August 16

Wednesday

Why Poetry Reading Matthew Zapruder isn’t a Seattle poet, but he edits for Seattle-based Wave Books and publishes with Port Townsend-based Copper Canyon Press. His newest book, Why Poetry, is a self-described “impassioned call for a return to reading poetry.” While generally demands that people should read poetry are like telling kids to eat broccoli, Zapruder is a brainy and passionate advocate. Sorrento Hotel, 900 Madison St., 622-6400, hotel sorrento.com. Free. 21 and over. 7 p.m. PAUL CONSTANT

August 17, Thursday

Darkansas Reading Seattle writer Jarret Middleton’s first novel, An Dantomine Eerly, was a surrealistic book about the death of a poet. His second, Darkansas, is about a country singer who comes home to the Ozarks to attend his twin brother’s wedding. Meanwhile, his father’s ghost lingers over the proceedings and things get really creepy. Elliott Bay Book Company, 1521 10th Ave., 624-6600, elliottbay book.com. Free. All ages. 7 p.m. PC

Pause & Draw: Josie and the Pussycats This underrated 2001 live-action adaptation of the famous Archie comics spin-off/Hanna-Barbera cartoon is full of fake product placements, consumer-culture critiques, and subliminal messaging. Emily Nokes and Lelah Maupin of Seattle’s own cat band—Tacocat—will host, pausing the screen at various points for five minutes, allowing the audience a chance to draw what they see. Central Cinema, 1411 21st Ave., central-cinema.com. $10. All ages. 8 p.m. KELTON SEARS

August 18, Friday

The Pox Lover Reading Everyone’s favorite interlocutor, Seattle’s own Mattilda Bernstein Sycamore, interviews journalist Anne-Christine d’Adesky about her memoir of lesbian activism and global refugees. Sarah Schulman says the book is “reminiscent of the luscious lesbian literature of the Parisian past but propelled into the era of AIDS, ACT UP, and the Lesbian Avengers.” Elliott Bay Book Company, 1521 10th Ave., 624-6600, elliott baybook.com. Free. All ages. 7 p.m. PC

Chief Seattle Days Since 1911, the Suquamish Tribe has celebrated the life of Chief Seattle with a three-day public festival. Join the Tribe this weekend to honor the chief through songs, dances, and stories, in what promises to be an important and educational event. Attendees can also look forward to a community parade, war-canoe races, and a salmon dinner. Nearby camping and hotels are available. Suquamish, Wash., suquamish.nsn.us. Free. All ages. 10 a.m. Fri.–5 p.m. Sun., Aug 20. CHRISTY CARLEY

Seattle Tattoo Expo At this annual celebration of tattoo culture, the industry’s best new talent gets to showcase their stuff. But if you’re not in the tattoo-art world and don’t really want any new ink, the real action is at the slew of contests, which range from best leg tat and best portrait tat (must have picture) to, of course, worst tattoo. Fisher Pavilion, Seattle Center, 305 Harrison St., seattletattooexpo.com. Three-day pass $50, single-day $20. All ages. Times vary. Also Sat. & Sun. KS

NOddIN After the Fukushima nuclear disaster, a group of Japanese filmmakers decided their country’s values had taken a fateful, worrying turn. Thus they decided to look at their country “upside down,” and shift their own values accordingly. The result is NoddIN— literally Nippon, upside down—an art collective whose films grew from tackling the issue of nuclear reliance to a wide array of contemporary political concerns. The art collective will screen 12 of their short films tonight (their U.S. premiere), followed by a panel discussion by the artists themselves and a sushi/sake reception. Northwest Film Forum, 1515 12th Ave., nwfilm forum.org. $7–$12. All ages. 7 p.m. KS

