Here are five more things to do this week.

Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale

Opening Sept. 11
SIFF Cinema Uptown, Seattle
$15+

The Crawleys return to the big screen for one last installment. Lady Mary finds herself in a scandal, family finances falter, and the staff prepares for sweeping change. With new drama unfolding and the next generation ready to take the reins, the finale bids farewell to the household that became a worldwide phenomenon.

Exotic Deadly: Or the MSG Play

Now-Sept. 20
Theatre Off Jackson, Seattle
$10+

This play brings audiences into the world of 14-year-old Ami, who wants nothing more than a normal American adolescence. Everything changes when a Japanese exchange student arrives at her school, and soon after, she discovers that her grandmother invented MSG. These revelations send her on a time-traveling adventure written by Keiko Green, one of the hottest young playwrights working today.

Ten Voices, Ten Murals

Sept. 15-21, 11 a.m
Condon Hall, Seattle
Free

Ten muralists—Latinx, immigrant, first-generation—take over Condon Hall with large-scale works on migration and belonging. Presented as part of the MEXAM Northwest Festival, the project invites the public to watch artists paint live on-site. Expect bold, story-driven works from B-Line, Carlos “They Drift” Aguilar, Cristina Martinez, Esmeralda Vázquez, Gerardo “Periko,” Jose Rodriguez III, Marisol Ortega, Rene Julio, Victor Melendez.

Taste of the Sound

Sept. 18, 5 p.m.
West Canal Yards, Seattle
$33.85

More than 75 local food and drink makers gather at West Canal Yards on the Ship Canal for an evening of  local bites and pours, and plenty of dockside shopping. Expect everything from seafood and salami to local wine and beer. The event is part of Seattle Made Week, highlighting the city’s maker community.

Whim W’Him Fall ’25

Sept. 12-20
Erickson Theater, Seattle
$15+

This show opens the company’s season and gives its dancers a chance to choose who they work with for the program. Selected from a competitive pool of international applicants, the three artists create pieces for the Whim W’Him dancers, working closely with them on a unique rep. This year, the company marks the 10th anniversary of the Choreographic Shindig, bringing in three female creatives—Chloe Crenshaw, Genna Moroni, and Lea Ved—with singular voices and distinctive points of view.

Visit our events calendar for more ideas.

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Here’s what you can get up to this week:

Jurassic Parking Lot

Now-Sept. 14
Seattle Public Theater
$40+

From the creators of A Very Die Hard Christmas and Titanish, this hilarious stage show imagines dinosaurs roaming not a theme park but a multi-level garage. Expect actors in dino suits, plenty of campy humor, and a storyline that leans into parody and social commentary. Because let’s be honest, Jurassic Park is beloved—and also especially ripe for satire.

Moon Viewing 2025 – Day 1

Sept. 5-6, 6:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m.
Seattle Japanese Garden
$35

The annual Moon Viewing invites visitors to experience the harvest moon in one of the city’s most serene settings. The two-night event blends tradition and performance, with live music, dance, poetry readings, and tea. Lanterns line the garden paths, adding to the sense of quiet ceremony. Tickets sell out quickly, making this one of the garden’s most anticipated events of the year.

Taylor Tomlinson: The Save Tour

Sept. 5-7
McCaw Hall, Seattle
$48.35

Known for her sharp stand-up on relationships, mental health, and the absurdities of adulthood, Tomlinson has become one of comedy’s biggest breakout voices, with two Netflix specials and a spot hosting CBS’s After Midnight. Expect hilarious, fast-paced humor from a performer who’s quickly becoming a household name—and a reminder of how good it feels to laugh.

Arts-a-Glow

Saturday, Sept. 6, 7 p.m.-10 p.m.
Downtown Burien
Free

Burien lights up for the city’s annual festival of illuminated art and community creativity. For one night, the Highline Heritage Museum becomes a “Glow Museum,” with projection art, interactive stations, and glowing displays. There will be roaming performers, family-friendly activities, and live entertainment, turning downtown Burien into a radiant outdoor gallery.

