Our critics have already recommended 42 great things to do this week, but there are hundreds more events happening. To prevent some of the quirkier and more out-of-the-ordinary ones from slipping through the cracks, we’ve compiled them here—from the Seattle Blind Cafe to a Hugo House going-away party where you’ll get to literally write on the walls, and from the Blacklight Run to Free Comic Book Day. For even more options this week, check out our complete Things To Do calendar.
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TUESDAY
1. Art Neureau
Explore the baffling arterials of neuroscience through the filter of human-driven creation at Fremont Abbey, where artists and scientists alike will be exhibiting art pieces, with live music performances staggered throughout the night by Zen Mother, Thomas Duel, Elle O’Brien, and Leah Bakst. There may be commemorative buttons and booklets featuring exhibit pieces for sale as well, but you’ll have to show up to find out.
2. The Early Sounds of Chicago Jazz
An ensemble of local all-stars will perform a tribute to the jazz sounds of 1920s Chicago, where greats like Louis Armstrong, Earl Hines, and Jelly Roll Morton first got famous. You’re encouraged to “come ready to drink, dance, and have a good time.”
WEDNESDAY
3. Bingo and Beer: May the Fourth Be With You
On Star Wars Day, the World is Fun, an organization devoted to social volunteering events, is putting on a themed bingo night that also includes trivia, physical challenges, name that tune, and prizes. The price of admission gets you six full games of bingo and drinks, and it will help support TWIF’s programs.
4. The Dustbowl Revival and Colonels of Truth
Old-timey music enthusiasts The Dustbowl Revival and the Colonels of Truth will be bringing their Los Angeles-bourne ‘swinggrass’ to the Tractor for a night of covered wagon fun.
5. High School Girls Trivia Night
This event is not actually for high school girls, but rather about them (in the least creepy way possible). Test your knowledge of Pretty in Pink, Clueless, and Mean Girls at this trivia night put on by Map Theatre.
6. The Marijuana Show Pitchfest
The Marijuana Show, a web series that the New York Times called “the Shark Tank of the cannabis industry,” has awarded money to ganjapreneurial ideas like comic books for stoners and a line of hemp butter products. If you have a budding idea, grab a ticket to this month’s Cannabis Tech meetup group. Tickets for $10 get you into the CannabisTech workshops, and the additional $25 is for the chance to charm your way into the The Marijuana Show‘s Season 3 line-up, and a possibility for real seed funding for your ideas.
7. PubSci: The Old Boy’s Club Starts Early
Learn about the gender inequalities in undergraduate-level biology classrooms (and their far-reaching effects) from Dan Grunspan, PhD student and biocultural anthropologist at UW Dept. of Anthropology. Hilliard’s will have plenty of beer to soften the harsh realities of gender disparity; $1 of each sale will go towards Pacific Science Center’s exhibits and education programs.
THURSDAY
8. Cinco de Mayo Roofdeck Party with El Vez
Hispanic heartthrob El Vez hits the streets this Cinco de Mayo for a live show on the roof deck of Mezcaleria Oaxaca. Prepare yourself for some hip-shaking, earth-quaking, all-around boozey Mex-Americana party vibes.
9. Geoff Manaugh
Geoff Manaugh will speak about A Burglar’s Guide to the City, a book that promises to transform your urban afternoon stroll into a potential prowling (or superhero crime-stopping) spree.
10. Lisa Prank and Corey J Brewer
Experimental pop punk angels Lisa Prank and Corey J Brewer play everybody’s favorite penis palace, Pony, this Cinco de Mayo.
11. Macho Libre Cigar and Wrestling Fiesta
The Macho Libre Cigar & Wrestling Fiesta returns to the Snoqualmie Casino Ballroom this Cinco de Mayo. Enjoy high energy Lucha Libre thrash action in the ring, as well as special deals on El Jimador, Corona, and the cigar of the night, Leccia Luchador. Leccia Tobacco representative Sam Leccia will be around to show you how to party in true Cigar Aficionado fashion, so don’t embarrass yourself in front of the taco bar.
12. Movie Night: Hardware
Explore the art and concepts featured in Pivot’s Imagined Futures exhibit through this weekly movie series, introduced by Ben Heywood. This week they’ll screen Richard Stanley’s Hardware, a dystopian cyberpunk film from 1990.
13. Neal Bascomb
At this book launch party, Neal Bascomb (Hunting Eichman) will read from his latest work, The Winter Fortress: The Epic Mission to Sabotage Hitler’s Atomic Bomb. As you get a taste of the book, take a minute to sip on some Norwegian-inspired cocktails.
