Visual Art

Bren Ahearn: Strategies for Survival

Rather than pull on the threads of societal notions of masculinity in order to unravel them, needlepoint artist Bren Ahearn manipulates them to create his own subversive message in Strategies for Survival. With a wit as sharp as his needle, Ahearn creates small samplers that look like childhood educational charts but read like the diary of a sensitive boy: “I guess the flowered lunch box was the wrong accessory choice,” attributed to a six-year-old Bren, for example. The intricate embroideries manage to be humorous, personal, and powerful.
June 10–Jan 31 Bellevue Arts Museum, bellevuearts.org

Theater

Stick Fly at Intiman Theatre Festival

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.
Thru June 19 Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute, intiman.org

Concert

Dennis Coleman's Final Encore

For 36 years, Dennis Coleman guided some of our city’s most serene voices as the artistic director and conductor for Seattle Men’s Chorus. Not only has the collective maintained a level of musical excellence during his tenure, but SMC also served an important role as a beacon for Seattle’s gay artistic community dating back to the late 1970s. The Seattle Men’s and Women’s Choruses honor Coleman’s legacy with Encore!, a collection of his greatest choral moments and the final concert under his direction.
June 24 & 25 McCaw Hall, seattlechoruses.org

Food & Drink

Washington Brewer’s Festival

Does dad really want breakfast in bed and another tie for Father’s Day (June 19)? Or might he prefer a trip to Marymoor Park for the annual Washington Brewer’s Festival? With more than 400 beers crafted by 105 breweries from across the state, there’s no more plentiful bevy of brews around. And thanks to the all-ages activities, root beer garden, and live music, the old man can still spend the day with the whole family.
June 17–19 Marymoor Park, washingtonbeer.com

Comedy

Broken Lizard

Don’t expect a typical comedy club experience when Steve Lemme and Kevin Heffernan of Broken Lizard, the comedy troupe behind Super Troopers and Beerfest, head to Bellevue. The duo’s live show mixes traditional standup, behind-the-scenes storytelling, and Broken Lizard trivia for a festive evening of humor. Maybe they’ll even share details about Super Troopers 2, which should get a theatrical release date anytime meow. 
June 16–18 Parlor Live Comedy Club, parlorlive.com

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Check our events calendar for a comprehensive look at what’s happening in and around Seattle.