by Amanda Ong
Last Updated on September 14, 2022, 9:58 am.
September is here, and with it comes a fantastic range of Seattle arts events. In addition to shows, exhibits, and performances, there are also open houses, literary talent, parties, theater, and music events both indoors and out.
The Emerald brought together some of these amazing events so that this September can be a memorable one for you. Check them out!
Know of something that should be on our list? Let us know at Arts@SeattleEmerald.org.
Tyna Ontko’s The Shape of Evidence at 4Culture Gallery
Sept. 1–29
Gallery 4Culture, 101 Prefontaine Place
Free
This month, the 4Culture Gallery welcomes a new exhibit featuring Tyna Ontko, an artist who uses natural and industrial materials along with yellow cedar carvings in The Shape of Evidence. The resulting compositions are intended to resemble useful objects.
Jackson Street Jazz Walk
Sept. 9–10
Central Area Senior Center, 500 30th Ave. S
Free (opening gala $25)
The ninth-annual Jackson Street Jazz Walk is a Seattle Central District celebration of the city’s rich history of jazz. From deep Black musical traditions, icons like Ernestine Anderson, Ray Charles, and Quincy Jones began their iconic careers here.
The celebration kicks off with a Black & White Gala on Sept. 9, featuring two live bands, dancing, as well as hors d’oeuvres, and continues on Sept. 10 with the 12-band, seven-stage Jackson Street Jazz Walk. Performances include: Eugenie Jones, Alex Dugdale Fade Quartet, Jovino Santos Neto, E. Pruitt & Maureese Itson Band, Peter Adams Quartet, Jennifer Mellish, Jeremy Shaskus Quartet/featuring Nathan Breedlove, Kim Maguire, Jean Chaumont Group, Trifecta, Tim Kennedy Trio, Good Company, and Rik Wright’s Fundamental Focus.
Tickets to the opening gala can be purchased through CASC & Jackson Street Jazz Walk’s Eventbrite page. The following day is free, but guests are encouraged to donate to the Northwest Harvest Food Bank. Donations may be made online through Shunpike. Black and white attire suggested.
Pratt Fine Arts Center Open House
Sept. 10, 6–9 p.m.
1902 S Main St.
Free
The Pratt Fine Arts Center Open House happens on Sept. 10, 2022, from 6 to 9 p.m. with live artist demos, youth and teen art activities, four performances from the Jackson Street Jazz Walk, food trucks, and a beer garden. A free event, the Pratt Fine Arts Center invites all to take advantage of the center’s resources and explore new art mediums, classes, and programs at Pratt.
In other Pratt news: The Center recently announced 17 artists to receive the largest scholarship opportunity they ever offered, with $49,700 in total funding. These artists are also given access to Pratt’s classes and studios. Read more about the scholarship recipients in the Pratt Fine Arts Center press release.
C-ID Night Market
Sept. 10, 1–9 p.m.
Historic C-ID, near 423 Maynard Ave. S
Free
Since 2006, the C-ID Night Market has been offering an open-air market experience similar to ones popular across Asia. Live bands and break-dancing groups perform and streets are segmented off to allow for street vendors to offer food, crafts, shopping, and entertainment. This night market celebrates the Mid-Autumn Festival, a festival popular throughout East and Southeast Asia which celebrates the full moon and autumn harvest.
Future Ancient Soul Healing Festival
Sept. 11, 1–10 p.m.
Hing Hay and Donnie Chin Parks, Chinatown-International District
Free
This one-day festival in the CID is the brainchild of Corean American artist Che Sehyun, and features food, fashion, storytelling, and performances from cultural workers both local and around the world. The “future ancient” aspect includes tapping into ancient cultural practices and bringing them into our futures, sharing them within a framework of collective liberation. Check out shows by Vietnamese Elders, a Samoan fire knife dancer, Capoeira and martial arts performances, yoga classes, food, and more. There will also be an outdoor screening of the movie A Different Mirror: Community Building and Resilience in Seattle’s CID.
Follow The Future Ancient on Instagram for more updates.
Jun Iida Sextet
Sept. 11, 7:30 p.m.
The Royal Room, 5000 Rainier Ave. S
Tickets from $15 to $20
Jun Iida moved to Seattle, Washington, in 2020 where he has quickly established himself in the jazz scene, performing with Xavier LeCouterier, Martin Budde, Dylan Hayes, and more. Tickets are available through The Royal Room’s website.
2022 Town Hall Seattle Writers Festival
Sept. 16–17
Town Hall, 1119 8th Ave.
