Seattle Events Calendar

May 2011

The Seattle Events Calendar May 2011 will help you celebrate the arrival of the summer season in Seattle!

Summer officially begins here on Memorial Day weekend with the Northwest Folklife Festival, one of the largest free music festivals in North America. All kinds of music, dance, workshops, and more. It's always nice when the weather cooperates and brings sun to the sun-starved!

Copper River salmon comes into season for a couple of weeks in May, so it's a good time to plan a dinner out at a good seafood restaurant.

Quick link to Seattle Events Calendar May 2012

Half Price Tickets for Seattle Events

Goldstar
Half-price tickets to theater, concerts, comedy and sports.

Teatro ZinZanni's Zirkus Fantazmo Circus Show for Children

March 5 - May 1
Noon-1pm: Pre-show carnival in lobby
1pm-2pm: Zirkus Fantazmo performance
2:10pm-2:30pm: Post-show workshop with cast
Teatro ZinZanni, 222 Mercer St.
Mercer Street at 3rd Ave near Seattle Center

Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination

March 19 - May 8
Tickets now on sale, online and on site. Includes general admission to the Science Center.
Pacific Science Center
200 Second Ave N, Seattle Center

If you are a Star Wars fan, here's your chance to see more than 80 authentic costumes, models, and props from all six of the films. There are also interactive displays including a full-size replica of the Millennuim Falcon cockpit.

The Man Who Planted Trees

April 7 - May 1
Seattle Children's Theatre
201 Thomas St, Seattle Center

Presented by Puppet State Theatre Company.

The Merry Wives of Windsor

April 20 - May 15
Seattle Shakespeare
Center House Theatre, Seattle Center

Shipwrecked!

April 27 - May 21
ArtsWest
4711 California Ave SW, West Seattle

Recommended for all ages. Check Goldstar Events for tickets up to half off.

Jackie & Me

April 28 - June 5
Seattle Children's Theatre
201 Thomas St, Seattle Center

The Prisoner of Second Avenue

April 29 - May 29
ACT Theatre
700 Union St.

Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra: "The Zen of Ten"

Saturday, April 30 and Sunday, May 1
Saturday, 7:30pm, Benaroya Hall
Sunday, 7:00pm, Kirkland Performance Center

Early Morning Bird Walk

Saturday, May 7
6:45am - 9:00am
$20 per adult; $10 per adult zoo members; 12 and under free;
Woodland Park Zoo, N. 50th St. and Phinney Ave. N

A guided tour featuring the wild birds that live at Woodland Park Zoo and the birds that stay at the zoo temporarily while migrating. Learn all about the birds from zookeeper Eric Kowalczyk. Held in celebration of International Migratory Bird Day.

etsyRAIN Handmade Craft Show

Saturday, May 7
11am - 5pm: Free
First 50 people get free swag bags!
Intiman Theatre at Seattle Center
201 Mercer St.

Local artisans present some of the region's most beautiful, creative, fun, and even practical crafts. Stop in for a last minute Mother's Day surprise or bring Mom along for some shopping. Come out and support local artisans with truly "made in Washington" goods, find one-of-a-kind items, and something special for Mom.

Pike Place Market Flower Fest

Saturday, May 7 and Sunday, May 8

The north end of the street is filled with flower farmers offering bouquets for sale.
Pike Place Market has the best flowers in Seattle!

Seattle Opera: The Magic Flute

Photo by Richard Hubert Smith

May 7 - May 21
7:30pm, Sundays at 2:00pm
McCaw Hall
321 Mercer St, Seattle Center

Giant Magnet

May 10 - May 14

Acts will include three companies from China, Guangdong Province Puppet Troupe, Shaanxi Folk Art Theatre, and Sichuan Opera Company. Also on the schedule are Andes Manta, an Ecuadorean music and dance group, Tigerstyle featuring a mix of traditional Punjabi dance, bhangra and hip hop, Scottish theater company Visible Fictions, the Tasmanian Terrapin Puppet Theatre, and Seattle's own Caspar Babypants.

