Our arts critics have already recommended 63 great things to do this week and our music critics have picked the 32 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 the interactive sculpture installation Desperately Seeking Shavasana to Paper Puppet Opera Presents: "Winterreise", and from a panel discussion on the Flawed Brilliance of Steve Jobs to a Grammy party dedicated to Brandi Carlile. For even more options this week, check out our complete Things To Do calendar.
Jump to: Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday | Sunday

Events may be subject to change due to snow. Do consider double-checking with event organizers before leaving the house

TUESDAY

GEEK

HP Trivia: Chapter 8 (Weasley Sweater Edition)
Wear with pride the sweater that the Mrs. Weasley in your life knit for you over the holidays and answer questions only a true Harry Potter fan would know.

PERFORMANCE

DIY Future! With L Nicol Cabe
With the guidance of solo artist and speculative fiction writer L. Nicol Cabe, performers will turn their anxieties about the future into art. See onstage representations of the post-digital world, "human evolution while living on the moon," romantic relationships between artificial intelligence entities, and more. 

Yuki D & Jinx Show
Sit in on what will likely be a very metal conversation between Blaine Cook (of metal/punk band the Accused AD) and horror graphic illustrator Nick Gucker. 

READINGS & TALKS

Spark Joy! KonMari 101: Tidy your Home, Change your Life!
You won't meet the celebrity organization expert Mari Kondo at this event, but you will get the chance to hear from "the Pacific Northwest’s first certified KonMari Tidying Consultant," Sue Bollinger of Tidy Up with Sue. She'll share tips on de-cluttering your life and "sparking joy" in the process. 

TUESDAY & THURSDAY

READINGS & TALKS

Jack Nisbet: The Dreamer and the Doctor
Spokane author Jack Nisbet will share the story of Dr. Carrie Leiberg (a public health advocate) and her Swedish immigrant husband, John Leiberg (a naturalist and early ecological activist). Check out this new publication from local outfit Sasquatch Books.

TUESDAY-FRIDAY

VISUAL ART

Taiji Miyasaka Open Studio
Visit Miyasaka as he constructs three spheres, the largest of which will measure 13 feet in diameter, using traditional Japanese plastering techniques. See the result, called Circum·ambience, late in February.

TUESDAY-SUNDAY

VISUAL ART

Leanna Leitzke and Lois Haskell
In this season of love, Leanna Leitzke expresses her admiration for lions "through the prism of romantic light" by comparing their relationships to human courtships. Also in light of Valentine's Day, Lois Haskell pays tribute to colorful blooms.  
Opening Tuesday

Two Centuries of Glass
If Tacoma is famous for anything (besides the peculiar aroma that sometimes emits from its paper mill), it's its community of glass artists helmed by Dale Chihuly and Preston Singletary. This exhibition will highlight the beauty of glass objects people have used in their everyday lives throughout history, from drinking vessels to test tubes.
Closing Sunday

WEDNESDAY

COMMUNITY

The Art of Black Urbanism
Join University of Pennsylvania Professor Dr. Matthew Miller and Seattle artist Jessica Rycheal for a discussion of black visibility and "shifting spaces in the community." A reception will follow.

FILM

Patagonia Presents: 'The Radicals' Film Screening
Join Patagonia Ambassador Marie-France Roy for a screening of the documentary The Radicals, which follows four snowboarders and surfers dedicated to social and environmental justice. 

Scriptnotes Live!
Hear from two Hollywood screenwriters, John August and Craig Mazin, as they perform a live version of their filmophilic podcast in this event sponsored by TheFilmSchool and Northwest Screenwriters Guild. 

FOOD & DRINK

Will you be My Oh My Valentine?
If you like coffee beer, try Redhook's new My Oh My Caramel Macchiato Milk Stout at happy hour price with your valentine. Chef Brian will cook up a special My Oh My-infused dessert to compliment your beer. 

MUSIC

Fremont Brewery Presents: Mister Master, Moments, Celia
Fremont Brewing will celebrate the release of their new year-round hazy pale ale, the Kraken, with a night of music featuring Brandt Parke, Moments, and Celia.