Shout Your Abortion’s 10th Birthday Bash

Saturday, Sept. 6, 7 p.m.-11 p.m.
Washington Hall, Seattle
$15

Shout Your Abortion marks 10 years with a big party. The grassroots movement, launched in Seattle in 2015, has spent the last decade finding creative ways to normalize abortion and support access. This birthday bash will feature DJs, fashion collaborations, screen printing, tarot, tattoos, and plenty of dancing.

An Evening w/ ONDARA (FKA J.S. ONDARA)

Sunday, Sept. 7, 8 p.m.
The Crocodile
$37.35

Born in Nairobi and now based in Minneapolis, Ondara has built a following with his stripped-down folk and Americana sound, shaped by a teenage discovery of Bob Dylan. His debut album, Tales of America, earned a Grammy nomination and tours with the Lumineers and Neil Young.

Visit our events calendar for more ideas.

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Summer may be winding down—at least for students and parents—but the city’s still buzzing with PAX West and Bumbershoot, where Aurora and Janelle Monáe headline the stages. If you’re looking for something more low-key, there’s a gorgeous new SAM exhibition by Pakistani-American artist Anila Quayyum Agha, plus here’s a dispatch from Greenland and a look at rising ferry fares.

Tariqa Waters: Venus is Missing

Now-Jan. 4, 2026
Seattle Art Museum

Seattle artist Tariqa Waters transforms SAM into a cosmic mission, piloting her pink rocket ship through themes of vulnerability, resilience, and identity. Expect blown-glass barrettes, bold color, and surreal installations that blur pop culture and survival tools into one vivid, otherworldly environment.

The Play That Goes Wrong

Now-Sept. 28
Bagley Wright Theater, Seattle
$7+

A community theater troupe attempts a murder mystery and everything collapses in spectacular fashion. Set pieces fall apart, lines are flubbed, and chaos reigns in this hit comedy making its Seattle debut.

The Roses

Aug. 28-Sept. 4
SIFF Cinema Uptown, Seattle
$15+

Benedict Cumberbatch and Olivia Colman star as a seemingly perfect couple whose marriage spirals into chaos in this reimagining of The War of the Roses.

PAX West

Aug. 29-Sept. 1
Seattle Convention Center
$70+

The massive gaming convention returns to the Seattle Convention Center with four days of panels, tournaments, cosplay, and new releases. It’s part indie showcase, part industry preview—plus the legendary Omegathon finale keeps the stakes high.

Bumbershoot

Aug. 30-31
Seattle Center
$142+

Weezer, Janelle Monáe, Bright Eyes, Tank and the Bangas, Aurora, and Quasi join more than 100 acts at Seattle Center’s end-of-summer festival. Beyond the stages, Bumbershoot also brings comedy, fashion, food, and large-scale visual art installations across the grounds—plus a cat circus for good measure.

Visit our events calendar for more ideas.

The post Must List: Five Fun Things to Do in Seattle This Week appeared first on Seattle magazine.

Muno, a Seattle resident, is now executive director of the Justice for Girls Coalition of Washington State, a nonprofit that works with girls and young women affected by violence and negative childhood experiences.

Muno just released Powerful Girls: Raising Strong, Just, and Compassionate Young Women, a book that gives parents tools to help their daughters build confidence and self-esteem.

Muno has published articles about empowering girls in academic and peer-related journals, and in 2017 won a Robert Wood Johnson Interdisciplinary Research Leadership fellowship to help her promote the needs of girls, often overlooked in governmental policy decisions.

“Through my work, I’ve seen how girls who learn to stand up for themselves as a group stay safer.”

“After Kim’s death, I discovered that girls in her class had felt ‘creeped out’ by her killer. My sister, like most of us, had been socialized to ignore gut feelings and prioritize politeness. This socialization kills,” Muno wrote in a recent op-ed in the Chicago Tribune.

“Through my work, I’ve seen how girls who learn to stand up for themselves as a group stay safer. When girls build positive friendships, understand who they are, learn to challenge racism, question what they see in the news media and know they control their bodies, they become better at recognizing unsafe situations and asking for help when they need it.”

