April is fast approaching, so it’s time to start filling up your calendar with some of the excellent events Seattle has in store. We’ve compiled the 50 best events next month that you’ll want to buy your tickets for before they sell out, from a talk featuring Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter Chris Hedges to the Northwest Tequila and Agave Spirits Fest to a Rihanna concert. For even more events, see our complete Things To Do calendar.
APRIL 1
The Lumineers
As a benefit for KEXP’s new home, The Lumineers will play a special show featuring songs from their new album, Cleopatra, and an interview with John Richards.
APRIL 1-2
Acoustic Africa
The fourth year of Acoustic Africa focuses on African voice and song traditions, and aims to advance the mission of Oxfam International. The show’s lineup focuses on Malian guitarist and composer Habib Koite and South African singer Vusi Mahlasela, who was asked to perform at Nelson Mandela’s inauguration in 1994.
APRIL 2
BowieVision: A Celebration of the Life and Music of David Bowie
BowieVision pays tribute to the mourned and celebrated thin white duke at Nectar. Don’t miss this practiced homage to David Bowie, alongside Talking Heads tribute band Life During Wartime and DJ Chrispo.
Ellie Goulding
Synth-pop goddess Ellie Goulding comes to Seattle in support of her newest album, Delirium, released last November.
J. Dilla Tribute
J Dilla, whom NPR called “one of the music industry’s most influential hiphop artists,” died in 2006, at the age of 32, after battling a blood disease and lupus. Tonight, hiphop artists including New Orleans star Jay Electronica will pay him tribute.
APRIL 2-3
Now I’m Fine
Ahamefule J. Oluo, of Stranger Genius Award winning band Industrial Revelation, remounts his autobiographical odyssey, a harrowing, hilarious personal story punctuated by astoundingly strong songs, brilliantly arranged and performed by several of the most talented musicians in Seattle. Originally staged at On the Boards, Now I’m Fine received rave reviews during its recent New York run, and should definitely be seen at the Moore, because you never know where it will end up next. SEAN NELSON
APRIL 4
Escondido
Music from Nashville indie rock duo Escondido’s debut album was included in soundtracks for Girls and Sex Tape, and they’ve performed on Conan and Nashville. They’ll come to Seattle on tour for their new album, Walking With a Stranger, released in February.
APRIL 5
Generation Axe: A Night of Guitars
OH MY GOD! All y’all formerly hair-piled-high butt-rock fans need to take note of this Generation Axe show. Dig the players—all of whom are guitarguably the best metal has to offer. MIKE NIPPER
Lesley Hazleton: The Scientific, Social Case for Agnosticism
Agnosticism is more than uncertainty—”accidental theologist” Lesley Hazleton explains that it’s an active and engaged approach to religion, rather than an evasive out. At this event, Hazleton does a little bit of agnostic proselytizing, dismissing common stereotypes and offering reasons why agnosticism might be your best choice.
APRIL 6
Civic Cocktail: Palace Ballroom
This month’s edition of Civic Cocktail (pressing local issues over drinks) will feature Fred Hutch’s immunotherapy researcher Dr. Stanley Riddell, Seattle City Councilmember Kshama Sawant, and Liz Vivian from Women’s Funding Alliance.
Tanya Tagaq: Nanook of the North
Native Inuit throat singer Tanya Tagaq will provide a live score to Nanook of the North, re-appropriating and reimagining the damaging stereotypes depicted in the film, for an artistically and socially engaged musical performance.
APRIL 7
The Bushwick Book Club Seattle: Original Music Inspired by Marjane Satrapi’s Persepolis
The Bushwick Book Club Seattle will take on Marjane Satrapi’s devastating and hilarious graphic novel Persepolis in an event featuring live original music, comedy, an audience quiz, and art. Look forward to performances by Judd Wasserman, Michele Khazak, Leslie Braly, Nancy K Dillon, Holly Small, Nick Droz, Reggie Garrett, Debbie Miller and Lizzie Weber.
Dude York and Naked Giants
Seattle’s supersmart, supercharged Dude York rock harder than Nicolas Cage and Sean Connery blowing up shit on Alcatraz. KATHLEEN TARRANT
Killer Mike
Killer Mike (rapper, musician, MC, and social activist) will speak about his work, both musical and social/political.
Totally ’80s Sing Along Encore
Sing along to your favorite 80s hits at Central Cinema! They promise more than 30 videos that include the Beastie Boys, Prince, Madonna, Eddie Murphy, Men at Work, and Cyndi Lauper.
