The big event this weekend is, of course, the Seafair Weekend Festivals. The Blue Angels have been practicing for the air show, the hydroplanes are getting ready to rip through the water, plus live music, lots of tasty treats to eat, and if you are looking to save on tickets, Friday is Free Friday. All the fun is going down at Genesee Park and runs through the weekend. Get tickets and details .

If you are one of the many 12s who are excited about Training Camp being back, hang out with your fellow fans and play some football-themed games and more at the ! There will also be bounce houses and more fun for you and the family. This is going down Saturday at Lumen Field.

In Lake City, it is time for the There will be live music and not one, not two, but three parades. There will also be craft vendors, food trucks, a car show, and more fun for the family. There will also be live music near the Lake City Library, and the Festival is free to attend.

Also in the world of summer festivals, is here. Three days of live music, food, drinks, vendors, parades … the list just keeps going. You can even start your Saturday and Sunday with some exercise. All the action is going down at the Magnolia Playfield. Get the whole schedule and more details right .

In Bellevue, you can check out the , which is a celebration of cultures from around the world, with performances, food, and activities from around the world. Best of all, it is free and family-friendly. The festival is Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. at Crossroads Park.

While we want to focus on the fun stuff and not say the words kids dread, “back-to-school,” but at the Washington State Fair Expo Hall in Puyallup, you can save some money at the . According to the event page, there will be savings on clothes, shoes, toys, books, and plenty more, all for 50-90% off retail prices. The event is free to attend, but you can buy tickets for early shopping. The sale runs through the weekend.

Learn about the world of professional kite flying while also flying your own during the in University Place. This festival runs Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and there will be kite demonstrations, inflatables, food trucks, vendors, and plenty more family fun. Plus, 250 kites will be given away each day, or you can buy a kite kit to make your own.

We’ve got lots of sports action going on this weekend, as the new-look are in town and look to gain ground in the playoff race with a big weekend series against the Texas Rangers. The are in action tonight at Climate Pledge against the Los Angeles Sparks and Sunday against the Indiana Fever. Sorry, no Caitlin Clark as she is still recovering from injury. On the pitch this weekend, takes on Angel City FC Friday at 7:30 p.m., and the play Club Santos Laguna on Sunday as part of the Leagues Cup.

How are you making the most of what is left of your summer? Let me know, paulh@kiroradio.com.

Read more of Paul Holden’s stories here.

Seattle’s summer weekend events:

The Seattle SeaFair continues to ramp up and one of the hallmark events is this Saturday, ! According to the event’s website, the parade has returned to its roots with a nighttime start and a new parade route.

The new route goes along the Seattle Waterfront, starting at 7:30 p.m. There will be a pre-parade run while spectators can start lining up at 6 p.m. It’s free and open to the public.

Pier 58 reopens

Also, along the waterfront, , and there is a celebration today from 4 to 8 p.m. The pier adds around 50,000 square feet of park space with a family-friendly focus, including the new marine-themed playground and an elevated lawn space.

The opening celebration is free and open to the public. Attendees are encouraged to dance, play, and come dressed in marine-themed attire. Local mascots will also be in attendance.

Local artists featured in Bellevue Arts Festival

The weekend is here. Highlighting upwards of 350 artists using more than 20 different artistic mediums, including traditional painting, jewelry, and printmaking, but also newer forms like 3D mixed media. There will also be plenty of food vendors, family-friendly activities, live music, and special programming at the Bellevue Art Museum!

Grab a bite to eat in Seattle

If you want to see all the great food that Seattle has to offer, the Seattle Center is where you will want to be. is here, and I bet you can smell the food already! More than 300 food and retail vendors will take over the center, serving up tasty dishes from around the world.

While you enjoy your food, you can watch three days of live music. There will be beer and wine gardens, cider tasting, and they’ll have everything you can think of when it comes to the world of food. The Bite of Seattle event is free to attend, but vendors will be charging for their food.

Sunset film showings at Cal Anderson

There are a couple of free movies this weekend. The Rocky Horror Picture Show is being shown at Cal Anderson Park tonight as part of the . Ratatouille is being shown at the Mural Amphitheater, and for both movies, you are encouraged to bring your own chairs and blankets. The films will start once the sun begins to set.

The Northwest Film Forum is also hosting the throughout the weekend. Day passes and weekend passes are available.

Renton’s annual River Days

Over in Renton, enjoy a weekend on the river for There will be a drone show, a concert, a parade, and tons of summer fun for you and the family. There will also be an all-ages chalk art competition and a Rubber Ducky Derby on Sunday!

Free admission options

If you are looking for free fun to do with the family this weekend that involves getting outside, there will be a beach shore stroll along Olympic Sculpture Park today from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., with the lowest tide at approximately 11:52 a.m. Naturalists will be there to answer questions and show you how much is happening along our shores.

Also, this weekend is a bicycle weekend here in Seattle. A portion of Lake Washington Boulevard will be closed to motor vehicles from 10 a.m. Saturday to 6 p.m. Sunday, giving you a perfect route for a weekend ride along the water.

How are you enjoying the summer? Remember to plan ahead for traffic and to let me know about the cool stuff going on in your neighborhood by emailing me at paulh@kiroradio.com.

Read more of Paul Holden’s stories here.

Once inside, we got to see the incredible glasswork and other pieces of art collected in specific rooms designed by Chihuly. I didn’t really think about glassblowing much until seeing the show “Blown Away” on Netflix. Through that show, you are shown firsthand just how difficult, demanding, and rewarding the world of glass blowing can be, and how hours of work can be shattered with one wrong move or one bad break.

During the hottest day of the summer, glassblowers were hard at work showing off their skills for those who gathered in the hot shop. That’s when I got to talk to Mimi Carter, Chihuly Studio’s vice president of marketing and sales.

Looking at Dale Chihuly’s glassblowing journey

“Dale [Chihuly] grew up in Tacoma and then went to school at University of Washington, but he also went to school at University of Wisconsin-Madison and Rhode Island School of Design (RISD),” Carter explained. “He taught at RISD for 11 years, as well as in Maine, but when he came back, he wanted to essentially create an opportunity here in Seattle.”

And create opportunities he has. Through his work and the work of his team, Chihuly has become a common name in the world of art, especially here in Washington.

“He co-founded the Pilchuck Glass School after he had taught in New England because he really felt that we needed something like that here,” Carter shared. “It’s now become an international art center there in Stanwood, Washington. You can now see his art at the Museum of Glass, Union Station, and the Tacoma Museum of Art. You can obviously see it at Chihuly Garden and Glass. It’s not only been a contemporary art form that really began here, but it’s just continued to increase, I think, because of his mentorship and influence.”

Through his mentorship and creative vision, he has helped glassblowing thrive here by creating and using resources for artists.

“Dale was fortunate enough to have a Fulbright Fellowship, and with that fellowship, he wrote 100 letters to 100 different factories around the world, and the only one that said yes was the Venini factory, but that gave him the opportunity to go study with these masters in Murano, Italy,” Carter said. “It’s those types of experiences that are transformative, that artists really need in order to propel their career forward.”

