Markets, Pokémon Comedy, Parades, And More $10-And-Under Options For July 22-24
by Stranger Things To Do Staff
Panicking because you haven't planned what you're doing this weekend yet? We've got you covered, with cheap (under $10!) and easy entertainment options all weekend long, from a Pokémon Go comedy night to the Seattle Opera Summer Fest, and from outdoor movie nights to free Capitol Hill Block Party-adjacent events like Unicorn's free sideshow and BadWill Market at the Rhino Room. See all of your options below, and, if you have a slightly larger budget, check out our complete Things To Do calendar (where you'll find the best movies to see this weekend, a guide to Capitol Hill Block Party, and more).
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MULTI-DAY
1. Alki Art Fair
There will be juried art, three stages of music, kids' activities, and lots of food at this large community fair on scenic Alki Beach.
(West Seattle, free, Saturday-Sunday)
2. ARTSplash
The work of more than 20 emerging Northwest artists in various media will be on display at this annual show and sale.
(Edmonds, free, Saturday-Sunday)
3. Boston Marriage
The Bathhouse Ensemble presents their production of David Mamet's Boston Marriage, a play with a three-person cast set in a late Victorian drawing room, directed by Emily Purington.
(Green Lake, $5-$10)
4. Capitol Hill Sebastian Bach Party
Escape the specific fervor of Capitol Hill Block Party with this tribute to Sebastian Bach that has nothing to do with Sebastian Bach a block away from the Pike/Pine Hellmouth. Enjoy three free days of local bands thrashing out their overcast summer energies, with sets by Beverly Crusher, Weeed, Ramona, Gang Cult, and many more, with DJ sets in the evening. If you really want to help, bring a few canned food donations.
(Capitol Hill, free, Friday-Sunday)
5. Chittenden Locks Summer Concert Series
Grab a blanket, a Nalgene full of wine, and your child or someone else's child and head to the Ballard Locks for their annual free public summer concert series. Cherie Blues will play on Saturday, and The Jazz Pearls will play on Sunday.
(Ballard, free, Saturday-Sunday)
6. Henry V
This production of Henry V is directed by Robin Lynn Smith, and features live music composed by Srdjan “Gino” Yevdjevich.
(Capitol Hill, free, Friday-Sunday)
7. Outdoor Trek: Space Seed
This outdoor theater performance, presented by Outdoor Trek, revolves around the discovery of a race of frozen superhumans floating in space.
(Central District, free, Saturday-Sunday)
8. Renegade Craft Fair
Renegade Craft Fair returns to Magnuson Park for the second year, bringing along more than 150 makers selling their wares, DIY workshops, food and drinks, a raffle for a goodie bag full of $1000 worth RCF goods, and more special events.
(North Seattle, free, Saturday-Sunday)
9. Renton River Days
The 31st annual Renton River Days will have a parade, art market, vendors at the "Nibble of Renton," chalk art contest, car show, Rubber Ducky Derby, and more.
(Renton, free, Friday-Sunday)
10. Seattle Arab Festival
The Arab Center of Washington presents its annual celebration of Arab culture. Music, dance, and food (including an Arabic coffee shop) will all be featured, along with a traditional bazaar, children's activities, and cultural information booths providing a larger picture of the 22 Arab countries.
(Seattle Center, free, Saturday-Sunday)
11. Unicorn CHBP Free Sideshow
Good news, you can get twice your dose of Capitol Hill Block Party with this free adjunct sideshow happening at Unicorn and Narwhal all weekend long in conjunction with CHBP. Enjoy sets from local killers like Mommy Long Legs and Versing, with accessible air conditioning, and drink specials.
(Capitol Hill, free, Friday-Sunday)
FRIDAY
12. Castle
The riffs are heavy, as is the female presence. Of metal’s many strains, perhaps none has seen such a welcome influx of woman-fronted bands as doom has in recent years: Demon Lung, Windhand, Lucifer, Witch Mountain, Jex Thoth, Blood Ceremony, and Ruby the Hatchet being but a few of the standouts. Add Castle to this lady-centric list. The California power trio distinguish themselves from their more haunting, ethereal-sounding peers with a bluesy, classic-rock-informed bombast. JASON BRACELIN
(Eastlake, $8/$10)
13. CODA
CODA is a PNW collective of artists collaborating for a new recurring night at Q, with intriguing features every iteration, including (this time) sets by emotional dance music wizard Justin Hartinger, Instant Party, Van Kay, DJQJ, and Lourawk.
