12 things to do in the Seattle area over the weekend

Welcome to the weekend! Whether you want to catch the new “Transformers” movie or a glorious sunset, here’s our local guide for the coming days.

Eats and drinks

• In or around Bellevue? Check out these two great lunch spots.
• Make your own call on this Pullman restaurant that unexpectedly became a James Beard Award finalist.
• To cook at home, take a crack at this vegetarian soy-butter bok choy pasta or this crisp asparagus.

Movies and TV

• “Transformers: Rise of the Beasts” is set apart from its predecessors by genuinely sympathetic human characters, an intelligent script and uncommonly capable direction, our reviewer writes.

Books

• Former Black Panther Elmer Dixon’s autobiography, “Die Standing,” is a portrait of a Seattle revolutionary.
• Local author Kelly Brenner’s new book, “The Naturalist at Home,” serves as a practical guide to naturalist projects you can do at home with little to no special equipment.
• Celebrate Pride with these four audiobooks about transgender experiences and history or these five new books from LGBTQ+ authors.

Arts and community events

• Explore One World One Seattle, a new, free multicultural festival added to Seattle’s summer lineup.
• Seattle Opera’s “Bound” is based on the true story of a teenage daughter of Vietnamese immigrants, who was jailed for truancy while working two jobs to help support her family.
• Pacific Northwest Ballet’s final repertory evening of the season, “Worlds to Come,” runs through June 11 and lets us revel in dance seen live, our reviewer writes.

Outdoors and travel

• It’s sunset season, when long days give way to gorgeous sunsets. You know about Golden Gardens; here are seven more spots to see a sunset in the Seattle area.

Lifestyle

• Know an uplifting Pacific Northwest story? The Seattle Times wants to hear it. Submit a story and it may be featured in The Times.