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Must List: Folklife Festival, SIFF ShortsFest, Pets in the Park
Your weekly guide to Seattle's hottest events.
MUST CELEBRATE
Northwest Folklife Festival
(5/25–5/28) The annual Folklife Festival is back for its 47th year. Enjoy music, dancing (including a Bollywood dance showcase!), food and art. Big names appearing at the festival include musical artists Naomi Wachira, Kung Foo Grip and Baby Gramps. This year’s cultural focus is on Mexican American and Chicana/o roots in the northwest, so many events focus on Latin music, dance and art. Times vary. Free (suggested daily donation $10/person). Seattle Center; nwfolklife.org
MUST EAT
Taste of West Seattle
(5/24) The 13th annual Taste of West Seattle is a community-based food extravaganza benefitting the West Seattle Helpline’s emergency assistance programs. Taste your way through 50 different breweries, restaurants, bakeries, wineries and more. Plus: There will be live music, chances to win gift cards to your favorite restaurants and a competition among the vendors for Best Taste, Pour, Sweet and Sip. 6 p.m.–9 p.m. Prices vary. Limited tickets available at the door. The Hall at Fauntleroy, West Seattle, 9131 California Ave. SW; wshelpline.org
MUST WATCH SHORTS
SIFF ShortsFest Weekend
(5/25–5/28) The Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF) is in full swing and this weekend the festival is celebrating short films. Opening night of ShortsFest includes seven films from a variety of genres and countries all spanning eight to 14 minutes in length. The weekend continues with batches of short films packaged together under categories such as Legends of the PNW, Animation4Adults and FutureWave Shorts. See a story unfold in as little as three minutes. Times, prices and locations vary; siff.net
MUST ADOPT
Pets in the Park
(5/30) Meet the purrfect pal at Cal Anderson Park during your lunch break. Seattle Humane is hosting a lunchtime adoption event where people can meet (and pet) adoptable cats and dogs from the shelter. If you end up meeting your next furry friend, they will be doing adoptions on site, so grab your lunch and get ready to have your heart melt from all the canine and feline cuteness. 11 a.m.–2 p.m. Free. Cal Anderson Park, Capitol Hill; Pets in the Park event page.
Photo via soundexcursions.com
MUST DRINK AND PLANT
Boozy Terrarium Making
(5/26, 6/9, 6/23) You know what’s more fun than making a terrarium? Making a terrarium to take home while drinking a glass of something delicious and alcoholic. Sound Excursions is hosting a boozy terrarium-making class at Henry’s Tavern in South Lake Union. All supplies such as moss, charcoal and succulents will be provided along with a glass of craft beer, wine or a speciality cocktail. Feel free to bring your own decorations (mini dinosaurs, anyone?) and get ready to get your hands dirty. 2:30 p.m. $49. Henry’s Tavern, South Lake Union, 501 Farview Ave. N; soundexcursions.com
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