The Naked Magic Show, A David Bowie Dance Party, Psycho Beach Party, And More Picks For May 24-29
by Stranger Things To Do Staff
Our critics have already recommended 50 great things to do this week, but there are many more events happening. To prevent some of the quirkier and more out-of-the-ordinary ones from slipping through the cracks, we've compiled them here—from a Naked Magic Show to Fantastic.Z's Psycho Beach Party, and from the raved-about exhibit The Art of the Brick to the Punk as Folk festival, perfectly timed for Folklife. For even more options this week, check out our complete Things To Do calendar.
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TUESDAY
1. Emo Night: Taking Back Tuesday
Bring back the early-mid 2000s with your deep passion for gauged ears, flat-ironed hair, and Pete Wentz's smirk. Taking Back Tuesday is the new sensation of reliving your MySpace glory in the form of a high energy, passionately emo DJ night.
2. House of Breaking Glass Showcase: Maiah Manser and Guests
The night features music video premieres and new music releases from several House of Breaking Glass artists on the Crowdaa app, including Maiah Manser, IG88, The Last Artful Dodgr, Eric Howk, Ian Hale and the Legacy, and Briel.
WEDNESDAY
3. ...And Hilarity Ensues...
The UW School of Drama's first season was in 1940, and it will be restaged at the Penthouse Theater in this immersive theatrical event, directed by Bobbin Ramsey. (Through Sunday)
4. 6th Annual Linda's Prom
Have the prom experience you've always wanted (drunk and alone at a bar, check) at Linda's Tavern Prom this Wednesday. Let DJ Curtis spin you into a dream of unfulfilled high school fantasies, as you sip on problematically named "Spiked Punch" and discuss your evening's prospects with the in-house tarot reader. Also, free condoms.
5. Bloodlust
Enjoy "unhappy hour" all night as DJs Leslie and Al Niño spin you into a dark underworldly state of goth, industrial, and dark wave.
6. Can You Dig It? Classic Rocklesque
Go back to the glory days of sex, drugs, and rock 'n' roll at this burlesque performance set to classic rock music and starring Seattle's own Velvet Ice and Eartha Quake.
7. Dunhuang Cave Temples: History, Preservation, and Digitization
In conjunction with the Journey to Dunhuang: Buddhist Art of the Silk Road Caves exhibit at the Asian Art Museum, which has a sister show at the Getty in LA, SAM's Director Emerita Mimi Gardner Gates, Principal Researcher at Microsoft Research Curtis, and Foster Foundation Curator of Chinese Art at the Seattle Art Museum Ping Foong will discuss the two concurrent exhibitions and contemporary preservation of the caves in Dunhuang.
8. MAP Theatre: Bob's Burgers Trivia
Test your knowledge of seasons 1-4 of the bizarre and lovable Bob's Burgers with MAP Theatre's Brandon Ryan, Peggy Gannon and Shane Regan.
9. Never Insult a Killer Zucchini
Author Elana Asoze will read from her children's book Never Insult a Killer Zucchini, about a killer zucchini that wreaks havoc on a science fair.
10. World Percussion Bash
Join UW's Percussion Ensemble, Gamelan Ensemble, Harry Partch Ensemble, and Steel Drum Ensemble at their year-end concert as they perform works from every musical tradition you can think of.
THURSDAY
11. Ignite Seattle 30
With five minutes and twenty Powerpoint slides (each 15 seconds long), Ignite Seattle is back, presenting their fast-paced take on public speaking and education.
12. Merle Haggard Memorial Night
A tribute to the man, the myth, the lonesome fugitive by a few country all-stars, including Country Lips, The Ramblin’ Years, Ole Tinder, Tyler Edwards, Silver Torches, and Lonely Mountain Lovers.
13. Marcin Paczkowski: Music For Performers, Accelerometers, and Instruments
Marcin Pączkowski expands our current world as he presents his first solo composition recital, which features pieces involving accelerometers and live computer music, and will culminate with a performance of Marcin’s doctoral dissertation piece, Deep Decline.
