Trump the King, Naked Girls Reading, and More Picks For September 13-18
by Stranger Things To Do Staff
Our arts critics have already recommended 35 great things to do this week and our music critics have picked the 20 best concerts, but there are still hundreds more events happening. To prevent some of the quirkier and more extraordinary ones from slipping through the cracks, we've compiled them here—from E-Sondheim: An Electro-Cabaret to a life drawing class where any attendee may become the model. For even more options this week, check out our complete Things To Do calendar.
Jump to: Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday | Sunday
TUESDAY
1. The Round #136
The 136th edition of The Round features music and performances by three musicians sharing the stage with Seattle Youth Poet Laureates Angel Gardner and Leija Farr, including Youth Musician opener Maddie McGee. They'll also have live painter Tamara Hergert visually soundtracking the whole set, if music and poetry aren't your thing.
TUESDAY-SUNDAY
2. Room for Change Mural
Art can sometimes seem like a rarefied process. Artist Carolina Silva, in collaboration with Urban ArtWorks and Space.City, will invite the public to connect with her as she paints at the top of steps over the first week of the Seattle Design Festival. The end result of this communal artwork will be celebrated with the public on September 21st.
3. The Royale
From Marco Ramirez (Sons of Anarchy and Orange is the New Black) comes this show that's loosely based on the life of Jack Johnson, a boxer during the Jim Crow era who became "the most famous and most notorious black man on earth," and set in a boxing ring.
WEDNESDAY
4. Adam Bray: Marvel Absolutely Everything You Need to Know
Adam Bray (co-author of Marvel Absolutely Everything You Need to Know) will lead some Marvel trivia and give away prizes.
5. Alexander Boldizar: The Ugly
Hear Alexander Boldizar read from The Ugly, a novel about a Siberian man who goes to Harvard Law School to prevent his homeland from becoming a butterfly conservatory for tourists.
6. Ballard Sketch Team
This friendly, drop-in drawing night will take place in the back room. Free entry, but do take advantage of Hattie's food and drink.
7. The Construction Zone
The Construction Zone is a month-long workshop where you have the chance to see new work by contemporary playwrights—and get a preview of what's coming up next at ACT, because they'll choose one play from the series to feature in their 2017 season. Your options include Late in the Game (September 14), The Ansel Intimacy (September 21), Naming True (September 28), and Downstairs (October 5).
8. Fort George Presents: Low Alternative POG Tournament
Rustle up your inner nerd and get rowdy for this alternative-music-soundtracked POG tournament presented by Fort George Brewery. MC Hoyt will be throwing out the greatest hits of the '90s grunge days, with guest DJ Michael from Sunscreen. Five bones sets you up with a set of POGs and a beer, with all event proceeds going to victims of the recent Louisiana floods.
9. The Legend of Zelda: Symphony of the Goddesses
Experience the cinematic power of The Legend of Zelda: Symphony of the Goddesses — Master Quest, performed live by the Seattle Symphony and accompanied by striking visuals of the video game. This concert is a unique chance to see this long-beloved game franchise in a new element. Audiences can also expect to hear inclusions from Tri Force Heroes, the most recent release from The Legend of Zelda.
10. Map Theatre: Mario Kart N64 Tournament
Compete on the big screen at Central Cinema to crush the other 63 contenders at Mario Kart N64. Win glory and maybe some other stuff too.
11. Montessori Dads, Braden Blake, Ragan Crowe
Montessori Dads describe themselves as "a rock band that's not afraid to sing about the issues facing middle-class, middle-aged, American men." So they must be very successful in their niche genre.
12. Stories of Finding Home
The Seattle Globalist's Moth-style event will bring together diverse voices from South Seattle to tell stories about the 98118, which has been named one of the most diverse ZIP codes in the country.
13. Wasted Words
Experience the wonder of a truly dedicated Seattle-based Allman Brothers tribute band, Wasted Words. They'll be playing a career-spanning buffet of Allman Brothers classic astride a complex blend of styles, covering everything from the Bobby Blue Bland to Miles Davis and anything in between.
WEDNESDAY-SUNDAY
14. Choreographic Shindig
Celebrate emerging talents in dance and choreography with the annual Whim W'Him Choreographic Shindig—where the performers get to choose their choreographer. This time, see new works by Austin Diaz and Jonathan Campbell from MADBOOTS Dance in NYC, Joseph Hernandez from Germany, and Lauren Edson, a former Trey McIntyer Project dancer based in Idaho.