Powerful Girls: Raising Strong, Just, and Compassionate Young Women — published by Rowman and Littlefield Publishers — is available in bookstores and online.

The post Turning Tragedy into Empowerment appeared first on Seattle magazine.

Anders and his wife, Valerie, had purchased a five-acre compound on the isolated western edge of the island for its mesmerizing view, a subject he knew something about. As a member of the first human crew to orbit the moon, Anders is responsible for “Earthrise,” perhaps the most famous landscape photograph ever published.

When it was time for Anders to retire, he and Valerie moved to Anacortes, and were happy to turn their Orcas Island treasure over to Michael and Karen Combs, a pair of desert roadrunners hunting summer cover.

“We were told about these islands we should go see. It was a serene experience — no road noise, no traffic, no stoplights and no branded fast-food chains,” Michael Combs says.

The terraced oceanfront property had much to offer, including a 5,250-square-foot primary residence, a 750-square-foot guest “bunkhouse,” a 597-square-foot art studio and immeasurable peace.

The terraced oceanfront property had much to offer, including a primary residence, a guest “bunkhouse,” an art studio and immeasurable peace.

Photography by Andrew Pogue

Unfortunately, the circa-1987 main home included heavy stone fireplaces that blocked the view, a warren of small rooms and later add-ons, as well as hipped roofs that accentuated a hunkered, horizontal disposition.

Before the sale was complete, the Combs approached Anders, concerned that he might be offended by a radical contemporary intervention. “He said, ‘No, no. Make it your own,’” Michael remembers.

The Combs engaged Prentiss Balance Wickline (PBW) Architects and Dalgarno Construction, firms that had worked together on previous projects. The owners, architects and builders tackled the guest house and art studio successively in the first two years, while the Combs switched residences as needed. This arrangement helped the team build creative synergy, which would prove invaluable during the challenging overhaul of the primary home.

View-tiful

Photography by Andrew Pogue

To preserve building rights on the water’s edge, the main structure was stripped to the original footprint and the foundation raised one foot. A new open floor plan was devised, highlighted by a dramatic central cut with a soaring shed roof and modern box element.

The home now boasts layered views of the islands from every room. For the critical seaward face, 12-foot windows were imported from Canada. Because the home is so close to the water, the windows had to be inched over the rooftop with an octopus-like suction device before they could be installed.

It was an expensive proposition, but in combination with slender metal frames, the windows handsomely achieve the coveted vertical orientation.

The existing kitchen was too small to allow two people working together. From the beginning, the Combs emphasized their desire to replace it with “a dream kitchen.” Delivering on that pointed request had the architectural team sweating bullets.

The home now boasts layered views of the islands from every room while emphasizing natural lighting and the breathtaking beauty of the outdoors.

Photography by Andrew Pogue

“We wanted to get everything just right, especially the relationship between the kitchen and the living room,” PBW Architects Principal Dan Wickline says. “You have to give the owners kudos. They were fantastic clients. They empowered us and constantly pushed us to explore opportunities. It made it a joy to work on.”

The refurbished kitchen now features an oversized island, raised bar seating, Dornbracht faucets and premium appliances including Sub Zero, Gaggenau, Miele, Thermador and Bosch.

Behind every dream kitchen is a dream hidden pantry accessible only by hidden oak doors. It contains a second dishwasher and an operations center for a rogue’s gallery of unsightly but critical kitchen appliances — homemade peanut butter doesn’t grind itself. The pantry also includes a private office.

The primary bedroom suite — which is also the only official bedroom in the main home — includes a tufted free-range daybed worthy of Cleopatra. Activities in “The Lounge” include wine tasting, TV watching and gazing at Canada. The theater and exercise wing can be used as bedrooms when needed, bringing the property a total of five bedrooms.

An original set of mahjong tile-inspired custom cushions no longer fit The Lounge as the floor plan evolved. “We found a man in Spain who made knock-off mahjong tile cushions, and they fit exactly,” Michael says.

The primary bath includes a cedar-lined sauna, soaking tub and steam shower. Again, the architects were encouraged to run with scissors, rearranging puzzle pieces in real time to find exactly the right configuration. “We went through a lot of iterations during construction,” lead architect Philip Burkhardt notes. “It was almost like working on a full-scale model.”

