It’s May Day in Seattle, and the week is full of events focused on social issues and activism. Roll up your sleeves and let’s make some plans.
MONDAY
Pick your march. Protesting is a local tradition on May Day. Today there’ll be a big downtown march for workers and immigrants rights, a resistance march at UW, and even a march on Amazon. Wondering what all the fuss is about? Here’s some history on the day, and where all the marches are headed.
Go pagan. Welcome May the old-school way with a family picnic, a potluck supper, and a dance around the Maypole. (Phinney Ridge)
TUESDAY
Win at Seattle. Join The Evergrey in a conversation with four-time founder/CEO Dan Shapiro as we talk about what it takes to make your mark in the city. Don’t miss it! (Pioneer Square) Plus: Check out the conversations happening nearby at the first-ever Women in Tech Regatta. (Downtown Seattle)
Understand the suburbanization of poverty. As well-off workers move into the city, struggling families are pushed out to areas where commutes are long and services more scattered. Hear local officials and experts round up some possible solutions. (Downtown Seattle)
WEDNESDAY
Sharpen your activism. Author and all-around badass columnist Lindy West is going to talk pop culture and politics in the current climate. Then, Washington State Democratic Party Chair Tina Podlodowski and former Washington State Republican Party Chair Chris Vance will discuss best practices in activism. (Belltown)
Hear from the woman who started the #BlackLivesMatter hashtag. She and the chief political correspondent for Slate magazine are going to tell the story of the movement. This will be worth the drive. (Tacoma)
THURSDAY
See portraits of homelessness. Seattle Times journalists have been visiting homeless camps around the city, talking to people who have shared their stories in their own handwriting. The journalists will tell the story of the project here. (Downtown Seattle)
Check out the world’s largest transgender film festival. “Translations” runs through May 14. Thanks to reader Tracy Timmons-Gray for the rec. (Capitol Hill)
Rethink policing. The author of “Unwarranted: Policing Without Permission” argues that accountability for police departments should start with the public. (The University of Washington)
FRIDAY
Have a (lot of) beer. It’s Seattle Beer Week! Through May 14, there’ll be tons of fun events at bars and restaurants all around the city, like Friday’s Chuck the Puck Up! sour beer event at Chuck’s 85th Street Market and the Hangover Breakfast at the 5 Point Cafe. (All over Seattle)
Watch 10-minute plays about science. Playwrights and science writers created these short plays from scratch in two days. See what they came up with at the second Centrifuge theater project. (University District)
SATURDAY
Explore Seattle. Local “field agents” with arts and culture organization Atlas Obscura are leading 10 events to zoom in on fascinating parts of the city. Check ’em out. (All over Seattle)
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo. El Centro de la Raza, a hub for Seattle’s Latino community, is going to have food, games, live music, activities for the kids, and all kinds of good stuff. (Beacon Hill)
Play indie games. Game developers from around the region invite you to try out their new games. (Seattle Center in Queen Anne)
SUNDAY
Watch ‘Starless Dreams.’ It’s a renowned social documentary from Iran, and the first film in the Seventh Art Stand series, which showcases movies from the seven Muslim-majority countries in President Trump’s initial travel ban. (Capitol Hill)
Try virtual reality. If you’ve never put on a headset and walked around in an artificial environment, you gotta get to this pop-up. (Rainier Valley)
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.