Rapper Tyler XP Andrews had a big hand in the latest Macklemore & Ryan Lewis record, This Unruly Mess I’ve Made, including writing credits on the songs “Brad Pitt’s Cousin” and “Let’s Eat.” As such, the hip-hop duo asked Andrews to join them on their latest European tour, where we caught up with the lyricist during…

As part of its Rethink Reuse campaign, which aims to start a conversation around the impact that textile waste has on the environment, global thrift retailer Value Village picked West Seattle’s Alki Beach as the site for its large-scale Earth Day art installation. The installation was designed by Ballard creative firm Electric Coffin (I’m a…

Those who aren’t already familiar with Cafe Nordo would be forgiven for assuming it’s a place to grab a cup of coffee. But what they’re really serving up in the Pioneer Square space that was once home to Elliott Bay Book Company, is an immersive production where story, food and atmosphere work together to create…

Must TastePike Place Market’s Annual Arcade LightsFriday (4/22, 7 p.m.) Head to Pike Place Market for the annual Arcade Lights Tasting Festival in the North Arcade. Enjoy a night of artisanal foods, beers and Washington wines. Indulge in unlimited snacks and use your five tokens to taste locally crafted drinks. Must SeeTrees in Bloom at…

The trope imposed on people who smoke marijuana has always been that they’re lazy, zoned out and unthinking. It’s a lame and lazy characterization. Want proof? Just look to Seattle rapper, author and admitted smoker, Matt “Spek” Watson, who this week (on 4/20) released the first single, “Uncle Ike” from his anticipated new record, Nine…

Fly Moon Royalty’s new record Delicious Trouble is a musical feast. It’s a delectable collection of songs that’s deep on groove, long on soul, and now has the band poised to gain the attention of a national audience. Stream it now right here. Blending elements of R&B, Hip Hop, Electronica and Pop, DJ Action J…

Columbia City–based writer Lindy West got her start as an arts reporter for The Stranger, and now focuses on topics that include pop culture, social justice and body image for GQ and The Guardian. Her first book, Shrill: Notes from a Loud Woman (Hachette Books, $26) is released May 17. Why did you decide to…

In 2007, three teenagers had a vision for growing youth-made film in Seattle. Jesse Harris, Jocelyn R.C. and Kyle Seago founded their non-profit, The Talented Youth, and the National Film Festival for Talented Youth (NFFTY), a showcase for filmmakers age 24 and under. Since its inception, the fest has blossomed into a four-day event that…

Last week, Seattle radio station KEXP 90.3 FM unveiled its new Seattle Center headquarters to the public at the corner of the former 1962 World’s Fair grounds where the remote Northwest Rooms had long been located. On Friday, as I reclined listlessly on one of the very cushy chocolate-brown leather couches in the station’s new…

Must DanceGroove On at the Creole CarnivalThursday (4/14, 8 p.m.) Dance along to exotic and intoxicating world rhythms during the Creole Carnival at the University of Washington’s Meany Hall. The lineup includes Haitian songstress Emeline Michel, Brazilian samba combo Casuarina and Jamaican single-string guitarist Brushy One-String. Must PliePNB Presents Coppélia(4/15 to 4/24, times vary) Balanchine’s…

Sync Music Video Festival Remember MTV? Remember when MTV was good? (It used to play music video after music video.) Well, imagine if there was a night where you could sit in a majestic theater with your friends and watch high-quality music videos from all of the local talent in one of the world’s premier…