Panicking because you don’t know what to do this weekend and you're short on cash? Don't worry—below, find all of your options for last-minute entertainment that won't cost more than $10, ranging from the closing of Anthony White: Smoke and Mirrors to LOVEFEST with Stranger alum David Schmader and Seattle civic poet Anastacia-ReneĂ©, and from Filson's Wildcoast Festival to BabexHouse Presents: Black Queer History in the Making. For even more options, check out our complete Things To Do calendar and our list of cheap & easy things to do in Seattle all year long.


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FRIDAY

MUSIC

1. Caveman Ego and Dust Mice
If you love to jam out to Phish, get down to the funky grooves of Vulfpeck, bounce around to Weezer, and space out to Tame Impala, the genre-bending group Caveman Ego think you'll like their sounds. They'll be joined by spacey garage rockers Dust Mice.
(West Seattle, $7)

2. Cosmic Shuffle, Strange Hotels, Bitches of the Sun
Portland's Strange Hotels and Bitches of the Sun will play their cosmic grooves in Seattle.
(Eastlake, $10)

3. Crystal & Quiet, Datenite, Carlene Crawford & The City Lights
Moody alt-poppers Crystal & Quiet will celebrate the release of a new album with support from local synth-pop band Datenite and local trio Carlene Crawford and the City Lights. 
(Ballard, $12)

4. Etchings, The CrĂŒd GĂŒns, Fox Medicine, Coma Figura
Tacoma garage alt-rockers Etchings will share a bill with the CrĂŒd GĂŒns ("death metal with a punk twist"), Fox Medicine ("noise-rock art metal"), and noisy bedroom-pop band Coma Figura.
(Shoreline, $8)

5. Johnny 7 & The Black Crabs
Join hillbilly swing band Johnny 7 & the Black Crabs for some unique honky-tonk and rockabilly. 
(Downtown, free)

6. Lavender Country Valentine's Concert
Stranger contributor Matt Baume has written, "The world wasn’t ready for Lavender Country back in 1973 when their very queer country album first came out. At the time, musician Patrick Haggerty played some gigs up and down the coast, sold 1,000 copies of the album, and then went about his life. But in 2014, his groundbreaking music was rediscovered and rereleased, and now you can hear songs like 'Cryin These Cocksucking Tears' live and in person. Haggerty is a phenomenal entertainer and storyteller, and his decades of adventures as an activist have further enriched his performances with meaning." Spend Valentine's Day with these legends. 
(Greenwood, $10 donation)

7. Racoma, MAITA, Mondegreens
Get your fix of alt-country and sunny rock with Racoma, plus sets by Portland indie-folk singer-songwriter MAITA and local indie folksters Mondegreens.
(Ballard, $8)

8. Side-by-Side with Ballard Civic Orchestra
Side-by-Side concerts pair the Seattle Symphony with another musical group for a session of classical jams and witnessing masterworks together. This session will feature the Ballard Civic Orchestra and students from the Seattle World Youth Orchestra for an all-Latin American program.
(Burien, free)

9. Sweet Jesus, The Black Planes, Floored Faces
Hear folk-punk songs about "death, social media, panic, and lost love" from Seattle's Sweet Jesus, after opening sets from the psych-rockers Black Planes and goth punks Star Meets Sea. 
(West Seattle, $8)

10. VLLY, Reptile Brain, Supermissive, Mhostly Ghostly
Hear some punky bedroom shoegaze from VLLY, death metal from Reptile Brain, psychedelic shredding from Supermissive, and lo-fi rock from Mhostly Ghostly.
(University District, $8)

11. Wall of Ears, Zen Mother, Einar
Amherst-via-Seattle quartet Wall of Ears leader CW Lott claims an impressive range of influences (krautrock, free jazz, ambient, psych-pop, “tribal African sounds,” minimalism, and more). Yet Wall of Ears’ music, as evidenced on their latest album, Hello Beautiful Nothing, sounds as if it came out of a laboratory where they make 21st-century indie-rock songs to encourage Urban Outfitters customers to linger longer. It’s fine for what it is, but it fails to live up to the self-description. As for Zen Mother, this show may be your last chance to catch one of Seattle’s most interesting rock groups before their two main members—Monika Khot and Wolcott Smith—move to NYC in the spring. Zen Mother’s I Was Made to Be Like Her album plumbs chthonic zones with foreboding atmospheres and a panoply of outrĂ© guitar and keyboard textures. Get a copy while you can. DAVE SEGAL
(Capitol Hill, $10)

12. The Whopperjohns
Multi-instrumentalist Jacques Willis will oscillate between the vibraphone, keyboards, and drums while Ryan Burns pounds on the organ. They'll play everything from jazz standards to video game music to songs from "1980s beer commercials" to Swedish folk songs.
(Downtown, free)

