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THURSDAY
COMEDY1. First Thursday Comedy
Tonight, Cameron Mazzuca will host this recurring show in which Val Nigro (of Hot Takes with Hot Dykez) will feature and Tyler Boeh (who boasts comedic beatboxing as part of his repertoire) will headline.
2. People Who Know People / Vultures?!
Comedy troupes Vultures?! and People Who Know People will bring you "a completely improvised film festival" complete with film premieres, Q&As with the cast and crew, and "short films" to accompany the main feature (which will be performed live by Austin Olson, Grace Phelan, Grant Scott, Gary Stensland, Kristine Antonsen, Hannah Monson, and Mary Stratton.
3. Movie Night: Movies So Bad Theyâre Good!
Indulge in your favorite horribly good B movies, like tonight's screening of the 1993 version of Super Mario Bros.
4. Ice Cream Thursdae Vol. 24: Bagong Taon 2019
Enjoy art and wares from a variety of vendors and artists, plus live musical performances from Che Sehyun, Nijuana Chardonay, and OMZ and tunes from DJ Phosho, and grab scoops in bold and inspired flavors from Central District Ice Cream.
5. Galactic Lights at WildLights
Before WildLights powers down, experience a Star Wars-inspired night at the zoo's winter light display. You can expect photo ops with costumed characters of the 501st Legion and the Rebel Legion, twinkly paths of good and evil, faux snowballs in the Snowmazium, and a nighttime lightsaber show.
6. The Space Lady, Drama Bahama, Jake Laundry
Vegans who love outer space can try some "digital-age" snacks free of animal products and dance to cosmic pop jams by the Space Lady, Drama Bahama (who will be celebrating a new album), and Jake Laundry.
7. Release Party: Pageboy Magazine Issue 10
PageBoy Magazine has staked a claim on a new poetic form called "the Seventeen," whose only rule is that it must be exactly 17 words, be it a poem, a performance art piece, a piece of visual art, or a piece of music. At this release party for Issue X, discover how over 40 artists interpreted the form by flipping through a copy, and see over 20 contributors share their work live.Â
8. Update on Sword Fern Die-off in Seward Park
In 2016, a good chunk of the sword fern population in Seward Park mysteriously died. Three years later, the botanical disaster remains unsolved. Tim Billo, a lecturer with the University of Washington Program on the Environment, will share his research on the subject.
9. Transformation in Women: 12 Months Dancing with Power
Five women potters produced 12 "intentional Transformational Raku firings" on every new moon during 2018. See the results here.Â
THURSDAY-SATURDAY
COMEDY10. Michael Quu and Friends
Spike TV's Quu will appear as part of the Full Throttle Comedy Tour.
11. James Martin: Riding the Moon Train
Circus denizens, anthropomorphic animals, and mythical beings populate James Martin's art. Martin was born in 1928 in Everett and has been creating these whimsical scenes for decades. This exhibition will include selections from his lengthy career.
Opening Thursday
THURSDAY-SUNDAY
FESTIVALS12. Winter Fishtival
One of the Seattle Aquarium's biggest annual events brings more than a week of activities highlighting different sea animals, from marine birds to plankton to gardens that thrive on the ocean floor. Don't miss a live educational performance from kids' entertainers Octonauts.
13. Alexis L. Silva
Mount Analogue is turning into a "collaborative, community-based, event-based, service-based" space for artists, the first of whom will be Seattle-based Alexis L. Silva, a photographer, curator, performer, and installation artist.Â
Opening Thursday
14. Chop Challenge: Recycled Textile Art
Artists transform damaged Eileen Fisher textiles into original textile works.
Closing Sunday
15. Richâs Fantastic, Cosmic 40th Birthday Party
Join in a birthday bash for artist Richard McBride Stevens and admire exuberant art by Adam One, Amy Liz, Angelita Martinez, Craig Cundiff, Eli Nickerson, Erich J. Moffitt, John Lytle Wilson, Maj Askew, Ten Hundred, andÂ
Reed Carpenter.
Closing Sunday
FRIDAY
FOOD & DRINK16. Lumber Yard Birthday Party
White Center's premier lumberjack-themed LGBTQ bar Lumber Yard invites you to "flannel up for some fun" in honor of their first birthday, with a performance from "raunchy rapper" and drag queen Mizz Honey Bucket, DJ tunes, birthday cake, and prizes.