APRIL 7-10
Emerald City Comicon
Emerald City Comicon is the biggest comic book (and general geek pop culture) convention in the Pacific Northwest. Ring in the beginning of the High Holy Days of Seattle’s nerd calendar by watching downtown transform, with cosplayers taking over the streets. The convention will feature panels, screenings, workshops, contests, exhibitions, and lots of guest appearances. Most of the weekend is currently sold out, but Thursday tickets are still available.
Los Lobos
The beautiful Chicano sounds of Los Lobos—not to be confused with Los Lonely Boys—have the power to transport you to sandy beaches, romantic vacations, and dentist’s office waiting rooms—Los Lobos (Spanish for “the Panthers”) are everywhere.
APRIL 8
Jonathan Coulton with Paul and Storm
Just in time for Comicon, nerd music heroes JoCo (known for songs like “Still Alive,” which was featured on the soundtrack for the video game Portal) and Paul & Storm (known for songs with names like “Frogger! The Frogger Musical” and for co-founding the variety show w00tstock) will play two shows at the Triple Door.
Noel Fielding
British comedian Noel Fielding comes to the Neptune, bringing a “magical mix” of standup, live animation, music, and some of Fielding’s best-known TV characters, like The Mighty Boosh.
APRIL 8-MAY 8
Stupid Fucking Bird
A funny, modern “sort-of-adaptation” of Chekhov’s The Seagull, which sticks to the original themes close enough to include plenty of inter-generational bickering on a country estate.
APRIL 9
Anoushka Shankar
Shankar is known worldwide for her inventive juxtapositions of traditional Indian sounds, electronic music, jazz, flamenco, and Western classical.
APRIL 10
Cochon555
Cochon555 is a series of national events that began as a way to educate chefs and diners about heritage breed pigs, exceptionally tasty animals raised responsibly on small family farms. Local chefs in cities across the country are each given a whole pig and tasked with creating up to six dishes from the animal; the winner advances to national competition. … Pork lovers should go and glut themselves. ANGELA GARBES
APRIL 10-12
National Geographic Live: I Bought a Rainforest
Join photographer/videographer/artist Charlie Hamilton James in this trek across North America. James is known for immersing himself on set in rural locations.
APRIL 11
Iron Maiden and The Raven Age
Heavy metal survivors Iron Maiden come to the Tacoma Dome in support of their improbable new album The Book of Souls, released in September.
APRIL 12
Hope Jahren
Award-winning scientist Hope Jahren will give a book talk on her debut memoir Lab Girl, in conversation with our own staff writer Sydney Brownstone.
Jacqueline Woodson
To wrap up this year’s “Women You Need to Know” series, Seattle Arts & Lectures presents poet Jacqueline Woodson (Brown Girl Dreaming).
APRIL 14
Devin the Dude
Critically acclaimed underground artist Devin the Dude headlines this hip-hop show presented by Piece of Mind and SolidSound.
APRIL 14-17
EMP Pop Conference
Organizer Eric Weisbard has announced the theme of this year’s EMP Pop Conference, which happens April 14-17 at EMP Museum—”From a Whisper to a Scream: The Voice in Music.” Among the dozens of panel discussions featuring critics, academics, and musicians, three presenters have Stranger ties: film editor Charles Mudede, arts editor Sean Nelson, and former freelancer Michaelangelo Matos.
APRIL 15
Blood Drugs, SSDD, Charms, and Freeway Park
Four Stranger-approved bands take the stage for a night of local punk.
Sol, Brothers From Another, and Otieno Terry
Local hip hop prodigal son Sol is joined by Brothers From Another and Otieno Terry for his Headspace Tour at the Showbox.
APRIL 15-17
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
Alvin Ailey’s world-famous dancers will perform both premieres and returning favorites of modernist dance.
APRIL 16
Mommy Long Legs, Casual Hex, and DoNormaal
Mommy Long Legs have been busy emotionally wheatpasting the town with their style of brat-punk, and soon they’ll be joined by Casual Hex and Donormaal for a night of sweet basement snarls, new wave experimental hip hop, and good old fashioned angry feelings pop.
APRIL 17
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.
The Pope of Capitol Hill: A Celebration of Jon “Gash” Sanders’ Life
Celebrating the life of Gash, a long-time Neumos security staff member, are artists from all across Seattle, including Grayskul, Avatar Darko, Bishop I, Sleep, Pale Soul, Smoke M2D6, Destro, Nyqwil, Snafu, What Have May, Barfly, Syndel, Candidt, Anaxagoras, IAME, Eso, Keyz, El Topo, Mr. Hill, Graves 33 and more. Considering Gash’s musical and community involvement, this will certainly be a proper send-off party worthy of his larger-than-life personality.