14. The Naked Magic Show
Hunky Aussie exhibitionists bring their R-rated, "cheeky" magic show to the Moore. There are promises of "full-frontal illusions" and proof that good magicians don't need sleeves or pants pockets to hide things in.
15. Outdoor Movie Night: The Princess Bride
If anything could make this classic film better, it's probably a free screening in an outdoor (and dog-friendly!) beer garden and the presence of the Anchor End Pretzel Shoppe food truck.
16. The Posies Secret Pop-Up Show
The Posies play their not-at-all-secret back catalog for adoring fans at a secret show in Ballard this week. Put your shades on and get your wallet out for these legends of Seattle rock music.
17. Psycho Beach Party
Fantastic.Z's presents Psycho Beach Party, an aptly titled parody piece that incorporates elements of psychodramas from the 1950s, beach movies from the 1960s, and slasher films from the 1980s. Written by queer playwright Charles Busch and directed by Fantastic.Z’s Co-Artistic Director Kyle Baiz.
18. Seattle Streetcar Celebration
The Seattle streetcar is free on Thursdays in May, and, in honor of the final free day, Swedish Medical and Seattle University will have a celebration at the Broadway & Marion stop featuring hotdogs, popsicles, and live performances.
19. Secret Music Showcase #16: Centrum Vintage Jazz and Blues
Seattle Secret Music showcase, a series that aims to display "Northwest artists that are doing vibrant and amazing work, yet are unknown to a large number of Seattleites," presents Centrum Vintage Jazz and Blues, a benefit concert for the Port Townsend Blues Festival. Artists scheduled to perform include Matt Munisteri, Julian Smedley & Matt Weiner, Casey MacGill, Ricardo, and more.
20. Twisted Flicks: The Magic Carpet
According to audience suggestion, improvisers re-dub The Magic Carpet, which they call "the worst John Agar movie ever made." (Through Saturday)
21. Vocalpoint! Seattle: Sing, Sing, Swing!
Experience the brassy bravado of the Big Band era through the jazzy tracks of Vocalpoint's Sing, Sing, Swing production.
FRIDAY
22. Couth Buzzard Jazz Festival
Literally rising from the ashes of a gas explosion several months ago, Couth Buzzard is throwing a music festival to celebrate all that their community is thankful for: namely, jazz (and their neighborhood). Co-sponsored by Earshot Jazz, this fest offers performers like Simon Henneman, Kenny Mandell, and the Sara Depp Trio in an open chronological sampling of jazz's history to enjoy over Memorial Day Weekend. (Through Monday)
23. Creature
Creature, written by Heidi Schreck and directed by Emily Harvey, follows the rise of 14th-century English Christian mystic Margery Kempe. (Through June 18)
24. Crypticon
A weekend celebration of everything terrifying, Crypticon bills itself as "the largest gathering of fans of the macabre in the Pacific Northwest." Come for author events, costumes, elaborate make-up, and the chance to mingle with people who embrace the creepy side of life. Just two of the numerous guests are Tony Todd (star of bizarre horror film Candyman) and Special FX makeup artist Kenneth Calhoun (Jurrasic World, The Revenant, and X-Men Apocalypse). (Through Sunday)
25. Eat The Rich: A Grotesque Gorlesque Motorhead Tribute Fundraiser
Grotesque Gorelesque bring their typical godless sexual bloodbath to the stage, but this time presenting "Eat the Rich," a Motorhead themed burlesqe benefit show for Stone Soup Group.
26. Erotic City: A Prince Tribute
Erotic City, a professional Prince tribute band, will be firing at all cylinders for their post-humous celebration of The Purple One.
