New Kids On The Block, “Othello” and “The Magic Flute” highlight entertainment menu for the week of May 3.
MOVIES
‘The Avengers: Age of Ultron’
It’s big, it’s often dazzling and it’s good fun. Some fresh faces turn up, including the villain Ultron (voiced by James Spader), who’s of course out to destroy the world, but the greatest fun is in watching the original Avengers — all fine actors who’ve made the characters their own. Now playing at several theaters. Seattle Times movie critic Moira Macdonald gave it three stars in her review.
TV
‘David Letterman: A Life on Television’
A special celebrating Letterman’s more than three decades on television. 9:30 p.m. Monday, May 4, on CBS.
‘New Girl’
It’s season-finale time for the quirky comedy starring Zooey Deschanel. 9 p.m. Tuesday, May 5, on Fox.
FOOD
Seattle Beer Week
Now in its seventh year, Seattle Beer Week is exactly what it sounds like, except that this celebration of the glory that is craft beer in Seattle actually lasts a full 10 days. From Thursday, May 7, through May 17, beery events take place at 50-plus spots all over town, including the Beer Can Derby at the Pine Box and Ninkasi mini-golf at the Interbay Golf Center. Considering that 83 new craft breweries opened in Washington last year — more than any other state! — it is only right to celebrate. For details: seattlebeerweek.com.
Night Market
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Like the popular Richmond Night Market, the University of Washington Night Market will feature dozens of Asian street vendors, hawking everything from fried squid balls to dumplings. 5:30-10:30 p.m. Saturday May 9 at UW Red Square, uwnightmarket.com.
FESTIVALS, COMMUNITY
Maritime Festival
Come experience fireboat displays, a workboat parade, tours of Lake Union and the ship canal, a Coast Guard rescue demonstration, and survival suit races. There will be kids’ activities and music, too. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, May 9, Lake Union Park, Seattle (seattlepropellerclub.org).
Pike Place Market Flower Festival
Flower vendors line the Pike Place cobblestone street and kids will make Mother’s Day cards, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, May 9-10, Pike Place Market (pikeplacemarket.org).
POP MUSIC
New Kids On The Block
No longer the ’80s “boy band” it once was, NKOTB nevertheless knocked out crowds on its 2013 reunion tour, prompting Seattle Times freelancer Gene Stout to observe that the band was even more polished than in its prime. That concert featured lots of new material and a surprise cameo by Seattle rapper Sir Mix-A-Lot. The current tour just launched in Las Vegas. As it did two years ago, the show features a 360 degree stage set in the round, to maximize sight lines. Opening acts are TLC and Nelly. 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 6, at the Tacoma Dome, 2727 E. D St., Tacoma; $29.50-$91.50 (800-745-3000 or ticketmaster.com).
Ballard Jazz Festival
Back in 2003, when this community-flavored festival first arose, one of its goals was to liven up Ballard Avenue. With that mission more than accomplished, the festival continues to offer the city’s best annual celebration of regional jazz on its Friday night “Jazz Walk,” as well as showcasing national acts on a mainstage series. This year, the series includes soulful, Olympia-bred tenor saxophonist Eric Alexander, the excellent guitarist Peter Bernstein, Portland bassist extraordinaire David Friesen and Origin recording artist Lucas Pino, also playing tenor with his No Net Nonet. 8 p.m. Wednesday, May 6, through 10:30 p.m. Saturday, May 9, at various venues on or near Ballard Avenue; mainstage shows at the Nordic Heritage Museum, 3014 N.W. 67th St., Seattle; $15-$55 (206-219-3649 or ballardjazzfestival.com).
Sleater-Kinney
When this beloved all-female Olympia indie rock trio broke up in 2006, its fans were bereft. Time magazine had hailed it as “the best band in America” and Rolling Stone loved the band’s latest album, “The Woods.” Looking back, colead guitarist Carrie Brownstein says she and Corin Tucker (guitar) and Janet Weiss (drums) were just sick of the grind and had no idea what they were going to do next. They do now. Brownstein’s fame as a star of the TV show “Portlandia” has made a resurrection more than feasible, and a new album, “No Cities To Love,” released in January, shows the band still has its old spark as well as new ideas. THEESatisfaction opens the show. 9 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, May 7-9 (Saturday all-ages), at the Showbox, 1426 First Ave., Seattle; $30 (888-929-7849 or showboxpresents.com).
LITERARY EVENTS
Terrance Hayes
The National Book Award-winning poet for his collection “Lighthead,” a gifted writer and speaker, appears at part of the Seattle Arts & Lectures series. At 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 5, Chihuly Garden and Glass, 305 Harrison St., Seattle; $15-$50 (206-621-2230 or lectures.org).
THEATER
‘Othello’
Passed over for promotion, Othello’s ensign, Iago, poisons everything he touches in Shakespeare’s drama about jealousy, revenge and the scars of wars fought both on the battlefield and at home. John Langs directs the Seattle Shakes production. Darragh Kennan is Iago and Hillary Clemens and Sean Phillips make their SSC debuts in the roles of Desdemona and Othello. Through May 17, Cornish Playhouse at Seattle Center, tickets from $30 (206-733-8222 or seattleshakespeare.org).
CLASSICAL MUSIC
‘The Magic Flute’
Pacific MusicWorks and UW School of Music present Mozart’s delightful — and nonsensical — tale complete with a classical orchestra, conducted by PMW founder Stephen Stubbs. Cyndia Sieden will sing the role of Queen of the Night. 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday (May 8-10), Meany Theater, University of Washington, Seattle; $10-$65 (206-543-4880 or tickets.artsuw.org).
Seattle Symphony
Well-traveled and -regarded pianist Imogen Cooper will play and conduct in a program featuring Mozart’s Piano Concertos 17 and 24 — sure to please fans of her skillful interpretations of his works. 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 7, and 8 p.m. Saturday, May 9, Benaroya Hall, 200 University St., Seattle; tickets from $20 (206-215-4747 or seattlesymphony.org).
VISUAL ARTS
Building 30 Open Studios
The artists of Building 30 in Magnuson Park invite the public to visit their studios and learn more about the work they do in the renovated historic space. In addition to new music from Inverted Space Ensemble UW, 314 Pie food truck will be on site and artist Liz Tran will be in the Magnuson Park Gallery from 2-4 p.m. to meet patrons and discuss her new solo exhibition, titled “Regeneration.” Visitors to the gallery who prove they rode their bike to the event receive a coupon for a free beverage from 314 Pie. 1-5 p.m. Sunday, May 3, 7448 63rd Ave. N.E., Seattle (spaceatmagnuson.org).