October Arts Calendar 2025

Visual Arts

Etsuko Ichikawa’s show is entitled “Homecoming” and features new work on paper she recently did in Washington by this now Tokyo-based artist. The work was  created by burn marks dripping from melting molten glass, a technique she discovered while working at Chihuly Studio. Ichikawa lived and worked in Seattle for over 20 years so this show of new work is indeed, a joyous “homecoming.” On view from October 23 – December 13, 2025. Opening on Saturday, November 1, 2025 from 4 – 6pm. Winston Wachter Gallery. 203 Dexter Avenue North. 206-652-5855 or try [email protected].

Gallery B612 is a new art gallery in Pioneer Square. Their debut exhibition is “Wonderland” and will be on view from October 30 – December 10, 2025. This group show includes the perspectives of fourteen local and international artists inspired by “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.” Opening reception on October 30, 2025 from 6:30 – 8pm with live music and performance art. There will be a “Best Dressed Award” given out to those who follow the theme of “Mad-Tea-Party-Chic.” This event is free but RSVP encouraged. Refreshments and snacks provided. Artists exhibited include Stefanie Lorin, YooSho Nam, Rubin Quarcoopome, Russell Strada, Lisa Marie Barber, Ruby Linder, Runchuan Tian, Lindsay Iredale, Tian (TJ) Ostrander, Steve Jensen, Rebecca Mott, Ashley Worobec, Caitlin Mclver and Mi Young Margolis. “A Wonderland Concert: Music in Motion with Joseph Ehrenpreis takes place on November 11th, 2025 at the gallery with live painting by Yousho Nam and movement by Mi Young Margolis. 1915 – 1st Avenue South in Pioneer Square. Go to gallery 612.com for more details. Gallery B612’s sister company O-Jak Bridge Art and Dance Festival will present Bridge Art and Dance Festival, a modern dance interpretation of “Wonderland” on November 8 & 9, 2025 at Broadway Performance Hall at 1625 Broadway on Capitol Hill.

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. Includes over 150 artists, many of them Asian or Asian American. Comic artists such as Christina Lee, Yudha Sandy, Rumi Hara, Amy Zhao, Boua Sun, Bread Lee, William Chin, Cora Lee, Kelly Wang, Sung Yoon Choi, Kyung Na Park, Lark Pien, Wendy Ho, Yoko Ok and Yina  Kim are some of the expected guests. At Seattle Design Center in Georgetown. 5701 Sixth Ave. S. Go to short run.org for details.

“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 through November 15, 2025. Includes readings and performances. On October 25 at 3pm, The Early Music Guild presents a benefit event that includes Alan Lau reading from “Blues & Greens: A Produce Worker’s Journal” with jazz saxophonist Bob Antolin and a local trio performing Brazilian music. On Saturday, November 1 at 2pm, Alan Lau reads from his new book entitled “This Single Road – Postcards and Notebooks from Kyoto” with sound artist Susie Kozawa. Lau will also be at the gallery on Thursday, November 6, 2025 for “First Thursday” from 5 – 8pm. At ArtXcontemporary Gallery at 512 1st Ave. South in Pioneer Square. 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 through November 1, 2025. Gallery 110 at 110 – 3rd Ave. S. In Seattles Pioneer Square. Go to www.gallery110.comfor 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. The program includes 84 ceramic artists and 336 cups. On Saturday, November 1 from 1 – 4pm will be the opening event. The exhibit is on view from November 1 – December 24, 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 and Asian American artists. On view through January 11, 2026. Free. Go to Henryart.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 a space known as the Frye Salon located within the Frye Art Museum. The current installation by Jayme Yen is up through January 31, 2027. 704 Terry. Try fryemuseum.org.

