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Town Hall Seattle Arts & Culture Series

Arts & Culture Podcasts

The Arts & Culture series enriches our community with imagination and creativity. Whether reinventing the classics for a new audience or presenting an innovative new art form, these events are aimed at expanding horizons. From poetry to music to storytelling, this series leaves our audiences inspired, encouraged, and seeing the world with new eyes.

Location:

United States

Description:

The Arts & Culture series enriches our community with imagination and creativity. Whether reinventing the classics for a new audience or presenting an innovative new art form, these events are aimed at expanding horizons. From poetry to music to storytelling, this series leaves our audiences inspired, encouraged, and seeing the world with new eyes.

Twitter:

@THSEA

Language:

English

Contact:

2066524255


Episodes

249. Alexis Devine with Sarah Stremming: How a Talking Dog Could Teach You How to Be Human

2/26/2024
Many of us talk to our pets daily, but what would you do if your pet could talk back? What do you think they would say? When Bunny, a fluffy, black-and-white sheepadoodle, was eight weeks old, her guardian Alexis presented her with an odd gift: a button programmed to say “outside” when pressed. Within a few weeks, Bunny was using it all the time, and Alexis, encouraged by Bunny’s progress, continued to introduce more buttons and more words. Three years later, Bunny can now communicate using over one hundred buttons, stringing together important, relatable, philosophical phrases such as “Love you Mom,” “Dad went poop,” and “Ugh why?” In I Am Bunny, Alexis chronicles not only how Bunny learned to “talk,” but also the profound impact their journey has had on her life. Caring for Bunny revealed to Alexis a path to self-acceptance if not complete self-love, and as their relationship developed their ability to communicate deepened. Through charming anecdotes about day-to-day life with Bunny, explorations into prior animal language studies, and plenty of irreverent humor, daring, and heart, Alexis tells the story of how she and Bunny have become so inspiringly close and explores the ancient and unique bond between dog and guardian that so many of us know leads to a deeper, more meaningful life. Alexis Devine is an artist and entrepreneur hailing from Seattle, Washington. She was a longtime creator of wearable art before her sheepadoodle, Bunny, known as “What About Bunny” on social media, became an internet sensation in the fall of 2020. Bunny is part of an ongoing canine cognition research study at the Comparative Cognition Lab at UCSD. Alexis is a Licensed Family Dog Mediator, Fear Free Certified Professional, and Certified Canine Enrichment Tech­nician. Her goal is to further our understanding of the power of connection and the importance of empathy, meeting her dogs where they are and understanding them on their terms first to facilitate trust and promote an environment that supports them as the incredible creatures they are. Sarah Stremming (she/her) is a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant with the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants who hosts the popular podcast Cog Dog Radio. She consults on challenging dog behavior cases, lectures other professionals worldwide, and runs a dynamic membership out of her home office in Redmond, Washington. Known for popularizing “decompression walks” she believes what is best for dogs is usually best for their human companions, too. Sarah competes in the dog sports of Agility and Obedience and can often be found deep in the woods beside her Icelandic sheepdog and three border collies. I Am Bunny The Elliott Bay Book Company

Duration:01:03:47

248. Misha Berson: Seattle Theatre Lives!

2/17/2024
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, Seattle’s theatre community demonstrated resilience and adaptability, navigating through challenging times to envision a new era for the performing arts. Arts journalist and educator Misha Berson will moderate an open discussion about Seattle’s current theatrical landscape with the respected artistic directors of three of the city’s most popular stage companies: John Langs, head of the long-running ACT Theatre; Karen Lund, producing artistic director of Taproot Theatre in Greenwood; and Dámaso Rodríguez, the new artistic director of the Tony Award-honored Seattle Repertory Theatre. Misha Berson was the chief theatre critic for The Seattle Times for 25 years. Now a freelance writer and teacher, her work appears in The Seattle Times, American Theatre, and other publications, and she is the author of four books, most recently Something’s Coming, Something Good: West Side Story and the American Imagination. Presented by Town Hall Seattle and Northwest Center for Creative Aging.

Duration:01:18:42

247. 2022 Town Hall Seattle Writer-in-Residence Sarah Salcedo and Washington State Poet Laureate Arianne True: Neurodivergence and Art