PERFORMANCE

Labor Will Feed the People: Celebrating the Seattle General Strike Centennial
Celebrate the centennial of the five-day Seattle General Strike of 1919, when 65,000 laborers in the city halted work to demand higher wages. This performance of a play by Ed Mast, accompanied by live music by the Seattle Labor Chorus, activities, and a pop-up exhibit, dramatizes many perspectives of those involved. This is a collaboration with the UW Labor Archives of Washington and historian James Gregory.

THURSDAY

COMEDY

The "Responsible" "Adults": Bye Bye Stags!
Local comedy troupe the "Responsible" "Adults" make "simple, stupid, and hilarious" sketches. Laugh with and at them at this good-bye show for one of their members (who is moving to Los Angeles). 

COMMUNITY

Kijiji Night 2019
Experience "the spirit of an African village" through a live musical performance honoring Ghanian recording artist Samini and Seattle's Gabriel Teodros; storytelling by Nana Kibibi; poetry; readings of excerpts from One Vibe's photo book; and an "unlimited supply" of African food.

On the Hunt for True Bogs: Understanding Washington Peatlands
What the heck is a bog, do they exist in Washington State, and how do they differ from other peatland types? These are the questions that will get attention in this presentation with Joe Rocchi, Senior Vegetation Ecologist for the Washington Department of Natural Resources. 

FILM

Witness to Revolution: The Story of Anna Louise Strong
Author and labor activist Anna Louise Strong reported on many major political events of the 20th century, including the 1916 Everett massacre and the 1919 Seattle General Strike, which reaches its centennial this week. See a screening about Strong's life and stay on for a discussion. 

FOOD & DRINK

179 x CDICC Ice Cream Thursdae VOL 25
Central District Ice Cream will team up with artist Angelina Villalobos (aka 179) to curate gatherings of Seattle artists. This time's featured artist is Mousy DeVilla, with vendors like Malcolm Procter, Rebels & Scholars, and Avenue South, and live music by Queerbigan, ZELLi, JusMoni, and Stas THEE Boss. 

MUSIC

International Clash Day: Julian Stocking, Guests
Celebrate the global holiday of International Clash Day with local musician Julian Stocking and additional guests playing punk covers.

Lisa Koch Big Ass Birthday Bash with Vickie Shaw, Roxanna Ward, Guests
Singer and comedian Lisa Koch will celebrate her birthday by hosting Texas comic Vickie Shaw, "twisted pianist" Roxanna Ward, multi-instrumentalist Barbara Higbie, and more of her friends for an evening of laughs and tunes. 

Rouge French Cabaret!
Get the most out of your French dining experience by enjoying tableside performances of songs by Edith Piad, Cole Porter, and other such favorites by Parisian-style cabaret troupe Rouge, led by vocalist Janet Elle Rayor.

sPiN!: Vinyl & Unicorns Edition
Head to this cosplay- and onesie-friendly dance party if you love vinyl and unicorns.

PERFORMANCE

Beyond the G: An Ace and Aro Burlesque Revue
This show gives a platform to performers across the LGBTQ+ spectrum, but especially those who identify "beyond the 'G'." This installment brings a lineup of asexual and aromantic burlesque and drag talent, including Pique-A-Boo, Whisper DeCorvo, Mx. Pucks A’Plenty (your host), Anya Knees, Psyche Splinterz, and Daddy Issues.

READINGS & TALKS

Andrew Knapp: Find Momo Across Europe
This photobook follows an adorable border collie/Insta star as he plays hide-and-seek across Europe.

Author Talk: Growing Berries and Fruit Trees in the Pacific Northwest by Tara Austen Weaver
Learn how to grow over 75 cultivars of various berries and fruit trees in your own backyard (and get recipes for using up your bounty) from local author Tara Austen Weaver, who will answer your gardening questions and sign copies of her book.