15. A Tale for the Time Being
A Tale for the Time Being, based on the book by Ruth Ozeki, presents an intriguing story about found artifacts and international connections in the wake of Japan's devastating 2011 tsunami. This production is adapted by the innovative and engaging Laura Ferri (Broken for You) and directed by Desdemona Chiang (known for her work at the Seattle Rep and Ashland's OSF).
16. Washington State Fair
This year, the Washington State Fair kicks off one week early, meaning you could spend your Labor Day weekend eating all of the fried fair food you can handle, in addition to most of September. Plus, there will be rides, baby animals, rodeo shows, the "world's largest mobile bar" serving local craft beers, free cultural shows, and the Columbia Bank Concert Series, headlined by artists including Kid Rock, Smash Mouth, and Flo Rida. There's also a fair share of art, including a "Celebrate Life in Washington" fine arts show, an International Photo Salon exhibit, agricultural art displays, and live demonstrations by regional artisans.
THURSDAY
17. Adult Swim Drive-In
Watch "unaired [as] episodes, never before seen pilots & specials" at this one-night-only Adult Swim drive-in at CenturyLink field—plus enjoy food trucks, trivia, prizes, "and friendship."
18. Ballard Life Drawing Co-Op
This free life drawing class has a catch: Any attendee might end up being a model for the evening.
19. Bohannon Vs. Bo Hansson
In a turn of would-be-confusing-but-actually-makes-total-sense, the twisted mind of DJ VEINS (a.k.a. beloved Stranger music scholar Dave Segal) brings you Bohannon Vs. Bo Hansson, a vinyl-only DJ throwdown of '70s funk pioneer and all-around genius of love Bohannon up against the works of Swedish prog-work freak and LOTR enthusiast Bo Hansson.
20. Craig Carlson
Craig Carlson will read from Pancakes in Paris: Living the American Dream in France, about the author's own experience opening an American-style diner in Paris.
21. Dunts: Interactive Clay Installation
"Dunts" may sound like a doofy cartoon-character swear word, but it actually refers to "breaks that occur in ceramic forms when atmosphere induces stress." Moving on to something even cooler: you can collaborate with the artists of Seward Park Clay Studio to make a collective sculpture. They supply the "superstructure" and the fired ceramic objects, you bring your painting or lettering skills , and you finish with a sense of communal pride and a big-ass sculpture.
22. History Cafe: Archaeology of Early Seattle
Learn about the city block near Pike Place Market that once held the remains of a 19th century shantytown from Alicia Valentino, PhD, an archaeologist with Environmental Science Associates in Seattle.
23. Improv Your Way Through Augmented, Virtual, & Mixed Reality
Smashing Ideas’ Associate Creative Director Chris Hannon and Senior UX Designer Clemente Miller will use improv and comedy to demonstrate applicable uses for augmented, virtual, and mixed reality presentations.
24. Kanye Fest
Be a part of the dance night shrine to Kanye's divisive greatness — celebrating his existence with tracks from every album, including his most recent drop, The Life of Pablo.
25. London Loves
A London-themed DJ night celebrating the legacies of Britpop, early shoegaze, post-punk, and wave (new, no, and otherwise).
26. Luminarium
Learn about the body's stress responses through an interactive exhibit made of blown glass and other materials.
27. Matt Hatfield, Death and Taxes, and BEEF!
SketchFest kicks off with three Seattle comedy troupes. Matt Hatfield will perform, and his new co-brainchild with Clayton Weller, BEEF!, will offer up some meaty succulence. Plus, the venerable Death and Taxes will delight you with homegrown weirdness.
28. Raina Telgemeier: Ghosts
Author and cartoonist Raina Telgemeier (Smile, Drama, and Sisters) will read from Ghosts, about two young sisters—one with cystic fibrosis—who move to a town full of ghosts.
29. Region of Boom: A PechaKucha Event
This multi-speaker event in PechaKucha format—like a PowerPoint presentation, with 20 images at 20 seconds apiece—will address a variety of aspects of Seattle's rapid growth.
THURSDAY-FRIDAY
30. Millennial Weekend Seattle
This weekend of events created by and for #millennials aims to explore the impact of "the largest generation alive," via a Millennial Town Hall (presented by Prudential) and a "StartUp Lounge" for brainstorming and networking (presented by Wells Fargo).
