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MUST CELEBRATE THE RAT

Lunar New Year Celebration 
(2/1) Make your way to Bellevue Square’s Center Court this Saturday to celebrate the Year of the Rat, with cultural demonstrations including martial arts, dance, music and food sampling. Also, be sure to check out Seattle’s preeminent Lunar New Year celebration, happening in Chinatown-International District on February 8. 11 a.m. Free. Bellevue Square, Bellevue; lunarnewyear.bellevuecollection.com 

MUST BUY LOW 

Ballard Hullabaloo
(1/31-2/1) Bring on the savings at this annual congregation of Ballard merchants, selling their goods at discounted prices. Friday night includes drinks from Obec Brewing, with merchants from Annie’s Art & Frame to KAVU. Times vary. Free. Leif Erikson Hall, Ballard; myballard.com

MUST NOURISH THE MIND

Salon Series Conversations No. 1: Nourishing Meals
(1/30) Inspired by the French salons of the Age of Enlightenment, local restaurant group Sea Creatures will host the first of its quarterly series of conversations designed to spark learning and critical thinking. The first edition will include the Executive Director of Northwest Harvest and the Director of Nutrition for Seattle Public Schools. 6 p.m. $10. General Porpoise, Pioneer Square; eatseacreatures.com 

MUST THANK THE ACADEMY

Oscar Preview Night
(1/31) Join film historian Lance Rhoades for a night devoted to the Academy Awards. Rhoades will discuss highlights and controversies from previous years and give his opinions and predictions on this year’s nominees. 7:30 p.m. Free. Scarecrow Video, University District; blog.scarecrow.com

MUST MOVE

Brian Brooks Moving Company 
(1/30-2/1) A series of dance works exploring immersive technologies and the virtual spaces they create, this multipart production includes two world premieres among other performances, including Drawing Room, a lobby installation set before the show begins. 8 p.m. Prices vary. Meany Hall, University District; meanycenter.org 

MUST FLOAT YOUR BOAT 

Seattle Boat Show 
(Through 2/1) Come for the boats but stay for so much more at the weeklong festival devoted to all things aquatic. Boats are on display in two different locations in Seattle, along with a plethora of other events, including beer and wine tastings, cheese sculpture carving, catch and release fishing and a seminar on the evolution of bathing suits through the years. Times, prices and locations vary; seattleboatshow.com 

MUST REIGN LAUGHTER 

The Revolutionists 
(Through 2/9) Written by American Theatre’s most produced playwright in America this year, this comedic production recounts four historical women during the French revolution’s Reign of Terror. Playwright Lauren Gunderson’s wit is carefully composed by director Kelly Kitchens, delivering a tale of art, activism, feminism and influence. Times and prices vary. ArtsWest, West Seattle; artswest.org 

Coming up: 
These events are weeks away but are bound to sell out—get your tickets now. 

MUST APPRECIATE NEW IDEAS 

Ignite #41
(2/27) Branded the largest open submission public speaking event in the Pacific Northwest, this three or four-time yearly event serves as a platform for speakers to deliver their ideas and audience members to discover new possibilities. Curating a wide range of speakers and topics, each speaker gets 20 slides and five minutes to discuss a passion they wish to share with the world. 7:30 p.m. Prices vary. Town Hall, First Hill; townhallseattle.org 

MUST SEE A LEGEND 

Patti Smith 
(3/11) Singer-songwriter, poet and National Book Award-winning author are just a few titles associated with America’s tycoon of the arts. Originally popularized by her debut 1975 album, Horses, this Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee has spawned a career of excellence over four decades long. 8 p.m. Prices vary. Paramount Theatre, downtown; stgpresents.org 

MUST WINE & DINE 

Grand Tasting 
(2/22) The final day of the Seattle Wine and Food Experience promises a calculated immersion into PNW food, drink and lifestyle. The Saturday tasting brings together some of Seattle’s best eateries to share knowledge, experience and of course some tasty bites. 2 p.m. $95. Bell Harbor, downtown; seattlewineandfoodexperience.com