CONCERTS On new album July Flame, Portland folksinger Laura Veirs shares fond memories of summers in the Pacific Northwest—fireworks and peaches and such. She lights up the night with the Hall of Flames at Tractor Tavern. Aug 4.

Alt-country gal Jesse Sykes and guitarist Phil Wandscher enter new territory on their latest record, Marble Son, which explores the darkness and chaos of ’60s psychedelia and art metal. They celebrate the album’s release with the Sweet Hereafter at Showbox at the Market. Aug 4.

Things get funky (in a good way) when soul band Wheedle’s Groove plays a free Out to Lunch set at Westlake Park on Friday at noon. Aug 5.

Free outdoor shows + great local acts + beer garden = yes. Concerts at the Mural, the popular Friday-night series at Seattle Center’s Mural Amphitheatre, kicks off this weekend. Don’t miss the bonus all-day KEXP BBQ on Saturday. Aug 5-26.

VISUAL ART In Cara Barer’s new photography exhibit Overload, junk mail becomes a thing of beauty. See it at Foster/White Gallery. Aug 4-27.

Only a few days left to check out the progress of Mad Homes in North Capitol Hill, where five 100-year-old homes slated for demolition have been turned into public art projects. Thru Aug 7.

FILM See a new 35mm print of Scorsese classic Taxi Driver at Northwest Film Forum. Aug 5-11.

DANCE The “shiniest stars of the improv dance world”—including Seattle’s Cherdonna and Lou and the SaltHorse company—come together for two nights of Off the Cuff performance as part of the Seattle Festival of Dance Improvisation. Aug 4 & 5.

THEATER Strawberry Theatre Workshop is staging a really well-reviewed production of Cloud Nine, the 1979 sex farce that explores the taboos of the Victorian age and ends up in swingin’ London of the 1970s. Re-bar and Seattle Rep regular Nick Garrison directs at Erickson Theatre. Thru Aug 6.

SPECIAL EVENT Love it or hate it, Seafair (aka Seattle’s Fleet Week) is upon us. Keep an eye to the sky for the Blue Angels buzzing downtown and Lake Washington, and consider a tour of the massive naval assault ship (or is it a destroyer?) parked outside Anthony’s Fish Bar at Pier 66. Thru Aug 7.