Local glassblowing programs

I think, by having schools, by having programs, and it can start with Hilltop Artists, that’s local here, and it starts with 12-year-olds, and we’ve been working with them for now 30 years. It can start at Path with Art. It can be at the Artist Trust. All those organizations are organizations that Dale and Leslie fund through their foundation, actually, but they see a value to that, and they see that that type of influence, that type of investment, is what continues to snowball the interest and influence in glass blowing today,” she continued.

It’s amazing to see the transformation of the glass from tubes or shards into priceless pieces of art. What starts as something so simple and fragile can be manipulated into large-scale sculptures guaranteed to catch your eye. Each piece of a Chihuly sculpture is handcrafted and engineered specifically to match Dale’s creative vision.

Carter had a simple explanation as to why Chihuly and other glassworks stand out.

“It inspires joy, and joy is the oxygen for doing hard things,” she said. “It doesn’t take a master’s degree in art history. It doesn’t take a background. If you simply see the artwork and its color and its translucence, it’s awe-inspiring. And I think you feel that physically when you see the artwork.”

Maybe you are an artist looking to get into the world of glass or take your work to the next level. Carter said the community is here to help.

“I think there are programs around the Pacific Northwest. Some are community-based, some are school-based. Some are opportunities that are pay-to-play,” she explained. “I think researching what you need at this juncture, whether it’s university or community-based, is the first step, and then really talking to people, because I don’t know that it’s going to happen just by researching on the Internet or AI even.

“It’s a community that does help each other and mentor each other,” Carter continued. “You look at Donna Davies at Pilchuck Glass School, or Debbie Lenk at Museum of Glass, those are leaders in the community who always want to help other young artists learn more about exploring new ideas. The community is really invested in Seattle, invested in the artists in Seattle. And we want to see it grow and flourish the way Dale started to do this, in the early 70s. He wants it to continue.”

Where to see Chihuly’s work

And if this is somehow your first time hearing about Chihuly?

“Here locally, you can obviously see a lot of work at Chihuly Garden and Glass here in Seattle, but also in Maker’s Mark Distillery in Loretto, Kentucky,” Carter shared. “We’ll have an exhibition opening in Grand Rapids, Michigan, at the Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park. We also have a piece in Montreal that’s being reconfigured that’s going to be beautiful at that museum. Get in touch with us. I’m happy to talk to anybody about where they can see Chihuly.”

You can find more information on .

Read more of Paul Holden’s stories here.

The Summer festival season is in full swing and this weekend you can enjoy a feast from the sea at the , which features live music, tons of tasty seafood including the specialty salmon BBQ, plus the vendors, plenty of fun for the kids especially Festi-Bowl, which is an all-ages, all-abilities skateboard event on Saturday. The Ballard Seafood Fest runs through the weekend.

Seattle weekend events include Book Fairs, performances, festivals, and more

Over in West Seattle, it is time for Enjoy everything West Seattle has to offer while doing all your festival favorites like enjoying live music, shopping, eating local, hanging out with the kids at the Kids Zone, and plenty more. You also might have heard of the Seattle Saunter earlier this year; the Super Saunters are back with a West Seattle version on Saturday. The walk will start at the West Seattle Water Taxi at 9 a.m.

At the Seattle Center on Saturday, the will be from noon to 7 p.m. Things get started with a parade, then there will be tons of Polish music, traditional dances, cooking demonstrations, and plenty of ways to learn about Polish culture.

Fantagraphics is putting on the on Saturday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. There will be a variety of comics, zines, and music from over 50 regional and national artists. Plus, there will be live music, celebrating 40 years of Fallout Records. There will also be refreshments!

In Downton Edmonds, the sounds of live music and more will be performed from the front steps of homes, in yards, and at business fronts during If you are someone who loves all types of music, this event provides everything from rock to electronic, folk to funk, opera to ambient, and plenty more. See the whole map and more at

Enjoy the weather with sunshine and a show during the , Saturday and Sunday at Volunteer Park. Throughout the weekend, you will find performances across three areas of the park. Performances range from 40 minutes to 2 hours, so be sure to on the event’s website so you can plan ahead.

There’s a free showing of “Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again” at Cal Anderson Park tonight at 6:30 p.m. This is part of , which shows free outdoor movies at parks across the city throughout the summer. The movie is free to attend, and you can bring your chairs and blankets!

The are also in town this weekend, taking on the Connecticut Sun tonight at 7 p.m. and the Washington Mystics Sunday at 3 p.m.

What are you getting into this weekend? Let me know at paulh@kiroradio.com

There are events across the region to celebrate, including the celebration and .

Gas Works Park and Lake Union Park will be where you want to be for the best views and all the fun for Seafair’s celebration. Both will feature All-American games like sack racing, water balloon tosses, and plenty more. Plus, there will be food and live music to enjoy as you soak up the sun all day long.

The fireworks celebration will take place at roughly 10:20 p.m. Gates open at 3 p.m., and no admission will be allowed after 9 p.m. At Tacoma’s Summer Blast, you will find over 150 vendors, multiple stages with live music, a kids zone, food and drinks, plus a fireworks show to close out the day. The fun gets started at Ruston Way Waterfront at noon.

Fourth of July fireworks in western Washington

There will also be a firework shows in Arlington at Quake Park, Bellevue at the Downtown Park, in Everett at Port Gardner Bay, Federal Way at Celebration Park, plus there are also parades going on in West Seattle, Everette, Edmonds, Arlington, Bothell, and more. Some, like Bothell, West Seattle, and Edmonds, even have a kids’ parade kicking off the events. has a good list of where and when to find the parades from across the region.

There will also be a on Friday at the Seattle Center, where 500 people will become American citizens. This begins at noon

It’s time for in none other than Pioneer Square. According to the event’s website, Pioneer Square Fest is a two-day celebration of music, art, and local culture. You will be able to dance the weekend away with over 20 live bands across five event stages on Saturday while enjoying the market of over 80 street vendors. There will also be food and drink specials at local businesses and all sorts of art to enjoy. In order to check out the music and some of the experiences of the festival, you’ll need to buy a wristband, but the market is open to the general public, no ticket required.

It’s also a busy sports weekend with the at home all weekend, taking on the Pittsburgh Pirates, with promos going on throughout the series. Plus, the are taking on the Columbus Crew on Sunday at 2 PM.

How are you celebrating Independence Day and the rest of your summer? Let me know at paulh@kiroradio.com.

There are Pride celebrations across the region, including some of the main events of the month. PrideFest is on Capitol Hill on Saturday and in the Seattle Center on Sunday. According to , Saturday will feature five blocks of street festivals plus a makers village and more in Cal Anderson Park. Sunday will feature three stages, over 100 artists, and lots more throughout the Seattle Center. PrideFest runs from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. and is free for all ages to attend.

