Our arts critics have already recommended 70 great things to do this week and our music critics have picked the 31 best music shows, 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 Drone Day at the Pacific Science Center to Oddmall Emporium of the Weird, and from the pre-PrideFest Capitol Hill Clean Sweep to the Big Backyard 5K. For even more options this week, check out our complete Things To Do calendar.
Found something you like and don’t want to forget about it later? Click “Save Event” on any of the linked events below to add it to your own private list.
Jump to: Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday | Sunday
- 16mm SMUT Show II: Peace, Love, and Hardcore
Watching this low-budget ’70s-era film that follows the success of dirty movies like Behind the Green Door and Deep Throat will feel even more authentic in 16mm.PERFORMANCE
- That’s Mermaizing!
Enjoy a variety of performances by local burlesque star Morgue Anne and friends in the theme of “a beachy aquatic under-the-sea mermaid friendship party,” with all proceeds benefitting Planned Parenthood.READINGS & TALKS
- Black on Craft: Gabriel Teodros and Nikkita Oliver
Hugo House poet-in-residence Amber Flame will host and curate this new series celebrating the black experience with local writers and musicians. This inaugural event will include Flame, musician and writer Gabriel Teodros, and community organizer and poet Nikkita Oliver.SPORTS & RECREATION
- Bark at the Park
Your dog can join you while you watch the Seattle Mariners play the Texas Rangers. Tickets also include a postgame walk around the bases and giveaways.TUESDAY-WEDNESDAY
VISUAL ART
- Fumiko Kimura: On the Walls
This second-generation Japanese American artist hangs haiga paintings, a form of simple, elegant art associated with haiku.
Closing WednesdayTUESDAY-THURSDAY
VISUAL ART
- Kate Roberts: Walking on Ghosts
Concerned with physicality, architecture, and change, ceramics artist Roberts forms sculptures based on the traces of “previous incarnations of Gallery 4Culture” in a show about decay.
Closing ThursdayTUESDAY-FRIDAY
VISUAL ART
- Editional Research
The recipients of the John H. Hauberg Fellowship explore the art of vitreography, i.e., fine-art printmaking using a glass matrix. Help them celebrate their forthcoming book and see pieces on display.
Closing Friday - Jeffrey Veregge: Bold Americans – Above & Beyond
Trying to rehabilitate patriotism and kindle some optimism in these dark times, Jeffrey Veregge (Port Gamble S’Klallam) uses Coast Salish formline to depict American heroes in science and aviation, like the Air Force’s Jacqueline Cochran, astronauts Mae Jemison (the first African American woman in space) and Gordon Cooper, Native aeronaut Mary Riddle, Amelia Earhart, the Tuskegee Airmen, and sound barrier-breaker Chuck Yeager.
Closing Friday - Joyce Gehl: Wanderess
Joyce Gehl starts with digital images and transforms them with encaustic, oil, and mixed media to fashion light-filled, indistinct natural scenes.
Closing Friday - Melana Bontrager
Bontrager’s works are informed by organic patterns (like soil layers and rock forms) and how they relate to artificial settings.
Closing Friday - Photos from the Border: Exhibit and Book Launch
Documentary photographer David W. Lynch has traveled to Mexico three times since late 2018 to photograph the thousands of migrants who have traveled in caravans to seek asylum in the U.S. Check out his work on display.
Closing Friday - Troy Gua: Portals
These paintings by psychedelic pop artist Troy Gua carry the theme of portals—windows, doors, hatches, etc.—as a way of moving toward change.
Closing FridayTUESDAY-SATURDAY
VISUAL ART
- 2019 Graduation Exhibitions
See the work of graduating University of Washington School of Art + Art History + Design students before they scatter to realms with cheaper rent.
Honors reception Tuesday - Elise Wagner: Divergence
Oregonian artist Wagner makes a “personal map” of changing interior and exterior realms, inspired by images from the Hubble Space Telescope, the International Space Station, NASA, and the National Geologic Survey.
Closing Saturday - Kurt Solmssen
Solmssen’s paintings are high-contrast pieces that depict outdoor and interior scenes in very Northwest colors.
