Our critics have already picked what they think will be the best events this week in a variety of categories: arts, music, Mother's Day brunches, Seattle Beer Week events, and Upstream sets. But, believe it or not, there are hundreds more events happening in Seattle this week. To prevent some of the quirkier and more extraordinary ones from slipping through the cracks, we've compiled them here—from a My Little Pony convention to two proms for adults, and from Tape Face to Gutenberg! The Musical! For even more options this week, check out our complete Things To Do calendar.
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TUESDAY
ART1. The Round
Musicians share the stage with a slam poet and live painter. This time around, poet/mayoral candidate Nikkita Oliver, live painter Matthew Brennan, and musicians Reed Turner, Joy Mills, and Drew Martin will engage your senses and intellect.
2. How Shifting Federal Priorities Impact the Poor
This panel organized by the West Coast Poverty Center and the UW School of Social Work (and featuring speakers from local organizations and governmental offices including Solid Ground, Communities of Color for Climate Justice, and the Seattle Housing Authority) will demonstrate the ways in which federal priorities impact the lives of low-income people in our community.
3. The Happy Film with Stefan Sagmeister
Poker-faced designer Stefan Sagmeister stars in a strikingly shot documentary/experiment about his three attempts to achieve happiness through meditation, cognitive therapy, and drugs—a journey that, as Sagmeister realizes, "turned out to be a pain." Sagmeister himself, who co-directed the film, will answer your questions after the show.
4. Dead Horse Trauma and Guests
Self-proclaimed "5-headed war machine" will play rebellious pop-metal aimed at "exposure of the perversity and falsities we are subliminally directed by."
5. Jamey Johnson with Margo Price & Brent Cobb
If you're into country, you won't want to miss the multiple Grammy-winner Jamey Johnson, one of the finest country singers on the scene according to the Washington Post. His classic sound and artfully down-home lyrics set him against the pop-country mishmosh trends that dominate radio.
6. Pomo
We're not sure if Vancouver DJ Pomo's name references the postmodern aesthetic, but his remixes of hiphop, house, and classic funk sort of fits the bill.
7. Windborne's The Music of Prince with The Seattle Symphony
If you're like us, you're not ready to get over Prince. Why should you? No one else bent genres and genders like him. The Seattle Symphony clearly sympathizes; thus this performance of Prince's music in orchestral style, led by conductor Brent Havens and featuring singer Marshall Charloff (the Purple Xperience) and a rock band.
8. Tour de Farce
The Great Soul of Russia will begin its 2017 reading series with an evening of comedy from writers including Chekhov, Thurber, Calvin Trillin, and Andy Borowitz. Directed by Jean Sherrard and Julie Briskman.
9. David Montgomery: Growing A Revolution
UW geologist David Montgomery (co-author of the 2015 book The Hidden Half of Nature: The Microbial Roots of Life and Health, as well as titles including Dirt: The Erosion of Civilizations, King of Fish: The Thousand-Year Run of Salmon, and The Rocks Don't Lie: A Geologist Investigates Noah's Flood) will speak about his latest work, Growing a Revolution, which "offers a bold and optimistic vision, flipping the script on agriculture and showing its potential to go from environmental problem to environmental solution."
10. Piyali Bhattacharya with Anu Taranath
Piyali Bhattacharya will present what they say is "the first anthology to address daughterhood in South Asian American families": Good Girls Marry Doctors: South Asian American Daughters on Obedience and Rebellion. Author and UW teacher Anu Taranth will lead the conversation.
11. Radiotopia Live
Radiotopia will bring you live radio from its catalogue of podcasts. Hear live conversations from the producers of 99% Invisible, Criminal, the Allusionist, the Memory Palace, Mortified and more onstage, and get away from your computer for awhile.
12. SwitHeart: The Watercolour Artistry & Animal Activism of Loretta Swit
M*A*S*H star Loretta Swit's book of watercolor animal portraits showcases her love of the wild and domestic creatures and her painting talent. Swit is a true advocate of the natural world: She's received awards from the GES Africa Conservation Fund and Actors and Others for Animals. Money from book sales will benefit animal charities.
