If you're not shelling out for Bumbershoot or PAX this weekend, there are still plenty of options for last-minute Labor Day weekend activities that won't cost more than $10. We've compiled them all below, ranging from the closing of M.C. Escher: Transformations to a Björk drag tribute, and from free Li'l Woody's burgers on Monday to the free Americana Festival at the waterfront. For even more ideas, including 10 restaurants and bars to visit to soak up summer, check out our complete Things To Do calendar.
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FRIDAY
COMEDY1. Skylark After Dark
Reid Clark will host a night of music, comedy, spoken word, and other fun follies.
(West Seattle, $10)
2. Rooftop Movies After Hours
Unwind at the end of the week with a free movie and maybe a movie-inspired cocktail. For tonight's final screening, watch the cult classic comedy Napoleon Dynamite and sip a "Vote For Pedro." And maybe sneak in some tater tots.
(Downtown, free)
3. Three Dollar Bill Outdoor Cinema
Stretch out on the lawn and watch Wesley Snipes and Patrick Swayze as two elite Manhattan drag queens who agree to take a young novice under their wing in Thanks For Everything, Love Julie Newmar.
(Capitol Hill, free)
4. Life is Strange 2 Fan Meet Up Party with What’s Good Games
Party with the people behind the What's Good Games podcast and the developers from DONTNOD Entertainment while you celebrate the upcoming release of the Life is Strange 2 episodic video game. You may even win prizes, and the first 100 people in line get free drink tickets.
(Capitol Hill, free)
5. The VR Social at PAX West 2018
Play virtual reality games, watch virtual reality content, and eat non-virtual reality snacks.
(Belltown, free)
6. The Boards, Grizzly Business, Guests
Appropriately named Seattle surf-grunge band the Boards (get it? Surf boards?) will show their love of '60s sounds with support from Grizzly Business.
(Ballard, $8)
7. Devilwood, Greenriver Thrillers, The Deadrones
Dark and heavy Northwest groovers Devilwood will headline a night of shadow-laden psychedelia, with guest sets by Greenriver Thrillers and the Deadrones.
(Capitol Hill, $10)
8. Famous Fridays: TDE
The talents of Top Dog Entertainment, including Kendrick Lamar, SZA, and ScHoolboy Q, and their contemporaries will reign supreme at the August edition of Famous Fridays.
(Capitol Hill, free)
9. FCON, Boxcutter, Meece, Phantom Racer
Southside hardcore punks FCON will bring their heat to the north end, with opening sets by Boxcutter, Meece, and Phantom Racer.
(Greenwood, $7)
10. Four Lights, Squarecrow, Heck Yes, Hop Monsters
Indie rock group Four Lights will play tracks from their latest release Death to False Posi with support from Squarecrow, Heck Yes, and Hop Monsters.
(University District, $7)
11. Free Concert Fridays
Those who enjoy earnest renditions of songs by their favorite bands can enjoy free tribute shows on Fridays in Snoqualmie, with acts including tonight's AC/DC tribute band Hells Belles.
(Snoqualmie, free)
12. Ivory Deville, Shark Legs, Floral Tattoo
Enjoy a night of local and touring indie rock bands with music from Ivory Deville, Shark Legs, and Floral Tattoo.
(Pioneer Square, $8)
13. Johnaye Kendrick
Seattle favorite Johnaye Kendrick has spent decades perfecting her vocal skill among the likes of genre icons Terence Blanchard, Wayne Shorter, and Herbie Hancock. This evening will herald the arrival of her latest album, Flying.
(Columbia City, free)
14. Karoshi, Dead Evergreen, Werthless
Knock around with local grunge-sustaining punks Dead Evergreen, Karoshi, and Werthless.
(Tukwila, $5)
15. Let's Have A Jag
Need to release some tears to the sound of minor guitar chords being strummed by musicians who also do a lot of crying? If so, enjoy an evening of sad acoustic songs with Corey Teruya, Storm Benjamin, and others.
