Our arts critics have already recommended 53 great things to do this week and our music critics have picked the 20 best concerts, but there are still 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 Bob Ferguson's Shrimp Feed to the Seattle Mini Maker Faire, and from the AMDEF X multi-arts party to Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?. For even more options this week, check out our complete Things To Do calendar.

Get all this and more on the free Stranger Things To Do mobile app—available now on the App Store and Google Play.


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TUESDAY

COMEDY

The Enematic Cinematic LIVES!!
Some of Seattle's funniest comics provide live commentary of terrible movies during this monthly live taping of the Enematic Cinematic Podcast. Tonight, the film is Rats: Night of Terror, which probably doesn't need further explanation.

COMMUNITY & CIVICS

Raise Your Glass in Support of BIAWA
Join Ballard's Lagunitas Taproom and The Brain Injury Alliance of Washington (BIAWA) for an evening of fundraising and brews. 100% of proceeds from beer sales will benefit BIAWA, and there will also be live music, a raffle, and non-alcoholic drinks, plus a taco bar onsite.

READINGS & TALKS

Field Roast Cookbook Launch Party
Head to Machine House Brewery for its Field Roast Cookbook celebration with author and chef Tommy McDonald. You'll be among the first to purchase the cookbook, plus the author will sign your copy. There will be vegan pizzas onsite from Ian's Pizza on the Hill, a live band, more food, and a chance to ask Tommy McDonald questions.

Literary Mixer
Join Movable Type in a literary mixer—bring your favorite book, drink your favorite drink, and meet fellow literature lovers. Members of Literacy Source, an organization that helps low-income adults in Seattle learn basic literary and language skills, will be in attendance.

MOHAI Fashion Lecture: Style and Spectacle in Seattle
They say: "[Seattle] has been host to glitzy runway shows, opulent theater productions, and grand displays in department stores and museums. Does this mean we are a city of style voyeurs?" Explore Seattle’s "fashion fascination" with MOHAI’s clothing and textiles specialist, Clara Berg.

Sounders FC 2016 Commemorative Book with Steven Agen
Writer, editor, and Radio Cascadia host Steven Agen will discuss and give a signing of his new book, Resurgence: How Sounders FC Roared Back to Win MLS Cup. The book commemorates the season leading up to the 2016 MLS Cup in Toronto.

Subramanian Shankar: Ghost in the Tamarind
Subramanian Shankar will discuss his third novel, Ghost in the Tamarind. Set in twentieth-century South India, the story follows the forbidden love of Ramu, a Brahmin, and Ponni, a woman of the "untouchable" caste.

Till Tonight
Stop by the literary hub that's home to Mount Analogue, Cold Cube Press, and Gramma to write with fellow literary types. While you're there, check out Mount Analogue's September art installation, Fumetti for the Mothership.

The Urbanist Monthly Meetup - Teresa Mosqueda
Join Seattle City Council Pos. Eight candidate Teresa Mosqueda as she discusses her campaign, which addresses issues such as "expanding urban villages, densifying single-family zones, expediting Sound Transit 3 with local revenue, and providing affordable childcare for all."

TUESDAY-THURSDAY

ART

Recology CleanScapes Artist Exhibition: Max Cleary & Meg Hartwig
Celebrate Recology CleanScapes' 2017 Artist in Residence program, showcasing new work from Max Cleary ("No Such Thing as Gone") and Meg Hartwig ("use-value").
This exhibition closes Thursday.

TUESDAY-SUNDAY

FESTIVALS

Seattle Design Festival
In the words of Charles Mudede, writing in 2015: “By intersecting social justice, urban planning, ecology, and capital, [SDF] transforms design into a moral issue.” This year's festival will expand on the theme of "POWER" and investigate how design can shape global progress. 30,000 people attended last year's festival, and the installations, exhibits, and activities are likely to attract equally enthusiastic crowds.

WEDNESDAY

ART

Ekphrastic
Help the Greater Seattle Bureau of Fearless Ideas (or BFI) open its new satellite space at Yesler Terrace by bidding on EKPHRASTIC art. They say: "Each work of art has been created in response to an existing piece of student writing or donated to inspire a new piece of student writing. The result is a visual and narrative collaboration that captures the spirit of creativity and community at BFI." Admission also includes beer, wine, and light fare.