THURSDAY-SATURDAY
31. Rhinoceros
You're probably going to spend a lot of time while watching Strawberry Theatre Workshop's production of Eugène Ionesco's classic absurdist play thinking, "Okay, but do the rhinoceroses stampeding all over this French town represent Trump supporters, or do they represent Bernie Bros, or do they represent Hillbots perfectly enacting the Democratic nominee's vagenda of manocide?" And then once you figure that out, you're going to be thinking, "All right, well, is this funny and pointed parable about the rise of the 20th century's worst -isms a critique of the idea of the state of political discourse, or a critique of incrementalism, or…?" By the end of the show, you'll think Rhinoceros is either EXACTLY the play we need to be seeing right now or EXACTLY the play we don't need to be seeing right now. RICH SMITH
32. Trump the King, or POTUS DRUMPH
Ubu Roi is a satirical and often nonsensical play by Alfred Jarry that is sometimes (incorrectly) translated as "King Turd." This adaptation by Nick Edwards crowns Drumph our new King Turd, and offers an irreverent modern take on the state of politics today.
THURSDAY-SUNDAY
33. Pirates and Saints
In Pirates and Saints, watch the Prohibition-era exploits of an Irish sea captain and his adopted son.
34. Somnium Summer Camping & Music Festival 2016
Remember that one summer when you got really high on bad skunk but you thought you'd transcended space and time because you were like 15? Well Somnium is promising to take you back to that place, or at least to "a time when worry and trouble didn't exist, when you were free to play make-believe because it didn't matter what others thought — you were only limited by your own imagination," with their latest camp-out rave in the forests of Duvall. Enjoy a stacked trance and house line-up of notables like Aaron Jackson, Kayoh, Jetpack Brigade, DJ it me, DJ Flow, Geezus, and many more, along with summer camp-themed activities like a talent show, kickball, and a pong tournament. Get young, get wild, remember to hydrate.
FRIDAY
35. 5K Glow Run/Walk
All runners/walkers are encouraged to wear every glow in the dark possession that they own to this 5K. Each person will get four glow sticks at the starting line, but one can never glow too much.
36. Asia Talks: Textile Artist Azumi Hosoda
Professor Azumi Hosoda will talk about the techniques she uses to color kimonos with wax resist dye; the event includes consecutive Japanese-English translation.
37. Deep Cuts: Prince
The emotional and musical legacy of Prince remains immeasurable, but up to the task of sharing how his talents have affected their work include Royal Room DJs ready to get loud.
38. Design Lecture Series: Emory Douglas
Artist/illustrator Emory Douglas learned design in a juvenile detention center's print shop and went on to illustrate The Black Panther newspaper and The San Francisco Sun Reporter. Since then, he has continued to exhibit internationally, a representative of the possibilities of art in the service of civil rights.
39. Ian Bogost: A Game Changer for Your Life
Game designer and scholar Ian Bogost will speak about how to navigate through life and work so that it feels more like a challenging, entertaining game, and less like a prison sentence.
40. Jason & Spike, Smat!, and Turbo Turkey
Smat! proudly names itself "your least favorite sketch comedy duo," but they're competing for your lack of affection with the multitalented Jason & Spike, as well as the ensemble Turbo Turkey.
41. Juju Fuzz
DJs Veins and Slow join up to host a night of psychedelic and traditional music from many different African artists, including selections of Nigerian juju music and afrobeat, Zambian psych rock, Ghanaian funk, desert blues from Niger and Mali, trance music from Morocco, and much more.
42. Oktoberfest Brewer’s Kick-Off
Oktoberfest is upon us! Though many of us ignorant modern folk regard it as a somewhat tepid beer-garden thing, Oktoberfest started as an epic wedding party, celebrating the union of Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria to Princess Therese, held in Munich in 1810. It being a 19th-century wedding, they did way cooler shit than we do now. Instead of getting wasted and sucking at the Macarena, they raced horses, had tree-climbing contests, and generally ruled shit. They also feasted on delicious German food, which goes way beyond pretzels and mustard, by the way. This year, instead of paying $10 for mass-market copper lager, go to Alstadt's Oktoberfest Brewer's Kickoff party on the 16th. Chef Megan Coombes will be serving up Oktoberfest specials (like grilled whole mackerel stuffed with lemon and herbs), four local breweries (Seapine, Silver City, Chuckanut, and Alpine) will be serving up specially brewed seasonals, and you'll get to feel extra German by participating in a traditional Oktoberfest keg-tapping, featuring Butburger's very traditional Benediktiner abbey style weissbier ("The choice of the Vatican," according to Bitburger). Prost! TOBIAS COUGHLIN-BOGUE
43. Princess, Ian Schuelke, and The World Extreme Pencil Fighting League
The World Extreme Pencil Fighting League, a staple of Seattle institution Re-bar, will showcase its very particular set of skills. The four-man group Princess will supply dick jokes, and Ian Schuelke will offer absurdist social commentary.