(Capitol Hill, free)
16. Monkey Loft's Five Year Anniversary Party
The downtown club will celebrate five years of business with a (free) party with live sets from DJs Rob Noble, Kadeejah Streets, J-Sun, NightTrain, Rhines, Ramiro, Tait Modern, Rhett Carpenter, Brennan Buckmaster, and others.
(Downtown, free)
17. SHAKE YA A$$
Shake your booty into the wee hours to hits by the Ying Yang Twins, Diplo, Big Freedia, Sir Mix a Lot, Lil Jon, Mystikal, Major Lazer, B.o.B., and Sage the Gemini, with a special performance by the Seattle Twerkshop.
(Capitol Hill, $5)
18. SLAY: A Hip Hop Party for LGBTQ, POC, and Allies
Save your most killer looks for this summertime edition of SLAY, a hiphop dance party for queer folks and POC. Guests can snap photos in the "Booth of Bass," dance to DJs Automaton and Ronin Roc, and more. A portion of proceeds will benefit Planned Parenthood and a local charity.
(Capitol Hill, $5/$10)
19. Spiderface, Late Night Shiner, Jagula, Dryland
Spiderface will return to the Ballard stage with hardcore groups Late Night Shiner, Jagula, and Dryland for a night of loud and heavy rock and punk.
(Ballard, $10)
20. W Music: 5th Friday
Dance the night away to electronic beats from Dream Journal, Justin Hartinger, and Samurai Del.
(Downtown, free)
21. YOY, New Bloom, Mud On My Bra, What's Wrong
Question the morality of Hollywood with Northwest-relocated alt-rockers Yoy, and openers New Bloom, Mud On My Bra, and What's Wrong.
(Fremont, $8/$10)
22. Mystery Drag Queen Theater: The Shequel
Amazing drag queens make fun of not-so-amazing B-movies, in this case Double Dragon, about two weirdly cheery teenage boys pursued by a millionaire who wants their magical Chinese talisman.
(Downtown, $9)
23. Video Games are a Drag
Cookie Couture's bevy of strange queens—Americano, Beau Degas, Jade Dynasty, Kylie Mooncakes, and the incredible Michete—will lend their outlandish talents to 8-bit classics.
(Downtown, $8)
24. Arts Liberation Leadership Institute Showcase & Block Party
Witness the diverse talents of young musicians, spoken word artists, and breakdancers from the Arts Liberation and Leadership Institute. Plus, enjoy food and an open mic.
(West Seattle, free)
25. Blue 93 Friday
Party with Seattle Seahawks defensive Branden Jackson and get his autograph.
(Capitol Hill, $5/$10)
FRIDAY-SATURDAY
ART26. Americans Interned: A Family's Story of Social Injustice
Executive Order 9066 authorized the expulsion of Japanese Americans from the West Coast during the Second World War. Two artists, Chris and Jan Hopkins, tell the stories of some of those harmed by this human rights violation.
(Everett, free)
Closing Saturday
27. Claire Tianyi Sun
Claire Tianyi Sun's diaphanous, ghostly mixed media combinations of symbols and portraits reference "conflicting fragments of various cultures."
(Pioneer Square, free)
Closing Saturday
28. Colleen RJC Bratton: Good Mourning
Bratton, a member of the gallery and curator of last year's Tech Support, muses on an unformalized grief over a lost love.
(Pioneer Square, free)
Closing Saturday
29. D*Face: HOME IS WHERE THE heART IS
London-born street artist D*Face (Dean Stockton) presents new and old work in his first ever Pacific Northwest show. Riffing heavily off Roy Lichtenstein’s pop-art paintings of the 1960s, D*Face’s comic-book-style paintings of couples locked in a kiss capture a present moment while hinting at their eventual demise. In Love Bites, a fine crack etches across the woman’s forehead and the man’s jawline accentuates the bones underneath. Other works play off Andy Warhol’s Marilyn Monroe series and Jamie Reid’s God Save the Queen album cover for the Sex Pistols. The show coincides with the unveiling of a mural by the artist in Belltown. KATIE KURTZ
(Pioneer Square, free)
Closing Saturday
30. Gregory Pierce
Sculptor and Fine Art Department Chair at Heritage University, Pierce works in stone, clay, and glass to make unusual yet organic-looking pieces.
