Want more? Here’s everything we recommend this month: Music, Visual Art, Literature, Performance, Film, Food, and This & That.
Ishmael Houston-Jones + Keith Hennessy
Aug 6
Dancer, choreographer, and writer Ishmael Houston-Jones has pursued experimental dance since the early 1970s, notably starting the gay men’s performance collective Two Men Dancing while living in Philadelphia. After he moved to New York City in 1979, Houston-Jones’s dance style became influenced by the punk clubs, breakdancing, and early hip-hop that surrounded him in the East Village, which developed into a unique improvisational dance style that he spent the next several decades teaching around the world. He will perform an improvised routine alongside his longtime collaborator, self-proclaimed “frolicker, imperfectionist, and witch” Keith Hennessy, with music from josé e. abad. (Velocity, 7:30 pm, all ages) AUDREY VANN
Hollywood Crime Scene Live
Aug 20
Hollywood Crime Scene has been my emotional support podcast for more than a decade. Hosts Desi Jedeikin and Rachel Fisher break down true crime and scandal stories involving celebrities: everything from tragic tales of Frances Farmer, Sam Cooke, and Gianni Versace to deep dives on film disasters like Altman’s Popeye, and urban legends like Rod Stewart getting his stomach pumped from ingesting too much semen. The show is a masterclass in balancing comedy, history, and tragedy, often focusing on humorous details of the crimes while never making light of the subjects—unless they deserve it (see episodes on deserving men like Tim Allen, Bing Crosby, and Mickey Rooney). The duo is bringing their live show to Seattle for the first time, offering a unique show about Seattle-specific crimes. (Emerald City Comedy Club, 7:30 pm, 21+) AUDREY VANN
Jane Don’t
Aug 31–Sept 1
Jane Don’t is Seattle’s latest star to compete on RuPaul’s Drag Race. If you’ve seen her locally, you already know she was poised to do well. Her drag style uses vintage aesthetics in contemporary ways, combining her knowledge of queer history, fashion references, and her own innovative sewing skills. With a fully glamorous mug, she delivers high-camp performances full of witty pop-culture and classic diva references. Her talents especially come out when she’s handed a microphone to show off her seemingly effortless grasp on comedy. On the show, that skill in particular led her to high praise from comedy giants such as special guest judges Sarah Sherman and Atsuko Okatsuka. If you haven’t gathered yet, she absolutely crushed it, right up until a shocking elimination in the top 5 of Season 18. She made a record-smashing run of high placements, and claimed the title of Miss Congeniality during the finale. Jane Don’t truly made Seattle proud, and proved to the world she is one of the best in the business. She will kick off her extensive Don’t Does America tour in her hometown. (Emerald City Comedy Club, 7:30, 21+) NICO SWENSON
Jurassic Parking Lot
Aug 27–Sept 27
Jurassic Parking Lot, which is produced by the Habit (the same folks who put on Seattle Public Theater’s hilarious and beloved holiday tradition, A Very Die Hard Christmas), has everything you’d want from a ’90s-obsessed Jurassic Park musical spoof. There are Seinfeld references, ridiculously oversized cell phones, sexy singing and dancing raptors, and juuuuust the right amount of very, very horny Jeff Goldblum. (Warning: Prepare yourself for a Chris Pratt jump scare, too—ahhhh!) (Seattle Public Theater, times vary, recommended for ages 14 and up) MEGAN SELING
More
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat Through Aug 15, Taproot Theatre, times vary, all ages
Shakespeare in the Park Through Aug 15, multiple venues, times vary, all ages
KAIDAN: Japanese Ghost Stories Through Aug 29, various locations, times vary, all ages
Seattle Rep Presents: Freak the Mighty Through Sept 6, Bagley Wright Theater, times vary, all ages
Daegen Asfaha Aug 6, Laughs Comedy Club, 7 pm, 18+
Space Age: A Futuristic Drag Cabaret Aug 7, Timbre Room, 7 pm, 21+
WRONG! A Dark Comedy Game Show Aug 7, Rabbit Box Theatre, 8:30 pm, 21+
Night Night, Roger Roger Aug 7–15, Seattle Public Theater, times vary, all ages
Love Isn’t Blind: The Dating Show Where Men Can’t Speak Aug 7, Fremont Abbey Arts Center, 7 pm, 21+
Research in Performance: Works by Corrie Befort, Kayla Hamilton, Moriah Evans Aug 8, Velocity Dance Center, 7:30 pm, all ages
Comedy Bang Bang! Aug 10, Moore Theatre, 8 pm, all ages
Joketellers Union: Zac Maas Aug 12, Clock-Out Lounge, 8 pm, 21+
Tush!: Amora Namor, Angel Baby Kill Kill Kill, Betty Wetter, the Bonnies, Pussy Willow, and More Aug 13, Clock-Out Lounge, 7 pm, 21+
Marc Maron Aug 13–15, Tacoma Comedy Club, times vary, 21+
Ali Wong Aug 12–14, McCaw Hall, 7 pm, all ages
Bailey Pope, Ryan Danley, Andy Iwancio, Derek Sheen Aug 15, Rabbit Box Theatre, 9 pm, all ages
Jack Bensinger Aug 16, Rabbit Box Theatre, 8 pm, 21+
Malik Elassal Aug 16, Emerald City Comedy Club,
7 pm, 21+
Joe Dombrowski Aug 19, Rabbit Box Theatre, 6:30 and 9 pm, 21+
disPLACE Aug 21–22, Theatre Off Jackson, times vary
Festival Unexpected Seattle 2026 Aug 24–30, Market Theater and the Improv School, times vary, all ages
Open Michael: A Storytelling Stand Up Strangeness Open Mic Aug 25, Rabbit Box Theatre, 6 pm, all ages
Tush!: Beau Degas, Betty Wetter, Faggedy Randy, Lesbian Death Bed, Miss Texas 1988, and more
Aug 27–28, Clock-Out Lounge, 7 pm, 21+
Jordan Jensen Aug 28, Moore Theatre, 7:30 pm, all ages
