Have you heard of Teatro Zinzanni, the world-famous circus dinner theater from right here in Seattle? Recently, we visited one of their rehearsals to talk with Seattle's Tiffany Wilson, also known as Madam Z, about her first year at Teartro, a song she wrote that is now part of the show, how she got into music, and more.

Last Thursday, our TraeAnna Holiday attended the opening night of Black Nativity presented by the Intiman Theater at the Broadway Performance Hall. After a decade-long hiatus, the return of Black Nativity has been one of the most highly anticipated productions this holiday season in Seattle’s Black community and beyond. The musical written by Langston Hughes was a tradition in the Emerald City for years and was anchored by the late Pat Wright, who was the founder of the Total Experience Gospel Choir, as well as the late Rev. Dr. Samuel B. McKinney, who was the pastor at Seattle’s Mout Zion Baptist Church for 40 years.

Written By Besa Gordon - It's almost time for Back2Besa on FOX 13 Seattle! As usual, on Thursday, I headed over to FOX 13 to preview what would be on Back2Besa this week, and this week I got to catch up with my bill and preview my interview with Paul Wight, formally known as the Big Show where he gave radio legend Danny Bonaduce his flowers (in case you missed it, yesterday was Danny's last day on air as he decided to retire.)

Written by Besa Gordon: Recently, I headed to West Seattle for the HBCU drink competition, where eight different bartenders came together to compete and see who could make the best Old Fashioned using Uncle Nearest Whiskey. For those that don't know, the whiskey is named after the formerly enslaved man, Nathan "Nearest" Green, who taught a young Jack Daniel the craft of distilling. As of 2023, eight brand variants have been produced. According to the IWSR, Uncle Nearest is the fastest-growing whiskey brand in the United States and is recognized as the most successful black-owned distillery in the world.

The Seattle Kraken collected their second consecutive victory, and second on a six-game homestand, as they delivered a blowout victory over the Chicago Blackhawks. Seattle's 4th line brought the fight once again, and the Kraken handled business against a bruised Chicago team.

Today, we revisit Finding Go: The Story of Adé Hogue. This film took the Converge Production crew across the country, from Asheville, North Carolina to Chicago, Illinois.

Northwest Tap Connection held their biannual fundraisers “Hard Times Require Furious Dancing,” at Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute on December 8th and 9th. The sold-out shows featured performances by current and past students, instructors, a group of roller skaters, and a singer. In addition to the performances, audience members could check out an exhibit featuring photos, art, and artifacts “designed to educate the observers about the Black experience of music, song, and dance.”

Take in some of the main takeaways from the Seattle Kraken win over the Florida Panthers that helped Seattle snap their 8-game losing streak!

The Seattle Kraken, playing the 4th game of a 6 game homestand, finally snapped their 8-game losing streak. Seattle was able to limit Florida's dangerous chances, got big production from their fourth line, and saw goaltender Joey Daccord record his first NHL shutout in the victory.

While the Winter Classic itself will be a massive experience on it's own as our Seattle Kraken host the Las Vegas Golden Knights, there are plenty of events leading into gameday that fans can participate in to get into the spirit of a historic contest!

Written by Besa Gordon - It's Nutcracker season for the Pacific Northwest Ballet, and you already know I had to pull up and give you a behind-the-scenes look at how it all goes down before and during the show at MaCaw Hall. In case you missed this weekend's episode of Back2Besa on FOX 13 Seattle (btw if you missed it, you deff missed a lot), in this segment, we met with the youth that are part of the show, we went down to the orchestra pit, we went to their dressing rooms to see the dancers getting their makeup done, plus we even went to the side stage and saw dancers coming on and off the stage.

When Circling Seattle Sports host Charles Hamaker first entered the Black Media Matters Studio in the Winter of 2021, he was wide-eyed with anticipation and wonder at the resources available to him.

The Kraken saw their losing streak push to eight-games, as a strong effort and some golden opportunities on the power play ultimately didn't translate into results as Seattle was shutout in their home barn by a very beatable Wild team.

The Seattle Kraken were able to comeback from a two-goal deficit and took a lead in the third period, but Tampa Bay ultimately take advantage of Seattle's inability to add to their lead or regain it and the Lightning won in overtime.

Tuesday's Black Tech Night featured a fireside chat with F5 CEO, François Locoh-Donou, and Janine Rubenstein from People Magazine. François shared about his journey to leadership, the importance of high adversity quotient, and the value in always learning. This event was hosted in collaboration with F5 Appreciates Blackness , Seattle's Office of Economic Development, and SeaCiti. The Black Tech Night series in Seattle is intended to create a space to gather and connect with our region's Black tech community and allies.

This week on Back2Besa, we’re highlighting Tiffany Willson, who is part of this year's Teatro Zinzanni; we head to Portland, Oregon for a Christmas tree giveaway with Trap Kitchen PDX, we go backstage at the Pacific Northwest Ballet's Nutcracker, we highlight hot fish house in Lakewood Washington, we go to the communion 3-year anniversary party, Besa talks about what Sankofa Theatre which is no longer open, meant to her and the community, and Events To Know about along with Hot Topics are back this week.

Written by Besa Gordon - Now, THIS is how you have an anniversary party! In case you missed it, Communion Restaurant and Bar celebrated their 3-year anniversary Tuesday evening, and you already know your girl had to pull up to support. I always say Communion is one spot that's more than just your average restaurant. People really do come there to commune with the community. I'm always reconnecting with friends I grew up with in the Central District when I stop by. And this night is no different.

On Tuesday, Communion Restaurant and Bar celebrated their 3 year anniversary. It was a night full of joy as the community came together to celebrate this fantastic milestone. Owned by the Mother-Son duo Chef Kristi Brown and Damon Bomar, Communion was opened during the pandemic and continues to thrive. It's a place where people not only come for their delicious foods. But also to commune with the community.

When the Sankofa Theater shut it’s doors for the final time in October, it marked a somber day in the Seattle arts scene. The Black-owned theater, who’s mission is to create space for Black artists and storytellers to share their work within the community, had fought valiantly to remain open at it’s location at the Inscape Arts building. Unfortunately, rising rent and financial hardships pushed them out, creating a hole in the Seattle Black arts scene.

Written by Besa Gordon - I recently had the pleasure of visiting WOW Gallery in Pacific Place Mall (located in downtown Seattle) to have an in-depth and even emotional at times, conversation with Veronica Very about the space, why she decided to open it in what used to be Pacific Place Mall's Victoria's Secret, and what this space means to not only her, but our community as well.