Our arts critics have already recommended 32 great things to do this week, our music critics have picked the 21 best concerts, and we've rounded up all of the outdoor movie series and places to go for First Thursday Art Walk, 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 hereâfrom Goatalympics to Twin Peaks Live, and from Ron Funches's Funch-a-Mania to a '90s Bar Crawl and the Capitol Hill Block Crawl. For even more options this week, check out our complete Things To Do calendar.
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THURSDAY
COMEDY1. Concert for America: Stand Up, Sing Out!
Raise money for vital nonprofitsâthe Southern Poverty Law Center, the National Immigration Law Center, the Sierra Club Foundation, the NAACP and the National Coalition Against Domestic Violenceâat this big-name concert and comedy show hosted by team of husbands Seth Rudetsky and James Wesley and featuring Spectrum Dance Theater.
2. Free First Thursday: Origami in the Garden
Make geometric paper creations at the Japanese Garden, which is offering free first Thursday entry from 3 pm on.
3. My Father's Land
This entry in the Black and Abroad: AfroPoP Film Series follows a Haitian resident of the Dominican Republic who, fleeing growing discrimination, returns to his homeland and family after 40 years abroad.
4. A Night With Casper
It may be a marketing ploy, but it sounds like a winning formula: Free admission, free drinks, DJ Paces, and a movie, brought to you by a mattress store. Cuddle on the beds and watch The Science of Sleep. Reserve a bed for you and three friends for $35.
5. Promised Land
This documentary on the Duwamish and the Chinook and their fight for treaty rights in the Pacific Northwest will be screened as part of the Nights at the Neptune free festival.
6. SIFFsational Summer Series
SIFF will present a series of double features on Thursdays this summer. Celebrate nostalgia and escape to an air-conditioned movie theater while you revisit old favorites and cult classics like Jaws, The Big Lebowski, Repo Man, and Raiders of the Lost Ark. This week's duo is Jaws/Jaws 3D.
7. Sake 101 with SakeOne
Join Kai Market alongside Jim Mauceri of SakeOne for a tasting of nine different sakes, from sparkling to extra dry to Asian pear-infusedâthere will be something for everyone, plus appetizers. AND...because this is Kai Market's first-ever sake tasting, the event is free to all.
8. Bryan Brewer: Total Eclipse of the Sun
Bryan Brewer will prepare you for the upcoming total eclipse on August 21 with a talk on viewing strategy and safety as well as science.
9. Harry Potter Trivia
GeekGirlCon will host teams of up to six people to answer questions about the Potterverse, so study up on your O.W.L.S.
10. Earshot Series: Jazz, The 2nd Century
Jazz: The 2nd Century is a long-standing program by Earshot Jazz that invites Seattle musicians to creatively consider the future of jazz, and what that could look like, in resulting performative interpretations (thus, an ensuing concert series spread out over four consecutive Thursday evenings in July). Each night showcases original compositions by Seattle artists, and is curated by different peer groups within our local music community through a blind jury process from responses to a general call for submissions.
11. Get Blown with Isabella DuGraf, MistaDC, Lia B, & Kween Kay$h
The Blow Up presents the fourth monthly "GET BLOWN," an event highlighting some of the best up-and-coming talent in the Seattle hiphop community. This month's iteration features live sets by Isabella DuGraf, MistaDC, and Lia B, with DJ talent provided by Kween Kay$h.
12. A Tribute to Tom Waits with The Bleeding Romeos
A night of lilting boxcar romance from the Bleeding Romeos, as they take you through the Tom Waits catalogue.
13. Down and Dirty: All Messed Up!
Yes, this country is a never-ending tire fire, but that doesn't mean we can't throw down in the flames a bit. Down and Dirty promises a night of wild and raunchy drag and burlesque acts like Mercury Divine, Vincent Milay, and EmpeROAR Fabulous to take your mind off it all. The night's proceeds will go to the Jim Collins foundation, a non-profit that serves transgender individuals in need.
14. First Hill Outdoor Reading Party
Socialize without having to talkâgrab your current book and hang out on the Hill with fellow bibliophiles.
15. Wendy N. Wagner
Wagner, managing editor of Lightspeed magazine and a full-time science fiction and fantasy nerd, will sign her novel An Oath of Dogs, a murder mystery featuring sentient canines.
16. Town Hall: Impact of Trumpcare on Working Families
Representative Pramila Jayapal will discuss the future of healthcare under Trump and the Republican-controlled Congress.