Sunday is the Pride Parade throughout downtown Seattle, so you can expect big crowds in the city. There will be a pre-parade party at Westlake Park, and the parade will officially start at 11 a.m. at Fourth and Pike and end at Denny Way. For more details, visit the

There are a lot more Pride events throughout the weekend, and you can find more information about those.

Seattle summer activities include movies, Pride, street fairs, and more

Don’t be alarmed when you see pirates taking over Alki Beach this weekend, as it is time for the Look for the pirates to land around 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, but Seafair’s website stated there will be festivities before. Once they have made landfall, the crew will entertain the kids and share their treasures.

“Barbie” the movie will be playing at Benaroya Hall Friday and Saturday, and if you haven’t seen the Seattle Symphony perform a score to a movie, this would be a great one to check out. Seeing the films with live music adds a whole extra layer of fun to the experience, and you can enjoy a photo booth and other pre-show fun as well. You can get tickets on the .

A couple of fun free street fairs are also this weekend. Urban Craft Uprising is hosting  which will feature 80 local food and beverage vendors at Lake Union Park, Saturday is the , where not only will you find blocks of classic cars, hot rods and more, there will also be car themed activities for the kids and of course live food and music. Doesn’t get much more summer than a car show. Both of these events are free to attend.

Also, for those motorheads out there, Friday is the first event of the summer at the LeMay-America’s Car Museum in Tacoma. There will be a concession stand and a 40-foot outdoor movie screen. Gates will open for parking at 6:30 p.m., and the 2007 version of Transformers will be shown at sunset. Parking will be first-come come first-served serve and you are welcome to bring lawn chairs and yard games.

If you want to celebrate the 4th of July a little early, is going on at Joint Base Lewis-McChord Saturday at 1 p.m. There will be carnival rides, a car show, carnival games and entertainers, food trucks, and plenty more. There will also be live music and a fireworks show to close out the day. Registering online ahead of time will help you avoid delays, but you can show up day of and still get in.

It’s also time for the on Saturday. There you will find the boardwalk festival on the Bremerton Boardwalk from noon to 10:15 p.m., or if you are looking to kick back and relax a bit more, there will be food trucks and plenty of green space to set up your chairs and picnic blankets at Evergreen Rotary Park. You’ll be able to catch the fireworks show at 10:15 p.m. from both locations. This event is free to attend.

The summer is in full swing, and I want to know the cool things that you have planned. Let me know at paulh@kiroradio.com.

It’s a convention for fans of just about anything in pop culture, or at least that’s how they describe the , which is taking over the Washington State Fair and Events Center in Puyallup this weekend.

Meet the people behind some of your favorite franchises, including Star Wars, Star Trek, Super Mario, TMNT, X-Men, and so many more. Not to mention hundreds of vendors selling collectibles, an arcade to enjoy, and panels to learn something new about your favorite movies and shows. You’ll want to see the full guest list and get tickets on the.

Multiple summer fairs

Fair season continues this weekend with the and on Saturday and Sunday, which will host tons of vendors selling crafts, clothing, and other specialty goods. Plus, there will be plenty of food and live music all going down in Fremont on Saturday and Sunday!

If you’re a fan of crafts, the is also taking place on Saturday and Sunday at Magnuson Park Hangar 30, showcasing more than 180 artists of all kinds.

You can also celebrate Juneteenth at the on Pier 62 tonight from 3:30-9:30 p.m. According to the event’s website, the market will feature a “diverse lineup of BIPOC vendors, performers, and food trucks.” All these events are free to attend.

Pride events continue this weekend

Pride events are continuing this weekend, including , which takes place this Saturday. The event features a street fair at Bloom Bistro from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., a neighborhood parade at Oxbow Park from 3-4 p.m., and participation from numerous other businesses throughout Georgetown. There are events for all ages, but some are age restricted, so check out the event listing before checking it out.

is putting on their “Pride and Power Jams” event at Pierce College on Saturday. There will be two bouts, plus art vendors, food trucks, a raffle, plus a beer garden for those of age.

Food walks

Saturday is the first of three from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. During the walk, participating businesses will offer $6 special bites of food as well as other discounts. There’s an information booth at Hing Hay Park that will have a menu to map your route, but for more information, head to their website.

Nature activities

For the nature lovers out there, you will want to head to Camp Long in West Seattle for ! According to Seattle Parks, this free activity for all ages features rock climbing, bouldering, rappelling, nature walks, a scavenger hunt, and a high ropes course. The forecast does call for light rain, so be prepared!

Sporting events this weekend

For the sports fans, the takes on the 2024 WNBA champion New York Liberty at Climate Pledge Arena on Sunday at 4 p.m.

The FIFA Club World Cup continues through the weekend with a few matches to see. The Sounders will finish the group stage against PSG on Monday at Lumen Field.

And lastly, here’s an event sent to me by a listener.

June is Dravet Syndrome Awareness Month, and to shed light on this rare form of epilepsy, Camp Small Steps will be offering a safe, inclusive, and accessible camp-themed event for families on Saturday in Tacoma. There will be arts and crafts, a communal dinner, and a bonfire celebration. This event will take place at the Marriott Tacoma Downtown from 5-9 p.m.

How are you kicking off the summer? Let me know at paulh@kiroradio.com.

There are a variety of street fairs and festivals this weekend throughout the region.

On Saturday, you can find the Beacon Arts Street Fair happening in Beacon Hill. There is also the Georgetown Carnival, which includes classic carnival fun and acrobats. In Burien, there is the Strawberry Festival. In Edmonds, all weekend long, there is the Edmonds Arts Festival, which, according to Everout, attracts artists from all over the nation. Maple Valley has Maple Valley Days, where there will be a parade, and there will be a car show as part of the Meeker Days Festival in Puyallup. All of these events will have a variety of activities for you and the kids, as well as vendors to enjoy a bite to eat or grab a gift for Dad.

More Seattle Father’s Day activities

Get into the flow of summer at Flow Fest Seattle, where there will be over 40 workshops in yoga, dance, circus, and flow arts, including the community Fire Jam—where fire spinners of all skill levels will be able to practice in a supervised environment. Registration to participate in the fire spinning has closed, but you are invited to watch the performances from a safe distance, and there will be LED props to get in on the fun outside the ring of fire. Flow Fest Seattle runs throughout the weekend at Volunteer and Woodland Park. More details can be found right .

You can catch one of my favorite movies and enjoy, not only a Q&A with some of the stars of the film—including Napoleon Dynamite himself, Jon Heder—but there will also be improv and lots of audience participation. This is going down at the Pantages Theater on Friday at 7:30 p.m. Get details right .

Also in Tacoma this weekend, it’s time to get gritty for the fourth annual Grit City Brewfest. There will be over 20 beers and ciders to enjoy, and of course, live music and food. Plus, get Dad out on the dance floor during the post-brewfest dance party. This is going down at the Spanish Ballroom in Tacoma on Saturday, starting at 1 p.m.