2/2/2024
Join us for a conversation between former Town Hall Seattle Writer-in-Residence Sarah Salcedo and Washington State Poet Laureate Arianne True. Together, they will discuss how they negotiate the intersections of neurodivergence, art, and artistic careers. After a discussion, there will be a reading of Arianne’s poems and a section from the in-progress novel that Sarah began during her Town Hall residency in 2022, which has also been funded by 4Culture. Arianne True (Choctaw, Chickasaw) is a queer poet and teaching artist from Seattle, and has spent most of her work time working with youth. She’s received fellowships and residencies from Jack Straw, the Hugo House, Artist Trust, and the Seattle Repertory Theater, and is a proud alum of Hedgebrook and of the MFA program at the Institute of American Indian Arts. She lives near the Salish Sea with her cat. Arianne is the 2023-2025 Washington State Poet Laureate. Sarah Salcedo is an award-winning filmmaker, illustrator, and author. She was the Spring 2022 Writer-in-Residence for Town Hall Seattle and attended both the 2022 Tin House Winter and Summer Workshop for fiction. Her first film, Promised Land, debuted in festivals in 2016. She is currently at work on her next two documentaries with her partner and collaborator, Vasant Salcedo. She has received multiple grants from 4Culture and Artist Trust for her fiction and film work. To learn more about our speakers, or read their work prior to the event, please visit their websites and social media below: Arianne True: Website | Instagram Sarah Salcedo: Website | Instagram

Duration:01:24:35

246. Behind the WHEEL: The Power of Homeless Women

1/17/2024
You’re invited to celebrate thirty years of homeless women organizing, writing, and creating change! In 1993, homeless and formerly homeless women in Seattle came together to create WHEEL (Women’s Housing, Equality, and Enhancement League) to organize for increased safety and shelter and advocate for changes to end homelessness. Now, in 2023, it’s time to commemorate the 30th anniversary of WHEEL and 20th anniversary of WHEEL’s Homeless Remembrance Project, an initiative that has endowed the city with enduring memorials for homeless individuals. As if this weren’t enough, it is also the 15th anniversary of the publication of Beloved Community: The Sisterhood of Homeless Women in Poetry, a moving anthology published by Whit Press, which continues to resonate with community members. Discover new, powerful voices from current WHEEL members as they share their stories and insights. Following the presentation, engage in a Q&A session to delve deeper into the issues at hand. Beloved Community – The Sisterhood of Homeless Women in Poetry

Duration:00:55:49

245. Stephanie Land with Sara K. Runnels: Motherhood, Hunger, and Higher Education

1/13/2024
When Stephanie Land set out to write her memoir, Maid, she never could have imagined what was to come. Handpicked by President Barack Obama as one of the best books of 2019 and later adapted into the hit Netflix series Maid, Stephanie’s escape out of poverty and abuse in search of a better life inspired millions. Maid was a story about a house cleaner, but it was also a story about a woman with a dream. In her new book, Class, Land takes us with her as she finishes college and pursues her writing career. Facing barriers at every turn including a byzantine loan system, not having enough money for food, navigating the judgments of professors and fellow students who didn’t understand the demands of attending college while under the poverty line — Land finds a way to survive once again, finally graduating in her mid-thirties. Class paints an intimate portrait of motherhood as it converges and often conflicts with personal desire and professional ambition. Who has the right to create art? Who has the right to go to college? And what kind of work is valued in our culture? Class grapples with these questions, offering a searing indictment of America’s educational system and an inspiring testimony of a mother’s triumph against all odds. Stephanie Land is the author of the New York Times bestseller Maid: Hard Work, Low Pay, and a Mother’s Will to Survive, called “a testimony…worth listening to,” by The New York Times and inspiration for the Netflix series Maid. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, The Guardian, The Atlantic, and many other outlets. Her writing focuses on social and economic justice and parenting under the poverty line. She is a frequent speaker at colleges and national advocacy organizations. Find out more at Stepville.com. Sara K. Runnels is a seasoned humor writer, copywriter and writer-writer living in Seattle, WA. She is a regular contributor to The New Yorker, and her satire has been featured in McSweeney’s, Betches and Overheard, among other publications that respect scintillating wordplay. Sara has also spent more than 15 years pushing corporate boundaries by writing extremely fun and edgy copy for a variety of popular brands (including airlines, TV networks and dating apps—all of life’s necessities). Her witticisms, viral one-liners and sharp social commentary can be found, quite literally, all over the internet (@omgskr). She specializes in clever dating and relationship content, and always has something to say about politics, pop culture and the Pacific Northwest. She is currently working on a funny novel in between episodes of terrible reality TV. Class: A Memoir of Motherhood, Hunger, and Higher Education The Elliott Bay Book Company

Duration:01:13:27

244. Alva Noë: Art is All Around Us

12/22/2023
What exactly is art and why does it matter to us? Philosopher of the mind Alva Noë explores the answers to these questions, arguing that we need art and philosophy to fully understand human nature. After all, our modern way of life is permeated with the aesthetic––the arts are an integral part of every human culture on the planet. Our lives supply art with its raw materials, but art, Noë argues, remakes life by giving us resources to live differently. Because of this, Noë believes that art is the truest way of understanding ourselves. He suggests that neither biology, cognitive science, nor artificial intelligence can tell a complete story of us. In making these claims, Noë explores examples from his latest book, The Entanglement—in artworks and seeing, writing and speech, and choreography and dancing—and looks at a range of scientific efforts to explain what it means to be human. Through his work, Noë believes that natural science has its limits in fully understanding the human experience. He lays out the argument that art and philosophy play essential roles in trying to know ourselves. Challenging the idea that art is simply a cultural curiosity and that philosophy has been replaced with science, Noë suggests a new way of thinking about human nature. Alva Noë is a professor of philosophy at the University of California, Berkeley, where he is a member of the Center for New Media, the Institute for Cognitive and Brain Sciences, and the Program in Critical Theory. His many books include Strange Tools: Art and Human Nature and Learning to Look: Dispatches from the Art World. The Entanglement: How Art and Philosophy Make Us What We Are Third Place Books