The Flawed Brilliance of Steve Jobs
Prime yourself for the upcoming opera The (R)evolution of Steve Jobs by sitting in on a panel discussion about the local tech pioneer moderated by GeekWire's Frank Catalano. The panelists (featuring librettist Mark Campbell, director Kevin Newbury, and baritone John Moore) will address questions like, "What were the formative events in Steve Jobs' life? How do you tell the story of a man who revolutionized human communication while struggling to find personal connection himself? What attracts the public to stories like Steve Jobs," and "Why have so many books, movies, plays-and now an opera-been written about him?"

VISUAL ART

Janelle Abbott: Desperately Seeking Shavasana
Janelle Abbott explores the necessity of rest and basic self-care in her interactive sculpture installation Desperately Seeking Shavasana. Sit on a rug, gaze at 15-pound stuffed animals, and question your relationship with American ideals of labor.

THURSDAY-SUNDAY

VISUAL ART

Uyen Tran Gjerde and Frank Renlie
Uyen Tran Gjerde shows paintings that explore female expressions of nature alongside Frank Renlie's quirky series Just For the Fun.
Opening Thursday

FRIDAY

COMEDY

Brian Regan
The popular, clean-talking observational comedian, who first appeared on The Late Show with David Letterman in 1995, will return with more funny thoughts on daily life.

Let's Make a Commercial!
This improv troupe casts you, the audience, as a marketing expert whose suggestions will inform their improvised "ad campaign."

A Sweet Reprieve: Late Nite Edition
This variety show will feature cannabis-loving magician Weedini, improv group Bitches, comedian Don Berard, storyteller Danny Bracy, and others. 

MUSIC

The 4th Annual "Dead Of Winter" with the Andy Coe Band
For reasons unknown, Seattle loves itself some Grateful Dead, and so Nectar will host its fourth annual Dead of Winter concert, originally formed to pay tribute to folk legend Jerry Garcia, featuring a live set by psychedelic jam enthusiasts the Andy Coe Band.

Catharsis
Cover yourself in glitter and dance to bouncy beats by PolarEcho, DJ RKay, DJ Irlando Vesna, and SK Matic.

The Emo Night Tour with the Seafloor Cinema
Drown your teenage dirtbag sorrows in the pop-punk lamentations of Taking Back Sunday, Fall Out Boy, Panic! At the Disco, My Chemical Romance, and more at this sad-sack live set from tribute band the Emo Night Tour. They'll be joined by Sacramento math-rock band the Seafloor Cinema.

PARTIES & NIGHTLIFE

Hop into the Digital Frontier: A Totally Legit Party
Celebrate the light installation-filled Digital Final Frontier Group Show by dancing to old-school cuts by DJ the Jam, buying prints from O- Art by Design, and bidding on art in a silent auction.

PERFORMANCE

Carson Kressley
RuPaul's Drag Race judge and original Queer Eye fashion expert Kressley will guest-star at the bar for an RPDR watch party and Mx. show.

Mother's Tongue: Un Show En No Inglés
No English at all at this queer performance night hosted by One and Butylene O'Kipple.

T H I C C C
Self-described "thicc" ladies will be celebrated in all their sexy glory. Karmen Korbel, Rylee Raw, Louvel, and BabyGuuurl will show off their "big and "buxom" bodies. 

READINGS & TALKS

John Kim: I Used To Be a Miserable F*ck
In the thick of his divorce, John Kim started the Angry Therapist blog to grapple with the fact that he was dealing with his own internal struggles while giving life advice to others for a living. His book explains how he "evolved from behaving like a boy to living like a man" and imparted his newfound wisdom unto his clients.

VISUAL ART

3 Queens
See artwork by Cady Bogart, Hoa Hong, and Angelina Villalobos. The three artists will also be collaborating on a mural inside the Dozier's Warehouse space. 

FRIDAY-SATURDAY

COMEDY

Dave Stone
Maybe you've seen Los Angeles-based comic Dave Stone on season 8 of NBC's Last Comic Standing, Viceland's Flophouse, Travel Channel's Cheat Day Chow Down, or his paranormal-themed podcast, The Boogie Monster. He'll tell jokes in Seattle.

PERFORMANCE

12 Angry Jurors
Twelve men and women representing a "quintessential American community" are asked to decide whether a 16-year-old boy is guilty of murdering his father in the classic play 12 Angry Jurors. This production is brought to you by Global Works as part of their "Lawyers On Stage" series, wherein they perform dramatic readings of classic shows about the law and the American courtroom.