(Capitol Hill, $10)
14. Colombia: Rumbon de Independencia
Celebrate the many years of Colombia's independence with a night of dancing to Colombian music, with DJs Biaco, Maki, and guests at the helm. Also, empanadas are on the menu, so get there early for the good stuff.(Sodo, free/$10)
15. CompArte
Join together with CompArte as they sustain an entire day of acts of resistance and solidarity through creative works at the Station, with DJs, food, graffiti and live painting, visual narratives, a video booth with vignettes by aboriginal peoples, and performances from many community members.
(Beacon Hill, $5-$20)
16. Crack Sabbath
The self-proclaimed "gods of Seattle's underground grunge jazz scene," Crack Sabbath features the work of industrial and free jazz impresarios Skerik and Ron Weinstein, with help from Keith Lowe and Mike Stone. Inhale and DJ Johnny Horn provide bill support.
(Fremont, $10)
17. Deer Park, Lady, Retirement, Tangler
Enjoy a free all-ages early show from Deer Park, Lady, Retirement, and Tangler. Bring a couple bucks for the touring band, though (e.g. don't be a jerk).
(Capitol Hill, free)
18. Enter The Foot: An Underground Bass Music Showcase
Experience a special one-night-only bass music showcase with contributions from 17 DJs, who will be laying down tracks rife with dnb, grime, breaks, dubstep, footwork, juke, and garage. They've got about eight hours of music planned, so get ready to dance.
(Ballard, free before 10 pm/$10 after)
19. Fauna Shade, Sick Sister, Quiet
Everett, a town that I completely forget about when I’m not mistaking it for Edmonds, has been moving on up over the last five years with the Everett Music Initiative, which aims to foster and support the music community within city limits without having to rely on larger cities for cultural outsourcing. One of the jewels in the EMI crown of up-and-coming Everett bands is Fauna Shade, a snarling, tonally dualistic mass of heavily reverbed scratch-crooning, easily at home in a dank (from both weed and weather) basement, as in a sun-dappled sylvan grove. KIM SELLING
(Pioneer Square, $5/$8)
20. Foolish Fridays
Fridays at Timbre Room are now FOOLISH, a chance to sweat out your weekday worries to a different featured DJ each week. This iteration boasts the talents of Sean Majors, Tollefsen, MTBTZ, and HYDEF.
(Downtown, $5/$10)
21. Ganges River Band
Texas-style country band the Ganges River Band takes the stage at Conor Byrne, with folky locals Deception Past, and Jonathan Warren and the Billy Goats.
(Ballard, $8)
22. Half Waif
Half Waif’s latest work, Probable Depths, is all too brief, an alien landscape orchestrated through coos, bellows, howls, and sighs that would be great if it just lasted forever. It’s the music of strangers in a bog, staring at your own reflection until you pass out, building a nest for birds from your own hair—frantic yet calming, meditative and empowering, and still weird after all these years. KIM SELLING
(Eastlake, $8)
23. Little Fixtures, Black Giraffe, The Considerate A-Holes, Tom Bourg Nine
Enjoy a free night of interwoven indie rock and pop from Little Fixtures, Black Giraffe, The Considerate A-Holes, and Tom Bourg Nine.
(West Seattle, free)
24. Music Under the Stars
The concept of Music Under the Stars is simple but compelling: A professional or student ensemble sets up in a park and plays to whoever shows up at 7:15pm, often folk with picnic blankets in tow and maybe a surreptitious bottle of wine or two. Then, at eight, Benaroya Hall pipes in whatever performance is happening that night to the assembled throng — it’s basically two shows for the price of none! Tonight, there are shows in Columbia City and First Hill.
(Columbia City and First Hill, free)
25. Movies in the Park
Head to Westlake Park for family-friendly movies at dusk that adults can enjoy too—this week, they’re screening The Goonies.
(Westlake, free)
26. Outdoor Movies in Jefferson Park
Beacon Hill's outdoor movie nights start at 7 pm with an open mic, followed by family-friendly movies at dusk. This week, they’ll screen Labyrinth.
(Beacon Hill, free)
27. Outdoor Music and Films
In conjunction with their Mood Indigo: Textiles from Around the World exhibit, the Asian Art Museum will present a series of outdoor movies featuring indigo clothing, all of which will be preceded by live blues music at 8:15 pm. This week, they’ll screen Rain the Color of Blue... (the Saharan version of Purple Rain, starring musician Mdou Moctar), and feature music from Comfort Food.