Duration:00:57:10

243. Sheila Johnson with Gin Hammond: Through the Fire

12/4/2023
If you thought billionaire success stories all looked pretty similar, prepare to be surprised. From middle-class Midwestern beginnings, Sheila Johnson went from an accomplished violinist who married young to become one of the most accomplished businesswomen in America. A co-founder of the popular network Black Entertainment Television (BET) and the first African-American woman billionaire, Johnson rose to become an entrepreneur and philanthropist at the highest levels. Her new book, Walk Through Fire: A Memoir of Love, Loss, and Triumph is filled with candor and emotion as Johnson recounts her many challenges, both in her professional life and thirty-three-year marriage. From battling self-doubt and institutional racism to losing a child, suffering domestic emotional abuse, and plunging into a deep depression from her divorce, Johnson has faced no shortage of hardships. And yet, out of that pain came renewed purpose and meaning. In the third act of her life, Johnson has not only made her mark as the founder of Salamander Hotels & Resorts and the only Black female co-owner of three professional sports teams but has also finally found true love. Walk Through Fire is at once a story of the American dream and the deeply personal portrait of one woman who, despite heartache and obstacles, finally found herself and her place in the world. Johnson’s deeply personal account of love and loss, tragedy and triumph is an example of overcoming toxicity, discovering her true self, and at last finding happiness in work and life. Sheila Johnson is an American entrepreneur and philanthropist, co-founder of BET, founder, and CEO of Salamander Hotels & Resorts, and the only African American woman to have a principal shareholder stake in three professional sports teams. Gin Hammond is an award-winning Harvard University/Moscow Art Theatre graduate, as well as an actor, writer, director, and has performed onstage both nationally and internationally. She is also the author of the recently released historical fiction novel Returning The Bones which she wrote after a decade of interviews with the main character. Presented by Town Hall Seattle and Northwest African American Museum. Community partner: Seattle Black Business Network Walk Through Fire: A Memoir of Love, Loss, and Triumph Third Place Books

Duration:01:04:46

242. Letters Aloud: Before They Were Famous – letters on the way up

11/28/2023
Have you ever dreamed of being famous? Imagined what it would be like to have all your dreams come true? Recognition, adoration, basking in the limelight. Sounds wonderful, doesn’t it? But dig a little deeper and you’ll find that “The Road To Fame” is a prickly path, filled with twists & turns, backstabbing & betrayals. Experience a captivating journey into fame as the performers of Letters Aloud bring to life personal and illuminating letters from renowned figures like Stephen King, Dorothy Parker, Vincent Van Gogh, Emily Dickinson, Bruce Lee, Oprah Winfrey, and Tom Hanks, and explore the steep cost and evolving nature of what it means to be “famous” from those who have traversed its path. A riotously funny, movingly poignant, and thought-provoking experience brought to life by a gifted ensemble of professional actors, with live musical accompaniment, and a dynamic slide show, “Before They Were Famous” is a show that leaves audiences with smiles on their faces and much to discuss on their drive home. Letters Aloud is a performing arts company that brings to life intimate, thought-provoking, and often humorous stories hidden within private letters of the past. Their performances are a unique combination of literature, theatre, and live music that celebrates the beauty of the written word and the human experience. (If you take NPR’s Selected Shorts, cross it with The Moth podcast and add just a pinch of the old A Prairie Home Companion, you pretty much have their show…except, of course, with letters.) They believe that letters are more than just pieces of paper; they are windows into the past, bridges between people, and tools for empathy and connection. Reading them aloud in front of an audience makes for a truly unique and powerful collective experience. Whether you’re a fan of literature, history, or simply good storytelling, we invite you to join us on a journey through the written word. Letters Aloud is a celebration of the human spirit and we look forward to sharing it with you. About the Performers: PAUL MORGAN STETLER Paul is the creator and curator of Letters Aloud and a co-founder (and former Co-Artistic Director) of Seattle’s multi-award-winning New Century Theatre Company. A well-known Seattle actor, Paul has appeared on numerous local stages over the past 20 years, including ACT Theatre, Seattle Repertory Theatre, Village Theatre, Seattle Children’s Theatre, Intiman Theatre, and Empty Space Theatre, as well as numerous regional theatres across the country. He holds a BA in English Literature at Cal State Northridge and an MFA in Theatre Arts from Penn State University. BASIL HARRIS Basil Harris is a Seattle actor and musician who has worked extensively on stage and in film and media. As a voice actor, he’s a regular contributor to the audio dramas of Jim French’s Imagination Theater. He also plays in the alt-pop band “Awesome”, which will be appearing here at Town Hall in December. More at basilharris.com CLAUDINE MBOLIGIKPELANI NAKO Claudine is an actor out of Seattle, Washington, and a core company member of the prestigious ACT Theatre where she has appeared in numerous plays and is a two-time Gregory Award Winner for her work on stage. Film/TV credits include Everything Sucks!, Raising Dion, and Outside In (Netflix); Three Busy Debras on HBO Max and Grimm on NBC. Up next: directing Stew by Nora Howard at ACT Theatre, March 15-31. RAY TAGAVILLA Ray Tagavilla is a UW Drama Program graduate and a recipient of the 2012, 2014 Gregory Award for Best Supporting Actor for Jesus Hopped the A Train and A Small Fire and 2016 for Lead Actor for The Last Days of Judas Iscariot. His most recent theater credits were Two Mile Hollow at Intiman Theater, Titanish at Seattle Public, and recent film credits were Three Busy Debras with Adult Swim/HBO Max. ALEXANDRA TAVARES Alexandra Tavares is one of Seattle’s most treasured theatre actors. She most recently portrayed Caliban in Seattle Rep’s The Tempest, as well...

