Our critics have already recommended 55 great things to do this week, but there are 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 a 6:30 am dance party to an erotic poetry show, and from International Tabletop Day to several Prince tribute events. For even more options this week, check out our complete Things To Do calendar.
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TUESDAY
1. Eat Cake
Secrets, lies, and frosting abound in this “queer, campy, musical extravaganza” about a family toughing it out through a wedding. (Through Wed)
2. Esma Redzepova & Folk Masters
Macedonian singer Esma Redzepova takes the stage for a night of Romani tunes at Town Hall, with help from the Folk Masters, and a dance set led by renowned Romani dance master Sani Rifati.
3. Great Falls, The Jan-Michael Vincent Car Crash, Guns of Barisal, and Binaural Beasts
A less creative person might call Seattle’s Great Falls a “power trio.” But what specific power would that be referring to? The power of amplification, maybe. Great Falls certainly like their grinding noise rock loud. The power of evil is another option. Listening to them might make one feel inclined to do something naughty: stay out too late, drink too much, commit some light arson. Let’s settle on the power of musicianship and attitude. Led by scene stalwart Demian Johnston, with Shane Mehling on bass and Phil Petrocelli on drums, Great Falls sound like a very consternated office manager exorcising all of his or her personal demons at once through a megaphone. JOSEPH SCHAFER
4. LGBT Civil Rights and Creating a National Park for Stonewall
The National Parks Conservation Association presents this evening discussion, featuring Boston Public Radio’s “All Revved Up” commentator Rev. Irene Monroe, about calling for a national park for Stonewall in New York City.
5. The Music of Harry Partch
Department of Creation (and Destruction) Myths: Prodigy teenage composer shoves all his “normal”-sounding compositions into a New Orleans potbellied stove, flirts with a 29-tone scale, settles finally on a 43-tone scale. To play this new music, he hand-builds instruments known as “Boo,” “Boo II,” “Quadrangularis Reversum,” “Eucal Blossom,” and others of odd nomenclature. It all happened right here in, of all places, America. Harry Partch died in 1974, but his musical contraptions, kept at the University of Washington in a special collection, play on, courtesy of Professor Charles Corey, Partch doyen and an alternate-tuning composer himself. Go and let it go to your head until you can’t find your head anymore. I guarantee the buzz of the streetlights will be revelatory on your way home. ANDREW HAMLIN
6. A Polar Climate Change Puzzle
Kyle Armour, assistant professor at UW in the School of Oceanography and Department of Atmospheric Sciences, will speak about climate change and why it’s affected the north and south poles so differently.
WEDNESDAY
7. Enchant’s Student Showcase
Students of the Enchant Vertical Dance pole dance studio will demonstrate what they’ve learned at this Narwhal show that will “tell you stories through dance and make you go ‘how did they do that?!'”
8. Estranged Sensation
Experience the multi-sensory potential of electronic music paired with experimental visuals at Estranged Sensation, a new night at Kremwerk focusing on max-space outs and alien mind vacations. Expect full drone entanglement from resident DJs Degenerate and Veins, additional music from Pulling Out The Light, and visuals by Grey Ellis, Samantha Sermeno, and Nicole Carr.
9. A Hand of Talons
Pork Filled Productions presents the world premiere of A Hand of Talons, a steampunk noir/family drama (and the third installment of the New Providence series) written by Maggie Lee and directed by Amy Poisson. Tonight is a pay-what-you-can preview night.
10. A Karaoke Tribute to Prince
Hula Hula, typically your #1 destination for island-vibe-infused karaoke nights, is throwing a Prince tribute night, complete with half-off rum specials and a healthy spirit of mourning-derived competition. The whole night is dedicated to The Purple One, with a $100 gift certificate going to the best Prince karaoke performance of the evening.
11. This Might Not Work: Babak Golkar
A new artist talk/lecture series from PCNW, organized by Hami Bohadori and Matt Bell. Prepare to see the intersection of commercial and academic art through a variety of forms of communication, from performances and presentations to lectures and “beneficial experiences.” This talk features artist Babak Golkar, who “engages a critical inquiry into cultural and socio-economical registers.”
THURSDAY
12. The 1975
Hot-hot-hot Manchester alt-rock revivalists the 1975 headline WaMu Theater.