(Capitol Hill, free)
28. Post Rapture Party: Second Halloween
Post Rapture Party has a new album to release, so in celebration they'll be throwing a second Halloween (or, Halloween in July). They're going to play two live sets out of the goodness of their spooky hearts, and Morgue Anne will present some staged burlesque, with what is sure to be a very competitive costume contest, so show up in your goriest, most psychologically thrilling best.
(Ballard, $7)
29. SIN: DJs Shane and Eyktan
This recurring DJ night at Kremwerk has fetish performances, drink specials, and dancing. SIN on July 22 will feature the talents o'f DJs Shane and Eyktan, spinning the best of EBM and Industrial, plus Kremwerk's first-ever fetish fashion show from Fantasy Unlimited.
(Downtown, $5)
30. Sin in Linen Pillow Party
As part of Babeland's Customer Appreciation Month, they'll have complimentary bubbly and sex tips, and local linen business Sin In Linen will have discounts on their products so you can create the "ultimate sex sanctuary in your boudoir." Plus, the first five guests get goodie bags, and one winner will go home with a vulva print pillowcase.
(Capitol Hill, free)
31. Squall — Noise Happy Hour
Enjoy your post-work pre-social life cocktails with a backdrop of noise and drone music in the sonic dungeons of Kremwerk, with music by Red Alder, Rainbow Wolves, Abraham Moses, and DJ Maire.
(Downtown, $5)
32. Summer Nights in the North Plaza
On Fridays throughout the summer, CenturyLink Field will have games, food trucks, drink specials, and music—this week, discover the joys of country music with DJ Sean Jewell and The Swearengens.
(Pioneer Square, $1)
33. Thom Simon, Uh Oh Eskimo, Dog Mountain
Kansas alt surf pop trio Thom Simon headline the Blue Moon, with Uh Oh Eskimo playing their last show ever, and support from opener Dog Mountain.
(University District, $7)
SATURDAY
34. '80s vs '90s with DJ Indica Jones
Celebrate the music from two great decades with local talent DJ Indica Jones, and six secret special guests.
(Ballard, $10/$15)
35. Are They Brothers
Touring folk punk circus freaks Are They Brothers take the stage at Cafe Racer for a free all-ages show, with Strange Like Us, Wallace, and Triceraclops.
(University District, free)
36. The Art & Culture of Lucha Libre
Come cheer for your favorite Lucha Libre Volcánica Luchador or Luchadora at this day for all things wrestling, including a full ring with activities for the whole family, thanks to support from the Office of Arts & Culture Seattle.
(South Park, free)
37. Blue Highway Games 9th Anniversary Celebration
Blue Highway Games will celebrate nine years of providing board games and entertainment to Queen Anne with puzzles, prizes, and gaming all day long.
(Queen Anne, free)
38. Drunk, High, and Questionable Advice
You will ask questions and seek advice for problems. A group of drunk, high and questionable people (Ian Schuelke, Jennifer Cargill, Phoebe Amanda Richards and Weedini - The Marijuana Magician) will dole out their opinions, then a team of improvisers (Cory Guebels, Samantha Demboski, Gregor S Hartley II, Randall Cleveland and Erin Plischke) will act out the potential consequences of that dubious advice. Hosted by Anthony Apodaca.
(Ballard, $7/$10)
39. Dusk Patio Party
Enjoy an easy breezy patio party with the DJ talents of Carlos R. (High & Tight) and J-Justice (City Soul). Abstract Entasis will also be on hand, selling records and tapes.
(Downtown, free)
40. Gallery Walkthrough with Susan Gans and Sonya Stockton
Susan Gans takes black-and-white street photographs. Why and how and what are her rules? Sonya Stockton creates portraits that reimagine the limits on what portraits, especially of women, can be. This is your chance to ask these artists what they're about. Never say you don't know any local artists. Get out and talk to them, here, now.
(Pioneer Square, free)
41. The Gay Uncle Presents the Good Life
Jeffrey Robert from The Gay Uncle Time hosts this evening celebrating all of the good things in life; look forward to songs, stories, poems, and tips performed by David Johnson, Kent L. Whipple, Rebecca Mabanglo-Mayor, Rick R. Reed, Ron Bryan, Jianda Monique and Lori A. May.
(Greenwood, $10/$14)
42. Longstride, Georgetown Orbits, The Irie Lights
West-Coast-crossing group Longstride brings their reggae-rock groove to the Nectar stage, with ska revivalists Georgetown Orbits, and Solstice Festival stalwarts the Irie Lights.
(Fremont, $10)
43. Museum of Special Art Grand Opening
Celebrate the opening of the brand-new Museum of Special Art, whose premiere exhibit, Heartfelt Possibilities, features artwork made by people with disabilities.
