This week is a lot about film, with the launch of the Seattle Social Justice Film Festival and the Seattle Gay and Lesbian Film Festival (more on that next week). But . . . that's not all that's going on. You can also enjoy music from Britain and Reykjavik — and the fleeting hours of daylight.
19th and Delicious Block Party19th and Mercer in Capitol Hill, Saturday 10/12 from 12-5 p.m., FREE (plus money for treats!)
Beyond the buzzing, brassy Broadway and the hopping 15th, sits 19th Avenue what its handful of quality establishments: Fuel Coffee, the delicious Kingfish Café, Washington Ensemble Theatre ,Vios, Hello Robin cookies and (coming soon) Tallulah (the newest Linda Derschang joint). Celebrate these great businesses with food, art and music throughout the day. All proceeds benefit the Jubilee Women’s Center.
Reykjavik Calling Concert
Neumos, Saturday 10/12 at 8 p.m., FREE
For the fourth year, (our sister city of) Reykjavik and KEXP team up to showcase Icelandic and American artists in a FREE CONCERT at Neumos. Highlights, for me at least, include a performance by local electro-hip hop artist Vox Mod and the delightfully addictive Icelandic synth-pop artist Sin Fang. Get there early before capacity is reached!
Sin Fang. Credit: Sin Fang
Lemon (Social Justice Film Festival)
Rainier Valley Cultural Center, Friday 10/11 at 8 p.m., $8
This is only the second Seattle Social Justice Film Festival, but organizers will be hosting a huge menu of movies with an emphasis on prisoner justice. The festival kicks off Thursday with Sisters of Bedford, a documentary celebrating the 40th anniversary of festival sponsor (and one of my favorite non-profits) Books to Prisoners. On Friday, see the acclaimed documentary Lemon, which follows the painful life story of Lemon Andersen and the poetry that is his life’s work.
The Central Park Five (Social Justice Film Festival)
University Christian Church, Saturday 10/12 at 7 p.m., FREE for film ($15 for a post-film talk)
Sister Helen Prejean (Dead Man Walking) delivers the keynote address at this showing of the newest Ken Burns documentary. The film tells the story of the five black and Latino teenagers from Harlem who were wrongly convicted of the rape and beating of the "Central Park jogger" in 1989, and released in 2002 when the case was overturned. While the film is free, the follow-up discussion with death penalty abolition activist Prejean does require a ticket.
Palma Violets
Barboza, Monday 10/15, doors at 8 p.m., $15
I’ve recommended Palma Violets before (they seem to be over here a lot for Brits) and my love for their particular brand of gravely indie rock remains strong. Among a lot of mediocre rock bands, they put out consistently great songs, with verve and vim. I particularly like the track “Last of the Summer Wine” on their debut album 180 from earlier this year.
Roberta Winter
SPL, Tuesday 10/15 at 6:30 p.m., FREE
Seattle health policy analyst and president of health care consulting firm, Praevalere Inc, Roberta Winter will be discussing her book Unraveling U.S. Healthcare: A Personal Guide. Exactly as it sounds, this is intended to help us wade through the bureaucracy, corruption and limitations and help empower ourselves as patients. This is especially timely given our new Washington Health Benefit Exchange. The more you know!
Star Wars Original Trilogy Trivia Night
Tuesday, October 15th at 7 p.m., $6
Ever-exciting, nostalgic — and just as good as when we were eight! — the Star Wars Trilogy is in a category of its own. Show off your knowledge, exhale with content while watching the times before Jar Jar Binks existed, and have another drink when you remember that impending third trilogy.
What are you doing this weekend? Let us know in the comments area below. And if you hear of any interesting – under $15 - events in or around our grand city, please email editor@crosscut.com.
