Fall Arts Guide 2025

Dear Readers,

Do you feel that encroaching chill in the air? Do you notice the slow cascade of leaves drifting in the breeze when a gust of wind appears. Yes, it’s fall and there is that anticipation of a new season in the arts. Below you’ll find our coverage of new arts events coming to the Northwest. Get out and enjoy a wide array of arts and culture.

Best, Alan Chong Lau – IE Arts Editor

Visual Arts

The Wing Luke Museum has the following. “DISplace”, a group show on native Hawaiian arts and culture is on view through January 4, 2027. “Ten Thousand Things” curated by Shin Yu Pai looks at favorite artifacts by local Asian Americans. On view through Spring 2027. Ongoing is YouthCan’s “Rivers and Roads”. “Back Home:Utopia in Seattle”  by Seattle art collective Paradice Ave. Soul is view through July 26, 2026. Permanent ongoing exhibits include the following. “Be Water, My Friend: The Teachings of Bruce Lee”,”Cambodian Cultural Museum”, “Hometown Desi”, “Vietnam in the Rearview”, “I Am Filipino”, “Wing Luke & the Museum”, AND “Honoring Our Journey”, a showcase for the Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders.” 719 South King St. Go to wingluke.org or call 206-623-5124. 

“Short Run Comix” is an annual event featuring local, nationally known and internationally known comic book artists. This year’s event takes place on November 1, 2025 from 11am – 6pm. At Seattle Design Center at 5701 – 6th Ave. S. Visiting from Indonesia is Yuda Sandy and from Japan, Rumi Hara. Go to short run.org for details. 

In “Partition is Imaginary”, Rowena Alam Khan traces her grandparent’s footsteps when India was divided into a Hindu and Muslim state creating the country of Pakistan. This exhibition is a collective reckoning with the enduring legacies of Partition and the porous boundaries between memory, identity, and nationhood. On view through October 4, 2025. ARTS at King Street Station. 303 South Jackson St on the top floor. @seaofficeofarts. 

Kevin Furiya works in the tradition of earlier Sunday painters like Tokita and Nomura in that he faithfully records the  alleyways, streets, buildings, bridges and highways of the Northwest landscape in his painting. On view through September 27, 2025. Chatwin Arts. 323 1st Ave. S. In Seattle’s Pioneer Square. Chatwinarts.com. 

The work of Northwest artist Rob Rhee has always shown a patient observation of nature and the way that plants grow. His new work entitled “Crossings” analyzes grafting as a sculptural process for making experimental connections. Now on view at Jacob Lawrence Gallery in the Art Building on the campus of the University of Washington, Seattle through October 4, 2025. Rhee gives an artist walk through on September 27, 2025 at 2pm. He gives a kid-friendly walk through of his exhibit on October 4, 2025 at 3pm. [email protected]. 

“Walks along the Kamogawa, the Kyoto series – part 1” is work by Alan Lau done in his in-law’s hundred year old house in a Kyoto neighborhood, a stone’s throw from the Kamo river. On view from October 2 – November 15, 2025. First Thursday Openings on Oct. 2 and November 6  from 5 – 8pm with the artist present. Includes readings and performances. Go to artxcontemporary.com to get program details. 

“No Incoming Calls” is the title of a long documentation of pay phones by K. Taka that explores connection, neglect and preservation. And what these vanishing public fixtures tell us about culture, technology and what we choose to keep or discard. On view October 2 – November 1, 2025. Gallery 110 at 110 – 3rd Ave. S. In Seattles Pioneer Square. Go to www.gallery110.com for details. 

KOBO is a unique shop of arts and crafts from Japan and items made locally by Northwest artists. “Living with Glass – Garasu to Karasu” curated by Sayuri Fukuda is on view through October 19, 2025. Featured artist is ceramicist Conrad calimpong from California’s Silicon Valley.The “16th Annual Simple Cup Show” is set for November, 2025. All of the above events at KOBO at Higo. There are two shops in Seattle. KOBO at Higo is in the Chinatown/ID/Japantown area at 604 South Jackson and KOBO is on Capitol Hill at 814 East Roy. For details, try Koboseattle.com. 

Henry Art Gallery is on the University of Washington’s Seattle campus. Charlene Liu’s work for the Sculpture Court Mural is on view through August 2026. “Spirit House” is a group show of “Ghosts, Hauntings, Shrines, Dimensions, and Spirit Houses” created by Asian American artists. On view through January 11, 2026 with a Public Opening Celebration on October 3, 2025 from 6 – 9pm. Free. Go to Henryart.org for details. 

“Huh ugh uh hm mhm” is a 4 channel sound installation with fragments of linguistic debris from a love language for when there’s nothing left to say. By Maya Nguyen. Through September. Jack Straw Gallery at 4261 Roosevelt Way NE in Seattle’s University District. Go to jackstraw.org for details. 

Cannonball Arts is Seattle’s newest art collective in the old Bed Bath & Beyond location downtown. Current work includes art by Brent Watanabe and Soo Hong. 1930 – 3rd Avenue. Cannonballarts.com. 

