Aside from the list of last-minute things to do for Valentine’s Day, there are also lots of other events happening this weekend that don’t require reservations months in advance. Choose from wallet-friendly (under $10) activities like a live Band in Seattle TV taping with free beer, the Chinatown-International District Lunar New Year celebration, and the mobile food truck rodeo round-up at Fremont Sunday Market. See all of your options below, and find even more things to do this weekend on our complete Things To Do calendar.
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FRIDAY
1. Made in Cuba!
This large group show, featuring 50 to 60 works in mixed media, is the first in a series of Cuban Art Space exhibitions in Seattle. Artists include Abel Barroso, Kcho, Roberto Diago, Manuel Mendive, Sandra Ceballos, and Mabel Poblet. The opening reception of Made in Cuba! promises Cuban food, drink, and music. (Belltown, free)
2. Paul Lisicky
Paul Lisicky, author of Lawnboy, Famous Builder, The Burning House, and Unbuilt Projects (and former partner of writer Mark Doty) will read from his new memoir, The Narrow Door. (Capitol Hill, free)
3. Art Up PhinneyWood
Walk around charming Greenwood/Phinney and take in art from more than forty venues, from galleries to restaurants to bookshops, including Couth Buzzard Books, Naked City Brewery, and Push/Pull Gallery. (Greenwood/Phinney, free)
4. Going Blank Again
“Your British host,” Johnny Dee, spins alt, indie, new wave, dream pop, and post punk. (West Seattle, free)
5. Craftstravaganza #2—Valentine Edition
Push/Pull will provide art supplies (and snacks!) so you can create a handmade gift for Valentine’s Day. BYOB, if you’re so inclined. (Ballard, $5)
6. David Bowie Tribute/Sing Along
Jim Basnight and crew pay homage to the late, great David Bowie. (Capitol Hill, $5)
7. KLAW
“Local darlings KLAW continue the Northwest tradition of raw, rude rock ’n’ roll passed on to them from the Mudhoneys and the Zekes of the scene.” -Kevin Diers (Georgetown, $5)
8. Witches Brew
Celebrate Robert Eggers’ The Witch by getting excited with four witchy classics at SIFF this weekend: The Craft, Rosemary’s Baby, Witchfinder General, and The Devils. If you attend any two of the films, you’ll receive free admission to the free sneak preview of the new horror film The Witch on Sunday, where director Robert Eggers will be in attendance. (Seattle Center, $5 each)
9. Seaver & Witscher
“When you have two producers the caliber of Seaver and Witscher, you can expect inventive mischievousness.” -Dave Segal (Wallingford, $5-$15 suggested)
10. Band in Seattle Taping
Brent Amaker and Fox and the Law take the stage for a Band in Seattle live TV taping. Other highlights: free beer and post-show music trivia. (Queen Anne, $10)
11. Northwest Tap Connection
Northwest Tap Connection youth performers headline at this dance event in honor of Black History Month, also featuring poetry from Lashaunycee O’Cain and a discussion with Melba Ayco (Artistic Director, Northwest Tap Connection) and Donald Byrd (Artistic Director, Spectrum Dance Theater). (Seattle Center, $10)
12. The Tipfield Hour
The Pocket Theater says that, “Brittany and Matt, America’s favorite late night talk show host couple… are no longer together. However their contract with The Tipfield Hour is still binding, so lucky for you, the show must go on! You’ll still get that great variety of local comedians and musicians, and Matt and Brittany will still be there with that endearing banter you’ve grown to love, they just won’t be behind the same desk anymore and there will probably be some bitterness behind that banter.” Happy Valentine’s Day? (Greenwood, $10)
13. The Best ’80s Party Ever! (So Far)
Nite Wave wants you to “get your ’80s New Wave dance on,” and “the party starter herself” DJ Baby Van Beezly will play ’80s “dance jams all night long.” (Ballard, $10)
14. Wonderlust
Chill electronics from Pinky Promise, MTBTZ, Hydef, and Jordan Michael, plus smokin’ visuals from the likes of Sensebellum, can be expected. (Ballard, $10)
15. Show Your Love for Folklife
