Our critics have already recommended 55 great things to do this week, but there are hundreds more events happening. We’ve compiled events that are unique, quirky, strange, and extraordinary—and that you might not otherwise know about—here, from the Seattle Unique Boutique to a concert featuring pro wrestling, and from Nancy Pearl Day at Full Tilt to the Fussy Cloud Puppet Slam. For even more options this week, check out our complete Things To Do calendar.
Never miss a post. Sign up for the Stranger Things To Do email newsletter now.
TUESDAY
1. Ben & Jerry’s Free Cone Day
Head to your local Ben & Jerry’s (which is probably in Green Lake or Kirkland, although there are also shops in Tukwila and Issaquah) to pick up a free cone of ice cream!
2. Rain City Slam Presents: 2016 Grand Slam
Imani Sims hosts the Rain City Grand Slam, where 9 poets will duke it out to earn a spot on Rain City Poetry Slam’s team at the national competition in Atlanta, Georgia.
3. To Move Into Position: A Performative Lecture with US English
US English presents this performative lecture (accompanied by “artist-created fragrances, sounds, objects, and readings”) about the intersection of criticism and social action, curated by Alejandra Salinas and Aeron Bergman.
4. Trivia Tuesday: Friends
Test your knowledge of the TV show at this trivia night featuring themed drink specials, clips, and prizes.
5. Writers Under the Influence: Emily Dickinson & Walt Whitman
Hear the work of Emily Dickinson and Walt Whitman read aloud by Northwest writers (Alice Derry, Kathleen Flenniken, Kathryn Hunt, Gary Lilley, Michelle Peñaloza, Nancy Rawles, and Kristen Young) who have been influenced by these great American poets.
WEDNESDAY
6. Aesthetic Mess
Post-punk synth mutant minimal wave freaks DJ Jermaine and DJ Goo Goo get it going real weird at Chop Suey.
7. Clipper Round the World Yacht Race
The Clipper Round the World Race (the world’s longest ocean challenge) will stop in Seattle, bringing a matching fleet of 12 gigantic racing yachts. Their stopover events include talks and entertainment, open boat tours, performances, and more. (UPDATE: The fleet is estimated to arrive at Bell Harbor Marina between April 14-20, and the Race Village will be open from April 20-28.)
8. Mal DeFleur’s Nightblooms with Christopher Jones
Drag chanteuse Mal DeFleur will give a one-night-only cabaret performance at Pony, accompanied by Christopher Jones.
9. A Tribute to Woody Guthrie
There will be music from The Crying Shame, Mikey and Matty, Gerald Collier, and the Joy Mills Band, readings from Caleb Bue, and live painting from Leah Fadness at this tribute show, part of a series dedicated to Woody Guthrie’s journey through the Pacific Northwest.
10. Spinurn
Practice the art of the spin and burn at Spinurn, an edgy performance event starring fire.
11. Joshua Stephens
Brooklyn-based Joshua Stevens will read from The Dog Walker: an Anarchist’s Encounters with the Good, the Bad, and the Canine, an excerpt of which appeared in The Atlantic last year.
12. Million Student March to Stop Trump
The Million Student March aims to bring students and non-students together to fight “the threat from the right.” As they say, “We will not stand by quietly and watch Donald Trump whip up racism and bigotry… We need to keep up the momentum for the political revolution and lay the basis for the type of mass movement and political initiatives which can truly challenge the domination of the billionaire class and the capitalist system.”
THURSDAY
13. Bunny Wailer
Reggae legend Bunny Wailer performs his decades-spanning discography, presented by KEXP’s Positive Vibrations and the Showbox.
14. Hairstory
Featuring an art show as well as live performance, this event (happening one night only) is all about hair.
15. Noir at the Bar
Hosted by Will “The Thrill” Viharo, this event promises live noir readings from Robert Dugoni, Skye Moody, Michael Pool, Scotti Andrews, Jim Thomsen, and Pearce Hansen, with book giveaways (as well as books for sale).
16. Outdoor Movie Night: Caddyshack
Soak up the warm weather—or hide from the rain—at Peddler’s outdoor yet covered beer garden, where you can watch a movie while enjoying the great outdoors. (You can even bring your dog.) This time, they’re screening Caddyshack to celebrate the 2016 golf season.
