Met Picks: Blue Scholars, SAM Party in the Park, and 4 Kinds of Fests

Photo: Laura Dannen.
Belly dancers, stilt walkers, elaborate floats, and naked bicyclists weave through Fremont in the 2009 Solstice Parade.
FUNDRAISER Yes, entry into Friday night’s SAM Party in the Park in Olympic Sculpture Park is steeper than a typical Remix ticket ($75 versus $20), but the price covers plenty. You’ll hear live sets by local bands the Paperboys, Curtains for You, the Lumineers, and (my personal favorite) Hey Marseilles, plus a DJ set by Dave Hernandez of the Shins. There are art interventions, a half-dozen food trucks (Maximus/Minimus!), beer, wine, etc. Plus: Proceeds support Seattle Art Museum. Should I even mention the weather forecast for tomorrow? The number “70” comes to mind. June 17.
THEATER IN HD Finally, we get to see Neil Patrick Harris and Stephen Colbert do Sondheim. The Lincoln Center musical revival of Company comes to a movie theater near us for a limited engagement. June 16, 19 & 21.
DANCE Experience the experimental dance, theater, puppetry, and film of On the Boards’ Northwest New Works Festival, now in its second and final weekend. Thru June 19.
CLASSICAL After 26 years leading the Seattle Symphony, Gerard Schwarz conducts the final concerts of his farewell season. On the program: Mahler’s Second Symphony and Philip Glass’s Harmonium Mountain. June 16 & 18.
FESTIVALS Summer fest fever has officially inflicted the city: This weekend alone, you can sip from five different espresso bars at the Northwest Coffee Festival (June 18 & 19); sample any of the 200 local beers at the Washington Brewers Festival (June 17-19); admire the painted freewheeling flesh of the Solstice Parade and Fremont Fair (June 18 & 19); and picnic with the Seattle Out and Proud community during Seattle Pride Festival (June 19 picnic, fest thru June 26).
CONCERT Check out the latest music video from Seattle’s hip-hop trendsetters, Blue Scholars, and celebrate the release of their new album Cinemetropolis at Neumos all weekend. Tickets are still available. June 17 & 18.
FILM In 2010, a Tim Burton–led jury at Cannes Film Festival awarded top honors to Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives, the fantastical journey of a Thai farmer. It’s at NW Film Forum for a special two-week run. June 17-30.
SPORTS Dare we say it: Ichiro has his swing back, and top prospect Dustin Ackley has been called up to make his major league debut on Friday when the Mariners take on the Phillies at Safeco. Sounds like a battle (and the perfect Father’s Day outing) to me. June 17-19.
TV Have you been following AMC’s The Killing (and our recaps?). Then you’re as excited as we are about this weekend’s season finale. So who really killed Rosie Larsen? Sun at 10pm.
Last chance…
VISUAL ART Get one more glimpse of the ceiling-high giantess, weeble-wobble skirt, and other “whimsically disturbing” pieces by Seattle performing arts troupe Degenerate Art Ensemble at the Frye. Thru June 19.