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<figure class="c-media c-media–image c-align–full" data-entity-class="image" data-entity-id="149825" data-entity-method="embed" data-image-align="center" data-image-caption="The protagonist in Paramount Theatre's & Juliet isn’t falling victim to that star-crossed lovers tale.” data-image-selection=”{“x1″:0,”y1″:0,”x2″:5000,”y2″:3335,”width”:5000,”height”:3335}” readability=”-19.436090225564″> The protagonist in Paramount Theatre’s & Juliet isn’t falling victim to that star-crossed lovers tale.
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Food and Drink / Visual Arts / Live Music
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Seattleites are spoiled for choice when it comes to spending our leisure time. Just take a look at the sheer variety of options: We have an exceptional array of museums, independent bookstores, restaurants, bars (and bar trivia), record stores, nightlife options, local shops, and a rich music landscape.
And the actual landscape? Outdoor recreation opportunities abound, especially if you subscribe to the “no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing” mindset (if you don’t, are you really from Seattle?). From abundant hikes, swimming holes, state parks, and campgrounds just beyond city limits to a voluminous urban trail system, there’s something for the outdoorsperson of every skill and stoke level. Those with little ones (human or furred) can rejoice at a bevy of great playgrounds, spray parks, and zoos.
But if you just want a guide already, we’ve got plenty for food, outdoors, shopping, and entertainment. Plus, a shortlist of what to do in Washington this month. Or find below the best things to do in Seattle, updated weekly.
Food and Drink
KEXP BBQ
august 15, 2–9pm | kexp, $45
As much a cookout as it is concert, the annual KEXP bash features live music from Curtis Harding, True Loves, Vagabon, and others—plus home station DJs spinning live. Grab a plate, sit back, and relax to bonafide Pacific Northwest tunes.
There’s plenty to cheers to—and with—at the Winemaker Picnic and Barrel Auction.
Winemaker Picnic and Barrel Auction
august 15, 5pm | Chateau Ste. Michelle, $150–5,000
The seminal event of Washington’s summer wine culture, the Winemaker Picnic and Barrel Auction brings over 100 winemakers to the Chateau Ste. Michelle lawn. Tickets score the chance to mingle with industry greats, sip pours from tasting stations, and play wine-inspired games before bidding on future release wines.
Visual Arts
Tala Madani: Be flat
through august 17, various | the henry, free
Painter and animator Tala Madani weaves satire and a dream-like quality through her works. In addition to a handful of large paintings in the University District museum, Maranda’s installation includes small wooden structures; step inside to view animations in tiny bare-bones theaters.
Ai, Rebel: The Art and Activism of Ai Weiwei
through september 7, various | seattle art museum, $29.99
Hugh Hayden: American Vernacular
through september 28, various | frye art museum, free
The sleek, always-free art museum houses sculptor and multimedia artist Hugh Hayden’s first solo museum spot on the West Coast. Filling the galleries are curiously reworked items from everyday American life, like the cherry bark encased Louboutins and a life-sized church nave.
Nina Katchadourian specializes in lost stories, like an accent elimination installation.
Nina Katchadourian: Origin Stories
through october 26, various | national nordic museum, $5–20
Fresh art drops at the National Nordic Museum, courtesy of multidisciplinary artist Nina Katchadourian. Her works range from photographs, to video, to an immersive installation surrounding a real-life shipwreck disaster. On June 22, Katchadourian will join a survivor of the shipwreck, Douglas Robertson, in conversation at the gallery.
Live Music
Fremont Fridays’ live music lineup is the cure to post-Capitol Hill Block Party blues.
Fremont Fridays
through september 5, 5pm–close | various, free
ZooTunes
through september 3, various | woodland park zoo, various
Woodland Park Zoo’s animals clock out and globally-touring artists clock in for the summer concert series. Up next, alternative indie outfit Devo brings new wave tracks to the stage. To soak up the summer sun with more outdoor concerts, check out our full guide.
Lady Gaga
august 6–8, 8pm | climate pledge arena, $229.67+
Dial in the “Abracadabra” choreography and join a Climate Pledge Arena full of Little Monsters for the iconic pop act’s three-night Seattle run. Expect stunning theatrics, bewitching costumes, and a few throwback tracks of Lady Gaga’s greatest hits.
Shinedown
august 8, 7pm | climate pledge arena, $64.90–351.20
The dynamic modern rock four piece brings their “Dance, Kid, Dance” tour to Climate Pledge Arena in a flurry of energy and literal fireworks. Sure, they’ll play the tour’s title track, but expect award-winning songs from previous albums—like “A Symptom of Being Human”—too.