14. A Rap on Race
Spectrum’s 2015/2016 season #RACEish deals with pressing issues of race through various artistic forms. A Rap on Race, produced in collaboration with playwright/actress/professor/MacArthur Genius Anna Deveare Smith, will focus on the fascinating conversation between author James Baldwin and anthropologist Margaret Mead in the 1970s. (Through May 22)
15. Seattle Anti-Freeze: Schooner Exact Brewing Co
Schooner Exact Brewing Company, whose name alludes to the ship that Seattle founders the Denny Party used to travel to Seattle, will teach you about Seattle history and the ingredients in their beers at this event dedicated to meeting new people and exploring what (besides the Seattle freeze) defines this city. Plus, this takes place during MOHAI’s free first Thursdays, when the galleries are open until 8 pm.
16. Seattle Blind Cafe
This event promises a “vegan sensory tasting experience” alongside a concert of original music…served by blind wait staff, in the dark. You’ll learn about visual impairment in a Q&A session, while also heightening your other senses and experiencing something pretty unique. (Through Sat)
17. So Pitted, Naomi Punk, Youryoungbody
Sub Pop ripper weirdos So Pitted finally return to Seattle with a Chop Suey show that thankfully has nothing to do with Cinco de Mayo. Expect flashing strobes, snarling vocals, and very potent baselines from them, Olympia thoughtful scuzz punks Naomi Punk, and local electro-dreamtrippers Youryoungbody.
18. Tin Dog Cinco de Mayo Party
The annual Cinco de Mayo party at Tin Dog Brewing promises “Beermojitos” (beer infused with mint and lime), tacos from Muy Machos starting at 6 pm, and live music by local neighborhood artists.
FRIDAY
19. Amy Goodman and Denis Moynihan
Amy Goodman, founder of excellent alternative news source Democracy Now!, will join Denis Moynihan for an exploration of the “state of the nation and American media” as well as why we need to draw political information from diverse, independent sources.
20. BBQueer Beach Bash
This is Dapper Down’s first all ages event (with “smoking hot” entertainment) promising fire shows and drag performances, as well as lots of food. Bring your own blanket!
21. BioBlitz
Help the UW Botanic Gardens with their intensive field study on local flora and fauna, and learn more about organisms including bats, birds, insects, lichens, weeds, mussels, and more, while enjoying the gorgeous arboretum and (hopefully) our lovely spring weather.
22. Beautiful Music Fundraiser and Community Potluck
Enjoy an evening of flamenco and alternative square dancing, with music jams from Collaboratory members, and a large community potluck, with door proceeds going to raise money for the venue. $10 suggested at the door, but sky’s the limit.
23. Bernie’s Apartment
Ese Teatro presents the world premiere of Bernie’s Apartment, written by Rose Cano and directed by Julie Beckman—a modern day take on the terrifying and engrossing La Casa de Bernarda Alba by Federico García Lorca.
24. Bloom: A Beltane Ritual
Celebrate Beltane—the Gaelic May Day festival—at this (non-smoking) celebration featuring flowers, horns, music, and “the green man.”
25. Femme
Femme is a dance concert choreographed and performed by women, based on the experiences of womanhood revolving around “love, acceptance, and individuality.” Featuring work by Holly Logan, Samantha Weissbach, and Lindsay Johns. (Through Sun)
26. Foreverland: A 14 Piece Tribute to Michael Jackson
Genres collide with a full night of homage, featuring Foreverland (a Michael Jackson tribute experience) with Life During Wartime, a Talking Heads tribute group, and set support by DJ Indica Jones.
27. Monster Concerts Presents: Wednesday 13
Get ready for a monster fest of gothic proportion with murder noir thrash enthusiast Wednesday 13, the Relapse Symphony, Casca’s Dagger, and Pill Brigade.
28. Portland Cello Project
The Portland Cello Project, who are apparently called “PCP” by their fans, will bring their genre-bending repertoire of shows that are both “expected and unexpected to come from a cello” to the Triple Door.
29. Spring Festival of Flight
SANCA (Seattle’s School of Acrobatics and New Circus Arts) hosts an open house, featuring student fly demonstrations. How often do you get to see up-and-coming talent in acrobatic circus performance whizzing through the air? Contributions welcome at the door. (Through Sat)
30. Teen Night Out
High school-aged teens are invited to this multimedia party at Seattle Art Museum, with music, performances, hands-on art activities, writing workshops, and tons of community partners.
31. Transience
Lion’s Main Art Collective is opening their new exhibit to the public for an evening of live performances and art showcasing from many queer and trans talents. A suggested donation of $5-$10 at the door works as proof of entrance, and allows you to wander freely absorbing the work, as well as attend later events throughout the weekend. The three-day gallery event is designed to address gentrification, displacement, liminal and transitional spaces, and challenges the artists in question to examine their relation to movement, memory, time, and flux. Featured performance artists for the opening party will be Donormaal, Katie Kuffel, and Lana McMullen.
SATURDAY
32. ’80s Invasion
Take off your Clubmasters and get a good look at the biggest ’80s music fanatics in town: ’80s Invasion. They’re an ’80s cover band, and they’re not afraid to tell you all about it, or sing a few songs to describe their constant nostalgia.