COMMUNITY

Recess on the Rocks: Chemistry in Color
You don't have to be a small fry to enjoy recess. It's back, and better than ever, with Recess on the Rocks. The event, which is 21+, will be chock-full of educational-but-not-boring activities, like learning how film is developed, discovering why champagne has bubbles, learning how to make ice cream, and more.

MUSIC

Delightful Isolation: History of Underground New Zealand Music
Learn about the history of New Zealand's underground music scene from a performance by Arson Nicki, supplemented by music from Different Drummer's DJ Sling Dion and "New Zealand-themed pop culture video footage."

The DJ Sessions
What better way to send off summer than jamming in the sand? The DJ Sessions' mobile studio will roll to the Ballard beach to bring you beats by Serjey Andre Kul, Enki, Chaz Bizar, and Dunjin.

READINGS & TALKS

Celebrate Summer Book Bingo 2017
It's the biggest book party of the year, with "book bingo," a live drawing, and treats (chocolate, we hear!).

Exploring Current Science Through Art
Hear three local artists who have each been paired with a different local scientist talk about their experience creating a piece of art inspired by their interpretation of their scientists's work. The project is meant to "see what happens when artists and scientists work together."

Kate Carroll de Gutes: The Authenticity Experiment
Kate Carroll de Gutes, author of the essay collection Objects in Mirror Are Closer Than They Appear, will present her new book about social media, loss, and genuine connection.

WEDNESDAY-SATURDAY

PERFORMANCE

Choreographic Shindig III
Celebrate emerging talents in dance and choreography with the third annual Whim W'Him Choreographic Shindig—where the performers get to choose their choreographer. This time, see new works by Adam Barruch, Banning Bouldin, and Bruno Roque.

WEDNESDAY-SUNDAY

ART

Everything Passes and Everything Stays
Check out the work of Cuban-born artist Tatiana Garmendia, whose drawings, paintings, photographs, video, and textiles "specifically explore the archetype of The Hanged Man, with its models of sacrifice, suspension, conformism, and new points of view."

Industrial Strength
Celebrate the austere and stalwart beauty of the industrial landscape at this exhibit featuring works by Iskra Johnson, Kate Protage, and Kellie Talbot.

PERFORMANCE

Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
The Fully Reciprocal Theatre Company will revisit Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf, Edward Albee's disturbing play about two East Coast couples revealing their true, tawdry selves in one late-night boozy spree.

THURSDAY

ART

Alyssa Putnam: Struggles
See a retrospect of new and old paintings, sculptures, and other works by artist Alyssa Putnam. The collection is meant to reflect on "self care through a lunar and Saturn return."

COMEDY

Diversity Improv Jam
The CSz Diversity Improv Jam is a monthly workshop for improvisers of all experience levels. They say: "This POC-/queer-/ trans-/non-binary-friendly improv workshop is where you can feel free to express yourself. Heteronormativity? Forget about it! This is the jam where Other things are explored."

COMMUNITY & CIVICS

Peace for the Streets (PSKS) Auction
Help raise money for homeless kids at this dinner (with Tom Douglas crew's cooking!) and auction. Bonus: there will be Chateau Ste. Michelle wine.

FILM

Scorchy
Watch Connie Stevens play an undercover narcotics agent who investigates drug kingpin Philip Bianco in Seattle-set 1976 crime action film Scorchy (in all its fully-restored glory). Co-presented by the marvelous Collide-O-Scope.

FOOD & DRINK

Tacos for Affordable Seattle
Eat tacos to learn about and support Affordable Seattle, whose campaign demands "tax corporations to massively expand affordable housing, rent control, and for landlords pay for economic evictions."

MUSIC

KRAUTROCK 3
Celebrate this genre of cosmic German music with a whole night of Krautrock played by local groups Beyond Captain Orca with Jack Endino, Fraktal Phantom, Luna Moth, and Chris Hanis.

Live in the Laser Dome: Zen Mother with Sound Cipher
If you go to only one Laser Dome event this year
 you need to rearrange your priorities. But seriously, this pairing of two of Seattle’s most intriguing bands is essential. Zen Mother—who recently executed a live soundtrack to Alejandro Jodorowsky’s The Holy Mountain at Northwest Film Forum—create apocalyptic yet tuneful rock that reflects their love of post-punk iconoclasts This Heat and sinister avant-gardist Igor WakhĂ©vitch. Sound Cipher consist of sax maniac Skerik, Master Musicians of Bukkake bassist Timm Mason, and Primus drummer Tim Alexander, and their February debut show at the Sunset was a revelation. Channeling some of krautrock’s darkest inclinations (e.g., Faust, CAN, Cluster), the feral funk of Miles Davis’s electric era, and even Porter Ricks’s dubwise techno, Sound Cipher offer an amalgam of improvised music that’s potent and disorienting. DAVE SEGAL

READINGS & TALKS

Robert Wright: Why Buddhism is True
In Why Buddhism is True, Robert Wright combines his knowledge of evolutionary psychology and neuroscience to explore "why meditation can serve as the foundation for a spiritual life in a secular age."

