Meet Me Here

Weekend Warmup for Mar 3-5

Fri, 06 Mar 2026 08:01:00 +0000

Meet Me Here listeners, if you still don't have any plans for this weekend, fear not. The Weekend Warmup is here to help with a whole bunch of ideas for fun things to do around the region this weekend.

Hosted by KUOW's Jason Megatron Burrows.

LINKS:

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/meet

Meet Me Here is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Art of Judging Book Covers

Wed, 04 Mar 2026 08:05:00 +0000

Artists who design book covers want you to judge the covers. The goal of the cover is to make you look twice...and, hopefully, pick the book up, open it, and walk it over to the cash register. Host Katie Campbell talks to Elisha Zepeda, a book cover designer based on the Northwest, about what it takes to make a cover, and why you should consider the cover art of your next read.

Your support helps create shows like Seattle Now, Soundside, and Meet Me Here!

Become a KUOW member today.

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BONUS: How shipwrecks transformed the PNW with Coll Thrush

Sun, 01 Mar 2026 08:05:00 +0000

When you think about shipwrecks in the Northwest, what comes to mind? Bad weather? Old English paintings? Maybe a Kraken?

What about settler colonialism? That may not be one of the first things exactly, but author and historian Coll Thrush wants to change that.

The KUOW Book Club read Coll’s latest book “Wrecked: Unsettling Histories of the Graveyard of the Pacific” in February, and KUOW’s Katie Campbell sat down with him in front of a live audience at the Seattle Central Library to talk about how shipwrecks brought settlers and Indigenous peoples suddenly, violently together — and how we’ve made sense of time and space through the wreckage.

Sign up for the next talk in our Book Talks series in partnership with the Seattle Public Library at kuow.org/events.

Plus, help keep KUOW's local podcasts going strong! Donate now at kuow.org/meet.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Weekend Warmup for Feb 27 - Mar 01

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 08:01:00 +0000

Hosted by KUOW's Jason Megatron Burrows.

LINKS:

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/meet

Meet Me Here is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Artist Barbara Earl Thomas holds hands with the past and the future

Wed, 25 Feb 2026 11:00:00 +0000

The artist Barbara Earl Thomas has made a promise: to keep the artistic legacy of her mentor Jacob Lawrence alive and growing.

Barbara met the Black modernist painter Jacob Lawrence as his student at the University of Washington in the 1970s. As her career and artistry developed, so did her friendship with Jacob and his wife Gwendolyn Knight Lawrence, who’ve now both died.

Last fall Barbara contributed four of her own portraits of Jacob to accompany his debut in the Netherlands–his first solo show in Europe. The exhibit, and being there at the opening, were part of her promise. Barbara enlisted the help of her friend, the arts journalist and cultural strategist Leilani Lewis–to go on the trip, and to be part of stewarding Jacob and Gwendolyn’s artistic legacies. In this episode of Meet Me Here, Leilani and Barbara are in conversation about their trip, friendship, and art.

Barbara Earl Thomas’ website

Leilani Lewis’ article: The Barbara Earl Thomas’s High-Frequency Art Method

Leilani Lewis’ article: As the US Slides Into Tyranny, Europe Champions Black American Artists

Jacob and Gwen Knight Lawrence Information Center

MoMA profile of Jacob Lawrence

Your support helps create shows like Seattle Now, Soundside, and Meet Me Here!
Become a KUOW member today

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Weekend Warmup for Feb 20-22

Fri, 20 Feb 2026 08:01:00 +0000

Hosted by KUOW's Jason Megatron Burrows.

LINKS:

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/meet

Meet Me Here is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hot tips for Emerald City Comic Con and other events in March

Wed, 18 Feb 2026 08:15:00 +0000

We look ahead to March and the awesome arts and culture coming up, and we convince each other to go check out one new thing.

Event Recommendations:

Emerald City Comic Con - March 5-8 at the Seattle Convention Center
KUOW Book Talks with Author Sasha taqwšəblu LaPointe - March 23 at Seattle Central Library
Frye Parlor x Jayme Yen - Until January 2027 at Frye Art Museum

Have you gone to an event you heard about on Meet Me Here? Tell us how it went! Email us at meetmehere@kuow.org.

Your support helps create shows like Seattle Now, Soundside, and Meet Me Here!
Become a KUOW member today

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Weekend Warmup for Feb 13-15

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 08:01:00 +0000

Hosted by KUOW's Jason Megatron Burrows.

LINKS:

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/meet

Meet Me Here is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What do Heated Rivalry and Sasquatch have in common?

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 08:15:00 +0000

Seattle readers are loving romance books. From heated hockey players to… yes, Bigfoot romance. Seattle bookstores can't keep them on the shelves. Katie Campbell chats with Ashley Adair, an owner of Beguiled Books, about why Seattle readers have caught the love bug for romance books. Hint: It’s rough out here.