13. Clipper Round the World Yacht Race: Departure Ceremony
Watch the crews from the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race return to their boats for a journey through the Panama Canal, with a departure ceremony from 2-3 pm, then a Parade of Sail in front of the boardwalk from 3-4:30 pm.
14. Crosscut Arts Salon: The Color of Race
Crosscut presents this performance and discussion event that aims to analyze what it means to be an artist of color in Seattle, how art lends itself to issues of racial identity and ethnicity, and how and whether to create work for a majority white audience. Featured performers and speakers are Filipino-American rapper Prometheus Brown, Tony-nominated choreographer and Spectrum Dance Theater Artistic Director Donald Byrd, eSe Teatro: Seattle Latinos Take Stage Artistic Director Rose Cano, Stranger Genius and conceptual artist C. Davida Ingram, and Longhouse Media Executive Director and Co-founder Tracy Rector.
15. Eroica Trio
The all-female, Grammy-nominated Eroica Trio, who have appeared on numerous TV programs—including ABC’s The View and the CBS Morning Show—perform selected classical works.
16. Outdoor Movie Night: The Goonies
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 week, they’re screening Stephen Spielberg’s classic The Goonies.
17. Sexy Syrah Wine Tasting
Sip on Syrah from over 30 Washington wineries at this event at Salty’s on Alki Beach. Sexy, apparently, because “Syrah is seducing wine enthusiasts who have an affection for red wines with bold spices, rich fruit and silky texture.”
18. Star Trek: The Motion Picture Movie Night
Explore the art and concepts featured in Pivot Art + Culture’s Imagined Futures exhibit through this weekly movie series, introduced by Ben Heywood. This week, watch the 1979 Star Trek: The Motion Picture, which, according to the organizers, was “the last great science fiction movie.”
19. Walk with the Gardener
Before it opens for the day, get a special tour of the Chihuly Garden, the first natural environment created specifically to showcase a Chihuly exhibition. The gardening team will share their landscaping design and philosophy, show you their winter and spring plantings, and offer home gardening tips. Plus, you’ll get access to the Glasshouse exhibitions.
FRIDAY
20. Cephalopod Appreciation Society
Celebrate octopus, squid, chambered nautilus, and cuttlefish at this Hugo House event featuring poetry, music, art, and film.
21. Fleetmac Wood: Tango in the Night Disco
A no holds barred dance party devoted entirely to the Fleetwood Mac discography — ready yourself for hella remixes and all kinds of disco-ing.
22. ICON: Prince Tribute Night
The emotional and musical legacy of Prince remains unmeasurable, but up to the task of sharing how his talents have affected their work include DJs Paro, Envymatic, Rion, Alex Bosi, and Kidone.
23. The Intergalactic Nemesis: Target Earth
This show about a reporter and a research assistant saving the world is described as “a live-action graphic novel,” and promises elements of comic books and radio plays as well as traditional stage performance.
24. Into the Grey: Versatile Arts Student Show
This aerial exploration of light and dark offers a magical evening of movement led by the “Light Queen of the Aerial Realm.” They promise that there will be “no Creepy Freaks of ANY KIND” at this spinning, airborne performance…but do you really believe them? See which element wins out in this “devised fairy tale experience,” written and directed by Sabina Smith-Moreland and produced by Beverly Sobelman and Versatile Arts. (Through Sun)
25. Legendary Children
Experience the power of QTPOC voices in art at Legendary Children, an event presented in celebration of “the beautiful, the transgressive, and the unique.” Expect performances, DJ sets, and art by some of Seattle’s most talented queer artists, including hosts Regine Dynasty and Aleksa Manila, and DJs Riz and Reverend Dollars.
26. Mariners Bumbershoot Night
Celebrate the Bumbershoot lineup announcement at this themed night at the Mariners vs. Royals game. For $36, you can sit in the terrace club level (which is normally $60), and you’ll get a free Mariners/Bumbershoot T-shirt. Plus, Matt Bishop of Hey Marseilles will perform a short set at 6:15 pm in Section 247.
27. The Prince and Michael Experience with DJ Dave Paul
The ultimate tribute dance party for the angels among us, Prince and Michael Jackson. Music by DJ Dave Paul, all the way from San Francisco.