(Pioneer Square, free)
Closing Saturday
31. Hart James: Zen
The Olympian nature painter, paying homage to "Our Ancient Earth," shows the fruits of a fellowship residency.
(Pioneer Square, free)
Closing Saturday
32. Ian Campbell, Dustin Casper, Bradly Gunn: Of Nothing
Three artists have created an installation on the themes of "observation/perception, memory/sensory, and measurable/immeasurable."
(Pioneer Square, free)
Closing Saturday
33. Lino Tagliapietra: La Poesia Della Forma
The Italian glass artist Tagliapietra is known as "the world's greatest glassblower," and this exhibition is full of asymmetrical patterns (called, for example, Dinosaur and Cayuga) and classic and innovative forms.
(Downtown, free)
Closing Saturday
34. Mark Mueller: Chelsea Falls
Seattle's Mark Mueller evokes wintry alienation in moonlike industrial scenes with ceramics and mixed media on panel and canvas. This exhibition focuses on the memory of an artificial waterfall that the artist saw as a child in Chelsea, New York City.
(Downtown, free)
Closing Saturday
35. M.C. Escher: Transformations
There’s a reason Dutch graphic artist Maurits Cornelis Escher has a reputation for being the artist behind countless trippy dorm-room posters. In his 1979 treatise on mathematics, computer science, and consciousness titled Gödel, Escher, Bach: An Eternal Golden Braid, cognitive scientist Douglas Hofstadter links the fantastical, mathematically derived images of M.C. Escher to the music of Johann Sebastian Bach and the mathematical theories of Kurt Gödel. Working with vastly different mediums, the visual artist, musician, and mathematician all exemplify Hofstadter’s concept of “strange loops”: recursive hierarchical systems that unexpectedly, through a series of rising or falling actions, spit us out right where we started. This exhibition at Davidson Galleries is a rare opportunity to see Escher’s masterful woodcuts and lithographs face-to-face. EMILY POTHAST
(Pioneer Square, free)
Closing Saturday
36. Ryohei Tanaka: Etchings
This Japanese artist makes magnificently detailed etchings of trees, rural houses, and other rustic subjects, often in black and white or sepia. His "Persimmon" series combines these palettes with vivid spots of color representing fruits that add the tiniest hint of irreality. His prints breathe peace, mystery, and lush life.
(Pioneer Square, free)
Closing Saturday
37. Timea Tihanyi, Peter Gross
The eminent ceramicist Timea Tihanyi—former Stranger critic Jen Graves called her "a structural engineer who puts her forms in the service of history"—will be joined by painter Peter Gross, whose thickly layered abstract paintings also evoke architectural shapes.
(Pioneer Square, free)
Closing Saturday
38. Bethesda Gameplay Days
Play new and old games, watch live presentations, and win prizes at this PAX-related event.
(Downtown, free admission)
39. Alma (or #nowall)
Benjamin Benne's Alma (or #nowall) follows a Mexican immigrant who has been living in the U.S. for 18 years after fleeing her country for a better life for herself and her daughter. The play takes place in December of 2016, a month before Trump's inauguration, and Alma fears for her citizenship prospects and her daughter's safety.