And… if you need some help filling that book shaped void, here’s Ashley’s and Katie’s Recommended If You Liked (RIYL):

Beguiled Books
Squatch Out! A Bigfoot Shifter Rom-com by Deysi O'Donal
The Lust Crusade by Jo Segura
Like in Love with You by Emma R. Alban
The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley
The Possession of Alba Diaz
Vampires of El Norte by Isabel Cañas
Butcher and Blackbird by Brynne Weaver
Book Bedazzling
Ink Drinker

Event recommendations from this week’s episode:

Thomas Mallon w/ Katie Campbell - The Wyncote NW Forum at Town Hall Seattle, Feb 20

Do you have a favorite romance novel? Tell us about your favorite steamy reads at meetmehere@kuow.org.

Your support helps create shows like Seattle Now, Soundside, and Meet Me Here!
Become a KUOW member today

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Weekend Warmup for Feb 6-8

Fri, 06 Feb 2026 08:01:00 +0000

Hosted by KUOW's Jason Megatron Burrows.

LINKS:

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/meet

Meet Me Here is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

30 years later, is "Infinite Jest" the best or the worst?

Wed, 04 Feb 2026 11:00:00 +0000

We made our hosts read (some of) Infinite Jest, the thousand-page novel by David Foster Wallace that turns 30 this month, to answer the question once and for all: Do we have to read this book?

The publishing world hailed Wallace as a genius voice of his generation when Infinite Jest became a bestseller in 1996. Interest in the book has spiked many times since then: with Wallace’ death by suicide in 2008; again after accusations in 2012 that he had abused and stalked women; and again now that Infinite Jest is 30. If you want to check it out from the Seattle Public Library, you'll have to get in line. But there’s no hold time for this episode of Meet Me Here.

This episode discusses sexual assault and stalking. Please take care while listening.

Guest: KUOW producer Will James

Book recommendations:

Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler
Lit by Mary Karr
On the Road by Jack Kerouac
Infinite Jest by David Foster Wallace
We by Yevgeny Zamyatin

Event recommendations from this week’s episode:
Merlantis at Base Camp Studios in Seattle’s Belltown neighborhood, through March 27

My Circus Valentine at the Bellingham Circus Guild, Feb. 12-14, 20 & 21

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Weekend Warmup for Jan 30-Feb 1

Fri, 30 Jan 2026 08:01:00 +0000

Hosted by KUOW's Jason Megatron Burrows.

LINKS:

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/meet

Meet Me Here is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dungeons and Drag Queens and Drag Race, Oh My!

Wed, 28 Jan 2026 11:00:00 +0000

The Seattle-area drag scene has grown into the national spotlight. Two local queens, Jinkx Monsoon and BenDeLaCreme, have won the franchised competition show RuPaul’s Drag Race. Other locals have passed through the show, like Bosco, Irene the Alien, and, currently on the 18th season, Jane Don’t.

Seattle drag shows operate in a DIY, underground way, thriving off an engaged fanbase and a regional circuit of clubs. When an art form blows up on the national scene, like grunge did in the '90s, can it lose what made it special in the first place?

Diving into this question and revealing the big picture of Seattle's drag queen scene are our guests: Journalist Adam Willems with Chum News and Miss Texas 1988.

Read Adam's coverage of Seattle's drag scene here: Can Seattle drag afford to stay weird?

Also, a visit to a live performance of Seattle's Dungeons & Drag Queens Live, featuring Kylie Mooncakes, Ma'amShe, and Irene the Alien. You haven't experienced anything like this.

Have you gone to an event you heard about on Meet Me Here? Tell us how it went! Email us at meetmehere@kuow.org.

Your support helps create shows like Seattle Now, Soundside, and Meet Me Here!
Become a KUOW member today

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Weekend Warmup for Jan 23-25

Fri, 23 Jan 2026 08:01:00 +0000

Hosted by KUOW's Jason Megatron Burrows.

LINKS:

Edible Books — Shorelake Arts
GameSymphonic with Eímear Noone | Seattle Symphony
Pacific NW Reptile & Exotic Animal Show
Jet City Roller Derby 20th Anniversary Season Game 1
5th Annual Viking Beard Competition
Anaheim Ducks at Seattle Kraken - Fri 1/23 - 7pm
New Jersey Devils at Seattle Kraken - Sun 1/25 - 12pm
Seattle Torrent vs Vancouver Goldeneyes - Sun 1/25 - 3pm IN DENVER
Seahawks NFC Championship Game - Seahawks vs LA Rams - Sun 1/25 - 3:30

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/meet

Meet Me Here is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our Book Bestie’s Best Books of 2025

Wed, 21 Jan 2026 08:05:00 +0000

This week we are hitting the books with our book bestie Spencer Ruchti, the events manager at Third Place Books. We dig through the Seattle reads that skyrocketed to the top of so many TBR lists in 2025 and... why hardcover books are the Porsche of books. Plus, we give you some tips for setting book-ish goals for reading more in 2026.

