Must List: Bumbershoot, Blackberry Festival, The Great Victorian Radicals Bake Off
Your weekly guide to Seattle's hottest events
By Lauren Alexander & Gavin Borchert August 29, 2019
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MUST HEART THE ARTS
Bumbershoot
(8/30-9/1) Year after year, fans of music and art flock to Seattle Center for the annual Labor Day festival and this year is definitely one for the books. Attendees can look forward to a full lineup, spanning all genres: Rezz, a dark, electronic treasure; hip-hop sensation Tyler, The Creator and others including Art D’ecco and Y La Bamba will keep everyone moving to the beat. Take a break from the tunes and check out art installations, comedy performances, film screenings and more. This local fest will keep you busy all weekend long. 2 p.m.–11 p.m. Prices vary. Seattle Center, Lower Queen Anne, 305 Harrison St.; bumbershoot.com
MUST GET READY, SET, BAKE
The Great Victorian Radicals Bake Off
(8/29) Attention bakers (and fans of The Great British Bake Off): Seattle Art Museum (SAM) is hosting its own spin on the British TV show with Seattle’s very own bakers. The contestants must prepare bakes reflective of the current exhibition at SAM, Victorian Radicals: From the Pre-Raphaelites to the Arts and Crafts Movement, so expect to see sky-high trifles, perfect meringues and lots of jelly-filled goodies. Though attendees don’t get to try any of the creations, they do get to vote on their favorite design. Judges, including Rachel Coyle of Coyle’s Bakeshop and Sara Naftaly of Amandine Bakeshop, will have the final say on who will take the cake. 6 p.m.–9 p.m. Free. Seattle Art Museum, downtown, 1300 First Ave.; 206.654.3100; seattleartmuseum.org
MUST UNDERSTAND
Excluded, Inside the Lines
(Through 2/23/2020) One map in the Wing Luke’s exhibit Excluded, Inside the Lines, tells the story of Seattle’s ugly history of housing segregation: Areas are colored according to a “Grade of Security” and neighborhoods are overtly ranked as “Best,” “Still Desirable,” “Definitely Declining” and “Hazardous.” Guess where people of color were allowed to buy or rent? Personal stories and depictions of acts of resistance flesh out the tale of Seattle’s redlining past. Times and prices vary. Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience, Chinatown–International District, 719 S King St.; 206.623.5124; wingluke.org
MUST FIND THE TREASURE
Indy Jones and the Raiders of the Last Temple of the Doomed Ark
(Through 9/15) The title says it all: This stage mashup of three Harrison Ford blockbusters (this show is a “Crystal Skull free zone,” they promise), plus a dash of meta-commentary, is the latest uproarious spoof from Seattle sketch-comedy troupe The Habit (perpetrators of A Very Die Hard Christmas). Times and prices vary. Seattle Public Theater, Green Lake, 7312 W Green Lake Drive N; 206.524.1300; seattlepublictheater.org
MUST EXPERIENCE
Addo: Latin Cabaret
(8/29) Chef Eric Rivera is known for his creative dining experiences, and this Latin Cabaret is sure to be a night to remember. The evening features a variety of entertainment including drag and burlesque performances, along with a dinner prepared by Rivera, inspired by his Puerto Rican heritage. Your ticket includes dinner and the show, but you can upgrade to a beverage pairing if you’re feeling up for the buzz. 8 p.m.–10 p.m. $40. Addo: Incubator, Ballard, 6420 24th Ave. NW; exploretock.com/addoballard/event/67728/addolatin-cabaret
MUST BE BERRY
Blackberry Festival
(8/31-9/2) Stuff yourself silly with one of Pacific Northwest’s most iconic berries at this family friendly festival. Now in its 30th 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
MUST LOVE THEATER
Island Shakespeare Festival
(Through 9/1) This outdoor theater fest wraps up this weekend, and if you haven’t seen a Shakespeare play performed outdoors, now is your chance. The woodsy venue is a perfect space for the outdoor amphitheater where you’ll experience classics including A Midsummer’s Night Dream and The Winter’s Tale in an intimate setting. A bright orange and white circus tent named Henry is close by and serves as the festival’s lobby and picnic area, so stop by one of Whidbey Island’s many eateries and grab something to go to enjoy before the show. There’s a reason why Shakespeare is the most performed playwright in the world, find out why this weekend. 6 p.m. Free but donations are encouraged. Langley, Whidbey Island, 5476 Maxwelton Rd.; 360.331.2939; islandshakespearefest.org
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