Duration:01:21:07

241. Peter Boal with Jackson Cooper: From Boyhood to Ballet

11/21/2023
From the artistic director of the Pacific Northwest Ballet and former principal dancer for the New York City Ballet comes a deeply personal memoir about one artist’s journey from boyhood to ballet. Peter Boal’s extensive background in ballet offers a unique glimpse into the world of dance with his diverse repertoire and artistic achievements, including collaborations with prominent choreographers and dancers, Boal’s perspective resonates with both seasoned ballet enthusiasts and those new to the art form. Boal will discuss his journey as well as the challenges and triumphs of his career. Serving as a platform for fostering a deeper understanding of ballet’s impact on contemporary culture, Boal’s insights into the creative process, his role in shaping Pacific Northwest Ballet’s repertoire, and his dedication to nurturing emerging talents within the dance community offer attendees the chance to gain insights into the dedication and discipline required in ballet, as well as the broader artistic influences that have shaped Peter Boal’s journey. Whether one is an ardent ballet aficionado or simply curious about the world of dance, this event is poised to offer an enriching experience for all. Peter Boal is the Artistic Director of Pacific Northwest Ballet and Director of Pacific Northwest Ballet School. Born in Bedford, New York, he received his training at the School of American Ballet while performing children’s roles with New York City Ballet. George Balanchine invited Boal to join the company as an apprentice in 1983, and he continued to dance for NYCB until his retirement in 2005. He has staged works by Balanchine, Ulysses Dove, and Jerome Robbins for PNB, PNB School, and other companies. His memoir, Illusions of Camelot, was released in 2023. Jackson Cooper is a nationally recognized queer arts leader who currently serves as the Major Gifts Manager at Pacific Northwest Ballet and a member of their Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility committee. In addition to his role at the ballet, Cooper serves as an Adjunct Professor for Seattle University’s Arts Leadership program. Cooper is an accomplished writer, with two upcoming publications: A Kids Book About Kindness which comes out this year and a book on fundraising through Columbia Business School Press due out in 2026. Illusions of Camelot: A Memoir Third Place Books

Duration:00:57:20

240. Amy Schneider with Mimi Zima: In the Form of a Question

11/9/2023
Who is the most successful woman to ever compete on Jeopardy!? Amy Schneider’s impressive forty-game winning streak was accompanied by an even greater prize – the joy of being herself on national television and blazing a trail for openly queer and transgender people around the world. Join Amy as she shares her singular journey that led to becoming an unlikely icon and hero to millions. Amy Schneider is an American software engineer and recent Jeopardy! champion. Following an impressive forty-game winning streak, she became the most successful woman ever to compete on Jeopardy!. She is second all-time in the show’s history, trailing only Ken Jennings. Amy is also the first openly transgender contestant to qualify for the Tournament of Champions. She has been covered in People, The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, The Washington Post, USA TODAY, and more, and she has appeared on Good Morning America. Mimi Zima is a DJ, performer, and recording artist who has been an integral part of Seattle’s music and queer nightlife scenes for nearly a decade. She gained wider recognition in 2020 with the release of her underground rave hit “Back of the Truck.” In her original music and her DJ sets, she strives to boldly confront transmisogyny and to encourage trans women and queer people at large to liberate themselves from shame and repression. In the Form of a Question: The Joys and Rewards of a Curious Life Phinney Books