(Bothell, free)
44. Nurse Ratchett, Swedish Finnish
Celebrate the release of Nurse Ratchett's new CD at a party featuring them and Swedish Finnish.
(West Seattle, free)
45. NW SolarFest Sustainable Living Fair
Free entry and free parking are offered at NW SolarFest, a day-long celebration of solar power with highlights including workshops, a trash fashion show, the Seattle Barter Fair, a raffle fundraiser, food, and live music.
(Shoreline, free)
46. Project 42 Presents: Pro Wrestling and Live Music
Celebrate the resurgence of pro wrestling as a viable form of adult entertainment, with live music from Toe Tag. The winner of the four-way tournament will go home with $4000.
(Eastlake, free)
47. Rainier BAAMFest
A community celebration of the arts, complete with visual art booths and installations, as well as performances featuring music, dance, and spoken word. Grab some calories from their selection of food trucks, then keep going at this multidisciplinary, all-day event.
(Rainier Beach, free)
48. Research: Bobby Draino, Elle Stary, Canaan
Research, a recurring adventurous dance music night at Kremwerk, features the summery sounds and liquid rhythms of Bobby Draino, Elle Stary, and Canaan.
(Downtown, $10)
49. Rock Bottom
Relive your most awful memories (in a funny way!) at Rock Bottom, a night of improv featuring Rock Bottom (Hasan Afzal, Kevin McVey, Purnam Jantrania, Jingchen Wu, Mike Kumar, Matthias Bröcheler, and Yolanda Suarez) and Patriarch ( Anthony Apodaca, Cory Guebels, Graham Tordoff, and Stephen Carter).
(Sodo, $10)
50. SantaCon in July
Dust off your Santa beards and fully embrace the not-so-summery weather. The gathering starts in the Baltic Room at noon, and Santas will continue through locations like Fadó and Kells. Not dressing up puts you on the naughty list, so come prepared.
(Downtown, free)
51. Seattle Opera Summer Fest
Join Seattle Opera for their free all-ages Summer Fest, a preview event of their upcoming season at McCaw Hall. This community open house includes live music, interactive demonstrations, costume displays, and more.
(Seattle Center, free)
52. Seattle Outdoor Cinema
The Seattle Outdoor Cinema is celebrating its 24th season with a venue upgrade to the South Lake Union Discovery Center. All screenings are 21+, there will be a beer garden (proceeds from which will benefit various rotating non-profits), and other pre-screening entertainment. This week, watch Richard Gere and Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman.
(South Lake Union, $5)
53. Sexy Stitch N’ Bitch with Urban Craft Uprising
Bring materials to craft at this workshop (with free bubbly and treats by Hello Robin) then enjoy 10% off shopping at Babeland. The first five attendees will get "goodies to try at home.”
(Capitol Hill, free)
54. Shame Spiral
DJs Witchell Smell and Mixed Feelings provide musical catharsis for all that shame weighing you down with plenty of moody goth vibes.
(Capitol Hill, free)
55. SQUADfest
Sick of Capitol Hill Block Party already? Cure your nausea with SQUADFEST, an all-day, all-night community bout of local crews teaming up for a free and all-ages music spread. Split between an outdoor stage set-up on the street and the comfortable dark of Vermillion, this fest features sets by HR/Honor Roll, TUF, Sleep Steady, 69/50 (with DoNormaal and Raven Matthews), Golden Alchemy, Black Magic Noize, Spread Thick Dance Party, Rob Sims, Lifetime Supply Club, Fish Tank Friends, and Filthy Fingers United.
(Capitol Hill, free)
56. Strictly Seattle Participant Showing
Adult dancers of all levels in the Strictly Seattle 2016 intensive share work and works in progress in this informal showing.
(Capitol Hill, free)
57. Summer at SAM: Family Field Day
Bring the kiddos for a day of outdoor yoga, performances (including family band Pig Snout), and workshops where you can make items from "communal hive quilts" to environmentally conscious necklaces. There will also be food trucks, and many activities (including "make your own jet grout columns" and "color your own mini paper skateboard deck") presented by community partners.
(Belltown, free)
58. West Seattle Grand Parade
For the 80th year, the West Seattle Grand Parade, which is apparently the oldest parade in Seattle, will have pirates, clowns, marching bands, drill teams, and more community parade festivities.