And… if you need some help filling that book shaped void after listening to the episode, here’s Spencer and Katie’s Recommended If You Liked (RIYL):

On the Calculations of Volume by Solvej Balle
You Dreamed of Empires by Álvaro Enrigue
Third Place Book Events
Third Place Top 10 of 2025: https://www.thirdplacebooks.com/our-top-ten-books-2025
Explore the Seattle Room at the Seattle Public Library
KUOW Book Club https://www.kuow.org/series/books
Crux by Gabriel Tallent

Event recommendations from this week’s episode:
Broadview Branch 50th Anniversary Celebration, Saturday, January 24, 2026

Got a book rec? Tell us about your favorite books of 2025 or the ones you can’t wait to read in 2026 meetmehere@kuow.org.

Your support helps create shows like Seattle Now, Soundside, and Meet Me Here!
Become a KUOW member today.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Weekend Warmup for Jan 16-19

Fri, 16 Jan 2026 08:01:00 +0000

Hosted by KUOW's Jason Megatron Burrows.

LINKS:

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS vs San Francisco 49ers - Saturday 5pm
Seattle Torrent vs Boston Fleet - Sun 7pm
Seattle Kraken vs Pittsburgh Penguins - Mon 2pm
Seattle Retro Fest
Monster Jam | Tacoma Dome
Fat Con
Kidstock! 2026 | Edmonds Center for the Arts
Follow the Yellow Brick Road: An Oz Film Festival
2026 Winterhop Brewfest

MLK Day Events:

Annual Community Celebration of MLK | Seattle Colleges - Fri 1/16
2026 MLK Day March & Celebration on January 17 - Parkways - Sat 1/17
26th Annual Expansions MLK Unity Party and Live Broadcast - Sun 1/18
MLK Celebration 2026 - Bainbridge Island Museum of Art - Sunday 1/18
Events | SCBHC - Everett, WA Sun 1/18 - Celebration + Mon 1/19 - March & Rally
MLK Day — Seattle MLK Jr Organizing Coalition - Mon 1/19
NAAM | Annual Martin Luther King Day Celebration 2026 - Mon 1/19

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/meet

Meet Me Here is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The 6 best reasons to leave your house in February

Wed, 14 Jan 2026 11:00:00 +0000

February is blah season. The weather is cold and wet and the fun of the holiday season is long gone. But never fear! Meet Me Here hosts Katie Campbell, Jeannie Yandel, and Dyer Oxley are here with their top picks for February arts and culture events to get us through. Their recommendations include:

A surrealist blues poet known for her breathtaking Tiny Desk Concert. An anime convention featuring some of the hottest voice actors of our time. And a modern opera about a gay love story set in the McCarthy era.

Anime Washington - Washington State Fair and Events Center, Feb 6-8
KUOW Book Talks with Author Coll Thrush - Seattle Public Library - Central Library, Feb 26
Camille Trautman Exhibit - The Frye Museum, through April 12
Death Stranding: Strands of Harmony - Paramount Theatre, Feb 4
Elden Ring: Symphonic Adventure w/Seattle Symphony - Benaroya Hall, Feb 25 & 26
Aja Monet w/Seattle Arts & Lectures - Town Hall Seattle, Feb 5
Fellow Travelers w/Seattle Opera - McCaw Hall, Feb 21- March 1
Thomas Mallon w/Katie Campbell - The Wyncote NW Forum at Town Hall Seattle, Feb 20

Bonus links:

Voice over artist May Hong

Voice over artist Jen Taylor

Aja Monet’s Tiny Desk Concert

Have you gone to an event you heard about on Meet Me Here? Tell us how it went! Email us at meetmehere@kuow.org.

Your support helps create shows like Seattle Now, Soundside, and Meet Me Here!
Become a KUOW member today

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Weekend Warmup for Jan 8-11

Fri, 09 Jan 2026 08:01:00 +0000

Hosted by KUOW's Jason Megatron Burrows.

LINKS:

2025 Sundance Film Festival Short Film Tour - Northwest Film Forum
David Horsey | Elliott Bay Book Company
OrcaCon Tabletop Games Convention
Seattle Travel and Adventure Show
Great Train Show 2026 - Ridgefield, WA
Seattle Bach Festival
Jules Maes Saloon - Prohibition Party
Seattle Torrent vs Minnesota Frost
- Official Watch Party at Rough & Tumble Ballard

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/meet

Meet Me Here is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The best superhero flicks in 2026!

Wed, 07 Jan 2026 17:39:58 +0000

Superhero movies are important reflections of our cultural moment. In 2026 we have some big hitters coming from Marvel and DC, and a potential power shift in super cinematic glory. Local film reviewer Tim Hall walks us through DC’s renewal, previews the big movie Marvel is saving for the holidays, and gives a sneak peek at the streaming show you won’t want to miss–even if you think you don’t like comic books.

Where’s your favorite place to meet up around arts and culture in the region? Drop us a line at meetmehere@kuow.org.

Got an arts idea you want to pitch KUOW? Email us at arts@kuow.org

Your support helps create shows like Seattle Now, Soundside, and Meet Me Here!

Become a KUOW member today.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ending your reading rut in the new year

Wed, 31 Dec 2025 11:00:00 +0000

Whether you devour 50 books a year or haven’t picked one up in months, we all get into reading ruts. So, let’s fix that.

