Our critics have already recommended 52 great things to do this week, but there are hundreds more events happening. To prevent some of the stranger, quirkier, and more extraordinary ones from slipping through the cracks, we’ve compiled them here—from the Moisture Festival to Shrinky Dink making, and from a Saturday morning yoga and dance party to the St. Patrick’s Day Punk Massacre.
TUESDAY
1. The Flux Salon: Hookman
This performance of “existential slasher comedy” Hookman by Lauren Yee is the season opener of The Flux Salon, a series of live performances in (sometimes) secret venues around Seattle.
2. Ivar’s 111th Birthday
On Ivar Haglund’s 111th birthday, buy one entree and get another for $1.11 at Ivar’s Acres of Clams, Ivar’s Salmon House, Ivar’s Mukilteo Landing, or any Ivar’s Seafood Bar. To get the deal, you just have to say, “Happy Birthday, Ivar!”
3. Michael “Wanz” Wansley
Learn about #TheBookofWanz from Michael “Wanz” Wansley himself, the hip-hop artist who became instantly, almost globally famous after he was featured on “Thrift Shop” by Macklemore and Ryan Lewis.
4. Nordic Immigration in the Pacific Northwest from Then to Now
This immigration conference brings together museum professionals and academics from Denmark, Norway, Germany, and various locations in the United States to explore the long-term impact of Nordic immigration to the Pacific Northwest. (Through Friday)
5. Tour of Ireland Whiskey Tasting with Arthur Guinness
Prepare for St. Patrick’s Day by tasting Ireland’s two most famous drinks— Jameson whiskey and Guinness—paired with a five-course dinner that includes mini burgers with a whiskey bacon marmalade and bacon-wrapped Guinness barbecue shrimp.
WEDNESDAY
6. KUOW’s Uncaucus
Hosted by KUOW’s Ross Reynolds and Humanities Washington’s Zaki Barak Hamid, this event invites Democrats to discuss relevant social and political issues—without blowing a circuit by trying to side with Bernie or Hillary right now. They promise low-key activities like trivia, “unofficial voting” (polling?), and even listening to relevant radio pieces as a group.
7. Piano Starts Here: Fundraiser
In order to raise funds to repair the Royal Room’s signature Steinway B piano, 20 of Seattle’s best jazz pianists will perform the works of some of the all-time most prolific composers.
THURSDAY
8. Elevator Presents: CoH, MSHR, Cameron Shafii, Brandon Nickell
Experimential Russian sound artist CoH (a Cyrillic word that’s pronounced “sohn”) will perform a live set tonight. The organizers say that “his works explore texture, atmosphere, and tone.”
9. Hecklevision: Leprechaun in Space
“Hecklevision” means that as you watch the awful, awful Leprechaun in Space (the 4th in the Leprechaun series) all your snarky tweets will be shown on the screen.
10. Junk Yard: St. Patrick’s Day Special
For their St. Patrick’s Day special, Can Can’s all-male revue Junk Yard promises food, drink, and “Seattle’s hottest hunks,” including The Deputy, Hoss, and Slim and Slam of The Buckaroos. Hosted by Can Can’s Jonny Boy.
11. Moisture Festival
Moisture Festival is devoted to the variety of performers Seattle has fostered over the years, from circus acts to comedians, burlesque dancers and musicians, jugglers, strong men, tap dancers, and more. It’s been going for 13 years in Seattle, a testament to the popularity of cabaret-style entertainment in town. (Through April 13)
12. St. Patrick’s Day Punk Massacre
The second annual St. Patrick’s Day Punk Massacre features four Seattle bands: Hounds of the Wild Hunt, The Spinning Whips, Bad Motivators, and Chrome Lakes.
13. Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival
This one night only film festival features award-winning adventures films from the Vancouver International Film Festival Best of Fest Tour 2016.
FRIDAY
14. A Woman’s Guide to the Wild Release Party
A Woman’s Guide to the Wild, written by Ruby McConnell and illustrated by Teresa Grasseschi, is “the definitive guide to being a woman in the great outdoors,” and covers topics ranging from “‘feminine functions’ in the wilderness to how to deal with condescending men.” Tonight, three days after its official release, join the Seattle-based illustrator for this launch party, where there will be books available for purchase, “super secret new merch” available only at this event, and, of course, s’mores and boozy milkshakes.
15. Eulogy
This comedy performance by Kevin Kent, directed by Jennifer Jasper, tells the story of Eleanor, “a professional mourner in a one-stop-shop suburban funeral parlor.” That’s pretty much all you have to know before you rush over there. Kent is a treasure. Any time he’s on stage, it’s worth your attention.
16. I Saw U: A Comedy With Heart
Inspired by our own “I Saw U” column, this comedy show explores lonely people reaching out to strangers in a public forum—and follows up with the aftermath, performing the fantasy of the couple meeting and getting to know each other. (Through April 16)
17. Interactive Multimedia Performance
Haruko Crow Nishimura, Steve Peters, and Stan Shikuma present performances across genres (using dance and sound) that interpret Alan Lau’s gallery show Beauty in the Decay.