Allegory Soul Stories: UNAPOLOGETICALLY BLACK
Hear true stories about mental health, law enforcement, education, relationships, identity, and more through the perspectives of black community members.

Cartoon Network: The Drag Show
Your Saturday-morning cartoons will be rescheduled for the evening at Old Witch and Londyn Bradshaw's WEIRD drag tribute to all your favorite Cartoon Network programs of the past and present. 

I and You
Penguin Productions will stage Lauren Gunderson's celebrated teen drama about a sick, homebound teen and the extroverted classmate who decides to become her friend. Shana Bestock will direct.

Paper Puppet Opera Presents: Winterreise
Experience Franz Schubert's 24-song "Winterreise," a dark piece about unrequited love, winter wandering, and existential angst, presented through creepy shadow puppet abstraction. David Hoffman (baritone) and Peter Nelson-King (pianist) perform. Ten percent of all ticket sales will benefit Protect Our Winters to combat the effects of climate change.

FRIDAY-SUNDAY

PERFORMANCE

Elton John and Tim Rice's Aida
Thrill to Elton John's Tony- and Grammy-winning pop reinterpretation of Verdi's monumental opera about a beautiful Nubian slave princess and the Egyptian soldier who falls in love with her.

SATURDAY

COMEDY

Back on the Wagon: A Comedy Benefit Show for Raices
Join a group of comedians who, like you, have given up on their New Year's resolution to eat more broccoli or whatever. Proceeds will benefit immigrant families through RAICES.

Boom Bap: Hip Hop and Improv Comedy
Hiphop and improv comedy will collide as local free-styling lyricists perform their "hiphop acrobatics" on the spot based on audience suggestions.

Mystery Seattle Theater: Valentine's Edition
Local comedians will live-mock a terrible rom-com.

Puppet Therapy
Laugh and cry as "sadcore sock puppets" whip out some funny new material about their feelings. 

Zach & Kayla
Talented improv power duo Kayla Teel and Zach Wymore (both Jet City show alums) will play around with words and loop pedals.

COMMUNITY

ION Fashion Event
Local fashion designers will show their pieces on the runway in support of Ruby Room, an organization that provides formal attire for proms and other milestone events for teens in financial need.

FILM

2019 Shoreline Short Short Film Festival
See short films between three and 10 minutes long by Washington State filmmakers. 

Cinema DNA: The Dark Knight
Film historian John Trafton will help you trace the filmic roots of Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight. These include German Expressionist silents like The Testament of Dr. Mabuse, American silents like The Man Who Laughs, and Michael Mann's Heat. Familiarity with The Dark Knight is recommended.

FOOD & DRINK

'90s Bar Crawl
Throw a scrunchy around your high pony and booze it up with fellow connoisseurs of '90s culture.

Matcha Man Pop-Up
"Matcha Man" Don Gacilo makes magical soft-serve in flavors like ube, cereal milk, Thai tea, black sesame, and (duh) matcha, with adorable taiyaki fish-shaped cones and stunning midnight-black activated charcoal cones. At this pop-up, he'll introduce a new flavor—buko pandan—and on the savory side, Sansei Sushi will serve up a variety of rice bowls, including miso-yaki chicken, teriyaki beef, salad bowls, and salmon bowls.

GEEK

Chibi Chibi Con 2019
Head to Olympia for this student-run anime convention filled with games, comics, domestic animation, cosplay, J-pop, and Japanese fashion.

NerdFaire Con
If you identify as a nerd or a geek, you're bound to find something to hold your interest at this family-friendly catch-all mini-con featuring local shops and creators, including cosplayers at a "Princesses and Heroes" meet and greet.

MUSIC

Band It Seattle Valentine's Love Show
Hear covers of Neil Young, Pat Benatar, and Joy Division jams by three different tribute bands. 

Beyond Bollywood Valentine's Dance Party
DJ Gabbar will spin a "special spicy masala mix" of Latin and Top 40 grooves before DJ Rkay takes over with Bollywood beats.