Whitney Monge, Tiny Messengers, and more will perform, all while raising money for Folklife. (Ballard, $10)
16. Mass Gothic
“Led by former Hooray for Earth mainman Noel Heroux, Mass Gothic writes catchy, mildly melodramatic tunes that gleam with studio HFCS (Chris Coady mixed the record). … If “Every Night You’ve Got to Save Me” isn’t in a major motion picture by year’s end, I’ll lick Father John Misty’s manbun.” -Dave Segal (Columbia City, $10)
17. Battle of the Bards
This unique event allows the audience to take charge of the direction of Ghost Light Theatrical’s 2016-2017 season. Three ensembles perform scenes from three classical play adaptations, and then audience members vote on their favorite, ultimately deciding which adaptation makes it into Ghost Light’s lineup. (Ballard, $10)
SATURDAY
18. Lunar New Year 2016
Ring in the year of the monkey at this community celebration in the International District. They promise “non-stop cultural performances,” including dragon and lion dances, taiko drumming, bollywood dance, martial arts—plus tons of $3 options for food plates. (International District, free)
19. Tết in Seattle
Celebrate the Lunar New Year, Vietnamese-style, at Tết in Seattle. Check out Vietnamese art, music, and food for two days at the Seattle Center. (Seattle Center, free)
20. 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. (Georgetown, free)
21. John Romero: Duwamish Revealed Mural Reception
The closing celebration of Duwamish Revealed, the exhibit in which one hundred artists pay tribute to Seattle’s essential waterway, features the unveiling of a mural by artist John Romero. (Georgetown, free)
22. Poets (speak out) Against Hate
Dozens of poets, including Seattle’s civic poet Claudia Castro Luna, will read short poems (1-2 minutes) speaking out against hate. (Downtown, free)
23. The Red Party
All Cycles, a homeless outreach project dedicated to securing and finding ways to distribute menstrual products to the people who need them, are throwing a party. Bring a donation and cash for the raffle, where there will be prizes courtesy of Oddfellows Cafe, Fremont Coffee Co., Sin in Linens, Babeland, Central Cinema, among others. There will also be cake, booze from Counterbalance Brewing Company, a DJ, and a photo booth. (Belltown, donation)
24. dræmhouse, season of strangers, and The Good Wives
Chilled-out glam pop from dræmhouse and company at the Central Saloon. (Pioneer Square, $5)
24. Black History Month Celebration
MOHAI will have $7 special admission pricing all day, plus special film screenings and performances. (South Lake Union, $7)
25. Katie Kuffel, Isaiah Dominguez, Deep Talks, Arthur James
Isaiah Dominguez celebrates the release of his new album, Deep Talks celebrate the release of their new single, and singer-songwriters Katie Kuffel and Arthur James are along for the ride too. (Belltown, $7/$9)
26. Onry Ozzborn
“Seattle’s p-rap-fessor of the dark arts Onry Ozzborn says he’s been toiling away on his most recent solo album for more than five years… The audio/visual treats from the album will be worth the trip for true fans, and performances by P.O.S., Ozzborn’s Grayskul, and Kimya Dawson add all the icing.” -Todd Hamm (Fremont, $10)
SUNDAY
27. Charles Parrish Art Show and Sale Opening Reception
Jen Graves says, “Parrish is a carver, more often than not carving the heads of Black Americans, and he is so prolific that he has to use foam because he would not be able to afford as much bronze and marble as he’d need to satisfy his desire to create. He’s got a studio at the James and Janie Washington Foundation, which itself is a small museum, a trip into fascinating history through the life of the late artist and Seattle Civil Rights leader. You will not forget this whole evening.” Refreshments will be provided. (Madrona, free)
28. Mobile Food Rodeo: Round-up #3
Come to Fremont Sunday Market to browse local artisanal wares, thrift finds, and locally sourced food and goods—then stay for the wide variety of awesome food trucks. (Fremont, free entry)
For more events today, see our list of cheap things to do for Valentine’s Day.