Take to the skies with Dad at the Museum of Flight, where dads can get in for free on Father’s Day, as long as they are accompanied by their child. To see what exhibits there are and get details about the museum before you go, check out their .

If your dad is a sports fan, especially a soccer fan, it is a big weekend. The FIFA Club World Cup kicks off, and the Sounders are taking the pitch, alongside other big names in the world of soccer.

There will be six FIFA Club World Cup Matches held at Lumen Field this weekend and next, with the Sounders kicking things off on Sunday with a match against the Brazilian club Botafogo at 7 p.m. The Mariners will try to bounce back and get back above .500 with a weekend series against the Guardians, and both Salmon Bay FC and Ballard FC have home matches this weekend.

Hope you all enjoy spending time with the dads in your life, and if you have cool summer plans, let me know at paulh@kiroradio.com.

“I wanted to be a hero,” Day said. “I wanted to be the center of attention. I wanted the glory. I wanted the fame. I wanted the pretty girls coming up and saying, ‘Hi, I see that you’re good at centipede.'”

Walter Day and Twin Galaxies

You might know Walter Day from the 2007 documentary, “.” In the film, we learn that Day is the head referee and scorekeeper of Twin Galaxies, an international video game scoreboard and, back in the 80s, a legendary arcade in Ottumwa, Iowa. While Day wasn’t the true star of the movie, which focused on the world of competitive Donkey Kong, he’s become a fan favorite, and if you ask me, the world of competitive gaming as we know it owes him and his work a thank you.��

After researching and practicing transcendental meditation, Day wanted to know what made a champion a champion, so he got to work.��

“I started monitoring high scores as I traveled around the country as a traveling salesman. I fell in love with video game arcades, and I decided I wanted to do an arcade,” Day said. “When I did the arcade, I immediately started a scoreboard and tried to monitor who was the best in all the games.

“Next thing I know, I discovered that the video game industry had no scorekeeper and had no scoreboard, so I volunteered to do it, and the video game industry went for it,” Day continued. “Suddenly, overnight, my arcade, Twin Galaxies, became the world’s most famous arcade. It became the mecca of video game playing. It became the crossroads. It became the Dodge City of video games, and people traveled even from other countries, just to say they once played at the great Twin Galaxies.

“So suddenly, we were the center of the video game universe,” Day added. “And everything we did was completely original, pioneering, and now, historically, looking back on it, it is the birth of organized competitive video gaming, which makes it the birth of competitive eSports.”

Arcades and Love Songs

You learn more about his story and influence throughout the rest of “The King of Kong,” but his latest movie, “,” directed by Ed Cunningham, is not a sequel.��

“I got pulled back in just before I learned about Walter’s music, because Walter got pulled into a lawsuit,” Day said. “Billy Mitchell had been in a lawsuit with Twin Galaxies, which Walter had sold after ‘The King of Kong.’ Some of that lawsuit specifically mentioned the film, so I got back involved to help Walter defend himself from a lawsuit, from a movie that we produced almost 20 years ago.

“That was really a strain on Walter’s life,” Day said. “I was there as a friend, and we reconnected through what was the hardship for him.”

In 2014, Day sold Twin Galaxies to focus on his music career, hence the name of the film, “Arcades and Love Songs.” Years after the release of “The King of Kong,” Billy Mitchell, one of the Donkey Kong players featured in the movie, was accused of cheating. Mitchell was even stripped of his high scores from Twin Galaxies. Eventually, Mitchell filed a defamation lawsuit against Twin Galaxies.

In 2021, Twin Galaxies countersued Mitchell and listed Day as a cross-defendant, accusing the pair of collaborating to promote the fake score and drive up the company’s value before its sale. However, Day was later voluntarily dropped from the suit, which was eventually settled out of court.

During all this, Day was still nursing a broken heart.

Day’s step into a music career

“Of course, in 1985, I had a glamorous girlfriend. One night, while I was very in love with her, she called me up and said, ‘Walter, I’ve been seeing a friend of yours, and we’re done.’ My heart was broken for the first time, and actually the only time,” Day said. “It was a very, very big experience, but what became interesting is that, a couple of weeks into the heartbreak, I started hearing music playing in me, almost like I was channeling a radio station, but that radio station was playing songs that were new. They were my songs that didn’t exist in the outside world.”

More than 100 songs are the result of Day’s heartbreak back in the 80s, and it has been his lifelong goal to produce and perform those songs. But there was one catch.

“The voice is still a work in progress. When I got up on the stage, I got up there with more courage than I had with the skill of singing. I’m brand new. I never was a singer. I never expected to be a singer. I never thought of being a singer. I never imagined being a singer,” Day said. “When I got up there on the stage, I was singing for the first time in my life in front of people, and that was a huge psychological, emotional adventure.”

Throughout “Arcades and Love Songs,” Day’s journey to build his voice and confidence is evident as he revisits the inspiration behind all this music. But the film is more than just following around a man who has dedicated his life to the world of video games. It’s a story of perseverance, and that we should never lose sight of our biggest goals in life. Sometimes the thing preventing you from what you’ve always wanted is yourself.��

“I actually began to have tremendous fears, and would even have nightmares about how it’s the end of my life and I never, ever, ever did the music and never shared it to the world so the world would find out how beautiful it is,” Day said.

When the word got out that Day needed help making his album, the video game world stepped up.

“I was at an event when a couple of people came out of the crowd, and they said, ‘Walter, we recognize you from “The King of Kong.” Whatever happened to that music? Anything ever come out of it?'” Day said. “I explained to them that it was still my dream to do, but it never happened just because of all the difficulties of life. And they said, ‘Well, we made a game called Color Switch. It’s been successful. We’ve got the money and we want to pay for your album as a gift, no strings attached.'”

I don’t want to spoil how the performance goes, but the film is a must for fans not only of “The King of Kong,” but for those looking for a little inspiration.

“This is not an action film at all. This is completely devoted to the impulses of the heart,” Day said. “In a sense, this is completely all about how the way people work together, and how their hearts fit together, which is becoming an important theme at this time in history, because the world is so crazy.”

You can stream “Arcades and Love Songs” on multiple platforms right now.

Read more of Paul Holden’s stories here.

Plenty of folks will be taking advantage of the natural beauty of our state during a free weekend at Washington State Parks. On Saturday, not only can you get into the Washington State Parks with no Discovery Pass needed, but it is also the That means you can fish for SPECIFIC species of fish, including rainbow trout and bass, rockfish, flounder, and more. However, a license is still required for fishing and harvesting of shellfish, salmon, steelhead, and more. Get more details on what you can and can’t catch .

It’s one of my favorite weekends of the year in Tacoma. The show has returned, and all weekend long, the Greater Tacoma Convention Center turns into the biggest arcade in the Pacific Northwest. Over 400 games will be on the floor and playable with your ticket, in addition to guest speakers, workshops, vendors, and even movie screenings. You’ll find me hanging around the Galaga machine. It also acts like an interactive pinball history museum, with machines from the early days of pinball up to the latest and greatest modern machines. Get details and tickets right .