Bob Marley's Birthday Celebration
DJs Veteran, Y2K Sound, and Element will celebrate the birthday of the late reggae legend Bob Marley with a night of reggae, dancehall, Afrobeats, and Soca.

Bootie Seattle: Pre-Valentine’s Party!
Wear red to this special V-Day edition of the mashup dance party Bootie Seattle. 

Global Arts Collective
Global Arts Collective will give a family-friendly performance celebrating the history of hiphop through "fusion pieces, break dancing," and "educational interludes" between pieces.

Hippie Sabotage, Sebastian Paul
California’s Hippie Sabotage, much like our own local boys gone grand Odesza, perform the sort of sun-baked beachtronica that will make you feel like cracking open a Corona and playing hooky for a week. If you’re looking for a techno-pop fix on a Saturday night, it wouldn’t be wrong to steer you here, but why would you ever need a fix of techno pop? Just watch the ads before YouTube videos. KYLE FLECK

Laser Opera
Laser artists will set off beams of light set to a preview of Seattle Opera's 2019/20 season. 

Mickey Avalon & Dirt Nasty
Hollywood rappers Mickey Avalon and Dirt Nasty (members of Dyslexic Speedreaders) will come to Seattle for some satirical antics. 

Sound Off! 2019 Semifinals 1
Young Northwest-based music artists Crissy P, i///u, Nora Miller, and wilsonlikethevolleyball will perform live. The winning band will progress to the finals in March.

PERFORMANCE

The Choir of Man
Nine British guys—excuse us, "blokes"—rollick on a stage transformed into a functional pub and sing popular and pub songs, dance, and stomp to the beat.

Grab Bag 7: Absolutely Grabulous!
Savor some sexy, acrobatic, and unpredictable variety from Tout d'Lou, Crystal Storm, Faye Valentine, Mitzy Sixx, Nox Falls, Scarlett O'Hairdye, and host Sin de la Rosa. They promise such delights as "Sexy suit strips! Tightwire! High fashion strutting! Cool light-up stuff! Closed captions!"

A Very British Lesbian
Former nun and schoolteacher Fiona Goodwin will come to Seattle with her solo show, A Very British Lesbian, directed by Wendy Hammers. 

READINGS & TALKS

Jack Kamen's Lasting Legacy
This one-night exhibition resurrects work by prolific comics illustrator Jack Kamen (Tales From the Crypt, Weird Science). Peek inside his series' Zero Hour, Forty Whacks, Daddy Lost His Head, and Martian Monster. 

Peg Edera
Portland poet Peg Edera will visit Seattle with a new book of poems, Love Is Deeper Than Distance: Poems of love, death, a little sex, ALS, dementia and the widow’s life thereafter.

Vanessa McGrady: Rock Needs River
When a woman finds out her adopted daughter's biological parents have become homeless, she invites them to live with her. Hear Vanessa McGrady read from her novel Rock Needs River live. 

SPORTS & RECREATION

Seattle Twerk Fitness Festival
This day of fitness classes with the Boss Chick Dance Workout offers three options: "Twerk 101," inspired by the classic moves of Nicki Minaj, "Twerk Cardio," which they suggest is inspired by Cardi B, and "Twerkography," inspired by Rihanna's dancehall moments.

VALENTINE'S DAY

Be My Galentine Celebration
Make a Valentine's Day glassybaby drinker to bestow upon your best gal. Tickets include champagne and small bites.

Sweethearts in the Market
Take your valentine to Pike Place for "sweetheart bingo," cookie decorating, and photo ops with V-day-themed pop-up installations. You can also fill up on local tamales, shop for handmade cards, watch tie-dye demonstrations, and shop for gifts. 

Valentine's Day Animal Enrichment
Just because animals don't go on dates doesn't mean they don't deserve valentines. Watch penguins, lions, sloths, and other zoo residents receive heart-shaped ice pops, herbal bouquets, and heart-shaped steaks.

Valentine's Day Floral Class
Make a floral arrangement in the form of a bouquet or a flower crown for someone you love. Flowers will be provided by local farmers.

