Our critics have already recommended 50 great things to do this week, but there are hundreds more events happening. To prevent some of the quirkier and more extraordinary ones from slipping through the cracks, we've compiled them here—from the Oddmall Emporium of the Weird and the Awesome Pet Expo to the 15th Ave Bloody Mary March and SIFF's virtual reality weekend. For even more options this week, check out our complete Things To Do calendar.
Never miss a post. Sign up for the Stranger Things To Do email newsletter now.
TUESDAY
1. Loggia Lectures with Rob Prufer: Inspiring Beauty
In conjunction with Inspiring Beauty: 50 Years of Ebony Fashion Fair, AP Art History teacher Rob Prufer will use the works in the show to examine America's racial and cultural history.
2. Waste and Climate Change: What's Trash Got To Do With It?
Sally Brown, a UW Research Associate Professor of Environmental and Forest Sciences, will discuss how recycling benefits soils and climate change, and how you can use home waste as a tool for sustainability.
3. Weirdo Simpatico: The Happy Hour Tour
Celebrate happy hour with this combination reading and improvised musical performance by author and jazz vocalist Katy Bourne, who will introduce her new book Weirdo Simpatico: Little Stories for Short Attention Spans, with bassist Paul Gabrielson.
WEDNESDAY
4. Am I Normal?
Revolver's monthly French music night, with DJs Emmanuelle and Gel-Sol, that gets you into that weird wild Francophiliac mood.
5. Asia Talks: Buddhist Photography on the New Silk Road
Anthropology PhD candidate Darren Byler (who focuses on urban aesthetics and minority politics in Chinese Central Asia) will speak about the photography of Tian Lin, who documented shantytowns along the "new silk road" overlooking the city of Ürümchi. While at the museum, don't miss the exhibit Journey to Dunhuang: Buddhist Art of the Silk Road Caves.
6. The Beach Boys Night
PNW musicians come together to honor and perform their own interpretations of Beach Boys songs for the 50th anniversary of "Pet Sounds." The artists involved include Duke Evers, Trick Candles, Jacob Jjjames, P.S., The Environment (formerly The Torn ACLs), and Timothy Robert Graham.
7. Grand Re-Opening of Washington Hall
Neighborhood institution Washington Hall is finally being re-opened, this time with a community party hosted by Historic Seattle, 206 Zulu, Hidmo, and Voices Rising, with music and light refreshments provided by Madres Kitchen and Panera.
8. Insane Clown Posse with Young Wicked, Enasnimi, and Homegrown Psychotherapy
Insane Clown Posse is rolling back into town on their Riddle Box Tour, within which they'll be performing their Riddle Box album in its entirety, which is either very good or very bad news depending on your personal brand. They're joined by Young Wicked, Enasnimi, and Homegrown Psychotherapy on this parade of hardcore savagery and white rap.
9. Landfill Harmonic Orchestra Concert
Paraguayan Youth Orchestra members, who routinely make instruments from garbage scraps at the landfill next to which they live, will be performing a free concert this week at Bainbridge Performing Arts Center, as well as screening a documentary helmed by their music director Favio Chavez. Donations will be accepted to continue funding the projects of the PYO.
10. MAP Theatre: Bob’s Burgers Trivia
Test your knowledge of seasons 1-4 of the bizarre and lovable Bob's Burgers with MAP Theatre's Brandon Ryan, Peggy Gannon and Shane Regan.
11. Pike Place Market Opening Day Celebration
Celebrate the first day of the Pike Place Market Evening Farmers Market with world music from KEXP DJ Darek Mazzone, and other "special guests." The first 100 shoppers will also receive a Pike Place Market apron and tote bag.
12. The Purple Pride
Explore the full spectrum of gender expression at the Purple Pride, a party at the Mercury highlighting the many free forms of sexuality in honor of Prince and Pride Month. DJ Morgue Anne will be spinning all night long, and Fetish Multifarium members will be on hand to provide fetish services like spanking and electrical play.
13. Silent Reading Party
Invented by our own Christopher Frizzelle, the reading party is every first Wednesday of the month at 6 p.m. That's when the Fireside Room at the Sorrento Hotel goes quiet and fills with people with books tucked under their arms. (And, occasionally, a Kindle or two.) By 7 p.m., you often can't get a seat. And there's always free music from 6 to 8 pm. Lately the resident musician is pianist Paul Matthew Moore. He's amazing.
