Seattle Events Calendar

May 2012

The Seattle Events Calendar May has lots of ideas for fun things to do.

The summer season officially gets underway with the Northwest Folklife Festival on Memorial Day Weekend. It's three days of music, dance, workshops, food, and more.

King Tut, or at least a lot of his stuff, comes to Seattle this month for the first time since 1979 and will be on display at the Pacific Science Center. Do not miss this rare opportunity to see some of ancient Egypt's finest treasures!

Got an event we should know about? If you'd like to add it to our Seattle Events Calendar, please tell us about it here!

Get Half Price Tickets for Seattle Events

I recommend checking with Goldstar before you buy tickets to see if they are available for half-price. They offer tickets to theater, concerts, comedy, tours, Argosy cruises, sports, and lots more. Here's a sampling of this month's offers:

Avatar: The Exhibition

Now through September 3
Experience Music Project
325 5th Ave N at the base of the Space Needle

Love the movie? Here's your chance to get a first-hand look inside the creation of the world of Pandora and learn about its creatures, plants, people, and culture. The exhibit will feature authentic props, costumes, interactive displays, concept models, and sketches from the movie.

First Date - A New Musical

March 10 - May 20
ACT Theatre, 700 Union St.

Co-produced by the 5th Avenue Theatre and ACT Theatre.

HELP

Photo: Chris Bennion

April 12 - May 13
Seattle Children's Theatre at Seattle Center
201 Thomas St.

Ages 11 and up. Adolescent themes make this show appropriate for middle school ages and older. The setting is Liverpool, England, in the late 1950s, before they became The Beatles.

Goldstar has tickets for half-price as of April 10.

Damn Yankees - 5th Avenue Theatre

Photo: Ken Jacques

April 21 - May 20
5th Avenue Theatre
1308 5th Avenue

A passionate Washington Senators fan sells his soul to the Devil - and the Devil's seductive assistant - in order to be transformed into a star outfielder who can lead his beloved team to a victory against those damn Yankees.

Check first with Goldstar for half-price tickets.

History Exhibit: Celebrating Century 21

April 21 - October 21
Seattle Center

Featuring artifacts, photographs, and documents from the1962 World's Fair.

The Next Fifty

April 21 - October 21
Various Times
Various prices, mostly free
Seattle Center

The Next Fifty recognizes the 50th anniversary of the 1962 Seattle World’s Fair. Through six packed months of activities at Seattle Center, the region and the world will engage in key focus areas. Arts, culture and design and history tie together the celebration. Watch for individual events listed on our events pages or go to www.seattlecenter.com for more info.

Historic Seattle Center Walking Tours

Pacific Science Center from top of the Space Needle

April 26 - October 20
2nd and 4th Thursdays at 10am
1st and 3rd Saturdays at 11am (except Sept.1)

A 90-minute walking tour of Seattle Center focusing on the cultural, architectural, and historical legacy of the 1962 World's Fair. Led by guides from the Museum of History and Industry and the Seattle Architecture Foundation.

AC/DC: Australia's Family Jewels

April 28 - September 29
Experience Music Project
325 5th Ave N at the base of the Space Needle

This EMP exhibit features more than 400 artifacts including photos, instruments, 35 years of gig posters, letters, lyrics, costumes, and more.

Snow Patrol

Tuesday, May 1
8:00pm
Paramount Theatre
911 Pine St.

Snow Patrol Tickets

Teatro ZinZanni's "¡Caliente!"

May 1 - June 10
Thursday - Saturday at 6:30pm
Sunday at 5:30pm
Teatro ZinZanni, 222 Mercer St.
Mercer Street at 3rd Ave near Seattle Center

Teatro ZinZanni's acclaimed shows are accompanied by live music and blend European cabaret, cirque, comedy and a gourmet five-course dinner into one spectacular evening of entertainment.

Check with Goldstar for half-price tickets.

Seattle Opera - Madama Butterfly

Photo © Marty Sohl,
Metropolitan Opera

May 5 - May 19
McCaw Hall
321 Mercer St, Seattle Center

Seattle Opera Tickets

Teatro ZinZanni's In Tents with Recess Monkey

May 5 - July 15
10am: Pre-show carnival and snacks in lobby
11am - 12:30pm: In Tents performance
Tickets start at $19
Teatro ZinZanni, 222 Mercer St.
Mercer Street at 3rd Ave near Seattle Center

This new circus production is especially for families and kids. The popular Seattle band, Recess Monkey, provides the live music from their new circus-themed album "In Tents". Be sure to arrive early for the pre-show carnival activities and snacks.

Half price tickets are available at Goldstar for some performances.