“Asian Comics: Evolution of an Art Form” curated by Paul Gravett looks at this art form in its many styles and forms throughout Asia. On view through January 24, 2026. At MoPop at 325 – 5th Ave. N. 

The Frye Parlor is an artist-designed space for connection that’s part lounge, part experimental installation. The inaugural concept by Jayme Yen draws inspiration from Frye Salon to create an interactive environment where painting, design, and language merge in playful dialogue. On view through January 10, 2027, at 704 Terry Ave. Visit fryemuseum.org for more info.

Seattle Asian Art Museum has the following –  Through April 2026 is Anila Quayyum Agha’s  illuminated sculptural installation entitled “Geometry of Light”. Through March 2026 is Ai Weiwei’s “Water Lillies” assembled with LEGO blocks. 1400 Prospect St. in Volunteer Park. Ai Weiwei’s  “Circle of Animals/Zodiac Heads” remains on view at SAM’s Olympic Sculpture Park down by Elliott Bay through October 2027. Go to seattleartmuseum.org for details. 

ROOTS Reimagined” is the opening group show of South Asian contemporary art at Viya Contemporary. 869 Ave. Square NE, Suite 17 in Bellevue,WA. viyacontemporary.com 

“The Living Line:Alan Lau & Juliet Shen” is a duo show that displays Lau’s abstract work in brush and ink and Shen’s evocative rendering of forest scenes.  A reception for the artists takes place on September 27, 2025 from 1 – 3pm. On view now through October 10, 2025 and again from October 20 – 31, 2025. At Asian Pacific Cultural Center’s new gallery. 4851 South Tacoma Way in Tacoma,WA. 253-383-3900 or email [email protected]. 

“Z.Z. Wei:New Works” is an intimate glimpse into this Chinese artist’s involvement with the Northwest rural landscape of highways, cars, factories and houses. On view through September 27, 2025. A Q & A  with the artist about his career on Friday, September 26, 2025 from 5 – 7pm. Patricia Rovzar Gallery at 1111 -1st Ave. in downtown Seattle. 

“Book of Changes” is the title of Kristin Kwan’s dreamy, softly painted scenes of strange surrealistic events and creatures. On view through October 4, 2025. At Roq La Rue at 117 W. Denny Way on the 2nd floor of the NW Work Lofts in Suite 217 in Belltown. Go to www.roqlarue.com for details. 

“Emerging Radiance” is an augmented-reality interactive artwork that tells the story of Japanese American farmers of Bellevue created by Michelle Kumata and Tani Ikeda. On view through February 2027. 1111 – 110th Ave. NE in Bellevue,WA. 

“Ignited by Vashon” is a group show of art by Vashon Artist Residency Alumni at Vashon Center for the Arts. Includes work by Northwest artist Juliet Shen. Now through September 28, 2025. 19600 Vashon Highway South in Vashon,WA. 

Sumi painter Louise Kikuchi of Seattle imbues brushstrokes and drops of ink new meaning in her marks on paper. New work on view at I.E. Gallery  through September 28, 2025. 5800 Cains Court in Edison,WA. [email protected]. 

“Echoes of the Floating World” exhibits Japanese woodblock prints from the museum’s collection side by side with work by local artists Jorge Mota, Troy Long, Hanako O’Leary, Kenji Stoll, Laureen Iida, Yoshiko Yamamoto and Van Van. Guest curated by Stoll. On view through January 24, 2026. “(Re)Frame: Habu Family Collection of Western American Art” expands the narratives about art of the American West with four exhibitions with a range of perspectives including one on the Chinese American West. Curated by Lele Barnett. On view through September 5, 2027. 1701 Pacific Ave. in Tacoma. Go to tacomartmuseum.org. 

 

Tacoma printmaker Yoshi Nakagawa presents a two color linocut printmaking workshop on Saturday, September 27, 2025 from 10 am – 5pm. At Tacoma Armory in Suite 15. [email protected]. 

Kyoto-born lighting design artist Yuri Kinoshita works with organic materials to create small and large scale sculptures of “Interwoven Lights”. On view through October 10, 2025. At Bitters at 14034 Calhoun Road in Mount Vernon,WA. Go to www.bitters.com for details. 

“Metaphorical Landscape” is the title of a solo show by Juliet Shen at Pierce College Puyallup Fine Arts Gallery on the Pierce College Puyallup campus at 1601 – 39th Ave. SE in Puyallup,WA. On view through December 4, 2025. 

Blackfish Gallery is one of the oldest galleries in Portland, Oregon. In the main Gallery is ceramic work and drawings by Ruri and Satoko Motofuji entitled “”DESTRUCTION .REJUVENATION. HARMONY”. The ceramic work focuses on harmony coming from rebirth and the drawings focus on destruction caused by wild fire. In Gallery 2 is “Rhythm of Nature” by Kanetaka Ikeda which blends ink and acrylic ink on watercolor paper. On view through October. 938 Everett. Go to blackfish.com for details. 