(West Seattle, free)
59. West Seattle Outdoor Movies
The 13th annual season of the West Seattle Outdoor Movie theater will have family-friendly movies at dusk, with pre-movie music and trivia, raffles, and concessions for sale. This week, watch Monty Python and The Holy Grail, and enjoy music from Stay Tuned The Band, plus ice cream floats with Husky Deli Ice Cream and Snoqualmie Root Beer.
(West Seattle, free)
SUNDAY
60. BadWill Market: The CHBP Edition
This edition of BadWill Market (a community market with artsy stuff, handmade goods, and things to nibble on) features Black owned and operated businesses, artists, and designers, and proceeds from vendor fees will go to the #BlackLivesMatter movement. They'll also have a panel discussion with Hella Black Hella Seattle from 4-5 pm.
(Capitol Hill, free)
61. Bleachbear, The Lower 48, Chris King and the Gutterballs
Indie dream-poppers Bleachbear soak the Sunset stage with wistful angst and shiny summer bummer sounds, with support from The Lower 48, and Chris King and the Gutterballs.
(Ballard, $8)
62. Brazil in the Parks
Prep yourself for next month's BrasilFest with a free day of all ages fun in Lake City, with food, dance, capoeira demonstrations, and music from Show Brazil! and Tambo e Cordas.
(Lake City, free)
63. Chinatown Seafair Parade
Expect marching bands, clowns, floats, lion dancers, and a 100-foot dragon at this nighttime community parade in the Chinatown-International District.
(Chinatown-International District, free)
64. The D:2
The Imperial Sovereign Court of Seattle (that's a nonprofit that benefits the LGBTQ community) invites you and the kids to an all-ages drag celebration of all things Disney. Proceeds go to a scholarship fund, and the lineup is a dream roster of local faves: Donnatella Howe, Sparkle Leigh, Drew Paradisco, Kristie Champagne, and many more.
(Capitol Hill, $5 suggested)
65. Food Truck Fest
Food Truck Fest offers many options for food trucks (both local and visiting) plus entertainment and a beer garden.
(Tacoma, free entry)
66. Jef Greer, Wynne C Blue and Her Troublefakers
Order some tater tots and nestle into the back room at Hattie's Hat for a free show from Jef Greer, and Wynne C Blue and Her Troublefakers this weekend.
(Ballard, free)
67. Julianne Wurden
Seattle native Julianne Wurden brings her piano talent and singer-songwriter history to the Bourbon Bar at Columbia City Theater.
(Columbia City, free)
68. Opera on Tap: All American
The professional opera singers behind Opera on Tap will perform in Naked City, one of Seattle's most entertainment-centric breweries, with a full set of the most American songs you can think of on deck. Tonight will feature the talents of Kristin Vogel Lindenmuth, Lucy Campbell Weber, Sarah Davis, Andrew Richard Barringer, Mike Heitmann, and Robert McPherson, plus Glenda Williams on piano.
(Greenwood, $7)
69. Oryx, Irata, Black Bone Exorcism, Samara
Ladies Choice brings together downtempo Denver sludge, local pagan punks, and some heavy doomers with Oryx, Irata, Black Bone Exorcism, and Samara.
(Eastlake, $7)
70. Paisley Devil, The Dancing Plague of 1518, Technological Taxidermy
Enjoy a night of dark pulsations and electronic experimentation from Paisley Devil, The Dancing Plague of 1518, and Technological Taxidermy at Vermillion.
(Capitol Hill, free)
71. Poké Jokés!
This comedy show promises laughs—and plenty of draws for people who just need to find that damn Pikachu. They'll drop lure modules before and after the show, and offer Pokémon-themed drinks at the bar. Plus, they say: "Find the promo cards, share the event and bring in cards to collect gym badges at each show!"
(Belltown, $5)
72. Sarchasm, The Pro-Nouns
Sarchasm comes all the way from Berkeley, CA with their introverted pop-punk alternative style, and support from the Pro-Nouns.
(West Seattle, $5)
73. Seattle Makers Market
The Seattle Makers Market will be holding a special event at the Great Hall in Greenlake featuring local artists, artisans, and makers selling hand crafted products and goods.
(Green Lake, free)
74. Sunday Patio Party Series
Experience the new Timbre Room (adjacent to Kremwerk) at their new summer-exclusive Sunday afternoon dance party series with $1 beer specials, and sets by some of Seattle's favorites, like De La Creme, Lady Miss Kier, and TUF.
(Downtown, free)
75. Weekend Walks
No registration necessary for these free weekend walks through the arboretum—just show up to look at and learn about plants, this month with a focus on hydrangeas.
(Madison Park, free)