Anders kept tabs on the project with frequent low flyovers, always tipping a wing to say hello.

While living in Michigan in the 1980s, the family became one of the first adopters of geothermal systems for residential heating. At Orcas Island, the Combs commissioned multiple wells in excess of 100 feet deep to deliver water that consistently remains between 50 and 55 degrees.

“I won’t say that it was a budget-buster, because there was no budget,” Michael says. “We invest in finer systems and materials wherever we can.”

A super-tight building envelope, forced-air system and solar array are among the many energy saving technologies. An ultra-low energy consumption lighting system was also installed. The direct current, Cat6 cable system is believed to be the first such installation in a U.S. residence.

A Creston Smart Home system (Reference Media, Bellingham) allows an astonishing degree of remote control of lighting, music, temperature, shades and curtains in every room from any location via wall-mounted touch screens or mobile devices. Various room colors can be controlled remotely via Colorbeam — for example, lighting in the bedroom can be programmed to mirror natural outdoor lighting as the day progresses.

A more moody lighting scheme is appropriate for the theater room, which features a black couch and other dark materials, as well as Dolby Atmos surround sound and a 100-inch screen.

Mechanical controls are typically relegated to a dusty corner of the basement. Here, the mechanical room is a destination resort for techies, with the color control panel alone dominating one wall.

The exterior features compressed wood technology from Norway and drought-resistant plants.

Photography by Andrew Pogue

The existing landscape was beautiful, but a few quarts low on drought-tolerant native plants. Karen rescued salal, huckleberry, sword fern and kinnikinnick, sheltering them from construction in a makeshift nursery for eventual redeployment by Kenneth Philp Landscape Architects.

Raising the house one foot also necessitated raising the pool and Jacuzzi. Karen sourced blue-green Italian tiles that reflect the color of the ocean for the new pool deck.

The pandemic inflicted innumerable wounds on the project, which spanned six years, but the Combs felt blessed by the exquisite quality of the work produced, including the Decospan shinnoki ivory oak cabinetry throughout the home (Northwest Custom Interiors, Seattle). “Every grain matches, and every edge is square and true.” Heavy Metal Works (Whidbey Island) was responsible for the masterful hot-rolled fenestrations, Michael adds.

The exterior is clad in Kebony rainscreen, an environmentally friendly compressed-wood technology developed in Norway. It is expected to last 50 years, eventually weathering to a silver grey, without need for toxic oil or stains. To keep deer out of the garden, they ordered a sleek automatic gate comprising charred cypress (Gateway Controls, Bellingham). “We just love wood,” Michael says.

The primary bath includes a cedar-lined sauna, soaking tub and steam shower.

Photography by Andrew Pogue

When the project finally wrapped up last spring, they purchased a nice print of “Earthrise” in anticipation of inviting the Anders over to see how it turned out. The reunion was not to be. On June 7, Anders climbed into his Beechcraft T-34 Mentor for an “Orcas run.”

Although no one can be certain, witnesses familiar with his aerial routines said he appeared to spike upward in preparation for a final spectacular leap of joy, a split-six maneuver, when he ran out of altitude off the western coast of Orcas, near his former home.

Anders died of blunt force trauma. He was 90.

The post Whale Of A Remodel appeared first on Seattle magazine.

Here’s what’s going on this week:

Evergreen State Fair

Aug. 21-26 & Aug. 28-Sept. 1
Evergreen State Fair Park, Monroe
$15+

Rides, animals, and funnel cake—the Monroe fairgrounds are back for two weekends of classic summer fun. This year’s grandstand lineup includes Men at Work and TOTO on Aug. 29. Fair food and Ferris wheels await!

Steve Martin & Martin Short: The Dukes of Funnytown!

Aug. 22-23
Paramount Theatre, Seattle
$101+

The comedy legends we all grew up with are coming to town. Expect rapid-fire banter, musical bits, and the kind of ridiculousness only decades of friendship can produce. Comedy royalty doing what they do best—making you laugh so hard your face hurts.

