by Jas Keimig
The sun is shining, flowers are blooming, and everything seems possible — it must be May! This month, the South End has a lot going on. You can check out Delbert Richardson’s traveling museum onstage or admire blue poppies or swill wine while discussing the illustrious career of Faith Ringgold. It’s also Mother’s Day, so don’t forget to plan something special for your mother and the mother figures in your life! Read on for more.
Think we missed something? Let us know at Arts@SeattleEmerald.org.
The Lion Tells His Tale
May 1-5
Intiman Theatre
801 East Pine St.
In this entirely local production, The Lion Tells His Tale takes the audience “on a journey of awakening as the brilliance, resistance, and resilience of Black people from Africa to the Americas is brought to life” through music, dance, and spoken word. The show features Delbert Richardson’s award-winning American History Traveling Museum!
Kubota Garden Spring Plant Sale
May 4, 9 a.m.–3 p.m.
Kubota Garden
9817 55th Ave. S.
As we are emerging out of winter, many of us (ok maybe just me!!) have to say goodbye to plants that we perhaps forgot to water or who couldn’t survive the winter cold, dry, and malaise. No matter! Give your plant remains back to the earth, then head over to the Kubota Garden Spring Plant Sale, where they say they have “a huge selection of interesting and attractive shrubs – flowering, colorful foliage, for sun or for shade.”
El Centro de la Raza’s 17th Annual Cinco de Mayo Celebration
May 4, 11 a.m.–6 p.m.
El Centro de la Raza’s Plaza Roberto Maestas
2524 16th Ave. S.
Now in its 17th year, El Centro de la Raza’s Cinco de Mayo celebration is a moment to celebrate the richness of Mexican heritage and culture. The day will consist of food, raffles, kids activities, and vendors. You can expect live performances from Folklore Mexicano Tonantzin, Joyas Mestizas, Ally Nova, Vozess Singers Show, and Los Rebeldes de la Cueca. There will also be a parade organized by the José Martí Child Development Center. Take the light rail if you can, as there is limited parking!
Beacon Arts Street Fairs Kickoff
May 11, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Roberto Maestas Festival Street & Beacon Hill Light Rail Plaza & Centilia Cultural Center
It’s spring, which means the Beacon Arts Street Fairs are kicking off! Every second Saturday from this month through September, you can come through to Beacon Hill and check out excellent live music, the South End Public Market, the Beacon Hill Garden Club, dancing, and more family-friendly activities.
Seattle Art Book Fair
May 11–12
Washington Hall
153 14th Ave.
One of my favorite events of spring is the Seattle Art Book Fair. There’s always an interesting mix of book makers and presses from Seattle and across the country. They’ve set up a lot of fun programs, like a comics reading from A.T. Pratt, a panel on how to resource-pool for independent publishers, a workshop with Seattle Walk Report, and a guided street tree walk with Taha Ebrahimi. Come, and bring cash!
Mother’s Day Matinée with Seattle Women’s Jazz Orchestra, Featuring Dee Daniels
May 12, 2 p.m.
Benaroya Hall
200 University St.
Moms love jazz. So this Mother’s Day, you should take your mom to a matinée showing of the Seattle Women’s Jazz Orchestra, featuring the beautiful vocal stylings of Dee Daniels. Better than brunch!
Anastacia-Reneé with Gary Copeland Lilley — ‘Here in the (Middle) of Nowhere’
May 16, 7 p.m.
Third Place Books Seward Park
5041 Wilson Ave. S.
Seattle is once again blessed by Anastacia-Reneé’s presence, as the lauded poet, author, and artist will be in conversation with poet and musician Gary Copeland Lilley at Third Place Books Seward Park on May 16. Anastacia-Reneé is here to talk about her new book Here in the (Middle) of Nowhere, a hybrid collection of poetry, micro-flash fiction, and sci-fi exploring the idea: What if god was a Black woman in a town? And multiple universes in the middle of nowhere? Fun!
