What are you willing to risk for friendship? Do you truly know the weight of what it could cost?
Sanctuary City, a play written by Pulitzer Prize winner Martyna Majok and directed by Desdemona Chiang, takes us back to 2001 in Newark, New Jersey. As the story unfolds, two undocumented teenagers make a promise to marry each other when one of them gains citizenship. But as time passes, their friendship veers into a clash with reality. This month, Sanctuary City will be onstage for theater lovers to enjoy at Seattle Rep in the Leo K. Theater through March 31. Grab your tickets and be prepared for a tumultuous ride of emotions.
As we welcome the Year of the Wood Dragon, SAAFF’s theme focuses on growth and transformation.
by Jenn Ngeth
This year’s Seattle Asian American Film Festival (SAAFF) celebrates its 12th year of virtual and in-person screenings. Explore the complexity of dynamics through this festival — from complicated mother-daughter relationships to future dystopias that distort reality, this year’s lineup will satisfy all festivalgoers. With 17 programs, eight feature-length films, and 55 shorts, the audience can enjoy a variety of narrative, documentary, and animated films by Asian American filmmakers from a wide spectrum of experiences. This festival will feature numerous award-winning films like unseen, The Accidental Getaway Drive, A Dire Strait,and many more. The in-person screenings will take place at the Northwest Film Forum from Feb. 22 to Feb. 25 and virtually on Eventive from Feb. 26 to March 3.
NAAM’s MLK Day brought together speakers, activities, and a variety of exhibits.
by Jenn Ngeth
On Jan. 15, 2024, the Northwest African American Museum (NAAM) held an event, King Day 2024, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., to honor the legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. With free entry, visitors were able to enjoy this activity-packed day with their family and friends while discussing race, the importance of social justice for all, and how to continue the work of King and other civil rights leaders.
Seattle’s first independent Asian American bookstore has arrived in the Chinatown-International District (CID). At mam’s books, the focus is to provide written works by Asian American authors and writers to the Seattle community — uplifting voices that are historically underrepresented.
We’re biased, but we think the best coffee is south of downtown.
by Jenn Ngeth
Seattle is known worldwide for coffee (no shocker there) and is almost synonymous with Starbucks. But in the last decade, we’ve seen an increase in BIPOC-owned specialty cafes proudly reclaiming their unique, intimate ties to the beverage. Coffee culture isn’t just the stereotypical “tattooed hipster white guy who drinks a breve” anymore.
Ernestine Anderson. Ray Charles. Quincy Jones. These are some of the legendary names of jazz that have hailed from Seattle’s Central District to the global audience. Honoring the CD’s rich history of jazz infused with a strong focus on community outreach, the Jackson Street Jazz Walk (JSJW), a Music For A Cause event, will continue to entertain, educate, and give back to underserved communities. The 10th Annual Jackson Street Jazz Walk will take place in Seattle’s Central District, with one event in Queen Anne, on Sept. 8–10.