Seattle Readers, it’s time to get into that reading groove and we’ve got you covered with tips, tricks, and a whole bunch of empathy. Seattle Public Library’s Stesha Brandon joins us for some literary hot takes, tips for getting out of a reading rut, and she explains why walking your cat is a perfect time to listen to audiobooks.

And… if you need even more help filling that book-shaped void, here’s Stesha and Katie’s Recommended If You Liked (RIYL): getting into your reading groove

The River Has Roots Amal El-Mohtar
The Husbands by Holly Gramazio
The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley
Jane Austen (anything)
In Cold Blood by Truman Capote
Mapping the Interior Stephen Graham Jones
Hell Is A World Without You by Jason Kirk
Out There Screaming by Jordan Peele
Your Next Five via The Seattle Public Library
Welcome to Night Vale, a podcast

This episode originally ran in August 2025.

Where’s your favorite place to meet up around arts and culture in the region? Drop us a line at meetmehere@kuow.org.

Got an arts idea you want to pitch KUOW? Email us at arts@kuow.org

Your support helps create shows like Seattle Now, Soundside, and Meet Me Here!

Become a KUOW member today.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet the local lei makers nurturing a Native Hawaiian tradition

Wed, 24 Dec 2025 11:00:00 +0000

More and more Native Hawaiians are moving to the Pacific Northwest. In fact, Washington state has the third largest number of Kanaka Maoli, or Native Hawaiians, outside of Hawaii and California.

As they move here, people are bringing their beloved customs and traditions with them. Like the artform of making lei, which are garlands made using all kinds of materials including flowers, nuts, clay and feathers.

Seattle Times business reporter Megan Ulu-Lani Boyanton belongs to this community and was curious about how cultural traditions and customs have evolved in the Seattle area. Her article, Hawaiian lei makers blossom in Seattle area, but challenges grow, dives into this issue.

Boyanton spoke with Meet Me Here host Jeannie Yandel about what she learned from local lei-makers for this story, and about the history of lei in Hawaii.

This interview originally ran on KUOW's daily news podcast, Seattle Now.

Where’s your favorite place to meet up around arts and culture in the region? Drop us a line at meetmehere@kuow.org.

Got an arts idea you want to pitch KUOW? Email us at arts@kuow.org

Your support helps create shows like Seattle Now, Soundside, and Meet Me Here!

Become a KUOW member today.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Weekend Warmup for Dec 19-21

Fri, 19 Dec 2025 08:01:00 +0000

Hosted by KUOW's Jason Megatron Burrows.

LINKS:

The 29th Annual Model Train Festival - Washington State Historical Society
- Opens Fri 12/19 - runs through Jan 1, 2026
2025 Winter Beer Fest – WA Brewers Guild
- Fri/Sat - 12/19-20
Hell’s Belles at the Croc
- Sat 12/20
United Indians Native Art Market » United Indians of All Tribes Foundation - Daybreak Star
- Sat/Sun - 12/20-21
Seattle Torrent vs Boston Fleet
- Sun 12/21 - 2pm

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/meet

Meet Me Here is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why you're the VIP at art museums

Wed, 17 Dec 2025 11:00:00 +0000

When you visit an art museum, you are the VIP. At least according to art curator and Schmidt Ocean Institute artist-at-sea-manager, Haley Ha.

She says the people who work behind the scenes at art museums care enormously about visitors and their experiences.

One result from all that work? Haley says art museums are places where you slow down, enjoy yourself, and connect with yourself or with friends.

Haley also gives us the inside scoop about three of her favorite pieces at the Seattle Asian Art Museum, where she previously worked.

They include a deeply moving sculpture in SAAM's entryway by Kondo Takahiro, Park Young-sook's Moon Jar (which counts among its superfans a member of the K-Pop boy band BTS), and Ai Weiwei's Water Lilies, a 50-foot-long mural made entirely of Legos.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Weekend Warmup for Dec 12-14

Fri, 12 Dec 2025 08:01:00 +0000

Hosted by KUOW's Jason Megatron Burrows.

LINKS:

SPORTS!
- Seahawks vs Indianapolis Colts - Sun 1:25pm
- Buffalo Sabres at Seattle Kraken - Sun 5pm
- Seattle Torrent vs Ottawa Charge - Wed 7pm
WildLanterns: Night Owls (21+) - Fri 12/12
Mozart & Mutts: Annual Holiday Concert - Fri 12/12
Jurassic Quest | Washington State Fairgrounds
The Naughty Novel Social Club: Krampus Edition
DEAF SANTA CLAUS - Sun 12/14

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/meet

Meet Me Here is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Official Seattle Holiday Book Gift Guide

Wed, 10 Dec 2025 08:05:00 +0000

Books are the best gift you can give. And this holiday season, our book besties are recommending their favorites of this year and more. Host Katie Campbell opens the mail bag with KUOW producer Brandi Fullwood to find out which books you'll want to give this year… and maybe a few you’ll want to keep for yourself.

