Seattle's cultural scene offers an eclectic mix of experiences this week, ranging from immersive digital art installations to intimate jazz performances and everything in between. The Stranger's weekly guide highlights seven standout events across the city, each offering a unique perspective on art, music, comedy, and food culture.
The week kicks off Monday with the Seattle Design Festival 2025, returning for its 15th year with the theme "Feedback." This six-day celebration of creativity and community runs through August 21 at various locations throughout the city, featuring interactive installations, hands-on workshops, and thoughtful discussions. The festival begins with a block party at Lake Union, followed by mixers with Adobe, ARCADE NW, and Pratt Fine Arts. All events are free and designed to explore how feedback fuels collaboration in design and creative processes.
Tuesday brings literary enthusiasts to the Seattle Central Library for an evening with author Isabel Cañas, who will discuss her new gothic horror novel "The Possession of Alba Díaz." Set during a plague in 18th-century Zacatecas, Mexico, the story follows Alba, a woman possessed by a malevolent demon, and Elías, her wealthy fiancé's cousin. The star-crossed pair becomes entangled with the occult, the Church, and long-kept secrets. Cañas will be joined in conversation by author Sadie Hartmann, also known as Mother Horror, from 7:00 to 8:30 PM in an all-ages, free event.
Music lovers have two exceptional opportunities this week, starting Wednesday with Chicago-based indie-rock band Horsegirl at Neumos. The trio, consisting of singer-guitarists Nora Cheng and Penelope Lowenstein, along with drummer Gigi Reece, recently released "Phonetics On and On," produced by Welsh singer-songwriter Cate Le Bon and recorded at Wilco's studio the Loft during an Illinois winter. Their sound combines crystalline harmonies and precise guitar work with memorable pop compositions that stick in listeners' minds.
Thursday through Sunday, jazz fans can experience the legacy of John and Alice Coltrane through their son Ravi Coltrane at Jazz Alley. Running from August 21-24 with varying show times, these performances offer audiences a chance to hear the otherworldly compositions and free-flowing style that defined the Coltrane family's contribution to jazz. The shows are restricted to ages 21 and up, providing an intimate setting for experiencing this musical heritage.
Friday's comedy highlight features Josh Johnson's "The Flowers Tour" at the Moore Theatre. Known for his distinctive perspective as a Black comedian with what he describes as a "white voice," Johnson brings nuanced observations on race and politics that range from pragmatically ruthless to absurd. His experience as a writer and correspondent for "The Daily Show" and "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" has honed his craft, resulting in humor built on rigorous, cohesive narratives rather than rapid-fire punchlines. Shows run Friday 7:00-9:30 PM and Saturday at 4:00 PM, welcoming all ages.
The visual arts take center stage Saturday with Kameelah Janan Rasheed's exhibition "we leak, we exceed" at the Henry Art Gallery. The Brooklyn-based artist, who describes herself as a "learner," creates multimedia works that draw parallels between information compression and the containment of people, specifically advocating for the embrace of Black excess and expansion. Her installations integrate found images and words with her own writing to create collage-like wall pieces and experimental video art. One standout piece, "i want to climb inside every word and lick the salty neck of each letter" from 2024, immerses viewers in a black-and-white grid environment that evokes the feeling of being inside the World Wide Web itself.
The week concludes Sunday with a culinary recommendation that might surprise visitors to South Park's legendary dive bar, Loretta's Northwesterner. While the establishment is famous for its juicy, charbroiled tavern burgers, their baked potato deserves equal recognition. Available after 5:00 PM, this massive roasted potato arrives split in half and loaded with a generous river of melted cheddar cheese, dollops of sour cream, copious crunchy bacon bits, and fresh green onions. The dish achieves the perfect topping-to-potato ratio, ensuring every forkful delivers a complete flavor experience along with an Instagram-worthy cheese pull.
These seven recommendations span multiple artistic disciplines and price points, from free cultural events to intimate dining experiences. Each offers Seattle residents and visitors an opportunity to engage with different aspects of the city's vibrant cultural landscape, whether through cutting-edge digital art, traditional jazz heritage, contemporary comedy, or elevated comfort food.
