From “The They Them Yas Queen of Burlesque” Mx. Pucks A’Plenty comes Fatlesque Fest NW (FFNW), a unique show that provides art and entertainment through an inclusive body-positive space. The event includes burlesque shows, workshops, and a themed brunch. FFNW will be held at The Triple Door Jan. 6–7, with a finale event at Madame Lou’s on Jan. 8.
Northwest African American Museum’s (NAAM) annual Unity Benefit will celebrate its mission to provide a place where the history, culture, and experiences of people of African descent can be accessed and enjoyed by all. This year, it will present the first Champions of Unity Award to former Seattle Mayor Norman Rice and his wife, Dr. Constance Rice. The ball will take place Friday, Oct. 7, 2022, beginning at 5:30 p.m. at the Four Seasons Hotel.
On Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, during Walk The Block, Onyx Fine Arts Collective opened their new location of Gallery Onyx. Inside of ARTE NOIR at 23rd and Union at Midtown Square, the gallery will provide space to share the artwork of artists of African descent in the Pacific Northwest. The space provided is substantial because it gives Black artists, many who may have never had a gallery presence, the opportunity to showcase their work to the community.
Legendary Children, a multi-arts party celebrating queer and trans, Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (QTBIPOC) communities, returns with its first in-person event in two years. Taking place at Olympic Sculpture Park from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 23, the event will also be available via live stream. This year is the seventh anniversary of Legendary Children, which has been held annually since 2015, including two years of virtual offerings during the COVID-19 pandemic.
And Other Oppressive Dynamics opens this weekend during the Northwest Film Forum’s 25th Annual Local Sightings Film Festival. The film examines the toxic work culture and discrimination faced by many nonprofit workers in the Seattle area. The premiere will take place in person on Sept. 18 at 4 p.m. at Northwest Film Forum at 1515 12th Ave. An online option will also be available for viewing from Sept. 16 to Sept. 25.
Walk the Block is an art festival and fundraiser for Wa Na Wari, a Central District hub for Black creativity whose name means “our home” in Kalabari. The festival encourages participants to stroll through the neighborhood, where homes, businesses, parks, porches, and other shared spaces are turned into art installations and performance sites. The second annual Walk the Block takes place on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2–6 p.m. beginning at the Medgar Evers Pool at 23rd and Jefferson.
This Saturday, the first-ever Black & Loud Fest brings local Black-fronted rock and alternative music to Fremont. The free fest highlights Pacific Northwest bands and artists who fall into genres outside of what is generally considered “Black music.” Black & Loud takes place on Sept. 10 from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. at LTD in Fremont at 309 N 36th St.
Trans Pride Seattle returns in person after a two-year hiatus, celebrating and centering transgender, nonbinary, Two Spirit, and gender-diverse communities. The event is presented by Gender Justice League (GJL), an organization focused on “Elevating Human Rights for Trans & Gender Diverse People.” Trans Pride Seattle will take place at Volunteer Park Friday, Sept. 2, 5:30–9 p.m.
YOLTEOTL Press, an Indigenous printmaking and traditional arts studio, will open in Ballard in early September. The press is the brainchild of Ixtlixochitl Salinas-White Hawk, an Indigenous artist, community advocate, and matriarch. Located in BallardWorks at 2856 NW Market Street, the press will be a space not only to showcase and create Indigenous art, but also a place to share culture across generations.