WEDNESDAY
ART13. Artists Up Grant LAB Shout Out
Meet the artists who have each received $3,000 from Grant LAB, a new city initiative. Michelle de la Vega of Artists Up and journalist Florangela Davila will introduce and direct the discussion, and de la Vega will have a new installation for you to peruse.
14. Folk Costume Fashion Show
These folk dresses and ensembles will have you exclaiming "Herregud!" If you've got your own Norwegian, Swedish, Finnish, Icelandic, Danish, or Faroese costume in your closet, feel free to show it off. Otherwise, just enjoy the show and the snacks.
15. GiveBIG: Lunch Break
On the occasion of GiveBIG, a yearly charitable event, gather at Town Hall for an update on the nonprofit community and its accomplishments around Seattle. Bread and Circuses food truck will be selling fare outside. There will be raffle drawings and giving stations.
16. Remembering a Gentle Giant: Jakob Bjarnason
Pay tribute to a legendary local immigrant, Jakob "Big Jake" Bjarnason, a seven-foot-tall Icelander who moved to the US in 1890 and eventually became a police officer here. On May 10th, his 143rd birthday, his grave will get a memorial marker to commemorate his contributions to the Ballard community.
17. Post-'68 Apocalypse Series: Glen and Randa
In a landscape recovering from nuclear war 20 years earlier, a couple of young survivors find a depiction of a great metropolis in an old issue of Wonder Woman they find among the ruins. The naive couple sets out to find the city.
18. 15th Annual Rosé Revival & Cool Whites
Summer may be slow in coming, but you can still shake off the remnants of winter with this outdoor (tent) evening of white and rosé wines. Taste the fruit of the vine from Northwest winemakers, accompanied by yummy bites including wild salmon—which is slightly perverse, but only slightly, because proceeds from this event will benefit the Save Our Wild Salmon Coalition. You'll be drinking and munching on fish while helping to save their habitats and increase their numbers. An additional reward for your hedonistic altruism: A view of the sun setting behind the Olympics from Woodmark's deck.
19. Aesthetic Mess: Bloom Offering, Goo Goo, DJ Jermaine
Seattle’s foremost post-punk night returns with a live set by multidisciplinary Seattle artist and electronic musician Bloom Offering. Goo Goo and DJ Jermaine, as always, will spin a fascinating assortment of post-punk, weird dub, minimal wave, and other mutant subgenera.
20. Dougie MacLean
Scottish singer-songwriter Dougie MacLean has written some of the most popular new tunes in his home country and has had his work covered by American and European singers. His folksy songs have a distinctive Celtic lilt. See the man the Wall Street Journal has praised as a "musical hero."
21. Moving Units Presents The Songs Of Joy Division with Second Still and Black Ferns
Honor your inner and outer goth with covers of Joy Division classics brought to you by the Black Ferns and Second Still.
22. The Slants, Golden Gardens, Guests
Catch some synth-pulsing "Chinatown dance rock" with Portland's all-Asian American band the Slants.
23. Donia Bijan: The Last Days of Café Leila
An Iranian expat, Noor, and her Americanized daughter Lily return to Tehran and their family's restaurant. Though nothing much seems to have changed at Café Leila, Iran itself is in turmoil, and soon young Lily is caught up in the chaos. Donia Bijan will read and sign this new novel.
24. Elizabeth Strout
Elizabeth Strout, author of the moving Olive Kitteridge and My Name Is Lucy Barton, is back with a rich new exploration of lives in a small town. Self-respect, filial love, faith, and loneliness emerge as themes in Anything is Possible, with Lucy Barton herself returning for a role.
25. Peter Andreas
Peter Andreas's memoir Rebel Mother: My Childhood Chasing the Revolution tells the story of a 1950s housewife—his mother—who became a radical Marxist and eventually took him on the run in South America to escape a bitter custody battle.
26. Pundamonium
Puns are the highest and lowest form of humor: They somehow refresh the materiality of language, reminding you that a word is a figure, a thing that can be looked at from several different angles. So whoever wins the pun competition Pundamonium, hosted by Erika Ellefson, will likely be one of Seattle’s great crafters of language, both in a Renaissance fair kind of way but also in a literary genius kind of way. The contestants will be chosen from the audience on a first-come, first-served basis, so the title could go to anyone. RICH SMITH
27. Sacred Breath: Writing and Storytelling
Hear stories from three Native narrators, Suquamish writer Cedar Sigo, Lakota author Trevino Brings Plenty, and Suquamish storyteller Barbara Lawrence-Piecuch, at this event hosted by Cowlitz essayist Elissa Washuta.