Closing Saturday - Terry Furchgott: Intimate Interiors
Painter and art historian Furchgott’s new exhibition depicts women in domestic interiors engaged in everyday chores, framed by ornate borders.
Closing SaturdayWEDNESDAY
FILM
- Wonder: Tales From Earthsea
The new film series Wonder: A Women in Sci-Fi/Fantasy Film Class will present Gorô Miyazaki’s adaptation of Ursula K. Le Guin’s classic Earthsea books. Expect a lively discussion about witches and feminism, hosted by Abie Ekenezer, after the screening.FOOD & DRINK
- Focus Menu: Seattle 2050
Want to dine in the future? Try chef Eric Rivera’s seven-course tasting menu of what we might be eating in Seattle 30 years from now. - Meet Me at C&S: Rainy Day Bees
Learn about the world of apiculture from the beekeepers of Rainy Day Bees, followed by a Q&A and honey tasting.PERFORMANCE
- In SEAtu: Rain & Coffee & Salmon & Weed
A group of “bouffons” (jesters, farceurs, clowns) take on the hard questions raised by specificities of Seattle behavior. For their last show, they’ll discuss weed—what are the racial and economic implications of legalization?WEDNESDAY-THURSDAY
COMEDY
- DWEEBS
Comics will perform sketches inspired by their most embarrassing childhood memories.WEDNESDAY-SUNDAY
VISUAL ART
- 2019 University of Washington MFA + MDes Thesis Exhibition
This year’s University of Washington School of Art + Art History + Design MFA and MDes graduates exhibit their best pieces.
Opening reception FridayPERFORMANCE
- The Learned Ladies
UW Drama will stage the incredibly witty Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Richard Wilbur’s translation of Molière’s Les Femmes Savantes. Two sisters, one intellectual and one romantic, clash over a suitor. Jane Nichols directs.THURSDAY
COMEDY
- Fine Imports
See a lineup of local and out-of-town comics, including, this time, Rachel Laurendeau, Mary Lou Gamba, Carole Freeman, Richie Aflleje, and Lexi Haack. - Jose Bolanos
Tacoma funnyman Jose Bolanos’s old-school approach to comedy is rife with stunts, impressions, and characters.FESTIVALS
- Summer Outdoor Movie Series
You can bring your dogs and kids (though there are some R-ratings in the lineup) to the brewery’s cheery outdoor movie series, which launches tonight with The Goonies.FILM
- Kirkland Opening Night
Kick off the Kirkland SIFF screenings with a reception preceding Olivier Assayas’s film Non-Fiction, about a Parisian publisher (Guillaume Canet) and his successful actor wife (Juliette Binoche) adapting to the new-media landscape.GEEK
- Trivia with Cats: Throwback Thursday
Find out if cats help trigger your knowledge of 2000s pop culture at this feline trivia night. Your ticket includes “nostalgic” goodies from the early aughts, an hour of trivia in the cat room, and an extra 30 minutes of quality cat time.MUSIC
- HEAT.wav
Get hot and sweaty with Detroit’s Watabou and Northwest DJs Clover & Sealife, WMD, and Don’tblinkoryou’lldie. - Seattle Is Living!: Reviving the Dying with Sound and Light
The Stranger‘s own DJ Veins (aka Dave Segal) will be featured in a lineup of multidisciplinary performers who will prove that Seattle is very much alive. Other acts include modular synth wizard Chris Davis, Portland poet and artist Jamondria Harris, experimental electronic artist ASTRAMENT, shoegaze-y jammer Sacred Signs, and video artist Leo Mayberry.READINGS & TALKS
- PechaKucha Night: The 50/50 Gender Equity Challenge
Despite efforts to improve gender equity in the workplace, the percentage of women in tech has declined by 10 percent over the past 20 years, especially among women of color. In this presentation, Rep Suzan Delbene will talk about ways to address this problem. - Sandra Vea with Alan Abe: Rising Son
Sandra Vea unearths the astounding story of Masao Abe, a Japanese American soldier who kept his secret history in Military Intelligence Services hidden for decades. Pick up a copy of this war hero’s tale and discuss the book with Vea and Masao Abe’s son Alan Abe.SPORTS & RECREATION
- Sriracha Night Ticket Special
Get in on some Sriracha-spiced menu items at the Seattle Mariners vs. Los Angeles Angels game.VISUAL ART
- Andrew Rubinstein: Edge of the Universe
Rubinstein’s woozy parallel line designs bring out feelings of motion and energy.
