Arts
Read More ›
Must List: Bumbershoot, Summer Rewind Film Festival, Bremerton Blackberry Festival
Your weekly guide to Seattle's hottest events.
MUST LOVE MUSIC
Bumbershoot
(8/31–9/2) Bumbershoot is supposed to be a festival, but it’s always had a slightly melancholy end-of-summer vibe—and it doesn’t help that it’s named after an umbrella, callously reminding us that eight months of rain are around the corner. Bold-face names in this year’s lineup include Lil Wayne and Fleet Foxes; other offerings include dance, comedy, theater, visual arts and yoga on the lawn. Times and prices vary. Seattle Center, 305 Harrison St.; 206.684.7200; bumbershoot.com
Photo via Washington State Fair Facebook page
MUST DO THE PUYALLUP
Washington State Fair
(8/31–9/23) Have you ever witnessed daring horseback acrobatics or rode on an old-fashioned roller coaster? No? Then it’s time to hop in your car and get to Puyallup for the Washington State Fair. Ogle prize-winning produce, taste a fair scone or buttery elephant ear, take in a rodeo and listen to Macklemore (9/21) at the state’s biggest fair. Times and prices vary. Closed Tuesdays and September 5. Washington State Fair Events Center, Puyallup, 110 Ninth Ave. SW; 253.845.1771; thefair.com
MUST GAME
PAX West
(8/31–9/3) This weekend, Seattle’s downtown hub will taken over by the crème de la crème of the gaming industry. The annual Penny Arcade Expo (PAX) showcases the best and on the rise video, arcade and tabletop games during this jam packed four-day festival. Check out panels on the latest games, meet gaming legends and test out the newest games for yourself. PAX sells out every year, so if you’re even remotely interested in checking it out, buy a day pass ASAP. Times and prices vary. Washington State Convention Center, downtown, 705 Pike St.; west.paxsite.com
MUST WATCH FILMS
Summer Rewind Film Festival
(8/31–9/6) Soak up the last bits of summer by seeing the season’s blockbuster hits. Cinerama will be showing the best summer movies starting this weekend. Watch (or rewatch) Ocean’s 8, Deadpool 2, Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, A Quiet Place and more. Just don’t forget the chocolate popcorn. Times vary. $15. Cinerama, downtown, 2100 Fourth Ave.; 206.448.6680; cinerama.com
MUST EAT BLACKBERRIES
Bremerton Blackberry Festival
(9/1–9/3) Stuff yourself silly with one of Pacific Northwest’s most iconic berries at this family friendly festival. Now in it’s 29th year, the festival celebrates blackberries by preparing them every which way. Want blackberry ice cream? They got that. Or how about blackberry sausage? Yep, they got that too. Wash the treats down with some blackberry wine or soda. Don’t worry, if you feel overloaded on blackberries, they will have vendors selling non-blackberry food and drink, too. Times vary. Free. Bremerton Boardwalk Waterfront, Bremerton, 100 Washington Beach Ave.; blackberryfestival.org
Follow Us
When Art and Tech Align
Xispa brings artists and technologists together in South Lake Union for residencies, experiments, and unexpected collaborations.
Discover xispa, Seattle's new art and tech innovation lab in South Lake Union blending the PNW arts community with the city's tech workforce. Step inside.
Studio Sessions: Liz Tran
After 26 years in Seattle, artist Liz Tran returned to Oregon, but her impact on our city’s art scene will always remain.
Liz Tran’s work blooms with color, energy, and emotion. Bright drips and drops, petal-like shapes—in Tran’s skillful hands, canvas, paint, and fabric burst into dynamic studies of nature, transformation, life. Born and raised in Oregon, Tran spent the past 26 years in Seattle, returning to her hometown, Eugene, to be closer to her family—and the…
Rearview Mirror: Jimothy Fever, a Fresh Art Fair, and Goodies in Woodinville
Things I did, saw, ate, learned, or read in the past week (or so).
Unofficial mascot mug Really, is there anything else worth talking about right now? Jimothy has been in the collective consciousness for a little more than two weeks now, and I—along with most everyone I know, the entire city, half of the country, and a slice of the world—am obsessed with him. I don’t know if…
Earth, Wind & Fire Keeps the Groove Going
Ahead of the band’s Seattle return with Lionel Richie, Grammy Award-winning drummer, percussionist, singer, and songwriter Ralph Johnson talks performing, enduring songs, and his new memoir.
Through the years, Earth, Wind & Fire drummer Ralph Johnson has stepped onstage in Seattle more times than he can count, but it was far from love at first sight. “I was born and raised in Los Angeles, so we had nothing but sunshine and 70-degree weather,” Johnson says. “When I went to Seattle for the…