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Must List: Capitol Hill Block Party, Seafair Pow Wow, Sequim Lavender Festival

Your weekly guide to Seattle's hottest events.

Father John Misty
Father John Misty

MUST ROCK OUT

Capitol Hill Block Party & JamFest
(7/19–7/22) Kick off a weekend of tunes Thursday with JamFest, a music showcase held throughout the Chinatown/International District. This year you’ll hear sounds from The Voice’s Siahna, all-girl teen rock trio Bleachbear and more. Party further on over at the annual Capitol Hill Block Party, featuring six stages filled with local and national acts, including Father John Misty, Alvvays, PARISALEXA and many more. Times, prices and locations vary. capitolhillblockparty.com; wingluke.org


Photo via Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center Facebook page

MUST EXPLORE

Seafair Pow Wow
(7/20–7/22) Presented by the United Indians of All Tribes Foundation, this annual Seafair event brings the community together with the drumming and dancing of more than 500 performers in traditional regalia, along with Native American cuisine (your must try: frybread) and artisans selling handcrafted jewelry, art and crafts. Times, prices vary. Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center, Magnolia, Discovery Park, 5011 Bernie Whitebear Way; 206.285.4425; unitedindians.org

MUST LOVE WATER

Waterland Festival
(7/21–7/22) Seafair continues just south of Seattle at the annual Waterland Festival in Des Moines Beach Park. This family-friendly fest features a children’s carnival, a parade and a classic car and wooden boat show. A new element this year, Art in the Park, brings local artists and their work (for sale) into the festivities. Times, prices vary. Des Moines Beach Park, Des Moines, 22307 Dock Ave. S; seattlesouthside.com

MUST INHALE

Sequim Lavender Festival
(7/20–7/22) The 22nd annual festival celebrating this fragrant, purple herb features a pet-friendly street fair that includes more than 150 booths filled with crafts, dried lavender (and crafts made with dried lavender). Music, a food court (with lavender ice cream, of course), self-guided farm tours and more round out the fun. Free. Times vary. Carrie Blake Park, Sequim, 202 N Blake Ave.; lavenderfestival.com


Courtesy of Downtown Seattle Association

MUST LISTEN

Downtown Summer Sounds
(Through 8/31) Formerly known as Out to Lunch, this free lunch hour live music concert series returns for its 40th year. Brown bag it and head over to local parks and plazas for local music from The Black Tones, The Dusty 45s, PARISALEXA, Bleachbear, Prom Queen and many others. Free. Times and locations vary. cdn.downtownseattle.org

Studio Sessions: Christopher Paul Jordan

Studio Sessions: Christopher Paul Jordan

Drawing on childhood memories, neighborhood history, and salvaged materials, Christopher Paul Jordan’s latest show at Cornish’s Behnke Family Gallery explores how the past stays with us.

Start in the middle. It’s good advice for telling a story, and a way into Christopher Paul Jordan’s paintings. By the time you encounter them, their materials have already been something else, and who knows what they might move on to become. The Tacoma interdisciplinary artist works with salvaged objects, including screens, picture frames, canvas,…

Rearview Mirror: Wedding Bells, A Furniture Launch, and the Symphony’s New Look 

Rearview Mirror: Wedding Bells, A Furniture Launch, and the Symphony’s New Look 

Things I did, saw, ate, learned, or read in the past week (or so).

WEDDING BELLS I’ve been a bit absent from this column lately, but I think I have a pretty good excuse: I got married! It’s already been three weeks since my September 19 wedding, but I’m still reflecting on the magic of the day. My fiancé, well husband now (I can’t get used to saying it!),…

Get Blown Away: Seattle’s Glass Art Scene Takes Center Stage

Get Blown Away: Seattle’s Glass Art Scene Takes Center Stage

Now in its 8th year, Refract Seattle is the region’s premier celebration of glassblowing—arguably the most famous visual art genre in the Pacific Northwest. Pioneered by names like Dale Chihuly, Ginny Ruffner, Lino Tagliapietra, and Preston Singletary, glassblowing has remained among the area’s most prolific creative outputs, with contemporary talents such as John Hogan, Julie…

Kishi Bashi Is Ready to Feel Everything

Kishi Bashi Is Ready to Feel Everything

Ten years after Sonderlust pushed his music in a new direction, he’s bringing the pivotal album to The Crocodile—and playing it in full for the first time.

Back in March of 2012, I snagged a last-minute ticket to see Of Montreal at the Showbox. As amazing as Kevin Barnes and company were, along with tourmates Deerhoof, the biggest impression made on me was the opener, Kishi Bashi. Armed with little more than a violin, a loop pedal, and a pristine voice, Kishi…