Closing Thursday - Furnished Zine Release Party with Terra Dehart
Celebrate the new issue of Furnished, Terra DeHart’s illustrated zine that looks back on some of ReRunRoom’s favorite vintage furniture pieces. There will be copies of the zine to flip through, art, stickers, and snacks.THURSDAY-FRIDAY
MUSIC
- Rise Up: A Tribute to the Music of Hamilton
Rise Up, an ensemble of top Seattle vocalists and musicians, will perform songs from the award-winning musical that various members of your extended family have seen four times, Hamilton!VISUAL ART
- Prison Art Exhibit
See poems, letters, and visual art submitted by prisoners who have experienced solitary confinement at this exhibition presented by the Huskies for Opportunities in Prison Education.
Opening FridayFRIDAY
COMEDY
- Comedy O’Clock Zine Show
Welcome another issue of the improv-centric Comedy O’Clock magazine and stay up late with super-funny folks. Tonight will, sadly, mark the last monthly show. Wear all black and soothe your grief with “Flowers – Eulogies – Organ Music – Tissues -Spiritual Interpretive Dance – Candles – Song – Memories.” - Elliott Morgan
A member of the internet comedy troupe the Valleyfolk, former Florida man Elliott Morgan will come to Seattle to tell jokes. - Joshua Chambers
Joshua Chambers (producer of local events the Ballard Boyz Present: Variety Hour! and The Magic Hat) will bring you the comedy that’s gotten him onto the stage at Bumbershoot, Treefort Music Festival, and San Diego ComicCon. - Parent Party // Half Sister // Kill Shot
For sketch month, glean some laughs from Half Sister (seen at Bumbershoot and SketchFest), the duo Parent Party, and trio Kill Shot.FILM
- Georgetown Super 8 Film Festival
See Super 8 films about the Duwamish Valley, made by denizens of Seattle.FOOD & DRINK
- Brothers & Co. Dinner
Revel in the unconventional combination of ramen and tacos from Brothers & Co. at this pop-up dinner in Good Day Donut’s “Good Nite Dinners” series.MUSIC
- Inverted Space: Reflected Duality
The Inverted Space Ensemble will perform two Seattle premieres of works by Luke Fitzpatrick and Jeff Bowen on toy pianos. - Novaplosion! Benefit Rock Show for Nova High School
In addition to student musicians and poets, this benefit for Nova High School will feature performances by Raven Hollywood, Plant 39, MCDK, Stoffel, AIAIA, and Jesse Stout. - School of Rock Seattle Presents: Arena Rock
Watch the tiny musical treasures of the future play pieces by the genre-specific musical legends of the past, with School of Rock Seattle’s tribute to the titans of arena rock. - Still Ill DJs and Sunset Tavern Present: Holla! A Classic Hiphop Throwback Party
DJs Paco, Chetbong, and Han Cholo will spin hiphop classics from the golden era and beyond by Missy Elliott, 2Pac, OutKast, TLC, and many others. - TikiTiki Presents: The Pineapple Ball
Get decked out in tropical vacation wear for a summery night at the club with Dasu, Dowsk, Mike Devlin, and Westbound. - Weezus, Bleezus, New York City Cops
Weezus and Bleezus will churn out your Weezer and Blink 182 favorites and New York City Cops will take you back to Brooklyn in 2007 with a set of Strokes hits.PERFORMANCE
- 42 Things You Need to Know About My Dad
In a companion piece to their February play Ways In Which We’ve Failed to Manage Our Anxiety, Claire and Roland take some time to freak out about dads. - Act in the Public Heart: A Lawyer’s Journey