The Japanese American Museum of Oregon presents “Frank S. Matsura:Portraits from the Borderland” from September 27, 2025 – February 8, 2026. Matsura, a Japanese immigrant came to Okanogan country near the edge of the Colville Reservation at the turn of the century and with his photography studio documented the changes in the West with humor and grace. A short documentary film on the photographer entitled “Our Mr. Matsura” screens at 1pm on September 28, 20925 at the Kiggins Theatre at 1011 Main St. in Vancouver,WA. The Japanese American Museum of Oregon is located on 411 Flanders St. in Portland. [email protected]. 

The Portland Japanese Garden has the following exhibits on view. “Designing Nature: Elements of Harmony” from September 27 – February 23, 2026. “CROSSCurrents”, a bamboo installation by Anne Crumpacker from October 18 – November 17, 2025. Ongoing are photographs of four prominent gardens based in Japan and Stu Levy’s photos of the Portland Japanese Garden and an exhibit on six distinct styles of Japanese gardens. 611 SW Kingston Ave. 503-223-1321 or Japanesegarden.org. 

Portland Art Museum presents the first major retrospective on 20th century painter and printmaker Yoshida Chizuko. On view through January 4, 2026. 1219 SW Park Ave. Portland, Oregon. 

The Portland Chinatown presents “Inner Village: Stories of the Portland Asian Women” by multi-media artist Limei Lai. Now on view through December 2025. Permanent exhibit is “Beyond the Gate: A Tale of Portland’s Historic Chinatowns.” 127 NW Third. Try PortlandChinatown.org. 

The Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art located on the University of Oregon campus in Eugene, Oregon has the following.  “Fluid Continuity:Seasons in Japanese Art and Tea” is on view through November 9, 2025. “Recurring Seasons: Intertexturality of Seasonal Imagery in Japanese Literature and Woodblock Prints” is on view through November 13, 2025. 1430 Johnson Lane on campus. Try Jsma.uoregon.edu for details. 

The Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art WSU has the following. British sculptor Amish Kapoor has a show entitled “Dissolving Margins” on view through March 14, 2026. Mimi Jung, a Montana-based Korean artist has a show entitled “An Unfinished Origin – Unconventional Materuyials Weave Stories of Change” on view through June 27, 2026. 1535 NE WilsonRoad. Pullman,WA. Free for details, go to [email protected]u. 

The work of  Northwest artists Ling Chun and Nak Bou is profiled in the September-October 2025 issue of the free local arts magazine, publicdisplay.art. 

Performing Arts 

The 2nd Annual Art & Culture Week brings unexpected cultural experiences across the city. Korean indie artist s e h e e performs her dreamy folk/pop songs with a five-piece band illuminated by visual images by artist Soo Hong on September 25, 2025 from 6 – 9pm.At the Art Love Salon at 110 Union St. #500. 

“Ghost Stories:An Embodied Reading” with the poet Jane Wong in collaboration with Derek Dixon of A Resting Place combines storytelling with a sensory exploration of the Henry Art Gallery’s current group exhibition “Spirit House”, a group show by Asian American artists. On Thursday, September 25, 2025 from 6 – 7:30pm. 15th Ave. NE & NE 41st on the UW campus. 

Pacific Northwest Ballet has the following on tap. George Balanchine’s “Jewels” is performed September 26 through October 5, 2025. “In The Upper Room” showcases new works by Twyla Tharp, Dani Rowe and a world premiere by Christopher D’ariano & Amanda Morgan. On stage November 7 – 16, 2025.At McCaw Hall at 321 Mercer. Go to pnb.org for details. 

Seattle native and jazz keyboardist Philip Woo who played with Roy Ayer’s, returns to his hometown to host a fundraiser for his documentary film about his life and career. Excerpts from his film will screen at SIFF Film Center on September 26, 2025 located inside Seattle Center. Go to SIFF.net for details. He also does his annual Northwest show with vocalist Ashton Moore on September 27, 2025 at Terry’s Kitchen in Bellevue. Go to www.TerrysKitchenBellevue.com. 

The UW Improvised Music Project performs on Friday, October 3, 2025 at 8pm. Bassist Stomu Takeishi, drummer Ted Poor and trumpet player Cuong Vu join vocalist Lucia Pulido in interpreting the songs of beloved Chilean folksinger Violetta Para.  At Chapel Performance Space at Good Shepherd Center on the 4th floor. 4649 Sunnyside Ave. N. In Seattle. [email protected]. 

“What is War” is a collaboration of dancer/choreographers Eiko Otake and Wen Hui. Otake performed for over 40 years with husband, Koma and Hui is one of the pioneers of Chinese contemporary dance. The piece is based on their memories growing up in Postwar Japan nad during the Cultural Revolution in China. Set for October 9 – 11, 2025. Aya Ogawa’s piece entitled “The Nosebleed” is on stage November 13 – 15, 2025. On Then Boards. 100 W. Roy St. Go to ontheboards.org  for details. 