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. “Lay Your Burden Down” is the name of a textile installation by Seattle artist Carina del Rosario set to open on November 15, 2025 from 1 – 3pm. The artwork will be on view through April 2026. Ongoing at SAAM is “Boundlkess:Stories ofAsian Art.” 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. Seattle Art Museum has the following shows on view. “Ash-Glazed Ceramics from Korea and Japan” through July 12, 2027. Tanya Ueda is the newly appointed Director of East Asian Paintings Conservation Department. As a SAM member event, she gives a talk entitled “Up Close with Conservators” on November 20, 2025 at 6pm at Seattle Art Museum. “The Asia Society Seattle Series” gives museum visitors a chance to hear artists, writers and business/community leaders offer their insights on the changing arts and politics of Asia. Set for December 3, 2025 and March 13, 2026 and 5:30pm at Seattle Asian Art Museum. Try visit Sam.org/talks for details. “Spinning Stories” is a “SAM Performs” series that gives visitors a chance to hear authors, relax with music and celebrate all of the unique ways Asian and Asian American artists share their stories. Happens on the “Last Saturdays” of November 2025 – January 2026 from 10am – 4pm at Seattle Asian Art Museum. Free with admission. The SAM Magazine for October 2025 – January 2026 has an interview with Portland-based artist Samantha Yun Wall. Wall won the Betty Bowen Award for 2024 and will have a solo exhibition at SAM in February 2026. Her work navigates her struggle for belonging as a Black Korean immigrant woman by exploring duality and binaries in her black-and-white drawings. Go to Seattleartmuseum.org or visit Sam.org/events for details OR call 206-654-3210.

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

“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.

“Echoes of the Floating World” shows 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. In a related exhibition program entitled “Echoes of Our Floating World: Two Japanese American Sisters”,this event features writer Tamiko Nimura and artist Teruko Nimura. Set for November 13, 2025 at 6pm. Tamiko is the author of the forthcoming UW Press memoir, “A Place For What We Lose: A Daughter’s Return to Tule Lake” and is lead curator of a digital exhibition on Tacoma’s Japantown. Teruko was a nominated artist for Tacoma’s “Artists in the archives”, a 2023 Rockland Artist Resident and served as Artist-in-Resident for Tacoma’s Environmental Services from 2024-2025. (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.

“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.

Narratives, interviews with Asian American women’s stories from the 60’s/70’s time period is part of a series that juxtaposes women’s lives on both sides of the Pacific. These are women’s stories which otherwise might be forgotten. The series is up to 5 episodes including interviews with ceramic sculptor Patti Warashina and most recently, “Lesley Jian: A Grandmother’s Journey Through War, Famine and Resilience. Another series features interviews with poets of China’s cultural Revolution. For details, try [email protected].

Blackfish Gallery is one of the oldest galleries in Portland, Oregon. In the main Gallery is ceramic work  by Ruri and drawings by  Satoko Motofuji entitled “”DESTRUCTION .REJUVENATION. HARMONY.”The ceramic work focuses on harmony coming from rebirth and the drawings focus on destruction caused by wildfire. In Gallery 2 is “Rhythm of Nature” by Kanetaka Ikeda which blends ink and acrylic ink on watercolor paper to create his dream vision. 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” on view through 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.  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 Japanese garden.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 Portland Chinatown.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].

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

The Isamu Noguchi Museum has announced that architect-designer Mira Nagashima and sculptor Kan Yasuda are the recipients of their 12th annual awards to be presented at the museum’s 40th anniversary benefit on November 17, 2025.

Six visual artists and photographers are among the 22 recipients of this year’s MacArthur Fellowship known as the “Genius Awards”. Saigon-based multidisciplinary artist Tuan Andrew Nguyen uses film, installation and sculpture to confront intergenerational traumas of colonial violence, displacement, and war. The poetic, research-based practice of Gala Porros-Kim provokes questions about the layers of relationship between cultural artifacts and the institutional frameworks that dominate their preservation and display. Theoretical mathematician Lauren Williams, a sansei professor from Harvard University also won a McArthur for her mathematical research.Congratulations to Hahrie Han, a political science professor from John’s Hopkins University who also won a McArthur for her work addressing critical questions about how and why people participate in civic and political life.

Congratulations to children’s author/artist Thao Lam who won a Kirkus Award in the “Young Readers Alternative” category.