APRIL 19
RuPaul’s Drag Race: Battle of the Seasons
Queens from every Drag Race season converge for a night of certain debauchery. Michelle Visage hosts with an opening DJ set by Pearl, and featuring Adore Delano, Alaska Thunderfuck, Courtney Act, Ginger Minj, Miss Fame, Phi Phi O’hara, and Violet Chachki.
APRIL 20
Juan Williams with Steve Scher: The Founding Fathers of Modern America
FOX political analyst Juan Williams will join KUOW’s longtime host Steve Scher for a discussion of “contemporary Founding Fathers,” including Eleanor Roosevelt and Thurgood Marshall. Williams will address both the strides we’ve made in several hundred years and the similarities between contemporary heroes and our original set of American idols.
APRIL 21
Patti Lupone
Tony-winning Broadway, film, and TV star Patti Lupone will play a concert of parts she “coulda, woulda, shoulda” played in musicals. On April 23, she’ll do another show in Bellingham.
APRIL 22
Aimee Mann and Billy Collins
This event pairs indie powerhouse Aimee Mann with former U.S. Poet Laureate Billy Collins, promising performances of both music and poetry, as well as a reflection on possessing “a writer’s eye.”
Arcade Lights
This one-night tasting at Pike Place Market’s North Arcade offers plenty of things (savory and sweet) to nibble on, while you taste beer, cider, and wine, as well as fun non-alcoholic beverages. Your ticket, starting at $60 and going up in price the earlier you arrive, will go towards the Pike Place Market Foundation, which helps support social services in the Pike Place Market area for low income families and individuals.
Beer Tasting Cruise with Fremont Brewing
Cruise Lake Union and Lake Washington while sitting at your own private table and tasting five Fremont Brewing beers, each paired with a different dinner course.
Science Uncorked
Learn about the science behind your favorite vintage at Science Uncorked—while enjoying appetizers and unlimited tastings from participating wineries.
Seattle Erotic Art Festival
A gigantic gallery-style exhibition of erotic art, with tons of accompanying events including poetry readings, pantomime, acrobatic displays, and parties.
Washington Beer Collaboration Festival
See how local breweries work together at the new Washington Beer Collaboration Festival, featuring 23 beers created by 46 of our state’s beloved breweries.
APRIL 22-23
Northwest Tequila and Agave Spirits Fest
Learn about the history and traditions of making agave spirits (tequila, mezcal, and sotol) at this festival featuring representatives from over 130 agave brands. But don’t worry—”Northwest Tequila Fest is first and foremost a tasting event,” say the organizers, and a general admission ticket includes eight agave tastes and three tastes of food from local restaurants.
APRIL 23
Adam Carolla
Watch the bro comedy icon and host of the award-winning daily comedy podcast the Adam Carolla Show host his podcast live.
APRIL 24
Rihanna
The Barbadian superstar comes to Seattle on her Anti World Tour, in support of her eighth studio album, Anti. Contrary to what the name might lead you to believe, she is touring the world on said tour.
APRIL 24-26
Dita Von Teese: Strip Strip Hooray Variety Show
Probably the most famous famous burlesque dancer alive, Dita Von Teese brings her act to the Neptune.
APRIL 25
Chris Hedges: The Algebra of Revolution
In 2002, radical and righteous socialist Chris Hedges won a Pulitzer Prize for covering global terrorism as part of a team working for The New York Times, for whom he was a foreign correspondent for 15 years. He gave up the Gray Lady to start his own show “Days of Revolt” and to write for Truthdig. His talk, “The Algebra of Revolution,” which shares a title with a Marxist anthology from John Rees, cites the rise of domestic terrorists on the right and complacent elites on the left as markers of the end of our capitalist democracy and the beginning of a violent era of messy revolt. If you seek instruction for resistance, then grab your favorite Marcuse paperback and get yourself to Town Hall. RS
APRIL 28
Explore the Wild Edge with Florian Schulz
Nature photographer and conservationist Florian Schulz will join Chip Giller of Grist for a Q&A and talk on his Schulz’ latest release, The Wild Edge: Freedom to Roam the Pacific Coast.
APRIL 28-30
Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 4
Beethoven’s Fourth Piano Concerto is a landmark of the literature. Imogen Cooper is an English pianist who didn’t really begin to come to worldwide attention until she was in her late 50s; now she’s in her 60s and known for her interpretations of Schubert and Schumann. It will be interesting to see what she does with Beethoven. JEN GRAVES