Free for youth ages 22 and under; adult passes from $35 to $250
Town Hall presents the 2022 Writers Festival, Volume I: Humble Beginnings. The first literary festival in Seattle in 15 years, the lineup features many notable fiction and non-fiction authors: Siddhartha Mukherjee, Lan Samantha Chang, A.M. Homes, David Quammen. Oscar Hokeah, Leila Mottley, Joyce Carol Oates, Ted Chiang, and Sloane Crosley. Elliott Bay Book Company, Third Place Books, Hedgebrook, Hugo House, SAL, Seattle Escribe, SUBE, Clarion West, and more local businesses will also be present. Buy passes on the Town Hall Seattle website.
Local Sightings Film Festival
Sept. 16–25
Northwest Film Forum, 1515 12th Ave.
Limited free passes for BIPOC, LGBTQ+, or disabled people
Passes from $60 to $150
Northwest Film Forum presents the 25th-annual Local Sightings Film Festival, a collection of shorts and feature films from Pacific Northwest creatives and filmmakers. The Fest has virtual, in-person, and hybrid options. Check out films from new and established filmmakers, as well as workshops, panels, and events. Browse the program at the official Northwest Film Forum website.
Arte Noir and Gallery Onyx Grand Opening in Midtown Square
Sept. 17, 12–6 p.m.
2301 E Union St., Suite H
Free
Arte Noire and Gallery Onyx are two Black arts organizations that will share a space in Midtown Square, and their grand opening coincides with Wa Na Wari’s Walk the Block on Sept. 17. The opening will feature art activities, giveaways and prizes, entertainment, and tours of Gallery Onyx’s exhibit Truth B Told II.
Wa Na Wari’s Walk the Block
Sept. 17, 2–6 p.m.
911 24th Ave.
Wa Na Wari’s second annual art fest and fundraiser is back. Festival goers will be given a map to the numerous art, music, live performances, and food stops around the block. Some of the many participating artists include Blumeadows, Alison Bremner, NW Tap Connection, Perri Rhoden, Moses Sun, and many more. Food will be in abundance from Native Soul Cuisine, and other vendors serving dishes from Louisiana, Jamaica, and Trinidad. (Food and drink ticket sales close on Sept. 13.) People are encouraged to register in advance on Wa Na Wari’s website. There will be prizes for teams and individuals who meet various fundraising goals.
Check out our coverage of last year’s Walk the Block event.
“Four Black Women Talking”
Sept. 17 at 3:30 p.m. and Sept. 24 at 5 p.m.
1406 18th Ave.
Tickets from $10 and up
Written by prolific spoken word poet and writer Jacqueline (Jaye) Ware, “Four Black Women Talking” is an event that reveals what isn’t shared in textbooks: the real experiences of Black women from different parts of the U.S. Infusing lived experience with vocalist Ashanti Proctor’s singing of songs significant to each woman, the performance will show the different challenges — and triumphs — each woman faced, leading to an inspiring message of overcoming adversity. Tickets are sliding scale and can be purchased at the official website.
The Highsteppers Classic Soul Revue
Sept. 17, 9:30 p.m.
The Royal Room, 5000 Rainier Ave. S
Tickets from $15 to $20
The Highsteppers are Seattle’s classic soul-inspired dance band, a nine piece group specializing in classic soul and R&B from the ʼ60s and ʼ70s. Unique among modern dance bands, the Highsteppers tout a full horn section and three lead singers, and their soul keeps everyone dancing! Tickets are available on The Royal Room’s website.
The Wing Luke Museum’s 2022 House Party
Sept. 17, 7 p.m.
Wing Luke Museum, 719 S King Street
Tickets from $25 to $60
The Wing Luke Museum’s after-hours House Party is an opportunity to explore the museum’s exhibits and enjoy performances, interactive visuals, music, and dance by AANHPI and QTBIPOC artists. Bring friends and family alike, the House Party is a fun night out for all ages. Tickets are available for purchase on the Wing Luke Museum’s website.
Clock-Out Lounge Presents LIVt — The Pink and Orange EP Release
Sept. 23, 9:00 p.m.
Clock-Out Lounge, 4864 Beacon Ave. S
Tickets $15 advanced, $20 at door
Clock-Out Lounge presents LIVt’s Pink and Orange EP Release, with special guests Ava Dasar and B3Lina. Olivia Thomas, stage name LIVt, is a homegrown Washingtonian based in Renton, whose music is filled with the joy of expression and love. LIVt speaks through her music to what it means to be yourself proudly as someone who is Black and queer, or as whoever you are, to embrace and love yourself. Pacific Northwest sunsets are the inspiration for her new EP, Pink and Orange, which she celebrates with the Clock-Out Lounge.
Tickets are available for advanced purchase on Clock-Out Lounge’s website and at the door.
Amanda Ong (she/her) is a Chinese American writer from California. She is currently a master’s candidate at the University of Washington Museology program and graduated from Columbia University in 2020 with degrees in creative writing and ethnicity and race studies.
📸 Featured Image: Artist and printmaker Jite Agbro (left) at a previous open house event at Pratt Fine Arts Center. (Photo: Alec Miller)
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