28. Sienna Meadow Burnett & Joshua Nguyen
Sienna Meadow Burnett, queer spoken word artist and actor, and Joshua Nguyen, a Spitshine Slam champion, will sling verses at Open Books.
THURSDAY
FILM29. Outdoor Movie: Idiocracy
Bring your blankets and camp chairs (or hope you can find a seat at the picnic tables) to watch this week's outdoor film, Idiocracy, in which an average man wakes up 500 years in the future and realizes that everybody else has gotten so stupid that he's now the smartest person alive.
30. Art of Jazz: Alex Dugdale’s FADE Quartet
Enjoy jazz classics and contemporary originals from the Fade Quintet, featuring band leader, saxophonist, and killer tap dancer Alex Dugdale with Cole Schuster, Max Holberg, Greg Feingold, and Daniel Arthur.
31. Chloë Agnew
Chloë Agnew (of Celtic Woman fame) will perform Emerald Isle classics like "Danny Boy," "Galway Bay," and "When Irish Eyes Are Smiling," as well as hits and ballads from her solo career.
32. Chris Brown with 50 Cent, Fabolous, O.T. Genasis, Kap G
Often in the news for not great reasons, Chris Brown bucks the serious stuff and heads to KeyArena to show off his R&B side, with hiphop guests 50 Cent, Fabolous, O.T. Genasis, and Kap G on The Party Tour.
33. Chuck Prophet & The Mission Express with The Tripwires
Spellbinding rocker Chuck Prophet has a new album out entitled Bobby Fuller Died For Your Sins, a collection of haunting songs about "doomed love, loneliness, and fast-paced violence." Catch the charismatic Californian's set of fatalistic yet fun songs as he swings through the Northwest on his 2017 tour.
34. Fleetmac Wood
A no holds barred dance party devoted entirely to the Fleetwood Mac discography—ready yourself for hella remixes and all kinds of disco-ing.
35. The Happy Fits, Hell Mary, Madness Blooms
Hop to quirky pop refrains laced with what this happy-go-lucky New Jersey crew calls "jammy-flammy wing-dong bat-scat." (It's a more coherent, and much catchier, than they make it sound.)
36. Hardly Boys, Dopers, Littler, Going Away
I get giddy watching the Hardly Boys. The gleefulness of the teen friendship punk band is infectious as they belt out bop-a-long odes to hot mullets and Michael Cera (sample lyric: "Oh Canada/Thanks a lot/For this gift/From above"). The four-piece is only in town for a hot minute while they're back from college, so this is a special opportunity to soak in their charming enthusiasm and maybe, if you're lucky, their cover of Tacocat's "Hey Girl." ROBIN EDWARDS
37. Mirror Ferrari, Pro Teens, Potions, Senor Fin
Mirror Ferrari aims for lofted spaces, with dark, drug-laced, dreamgaze-y power pop, that wouldn't be completely out of place in a Nicholas Winding Refn film. They'll be joined by Pro Teens, Potions, and Señor Fin.
38. Oddisee & Good CMPNY with Olivier St. Louis
For the past year, my hiphop purchasing habit has followed one simple rule: If Mello Music Group put the album out, buy it. The Tucson label is on an intellectual-rapper hot streak to rival those of Rhymesayers and Def Jux last decade. The label’s flagship artist is Oddisee, a DC emcee with a smooth flow to match his often organic arrangements. Born Amir Mohamed, Oddisee split his youth between the nation’s capital and various locales in the Near East, and the disconnect between his experiences on each continent informs his lyrics. The monoculture and rampant consumerism that run amok in modern hiphop are mercifully absent from his work. JOSEPH SCHAFER
39. Prom For Grown Ups 2017
Celebrate a Purple Rain-themed grown-up prom in your gaudy Prince finery—guests in costume will get $2 off admission—for DJ's SashaB's 30th birthday. She'll be joined at the console by DJ Cuddleup (aka Stranger Genius Awardee Erik Blood), Sematary Kid, and Sudosin. There'll be prom photos and a photobooth so the occasion can live forever in your heart and on your fridge.