PERFORMANCE

13. B-Sides: Staged Readings of 5 Short LGBTQ Plays
Fantastic.Z's seventh annual New Works Festival will present staged readings of five short works by queer playwrights, including Joe Breen's "Or Forever Hold Your Peace," J. Stephen Brantley's "Shiny Pair of Complications," Suzanne Bailie's "Mysterious Wonderland," Greg Lam's "Interventions," and John Bavoso's "Plus One."
(Capitol Hill, $10)

READINGS & TALKS

14. Dave Ellingson: Paddle Pilgrim
Dave Ellingson chronicles his month-long paddle adventure on Norway's Sogne and Hardanger fjords, near where his family lived before they emigrated to America in the 1850s. Hear the author share highlights from his travels.
(Lake Forest Park, free)

15. Richard Wiley: Tacoma Stories
Tacoma-born author Richard Wiley, who won a PEN/Faulkner Award for his 1986 novel Soldiers in Hiding, will return to Seattle to read from Tacoma Stories, his new short fiction book about his hometown.
(Capitol Hill, free)

FRIDAY-SATURDAY

MUSIC

16. Seattle New Music Showcase
Discover new local artists at this two-day music showcase. Friday brings sets from acts like rock quartet Haymaker and "early pop" garage rockers the Regrets, with acts like doom metal band Jake's Meadow and rock trio Oil Can on Saturday.
(Pioneer Square, $8)

VISUAL ART

17. Anthony White: Smoke and Mirrors
White is 24 years old and his work is maximalist to the highest degree. It has been causing waves in the Seattle art scene, and for good reason—it's really fucking cool, and it seemingly came out of nowhere. He makes his giant, vibrant paintings on handmade wooden panels, although calling them paintings is almost a disservice to them. They occupy a unique middle ground between painting and sculpture. His work is very much of this century: blisteringly bright and loud, distinctly American, inspired by (and commenting on) technology. JASMYNE KEIMIG
(Pioneer Square, free)
Closing Saturday

18. Didier Hamey: Les Bonshommes
There’s something about Didier Hamey’s figures—or perhaps it’s better to call them entities—that’s a bit mystic but also very beautiful. These beings seem to inhabit several different planes all at once, taking forms that blend leaves, animals, and human heads to create something almost outside recognition. Inspired by the tradition of carnival across the world, in Les Bonshommes, the French artist works in his favored medium of drypoint etching to create a new cast of carnival characters. The results are a little haunting and also dreamlike, a true testament to Hamey’s expansive imagination. JASMYNE KEIMIG
(Downtown, free)
Closing Saturday

19. Joe Rudko: Same as it ever was
Seattle-based artist Joe Rudko cuts up found photographs to create and reinterpret the way we encounter and think about images—sometimes to trippy result. Whether rearranging the shredded photos into a complex labyrinth or seemingly weaving together two different pictures into a lattice, Rudko makes you think about the physicality of the photo itself. His exhibition at Greg Kucera Gallery is sure to subvert the traditional way we view photography. JASMYNE KEIMIG
(Pioneer Square, free)
Closing Saturday

FRIDAY-SUNDAY

VISUAL ART

20. Animal Crackers
Kerri Eden, Saundra Fleming, and Margaret Heffelfinger depict animals in their various styles.
(Columbia City, free)
Closing Sunday

21. Cut Out
See intricate cut-out paper art by Lauren Ilad, Alisa Lahti, June Sekiguchi, and Akiko Sogabe.
(Columbia City, free)
Closing Sunday

SATURDAY

COMEDY

22. Comedy at the Paragon
Tony Daniel will headline, Mike Coletta will feature, and Val Nigro (co-host of the podcast Hot Takes with Hot Dykes) will host this comedy show. 
(Queen Anne, $10)

COMMUNITY

23. ‘Letting it Go, Letting it Grow’ workshop
If you were inspired to rid your closet of things that don't spark joy after watching Marie Kondo's Netflix show Tidying Up, this workshop will help you continue your spring cleaning and outline your priorities. 
(Queen Anne, $10 suggested donation)

FESTIVALS

24. Metaphysical-Wellness Fair
Get some insight into your future from 25 metaphysical readers, healers, and vendors. There will be free snacks.
(Redmond, free)

FOOD & DRINK

25. Hop Mob
Taste the best of Washington's Triple IPAs (like Reuben's Brews' Crush Series Hazy, Aslan's Megathrust, and Georgetown's Rudi Lay Tuck Tuck) in four- or 10-ounce pours.
(Lake City, free)

