Must List: ‘Aida,’ Seattle Bike-n-Brews, Taco Libre Truck Showdown

MUST SEE

Aida
(5/5–5/19) Audiences expect spectacle in productions of Aida, and always have; Verdi’s 1871 tale of a love triangle set in ancient Egypt was even then a throwback to the grand-opera approach of an earlier generation, extravagant affairs full of processions, ballets and as many extras as you can pack onto a stage. But how, today, do you present visual dazzle without merely copying the fusty traditions of the century before last? For its new production, Seattle Opera will restage San Francisco Opera’s edgy version that incorporates Los Angeles–based street artist RETNA’s hieroglyphic-inspired designs; the result should be both gorgeous and up to-the minute. Times and prices vary. McCaw Hall, Seattle Center, 321 Mercer St.; 206.389.7676; seattleopera.org

Photo via Cascade Bicyle Club website

MUST PEDAL

Seattle Bike-n-Brews
(5/6) Enjoy a scenic urban bike ride bookended by visits to microbreweries during the Cascade Bicycle Club’s 27- or 37-mile ride (your choice) from Georgetown Brewing Company to Tukwila and back, on the Duwamish and Interurban trails. Celebrate at the halfway point with a beer from Odin Brewing Company and finish the ride with another at Georgetown. Online registration has officially closed, but you can sign up day of at the starting line. Starts at 9 a.m. Prices vary. Georgetown, 5200 Denver Ave. S; 206.522.3222; cascade.org

MUST VIEW

Vashon Island Art Studio Tour
(5/5–5/6, 5/12–5/13) Meet artists, find one-of-a-kind gifts, and learn about the more than 100 painters, photographers, potters, jewelers and other artists who live and work on the island at this biannual tour. 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Free. Various locations; vashonislandartstudiotour.com

MUST TASTE TACOS

Taco Libre Truck Showdown
(5/6) Watch taco food truck vendors compete to make the most creative taco-inspired dishes at this Fremont Sunday Market event. Then taste a few tacos while listening to a live mariachi band and browsing wares at the market. Stay until 6 p.m. to see the winning food truck take home a luchador wrestling belt and eternal glory. 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Free; food available for purchase. Fremont, 180 N Canal St.; mobilefoodrodeo.com

Photo via Seattle Symphone website

MUST READ

Seattle Arts & Lectures: Viet Thanh Nguyen
(5/7) Viet Thanh Nguyen will be in town speaking about his new book, The Refugees, as part of Seattle Arts & Lectures series. Nguyen, who won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction for his 2015 immigrant novel, The Sympathizer, drew inspiration from his own struggles for his 2017 short story collection, which follows characters straddling dual identities. 7:30 p.m. Prices vary. Benaroya Hall, downtown, 200 University St.; 206.215.4747; seattlesymphony.org