Jubilee Love Festival

Aug. 23, 3 p.m.
Shy Acre, Port Townsend
$110

Singer songwriter Grace Love’s all-day gathering at Shy Acre in Port Townsend is pure heart, with live music and soul food. It’s a space where BIPOC and queer artists take center stage. And it’s the kind of day where you wander between sets with a plate in hand and know that you’ve stumbled into something rare and good.

Black Arts Fest

Aug. 23-24
Seattle Center
Free

Celebrate Black arts and culture with live music, dance, and really good food. Presented by the Sundiata African American Cultural Association, this Seattle Center Festál has been going strong since 1980, making it the longest-running African American festival in the Pacific Northwest. Named for Sundiata Keita, the legendary ruler of the Mali Empire, it’s a joyful gathering that blends tradition and community.

Kameelah Janan Rasheed: we leak, we exceed

Aug. 23-April 26, 2026
Henry Art Gallery, Seattle
Free

New York-based artist Kameelah Janan Rasheed’s immersive installation blends text, images, and sound to explore how memory and knowledge shift over time, and how meaning can be lost when ideas are compressed. The work fills the museum’s double-height gallery, drawing from physics, Black critical thought, and information theory to question the ways data and identities are reduced.

Visit our events calendar for more ideas.

The post Must List: Five Fun Things to Do This Week appeared first on Seattle magazine.

Here’s what’s happening around town this week:

Patrick Dixon

Friday, Aug. 15, 7 p.m.
Third Place Books | Ravenna, Seattle
Free

Catch Patrick Dixon at Third Place Books as he reads from his new book Mending Holes. A fisherman and poet, Dixon brings a unique perspective to storytelling that’s rooted in the sea.

Chief Seattle Days

Aug. 15-17
Downtown Suquamish
Free

Head to Suquamish for Chief Seattle Days, an annual event sponsored by the Suquamish Tribe to honor Chief Seattle’s historical legacy and celebrate the revitalization of Coast Salish traditions. This community-driven event features a Gravesite Honoring ceremony, canoe races, a salmon bake, and a variety of sports tournaments, including golf, 5k runs, and softball. You can also enjoy the Powwow and Coastal Jam, where coastal traditions are shared and celebrated. It’s a good way to connect with the region’s culture, history, and community. Find the schedule and sign up for updates.

CHOMP!

Aug. 16, 10 a.m.
Marymoor Park, Redmond
Free

Held at Marymoor Park’s Willowmoor Farm, the event showcases local farms, chefs, and organizations focused on healthy, affordable food and sustainability. This year’s beneficiary, the Washington Hmong Farmers Cooperative, supports Hmong farmers’ traditions and their contributions to the region’s agricultural landscape. Enjoy food trucks, street eats, and artisan vendors while supporting local initiatives.

The music entertainment includes Seattle bands Suzzallo BEARAXE and Rat Queen’s Jeff Tapia.

Africatown Soul on the Water

Saturday, Aug. 16, 2 p.m.
Pier 62, Seattle
Free

Enjoy live music, food kiosks featuring delicious bites, and exclusive products from local Black-owned businesses. With stunning views of the water, mountains, and city skyline, this event is part of Africatown Community Land Trust’s Summer of Soul series, celebrating Black legacy and community power. This is how you soak up good music and great food. RSVP here.

Alabama Shakes

Saturday, Aug. 16, 7 p.m.
Climate Pledge Arena, Seattle
$53+

Known for their electrifying blend of blues rock, southern rock, and soul, the band’s live shows are legendary. With lead singer Brittany Howard’s incredible vocals and the band’s raw energy, this is a performance you won’t want to miss.

Seattle Design Festival

Aug. 16-17
Lake Union Park, Seattle
Free

Discover how design shapes our world at the 15th Annual Seattle Design Festival. For six days, immerse yourself in experiences that explore the power of feedback in design—how it transforms ideas, spaces, and communities. Engage with interactive exhibits and hands-on experiences while diving into meaningful conversations about design’s role in creating inclusive, equitable spaces. There will be talks by Rutwik Karra and Sean Schumacher, students from the Masters in Human Computer Interaction + Design,   and a film on Seattle’s renegade architect Robert Reichert. Installations include Seattle/Portland based Mahlum Architects, UW Architecture and Taskar Center -UW.