28. Reveal: Northwest Innovation in Fashion
Enjoy the work of local fashion artists (Built for Man, Ozen Company, Schai, Silvae, and Tom Ordonio) at this fundraiser for EMP that will highlight the creativity and innovation in Pacific Northwest clothing design.
29. The Robbie Turner Revue
Drag Race diva and longtime Seattle darling Robbie Turner breaks out a cabaret-style showcase of songs, costumes, and dancing. (Through Sun)
30. Sketch Comedy Month
Every night in May (plus the last weekend of April), the Pocket Theater will have sketch comedy from more than 25 Seattle-based comedy groups, including Deep Lez, Fifty Percent Less Bear, and Sketchy Santa.
31. That1Guy
Experimental weirdo Mike Silverman takes the stage as That 1 Guy with a myriad of musical magic and bizarre hand-wrought techniques sure to surprise many.
32. The Threepenny Opera
Bertold Brecht’s game-changing, socialist opera—translated to German from John Gay’s 18th-century The Beggar’s Opera by Elisabeth Hauptmann and featuring music by Kurt Weill—is a must-see. After its opening in 1928 in Berlin, it had already been translated into 18 languages before Weill and Brecht were forced to leave Nazi Germany, and it has since become a classic.
33. Twist Top Issue Release Show
If you like making art and fostering community and watching other people play music, head to the Twist Top Issue Release Show, featuring Julia Shapiro (Chastity Belt, Childbirth) in her solo debut, Invisible Hand, Peg, and Zen Mother. There will be copies of the Twist Top premiere issue available for sale, so feel free to contribute your wallet contents to this growing art space.
34. The Wake: Welcome to the Jungle Edition
The Wake is an early morning dance party for everyone and anyone who likes sunshine and aerobics at the crack of dawn. If that sounds appealing to you, then you’ll definitely want to be dancing in a room full of coconut water and house music at 6am. Go get a workout at Fred Wildlife before you start your work day.
35. Weirdo Simpatico: Little Stories For Short Attention Spans
Katy Bourne reads truncated stories from her book “Weirdo Simpatico,” accompanied by live bass. This event is part of “Weirdo Simpatico: The Happy Hour Tour,” a spring joint reading and music series taking place at select watering holes across the city.
36. What Water Knows: A Night of Chamber Music
Sound of Late presents “What Water Knows,” a night of shimmeringly oceanic chamber music composed by Emily Doolittle, Nicole Portley, Bright Sheng, and Toru Takemitsu in conjunction with the music and poetry of marine biologists and commercial fishers.
SATURDAY
37. 40 Years of Radost! Concert and Party
Radost Folk Ensemble, a renowned Balkan dance group, is turning 40 and celebrating by throwing a giant concert. The Balkan bacchanalia features live musical accompaniment, traditional singing, and favorite dance numbers from Radost’s past. On stage will be current and former dancers, including the children’s ensemble, as well as Orkestar RTW (Radost’s house band), and women’s choir Dunava. And in the R. Kelly spirit of things, there’ll be an after-party after the party on site with live music.
38. Afrodisiac Erotic Poetry Show, Vinyl and Mixtape Party
Enjoy the fruits of your labor from the Erotic Poetry Workshop at the Erotic Poetry Show, Vinyl and Mixtape Party. Hosted by iNfinity & Verbal Oasis, the show will feature sensual and erotic poets, vocalists, and visual artists, and live funk and hip hop sets by DJ Roc’Fella.
39. Andy Mineo’s Uncomfortable Tour 2.0
Extremely Christian rapper Andy Mineo (formerly “C-Lite”) graces Showbox SODO with his enlightened presence on the Uncomfortable Tour 2.0, with openers GAWVI and Wordsplayed, and narrated by Propaganda.
40. Camlann Medieval Village May Festival
Carnation’s medieval village will have maypole dancing, craft booths, dancing, archery, medieval music, and more. Medieval clothing is encouraged, but not required, and you can either eat at the Bors Hede restaurant or reserve your place at the more indulgent May Banquet.
41. Capitol Hill Tool Library Grand Opening
Celebrate the grand opening of the Capitol Hill Tool Library, housed in Seattle’s First Covenant Church and provided by Sustainable Capitol Hill.
