Dear friends, 

I’ve been keeping a sweet secret from you. On a sunny day last August, my long-time partner and I got married in the Great Hall. We stood on stage surrounded by family and close friends. It’s a room I spend a lot of time in — introducing speakers, answering emails from one of the pews, sometimes sitting as a patron myself, and always finding something new in the stained glass. 

Town Hall is magical in so many ways. It’s where we find each other. It’s where we learn something new. It’s where we ask questions that can change a trajectory. And for me, it’s where I got married. 

Shortly after our ceremony, I was talking with our trusted wedding planner (who is also Town Hall’s gala planner!), and we asked: why not have weddings at Town Hall?  

So, we’re starting with Cake & Punch, micro-wedding days where couples can get married and host a small reception. 

Jake Taylor, owner and lead designer at Functions and Gatherings, is launching Cake & Punch at Town Hall this August, and we'll be partnering with Jake and team to bring this to life. It’s an exciting step forward — one that aligns directly with our strategic plan: building new revenue streams, activating the building during historically quieter times, and supporting long-term financial sustainability. 

Jake Taylor, pictured above on the right, brings a festive flourish to every function. He's been instrumental to planning Town Hall's annual Gala for several years!

I’m so excited to welcome more people onto the stage — to stand where so many meaningful moments have happened, and to add their own story to our building’s history. 

You’ll hear more about Cake & Punch in the coming weeks, but for now: if you know someone getting married, thinking about a smaller summer wedding, or has always wanted to get married at Town Hall, keep us in mind!

To love, 
Kate  

Kate Nagle-Caraluzzo, Executive Director

The post Announcing Cake & Punch: Micro Weddings at Town Hall! appeared first on Town Hall Seattle.

Short Stories Live: A Rogue’s Christmas

Now in its roguish nineteenth (?) year, A Rogue’s Christmas returns (12/14 at 2PM) with an afternoon of stories, songs, and irreverent holiday cheer. We checked in with host and curator Jean Sherrard about what keeps people coming back for this beloved Town Hall tradition.

What’s the origin story of A Rogue’s Christmas?

Years ago, ACT’s artistic director Kurt Beattie and Town Hall’s legendary executive director Wier Harman asked me to host a holiday edition of Short Stories Live. The first year we coyly called it Up the Down Chimney — aiming for a touch of roguish irreverence. By the second year, we’d settled on A Rogue’s Christmas and never looked back.

How has the program changed over the years? What’s stayed the same?

The ironies of the season continue to offer ample fodder, from the silly to the serious. But one thing has never changed in nearly two decades: we always begin with the audience-assisted song “Pathetic Birdies.” You have to be there.

Is there one Rogue’s Christmas you remember most fondly?

A couple of years ago, we invited Wier to read an excerpt from David Sedaris’s Me Talk Pretty One Day. Just days before his retirement, he absolutely knocked it out of the park. The entire house — audience, actors, musicians — was gasping with laughter.

Former Executive Director Wier Harman (left) works the crowd, and the performers onstage, during A Rogue's Christmas in 2022.

Can you give us a teaser of what’s in store this year?

Each year, we try to unearth a bit of pirates’ holiday treasure — where X marks the spot:

This year’s performers include Kurt Beattie, Marianne Owen, and Julie Briskman, with our musical guests, The Go Janes.

Who should come to the show?

Anyone who loves a good story and a good tune. It’s family-friendly, though attention spans are required (say, ages 10 and up).

Join us for A Rogue’s Christmas on Sunday, December 14 at 2PM!

The post Interview with a Christmas Rogue appeared first on Town Hall Seattle.

Hi Friends,

Civics is already a cornerstone of our programming, and now we’re testing the theory that all politics is local. What happens at City Hall, in Olympia, in our neighborhoods — the stuff that you see every day with your own eyes. Speaking of Seattle is a place to listen, ask questions, hear different views…without it turning into a shouting match. We want to model civic discourse, civil dialogue, and remember that we can share space even if we disagree. 