17. Southgate Roller Rink Honky Tonkin' Country Extravaganza
If you thought the roller rink was a place for disco and only disco, get your mind blown at this honky-tonk, country, and blues skate night with live sets by Santa Poco, Darci Carlson, Gus Clark, and Tripp Rezac.Â
FRIDAY-SATURDAY
COMEDY18. The Cotton Gin: An Improvised Puppet Show for Grown-Ups
Rowdy, bawdy puppets, worn out from entertaining children, hang out at the Cotton Gin bar and entertain you with songs and jokes in this adults-only improv show.
19. Tommy Savitt with Kate Carlson Carlsen MC
Catch a set from comic Tommy Savitt (aka the sketchy New Age guru "Tommy Lama"), the winner of the 2007 Boston Comedy Festival and the 2008 Seattle International Comedy Competition. He'll appear with Kate Carlson Carlsen MC.
20. Laser Madonna
Madonna's greatest hits will get the laser beams they deserve for one final weekend.Â
FRIDAY-SUNDAY
COMEDY21. Lars Callieou
This Canadian comic has toured with Joan Rivers and was a finalist in the Seattle International Comedy Competition. He'll stay busy with seven live sets this weekend.
22. Aki Con 11
The annual anime convention Aki Con will bring music (with performances by "geek rap" artists and live DJs every night), panels, contests, and guests to Seattle for the 11th year. Don't miss a masquerade ball on Saturdayâcosplay required.Â
23. Resolve to Buy More Art Print Sale
Stop by Push/Pull for a special selection of $5â$10 prints, plus 25% off all other prints, by 100 artists.
24. Video Isle Closing Inventory Sale
Before Fremont's beloved video rental store officially rests in peace, they'll hold a sale to liquidate their entire inventory. Stop by purchase previously viewed copies of your favorite movies and to share some sweet memories.
SATURDAY
COMEDY25. Cevin Kostner / Zakat / Brainy Bitches
Zakat will riff on audience members' restaurant experiences; Cevin Kostner's Cailey Nickerson and Kristine Ota will perform; and Brainy Bitches will create scenes based on audience members' stories of either calling someone or being called a bitch.
26. Morning Treats & Tweets
For your seven bucks, you'll be provided with coffee, doughnuts, and binoculars. Set off with knowledgeable naturalist Ed Dominguez to encounter the lovely local birds of Seward Park. Don't forget: Technically, birdwatching is a dinosaur safari!Â
27. Mochi Tsuki 2019: 30th Anniversary Celebration
Every year, Bainbridge Island celebrates its Japanese American community with Mochi Tsuki, a celebration that features Seattle Kokon Taiko performances, traditional mochi making, and other cultural events. This 30th-anniversary installment should have some extra fun festivities in store.
28. Seattle Arabian Nights Festival 2019
Seattle Arabian Nights Festival shows short films from around the globeâfrom Uzbekistan to Iran to Lebanonâthat shed light on the art and diversity of the Arab world. The program includes Shokir Kholikov's "Tea," Arastoo Mafakheri's "White House," Rami Al Rabih's "The Dance," and many others.
29. Signature Drink Presentation with the 2018 US Barista Champion, Cole McBride
Want to drink coffee prepared by the best barista in the country? At this event, Cole McBride, who triumphed at the US Barista Championship in 2018, will present, demonstrate, and serve his winning coffee cocktail, which features an espresso shot pulled for twice the normal length, double-filtered, chilled into "a clean tonic devoid of crema and sediment," and put into a CO2 charger with citric acid and yuzu zest imported directly from the farmer.
30. Black Music for Black Lives Festival
Show your support for #BlackLivesMatter by joining a strong lineup of local black musicians, including rappers Money Making Prince and King Flyz, Tacoma's K.P. Tha Killa Percussionist, Zooited Gang, the Artist Keli, Kibbonafide, and many others.
31. Bloom ft. Carly Barton
Carly Barton of Periphery Records will join resident DJ Gag Reflex for this installment of the techno-oriented "cerebral sonic experience" Bloom.Â
32. Bounce Brunch Onesieland with La Kendall, Jesse Leer, Buckmaster
No need to change out of the onesie you sleep in for this brunch eventâyou're encouraged to stay as cozy as possible for a morning of eggs and bacon, massages, and house music spun live by DJs LA Kendall, Jesse Leer, and Buckmaster, and Trinitron. You can even bring your dog.