RM from the internationally known K-Pop group BTS is partnering with SF MOMA Museum in a new exhibit opening October 2026 entitled “RMXSFMOMA” on view through February 2027. It brings together 200 artworks from the museum and RM’s personal collection. RM will co-curate the show with SFMOMA’s curators America Castillo and Hyoeun Kim. It will feature artists such as Yun Hyong-Keun, Park Rehyun, Kwon Okyon, Kim Yun Shin, To Sangbong and Chang Ucchin.

Japanese architect Sou Fujimoto is on the shortlist for the Dezeen Awards 2025 Designers of the Year in partnership with Bentley. The awards are the ultimate tribute for architects and designers across the globe.

Performing Arts

Pacific Northwest Ballet has the following on tap.“ 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. Go to pnb.org for details.

Aya Ogawa’s piece entitled “The Nosebleed” is on stage November 13 – 15, 2025. On The Boards. 100 W. Roy St. Go to on the boards.org  for details

“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 www.washingtonhistory.org for details.

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 triple door.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 at 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].

  October 18, 2025 brings the 17th Annual Seattle Slack Key Festival at 1pm to the Edmonds Center for the Arts.. 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. Seattle center.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 Fremont abbey.org for details.

Some highlights from the prestigious Meany Center for the Performing Arts located on the Seattle UW campus include the following.  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 Seattle symphony.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. 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 Bellingham festival.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 the following –  Lillian Hellman’ classic Souhern gothic drama “The Little Foxes” as directed by Ryan Guzzo Purcell feature a multi-cultural cast includng Nabila Ahmed and Jomar Tagatac among others. October 15 – November 2, 2025. At the Erickson Theatre at 1524 Harvard Avenue on Capitol Hill. Drag chanteuse Arnaldo in “Arnaldo & Friends” is set for March 26 – 29, 2026. At Broadway Performance Hall at 1425 Broadway. [email protected] or call 206-315-5838.

Executive Director Kathy Liu is leaving her post as director of The Edmonds Center for the Arts after two years. Liu returns to the East Coast to join her former colleagues at the Lincoln Center Theater in New York City.

MILCK (aka singer/songwriter Connie Lim) performs for NPR. See “MILCK: Field RecordingsxAspenIdeasFestival.@nprmusic.

Korean American violinist Hanna Cho became the first Korean to join the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra in September 2025.

Ejae, K-pop songwriter for “Demon Hunters” made it on the list for Variety’s 2025 “Artisans to Watch” list.

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 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. Kiyoshi Kurosawa’s “PULSE” follows a group of friends rocked by the sudden suicide of one of their own and his sudden ghostly re-appearance. Screens October 19,24,25,& 26. 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. A one-time only screening of Thai filmmaker/artist Apichatpong Weerasethakul’s “Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall his Past Lives” happens on November 14, 2025 at 6pm. This is co-presented with Henry rt Gallery with remarks by Seattle Asian American Film Festival programmer Adrian Alarilla and Em Chan, Henry Curatorial assistant. Presented in conjunction with the Henry’s group show “Spirit House” featuring artists of Asian descent now on view of which Weersethakul is one. In the film, the main character is  surrounded by his relatives as he nears death. He sees the ghost of his wife and his estranged son who appears as a jungle creature. 1515 – 12th Ave. go to new film forum.org for details.

The Beacon is an alternative film center showing rare films. October 10,2025 at 7pm brings a Japanese Horror Double Feature packaging the films “RING” and “JU-ON.” Gregg Araki’s 1997 film entitled “Nowhere” screens November 1 and 6, 2025. It portrays a colorful assortment of bohemian L.A. characters and their intersecting lives. November 2, 4 & 5, 2025 has Yeo Siew Hua’s “Stranger Eyes.”. It is creepy crime thriller that manifests itself into something deeper. An estranged couple investigate the disappearance of their daughter only to realize a voyeur stalker is filming their every move. Kazakh “new wave” director Ardak Amirkulou’s “The Fall of Otari” is an epic of a crucial military battle when Genghis Khan invaded Otari in the early 13th century. Akihiro Suzuki’s 1999 film “Looking For An Angel” follows the death of a young gay porn performer by a young couple who try to process their friend’s disappearance. Screens December 2,3, & 4, 2025. Isao Fujisawa’s 1974 film “Bye Bye Love” follows the encounters of a daughter and a female-presenting shoplifter as they go on the lam for suspicion of murder. Screens December 9, 10 & 11, 2025. 4405 Rainier Ave. S. Go to thebeacon.film for details.