Seattle Public Sculptors: Twelve Makers of Monuments, Memorials, and Statuary, 1909-1962
Join author and NHM collections manager Fred Poyner IV as he presents material from his recent book, Seattle Public Sculptures. Learn about Seattle sculptors who were active between 1909 and 1962, including Finn Frolich, who contributed two bronze busts to the UW campus, and August Werner, creator of the Leif Erikson statue at Seattle's Shilshole Marina. Stick around for a book signing following the presentation.

THURSDAY-FRIDAY

COMEDY

September Guest Fest
For Guest Fest, more than 35 improv teams comprising 100 performers will take a star turn at Jet City. Expect local veterans and new favorites from the Seattle scene and beyond.

THURSDAY-SATURDAY

COMEDY

Bengt Washburn with Travis Nelson
Washburn is a Mormon-born stand-up comedian who has performed on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, Conan, Live at Gotham, NPR, and various places in between.

PERFORMANCE

Proof
Proof is David Auburn's Pulitzer Prize– and Tony Award–winning play about Catherine, the daughter of a late University of Chicago professor and mathematical wizard of prime numbers. Catherine is a math genius herself, and she worries she's inherited her father's mental illness along with his smarts. RICH SMITH
No showing on Friday.

THURSDAY-SUNDAY

ART

Tracy Boyd
This series of paintings by Tracy Boyd will range in size from 18 inches to six feet. From the artist: "This series delves into what I believe is going on in the world at this particular moment in time, distractions. We are bombarded with information meant to often keep us from really seeing or understanding what is truly happening. In similar fashion, I use conflicting imagery; cars, buildings and animals in motion with graphical elements and colors."

Schack-toberfest: Glass Pumpkin Festival
Immortalize your fall spirit by choosing from over 700 glass pumpkins and gourds, handcrafted in the Schack glassblowing studio, to "pick" and purchase.

PERFORMANCE

Baskerville
In Baskerville, a comedy written by Ken Ludwig, Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson try to solve the mystery of "'The Hound of the Baskervilles' before a family curse dooms its newest heir." Paul Fouhy directs.

SPORTS & RECREATION

Boats Afloat
It's a show where you can shop for a boat that fits your lifestyle—"ski boats, wake, pontoon, trawlers, sail, cruisers and mega yachts." Or, if you're one of those increasingly rare members of the middle class, you can just take family boat rides.

FRIDAY

COMMUNITY

Cigar Play
For varsity-level kinksters: Explore the erotic possibilities of cigars, those icons of sadistic fat cats everywhere.

FOOD & DRINK

Elysian Capitol Hill Series Release: Scatterbrain
Join Elysian on the Hill for its "ceremonial tapping" of its newest Scatterbrain release, with a special toast from Lead Brewer Hiawatha Rhyans. There will also be live music from local punk group The Sundries, whose soul-laced songs are "for break-ups and triumphs." And this event is sure to be triumphant—all proceeds from the Scatterbrain (a 6.4% ABV pale ale brewed with Stumptown coffee, almond milk and vanilla) will benefit Lifelong AIDS Alliance.

Launch Party: Olympia Coffee Roasting Company
Help welcome Olympia Coffee Roasting Co. as the next Roaster in Residence by meeting the team (including co-owners Oliver Stormshak and Sam Schroeder), enjoying complimentary snacks by Heavy Restaurant Group, drinking wines by Vif, and watching a performance from local pop band Math and Physics Club.

MUSIC

Microfest
See an array of performances and eat tamales from Nacho Mama's at Microfest, a festival where attendees are encouraged to "push their own boundaries, talk to strangers, share their vulnerabilities, and indulge in the present moment." Performers include Mind Beams, Maklak, BEAR AXE, Rocket the Prophet, and Julie-C.