40. Seattle Music Exchange Project
Acclaimed pianist Angelo Rondello hosts the opening of Seattle Music Exchange Program’s inaugural season of programming, which highlights composers of Seattle and its sister cities in an effort to bring local music to audiences at home and abroad through broadcasting concerts, artist residencies, and educational programs. Rondello will perform works by Seattle composers Samuel Jones, Peter Vukmirovic Stevens, Angelique Poteat, Adam Haws, and Benjamin Salman, in addition to leading the audience on a musical tour of Seattle’s sister cities in Japan, Italy, Norway, and Hungary.
41. Simian Mobile Disco, Pezzner, Kid Hops
Longtime EDM creators Simian Mobile Disco have cut "dance music for people who think they don’t like dance music" since 2005, according to former Stranger writer Al Jacobs. Catch them with "aural equivalent of weird sex" producer Pezzner (the description is from current Stranger music critic Dave Segal).
42. Testament, Sepultura, Prong
Testament, legends of thrash metal, will headline this howling night of sonic intemperance, also featuring the Brazilian death metal jaguars of Sepultura and New York's furious Prong.
43. Yurt, Left on Tenth, Guests
Conjured by the deeply hippie vibes of Montana and northern Washington, Yurt harness these energies to make positive indie rock perfect for your campfire parties. They'll be joined by Left on Tenth and additional guests.
44. ClownLight! A Circus Vaudeville Variety Dream Experience
Clowns?? Clowns!!! Let them escape their Stephen King-tarnished reputation and entertain you with silly vaudeville and surreal antics. Not only that, but you'll also get the full circus tent experience: Acrobatics, juggling, contortions, magic, sword-swallowing, and burlesque. And it's 21+ only, so things can get just a little sexy.
45. Girls Night Out! The Show
This show offers "disarmingly sexy, yet tasteful" extravaganzas to satisfy unabashed het-lady fantasies.
46. The Source: History with HistoryLink
The Friends of the Seattle Waterfront and Jennifer Ott from HistoryLink will teach you about Seattle's cannery industry and the people who worked in it. Celebrate the community Waterfront Space and the city's maritime history.
47. Women's Speaker Series with Samantha Larson
Badass mountaineer and environmental writer (Outside, Smithsonian.com, Crosscut, and RootsRated) Samantha Larson will talk about her longstanding infatuation with climbing, from her ascent of Kilimanjaro with her dad at the age of 12.
THURSDAY-FRIDAY
COMEDY48. The Startup
This interactive improv play allows the audience to shape the story of a tech start-up's spectacular rise. Give the characters performance reviews and throw them curveball ideas.
THURSDAY-SATURDAY
COMEDY49. Carlos Mencia
Love him or hate him, Carlos Mencia is an incredibly famous comedian (best known for his Comedy Central TV show Mind of Mencia) and now he's on tour. Come to Bellevue for political commentary and humor.
50. Harley Marine Seattle Maritime Festival
Seattle's waterfront at Pike Place may be better known, but Ballard's seagoing heritage is every bit as interesting, and it remains vital today. This festival combines practical knowledge-sharing (maritime safety skills, flares and emergency signals) with free canal rides, ship tours, science lectures by the NOAA, children's activities, water displays, and even sea-themed poetry. Most of the activities take place at the Seattle Maritime Academy on Sunday, aka "Family Fun Day," but the poetry slam is on Thursday night, and you can tour the Fishermen's Terminal on Friday.
51. Money and Run
This is a three-episode production of Wayne Rawley's "trailer trash epic," each episode ("Money Take Run," "Save the Last Dance for Run," and "Of Nuns and Ninjas") featuring a different cast.
THURSDAY-SUNDAY
PERFORMANCE52. Frozen
This is much darker than Disney. Bryony Lavery's Frozen focuses on the stories of three people: a researcher, a serial killer, and a grieving mother. The researcher is building a case for her thesis ("Serial Killing—A Forgivable Act?") and ends up bringing together a woman who lost her 10-year-old daughter, and that daughter's murderer. The play is said to be a bit simplistic/contrived in its psychological assertions, but offers the chance for a few actors to really show their skills, from dramatic breakdowns to the titular emotional frigidity.