44. Season 8: The Queens
This live performance of stars from RuPaul's Drag Race will feature Bob The Drag Queen, Kim Chi, Naomi Smalls, Chi Chi DeVayne, Thorgy Thor, and will be hosted by the oh-so-congenial Katya Zamolodchikova.
45. Shalane Flanagan: Run Fast, Eat Slow
Marathoner and 4-time Olympian Shalane Flanagan will visit Elliott Bay to share her new cookbook, created with chef Elyse Kopecky.
FRIDAY-SATURDAY
46. Park(ing) Day Plus+
Cars have molded cities around them, stymied public transportation, monopolized precious space, and choked up our air. It's time to fight back! For two days, parking spots will turn into pop-up parks in a fleeting alternate vision of pedestrian utopianism.
47. The 29th Annual Rockabilly Ball
Get wild for the 29th Annual Rockabilly Ball at the Sunset. Friday is Honky-Tonk Night, with live sets from Copper and Coal, Smoke Tough Johnny, and The Sunday Saints. Saturday is Rockabilly Night with Bloodshot Bill, The Dalharts, and Migs Cat.
48. Woyzeck
Seattle Theatre Works presents Georg Büchner’s last (and unfinished) play Woyzeck, adapted and directed by Daniel Tarker. The plot is based on a real murder case, and follows the story of a soldier trying to survive—physically and mentally—while also being subjected to strange experiments.
FRIDAY-SUNDAY
49. Seattle VR Hackathon
Seattle VR is bringing together VR programmers, designers, and enthusiasts to compete for prizes in a weekend of hardcore hacking. You don't have to be an expert; just show up with a computer, join a team, and get down to innovating. If you can't be there all weekend, come for the free Sunday Expo.
SATURDAY
50. 8 X 8
This production was created by eight choreographers, and will feature eight dances in an 8'x8' space. Directed by Rachael Forstrom and Philippa Myler.
51. 80's Invasion!
Take off your Clubmasters and get a good look at the biggest 80s music fanatics in town: 80s Invasion. They're an 80s cover band, and they're not afraid to tell you all about it, or sing a few songs to describe their constant nostalgia.
52. AMDEF 2016
Bringing together art, music, dance, entertainment, and fashion (the AMDEF of the title), Neumos presents this quarterly variety show, with aerial arts, trivia, prizes, open mics, music, bellydancing, and more.
53. Art Hack Day Seattle
Art Hack Day is an international grassroots organization "dedicated to hackers whose medium is art and artists whose medium is tech." Sixty artists will gather for 48 hours to create a flash exhibit for the public. If the previous Art Hack Day Berlin is anything to go by, expect nifty performances, abstract digital art, beautiful gadgetry, and lots of interaction.
54. Captain Smartypants: Girl Crazy
Watch this "homosexual vocal comedy group" pay tribute to incredible women including the Golden Girls, the Spice Girls, Madonna, and Adele.
55. Drunk vs High
Decide once and for all which is a better comedic performance enhancer (or destroyer) at this competition that pits booze and weed in the ultimate showdown of the vices. Each team will be limited to a substance; just watch where the rest of the night goes.
56. Evergreen Fest
Go full PNW-style at Evergreen Fest with this day-long wild-out of reggae, hiphop, and heavy weed smoke, featuring live sets from Matisyahu, House of Pain, Devin the Dude, Afroman, Sammy J, Potluck, Collie Buddz, Anuhea, Josh Heinrichs, Layzie Bone, Madchild, and Law.
57. FEELINGS and Felicity
In this edition of FEELINGS ("an intersectional, feminist, queer improv show based on your suggestions") audience members and performers will watch the pilot episode of Felicity.
58. The Green Show
Come to the Atlas Theatre in "high spirits" (no smoking or vaping allowed inside) to enjoy this 21+ improv comedy show by, about, and for people who are thoroughly stoned.