(Kent, free)
FRIDAY-SUNDAY
ART40. Natasha Marin: Black Imagination
I don't say this lightly: Artist and activist Natasha Marin is a tornado of brilliance that consistently leaves thoughtful projects in her wake. Best known as the founder of the conceptual internet project Reparations, which encourages people with privilege to offset it by engaging in acts of generosity, Marin made splash as a curator last year with the astoundingly poignant exhibition Black Imagination: The States of Matter at Core Gallery. Her latest project is Ritual Objects, a celebration of Black joy centered on the power of healers who can transform trauma into beauty. Knowing Marin's past work, it's safe to say that this show will be nothing short of life changing for those who let it. EMILY POTHAST
(West Seattle, free)
Closing Sunday
41. So Barbie: Solo Exhibition by Ellen Cooper
Gage student Ellen Cooper says of her solo exhibition, "To highlight the ludicrous, I have put Barbie in environments that are at odds with her image as an ideal of feminine beauty and her perpetually smiling face."
(Capitol Hill, free)
Closing Sunday
SATURDAY
ART42. Chris Baumgartner: Infused Abstract
See richly textured mixed media abstracts, mostly made with sumi ink and acrylics.
(Mercer Island, free)
Opening Saturday
43. Psychosomatic: Where Your Soul Hides Its Suffering
Baghdad-born multidisciplinary artist Hiba Jameel will lead participants in an arts workshop that aims to raise awareness of art therapy.
(Seattle Center, free)
44. Tell It Like It Is
Reid Clark and other comedians will tell jokes. Adam Luckey will host.
(Hillman City, $10)
45. First Caturday
Allow your kitty to "reclaim the glory of the outdoors" by treating them to an afternoon of napping and/or socializing with other felines in the park.
(Capitol Hill, free)
46. UHeights Summer Music Festival
Every Saturday afternoon, check out live music from bands of every genre, world dance troupes, and children's shows at this festival that's spread throughout the summer. The whole series is free to the public, with food available from the U-District Farmers Market. This weekend, check out Afro-Peruvian dance and music from the DE CAJĂłN Project.
(University District, free)
47. Cooking Demonstration with Author Hsiao-Ching Chou
Hsiao-Ching Chou, author of Chinese Soul Food, will demonstrate a recipe from her book with veggies from the Magnolia Farmers Market, and copies of her book will be available for purchase.
(Magnolia, free)
48. Escape To The City: Super Sonic 90s J-Fashion Juicebox Jam!
This "queer sonic renegade chiptune rave" and J-fashion meet-up will be overflowing with Mountain Dew juice boxes, '90s color explosions, and beat-heavy remixes to pump you up for PAX.
(Downtown, free)
49. The Informal, Unofficial PAX 5K: Episode Four
Don your favorite cosplay and join other geeky runners for an informal 5K along the waterfront.
(Downtown, free)
50. The MIX Seattle
This all-day game developer showcase celebrates indie titles and creators. Meet makers, play their games, and win great prizes.
(Downtown, free)
51. Smash: Battle Seattle 2
Win cash prizes and goodies for your Super Smash Bros. capabilities.
(Capitol Hill, $10)
52. Armed For Apocalypse, Deathbed Confessions, Teepee Creeper
Chico lifers Armed for Apocalypse rip some sludgy metal-edged rock on tour across the country. They'll be joined by Deathbed Confessions and Teepee Creeper.
(Eastlake, $8/$10)
53. Bear Axe, Thrown Out Bones, Spinster, Hawkeye Pierce
Local soulful prog-rock four-piece Bear Axe bill themselves as "Led Zeppelin meets Lead Belly." They'll be joined by Thrown Out Bones, Spinster, and Hawkeye Pierce.
(Greenwood, $10)
54. Cold Comfort, The Regrets, The Landmarks, Bad Saint
High-energy vintage rockers Cold Comfort describe themselves as: "Crafty and driving, a combination of epic ballads and bluesy rock songs." They're perfect for a Seattle summer evening by a Golden Gardens bonfire, and will be joined at their Chemical Butterflies album release show by the Regrets, the Landmarks, and Bad Saint.