FRIDAY
ART53. Leica Lecture Series: 'Capturing the World' with Nick Rains
Experienced Australian instructor Nick Rains will brief you on taking better travel photos, using shots from his more than 30 years as a documentary photographer as examples.
54. Rainbow Bingo
We think this'll be the rowdiest night of bingo around, given that it's hosted by drag queen Sylvia O'Stayformore, the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, and the Black N' Blue Band. Play 12 rounds (included in the price)—there will be food and drink for purchase if you get peckish/remain overly sober.
55. Bootie Seattle: Britney Mash-Up Night
Seattle's only all-mashup dance party throws down for an all-out celebration by paying tribute to the ultimate pop princess: Britney Spears. Prep thyself for all the '00s club bangers and '10s Top40 hits you could possibly handle.
56. Celebrate Asia
Seattle Symphony will perform their annual Celebrate Asia concert, which celebrates the artistic traditions of Seattle’s Asian communities. This year's concert features film music by famous Japanese and Indian composers including Grammy and Academy Award winner A.R. Rahman.
57. James McCartney
The London singer, fresh from the release of his second album, is swinging by Kenmore on his 25-state tour. Yes, Paul McCartney is his father, but James' music is fast and revved up by punk/grunge sensibilities.
58. Music of Today
The University of Washington School of Music and DXARTS — Center for Digital Art and Experimental Media have partnered once again to co-sponsor Music of Today, a series that showcases the innovative new works and contemporary classics composed and initiated by faculty members and guest composers.
59. Noise Complaint with Gina Turner
The newest monthly dance party jewel in the Kremwerk crown is Noise Complaint, a populist throw down of all things eclectic and electronic. This iteration features "yoga teaching, internationally touring, multi-label releasing DJ, producer, radio host, new mother, and label boss" Gina Turner.
60. Polly O'Keary & The Rhythm Method
In addition to her blues chops, bassist and vocalist Polly O'Keary must have some fascinating stories: She was raised in a log cabin with no electricity and spent her teenagerhood waiting bars in Mexico. She's won multiple awards from the Washington and Inland Empire blues societies, who must have thrilled to that rich rhythmic throb in her voice.
61. Seattle Baroque Orchestra: Ode to the Orchestra
In their last show of the season, Seattle Baroque Orchestra will present a program that spans the late 17th century, showcasing works from composers Corelli, Biber, and Lully, and featuring Georg Muffat’s concerti grossi Delirium amoris, Dulce Somnium, and Saeculum.
62. SLAY: A Hip Hop Party for LGBT and People of Color
Special guest The Last Artful, Dodgr will drop the beat for queer people, people of color, and their allies at this recurring hiphop shindig. Slay markets itself as a social justice movement, rather than just a party source, with an open encouragement to different minority communities to come together in a celebration of everyone's differences. Partial proceeds of the evening will be donated to Planned Parenthood and a select charity that aligns with Slay's views.
63. Sonny Digital with Guests
Sonny Digital has worked with Beyonce, Rick Ross, Juicy J, Wiz Khalifa, Wale, DJ Khaled, and plenty of others, and his collaborations have snagged him a Grammy nomination. Now, he'll set his masterful DJ skills to work making you rock the foundations of Q.
64. TRL: It's Gonna Be May
This traveling throwback dance party features late '90s and early '00s music from DJ NisMode that get you in the mood for some hardcore Tiger Beat crushing, plus a live set from #ALL4DORAS, Seattle's only tribute boy band.
65. Zachary Watkins: High Vibration Resonance
Zachary Watkins of the Black Spirituals duo and other Seattle musicians will play experimental music that toys with "site specificity" and resonance. Watkins will perform on "cassette diffusion and battery powered electronics," and one of his pieces, Suite for String Quartet, is based on a 16-tone harmonic system. If you're looking for out-there classical, this is your jam.
66. Shiver Me Timbers
Parrrrrr-ty like a pirate or a merman who lures sailors to their watery doom at this bash hosted by the drag king outfit Dapper Down Productions.
