You're going to the Capitol Hill Block Party, right? You should! I mean, obviously. It's only the best non-camping, bus-or-walk-from-pretty-much-anywhere, three-day, not-too-big-or-too-tiny, sooo-fucking-fun neighborhood music bonanza you'll get day-drunk at all year! More than 100 bands will be playing— including Big Freedia, Flaming Lips, Bleached, Jarv Dee, the Intelligence, and Rose Windows—but you know who you really need to circle on your schedule with a metallic gold Sharpie? Stranger Genius Award finalist and all-around badass musician/producer Katie Kate. For sure. Her boss live shows combine rapping and singing with variegated beats and dance moves for days, plus she sports the best hair—and I mean that in the most professional, music-critic-y way possible. (Block Party July 26–28, Katie Kate plays July 28, 8:30 pm, Barboza Stage, E Pike St and 12th Ave, capitolhillblockparty.com, $40–$115) EMILY NOKES

So what's the deal with all these artists nominated for Genius Awards? Who are they again? Why are they so special? Come hang out with Stranger critics—and the artists themselves—to find out over five Wednesdays in a row at the Frye Art Museum. The series kicks off with a listening party hosted by Emily Nokes, who will interview all the music finalists— Katie Kate; Jherek Bischoff; and Evyind Kang and Jessika Kenney—on stage on July 24. Then David Schmader hosts film finalists Ben Kasulke, Zach Weintraub, and Scott Blake on July 31. Jen Graves hosts visual art finalists Rodrigo Valenzuela, Matthew Offenbacher, and Sherry Markovitz on August 7. Paul Constant hosts literature finalists Neal Stephenson, Maged Zaher, and APRIL Festival on August 14. And Brendan Kiley hosts performance finalists Zoe | Juniper, Amy O'Neal, and Pat Graney, with video of their work, on August 21. (Frye Art Museum, 704 Terry Ave, thestranger.com/genius, 21+) CHRISTOPHER FRIZZELLE

The freaks, the geeks, and the beautiful people get together every fall in the name of Seattle art at the Genius Awards party. Film, performance, literature, visual art, and music—everyone. Drinking together. Conspiring in corners. Laughing. Drinking further. Five winners are announced live from the opulent stage, and each goes home with $5,000. Sweaty dancing in the aisles ensues, while an orchestra plays tunes by local geniuses and also dance hits. (Last year they played Michael Jackson; it's always a surprise.) Take one look at photographs from past years' parties (thestranger.com/genius) and you'll see the greatness you're in for, featuring the mind-blowing Seattle Rock Orchestra and the greatest artists in the city. (Sept 28, Moore Theater, 1932 Second Ave, strangertickets.com, 7:30 pm, $10 general admission/$125 VIP package, 21+) JEN GRAVES