Seattle Dance City
The idea behind this fundraiser is simple: You show up as a team, you collect pledges, and you dance like a maniac to tunes chosen by some of the best DJs in the city—including DJ Riz of KEXP, DJ Alice and DJ Onesies, Amateur Hour, and the Stranger's very own Mike Nipper. There'll be a prize wheel, contests, and a VIP cocktail party for those who raise or donate at least $250. All proceeds benefit Velocity Dance Center and On the Boards.

PERFORMANCE

Blue Rose Burlesque
We're a little surprised not to have seen Twin Peaks burlesque before, so congrats to Morgue Anne and company for jumping on it. Expect charming nostalgia combined with interdimensional creepshows.

READINGS & TALKS

Laurie Halse Anderson: Ashes
New York Times best selling author Laurie Halse Anderson is known for her engrossing books for children and young adults. At this event she'll share her latest, Ashes, the conclusion to her highly regarded American Revolution trilogy that began with Chains and Forge.

FRIDAY-SUNDAY

COMMUNITY

Duwamish Native Arts & Crafts Market
Buy artwork, eat food, and meet local Native American artists representing a board range of tribal traditions.

FESTIVALS

Puget Sound Bird Fest
When even a major city like Seattle is a constant theater of interesting bird behavior (keep an eye on those crows), it's no surprise that the wilder areas of Puget Sound are a birdwatcher's Elysium. The Bird Festival in Edmonds will, for example, introduce you to the great-blue-heron-rich salt marsh, the Cascades Loop Birding Trail, and the Edmonds Marina. Among other birding enthusiasts, keynote speaker Stephen SHunk will explain "How Woodpeckers Can Save the World."

PERFORMANCE

The Sunflower Sisters
Transport yourself to a potato farm in 1930s Idaho at the world premiere of John Ruoff's new drama, directed by Rich Wiltshire.

SATURDAY

ART

Handmade and Reclaimed Market
Witness the possibilities of reclaimed materials at this arts and crafts show, and go home with a special handmade something after having fun with food, games, beer, and an Art & Design Competition.

#ARTempowers Interactive Screening
#ARTempowers is a series of four documentary shorts by local artists about how art empowered them in their lives. After each screening, each respective artist will perform their work live. The artists include classical violinist Swil Kanim, poet Sharon Nyree Williams, poet Savanah Jordan, spoken word artist Troy Osaki, poet Nina Yarbrough, and artist-poet Essam Muhammad.

COMEDY

Not Too Late with El Sanchez
The late show with local favorite Elicia Sanchez and "comedian/non-musician" Nick Sahoyah promises stunts, music, comedy, weirdness, and surprises.

FESTIVALS

Hops & Crops Music & Beer Festival
This will be a confluence of food trucks, beer, and music, with local bands like Down North, the Georgetown Orbits, Bootleg Sunshine, and Cottonwood Cutups. Bring your dogs!

Rat City Recon 2017
Punk trio Whores. will crown this punk, rock, and noise festival, which will also feature Aaron Crows, Brackets, Cages, Dead Asylum, and more.

FOOD & DRINK

Bob Ferguson's Shrimp Feed
Eat shrimp with Attorney General Bob Ferguson at the 12th annual Shrimp Feed, where he'll honor the late former Governor Mike Lowry, who started the tradition. Ferguson says, "I’m looking forward to seeing you and sharing the latest in our effort to stand up to Donald Trump!"

EFESTĒ Sodo Grand Opening
The EFESTĒ winery will throw itself an opening party with pizza, wine, appetizers, and the musical choices of DJ Troy.

MUSIC

DoNormaal, Fantasy A, Patrick Galactic, L80 + more
Join Seattle burlesque artist Artemis Lark, Seattle hiphop artist/genre-bender DoNormaal, Fantasy A, and others in a benefit show for Planned Parenthood and Gulf Coast relief.

TWXN PXXKS: Dance & Costume Party
Celebrate the end of it all at a Twin Peaks-themed dance and costume party, hosted by Adé. Dance to sets by Prom Queen, KEXP's DJ Abbie, and DJ Chris Cab, get your photo snapped by photographer Brady Harvey, drink Twin Peaks-themed cocktails, eat donuts and pie, and more. *Laura Palmer scream*

PERFORMANCE

Inspection!
Inspection! is a comedy/theater/variety show about the very mysterious semiannual inspection by the "The Recall Department."

Academy of Burlesque Faculty Showcase 2017
Faculty and staff from the Academy of Burlesque will preview their skills at this sexy showcase.