THURSDAY-FRIDAY
ART17. Processing: Artists Face Administration Change
If you're feeling disoriented by the upheaval in federal government, at least you're in good company. In this exhibition, Jamine Brown, Susan Emery, Nadya Glizina, Lauren Iida, and seven others grapple with the new regime's implications for the nation and their communities.
This exhibit closes on July 10.
THURSDAY-SATURDAY
PERFORMANCE18. Greensward
This sci-fi thriller by R. Hamilton Wright (directed by Richard Ziman) is a "modern day fable" about a beautiful, no-maintenance yard turf developed by scientist Tim Hei. The play is also about the corporate giants that want this new invention to disappear.
THURSDAY & SATURDAY
FILM19. Movie Night: "Thank You For Playing"
In this documentary, a video game designer and his wife cope with their young son's serious illness and their own grief by creating a game called That Dragon, Cancer. Learn how this several-decades-old medium can push the emotional boundaries of art. The July 6 showing is free: July 8 is free with $12 admission.
FRIDAY
COMEDY20. Ron Funches: Funch-a-Mania
Ron Funches (who starred in the series Undateable, appeared on Blackish, and provided voice acting for shows including Bojack Horseman and Bob's Burgers) will entertain for an evening.
21. Arts Liberation & Leadership Institute Showcase & Block Party
Several notable nonprofits and associationsâincluding Arts Corps, Youth Speaks Seattle, Totem Star, Anakbayan Seattle, Youth Undoing Institutional Racism (YUIR), and Freedom Summerâwill share food, music, spoken word, art, and good times at the Arts Liberation and Leadership Institute's block party. Come for a potluck, an open mic, and a showcase of local performances by the organizations.
22. Power Play: Pegging for Beginners
Curious about pegging? Meet up at Babeland for free champagne (and free toys, if you're lucky) and learn about the art of dildo dalliances. Drink free champagne and, if you're in a shopping mood, take 10% off of Babeland's sex toys.
23. Blue Spectral Storm â A Psychedelic Dub Techno Evening
As an ending to whatever the year of the "Blue Spectral Storm" was, Re-bar will host a night of live music by several of Seattle's most active dub and psychedelic techno practitioners, like Succubass, Joe Bellingham, and Dane Garfield Wilson.
24. Kalimba: The Spirit of Earth, Wind, and Fire
Come out to see the unbridled energy of Kalimba, an Earth, Wind, and Fire tribute experience. This 10-piece group will be performing with a full horn section.
25. Seattle Composers' Salon
Enjoy a layered evening of music and discussion with five Seattle-based composers: Clement Reid, Jay Hamilton, Jeremiah Lawson, Jessi Harvey, and Keith Eisenbrey. The Seattle Composers' Salon is an ongoing bi-monthly series that seeks to foster the engendering of new works by regional composers and performers.
26. Summer Affair
Dance around to Tectonic Marrow Society's live bands and DJ tracks, check out video art by TMS's, Alex Boeschenstein, and enjoy snacks by Brothers & Co. at this fundraiser for Lovecitylove's future performances.
27. Jomny Sun
Multidisciplinarian author, playwright, illustrator, and doctoral student Jomny Sun will take time out of his no doubt terrifyingly packed schedule to sign Everyone's a Aliebn When Ur a Aliebn Too: A Book (no typos there), based on his Twitter account from the point of view of an "aliebn confuesed abot humamn lamgauge."
28. Tina Kelley and Judith Skillman
Tina Kelley, a past winner of the Washington State Book Award and former New York Times reporter, will revisit Seattle with a reading of her new book of poetry, Abloom & Awry. She'll be joined by Judith Skillman, a Washington State Book Award finalist, who will read from Kafkaâs Shadow, which focuses on the coming of age of the great Czech writer.
29. Seattle Night Ride
The Seattle Night Ride is a 15-mile evening bike ride that starts at Peddler Brewing Company. You'll get at t-shirt, some swag, and a drink at the after-party with your ticket. Feel free to trick out your bike.
FRIDAY-SATURDAY
FESTIVALS30. The Festival of American Fiddle Tunes
Since 1977, the Festival of American Fiddle Tunes has brought centuries of folk music traditions to Port Townsend for a summer weekend of live music in the park. Performers in this year's festivities include Fire of Tierra Caliente, The Foghorn Stringband, Steve Riley and Chris Stafford, and Rhiannon Giddens of the California Chocolate Drops.
31. 19th Annual DANCE This
After an intense collaboration with community and international artists, teens will perform three new dance works during the 19th edition of this beloved artistic program.
32. The Adventures of Rocketman and Beano
Two superheroes fight fascism and evil. One of them is played by Christine Longé, who won the Seattle Fringe Festival's Audience Choice Award in 2014. She and Tom Spangenberg will entertain you with original music and clowning adventures that bring to mind "Batman and Robin doing Lucy and Desi." This show has been performed at the Pocket Theater and the Fringe Festival and is returning to life at 18th & Union.
