The Top Things to Do This Weekend: August 25–28

VISUAL ART

Thru Feb 26Terratopia: The Chinese Landscape in Painting and Film^[1]Mediums change, but some subjects remain the same. Asian Art Museum’s Terratopia looks at the tradition of Chinese landscape art by comparing paintings (some dating back to the third century) with the cinematic majesty of the countryside in Yang Fudong’s films. By placing these works side by side, the scenes showcase the unspoiled natural beauty of China’s mountains, streams, and gardens and their aesthetically timeless themes. Asian Art Museum, $9

SPECIAL EVENTS

Fri, Aug 26SAM Remix^[2]Seattle Art Museum’s art party series SAM Remix makes its summertime trek to Olympic Sculpture Park for aesthetic indulgences under the (probably not visible due to city lights) stars. SAM packs the night with live performances from Erik Blood, Echoes in Sleep, dance troupe Au Collective, and genre blurring performance artist Tessa Hulls, plus a curated soundtrack to the evening courtesy DJ Explorateur and J-Justice. Soak in more culture via the popular My Favorite Things park tours and unique art activities organized by Siolo Thompson, T H E H A N D Comic Collective, Sandra Farmer, and more. Olympic Sculpture Park, $25

Sun, Aug 28Vibrations Festival^[3]While Capitol Hill boutique/venue Cario may be no more, the summer festival it spawned soldiers on for another year. The fifth edition of Vibrations Festival brings together some of the coolest local indie bands (Posse, Jenn Champion, DoNormaal, Lilac, Hoop, etc.) for a day of free music at Volunteer Park. Additional local culture can be soaked in via visual art displays and small vendor booths from businesses like SpinCycle, PRISM, and Rachel’s Ginger Beer. Volunteer Park, Free

CONCERTS

Thur & Fri, Aug 25 & 26Suicide Squeeze 20th Anniversary^[4]Seattle indie record label Suicide Squeeze has always been content operating under the radar as the unassuming cool kid, dating back to its early seven-inches by acts like Elliott Smith, Modest Mouse, and Pedro the Lion. In addition to reissuing some of its most beloved releases, Suicide Squeeze celebrates turning 20 with two nights of concerts. The Thursday show at Neumos features a riotous lineup of the Coathangers, Childbirth, Guantanamo Baywatch, and Audacity. Friday’s concert at the Neptune Theatre features Minus the Bear (the label’s most successful act), This Will Destroy You, David Bazan’s electronic rock project Headphones, Michael Nau, and other guests. Neumos and Neptune Theatre, $13–$28

Fri, Aug 26Guided By Voices^[5]Guided by Voices is indie rock’s consummate professional. Led by Robert Pollard’s songwriting the band first gained notice decades ago for lo-fi classics like Bee Thousand, and remain prolific—releasing its 23rd album, Please Be Honest, earlier this year—despite going through an extended break up (2005–2009). Don’t expect GBV to slow down anytime soon. Neumos, $35

Fri, Aug 26Heart, Joan Jett, and Cheap Trick^[6]You love rock ‘n’ roll? Prove it. No, we’re not talking about putting another dime in the jukebox, baby (besides, inflation has made that unreasonable). We’re talking about going to an actual rock show. White River Amphitheatre hosts one of the summer’s most loaded lineups when Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Heart, Joan Jett, and Cheap Trick share the stage for a night of hot licks and radio hits. White River Amphitheatre, $27–$112

Sat, Aug 27Drive Like Jehu^[7]Drive Like Jehu is one of those bands whose musical reach spreads far greater than commercial sales would indicate. It’s a band’s band. While the San Diego post-punk outfit only released two records (Drive Like Jehu and Yank Crime) before disbanding in 1995, its ripping early math rock guitar sound and emotionally and vocally shredding songwriting influenced generations of bands that followed. After very sporadic reunion dates over the past couple years, Drive Like Jehu finally makes its way up to Seattle for what will surely be a gloriously noisy return. The Showbox, Sold out

Sat, Aug 27I Love the ’90s Tour^[8]Like a BuzzFeed post come to life, the I Love the ’90s Tour takes no prisoners with its ruthless raid on our deep-seated nostalgia. It’s a veritable hit parade where you can push it with Salt-N-Pepa, get up to get down with Coolio, drink a funky cold medina with Tone L?c, and bust a move with Young MC. White River Amphitheatre, Sold out

Sun, Aug 28The Living End^[9]Genres don’t get much more niche than punkabilly (the fusion of punk and rockabilly, for the compound word impaired), but Australian trio the Living End transcends any pigeonholing by simply being one of the best live bands on the planet. Prepare for an energetic night of hot lick shredding, acrobatic upright bass slapping, beer bottle sliding, rabblerousing (and occasionally anthemic) mayhem when the band hits the States in support of its seventh studio LP, Shift. Neumos, $10

FILM

Sat, Aug 27LeMay America’s Car Museum’s Drive-In Movies: Jurassic World^[10]While summer outdoor summer movie series have become all the rage in recent years, that classic drive-in movie experience is all but extinct. Tacoma’s LeMay America’s Car Museum keeps the tradition alive with its annual drive-in movie slate. The museum’s screening season comes to an end with a showing of Jurassic World, starring Seattle’s own Chris Pratt and (spoiler alert) a bunch of dinosaurs. Be sure to show up early to claim a spot (parking starts at 4:30, though the film doesn’t begin until around 9). LeMay America’s Car Museum, Free

FOOD & DRINK

Sat & Sun, Aug 27 & 28Bacon, Eggs, and Kegs Brunch Fest^[11]As the name suggests, there will be breakfast foods and there will be booze, the combination of which is otherwise known as brunch. But brunch on this scale requires that this two-day event be held at CenturyLink Field. There will be 30-foot bloody Mary bars, Irish coffee bars, mimosas, craft beer and cider from PNW favorites, boozy root beer floats, and eggs and bacon aplenty.  Play oversized yard games like duffleboard or minigolf from Flatstick Pub^[12] or get a photo with a giant inflatable skillet; the latter may be best enjoyed after seeing to that bloody Mary bar. CenturyLink Field, $40

References

1. ^{^} Terratopia: The Chinese Landscape in Painting and Film (feedproxy.google.com)
2. ^{^} SAM Remix (feedproxy.google.com)
3. ^{^} Vibrations Festival (feedproxy.google.com)
4. ^{^} Suicide Squeeze 20th Anniversary (feedproxy.google.com)
5. ^{^} Guided By Voices (feedproxy.google.com)
6. ^{^} Heart, Joan Jett, and Cheap Trick (feedproxy.google.com)
7. ^{^} Drive Like Jehu (feedproxy.google.com)
8. ^{^} I Love the ’90s Tour (feedproxy.google.com)
9. ^{^} The Living End (feedproxy.google.com)
10. ^{^} LeMay America’s Car Museum’s Drive-In Movies: Jurassic World (feedproxy.google.com)
11. ^{^} Bacon, Eggs, and Kegs Brunch Fest (feedproxy.google.com)
12. ^{^} Flatstick Pub (feedproxy.google.com)