Here's a list of some the books our book besties recommend this year:

To the Moon and Back by Eliana Ramage
Perfection by Vincenzo Latronico
Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor
I'll Make a Spectacle of You by Beatrice Winifred Iker
Archangels of Funk by Andrea Hairston
Hild by Nicola Griffith
Horsefly by Mireille Gagné
Milk Fed by Melissa Broder

Looking for even more recommendations? Check out Katie Campbell's write up on KUOW.org: https://www.kuow.org/stories/holiday-gift-guide-books-ditch-gift-cards-gimmicks-seattle-readers

Your support helps create shows like Seattle Now, Soundside, and Meet Me Here!

Become a KUOW member today.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Weekend Warmup for Dec 4-8

Fri, 05 Dec 2025 08:01:00 +0000

Hosted by KUOW's Jason Megatron Burrows.

LINKS:

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/meet

Meet Me Here is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Christmas movie throw down: Bill Radke and Dyer Oxley debate 'Die Hard'

Wed, 03 Dec 2025 11:00:00 +0000

The holiday season means trees, cookies, family, spirituality, or presents to many. For Meet Me Here's Dyer Oxley, it means it's time to watch his favorite Christmas movie — "Die Hard." This 1988 action flick staring Bruce Willis and Alan Rickman has become a Christmas tradition for many, including the actors behind "A Very Die Hard Christmas," a holiday musical performed at Seattle's Green Lake Bathhouse Theatre each year.

But not everyone agrees that "Die Hard" can be a Christmas tradition. Week in Review host Bill Radke is in that camp. He challenges Dyer's "Die Hard" opinion in a special holiday throw down. Bill and Dyer debate a modern holiday question: Is "Die Hard" a Christmas movie?

EVENT RECOMENDATION:Seattle Krampus: Go see Krampus at various holiday events in December. Krampus will show up at the Seattle Christmas Market at Seattle Center on Dec. 12-13.

Where’s your favorite place to meet up around arts and culture in the region? Drop us a line at meetmehere@kuow.org.Got an arts idea you want to pitch KUOW? Email us at arts@kuow.org

Help support the local stories you love! Give now at https://www.kuow.org//donate/meet.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How to fake a sports conversation this holiday season

Wed, 26 Nov 2025 11:45:00 +0000

Are you meeting up with family or friends over the holidays? Someone will likely be roasting meat and veggies, maybe mashing potatoes and someone else will likely be watching a loud football game on TV. Sports seem almost inevitable this time of year. But what if you’re not a fan? This week, we will give you all the tips and tricks you need to fake your way through a sports conversation this holiday season. No need to fumble that conversation with your uncle.

Event Recommendation:

Holiday Magic Cabaret - Dec 14 and 20

Where’s your favorite place to meet up around arts and culture in the region? Drop us a line at meetmehere@kuow.org.

Got an arts idea you want to pitch KUOW? Email us at arts@kuow.org

Your support helps create shows like Seattle Now, Soundside, and Meet Me Here!

Become a KUOW member today.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Weekend Warmup for Nov 20-23 and 28-30

Fri, 21 Nov 2025 08:01:00 +0000

Hosted by KUOW's Jason Megatron Burrows.

THIS WEEK:

NEXT WEEK:

SPORTS
- PWHL Home Opener! Seattle Torrent vs Minnesota Frost - Fri 11/28
- UW Men’s Football vs Oregon Ducks - Sat 11/29
- Kraken vs Edmonton - Sat 11/29
- Seahawks vs Vikings - Sun 11/30
- Seattle Marathon - Sun 11/30
GeekCraft Expo
NOVEMBER ART MARKET — Duwamish Tribe

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/meet

Meet Me Here is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Books Men Actually Want To Read

Wed, 19 Nov 2025 08:05:00 +0000

Men are reading less. Reading less than women, not reading as much as before. But Author Daniel James Brown has got the key.

This week we’re getting lit with Author Daniel James Brown and tackling the ~discourse~ to find out how authors like him are writing authentic men, complex men. Plus we give you a ton of recommendations of books and authors that will make anybody want to read.

If you need some help filling that book shaped void, here’s Daniel James Brown and Katie’s Recommended If You Liked (RIYL):

The Wide Wide Sea by Hampton Sides
Where Men Win Glory by Jon Krakauer
The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley
Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand
Tim Egan

Ok, your turn! Tell us what to do after ugly-crying over The Boys in The Boat. Send us your picks--books, movies, exhibits, events whatever fills that space. Email meetmehere@kuow.org.

What we read about when we talk about men not reading:

Event recommendations from this week’s episode:
Livewire with Luke Burbank: Mohanad Elshieky, R. Eric Thomas, and The Brudi Brothers at Benaroya Hall on December 5th

Your support helps create shows like Seattle Now, Soundside, and Meet Me Here!
Become a KUOW member today.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

BONUS: Writer Susan Orlean's 'Joyride' revved up in the PNW

Sun, 16 Nov 2025 11:00:00 +0000

Before the bestsellers, before one of her bestsellers became a movie, before Meryl Streep (!) played her in that movie...author Susan Orlean started her career in Portland, writing for the Willamette Week and the now-defunct Paper Rose. Orlean writes about her love of the PNW (among other things) in her new memoir Joyride.

Orlean talks with Katie Campbell about finding mentorship as a writer, the changing landscape of long-form journalism, and more in this bonus episode of Meet Me Here.

Help keep KUOW's local podcasts going strong! Donate now at kuow.org/meet.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Weekend Warmup for Nov 13-16

Fri, 14 Nov 2025 08:01:00 +0000

Hosted by KUOW's Jason Megatron Burrows.

LINKS:

SIFF Cinema Italian Style 2025
Sew, Quilt, Needlework, Craft, Expo & Festival in Puyallup
Gobble Up Northwest! - Urban Craft Uprising
Seattle International Auto Show
The 2025 DB Cooper Conference
Seattle Kraken vs San Jose Sharks
Gilman Village 2025 Winter Fest
Grit City Comic Show
UW Huskies Men’s Football vs Purdue
Death and Music | Town Hall Seattle

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/meet

Meet Me Here is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How a kids’ game inspired an innovative Seattle art exhibit

Wed, 12 Nov 2025 11:00:00 +0000

“There’s no right or wrong way to look at art,” according to arts writer Jas Keimig. Which is good news because there’s a lot of art at the Telephone exhibit at both locations of Base Camp Studios in Belltown.

Jas explains how the exhibit was inspired by the kid’s game telephone, that game where you tell someone something and then they tell the next person and so on. When the final person has been told, that person says what they heard and everyone compares how the message changed as it was passed along. Jas says the game of telephone exists in different ways all around the world.

Since the exhibit spans two different locations, Jas suggests how to approach it. One tip: if Telephone seems overwhelming, think about memes and how often you alter them and send them in the group chat, and how memes can communicate everything from a simple response to more complex feelings. Then, think of the pieces of art in the exhibit as if they were memes.

In other words: whether you realize it or not, you’re playing a version of the game telephone pretty regularly. And the exhibit Telephone is a fun, clever, artist-imagined way of demonstrating how we’re all riffing off each other, all the time.

Also recommended in this episode:

Drag performer Dina Martina has been doing her Seattle holiday show for 25 years. Meet Me Here host Jeannie Yandel is a huge fan and says, “Her shows are surreal and hilarious and some of the best, weirdest theater I've ever seen.” The Dina Martina Christmas Show runs from December 5-24 at Union Arts Center.

If you love Meet Me Here and KUOW's other local shows, help us make them! Donate at kuow.org/meet.

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Weekend Warmup for Nov 7-10

Fri, 07 Nov 2025 08:01:00 +0000

Hosted by KUOW's Jason Megatron Burrows.

LINKS:

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/meet

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Break the spell of the Big Dark with these PNW events

Wed, 05 Nov 2025 08:35:00 +0000

There’s no getting around it. It’s here … the big dark. Every year, Northwesterners battle with shorter and shorter days, and longer and longer nights. It’s cold, it’s wet, it’s dark. It’s kind of a bummer. But it doesn’t have to be!

All three Meet Me Here co-hosts join forces to share suggestions for defeating the Big Dark by getting out and immersing yourself in some great local arts and culture events.

The Geometry of Light - Seattle Asian Art Museum
Netse Mot: One Heart, One Mind Gathering - The Paramount, Nov 18
A Evening with David Sedaris - Benaroya Hall, Nov 16
Yume Kitasei w/ Katie Campbell on Saltcrop, - Elliot Bay Books, Dec 7
"Holidaze" Black Night Market - Tacoma Armory, Dec 1 and Dec 6
Julefest - Poulsbo, Dec 6

Where’s your favorite place to meet up around arts and culture in the region? Drop us a line at meetmehere@kuow.org.

Got an arts idea you want to pitch KUOW? Email us at arts@kuow.org

Your support helps create shows like Seattle Now, Soundside, and Meet Me Here!

Become a KUOW member today.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Weekend Warmup for Oct 31-Nov 4

Fri, 31 Oct 2025 07:01:00 +0000

Hosted by KUOW's Jason Megatron Burrows.

LINKS:

Seattle Short King Contest
Seattle Kraken vs NY Rangers - Sat 11/1
Short Run Comix Festival
Seattle Opera - The Pirates of Penzance
Brewallup 2025
Washington State Toy Show
Sea-Meow Convention
2025 MLS Cup Playoffs - Seattle vs Minnesota - Mon 11/3
Seattle Kraken vs Chicago Blackhawks - Mon 11/3
Seattle Welcome Day - Tues 11/4

DIA DE LOS MUERTOS:

Nov. 1 — El Centro de la Raza
Nov. 1 — Phinney Center
Nov. 1 — Shoreline Recreation Center
Nov. 1 & 2 — Seattle Center
Nov. 1 & 2 — Town Hall Seattle (ticketed event)
Nov. 2 — Tacoma Art Museum

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/meet

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Horror Beyond the King (Stephen King)

Wed, 29 Oct 2025 07:05:00 +0000

There’s more to horror than Stephen King and it’s about time we all started reading it.

This week we’re hitting the books with Roxanne Guiney, owner of Haunted Burrow Books in Seattle, and local author Sadie Hartmann, aka Mother Horror, about the new era of horror authors and how they're revolutionizing the genre. Plus, we tell you about the book you’ll definitely want to add to your nightstand.

And… if you need some help filling that book shaped void, here’s Roxanne, Sadie and Katie’s Recommended If You Liked (RIYL):

The Unworthy by Agustina Bazterrica
What Hunger by Catherine Dang
The Eyes Are the Best Part by Monika Kim
The Lamb by Lucy Rose
Sister, Maiden, Monster by Lucy A. Snyder
Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng by Kylie Lee Baker
Full Brutal by Kristopher Triana
The Slynx by Tatyana Tolstaya
101 Horror Books to Read Before You're Murdered by Sadie Hartmann
Feral and Hysterical: Mother Horror’s Ultimate Reading Guide to Dark and Disturbing Fiction by Women by Sadie Hartmann
Ring Shout by P. Djèlí Clark

And of course, go to Haunted Burrow Books for Roxanne’s recommendations https://www.instagram.com/hauntedburrowbooks and follow Sadie’s IG for even more recommendations (from, like, a real person…) https://www.instagram.com/mother.horror/

Event recommendations from this week’s episode:

Author Susan Orlean, with Claire Dederer on Friday, November 7, 2025 at 7:30 PM

https://ticketing.townhallseattle.org/events/019861e7-ffac-fb24-c69a-e94753846e32

Where’s your favorite place to meet up around arts and culture in the region? Drop us a line at meetmehere@kuow.org.

Got an arts idea you want to pitch KUOW? Email us at arts@kuow.org

Your support helps create shows like Seattle Now, Soundside, and Meet Me Here!

Become a KUOW member today.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

BONUS: A graphic memoir about time, trees, and purpose

Sun, 26 Oct 2025 10:00:00 +0000

In time, people can be like sequoia trees.

That's the premise of the new graphic memoir by artist and writer Jeremy Collins.

The memoir is called Eventually A Sequoia: Stories of Art, Adventure and the Wisdom of Giants.

In this bonus episode, Jeannie Yandel talks with Jeremy about how ten years of travel became this graphic memoir, and the role time played in his travels and the making of the book.

And yes, actual sequoias -the largest trees on earth - show up in the book too. Jeremy even climbs one.

Jeremy will be in town on Monday October 27th to bring audience members into his process of writing and artmaking with an evening of performance art and cinematic visuals. That's followed by a conversation with Pulitzer Prize winning graphic memoirist Tessa Hulls. It starts at 6:30 pm at the Mountaineers Program Center in Seattle.

Eventually A Sequoia with Jeremy Collins and Tessa Hulls, October 27 from 6:30-8:30 pm

Eventually A Sequoia: Stories of Art, Adventure, and the Wisdom of Giants

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Weekend Warmup for Oct 24-27

Fri, 24 Oct 2025 07:01:00 +0000

Hosted by KUOW's Jason Megatron Burrows.

LINKS:

SPOOKY STUFF:

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/meet

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How to support the arts in Seattle when you're not a millionaire

Wed, 22 Oct 2025 10:00:00 +0000

Margo Vansynghel sometimes jokes that she’s the harbinger of doom. As the arts economy reporter for The Seattle Times, it's her job is to spell out the connections between the arts and the economy here in Seattle.

She’s written about the Bellevue Art Museum's sudden closure last year. Along with SIFF’s recent announcement that it’s leaving the historic Egyptian theater on Capitol Hill.

In this episode, Margo gives us a temperature check on how Seattle arts organizations are doing overall and says it's not time to freak out just yet. She also shares simple, actionable ideas for things we can all do to support Seattle artists and arts organizations.

In this episode we mention:

The Seattle Symphony and its new music director, Xian Zhang
Seattle’s 13 art walks, in neighborhoods like the Central District, Capitol Hill, Belltown and Hillman City. Along with the mothership art walk, First Thursday Art Walk in Pioneer Square
King County’s cultural funding agency, 4Culture
The Seattle Public Library’s free museum pass program.
Discount tickets to arts organizations, including Pacific Northwest Ballet, Seattle Rep and Seattle Art Museum.
Local storyteller Emmett Montgomery
The classic silent horror film Häxan (1922) at The National Nordic Museum.

MORE ON MARGO:

For more of Margo’s coverage of the arts and economy check out her articles about unexpected art experiences in Seattle and 12 ways to support the arts in Seattle.

There’s also this visual story Margo wrote that explains 15 ways you can support local arts and artists.

If you’d like to ask Margo for her arts suggestions based on your personal preferences, email: mvansynghel@seattletimes.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Weekend Warmup for Oct 17-20

Fri, 17 Oct 2025 07:01:00 +0000

Hosted by KUOW's Jason Megatron Burrows.