Visit our events calendar for more ideas.

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Mount Adams is a 12,276-foot stratovolcano in the Cascade Range, the second-highest peak in Washington, with sprawling glaciers and a broad, sloping summit. After her roommate mentioned the climb, Emma fell into a TikTok rabbit hole of summit videos—watching people travel across the country to tackle the peak. It looked beautiful and challenging, and she’s just impulsive enough to say yes.

She expected sore legs and stunning views. She didn’t expect spiders in the snow or the mental push it would take to keep going. We sat down with Emma to chat about her experience taking on such a big climb and how she prepared for it.

So, Mount Adams—how did it go? What surprised you the most about the hike?

Mount Adams was amazing! It was truly the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life. I was naive going into it. I knew it would be physically challenging, but I didn’t realize how much of a mental challenge it would be, too. The beauty was breathtaking. What really surprised me was the amount of spiders in the snow. We started the summit at 3 a.m., and man, it was spider nation! I also really enjoyed the entire experience of backpacking and camping. It was fun to try something new.

What was the hardest part of the climb?

The hardest part was definitely the false summit. I knew it would be difficult, but I wasn’t prepared for the rocky sections. Normally, the climb is all snow with well-defined footsteps to follow, but because of the warm weather and the fact that we went later in the season, that wasn’t the case.

We had to create our own route up the mountain. With so little snow, we ended up climbing through a lot of rock fields. That was the only time I wanted to stop. I slid down some rocks and was terrified. Not to be dramatic, but I went into survival mode after that. We followed the rocks to another snow-and-ice patch, and I just kept thinking: step, breathe, ice axe, repeat.

This was your first time camping overnight. What was it like being in a tent?

Sleeping in a tent was humbling. I enjoyed it but I have to admit—it’s hard finding your stuff in there!

As someone who’s not a regular mountain climber, how did you prepare for this? Do you have any go-to tips or tricks?

I’m a runner and go on 4-7 mile walks a few times a week. In preparation, I went on a few runs and even ran up and down the rowing stadium stairs at Green Lake. If I could go back, I’d train with a backpack or extra weight and do a few local hikes like Poo Poo Point or Mailbox Peak.

Climbing Pikers Peak, the south end of Mount Adams.

Photo courtesy of Emma Smith

Where did you source all the gear, and how did you know what to bring?

I rented my ice axe, crampons, and boots from REI in Seattle. It was super easy to get fitted after work and return them afterward. The process was quick and convenient, and the staff was incredibly helpful. My only note is that when I was there, I started to worry I might be unprepared—which isn’t far off.

What did you pack that you thought you’d need but didn’t? Or vice-versa—what do you wish you had brought?

I packed a pair of old ski gloves I didn’t end up needing. I used a lighter tech glove instead. I do wish I had packed a baseball cap—the sun is brutal, especially with the UV reflecting off the snow. I wore sunscreen but I was still nervous about burning. Overall, I packed very light and ended up using everything I brought.

Tell us about the day of the hike—how did it feel to finally be out there, and what were the “wow” moments?

Driving to the hike was such a fun start to the trip. We left Friday afternoon with plans to Summit on Sunday. We drove through Mount Rainier National Park, which was absolutely stunning. I didn’t realize just how far the drive would be, but I was glad I had my Kindle to pass the time.

Starting the South Climb to Lunch Counter on Saturday morning.

Photo courtesy of Emma Smith

We camped the night before and woke up at 6 a.m. to begin hiking. About two miles in, my friend told me we were halfway, which was nowhere close to the truth. Things got more challenging once we reached the first snowbank but I felt excited. Setting up camp that night on the mountain was a positive part of the experience—filtering water, preparing dinner, and settling in early since we planned to wake at 2 a.m. Luckily, I slept well.

That morning, the wind was brutal. There was a moment at the false summit where I almost gave up, but I’m so glad I kept going. At the top the view was unbelievable—we could see Mount St. Helens, Mount Rainier, and Mount Hood all at once. My “wow” moment came with the sun rising and the sky being different shades of pink, blue, and purple.