That’s not the only nerd theme fun this weekend, in Kent on Saturday, it is the The event’s website says nerds of all fandoms will find something fun to do, whether it’s larping, the LEGO museum, or miniature painting, and that just scratches the surface. This event is free and runs from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. in downtown Kent.

Seattle weekend activities to celebrate Pride Month

Pride Month is here, and there are plenty of events to celebrate at. is Saturday from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Volunteer Park on Capitol Hill. It’s free and open to all ages and offers live music, food, drag shows, and lots more. In White Center, over 100 LGBTQ+ friendly vendors will be in downtown White Center for the There will be performances from local musicians, a beer garden, a family play area, and live wrestling. The fun starts at noon and goes until 11 p.m.

The Festál program continues at the Seattle Center, and this weekend’s celebration is the on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. There will be traditional music and dance, weaving demos, poetry, and lots of vendors for art and food. Get the full event schedule right .

If you are looking for more free fun, Sunday at the Phinney Center is the , complete with vendors, workshops to help you with your next project, a beer garden, and of course live music and fun for the kids.

If you love to thrift, then you’ll want to head to the Washington State Fair Events Center in Puyallup, Saturday and Sunday for Here you will find a huge selection of second-hand goods, everything from clothes and home goods to toys and collectibles. If you are looking for a gift for yourself or someone in your life, you are sure to find something fun and unique.

If you are a fan of hitting the links, why not try something a little bit different by golfing…at night. Glow Golf is returning to the Meadows Park Golf Course on Fridays and Saturdays throughout the summer. Your ticket will get you a round of golf, complete with a light-up ball to track your shots, a drink ticket, and even glow swag. Get details .

How are you soaking up the sun this weekend? Let me know at paulh@kiroradio.com.

You could take the classic route of posting on social media marketplaces or giving it to thrift stores. Both great options, but what if you could help a family in need instead? 

Last week, while I was moving, I came across the Make-A-Home program, one of the services of .��

Mary’s Place furniture donations

Olga Chinka, the Make-A-Home program coordinator at Mary’s Place, through a simple series of emails, helped me get connected with a family that recently found housing and needed furniture.��

“Basically, Make-A-Home is a service that we provide for families as they transition out of homelessness into secure housing,” Chinka said. “By partnering with donors in the community, we try our best to provide for each family at the very minimum, a couch to sit on, a table to eat at, and beds for every family member to sleep on.��

“Many times, we’re able to provide a lot more items, but it just depends on what is being offered to us. Since we are solely donation-based, and we kind of rely on the community to help us take care of each family,” Chinka continued.

The program works by a donor sending photos to Mary’s Place of each item they are willing to part with, including any damage it might have. Everything Mary’s Place receives is in used condition.

“For our families, if it’s a matter of sleeping on the floor or sleeping on a bed that maybe has a broken drawer or a little bit of scratches on the legs or something, we would rather just show our families the damage and let them decide if it’ll work with them,” Chinka said.

The organization sends out a list of families who are in need of the items to the donor, asking them which location works best for them.

“I know that it’s a big ask on our part to have our donors not only donate items, but to deliver to the family’s home as well,” Chinka said. “So we kind of just go with whatever works for the donor.”

Saeed’s Mary’s Place story

I decided to part ways with some of my used furniture, and by doing so, I met Saeed. Saeed is an immigrant from Africa who arrived in Seattle with his daughter and found Mary’s Place, telling them about his journey.

“My first time coming to Washington or the U.S., I was homeless. Totally homeless, and I was recommended to get a place where Mary’s Place stayed,” Saeed said. “I went to the office of Mary’s Place, and I just [told] them my story. ‘Hey, I’m coming from Africa, and I have never had anyone to help me.'”

Mary’s Place figured it out that day. He said the services provided by Mary’s Place were an answer to his prayers.

“Mary’s Place is a wonderful association, and in Washington, I cannot imagine that there is anyone, any association, or a group that helps like Mary’s Place,” Saeed said. “We cannot repay Mary’s Place for what they are doing to immigrants, refugees, and many people all around. We always pray for them, because we can never pay what Mary’s Place and the switch or group are doing.”

Mary’s Place helps all around

In addition to helping find furniture, Mary’s Place also helps cover rent and moving costs, including for Saeed. Chinka said the Make-A-Home program has been around since 2018 as a response to the challenges people face when trying to furnish the homes they have worked so hard to find.

“As families move into housing, a lot of times they’re unable to get furniture on their own,” Chinka said. “Many times, it’s because they’re just so incredibly low income, they don’t have access to a vehicle, and just logistically, it’s a nightmare trying to figure out how to get furniture home on the bus.”

Chinka said she has a personal connection to this work.��

“I, myself, kind of know what our families have been going through,” she said. “My own family came from Ukraine in the early 90s, and we were in a similar situation where we were literally just sleeping on a bed or on a mattress on the floor that our neighbor had donated to us, and a local church found out about our situation and kind of came together to fully furnish our home.”

Chinka said that the day she came home and saw the furniture was life-changing, and it allowed them to feel comfortable enough to start inviting friends and family into their home.

Delivery obstacles for Mary’s Place

One of the biggest challenges the program faces? Furniture delivery. As Chinka mentioned before, the Make-A-Home program relies not only on donations, but for those donating to drop off the furniture to the families.��

“Delivery is definitely the biggest obstacle that our amazing donors face. I like to send just a list of some companies that we’ve partnered with in the past, who offer a little bit more cost-effective or efficient prices, but currently, we don’t have a way to do any kind of pickup,” Chinka said. “Right now, we don’t have anywhere to store items, and our delivery vans that we have for our shelters are not insured to go to residential areas. They’re only allowed to go from shelter to shelter. Right now, we’re at a kind of disadvantage, where we rely very heavily on donors being able to deliver.”

Through the generous donations and efforts of the staff and volunteers, more families are filling their homes with furniture, and used items are finding new life instead of being discarded.��

Life-changing connections through Mary’s Place

I won’t forget talking to Saeed and seeing his reaction when I arrived with a bed frame I was willing to donate. It was a reminder that when we can step up and help others, we should take full advantage of that opportunity, even if it means spending an hour on a Saturday packing up the car and delivering some furniture. Not only did it feel good to see it avoid the dump, but it also showed the importance of having a home and having the things that make it feel like one.

“Through Mary’s Place, I’m getting furniture,” Saeed said. “Today, I got a big sofa for my daughter, and I got a headboard with everything through Mary’s Place. I will never forget Mary’s Place.”

Donate furniture to Mary’s Place

Are you interested in helping? 

“If you go to our main website, you can see all of the different ways that you can help. If you’re able to help financially, you can donate or become part of our homes team, and that’s how we are able to find all of our operating expenses and shelter,” Chinka said. “If you sign up on our volunteer site, you will be shown every opportunity that is available at all of our shelters, and you can go from there, kind of figure out what you would prefer to do, whether it’s helping to serve a meal at one of the shelters or organize at the warehouse.