Icelandic Chinese singer/songwriter Laufey is gaining popularity with the current generation with her old soul/jazzy pop repertoire. She hits Climate Pledge Arena on October 4, 2025 at &:30pm. 334 First Ave. N. Already sold out. Climatepledgearena.com. 

Filipina songstress Lea Salonga who made her name starring in “Miss Saigon” brings a bevy of show tunes and Broadway blockbusters to Seattle Symphony on October 8, 2025. Seattlesymphony.org/culture.  

“Dancing with Spirits 2” takes place on Friday, October 10, 2025 at 7pm. This event features Family Latin Dance Party, line dancing and free cha cha lessons. Headliner is singer Primo Kim. Benefits Filipino Youth. Fanhs_national. At Washington Hall at 153 – 14th Ave.  

“Masters of Hawaiian Music” with Daniel Ho, Tia Carrere and George Kahumoku play on October 1, 2025. 

“Buhay:The Filipino American Experience” is a program curated by FANHS set for the Washington State History Museum in Tacoma on October 16, 2025 from 3 to 6pm. 1911 Pacific Avenue. Go to washingtonhistory.org for details. 

Comic Michael Yo hits the stage on September 28 at 7pm. “Masters of Hawaiian Music” with George Kahumoku Jr., Daniel Ho and Tia Carrere”play on October 1, 2025. Master Taiko performer Kenny Endo (based in Hawai’i) makes a rare Northwest appearance with his contemporary ensemble on Monday, November 17, 2025 at 7:30pm.  Seating starts at 6pm. All Ages.  All shows at The Triple Door.216 Union St. 866-973-9612 or the tripledoor.net. 

The 37th edition of the Earshot Jazz Festival 2025 hits town at various venues from October 10 – November 2, 2025. Some of the Asian and Asian American acts in this year’s program include the following. New York-based pianist Miki Yamanaka fronts a trio and shares the bill with fellow pianist George Colligan with bass and drums and emerging  vocalist Zyanna at Baba Yaga on October 15, 2025 at 7pm. 21+ Local drummer Chris Icasiano is part of the Evan Captain Trio with Captain on piano and Kelsey Mines on bass who share a set with Scottish collective Corte.alto on Thursday, October 16 st 7pm at Baba Yaga. 21+. New York-based saxophonist Rudresh Mahanthappa brings his Hero Trio to town on Friday, October17 at 7:30pm at The Royal Room. Francois Moutin on bass and Tim Angulo on drums. This year’s Festival Commissioned artist is Seattle-based French-Filipino American pianist Roman Goron who presents his original suite entitled “The Transient Arboretum” on Sunday, October 19 at 6pm at the Town Hall Forum. Brooklyn-based vocalist Arooj Aftab brings her fusion of Pakistani music,  Sufi poetry, Ambient landscapes and jazz elements into an elegant landscape of sounds. Paired with solo piano by Gerald Clayton. On Friday, October 23 at 7:30pm At the Townhall Forum.Tickets and information at [email protected]. 

Kanekoa is described as “ukulele-powered Hawaiian jam rock” and they play on October 2, 2025 at 7:30pm. Catch the classical Indian dance troupe Nrityagram on October 11, 2025 at the Edmonds Center for the Arts. October 18, 2025 brings the 17th Annual Seattle Slack Key Festival at 1pm. 410 – 4th Ave. N. Edmondscenterforthearts.org. 

Japanese all women pop band Shonen Knife from Japan make a rare Seattle performance at the tractor Tavern on October 25, 2025 at 8:30pm. Ages 21+. 5213 Ballard Ave. NW. Tractortavern.com. 

Townhall Seattle has “Concerts in America” presenting “Magdalene Ho – The Poet of Piano” on October 23, 2025 at 7:30pm. 1119 – 8th Ave. Go to townhallseattle.org for details. 

“Diwali: Lights of India” takes place on October 18, 2025 at Seattle Center Armory. All ages. Free. Seattle Hmong New Year happens on November 8, 2025. All part of Festal, a year round celebration of cultural holidays at Seattle Center’s Armory. seattlecenter.com/festal. 

Northwest singer/songwriter Tomo Nakayama has a new album release concert for his recording entitled “Ocean.” The project is a reflection on grief, healing and the meaning of creating and maintaining humanity in a tumultuous world. On Friday, November 7, 2025 at 7:30pm. At Fremont Abbey Arts Center at 4272 Fremont Ave. N. Go to fremontabbey.org for details. 

