Opium Magazine started the Literary Death Match in New York as an antidote to the dreary old literary reading. Since then it’s travelled to Chicago, San Francisco, Denver, Boston, London, Beijing—and now Seattle.
Tomorrow night, Opium editor Todd Zuniga will host Seattle’s first Literary Death Match at the Rendezvous’ Jewelbox Theater.
The format: Four writers perform for 8 minutes. They’d better be funny, because they will be evaluated—American-Idol style—by three celebrity judges, who are on stage and just as much a part of the show as the reading. The finale is "an absurd and comical climax to determine who takes home the crown." (I’ve seen the photos; it’s an actual, plastic crown.)
I’d be likely to write it off as another gimmick, except that they’re bringing in some of the most talented fiction writers in town: Ryan Boudinot , Matthew Simmons , Matt Briggs , and Peter Gajdics (winner of Opium’s 500-word contest). No ladies, sadly, but there are lady judges: author Mary Guterson and Lindy West from The Stranger . The third judge is game designer Luke Smith.
Jewelbox Theater, 7:45, $10. (Doors open at 6:30. There’s only space for 60 people, so you should show up early. Fortunately, you’ll be waiting in a bar.)