Glissading down the mountain was both thrilling and terrifying. Returning to camp, packing up quickly, and hiking out after a long day on my feet was exhausting.

What was the most surprising feeling you had during the hike?

I’m a little afraid of heights, so I got scared when I was slipping down the rocks. I was also surprised by how emotional I felt after summiting. I broke my ankle last year, so I was proud of myself for pushing my limits.

Emma (left) and her friend Reya at the 12,276-foot summit, the second-highest peak in Washington.

Photo courtesy of Emma Smith

Now that you’ve conquered Mount Adams, would you do a strenuous hike again? Any mountains on your radar?

Yes! I’d love to bring my skis next time and do it as a day hike so I can ski down. Mount Rainier is also on my list. We’re so lucky to have so many incredible outdoor adventures in Washington.

If someone’s thinking about tackling Mount Adams, what would you tell them?

Go with someone experienced. Safety is the most important thing. I wouldn’t have felt comfortable without experienced backpackers by my side.

The post Summiting Mount Adams appeared first on Seattle magazine.

Now in its second year, Jubilee Love Festival returns to Port Townsend on Saturday, Aug. 23, bringing together BIPOC and queer musicians, artists, families, and friends for an all-day celebration rooted in joy, equity, and soul food. The one-day event will take place at Shy Acre, an open, wooded property on Discovery Road, where Love has curated performances, vendors, a kid zone, and family-style dining. “I want people to feel like they’re in my backyard having a good time,” she says.

Love, who was raised in Tacoma and now lives in Port Townsend, has been a fixture in the Northwest music scene for two decades. Known for her powerful vocals and dinner-and-a-show performances, she’s also a community organizer, chef, and educator currently pursuing her doctorate in educational leadership. Jubilee is her latest endeavor — a grassroots music and arts festival run entirely by her. “This is a one-woman machine,” she says. “I’m doing all the things.”

The idea for the festival started years ago. Originally planned for 2019, it was postponed when Love found out she was pregnant, and then again due to the pandemic. She officially launched last summer, cooking all the food herself and relying on volunteers and friends to pull it off. “I didn’t have the right resources, but I did it anyway,” she says. “It means a lot to me.”

What makes Jubilee different, Love says, is who it centers. “I want us to be a part of it — not just on the bill, but on the administrative side too,” she says, referring to BIPOC and LGBTQ+ artists and organizers. “We get overlooked a lot.”

This year’s lineup includes artists from Los Angeles, Portland, and Washington: Folk artist Destinie Lynn, singer Jo Nagle, trumpet player Carrie Jennings, funk-rock-soul group Jay Si Proof, and DJ Electric Teel will keep the music flowing throughout the day.

Clockwise from top left: Destinie Lynn, Jo Nagle, Carrie Jennings, and Jay Si Proof — among the artists performing at the Jubilee Love Festival.

Photo courtesy of Jubilee Love Festival

There will also be a bounce house, art tables, and face-painting supplies in the kid zone, plus a small vendor fair. Love will cook for attendees herself, serving a “Soul Bowl” with macaroni and cheese, collard greens, and fried chicken drizzled in honey hot sauce. The festival builds on her Soul Pantry food pop-up, which ran this summer at Concerts on the Dock in Port Townsend and continues to host dinner-and-a-show nights throughout the year.

Despite its ambition, Jubilee is deeply personal for Love. “I get to be the person who chooses people that deserve to be on a stage,” she says. “People who need to be seen and heard. That feels powerful.” She also hopes to build something more sustainable. “I operated at a loss last year,” she says. “I’m hustling. I don’t have a real job. I’m just trying to keep this going.”

To ensure the festival is accessible, tickets include both admission and food, and an equity pass program offers free-low cost tickets to anyone who needs one. “Nobody’s going to be turned away,” Love says. “The form is a couple questions. That’s it. Because when you’re poor, all those hoops are demeaning. It doesn’t feel good.”

