Northwest Herring Week
While eaten by our ancestors from Scandinavia to Japan long ago, herring is no longer the staple of our diet, or belle of the ball, as it once was. But Northwest Herring Week (now in year two) aims to give us renewed appreciation of this oily, healthy and unique fish. A few local grocers (including Central Co-op) will be carrying herring, and many of Seattle’s most beloved restaurants will be serving dishes that spotlight our forgotten friend. The entire week was conceived by Lexi of the Old Ballard Liquor Co., which will be serving up a herring board, complete with rye crisps and fresh-churned butter. Other standout spots include Joule (where I’ve yet to be disappointed) and Little Uncle (at its new spot) and Le Petit Cochon, which will feature herring escabache alongside seasonal digs like farm fresh peaches and tempura squash blossoms. Start eating herring — I personally can’t wait to tell my grandma in Wisconsin.
If you go: Northwest Herring Week, all around town, through June 26 (price varies)—N.C.
Wild Nearby
Many of us heed the call of the North Cascades at this time of year. But what if you crave the mountains but you’re tethered to the city? This new Burke exhibit, based on nature is the next best thing. Landscape photos, Upper Skagit Valley artifacts, a replica of a fire lookout (full-scale) and (stuffed) critters. Have you ever seen the claws on a wolverine? Totally fierce.
If you go: Wild Nearby, Burke Museum, Through Feb. 7 ($10)—F.D.
Chuck Klosterman
North Dakota farmboy turned music journalist turned cultural critic Chuck Klosterman comes to Seattle to read from his latest book, But What If We're Wrong: Thinking about the Present as if it were the Past. A few years ago, I saw him read from I Wear the Black Hat (a book all about villains from O.J. Simpson to the Eagles song “Take It Easy”). Like his writing, Klosterman is laugh aloud funny and thought-provoking. Writing cultural examinations, tinged with autobiography, his readings go down as easily as a bowl of Cocoa Puffs. Head to Elliott Bay’s cozy basement reading room to see Chuck Klosterman and in the meantime, here’s a review/reflection on the new book from a longtime Klosterman fan at the Portland Mercury.
If you go: Chuck Klosterman, Elliott Bay Book Company, 7 p.m. June 23 (Free)—N.C.
ENCORE!
After 35 years, the legendary Dennis Coleman delivers his final two concerts leading the Seattle Men’s Chorus and the Seattle Women’s Chorus this weekend: Pride Weekend. SMC and SWC concerts are always uplifting and emotional affairs. (You cry hearing the stories of survival; you laugh at the antics; you always leave a concert saying, "Yeah, I totally needed that"). This one — 400 voices against the backdrop of what has been a devastating month for the LGBTQ community — should be hands-down exceptional.
If you go: ENCORE! McCaw Hall, June 24-25 (Tickets start at $25)—F.D.
Graphic Masters: Dürer, Rembrandt, Hogarth, Goya, Picasso, R. Crumb
The marvel of this exhibit is both the quantity — more than 400 works — and the astonishing level of detail and precision captured in a range of printmaking techniques. Six artists are represented; woodblocks, engravings, etchings are all on display; a whole host of subject matter is tackled (do not miss Goya’s devastating critiques of the noble class). You will lose yourself in room upon room upon room of underground comic master R. Crumb. And if you don’t know your aquatint from your intaglio, there is a terrific illustrated printmaking techniques primer for the taking. You will be inspired.
If you go: Graphic Masters, Seattle Art Museum, Now through Aug. 28 ($19.95)—F.D.