Seattle Maritime Festival

May 9 - May 13
Pier 66, Bell Harbor Marina and Seattle waterfront

Tugboat Parade and Races
World Invitational Survival Suit Races
Vessel Tours and Harbor Tours
Coast Guard Sea and Air Helicopter Rescue Demonstrations
Clam Chowder Cook-Off
Quick and Dirty Boat Building Competition and Race

Early Morning Bird Walk

Saturday, May 12
6:45am - 9:00am
$20 per adult; $10 per adult zoo members; 12 and under free; Reservations required
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.

Pike Place Market Flower Fest

Saturday, May 12 and Sunday, May 13

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

Death Cab for Cutie - featuring the Magik*Magik Orchestra

Sunday, May 13
8:00pm
Paramount Theatre
911 Pine St.

Death Cab for Cutie Tickets

Leavenworth Spring Bird Fest

May 17 - May 20
Bird Fest Info
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.

Seattle International Film Festival

May 17 - June 10
Ticket info
Films

The 2012 SIFF presents 460 films from 75 countries at various venues around Seattle. The Opening Night Gala will feature Your Sister's Sister, on May 17 at McCaw Hall. And that's only the beginning...

Things To Do in Seattle

Space Needle
Pacific Science Center
Seattle Aquarium
Experience Music Project
Argosy Cruises Harbor Tour
Woodland Park Zoo OR The Museum of Flight

I recommend the Seattle CityPASS - it will save you 45% off these 6 attractions, and you will save money if you go to at least four of the above.

Viking Fest - Poulsbo

May 18 - May 20
Front Street, Poulsbo

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

"Seattle Challenge": A Race of Wits Around the Emerald City

Saturday, May 19
1:00pm
Pyramid Alehouse, 1201 1st Ave S.

An "Amazing Race"-style scavenger hunt that sends teams on a mad dash through the city to solve clues, plot the best route, and race to the finish for thousands of dollars in cash and prizes. Party afterwards at Pyramid Alehouse, featuring music, an awards ceremony, food and drink for purchase and costume contest. Entry includes race T-shirt, race bib, entry into the festival and more.

Save up to 80% on the entry fee at Goldstar.

Lacey Spring Fun Fair

Saturday, May 19 and Sunday, May 20
Saturday, 10am-6pm; Sunday, 11am-5pm
Lacey Fair
St. Martin's University, 5300 Pacific Avenue SE, Lacey

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

Penn Cove Water Festival

Saturday, May 19
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 19 and Sunday, May 20
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!

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.

Beat the Bridge - 29th Annual 8K Race

Sunday, May 20
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.

West Seattle 5K

Sunday, May 20
8:00am Day-of-race registration and packet pick-up
9:30am Race Begins
Registration Info

This race begins and ends at the Alki Bath House. Runners will run along Alki Avenue SW which runs right along the beach and water, with a gorgeous view.

Tutankhamun: The Golden King and The Great Pharoahs

Photo: Sandro Vannini
Courtesy National Geographic

May 24 - January 6
Pacific Science Center
200 Second Ave N, Seattle Center

The last time King Tut's treasures came to America was in the 1970s. I missed it then as I was out of country, but I'm not about to miss it this time! Seattle is the last stop before returning to Egypt, and who knows when or if it will ever come back? This exhibit includes more than twice the number of artifacts of the first tour, and many have never been exhibited in the US before. Don't miss this rare opportunity to see some of Egypt's greatest treasures here in our own backyard!

Coming into town for the Folklife Festival? Find a place to stay...

Northwest Folklife Festival - 40th Annual

Photo by EKSwitaj, on Flickr

May 25 - May 28
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. See the website for all the details.

Good Karma 5K

Sunday, May 27
9:00am
$15 - $30
5895 Lake Washington Blvd S

Seattle’s only choose your own charity race. Select from a list of ten charities when you register and a portion of your proceeds will go to that charity. The charity with the most participants running will also receive an additional bonus donation. Good Karma points can also be racked up by bringing a can of food for the Northwest Harvest food drive, donating your used shoes to Redeeming Soles, registering on the Bone Marrow Registry and by participating in the “thank you cards for troops” drive on race day. 5K run and 4K walk, chip timed, gear check, prizes for top runners, random door prizes, free event photos, food and drink.

7 Hills of Kirkland Bike Ride

Monday, May 28
7 Hills Website
Marina Park, 25 Lake Shore Plaza, Kirkland

Your choice of three scenic and challenging routes. Food, support, and strawberry shortcake at the finish line.

As You Like It - Seattle Shakespeare

May 29 - June 24
Seattle Shakespeare
Center House Theatre, Seattle Center

Check Goldstar first for half-price tickets.

Half Price Tickets

Check Goldstar first for half-price tickets to theater, concerts, tours, comedy, sports, and more. Sign up for FREE and start saving money on fun things to do in Seattle.