67. Brad Gooch
Author Brad Gooch (Smash Cut) will discuss his biography of the oft-quoted but underknown Rumi in Rumi’s Secret: The Life of the Sufi Poet of Love. According to Elliott Bay, this is the first popular biography of the 13th-century Sufi mystic.
68. John Ashford
John Ashford's book Meeting the Mantis recounts his time in the Kalahari desert with the "Bushmen," or the San people, and the outsiders who lived with and advocated for them. Learn about this people's way of life in the modern world through the eyes of a former Peace Corps volunteer.
69. Nicole Gulotta + Megan Gordon Discuss Eat This Poem
Eat This Poem is a literary food blog dedicated to the pleasures of a tasty verse and an expressive meal. Blogger and soon-to-be-published author Nicole Gulotta will have a conversation with Megan Gordon, a granola-maker and author of Whole-Grain Mornings.
70. Paula Hawkins with Kevin O’Brien
The author of the very successful thriller The Girl on the Train will talk about her new book, Into the Water, about a teenaged girl left behind when her mother's body is found in the river—just a short time after another girl was found dead there. If you like dark psychological mystery, this London-based, Zimbabwe-born writer is probably your jam—but you probably knew that already.
71. Burlesque 202 Graduation Recital
Time to welcome another class of fledgeling sexpot dancers from Miss Indigo Blue's Academy of Burlesque, who are learning the trade from Waxie Moon and The One The Only Inga. Part of the pleasure is seeing with what sexy puns and cutesy monikers they've dubbed themselves: Hats off to Areola 51 and Just Ducky on that score.
72. Todrick Hall: Straight Outta Oz
Todrick Hall performs a "twisted" version of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz with more than 20 original songs, depicting Hall's travels from his small town in Texas, to the big time: "Oz Angeles."
73. Mothership: Out of this World Sex
Not every mama is satisfied with books or dinner or flowers for Mother's Day... although this is one event where we suggest you treat yourself rather than your progenitor. Babeland will be giving away free gifts from its awesome catalogue of pleasure toys and kinky shit and will pour you some free champagne (if you're 21+) and tickle your mind with sex tips.
74. Yo Yo Yoga Presents The Divine Movement
Love the club atmosphere, but wish it were a little more spiritual? DJ Recess will play some choice cuts as you experience vinyasa yoga and meditation. Bring your own mat and have some wholesome fun with the Divine Movement team.
FRIDAY-SATURDAY
COMEDY75. Pauly Shore
Comedian, director, writer, and producer Pauly Shore is best known for his '90s comedy movies, including Encino Man, Son in Law, and Bio-Dome. He also has a role in the upcoming Adam Sandler movie Sandy Wexler, which came out on Netflix in April.
76. IMPFest IX
The Improvised Music Project throws itself a ninth birthday party, with the not-at-all awkwardly titled Improvised Music Project Festival (IMPFest, for short). This year, UW faculty and students will be joined by special guests for three days of improvised tunes and jazzy free-form.
77. Gutenberg! The Musical!
This satirical musical is a "historical fiction" take on the life of printing press inventor Johannes Gutenberg, using minimal props and lots of role-switching, and developed at the Upright Citizens Brigade by Scott Brown and Anthony King. This production will be directed by Pauls Macs with music direction by Julia Thornton, and will star Kate Jaeger and Matt Giles.
FRIDAY-SUNDAY
GEEK78. Everfree Northwest
Don't be a lonely brony—prance to this convention of My Little Pony fans of all ages, featuring guest speakers (voices of Ponies!), a fanfiction awards ceremony, an escape room (costs extra), music, gaming, and special kids' activities. Children 12 and under get in free!
SATURDAY
ART79. Native Art Market
Walk right past those "Native print" undies at Urban Outfitters and instead, purchase some actual Native art made by actual Native artists at this market featuring woodcarving, basketry, jewelry, graphic design, metalwork, and forging. There will also be demonstrations so you can get a peek into the process.