This one-act show is written and performed by immigration attorney, author, and actor Franca Baroni and directed by Simone Bruyere Fraser. After the March 16 show, there will be a concert by the neo-soul alternative group Push4Luv. - TORTURE DUNGEON
Terrie Belle Nightshade (“an ancient demon…turning 27,000 years old”) and VooDoo Nightshade will put an unfortunate gaggle of drag queens through the wringer with tantalizingly torturous challenges.READINGS & TALKS
- Julian Smith: Aloha Rodeo
In his book Aloha Rodeo, Julian Smith tells the story of Ikua Purdy and his cousins Jack Low and Archie Ka’au’a, three Hawaiian horseback riders who traveled to Wyoming to compete against (all-white) Western rodeo stars in 1908.SPORTS & RECREATION
- End of Bike Month Party
Wrap up Bike Everywhere Month right by shopping for gear from local brands like Swift.Industries, Electric and Folding Bikes Northwest, and Rad Power Bikes, stuffing your face with hot dogs from Cycle Dogs, enjoying a live set from Left Turn on Blue, and entering raffles.FRIDAY-SATURDAY
COMEDY
- Puddles Pity Party
The extremely popular “sad clown with the golden voice” presents his downcast live production featuring a mopey clown, absurdism, and some laughs.PERFORMANCE
- The Defiance
With the support of Intiman, South Seattle middle school students act out a drama they’ve written about totalitarianism, called The Defiance.FRIDAY-SUNDAY
FESTIVALS
- Bellingham Arts & Music Festival 2019
The Bellingham Arts & Music Festival—which once aimed to celebrate “as much of the city’s art as possible” in 24 hours—will double its programming this year for a full 48 hours of live music, art installations, workshops, comedy, vendors, flow arts, and more. - Northwest Pinball and Arcade Show
Whether you’re a die-hard gamer or a casual player, go nuts by testing out over 400 pinball and arcade games for free. There will also be guest speakers from the industry, seminars on collecting, playing, and fixing games, pinball tournaments with prizes, and more.PERFORMANCE
- Cirque Goes Broadway
Now this is gilding the lily in a highly entertaining way: Acrobats and aerialists will dance to live Broadway music, performed by none other than the Seattle Symphony.VISUAL ART
- Prism: UW Senior Art Show
UW art and design students will show work they’ve created during their undergraduate studies.
Opening FridaySATURDAY
COMEDY
- Beyond The Tippe: Open Mic and Comedy Showcase
The performers of this queer comedy showcase will be extra fired up for Pride, featuring Queer Comic Competition winner Mitch Mitchell and host Dan Hurwitz. - Deep Fried Sketch // SKETCHUBATOR
Watch “deep-fried” sketch that’s been written in a week and rehearsed in a week. Stay on for “the weirdest, worst, wildest, most underground sketches” from various teams. - Mandy Canales: CheerSpeare! // Gary & Austin
Cheerleading and high-school Shakespeare productions collide in CheerSpeare, starring comic-about-town Mandy Canales. Next up, Gary & Austin will perform a musical based off a title offered up by you, the audience.COMMUNITY
- Birds of the Duwamish River Valley
Seattle Urban Nature Guide Elaine Chung will point out the Duwamish River Valley’s resident feathered friends. - First Caturday
Because even the laziest housecat is wild at heart, this event is the perfect opportunity to treat your beloved feline to an outdoor adventure among other (leash-trained) kitties, whether they want to chase birds, eat bugs, or take a nap in the grass.FESTIVALS
- Burien PRIDE 2019!
