Almost all King County events are canceled, so we’re listing streaming events for optimal physical distancing
August 29 - September 1
Seattle Arab Film Festival
Northwest Film Forum and Seattle Arab Film Festival: online event; $0-25, all ages
tinyurl.com/y22n5rot
This year’s Arab Film Fest will have short and feature films grouped into four themes: In the Diaspora, Youth in Focus, Family and Culture, and Strong Female Lead. The films are often passionate, startling, empathetic, enthralling and somehow familiar. This festival works to explore Arab cultures through the many lenses and perspectives in which they exist. It is not one culture, not one story, not one history, but multiple influences that shape its modernity. The fest is on a pay-what-you-can sliding scale, so hopefully everyone who’s interested can be part of supporting it. The films range from a young man practicing stand-up comedy in secret to not disappoint his father, to a Lebanese kitchen where the social expectations placed on women are explored. There is bound to be something for everyone!
August 31
Seattle Hip-Hop Window Art
Crane City Music and Sonic Boom Records: 2209 NW Market St., Seattle; 11 a.m.–7 p.m., free, all ages
tinyurl.com/y4v35hvl
Ballard’s Sonic Boom has opened up their front window space to showcase the Crane City Music art gallery. Black artists and creatives came together to make the gallery window, and it came together as a visually interesting and educational display. This will be the last day to check out the window art, so be sure to head on over if you can. Once you’re done, you can pop into Sonic Boom to support your favorite Black musicians: a portion of vinyl sales this month will be donated to Black Lives Matter.
September 2
Adjusting to Parenting support group
Valley Medical Center: 4033 Talbot Rd, Renton; 1–2:30 p.m., free
tinyurl.com/y65zhtt8
Unfortunately, despite what I assume to be countless requests, there is still no actual guidebook to parenting. Numerous new parents live with anxiety and worry about their actions, and sadly, talking openly about such things isn’t always easy. So, Valley Medical Center is hosting a wonderful support group for new parents to share worries and wins. You’ll learn about development, health, safety and much more (sleeping!!). The session aims to keep it real and judgement free. Hopefully you’ll leave with new friends for support after the class ends (yay for adult friends!).
September 3
The Not-Creepy Gathering for People Who Want to Fall In Love
Fremont Abbey Arts Center: online event; 6–8 p.m., $7-25, adult only
tinyurl.com/y2wo9dez
This is what you get when an artist who is tired of soulless dating apps and weird cruisey bar scenes comes up with an antidote for dating. This organized online event is for everyone (LGBTQ friendly), no matter if you think you’re too old or too scared or too awkward or whatever reason you’ve told yourself not to date. Everyone who wants to fall in love deserves to fall in love, and honestly this route looks way more fun than carpal-tunnel-inducing swiping left or right. Be prepared with an open mind — you may meet your new boo or even a new friend. All you need is an open heart and a notebook to start the adventure.
September 4
Solitude Social Club
Hugo House: online event; 5–6 p.m., free
tinyurl.com/y5vqbmwh
Calling all readers and writers! Have you been feeling isolated and cooped up? Are you eager to talk to fellow creatives to get feedback and insights? Here’s a great chance. Hugo House is hosting the Solitude Social Club, where they bring a guest writer each week to talk about their process and creativity during these distant times. This week will be led by Heidi Pitlor, a bestselling novel author, a former senior editor at Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and the series editor of “The Best American Short Stories” since 2007, whose writing has been in The New York Times, Lit Hub and Ploughshares. After the conversation, attendees will break into smaller groups so everyone can talk and get to know each other. Cheers to solitude not only keeping us safe, but also bringing us together.
Calendar compiled by Michelle Galluzzo. Got something we should know about? Email it to [email protected]. The deadline for calendar submissions is nine days prior to the date of publication.
Read more of the Aug. 26 - Sept. 1, 2020 issue.