We’ll host four events during the 2025-26 season, and we’re aiming to hit some of the topics that keep coming up when you talk to people around Seattle. We’re hopeful that these conversations bring clarity and inspiration to your own communities, wherever they might be.

First up: The November elections. On November 12 at 7:30PM, Marcus will be joined by political strategist Crystal Fincher, The Stranger’s news editor Vivian McCall, and the South Seattle Emerald’s political columnist Tobias Coughlin-Bogue. Together they’ll cut through the noise to unpack what the results really mean — from City Hall to Olympia — and connect it all to the turbulent political currents in Washington, D.C. It’s about what happens next in Seattle. Grab your ticket and get civic with us.

This is new for us, AND it’s also what Town Hall has always tried to do — make space for civic life to feel alive and meaningful.

Kate Nagle-Caraluzzo, Executive Director

The post Speaking of Seattle appeared first on Town Hall Seattle.

An Eye on the Oculus Series

Have you noticed the new “Oculus Series” events popping up on our calendar over the past few months? Since its launch last September, we’ve hosted four incredible events: novelists Jesmyn Ward and Louise Erdrich, cookbook author and Milk Bar CEO Christina Tosi, and MSNBC’s Chris Hayes. The Oculus Series is inspired by two essential elements of Town Hall: our programming model, and our building’s architecture. Programmatically speaking, new book releases drive a typical Town Hall talk — the latest hardcover by your favorite author or a hot-off-the-press graphic novel. The rest of our calendar is a blend of concerts, panel discussions, workshops, or events held by our Rental Partners. (Fact: Half of Town Hall events are rental events!)

But this season, we wanted to develop a series curated specifically to bring the most memorable, curiosity-driven conversations to our stages. Enter the Oculus Series. At the heart of each Oculus Series event is a desire to elevate the voices of the most impactful writers, thinkers, and creators of our time — whether they are on tour or not.

Architecturally, an oculus is a round opening at the top of a dome. A hallmark of Neoclassical structures like Town Hall, the oculus lets light filter in, gently illuminating the space below. At Town Hall, the oculus glows at the crown of our beloved building, symbolizing the connection between our shared community space and the world of ideas beyond. Illuminating. Mind-opening. Thoughtful. Connective. That’s the Oculus Series. We’re thrilled by the opportunity to continue to experiment with the series, exploring new themes and fine-tuning as we move through this season — and the seasons to come. We hope to see you under the oculus at an upcoming event!

COMING UP IN THE OCULUS SERIES
March 12 at 7:30 PM
Amanda Nguyen, Astronaut and Nobel Peace Prize Nominee

May 11 at 7:30 PM
Rebecca Solnit, Historian and Writer

May 30 at 4:00 PM
Alison Bechdel, Cartoonist and Author
Tickets Coming Soon

The Oculus Series is made possible with generous support from William Donnelly and our season sponsors.

The post A New Series in Town appeared first on Town Hall Seattle.

Jahnvi Madan is an upcoming clarinetist/composer from Bellevue, recently named Earshot Jazz Festival’s Northwest Emerging Artist of the Year. A New England Conservatory graduate who grew up performing around Seattle’s Jazz scene, she has performed her music at prestigious festivals including the D.C. Women in Jazz Festival, Seattle’s Westerlies Fest, and the Earshot Jazz Festival – as the youngest composer they have commissioned. Madan is passionate about bringing more attention and love towards Seattle’s jazz scene, both in terms of uncovering its rich history as well as shining light on the current artistry around town. She is interested in using her art to navigate themes of identity through a lens of resilience, thus paving new pathways while paying homage to the spirit of Jazz.