If you have furniture to donate, you can reach out to makeahome@marysplaceseattle.org.

“I know, right now, we have a big need for people who are willing to help our families,” Chinka continued.

So if you are getting ready to move this summer and don’t want to run a side job as a used furniture salesperson on Facebook, reach out to Mary’s Place and help turn a space into a home for a family in need.��

Read more of Paul Holden’s stories here.

All weekend long, you can honk it up with your friends and family at the free . This is a three-day festival celebrating the wonderful world of street bands and percussion. According to the event’s website, bands from across the country will be performing as the festival spans three different venues: Georgetown tonight, Columbia City on Saturday, and Pratt Park on Sunday. There’s a good chance you’ll hear an instrument you’ve never heard of before. More details are available .

Enjoy Seattle’s warm weather

The weather will be perfect for scouting out some wildlife this weekend, and there are a few opportunities to do so. Saturday and Sunday in Edmonds, it is the  “Birders” can enjoy field activities like guided walks, exhibits, speakers, and more. A perfect event to up your bird spotting game. Also, this weekend, you can learn about the world of pollinators and just how important they are to our way of life during the The event is scheduled for Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and educational opportunities will be available, plus fun for the kids, a one-of-a-kind insect collection, and of course, food and music! Best of all, it is free.

Pride is right around the corner, and celebrations are beginning this weekend, including in Bellevue for one of the biggest Pride events. Saturday is the at Bellevue Downtown Park. The event starts with a mile walk for you and your pet, and then a big after-party to keep the celebration going, including music, food, and booths from around the community. Paws and Pride is a free event, but you can register and learn more right here.

Seattle’s sports schedule

The sports schedule is jam-packed again. have a pair of games this weekend, taking on the Atlanta Dream tonight and the Las Vegas Aces on Sunday. are taking on Minnesota United FC on Sunday afternoon, and the look to keep rolling against the surprising Minnesota Twins. There’s also a new team making their debut this weekend, Salmon Bay FC is a new United Soccer League (USL) pre-professional women’s soccer team and the women’s equivalent of Ballard FC. The first match of their inaugural season is Friday at 7 p.m. at Interbay Stadium.

If you haven’t gotten the bike out of the garage yet, this weekend will be the perfect time to do so. This weekend is what is known as a  so according to the city of Seattle, a portion of Lake Washington Boulevard will be closed to motorized vehicles from 10 a.m. Saturday until 6 p.m. Sunday. Lake Washington Boulevard between the Seward Park entrance and Mount Baker Park’s beach will be free for biking, jogging, and enjoying some solid weekend weather.

Listener recommendation

Here’s an event sent by a listener.

If you are planning a wedding, you might want to head to Snohomish for the Once you claim a ticket, you will be able to tour 10 different venues, meet plenty of local vendors, and get set up for the perfect day in Snohomish.

How are you enjoying your weekend? Let me know at paulh@kiroradio.com.

Feel like putting on your walking shoes this weekend? The Seattle Super Saunter has returned, and if you are asking yourself what that is, the event’s says it is a “self-guided roughly 20-mile adventure from the city’s northernmost point to the southernmost point.” It’s not a race, you aren’t required to finish. The idea is all about getting out and exploring the city on foot and gaining a new perspective. It also raises awareness about issues regarding walkability in our region and country. You can find out more and RSVP for the post-saunter function on the

If you are looking to do some shopping this weekend and want to do it at some of the great street fairs and markets, there will be plenty. will have food trucks and vendors, plus live music and a beer garden on Saturday night starting at 6 p.m. In the U-District, there will be hundreds of booths on University Way this weekend for the There will also be 50 food trucks, free live music, and the kids zone—it’s the perfect kick-off to the summer.

The 17th of May is an important day for Norway, as it is Norwegian Constitution Day. To celebrate, there will be a parade through the heart of Ballard, plus lots of live entertainment and specials at multiple locations throughout the area. The fun is getting started at 11 a.m. Get the full rundown of events and locations .

There’s a lot of stuff going down in Tacoma and Pierce County this weekend. Saturday from noon to 5 p.m., there’s the , which will have everything you need for a beer festival—local breweries and cideries, live music, and food. Also on Saturday, there’s roller Derby at Pierce College during . There will be two bouts, with doors opening at 5 p.m.

The Tacoma Book Fair is underway at the Waterfront Market at Ruston, and Saturday is Children’s Day, which will have story time, snacks, and lots more. Get more information .

Here are a couple of events sent to me by a listener:

There’s a big music festival underway in downtown Everett, and when they reached out, they told me that this festival is a launching pad for artists from Washington. It’s called Fisherman’s Village and it’s three days of music across three stages. The fun started yesterday, but there’s still plenty of music, art, food, and fun ahead. Get the .

Also, listener Mike reminded me that we have professional rugby here in Seattle, there’s a match Saturday at Starfire Stadium in Tukwila. Tickets are still available for the match, which starts at 6 p.m.

How do you like to kick off summer? Let me know at paulh@kiroradio.com.

Pick the perfect bouquet at the There will be 35 local farmers selling, and there will be live music all day. This is going down on Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

In Capitol Hill this weekend, it is In addition to tons of tasty food to enjoy, there will also be Polish clothes for sale, a beer garden, and a performance from a Polish choir. This is going on at the Polish Cultural Center from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday.

In the Beacon Hill neighborhood on Saturday, you can check out the first of four It’s free to attend and it’s all about Mother’s Day. There will be music from female-led bands, poetry writing, family fun like story time, art projects and dance workshops, plus food, an art market and a garden share for those working on your yards.

Spring fests, bonsais for Mother’s Day weekend in Seattle area

In Edmonds at the Frances Anderson Playfield on Saturday, it is the This free all-ages event has over 100 vendors, plenty of food trucks, and the perfect place to find something for Mom.

If you want something a little more tranquil for Mom, check out in Federal Way. This event is free, and there will be hundreds of bonsais to check out and appreciate the craft that goes into each one. There will also be live bonsai-making demonstrations and special exhibitions that highlight all things bonsai. You can grab a bonsai for mom, enjoy food trucks and there’s fun for the kids as well.

is underway starting Friday and running through next week. One of the headline events is Friday night at 5 p.m. at the Beveridge Place Pub, where there will be 10 casks of beer from 10 different Seattle Breweries on tap for people to enjoy. Not to mention events and specials all week long at a ton of spots around Seattle. Don’t forget to try the Official Beer of Seattle Beer Week as well, the Group Project. Get more details on all the events and the schedule right .

This is one of the cooler community events of the spring, if you ask me, Saturday in West Seattle is the  Over 500 homes will be hosting sales and if you are looking for something in particular, you can use the helpful search features on the to find listed items.

Reptile shows and sporting events

At the Evergreen State Fairgrounds on Saturday, you and the family can learn about the wonderful world of reptiles at the This event has been going on since 2009 and for those that are a fan of these creatures, you’ll be face to face with reptiles, bugs, arachnids, and amphibians. You can find more details right .

