards, we’ve watched them battle to remain afloat. Venues have closed, workers have been laid off, and manufacturing budgets have been minimize over and over. We’ve felt the stress too. However we’re nonetheless right here, and so is Seattle’s artwork neighborhood, regardless of all of it. And we deserve a goddamn social gathering.
The Stranger began the Genius Awards in 2003. On the inaugural ceremony, Dan Savage confirmed up in a go well with jacket “the colour of a baked potato,” and, beside an ice sculpture of an enormous mind, the paper’s editors awarded the very first Genius Awards to movie Genius Net Crowell, artwork Genius Susan Robb, literary Genius Matt Briggs, and theater Genius Chris Jeffries. Afterward, The Stranger declared the occasion “a howling success.” To not be too self-congratulatory, although: “Actually, nobody was extra stunned than I used to be,” wrote former Stranger Visible Arts Editor Emily Corridor. “As thrilled as I used to be that we have been giving substantial awards to artists we actually, actually like, I didn’t suppose that a cocktail party and awards ceremony could possibly be something however a boring, tepid affair. I imply, we had seating plans, for God’s sake.”
We did it for 12 extra years. We spent greater than a decade—and $325,000!!!!—discovering the easiest this metropolis has to supply, crowning beloved Geniuses like Lindy West, Yussef El Guindi, and Megan Griffiths with golden gnome statuettes and wads of money.
It’s time to offer our cultural establishments their second to shine once more. It’s time to offer this metropolis’s most artistic, inspiring folks some crappy cake and throw an enormous ol’ social gathering of their honor. Up to now, the classes have included visible artwork, theater and efficiency, movie, music, and literature. However we’ve ignored one important class: Meals. We love meals. (See web page 71.) And our cooks and eating places have been struggling simply as a lot as any of us. So this time round, we’re including culinary arts to the combo. Perhaps we’ll crown a chef or a restaurant or a pop-up, or possibly we’ll discover one thing brand-new we wish to rejoice. Who is aware of, we’ve received a variety of non-culinary years to make up for, and a lot good meals to eat. (Particular consideration will likely be given to anybody who could make a sizzling canine look as joyful as Invoice Hinker does.)
So, Geniuses of Seattle, watch your backs! A sheet cake declaring, “You’re a Friggin’ Genius” could possibly be coming your manner quickly.
