Cheap Week Seattle: June 30–July 6

Tues, July 1Planetarium Show^[1]Gaze at the nighttime sky and carve out the constellations—or rather an accurate indoor reproduction. Bellevue College opens up the Williard Geer planetarium to the public this Tuesday, showcasing two professionally produced shows, Stars and The Secret Life of Stars. The first discusses the constellations and the history behind astronomy, while the latter is an in-depth discussion about the varying characteristics of stars, from size to life span. Bellevue College, free

Thurs, July 3Elton Jah and the High Council^[2]Imagine the acclaimed musicianship of Sir Elton John—from “Tiny Dancer” to “Candle in the Wind”—filtered through the prism of funky reggae and you have the Elton John tribute band Elton Jah. Garbed in a braided blond wig and round sunglasses, Elton Jah brings all of the hits to Nectar Lounge. Nectar Lounge, $5–$10

July 3–August 23John Buck^[3]The wooden works of John Buck are anything but subtle. The towering multitiered carvings seem like visions from fever dreams: bodies jutting with symbol-strewn gadgets instead of heads, stairs with horse- and skyscraper-adorned pillars, and more. They’re surreal ideas crashing headfirst into natural materials. Catch the opening reception during your First Thursday art walk. Greg Kucera Gallery, free

Fri, July 4Seafair Summer Fourth^[4]Ah, yes… the Fourth of July. It’s the United States’s birthday and we celebrate in the only way we know how: by blowing things up. Boom! Pow! The quintessential Seattle fireworks display is the doozy that flies over Lake Union, which you can spot from either Gas Works Park or Lake Union Park. But if you’re looking to avoid the crowds this time around, fireworks shows are taking place all over town, from Edmonds to Kent to Bellevue. Gas Works Park, free

Sat, July 5Classical Music at the Ballard Locks^[5]Each summer the picturesque Ballard Locks becomes home to a free summer concert series showcasing a diverse breadth of local talent. This Saturday, catch the Puget Sound Symphony Chamber Players as they perform classic wind instrumentals as sailboats, tugs, and yachts float on across the water. Ballard Locks, free

References

1. ^{^} Planetarium Show (www.seattlemet.com)
2. ^{^} Elton Jah and the High Council (www.seattlemet.com)
3. ^{^} John Buck (www.seattlemet.com)
4. ^{^} Seafair Summer Fourth (www.seattlemet.com)
5. ^{^} Classical Music at the Ballard Locks (www.seattlemet.com)
6. ^{^} See an example! (www.sagacitymedia.com)