Gigantic Bicycle Festival Like bikes? This one’s for you: Three days of bike rides, bike art, bike-inspired films, and a metric shit-ton of bicyclists, as well as a super-impressive lineup of workshops, comedy, speakers, and live music from the Pacific Northwest (headliners include La Luz and Lemolo). You can even join a group bike ride to the venue from Magnuson Park on Friday or Saturday, and of course enjoy excellent bike parking when you arrive. But no one will be turned away for lack of a bike; car parking is free all weekend, too. Centennial Fields Park, 39903 S.E. Park St., Snoqualmie, gigantic bicyclefestival.org. $35–$70. All ages. 5 p.m. Fri.–5 p.m. Sun., Aug. 20. SARA BERNARD

August 19, Saturday

Fun Home Book Group Now that all the drama nerds are excited about Fun Home because of the musical that just came to town, it’s important to recall that Alison Bechdel’s first memoir is a complex and beautiful work of literature on its own. Come talk about one of the best comics of the past 20 years with a group of comics fans. Outsider Comics and Geek Boutique, 223 N. 36th St., 535-8886, outsidercomics.com. Free. All ages. 5 p.m. PC

Mercer x Summit Block Party The scumtastic Summit Inn, longtime Capitol Hill DIY punk and artist mecca, lost the battle against gentrification back in 2015. Even though the former hub of the annual Summit Block Party is no more, the party itself has raged on as the Mercer x Summit Block Party—slightly shinier, but with more of the same DIY ethos. This year, So Pitted, Smokey Brights, Acapulco Lips, and 14 other bands will perform, and as always, it’s totally free. Summit Avenue East and East Mercer Street. Free. All ages. 2 p.m.–midnight. KS

Ballard Burrito Fest Summers in Seattle are full of food festivals, but no one gets tired of burritos, especially when the definition of “burrito” is broad enough to include sushi burritos and lamb-curry burritos. This event also offers refreshing margaritas from Altos Tequila. Sponsored by The World Is Fun, the Fest also strives to raise awareness about food insecurity in Washington, where about one in seven people are considered food-insecure. Ballard Commons Park, 5701 22nd Ave. N.W., ballardburrito.com. Free. All ages. 11 a.m.–6 p.m. CC

August 20, Sunday

Saber Battle Seattle The Glow Battle Tour is coming back to help you learn how to use the force for good … or evil (your choice). Sponsored by Newmindspace, a charitable organization from New York, the event welcomes jedi of all ages and skill levels, initiate to master. Those who already have a light saber are welcome to bring their own, or you can rent one from Glow Battle in advance. May the force be with you. Seattle Center, 305 Harrison St., glowbattletour.com. $5–$10. All ages. 8–11 p.m. CC

August 21, Monday

Booze and Lasers: All the Birds in the Sky We tend to have fewer readings this time of year, which means it’s time for you to visit some book clubs! This new boozy book-discussion group is devoted to appreciating recent sci-fi gems by women and authors of color. Their most recent selection is Charlie Jane Anders’ sci-fi/fantasy mashup, All the Birds in the Sky. Third Place Books Seward Park, 5041 Wilson Ave. S., 474-2200, thirdplacebooks.com. Free. All ages. 7 p.m. PC

Experience the Eclipse For the first time since 1979, the moon will get so up in the sun’s business that it will cover it entirely. Staring at the sun is bad, though, even with the moon in front, so maybe consider doing your astral ogling at Pacific Science Center, where pros will have protective viewing glasses and solar telescopes on hand, as well as demonstrations on what the heck is happening up there in the sky. Pacific Science Center, 200 Second Ave., pacificscience center.org. Free with PSC admission ($12–$22). All ages. 8:30 a.m.–6 p.m. KS

August 22, Tuesday

Found: A Life in Mountain Rescue Reading Bree Loewen is the leader of Seattle Mountain Rescue, a volunteer organization that saves the lives of people who get lost in the wilderness. Her memoir about those rescues—successful or not, famous or obscure—builds into a portrait of the region’s outdoor community. Read it while you’re still able to get out to the mountains for a few more weeks. King County Library, Redmond Branch, 15990 N.E. 85th St., 425-885-1861, kcls.org. Free. All ages. 7 p.m. PC