Leilani Polk
The Stranger
Seattle, WA, United States
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Past articles by Leilani:
Talking Amanda Knox, Fake Outrage, and a Hoarder's Worth of Vintage Suits with Doug Stanhope
Michael Ian Black once described Doug Stanhope as comedy’s Charles Bukowski, likely because Stanhope is dark, offensive, vulgar, and sometimes downright brutal. His style is a mix of volatile social criticism and anecdotal humor taken to self-hate extremes. Past subjects have included abortion, his own alcoholism and self-defeating behavior, capitalism and how the US’s idea of poverty is… → Read More
Sudan Archives Seduces with Strings and Electro Things
Her R&B-fused, African-music-imbued electro fiddling is the hottest sound coming out of the Stones Throw label right now. → Read More
Love Lessons from Terrible Exes
Even a boyfriend who sucks can give you valuable life experience. → Read More
Eating My Way Around the International District
I look for any reason to eat in this neighborhood—or even just stare at food through windows. → Read More
The Bachelor, Unedited
I can't wait to see the live stage version of the reality TV shitshow. → Read More
A Seafood Cookbook for Dummies and Geniuses
The Pacific Northwest Seafood Cookbook features foolproof recipes as well as more challenging ones. → Read More
10 Must-See Acts at Freakout Festival
Over the last seven years, Freakout Festival has become one of the highlights of Seattle’s music calendar. Like a miniature South by Southwest, Freakout takes over a portion of a city—in this case, Ballard—to create a hub of intense, fascinating musical activity across several venues. Freakout is also a record label that mainly focuses on the psychedelic and garagey ends of the rock spectrum,… → Read More
Game of Thrones Discussion Group: Episode 5
Last night's episode might have been the most divisive Game of Thrones episode yet (although remember how mad everybody was after the Red Wedding?). As we enter the home stretch, time is starting to feel really compressed, with plot threads and characters behaving unnaturally in order to get this thing wrapped up before Memorial Day. In some ways, it was a breathtaking episode, particularly from… → Read More
Game of Thrones Discussion Group: Episode 3
Oh, wow. Did you see that on HBO last night? Man, that was incredible. What a cool, cool episode, one of the best they've done so far. Can't wait to see where Barry goes from here. Oh, wait! We're not here to talk about Barry. (Still—how good was that???) We're here to talk about one of the weekend's biggest cultural events—no, no, not Endgame, either. We're here to discuss the third episode of… → Read More
Seattle's Favorite Original Coffee Roasters
There are plenty of places you can enjoy great Seattle original coffee—where the beans are sourced from sustainably run farms with fair trade practices and roasted right here in the city. Here are some of our favorites. Anchorhead The blocks around Westlake Park can feel like a special type of hell as you navigate between tweakers begging for money and people from Marysville doing the… → Read More
Game of Thrones Discussion Group: Episode 2
We've entered the home stretch of Game of Thrones's final season, with last night's episode the calm before the upcoming storm. Since no one else on the internet is discussing this obscure HBO show, a few Stranger and Mercury folks have taken it upon themselves to break down each episode, week by week, until there are no more weeks left. The discussion group commences below. Yes, there are… → Read More
What Are Axolotls and Why Am I Suddenly Obsessed?
This Mexican salamander didn't win our Ugly Pet Contest, but he won my heart. → Read More
I Fell in Love... with a Gluten-Free Bakery
Nuflours on Capitol Hill helped me feel normal again after giving up wheat. → Read More
Hey Seattle—Where Are Your Favorite Places to Eat and Drink?
For the 2019 edition of The Stranger’s Food & Drink guide, we’re Dining Around the Clock, offering a breakdown of our favorite Seattle-roasted coffee makers, where to get breakfast and brunch, lunch, dinner (including the best places to bring a date, your family, or an out-of-town guest), and late night options, as well as some of our favorite happy hours and locally-brewed beers. This year, we… → Read More
Jimi Hendrix and Joni Mitchell on the Big Screen
Jimi Hendrix: Electric Church and Joni 75 are both playing at SIFF, though not on the same night. → Read More
The Best New Places to Break Down in Tears in Seattle
Inside the old SR-99 tunnel! The new passenger-only speed ferry to Bremerton! Aesop! → Read More
How to Make a Dank Holiday Dinner
Know what makes a good a holiday meal? Being stoned. → Read More
Police Beat Was Named as One of the "30 Best (Truly) Independent Films of the 21st Century"
Congrats, Charles! → Read More
Scarecrow Video Is Celebrating 30 Years with a Righteous Online Auction
Go party with Scarecrow! → Read More
Stealing Paintings from a Working Artist? That's Just Cold, Man.
It happened in Fremont, the security footage was erased, and there are currently no leads. → Read More