14. Youth Homelessness: Advocacy & Action
The Accelerator YMCA hosts this panel on the causes of and potential solutions for youth and young adult homelessness. Wayne Wilson of the United Way of King County will host, and panelists will include Kristen Brennan of the Accelerator YMCA and youth and LGBTQ activist Trai.
THURSDAY
15. 12th Annual Drink Pink Celebration
Cafe Campagne's 12th annual rosé party will have a variety of pink wines to try, street food, oyster shucking, and the opportunity to sit outside and (hopefully) soak up the sun.
16. Community Consent Project: Make Art — Join the March
Combat rape culture by joining the Community Consent Project in making art from your experiences at the old Value Village location, now V2.
17. Maz Jobrani
Founding member of The Axis of Evil Comedy Tour and standup comedian Maz Jobrani has a long resume of TV, movie, and radio appearances, and his 2015 book, I'm Not a Terrorist But I've Played One on TV, was an LA Times Best Seller. Tonight, he'll bring his comedy to the Neptune.
18. Panti Bliss Meet and Greet
After the SIFF screening of The Queen of Ireland, a movie that Dan Savage says is a "fascinating film about a fascinating queen," the Irish Reels Film Festival will host this meet-and-greet with director Conor Horgan, producer Katie Holly, and the subject of the film, Panti Bliss, herself.
19. SIFFX
SIFFX (part of the Seattle International Film Festival) presents a series of events centered around virtual reality storytelling, including 360° film screenings, a VR/AR art gallery, and keynote speaker Nonny de la Peña. (Through Sunday)
20. SoDoLicious Extravaganza
For the second year, food trucks (including Marination Mobile and Kiss My Grits) will take over the Starbucks headquarters, along with music from DJ Disco Vinnie and outdoor games.
21. Stout Summer Series
Party on the rooftop of Stout with Rooftop Brewing Co—your ticket will get you four beers and three courses of food. It's a great chance to enjoy the Seattle sunshine and take in their view of the always weird Cal Anderson park.
22. Trivia Night in the Big Red Lounge at Rick’s Dive-In Bar and Grill
An interactive, comedic improv performance about the losing table at (the fictional) Rick's Dive-In Bar and Grill Trivia Night. (Thursday-Friday through June 17)
FRIDAY
23. Bite of Greece
Try authentic coffee, pastries, and other food and drinks at this free festival that will also feature Greek dancing and a Greek marketplace.
24. Community Talk: The Jungle
Learn more about "The Jungle," the large homeless encampment under I-5, and Mayor Ed Murray's administration's plan to clean it up, as well as alternative plans. KUOW's Joshua McNichols will moderate a panel of current and former Jungle residents, Real Change Founding Director Tim Harris, and other advocates.
25. Fremont 5K & Briefcase Relay
Each person on a five-member team will run a kilometer of this 5K course in Fremont, while dressed from the waist up in business attire and carrying a briefcase full of canned food (but no shoulder straps are allowed!).
26. IMPFest VIII
It's the eighth annual festival of improvised music from some of the best experimental improvisers in the game, from guitarist Bill Frisell to bassist Reid Anderson from the Bad Plus.
27. The Lumineers
Indie pop-rock crown-holders the Lumineers kick off the Marymoor Park summer concert series with three golden afternoons of acoustic tapestry-weaving (Sleepwalkers open June 3-4, Isaac Gracie opens June 5).
28. Northwest Pinball and Arcade Show
This annual event offers speakers, vendors, food, beer, awards—and, mostly importantly, hundreds of new, rare, and classic pinball and arcade games on free play.
29. Once in a Lifetime
The Factory will play host to this introspective show about the subjective nature of autobiography, featuring work by artist Devin Ball.
30. School of Rock: The British Invasion
Watch the tiny musical treasures of the future play the rock relics of the past, with School of Rock's tribute to the British Invasion bands, like the Beatles and the Zombies.
31. Seattle Rock Orchestra Social Club
Seattle Rock Orchestra's volunteer community ensemble (the SRO Social Club) perform rock and pop filtered through an orchestral lens.
32. Sundae Flight Date Night
Before the Cookie Counter (a new vegan ice creamery, bakery, and espresso shop) opens their brick-and-mortar store later this month, be one of the first people to see the new location. The $65 ticket price includes table service and a flight of three sundaes for two, which will be served in mini sundae dishes. A Cookie Counter tote bag, bag of Anchorhead coffee, and an assortment of breakfast pastries to go are also included in the ticket price. If that's not enough, $10 of your ticket price will go to the Coyote Central youth classes program, and you'll get to see artwork from Rich Hall that's hanging in the space.