18. Mead & Session Mead Tasting
Capitol Cider will have tastings of three meads, as well as its first session mead to hit Seattle. Sample elderberry session mead, Hawthorn Tulsi off-dry mead, hopped mead, and rose cardamom mead.
19. Questionable Content: Home Again, Home Again
Watch two teams go head to head in this mock, comedic game show. Expect “wit, banter, and minimal current affair knowledge.”
20. The Reparations Tour: A Revolutionary Demand
Described as “a special event addressing racism, colonialism and white solidarity with African liberation,” this discussion features Penny Hess, Chair of the African People’s Solidarity Committee and author of Overturning the Culture of Violence. Organizer Anne Hirsch writes that “White people voluntarily paying reparations to the Black community is probably stranger than usual to many people. We want to change that!”
21. Shrinky Dink
Revert to childhood as you experience the magic of Shrinky Dinks. Entry cost covers a full sheet of Shrink Film, coloring supplies, and snack/refreshments (but BYOB). They’ll have a toaster oven handy, so you can walk out with some artistic masterpieces or a brand new box of very classy jewelry.
22. Tits and Sass with Lauren Weedman
Lauren Weedman (alumna of the Seattle theater scene and former Daily Show correspondent) will perform this “high octane stream of consciousness Gay Cabaret done by a straight woman (wink wink).”
23. Wine Flight! A Cabaret Tour of the World’s Varietals
The Bordeaux Project presents this seriously amped-up wine tasting, featuring burlesque, aerial silks and lyra, and dances on poles. Sip on “new world wines” as you take in performances by Marisa Oka, Jane Carter, Boom Boom L’Roux, the Lady B, and more.
SATURDAY
24. Puget Soundtrack: Ecstatic Cosmic Union presents The Dark Crystal
Puget Soundtrack, presented by Northwest Film Forum, invites musicians to create a live score for a film of their own choosing. This time, musicians Ecstatic Cosmic Union will create a live soundtrack for Jim Henson’s The Dark Crystal.
25. Science Fiction + Fantasy Short Film Festival (SFFSFF) 2016
SFFSFF, an annual juried festival of science fiction, fantasy, and horror shorts, promises to deliver a weekend full of fast-paced and startling films. The first screening at Cinerama is currently on standby, but also check out, the encore performance tomorrow.
26. Seattle’s Morning Dance Party: Weeknd Edition
Start your Saturday morning off with a power yoga class and a dance party featuring Aston Manor resident DJ PK and “surprise special guests.”
27. Sound Bath Event featuring Daniel Blue, Luk Will, and Daniella White
Don’t miss out on live music just because you can’t stand the (sometimes) hectic energy of concerts in Seattle. This Sound Bath gives you the opportunity to lie on the floor and drink tea while taking in an improvised performance—instead of jumping around, or even quietly nodding your head and “dancing.” Look forward to relaxation and healing at this phone and camera-free event, and remember to bring your own yoga mat.
28. Tartan Ball 2016
The 53rd annual Tartan Ball features Scottish music from the Clan Macleay Pipe Band, the Keith Highlanders Pipe Band, and the Clan Gordon Pipe Band, as well as Leanore Curran’s Highland Dancers.
29. UNCLAD 2016: The Fine Art of the Figure
UNCLAD 2016 features over 150 nudes in different media including painting, sculpture, ceramics, glass, and photography. (Through Sunday)
SUNDAY
30. Collaborative Novels 101
Learn about the tricky process of collaborating on a single fictional work from people who have actually done it. Abby Frucht and Laurie Alberts (A Well-Made Bed) and Christopher Robinson and Gavin Kovite (War of the Encyclopaedists) will read from and discuss their collaborative novels. Presented by Hugo House.
31. Lord of the Dance: Dangerous Games
The seemingly immortal “Lord of the Dance” series returns with the provocatively titled “Dangerous Games.” Get your Celtic dance on, but note that “while this is a Michael Flatley production, he will not be performing in this show.”
32. Make Your Own Terrarium Night
Learn to build your own hanging or desktop terrarium at this free class—just pay for the supplies you use. Wine will be included for those over 21.
33. Seattle Gaels Open Field Day
Learn to play the sports of camogie, hurling, and Gaelif football. No experience necessary—but bring water, cleats, and shin guards if you have them. Afterwards, you’ll get to celebrate with the team at a local pub.
34. Water Passion
Noted film composer Tan Dun, of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon fame, gets the orchestral treatment from the Tacoma Symphony, who will perform his Water Passion After St. Matthew. Written to commemorate the 250th anniversary of Bach, the work includes water percussion—water-filled bowls and basins that are manipulated by hand and amplified with microphones.
