Outdoor movies, cultural celebrations, more events in Seattle this weekend

Despite a brief heat spell, it looks like the weather will cooperate with us this weekend, which is great as there are plenty of outdoor entertainment options in Seattle this weekend.

Celebrate the reopening of a favorite bakery, watch a classic movie in the heart of the city under the stars, or sit back and listen to the piano player on Capitol Hill.

Read on to find out what to see and do in the Emerald City from July 30th to August 1st.

Films in the mural

Seattle Center

Events: Watch films under the stars

With the start of dog days of summer, the Seattle Center offers movies for free. The annual Movies at the Mural event starts this weekend and lasts every Friday and Saturday through August 28th. So grab a blanket, pack your picnic basket – or buy a meal at The Armory – and bring your folding, low-back chairs. On the lawn of the Mural Amphitheater, a huge 12m screen will present a variety of popular films from dusk or around 9 p.m. Each feature film is preceded by a new short film made by the students of the Cornish College for the Arts.

The line-up for this summer includes:

July 31: The princess bride
6th of August: The good bye
August 7th: Strictly ballroom
13 August: Vampires in the Bronx
August 14th: Knife out
20th of August: Young
August 21: Yesterday
August 27th: Cabaret
August 28th: The Wizard

Of course, this isn’t the only game in town. We recommend checking out these other great outdoor movie locations like Outdoor Movies at Marymoor Park and Movie Nights at Peddler Brewing Co.

Dahlia Bakery is known for its triple coconut cream cake.

Courtesy Tom Douglas Seattle Kitchen

Good Eats: Dahlia Bakery is back, better than ever

It was a sad day indeed, with Tom Douglas closing all of his restaurants last year because of the dire pandemic. Recently Seatown Market & Fishfry and both Serious Pie locations reopened – with more to come – but honestly, we’re really excited to announce Douglas’ world famous Triple Coconut Cream Pie is back in stock.

A cream filling with a coconut crust, which consists of desiccated coconut with fresh, thick whipped cream, more toasted coconut and white chocolate chips is a dream. This cake is just one of the offerings at the newly opened and redesigned Dahlia Bakery.

The Dahlia Lounge restaurant on 4th Street has disappeared, but that gave the bakery space to expand and move in to Serious Pie. While the former bakery was a small takeaway operation, this one has new indoor and outdoor seating so you can really take your time for a sweet treat or a hearty sandwich. New on the menu is a selection of Fossette (Lemon Anise, Tomato Ouzo, Green Garlic Pesto, Asiago & Rosemary and Peri Peri Dukkah) and a new line called Oh Mochi Donuts. These gluten-free rice-based donuts are said to “sparkle in the mouth” according to the bakery’s website and are available in tempting flavors such as Blueberry Crumble, Strawberry Shortcake, Summertime S’more, Lemonade, Star-Spangled Sprinkle and Apple Pie.

Doors open at 8:00 a.m. and the bakery closes Wednesday-Friday at 5:00 p.m. and on weekends at 4:00 p.m. The Dahlia bakery is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Mass dancing at the Nubian Jam in Everett.

Ashley Kay Smith photo via Nubian Jam Facebook

Festivals: Celebrate African American culture with Nubian Jam

Get your dance shoes out because it’s time to celebrate the Nubian Jam style. The Snohomish County Black Heritage Committee has sponsored the Nubian Jam Festival in Everett’s Forest Park since 1993. Not only is it a celebration of African and Afro-American culture, it is also a family-friendly event that aims to promote unity and community while also honoring the elderly, inspiring the community, and instilling positive self-esteem in the youth.

From 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., this year’s event offers a fantastic mix of gospel, reggae, R&B, rap, blues and African dance music. Join the Electric Slide or Zumba, sit back and enjoy the Roots, Stems & Roses tribute band and enjoy the Nubian Jam Fashion Show with the Zambiko Marimba Ensemble. There are plenty of free activities for the kids (not to mention the redesigned playground in Forest Park), food trucks, a mobile COVID vaccine clinic, and more. On-site parking spaces are limited. So take the free bus shuttle service from the Lutheran Church of Our Savior.

Piano clock

The cloud space / Dunn & Hobbes

Music: Piano O’clock at Chophouse Row

Chophouse Row on Capitol Hill has live, alfresco entertainment on the Ghost Cabin Courtyard Stage Thursday through Sunday all summer. Piano O’Clock is kind of a new happy hour with local musicians and DJs like Tim Kennedy, Evan Flory-Barnes, Darrius Willrich, Erika Gersten and more. Performances are Thursday to Saturday from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and on Sundays until 1:30 p.m. if the weather is nice. Piano pairs well with wine, beer, snacks, and / or retail therapy, all of which are conveniently located on the first floor of Chophouse Row.