Must List: Northwest Chocolate Festival, Seattle International Comedy Festival, Seattle Winter Ciderfest

Your weekly guide to Seattle’s hottest events.

By Beau Iverson & Jason Freedberg November 8, 2018

Melted pieces of dark chocolate bar in splash texture

MUST INDULGE

The Northwest Chocolate Festival
(11/10–11/11) This delicious festival bills itself as “the best show in the world for artisan chocolate,” which, to us, sounds pretty sweet. Learn about the chocolate industry, meet cacao farmers, watch demos by world-famous chefs and, of course, taste chocolate to your heart’s content. Times and prices vary. Smith Cove Cruise Terminal at Pier 91, Interbay, 2001 W Garfield St.; 206.787.3000; nwchocolate.com

MUST LAUGH

Seattle International Comedy Festival
(11/1–11/25) “I find that ducks’ opinion of me is very much influenced by whether or not I have bread,” mused Seattle International Comedy Festival 1997 winner Mitch Hedberg. The 39th rendition of this annual “Last Comic Standing”-style comedy fest finds 32 comedians each hoping to land winning zingers of their own—along with cash prizes and the attention of talent scouts scheduled to attend. Times, prices, and locations vary; seattlecomedycompetition.org

MUST WATCH

Engauge Experimental Film Festival
(11/8–11/10) This film festival, produced by the Interbay Cinema Society in partnership with Northwest Film Forum, highlights experimental films that specifically originated on film (that analog-era, millimeter-specific material known as celluloid) and includes screenings accompanied by live performance and music. Over 40 films—mostly shorts, with or without sound, in black and white to living color—will be shown. Times and prices vary. Northwest Film Forum, Capitol Hill, 1515 12th Ave.; 206.329.2629; nwfilmforum.org

Photo by pilipphoto/iStock

MUST TASTE

Seattle Winter Ciderfest
(11/8) Featuring spiced and seasonal offerings, and pumpkin ciders (naturally), Ciderfest, produced by craft beer nonprofit Brew Greater Good, features approximately 20 regional cideries and breweries. Tickets include unlimited 2-ounce pours and light snacks; food trucks will also be on hand for heartier fare. 6–9 p.m. $30. WithinSodo, SoDo, 2916 Utah Ave. S; 206.583.7186; brewgreatergood.com

MUST NERD OUT

Mystery Science Theater 3000: Live
(11/11) Join Joel, Jonah and the bots for two new live episodes of Mystery Science Theater 3000, each of which features a cheesy B-movie, riffing with robots and offbeat sketches. The event presents two separate and unique shows (tickets sold separately), with the afternoon show screening the sci-fi monster movie The Brain (1988), and the evening show featuring Deathstalker (1983), a fantasy flick with a questing warrior. 3 and 7 p.m. Prices vary. Moore Theatre, Belltown, 1932 2nd Ave.; 206.682.1414; stgpresents.org