This week on Almost The Weekend delivered a packed lineup of music, culture, and community highlights across the Pacific Northwest. Hosts Besa Gordon and Curtis “Cuddy” Delgardo II kicked things off with the Weekend Warm-Up, spotlighting the can’t-miss events heating up the city.

Back2Besa is back with another week of highlighting incredible community gathering spaces up and down the greater Puget Sound region. The power of unity was on full display in the Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute for Scope Screenings, to the Tukwila Community Center for the Free Community Play Day, all the way to the Central District for Walk The Block. 

The WOW Gallery, a vibrant cultural destination in downtown Seattle, recently hosted their Closing Celebration Sankofa, marking four and a half years of fostering healing, connection, and empowerment in the Pacific Place Mall. While the physical space is left behind, the spirit and vision of Wonder of Women International, the organization behind the gallery, continue to evolve into its next chapter. 

In a recent episode of Almost a Weekend, hosts Besa Gordon and Curtis Delgardo II, aka Cuddy, had the pleasure of interviewing Seattle music legend, DJ Supreme La Rock. The DJ, who has been setting vibes in the Emerald City for decades, discussed his upcoming performance at the 2025 Earshot Jazz Festival tomorrow, his extensive vinyl collection, and the secret to his longevity in the music industry.

Besa Gordon joined Good Day Seattle this morning to uplift WeRise Wines and the recent one-year anniversary celebration of their wine club. Operating in downtown Seattle, WeRise Wines is Black, LGBTQ+-owned wine bar that specializes in highlighting underrepresented wineries and winemakers in the Pacific Northwest and beyond. 

Trae Holiday, host of "The Day with Trae," recently sat down with classical vocalist Reginald Smith Jr., who is starring in Seattle Opera's "The Pirates of Penzance." Smith shared insights into his personal musical and professional journey, and his experience with the current production at Seattle Opera with infectious enthusiasm. 

With an immense sense of love and unity, WOW Gallery’s 2024 Juneteenth Celebration in downtown Seattle brought together a myriad of talented Black women to celebrate liberation, freedom, and knowledge that compel the gallery and Juneteenth itself. 

TV Bobby, the founder of Lunar Park Shoes, recently sat down with Trae Holiday on "The Day with Trae" to talk about how he is revolutionizing the footwear industry. Bobby, a Seattle native, shared his journey and inspiration for creating unique and culturally significant shoe designs that provide much-needed representation of the Black community that is missing in the industry. 

In the historic Columbia City District of Seattle, an intentional gathering rooted in Black culture, history, and the spirit of solidarity is happening this weekend. Last week, artist and educator Logic Amen joined Almost The Weekend with host Curtis Delgardo II, aka Cuddy, to talk about his concept behind The Poetry in Motion Ball, hosted at the Royal Esquire Club on Saturday, October 25th.

In a recent interview on “The Day With Trae,” Logic Amen discussed how art and music saved his life. The visionary behind The Griot Party Experience, Amen discussed his relationship with creative expression from a young age and how it shaped his livelihood as a Black man trying to make the world a better place. He also talked about his upcoming event the Poetry In Motion Ball on October 25 at the Royal Esquire Club. 

The WOW Gallery in Seattle hosted a high tea party last March to celebrate sisterhood and the incredible bonds between women of color in the Emerald City and beyond. This gathering brought together illustrious groups in Seattle that have contributed to social justice, community organization, and to the power and the wonder of women. 

By Besa Gordon - Did you miss my girl Chef Lynn’s Golden Juicy Crab Boil? Well, clearly I didn’t, because your girl was eating good! So let me tell you how it all went down — and yes, how I was eating like I hadn’t been fed all week.

Island Soul Rum Bar & Soul Shack, a beloved family-owned Caribbean soul food restaurant known for their signature oxtail stew and rich gumbo, is fighting to keep their doors open in Seattle’s Columbia City. 

In a recent interview on “The Day With Trae,” BP Parker, the visionary behind the Love is Dope clothing brand, shared insights into his creative journey and the powerful message he aims to spread. More than just fashion, "Love is Dope" is a lifestyle, deeply rooted in Parker's personal experiences and commitment to uplifting his community.

Seattle, get ready — Buddy the Elf is officially on the loose! Word on the street is that he’s been spotted all over the city, from catching fish at Pike Place Market to spreading Christmas cheer on random street corners. But don’t worry, he’ll be heading back to where he belongs just in time for the holidays: The 5th Avenue Theatre!

King County’s first-ever Summit on Crime Survivors ignited calls upon public officials to commit to keeping survivors of violent crime at the center of policy decisions. Held in June at the Sea Mar Museum of Chicano/a/Latino/a Culture, the summit brought together survivors, families of victims, victim advocates, and public officials to discuss the gap of support service for survivors navigating the justice system. 

In a recent interview on "The Day with Trae," Heru TchaasAmen, a Yuan Ming instructor who updated us on his latest achievement in his mastery of the traditional Chinese practice Qigong, shared his transformative journey in bringing ancient healing practices to the community. Sporting the motto “heal and uplift oneself to uplift others,” TchaasAmen’s dedication to his personal growth has profoundly impacted those around him.

Early this morning, Back2Besa host Besa Gordon joined FOX 13 Seattle’s Chief Meteorologist Brian MacMillan live from the field at T-Mobile Park to talk about the energy surrounding the Mariners’ ALCS games and her long-standing relationship with the team.

Seattle recently celebrated a monumental achievement with the Waterfront Park Grand Opening on September 6, 2025. This event marked the culmination of two decades of visioning, community advocacy, and public investment, transforming the city's central shoreline from a highway into a vibrant, 20-acre cultural destination. Stretching from Pioneer Square to Belltown, the park represents Seattle’s most ambitious investment in public space since the 1962 World’s Fair.

Back2Besa is back with another week of culturally relevant stories that exemplify the potent community, historical legacy, and enduring spirit of the Pacific Northwest. From the grand stands of T-Mobile Stadium to some of the Pacific Northwest’s best chicken and waffles joints to the heart of Black culture and resilience on Seattle’s Capitol Hill, this week’s episode reminds us of the collective power of community.