CONCERTS

Sun, May 29
The Good Life, La Sera, and Tancred
Can’t make it to Sasquatch! Festival, but still want an excellent indie rock fix? Check out the triple bill of the Good Life, La Sera, and Tancred. With the so much talent hoarded at the Gorge, it’s rare to get such a stellar Seattle show over Memorial Day weekend. The Good Life serves as a softer, stripped down outlet for Cursive frontman Tim Kasher to experiment. La Sera (the wife-husband duo of Katy Goodman and Todd Wisenbaker) possess an unparalleled knack for crafting sunny surf rock tunes, but explores twangier ground on its new Ryan Adams-produced Music for Listening to Music to (Wisenbaker was also the guitarist for Adam’s 1989). And Tancred only released one best album of 2016 so far (Out of the Garden). Plus, how often can you rock out on a Sunday and not have to worry about the Monday repercussions (thanks, national holiday)? Barboza, $15

Thur, May 26
Merle Haggard Memorial Night
In a year tragically packed with legendary musical losses, the country world’s biggest hit came when Merle Haggard died in April. With many chart topping singles and a ballad worthy story, Haggard and his band the Strangers helped to create the edgier Bakersfield sound, which contrasted with narrow lush tones of the era’s predominant Nashville style. Seattle celebrates the life of this country icon at Neumos with a night of his best tunes performed by Country Lips, the Ramblin’ Years, Ole Tinder, Tyler Edwards, Silver Torches, and Lonely Mountain Lovers. Neumos, $6 

THEATER

May 26–June 19
Intiman Theater Festival: Stick Fly
In order to move conversations forward, marginalized voices need to be heard. To that end, this year’s Intiman Theatre Festival focuses on plays by black female playwrights. Things get under way with Lydia R. Diamond’s dramedy Stick Fly, which also marks Intiman’s first production at Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute. When two affluent black brothers bring their girlfriends to meet the parents at their family vacation house, relaxation gives way to familial tension centered around class, race, and hidden secrets. Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute, $20–$40

THE SPORTING LIFE

Fri, May 27
Mariners Bomber Hat Night: Seattle Mariners vs. Minnesota Twins
While Mariners currently sit atop the AL West standings, the club still has a losing record at home (10–11). Hopefully that trends ends this weekend, as the M's host the worst team in baseball, the Minnesota Twins. Anything less than a sweep would be kind of disappointing. The series gets underway on Friday as Felix Hernadez takes the mound on Mariners Bomber Hat Night. Because what says the start of summer better than a big (faux) furry winter hat? Safeco Field, $24–$500

SPECIAL EVENTS

Fri, May 27
Oh, You Pretty Things! A David Bowie and Glam Rock Dance Party
Blast off to the rocking realm of Ziggy Stardust as SIFF hosts Oh, You Pretty Things! A David Bowie and Glam Rock Dance Party at the Neptune. The event honor the late David Bowie with sing-a-long music videos, Bowie burlesque, and music from tribute band Bowie Vision. Dress in your finest glam chic and prepare to dance the night away. Neptune Theatre, $15 (Free for SIFF platinum pass holders)

May 27–30
Northwest Folklife Festival
There’s no better way to soak in the diversity of cultural traditions that exist in our region than by attending Northwest Folklife Festival. The Memorial Day tradition offers immense entertainment on the cheap (see: free, but donations encouraged) with both modern and traditional ethnic music, dance, arts and crafts, and more. Seattle Center, Free (suggested $10 donation)

May 27–30
Sasquatch! Music Festival
Days off work are precious, but for 15 years Sasquatch! Music Festival has given Northwest music fans ample reason to sacrifice their Memorial Day weekends. This year’s loaded lineup at the Gorge continues that worthwhile tradition with diverse headliners including the Cure, Alabama Shakes, A$AP Rocky, and Disclosure; exciting upstarts like Leon Bridges, Speedy Ortiz, and Bully; plenty local favorites; and a great slate of comedians. Gorge Amphitheatre, $350–$1,300

MUSEUMS

Thru July 11
Imagined Futures
Nothing has inspired more stories than just simply looking up to the stars and wondering are we alone? What else could be out there? Imagined Futures, a new exhibit drawing from Paul Allen extensive sci-fi collection, hopes to answer these questions and inspire more thought as it brings together an array of both modern and vintage pieces that demonstrate the complex realm where science and art collide. The pieces on display range from artwork by Ansel Adams and Max Ernst to models of rockets from films like Silent Running and Destination Moon. Pivot Art + Culture, $5

May 28–Sept 11
Art of the Brick
There’s more to Lego than Star Wars play sets and ear-piercing yelps of parents stepping barefoot on their kids’ scattered bricks. Artist Nathan Sawaya transforms the toys into huge, stunning sculptures in Art of the Brick. White he sometimes goes for spectacles with pieces like his 20-foot T. rex skeleton, Sawaya also taps into the darkness of human psyche with jarring block figures that crumble and tear themselves apart. Pacific Science Center, $29

FILM

May 29 & June 4
SIFF 2016: Lo and Behold, Reveries of the Connected World
To be honest, we could probably listen to German documentary director Werner Herzog (Grizzly Man) pontificate about socks and still be riveted. His narrations’ one-of-a-kind mix of utter bleakness and wonder always have us hanging on every word. Herzog turns his gaze to the Internet and technological advances with Lo and Behold, Reveries of the Connected World. There’s no one we’d rather see attempting to wrap his head around technological advances and (likely) theorizing how they will lead to humanity’s undoing. Lincoln Square Cinemas & SIFF Cinema Uptown, $13

May 26–30
SIFF 2016: Contemporary Color
David Byrne has some far out ideas. Case in point: Contemporary Color is an arena concert film about ceremonial flag spinning. A few years ago, former Talking Heads frontman became fascinated by high school color guard teams and hatched a plan to combine some of the Northeast’s best teams with his musician friends. The culmination of the project was Contemporary Color, a two-night showcase at Brooklyn’s Barklays Center last June where artists including Byrne, St. Vincent, Tune-Yards, Lucius, and Nelly Furtado performed songs written specifically for the troops’ live performances. The film version of Contemporary Color surprisingly takes this spectacle event and focuses on the inherent intimacy of the proceedings. Their routines mix the advanced flag elements with grand theatricality and modern dance touches. While the movie might be a drag for those that don’t enjoy the songs, the undercurrent of sweet, genuine emotion throughout keeps things compelling even after the thousandth rifle spin and flag twirl. McCaw Hall, $13