Duration:01:20:27

239. Tattoo Artist Panel: Yes It Hurts and You Will Bleed

11/6/2023
Professor Scott Méxcal sits down with three of Seattle’s preeminent tattoo artists to chat about life behind the needle. In this discussion, they will explore the history of tattooing, tattoo cultural traditions, and the personal journeys of tattoo artists Sonrisa Barron, Suzanna Fisher, and Dustin Burt. About the artists: Sonrisa Barron is the owner and lead artist at Serpent Tattoo LLC, established in 2023 in Olympia, WA. With a Bachelor’s degree from Evergreen State College and extensive training via a long-term apprenticeship, Barron specializes in neo-traditional and illustrative tattoo styles. Barron believes that tattooing is not just about creating a beautiful piece of art, but also about creating an energetic exchange that promotes healing and clarity. Suzanna Fisher was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest and has always felt lucky to live amongst the beauty and diversity that can be found here. Shortly after graduating with a degree in Visual Art from the University of Washington, Suzanna began a tattoo apprenticeship and the fates were forever sealed. Tattooing allows Suzanna to collaborate with clients to realize their vision of personal adornment through a shared appreciation of nature and with respect for this ancient art. Suzanna has been tattooing professionally since 2007 and has owned and operated Bellwether Tattoo in the Wallingford neighborhood of Seattle since 2014. Dustin Burt specializes in realistic tattoos through the Black and Grey tattoo technique and has developed a style of his own. With a degree from the Art Institute of Pittsburgh and over ten years of tattooing experience, Dustin Burt strives to continually develop as an artist while providing the highest caliber of artwork to his clients. In 2021 Dustin was featured in MoPop’s tattoo exhibition “Body of Work: Tattoo Culture. About the Moderator: Scott Méxcal is a public artist, scholar, and art activist. Born and raised in Albuquerque New Mexico, Scott grew up amongst the Nopal and Yucca learning the fundamentals of Chicano Street Art. In 2000, Scott moved to the PNW to earn his BFA from Northwest College of Art and later studied classical painting at Gage Academy of Art in the Aristides Atelier. In 2022, Scott was awarded an MFA through Prescott College in Social and Environmental Practice Art. Scott has lectured at the Seattle Artists of Color Expo and Symposium (ACES), created public art projects, commissions, and exhibitions throughout Seattle, and supports the fight to close the NW Detention Center with Tsuru for Solidarity and La Resistencia. Presented by Town Hall Seattle and Gage Arts Academy.

Duration:01:05:32

238. Myisha Cherry with José Jorge Mendoza: Failures in Forgiveness

10/12/2023
Sages from Cicero to Oprah have told us that forgiveness requires us to let go of negative emotions and that it has a unique power to heal our wounds. In Failures of Forgiveness, Myisha Cherry argues that these beliefs couldn’t be more wrong — and that the ways we think about and use forgiveness, personally and as a society, can often do more harm than good. She presents a new and healthier understanding of forgiveness — one that will give us a better chance to recover from wrongdoing and move toward “radical repair.” Cherry began exploring forgiveness after relatives of the victims of the mass shooting at Emanuel A.M.E. Church in Charleston, South Carolina, forgave what seemed unforgivable. It appeared to her that many people were more inspired by these acts of forgiveness than they were motivated to confront the racial hatred that led to the killings. She was determined to better understand forgiveness and its role in creating radical change. In a conversation with José Jorge Mendoza, assistant professor of philosophy at the University of Washington, Cherry will explore the facets of forgiveness. Using concepts from her book, Cherry examines how forgiveness can go wrong in families, between friends, at work, and in the media, politics, and beyond. By showing how to forgive differently, Cherry wants to transform how people deal with wrongdoing and open a new path to true healing and reconciliation. Myisha Cherry is an associate professor of philosophy at the University of California, Riverside, where she also directs the Emotion and Society Lab. She is the author of The Case for Rage: Why Anger Is Essential to Anti-Racist Struggle and UnMuted: Conversations on Prejudice, Oppression, and Social Justice, which draws on her popular podcast UnMute. She has been widely featured in the media, including the Los Angeles Times, The New Yorker, the Atlantic, BET, and the podcast Pod Save the People. José Jorge Mendoza is an associate professor of philosophy at the University of Washington. He is an editor at Radical Philosophy Review and the author of The Moral and Political Philosophy of Immigration: Liberty, Security, and Equality(Lexington Books 2017). His current research deals with issues concerning migration ethics, Latinx identity, and racial justice. Failures of Forgiveness: What We Get Wrong and How to Do Better The Elliott Bay Book Company