Jahnvi says, “With the Town Hall Residency, I want to delve into Seattle’s rich Jazz history – uncovering the sounds of Jackson Street in the 1920s-70s, and activating it in a vibrant and engaging way. I think it could be powerful as a young Jazz musician who grew up here to find archived scores/recordings, and then actually arrange that music to be played in the present day, alongside original works, and by local musicians. By doing this, I would be able to bring history off the page, and onto the stage, and activate it sonically in a new context by programming it alongside the music being played on the scene here today.”

“I want to ask the following questions,” she continues. “How can the past continue to sound out to the present? What does it mean to look at this history as a young woman musician on the scene today? I want to explore how this history connects to our broader community. Town Hall is the perfect place to make this happen because of the opportunity to reach a broad and diverse community from a space so physically connected to this history.”

We're so excited to see (and hear) what Jahnvi has in store for her Spring 2025 Residency. Welcome aboard, Jahnvi!

You can read more about Jahnvi's musical journey in this 2023 article from the International Examiner.

Tickets to Jahnvi’s “Scratch Night” event are coming soon!

The post Meet our 2025 Spring Artist-in-Residence, Jahnvi Madan appeared first on Town Hall Seattle.

Last December, in 2023, we lost Wier Harman – Town Hall’s beloved leader of 17 years and a person I was lucky to know and work with for seven of those years. Rarely does a day go by that I don’t think of him. 

If you didn’t have the pleasure of meeting Wier, know he was instrumental in growing Town Hall into a nationally unique organization. And most of all, he was genuinely interested in everyone who walked through our doors; he wanted to know you, and he wanted Town Hall to be a place for you. You can read more about Wier and his contributions to Town Hall here.  

Over the past year, we have grieved Wier’s absence, quietly in our own ways, while celebrating his incredible legacy with friends at Town Hall. His presence continues to resonate deeply in all that Town Hall does. Wier was creative, curious, warm, and connected – all characteristics that embody what we stand for as an organization. 

That warmth and connection are what make Town Hall so much more than just a building. On any given night, you might share a pew with fellow music lovers in the Great Hall, marveling at the gorgeous acoustics of the room together; you might grab a snack at the Otto Bar and chat with a local author in the Wyncote NW Forum; or you might ponder life’s big questions alongside new friends in the Mehdi Reading Room. Wherever you land at Town Hall, one thing’s for certain: you won’t land there alone. You’ll be in good company when you find yourself on Wier Harman Way. 

Wier knew our time here together is about the memories we create, the conversations we share, and the connections we nurture. Each moment at Town Hall reflects his vision of a welcoming and vibrant space for everyone. The events that take place in our building help people to learn, find joy, and scratch the itch of human curiosity – and maybe make a new friend or two in the process. And in turn, we find a little bit of light and hope among each other. 

As we approach another new year, the Town Hall staff and board remain committed to carrying Wier’s dream forward with dedication and care, growing the community he loved so deeply. In 2025, we are excited to spotlight our new Oculus Series and continue to amplify voices that challenge, inspire, and expand our understanding of the world. We’ll also continue our commitment to keeping Town Hall an accessible and affordable place for our own events and for our valued rental partners, ensuring that Wier’s vision thrives in every corner of the building. 

Whether or not you had the chance to know Wier, we are all stewards of a place he loved, and I hope you’re proud to be part of Town Hall. I know he would be proud of us, too. 

With appreciation,

Kate Nagle-Caraluzzo, Executive Director
Town Hall Seattle

The post Thinking about Wier Harman, One Year Later appeared first on Town Hall Seattle.

From the beginning, Town Hall has been about meeting the needs of our city and its people — whether as a concert venue for community orchestras, a place to present new ideas in the form of book talks, and, now, as the world keeps changing, finding fresh ways to connect with our patrons. Earlier this year, we announced a new series called Unlearning curated by Lindsey T.H. Jackson, and now we’re excited to introduce a new series launching in January: Queering Talks – In Between, Out in Front, Always Been curated by Dr. Jen Self, (they/them) graduate of the University of Washington School of Social Work & founder of the UW Q Center.  

