One of the great American seafood sins of our times pertains to albacore tuna, specifically that we view this truly beautiful and delicious fish as essentially canned cat food. Shockingly few Pacific Northwest denizens are even aware that the waters off our coast are a notable seasonal albacore fishery, one rated Best Choice by the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch List no less. Sometimes you just need to hit the docks of Fishermen’s Terminal to learn the truth. Enter Joe Malley, captain and owner of 95’ fishing vessel St. Jude.

All Hallows may have come and gone, but some ghosts still come haunting. It is a tradition of the holiday season after all—spirits haunting the arrogant wealthy. And as Charles Dickens said in A Christmas Carol, “There is nothing in the world so irresistibly contagious as laughter and good humor.” 

This year marks the second annual performance of what director Valerie Curtis-Newton calls “a re-imagined version” of the show, which was interrupted in 2020 when COVID caused what was to be the almost two-year mandated closure of all theatres and live performances. Curtis-Newton’s mission is to “bring community back to our lives” and find hope in the face of the devastating effects of the pandemic, which, according to the CDC, continue to include mental and emotional health as well as compromised abilities for how we interact socially with each other.

Who doesn’t enjoy the feeling of buying something for yourself or someone you love? Finding the perfect “thing” can be fun, and even life-changing. But if you aren’t careful, the feel-good chemicals generated when shopping—adrenaline and dopamine—can make the activity addicting.

So obviously, when I saw that Daft Punk was re-releasing their 2003 animated film Interstella 5555: The 5tory of the 5ecret 5tar 5ystem and that it would be playing at Seattle’s SIFF Uptown theater, I got a ticket. The animated film sets the 2001 album Discovery to a story about an extraterrestrial band who’s kidnapped and brought to Earth by a power-hungry music executive who makes them massively popular and exploits their talent.

Iconic Convos brings a lighthearted twist to celebrity interviews by conceiving imaginary chats with Seattle's most famous non-human icons.

Nicole Bearden: Before we begin, I would like to thank you, Pike Place, for finding time to speak with me today. I know how busy you are—you never get a day off!

Pike Place Market: Haha, that's right! But I am happy to have the chance to speak on my own behalf for once, and perhaps set the record straight on a few things.

The cineplexes have suffered, yes, but it’s the neighborhood theaters and the art houses that are facing the brunt of the downturn. If people choose to see a film, they are more inclined to see it in a theater that provides an experience. It is not enough to be with strangers staring at a large screen. Now that screen has to be so big you have to turn your head, or the seats have to recline, or there needs to be a meal service and alcohol. People are searching for the nouveau riche instead of the walkable and homey.

Do you need to use the bathroom? Better have your ID ready. Does that sound absurd? Just wait—it might become reality sooner than you think. And it won’t just affect trans women, either. It’s likely to impact any woman who doesn’t fit narrow definitions of femininity.

The harmonious pairing of artist Mary Ann Peters and Alexis L. Silva has culminated in a truly outstanding show of Peters’ work at Frye Art Museum, the edge becomes the center. In this show, based on research on displacement and the Middle Eastern diaspora, Peters conducts archival research in several countries (Lebanon, Mexico, and France), then uses her artworks to contextualize her findings. I sat down recently with Peters and Silva to discuss the impetus for this body of Peters’ work and the professional synthesis between artist and curator.

Where do poets turn to for inspiration?

For this week, I wanted to choose a poet whose roots lie in the heart of the Pacific Northwest. David Guterson, a Seattle native with decades of hiking experience, published Turn Around Time in 2019. Guterson describes Turn Around Time as “a waking poem for the Pacific Northwest,” as the collection is full of poems with nature-enriched imagery paired with Washington artist Justin Gibben’s illustrations. 

It’s often said that there is the technical and the creative and ne’er the twain shall meet. But local author Lauren Appelbaum aims to show otherwise with the release of her debut novel Rachel Weiss’s Group Chat.

Producer, podcast host, stand-up, improviser, writer, influencer. These are hardly enough words to describe the mega-talent that is Molina Molina. With just three years in the Seattle comedy scene at the age of 23, she has taken the city by storm. I caught up with her to chat comedy, harnessing your voice, and much more as she gears up to perform for her second consecutive year at the San Francisco Sketch Festival (the US’s largest sketch festival), featuring talent like the cast of Futurama and Bill Murray in January 2025

After seeingScott Shoemaker’s War on Christmas!, I can say confidently that this is a show you absolutely cannot miss. With a wicked sense of humor, fantastic musical parodies, and costumes that are equal parts stunning and hilarious, War on Christmas! has it all. Even this writer, a known Christmas naysayer, found the holiday spirit while watching this spectacular production, and it will no-doubt melt even the Grinchiest of hearts. This annual Christmas show, brought to us by Shoes and Pants Productions and Theatre Off Jackson, makes a wonderful introduction to the holiday season and will fill you with Xmas joy.

Since its publication in 1897, the story of Dracula has not only suffered under the weight of these cinematic clichés, but the vampire itself has mutated into variations ranging from the comedic (Love At First Bite, for example) to the down-right insipid (the Twilight series). I don’t want camp…I don’t want teenage romance…I want the MONSTER…feral and pure.

Teatro ZinZanni’s “Sizzle” is not just a show, but an entire experience. With a dress code of “fancy-shmancy” cocktail attire required, I went to SANCA & Emerald CIty Trapeze in SODO, already in a good mood because my outfit worked out exactly as I’d planned in my head (a big win). 

What does a poet do when they struggle with their identity?

Emily Dickinson stands as one of the backbones of American poetry. When I started Max’s Musings, her name immediately rang through my mind. I knew I would eventually share one of her beloved poems, yet I wanted to find the right one for me.

Seattle’s International District buzzed with energy on November 27, 2024, as the community honored the 83rd birthday of the late action star Bruce Lee. With newly unveiled murals, the celebration not only paid homage to Lee’s legacy but also reinforced the neighborhood's commitment to cultural preservation and artistic vitality.

There are many ways to appreciate the land we are on and honor those who were here before colonization, and recently, I decided to spend time amongst the talented artisans of the Duwamish people and give back to their community at their annual Duwamish Native Art Market. As the original caretakers of the land we now call Seattle, the Duwamish people are an important and integral part of this city’s history and future. You can learn more about them and their culture, past and present, on their site.

Scarecrow Video provides a unique service. While the media landscape has transformed into a virtual domain, Scarecrow remains firmly planted in the physical world. And because of the vastness of their collection, along with their commitment to preserving cinema history, your selection won’t be limited to popular titles. Why is that important? For the same reason representation is important: we need to see ourselves reflected in our art. Otherwise, we become monstrous to ourselves. 

Keen-eyed (read Chronically Online) Seattle Artists know that something has been up lately at 18th & Union, the beloved Central District arts space.

I sat down with marketing director, Jazz Flora, for an exclusive inside scoop: