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 Christopher Frizzelle's new reading series Give Up the Ghost to the Cultural Crossroads Festival, and from Patrick Moriarty: Deep Artwork and other Georgetown Art Attack events to Meet the Makers Seattle. 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. Plus, check out our list of Flash Deals on upcoming events.
Found something you like and don't want to forget about it later? Click "Save Event" on any of the linked events below to add it to your own private list.
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FRIDAY
COMMUNITY1. Meaningful Movies: The True Cost
Learn about the true cost of fast fashion at this screening of Andrew Morgan's documentary, featuring interviews with Stella McCartney, Vandana Shiva, and Livia Firth.
(Wedgwood, free)
2. WLA Frolic
Because who doesn't love frolicking with lawyers? We kid—Washington Lawyers for the Arts are great people who help creative types with legal matters. Learn more about their mission and have some drinks and snacks.
(Capitol Hill, free)
3. Best Band From Earth, Tigers in the Tank, Guests
Best Band From Earth will play their "post-pop" jams with support from multi-lingual indie-pop band Tigers in the Tank.
(University District, $8)
4. Birch Pereira
Early swing, Americana, and rock-inspired musician Birch Pereira will play a show in the hopes of transporting you to an era of honky-tonks and roadhouses.
(Downtown, free)
5. Body Academics, Paisley Devil, Guests
Local "bong pop divas" will offer their acid-soaked tunes to Eastlake with support from electro-pop goths Paisley Devil.
(Eastlake, $5/$8)
6. Bootie Seattle: Battle of the Decades
For indecisive party people, Seattle's only all-mashup dance party will dish out a smattering of hits from throughout the decades.
(Downtown, $10)
7. Correo Aereo
Latin music duo Correo Aereo will perform traditional songs from Venezuela, Argentina, and Mexico, plus some of their own originals.
(Downtown, free)
8. Final Frontier Friday with DJ RightTernes
Enjoy "undiscovered musical terrains" of the danceable variety (like synth, nu wave, and sparkle pop) from DJ RightTernes.
(Belltown, free)
9. The Gentry, Watch Clark, Orqid.
Portland's the Gentry promise "sweaty, sex-fueled electronic rock and onstage theatrics" as they play their psychedelic rock-pop.
(Tukwila, $8)
10. Hot Club Sandwich CD Release Show
Olympia-formed "hot-jazz string band" Hot Club Sandwich will play some new songs.
(Columbia City, $10)
11. Jim O'Halloran Trio with Farko Dosumov and Larry Mahlis
For an evening of Afrocuban and funk-inflected jazz from some true professionals, join the local Jim O'Halloran Trio for a night of music with Farko Dosumov and Larry Mahlis.
(Columbia City, free)
12. Micah Jerome Ellison, Megan Larson, Emmett Jenn
Micah Jerome Ellison will headline this show with "sincere yet comedic" songs about today's technology, complete with "relatable vignettes and bombastic piano interludes." He'll be joined by acoustic songstress Megan Larson and Emmett Jenn.
(Belltown, $10)
13. Oceanwires, Jupe Jupe, Secretary
Oceanwires are a newish Seattle four-piece fronted by guitarists/vocalists Dave Einmo (Head Like a Kite, SushiRobo) and Aaron Starkey (Gibraltar), and include Samantha Wilder (Princess) and drummer Jeff Baars (Mike Johnson). Their album, that came out in February, was produced by Matt Bayles and Stranger Genius Steve Fisk and was titled There Never Was a Was. It’s full of tight, concise songs that ripple with new-wave-era structural tension and familiar rock pleasures. Einmo and Starkey cite Television and Savages as sonic inspirations, and that seems accurate—although I hear some U2-like bravado and Love Battery–esque garage-ramalama in places. DAVE SEGAL
(Ballard, $10)
14. Pop Secret: Famous & Jerry Wang
Let loose for the weekend with DJs Famous and Jerry Wang as they spin all your favorite pop songs.
(Capitol Hill, $10)
15. Rainwater, Watership, Chanel Beads
Hear songs from the debut release of Rainwater, a project helmed by Seattle-based songwriter Blake Luley. Alt-rock quartet Watership and dream-pop band Chanel Beads will share the bill.
(Pioneer Square, $8)
16. Retro Remix: '80s, '90s, and '00s Dance Party
Dance through the '80s, '90s, and '2000s with DJ LeeJ and DJ HandZ.
(Capitol Hill, $5)
17. Rob Scheps with Phil Sparks Trio
Portland saxophonist Rob Scheps will join local favorites Phil Sparks Trio for a night of jazz.
(Green Lake, free)
18. The Royal Pain, Happy Heartbreak, Dusty Cubby
Singer-songwriter Chris Adkins will play tracks from his solo project the Royal Pain with support sets by local emo rockers Happy Heartbreak and pop-punks Dusty Cubby.
(West Seattle, $8)
19. Ruckus Harness Party with DJ Tanktop
Get tied up at this harness party with DJ Tanktop.
(Capitol Hill, $5)
20. Seattle Art Song Society: Womxn's Voices
The Seattle Art Song Society presents the world premiere of Through the Guarded Gate by composer Juliana Hall. The program also features six Emily Dickinson poems performed by Emily Lau and Nina Simone's "Four Women."
(Ballard, free)
21. The Ukadelics Play Happy Hour!
Seattle-based ukulele orchestra the Ukadelics will play classic and present-day hits on their little string instruments.
(Queen Anne, free)
22. G. Willow Wilson: The Bird King
G. Willow Wilson, whose comic book series Ms. Marvel won the 2015 Hugo Award for Best Graphic Story, will read from her latest novel, The Bird King, about a concubine in the royal court of Granada and her friend Hassan, the palace mapmaker.
(Capitol Hill, free)
23. Lit Jam: A Night of Words & Music
Most fusions of music and poetry are, um, bad. Especially when they involve a jazz flute. But this ensemble of writerly musicians is an exception, mostly because it includes the poet Gary Copeland Lilley. Lilley plays a fine blues guitar and writes incredibly vivid narrative poetry so rhythmic, you can tap your foot to it. Kim Addonizio, a conversational poet who writes a lot of good poems about sex and the body, leads the band on vox, blues harmonica, and jazz flute. Crack Seattle journalist and novelist Kristen Millares Young will add her considerable vocal talents, along with Spokane novelist Sam Ligon on guitar and Kate Lebo on cowbell. RICH SMITH
(Capitol Hill, free)
24. Lourdes Rivas: They Call Me Mix
Join Lourdes Rivas, who wrote the bilingual children's book They Call Me Mix to teach kids about non-binary pronouns, for a reading.
(Capitol Hill, free)
25. Luis Albert Urrea: The House of Broken Angels
Luis Alberto Urrea's The House of Broken Angels, which takes inspiration from his own life, relates the tale of a dying patriarch, his journey as a young man from La Paz to San Diego, the grudges and loves of his extended family, and his 100-year-old mother's funeral. Urrea has been a finalist for the Pulitzer, and his personal yet wide-ranging style seems perfectly suited to this sprawling family epic.
(Lake Forest Park, free)
26. Washington vs. Sacramento State & Iowa Gymnastics Meet
The UW Husky gymnastics team will compete against Sacramento State and Iowa. In honor of International Women's Day, all guests can enter to win prizes like a "bedazzled" Washington gymnastics jacket, lapel pins, wristbands, and pens. Get there early for pre-meet activities like face-painting, sign-making, and "role model postcard-making."
(University District, $5-$10)
FRIDAY-SATURDAY
VISUAL ART27. Amanda Knowles: Views + Spatial Extensions
G. Gibson Gallery welcomes Amanda Knowles, whose mixed-media works focus on architectural structure, ropelike forms, and Delaunay-like patterns.
(Queen Anne, free)
Opening Friday
28. Saya Moriyasu: Quiet
"The wrongness feels right to me," writes Moriyasu, recalling her mixed Japanese and American heritage and her consequent predilections for styles recalling European chinoiserie. Her works are often monumental ceramics, adapting folk art, myth, and visual humor.
(Queen Anne, free)
Opening Friday
29. Tiffany Ju
Tiffany Ju, who achieved some Internet fame in 2012 for her hand-dyed ombré tights, will show soft-sculpture textile works made from upcycled materials.
(Belltown, free)
Opening Friday
FRIDAY-SUNDAY
FESTIVALS30. Cultural Crossroads Festival
See live music and dance performances and taste cuisines representing different cultures at this family-friendly festival.
(Bellevue, free)
31. Mar10 Celebration
Celebrate your favorite mustachioed gaming character with games, giveaways, and photo opportunities with Mario and friends on Super Mario Day.
(Downtown, free)
32. Uncle Vanya
The actors of Theatre9/12 will perform Annie Baker's contemporary adaptation of Chekov's Uncle Vanya, which Rich Smith calls a "hyper-melancholic doozy."
(Downtown, pay what you can)
33. The Art of Tarot III Group Exhibition
Seventy artists from the world round interpret the tarot deck in the little gallery's latest tribute to esoterica.
(Capitol Hill, free)
Closing Sunday
34. Comic and Capture: Sarah Maloney and Rich Rhee
Check out photographs by Rich Rhee and doodles and drawings by Sarah Maloney while you drink an Out of Focus double IPA from Snapshot Brewing.
(Greenwood, free)
Opening Friday
35. David French: Arena
Through an organic, evolving process, French shapes wooden, painted sculpture. This exhibition marks his shift to focusing on painting rather than sculpting.
(Downtown, free)
Artist talk Saturday
36. Rainbow Renegades
Jazz Mom curates an exhibition meant to inspire good vibes. The considerable roster includes some of the most fun, offbeat, and unusual artists, such as Brittany Kusa, Travis Ritter, Ernesto Ybarra, Courtney Branam, Andrew Lamb Shultz, Brandon Vosika, Mary Anne Carter, and many others.
(Capitol Hill, free)
Closing Sunday
SATURDAY
COMMUNITY37. Celebrate Women's International Day!
In anticipation of the Na Wahine O Ka Mana Power of Women Summit, womxn of all ages are invited to enter raffles and auctions to win cool stuff, enjoy food and wine, and donate pads and tampons to those in need.
(Georgetown, free)
38. Intersections Giving Party
Grab an afternoon drink with the organizers of the diverse Intersections Festival (happening in late March) and help them raise some money.
(Capitol Hill, free)
39. Bound: Africans vs. African Americans Film Screening and Discussion
Watch a screening of the documentary Bound: Africans vs. African-Americans, which explores the historic tensions between Africans and African Americans and offers ways to spark a dialogue between them. After the film, join your Langston Hughes hosts for a solutions-oriented discussion.
(Central District, free)
40. Promised Land
This documentary on the Duwamish and the Chinook and their fight for treaty rights in the Pacific Northwest will be screened, followed by a discussion with filmmakers Vasant and Sarah Salcedo and some tribal members.
(University District, pay what you can)
41. Irish Soda Bread Contest
Bestow your famous Irish soda bread upon the judges at this annual friendly competition. Or, just show up to dance to Irish music and taste free samples.
(Queen Anne, free)
42. Baby Gramps, Zelda Starfire One Wommando Band, That Jerk Gabe
Groove to solo sets by legendary busker Baby Gramps and folk-punk artists Zelda Starfire (one Wommando Band), and That Jerk Gabe.
(Ballard, $10)
43. The Boss Martians, The Delstroyers, The Snubs
Dance to surf-y pop-rock with the Boss Martians, the Delstroyers, and the Snubs.
(Georgetown, $10)
44. Brian Vogan & His Good Buddies: Second Saturday Spectacular
Brian Vogan and His Good Buddies will play genre-bending tunes for the whole family.
(University District, pay what you can)
45. Denim & Diamonds
Join members of Tacocat and Votiv for a night of line-dancing and honky tonkin'. Go all out with your outfit for the chance to win a prize.
(Beacon Hill, $10)
46. Dialed: Launch Night
Dialed, a new Seattle indie music collective, will welcome local DJs Karl Kamakahi, Jeremy Linden, Hector Rodriguez, Tony H, Erin O'Conner, Drew, Adlib, and Yamanaka to the decks for your dancing pleasure.
(Ballard, $10)
47. DJ Paco
Writhe around to Britpop, indie-rock, post-punk, and more from DJ Paco, who will be spinning vinyl from his own collection.
(Capitol Hill, free)
48. Haute Sauce: Swervewon, Catch24, Semaj, Doozy
Join Swervewon, Catch24, Semaj, and Doozy for another night of hiphop and dance music.
(Capitol Hill, $10)
49. HYPHY
Oh boy—Neumos is doing a hyphy night? "Tell Me When to Go," sort of the mainstream-hit-that-was-the-death-knell of what is commonly thought of as the hyphy movement, did come out over a decade ago. It used to be 20 years before the generational nostalgia cash-in started, but seeing as we passed the event horizon of this black-hole-to-hell-itself some time ago, everything is strictly get-it-while-you-can. Now, I tend to think of hyphy less as a particular slice of time and set of songs than an evolving dimension of the Bay Area rap scene, one known for fierce innovation and trendsetting originality. Something tells me that this is going to be more of a Bay Area rap night rather than an exclusively stunna-shaded, cereal-mascot-tee'd-up hyphy night. Which is great, because the Yay has created one of the world's all-time greatest musical subcultures, from Short to HBK. (Play some fucking Turf Talk!) Just, please, no G-Eazy. Have some fuckin' respect. LARRY MIZELL JR.
(Capitol Hill, $5)
50. Puget Sound Symphony Orchestra Winter Concert
The Puget Sound Symphony Orchestra will present the winter concert of their 2018-2019 season, a program spotlighting Elgar's Introduction and Allegro, Tchaikovsky's Romeo and Juliet Fantasy, and Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition.
(Queen Anne, $5/$8)
51. The Salmonberries, The Black Chevys, Professor Sweater
Upbeat Seattle rockers the Salmonberries will be joined by soul rockers the Black Chevys and indie rockers Professor Sweater.
(Pioneer Square, $8)
52. Saturday Family Concerts: Thaddeus Turner
Introduce your kids to the world of rock music as Town Hall's Saturday Family Concerts features guitarist Thaddeus Turner, who blends soul, techo, and rock, and has toured with Pearl Jam, Dave Matthews, Cherrywine, and others.
(First Hill, $5)
53. Sunset Flip, Three Fingers, Ice Teeth
Get ready to bang your head around thanks to live sets by local punks Sunset Flip, Three Fingers, and Ice Teeth.
(University District, $7)
54. Very Serious, Vaens, Lullabye League
Wipe that smile off your face (just kidding) for some "nihilistic" pop-dance electronica with local duo Very Serious. They'll be joined by funky poppers Vaens and Lullabye League.
(University District, $8)
55. Rapture ft. Grief Girls & NoGoodDoers
Oh sure, you've been to more than your share of drag shows with lip-synching and wigs and princess gloves. But where are the fringed monsters, the viscous fluids, and the couture that you initially mistake for a pile of abandoned construction equipment? Kick-start your weekend with Rapture, hosted by unidentified frocking object Arson Nicki. Expect to see the avantest of the avant-garde creatures, peculiar performances, and a runway that may double as a portal to the Negaverse. You will be unable to forget any of what you see—or to make anyone believe that it happened. MATT BAUME
(Downtown, $10)
*Available for $7 with our exclusive discount
56. David Treuer: The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee
In his book The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee, David Treuer, who grew up on Ojibwe on a reservation in Minnesota, counters a popular narrative of Native American history—that Native civilization ended with the 1890 massacre at Wounded Knee. Hear him read from this book of "Indian survival, resilience, adaptability, pride, and place in modern life."
(Capitol Hill, free)
57. Don Mee Choi and Stefania Heim
Stranger critic Rich Smith has called poet and translator Don Mee Choi "particularly skillful at mixing registers and tones to create brilliant and multilayered critiques." Here, her talents have been employed translating Korean poet Kim Hyesoon's Autobiography of Death—the sixth book Choi has translated by this author. Bellingham translator and poet Stefania Heim will also read from her prizewinning poetry collection Hour Book.
