Dear friends, 
 
Over the weekend, I was sitting at Town Hall with a friend, a former journalist turned author. At one point she said, very matter-of-factly, “This isn’t unprecedented. History moves in cycles. It’s happened all over the world, over and over again. People live through moments like this, and they keep going.” I’ve been thinking about that ever since. 

 
Last week, I stood in the back of The Great Hall as hundreds of people stood and applauded Representative Pramila Jayapal. She talked about civic engagement — about showing up for what you believe in and making sure people hear you. You could feel the energy in the room shift. Not in a dramatic way, just… people feeling something together. 

 
A few days later, I was in the Wyncote NW Forum for Speaking of Seattle, listening to a conversation about the news economy. One of the speakers said something that stuck with me: we have to be thoughtful about the information we take in. And providing reliable, trustworthy information is part of how communities stay grounded — especially when things feel unstable. 

 
None of these moments were exactly the same. But together, they reminded me of something I see here all the time: people trying to make sense of things together. People trying to stay connected to each other, even when the world feels complicated, overwhelming, or uncertain. 

 
If you’re feeling any of that right now, you’re not alone. You don’t have to have everything figured out to show up. Sometimes showing up looks like taking action. Sometimes it looks like listening. Sometimes it looks like resting. Sometimes it just looks like sitting in a room with other people who are also trying to understand what’s going on. 

 
Across our community, people are finding different ways to support their neighbors and this city. If you’re looking for places to start, you might consider learning more about organizations doing direct work in our region, including the Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network (WAISN), Advocates for Immigrants in Detention Northwest (AIDNW), the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project (NWIRP), or the ACLU’s action and education resources. You might consider signing up for Representative Jayapal’s Resistance Lab. And you might support neighbors in Minnesota, who are organizing and protecting their communities.  

 
And maybe you’ll join us at Town Hall for an event. Maybe to find joy in music or listen to a book talk. Maybe to think about power, freedom, and what democracy looks like. Or maybe just to sit next to someone you don’t already know. 

 
That’s part of why Town Hall exists — to help people show up for conversation, for curiosity, and for each other. 

 
I hope you’re taking care of yourself. 

 
With gratitude, 

Kate Nagle-Caraluzzo, Executive Director

The post Showing Up for Each Other appeared first on Town Hall Seattle.

On October 26, our Artist-in-Residence, everybody loves puppets!) We caught up with Mikki after the event to talk about their process and what to expect for their final Findings Night presentation coming up December 11.

What made you want to explore a retelling of the Medusa myth?

Back in 2020, I really was diving into learning more about myself, my beliefs, and what I stand for. What else was I going to do while stuck inside? I had always considered myself a feminist, but had never looked too far into the history or real messages and teachings of feminism. I started to see a trend within 4th wave feminism, pushing the story of Medusa as a victim of the patriarchy. 

While I don’t disagree with it, I wanted to look at the story from a new angle. Why do we think Medusa was unhappy? She asked for help, and no one said the Gods were graceful or kind when responding to requests. What if it was a blessing in disguise, a look that could turn men into stone? A way to stay safe. How would Medusa tell it in her own words? The story wouldn't leave my brain.

Why puppets?

Well, everybody loves puppets! Really, though, puppets have been a way for performers to connect with audiences, and younger audiences, to show and tell difficult topics. They give this freedom to be silly, but seen in the truest form. Secondly, as an avid sewer, this was a chance to really push myself in terms of creation. Having done some smaller sock puppets before, making a large version that I could perform along with sounded like so much fun.

What are some of your favorite materials to work with when you’re creating?

I use so many different materials, but I really do love working with recycled materials. For the Scratch workshop alone, I used all recycled cardboard and upcycled felt scraps to make smaller finger puppets. We live in an overconsumption society, so being able to create with materials to give them a second life is a joy.

What discoveries have you made through the process? Were there any surprises in your first presentation for Scratch Night?

I’ve made some fascinating discoveries throughout this process, especially about the myth itself. Medusa’s story — often reduced to a beautiful woman transformed into a monster — has shifted and evolved over time. But did you know she originally appeared with a beard and tusks?

What kind of art excites you? What kind of art do you wish you could see more of in the world?

