Culture Dose: May “Musts” + Summertime Prep

Photo by Christen Vidanovic for Wanderlust Festival

Enjoy Seattle-area offerings from wonderful Wanderlust to daring dance performances.

So far, we’ve been loving this month, and we’re excited to see what the rest of May has in store. To help fully embrace this delightful pre-summer stretch, we’ve rounded up some suggestions for Seattle-area “musts” that promise to nourish the mind, body and soul (not necessarily in that order). And in some cases—like Wanderlust on May 22—you can attend to all three at once.

Photo by Christen Vidanovic for Wanderlust Festival
Photo by Christen Vidanovic for Wanderlust Festival

// FOR THE SOUL //

WANDERLUST: Next Sunday, May 22, Seattle’s own version of Wanderlust takes over Marymoor Park. Join “the world’s only mindful triathlon”—an inspiring field day of sorts that urges community over competition and entails a laid-back 5K, a 75-minute, DJ-powered yoga flow session and a 30-minute, guided group meditation. Buy tickers here, and get ready to walk away feeling blissfully uplifted.

KEXP’S NEW HOME: If you haven’t yet explored our beloved station’s brand-spankin’-new downtown HQ, take advantage of three no-cost ways to get acquainted with the welcoming space:

1) La Marzocco has opened a café in the gathering space—a highly comfortable and welcoming place to hang out, grab an espresso and watch KEXP DJs at work in the adjacent booth. 2) Take a tour of the studio at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. every weekday. 3) Watch live in-studio sessions—for free! (Schedule here.)

Photo courtesy Peace Vans Rentals
Photo courtesy Peace Vans Rentals

PEACE VANS: This spring/summer, live out youthful road trip fantasies by renting an expertly-restored Volkswagen—to be exact, a Westfalia model built between 1987 to 1991. These retro, updated camper vans sleep up to four adults comfortably and come with a built-in stove, sink and plenty of storage (plus cookware, utensils and headlamps, as well as a French press coffeemaker with fresh local beans). Rentals are available for six-night minimums with Sunday pick-up after 1 p.m. Leave your own vehicle in secure overnight parking that’s available on-site, or arrive via Seattle’s Link Light Rail to the Sodo Station, a two-minute walk from Peace Vans Rentals hub.

"A Rap on Race," photo by Tino Tran
“A Rap on Race,” photo by Tino Tran

// FOR THE MIND //

SPECTRUM DANCE THEATER (IN ASSOCIATION WITH SEATTLE REPERTORY THEATRE): Stretch the brain at the alluring, new dialogue-meets-dance piece “A Rap on Race,” created by director/choreographer Donald Byrd (Tony-nominated and Bessie Award-winner director/choreographer) and Anna Deavere Smith (Pulitzer-nominated and MacArthur Award-winner actress/playwright). The thought-provoking work centers on the groundbreaking 1970 recorded conversation between writer James Baldwin and anthropologist Margaret Mead, leading to a “creative inquiry on the role that race and ethnicity plays in our society.” Catch the performance from May 19 through 22.

SIFF: Through June 12, allow the Seattle International Film Festival to whisk you away to destinations near and far. The 42nd year of SIFF brings 150,000 attendees to 25 days of 450-plus films from 90 countries. Sift through the mountain of alluring options by brushing up on some of the programmers’ top picks.

// FOR THE BODY //

ELAIA SPA: Queue up the staycation. We’ve discovered one of the best massages in town, and we urge you to book yourself some well-deserved pampering ASAPInside Hyatt at Olive 8, Seattle’s first certified LEED hotel, you’ll find a dreamy day spa dedicated to eco-friendly practices and decadent treatments from signature and hot stone massages to the 60-minute “Seattle Coffee Sugar Scrub” and the 90-minute “Pacific Seaweed Wrap.”

Photo courtesy GRAYL
Photo courtesy GRAYL

GRAYL: Get ready to embrace hiking and camping season by stocking up on cutting-edge gear that promises to make your outdoors adventures even more enjoyable. Seattle-based GRAYL continues to stay ahead of the game with brilliant inventions like the “Ultralight” purifier bottle, which weighs only 10.9 ounces and makes safe, clean drinking water (in one press!) anywhere in the world, offering full-spectrum purification and filtration. Pre-order their latest gem, perfect for the minimalist trekker, here.

EAT SEATTLE TOURS+ WOODINVILLE WINE: Pleasing the palate has never been a hard task in this city, and now some new additions make this season especially enticing. With Spring Release upon us, there’s no time like the present to pop over to Woodinville Wine Country to check out the latest vintages. (Put someone else in charge of the driving by booking a tour with Evergreen Escapes.) Also, be sure to pencil in time to savor the flavors of Pike Place Market like never before, thanks to Eat Seattle tours that give a behind-the-scenes taste of a thriving (and delicious) Seattle landmark. Happy exploring!

Pike Place Market by Corinne Whiting
Pike Place Market by Corinne Whiting