33. Average Joe Cat Show
Whether your furry friend is a mutt or a fancy show cat, they’re invited to The Average Joe Cat Show, an event giving out titles like “Grumpiest Looking” and “Best Cat in a Box.” You’ll see famous cats like “Oskar the Blind Cat” and his friend Klaus, as well as Brimley (America’s Next Cat Star), Fancy of Fancy & Friends, Percy the Persian, and Merlin the Meowciful. At the very least, it’s a chance to make friends with some human weirdos with similar feline obsessions.
34. Blacklight Run
Wear a white T-shirt for this nighttime 5K that promises to cover you in multicolored UV Neon Glow Powder so you’ll be prepared for the Blacklight Run After Party.
35. Cinco de Mayo Boat Party
Don’t despair, y’all — there’s now a chance to get hammered on a moving vehicle on Cinco de Mayo. There will be a full bar, two dance floors, three DJs, outside decks, prize giveaways, drink specials, and a professional party photographer.
36. Corrie Befort: Soft Body
Choreographed by Corrie Belfort, this dance piece (exploring “somatic memory—how experience is inscribed in the physical body”) features performers Corrie Befort, Sheri Cohen, Mark Haim, Mary Margaret Moore, and Amelia Reeber.
37. Epilogue/Prologue: A Celebration of Hugo House
Celebrate Hugo House’s old location at this “going-away/coming-back” party, where you can let your creativity run wild as you write on the walls of the house. There will also be “poetic surveys” and a performance by The Vis-à-Vis Society (Sierra Nelson and Rachel Kessler), a “confession booth” for Frances McCue’s film Where the House Was, a photo booth, the Skillet food truck, and more. Free beer or wine if you RSVP!
38. Free Comic Book Day
Free Comic Book Day is an international event where vendors offer free comic books (and often, blowout sales) at a day-long celebration. See a complete list of participating Seattle-area stores here.
39. Joe Buck Yourself, The Stuntmen, Sin Driver
Evil dirtbag hillbilly punk one-man-band Joe Buck Yourself will definitely spit in your mouth, but first he’ll take you for a ride, with The Stuntmen and Sin Driver at Slim’s.
40. Kentucky Derby Party
Embrace your inner Southern Belle, throw a hat on, and go eat some eggs with your peers at Re:Public this weekend at their fifth annual Kentucky Derby Party. Brunch starts at 9:30am, with shuttles heading to Emerald Downs for a literal viewing of horses doing stuff, and then back to the bar for live music from Black Whales, a photo booth, and DJs spinning all night.
41. Seattle Rock Orchestra Performs Neil Diamond
The 50-plus piece orchestra takes on Neil Diamond’s entire catalogue—including “Sweet Caroline” and “Girl, You’ll be a Woman Soon”—for a two-night Mother’s Day special concert. (Through Sun)
42. The Secret Life of Bugs
The Secret Life of Bugs is Spyglass Theatre’s blacklight puppetry presentation of the world of insects, from the process of metamorphosis to orb weaving and hunting. Developed with the help of entomologist Erin Sullivan (Woodland Park Zoo). (Through Sun)
43. Translations: The Seattle Transgender Film Festival
This is the tenth year of Translations, Seattle’s transgender film festival. 2016’s lineup features films including Game Face, Ascendance: Angels of Change, and Two 4 One, as well as a live performance by Seattle band ManDate. (Through Tues)
44. Yoga Under Glass
Instructors from Core Power Yoga Studio lead this appropriate-for-all-levels yoga workshop inside the Glasshouse. (If you attend, prepare to return to a sparkling house with a big bowl of decorative lemons on the table, because now you’re officially a grown-up with your life all figured out.)
SUNDAY
45. Kinky Boots
In some ways, this musical featuring songs by Cyndi Lauper is kind of a campy mess—but it’s also a surprise smash hit and winner of six Tonys, including Best Musical, Best Score, and Best Choreography. Come for a fun time, and expect to be pleasantly surprised by the quality and intensity of the show. Today is the last day of the show’s run at 5th Avenue Theatre.
46. Mimosas with Mama: Special Mother’s Day Show
Typically delightful Mimosas with Mama is putting on a special Mother’s Day show, complete with stacked brunch buffet, mimosas aplenty, and a line-up of local talent, including Tipsy Rose Lee, Sabella Extynn, Ruby Bouche, Sparkle Leigh, and Mama Tits herself.
47. Mother’s Day Improv Comedy Show
Celebrate Mom with humor at this improv comedy show; don’t sit too close to the stage unless mommy dearest is willing to take the stage.
48. Much Ado About Opera
Join Opera on Tap Seattle for beer, opera, and the Bard at Blue Moon Tavern, where OTS performers will be performing scenes from Shakespeare’s greatest works plus a few alleged surprises.
Stranger (Than Usual) Things To Do comes out every week on Tuesday. To submit events to be considered, email us at calendar@thestranger.com.
