CONCERTS

Sat, Aug 8
Taylor Swift
Think of Swift’s stadium show as couples’ therapy. No matter what problems you and your significant other might be facing, it probably can’t match the drama per square inch of Swift hits like “I Knew You Were Trouble,” “Mean,” and “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together.” You’re doing just fine by comparison. CenturyLink Field, $118

Thur, Aug 6
Boyz II Men and Brian McKnight
It’s hard to top the musical sensuality of Boyz II Men and Brain McKnight’s smooth R&B. It’s the perfect soundtrack to set the mood as long as you’re sensible enough to not ruin things by gambling away too much at Tulalip’s casino before the show. Tulalip Resort Casino, Sold out

Aug 6–8
Pizza Fest VI
Summer’s annual sweaty celebration of punk, pizza, and garage rock returns for another year of grease-fueled goodness. Pizza Fest VI relocates to the Funhouse and Chop Suey and features the nasty girls of Childbirth, rabbit-mask adorned rocker Nobunny, Portland’s Mean Jeans, and loads more noisemakers ready to bring the heat. Chop Suey and Funhouse, $8–$15; Festival pass $30

Fri, Aug 7
La Luz: 'Weirdo Shrine' Release Show
The sounds of summer keep getting sweeter as Seattle’s premier surf rock band—La Luz—releases its second LP, Weirdo Shrine. The Ty Segall-produced album features more of the group’s signature warm buzz with dark undercurrents. In order to make Weirdo Shrine’s release show a party everyone can attend, the band is selling tickets for only $5. To put that in very real terms, La Luz basically is willing to (likely) lose money on the concert (the Showbox ain’t cheap) in order to get you to go. Don’t miss out on joining the bash and being part of La Luz’s dance river (you’ll understand when you get there).. The Showbox, $5

Fri, Aug 8
Alabama Shakes
Even in an age of diminished music sales, it’s heartening to see an outlier break pop’s stranglehold on the top of the charts. Despite lacking any Billboard Top 100 singles, roots rock band Alabama Shakes’s latest album—Sound and Color—debuted at #1 in April. The power in Brittany Howard’s booming voice could derail a freight train, and it helps make Alabama Shakes one of the best live acts around. Marymoor Park, Sold out

Fri, Aug 9
Ziggy Marley
The first family of reggae continues its illustrious legacy as Ziggy Marley heads to Woodland Park Zoo with his good-times aura. Following in the legendary footsteps of his father, Bob, Ziggy has captured six Grammy awards for Best Reggae Album, including the past two In Concert and Fly Rasta. Woodland Park Zoo, Sold out

SPECIAL EVENTS

Fri, Aug 7
South Lake Union Block Party
Prepare for more music than ever before at the latest edition of South Lake Union Block Party. The free festivities include performances by Seattle favorites THEESatisfaction, Kithkin, and Tomo Nakayama in addition to annual non-sonic favorites like burger grilling, lawn games, and the beer garden. South Lake Union, Free

Sat, Aug 8
Asian Wildlife Conservation Day
School may not be in session, but there are still plenty of opportunities for field trips. Take the young ’uns to Woodland Park Zoo’s Asian Wildlife Day for a plethora of educational activities (keeper talks, etc.) and straight-up fun (face painting!). Woodland Park Zoo, $20 (children $12)

Thru Aug 8
The International
Esports (aka professional video gaming) have officially arrived. While traditionalists will decry the legitimacy of these competitions as sports, pro gamers have found their way to ESPN airwaves and top players earn millions . Seattle’s Valve celebrates the fifth anniversary of one of esports fiercest yearly face-offs—Dota 2’s championship, the International—with intense magical battles and a prize pool of well over $14 million. If you’re one of many without a ticket, don’t worry—you can stream the matches live from home. KeyArena, Sold out (streaming at dota2.com)

FILM

Opens Aug 6
The End of the Tour
As the writer and Rolling Stone reporter David Lipsky (Jesse Eisenberg) and author David Foster Wallace (Jason Segel) travel the Midwest together on the final days of Infinite Jest’s 1996 book tour, they engage in stirringly profound conversation about the nature of writing, relationships, and depression. While The End of the Tour presents itself as “the David Foster Wallace movie,” it’s actually a film about Lipsky struggling to validate his own place as a writer through the contextual lens of Wallace. Lipsky wants the acclaim and adulation Wallace has, and his steadfast drive to prove himself ends up derailing the best conversation he’ll ever have. SIFF Cinema Egyptian/Sundance Cinemas/Lincoln Square Cinemas, $9–$12

Fri, Aug 7
Three Dollar Bill Cinema’s Bedtime Stories: The Princess Bride
Rob Reiner’s 1987 fantasy-comedy-adventure classic The Princess Bride is the first installment in Three Dollar Bill Cinema’s Bedtime Stories series. Bring a chair, snacks, and friends and prepare for the inevitable re-quoting of “My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die.” and “Inconceivable!” for weeks to come. Cal Anderson Park, Free

OUT OF TOWN

Aug 6–9
Summer Meltdown Festival
As the chillest music festival around, Summer Meltdown eschews big mainstream names for a rootsy lineup filled with jam bands (Galactic), instrumental electronic rock (STS9), reggae (Iration), bluegrass (Greensky Bluegrass), and danceable techno (Tycho). Whitehorse Mountain Amphitheater, Darrington, $60–$90; Festival pass $200

Aug 6–10
Doe Bay Festival
Sure, music festivals are fun, but most are overcrowded messes of humanity that leave attendees completely exhausted. Enter Doe Bay Festival. The Orcas Island resort hosts the ultimate escapist music festival, where you can relax and soak in the scenery while listening to artists like Champagne Champagne, Motopony, and Bryan John Appleby. Doe Bay Resort and Retreat, Sold out