80. 24th Annual U-District Clean Up
Many newcomers to the city begin their Seattle career in the U-District, and even those who haven't can feel sentimental about the cheap, delicious, diverse food, old-school coffee shops, essential bookshops, and the UW's lovely museums and campus. So show some kindness to this great and slightly gritty neighborhood and scour it for unusual garbage, but don't toss it out right away. Haul back the morning's trash collection for the "Trash Contest," with prizes for "Most Romantic," "Most Fashionable," "Best Mother's Day Gift," "Best Lawn Ornament," and "People's Choice." You may get a prize, and you'll definitely eat a free lunch.
81. Behind the Seams: Women’s Suits
The MOHAI celebrates women's advancement outside of the home with this tour of its women's suit collection featuring talks by MOHAI’s Costume and Textile Specialist.
82. Mastering the Hustle: Workshops to Empower Artists Pursuing a Career in Music
It's a sad, age-old truth: Talent is no guarantee of being heard if you have no business smarts. KEXP, Upstream Music Fest + Summit, and MoPOP will lend a hand with their "Mastering the Hustle" series, inviting industry professionals to speak to aspiring musicians about finding their way.
83. Seattle Metro Reptile Expo
Really, it's a "reptile" show in a very large sense of the word, because not only can you find a snake or lizard friend to adopt here, you can also bring home a hedgehog, arachnid, frog, or rodent. But even if you are not looking for a cold-blooded pet (or a hedgehog), you can still bring your progeny to learn all about our scaly cousins, and the Pacific Northwest Herpetological Society and International Reptile Rescue may have some adult-oriented material too. There are also door bags, raffles, and for-sale books and supplies. Bring cash.
84. Port & Chocolate Tasting
Join Fran's Chocolates in Georgetown for the classiest afternoon you've probably had in a while—a port and chocolate tasting, complete with pairings and commentary by the "resident expert" onsite. Despite the poshness of the event, it will only set you back $15.
85. UW Night Market 2017
Night markets are a festive, noisy, and tasty autumn tradition in Taiwanese communities. Vendors sell delicious bites, gadgets, and other bargains to an enthusiastic public after dark. University of Washington's Taiwanese students have brought this tradition to Seattle every year since 2001. Come for food, traditional games, and music.
86. All White Affair 2.0 Cruise Party
Wear white to this somewhat unfortunately named cruise party (yes, yes, we know it's a thing, but it's run by Supremacy Sounds—don't worry, it's still not what it sounds like) and have a blast dancing on a cruise ship to music by DJs Simple Simon, Presto, Kweli, and Blaq. There will be food and drink on board for purchase.
87. C89.5's Nerds, Geeks and Freaks Prom
Were you a resplendent prom princess or a smooth, suited player? That's okay—maybe you were a late-blooming weirdo! Freaks of all stripes are invited to dress up fancily—whatever that means to your fabulously unique mind—and boogie to music by C89.5 DJs and live performers SWEEDiSH, Super Square, Brandon Lentz, and Fysah.
88. The Dip, The True Loves, Whitney Mongé
The Dip play real groovy and soulful, head-bobbin' funk. They don't go boogie, heavy, or deep, but keep enough of a steady simmer steaming to keep the dance floor uptight without wearing anyone out. They'll be joined by the eight-piece soul group the True Loves and Whitney Mongé.
89. Eagle Teeth, SeepeopleS, Mts. & Tunnels, The Pimpsons
Synth-leaning riff-heavy dance rockers Eagle Teeth will be joined in Fremont by "anti-genre musical act" SeepeopleS, psych-folk rockers Mts. & Tunnels, and skalternative group The Pimpsons.
90. Frequency: Bach Refractions
Recently formed chamber ensemble Frequency, composed of UW faculty members Sæunn Thorsteinsdóttir on cello and Melia Watras on viola, and Pacific Northwest Ballet concertmaster Michael Jinsoo Lim on violin, will perform selections from Bach’s Goldberg Variations, arranged for a string trio.
91. Hamsaz Ensemble: An Evening of Persian Music
The Hamsaz Ensemble, a group headed by the composer Ali Samadpour, will perform poems by Rumi, Omar Khayyám, and others set to music by Samadpour and Faramarz Payvar. Hear virtuosi play Iranian instruments like the oud, tar, and kamancheh.
