It’s August, which means that the beautiful summertime is quickly coming to an end. As Seattleites across the South End try to get in some final beach days at the lake or lie in the dry, brown grass of our city’s parks, there are still lots of cool events happening both in- and outdoors this month. Whether it’s a community block party or a juried gallery exhibition, get out and take in the warmth and community before the days of pre-8 p.m. sunsets bring fall.
Think we missed something? Let us know at arts@seattleemerald.org
Aug. 9, starts at 10 a.m.
Hillman City Business District
South Orcas Street & Rainier Avenue South
This weekend, Hillman City is shutting down streets to bring a daylong block party to the micro-neighborhood. What’s Good 2025 a free, all-ages event with live music, food, activations, three stages, and more. From 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., Onda is hosting a Kids’ Zone featuring the Double Dutch Divas, face painting, field-day games and a free photo booth. Musicians like rapper Dave B, singer-songwriter Tomo Nakayama, Abyssinian Creole’s Gabriel Teodros, and singer Lady A will be performing onstage throughout the day. And businesses up and down Rainier will offer a few deals during the Block Party ($5 burgers all day at Twilight on Rainier, pop-up sake tasting at Sake Noire, vinyl-only DJ at absorb records). Lots to do!
Aug. 9, 16, 23
Hing Hay Park
423 Maynard Ave. S.
For the entire month of August, the good folks over at the Seattle Asian American Film Festival, Seattle Parks and Recreation, and Interim CDA are putting on the all-ages, free C-ID Summer Cinema 2025 at Hing Hay Park. Every Saturday there will be a live performance at 6:30 p..m., followed by a film at 7 p.m. This week, they are showing a slate of PNW local shorts (including Vanishing Seattle’s short documentary about The Beacon Studio and Della Chen’s She Marches in Chinatown); on Aug. 16, they’ll screen Wicked; and the closing film on Aug.23 is Lilo & Stitch, the 2002 animated version.
Aug. 11
Third Place Books, Seward Park
5041 Wilson Ave. S.
One of my favorite people writing right now is Rax King. The James Beard-nominated writer is witty, sharp, and perfectly cuts through both high and low culture. This year, she’s dropping a new collection of essays, Sloppy: Or: Doing It All Wrong, which examines her own sobriety and subsequent vices. “From being a crummy waitress to using uppers to force friendships, from obsessing over the Neopets forums to lying for no discernable reason, these essays approach bad habits with emotional intelligence, kindness and—most importantly—humor,” reads the book description. King is stopping by Third Place Books in Seward Park to do a reading, Q&A, and book signing. Don’t miss it!
Aug. 23, 12–6 p.m.
Columbia Park
4731 36th Ave. S.
SouthEast Effective Development has been making an impact in the South End for the past half-century, if you can believe it! And to celebrate that milestone, SEED is having a huge free festival bringing together South End arts, music, and culture for the entire community. In addition to food trucks and kids’ activities, there will also be performances by Adefua, Khmer Amarak, The Black Tones, and more. Be sure to show up right at noon for a Columbia City Yoga sesh with music by DJ Riz – that will definitely be super cool!
Through Aug. 31
Columbia City Gallery
4864 Rainier Ave. S.
Through the month of August, Columbia City Gallery is host to Answer As Question, their 17th annual juried exhibition that is inspired by and a response to Ai, Rebel: The Art and Activism of Ai Weiwei at Seattle Art Museum. The exhibition calls on artists across mediums to “lean into investigation as a form of artistic expression.” SAM’s deputy director of art, José Carlos Diaz, serves as jury and curator of the thoughtful show. Answer As Question runs until Aug. 31, but on Aug. 20, Columbia City Gallery will host a panel discussion with Diaz in dialogue with exhibiting artist Jess Cheng.Gallery manager Julia Azarcon will take on moderation duties.
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