A fur-trading schooner beached in 1811. A passenger liner lost in 1906. An almost-empty tanker broken on the shore in 1999. These shipwrecks, and thousands more, are why the northwest coast of North America is sometimes called the “Graveyard of the Pacific.” Drawing from his book, Wrecked, history professor and author Coll Thrush tells the stories […]
The discovery of a family secret can add layers to any story; likewise, when a character questions her own memories or when others around her doubt those memories or make attempts at gaslighting. Add to that mixture a healthy pull between familial and national allegiance. Whether or not your real life background is fraught with […]
What would it look like if social movements had the same level of engagement and support as the world's biggest entertainers? Adam Met, climate advocate, educator, and member of the multi-platinum band AJR, gained firsthand experience growing an audience from the ground up as the band progressed from playing in living rooms to selling out […]
Ted Bundy, arguably the most notorious serial murderer of women in American history, committed many of his crimes in the landscape of the Pacific Northwest. But in the 1970s and ’80s, Bundy was just one perpetrator amid a large number of serial and violent acts across the region. Why were there so many, and so […]
Join yoga instructor Fran Gallo for a FREE Hatha yoga class at Town Hall Seattle. Bend, Balance, and Breathe in a one-hour class to prepare participants for non-violent protest engagement at the No Kings Day March, one of many taking place all across the U.S. on Saturday, June 14. From the instructor: "The yoga practice will consist of stretching to relax and keep tension at bay, breathing to stay centered and calm, and warrior poses to remind ourselves of how strong our bodies, minds, and spirits are. If…
Town Hall is proud to partner with The Bushwick Book Club Seattle presenting concerts of original music inspired by literature. Each event showcases a lineup of local, professional musicians and artists each offering a fresh response to that evening’s source text, plus extras like an audience quiz, short film, or scholarly introduction. Book choices range from whimsical to solemn, classic to contemporary, and most every place in between. Original music inspired by Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe and Sex is a Funny Word by…
While the war in Ukraine continues to grab news headlines, the daily lives of Ukrainians remain opaque and mostly anonymous. What is it really like to live there during wartime? Historian Danielle Leavitt answers that question in her book, By the Second Spring: Seven Lives and One Year of the War in Ukraine. By going beyond familiar portraits of wartime heroism and victimhood, Leavitt reveals the human experience of the conflict. A U.S. citizen who grew up in Ukraine, Leavitt draws…
Susan Bardsley nurtures beautiful harmonies from ‘women of a certain age.’ A new grandmother at 70, Bardsley brings knowledge, humor, and enthusiasm to the choirs she leads. The lively conversation […]
Town Hall's Spring Artist-in-Residence, Jahnvi Madan, takes us on a journey, reflecting sounds and stories from Seattle's vibrant Jazz past into the present. Madan will share an hour-long set of […]
What happens when good intentions aren't good enough? Join Lindsey T. H. Jackson for the season finale of Unlearning Live, as they unpack the contradictions of the "well-meaning liberal" — a […]
Have you ever wondered how American cuisine came to be? When we look at food from around the world, we may more readily accept the complexity of its origins or their legacy in the culinary landscape. But it may be surprising to some that many of our country's dietary customs likewise stem from culturally robust […]
School’s out for summer, and we’re ready to ask forgiveness (not permission) as we throw our papers in the air and snap some pencils in the feisty and fast Hall Pass Variety Show. Town Hall may be known for its civic discourse and thoughtful discussions, but tonight we’re keeping it seriously silly with a crew […]
Many of today’s anti-trans sentiments revolve around the belief that things like gender-affirming care and nonbinary identities are part of a new trend. Yet, over a century ago, one doctor’s revolutionary work around gender and sexuality suggests otherwise. Dr. Magnus Hirschfeld, a German-Jewish sexologist and activist, grew famous (and infamous) for his theory of sexual […]
Far more art is produced in a place like Seattle that is seen by the general public, in venues like galleries, museums, and art fairs. Who decides which art goes on display, and which work remains in the maker’s studio? A panel of art world experts will discuss the often behind-the-scenes process that selects certain […]
From our residences and infrastructure to our tools and artworks, stone has been a crucial medium throughout history. Stone, after all, has been the primary building material for more than five thousand years of human history, and it continues to record our triumphs and failures to this day. But how did this natural resource evolve […]
Join us for a dynamic and inspiring community panel on the joyful power of arts activism. In a time when many are facing systemic erasure — politically, socially, and culturally — Pottery Northwest is transforming art into resistance through equity-driven programming that uplifts Black, Brown, and LGBTQIA+ voices. Moderated by James Miles, the panel will […]
Who isn’t hoping for a quality partner to build a life with? Someone charming, reliable, with a great personality? But what happens when that sparkling personality is far darker around the edges than you realized? In her tensely thrilling new novel Don’t Let Him In, author Lisa Jewell explores the layers of truth and deception unraveling […]