(Capitol Hill, free)
58. Give Up the Ghost
There comes a time of night when the mind turns to ghosts. It’s approximately 10 p.m., the hour when you let in the unknown, and shades reveal themselves, and possibilities open. Give Up the Ghost is a new late-night storytelling event at Queen City that I’m curating (every second Saturday of the month) where a nonfiction writer, fiction writer, poet, journalist, or artist tells a ghost story. March’s guest is Charles Mudede, the filmmaker, philosopher, and writer for The Stranger for more than 20 years. You might want to get there by 9 p.m. to get a good seat. CHRISTOPHER FRIZZELLE
(Belltown, free)
59. High Voltage Women: Breaking Barriers at Seattle City Light
Starting in the 1970s, Radical Women Seattle founder Clara Fraser and other electrical tradeswomen working for Seattle City Light fought for affirmative action and against workplace harassment. Ellie Belew's High Voltage Women explores the ways in which these women and their allies worked to "change the culture of management abuse" and discrimination. Meet the author and Radical Women's Megan Cornish at this talk.
(Chinatown-International District, $5-$10)
60. Kimberly Burwick, Kevin Goodan, Emily Holt
At this group poetry reading, hear from Seattle transplants Kimberly Burwick, Kevin Goodan, and Emily Holt.
(Wallingford, free)
61. Richard Little: City Haul
Set in a fictitious Pacific Northwest town, City Haul follows the exploits of attorney Matt Archer as he defends an outlaw biker caught smuggling drugs across the Canadian border. Join author Richard Little for a reading.
(Lake Forest Park, free)
62. Sarah Enni: Tell Me Everything
For a trifecta of young adult novelists, join Sarah Enni in conversation with Kendare Blake and Somaiya Daud regarding Enni's new book, Tell Me Everything.
(University District, free)
63. Your Voice Matters
Third Place Books is launching a monthly open mic for writers of all genres. Bring a five-minute story or excerpt.
(Ravenna, free)
64. Georgetown Art Attack
Once a month, the art scene of the tiny airport hamlet of Georgetown ATTACKS all passersby. In more literal terms, it's the day of art openings and street wonderment. If the westerly locations are too far, there's a free Art Ride! In March, check out Nancy Jones at the Prairie Underground Warehouse and Patrick Moriarty: Deep Artwork at Fantagraphics.
(Georgetown, free)
65. Markel Uriu: An Object Lesson
Seattle-based artist Markel Uriu’s latest exhibition will investigate the narrative around “invasive species” of plants and animals. Uriu uses organic materials—like moss, branches, and leaves—to investigate ideas of impermanence, maintenance, and decay. In An Object Lesson, she’ll be looking specifically at the starling, a European bird that’s considered an invasive species here in North America, introduced to the continent in 1890 on the basis of a mention in Shakespeare’s Henry IV. JASMYNE KEIMIG
(Capitol Hill, free)
Opening Saturday
66. Organic Forms: Reflecting the Natural World
Artists Susan Ringstad Emery and Francesca Udeschini explore organic forms and lines in linocut, cyanotype, ink, and other mediums.
(Redmond, free)
Opening Saturday
SATURDAY-SUNDAY
FESTIVALS67. BC Illuminates
Learn how storytellers, authors, photographers, musicians, and other Bellevue College professionals across industries are using virtual reality in their work.
(Bellevue, free)
68. North Seattle Lapidary & Mineral Club's 65th Annual Rock and Gem Show
Get a load of petrified wood, gems, and minerals from Washington State dealers. If you're looking to find some extra special specimens, bid on silent auction items.
(Crown Hill, free)
69. More Fats More Femmes Witch Market 8.0
Celebrate your babely bod while shopping for plus size vintage clothing and accessories at this stacked size-inclusive market hosted by Indian Summer owner Adria Garcia, ex-IS manager (and current Stranger music calendar editor) Kim Selling, and current IS shopkeep Abby Cooke. They'll have pieces from a wide variety of styles, from size 12 to 32.
