MUST LOVE MOVIES

Seattle International Film Festival
(5/17–6/10) For the 44th year, SIFF confronts local film buffs with a dilemma: how to choose from among the 433 films screening during the festival. Then, throw in the actor tributes (this year features Ethan Hawke and Melanie Lynskey), the discussions and workshops, the Secret Festival and archival features, and tons more, and attending SIFF becomes a series of agonizing decisions about what you have to skip during its three packed weeks. Feeling overwhelmed about what to see? Our art critic put together a handy guide to the 6 films you shouldn’t miss at the festival this year. Plus: Read our feature on Artistic Director Beth Barrett, which ran in our May issue. Times, prices and venues vary. siff.net

Photo via fryemuseum.org

MUST SEE

Towards Impressionism: Landscape Painting from Corot to Monet
(5/12–8/5) About 150 years ago, Impressionism was a reviled avant-garde movement, but somewhere along the line, popular taste did a 180, and the works of artists such as Degas, Renoir and Monet became beloved. Get a better sense of why it was such a departure in its day from this collection, combining works from the Frye’s permanent collection with others from the Musée des Beaux-Arts in Reims, France. Times vary. Free. Frye Art Museum, First Hill, 704 Terry Ave.; 206.622.9250; fryemuseum.org

MUST STAY UP

South Lake Union Saturday Night Market
(5/19) With warm and sunny days becoming more common in Seattle, night market season is upon us. The first of the monthly events is this weekend in Denny Park. Enjoy music spun by local DJs and discover local artists and vendors under the twinkle of lights and lanterns. Local food vendors such as Puffle Up and BeanFish along with several international food stands will be there for you to grab something to eat. 4–10 p.m. Free.139 Ninth Ave. N; Facebook event page

Photo via Cascade Bicycle Club Flickr

MUST PEDAL

Bike to Work Day
(5/18) May is National Bike to Work Month and Seattle sure knows how to celebrate. This Friday, celebrations hit their peak with Bike to Work Day. Cascade Bike Club and Commute Seattle are both setting up stations in and around the city to celebrate. Stations will be set up in the morning and the afternoon to provide snacks and coffee as you pedal to and from work. Certain stations will also hold raffles and giveaways along with bike safety checks. Free. Times and locations vary. cascade.org; commuteseattle.com

MUST LISTEN

Prokofiev Romeo and Juliet
(5/17, 5/20) Seattle Celebrates Shakespeare continues with the Seattle Symphony playing music from Sergey Prokofiev’s famous ballet based on on Shakespeare’s most well known tragedy. Other pieces that will be performed include Joseph Haydn’s Cello Concerto, performed by the symphony’s Principal Cello Efe Baltacıgil and Antonín Dvořák’s The Wild Dove. Times and prices vary. Benaroya Hall, downtown, 200 University St.; 206.215.4747; seattlesymphony.org