33. Showgirls of Beast Island!
If crappy low-budget flicks from the '50s and 60s are what floats your proverbial boat, take a gander at this cheesy burlesque tribute to the golden age of terrible cinema, promising "Spurious nudity! Ridiculous horror! Continuity errors!" and more shenanigans. The story: A planeful of showgirls crashes on mysterious island, where something keeps stalking them one by one.
FRIDAY-SUNDAY
MUSIC34. Nearly Dan
Cover enthusiasts Nearly Dan play a set of Steely Dan classics (so really anything from Aja) with a full twelve-piece band well-versed in jazz, R&B, blues, and rock traditions at the ready.
35. Twin Peaks Live, Part 3: Now BOB woN
Comedy, an unsettling atmosphere, and bizarre suspense come to the stage (again!) at this live take on David Lynch's Twin Peaks, written by Chris Mathews.
36. Walk to Protect & Restore our Salish Sea
The Protectors of the Salish Sea and Bellingham's #NoDAPL coalition will lead a weekend of anti-pipeline activism, starting on Friday with a walk through traditional Duwamish territory with drums and jingle dancers, finishing up with dinner; continuing on Saturday (nice and early) with breakfast and a trip out of town to Salt Water Park, and wrapping up on Sunday with breakfast, a walk in Tacoma, and a rally at the proposed sight of a proposed natural gas facility.
SATURDAY
COMEDY37. God Awful Movies Podcast
This podcast makes fun of terrible Christian movies. See them live.
38. LGBTQ+ Jam
Graham Downing (one half of the funny and nimble improv duo Death and Taxes), Mandy Price (Coven), and/or Britney Barber will lead queer-identified players in improv games and open scenes. Explore the possibilities of open-ended theater in a queer-positive environment (you can play a scene where you're on a same-sex date, and no one will think that that's the joke, just to give one example).
39. 19th Annual Rainbow Health Fair
Get tested, massaged, enrolled in healthcare, and more at this trans- and women-focused health fair featuring "traditional and holistic health services and education," plus prizes.
40. Chance Fashion's Swimwear Edition
The pro-small fashion business nonprofit Chance Fashion will showcase local indie designers' swimwear creations.
41. County Histories and the Family Stories They Tell
The Northwest African American Museum will host a genealogical workshop focused on using county histories in the 18th and 19th centuries to discover your ancestors.
42. Goatalympics
At long last, the not-so-devilish goat is getting due credit for its frolicsome and affectionate nature. Or so it would seem, given that last year's Goatalympics drew a crowd of 1,000, as many adults as children. Adults and kids can compete with their pet goats in a series of challenges for titles including "Most Spots," "Most Unusual Color Goat," "Longest Beard," and "Best Trick." Proceeds benefit the New Moon Goat Rescue & Sanctuary.
43. Healing Hands and Bands
Help Integrative Care Outreach offer free health care to homeless people by paying the admission, listening to live music, and eating doughnuts all evening.
44. International Bubble Flash Mob
One hour before the big event, secret bubble enthusiasts will check the International Bubble Flash Mob's Seattle just-announced location and head there with bubble elixirs at the ready. At 1 p.m., the conspirators will release thousands of bubbles into the air, with no aim but the provocation of wonder and benign confusion.
45. Polish Festival
Upper Silesia (GĂłrny ĆlÄ
sk in Polish), a linguistically and historically fascinating region overlapping Poland and Czechia, will be the focus of this year's Polish Festival, an annual event offering food, beer, crafts, workshops, and performances.
46. Vera Workshop: The Art of the Tour
If you've got an act that ought to be heard around, head to Vera to gain skills like booking a tour, negotiating contracts, and more. You'll hear from local emusicians like Robin Edwards from Lisa Prank, Jason Clackley from the Black Lodge and DAWASUP Gig, and Jodi Ecklund from Pink Parts.
47. Eid Fest
Mark the end of Ramadan with carnival rides and kids' activities, food to buy, a clown show, and more, with MAPS (the Muslim Association of Puget Sound). All are welcome.
48. '90s Bar Crawl
Experience the '90s like you never have before (because you probably weren't born yet) by donning your best flannel and JNCOs and hitting the streets with this decade-specific bar and nightclub crawl. The route includes '90s music-laden hot spots around Seattle like Central Saloon, Fuel Sports Lounge, and Trinity Nightclub.