92. Rock For Refugees
Rock out for refugees as this benefit for the International Rescue Committee featuring live sets from Arcanonaut, Free Samples, Butter Boy, and the School of Rock Seattle House Band.
93. Salish Sea Early Music Festival: Baroque in Transition (1600-1700)
In the fourth moment of The Salish Sea Early Music Festival, artists will present the transition of baroque music from 1600 to 1700, featuring Ingrid Matthews on violin, Elisabeth Wright on harpsichord, and Jeffrey Cohan on baroque and renaissance flutes.
94. Soul In The City: Bobby V & DJ Kun Luv
Bobby V will sing romantic R&B, followed by an afterparty with Kun Luv curating a night of "Seattle's best R & B and Neo Soul."
95. Wicked Karma Presents: Bollysutra Masquerade
Feeling wild? Cover your lovely face with a mysterious mask and fling yourself into Wicked Karma's Bollysutra party, featuring a professional photographer, imported Indian beer, and Top40 and desi beats from DJ RDX.
96. Bacon Strip
The drag company Bacon Strip, helmed by Sylvia O'Stayformore and Mizz Honey Bucket, sets a gaggle of mischievous queens to shocking shenanigans every month. This month's theme is Bear Down!
97. QTPOC Is Not A Rapper: Poetic Justice
Aspiring queer and trans comedians and funny people of color, this stage is for you! Each QTPOC Is Not A Rapper night has 12 open mic slots and some special guests. On this night, Finn Cottom, Summer Azim, and Dewa Dorje will lead the laugh brigade.
98. Hot Sex Secrets: BDSM For Everyone
Don't let anybody shame you for sticking with tried-and-true vanilla, but if you do feel a yen for something a little more perverted (and safe and consensual), Babeland will happily inform you of hot ways to hit the ground running. If you're one of the first five attendees, you get a "sexy starter kit" to start working out your kinks once you get home.
99. Tape Face
Tape Face, aka "The Boy With Tape on His Face," delivered a pretty odd mime act to initially confused, quickly delighted audiences on America's Got Talent. See his faintly unsettling, wordless, but sprightly performance at the Neptune.
100. Wheel of Tease
Wheel of Tease mixes burlesque with improv for an unpredictable night of striptease directed by chance and audience suggestions. Featuring live music by the Mongrel Jews.
SATURDAY-SUNDAY
MUSIC101. Seattle Rock Orchestra Performs the Beatles
Seattle Rock Orchestra perform rock and pop filtered through an orchestral lens, and they'll attack the broad discography of the Beatles this Mother's Day.
SUNDAY
COMEDY102. Your Stories Tour - "Sleepless"
The Chicago-based nerdy storytelling podcast Your Stories, which combines "comedy, disastrous earnestness, and rock & roll," will come to life with a bevy of comedians and host Eric Garneau. Here's your chance to catch them outside of PAX and Nerdist gatherings.
103. Anais Mitchell with Hip Hachet
Hear AnaĂŻs Mitchell's crisp and apple-sweet voice lilt through original ballads and poetic songs. Mitchell made albums on Ani DiFranco's Righteous Babes label, but now runs her own, Wilderland Records.
104. Concentration Camp Resistance & Anarcho-Nihilism: A Workshop
As much as we love stories of the oppressed throwing off their chains, many atrocities attest to times when resistance was absolutely hopeless—but people fought back anyway. The author of the recent book Blessed is the Flame (name not given) will lead a workshop on anarcho-nihilsm, a philosophical outlook that extols the merits of "wild and joyous" attacks on the oppressor even when they're futile—as concentration camp internees in WWII did through sabotage and more.
105. The "What Is Capitalism" Contest
Define capitalism in 25 words or less and win one of three prizes made in Helsinki by radical artists.
106. Seattle CycloFemme 2017
Once upon a time, a woman on a bicycle was a scandalous sight. Celebrate women and biking with Familybike and Critical Lass in a two-wheel trip from Cal Anderson Park to Madrona Park. Glimpse some classic Seattle sights—the Arboretum, Interlaken, and Volunteer Park—and enjoy a free picnic at the end. Note: You don't have to identify as a "lass" to ride.
Get all this and more on the free Stranger Things To Do mobile app—available now on the App Store and Google Play.
