When choreographer and dancer Rena Butler flew into Seattle fresh off a birthday trip to France, she came with more than just jet lag—she arrived with purpose, power, and a new production in the works for Pacific Northwest Ballet's Director’s Choice series. Besa Gordon sat down with Rena for an intimate conversation about life, legacy, and her upcoming piece titled Cracks.

When Juneteenth rolls around, Seattle will once again feel the electric energy of community, creativity, and culture thanks to the Griot Party Experience. Hosted at the state-of-the-art Broadway Performance Theater, this free event is more than just a celebration—it's a full-on unity experience.

If you're looking for the move this Memorial Day Weekend, look no further than Bellevue. PapaBlack DaVinci is hosting his first-ever All White Party on Sunday, May 25th at Mirra, and according to him—it’s going to be “some energy in Bellevue you don’t want to miss.”

Mark your calendars, Seattle! The incisive and hilarious W. Kamau Bell is heading our way, bringing his acclaimed "Who's With Me?" tour to the historic Neptune Theatre on Friday, June 27, 2025. Get ready for an evening of thought-provoking comedy that tackles the pressing social and political issues of our time with Bell's signature wit and insight.

Seattle’s creative community, mark your calendars, Besa Gordon’s The Real Seattle Media Mixer is officially back! After a long-awaited return, the beloved event for media professionals, creatives, entrepreneurs, and community builders is set to bring the city together once again for an evening of real connection and real inspiration.

Mark your calendars! Get ready for an incredible community event on May 10th from 12 PM to 4:30 PM at the Delridge Community Center. Join Rob Ross and the team for a Wellness and Resource Fair that promises to be a fantastic experience for all ages.

WOW Gallery in downtown Seattle's Pacific Place Mall recently hosted a very special event titled "Celebrating HERstory Tea Party." This gathering brought together a diverse group of Black women from various organizations across the region. The event aimed to celebrate Women's History Month and provide a space for networking, connection, and recognition of the vital work being done within the community.

The anticipation is building for Masego's upcoming performance at Remlinger Farms on July 19, 2025. The Jamaican-American vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, and producer, known for his unique blend of R&B, hip-hop, and jazz, is set to bring his "trap house jazz" to the Seattle area.

Commissioned by ACT Theatre and first seen as a staged reading at ACT’s inaugural New Works Northwest Festival in 2023, Golden is set after the Great Recession of 2008. Morris Golden, fighting to save his laundromat, finds an unexpected source of hope in a broken change machine with mysterious powers.

Ed Ewing's journey with biking is more than just a story of wheels and roads; it's a narrative deeply intertwined with community, social justice, and a lifelong passion ignited in childhood. Growing up in Minneapolis, Ewing's early experiences with biking around the city's lakes were formative. "I remember learning balance on my first bike, hitting every trash can in the alley," he fondly recalls. These weren't just playful moments but the beginnings of a lifelong connection to cycling, a connection that would later shape his career and mission.

Get ready, Seattle! Tonight, Saturday, April 12th at The Royal Room, music history comes alive as Vitamin D and Roc Phizzle go head-to-head in a tribute battle honoring the legendary producers J Dilla and Q-Tip. Doors open at 8 PM.

The 2025 GSBA Impact Awards at Seattle Town Hall proved to be an unforgettable evening of celebration and recognition. The event honored the individuals, businesses, and organizations making a powerful difference in the LGBTQ+ and allied communities across Washington State.

Seattle Opera is set to close its 2024/25 season with a bang, bringing back Giacomo Puccini's thrilling melodrama, Tosca. This classic production, returning to McCaw Hall for the first time since 2015, promises to be a visual and auditory feast, featuring an international cast and stunning vintage painted sets.

Seattle’s Museum of History & Industry (MOHAI) is set to host a powerful and moving exhibition, "Mandela: The Official Exhibition," opening on Saturday, May 24, 2025. This immersive experience will explore the life and legacy of Nelson Mandela, the global icon of justice, resilience, and reconciliation.

Brian Gatewood Sr., Founder and CEO of Innovative Change Makers (ICM), recently shared insights into his organization's impactful work during an interview on "The Day With Trae" with guest host Deaunte Damper on Sunday, March 16, 2025. Brian discussed ICM's mission to uplift the community, with a particular focus on youth engagement. ICM provides after-school programming, community events, and resources aimed at creating positive change.

Victory Hall in SODO was electric last Thursday as the “Ladies First Marketplace” and the unique “Take Me Out to the Quad - An HBCU Vibe Bingo Experience” took center stage, creating a vibrant celebration of Black women-owned businesses and community fellowship. This event, part of the larger HBCU Seattle Series presented by Baseball Beyond Border, featured a three-game matchup between Seattle University and Coppin State University (HBCU) Baseball teams, focused on empowering entrepreneurs and fostering a lively, culturally rich atmosphere and letting the Coppin State University Blad Eagles know they were welcome in the Emerald City. 

Get ready for an exciting weekend of innovation and creativity! The Seattle AI Film Festival (SAIFF) is just around the corner, and it's an event you won't want to miss. Happening on March 29th and 30th at the M5 Creative Hub in downtown Seattle (401 Mercer St.), SAIFF is your chance to explore the cutting-edge world where artificial intelligence meets filmmaking.

Seattle's vibrant theater scene is buzzing with excitement as Taproot Theatre Company gears up to launch its 2025 Mainstage season with a powerful and timeless classic. Lorraine Hansberry's "A Raisin in the Sun" will not only kick off the season but will also mark the grand reopening of the newly-renovated Jewell Mainstage Theatre.

Acts On Stage Theater is set to present its latest production, “Sadie’s Kitchen,” a play that delves into the heart of family dynamics, love, and community. The production, featuring Fa’izah Bradford in the titular role of Sadie and Selena Whitaker Paquiet as her sister Vesta, promises to be a powerful and moving experience. They joined The Day With Trae this week to discuss the show. 

By Besa Gordon - This year’s Seattle Sports Commission 90th Annual Sports Star of the Year Awards red carpet was cute. Each year, I’ve been able to not only attend but also work along side Chuck Hamaker of Circling Seattle Sports, and tap in with athletes from around the state, coaches, and sports legends who have shaped the history of Washington sports.