Some highlights from the prestigious Meany Center for the Performing Arts located on the Seattle UW campus include the following. Classical pianist Mahani Teave has created a music school for the children of her native island Rapa Nui better known to the world as Easter Island. She comes to Seattle to perform music from the islands as well as well known classical composers and composers from South America as well. Set for October 3, 2025. Beloved Northwest piano master Jon Kimura Parker plays from the classical repertory as well as his American favorites on November 6, 2025 at 7:30pm. Sidi Larkin Cherkaoi’s “Sutra” is performed by Buddhist monks from Shaolin with a set design by Anthony Gormeley and music by Szymon Brzoska on November 13 – 15, 2025 at 8pm. Sulayman & Shibe is a classical duo that includes Lebanese tenor vocalist Karim Sulayman with Japanese guitarist Sean Shibe with a unique blend that crosses borders between East and West. They appear on January 17, 2026.  YMusic is a contemporary chamber ensemble making their Meany debut on February 21, 2026 at 7:30pm. Clarinetist Hideaki Aomori is in this group. Contemporary pianist Conrad Tao plays in recital on March 8, 2026. Classical pianist Joyce Yang took the Silver Medal at the Cliburn International Piano Competition and she plays April 14, 2026 at 7:30pm. World class cellist Yo Yo Ma makes a welcome return to Seattle and talks about how music shaped his thinking and plays favorites on April 22, 2026 at 7:30pm. Pianist Min Kwon asked the best contemporary composers to create variations  on “America the Beautiful” and plays the results on May 12, 2026 at 7:30pm. On the grounds of Seattle’s University of Washington. 206-543-4880 or try [email protected]. 

Seattle Symphony welcomes Xian Zhang, their new Chinese woman conductor as they embark on a new season. She will conduct The Symphony’s annual concert of Asian music which features the composition “Iris Unveiled” performed with traditional Chinese musicians of the Peking Opera on February 12,14 &n 15, 2026. She conducts “Schumann & Beethoven” on February 19, 2026. She works with pianist Daniel Trifonov on April 23 & 25, 2026. She Covers Mozart on April 30, May 2 & 3, 2026 and Gershwin on May 28, 29, 30 & 31, 2026. On June 11 & 13, 2026, she conducts Mahler’s 7th. “Beethoven’s 9th gets covered on June 18,19, 20 & 21,2026. Associate Conductor Sunny Xia steers the Seattle Symphony through the following performances. The Family Concerts Series for ages 6 – 12 on Saturdays at 11am. This series includes “Peter and the Wolf” on October 18, 2025, “The Snowman” on December 6, 2025 and “Phiharmona Fantastique” on May 9, 2026. Xia also conducts the symphony when violinist Simone Lamsa makes her Benaroya debut with “Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto” on March 12 & 14, 2026. Some guest performers in the new season include the following. Pianist Seong-Jin gives a recital o January 20, 2026. Kahchun Wong is guest conductor for “The Kenneth-Masons Play Beethoven Triple Concerto” set for January 29, 31 & February 2, 2026. Contemporary pianist Conrad Tao plays in recital on March , 2026.Pianist Haochen Zhang covers Liszt & Kodaly on March 12, 13 & 14, 2026. Dynamic pianist Lang Lang performs in recital on March 20, 2026. American composer Vivian Fung’s “Frenetic Memories for Clarinet & String Quartet” gets covered by Seattle Symphony musicians in a program entitled “From Ruth Gipps to Vivian Fung” on April 7, 2026. Benaroya Hall is at 200 University St. 206-215-4747 or try Seattlesymphony.org. 

Ukulele virtuoso Jake Shimabukuro celebrates Christmas Island-style with his “Holidays in Hawai’i” tour with Jackson Waldhoff and Justin Kawika. On December 1, 2025 at Kirkland Performance Center. Go to Kpcenter.org for details. 

STG stages a variety of performing arts across the city on various stages throughout the year. Comics Hasan Minaj and Ronny Ching do battle with one-liners on October 4, 2025 at 4pm at the 5th Avenue Theatre. Comedian/actress Jiaoying Summers plays the Neptune on October 11, 2025. British singer/songwriter Miki Berenice brings her trio to the Neptune on October 23, 2025. Comic/actor ZJimmy O. Yang plays the Paramount on November 1, 2025. Stand-up comic JR Guzman plays the Neptune on November 7, 2025.  Comic Romesh Ranganathan hits the stage at the Neptune on November 7, 2025. Japanese comic Atsuko Okatsuka plays the Moore Theatre on October 11, 2025. “Storytellers:Queer Comedy & Joy with Juanomen on October 22 at 6:30pm at Kerry Hall. “Ninja Kids:Infinite Possibilities”  at the Paramount on October 23, 2025 at 7pm. “Malala Yousafzai: Finding My Way Book Tour” comes too the Moore on November 17, 2025.Seattle’s Degenerate Art Ensemble present a new piece on February 14, 2026 at 8pm at the Moore. Comic Henry Cho at the Moore on February 22, 2026  at 7pm. The Ravi Shankar Ensemble continues the great sitar virtuoso’s music when they play the Moore on April 6, 2026 at 7:30pm.Comic Margaret Cho comes to the Moore on April 19, 2026. Japanese jazz pianist brings her newest trio, “Hiromi’s Sonic Wonder” to the Moore on May 5, 2026 at 7:30pm.For full details, go to stgpresents.org. 

