Third Annual Refract Festival, new hip-hop exhibit at MoPOP, more happening in Seattle this weekend

Seattle's fall foilage — which is expected to peak in color this weekend — won't be the only vibrant thing happening around the city.

From an urban pumpkin patch experience, to a four-day festival celebrating glass art in the Pacific Northwest, to a new traveling exhibit at MoPOP, there's lots to see and do around the Emerald City.

Keep reading for the scoop on where to find this weekend's biggest events. 

Art: Colorful pumpkins, glassworks, more

Looking for a fall activity that isn't your traditional pumpkin patch? Periodic: A Pop-Up Shop in Lake Union is a unique retail shop with a revolving roster of global and local Pacific Northwest specialty brands taking up residence for a limited time before someone else moves in. Currently, the space is being inhabited by Colorfall — offering a free urban pumpkin patch experience that is unlike any other. Bring your camera and get ready to take a lot of selfies in front of the bright pink barn, the wall of colorful pumpkins or even the claw foot bathtub filled with pumpkins.

This weekend, the Tacoma Armory is celebrating over 90 Tacoma artists at its Arts at the Armory event Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. This free, interactive experience showcases a wide range of artistic disciplines. Go ahead, ask questions. These artists are not only interested in showing you what they can do, but they like to talk about it, too. Live music will be presented by the Kareem Kandi World Orchestra on Saturday and Stephanie Anne Johnson on Sunday.

This weekend also marks the Third Annual Refract Festival, a celebration of many local glass artists and studios. Taking place at multiple locations, the festival include tours, demonstrations, parties, exhibits, open studios and more. All are invited to experience the history, creation, and inspiration behind why Seattle is dubbed the “American Venice” — the most recognized hub of glass art in the U.S.

On Friday, sip wine and mingle while enjoying a live collaboration between the glassblowing team at Glass Eye Studio and visiting artist Squire Broel. Plus, hear Morgan Peterson discuss her first solo show during a reception held at Method Gallery or check out the works of eight artists working with light, space and interactive technologies at the Western Neon School of Art.

On Saturday, artist Jason Christian will be taking over the hot shop at the Pratt Fine Arts Center for a four-hour glassblowing demonstration. The event is free but space is limited.

Sunday is a great day to visit Pike Place Market to peruse the many glass art tables with some of the best glass art available for purchase. Or, take this time to visit the Museum of Glass in Tacoma which will be presenting “What Are You Looking At? An Eccentric Chorus of Artists Working in Glass.” The cost is $17.

To view the complete list of ticketed and free Refract Festival events can be found at refractseattle.org/events.

Good eats: Nana’s Southern Kitchen

There once lived a woman in New Haven, Connecticut, who was known for her southern cooking style. Many in the community knew her as Mrytle Henderson, but those who knew her best just called her “Nana.” Today, four generations of Mrytle’s family live in Kent and have named their restaurant, Nana’s Southern Kitchen, in her honor.

Myrtle’s great-grandson and co-owner of the restaurant, Todd Minor, recently opened a new location in Covington. Both the Kent and Covington locations offer friendly customer service and delicious comfort food prepared “Nana’s way.” Nothing fancy here. Just good, old-fashioned comfort food including fried chicken, shrimp, pork chops and catfish alongside full-flavored sides like candied yams, macaroni and cheese, potato salad, collard and mustard greens, string beans, cabbage and, of course, a rotating selection of desserts. 

Music: Ann Wilson, hip-hop history and opera

It’s not too late to get tickets to see Ann Wilson of Heart play at the Neptune Theater on Saturday and Sunday. Having sold more than 35 million records, Wilson is widely regarded as one of the greatest singers in rock and roll. This year, the singer has been hard at work releasing four songs she recorded in 1969 with The Daybreaks as well as working on a new album to be released next year. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show begins at 8 p.m.

The Seattle Opera is raising its curtains for the first time in what seems like forever with a new production of "La Bohème" debuting Saturday night. Running through Oct. 30, this is one of the most popular operas ever composed. Giacomo Puccini’s masterpiece is a story of impoverished young people who are rich in friendship, love, and passion. The long-awaited production features Seattle Opera favorites, debuts, and artists.

The Seattle Rock Orchestra will be playing tribute to an iconic band on Saturday night. Pink Floyd: Dark Side of the Moon will be presented at the Moore Theatre at 8 p.m. This is one of the orchestra’s most popular and frequently performed shows and should not be missed. Seattle Rock Orchestra arrangements double as a veritable concerto for orchestra, featuring soloists from every section of the orchestra.

MoPOP is opening a new traveling exhibition this weekend: Contact High: A Visual History Of Hip-Hop. The exhibit explores four decades of photography from the late 1970s to today, documenting a revolution not just in music, but also in politics, race relations, fashion, and culture. See more than 170 iconic images of hip-hop's most influential artists including Missy Elliott, Jay-Z, Queen Latifah, Tupac, and more. The exhibition also includes more than 75 unedited contact sheets, The Dapper Dan jacket made for Rakim, and MF Doom’s mask and screenings of a documentary short. The exhibition is included in MoPOP's general admission or with a MoPOP membership.

Tickets: Upcoming events to plan for now

Disney on Ice: Oct. 27-Nov. 1 in Kent; Nov. 4-7 in Everett

Nancy Wilson: Oct. 30 at Benaroya Hall

Christmas Ship Festival: Nov. 26–Dec, 23 in Seattle

Trans-Siberian Orchestra: Nov. 27 at Climate Pledge Arena

Cirque du Soleil: Alegria: Jan. 18-Feb. 13 at King County's Marymoor Park

War 50th Anniversary Tour: Jan. 29 at the Pantages Theater