33. This Blinding Light, The Purrs, Wooky, Mselasco, DJ Aladdin Jail
Have a complete psych-out at Tim's Tavern with local hallucinogenic rocker weirdos This Blinding Light, The Purrs, Wooky, Mselasco, and DJ Aladdin Jail.
34. Writers Group New Play Showcase
The Seattle Rep's Writers Group, a forum for Washington State playwrights to create new work, will put on a weekend of new plays, free of charge, by playwrights Josh Beerman, Trista Baldwin, Keiko Green, Karen Hartman, Courtney Meaker, and Y York. (Through Sunday)
SATURDAY
35. 12 Hour Comic
Create a 12-page comic in 12 hours at Push/Pull—they'll provide coffee, tea, pastries, lunch, dinner, and limited supplies. Afterwards, you can choose to display it on their wall. Artists pay $20 for food and supplies; watching the art-making is free.
36. 15th Ave East Bloody Mary March
Wear red and walk down Capitol Hill's 15th Ave East, where six participating restaurants (Sur16, Coastal Kitchen, Bar Vacilando, Harry's Bar, Liberty, and Canterbury Ale House) will offer mini Bloody Marys.
37. Anna and the Sea
One or None Theatre Company presents this 45-minute, one-woman performance featuring over a dozen characters, a harp, ukulele, thumb piano, singing, and a storyline involving searching for the meaning of life.
38. ArtHaus 2.0 Finals with Max of RuPaul's Drag Race
ArtHaus 2.0 returns for their final competition, i.e. the official battle royale, i.e. the walk-off to end all walk-offs, between Halfway Haus, Bounce Haus, and an as-yet-undetermined third contestant. Max from RuPaul's Drag Race will preside over this inevitable slasher flick, wherein each competing haus will choose their own theme within which to perform. The winning house receives a performance slot in this year's Pride at Seattle Center, a trophy, cash prizes, and bragging rights over all you lesser hos.
39. The Best 80's Party (So Far): 5th Anniversary Edition
'80s New Wave obsessives Nite Wave break out their New Romantic dance vibes with live music covering artists like Duran Duran, INXS, Prince, and Depeche Mode. Joining Nite Wave will be local boy band sensation #All4Doras, and resident DJ Indica Jones.
40. The Blue Show
Improvisers have been saving up their dirtiest material for The Blue Show, an emphatically adults-only improv comedy night that happens just once a month.
41. Brewshed Beer Fest
The Washington Brewshed Alliance, a group that aims to spread the message that "protected water makes superior downstream beer," will put on this tasting event for which you'll get eight tasting tickets and a commemorative tasting glass. You'll also get to vote on your favorite beers, and food will be available for purchase. $10 designated driver tickets are also available.
42. Brother Coyote & Sister Fox
Thistle Theatre presents this puppet adaptation of a beloved Mexican folktale, in Spanish and English.
43. Cathedrals XII and Giant Sound Bath
Enjoy the sunset filtering through the windows of St Mark’s while absorbing some of Seattle’s most powerful voices, including Adra Boo, Maiah Manser, The Banner Days, Kelli Schaefer, Hope Simpson, Nouela Johnston, Phinisey, and additional guests. All artists will perform stripped-down sets with no instruments, only equipped with the versatility of their own voices, in the Cathedral.
44. Choir of the Sound Pops Show: We Love Rock'n'Roll
Choir of the Sound, a Puget Sound adult community choir, will pay tribute to the "music that changed America," including the Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Queen, U2, The Rolling Stones, and other bands that will round out this "epic rock-fest."
45. DILF Seattle Underwear Jock Party
The Eagle will provide a clothes check for this underwear party for "hot dads and hot lads."
46. FoMOHoMO: The Fluorescent Forest
GlamCocks sets the stage thusly for this event: "Deep, deep underground there is a world beyond imagination, full of creatures fantastic and trees that glow in the darkness. Neon birds, luminous fauns and other woodland beasts play together in perfect harmony. The life here has learned to create its own light and share it with those all around it." Put on your best "blacklight couture" for this UV party featuring beats from Robin Banks and Will S and visuals from Lucky Shindig.