26. Magnuson Winter Night Market
Careful observation tells us that If there’s one thing Seattleites love more than weed and coffee, it’s pop-up markets (have you seen this place around the holidays?). The popular Magnuson Winter Night Market brings over 100 local “makers, finders, and foodies” selling their goods in one spot. Whether you’re hunting for a late Valentine’s Day gift or you’re in the mood to find some cool stuff for yourself, you’re bound to come across something that catches your eye (or your nose). You can also bundle up for outdoor lawn games and keep warm by dancing to live DJs and drinking beer in a heated garden. Go get your thrills.
(Sand Point, $3)

27. Optimism's Cheers to Three Years
Optimism Brewing will celebrate their third birthday with the release of their brand new Triple Hazy IPA, free glass giveaways, raffles, free merch, brewery tours, and over 18 beers on tap, plus food truck fare from CheBogz Filipino Food Truck, Alaskan Dumplings, and Off the Rez. Proceeds from charity raffles and a portion of all proceeds from the party will go to Capitol Hill Housing.
(Capitol Hill, free)

GEEK & GAMING

28. Board Games and Booze
Have some tipples and settle in for a game of Dungeons & Dragons, Settlers of Catan, or your other favorite tabletop game.
(Capitol Hill, free)

MUSIC

29. Chris Stevens Band
Northwest blues singer Chris Stevens will be joined by his band for an evening of "ultra cool spy themes, reverb-drenched surf guitar classics," and jazzy originals.
(Downtown, free)

30. Endorphins Lost, Black Queen, Great Falls
Local sludge-punks Endorphins describe themselves as "loud," "fast," and "pissed off." They'll get rowdy after sets from Seattle "witch metal" band Black Queen, Great Falls, and City of Industry. 
(Capitol Hill, $10)

31. Goldview, All Is Fair, Aloha Mars, Big Sky Mind
Bay Area jam rockers Goldview will pass through Seattle on their West Winds Tour, with support from San Francisco punks All Is Fair, local pop-punks Aloha Mars, and Tacoma's Big Sky Mind.
(Eastlake, $8/$10)

32. GPS Trio
Catch swing trio GPS as they dish out their Coltrane-inspired jams.
(Ballard, $10)

33. JAZZ4KIDS: I Got a Right to Sing the Blues
Join the Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra for a free matinee performance of the jazz and blues standard "I Got a Right to Sing the Blues," originally featured in the 1932 Broadway show Earl Carroll's Vanities. 
(Downtown, free)

34. Pukesnake, Toast, Alfredo Ghosts, Robots of The Ancient World
Seattle stoner rockers Pukesnake will headline this show with support from southern math-rockers Toast, glam punks Alfredo Ghosts, and stoner metal band Robots of the Ancient World. 
(Shoreline, $10)

35. Raver Harder! with Strider
The organizers of this dance party invite you to "drink harder, rave harder" with DJs Strider, Pool Water, Graz, Cosmo, Slow Shudder, Bloodcode, and Boaconstructor. 
(Belltown, $9)

36. Seattle Punx
Get your fill of crusty, fastcore, grungy Northwest punk at this all-ages show with Generation Decline, Good Touch, Tigerhawk, College Radio, Phantom Racer, Everything Sux, Worth Nothing, and Question No Answer.
(Seattle Center, $5-$10)

37. Tractor Tavern Presents: Thumpasaurus, Guests
Los Angeles-based five-piece Thumpasaurus jump across the genre board, from heavy metal to free jazz to musical theatre "and even some light opera." 
(Ballard, $10)

38. The Wednesdays, Rat Queen, Three Fingers, Sluglicker
Self-proclaimed alien babes the Wednesdays will bring their Bellingham punk melee to Seattle for some riot grrrl nostalgia. They'll be joined by "poser punk" trio Rat Queen, Three Fingers, and Sluglicker.
(University District, $7)

READINGS & TALKS

39. LOVEFEST
Stranger alum, playwright, and author David Schmader will perform alongside Seattle civic poet Anastacia-Reneé at One Million Tampons' annual Valentine's Day-adjacent event. Bring an unopened box of tampons or pads to donate to those in need.
(South Park, $7)

40. Mary Cronk Farrell: Standing Up Against Hate
Hear stories of African American women who played a crucial role in the armed forces by enlisting in the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps in World War II.
(Rainier Valley, free)

41. Paul Souders: Arctic Solitaire
National Geographic photographer and Seattleite Paul Souders writes about his quest to photograph polar bears in the arctic in Arctic Solitaire, which features over 35 close-up photos of Hudson Bay polar bears.
(Lake Forest Park, free)

SHOPPING

42. Sidewalk Sale
Shop "dope art, books, oddities, wigs, gawd knows what else," plus art supplies from the past 14 years at Studio Current's sidewalk sale.
(Capitol Hill, free)

43. A Very Vintage Market
At this recurring market's first show of 2019, find all sorts of vintage clothes, linens, furniture, housewares, and much more. You can also get some insight into your future by a tarot card and numerology reader.
(Shoreline, $3)