Duration:01:01:43

237. Elizabeth (Dori) Tunstall: Antiracist Design

9/15/2023
Design theory helps us understand how and why visual information impacts us the way that it does, and how we communicate and receive that information via the design choices we encounter. It affects how we relate to new art and technology, what we buy, and who we uplift in our society. But how have we arrived at the current norms of modernist design, and which voices have been at the forefront of establishing these practices? In her book Decolonizing Design: A Cultural Justice Guidebook, author Dori Tunstall sets out to challenge the paths through European-based standards and practices that have classically informed the design world. In historically excluding the cultures of Indigenous, Black, and People of Color communities, Tunstall argues that modernist design has oppressed the people whose lands and lives it sought to reshape, thus advancing the global project of colonization. This guidebook is focused on the transformation of design theory and practice by addressing these harms and recentering these communities globally across the realm of design. Tunstall stitches together over 15 years of research and lived experience in the design field, presenting a look at how understanding the decolonization effort offers infinite possibilities within the world of modernist design. Elizabeth (Dori) Tunstall is an educator, advocate, and leader within the intersectional design world. Her work has been featured in Print magazine, Fast Company, AIGA’s Eye on Design, and Design Observer, among other venues. She currently serves as Dean of the Faculty of Design at Ontario College of Art and Design University, Toronto, and is the first Black person to hold such a post globally. Decolonizing Design: A Cultural Justice Guidebook Third Place Books

Duration:01:24:13

236. Colson Whitehead with Robert Sindelar: Gritty Gotham

9/12/2023
Time travel may not be possible, but two-time Pulitzer Prize winner and New York Times bestselling author Colson Whitehead transports readers back to the 1970s with the latest edition in his Harlem Saga. The second in a trilogy that began with the successful Harlem Shuffle, Crook Manifesto blends dark elements with humor to feature the gritty realities in New York City’s complex history. From Blaxploitation films, America’s Bicentennial Celebrations, and the Jackson Five, Whitehead shows popular culture as it was five decades ago, to high crime rates, social unrest, swelling racial tension, and anti-police sentiment that seem to mirror life today. The novel is an unembellished exploration of harsh truths. Yet in between the corruption, theft, violence, and a motley crew of hustlers and hitmen is Whitehead’s perhaps unexpected exploration into the meaning of family, adding greater depth to the narrative. Colson Whitehead’s kaleidoscopic portrait of Harlem explores a city under siege and a turbulent decade, told through the eyes of a colorful cast over multiple years. Fans of this novel’s predecessor will appreciate the reprisal of earlier characters and familiar situations, and new readers may be drawn to Crook Manifesto’s unique blend of dark comedy, caper, and commentary on the urban landscape. Colson Whitehead is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Underground Railroad, which in 2016 won the Pulitzer Prize in Fiction and the National Book Award and was named one of the Ten Best Books of the Year by The New York Times Book Review. Other books include The Noble Hustle, Zone One, Sag Harbor, The Intuitionist, John Henry Days, Apex Hides the Hurt, and The Colossus of New York. He is also a Pulitzer Prize finalist and a recipient of the MacArthur and Guggenheim Fellowships. He lives in New York City. Robert Sindelar has been a bookseller for over 32 years. He is the Managing Partner of Third Place Books (est. 1998), an independent bookstore with 3 locations in the greater Seattle area. Robert has served on the Board of Directors of the American Booksellers Association including serving as its Board President from 2017-2019. Crook Manifesto Third Place Books

Duration:01:02:45

235. James Comey with Steve Scher: A Crime Novel from the Former FBI Director

7/7/2023
If you’ve kept up with current affairs or politics over the past decade, James Comey is likely a familiar name. Between 2013 and 2017, Comey served as the seventh director of the FBI and has been at the center of headlines about the Clinton email controversy, the Russian interference hearing, and his dismissal by former president Trump. Yet before the headlines and prior to his time with the FBI, James Comey had already led a uniquely extensive career, holding positions as a prosecutor, defense lawyer, general counsel, teacher, and author. Now Comey is entering the world of literary fiction with the release of his debut crime novel, Central Park West. Drawing on his career in Federal Law Enforcement as well as his time prosecuting members of the mob, Comey grounds his narrative in a level of realism that can only be achieved through insider knowledge and lived experience. The story begins as a multi-year case against a powerful mobster finally cracks and an unimpeachable witness takes the stand. But just when it seems like the defendant can be put away for good, a note containing information on a high-profile murder blows the case back open. The result is an investigation riddled with conspiracy, corruption, and danger. Join James Comey at Town Hall as he discusses Central Park West, named the “Most Anticipated Read of 2023” by Reader’s Digest and Newsweek. James Comey has been a prosecutor, defense lawyer, general counsel, teacher, writer, and leader. He most recently served in government as Director of the FBI. His best-selling book, A Higher Loyalty: Truth, Lies, and Leadership was published in 2018 and made into a 2020 television limited-series. His second book, Saving Justice: Truth, Transparency, and Trust, also a New York Times bestseller, was published in 2021. Jim, as he is known to family and friends, and his wife, Patrice, live in Virginia and are the parents of five and grandparents (so far) of three. Steve Scher is a podcaster and interviewer and has been a teacher at the University of Washington since 2009. He worked in Seattle public radio for almost 30 years and was Senior Correspondent for Town Hall Seattle’s In The Moment podcast. Central Park West: A Crime Novel Third Place Books

