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Must List: 14/48: Nordo–Food Theater Thunderdome, Northwest Folklife, Emerald City Ride

Your weekly guide to Seattle's hottest events

banner menu with the cutlery on the theater stage
banner menu with the cutlery on the theater stage

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MUST BE RANDOM 

14/48: Nordo – Food Theater Thunderdome 
(5/23–25) The Worlds Quickest Theater Festival—brought to you by The 14/48 Project—takes on writing, casting, directing, rehearsing, scoring, designing and performing 14 plays in 48 hours. The plays and cast are selected by drawing names out of a hat. In the spirit of randomness, select playwright will be paired with a Café Nordo chef, who will prepare a meal with random ingredients inspired by the theme of the play (vegetarian options will be available). And voilà, dinner and a show. 8 p.m. $65. Café Nordo, downtown, 109 S Main St; 206.209.2002; the1448projects.org

MUST CELEBRATE  

Northwest Folklife Festival 
(5/24–27) The self-proclaimed ‘For the People by the People’ festival returns to Seattle Center for the 48th year. The local fest features more than 5,000 performers and is one of the largest access-for-all festivals in the nation, powered by 500 plus volunteers. This year Folklife’s theme is Youth Rising, so expect spectacular young talent showcased throughout the weekend. When you aren’t catching workshops on social justice or contra dancing, make sure to check out musical guests like Willie and the Whips, Catherine Bird and Trish Anderson. Times vary. Suggested $10 donation for individuals, $20 for families. Seattle Center, 305 Harrison St.; 206.684.7300; folklife.org 

MUST DOCUMENT 

Life Wide Angle/Close Up Exhibit
(Through 4/19/2020) Gentrification is changing cities around the country. The vibrant neighborhood cultures of Chinatowns across the U.S, famous neighborhoods formed in the early 20th century like Nihonmachis and Little Manilas have been documented for a multi-media exhibit that will be at the Wing Luke Musem in Chinatown-International District over the next year. Curated by Carina A. Del Rosario—a Philippine born Seattle resident and photographer—the exhibit highlights work from Dean Wong, Mel Ponder, Andrew Hida and Chinatown Art Brigade collective. Times and prices vary. The Wind Luke Museum of Asian Pacific American Experience, Chinatown-International District, 719 S King St.; 206.623.5124; wingluke.org 

MUST BIKE THE TUNNEL  

Emerald City Ride 
(5/26) Our beautiful city is making way for the bike ride of the year through the new 1.7-mile-long SR 99 Tunnel. Cyclists take the streets starting at Pyramid Alehouse then head north through the tunnel and over the Aurora Bridge. Take a pit stop at Gas Works Park for a snack before heading to the finish line via the I-5 express lanes. 7 a.m. Prices vary. Pyramid Alehouse, Pioneer Square, 1201 First Ave S; 206.522.3222; cascade.org 

MUST LOVE TANKS  

Tankfest Northwest 
(5/25) This year Northwest Tankfest showcases World War II tanks, reenactments and special guest Richard Hine—a retired Marine Corps Tank Commander talking battle tactics and what’s it like to serve on an M48. Make sure to check out the local food trucks between the XTREME BMX show and remote-control tank demonstrations. The family friendly event will also feature face painting, a bouncy house and a scavenger hunt9 a.m.4 p.m. Prices vary. Flying Heritage & Combat Museum, Bomarc parking lot, Everett, 9205 Airport Rd; 206.342.4242; flyingheritage.com 

Rearview Mirror: Crocodile Guardians, Late-Summer Potato Salad, and a Halloween Costume Hunt

Rearview Mirror: Crocodile Guardians, Late-Summer Potato Salad, and a Halloween Costume Hunt

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

COOKING WITH ASTER PANTRY A few leaves turn, my inbox fills with fall festival pitches and cozy brunch menus, and suddenly I want to stay home with a glass of wine and cook. I love this nesting season, though I’m not ready to give up summer produce. Earlier this year, I wrote about Seattle chefs…

WALKDONTRUN Returns This Saturday, Turning Downtown Seattle Into a Sprawling Art Show

WALKDONTRUN Returns This Saturday, Turning Downtown Seattle Into a Sprawling Art Show

In its second year, the free festival brings 200-plus artists to a 20-block route September 19, with a secret garden and a former 7-Eleven stocked with art.

Most walks through downtown Seattle involve trying to get somewhere. On September 19, the crosswalk itself might be the reason to stop. Heap Troupe will turn a four-way crossing into a performance, one of dozens of encounters planned for this year’s WALKDONTRUN. The free, all-ages art walk stretches across more than 20 blocks. From 11…

At Two Dot Schoolhouse, Ruth Marie Tomlinson Builds an Artistic Community

At Two Dot Schoolhouse, Ruth Marie Tomlinson Builds an Artistic Community

For nearly 20 years, the Seattle artist and her husband have welcomed artists, writers, and musicians to a historic Montana schoolhouse. Now they’re searching for its next stewards. 

At her solo exhibition last year at The Vestibule, Seattle artist Ruth Marie Tomlinson presented a new series of work inspired by her close readings of British nature writer J.A. Baker’s The Peregrine and Icelandic author Sjón’s The Blue Fox. As if on sheets torn from a sketchbook, her pages included excerpts and outtakes of…

Rearview Mirror: Seahawks Off the Field, Seattle on the Board, and Smoked Oysters

Rearview Mirror: Seahawks Off the Field, Seattle on the Board, and Smoked Oysters

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

HOOKED ON KNOCKS Admittedly, I am late to this one. The Seahawks’ first season of Hard Knocks, the HBO series that follows NFL teams through training camp, premiered in August, but until last week, I had never heard of it. To be honest, my football knowledge starts with knowing what a touchdown is and doesn’t…