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

Love the Must List? Get it right in your inbox. Subscribe.

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 hunt. 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Prices vary. Flying Heritage & Combat Museum, Bomarc parking lot, Everett, 9205 Airport Rd; 206.342.4242; flyingheritage.com