Pride is taking over Seattle next weekend, and there are lots of ways to get out into the city until then: Get a look at crime in Seattle, have your say about a new section of the light rail, or go to a dog party.
MONDAY
Break in a groundbreaking building. Liberty Bank in the Central District was the first black-owned bank west of the Mississippi, and it’s being turned into an affordable space for renters and businesses. Celebrate Juneteenth (the day we commemorate the end of slavery in the U.S.) and the building’s groundbreaking with a party that’ll have food, music, and speakers from the community. (Central District)
Listen in on a local podcast. Seattle’s Sandbox Radio is recording an episode of its variety show podcast live at Town Hall — this one promises local actors, stories from several authors, and “a choir of Seattle’s best voices.” (Town Hall on First Hill)
TUESDAY
Feast on a cultural buffet. Ubuntu Street Café will serve food from Ukraine, Syria, Pakistan, Vietnam, and Iraq while you learn about the countries. (Kent)
Listen to Bowie covers — in Portuguese. The Woodland Park Zoo’s outdoor concert series kicks off with musician Seu Jorge, who will play his Portuguese covers of David Bowie songs from the soundtrack of the film “A Life Aquatic.” (Phinney Ridge)
WEDNESDAY
See crime in Seattle from the inside out. In 2013, writer Marti Jonjak was in a Seattle bar when a man came in and shot two people before he was killed by police. Hear her read from her series of columns that explore the tragedy through the eyes of other witnesses. Then, former Seattle Police Chief Norm Stamper will read from his books that share what he learned through 34 years as a police officer. (First Hill)
Enjoy all that daylight. Solstice celebrations might’ve happened last weekend, but this is actually the longest day of the year, and parks all over Seattle will take part in a worldwide musical solstice celebration. (All over)
THURSDAY
What are we going to do about housing and transportation? Hear candidates talk about two of the trickiest issues in our growing city. (Pioneer Square) And if you feel like digging into the transportation issue, head over to West Seattle for a community design workshop and weigh in on where the light rail in that neck of the woods should go. (Fauntleroy)
Watch a battle of ideas. Have a drink while local startup hopefuls pitch their best ideas to judges in 60 seconds or less. (SoDo)
FRIDAY
Support transgender and gender non-conforming Seattleites. The Trans Pride Seattle march will end with a rally at Cal Anderson Park that’ll have local speakers, performers, food trucks, and a resource fair. (Capitol Hill)
Go on an awesome urban quest. Grab some friends, ‘cause the 24-hour Cotopaxi Questival is here. Teams will be all over the city completing and submitting challenges in the race’s app as they compete to win gear and trips. Our own Sara Gentzler did it last year, and her team had to pick up trash on a hiking trail and run all over Capitol Hill to find a specific piece of street art. (Sand Point)
SATURDAY
Spend a Saturday with the fam. Bring the kids to Capitol Hill’s PrideFest Family Day, Queer Youth Pride, and street festival. Spoiler alert: There’s a “doggy drag show” in the lineup. (Capitol Hill) Or you could watch a free screening of Star Wars: Rogue One, complete with craft beer for you and lightsabers for the kids (and, let’s face it, those are for you too). (South Lake Union)
Get artsy. So many craft shows, you could make a day of it: Stop by Urban Craft Uprising to shop indie artists (Queen Anne), head to the Shoreline Arts Festival for the first day of a weekend full of crafty fun (Shoreline), and hit up Oddmall: Emporium of the Weird for all sorts of wacky finds (Everett). And if you’ve still got the energy, finish out your day with this big party at the Olympic Sculpture Park. (Belltown)
SUNDAY 🌈
It’s Pride parade time! It’s Seattle’s 43rd year celebrating our kick-ass LGBTQ community, and the theme this year is “Indivisible.” ✊ Find a place along the route to stand, or buy tickets to reserve your seat on bleachers that’ll be set up at a couple different spots along the route. (Downtown)
Go to a dog party. Bring your furry friend to Fremont for the Sunday Market’s day of dog-centric fun, starting with a dog parade. 🐶 (Fremont)
Going to one of these events? We’d love to hear how it goes. Send us your thoughts and maybe a pic to [email protected] and we’ll share it back.