Lil Wayne
May 17, 8 p.m.
Tacoma Dome
2727 East D St., Tacoma 98421
Weezy F Baby, baby! The iconic rapper is rolling through the Tacoma Dome on May 17 with Kennewick duo Kash and King, DDG, and YngSolomon opening. Need I say more?
Seven Star Kung Fu Carnival & Bazaar
May 18, 12:30 p.m.
The Valley School
3016 E. Thomas St.
Seven Star Kung Fu is hosting a carnival and bazaar with tons of games, raffles, demonstrations, and food. Pick up a ticket over on its website.
Blue Poppy Day 2023
May 18, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden
2525 S. 336th St., Federal Way 98003
Blue poppies seem like flowers that should grow on the surface of Mars or some other distant alien planet — a delicate mix of ocean blue and violet with bright-yellow pollen right in the center. Luckily, you actually don’t have to leave the atmosphere to get a look at these bad boys — the Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden has a whole meadow of these in-bloom Himalayan blue poppies for your viewing pleasure. In addition to viewing them, there will also be musical performances, an art market, and a food truck, as well as tons of plants for sale (including some Himalayan blue poppies!).
BIPOC Book Fair
May 19, 12–3 p.m.
SPL Douglass-Truth Branch Meeting Room
2300 E. Yesler Way
You can never have too many books written by and centering BIPOC voices and experiences. That’s why the Carl Brandon Society is putting on a BIPOC Book Fair replete with children’s books written by authors of color and about People of Color. Every child and teen who attends will receive a free book of their choosing, and there will be local BIPOC authors on-site who will meet attendees and sign books.
Perfect Pairing
May 21, 6–8 p.m.
Wa Na Wari
911 24th Ave.
Last month, we lost an art giant — Faith Ringgold. Her paintings and mixed-media sculptures captured Black life and experience in a way unlike any other. Come through to Wa Na Wari to sip on Washington reds and learn more about Ringgold’s work and life.
Massive Monkees Day
May 25–27
Various locations
The Beacon Hill-born and world-renowned hip-hop dance crew Massive Monkees is celebrating its 25th year with three whole days of events. On May 25, there will be dance prelims and workshops at The Beacon that will continue into the next day. On May 26, Massive Monkees is hosting its main event at the Neptune, featuring dance competitors from around the world, battling it out and showing their stuff. And on Monday, there will be a massive break challenge at the Armory Center with a barbecue and jam session following at Jefferson Park.
Honoring Our Black Wall Streets
May 27, 1–7 p.m.
Central District
23rd Ave. S. and South Jackson Street
The Africatown Community Land Trust is organizing a giant celebration of Black commercial centers throughout the country by hosting a Black Wall Street of its own. There will be over 100 Black-owned businesses on-site as well as music, food, guest speakers, live performances, and more.
Mini Powwow: Fostering Current and Future Generations
May 31, 4–9 p.m.
Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center
5011 Bernie Whitebear Way
On May 31, the United Indians of All Tribes Foundation Foster Care Program is hosting its annual powwow at Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center, featuring drums and dance, food, craft and resource venders, and cradle board demonstrations, as well as a make-and-take station. The Grand Entry kicks off at 4:30 p.m. with traditional dinner at 5 p.m., and retiring colors at 8:30 p.m.
Jas Keimig is a writer and critic based in Seattle. They previously worked on staff at The Stranger, covering visual art, film, music, and stickers. Their work has also appeared in Crosscut, South Seattle Emerald, i-D, Netflix, and The Ticket. They also co-write Unstreamable for Scarecrow Video, a column and screening series highlighting films you can’t find on streaming services. They won a game show once.
📸 Featured Image: “The Lion Tells His Tale” at Intiman Theatre is one of the many amazing things happening this month around the city. (Photo by Joe Moore, courtesy of Intiman Theatre.)
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