42. Capitol Hill Urban Outfitters 25th Anniversary Party
Celebrate heritage capitalism in the sweetest of ways by attending the pop-up market at the Urban Outfitters on Broadway in honor of their 25th birthday. They’ve teamed up with the Vera Project and Sub Pop to bring you live music, local vendors, and DIY workshops in store this Saturday.
43. Comeback’s Down and Dirty Reunion 2016
Comeback’s comeback is imminent and brings with it the queer DJ talents of Pony lore and true Capitol Hill gay cultural heritage. Leading the party surge will be Colby B and DJ Mister Sister (Marcus Wilson, ex-Pony shaper), with music support and performances by Cucci Binaca and Ozma Otacava. Previously known as the longest running Capitol Hill indie queer dance party, Comeback returns in our time of need with new music and old soul to bring the house down.
44. Drawtastic
A new drawing and animation extravaganza promising vendors, festival events, an awards show, and more.
45. Experimental Visions
As part of the National Film Festival for Talented Youth, SIFF will screen a series of experimental films that use techniques never before seen on the big screen.
46. Freedom March and Global Marijuana March
Experience democracy for botany’s sake at a pedestrian pace at the annual global Cannabis Freedom March on April 30th. This year’s theme focuses on the recent developments of Washington State’s medical cannabis system and the apparent need for continued reform with regard to current state and federal cannabis laws. There will be over 30 speakers and 3 bands throughout the day, with citizens and activists marching from Westlake Park to downtown Seattle to support their right to light (up).
47. Fresh Dressed Jam
Celebrate the last weekend of MOHAI’s The Legacy of Seattle Hip-Hop with a fashion show that promises a retrospective through performances, music, art, and style.
48. Halfway to Halloween
Good news, we’re halfway to Halloween, and the beautiful freaks of Q Nightclub want to haunt it up with you. Join DJs Sean Majors, Dig-Dug, Dr. Fever, and Bgeezy for a night of tricks, treats, and trying to get your dance on.
49. Independent Bookstore Day
Celebrate local booksellers—the people who are so, so much more interesting than the Amazon webpage, and who work much harder to bring you great literature—at Indie Bookstore Day.
50. International Tabletop Day
International Tabletop Day is the brainchild of Geek & Sundry, a website from Felicia Day that’s devoted to gaming and the counter-culture geeks that love it. Game stores on all even continents will celebrate with all types of board, card, and role-playing games, including several in Seattle. See the complete list here.
51. Jo Koy
Frequent Chelsea Handler contributor and general professional comedian Jo Koy will be doing a two-set evening as well as a live taping during each show this Saturday at the Moore.
52. Just Beachy
Proceeds from his benefit party, held at a giant warehouse filled with sand, will go to Big Brothers Big Sisters of King County. Expect a tiki bar, sand volleyball, bocce ball, New Orleanian food from Where Ya At Matt, free snacks and appetizers, and other food, beer, and cider available for purchase.
53. Kamioke: Disco and 70s Soft Rock
Join KJ Kami for a night of disco and yacht rock at the Ballard Eagle’s Club. Get ready for songs and drink prices straight from our most polyestered decade in a space also preserved from that bygone era.
54. Mandolin Hooper and the Shadowland Rats, The F-Holes, and Girl Fry
Normally “the Rats are back” would be a terror-inducing phrase but, in this case, it just means that the Substation will be filled with old school cowpunk lounge rock by Mandolin Hooper and the Shadowland Rats for one night only.
55. Mårten Spångberg: The Planet (late at night)
In conjunction with the Six Weeks, In Time exhibit, this performance event features a group of dancers and a group of assorted objects that “come together to reimagine the performer/spectator relationship as one of uncanny, mutual recognition.” The show is inspired by a fictional story that Swedish performance artist Mårten Spångberg wrote that “speculates on the sublime horror of an endless present.” A discussion with On the Boards Artistic Director lane Czaplinski will follow the performance.
56. Resident Night at Train Car House Party
The residents of Train Car House Party (seemingly a group of people who like to throw parties in the train cars of Orient Express) are throwing a party (natch) to celebrate themselves this weekend. Expect a DJ, house rules enforced, and dancing all night long.
