It's mid-September, and the calendar is starting to fill up with a mix of art, music, and seasonal celebrations across Seattle and Tacoma. We've got a busy week ahead, so let's dive in.
Midweek Merriment
Wednesday offers a few good music options. Over at Neumos, you can catch Haute & Freddy with Rubin Brothers or the RYOT TOUR: ICONS featuring Adore Delano, Kylie Love, Willam, Coco Montrese, and Sasha Allen. If you're looking for something a little different, Bettye LaVette performs at The Triple Door, and BLACK UHURU is at Nectar Lounge. For a dose of punk rock, The Queers are playing at El Corazón (21+). If art is more your speed, the Frye Art Museum is hosting their Salon Supper at the Frye, a fundraising event for the museum.
Thursday has a few art-centric happenings. Start your day with an Art Class: Meditative Painting at the Tacoma Art Museum for $40. Later, you can check out the Small Works Opening Reception at Magnuson Park Gallery or the West Seattle Art Walk, which is free and spread across various locations in West Seattle. Music-wise, Dana and Alden are at Neumos, and the Joshua Redman Quartet has a show at Dimitriou's Jazz Alley. For something a bit rootsier, Henry Mansfield plays the Tractor Tavern with Vanilla Abstract and Rae.
Weekend Wonders
Friday kicks off the weekend with more music. Dana and Alden are back at Neumos for their Papa's Boat Tour, and EIHWAR performs live with Nordic Ritual Nights, also at Neumos. If you're into tribute bands, Hysteria - Def Leppard Tribute is at Airport Tavern Music Hall. For something a bit more introspective, The Minimalists present 'How to Let Go' at The Triple Door. And for a dose of nostalgia, The Emo Night Tour stops at El Corazón.
Saturday is a packed day. For a taste of history, Harvest Home at Fort Nisqually at the Fort Nisqually Living History Museum celebrates with traditional music and dance for $17. The Hops & Crops Music & Beer Festival at Mary Olson Farm offers live music and beer for $29. Art lovers can head to the Tacoma Art Museum for Studio + Storytime- Chinese Moon Festival, which is free, or check out The Pancakes & Booze Art Show at El Corazón. Music highlights include an early show with Eilen Jewell at the Tractor Tavern, Cody Johnson Live '26 at the Tacoma Dome, and Clinton Fearon at Nectar Lounge. If you're in the mood for a party, Not That Innocent: 2000s Dance Party is at The Crocodile. Don't forget about the various art walks happening, including Ballard Art Walk and Georgetown Art Walk, both free.
Sunday offers a few ways to wind down the weekend. Celebrate El Grito at Town Hall Seattle with the Ballard Civic Orchestra, singers, dancers, and live mariachi, which is free. CHRISSY CHLAPECKA performs at Nectar Lounge, and Kevin Atwater & Ruby Plume are at Neumos on their Blush Red Tour. Also, the Live Aloha Hawaiian Cultural Festival will feature Hawaiian music and hula.
Into Next Week
Looking ahead to next week, Monday brings Mustard Service to The Crocodile and greek to Neumos. On Tuesday, the Tacoma Public Library Main Branch hosts a free Pre-THONK! Patch Party for the Tacoma HONK! Fest. And Vieux Farka Touré performs at Dimitriou's Jazz Alley.
For a full list of events, check out the full Seattle / Tacoma listings.