Guys and Dolls

May 12 - June 5
5th Avenue Theatre
1308 5th Avenue

Mary Poppins

May 12 - May 29
Paramount Theatre, 911 Pine St.

Leavenworth Spring Bird Fest

May 12 - May 15
Leavenworth, Washington

Check out their website. If you are a birder, this is a week full of fun bird activities. Leavenworth is a Bavarian style village town about 118 miles east of Seattle just across Stephens Pass. They have lots of fun events throughout the year.

"You Just Have to Laugh" Film Preview

Saturday, May 14
6:30pm - complimentary hors d'oeuvres and David Naster's personal signed book
7:30 - film begins
$25 - register
Museum of Flight, 9404 East Marginal Way S

NW Burn Foundation would like to invite you to join David Naster, filmmaker, writer, and nationally renowned funnyman, to share this special film. It's about real people who have faced illness, injury, grief, and accidents , the emergency responders who have come to their rescue, and how humor can help people during difficult times. The film benefits Northwest Burn Foundation's Emergency Housing Program for families of loved ones being treated at Harborview Burn Center.

Penn Cove Water Festival

Saturday, May 14
11am - 6pm
Coupeville Waterfront, Whidbey Island

Tribal canoe races, Native arts and crafts, storytelling, dance performances, art, food, exhibits, and children's activities.

Seattle Cheese Festival at Pike Place Market

Saturday, May 14 and Sunday, May 15
Pike Place Market

Here's your chance to sample cheeses from over 200 local and international producers and learn more about cheese making. There will lso be wine tasting, a wine garden, seminars, cheese-making demos, chef demos, and a grilled cheese contest!

Beat the Bridge - 29th Annual 8K Race

Sunday, May 15
Husky Stadium, 3800 Montlake Blvd.

This is a very popular road race to benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. The race starts at Husky Stadium and at some point the route crosses the Montlake Bridge which is a drawbridge. The bridge is raised sometime during the event and the goal is to cross the bridge before it raises, hence the name "Beat the Bridge". There is also a 1K Fun Run, a 4-mile Family Walk, and a Diaper Derby. For the full race-day schedule and more info, check out the website at www.beatthebridge.org.

Capital City Marathon

Sunday, May 15
Washington Street between Legion Way and Seventh Avenue, downtown Olympia

Marathon, half-marathon, and 5-mile runs.

Seattle Beer Week

May 19 - May 28
Various locations around Seattle
www.seattlebeerweek.com

A variety of events (approximately 100) around Seattle at various locations (around 45 different venues) to celebrate the region's beer culture. Events include special dinners, mini-beer festivals, tasting, tournaments, and more. Seattle area breweries will be well-represented.

Seattle International Film Festival

May 19 - June 12

Hundreds of films will be screened over the weeks at various venues.

Prairie Nocturne

May 20 - June 12
Book-It Repertory Theatre
Center House Theatre, Seattle Center

Anacortes Waterfront Festival

May 20 - May 22
Cap Sante Boat Haven parking lot
1019 Q Avenue, Anacortes Waterfront

Free boat rides, "quick and dirty" boatbuilding competition, waterfront walking tours, live entertainment, kayak races, kids activities.

National Offshore One-Design Sailing Regatta

May 20 - May 22
Seattle Yacht Club, Corinthian Yacht Club
Shilshole Bay Marina, 7755 Seaview Ave. NW

Races featuring more than 200 sailboats from 20 to 70 feet in length guided by local sailors as well as some of the top racing stars. Racing area will be in Puget Sound, west and north of the Shilshole Marina.

Viking Fest - Poulsbo

May 20 - May 22

Carnival, parade, live entertainment, food and craft vendors, clogging, road race, Iron Chef Competition, Lutefisk Eating Contest, and Viking Village.

