5 things to do in Seattle this weekend

Everyday Africa with Peter DiCampo and Charles Mudede

When Africa is shown in the media, the continent is portrayed as, at turns, starving, violent, beautiful, barbaric and sensationalized — but rarely do we get to see everyday life. Since 2012, the photography project Everyday Africa has aimed to change that. Co-founder of the project Peter DiCampo will be speaking at the Northwest African American Museum, showing memorable photos and discussing his recently released book "Everyday Africa," a culmination of the project’s to-date work to change the narratives the rest of the world hears and sees about Africa. DiCampo will be in conversation with notable figures from Seattle’s African community, moderated by The Stranger’s Charles Mudede.

If you go: Everyday Africa with Peter DiCampo and Charles Mudede, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 28 (Free)—N.C.

Belarus Free Theatre: Burning Doors

The very existence of the Belarus Free Theatre Company is daring — the refugee-led, UK-based theatre company is the only European theatre banned by its own government on political grounds. Called “searing” and “uncompromising,” their latest work Burning Doors showcases Pussy Riot’s Maria Alyokhina as one of three dissident artists who tells their story of creating art in the face of extreme political oppression. This is a one-of-a-kind production, and a rare opportunity for us Seattleites.

If you go: Belarus Free Theatre: Burning Doors, On The Boards, Sept. 28-Oct.1 ($30)—N.C.

Northwest Tea Festival

This marks the 10th year of the Northwest Tea Festival! While it may not have the desperate following of coffee, or the hazy allure of beer, tea is the beverage with the richest history, most uses and most variety.  Enjoy tea tastings, attend presentations (ranging from “What is Tea?” to  “One Plant- Six Teas”), and stock up on an array of tea for the long, dreary months ahead. Local charmingly steampunk tea purveyors B. Fuller’s Mortar and Pestle will be there (I’m in love with their Botanical Teas), along with the all-organic Modern Steep, Ballard’s Miro Tea, and tea purveyors from far and wide.

If you go: Northwest Tea Festival, Seattle Center, Sept. 30- Oct. 1 ($15)—N.C.

PNB's Jewels 

Pacific Northwest Ballet delivers a gem of a ballet that spans the sublime ("Emeralds") to the sexy ("Rubies") and the passionate ("Diamonds.") The classic George Balanchine ballet is 50 years old and for its season opener, PNB adorns it with new costumes, tiaras and scenery that makes the evening one long sparkling marvel. On opening night, the curtain opened to oohs and ahhs and the finale was celebrated with a standing ovation. But my heart was in its happiest of places in the middle of the ballet, when Benjamin Griffiths and Rachel Foster, dancing to Stravinsky's Capriccio, were a playful, flirty, magnetic pairing. Rubies — rubies are this woman's best friend.

If you go: PNB's Jewels, McCaw Hall, through Oct. 1 (Tickets start at $30)--F.D.

Celeste Ng

What happens when perfect, rules-abiding white surburbia is rocked by scandal — in this case, a desperate Chinese immigrant mother's decision to abandon her baby girl? The author of the acclaimed novel Everything I Never Told You discusses her exceptional newest book, Little Fires Everywhere, with yours truly. And I have questions, so many questions, such as what it's like to write so accurately and poignantly about class? And, how is it that you can create a fully fleshed out villain that, well, we can kind of relate to?

If you go: Celeste Ng, Elliott Bay Book Co., Oct. 2 (Free)--F.D.

This article is made possible with support from the Seattle Office of Arts & Culture.