COVID-Cautious? Safely Enjoy Community with These Events
Person in a mask
stock image via Canva
As the mild Seattle winter turns blisteringly cold, I think again of the dreaded flu season that now encompasses an array of threats—namely, COVID. Despite the supposedly learned lessons from quarantine, the world is largely unmasked these days, even at this time of year when it seems everyone is complaining of some kind of bug. As someone who neither wants to get sick nor spread disease to others, this trend is frustrating to endure year after year. Did we learn so little from quarantine? Why are we all so eager to pretend that everything is simply fine when it so clearly is not?
While it may often seem like the entire world has moved on from the threat of COVID-19, there are always pockets of community support and care to be found! Seattle is home to not only long-standing masked events like Queer Fight Night and Disabled List Comedy Festival, but also to brave one-offs; businesses are reaching out and asking, “Is there any interest in this?” Let’s let them know that the answer is a resounding yes! Even as the world grows more and more perilous, we must endeavor to continue to make safe spaces for all. Our events are only as accessible as our most vulnerable attendees.
NOTE: All listed events below REQUIRE MASKS! There may be additional requirements for attendance; please check event websites carefully.
The fourth Annual Disabled List Comedy Festival will be taking place from January 22 to 25 at venues across Seattle. Featuring Comrade Tripp, Hayden Kristal, Gibran Saleem, and many more. All events are mask-required and ASL-interpreted.
Join the Queer Scouts at the Seattle Aquarium for a marine social. The event is free if you enter with the Queer Scouts—arrive early and meet them at Pier 59. Saturday, February 7 at 8:45 a.m.
This free class requires masks and meets the second and fourth Sundays of each month at Ballard Jiu Jitsu. This is an introductory class series intended for beginners eager to explore martial combat and self defense.
Asylum Collective hosts their sapphic masked goth night each third Friday. The dress code is classic goth: think vampiric, leather, and lace. Watch their space!
Weekly Open Art Studio at Art Is Not A Privilege
AINAP is a local artistic mutual aid organization with weekly open studio space.
University Heights Center
Wednesdays 2:30–4:30 p.m.
DJ Olivia Mutant-John at The Kink Center
Do some masked dancing on the last Friday of the month! DJ Olivia Mutant-John will be at The Kink Center playing an all-vinyl set featuring new wave and disco.
January 30 at 7 p.m.
$10 cover
Charlie’s Queer Books in Fremont
The Evergreen Echo
Masked Shopping Hours at Charlie’s Queer Books
Charlie’s Queer Books in Fremont has mask-only shopping twice weekly. Support local indie books safely.
Sundays 11 a.m. — 1 p.m. and all day Mondays.
T Slur Collective is hosting a leather market at the Kink Center. In addition to local vendors, there will also be workshops and demos.
January 31 at 11 a.m.
Time for the most cottagecore activity of them all: the tea shop candle swap at Friday Afternoon Tea. Got candles you don’t want? Trade them for a candle you would prefer.
January 25 at 1 p.m.
Held every first Saturday of the month at Quantum Martial Arts, QFN is a blend of open sparring and self defense. All levels welcome and it’s always free!
7-9 p.m.
Enjoy your COVID-cautious selves at any of these or other events we forgot to mention. If you or anyone you know would like to spread the word about more happenings, our Around the Sound community calendar is open and free to submissions!
**Queer Fight Night event details updated 1/23/26.
