Local Downtown Events: Explore the Heart of Bellevue
May 10, 2023 - by Sandy Vo
Local Downtown Events: Explore the Heart of Bellevue
Welcome to the Heart of Bellevue! Whether you're returning back to the office, re-visiting the area or brand new to Downtown, managing your to-do list while scoping out other things you want to do can be tough. That's why we've put together a small list of upcoming local events happening in the next two months!
We are continuing to showcase the stories and events that bring Downtown Bellevue together. Take a look, and we're excited to see you in Bellevue!
ARTS AND CULTURE
One Work, Many Voices: Kehinde Wiley Public Program
When: May 18 | 5:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Where: Bellevue Arts Museum, 3rd floor
The first of Bellevue Arts Museum’s NEW program series: One Work, Many Voices invites you to be part of an intimate discussion inspired by a single work of art. Their discussion of the themes in Kehinde Wiley’s Marechal Floriano Peixoto II, 2012 currently on display in Strange Weather: From the Collections of Jordan D. Schnitzer and His Family Foundation, will be facilitated by Linda Whitehead, PhD.
The program will be hosted in the 3rd floor gallery after the Museum is closed to the public. This small group discussion is limited to 15 participants.
Stir Up the Paint at Forum Social House
When: Date and times varies
Where: Forum Social House
Forum Social House is more than just a restaurant and nightlife experience, they get creative with their Stir Up the Paint series. Do some art while you eat, drink and enjoy the night with friends and family. Se all upcoming event in the series online.
COMMUNITY
Bellevue Farmers Market
When: May 18 - October 19 | 3:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Where: Bellevue Presbyterian Church Parking Lot
Buy and support local at the Bellevue Farmers Market this summer/fall! Each market day is composed of its own unique mix of vendors offering seasonal fruits & vegetables, cut flowers, fresh meats, one-of-a-kind artisan goods, and tasty cuisine. All BFM vendors grow and make the products they sell, and we are proud to say everything sold at our market comes from within the great state of Washington. The market regularly features fun activities for kids, live music, and community programs. If you haven’t visited our market yet, the best place to start is our Market Information booth where we’re ready to give you the lay of the land!
Paws & Pride Dog Jog & Walk Supported by Symetra
When: June 4
Where: Ashwood Park
the #HeartofBellevue will welcome the start of Pride month with the first-ever LGBTQIA+ dog jog & walk on the Eastside! The Bellevue Downtown Association has partnered with Eastside Pride PNW to present the inaugural Paws & Pride Dog Jog & Walk on June 4 at Ashwood Park, made possible through generous support of Symetra.
Registration is now open, Partial net proceeds of the event registration fees will equally benefit Seattle Humane of Bellevue and Lambert House! This non-competitive 4K event will begin at 8:30 a.m. and plans to shine a spotlight on Eastside Pride PNW's mission to foster unity, celebrate diversity, and build bridges across communities. Grab your tickets soon, first 1000 people get a goodie bag!
MUSIC
Bellevue Beats & Bites Music Series
When: June 7 - August 25
Where: Various locations around Downtown Bellevue
The Bellevue Downtown Association (BDA) has announced the return of its beloved summer concert series, Bellevue Beats & Bites, featuring a lineup of 34 regional musicians, food trucks on most dates, and a new Thursday evening beer and wine garden. From June 7 to August 25, free live music performances at multiple gathering spaces in Downtown Bellevue!
Celebrating its 23rd year, the concert series will offer free live music every Wednesday and Friday from noon to 1:00 p.m. and a new Thursday beer & wine garden with rotating alcoholic selections and food trucks from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Happy hour sales will benefit various nonprofit partners. See full lineup online!
Resonance Event: Jazz Brunch Series
When: May 13 | 2:30 p.m.
Where: Resonance Events
Get ready for a musical and culinary journey like no other! Join Resonance Events for brunch of Lebanese pastries featuring the lively sounds of flute and jazz piano trio. Their special guest, Damoori Kitchen, renowned for its homestyle Lebanese cuisine, will delight you with dishes made from authentic and fresh ingredients – family recipes that have been passed down through generations. Come ready to tap your toes and savor the flavors of this unique musical and culinary pairing!
