What to do in Seattle this week: Legendary Children, R-Day and more

What’s Happening Sept. 23-29

Legendary Children, an annual celebration of queer and trans Black, Indigenous and people of color communities, returns after a three-year pandemic hiatus to the heart of downtown Seattle.

“It’s an art celebration that’s grounded in uplifting Black and brown trans and queer artists,” said event co-organizer and artist Davida Ingram. Its creation in 2015 stemmed from a desire to create an experience with gender identity, sexuality and race at its core, she added.

This is an event for the community, by the community, and “when you come to Legendary Children, what you see is exceptional artistry, exceptional leadership, exceptional creativity, and it’s all elevated and amplified,” Ingram said.

For attendees, honoring the inclusivity of the event is important: “Come with love and respect and know how to appreciate the welcome table that’s set,” she said.

Attendees can join the festivities under the stars at an outdoor dance party with local DJs hosted by community curators Carlarans, Julian Everett and Momma Nikki.

Live performances will include featured house and ball artists The Royal House of Noir, The Legendary House of Mattel, House of Khaos and House of Lyon and featured DJs and performers DJ Riz, Kween Kay$h, Ms. Goddess Briq House, DaQween, Hot Pink Shade, Mx. Pucks A’Plenty and more.

Although the pandemic prevented Legendary Children from taking place in-person for several years, important considerations for disability justice and requests of accessibility needs emerged, Ingram said, encouraging event organizers to add a vaccine booster clinic courtesy of Public Health – Seattle & King County.

“I think the first few years of the pandemic were very, very big important learning lessons,” she said, highlighting the vaccine booster clinic and virtual attendance option as “must-do’s” this year for event organizers.

Legendary Children will also include a photo booth and reading lists hosted by Seattle Public Library and focused on trans and queer Black, Indigenous and people of color authors.

“We need community [and house and ball community] to survive. … When people’s families and societies failed trans and queer people of color, they had the intelligence and wisdom to say, ‘No, we will make a home then, and we’ll show you what it looks like and feels like to be at home with yourself and with one another,’ ” Ingram said, “and that’s what I like about Legendary Children. It’s one of the things I think is ferociously beautiful about it.”

Legendary Children takes place 8-11 p.m. Sept. 23 at Olympic Sculpture Park (2901 Western Ave., Seattle). The event also will be livestreamed for those not able to attend. Find more information at instagram.com/legendarychildrenpnw, RSVP on Facebook or register for free online at seattleartmuseum.org.

What else is happening

Here are some other events happening Sept. 23-29 in the Puget Sound area. If you would like to submit an event for consideration, please email your event details to weekend@seattletimes.com.

Bainbridge Symphony Orchestra 50th Anniversary — Sept. 22-23

The Bainbridge Symphony Orchestra returns for a special 50th anniversary outdoor concert featuring romantic works by Strauss, Bizet, Tchaikovsky and more. Purchase tickets online; $20/general admission, $16/student, senior or military, $10/members. 4611 Woodson Lane N.E., Bainbridge Island; bainbridgeperformingarts.org

San Juan Island Farm Tours — Sept. 23-25

Enjoy family-friendly activities, educational tours, delicious farm-to-table meals, wine, cider and spirit tastings, farm animals and more. Prices vary. Location varies; 360-378-9551; visitsanjuans.com/savor

Autumn Leaf Festival — Sept. 23-25

Autumn Leaf Festival is Leavenworth’s longest-running festival celebrating the annual changing colors of the autumn leaves. Enjoy food booths, music in the park, multiple parades and more. Free. Location varies; wastalfa.org

Sustainable Ballard Festival — Sept. 24

Join the Ballard community for creativity, passion and community-building while learning about daily practices and big green steps toward more sustainable living 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Visit local sustainable businesses and nonprofits, catch some live music, enjoy refreshments from local food trucks, attend workshops, try games and quizzes for prizes and more. Free. 2101 N.W. 77th St., Seattle; 206-701-7000; sustainableballard.org/festival

Cider Swig Festival — Sept. 24

Enjoy more than 130 ciders and other regionally crafted libations, live music, contests and games, vendors and award-winning curbside cuisine by area food trucks noon-6 p.m. Purchase tickets online; prices vary. 2702 E. D St., Tacoma; 253-514-6338; ciderswig.org

R-Day — Sept. 24

Georgetown welcomes back R-Day with live performances from artists Travis Thompson, True Loves, Hobosexual and KEXP’s very own DJ Abbie, appearances from the iconic Wild Rainiers, Barbeerian and a host of other colorful characters, fun-filled activities and lots of Rainier beer 4-10 p.m. This event is ages 21 and older. Free. 5813 Airport Way S., Seattle; rainierbeer.com/rday2022

Luminata — Sept. 24

The Fremont Arts Council celebrates the autumnal equinox with this illuminating lantern parade around Green Lake at 6 p.m. There will be a lantern shop with lanterns available for purchase before the opening ceremony begins at 7:30 p.m. Free. West Green Lake Way North, Seattle (Green Lake Aqua Theater); fremontartscouncil.org

Hot Jazz at the Gallery — Sept. 24

Frederick Holmes and Company — Gallery of Modern & Contemporary Art hosts an edition of its ongoing monthly series of jazz musicians in the gallery 7-9:30 p.m. In this edition, enjoy tunes by Greta Matassa and award-winning wines provided by Locus Wines. Purchase tickets online; $22. 309 Occidental Ave. S., Seattle; 206-682-0166; frederickholmesandcompany.com

The Italian Festival — Sept. 24-25

Seattle Center Festál continues with The Italian Festival at the Seattle Center Armory Food & Event Hall and Fisher Pavilion 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Sept. 24 and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sept. 25. The two-day festival will include a range of entertainment, kids activities, a grape stomp, chef demos, a bocce tournament and more to celebrate the cultural roots of Italians and Italian Americans in the Pacific Northwest. Free. 305 Harrison St., Seattle; 206-684-7200; seattlecenter.com

Rain Gardens and More! — Sept. 27

Join University of Washington Botanic Gardens for an online class that illustrates the benefits and methods of creating a rain garden, rock-lined swale and other projects you can do to incorporate stormwater management into an existing garden 6:30-8 p.m. The class includes a PowerPoint and plenty of time for questions and answers, and all attendees will receive handouts on ways to create a “rain wise” garden. Register online; $25. botanicgardens.uw.edu

Drag Culture with Ceasar Hart — Sept. 28

Drag king performer Ceasar Hart will explore the history of drag culture and why it is so important for many in the LGBTQ+ community 7-8:30 p.m. Discover the impact of this art form and its role in raising awareness, advocating for LGBTQ+ acceptance and providing a powerful vehicle for individual self-expression. RSVP online; free. 918 H St. S.E, Auburn; wrvmuseum.org