Duration:01:05:13

234. William Alexander: Ten Tomatoes that Changed the World

6/26/2023
The tomato gets no respect. Never has. Stored in the dustbin of history for centuries, accused of being vile and poisonous, appropriated as wartime propaganda, subjected to being picked hard-green and gassed, even used as a projectile, the poor tomato is the Rodney Dangerfield of foods. Yet, the tomato is the most popular vegetable in America (and, in fact, the world). It holds a place in America’s soul like no other vegetable and few other foods. Each summer, tomato festivals crop up across the country; John Denver had a hit single titled “Homegrown Tomatoes;” and the Heinz tomato ketchup bottle, instantly recognizable, is in the Smithsonian. Author William Alexander is on a mission to get tomatoes the respect they deserve. Supported by meticulous research but told in a lively, accessible voice, Ten Tomatoes that Changed the World will seamlessly weave travel, history, humor, and a little adventure (and misadventure) to follow the tomato’s trail through history. A fascinating story complete with heroes, con artists, conquistadors, and no surprise, the Mafia, this book is a mouth-watering, informative, and entertaining guide to the good that has captured our hearts for generations. William Alexander is a New York Times bestselling author and the writer of three critically-acclaimed books, including The $64 Tomato: How One Man Nearly Lost His Sanity, Spent a Fortune, and Endured an Existential Crisis in the Quest for the Perfect Garden. He’s been featured on NPR’s Morning Edition and Weekend Edition and has written for the New York Times, the LA Times, Saveur, and others. Ten Tomatoes that Changed the World: A History Third Place Books

Duration:00:57:59

233. David Schmader with Kathy Fennessy: Surveying 100 Years of Pacific Northwest Cinema

6/23/2023
Often when we think of cinema, the first places that come to mind are New York or Los Angeles. But did you know that hundreds of films and television shows are set in cities around the Pacific Northwest? From popular series like Twin Peaks to blockbuster book adaptations like Twilight, culture writer David Schmader’s new book Filmlandia!: A Movie Lovers Guide to the Films and Television of Seattle, Portland, and the Great Northwest highlights more than 200 film and television entertainments created and centered in our region. Extensively researched and curated by Schmader, Filmlandia! explores the oft-overlooked film culture of The Pacific Northwest. The author shows a culture that is thriving and robust, one that is finally given space to be celebrated in a guide that aims to be visually arresting and compelling – much like the films themselves. Classics like Sleepless in Seattle are discussed, but so are little-known documentaries, including multiple about Nirvana legend Kurt Cobain. Schmader put in a lot of screen time and research for this release, resulting result is over 200 TV and film entries that feature synopses (with healthy doses of levity and insight), behind-the-scene facts and trivia, and regional scenic highlights. Sidebars showcase the television shows that shaped the public’s perception of the region (such as Twin Peaks, Shrill, and Portlandia), filmmakers like Gus Van Sant and Lynn Shelton, queer cinema, silent films, and more. This is a talk for any cinephile or anyone with a curiosity about a lesser-known aspect of Pacific Northwest culture! David Schmader is a writer and performer devoted to exploring his obsessions, from homophobic rock stars and pray-away-the-gay Christians to trash cinema and legalized drugs. His solo plays have been performed in theaters across the US. From 1998–2015, Schmader was staff writer and editor for Seattle’s Pulitzer-winning newsweekly The Stranger, where he wrote the issue-opening column “Last Days: The Week in Review.” He is the world’s foremost authority on the glorious terribleness of the movie Showgirls, hosting annotated screenings of Paul Verhoeven’s notorious stripper drama at cinemas all over North America and providing the commentary track for the Showgirls DVD. He is the author of Filmlandia: A Movie Lover’s Guide to the Films and Television of Seattle, Portland, and The Great Northwest and Weed: The User’s Guide, published by Sasquatch Books. Kathy Fennessy is a Seattle Film Critics Society board member, an approved critic for Rotten Tomatoes, and a regular contributor to Rock and Roll Globe, Seattle Film Blog, and Video Librarian. She has also written or spoken about film for Amazon, KEXP’s Sound and Vision, KUOW’s All Things Considered, Minneapolis’s City Pages, the Northwest Film Forum, the Seattle International Film Festival, and The Stranger. She was born in Connecticut, raised in Alaska, and works in development at Cascade Public Media/KCTS 9. She is a Whitman College graduate and has lived in the Pacific Northwest for 35 years. Filmlandia!: A Movie Lover's Guide to the Films and Television of Seattle, Portland, and the Great Northwest Third Place Books