(Capitol Hill, free)
70. Mi Vida En Colores: Ayer y Hoy
The Nepantla Cultural Arts Gallery has teamed up with the queer organization Entre Hermanos to present this collection of photos revealing the vitality of LGBTQ Latinx people in this city.
(White Center, free)
Opening Sunday
SUNDAY
FOOD & DRINK71. Community Event: Bread Swap
Calling all breadmakers and enthusiasts: Trade your slices, starters, or loaves for others' offerings at this swap. Or, if you're feeling generous, share your yeasty creations with the whole group.
(First Hill, $5)
72. Meet the Makers: Seattle
Join Cat Neville, the host of the PBS food series TasteMAKERS, for a Seattle-centric live show featuring interviews with local culinary celebs Ian Jefferds and Tim Jones (from Penn Cove Shellfish), Bill Dewey (from Taylor Shellfish Farms), and Tyler and Sara Hansen (from the Oystercatcher). After the show, stick around for a food and drink tasting with the chefs.
(Seattle Center, free)
73. Lonesome Shack, Great Spiders, Jared Price
New Mexico-born songwriter Ben Todd and drummer Kristian Gerrard, and bassist Luke Bergman make up Lonesome Shack. They'll headline in Ballard with desert-y jams with support from Great Spiders and Jared Price.
(Ballard, $10)
74. Newbrighton/Neely, Pyramids, Dummy
Make the winter-spring transition with indie rockers Newbrighton/Neely, who will celebrate the release of their new Spring-Forward release with support from Pyramids and Dummy.
(Ballard, $8)
75. Seamus Egan Project
Irish composer Seamus Egan—who worked on the soundtrack for the film The Brothers McMullen and co-wrote Sarah McLachlan's hit "Weep Not for the Memories"—will come to Seattle with his band.
(Downtown, $20/$25)
*Available for $10 with our exclusive discount
76. Sing It Seattle!
Are you a layperson who enjoys singing? Here's your chance to be part of a choir and perform in front of an audience. You'll even get to vote on which song to learn.
(Downtown, free-$5)
77. Smomid, Limanjaya, Tim Held
Brooklyn-based performer, musician, and instrument builder Smomid—who derives his name from his instrument of choice, the String Modeling Midi Device, which emits LED light when it makes noise—will improvise some ambient, purposefully glitchy electronic music. He'll be joined by Limanjaya and Tim Held.
(Fremont, $8)
78. Sweet Birds: Chamber Music for Flute, Cello, and Harpsichord
Await the impending spring season as flutist Janet See, cellist Annabeth Shirley, and harpsichordist Jillon Stoppels Dupree perform a lively program of 18th-century music by Bach, Leclair, Blavet, and more.
(Fremont, free)
79. Xin Chào by Night: 5th Edition Launch & Variety Show
Xin Chao Magazine will celebrate the launch of its fifth issue with a variety show that pays homage to Little Saigon in Seattle.
(Sodo, $10)
80. Maxine Gordon: Sophisticated Giant
Maxine Gordon's book serves as both a personal memoir and a biography of her late husband, the great tenor saxophonist Dexter Gordon. Learn about his role in shaping modern jazz at this reading.
(Capitol Hill, free)
81. Sierra Golden and Laura Da’
American Book Award-winning poet Laura Da’ and Dorothy Brunsman Poetry Prize winner Sierra Golden will read.
(Wallingford, free)
82. Thomas Kohnstamm: Lake City
I love Thomas Kohnstamm for writing a whole book set in Lake City. Someone had to. Someone had to make something of the in-between area known for its car dealerships, its strip club, its sub sandwich shop, and its couple of bars. A place that doesn't even know if it's a lake or a city or a city of lakes. In Kohnstamm's debut novel, a semi-shitty guy name Lane Beuche has fallen on hard times. He's lost his wife, he's living in his mom's house, and he thinks he deserves the life of privilege from which he's been unceremoniously banished. Watch him climb out of the hole he dug for himself, and enjoy the elegy for old Seattle along the way. RICH SMITH
(Lake City, free)
You can also get the author's signature on a pack of joints styled after the book cover.