I just wish there was more art in the world. We live in places that push this beige, clean aesthetic. I would hope one day that Seattle is filled with elaborate window displays that show different art, not just nice paintings, but full window displays. Murals that cover all red and cement, just to live in a world much more colorful than where we are today.

What should folks expect to experience at Findings Night?

Findings night is going to be fun! Folx should expect a little history, a little education, and a lot of silly campy fun! I am hoping to bring something that isn’t just educational, but is a bit silly as well. I’ll also be bringing along the mini finger puppets and stage for anyone who wants to play around before or after the event and try their hand at a little puppetry as well.

Click below to learn more about Mikki's upcoming Findings Night (12/11) and get tickets.

Learn more about Town Hall's Residency Program and view past residencies here.

The post One Must Imagine Medusa Happy: A Retelling of the Classic Tale 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.

Town Hall Seattle is proud to call SAMA: Music & Art a co-producing partner on our long running Global Rhythms series, a staple of Town Hall music programming since 2002. SAMA: Music & Art is a cultural start-up and nonprofit organization focused on creating opportunities for meaningful dialogue between global communities through the transformative power of music and art. Founded by Darek Mazzone and John Goodfellow in 2019, SAMA has a mission to grow empathy across cultures by being a hub for global roots music in the Pacific Northwest and worldwide.   

With a deep connection to the music, musicians, and their community following across the region, SAMA has played an integral role in expanding the reach of Global Rhythms for the past three seasons, helping us connect with new and longtime audiences. SAMA also deepens the Global Rhythms experience by curating the talks with musicians and scholars that are part of our pre-show event, Global Atmosphere, connecting attendees with the history and context of the music.  

“SAMA: Music + Art is honored to continue our long-standing support of Town Hall Seattle and the Global Rhythms series,” said Darek Mazzone, Executive Director of SAMA: Music + Art. “For many years, we’ve shared a commitment to creating opportunities for artists from around the world to perform in Seattle and to elevating the voices of immigrant communities who enrich the cultural fabric of this city. We’re also working diligently to make Seattle a true destination for touring artists, many of whom currently bypass the city, and we’re determined to change that.”

SAMA joins us again for our 2025-26 season of Global Rhythms as we take on the theme of "The Next Generation: Renewal and Revitalization." Together, we'll explore how traditions are passed down through families and communities while also expanding the musical landscape by pushing boundaries and exploring new genres.  

Experience it for yourself on Saturday, October 18, with the soulful Balkan blues of Damir Imamović. Standing as a luminary figure in the realm of Bosnian music, Damir wields his expertise as a musician, singer, composer, and preeminent authority on the traditional melodies of Bosnia and Herzegovina, specifically the evocative "sevdalinka" or "sevdah."

Plus, check out the rest of our 2025-26 lineup: Maloya band Votia, Afro-Peruvian beats from Novalima, and the vibrant Italian pizzica of Canzoniere Grecanico Salentino.

We hope you'll join us!

If you're inspired by SAMA's work, check out their other projects and learn how to support them here.

The post Meet the Co-Producing Partner of Global Rhythms, SAMA: Music + Art  appeared first on Town Hall Seattle.

What is your background in psychedelics?
Four years ago, my choice to begin creating education within the psychedelic space was driven by consumer protection. Prior to that, my work for the past decade has been focused on cannabis and women’s health — and I saw the impact cannabis education had on more positive outcomes. Through my podcast, SetSet, I’ve had the chance to speak with clinicians, researchers, and everyday people about how these substances are reshaping our understanding of mental health and personal growth. I’ve also designed products and experiences to help people — especially women — engage with psychoactive substances in safer, more intentional ways.

What prompted you to create the Psychedelic Salon series?
When I looked around at the public conversation on psychedelics, I noticed three gaps. First, most of what we hear is either highly clinical — focused on FDA trials — or highly sensationalized. I wanted something in between: accessible, nuanced conversations that reflect the real-world ways people are exploring psychedelics. Second, women’s voices were largely absent from the stage. So I created the Salon as a space to highlight diverse perspectives, foster dialogue, and make these conversations approachable for anyone who’s curious. Lastly, outside of the psychedelic experience itself, the most profound impact of these medicines is the community of like minds that they foster. The Salon allows us to gather IRL!

