In a press release this morning, Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell announced the appointment of Shon Barnes, the current Madison, Wisconsin Chief of Police, as the next Chief of the Seattle Police Department (SPD). The appointment follows a national search and comes after Barnes's successful implementation of crime reduction strategies in Madison.

SEATTLE—Following the success of its recent concert presentation of Samson and Delilah, Seattle Opera presents this January a concert rendering of Hector Berlioz’s Les Troyens—an epic tale of fate, love, and betrayal that is as grand in scope as it is rarely performed. This special pair of performances marks the first time Les Troyens will appear on the Seattle Opera stage.

Winner of more than 100 international awards including the Grammy Award and three Tony Awards, WICKED has been performed in excess of 100 cities in 16 countries around the world (U.S., Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland, Japan, Germany, Holland, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, The Philippines, Mexico, Brazil, Switzerland and China) and has thus far been translated into six languages: Japanese, German, Dutch, Spanish, Korean and Portuguese. WICKED has been seen by more than 67 million people worldwide and has amassed in excess of $5.6 billion in global sales.

Pacific Northwest Ballet’s sparkling production of George Balanchine’s The  Nutcracker® returns to the McCaw Hall stage for 37 public performances this holiday season. Featuring  Tchaikovsky’s timeless score performed by the world-famous PNB Orchestra, PNB Company dancers in show-stopping roles, bright young stars from the PNB School, unique-to-Seattle sets and costumes designed by Ian Falconer (creator of Olivia the Pig), and McCaw Hall’s lobbies decked out with the season’s best photo ops – PNB’s production is the Pacific Northwest’s favorite holiday tradition. 

ACT Contemporary Theatre announced today the cast and creative team for the 49th year of the beloved theatrical classic, A Christmas Carol. Originally adapted for the stage in 1976 by ACT founder Gregory Falls, this season’s production will see the return of Seattle actor Darragh Kennan in the iconic role of Ebenezer Scrooge. This beloved holiday tradition is directed by ACT Core Company member & Seattle favorite R. Hamilton Wright and promises to be a delight for audiences of all ages.

The Seattle Art Museum (SAM) presents Joyce J. Scott: Walk a Mile in My Dreams (October 17, 2024–January 19, 2025), the summative career retrospective of one of the most prolific and boundary-breaking artists of our time. The exhibition features over 140 works from the 1970s to the present, including beadwork, sculpture, textiles, jewelry, printmaking, and performance, reflecting how Scott has upended hierarchies of art and craft over her 50-year career. Her work confronts racism, sexism, classism, and what she calls “all the ‘isms’ society offers” through impish and audacious humor, expressions of beauty, and a humanistic engagement with global events.

The Annual Breakfast is a celebration of the organization’s essential programming and services  it provides to the community in the focus areas of health, housing, entrepreneurship, advocacy,  education, and workforce development. The 2024 event will also include a special emphasis on hope in action with a future forward focus of the Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle’s mission.

Lil' Brown Girl will open its doors at Métier Brewing Company's (MBC) Cherry Street taproom in Seattle's Central District on Wednesday, October 16, 2024. The quick-service restaurant concept will pair MBC award-winning brews with That Brown Girl Cooks! (TBGC!) and COMMUNION menu favorites, creating an inviting atmosphere where community and flavor converge.

Beloved Seattle playwright Katie Forgette returns to ACT with this world premiere first featured at ACT’s inaugural New Works Northwest Festival. This delightful backstage comedy unfolds on the opening night of the Teacup Theatre’s production of Death of a Salesman where two actors, returning after years away, find themselves grappling with more than just their roles.

Since 1991, GSBA has invested over $6 million in LGBTQ+ and allied students, supporting 552 scholars with a graduation rate of 81%, well above the national average of 62%. During the 2024 school year alone, GSBA supported 70 scholars! Beyond receiving financial assistance through our scholarships, GSBA offers our cohort additional essential resources that go beyond tuition, such as professional networking opportunities and emergency funds.

NORITA tells the extraordinary story of Nora “Norita” Cortiñas, a prominent figure in Argentina's struggle for human rights. The documentary showcases Norita's transformation from a grieving mother into a powerful activist, following the disappearance of her son, Carlos Gustavo, during Argentina’s military dictatorship in the 1970s. In the aftermath of her loss, Norita co-founded the Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo, an organization that has played a crucial role in advocating for the rights of those who were "disappeared" by the regime.

ACE (Academy for Creating Excellence) is delighted to announce its highly anticipated Night of Excellence fundraising Gala, taking place on October 19 at the prestigious Fairmont Olympic Hotel. This enchanting evening promises to be a true celebration of philanthropy and community spirit while supporting an important cause.

Human services providers have long understood that behavioral health access is essential for communities to thrive. Barriers to accessing culturally competent care have led to agencies embedding services within our programs through partnerships and other initiatives.

Intiman Theatre is thrilled to announce its 2024-25 season, and the launch of the Intiman Cabaret, a brand-new experience that will showcase work from Seattle and beyond in an intimate setting. Nine shows are part of the season, including the return of beloved Black Nativity. This exciting expansion comes as Intiman enters the fourth year as the professional theatre-in-residence at Seattle Central College, where students earning their AA Degree in Technical Theatre for Social Justice gain on-the-job training while shadowing union professionals. 

ACT Contemporary Theatre announced today the cast and creative team for the opening show of their 2024/25 Season, POTUS: Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive. This Tony-nominated comedy, written by Selina Fillinger and directed by Jillian Armenante, begins September 7 and has already announced an extension to the run, now closing September 29.

Seattle, WA (August 29, 2024)—Converge Media, a leading Black-owned Seattle-based media company dedicated to uplifting Black stories and voices, today announced a significant distribution agreement with FOX SOUL. This partnership will bring Converge Media's diverse range of programming, including current shows, films, and future productions, to FOX SOUL's audience.

SEATTLE— In October, Seattle Opera audiences will experience a unique new work by visionary writer and director Tazewell Thompson, whose opera Blue was hailed by The New York Times as “the most elegant libretto heard in a long time.” Jubilee tells the story of a group of Black American singers who brought African American spirituals to audiences around the world, forever changing the trajectory of music history.

Besa Gordon, the beloved host of Back2Besa on FOX 13 Seattle, has officially renewed her contract with the network for a second season. This exciting news comes as Besa is in the midst of taking a temporary break from the show to focus on her health, demonstrating FOX 13's unwavering belief in her and the show's potential. 

This October, Seattle Opera will premiere "Jubilee," a groundbreaking work by writer and director Tazewell Thompson that celebrates the inspiring story of the Fisk Jubilee Singers. This ensemble of Black American singers broke barriers and transformed music history with their powerful performances of spirituals.

The Africatown Community Land Trust (ACLT) is gearing up for its annual Reunion on Union event, a vibrant celebration of community and culture taking place on July 21st from 2 PM to 6 PM at 24th and E. Union. This year's event promises an unforgettable experience filled with electrifying performances, diverse food vendors, and a renewed sense of unity.