You no longer have any excuse to stay home and watch Netflix this weekend. From the Georgetown Art Attack (#10) to a Cherdonna performance (#2) to a concert from Stranger Genius winners The Intelligence (#21), there are lots of great things to do this weekend that won’t cost you any money–plus a couple of extra $10-and-under things we couldn’t resist adding (like #9: free beer, anyone?) For even more events, check out our complete Things To Do calendar. (Everything is free except where noted otherwise.)
FRIDAY
1. Jesse Eisenberg with Sherman Alexie
Did you know Jesse Eisenberg is not just an actor, but also an author, playwright, and contributor to The New Yorker and McSweeney’s? He’ll talk about his debut story collection, Bream Gives Me Hiccups, with Sherman Alexie.
2. Velocity Dance Center: Cherdonna Shinatra, Patron Saint of Velocity
Cherdonna Shinatra, Patron Saint of Velocity is an early manifestation of what will premiere during Velocity’s 20th Anniversary season in June 2016 by Jody Kuehner (aka “female-impersonator impersonator” and Stranger Genius winner Cherdonna Shinatra).
3. Leo Mazow: Hopper’s Hotels
Kollar American Art Lecture, through the University of Washington School of Art + Art History + Design, presents this lecture by Leo Mazow on the “visual environments” of painter Edward Hopper.
4. Best of the Northwest Art & Fine Craft Show
Head to Hangar 30 in Magnuson Park and check out jewelry, designer clothing, furnishings and home decor, plus local cuisine and a children’s art table. (Through Sunday)
5. Curator Talk: Michael Cepress
The fashion designer and guest curator discusses the Counter-Couture: Fashioning Identity in the American Counterculture exhibit. ($5)
6. Bootie Seattle: Taylor vs. Katy
Because the world could always use more arbitrary female-on-female competition, Bootie Seattle presents a Taylor Swift vs. Katy Perry themed mashup night. ($5 before 10 pm)
7. Mad Scientist Cabaret
Clowns, puppets, burlesque and a lot more come together to make one crazy, sexy show. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll think you’ve lost your mind. ($5/$10)
8. Jonathan Lethem in Conversation with David Shields
MacArthur fellow Jonathan Lethem and James Franco fellow David Shields will present works about cutting up bodies. ($10, plus open bar)
9. Band in Seattle Live TV Taping with Katie Kate and Erik Blood
Two Stranger Genius nominees will perform at this concert (with free Naked City beer!) that will be taped for TV. ($10, includes free beer)
SATURDAY
10. Georgetown Art Attack
Once a month, the art that resides in the tiny airport hamlet of Georgetown ATTACKS all passersby. In more literal terms, it’s the day of art openings and street wonderment. As you wander and take it all in, keep this list of the venues and openings tucked in your rain jacket.
11. Latvian Center Christmas Bazaar
Lots of specialty Latvian (and Christmas) foods, plus handmade goods like decorative pillows, dolls, toys, and ceramics, and more.
12. Denim Demolition
Bring your own denim to the Bellevue Arts Museum to distress, paint, bead, rip and embroider.
13. Socially Engaged Art in Japan, Symposium
This three-day symposium explores the intersection of art and culture through the lens of Japanese turmoil and artistic intervention. What can artwork that is ‘socially informed’ do, in a practical sense? How does it affect the quality and intellectual weight of the piece? What is art’s place in a community that is rebuilding itself?
14. Books Bridge our Senses/Los Libros Conectan Nuestros Sentidos
Local writers Catalina M. Cantú, Raúl Sánchez, and Seattle Civic Poet Claudia Castro Luna read works in both Spanish and English, accompanied by live music provided by Jacque Larrainzar.
15. SAM Shop Presents: Jil Smith of Insatiable Studios
Jil Smith will present new designs of her handmade paper lamp shades and talk about her inspiration and process.
16. Ladies Night at Comics Dungeon
Check out a safe and open space (EVERYONE’s welcome!) for learning more about Geeky Girls & Comics. Get recommendations for superheroes that bend gender binaries, and talk with like-minded people about awesome new titles.
17. Essen Fest Demo Day
After traveling to Essen, Germany, for the premier board game convention in the world, Blue Highway Games staff brought back as-yet-unreleased games for their library, and you can play them today.
18. Lyric League Freestyle Competition
It’s a freestyle competition hosted by Black Magic Noize. Go show ’em what you got.
19. Abakis, Ings, and Autocoon
It’s a “villain-themed” show, so dress as your favorite (“loosely defined”) villain and catch some good orchestral pop. ($5 donation)
SUNDAY
20. Jonathan Lethem & Friends Presents Best American Comics 2015
The guest editor of Best American Comics 2015 moderates a panel with local contributors Jim Woodring, Megan Kelso, and Peter Bagge. A reception and book signing follows.
21. The Intelligence
“The Intelligence won the 2011 Stranger Music Genius award, which explains why these LA/Seattle scallywags are playing a freakin’ museum at 2 in the bloody afternoon. It should be interestingly incongruous to witness their lyrically acerbic post-punk/garage-rock/electronic-pop rampages in the Frye’s high-art environs at a time when most of their fanbase is nurturing hangovers.” -Dave Segal
22. Pick a Winner: Animation Room
Come and cast your vote for your favorite animated films at Scarecrow Video!