SATURDAY-SUNDAY

VISUAL ART

Radiant Beings
Alexander Halladay, Brian White, Iikka Keranen, Missy Douglas, and Kim Rask have all contributed depictions of colorful beings for the new space Radiant Neon's first group art exhibition. They promise snacks and "neon tube bending demos."
Opening Saturday

SUNDAY

COMEDY

Russell Peters: Deported World Tour
"Canada's number one stand-up export" Peters (Almost Famous on Netflix) will perform new material on his international tour.

COMMUNITY

INFLATACON 2019
This indoor inflatable wonderland will have bouncy houses, mechanical bulls, obstacle courses, slides, zip lines, and storybook characters. A portion of proceeds will benefit Mary's Place.

FILM

Moving History
Moving History is the Moving Image Preservation of the Puget Sound's quarterly ciné-collage of rare and archival footage of Seattle and environs, including "feature films, historic Seattle footage, oral histories, dance performances by PNW artists," and much more.

GRAMMY AWARDS

61st Annual Grammy Awards: Viewing Party Hosted by Tilson
Enjoy a red carpet entrance, popcorn, and cocktails at this viewing party for the 61st annual Grammy Awards.

Nomination Celebration & Cheering Party for Brandi Carlile
Tom Douglas is a friend of folk-rock singer-songwriter Brandi Carlile (he even named his restaurant the Carlile Room after her), so to cheer her on for her six Grammy nominations, he'll throw a watch party with plenty of food, drink, treats, and raffle tickets available for purchase to raise money for Brandi's Looking Out Foundation, which aims to use music to bring awareness to underrepresented causes and organizations.

PERFORMANCE

The Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions: Northwest Region Finals
Watch winning contestants from the Northwest compete for a chance to participate in the National Semi-Finals of this opera-singing competition. The winner will face off against the champions of 11 other regions on the Metropolitan Opera stage in New York in March 2019.

Pin-ups on Tour
This WWII-style burlesque and variety show is aimed at "making Veterans SMILE" by recreating the atmosphere of a Hollywood canteen filled with dancing and drinking and showgirl-ing.

The Show is Made of Lava
A volcanic eruption has destroyed the Ruling Kingdom of the Great Lavarock Kingdoms, and the surviving kingdoms challenge each other for the crown. That's the premise of this Game of Thrones-style drag show with "Grand Wizard" Butch Alice, where each "episode" will pit two of the kingdoms against each other. This first installment features the Blue Kingdom (aka the "MerWarriors from the Sea of Shells") and the Red Kingdom (aka the "Wonder Wizards from the Mountaintop Sanctuary"). 

True Love Taxidermy
The "Le Faux" drag brunch will be extra weird this time around. Somehow, it'll involve taxidermy? We can't even picture what's going to happen but we're mildly frightened.

READINGS & TALKS

Afrodisiac Erotic Poetry Show presents The Valentine's Juke Joint
Enjoy an evening of "sensual and erotic" poetry, dancing, singing, and visual art.

Jean Godden: Citizen Jean
Seattle writer and city councilmember Jean Godden shares her perspectives on the World's Fair, the citizen-led battle against freeways, the fight to keep Pike Place Market Seattle-owned, and other significant Seattle events. Hear some of her accounts as she reads from her book Citizen Jean. 

VALENTINE'S DAY

My Better Half Marathon
These 5K, 10K, and half-marathon runs promise "romance," "kitsch," and "sweat." Here are the categories: "Bromance," "Besties," "Lovers," and "Lonely Hearts."

Salon of SEAF: Naughty Valentine Crafting
Make a titillating Valentine collage for a lucky recipient out of porny comics, "out-of-date textbooks," and pulp novels with local artist Molly Maloney.

VISUAL ART

Xin Chào by Night: Fifth Edition Launch & Variety Show
Celebrate the fifth issue of Xin Chao Magazine—a local publication that highlights Vietnamese American voices in Seattle—with a variety show helmed by local artists like DJ BenTraxx, fashion designers Juju Dang and Vien To, filmmakers Bao and Long Tran, playwright Susan Lieu, and others.