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Seattle’s ‘What the Funk?!’ Festival Returns to Prove Joy is a Form of Resistance
Seattle’s Puckduction is set to celebrate the 7th anniversary of its flagship event, What the Funk?! An All BIPOC Burlesque Festival next month.
Rudd’s R.U.B.B. Initiative Marks 5-Year Milestone with Annual Black Business Leadership Conference
This August, Seattle’s entrepreneurial community gathers once again for the 5th Annual Black Business Leadership Conference (BBLC). Hosted by the R.U.B.B. (Raising Up Black Businesses) Initiative, the event marks a significant milestone in the effort to strengthen Black-owned businesses through education, mentorship, and strategic partnership.
Golden Hour in the Garden: Bellevue’s Big Night for Black Business and Our Kids
Bellevue is about to glow a little brighter this August. We’re talking about Golden Hour Unboxed, a community-first celebration of Black excellence and entrepreneurship taking over the stunning Bellevue Botanical Garden on Sunday, August 23, 2026.
Seattle Basketball Weekend Returns: Hoops, History, and Community Empowerment Take Over the Waterfront
Seattle's waterfront is set to transform into the ultimate hub for athletic excellence and community spirit this summer. Seattle Basketball Weekend returns from July 31 to August 2, 2026, as a celebration of community, health, and mentorship.
Seattle’s Premier Open Mic is Back, And It’s Finally Home At Colman Commons
The wait is over, Seattle. After nearly a year, healing arts studio Inside’s Open Mic Night is officially back, and this time, they’re planting roots. Starting Friday, July 31st, Inside has found its forever home at Colman Commons. This return isn’t just a restart; it’s a celebration of community, creativity, and the voices that make our city incredible.
Jessica B. Thiessen Talks "Solar Punk" and Environmental Justice on The Pop-Up!
On a recent episode of The Pop-Up!, host Deaunte Damper sat down with Jessica B. Thiessen, a project management professional and creative advocate. She discussed everything from rising utility bills to her upcoming community event, Sunrise Fair, happening this Saturday in Auburn, Washington.
How Fate and Curation Brought YaGirlNess and Mr. Nyice Guy Together
On a recent episode of The Pop-Up!, host The Big O sat down with two powerhouse curators of the Pacific Northwest: Warnessa "YaGirlNess" Victorian and Mr. Nyice Guy. The episode was a victory lap of local culture, diving into the heartwarming and hilarious origins of one of the region’s favorite community duos.
Empowering South King County: Join the Western Washington Realists Community Impact Day
The Western Washington Realists (WWR) are set to host their upcoming Community Impact Day on Sunday, June 28th, an event dedicated to connecting South King County residents with a variety of essential resources and expert guidance.
Washington Bus’s Candidate Survivor Seattle To Take Over Neumos on July 16
The Washington Bus Education Fund, in partnership with CHUM News and Converge Media, is bringing Candidate Survivor Seattle to Neumos on July 16, 2026. This isn't your typical candidate forum; this is a heated, high-energy event, and you won’t want to miss it.
Seattle’s Juneteenth Freedom Festival Returns for a Historic Celebration
This June 19, 2026, Seattle’s historic Central District is set to host the city's largest annual Juneteenth celebration. Held at Jimi Hendrix Park, the Juneteenth Freedom Festival returns this year for an event that carries unique significance, marking a rare convergence of Juneteenth, the international excitement of the FIFA World Cup, and the lead-up to America’s 250th anniversary.
Juneteenth’s Cultural Power and Economic Freedom: JD Davis on The Pop-Up!
Last week, The Pop-Up! welcomed Jerome "JD" Davis, a prominent Pacific Northwest-based cultural producer and the founder and CEO of WayOut Kids.
'Solutions for Seattle Day': Melvin Slaughter on Partnering with the Mariners to Support Local Youth
Melvin Slaughter, the CEO and Director of Solutions for Seattle, recently appeared on The Pop-Up! to share his journey from federal prison to becoming a leading advocate for the city’s youth.
Reign Of Style Honors Washington's Talented Beauty Professionals at 7th Annual MANE Awards
The Washington State beauty community gathered recently for the 7th annual MANE Awards. Hosted by Reign Of Style, the ceremony was dedicated to nominating, crowning, and celebrating the region's talented beauty professionals.
Solutions for Seattle Day Aims To Unite 1,000 Community Members for Historic Youth Celebration
Solutions for Seattle, the community-led movement founded by Melvin Slaughter, is preparing for its most ambitious gathering yet: Solutions for Seattle Day on June 17, 2026.
Big World Breaks Celebrates 20 Years with Inaugural Drumline Fundraiser
The production company Big World Breaks (BWB) is set to mark a major milestone with its 20th Anniversary Celebration and Inaugural Fundraiser for the BWB Drumline on the evening of Wednesday, June 10, 2026.
Against the Wind: Why Every Young Black Girl Needs to See Aviatrix
In an industry where the cockpit remains one of the most exclusive spaces in the world, the story of a girl from rural Texas who refused to keep her feet on the ground is more than a history lesson—it’s a call to action.
From Film to Food: Jazz From Seattle Breaks Down the Ultimate SBFF Weekend Experience
Last night on The Pop-Up!, The Big O sat down with Jazz from Seattle to preview the incredible energy surrounding the 23rd annual Seattle Black Film Festival (SBFF). Returning to its historic home base at the Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute (LANGSTON) in the Central District, the four-day festival runs from April 30 through May 3, 2026. This year’s theme, "The Sound of Us," honors the visual and auditory soundscapes that define the global Black experience.
PNB’s ALL LANG Triple-Bill: The Dance Event Featuring Jessica Lang’s Artistic Prowess
Pacific Northwest Ballet (PNB) is closing out its 25-26 season with a triple-bill dedicated entirely to Resident Choreographer Jessica Lang, one of the region’s most-celebrated dancemakers.
PNB’s NEXT STEP: Witness the Future of Seattle Dance in an Unmissable Choreography Showcase
Pacific Northwest Ballet’s annual choreographers’ showcase, NEXT STEP, returns in May for three performances only, establishing its role as a laboratory for movement exploration and discovery in Seattle.
Cinematic Brilliance in the CD: The Seattle Black Film Festival Returns for 2026
It’s that time of year again. The energy in the Central District is shifting toward something truly special, because we are officially in the countdown to a cultural anchor in the Pacific Northwest: The Seattle Black Film Festival (SBFF).