SPORTS & RECREATION

44. Wild Coast Festival
If you like the idea of catching your own fish, shucking your own oysters, and preparing chowder with clams you dug yourself, this is your chance to see all sorts of Puget Sound-focused demos. You can also sample clam chowder and shop from local outdoorsy pop-ups.
(Sodo, free)

VISUAL ART

45. Tom Gormally: Sculptures
Gormally's slightly sinister wooden sculptures are meant as a reflection of the news over the past two years, with allegories such as "fox in the henhouse."
(Georgetown, free)
Opening Saturday

SATURDAY-SUNDAY

MUSIC

46. 28th Annual Pacific Northwest Sacred Harp Singing Convention, Washington Session
Get your ya-ya's out by singing at the top of your lungs "usually about death and/or Jesus" with a choir of roughly 150 people at this non-denominational sing-along. It culminates in a potluck lunch.
(Ballard, free)

SUNDAY

COMMUNITY

47. 52nd Annual Lunar New Year Gala
Eat traditional Lunar New Year treats, win prizes, see live performances, and more with the Chinese Student Association at the University of Washington's annual Lunar New Year celebration.
(University District, free-$5)

MUSIC

48. ApHelion, Gallows Hymn, Overwrought, Speaks in Tongues
Billing themselves as a "technical/melodic death metal band," Snohomish's ApHelion will come to Seattle for some shredding and moshing with genre mutuals Gallows Hymn, Overwrought, and Speaks in Tongues. 
(Columbia City, $8)

49. BabexHouse Presents: Black Queer History In The Making
Dance in honor of Marsha P. Johnson and other black queer activists of the past with DJs Halfdead, JennGreen, Reverend Dollars, NO.Bi.Es, Ancient Mariner, and others. You can also buy artwork from Iamshakera, knowing that proceeds will benefit the Trans Women of Color Solidarity Network. 
(Downtown, $7)

50. Dreadful Children, Playboy Manbaby, Boss Daughter, Street Jail
Join local punks Dreadful Children, Phoenix's Playboy Manbaby, Reno punks Boss Daughter, and Street Jail for an evening of loud noises. 
(University District, $7)

51. An Evening With Monster Road
Tap your boots to a live set from bluesy country band Monster Road.
(Pioneer Square, $7)

52. Jazz in the City: Michael Powers
Seattle contemporary jazz legend and widely admired guitarist Michael Powers will play a free live set as a part of the Frye's Jazz in the City music series.
(First Hill, free)

53. Lesser Disciples, Nurse Ratchett, Klines57
The Lesser Disciples will give you your blues and hard rock in one set. Rock trio Nurse Ratchett and Klines57 will open. 
(Fremont, $8/$10)

54. Singer/Songwriter Showcase with Devin Sinha, Tekla Waterfield, Arthur James, Guests
Discover new Seattle songwriting talent from Devin Sinha, Tekla Waterfield, Arthur James, Anna St. Lee, Kara Hesse, Katie Kuffel, Sarah Gerritson, Thedrifterluke, and Tobias the Owl. 
(Ballard, $10)

55. Somesurprises, Nicholas Merz, TERMINATor
Local experimental electro-folk/indie-rock bands Somesurprises and Supercandy will celebrate the release of their new collaborative cassette, Somecandy (natch) with extra support from Nicholas Merz of Darto and TERMINATor.
(Ballard, $10)

PERFORMANCE

56. Gothic Barbie Drag Haus: Stay Pretty
Gothic Barbie Drag will pay tribute to the "old-fashioned horror movies of yesteryear, with a pinch of pastel." Gather your coven for some glamorous pagan rituals.
(Downtown, $7/$10)

READINGS & TALKS

57. Awaiting Oblivion Book Launch
Anisa Jackson and Tim Smith-Stewart will curate a book and zine fair to celebrate the launch of Tim Smith-Stewart and Jeffery Azevedo's new book, Awaiting Oblivion, which the authors describe as "comprised of the text and street art imagery from their performance of the same title which premiered at On the Boards in 2017." Look forward to readings and performances by Alyza-Delpan-Monley, Anisa Jackson, Kristen Kosmas, and Tim Smith-Stewart and a video installation by Mel Carter, with texts for sale by manuel arturo abreu, Alexandre Noble, Cristien Storm, miXed, and more.
(Belltown, free)

58. Jean Godden: Citizen Jean
In her book 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. She'll be joined in conversation by Cathy Allen.
(Lake Forest Park, free)

59. Rusty Morrison and Martha Ronk
Poet Rusty Morrison has been published in the Colorado Review, Fence, Iowa Review, and elsewhere. Hear her read recent work alongside fellow poet Martha Ronk, who founded the cooperative lit press Littoral Books. 
(Wallingford, free)