Don’t want to wait until the end of June for PrideFest events in Seattle? Head south to Burien their annual family-friendly weekend celebration for live music from acts like Whitney Mongé and HallowQueen, Dames of Drag performances, Drag Queen Bingo, a beer garden, and kids’ activities. - Water Lantern Festival Tacoma
At this popular annual festival, decorate your own LED paper lantern and set it out on the water with others’. Get there early for food trucks and family-friendly entertainment.FOOD & DRINK
- ’90s Pub Crawl
From the party maniacs that bring you SantaCon and BunnyCon comes a ’90s-themed bar crawl featuring all your favorite hits from the decade, drink specials, and more at various downtown bars and clubs. It goes without saying, but babydoll dresses, slap bracelets, and floral prints are most welcome. - Flatstick Pub Presents: The Lookin’ Birdie Good Anniversary Tournament
Enter mini-golf tournaments at all Flatstick Pub locations to celebrate the sporty bar chain’s birthday. - Macaron Pop-Up & Zine Making Class
Eat Black Magic Sweets and learn how to make zines at this class taught by Sarah Maloney. One free drink is included with your ticket. - Paella Demonstration and Tasting at Paris-Madrid Grocery
Witness a live cooking demonstration of Spanish-style paella made by Sharon Baden, owner of Paris-Madrid Grocery (which claims to be home to the largest selection of paella pans in the Northwest). You’ll get to taste the dish and learn how to recreate it at home.GEEK
- Drone Day
Drones can drop off packages, plant seeds, and help with search-and-rescue missions, but can they help carry human bodies? What happens when a drone and a bird collide? Learn the answers to all your drone-related queries from local experts.MUSIC
- BowieVision
The local tribute group Bowievision—featuring members of Dudley Manlove Quartet and Purr Gato, plus saxophonist Brian Bermudez—replicate as faithfully as they can the chameleonic British singer/songwriter’s hits, with a light show and video backdrops for bonus dazzlement. DAVE SEGAL - Everyone’s Birthday
This DJ dance party will celebrate anyone who’s ever had a birthday. Throw on your party pants and join RIFAA, Friend Zone, the Mind at Large crew, TSOU, Downio, ÅSE, iLL DiLL, and Aquaphina for two rooms of music. - Petty Cash, Other Truckers
Get your fix of Tom Petty and Johnny Cash from sensibly named tribute band Petty Cash. They’ll be joined by Drive-By Truckers tribute Other Truckers. - Shelter From the Storm: A Tribute to Bob Dylan Benefitting NorthWest Harvest
Sing along to your favorite Dylan hits performed by local artists Massy Ferguson, Navid Eliot, Bradley Laina, Christa Wells, Curtis Moore, and others, knowing proceeds will benefit Northwest Harvest. - Unsung Voices: 1,000 Years of Female Composers
Bach and Mozart are cool, but they’ve had plenty of time in the spotlight. This concert with the Seattle Girls Choir’s Prime Voci will highlight works by female composers from the past thousand years (!), including Hildegard of Bingen, Francesca Caccini, Clara Schumann, Amy Beach, Rebecca Clarke, and Imogen Holst.PARTIES & NIGHTLIFE
- Bikery Bash & Alley Kitty!
The Chinatown bike shop the Bikery’s annual fundraiser will feature a raffle, homemade food, drinks, a live DJ, a track stand competition, an appearance from the legendary “Bikery Alley Kitty,” and more.PERFORMANCE
- Seattle Twerkshop
New Orleans twerk/bounce artist Bosstwerk will show you her ways in this dance performance, followed by a workshop.READINGS & TALKS
- Anna Bálint: Voices from the Margins
Every week, Anna Bálint hosts a Safe Place Writing Circle in Seattle for people struggling with addiction and mental illness to share their writing. She’ll read some of them from her anthology Voices from the Margins: Words from the Cafe.SHOPPING
- Artists’ Garage Sale
More than 100 artists will clean out their studios and sell their work at this sidewalk sale. Find new and old stock, art supplies, and much more.VISUAL ART
- Sanika Phawde Pop-up Store
Shop colorful works by artist Sanika Phawde, the Jackfruit Slayer, an illustrator who splits her time between Mumbai and New York. - Seattle Reads Presents Graphic Memoir Workshop
Henry Art Gallery teaching artist Mita Mahato, who makes wonderful cut-paper, collage, and comix art, will teach you the basics of the graphic memoir.SATURDAY-SUNDAY
FESTIVALS
- Oddmall Emporium of the Weird
Shop for goods from over 85 indie artisans to sate all your kitschy needs and desires.FILM
- Diwa Filipino Film Showcase
The Diwa Filipino Film Festival showcases work by Filipino filmmakers from all over the world, from Europe to Mindanao.MUSIC
- Rainier Symphony – A Salute to Broadway
As the final show of their 38th season, the Rainier Symphony will present a classical “pops” concert with music selections from traditional classics to film scores and Broadway hits by composers like Leonard Bernstein and Samuel Barber, with featured guest Broadway singer Katie Travis. - Viva La Diva!