57. Say Anything, Mewithoutyou, Teen Suicide, and Museum Mouth
When Say Anything broke onto the scene in earnest in 2004 with …Is a Real Boy, they might have fooled those poseurs at AbsolutePunk.com, but they didn’t fool me. Say Anything weren’t as raw as Taking Back Sunday, not as clever as Brand New. When it comes to overly affecting a SoCal drawl when singing the word “you,” I’ll take Adam Lazzara on his worst day or Tom DeLonge in his sleep. And when it comes to the gratuitous use of ‘dear,’ I’ll curl up with Dashboard Confessional’s Chris Carrabba. And lead singer Max Bemis’s struggle with Judaism and his self-touted ambition re: writing pop-punk songs about Holocaust narratives? I dig the sentiment, but… hard pass. RICH SMITH
58. Seattle Challenge 2016
The Seattle Challenge is an Amazing Race-style urban adventure race, in which teams of two or more will race around the city and solve clues along the way.
59. Willie Nelson Birthday Celebration
Americana legend and generally beautiful peacemaker Willie Nelson turns 83 years old on April 29th, so the Royal Room will be celebrating by hosting two Willie Nelson shows — a 7:30pm all ages show and a 10:00pm 21+ show. Get ready to walk the landscape of this weird country in step with the discography of a true native son.
SUNDAY
60. Club Shostakovich XV: The Lost Composers
To celebrate Soviet composer and pianist Dmitri Shostakovich’s last quartet and his impact on 20th century music, the Royal Room is presenting this concert featuring composers killed during World War II “whose music might have profoundly altered the sound of the century.”
61. May Day Celebration and Potluck
Go dance around the Maypole with the Fremont Arts Council as they celebrate the rites of fertility and springtime on May Day. They’ll be taking over the Woodland Park field at 3pm to weave the pole. Wear white and bring flowers for head wreaths, and food and drink to share.
62. May Day! Drag to the Rescue!
Sylvia O’Stayformore will host this dog adoption fair and fundraiser to benefit Ginger’s Pet Rescue. From noon-3 pm, there will be an all-ages dog adoption event and silent auction, and from 1-2:30 there will be a 21+ drag show (liquor is promised). There’s no charge for this event, although donations are encouraged.
63. May Day Morris Dancing
On May Day, local Morris dance groups will celebrate the traditional English way—dance, song, bells, ribbons, and more at dawn to welcome the sun.
64. Mostly Nordic Chamber Music Series & Smörgåsbord
Musical representatives from all five Nordic countries will visit the Nordic Heritage Museum for this series of live concerts, followed by gourmet bites from the featured country.
65. Noise Yoga with John Teske
Noise Yoga strikes again with its weird vibey relaxation spin. Experience a live set by contemporary composer John Teske at the Frye as you bend and stretch your way to a more openly experimental music chi.
66. The Purple Afterlife with DJ Dave Paul
Thanks to extreme demand, DJ Dave Paul is putting on another night of all Prince, all the time, in honor of our fallen angel. Show up in your best purple and cry-dance the night away.
67. Street Requiem Seattle
Starbucks Chorus presents a benefit for the homeless population of Seattle with a large-scale choral performance of the cantata “Street Requiem Seattle,” a multi-movement piece scored for choirs, soloists, and chamber orchestras. In the words of a Starbucks copywriter, “Street Requiem Seattle” is “neither secular nor religious, but is intended to be spiritual and includes English, Latin and African lyrics.” Explore the great collective African language yourself with tickets to this event; ninety-percent of the proceeds go to benefit those “living and dying in the streets!” (exclamation not ours).
68. Weed* & Memoir with David Schmader
Weed* & Memoir is a night of readings from memoirists, plus interpretive readings of classic memoirs, headlined by David Schmader, whose new book Weed: The User’s Guide—A 21st Century Handbook for Enjoying Marijuana, is, in the words of Tobias Coughlin-Bogue, “indispensable for stoners and novices alike.” Tina Rowley and our own Angela Garbes will also read from autobiographical work, and Rebecca M. Davis, Richard Kennedy, Charles Smith, and Michelangelo Matos will interpret other people’s memoirs. Drag star Atasha Manila will also perform an interpretive memoir performance to round out the event that will “delight and beguile the brains of the high and not-high alike.” *No weed will be sold or allowed to be consumed on the premises.
Stranger (Than Usual) Things To Do comes out every week on Tuesday. To submit events to be considered, email us at calendar@thestranger.com.
