In the last century, theater has met its greatest adversary yet: film. Much can be accomplished through the eye of a camera which cannot be easily done in a live space, like  forced viewpoints, CGI, and extravagant settings to name just a few. But there is one limitation to film which it may never truly conquer: It exists predominantly behind the fourth wall.

This November, many of us watched in despair as Donald Trump was re-elected to become our next President. The outcome leaves us with a profound sense of grief for our nation and our planet. For those who have spent years fighting for climate justice, the result feels like a gut punch, threatening to erase gains made in recent years and compounding the urgent need for action. 

On October 23, 2024, Kamala Harris said at a Town Hall that "we have to get past the era of partisan politics." I understand her strategy. The idea that these times are bigger than partisan politics is easy for disaffected liberals to accept and cast a begrudging vote for Harris at the end of the day. The argument is as simple as it is stark: Trump is far worse. With the intent of overturning Roe v. Wade, Trump appointed justices to the Supreme Court who eventually did just that, removing Americans' constitutional right to get an abortion.

Everyone experiences trauma. This is a human experience we all share. We all have different ways to deal with said trauma. So how do writers and artists process their trauma?

Poets and artists are not only bold enough to share their trauma through their art, but creative enough to spin their trauma into beauty through bravery. Trauma allows those to understand loved ones as well as the inner mechanisms of themselves through reparation.

“Tell me your name, pronouns, and anything that’s going on with your body today.” The instructor begins, tacking on a question of the day. This practice and sameness at the start of each class grounds me, bringing me into my body and preparing my mind to solely focus on sweat, bruises, and cheering on the successes of me and my classmates as we learn together.

Poetry—like any art form—stands as a positive tool for change. In today’s climate, when the country is most divided, poetry aids in developing one’s rhetoric. A sharp mind is just as important as a sharp sword for battle. Regardless of political party, people tend to focus on how to outwit their opponent and prepare for what they are going to say next. While watching political debates, past and present, I have watched how politicians build and craft arguments on embarrassment while patronizing those longing to be represented. Screaming louder doesn’t win the argument. Using bigger words doesn’t win the argument. Name calling doesn’t win the argument. So what does, then?

Singer-songwriters Charli XCX and Troye Sivan played their final show right here in Seattle, WA. On October 23rd, 2024, the duo performed at the Climate Pledge Arena. The tour kicked off September 14, 2024, in Detroit, MI, making its way through the country with two stops in Canada. As a fan of both musical artists and their latest albums Brat and Something to Give Each Other, I got the fortunate opportunity to attend.

Seattle is not often the first place that enters one’s mind in thinking about the fashion industry. When it comes to getting dressed, a casual style is widely accepted. The city has contributed greatly, however, to the business side of things. It is the headquarters of several world-renowned retailers with a legacy in local manufacturing, like Filson (est. 1897), Nordstrom (est. 1901), Eddie Bauer (est. 1920), and REI (est. 1937). Despite not being a fashion capital, even with so many “heritage brands,” Seattle is recognized as a creative city.

Music is one of the ways in which we can bridge gaps between different communities, cultures, and peoples. Choir especially is a building block to creating wonderful community. Singing can be a vulnerable but rewarding experience, and sharing it with others is a great way to build confidence and bond with the people around you. Singing in an ensemble is the coming together of individual voices to create something whole, to bring a solo piece into a harmonic movement.

Despite being self-described as chronically online, I also spend a lot of time reading. I’ve been a big reader ever since I was a child. I loved it so much I read my way into an English Degree (just dropping my credentials). I love the romance genre, and thanks to social media, it’s a bit of a hot-button issue. Booktok, Bookstagram, Bookbook? Whichever platform you’re on, there's a community of readers discussing all kinds of genres; but it’s hard to get away from the conversation of romance if you love it or if you hate it, because that makes you engage.

When asked if wealthy people can truly call themselves “progressive,” former City Council candidate Alex Hudson stated her support by saying, “I would say that solidarity is not about what’s in your bank account, it’s about what’s in your heart. …We need to level up, we need to match our opponents and I think we have better ideas! I think we have more sound policies and…there’s more of us. And so we need the tools and resources to be able to build our movement, to sustain our movement beyond campaigns, and to communicate with voters. And that takes money. I think there’s a lot of people in Seattle who care about those things and share those values.”

Pronouns matter. They have become a means to explore and expand the nature of identity in today’s culture; and, as history continually teaches us, culture is always ahead of politics (and, lest we forget, the arts are the vanguard of culture). The demographic shifts in the United States are changing the culture of our democracy—making it richer, more diverse, and more equal.

We’re excited to announce our official launch on Friday, September 13, 2024! Get ready for a brand new, gorgeous fresh face: We’re getting painted and fitted as we speak. Along with it will come e-newsletters to bring featured moments right to your inbox, as well as even more content on the main site to keep you curious.

We all want a safer, happier, more livable, equitable, and resilient city. And simply put, that won’t be possible if we don’t meet our climate goals. We all need to care about climate. And we should expect our leaders to do more than just talk about it. We should expect them to act on it—decisively and urgently—so that in just 6 years, when our 2030 targets come due, Seattle is ready.

Politics isn’t showing any signs of becoming less polarizing and divisive. We need system reforms that change the conditions we vote in so that we can change the conditions we live in. The 2028 presidential primary will be here before we know it, and we deserve to be in a position to vote our respective truths knowing our voice will be heard in a meaningful way.

If passed in November, I-2109 would slash over $5 billion from our schools, early learning, and childcare to give a tax cut to the very wealthiest.

A lot of folks assume that their health insurance, or Medicare, will cover long-term care if we need it. They do not. The vast majority are unprepared financially to cover expenses of support should we need help with daily living tasks like dressing, bathing, getting around, managing meals, and medication.

The history of Blacks and other people of color playing service or menial roles in theater is deeply rooted in systemic racism and discriminatory practices. Throughout history, marginalized groups, including Blacks, Asians, Native Americans, and Latines, were often relegated to roles that reinforced negative stereotypes and limited their opportunities for meaningful representation.