Must List:’Jitterbug Perfume,’ Langston Hughes African American Film Festival, Mobile Food Rodeo
Your weekly guide to Seattle's hottest events
By Lena Beck, Gavin Borchert & Sydney Gladu April 25, 2019
Love the Must List? Get it right in your inbox. Subscribe.
MUST LOVE DINNER THEATER
Jitterbug Perfume
(Through 5/12) It’s built shows around themes ranging from spaghetti Westerns to holiday murders, but dinner theater Café Nordo, in its 10th season, hasn’t adapted a novel until now. Fittingly, it chose one by La Conner author Tom Robbins: Jitterbug Perfume, in which an ancient king seeking immortality meets rival modern-day perfumers, not to mention Pan the goat god. The specialty craft cocktails and prix fixe menu will relate meticulously to the theme—which, since the show is set in New Orleans, should be sumptuous and scrumptious. The original score is by Nordo’s resident composer, Anastasia Workman. Times vary. $99. Café Nordo’s Culinarium, Pioneer Square, 109 S Main St.; 206.579.6215
MUST SKATE
Rat City Roller Derby
(4/27) Watch Seattle’s beloved roller derby teams throw some elbows as they fight it out during the Home Team Champs Bout. This is the final competition of the season and determines the top dog in the Rat City Roller Derby league. Whether you are rooting for the Throttle Rocket, the Sockit Wenches, Grave Danger or the Derby Liberation Front, you’re going to want to be there. 5p.m. Prices vary. The Rat’s Nest, Shoreline, 19022 Aurora Ave.; ratcityrollergirls.com
MUST WATCH
Langston Hughes African American Film Festival
(4/25–4/28) Even though Hollywood is inching toward greater on-screen and behind-the-camera representation of African-Americans, it’s probably less because of a sudden altruistic awakening than because it realized there’s money to be made. But films that might not be smashes on the level of, say, Hidden Figures, Black Panther or Get Out still need a home, and Langston’s 16th annual showcase gives them one—plus workshops, panel discussions and more. Times and prices vary. Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute, Central District, 104 17th Ave. S; 206.684.4757
MUST EXPLORE
Eighth Annual Seattle Modern Home Tour
(4/27–4/28) Hosted by the Modern Architecture + Design Society, this self-guided tour offers an opportunity to snoop around other people’s houses, in a socially acceptable way. Meet the architects and designers behind some of Seattle’s most stunning homes and walk away with ideas for your next home project. Times, prices and locations vary; mads.media/2019-seattle-modern-home-tour
MUST EAT
10th Annual Mobile Food Rodeo
(4/28) Giddy-up and get down to Fremont this Sunday for the 10th annual Mobile Food Rodeo, featuring delicious Seattle-area food trucks. Some of our favorites, including Off the Rez, Frelard Tamales and Where Ya At Matt, will be slinging their classics., so come hungry! 10a.m.–5p.m. Free. Fremont Canal, 34th Ave. between Evanston Ave. N and Phinney Ave. N; www.mobilefoodrodeo.com
Follow Us
Getting Ghosted
Kim Fu’s latest novel turns a rain-soaked Pacific Northwest winter into the backdrop for a story about grief and loneliness.
In their latest novel, Seattle-based author Kim Fu gets one thing right about the Pacific Northwest: the rain. Set during a particularly bleak winter, The Valley of Vengeful Ghosts tells the story of Eleanor Fan, an online therapist grappling with the recent loss of her mother, Lele. After Lele’s passing, Eleanor inherits money to put…
Go See Diné Artist Eric-Paul Riege’s Largest Show to Date at the Henry Art Gallery
With a mix of mediums, ojo|-|ólǫ́ examines questions surrounding the authenticity and ownership of Indigenous work.
It’s a phrase that’s been drilled into most of us since we were young children: When you’re visiting a gallery, please, do not touch the art. In many cases, it’s with good reason: the pieces on display are fragile, one-of-a-kind, or historic works that cannot be reproduced. It’s such an ingrained approach to the museum-going…
Rearview Mirror: Ballet’s Saddest Story, New Art in the Sculpture Park, and a Home-Grown Wine Label Promoting Social Justice
Things I did, saw, ate, learned, or read in the past week (or so).
Circular Thinking I am very lucky to live just a 12-minute walk away from Seattle Art Museum’s Olympic Sculpture Park. It’s a regular destination for my weekly walks and, aside from the world-class art, has one of the city’s best views of Puget Sound. Earlier this week, I went on a wet, windy walk and discovered…
Studio Sessions: Gabriel Stromberg
For his current show at studio e gallery, Gabriel Stromberg explores the challenges of working with clay.
Gabriel Stromberg has been a name about town for nearly two decades. As one of the cofounders of design firm Civilization (where he was the creative director and lead designer from 2008 to 2022), Stromberg worked on many award-winning projects, helped produce the wildly popular and always packed Design Lecture Series, and co-created and moderated…