July 19, Wednesday
TUF Zine Release Party TUF is “a female/nonbinary/trans collective centered on electronic music and art” that likes to make beautiful things. They’re celebrating the release of their second anthology zine with a big party in the best pizza place on Capitol Hill and a dance party at Dino’s brand-new basement music venue, with readings and visual art. Dino’s Tomato Pie, 1524 E. Olive Way, 403-1742, tuf-seattle.com. Free/$13. All ages. 6 p.m. PAUL CONSTANT
Great American Eclipses You’ve probably heard by now that on August 21, a total solar eclipse will be visible just south of us, in Oregon, because everyone is raving about it. Among them: eclipse chaser, aka umbraphile, David Baron, who’s coming to the Pacific Science Center this week to persuade everyone of the mind-altering magic that happens if you can get yourself inside the path of totality. An accomplished journalist who’s traveled the world and snagged all kinds of awards, his latest book is American Eclipse: A Nation’s Epic Race to Catch the Shadow of the Moon and Win the Glory of the World. Pacific Science Center, 200 Second Ave. N., pacificsciencecenter.org. $5/free for members. All ages. 7 p.m. SARA BERNARD
Rhythm of Color Jazz Talk In the 1920s, Seattle hosted a vibrant jazz scene, nurturing young artists like Quincy Jones, a graduate of Garfield High School. Visit the library tonight to learn about the emergence of Seattle’s renowned jazz scene from local musicians Julian Priester and D’Vonne Lewis—and you’ll also get the chance to hear Priester and Lewis jam. Microsoft Auditorium, Seattle Public Library, 1000 Fourth Ave., spl.org. Free. All ages. 7 p.m. CHRISTY CARLEY
Queering Politics Candidate Forum Public-comment troll Alex Tsimerman is in this debate, for some reason, but so are all the serious candidates running for mayor and City Council. Come hear them explain how they’re going to protect and empower queer Seattleites (other than grandstanding against the President and the state legislature, hopefully). Southside Commons, 3518 S. Edmunds St., 428-1986, allyship.org. Free. All ages. 6–9 p.m. CASEY JAYWORK
July 20, Thursday
Arabella and the Battle of Venus Reading The sequel to Portland author David Levine’s swashbuckling adventure novel Arabella of Mars sails through space to the “swampy” planet of Venus. It also features a wedding, bribery, and a space war. If you’re looking for a fun summer sci-fi series to read, this is it. University Book Store, 4326 University Way N.E., 634-3400, bookstore.washington.edu. Free. All ages. 7 p.m. PC
Pride Bachelor Auction Talented, sexy, and courageous dudes will strut their stuff this week at the Baltic Room, all in the name of curing cancer. The highest bidder will get to go on a fabulous date with their chosen man (or a platonic outing; all is welcome, as are all sexual orientations), and 100 percent of the proceeds go to Relay for Life Capitol Hill, an advocacy organization that helps the American Cancer Society fund research, support patients, and educate the world about preventions and cures. Entrance fee includes a free drink, a raffle ticket, cover for the venue, and a donation to the cause. The Baltic Room, 1207 Pine St., 625-4444, balticroom.com. $30 presale/$40 at door. 21 and over. 7 p.m. SB
July 21, Friday
Thinks Out Loud Reading Seattle author Martin Perlman’s debut novel is about a group of bloggers who travel the world having adventures involving shipwrecks and princesses and some light time travel. The book is written in the form of the main characters’ blogs. What’s the blog equivalent of an epistolary novel? A bloggiad? University Book Store, 4326 University Way N.E., 634-3400, bookstore.washington.edu. Free. All ages. 7 p.m. PC
Bite of Seattle This year’s Bite of Seattle is as diverse in its musical acts as in its food, offering entertainment from nearly 100 artists spanning genres from Americana and R&B to grunge and classic rock. Spend the weekend sampling food from more than 60 restaurants and vendors and hopping among the four live stages before settling on a spot to sprawl out on the lawn. Seattle Center, biteofseattle.com. Free. All ages. 11 a.m.– 9 p.m. Also Sat. & Sun. CC
Clinton Fearon and the Boogie Brown Band A native of Jamaica, Clinton Fearon founded the Boogie Brown Band, which has since gained international fame, right here in the Emerald City. The band is heading to Volunteer Park this Friday as part of SAM’s World Music Series to provide free jams for a laid-back summer night. If you’re exhausted by the crowds at Seattle Center, head to a less-crowded lawn for some relaxed listening. Volunteer Park, 1247 15th Ave. E., seattleartmuseum.org. Free. All ages. 7:30 p.m. CC
Capitol Hill Block Party People love to rag on Capitol Hill as the mecca of Seattle cool, like the rest of the city, succumbs to the vapid sheen of gentrification. That said, last year’s Capitol Hill Block Party packed a palpable amount of real local spirit and talent into its crowded, two-block footprint. If headliners like Run the Jewels, Thundercat, Angel Olson, and a reunited Wolf Parade aren’t enough to draw you this year, know that locals like Miscomings, ILLFIGHTYOU, Remember Face, and Ca$h Bandicoot make the dense crowds worth it. Pike and Pine between Broadway and 12th Ave., capitolhillblockparty.com. $135/$300 three-day pass/$60 single day. All ages. Also Sat. & Sun. KELTON SEARS
July 22, Saturday
Queer Geek Board Gaming Capitol Hill’s biggest nerd emporium welcomes all to a free afternoon of “GLBTQ-flavored gaming and socializing.” Available games include DC superhero and Adventure Time-themed games, Relic Runners, and Small World, though you’re invited to bring your own game to share. Meet some new people in a safe and welcoming environment. Phoenix Comics & Games, 113 Broadway E., 328-4552, phoenixseattle.com. Free. All ages. 1 p.m. PC
July 23, Sunday
Waterways Reading Seattle is a city that has repeatedly changed its own geography, from building Pioneer Square out of mud flats to razing a hill into the Denny Regrade. Local historians Jennifer Ott and David B. Williams discuss their new book, which follows the history of the Lake Washington Ship Canal and examines its impact on the city. Seattle Public Library, 1000 Fourth Ave., 386-4636, spl.org. Free. All ages. 3 p.m. PC
Pony Time Nearly a year after its final performance (at Bumbershoot), disbanded Seattle duo Pony Time will reunite for a fundraiser. This is your rare shot to see Stacy and Luke back in the garage-rock saddle again. CHILDBIRTH and Lisa Prank also play this benefit show for Teresa Mosqueda, a progressive candidate running for Seattle City Council (position 8). The Crocodile, 2200 Second Ave., 441-4618, thecrocodile.com. $10. All ages. 8 p.m. ELISSA BALL
July 24, Monday
African-American Writers’ Alliance The AAWA is a Seattle-area writing collective, which means is that it puts new and published authors together in forums and provides opportunities like published anthologies for members to show off their writing. And it hosts readings like this one. Elliott Bay Book Company, 1521 10th Ave., 624-6600, elliottbaybook.com . Free. All ages. 7 p.m. PC
July 25, Tuesday
Waxahatchee Katie Crutchfield’s songs have always been shot through with emotion and driven by guitar, but her brand-new album, Out in the Storm, ups both those factors considerably. With highly polished production from Dinosaur Jr./Sonic Youth producer John Agnello and a storyline about the dramatic end of a long-term relationship, Waxahatchee turns inward-facing conflict into outward-facing rock bombast. The Neptune, 1303 N.E. 45th St., stgpresents.com. $14.50 adv./$16.50 DOS. All ages. 8 p.m. KS