Take your mom out to the ballgame as the red hot are back in town. The Toronto Blue Jays come to town and there’s promo events for every game this weekend. Also, in the world of sports, the take on the Houston Dash Sunday at 5 p.m. at Lumen Field.

Here’s an event sent by a listener:

The U.S. Air Force Woodwind Quintet is putting on free concerts this weekend, one in Bellingham Friday night at Western Washington University (WWU) at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday on Mercer Island. They are also offering a masterclass at WWU at 5 p.m. before the performance.

What are you getting into this weekend? Let me know at paulh@kiroradio.com.

This Saturday is a big day for comic book fans — it’s Free Comic Book Day. That means you can head to local comic book shops and check out a free comic from the worlds of Marvel, DC, Transformers, Godzilla, Street Fighter, and plenty more. On this , there is a store locator to find out which shop near you has not only free comics but special events too.

Staying in the world of pop culture, May the 4th be with you. The Star Wars celebration of May 4 falls on Sunday this year. At the, you can find a ton of family fun centered around a galaxy far, far away. Here, you can train in the world of lightsabers while also watching the pros show off their skills. There will be LEGO displays, an R2D2 builders club, face painting and of course cosplay. Those who show up in costume can get $3 off their admission.

If you want to get out on the water and see local rowers take on Indiana University AND the New Zealand National Team, find a spot along the Waterside Trail, the Montlake Cut, or the Montlake Bridge on Saturday for the . You can also catch the Seattle Yacht Club’s Boat Parade — this year’s theme is back to the 80s. Find out more right

The continues at the Seattle Center, and this weekend’s celebration is in honor of Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Learn about a variety of cultures and communities through song, dance, food and more. This is going down on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Armory Food and Event Hall in the Seattle Center.

WA weekend sports events

Plenty of action on the pitch at Lumen Field this weekend. The take on the Kansas City Current tonight at 7:30 p.m. On Saturday, the are matching up against St. Louis City SC at 7:30 p.m. and don’t forget the March to the Match before.

Also in sports, the WNBA season is around the corner, and preseason hoops will be at Sunday at 4 p.m.

Here are a couple of events sent to me by listeners.

in Mount Vernon is going to stay open through the weekend until May 4, giving you one last chance to see the colorful fields of flowers.

At the SeaTac Doubletree Hotel, it’s Washington’s biggest meeting of all things macabre and spooky. It’s time for which runs all weekend long. There will be costume contests, panels, and plenty more. Tickets are available on-site or online.

What are you getting into this weekend? Let me know at Paulh@kiroradio.com.

Let the music take over and enjoy the World Rhythm Festival at the Rainer Arts Center on Friday and then at Columbia Park on Saturday and Sunday. This event is free and loaded with live music, drum circles, workshops, and of course, plenty of dancing. You can find more details

Saturday is the . This event is free and will have hands-on activities that will teach families about sustainability and the role it plays in the future. There will also be a guided tour and pop-up chats for quick information sessions.

Earth Day weekend activities in Seattle area

Earth Day celebrations continue this weekend. There’s a from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday. The is putting on their energy block party at the PUD Headquarters in Everett, and it’s the Park, which will have educational activities and a beach walk. These events are free and open to families, but I do suggest seeing if you should RSVP.

There’s a street festival in White Center on Saturday. It’s the, and here you will learn more about the Khmer community through food, music, fashion, and more. There will also be games and plenty more fun. You’ll want to head to White Center between 15th and 16th Avenue Southwest on Saturday to find the fun.

Art exhibits, flea markets

It’s a weekend full of art in Olympia during the spring edition of Over 100 artists’ exhibits will be available to enjoy, and that means paintings, sculptures, music, dancing, comedy, circus art, drama, and not to mention all the other art forms that you can check out. There will also be a hands-on activity area, an arts market, and some special processions as well. This art walk is on both Saturday and Sunday.

Over 200 vendors will be selling their goods at the Quality Flea Center on Capitol Hill this weekend during the . The event’s website describes it as “The Pacific Northwest’s favorite underground shopping experience”. There will also be music and drinks, and this runs all weekend long.

Here’s an event sent to me by a listener.

If you are up for a drive to the coast this weekend, the 2025 is this weekend, and it’s the perfect event for the seafood fan in your life. There’s clam digging and cleaning lessons, chowder tasting, oyster shucking contests, cook-offs offs and plenty more. This event runs Saturday and Sunday.

There are lots of things to do this weekend and only so much time—what do you have going on? Let me know at pholden@kiroradio.com.

If the sunshine already has you dreaming of summer days at the State Fair, good news—those dreams are springing to life at the Washington State Spring Fair! Now celebrating its 35th anniversary, the Fair has all your classic favorites plus high-octane fun like monster truck rides, demolition derby mayhem, and monster truck shows.

There’s also plenty of family-friendly entertainment, including rides, animal shows, and, of course, your favorite indulgent fair food.

runs this weekend and next.

While the rain and wind might have impacted the cherry blossoms, that won’t stop the . This free event is at the Seattle Center today through Sunday, and throughout the weekend, you’ll see art, cooking demonstrations, Japanese Wrestling, and music. Check out the Seattle Center website for a schedule and more details.

Underground tour and even more flowers

One surprising thing I learned after moving to Seattle? There’s an entire city hidden beneath our streets!

If you’re looking to dive into some fascinating local history, the Beneath the Streets Underground History Tour is back in action. Guided walking tours have resumed, giving you the chance to explore Seattle’s underground passageways while learning how the city has changed—and continues to evolve—through the eyes of a local expert.��You can get tickets

We are still celebrating the spring flowers and Sunday in Tacoma you’ll be able to see decorated boats and more as part of the Daffodil Marine Festival and Parade! The boats take off from the Tacoma Yacht Club and, from there, folks will be able to catch a view of the parade along Ruston Waterway and the Dune Peninsula Park. The parade starts at 11:30 AM and you can get more details

Speaking of flowers, the is also underway and runs through the month!

Don’t miss the Mariners, Kraken, or Reign

The sports calendar continues to be jammed packed and we got a lot of home games this weekend.

The Mariners have a weekend series against the Texas Rangers, there’s a promo item for EACH game this weekend, so check out the team’s website and pick your favorite. The Kraken take on the St. Louis Blues Saturday at 7, The Seattle Reign have a home match tonight at 4:30, but if pro sports aren’t your thing WWE Friday Night Smackdown is tonight at Climate Pledge arena. Tickets are still available for all of these events!

Record Store Day

If you are someone who collects records or has their eyes on a special record, you’ll want to keep an eye out on all the Record Store Day deals! There are TONS of awesome shops to check out around our region, my recommendations are Easy Street Records in West Seattle and Sonic Boom in Ballard. Plan ahead and make sure you know when and where to get those special items! Record Store Day is Saturday and you can find information about record store day

If arts and crafts are your thing, Hanger 30 at Magnuson Park will be the place you want to be this weekend. has returned and here you will find over 100 artists showing off their work, workshops, food trucks and plenty more. Show off your work, or learn a new skill Saturday and Sunday from 10-5.