Jazz accordion player Josh Hou branches out with a new Chinese pop project. He’s started a group with lyricist Shu Xuan Zhou called Good Luck Rabbits. They have recorded an EP of their new music. The group will have a November 18th release concert streaming to follow with a formal release live concert on Sunday, November 30, 2025 at 2:30pm at the Royal Room (http://theroyalroomseattle.com) at 5000 Rainier Ave. S. The show opens with readings from local authors followed by a concert by Good Luck Rabbits. The live band includes Marina Christopher on bass, Chris Icasiano on drums, Kat Bula on violin, Alex Chung on cello/vocals, Lilian Liang on vocals and Hou on vocals/accordian/piano/guitar. There will be English translations of the Mandarin lyrics. For advance tickets, try stranger tickets.com. For more information on the music, try @accordianjosh. 

The Junction Trio includes three visionary artists of the next generation in a new eclectic piano trio with Conrad Tao on piano, Stefan Jackiw on violin and Jay Campbell on cello. On February 21, 2026 at 7:30pm. Part of the Bellingham Festival of Music and the Sanford Hill Piano Series. On the day of the concert, each musician will conduct a two hour master class on their respective instruments for students at 10am. At the Performing Arts Center 155 – Concert Hall at 516 High St. in Bellingham,WA. Try Bellinghamfestival.org or 360-201-6621. 

Seattle Rep has Lloyd Suh’s “The Heartsellers” slated for its new season from January 2 – February 1, 2026.  Directed by Sunam Ellis. The play tells the story of two immigrants from Korean and the Philippines who meet over frozen turkeys in a supermarket and decide to celebrate Thanksgiving together. Go to www.seattlerep.org. 

Seattle Children’s Theatre presents “Young Dragon: A Bruce Lee Story” February 19 – March 15, 2026. This is a new work commissioned from local playwright Keiko Green. 155 Mercer. 206-441-3322 or try [email protected]. 

ACT/Union Arts Center has Jiehae Park’s “The Aves” set for their new season. Directed by Sheila Daniel’s and set for April 18 – May 3, 2026. The play concerns an older couple sitting on a park bench on a summer’s day. A simple conversation shifts into a world of surreal possibilities in this funny meditation o memory, forgiveness and the lifelong process of becoming who we are. Alien Theatre at ACT. 700 Union St. Go to www.unionartscenter.org for details. 

IntimanTheatre presents drag chanteuse Arnaldo in “Arnaldo & Friends” set for March 26 – 29, 2026. At Broadway Performance Hall at 1425 Broadway. Intimate.org. 

Film & Media 

The Northwest Film Forum has the following.  Hiroshi Teshigahara’s 1964 adaptation of the Kobo Abe novel, “Woman in the Dunes” screens October 4,5,11,18 &19, 2025. An entomologist in a desert area misses the last bus to town. A friendly young widow invites him to stay over night in a hut at the bottom of a sand dune. NWFF presents the Seattle film premiere of “And So It Begins”, a film by Ramona Diaz. The film covers the last days of despotic reign of Filipino president Rodrigo Duterte. The director will be in attendance in conversation with Leni Robredo and journalist Maria Ressa. On Friday, October 10 at 7pm. This special screening is at an alternate location, Paaccar IMAX Theatre at Pacific Science Center. Back at the NWFF, The Mourning Sickness Series Vol. 4 with host, Miss Monday Mourning present Nobuhiko Obayashi’s classic horror thriller “House” on October 19, 2025 at 8pm. Neo Sora’s “Happyend” screens November 9, 15, 16 & 21, 2025. In a futuristic Tokyo, two rebellious teenagers must deal with an oppressive surveillance system in their high school in different ways. 1515 – 12th Ave. go to nwfilmforum.org for details. 

The Beacon is an alternative film center showing rare films.  On September 24, 2025 at 7:30pm, Nagisa Oshima’s steamy erotic thriller “In the Realm of the Senses” is screened, telling the strange tale of an obsessive relationship. On October 5,7,8 & 9, 2025, they screen Nobuhiro Yamashita’s classic “Linda. Linda. Linda”, about a group of Japanese high school girls who attempt to form a band to enter a talent competition. October 10, 2025 at 7pm brings a Japanese Horror Double Feature packaging the films “RING” and “JU-ON.” 4405 Rainier Ave. S. Go to thebeacon.film for details. 

Wen Wen Lu’s “Listen to the beating of our hearts”  screens September 28 , 2025 as part of the Local Sightings Film Festival. At Northwest Film Forum. 