AMDEF X: 10th Anniversary Show
Bringing together art, music, dance, entertainment, and fashion (the AMDEF of the title), Neumos presents the 10th anniversary iteration of this quarterly variety show, with aerial arts, trivia, prizes, open mics, music, bellydancing, and more.

Summer Blockbusters Protégé Show
Acrobats will perform a dizzying tribute to big summer movies high over your heads.

Weedini, the Marijuana Magician
Weedini the Marijuana Magician (also known as the "Wizard of Weed") will make you laugh while performing astounding feats of "real psychedelic simulation."

READINGS & TALKS

Jim Wallis: Race, Privilege and the Bridge to a New America
Jim Wallis is famous for being a "progressive evangelical"—he's the Editor-In-Chief of Sojourners magazine, whose tagline is "Faith in Action for Social Justice." As you might expect, things get tricky for Wallis sometimes. For example, in 2011 Sojourners refused to sell ad space to a group that wanted to run an advertisement welcoming gay couples to their church. But Wallis does sometimes condemn right-wing hate—in 2010, he called for a Glenn Beck boycott. At this event, Wallis will give a talk followed by a panel discussion featuring religious community leaders including Reverend Kelle Brown, Sr. Aneelah Afzali, Estela Ortega, Rabbi Daniel Weiner, and Pastor Terry Kyllo.

SATURDAY-SUNDAY

ART

ARTrails of Southwest Washington Studio Tour
See artists working on current projects throughout southwest Washington—in Chehalis, Centralia, Onalaska, Toledo, etc.—and buy directly from the makers on your self-guided driving tour.

Book Excavation Workshop with James Allen
In this two-day workshop, Cut Up/Cut Out artist James Allen will demonstrate his "reductive techniques and processes" to help students make their own book excavation. Cutting tool experience is recommended, but not required.

ClayFest Northwest
Celebrate clay art at this weekend celebration featuring work by more than 30 Pacific Northwest artists.

Seattle Mini Maker Faire
This faire offers exhibits from more than 130 "tech enthusiasts, crafters, homesteaders, scientists, and garage tinkerers," interactive demos, and special performances and presentations plus cool stuff like VR workshops, puppet shows, science labs, and an interactive "bee" installation.

FESTIVALS

Fiestas Patrias
Enjoy the many cultures and traditions of the wide array of Latin American countries represented at this celebration. Experience live mariachi music, cooking demos, visual arts, a children's soccer demo, a vendor marketplace, and more.

The Fall Kick-Off 2017
Celebrate the beginning of Velocity's 2017-2018 season with a program featuring talented local dancers and choreographers.

SPORTS & RECREATION

Tough Mudder Obstacle Course
Scurry over wooded areas, gravel pits, and "the occasional muddy pit so dark, you’ll wonder if there’s a bottom" in either a half or full obstacle course. (The half course is for ages 14+.)

SUNDAY

ART

Contemporary Art Analysis for Artists
In this workshop, participants will review the elements of line, form, shape, symmetry, movement, light, and color in select contemporary artworks, analyze the works as a group, and learn ways to improve their own work. Artists are asked to bring two to three pieces of their own work to be reviewed as a group at the end of the workshop.

FESTIVAL

Mt. Baker Hub Fest: A Function in the Junction
Enjoy local food, art, music, and craft vendors at the third annual Mt. Baker Street Fair. Also find booths from community organizations, a beer garden, kids activities, and more.

MUSIC

ROCCA Presents: "Wild" Romanian Film & Chamber Concert
ROCCA, the Romanian American Chamber Concerts and Arts organization, will present a live screening of Wild, a Romanian documentary that tells the dramatic story of a boy, a village, and the wild horses in the Danube Delta of Romania. Following the film will be a chamber concert featuring Romanian folk songs and classical masterworks.

Weeed with KukulkÄn
Evidence continues to stream in that Bainbridge Island’s WEEED are becoming this region’s most impressive psych-rock group challenging Fungal Abyss. The latest proof occurred on September 3 during the trio’s set at Northwest Psych Fest, at which they erected monuments to lysergic excess and decorated them with tendrils of dense guitar plumage. It was an aptly explosive climax to the three-day event, not least because it prompted a friend to compare WEEED to Wishbone Ash and Amon DĂŒĂŒl II. WEEED are supporting their new album, META, which reveals their transcendental-folk and spacey dimensions. DAVE SEGAL

Get all this and more on the free Stranger Things To Do mobile app—available now on the App Store and Google Play.