33. Hell's Belles
Join AC/DC tribute band Hellâs Bellesâendorsed by lead guitarist Angus Young himselfâfor a night of your favorite face-melters.
34. Soft Option & Camp Conception Present: DAWN - Blacklight Sunrise
Wear something that glows for a blacklight dance party with DJs Matt Stands, spaceotter, Karl Kamakahi, Ruxpin, MzArTiz, and Raven Dullea. If you don't have anything neon, that's okay; UV face and body paint will be provided.Â
35. Oleaje Flamenco Presents Feria de Inverno!
Spend a passionate evening with Seattle flamenco dance and music troupe Oleaje, starring Ana Montes and Talia Ortega Vestal in a tribute to the changing seasons.
36. Orange Flower Water
Come Up Productions will stage Craig Wright's play about two lovers who leave their spouses to be with one another, but find that reality is less romantic than their dreams. Aaron Ussery directs.
37. Puckducktion Presents: The Burly PackâA Tribute to the Brat Pack
See burlesque, boylesque, and drag tribute performances inspired by '80s teen classics like The Breakfast Club, Some Kind of Wonderful, and Ferris Bueller's Day Off.Â
38. Stars are Born
The drag company Bacon Strip, helmed by Sylvia O'Stayformore and Mizz Honey Bucket, sets a gaggle of mischievous queens to shocking shenanigans every month. This time, drag incarnations of Judy Garland, Barbara Streisand, and Lady Gaga will go head-to-head.Â
39. Street Fight Radio
The Columbus, Ohio-based larger-than-life political comedy podcast hosted by Brett Payne and Bryan Quinby will stop in Seattle for a live taping.
40. Who I Am!
Dorothy's Piano Bar will present a cabaret of trans and enby talent, starring Skylar Bastedo, Alexei Cifrese, Miss Violet DeVille, Dani Hobbs, Sam I'Am, Jasmine Joshua, Vincent Milay, Mandy Rose, and Apollo Vidra.Â
41. Worst Day of the Year Run
Make the gloomy winter month of January a little more cheerful by putting on a costume of your choice and running in Bothell's annual 5 or 10K Worst Day of the Year Run.
SATURDAY-SUNDAY
COMMUNITY42. Tacoma Wedding Expo
Planning for a spectacle of matrimony? Find vendors for everything you needâfrom florists to photographers to DJsâat this expo.Â
43. Puss in Boots, a British Panto
Get a taste of the boisterous tradition of family-friendly British panto, a theater production that encourages audience participation (read: applauding Puss, booing the ogre, and singing along) and features broad humor and outsize characters. The Fremont Philharmonic Orchestra will back the original songs.
44. The Schmee Rummage Sale
As Theater Schmeater prepares to pack up and relocate from Belltown (sad), buy props, costumes, and set components.
SUNDAY
MUSIC45. 8th Anniversary of Om Fusion: Black Light Ball
Wear something that will shine under a black light (beware: you will probably get body paint flung onto you at some point) and get ready to dance the night away to live DJs in celebration of Om Fusion's birthday. Show up early to take a free beginner lesson from Leah Vendl, or just shimmy in when it's time for the social dance.Â
46. #BecauseWeveRead: Prisons, Policing, and Abolition Meeting
For this installment of the #BecauseWeveRead book club, discuss the racist history of policing in America and beyond as explored in the book Policing the Planet, a collection of essays and interviews on global policing.
47. Author's Guild Meeting
Literary agents Clelia Gore and Elizabeth Wales will share their insights into trends and opportunities in publishing at this Author's Guild meeting. Whether you want to get your work out there or you're interested in working in publishing, you'll surely take away some wisdom.
48. Bella LaVey: Fetish Girl
In Fetish Girl, Bella LaVey shares how her experiences as a dominatrix and erotic wrestler helped her on her journey to sexual liberation. Hear her read live.
49. January Macabre Market
Shop for cool and weird stuff from Oasis Ornamentals, Ryan Jack Allred Art, Icon Alchemy, Iron & Thornes, Kinky Bricks, Co-op of Creation, Full Moon Flea Market, and other vendors.
50. 3rd Annual .5k Fun Run!
Run an easy-peasy half-mile course from Occidental Square to Flatstick Pub, where food, games, beer, and live DJs will await your arrival.Â