The SIFF Film Center screens Nobuhiro Yamashita’s “Linda. Linda. Linda” in a new 4K restoration. It celebrates the 20th anniversary of this classic music film about Japanese high school girls trying to start a band. Screens on September 22, 2025. “Little Forest” by Yim Soon-Rye is adapted from Daisuke Igarashi’s manga about slow living and natural cooking in the Korean countryside. Screens October 3, 2025 at SIFF Uptown. A Q&A with the director  by Ungsan Kim of the UW Center for Korean Studies follows the screening. A new restoration of “Re-wind” (also known as “Celluoid Nightmares”) by famous pink film director Hisayasu Sato screens on October 15, 2025 at 8pm at SIFF Film Center. A young man finds a grisly snuff video tape in an icebox and tries to track down its creator to see if the brutal murder depicted was real or not. Chloe Zhao’s drama about Shakespeare and his family entitled “Hamnet” has received glowing reviews on the festival circuit and opens at SIFF Uptown on November 26, 2025. Go to SIFF.net for details. 

The 20th Tasveer Film Festival & Market opens in their new home , the Tasveer Film Center from October 8-12, 2025. tasveer.org.

“No Other Choice” by Park Chan-wook is his latest film currently making the festival circuit. It’s a bleak, mordant comedy of a company man suddenly released from work after 25 years when the firm is bought up by American investors. 

Lee Sang-il’s “Kokuho (National Treasure)” is a three hour film that does a deep dive into the life of a kabuki actor from his youth studying as an apprentice to his eventual rise up through the ranks. Superb cinematography by Sofia’s El Fani, art direction by Yohei Tanaka and costumes by Kumiko Ogawa all combine to enhance the experience. This film was chosen to represent Japan at the Oscar’s. 

A screening of Bruce Lee’s last film entitled “Enter the Dragon” is screened on October 17, 2025 at Tacoma Armory. 

Written and Spoken Arts 

Cheryll Leo Gwin & Storyboards NW present “Lost Underground”, a series on the underground world of China’s youth during the cultural revolution. Oral histories from Asian American artists and writers entitled “Narratives” is also due for release with a Patti Warashina interview, the first in the series. Go to www.leogwin.com. 

Diane Rodill, Ph.D. Received a grant for her project “A Filipino’s Contributions to 1909 King County and Beyond”. She will publish a historical biography on her father and will have book signings at FANHS and the Wing Luke Museum in 2026. 

Guest curator Amy Hirayama explores the theme of “Serious Play” for the Seattle Public Library. Reservations required.On Wed., September 24 at 7pm, a panel discussion entitled “Comedy Gold” includes Timothy Booth, Kathy Hsieh, Bernice Larson, Eli Lin and Juno Men. On Wed., October 29, 2025 is “Perfect Pairings”, a look at surprising collaborative pairs. On Sunday, November 23, 2025 at 2pm is “Collab-o-Rama”, a collaborative play fair that gives participants a chance to visit different stations and engage in collaborative generative activities. At the Microsoft Auditorium in the Seattle Central Library at 1000 Fourth Ave. www.spl.org/Calendar. 

The Book Larder is a book store specializing in books on food, cooking demonstrations and author events. There is a book signing with Cassie Yeung, author of “Bad B*tch in the Kitchen” on October 14, 2025 from 6 – 8pm. Getty Lui McKinnon, author of “Linger- Salads, sweets and Stories to Savor” gives an author talk on October 15, 2025 at 6:30pm.  There is a book signing with Joanne lee Molina to, author of “Korean Vegan Homemade” on October 27, 2025 from 7:45pm – 9pm. Arnold Myint, author of “Family Thai” does an in-store talk and demo on November 3, 2025 from 6:30 – 8pm. Emiko Davies is the  author of “The Japanese Pantry” with Sonoko Sakai. The pair do a virtual author talk via Zoom on November 6, 2025 from noon to 1pm. 4252 Fremont in Seattle. 206-397-4271 or booklarder.com. 

Elliot Bay Book Company has a concentrated schedule of readings and book events coming this fall. Some highlights include the following. Yume Kitasei discusses her novel “Salt Crop” with Wendy N. Wagner on October 6, 2025 at 7pm. The book tells the epic tale of two sisters who cross oceans to find their third sister. Jake Adelstein reads from “The Devil Takes Bitcoin: Cyrpro Currency Crimes and the Japanese Connection” on October 9, 2025 at 7pm. As part of the “Author Talks” series at the Library, Chi-Ming Yang delves into the vibrant life of beloved Sci-fi visionary in her book, “Octavia E. Butler: H is for Horse.” She discusses it on October 10, 2025 at 7pm. This event co-sponsored and held at Elliott Bay Book Company. Sonora Jha discusses “Intemperance”, a satiric feminist novel about a woman who holds a contest to see which men can win her affection with Daniel Tam Claiborne and Amber Flame on October 14, 2025 at 7pm. Garrett Kaoru Hongo reads from his new book of poetry entitled “Ocean of Clouds” on October 23, 2025 at 7pm. In this book, the poet lays bare the coastlines, waters and skylines and how they inspire ancestral lines that teach and tell stories of our lives. Alan Chong Lau reads from his travel memoir entitled  “This Single Road – Postcards and Notebooks from Kyoto” with sound artist Susie Kozawa on October 25 at 5pm. The book is a distillation of poems, essays, letters to friends and sketches and paintings all culled from his visits to Japan. Gish Jen reads from “Bad Bad Girl” on October 27, 2025. The novel looks at a mother from the eyes of her own daughter.1521 10th Avenue. Go to www.elliottbaybook.com.