Sing along to hits by Cher, Dolly Parton, Etta James, and all your other favorite womxn singers with Shoreline community singing group Choir of Sound.VISUAL ART
- Annual San Juan Island Artists’ Studio Tour 2019
Head out to the lovely islands and tour 22 local artist studios, home to more than 50 creators, as they sell etchings, kaleidoscopes, garments, glass, and more.SUNDAY
COMMUNITY
- Capitol Hill Clean Sweep
Make sure Capitol Hill is spick and span for PrideFest by volunteering to clean up the streets with a group of eight to 10 people. You’ll get a T-shirt, food, and chances to win cool prizes from local businesses. - Managing Plastic Waste: Workshop and Book Signing
Learn to reduce your plastic waste at this free workshop with Julia L F Goldstein, author of Material Value: More Sustainable, Less Wasteful Manufacturing of Everything from Cell Phones to Cleaning Products. - Meet Us at the Beach: Low Tide Beach Walks
Seattle Aquarium beach naturalist volunteers will show you around the tidepools at Richmond Beach, Carkeek Park, Golden Gardens, and other local shores, where you can see and learn about sea stars, barnacles, moon snails, and other creatures.FESTIVALS
- Orca Action Month Kick Off Festival
Join the Orca Salmon Alliance for an Orca Month kickoff with live music, a beer garden, food trucks, and chances to learn about the Puget Sound’s critically endangered Southern Resident creatures.FILM
- The Age of Love
What happens when a bunch of 30-year-olds sign up for a speed-dating event meant exclusively for the elderly? Steven Loring’s touching documentary The Age of Love delves into the universe of older singles and their search for companionship. - Yamasong
Director Sam Koji Hale will stick around for a Q&A after this screening of his fantastical feature-length puppet movie Yamasong.FOOD & DRINK
- Ballard Putt Putt & Brew Crawl for Bellwether Housing
Show off your miniature-golf finesse and chug brews at Lucky Envelope, Populuxe, Reuben’s Brews, and Stoup to raise money for Bellwether Housing, an organization that helps furnish apartments for families transitioning out of homelessness. Prizes will be distributed for winners and the best team costume.MUSIC
- Save the Plaid Pig Fest
After a temporary shut-down, Tacoma’s hockey and billiards bar and music venue the Plaid Pig will throw a fundraiser for their space with live sets from Northwest bands Hole Dug Dee, Wayside of Hope, Giant Pacific Apparition, and Await the Avalanche. - School of Rock: Neo-Soul
The tiny talents of School of Rock will show off their neo-soul chops.PERFORMANCE
- Espacio de Arte: Viento y Tierra
Espacio de Arte, a nonprofit dedicated to the beautiful practice of flamenco, will welcome the Peña Flamenca ensemble for foot-stamping dance and music. - Watch Me Now
Burien Dance Theatre’s youthful students will show off their new skills.READINGS & TALKS
- Tea and True Crime: Mary Bell
Sip tea and hear stories about murder with true crime buff Kim Douthit. This installment will focus on Mary Flora Bell, a girl convicted at age 11 for strangling two toddlers.SHOPPING
- June Market
Goths can escape from the early-summer sun to shop for witchy art, jewelry, and clothing from local vendors.SPORTS & RECREATION
- Big Backyard 5K
This annual 5K benefits all the public backyards (also known as parks) in King County. In honor of the event’s 10th anniversary, there will also be a 10K option this year. - Susan G. Komen More Than Pink Puget Sound Walk
Seattle will be one of 26 locations across the country participating in the More Than Pink Walk, a new and improved version of the ever-popular Race for the Cure, which will champion the goal of reducing the number of breast cancer deaths by 50 percent.
TUESDAY
FILM