This isn’t your typical lecture series. Queering Talks flips the traditional keynote format (like Ted Talks) on its head and reimagines it through a queer lens. These talks will shake up ideas about who speaks, who listens, and who is centered as the audience. This series is designed to inspire, challenge, and expand our perspectives. It’s built around three themes: 

In Between: This segment dives into the spaces that don’t fit neatly into categories — the in-between places where identities and experiences are fluid and resist easy definition. 

Out in Front: We’ll put the spotlight on the people who’ve always been at the forefront of movements for justice, love, and equality. These are the voices that have led the way and sparked change, showing us the power of the margins. 

Always Been: We’ll explore the deep history of queer people as visionaries, healers, storytellers, and culture-makers — reminding us that these contributions have always been part of our world. 

At Town Hall, we’re always looking for ways to spark meaningful conversations and create space for everyone to feel seen, heard, and inspired. Queering Talks is a reflection of that commitment, and I hope you’ll join us in January for this bold series. 

Whether you’re curious to learn, ready to be challenged, or simply looking to connect with a community that values inclusivity and growth, this series is for you. Together, let’s explore what it means to reimagine, redefine, and celebrate the voices that move us forward. 

We can’t wait to see you there!

Warmly,

Kate Nagle-Caraluzzo, Executive Director

Aisha Shah, Director of Programming

The post Queering Talks with Dr. Jen Self appeared first on Town Hall Seattle.

Dear friends,

I’m thrilled to introduce you to our newest curator here at Town Hall Seattle, Lindsey T.H. Jackson. Lindsey and I first met through Leadership Tomorrow, a program dedicated to catalyzing leaders across sectors. Inside of 30 minutes, I could see that Lindsey is a person who knows exactly what she wants — and what she hopes the world can be. The kind of person who believes deeply in humanity, justice, and coming together. And the kind of person who refuses to compromise her values (Case in point: Lindsey told me she once turned down a growth opportunity for her company, LTHJ Global, upon learning that the collaborator's values didn't align with hers.).  

Lindsey’s authenticity and leadership are truly inspiring. That's why I’m so proud that Town Hall is partnering with LTHJ Global to present Lindsey’s Unlearning series. This series isn’t just about hearing ideas — it’s about experiencing real conversations that challenge us. Each event brings together thought leaders to dive deep into today’s most pressing topics like racism, misogyny, and ableism, leaving space for big questions and even bigger dreams. 

The questions raised by Unlearning events won’t always have easy answers, or any answers, for that matter. And that’s the point. One of Town Hall’s hopes is that the building serves as a space for all feelings; joy, curiosity, grief, discomfort. We love sharing feel-good moments together, and we also know it’s vital to our shared humanity to feel uncomfortable and explore tough conversations head-on. Town Hall is a safe space to grow, challenge your own perspectives, and leave with a renewed sense of purpose. 

The first conversation in the Unlearning series will tackle Misogynoir: The Intersection of Misogyny and Anti-Blackness on Thursday, 11/21 at 7:30pm. I hope you can join us for what promises to be a deeply insightful evening. 

With gratitude,

Kate Nagle-Caraluzzo, Executive Director

The post Introducing: Unlearning with Lindsey T.H. Jackson appeared first on Town Hall Seattle.

Bailey Ambrose Heller, a mechatronic artist and Town Hall's Fall 2024 Artist-in-Residence, will explore his passion for robotics and process for creation at his October 15 Scratch Night event. The Town Hall Marketing team asked Bailey a few questions about his creative process and how he uses technology to reflect aspects of humanity. Read on for a fun and fascinating chat!

How did you get into robotics?

Legos. I was obsessed with Legos. I built many Lego robots in elementary school and entered many robot competitions. But the competitive aspect was never appealing to me. My favorite part of any competition I attended was seeing how others approached the same challenges that I had been focused on for months.

What do you hope to discover in your build process during this residency?