Duration:01:13:03

232. Sally James: Scholar-In-Residence Findings Night 2023

6/21/2023
Every year, Town Hall selects exceptional local artists and scholars for paid residencies where they engage with Town Hall programs and collaborate with our programming team to develop original events for the community. Findings Night is the final presentation for Residents to showcase what they have worked on at Town Hall. Learn more about our residencies here. Sally James, Scholar-in-Residence The Year 12 project asks about a pivotal period in a young person’s growth when what’s swirling around us in news, music or culture may leave a permanent imprint on our identities. Through shared stories from community members and scientific explanations of why this year is so important, the audience will be encouraged to revisit their own Year 12. On May 30th, Sally will be joined by these three storytellers: Sydney Floryanzia, a Ph.D student in Chemical Engineering at the University of Washington, is working on developing drug-delivery methods to cross the blood-brain barrier Charles Mudede is both a journalist and a filmmaker who’s works can be found in The Stranger and other publications. Two of his films, Police Beat and Zoo, premiered at Sundance, and Zoo was screened at Cannes. Bryn Nelson is a Seattle-based author, journalist, and editor who specializes in scientific, environmental, medical, and travel-related stories. His new book, Flush: The Remarkable Science of an Unlikely Treasurehas tapped into all four of those interests. Sally James is a writer whose curiosity about people has taken her from jails to hospitals to schools to research labs. Once a staff member on daily newspapers, she has been an independent writer on medicine and science for many years. She has reported stories for the South Seattle Emerald, Parentmap, and Seattle Business magazines, as well as other outlets. She is the mother of three adult children and lives in Seattle with her husband and a noisy cat. She is a former president of the Northwest Science Writers Association, a nonprofit supporting science communication.

Duration:01:02:00

231. Dave Barry: Florida Man Releases Book

6/16/2023
Have you ever heard the beginnings of a tale involving someone from Florida and not been at least a little intrigued? New York Times bestselling author, Pulitzer Prize winner, and actual Florida Man Dave Barry returns with Swamp Story, a compelling novel that blends crime and comedy set in the state known for its unbelievable occurrences. New mom Jesse Braddock is trapped in a tiny cabin deep in the Everglades with her infant daughter and ex-boyfriend, a wannabe reality TV star whose handsome exterior belies a disappointing personality. Broke and desperate for a way out, Jesse stumbles across a long-lost treasure that she believes could solve all her problems if she can figure out how to keep it away from some dangerous men who are in pursuit of said fortune — and now Jesse. Meanwhile, a man named Ken Bortle of Bortle Brothers Bait and Beer schemes to lure tourists to his failing store by making viral videos of the “Everglades Melon Monster.” The Monster is in fact an unemployed alcoholic named Phil wearing a Dora the Explorer costume head. Incredibly, this plan actually works, inspiring a horde of overzealous TikTokers to swarm the swamp searching for the monster at the same time villains are on the hunt for Jesse’s treasure. And if that weren’t enough Floridian chaos, a presidential hopeful arrives in the Everglades to start his campaign. Needless to say, author Dave Barry’s new caper full of mayhem is unpredictable. But this is fitting — it is, after all, Florida. Dave Barry is the author of more bestsellers than you can count on two hands, including Lessons from Lucy, Dave Barry’s Complete Guide to Guys, Dave Barry Turns Forty, and Dave Barry Is Not Making This Up. A wildly popular syndicated columnist best known for his booger jokes, Barry won the 1988 Pulitzer Prize for commentary. He lives in Miami. Swamp Story The Elliott Bay Book Company

Duration:01:05:11

230. Jen Sincero: 10 Years of You Are a Badass

6/7/2023
Once upon a time, there was a gigantic mess named Jen Sincero. She bought the cheapest toothpaste, dated all the wrong people, drove broken cars, and made zero money. A decade later, Jen is now a world-renowned author, success coach, and motivational speaker and celebrating the 10th anniversary of her blockbuster bestseller, You Are a Badass (new edition on sale April 11th). A lot can change in ten years, especially considering 2013 looks a hell of a lot different than 2023 but one thing remains: in order to kick ass, you must first lift up your foot. Jen Sincero is getting the band back together for the You Are A Badass Anniversary Tour and hitting the road to celebrate her timeless and beloved how-to-guide that has transformed lives and inspired a movement. With her signature “jenisms,” she will make sure you leave the event with a modern-day understanding of why you are how you are, how to love what you can’t change, how to change what you don’t love, and, of course, how to use The Force to kick some serious ass. Jen Sincero is a #1 New York Times bestselling author, speaker, and motivational cattle prod who’s helped countless people transform their personal and professional lives via her products, speaking engagements, newsletters, seminars, and books. Her #1 New York Times bestseller, You Are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life, has remained on the New York Times bestseller list for over five years, has sold over 5 million copies worldwide, is available in over 40 languages, and continues to grow in popularity around the globe. Her follow-ups, You Are a Badass at Making Money: Master the Mindset of Wealth, You Are a Badass Every Day, and Badass Habits are written with the same signature sass, down-to-earth humor and blunt practicality that made You Are a Badass a beloved bestseller and Jen a celebrated voice in the world of self-development. You Are a Badass The Elliott Bay Book Company

Duration:01:05:57