Can't Miss It: The Weekend
SONS OF PERSEUS: Knowing what precious little summer remains, we would be fools not to take advantage of this (relatively) clear and warm weather we're experiencing. To not venture out and admire nature. Luckily, this weekend provides a perfect opportunity to reward ourselves with some natural awe, courtesy of a comet: the Perseid meteor shower. The next few nights offer prime viewing, especially during the pre-dawn hours, when the rate of visible meteors can reach 60 or more per hour. If you're coming up short on a suitable watch spot, maybe you'll find one of these helpful suggestions useful. We're sure we'll find you there, under the stars.
Friday - Sunday 10:00 p.m. - 5:00 a.m. // Anywhere Away From Manmade Light // FREE
THIS HERE IS BAT COUNTRY: It's a full moon this weekend, which isn't going to help stargazers any, but should give tonight's show with Ashia Grzesik and Bat Country a dirty cosmic goose. The bill, which also features Blvd Park and L.A.'s Eliza Rickman, is chock full of doom Americana (to borrow Bat Country's resonant phrase), with Grzesik probably best known for her work in Portland's Vagabond Opera, and the Country tugging from Waits and Case, Cline and Cohen. Should be a good night to loosen a lunar suggestion.
Friday 9:00 p.m. // Columbia City Theater // $11
HEADING FOR MELTDOWN: Meanwhile, up in Darrington, the Summer Meltdown Festival is already rolling strong in the foothills. The 11th Annual Fest is the largest locally-produced independent camping and music festival in the region, providing room for music education classes and community forums while showcasing 30 bands on four stages. Bands like New Monsoon, Andrew Vait w/ Olivia de la Cruz, Orgone, FLOWMOTION, DJ Logic, and Everyone Orchestra. Run by Terra Roots, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization devoted to cultivating social connections and a sustainable future through supporting northwest arts, Meltdown promises positive change when it naturally explodes.
Friday - Sunday // Whitehorse Mountain Amphitheater // $45-$130
PEG LEG SHURIKEN: Over the past few centuries, spirited debate has been waged over the question: Pirate or Ninja? Cutlass vs. Karate, Motley vs. Gi, Bravado vs. Stealth? Well, finally, the day has come to settle the argument once and for all in the only possible way these two groups could agree on: a ten-hour pub crawl. In the spirit of Santarchy and Bunnarchy, hundreds of ninjas and pirates will meet on Capitol Hill to fight and drink, drink and fight. And, as if the event needed a little more left-field absurdity, organizers note that cowboys, robots and astronauts are also welcome.
Saturday 1:00 - 11:00 p.m. // Start in Capitol Hill, end Downtown (Route to be announced today. We're willing to bet you can find them without needing the map. This is not a subtle venture.) // FREE
STRIKE AGAINST POVERTY: On Saturday, Bahia Street, Novo Fogo Cachaça Orgânica and La Spiga Osteria will host the 2nd Annual Brasil vs. USA Soccer Game to end poverty. What does that mean exactly? Well, not only will you be able to cheer on your team, you can also donate money to affect game-play; once a team reaches $500 in collective donations, a goal will be added to their score. Proceeds benefit Bahia Street, a non-profit based in Seattle, Salvador, and London that provides education, health and nutrition services, and leadership training for impoverished girls and their families living in the shantytowns of Salvador. And that's something we can definitely get behind, especially if we can use our altruism to eek a win over Brasil.
Saturday 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. // Miller Playfield // FREE