Performance
<figure class="c-media c-media–image c-align–center" data-entity-class="image" data-entity-id="149783" data-entity-method="embed" data-image-align="center" data-image-caption="Much Ado About Nothing comes to Seattle parks this summer.” data-image-selection=”{“x1″:0,”y1″:0,”x2″:5000,”y2″:3336,”width”:5000,”height”:3336}” readability=”-17.6″>
Much Ado About Nothing comes to Seattle parks this summer. through august 16, various | various, free
Long a Seattle summer tradition, Shakespeare plays return to over 20 area parks for free performances. Four productions spread across dozens of dates, from A Midsummer Night’s Dream to Much Ado About Nothing, promise fun-forward, simplified versions of the classic tales. BYO blanket. This Juliet has been to therapy. through august 3, various | the paramount theatre, $91.60–181.60
If reading Romeo and Juliet left you thinking “All that for a boy?” then The Paramount Theatre’s & Juliet is for you. Emmy-winning “Schitt’s Creek” writer David West Read crafts an alternate ending full of pop anthems and more rom-com than tragedy. through september 14, 6:30 and 9:30pm | can can seattle, $56–116
Pike Place Market’s burlesque dinner theater puts on a summer show full of big hair, big ballads, and big rhinestone energy. While the jukebox-dance musical is mostly adults-only, two matinee shows August 3 and 10 open the doors for all ages to sing along. 
Shakespeare in the Park
& Juliet
Dolly and the Golden Tassel
FILM
Movies at the Mural: The Princess Bride
august 1, 9pm | mural amphitheatre, free
Cult classic comedy-romance The Princess Bride returns to the outdoor screen with Westley and Buttercup in tow. Tote a blanket and snacks to the lawn, and relish in a Seattle summer tradition.
Retro Nights: The Twilight Saga: Eclipse
august 6, 7pm | majestic bay theatre, $13
Ballard’s independent theatre highlights throwbacks this summer, screening nostalgia-filled faves chosen by audiences. Next up is Forks-inspired The Twilight Saga: Eclipse.
Talking Pictures: Anchorman
august 7, 7:30pm | siff cinema downtown, $25–35
In true local, independent theater fashion, SIFF’s Talking Pictures series allows hometown celebrities to screen a film of their choice and speak on its personal impact. Lex Vaughn, founder and editor of satirical news outlet The Needling, will chat about 1970s-set comedy Anchorman before hitting play.
SPECIAL EVENTS
Seafair Weekend Festival
august 1–3, 8:30am–6pm | various, $0–100
Frye Nouveau After Hours
august 8, 6–9pm | frye art museum, free with rsvp
The First Hill art house puts an artistic spin on a post-work happy hour with patio cocktails, prompt-led mingling to skip tired questions, and galleries open late for special viewing. Plus, local artist Emma Kates-Shaw leads a hands-on workshop inspired by her found-object art on display.
Hillman City Block Party
august 9, 10am–close | Hillman City Business District, free
Back for its second year, the Hillman City Block Party brings live performances, kids activities, and a beer garden to the trendy, edgy neighborhood. Art is tangible at the street-side soiree; SEEDArts hosts open gallery hours for inspired wandering, and souvenirs are printed in real time at Lucky Rabbet.
READINGS AND LECTUREs
Kim Fu: Lesser Known Monsters of the 21st Century
july 30, 6:30pm | central library, free
Drew Harvell: The Ocean’s Menagerie
july 31, 7pm | elliott bay book company, free
Marvels from the deep sea take center stage for marine biologist and ecologist Drew Harvell’s chat on her spring release, The Ocean’s Menagerie: How Earth’s Strangest Creatures Reshape the Rules of Life. From hometown dives in the Salish Sea to underwater info gathering in Indonesia, Harvell brings personal stories and scientific breakthroughs to Elliott Bay Book Company.
Writers With Drinks
august 14, 7:30pm | town hall seattle, $10–35
On sale now
The extra ingredient? Giving back and supporting culinary education in Seattle at Farestart. Yum.
Guest Chef Night Series
through november 20, 5–9pm | FareStart Restaurant, $55
Supper Fan Club
september 22, 6–8:30pm | mopop, $130
Superfans are called to supper at MOPOP’s newest dinner series, each meal themed to a different fandom. Next up: a Middle-earth meal with large doses of hobbit hospitality; expect a feast fit for Frodo with swords, songs, and long roads of adventure.
