Art and innovation inspiring Seattle’s next era
This week C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien take to Taproot’s stage, Village Theatre shares an interview with sound designer Steve Younkins, and Seattle looks to the future in arts and community.
On a brisk morning in downtown Seattle, the familiar hum of Pike Place Market buzzes with life as a stark, empty storefront—once home to Bed Bath & Beyond—stands waiting for its next chapter. While tourists pose by the iconic “Public Market Center” sign, city planners and artists envision something transformative: a space alive with music, murals, and storytelling. This vision isn’t just a passing dream; it’s part of a larger narrative in which creativity and community resilience shape Seattle’s future.
The Role of Art in a Changing City
Seattle’s arts scene has always been a cornerstone of its identity. Yet in recent years, it has faced growing challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic hit creative workers particularly hard, with theatres darkened, events canceled, and artists left without income. But this city, known for its innovation and cultural richness, saw an opportunity to address these struggles head-on.
In 2021, the city launched Hope Corps, a modern adaptation of the New Deal’s Works Progress Administration. The program provided immediate relief to artists while enriching neighborhoods with public art and community-building projects. To date, Hope Corps has funded over $3.75 million in initiatives, including 60 citywide murals that not only beautify the streets but also celebrate local voices and perspectives. “This opportunity and experience has shown me I am stronger and more capable than I previously believed, and that collaboration and asking for help in creating is beautiful,” said artist J.R. Rhodes about the project.
On the Stage
Two iconic writers come together on the stage at Taproot, dancers and drummers come to Tacoma, and Seattle Opera debuts a Berlioz grand opera.
Les Troyens in Concert
Classical | Seattle Opera
Now – January 19 | Tickets
Les Troyens à Carthage (Acts 3, 4, & 5) begins after the fall of Troy as Aeneas arrives at Carthage with tales of the Trojan War. Upon arrival, he orders his army to assist Queen Dido in defeating the invading Nubians before falling in love with the Queen himself. However, when duty calls, the two lovers are parted while a funeral pyre burns.
More Events
- Legally Blonde | Village Theatre | Now – January 26 | View the Program
- The Pack Drumline | Tacoma Arts Live | January 17
- Lewis and Tolkien | Taproot Theatre Company | January 22 – February 22 | View the Program
Next Line
An interview with a man of sound, grab dinner and drinks before your next show at ACT, and enter to win a pair of tickets to see Waitress.
- Dive into Village Theatre’s interview with Steve Younkins, the sound designer and audio engineer behind Legally Blonde. Younkins reveals the art of “live mixing” during a performance and what it takes to bring a show to life.
- ACT Contemporary Theatre announced that their restaurant partnerships have returned. When visiting a partner restaurant, you can present your same-day digital or paper ticket and receive a free beverage. Partner restaurants include Bombo Italian Kitchen and Cortina.
- As a subscriber to Encore+, you are eligible to enter to win two tickets to an upcoming performance of Sara Bareilles’s pop-rock musical Waitress at The 5th Avenue Theatre. Share this newsletter with your friends and family, ask them to subscribe, and they’ll be entered to win as well!