I want to have the design and behavior of my robot shaped by the audience. At Scratch Night, I’m looking forward to receiving feedback and suggestions on what people want to see. And for the final presentation, I am excited to deliver an experience with this robot unique to the Town Hall stage.

Have you ever been surprised by one of your creations?

I’ve mostly been surprised by the range of people’s reactions to them. Some approach with sympathy, talking to the robots and coming close to meet their gaze. Others are more off-put, they keep their distance and make negative comments about automation. For a few, they invoke images of killer robots as depicted in the Terminator movies. I appreciate all reactions and want every creation of mine to spark a unique emotional experience.

I imagine there is a lot of testing and recalibrating that happens in the process of building a robot, have you ever had to give up and start over on a concept?

So many times. I have so many prototypes scattered across my workspace. But I learn so much from those iterations. With my drumming robot, I started the project by spending a month building and testing a motorized arm that ended up being too bulky. But I had so much fun making it, and that’s what made me branch out to using compressed air actuation for the first time. So I proudly placed this learning moment on my shelf for display (after salvaging the motor of course).

What would you say to someone who’s maybe a little worried about an AI takeover?

The potential uses of AI are vast and important, but the capability and potential of AI isn’t as great as some technologists are telling you it is!  AI is good at identifying apples in images, but it can’t bake an apple pie from scratch. The gap between humans and the artificial brains we create is so vast that the real danger comes from overestimating its ability and letting it handle decisions it is not equipped to solve without having a human in the loop. AI is an incredible tool that can help solve many complex issues and make many of our systems far more efficient and effective. But AI is only a tool, we must keep humans as part of these automated systems – human intuition and discernment is an essential component. It’s also important to have a skeptical eye – knowing what to look for to identify AI-generated content, especially on the internet. We need to stay conscious of our application of this new technology as with all innovations but rest assured, we are not in danger of an AI robot uprising.

Learn more about the art of robotics at Bailey's free Scratch Night on Tuesday, October 15 at 7:30PM.

The post Art in the Machine: A Conversation with Fall 2024 Artist-in-Residence Bailey Ambrose Heller appeared first on Town Hall Seattle.

Described as the "greatest literary show on Earth," the Jaipur Literature Festival (JLF) is a sumptuous feast of ideas. Over the past 17 years, JLF has transformed into a global literary phenomenon that brings together a diverse mix of the world’s greatest writers, thinkers, artists, speakers, and leaders on one stage to express creativity and engage in thoughtful dialogue. Now expanding far beyond the vibrant city of Jaipur, JLF hosts celebrations of literature and ideas at locations around the world, including New York City, Houston, London, Belfast, Toronto, Spain, the Middle-East, and others. 

This September, Town Hall Seattle is proud to host the Jaipur Festival as it makes its grand debut in Seattle. Aisha Shah, Town Hall's Director of Programs and Partnerships, says  "With a large South Asian population and a thriving literary community, Seattle just makes sense as a location for JLF. We're truly excited to bring the Festival to Town Hall and to the Puget Sound area." 

The speaker lineup includes cosmologist Priyamvada Natarajan; Chef Srijith Gopinathan; writers Amitava Kumar, Devika Rege, Ijeoma Oluo, Sonora Jha, Martin Puchner, Shobhaa De; and many more. Topics range from journalism and poetry to feminism and food, and with JLF's hallmark camaraderie and energy, the enchanting flow of conversations will make it a truly unparalleled literary festival. 

Attend JLF Seattle at Town Hall on Saturday, September 21 from 10AM-6:45PM and Sunday, September 22 from 11AM-1:45PM. Half-day Festival passes are available for $15, and full- Festival passes are available for $30 (Town Hall Members receive discounted admission).

Learn more and get tickets HERE.

View the full festival program HERE.

The post Town Hall Welcomes JLF Seattle for its West Coast Debut appeared first on Town Hall Seattle.