(Ballard, $10)
55. Ol' Doris, Mud On My Bra, Mangy, BUGS
High energy Seattle alt rockers Ol' Doris will continue to hone their sound out in Tukwila with support from Mud On My Bra, Mangy, and BUGS.
(Tukwila, $7)
56. Planet Fly
Swing your hips loosely with Planet Fly's unhurried, nostalgic funk, featuring the self-assured vocals of KJ Jones.
(Downtown, free)
57. Rare Form, JK Williams, REEk, Dosenöffner, Boreal
Float away on a cloud made of droning chamber music that loops round and round from atmospheric electronica artists Rare Form, JK Williams, REEk, Dosenöffner, and Boreal.
(Capitol Hill, $7)
58. Sweet Jesus, Wild Wild Mexico, Heavy Denim
Sweet Jesus take a high-energy stance on indie rock, folk punk, and psychedelic blues, with songs that deal with death, modern anxieties, and lost loves. They'll be joined by Wild Wild Mexico and Heavy Denim.
(West Seattle, $8)
59. Thunders of Wrath, Golden Toads, Vivian, MĂĽ
Tacoma band Thunders of Wrath will play reverent old-school rock, along with Golden Toads, Vivian, and MĂĽ at this Pioneer Square show.
(Pioneer Square, $7)
60. Wig Out! With El Vez!
Fashion your locks into a pompadour sturdy enough for riotous dancing at this 60s R&B, soul, and garage DJ night featuring The Stranger's own Mike Nipper (as well as DJs Maxwell Edison, Kevin Fitzgerald, and "human tornado" El Vez).
(Beacon Hill, $5)
61. Human Behaviour: Drag Does Björk
As the Icelandic singer/songwriter Björk put it, "There's definitely, definitely, definitely no logic to human behavior," especially when it comes to the artist's iconic, artful looks. While DJ Robosex Homosex spins your favorite Björk tracks, local drag artists Americano, Irene Dubois, Miss Texas 1988, Old Witch, and others will pay tribute to the cliff-dwelling genius.
(Downtown, $8)
62. Botnik Live!
Join the geeky geniuses of Botnik Studios (and their friends) for a night of readings, sketch comedy, songs, and interactive experiments.
(Capitol Hill, $7)
SATURDAY-SUNDAY
FESTIVALS63. Americana Festival
Spend Labor Day weekend taking in local Americana performances from Tobias the Owl, Kara Hesse, the Local Strangers, and Sarah Gerritsen & the Shadow Catchers.
(Downtown, free)
SATURDAY-MONDAY
FILM64. Marvel Studios 10th Anniversary Film Festival
This weekend's selections include The Incredible Hulk, Guardians of the Galaxy, and The Avengers.
(Seattle Center, $7)
65. Bremerton Blackberry Festival
Stroll along the boardwalk sampling doughnuts, scones, pie, and lots more treats and drinks made just in time for peak blackberry season.
(Bremerton, free)
66. 2018 Chittenden Locks Summer Concert Series
June through September, enjoy live music performances from symphonic bands, show choirs, jazz trios, and more in the gardens by the Ballard Locks. This weekend, hear ukulele music from Strum on Saturday, baroque and classical flute from Tutti Flutti on Sunday, and contemporary blues and rock from Michael Clune & the Sleep till Noon Band on Monday.
(Ballard, free)
SUNDAY
COMMUNITY67. September Macabre Market
Shop for jewelry, art, and clothing from Zombambiecrochet, Blessed Beads Jewelry, Custom Cranium, the poshness monster, Swamp Swag Creations, and more that speaks to your darker side.
(Capitol Hill, free)
68. Animated Shorts for Kids
Kids and families can watch four fantastical short films made in Mexico: “Lluvia en los ojos,” “¿QuĂ© es la guerra?,” “Un dĂa en familia,” and “El regreso del vampiro.”