The SIFF Film Center screens the following.. 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.

“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 represented Japan at the Oscar’s. Set for November 2025 release in the U.S. by G-Kids distribution.

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

Lula Wang will direct a film adaptation of “Audition”, a book by Katie Kitamura. Lucy Liu and Charles Melton will fill the starring roles.

Actress Havana Rose Liu plays a driven piano composition student in a romantic thriller entitled “Tuner” as directed by Daniel Roher and starring Leo Woodall and Dustin Hofmann. The film premiered at the Telluride Film Festival and received a 95% Fresh Tomatoes score. Black Bear acquired  U.S. rights for a theatrical release.

Danish-Chinese filmmaker and scholar Amanda Renan Curdt-Christiansen is writing a screenplay for a feature film chronicling the life of British philosopher and peace activist Bertrand Russell.

Vietnam has selected “Red Rain” as its submission for the 98th Academy Awards in the “Best International Feature Film” category. Directed by Dang Thai Huyen and co-written by novelist Chu Lai, the film portrays the 81-day defense of the Quang Tri Citadel in 1972,

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., 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. Hetty 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, 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 book larder.com.

Elliott Bay Book Company has a busy schedule of readings and book events. Some highlights including the following. 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. E.Y. Zhao discusses her debut novel “Underspin”, a story about the short-lived tumultuous life of a table tennis prodigy with friend and fellow writer Jane Wong on October 24, 2025 at 7pm. 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. In celebration of Michelle Penazola’s new book, “All the Words I Can Remember Are Poems.”,this former Seattle resident (and now a California-based small farmer) reads with local poet friends Dujie Tahat, Raya Tuffaha,Troy Osaki and Khalaf Tuffaha. Set for November 2, 2025 at 7pm. Quan Berry reads from her new literary-horror novel entitled “The Unveiling” which takes place in Antarctica and examines issues of race, guilt and survival. On November 5, 2025 at 7pm. 1521 10th Avenue. Go to www.elliottbaybook.com

Third Place Books has three locations in the Puget Sound and readings at every venue.  Shigeko Ito reads from “The Pond Beyond the Forest:Reflections on Childhood, Trauma and Motherhood” on October 14 at 7pm at Ravenna. Sid Ghosh dicusses his new book  “Yellow Flower Gills Me Whole: Poems” with fellow poet Cedar Cigo on Thursday October 23, 2025 at 6pm at the Ravenna store. 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 Claire Dederer about her new book entitled “Intemperance” on October 30, 2025 at 7pm at Ravenna. Jinwoo Park discusses “Oxford Soju Club” with Elaine U. Cho on November 17, 2025 at 7pm at the Ravenna store. Third Place Books partners with SAL to present Padma’s All American: Tales, Travels, and Recipes from Taste The Nation and Beyond:  Cookbook” on November 18, 2025 at 7:30pm at Benaroya Hall. Sarang Sankrithi, Vivian Sankrithi and Benjamin Frederick appear on behalf of their book “Q&A Chess:Tournament Edition” on December 1, 2025 at 6pm at the Lake Forest Park location. 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 third place books.com.

Seattle Arts & Cultures presents the following. Award-winning poet Li Young Lee comes 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 7:3pm 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].

 UW Office 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]. Ruchika T. Malhorta discusses e book “Uncompete-Rejecting Competition to Unlock Success” with Ijeoma Oluo, Ekin Yasin and La’kita Williams. November 6, 2025 at 7:30pm. In-person and Livestream. 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. All readings at Townhall Seattle. Go to Townhall Seattle.org for details.

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, Kiran 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 “Everybelly” 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.

Autumn Durald Arkapaw, cinematographer for the award-winning film, “Sinners” was singled out in Variety’s 2025 “Artisans To Watch” list.