47. Forever Young ‘80s Dance Party
Let DJs Conjure Wives and JPG take you on a tour of the sounds of the eighties, with hot tracks from bands like The Human League, New Order, Depeche Mode, Tears For Fears, INXS, The Psychedelic Furs, Madonna, Cyndi Lauper, The Cars, a-Ha, and many more.
48. Main Street Choc Walk
During this second annual event, apparently the Eastside's biggest chocolate and wine festival, 25 participating chocolatiers will have locally made chocolates, truffles, and desserts to try, and some will pair them with wines or spirits.
49. MVP: Michael Jackson vs. Prince
Now that all our heroes are dead, MVP, a Seattle band that plays both the music of Michael Jackson and Prince, will be bringing all the hits from two of the biggest icons in music history to the Hard Rock.
50. Oddmall Emporium of the Weird
At the Pacific Northwest's "most undeniably and incredibly fanmazeticalicious celebration of art, craft, and everything unusual, geeky, odd, amazing, and wonderful," over 120 booths will display their wares. There will also be free entertainment all weekend, including Adria the Juggler and Gepetto's Retribution, a "dames for Dreams" fashion show, and a shopping area for kids.
51. Olympia Comics Festival
Unlike other ComicCons, the Olympia Comics Festival emphasizes the creativity of the comics art form, rather than pop culture and costumes. This year's festival consists of a cartoonists' expo at the Olympia Center, featuring dozens of creators selling their wares, autographs from comic creators at the Danger Room, and a $6 variety show at the Capitol Theater. "Guests of honor" include Peter Bagge, Tatiana Gill, and Brandon Graham.
52. Parke Diem 2016
Parke Diem is back for its sixth year of live music, vendors, family-friendly activities, and food trucks. Enjoy a free all-day celebration at the Volunteer Park Amphitheater this weekend.
53. Seattle Pet Expo
Bring your four-legged friend to this Amazing Pet Expo, where you can shop, play, learn, and adopt. There will be a pet talent contest and pet costume contest, exhibitors, free nail trims, agility and obedience demonstrations, prize giveaways, and more. (Through Sunday)
54. School of Rock: A Tribute to the Ramones
Watch the tiny musical treasures of the future play the punk relics of the past, with School of Rock's tribute to the Ramones at Chop Suey.
55. Tay James with Pk and Famous
Tay James takes a break from his role as lead DJ on Justin Bieber's "Purpose" tour to bless us mere mortals with his bleep-blooping at Aston Manor this June. Pk and Famous fill out the bill support as openers.
56. Tomo Nakayama, Led to Sea, and Whitney Ballen House Show
Three Seattle-intertwined multi-instrumentalists bring their talents to this show-potluck hybrid event, with Tomo Nakayama, Led to Sea, and Whitney Ballen.
57. TUF LUV
TUF presents a collaborative community event of art and music from women, trans, and non-binary artists. This day-long celebration includes workshops, performances, interactive exhibits, and large-scale installations from artists and creators like Maia Doty, Cay Horiuchi, Taylar Elizza Beth, and Bailey Skye.
SUNDAY
58. Baby Orca Birthday Bash
Celebrate and learn about the birth of baby Orcas born in the Salish Sea at this family-friendly event featuring Orca-themed games, storytelling, face painting, and Orca-fin hats. For more about orcas, read Christopher Frizzelle's feature from August 2015.
59. Clean Sweep
Clean up, clean up, everybody do your share. Hundreds of volunteers will take to the streets in Capitol Hill to pick up garbage as part of Seattle PrideFest—a great way to meet fellow do-gooders. They'll provide gloves and sharps containers; kids are welcome, but consider the kind of garbage they might find before dragging the whole family out.
60. Metaphysical Market: Words of Power
Artisans, vendors, healers, lecturers, and more will gather at this monthly market devoted to "learning about our connection to the Magick in our everyday lives."
61. QVAP Drag for Rice
The Queer Vision Access Project presents this drag show hosted by Atasha Manila for the Asian Counseling and Referral Service's Food Bank for Walk for Rice.
62. Ruth Ozeki
Ruth Ozeki will read from the latest release in The Face series, a personal exploration of how the author's face has shaped and been shaped by her life.
Stranger (Than Usual) Things To Do comes out every week on Tuesday. To submit events to be considered, email us at calendar@thestranger.com.