Third place Books has three locations in the Puget Sound and readings at every venue. Mona Awad reads from her latest novel entitled “We Love You Bunny” on September 29,2025 at 7pm at Lake Forest Park. Sen Lin Yu’s reads from “Alchemised”, a dark fantasy that already sold out. October 4, 2025 at 7pm at Lake Forest Park. Kalehua Kim discusses her debut poetry book entitled “Mele” with Jane Wong on Wed., October 8, 2025 at 7pm at Ravenna. Shigeko Ito reads from “The Pond Beyond the Forest:Reflections on Childhood, Trauma and Motherhood” on October 14 at 7pm at Ravenna.  Storytime with Michelle Jing Chan & Julia Kuo, authors of “Weiwei’s Winter Solstice” and “Home is a Wish” on Sunday, October 26 at 11am at Lake Forest Park. Sonora Jha talks to Calaire Dederer about her new book entitled “Intemperance” on October 30, 2025 at 7pm at Ravenna.  The Lake Forest Park store is at 17171 Bothell Way NE #A101 in Lake Forest Park,WA. 206-366-3333. The Ravenna store is at 6504 – 20th Ave. NE. In Seattle. 206-525-23. The Seward Park store is at 5041 Wilson Ave. S. In Seattle. 206-474-2200. For details, go to thirdplacebooks.com. 

Seattle Arts & Cultures presents the following.  Award-winning poet Li Young Lee come to town on behalf of his latest book entitled “The Invention of the Darling”. In-person and online on November 3, 2025. At Rainier Arts Center. Food writer Padma Lakshmi appears in person on behalf of her new book entitled “Padma’s All American – Tales, Travels and Recipes from Taste the Nation and Beyond” on November 18, 2025 at Benaroya Hall and online. Salman Rushdie reads  from “Knife: Meditations After an Attempted Murder” in person and online on December 2, 2025 at Benaroya Hall. [email protected]. 

Nilanjana Dasgupta address the topic of “How Small Changes Can Make a Big Impact” on September 29, 2025 at 7:30pm. UW Offie of Public Lectures presents Ed Yong addressing the topic of “Becoming a Birder” on Tuesday, November 4, 2025 at 6:30pm. After intensive pandemic reporting led to burnout, Yong found solace in the world of nature. For details, go to [email protected]. Townhall Seattle and Wing Luke Museum present Jeff Chang, author of “Water. Mirror. Echo: Bruce Lee and the Making of Asian America” who discusses the book with Shannon Lee, Doug Palmer and Sue Ann Kay. On Thursday, November 13, 2025 at 7:30pm.  

KUOW and the Seattle Times jointly present “Seattle Eats Live” with Seattle food writer Tan Vinh on Monday, November 10 at 7:30pm. Go to TownhallSeattle.org for details. 

Bainbridge Book Festival combines readings by Northwest authors, Q&A sessions, author signings and book sales. October 10/11, 2025. Appearances by writers Shobha Rao, Daniel Tam-Claiborne and Sonora Jha and others. For details, email [email protected]. 

The Library of Congress has announced that New Mexico-based Arthur Sze is the nation’s 25th Poet Laureate for 2025-2026. Sze plans to have a special focus on translating poetry originally written in other languages. Sze is an American poet, translator, editor and professor. He is the first Asian American to be named a US  Poet Laureate. He is the author of 12 poetry collections, his latest being 2025’s “Into the Hush.” 

The Poetry Foundation has announced the winners of the 21st Annual Pegasus Awards. Poet/critic Karima Ali won the 2025 Pegasus Award for “Poetry Criticism.” 

Kirkus Review, a leading publisher of early book reviews, have announced the 18 finalists for the 2025 Kirkus Prize in Fiction, Non-fiction and Young Readers literature. In fiction, Kieran Desai’s “The loneliness of Sonia and Sunny” and Megha Majumdar’s “A Guardian and a Thief” have been nominated. In the “Nonfiction” category, Arundhati Roy’s “Mother Mary Comes to Me” was nominated. In the “Young Readers’ Literature” category, Thao Lam’s “Everybody” was nominated in the “Picture Books” category. In the “Middle Grade” category, Triinu Lan’s “John the skeleton” was nominated. 

The longlist for the 2025 National Book Award for Translated Literature has been announced. Karen Tei Yamashita was one of the judges. Some of the finalists include the following. Han Kang’s “We Do Not Part” (Hogarth/Penguin Random House) translated by E. Yaewon and Paige Aniyah Morris. Saou Tchikawa’s “Hunchback” (Hogarth/Penguin Random House) translated by Polly Barton. The longlist for the 2025 National Book Award for Poetry has been announced. On the list is “Becoming Ghost” (Washington Square Press) by Cathy Linh Che and “Cold Thief Place” (Alice James Books) by Esther Lin.