Lots of things to do this weekend and only so much time… what do you have going on? Let me know at pholden@kiroradio.com

There are multiple fields of flowers to check out as well as plenty of other activities for all ages. You’ll want to make sure the flowers are blooming before you go, but the annual Tulip Parade takes place on Saturday at 2 p.m. and you won’t want to miss it. Get ready for the parade at the KidZone and see our furry friends join in on the fun during the Daffodil Pet Parade! You can get .

That’s not the only festival celebrating flowers this weekend. In Pierce County, the has returned and the big event, the Daffodil Parade will take place at different times across the region on Saturday. Things kick off in Tacoma at 10:15, then the floats head to Puyallup, Sumner and Orting.

There’s a night market going down on Saturday from 3-10 in Magnuson Park at Hanger 30. It’ll have your usual, tasty food, live music and oh yeah wrestling! is a 21 and up event that has over 100 vendors, a margarita bar and luchador wrestling from 8-10.

Kid friendly events this weekend around Seattle

If you’re looking for something more for the kids this weekend, you will have plenty of options.

At the Washington State Convention Center this weekend you can take a trip back to the prehistoric era with ! It hosts over 80 “true to life” dinosaurs as well as shows and crafts, a bounce house and so much more!

The Seattle Center hosts the International Children’s Friendship Festival on Saturday and Sunday! This event is free and highlights art, music and dances from across the world as well as displays that will teach kids about other cultures and science. It’s open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Monster Jam is taking over Lumen Field on Saturday at 5 p.m. Expect high flying stunts, big loud cars and plenty of fun! Tickets are .

A weekend of improv

It’s also a weekend full of improv from Bandit Theater!

There’s a wide variety of shows being put on at a few locations in Seattle and in Tacoma. There’s comedy shows based on first dates, couples quiz shows,  and even improv battles! Visit the Bandit Theater to pick a show and location. Shows are running throughout the weekend.

What’s going on in your neighborhood? Let me know at paulh@kiroradio.com

Are you looking to take your karaoke skills to the next level? Then you should enter SMASH Karaoke in Tacoma on Saturday. There will be live judges, cash prizes, and all the fun of belting out a tune. This is going down at Edison Square; doors open at 7. Arrive early to improve your chances of being selected to perform, and bring your game!

Holi celebrations continue this weekend in downtown Seattle and Phinney Ridge. Holi is a major Hindu festival celebrated as the Festival of Colors, Love, Equality and Spring. At the Seattle Center Mural Amphitheater, it’s Happy Holi 2025, and there will, of course, be plenty of colors to cover your friends and family in, but there will be live music, dancing, raffles, and food. The event is free to attend, but there will be food and color to purchase, and all proceeds go towards #FeedTheNeed, which serves meals to those in need. In Phinney Ridge at the Phinney Center, the colored powder will be flying, the tasty treats will be a plenty and there will be a showcase of famous dances, including some from Bollywood! If you are heading to one of these celebrations, make sure you are wearing clothes you won’t mind getting messy and stained!

French Fest will be taking over the Seattle Center Armory to celebrate French-speaking cultures, including live music, wine tasting, and plenty of activities for the kids. One of the key events? The best baguette and croissant contest! This is Sunday from 11-5. Get details and more information at seattlecenter.com

Weekend events showcase wide array of topics

It’s the Persian New Year and celebrations are taking place at Town Hall Seattle this weekend. It’s the 5th annual Nowruz (no-ruz) celebration and here you will find live performances, displays to inform about the Persian culture and activities for all ages. This event is free and starts at noon on Sunday.

It’s the 20th anniversary of the Found Footage Festival. This is where comedians Joe Pickett and Nick Prueher go through their collection of over 13,000 VHS tapes and show you all the crazy stuff they have. This year will be a special version of the show, highlighting their all-time favorite finds! This is going down on Sunday at 7 at SIFF Cinema Uptown.

In Georgetown on Saturday, it is Georgetown’s Bites and Sites. This event highlights tons of tasty food from the neighborhood and also helps fund neighborhood events put on by the Georgetown Business Association. You’ll stop by the ticket booth to pick up tickets you’ll exchange for food or other special items throughout the area! Over 30 businesses are offering specials, so why not enjoy everything Georgetown has to offer? Get more details at georgetownseattle.org

The Monroe Community band reached out to me and wanted to let you all know that there is a free concert at the Wagner PAC on Saturday at 7. This will be an all wind band, so a twist on the usual concert setting! More details are available at monroecommunityband.org

Plenty of ways to enjoy the weekend, how will you? Let me know at paulh@kiroradio.com

St. Patrick’s Day

Monday is St. Patrick’s Day, which means there’s lots to do this weekend. The is at the Seattle Center Saturday and Sunday. The 54th Annual will take over downtown Seattle on Saturday afternoon, starting at 4th Avenue and James Street, then traveling to Westlake Park.

Finally, on Sunday, it is the ! This 5K race features a costume contest, a post-dash bash, the leprechaun lap, and plenty more. You can find details and register at .

Swap meet in Capitol Hill

There’s a swap meet going on Capitol Hill this weekend at a former QFC on 15th Ave. E near Volunteer Park. This monthly meet-up brings 45 vendors, artists, neighborhood businesses, and more. You never know what you might find. Search CHASM at on Facebook for more details.

Hindu celebrations in Bellevue

There’s a Holi festival in downtown Bellevue on Saturday from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Holi is a Hindu celebration known as the festival of colors and serves as a celebration of spring. At downtown Bellevue Park, there will be live music, colors to cover yourself, friends and family, and tasty treats! Get more details at .

Birding and bird-watching

One thing we know for sure about Washington is that we live in a state full of natural beauty, especially when it comes to birds. Birding has been rising in popularity, and if you are a fan of getting outside and studying our flying friends, you’ll want to check out , the Northwest Birding festival going on this weekend. There’s a wide variety of events planned — some that may fill up — but there’s something for bird fans, young and old, including a live raptor presentation. Details are available at .

Quilting shows at Evergreen State Fairgrounds

If quilts and quilting are more your thing, Monroe will be the place to be this weekend. There will be 400 quilts on display, as well as demonstrations for you to learn new tips and tricks at the Quilters Anonymous Annual Quilt Show. This is going down at the . There will be vendors selling all the goods you might need to make your next big project. More information at .

Seattle’s sports offerings

If you want to catch some professional sports this weekend, Seattle Reign FC is back in action with the season kicking off on Saturday against the NJ/NYC Gotham FC at Lumen Field. That’s at 7 p.m. Meanwhile, at Climate Pledge Arena, the Seattle Kraken take the ice tonight against the Utah Hockey Club and again on Sunday against the Winnipeg Jets. Tickets are still available for all the action!

Plenty of ways to enjoy the weekend, how will you? Let me know at paulh@kiroradio.com