27. Fourth Annual Miles Davis Birthday Celebration
Jazz demigod Miles Davis is honored on his birthday weekend two nights in a row by trumpeter Thomas Marriott, with Ray Vega, Calixto Oviedo, Julio Jauregi, Jeff Norwood, and Frank Medina, Jr. (Through Saturday)
28. Northwest Folklife
Northwest Folklife Festival is an annual Seattle tradition that promises good food, tons of music, theatre, and dance, and many brief cultural lessons via traditional performances. The experience is similar to other Seattle Center festivals (like, say, Bumbershoot) but with an emphasis on less well-known performers from broader, international backgrounds. Come with a curious, open mind—the wide variety of performances and arts & crafts activities at Folklife are always a big hit for those with a dash of wonder and innocence (i.e., children and high people).
29. Oh, You Pretty Things!
Pull up your glitter stretch pants and try out your best falsetto because Bowie is back. SIFF and STG join forces to bring you an all-out celebration of the rock icon and movie star David Bowie and his legendary creation Ziggy Stardust. For this evening only, the Neptune Theatre will be transported back to the glory days of the glam rock era with sing along music videos, Bowie-inspired burlesque, a performance by tribute band BowieVision, and a giant dance party scored by the top hits of the '70s thanks to DJ Freddy King of Pants.
30. The Panel Jumper Live: Chapter 2
This one-night variety show will celebrate "the magic of sequential storytelling comic books," featuring performances by singer-songwriter Tai Shan, comedy from Emmett Montgomery and Cole Hornaday, a new play from Wayne Rawley, puppetry from Vox Fabuli, new "super hero satire" from Jim Jewell, short films, and a live podcast recording featuring special guest cartoonist of The Carter Family: Dont Forget This Song, David Lasky.
31. Shenanigans
Dress up like your favorite film or cartoon character for this variety show and fashion auction fundraiser hosted by Manuela Horn. After a pre-show cocktail reception, expect performances by Kitty Kitty Bang Bang, Tanya Brno, and other dancers, singers, aerialists, and comedians.
32. SIN: Jeremy Inkel and Michael Wimer
Recurring DJ night SIN at Kremwerk with fetish performances, drinks, and dancing. SIN on May 27 features the talents of DJs Jeremy Inkel of Frontline Assembly, and Michael Wimer of VNV Nation and Information Society.
SATURDAY
33. The Art of the Brick
Artist Nathan Sawaya's The Art of the Brick (one of CNN's top ten "Global Must-See Exhibitions) is the largest artistic displays made of LEGOs ever, using only the colors and shapes available to kids in their dinky home sets. See recreations and sculptural representations of visual art classics like Starry Night, Mona Lisa, and The Scream.
34. Battle of the Bulge 2016: In The Navy
Social Outreach Seattle's fourth annual male underwear contest features five models competing for a $1,000 cash prize.
Bollywood EDM
Bollywood Dreams presents Bollywood EDM, a Jai Ho! Dance Party featuring the best of Indian electronic dance music, with Prashant and DJ Lemon.
35. Come As You Are: Antiques Sale and Trunk Show
With items starting at one whole dollar, AJ RisCassi's trunk show expands a closet into an entire event. "Come As You Are Vintage & Antiques" entails the personal collection of AJ, all of which will be on sale this weekend at Ghost Gallery. Modern, Mid-century, and Victorian items will be available, along with jewelry, linens, sculpture work, paper ephemera, small art pieces, and clothing from the '50s up through contemporary styles. In addition, Open The Cellar Door will have jewelry for sale as a part of the trunk show.
36. Family Science Weekend
Bring the kids for hands-on science-y fun this weekend at the Seattle Aquarium, including diver shows, octopus meet-and-greets, and coral reef exploration shows. (Through May 30)
37. KINGS: A Drag King Show
Flipping the traditional drag script, the Kings of Kremwerk will bring royalty to the stage. Your ticket to this event also gets you into the after party, Kiss Off, a queer women's club night that features DJ DirtyKurty and Dewey Decimal this month.