59. Handmade & Reclaimed Market
Second Use's Annual Fall Fest is back and so is its Handmade & Reclaimed Market. This second use extravaganza features over 30 vendors, artists, and craftsmen. There will be autumnal themed food, a beer garden, games for the whole family, and Second Use's annual largest sale. Those with repurposing skills can also enter in the Art+Design Competition. For more details on how to enter, check out their website.
60. Introduction to Design Thinking
Bobby Hughes of Stanford University and IDEO will lead participants in tackling design challenges related to social issues. SDF says: "No prior experience or skills are necessary. A willingness to be bold, have fun, and try new things is required!"
61. Judy Gold
Comedian, actress, writer, and producer Judy Gold (who is also a lesbian and Jewish mom) will come by Stroum Jewish Community Center to deliver some signature wit, speak about her work, and share her experiences with LGBT activism in the Jewish community.
62. Living Voices: La Causa—Mexican American Farmworkers Movement
Through a combination of live theatrical performances and archival film, learn about the story of Marta Hernandez, the daughter of Mexican-American migrant workers, and her involvement with the farm workers' movement in the 1960s.
63. Magnifique 2016
Enjoy the final act of summer with an A-List DJ-helmed party at the Gorge, headlined by Kaskade, Chromeo, Duke Dumont, Netsky, Mija, Branchez, Giraffage, and Justin Hartinger.
64. School of Rock: Led Zeppelin
Watch the tiny musical treasures of the future play the classic rock relics of the past, with School of Rock's tribute to Led Zeppelin at Chop Suey.
65. SketchFest Seattle Film Comedy Challenge
A competition for the title of Funniest Film, the Film Comedy Challenge will also present the all-female Seattle sketch troupe Day Job. If you haven't already been to Central Cinema, where you can eat and booze up in front of the big screen, this is a particularly good occasion to check it out.
SATURDAY-SUNDAY
66. Black Box
Black Box is one of the best, most underknown events in the city all year. Curated by Julia Fryett of AKTIONSART, Black Box is a "nomadic" and "experiential" festival of events "presenting new work and ideas from around the world in unexpected spaces throughout the city." It was Black Box that gave you James Coupe's installation employing Amazon's Mechanical Turk workers in a deserted schoolhouse blocks from Amazon headquarters. Black Box has presented big-name films by artists around the world, as well as premieres of artists' videos and projects online. Even hackers are invited to submit proposals. This festival, unlike most, has urgency as well as excellence. Every year it's a landmark. JG
67. Rainier Mountain Festival
Hey, remember how we have a fantastically huge volcano about 60 miles south of us? At the Rainier Mountain Festival, you can try microbrews, hear music, and stock up on discounted gear for your next expedition. Plus, meet mountaineers like Lou and Jim Whittaker.
68. Seattle Fiestas Patrias
Enjoy the many cultures and traditions of the wide array of Latin American countries represented at this celebration in September. Experience live mariachi music, cooking demos, visual arts, a children's soccer demo, a vendor marketplace, and more.
SUNDAY
69. E-Sondheim: An Electro-Cabaret
Spend your Sunday afternoon at this cabaret performance featuring songs by Stephen Sondheim reimagined as EDM tracks.
70. Naked Girls Reading
This show is exactly what it sounds like—a literary salon with naked readers.
71. Narae 2016
A colorful cultural showcase of many disciplines, Narae spotlights dynamic performances soundtracked by a variety of drums, gongs, zithers, flutes, and cymbals. Enjoy bright costumes, stage layouts, and decorations that intertwine with the artists’ original choreography, as well as a new project helmed by Morning Star that brings to life an old traditional folktale through dance and music.
72. Paul McCarthy and Mike Kelley: Heidi
Watch a collaborative film by artists Paul McCarthy and Mike Kelley based on the children's novel Heidi. The film promises to tackle big issues: it "questions sexually repressive social hierarchies, challenges the conventions of horror films, and examines mass media portrayals of family life."
73. Piggyback
Piggyback features a stand-up comic followed by improvisers who'll create a narrative story inspired by the stand-up act.
74. School of Rock: History of Punk
Watch the tiny musical treasures of the future play the proto-punk relics of the past, with School of Rock's tribute to the hopefully comprehensive history of punk music.
75. The World Has No Eyedea: Premiere with DJ Abilities and Guests
Experience the premiere of new documentary film The World Has No Eyedea with additional live performances from DJ Abilities, Carnage the Executioner, Onry Ozzborn, and Sammy Warmhands.