49. Capitol Hill Block Crawl
Visit the most famous and popular Capitol Hill drinking holes: Comet & Lost Lake, Big Mario's, Grim's, and Unicorn. Your ticket includes four drink and two snack tokens, a "Barrelman hunt" with prizes, and other activities.
50. Cow By Bear Saturday Night Dinners
In the truest fashion of "Stranger Than Usual," we (confusedly) present to you: Cow By Bear. According to the website, CBB is "the vision of an anonymous chef that simply goes by the name, 'Bear.' Started out of Bearâs apartment in 2011, Cow by Bear is now a highly regarded dinner party experience operating out of one of several secret downtown Seattle locations." CBB promises that "guests will come as strangers but leave as friends," and that's probably true, as long as guests don't get mauled by the mysterious Bear before they finish the second course. Dinner apparently includes five courses and is centered around Bear's "signature" dry-aged ribeye roast. There are also wine pairings with each course.
51. Pastries of Persia
Join Wallingford's Essential Baking Co. location for the first of two Persian bakery pop-ups, created by Sohroosh Hashemi. Hashemi says he's been perfecting pastry and bread recipes inspired by his Iranian grandmother, and now is excited to share some sweet treats from Iran with the (very lucky) public.
52. Intro to Biology of Bees
Our friends the bees make fruit, chocolate, coffee, and other staples possible. If you're fond of any of these foods, consider learning about the world's most helpful insect from master beekeeper Colette Taylor. How do bees communicate? What different roles do different castes take? As a special treat, take a trip to HiveBio's hives and you may, possibly, get a "gift" from the bees.
53. The Big Gig
Expect music, dancing, comedy, and videos featuring the Fremont Troll at the eighth generation of this variety show, which will showcase performers Billy Brandt with the Thing & the Stuff Band, Sundae + Mr. Goessl, Night-n-Gale, Hans Brehmer, Taylor Zickefoose, Ernest Humphries Jr., and Brad Upton.
54. BOUNCE Boat Party
The folks behind Bounce Brunch will take their show on the water. Set sail with Dot Diggler, DJ Trinitron, Jon Lee, and David Lowe.
55. Griot Party
This theatrical event will honor the venerable West African traditional of the griot or storyteller through performances by Veronica Very, Matt Brown, and jamie elmore, among others. Directed by Logic Amen.
56. Nerdfolk Salon with Sarah Shay and Strangely
Nerdy songs will fill a nerdy space: Sarah Shay specializes in bits about "dead poets, fictional hobos, and Star Trek" accompanied on ukelele, and Strangely plays folk-punk cabaret weirdness.
57. Psychedelic Love Affair: a Camp Conception fundraiser
Hear a half-dozen DJs from Flammable, AzuQar, Conception, Uniting Souls, and more play spacey jams at a blacklight party to benefit the artistic collective Camp Conception. The party will be held in a secret Sodo location.
58. Seattle Summer Music Games
As part of Seafair, brace yourselves for the annual knock-down drag-out free-for-all that is the Seattle Summer Music Games, a competition featuring renowned drum and bugle corps, like the Battalion (Salt Lake City, UT), the Blue Devils (Concord, CA), the Blue Knights (Denver, CO), the Columbians (Tri-Cities, WA), the Golden Empire (Bakersfield, CA), the Oregon Crusaders (Portland, OR), and our own Seattle Cascades.
59. South Lake Union Swing V
Swing, swing, swing aboard the 1922 steamer boat Virginia with vintage-style jazz by the Jonathan Swingtet. Enjoy great rhythm and booze. If you don't know how to swing-dance yet, drop in on a $5 lesson and find out how addictive it is.
60. Write-O-Rama
As part of Hugo House's Write-O-Rama annual tradition, take five writing workshops from five different teachers in one day. It'll be a bit like your high school days, with a bell marking the end of one class and urging you to run to the next, but much more fun. And, unlike a typical day in high school, it'll end with a happy hour for teachers and students alike.
61. World Naked Bike Ride Seattle Day Ride 2017
Show your biking spirit as nakedly as you wish with the anti-car culture World Naked Bike Riders.
SATURDAY-SUNDAY
FILM62. Twist Tops Film Festival
This is a reprise of some of the biggest hits at the TWIST queer film festival, including the Trinidadian thriller Play the Devil, a documentary about a trans boy singer, Real Boy, the dark comedy Suicide Kale, the gay street gang documentary Check It, and the best shorts.
63. The Hi-Life: Beer Alley & Pork Fest!
On Ballard SeafoodFest weekend, join the Hi-Life for its annual Beer Alley & PorkFest, where guests are encouraged to "save a salmon, eat a pig." The two-day event will include a rotisserie pig show, bbq pork sandwiches, local draft beer and t-shirts available for purchase.