(Capitol Hill, $5)
69. El Castillo de la Pureza
Mexican director Arturo Ripstein's 1982 acclaimed drama follows a man who forbids his family from leaving home to protect them from "the evil nature of human beings." He also invents rat poison.
(Capitol Hill, $5)
70. Cooking Demo with Author Cynthia Nims
Local author, chef, and teacher Cynthia Nims will demonstrate how to prepare her recipe for Green Goddess Crab Salad, using seasonal produce and other ingredients sourced from West Seattle Farmers Market. Signed copies of her book, Crab, will be available for purchase.
(West Seattle, free)
71. Seattle Indies Expo
In conjunction with PAX West, independent game developers cohort for a free and slightly smaller gathering to show off their creations to curious gamers—and to rage at a post-expo party. This year promises over 25 new games from Pacific Northwest makers, including Delightment, Puppet Pandemonium, Thousand Threads, Pop Karts Food fighters, Seed, and Spirit of Midnight.
(Downtown, free)
72. Bach and Pancakes
Every Sunday, local musician Erin Jorgensen will play unique renditions of Bach composition while the audience enjoys pancakes.
(Ballard, free)
73. Canopy Club Vol. 005
Celebrate your day off by donning a tropical outfit and getting down to jams from live DJs into the wee hours.
(Capitol Hill, $5)
74. Labor Day Latino Party
DJs Mauro and Precision will spin salsa, bachata, merengue, and more Latin genres for you to get down to in celebration of Labor Day.
(Belltown, free)
75. Micah Schnabel, The Staggers and Jaggs, Bobby's Oar, Freckle
Folk-punk singer-songwriter Micah Schnabel, previously of Two Cow Garage, will take the stage with support from other artists like the Staggers and Jaggs, Bobby's Oar, and Freckle.
(Eastlake, $8/$10)
76. Shubzilla, Kadesh Flow, 1-Up, MC-Ohm-I, Lex the Lexicon Artist
Seattle's Shubzilla is a solo artist when it comes to hiphop and an electro-pop artist when it comes to her collaboration with Lex Lingo and Bill Beats in the group 9k1. Hear her perform with support from Kadesh Flow, 1-Up, MC-Ohm-I, and Lex the Lexicon Artist at this Nerdcore Night happening in conjunction with PAX West.
(Eastlake, $7)
77. Staycation Silent Disco
Fantasy League DJs will bring danceable tracks to your individual ear holes at this silent disco.
(Capitol Hill, $5/$10)
78. Straight Outta Compton
Save your strength for this dance party featuring all Los Angeles hiphop, all night long, playing tracks by iconic artists like N.W.A, Kendrick Lamar, Snoop Dogg, Tupac, YG, Dr. Dre, Tyga, DJ Mustard, and many more.
(Capitol Hill, $5)
79. Tommy Alexander, Everson Pines, Taylor Kingman
Dance to folk-hued groovy beats from Tommy Alexander after sets from local rockers Everson Pines and Taylor Kingman.
(Fremont, $8/$10)
MONDAY
FOOD & DRINK80. Free Burgers For Labor Day
Snag a free burger from the Capitol Hill, Ballard, and White Center locations of Li'l Woody's.
(Across Seattle, free)
81. Buffy the Vampire Slayer Trivia Night
Sharpen the wooden stakes of your brain for this trivia night dedicated to your favorite teen vampire slayer.
(Belltown, $5)
82. b>Origami Ghosts, Marion Walker, Chickem
Seattle "hypno folk" trio Origami Ghosts will be joined by fuzzy rockers Marion Walker and psych-surf-partiers Chickem.
(Capitol Hill, $8)
83. Gills! Gills! Gills!
These three short plays by Celeste Mari Williams ask one question: What if sea creatures weren’t governed by their biological imperative? Watch octopi, seahorses, and anglerfish navigate dating, mating, and the survival of their species in the wild and wonderful world of the ocean.
(Fremont, $10)
