As we come to the end of our 25th anniversary season, we find ourselves looking in the rearview mirror and considering all the things we’ve accomplished. Cueing up the sepia-toned memories, like snapshots from a road trip, we’re taking a moment to savor how far we’ve come not only this season, but throughout our entire history.
Ticking all the boxes of a classic road trip story, we traded bits of trivia with Jeopardy! star Amy Schneider; we had challenging conversations about politics and history with writers like Colson Whitehead, Heather Cox Richardson, and Kara Swisher; we embraced grief and humanity with Sloane Crosley and Hanif Abdurraqib; and we got curious about everything from outer space to vegetables with Emily Calandrelli and Becky Selengut. Plus, this year-long trip had the perfect playlist: Pianist Charlie Albright, “AWESOME!” the band, The Bushwick Book Club Seattle, Tomo Nakayama, and five Global Rhythms concerts that celebrated sacred music from around the world.
We embraced new and old friends, welcoming the return of rental partners like Seattle Arts & Lectures, Earshot Jazz, Puget Sound Symphony Orchestra, and Ignite Seattle, as well as new partners like PDX Jazz, Seattle Catrinas Festival, Solstice Symphony Orchestra, and Orquesta Northwest, our new Venue Access Program partner.
No journey is without heartache, and in December we grieved the loss of Wier Harman, Town Hall’s former Executive Director of 17 seasons. Wier reminds us that the journey is less about the landmarks and more about the people we meet along the way — the speakers and performers who grace our stages, our staff who makes each event happen, and you, our patrons. We’re Town Hall because of you, and we’ll continue to be a present-tense reflection of Seattle and what we hold dearest.
Programming will be light over the summer as we gear up for a whole new season of curiosity, learning, and connection this September. We’re excited to think about the conversations we’ll have, the stories we’ll share, and the new and old friends we’ll encounter on the road that leads to Town Hall.
With gratitude,
Kate Nagle-Caraluzzo
Executive Director
Aisha Shah
Director of Programs & Partnerships