NETWORKING
Chamber Lunch: Public Safety & Retail Crime
When: May 18 | 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Where: W Bellevue
Join the Chamber for its monthly lunch series, where the most influential legislators, business executives, and other movers-and-shakers from the Bellevue area meet to share ideas, talk shop, and enjoy a meal.
This month features Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson and Renée Sunde, President/CEO of the Washington Retail Association, will address the pressing issue of public safety, retail theft, and organized crime impacting Bellevue area businesses and community. The event's format offers a chance for business owners and loss prevention professionals to come together with local law enforcement, elected officials, and other businesses to discuss how the community can address the escalating issue of retail theft.
Downtown Talks Breakfast: An Update on Bellevue's Changing Skyline
When: May 23 | 7:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
Where: Bellevue Club
Register today for our upcoming Downtown Talks Breakfast on May 23 at Bellevue Club! Our panel will feature some of Downtown's top developers — Vulcan, GIS and Skanska —who will discuss how their projects are impacting the future landscape of Bellevue. Tickets include networking and a plated breakfast. Secure your seat and breakfast!
Our panel includes:
- Tristie Tajima, Senior Manager – Development, Skansk
- Murray Crampton, Director, Commercial Real Estate, Vulcan
- Eugene Gershman, CEO, GIS Companies
RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES
Meydenbauer Bay Park Boathouse Rentals
When: Friday – Sunday: May 12–21 | Thursday – Sunday: beginning May 25
Where: Meydenbauer Bay Park
Soak up the sun and head over to the REI’s Boathouse in Meydenbauer Bay Park located in Doowntown Bellevue. Launch your boat from Meydenbauer and practice your paddle skills in the enclosed bay. Rent a kayak, canoe, or stand-up paddleboard from the REI boathouse and take a break from the stress of daily life!
FOOD AND DRINK
Al Fresco Outdoor Dining
When: All Summer Long
Where: Various outdoor dining locations around Downtown Bellevue
Discover 40+ dining destinations with outdoor seating across Downtown Bellevue. The program runs through the summer, featuring on-street, sidewalk, parking lot, and private property patios. In addition to the collective on-street expansion of space on Main Street, more than 40 other restaurants are offering outdoor dining across the city. Main Street expansion includes: Browne Family Vineyards, Monsoon, Bis on Main, Fern Thai, 520 Bar & Grill, and Rouge Cocktail Lounge.
See All Al Fresco Dining Location
Whisk Cooking Classes
When: Dates and times vary
Where: Whisk
While many know Whisk as an independent retailer with a curated slection of kitchenware, they’re also a venue for cooking class! Come learn from their talented team of chef’s with diverse culinary backgrounds. Whisk is for everyone – for those who love to entertain and want to refine their cooking skills, home chefs who want to keep up with cooking trends, aspiring cooks, and serious foodies alike. From pizza to pasta, they have it all.
House Party at Third Culture Coffee
When: May 13 | 7:00 - 10:00 p.m.
Where: Third Culture Coffee
Looking for weekend plans? Join Third Culture Coffee’s house party, featuring live music, live art, wine, and french crepes.
Bring The Kids
Lost and Found: Teen Takeover at BAM
When: May 19 | 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Where: Bellevue Arts Museum
Lost & Found: Teen Takeover is a FREE night of artmaking inspired by BAM’s current exhibition, Strange Weather. This event is planned by BAM’s Teen Arts Council, designed as a space for youth creatives to hang out, see the exhibitions, and create art together.
Pride Celebration at KidsQuest Children's Museum
When: June 16 | 3:30 - 7:00 p.m.
Where: KidsQuest Children's Museum
Join KidsQuest Children’s Museum as they uplift and bring together LGBTQIA+ Families and allies on a special night of laughter and fun. Let their staff lead you through spectacular spin art, delightful dance parties, catapulting colorful creations, and then step into their Rainbow Room as they collage and color mix.
This blog is part of the Heart of Bellevue: our campaign to showcase local businesses while connecting you with stories of activity, creativity and recovery. Find out about our campaign and explore more of what’s happening around Downtown.
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