Do you have a piece of advice for anyone interested in attending a Salon?
Come with curiosity, and maybe even a little skepticism. You don’t need to have personal experience with psychedelics to get something out of these conversations. Many attendees don’t, but they’re hearing about the experiences of their friends or reading headlines. The Salon isn’t about convincing anyone — it’s about widening the lens, hearing stories, and walking away with more thoughtful questions than you came with.

Is there a piece of film or other media that gets the psychedelic experience right?
I don’t think any piece of media can fully replicate the depth of a psychedelic experience — because so much of it is internal, ineffable, and shaped by our psyche. Unless you’re choosing to experience psychedelics while in nature, including an audio track of music or spoken word is critical to optimizing an altered state of consciousness. A few years ago, I collaborated with Seattle electronic music makers to create audio to listen to while under the influence of psychedelics. Music for mushroom journeys is here, and soundtracks for LSD and MDMA are here.

How do you choose the speakers for each Salon?
I start with science-driven topics that are trending among my Substack readers and in my 1:1 conversations. When a specific theme is repeatedly circulating in my newsfeeds and conversations, I note it as likely of interest to a broad group of people within the psychedelic-curious community. 

Finding speakers is the tricky part because an expert may not be based in Seattle, so sometimes a Salon theme is reworked to align with the expertise of local talent. To forge a true Seattle psychedelic community, keeping the Salon hyperlocal is essential, and this will carry through into new markets as the Salon tours the US in 2026.

 What do you hope audience members will take away from these conversations?
I hope that people leave feeling both more informed and more connected. Psychedelics are ultimately about relationship — with ourselves, with others, and with the natural world. If someone leaves a Salon with a more profound sense of connection, or even just a curiosity to keep exploring, then I feel like we’ve done our job.

April will be curating Psychedelic Salons throughout our 2025-26 season. Each event highlights unique themes — including grief, seniors, menopause, and more — emphasizing the role of psychedelics in mental health, spiritual growth, and personal optimization. Designed to be inclusive and insightful, this series invites attendees of all backgrounds to discover how psychedelics can foster profound connections, healing, and well-being.

Click the button below to learn more and get tickets!

The post An Interview with Psychedelic Salon Curator, April Pride appeared first on Town Hall Seattle.

A note from Executive Director, Kate Nagle-Caraluzzo

One year ago, I stepped into the Executive Director seat at Town Hall — excited, humbled, and a little nervous.

After seven years on the team, it felt less like crossing a threshold and more like carrying something forward: a tradition shaped by remarkable leadership, a powerful mission, and community who cares deeply. The building comes alive, night after night, fueled by curiosity, generosity, and a shared commitment to something bigger — a place that sparks lifelong learning, discovery, and dialogue.

As I look back on my first year as Executive Director, it’s more than the building or the programs that stand out in our 2024–25 season. It’s the moments: the buzz of a full Great Hall, sun streaming through the stained glass, awaiting Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Brad Smith; little ones giggling and dancing between chairs at a Saturday Family Concert with the Brian Waite Band; and multi-generational revelry at Coool Babies, a crowd-favorite Talking Heads cover band (pictured below, photo by Nick Klein).

This wasn’t just a season of programs — it was a season of people. And at a time when spaces for connection and dialogue feel increasingly rare, Town Hall remains a place where ideas are exchanged freely, differences are welcomed, and imagination still has room to grow.

This season, we also charted Town Hall’s next chapter — a new strategic plan focused on experimenting with programming, expanding access, deepening partnerships, and sparking the next generation of connection. It’s a plan built with the future in mind, but always with audiences — you — at its heart.

This season has been about learning, listening, and leaning into what makes Town Hall essential: not just the ideas we share, but how we show up for each other. Because at the end of the day, Town Hall isn’t just a building, it’s the energy we bring through the doors. It’s the conversations we start; the curiosity we carry; and the way we say yes — to each other, to the city, to what’s possible.

As we look ahead to an exciting fall season, filled with big ideas, bold conversations, and a few surprises still to come, I have one simple invitation: Bring someone with you. Someone who’s been here once. Someone who’s never been. Someone who might need a reminder of what it feels like to sit shoulder-to-shoulder in a room full of possibility.

Because Town Hall is always more alive when it’s shared — and our doors will be wide open, waiting for you.

 
With deep gratitude,
Kate 

The post A Year of Building, A Season of People 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.

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.