17. $uicideboy$, Ramirez, Germ
KGRG and El Corazon present a night of critically thinking about the point of your existence, to the tune of southern trap, thanks to $uicideboy$, Ramirez, and Germ.
18. The Source: Jeff Cordell
Jeff Cordell (research scientist at UW’s Wetland Ecosystem Team) will speak at The Source, a trio of springtime waterfront talks on art, ecology, and history. Tonight, Cordell will speak about his work to support salmon habitat and migration with the Elliott Bay Seawall Project.
19. Washington State Spring Fair
The Washington State Spring Fair offers nostalgic fair food, rides, garden displays, a “Motorsport Mayhem” event, and baby animals. (Through Sunday)
20. Fahim Anwar with Michael Lenoci
Former Boeing aerospace engineer Fahim Anwar (featured in Whiskey Tango Foxtrot) returns to Comedy Underground for a weekend of comedy with Michael Lenoci.
FRIDAY
21. Crack Sabbath and McTuff
An organ strolls into a jazz-punk nightclub, and exits as the corporeal forms of Crack Sabbath and McTuff, hand in hand. It’s gonna get weird.
22. Craftstravaganza special Tax Day Edition!
This Craftstravaganza, they’ll teach you how to make a squishy stress ball, because they know you’ll need it (and the cathartic experience of crafting) after you do your taxes.
23. Fussy Cloud Puppet Slam
Fussy Cloud Puppet Slam presents another installment of their adult variety show featuring short works by puppeteers.
24. Hugo Literary Series: All’s Fair in Love and War
Andrew Sean Greer, fiction writer Claire Vaye Watkins, and New York-born poet and spoken-word performer Roberto Ascalon will share new work on the theme “All’s fair in love and war,” accompanied by Alex Osuch’s experimental electronic music.
25. Huis clos
A French language production of Jean-Paul Sartre’s existential work Huis clos, or No Exit, written in the midst of the French occupation and now performed as a philosophical, ruminative work that’s also quite funny.
26. Rempis/Johnston/Ochs
Three horn trio Rempis/Johnston/Ochs will perform their brand of idiosyncratic and experimental improvisations at the Chapel.
27. Northwest Women’s Show
The Northwest Women’s Show is three days of “fashion, fitness, food, and fun!” Behind the alliteration are promises of fashion shows, wine tasting, “sexy Seattle firemen,” access to hundreds of vendors, and more.
28. OtB Art School Listening Party
If you’re really into public group audio zen, head to On the Boards this Friday to see OtB Communications Director Erin Jorgensen and OtB Ambassador James Holt drop the needle on some seriously vibey records. All music selections are an unreleased surprise as everyone watches the sun go down across town and listens to each meditative track. Free and open to the public, this event plans to let loud some “mysterious echoes and beautiful reverberations.”
29. Raw Milk Cheese Appreciation Day
This weekend, in celebration of Raw Milk Cheese Appreciation Day, Cafe Presse (on top of the selection of French and American cheese they offer every day) will serve a special plate made up of just raw milk cheeses.
30. Reps Showcase
The stars of the golden age of radio return to broadcast for one weekend only, wherein you can experience the reenactment of many classic radio specials, including live music and sound effects. (Through Sun)
31. Sync Music Video Festival
The 3rd Annual Sync Music Video Film Festival presents an entire evening of music videos, featuring work by directors including DAISYHEROIN, Carlos Lopez, and Hayley Young, and music by Car Seat Headrest, Radiation City, Deep Sea Diver, Gazebos, Pillar Point, Eric Blood, La Luz, Hey Marseilles, and more.
SATURDAY
32. The Annual 1962 Seattle World’s Fair Party
Feel like it’s 1962 again at Changes’ annual 1962 Seattle World’s Fair Party, hearkening back to World’s Fair classics with Haffi Haff, Iona Trailer, Victoria Love, and Sinfonia Delish, as well as the big Mid-Century 21 Fashion & Hair Show with drinks, décor, and music all night long.
33. The Best ’80s Party Ever (So Far)
Get ready to dance at the self-proclaimed Best ’80s Party in Seattle with new wave rockers Nite Wave, Seattle’s first ever tribute boy band, #All4Doras, DJ Baby Van Beezly, and a special Michael Jackson dance performance from Mo J Entertainment.
34. Chihuly through the Lens
Photographers of all levels are invited to this private photo session of Chihuly Garden and Glass. Take pictures of the artwork in a quiet setting with clear views, and get tips and tricks from Chihuly Garden and Glass staff photographers.
