We're heading into a busy stretch this week, with a mix of art, music, and community events across Seattle and Tacoma. The holiday weekend is packed, and there’s a little something for everyone.
Midweek Merriment
Starting today, Wednesday, September 2nd, Tacoma kicks things off with Creative Aging: Celebrating Tacoma Chinese Moon Festival at the Tacoma Art Museum at 10:00 AM. It's a free community event. For a moment of calm, the Frye Art Museum offers Mindfulness Meditation at 12:30 PM, also free. If you're looking to dance, Hidden Hall has WESTERN WEDNESDAYS: Country Dance Night at 7:00 PM. Music-wise, you can catch Armchair Boogie at Nectar Lounge for $30, FunkyFrogBait at The Crocodile, or Wishing Well at Tractor Tavern, all starting around 8:00 PM. The Sonny Landreth Trio is also playing at The Triple Door tonight.
Thursday, September 3rd, brings more options. The Frye Art Museum hosts Artists At Large: Music and Art with Lonnie Holley at 6:00 PM, a free evening of music and art. Over at Hidden Hall, there's a CD RELEASE PARTY: SPONTANEOUS REX at 7:00 PM. Music fans have a lot to choose from, including a KEXP Showcase at Monkey Loft with Riz Rollins, KID HOPS, BRIT HANSEN, JAME$ERVIN, ILLSON, and ALMOND BROWN at 7:00 PM. Osees ft. Brigid Dawson play Neumos, and The Porch Cats are at Nectar Lounge for $27. For jazz, Greta Matassa's Birthday Bash is at The Triple Door and the Lee Ritenour Quartet is at Dimitriou's Jazz Alley, both at 7:30 PM. Later, Mini Trees are at Tractor Tavern and Raq baby presents: Robert Johnson Tour is at The Crocodile, both at 8:00 PM. In Tacoma, Jazzbones has a Tributary - Pop Punk Party! at 8:00 PM. Don't forget the First Thursday Art Walk (Pioneer Square), which is free.
Weekend Highlights
Friday, September 4th, starts with Creative Aging: Coffee & Creativity at the Frye Art Museum. In Tacoma, George Birge plays Steel Creek Tacoma at 7:00 PM. The evening heats up with Andy Coe Band at Nectar Lounge and PIG / Cyanotic - Hurt People Tour at El Corazón, both at 8:00 PM. RONI SIZE is at Hidden Hall, and The Royal Room Seattle hosts a Staycation Music Festival. For something a bit different, Southern Culture On The Skids plays Tractor Tavern at 8:30 PM, and The Crocodile has a Shrek Rave at 10:00 PM. Queen Andrew Scott “Rhythm and Horror” is at The Triple Door. You can also check out the free Central District Art Walk and Mercer Island Art Walk.
Saturday, September 5th, is a big day with Bumbershoot Arts & Music Festival kicking off at Seattle Center all day. In Tacoma, the Waterfront Market at Ruston has a Children's Business Fair at 12:00 PM, where young entrepreneurs will be selling their wares for free. The Ballard (Hiram M. Chittenden) Locks offer Free Summer Concerts at 2:00 PM. Evening music includes Kalimba: The Spirit of Earth Wind and Fire at The Triple Door at 5:30 PM, and Beatleconcert (Early Show) at Jazzbones at 6:30 PM. Austin Williams is at Steel Creek Tacoma at 7:00 PM. Later, A Hundred Drums plays Hidden Hall, sKitz Kraven - Mind of a Killer Tour is at El Corazón, and Rusted Cage - Tribute to Soundgarden is at Tractor Tavern, all around 8:00 PM. Another late-night option is the Kawaii Rave at The Crocodile at 10:00 PM. For those interested in art and nature, there's a BRAYVE PNW Native Plant Printing Workshop and a NW Native Plant Printmaking Workshop at the Roosevelt Room - Tacoma Armory. The Lee Ritenour Quartet is also at Dimitriou's Jazz Alley.
Sunday, September 6th, the Frye Art Museum has Mask-Required Hours from 11:00 AM, which is free. The Ballard (Hiram M. Chittenden) Locks continue their Concerts at the Locks at 2:00 PM. Seattle Center hosts Freak the Mighty, a world premiere musical at 2:00 PM. In Tacoma, LOVERANCE & PRICELESS DA ROC LIVE IN TACOMA is at 5617 S Tacoma Way at 9:00 PM for $14. KingDow is at Hidden Hall, and Jazzbones has a No Work All Play Labor Day Bash! featuring Black Royalty, Don P, and Hustle Vet. There are also art exhibitions: Moomins' Sea Adventures & Tove and the Sea and Nepantla: The Land is the Beloved at the Tacoma Art Museum.
Looking Ahead
Monday, September 7th, you can catch Death Cab for Cutie LIVE on KEXP at KEXP for free at 11:00 AM. The Tacoma Art Museum also has a free museum day starting at 5:00 PM. Tuesday, September 8th, Dominique Fils-Aimé plays Dimitriou's Jazz Alley and Powerman 5000 is at El Corazón, both at 7:30 PM. ISAIAH FALLS PRESENTS: LVRS PARADISE - SIDE B TOUR is at The Crocodile at 8:00 PM. Wednesday, September 9th, Haute & Freddy play Neumos at 7:00 PM. Bettye LaVette is at The Triple Door at 7:30 PM. Bear McCreary - The Singularity: Ekleipsis Tour is at The Crocodile, and The Queers are at El Corazón, both at 8:00 PM. The Frye Art Museum also has a Salon Supper at the Frye.
For a complete list of what’s happening: full Seattle / Tacoma listings