Must List: ‘Rigoletto,’ Hai! Japantown 2019, NW Chalk Fest
Your weekly guide to Seattle's hottest events
By Lauren Alexander, Gavin Borchert & Chris Robinson August 15, 2019
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MUST SING
Rigoletto
(8/10-8/24) There are a lot of directions in which you can take Verdi’s tangled tragedy: Power corrupts, but so does an obsession with revenge; the powerless are mistreated, particularly women. Seattle Opera, which lately has steered its summer productions toward hot-button issues rather than escapism (Madame Butterfly, 2017; Porgy and Bess, 2018), will explore them all. Times and prices vary. McCaw Hall, Seattle Center, 321 Mercer St.; 206.389.7676; seattleopera.org
MUST DINE
Sunset Supper at the Market
(8/16) Our beloved public market is transformed into a party venue for this annual fundraising event, which celebrates the Market’s anniversary (112 years) while benefiting homeless and low-income communities. Guests enjoy food, wine, beer and other beverages from dozens of vendors and then dance the night away. 7:30 p.m. Prices vary. Pike Place Market, 85 Pike St.; 206.774.5255; pikeplacemarketfoundation.org
MUST CELEBRATE
Hai! Japantown 2019
(8/17) Japantown is hosting its third summer festival with street theater, Butoh dancing, yukata lessons and plenty of beats and eats to keep you buzzing through the creative spaces of this historic district. Collaborative painting and poetry installations, an outdoor lounge with beer and sake, shop sales and water balloon fishing are only a handful of activities on the afternoon agenda. The whole fam will stay happy at this one, so come out and celebrate Japanese culture in a Northwest way—an effort to introduce longtime locals with new Seattleites and visitors while embracing Seattle’s Japanese community. 3 p.m.–7 p.m. Free. Chinatown International District, Sixth Ave. S & S Jackson St.; Facebook: Hai! Japantown 2019
MUST CHALK IT UP
NW Chalk Fest
(8/16-8/18) Explore the realm of chalk art at this second annual event with more than 15 local, national and international street mural artists showcasing their skills upon the sidewalks. Enjoy live music through the weekend while pavements grow colorful with multiday art installations, gradually turning Redmond Town Center into a vibrant masterpiece. Plus, check out the merchant sidewalk sales, activities for the kids and tasty bites in the town center. 10 a.m.– 6 p.m. Free. Redmond Town Center, 7525 166th Ave. NE; 425.869.2640; pnwchalkfest.com
MUST TASTE
ChefsFeed Indie Week
(8/15-8/18) ChefsFeed’s prestigious coterie is heading to the Pacific Northwest with its band of 24 talented chefs serving three nights of tasting menu feasts—this isn’t the dinner party to raincheck. Host chef Ron Anderson of Cuoco and co-host Shota Nakijima of Adana lead the evening, guiding goers through a prix-fixe menu of 12 dishes, each independently crafted by a different chef. Enjoy wine sips—included in your ticket— while the chefs walk you through their creative processes. Thursday is sold out; however, Friday and Sunday still have open seats. Times and prices vary. Cuoco Trattoria, South Lake Union, 310 N Terry Ave. N; 206.971.0710; chefsfeedindieweek.com
MUST SEE
Lagunitas Beer Circus
(8/17) See things you can’t unsee at this freaky event with 100+ performers on two different stages, including aerialists, burlesque, sideshow acts and featured bands. There’s a costume contest too, so now’s the time to take out those top hats and striped tights you’ve stashed away for far too long. Food trucks, “Sue-va-Neer” items, face painters and beer—lots of it—will be patiently awaiting your arrival. 12 p.m.–5 p.m. $40. Lagunitas Brewing Company Taproom & Beer Sanctuary, West Woodland, 1550 NW 49th St.; 206.784.2230; lagunitas.com/beercircus
MUST LISTEN
Olympic Music Fest
(Through 9/8) Informal chamber music is performed each Saturday and Sunday; if you can only get out to Port Townsend once, hear Schubert’s epic and heart-wrenching Cello Quintet in C Major on August 10 or an intimate arrangement of Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue” on August 24 or August 25. 2 p.m. Prices vary. Fort Worden State Park, 25 Eisenhower Ave., Port Townsend; olympicmusicfestival.org
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