A Glimpse of China - Chinese Culture and Arts Festival

Saturday, May 21
Center House, Seattle Center

Chinese cultural and arts festival featuring visual and performing arts, interactive activities, vendors, and more.

American Cancer Society's Hope Gala

Saturday, May 21
6pm-11pm
Tickets start at $175
Museum of Flight, 9404 East Marginal Way S

Book your flight for an evening of dancing, entertainment, live and silent auctions to raise money for the American Cancer Society's local programs and research. Black tie optional. All proceeds will benefit American Cancer Society programs and services.

Green Festival

Saturday, May 21 and Sunday, May 22
10am - 7pm
Weekend Pass $15; One Day Pass $10
Qwest Field Event Center

Featuring local vegan and organic restaurants, dance, music, Kids Zone, eco-friendly marketplace, workshops and classes, local organic beer makers and wine vintners, and lots more.

Lacey Spring Fun Fair

Saturday, May 21 and Sunday, May 22
Saturday, 10am-6pm; Sunday, 11am-5pm
St. Martin's University, 5300 Pacific Avenue SE, Lacey

Family fun with free Kidsworld activities, arts and crafts, entertainment and food.

University District StreetFair - 42nd Annual

Saturday, May 21 from 10-7 and Sunday, May 22 from 10-6
University Way NE from Campus Parkway to NE 50th St.

The longest running street fair in the nation, the U District StreetFair attracts over 300 craft and food booths and over 50,000 people to the University District each year. In addition to the booths, two main stages will feature music, dance performances, comedy, costume contests, and more. A special children's area is set up with age appropriate activities as well.

Bangers & Brass

Sunday, May 22
2:00pm
$15 (ages 8+) presale, $20 at the door
Community Center at Mercer View
8236 SE 24th St, Mercer Island

PugetBrass, a local traditional brass band, hosts its first "Bangers & Brass" event. The band will perform British tunes & marches while the audience enjoys a full afternoon tea. A raffle consisting of prizes from local British businesses such as Attic Secrets Cafe & Tea, Proper British Bacon, Pies & Pints, Galway Traders, and more, will also be held.

Great Kilted Run 5K

Sunday, May 22
8am - Registration and packet pick-up; Race at 9:30am
Magnuson Park, 7400 Sand Point Way NE

5K run/walk, free kids dash, live music, vendor area, and beer garden. Wearing a kilt is strongly encouraged!

Fly the Fortress: The EAA B-17 Bomber

May 25 - May 30
Tours daily at 2:00pm
Ground tours: $5 per person, $15 per family
Flight tours: $399 - $465
Boeing Field, Airport Way South

Tour or fly the Experimental Aircraft Association historic B-17 bomber. See www.b17.org for more info.

Kitsap Harbor Festival

May 27 - May 30
Port Orchard and Bremerton downtown waterfronts
www.kitsapharborfestival.com

Waterfront festival featuring tall ships, farmers markets, classic car show, Seagull Calling, Taste of Kitsap, sailing regatta, live music,
and more.

Northwest Folklife Festival - 40th Annual

Photo by EKSwitaj, on Flickr

May 27 - May 30
Seattle Center

This is the big one that kicks off summer. It's a festival of ethnic, folk, and traditional music, dance, art, and crafts as well as street performers such as jugglers, musicians, magicians, etc. Admission is free, but donations ($10/person, $20/family) are encouraged.

Edmonds Jazz Connection

Saturday, May 28
10:00am - 8:00pm
Free
Big Bands at Edmonds Masonic Center, Dayton between 5th & 6th
Vocal Jazz at Edmonds Conference Center, corner of 4th & Bell
Jazz Combos at Edmonds Theater, Main between 4th & 5th

Hear 20 or more groups featuring talented students and professional musicians performing a variety of jazz from big band classics to modern vocal jazz.

Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad

Operates Memorial Day through October

This is a scenic steam train ride through the foothills of Mt. Rainier. They also do special events such as BBQ rides, the Bunny Express at Easter, Mother's Day Express, and Father's Day BBQ.