SUNDAY
COMMUNITY & CIVICS64. Kabby Mitchell, III Memorial
Celebrate the life of Kabby Mitchell, III, a choreographer, dancer, teacher, cultural ambassador, and advocate for the arts. Mitchell died on May 4th of this year. The community will come together for performances, dances, and other tributes.
65. Wekfest
This showcase of more than 400 European, Japanese, and American cars emphasizes quality and leading brands. Check out vendors' treasures at a show that downplays "theatrics" for a simple appreciation of great vehicles.
66. Boat Parade
Commemorate the opening of the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks and the first ship to sail through them, the SS Roosevelt, with a recreation of that historic boat parade 100 years ago. The SS Adventuress will take the place of the Roosevelt, leading 50 other vessels to South Lake Union. Follow them there and convene with historians to learn more.
67. History Bike Ride
Using your own two wheels, follow the historic Boat Parade with the Cascade Bicycle Club, pausing on the way to take in historic sights like the old Seattle electric plant and "Bill Boeing's first launch site."
68. Georgetown Garden Walk
Explore the greenery of the once-industrial Georgetown district during a free self-guided walking tour of gardens, artist studios, shops, restaurants, and the Museum of Communication. While you're there, also check out the Cross Pollinate event, a simultaneous mini arts festival featuring plein-air painters and multi-media creations.
69. Black in Seattle 1968
Revisit 1960s Seattle with this locally produced Central District short film, "Involvement," a film made to educate AT&T managers on diversity in hiring practices. The film stars Clarence Bibb as an African American employee joining a mostly white company. Bibb will be present to speak about old Seattle after the 20-minute screening.
70. PIG OUT!
Join Witness for its first annual "PIG OUT!" version of its popular Second Sunday Supper. They'll be shutting down all of Witness for this event, which will include a whole pig and six courses total. The ticket price also includes two drinks to pair (one to start and one to finish). Witness will only be selling 50 seats to the event and it will be first-come, first-served with family-style courses.
71. Sierra with Witches of God
Join black-hearted melodic doom-prog jammers Sierra as they journey from Ontario on their They Came To Kill 2017 tour, with dark and heavy underworld punks Witches of God.
72. Asian Arts Leaders Respond to Madame Butterfly
Giacomo Puccini's Madame Butterfly, beloved for over a century, is part of a European tradition that historically made use of yellowface and other racist representationsâas Seattle Opera says, "opera has a history of using cultural appropriation to tell stories, and placing more emphasis on the voice in casting." Alongside its August production of the classic, the Seattle Opera is inviting Asian American and Pacific Islander artists to comment on and discuss appropriation, racism, representation, and more. Panelists will include film director/producer Frank Abe as moderator, dancer Angel Alviar-Langley (aka Moonyeka), actor/writer/director Kathy Hsieh, UW associate professor LeiLani Nishime, opera collaborator Matthew Ozawa, artist and cultural worker Jenny Ku, theater producer Roger Tang, and Seattle Opera singer Karl Reyes.
73. Monster House Press/Omen Amen West Coast Tour
Indianan littérateurs Bella Bravo and Morgan Eldridge, on their West Coast tour for Monster House Press, will each read from their books, respectively The Unpositioned Parts (a short story collection now in its third edition) and the prose poetry work Omen Amen (just published). Local poets Magpie and Dana will also contribute readings.
74. FishBowl IV
It's a mini-marathon of 25 new pieces in 50 minutes, produced by Casey Middaugh. If you like your theater in small but powerful doses, this is for you.
75. The Sunday Night Shuga Shaq, An All People of Color Burlesque Revue
Sizzling burlesque performers from this all-POC revue present "dazzling dancing, tantric teasing, and all around prismatic sexy magic." No nudity, but lots of titillation.
76. Philando Castile- March Against Injustice
The Black Freedom Front is calling for allies to protest the killing of Philando Castile and the acquittal of Officer Jeronimo Yanez for his death.
77. 26th Annual Bare Buns Fun Run
With a slogan like "Be Brave, Be Tough, Beat the Mountain in the Buff!" and 26 years under its non-existent belt as an event, the Bare Buns Fun Run tempts many to Tiger Mountain's base for a 5K trail run or walk through the forest, clothing optional.
78. Bocce Ball Tournament
Play everyone's favorite old Italian-nonno game, bocce, with the knowledge that your admission will benefit a disabilities rights advocate group, the Arc. Even if you've never slung those heavy balls around, learn the sport and stick around afterwards for snacks and more fun.
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