Today's picks for civic nerds.

For Friday

The Mayoral Film Series

The politics nerds at PubliCola have teamed up with the film nerds at Northwest Film Forum to put on a civic film fest over the 4th of July weekend.

We asked the mayoral candidates to introduce their favorite political movie, explaining why their pick packs such a political punch for them.

NWFF has all the details, including which candidate picked a prison escape movie starring Steve McQueen and Dustin Hoffman.

Mayor Mike McGinn kicks off the series on Friday night at 8 with his pick, To Kill a Mockingbird. 

Friday July 5-8,  Northwest Film Forum, 1515 12th Ave. 

In Search of Sustainability

Follow the story of Mandy Creighton and Ryan Mlynarczyk as they leave their corporate jobs and “bike-pack” across the country in search of a sustainable community to call home. Their film "Within Reach" documents their journey and the (more than 20,000!) people they meet along the way.

Directly after the screening, the audience will have the chance to hear from the filmmaker, Amanda Creighton, and Grace Kim, architect and cohousing advocate with Schemata Workshop, an architecture firm focused on community-based urban design.

"Within Reach" Journey to Find Sustainable Community, July 5, 7-9:30pm, Keystone Congregational United Church of Christ, 5019 Keystone Place N, free (donations accepted)

For Thursday

Fireworks at Gas Works

Come celebrate the Independence Day with half of Seattle at the Seafair Summer Fourth. The annual all-day celebration at Gas Works Park, hosted by the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Seafair, will be broadcast on KIRO 7.Other festivities include live performances, a pie-eating contest, gunny sack races, hula hoop and tug-of-war contests.

Seafair Summer Fourth, Thurs, July 4, Noon-11pm, Gas Works Park, 2101 N Northlake Way, free. 

For Wednesday

Stars, Stripes, and a Symphony

Get a head start on Independence Day at Benaroya Hall's free Star Spangled Spectacular concert, featuring soloists, singalongs, and the Seattle Wind Symphony. 

Star Spangled Spectacular, Wed, July 3, 7:30pm, S. Mark Taper Foundation Auditorium, Benaroya Hall, 200 University St, free but tickets are required. Tickets available while supplies last at the ticket office (Third Ave. and Union St).

Want to see your nerdy event featured on the PubliCalendar?
Send the details to Carryn at publicalendar@seattlemet.com