For Love, the festival is about community and love. “Self-care is one thing. But this is self-maintenance,” she says. “When that check engine light comes on and you keep forgetting to go? This is that. We’re not ignoring how powerful art is. We need to be putting money back into what makes us happy. No matter what, we’re not gonna give up.”

And in a world where so much feels uncertain, Love says, “There is peace somewhere. This is it.”

Jubilee Love Festival is Saturday, Aug. 23, with music from 3-9 p.m. at Shy Acre, 363 Discovery Rd., Port Townsend. Get your ticket here and sign up to volunteer here.

The post A Festival Built on Faith appeared first on Seattle magazine.

McKenna Martin was living and working in L.A., juggling TV production and a photography business, when the pandemic put everything on hold. With shows paused and no way of taking on photography clients, she looked for a new creative outlet. She bought a Cricut cutting machine, started drawing and making stickers, and launched Palm Creative in 2020 with a focus on book-themed designs that brought a little joy to a bleak time.

Eventually, Martin made the decision to leave the industry and move back to Washington. After relocating in 2023, she began selling her work at local Seattle markets. “My business started thriving and growing in new ways I didn’t expect,” she says. “I started really focusing on my niche and found my love for both creating and connecting with customers over my bookish designs.”

She applied to Seattle Restored in January 2025 with a proposal for a romance-focused pop-up bookstore. The city-backed initiative pairs small businesses and artists with rent-free retail space in underused storefronts. Launched in 2021, the program has helped more than 180 participants — 90% of whom are BIPOC- or woman-owned — grow their businesses, connect with the community, and, in some cases, transition into permanent locations.

Romance-only bookstores have been popping up across the country in recent years, fueled by a surge in readership. The number of dedicated romance bookstores in the U.S. grew from just two to more than 20 between 2022 and 2024. The genre has come a long way from the Fabio covers and Danielle Steel paperbacks of the past. Today’s romance is more inclusive and emotionally rich. With dozens of subgenres and tropes, like “forbidden love” and “fake dating,” romance offers a fun escape. It’s no surprise the category has boomed in the wake of the pandemic, civil unrest, global warming, and a collective craving for hope.

“Romance has been a genre that’s oftentimes looked at as less than,” Martin says. “And the resurgence and growth of it the past 10 years has been so exciting. I was shocked to realize Seattle didn’t have one, so I decided why not be the first!”

She was paired with a vacant storefront on Lake City Way and got to work. With just two weeks before launch, she and her husband transformed the space themselves. “Everything was a DIY project,” she says. “I wanted it to feel welcoming and fun.” The result: a cozy, pink-filled retreat packed with books, stickers, and gifts — a space that feels as joyful as the genre it celebrates.

McKenna Martin (right) with her husband at Lovestruck in Seattle.

Photo courtesy of Lovestruck in Seattle

When the doors opened on July 13, the response was immediate. “Honestly the line was a huge surprise,” she says. “I knew it would be busy and assumed maybe the first part of the day would be a line, but having social media actually work for me was a shock. Everything has been so positive and the customers have been amazing. I feel so grateful to have such an amazing community base already that continue to show up.”

The line wrapped down several blocks and didn’t let up until 15 minutes before closing. Martin later posted on Instagram, “It was literally the best day of my life and that was because of each and every one of you showing up for your love of books and supporting a new small business.”

From the beginning, Martin wanted Lovestruck in Seattle to feel like a hub for readers to meet. “I really wanted to make it a space that was colorful, whimsical, and welcoming to both new and experienced romance readers,” she says. “It’s a space you can come to explore new books and find community.”

Lovestruck in Seattle also reflects the subgenres Martin gravitates toward. “I’m a big romantasy genre fan,” she says. “And anything with enemies-to-lovers is a chef’s kiss for me.”

The pop-up runs through Oct. 26, but the long-term vision is already underway. Martin plans to launch a Kickstarter soon to fund a permanent space — larger and built to host events, readings, and vendor markets. “We are actively looking for our permanent location that will hopefully be open right after the pop-up,” she says. “Hopefully a coffee bar too.”

Lovestruck in Seattle is located in Lake City at 12315 Lake City Way NE and is open Tuesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

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