August 30, Wednesday
An Oral History of the New Orleans Ninth Ward Reading Twelve years ago, Hurricane Katrina destroyed a major American city while an incompetent president twiddled his thumbs. Newly Seattle-based writer Caroline Gerdes’ nonfiction history of New Orleans’ Ninth Ward recollects some of the important history that was washed away by the hurricane, including remarkable stories from the Civil Rights era. Elliott Bay Book Company, 1521 10th Ave., 624-6600, elliottbaybook.com. Free. All ages. 7 p.m. PAUL CONSTANT
August 31, Thursday
Wonder Woman: Warbringer Reading Now that Wonder Woman is the money-makingest superhero origin movie in the history of the world, a whole lot of readers are hungry for more good Wonder Woman stories. Leigh Bardugo joins us for a discussion and signing of her new book, a young-reader-friendly novel that tells of a very young Wonder Woman. University Book Store, 4326 University Way N.E., 634-3400, bookstore.washington.edu. $18.99. All ages. 7 p.m. PC
Overdose Awareness Day Join the People’s Harm Reduction Alliance to remember those lost to drug overdoses, and to celebrate more than 10,000 Narcan overdose reversals in the past 17 years. You can bring a picture of your loved one to post on the memorial. Narcan/Naloxone training will also be provided. University Temple United Methodist Church, 1415 N.E. 43rd St., 330-5777, peoplesharmreduction alliance.com. Free. All ages. 5–7 p.m. CASEY JAYWORK
Rapid-Response Team Monthly Meeting API Chaya’s rapid-response team exists to react quickly to political events like the Muslim ban, targeted hate violence, protests, and similar urgent political/public situations. New folks welcome. Hing Hay Coworks, 409B Maynard Ave. S., apichaya.org. Free. All ages. 6–8 p.m. CJ
House of Verlaine Alongside her considerable skills as a burlesque performer, Lily Verlaine has been exploring the history of ballet, putting her own stamp on works from the classic repertory. This research has led her to Giselle, the iconic romantic-era ballet, which she interprets with a Southern Gothic perspective. This story of love, betrayal, and ghostly revenge fits Verlaine’s sensual style like a kid glove. The Triple Door, 216 Union St., 838-4333, thetripledoor.net. $35–$50. 7:30 p.m.; also 7 & 10 p.m. Fri. SANDRA KURTZ
September 1, Friday
Not Quite a Genius Reading Nate Dern is a writer for the site Funny or Die. His debut collection of humorous essays touches on famous beard-wearers like Walt Whitman and Charles Manson, while also skewering modern masculine touchstones, like man buns and man caves and other weird nouns with “man” plugged in front of them. University Book Store, 4326 University Way N.E., 634-3400, bookstore.washington.edu. Free. All ages. 7 p.m. PC
Mariners vs. A’s After two weeks on the road, the Mariners come home tonight for a crucial nine-game home stand. With one month to go in the season, the Ms are not out of it, but they’re on the outside looking in, with some major pitching issues to sort out. That said, they’ve been finding ways to win so far, and with a healthy hometown crowd behind them, they may just manage to make their run. Safeco Field, 1250 First Ave., mariners.com. Ticket prices vary. 7:10 p.m. DANIEL PERSON
Double Tap Movie musicals were filled with tappers—it was the dance form that felt the most American in the middle of the 20th century. But as those films faded, it seemed tap might die as well. Luckily, it was kept alive in little theaters and clubs by dedicated artists who passed their skills along to the next cohort. Documentary filmmaker George Nierenberg’s No Maps on my Taps and About Tap show us that crucial generation at the height of its skills, as well as their rhythmic descendants. Northwest Film Forum, 1515 12th Ave., 329-2629, northwest filmforum.org. $12. 7:45 p.m.; also Sat. SK
Bumbershoot Indicative of its gradual shift from podunk community fest to big-deal-mega-festival, Bumbershoot this year features some of the highest-profile headliners in its 46-year history. With Flume, Lorde, Weezer, Flo Rida, the Roots, Odesza, Haim, Solange, Gucci Mane, and Lil Yachty, the lineup reads like a Top 40 who’s-who. Grab your glowsticks and practice your highest-pitched screams. Seattle Center, bumbershoot.com. $129–$249. All ages. Through Sun. KELTON SEARS
Fish in the Percolator Twin Peaks already has surreal personality in excess, but what happens if you mix it with drag queens? Prepare to enter the Rainbow Lodge at Fish in the Percolator, a night where “Lynch-loving queens perform acts based on their favorite Twin Peaks citizens.” Consider chasing it all down with a damn fine cup of tequila. Timbre Room, 1809 Minor Ave., timbreroom.com. $8–$10. 21 and over. 8 p.m. KS
PAX NERDS, ASSEEEEEEMMMM- BLLLLE! It’s time for the Penny Arcade Expo, the annual end-all-be-all event for gamers, cosplayers, and people who love to stand in very long lines for free swag. From the enormous PAX Arena where pros go head to head to the exhibition hall crammed full of developers showing off their upcoming titles and the countless panels on everything from how to stream your D&D games to why dumb video games are great, there’s something for everyone. If you couldn’t score a ticket to the very-sold-out event, try catching some of the numerous free satellite events. Washington State Convention Center, 705 Pike St., west. paxsite.com. Sold out. All ages. Through Mon. KS
September 2, Saturday
First Caturday Calling all cat lovers: The recurring purring shindig at Cal Anderson Park is “a day to reclaim the glory of the outdoors for our feline friends,” according to the organizers of a monthly summertime event that runs through October 7. Fluffballs of all stripes will gather, on leashes, in strollers, or in cat carriers, to enjoy the fresh breeze and the company of other cats; indeed, the “unofficial” social gathering claims to be “organized only by cats.” But with or without a cat, all humans are welcome. Cal Anderson Park, 1635 11th Ave. W., facebook.com/firstcaturday. Free. All ages. 1:30 p.m. SARA BERNARD
September 3, Sunday
Seattle Indies Expo Finding out about your local music or arts scene isn’t terribly difficult. You can scour through Bandcamp or Soundcloud, or head to any number of galleries in town. Learning about your local video-game scene is a lot trickier, but that’s where Seattle Indies Expo comes in. For one night, 25 of the city’s myriad indie game studios and creators climb out of their dark dev holes to present what they’ve quietly been working on. Motif Seattle, 1415 Fifth Ave., seattleindies.org/six. Free. All ages. Noon–9 p.m. KS
September 5, Tuesday
George and Lizzie Reading Beloved Seattle librarian and action-figure model Nancy Pearl reads from and discusses her very first novel, George and Lizzie, about how two people can be in a marriage for a very long time and ultimately never reach a real understanding of what marriage means to each other. Seattle Public Library, 1000 Fourth Ave., 386-4636, spl.org. Free. All ages. 7 p.m. PC
Nathan for You Simultaneously one of the most brilliant and uncomfortable things on television, the meta-reality show Nathan for You stars the awkward Nathan Fielder giving very bad business advice to very real business owners, many of whom go along with it for some reason. Fielder is giving a sneak peek at episodes from the show’s upcoming fourth season and a Q&A. The Neptune, 1303 N.E. 45th St., stgpresents.com. $33.50. All ages. 8 p.m. KS