38. Malice in Wonderland IV
Celebrate the Mercury's 17th birthday by dressing up as your favorite Alice in Wonderland character and dancing the night away to the spins of DJS Hana Solo and Mikey Shadow.
39. PaperStock 2016
During Folklife, peruse this poster art exhibition featuring work from concert poster artists and silk screen print artists. On-site screen printing demonstrations are also promised. (Trough May 30)
40. Pigs on the Wing
Since you can't see the original line-up of Pink Floyd, check out Pigs on the Wing, an immersive musical Pink Floyd show experience from Portland. Joining them will be Laurie Miller, Faith Stankevich, Angelina Baldoz, Aisha Elmehdaoui, and Kathy Moore, as they play the ZZ Top album Tres Hombres in its entirety.
41. Pink Prom: Super Queeros LGBTQ Youth Dance
Lambert House's Pink Prom promises dancing, food, games, and activities at this LGBTQ Youth Dance. Costumes are encouraged.
42. Punk As Folk
Experience a night of switch-flipping, genre-bending musical throwdown as Silent City Productions presents the fifth annual Punk As Folk, a celebration of punk-inspired folk music and folk-inspired punk music (that cleverly coincides with Folklife). This year, Punk As Folk returns to the Conor Byrne with a stacked lineup of real PNW folk-punk enthusiasts: The Bad Things, Danbert Nobacon, The Mongrel Jews, Intuitive Compass, Strangely, and Barnswallow.
SUNDAY
43. 10th Annual White Party
For ten years now, the questionably-named All White Party has roared through the Parlor Ultra Lounge with drink specials, packed warehouse aesthetics, a strict dress code, and shoulder-rubbing opportunities with NFL and NBA players (this is more of an elbow-rubbing unless you are also of linebacker stature). Make sure your outfit game is tight as there will be roaming photographers, as well as bottle service, and DJs Polo, Lovesick, and Famous spinning from 9pm onward.
44. Cruise Control: Memorial Day Weekend Yacht Party
Let the Seattle Reggae scene blow you out of the water (heyooo!) with CRUISE CONTROL, a Memorial Day Weekend yacht party sure to get your motor running (sorry, we'll stop). The Islander Yacht will usher you around our beautiful network of waterways, as multiple DJs man the helm with reggae, funk, and hiphop spins all evening, a Caribbean buffet at your disposal, and drink specials for every taste.
45. Father with Tommy Genesis and Lui Diamonds
With a tour name like “I’m a Piece of Shit,” and a label called Awful Records, it’s gotta be good right? Well, no. Could be, but nothing in this world, including leading with the chin, comes with a gur-un-tee, as M. Emmett Walsh reminds us in Blood Simple. Based on small doses of the three artists: Father, fond of self-flagellation and codeine, atmospheric, a bit too reliant on the n-word for my taste; Tommy Genesis, a lady holding her head high while talking dirty, unafraid of her own agenda; Lui Diamonds, more of a neo-psychedelic feel, bolstered quite possibly by Georgia summer heat (this crew hails from Atlanta). Go for the thump and hump, if you must, but I’m thinking Tommy Genesis is the one who knows her mind and her future. ANDREW HAMLIN
46. Foam Fest 12 with DJ Indica Jones
Everything you need to know about this party is contained in the pricing structure: $15 for guys, $10 for girls before 10:30 pm, and the first 20 girls in bikinis get in free. Locally-renowned DJ Indica Jones will be spinning all night as sweaty urbanites try not to asphyxiate in a gender equity fire hazard. "Dress to get wet," for both the impending foam and probably the situational dance vomit of your peers.
47. XL: Underbear Party
Join the XL Bears for an underwear night (with clothes check available) at the Eagle. As they say, "Don't miss out on your chance to rut with all the hot bears!"
Stranger (Than Usual) Things To Do comes out every week on Tuesday. To submit events to be considered, email us at calendar@thestranger.com.