35. Cinema Dissection: Dog Day Afternoon with Sandy Cioffi
Film educator Sandy Cioffi will facilitate a screening and discussion of Dog Day Afternoon, Sidney Lumet’s fascinatingly dated (and surprisingly relevant) film about a bank heist starring Al Pacino.
36. The Green Show
Come to the Atlas Theatre in “high spirits” (no smoking or vaping allowed inside) to enjoy this 21+ improv comedy show by, about, and for people who are thoroughly stoned.
37. Hemp Jewelry Making
Hempfest Central will hand you hemp twine and free beads, then help you learn how to make a necklace, bracelet, anklet, zipper pull, or key chain.
38. International Children’s Friendship Festival
How heartwarming! The International Children’s Friendship Festival promotes camaraderie and education through a series of cultural performances and art events in local traditions from around the world. According to their website, the festival is free by “Governor Inslee’s proclamation.” (Through Sunday)
39. Nancy Pearl Day
Try “Peanut Butter Book Club” flavor ice cream at Full Tilt, where librarian Nancy Pearl will appear as a “guest scooper” at 2 pm. Proceeds benefit the White Center Library Guild.
40. The Petting Zoo 6: Furpocalypse
Experience Seattle’s own Zootopia at The Petting Zoo 6: Furpocalypse, with a special live appearance by the Trash Pandas, and DJ sets by Marc VH, Dot Diggler, David Turner, and Kyle Douglas, and visuals by VJ Eyesauce.
41. Pro Wrestling and Live Music
Project 42 presents a night of pro wrestling and live music, featuring the true rock and roll power of local hunks Stallion.
42. Project Luck Dragon: Serendipity
Soul Tribe presents Serendipity, the third installment of Project Luck Dragon. Engage in a twelve hour celebration of street art and collaborative music across a multimedia platform. This installment declares itself a tribute to the Seattle underground.
43. Seattle Unique Boutique Spring Showcase
More than 50 “unique, interesting, odd, weird” local vendors will sell their wares, including masks, hula hoops, healing implements, tarot cards, and jewelry. There will also be a $5 mimosa special, and live music from Mikey Mars.
44. West Side Glory: In Bloom
The Skylark presents West Seattle’s quarterly “somewhat queer variety show,” which will feature comedy, drag, music, and burlesque. Jeffrey Robert will host the show, with performers to include Cucci Binaca, Kirsten Kuppenbender of Lez Stand Up, and the Gogo Bears, who will “pollinate the audience with love, sweat, and funk.”
SUNDAY
45. Clownin’ Around Anniversary Party
Drunky’s Two Shoe BBQ is turning one whole year old, and wants to inexplicably celebrate with a bunch of clowns, so get your best red nose on and show up for what will surely be a very weird painted face riot. Expect professional carnival clowns, contortionists, and free clown tattoos by local artists, as well as live music from 6-9pm.
46. Crowd Sourced
Crowd Sourced is an opportunity to use your smart phone to control a live performance: submit photos beforehand, then vote on which image a comedian will use as inspiration for their stand up. (UPDATE: This event has been rescheduled for Saturday, April 16.)
47. DOPE Cup 2016
DOPE Cup 2016 pits vendors of marijuana-centered goods in a competition for, you guessed it, the DOPE Cup. On April 17, they promise an award ceremony, live music, food, and vendors.
48. Haiku Day
Craft activities, haiku readings, a haiku-writing walk, and workshops are promised at Haiku Day (in Japanese and English) co-sponsored by Haiku Northwest.
49. Michael Gregor
Michael Gregor will give a book talk on How Not to Die, featuring special foods that he claims will help you slow down a run-of-the-mill kind of aging and decay.
50. One Laugh at a Time: A Sober Comedy Showcase
This evening of laughs features a line-up of comedians who are either sober or in recovery, including Daniel Carroll, Liz Donehue, Sam Miller, Garth James Purkett, Athena Nation, Brent Blakley and Ben Floyd.
51. Rainbow Honey and Tea Party In the City
Come to the Rainbow Honey and Tea Party for food, art, music, readings, and, of course, tea (from B. Fuller’s Mortal and Pestal).
Stranger (Than Usual) Things To Do comes out every week on Tuesday. To submit events to be considered, email us at calendar@thestranger.com.
