Humble beginnings

Tweaking the tunes

• Slack Key Guitar — an indigenous folk style with complex, layered melodies
• Jawaiian — Hawaiian reggae
• Hula music — chants associated with the dance

Personal connection

• AweSUMM Math Space | Tuesday, May 23 | 3:30-5:30 p.m. | Skyway Library, 12601 76th Ave. S., Seattle | Free | Bring the kids for puzzles, games, and other hands-on activities focused on math-related art projects — all ages welcome.
• Stars On Ice | Tuesday, May 23 | 7 p.m. | Climate Pledge Arena, 334 First Ave. N., Seattle | $35-$180 | Check out Olympic champ Nathan Chen and an international cast of ice skating all-stars as they twirl, spin, and wow the crowd.

• “Les Misérables” | Wednesday, May 24-Saturday, June 17 | Times vary | The Fifth Avenue Theatre, 1308 Fifth Ave., Seattle | $50-$150 | “Do you hear the people sing?” It’s the iconic, Tony Award-winning Broadway musical touring in Seattle.
• Seattle Arts & Lectures Presents: Local Voices | Wednesday, May 24 | 7-8:30 p.m. | Lapis Theater, 1634 11th Ave., Seattle | Free | This monthly reading series highlights writers who are also educators at local schools.

• Ancient Drumming Workshop | Friday, May 26 | 5-8 p.m. | Teatro de la Psychomachia, 1534 First Ave. S., Seattle | $130 | Learn about viking, medieval, and other long-ago percussion styles from Jacob Lund, member of the band Heilung from Denmark.
• Blind Beer Tasting | Friday, May 26 | 6-7:30 p.m. | Ladd & Lass Brewing, 722 NE 45th St., Seattle | Free | Join the brewers as they talk through tasting techniques and styles, and help you identify beers without peeking.

• Open Script Reads | Saturday, May 27 | 12-2 p.m. | Northwest Film Forum, 1515 12th Ave., Seattle | Free | Submit 10 pages of your own scripts — if you’re so bold — for a live table-read and feedback forum with other screenwriters.
• Massive Monkees Day | Saturday, May 27 | 12-8 p.m. | Pier 62, 1951 Alaskan Way, Seattle | Free | Seattle’s top breakdancing crew is hosting a cash prize competition and battling it out for a spot in the 2024 Summer Olympics.

• The Seattle School Board recently approved the district’s budget plan for next year. To cover part of a $131 million shortfall, officials will dip into a rainy day fund. However, steep cuts and potential school consolidation are still on the table to address longer term budget issues. (KUOW)

• The Mariners, Major League Baseball, and the City of Seattle announced the 2023 All-Star Legacy initiative, seeking to help local youth sports and community college students. The entities’ combined $2 million commitment will go toward renovations at Rainier Playfield, grants to community sports leagues, and other efforts.

• Fremont Brewing just debuted an IPA without any alcohol, billed as the first nonalcoholic craft beer in Washington. This IPA is closer to a true beer than “hop waters” which Fremont and other Seattle breweries have produced. It should be arriving at local grocery stores now. (Seattle Met)

• Good news for vacationers. The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) changed its summer schedule for Hood Canal Bridge repairs to accommodate travelers. WSDOT will try to keep the bridge between Jefferson and Kitsap counties open during peak travel times for as many weekends as possible, weather permitting. (My Northwest)

• Yesterday, the Swedish Ballard hospital campus opened its main entrance for the first time in three years, marking the occasion with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The entrance was closed for safety reasons during the pandemic, but its reopening should now allow for easier access to the facilities. (MyBallard)

• Damaged goods? A guitar that Nirvana’s Kurt Cobain once smashed on stage recently sold for ~$600,000 at auction. The famous Fender Stratocaster has been reconstructed, but is still covered in chips and scratches. The buyer remains anonymous. (Seattle Times)

• Soak up that sun, Eastsiders. Bellevue has launched its outdoor dining program, which allows local restaurants to expand seating onto sidewalks and streets through mid-September. This year, spots like Bis on Main and Fern Thai will join the program that has been running since 2020. (Downtown Bellevue Network)

• Fremont Community School will open a new daycare center in Wallingford on Thursday, June 1. The Sycamore Childcare Center plans to offer a play-based program for infants through age three that’s open 10 hours a day, five days a week. It will also serve mostly vegetarian and vegan snacks. (Wallyhood)

• The Washington Huskies softball team just made us go whoa. On Sunday, the team was down by a whopping six runs in the final inning to McNeese before coming back to win. They’ll play in the best-of-three Super Regionals against Louisiana starting Friday, May 26 at 7 p.m., airing on ESPN2.

• And that’s a wrap — the winners of the Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF) have been announced. Norway’s “Dancing Queen” took away the coveted Audience Award for Best Film. You can still stream many of the SIFF movies online through Sunday, May 28. (The Stranger)

• A Seattleite in the Guiness Book of World Records for rowing across the Atlantic in 2006 is saying goodbye to the boat that made the journey. Jordan Hanssen and his buds will take the old boat over to Port Townsend on Tuesday, May 30 for the Race to Alaska and give it a proper send-off. (Seattle Times)

• Contemplating an e-bike purchase? Upway — the No. 1 certified e-bike provider — sells top-quality electric bikes up to 60% cheaper than retail. Shop top e-bike brands in new or like-new condition. Bonus: Your bike will ship right to your door, so you can immediately experience the sheer joy of effortless travel.*