LINKS:

SPORTS!!
- Mariners!! - Thurs/Fri at home, (Sun/Mon in Toronto if needed)
- Reign vs Utah Royals FC
- Seahawks vs Houston - MNF!
SIFF DocFest - starts Thurs 10/16, ends 10/23
Seattle Antiquarian Book Fair
Seattle Oddities & Curiosities Expo 2025
Slack Key Seattle Festival
Seattle No Kings - Oct 18
No Kings - FULL MAP
Seattle Opera - The Pirates of Penzance
Northwest Record Show

SPOOKY STUFF:

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes

Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why your favorite Seattle movie probably wasn't filmed there

Wed, 15 Oct 2025 07:30:00 +0000

Seen any good local movies lately? Take “M3GAN” and “The Boys in the Boat” for example. Two very different movies, very popular, which are set in Seattle, but they were not filmed in Seattle. That happens a lot. In fact, the film industry is largely absent from Washington state.

So what can be done to get more local productions off the ground? Well, we’ve got a few film experts on the show today to dive into this issue.

Other events:

SIFF Downtown screening of Train Dreams - Oct 29th
Seattle Film Critics Society PNW Awards - Oct 29 - Nov 23
Oddmall Emporium of the Weird - Nov 8-9

Where’s your favorite place to meet up around arts and culture in the region? Drop us a line at meetmehere@kuow.org.

Got an arts idea you want to pitch KUOW? Email us at arts@kuow.org

Your support helps create shows like Seattle Now, Soundside, and Meet Me Here!

Become a KUOW member today.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Weekend Warmup for Oct 9-12

Fri, 10 Oct 2025 07:01:00 +0000

Hosted by KUOW's Jason Megatron Burrows.

LINKS:

Tasveer Film Festival
SPORTS!
- Mariners vs Tigers - Game 5 - Fri 10/10 5:08p
- Seattle Reign - Fri 10/10 vs Bay FC
- UW Husky Men’s Football - Fri 10/10 vs Rutgers
- Seattle Sounders - Sat 10/11 vs Real Salt Lake
- Seattle Kraken - Sat 10/11 vs LV Golden Knights
Love Letters writing workshop
Roller Boogie at Pier 66
2025 Cascadia Poetry Festival 9
Cider 'n' Gold
HAUNTED - Tacoma Art Museum
Seattle Meowtropolitan - Pumpkin Carving
Halloween Train

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to https://www.kuow.org/donate/meet

Meet Me Here is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Banned Book of One's Own

Wed, 08 Oct 2025 07:05:00 +0000

This week we’re hitting the books with Charlie Hunts, the owner of Charlie’s Queer Books. We’re catching up with this local bookselling bestie smack dab in the middle of banned books week. So, we’ll find out what readers at the store are vibing with and what the stakes are for booksellers during Banned Books Week. Plus, we’ve got banned book themed recommendations galore for you to get through it all.

Book’s that Charlie and readers at Charlie’s Queer Books are loving:

Our Wives Under the Sea by Julia Armfield
Lucky Day by Chuck Tingle
Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree
Rejection by Tony Tulathimutte
Cubs and Campfires by Dylan Drakes

And… if you need some help filling that book shaped void, here’s Charlie and Katie’s Recommended If You Liked (RIYL) : getting through Band Books week at Charlie's queer books.

Matilda (1996)
The books of George M. Johnson
Beloved by Tony Morrison
The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
Visit and support your local bookstores and libraries

Event recommendations from this week’s episode:

The Bainbridge Book Festival on October 10th and 11th, Local authors making an appearance include David Gutterson, Moira Macdonald, Sonora Jha, Ijeoma Oluo, Daniel Tam-Claiborne, and Kirsten Sundberg Lunstrum. Get more information at bainbridgebookfestival.org

Where’s your favorite place to meet up around arts and culture in the region? Drop us a line at meetmehere@kuow.org.

Got an arts idea you want to pitch KUOW? Email us at arts@kuow.org

Your support helps create shows like Seattle Now, Soundside, and Meet Me Here!

Become a KUOW member today.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Weekend Warmup for Oct 3-5

Fri, 03 Oct 2025 07:01:00 +0000

Hosted by KUOW's Jason Megatron Burrows.

LINKS:

HAUNTED HOUSES:

Haunted Forest of Maple Valley
Nile Nightmares Haunted House - Mountlake Terrace
Georgetown Morgue - SoDo
My Haunted Forest - Kitsap
Stalker Farms - Snohomish
Maris Farms Haunted Woods | Haunted Adventure in Buckley, WA

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to https://www.kuow.org/donate/meet

Meet Me Here is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Night Puppets: visiting Seattle's new waterfront park after dark

Wed, 01 Oct 2025 10:00:00 +0000

The City of Seattle has invested a massive effort in rebuilding the city’s central waterfront, after removing the Alaskan Way Viaduct. Part of the city’s investment in the waterfront has gone towards public art.

We talk with Brangien Davis, arts editor at Cascade PBS, and the host of the Cascade PBS show Art by Northwest. She highlights a few of her favorite art pieces along the new waterfront - and explains why night time is the right time to visit those pieces.

That includes an art installation by artist Ann Hamilton, called “Guests.” It features 42 large scale puppets, suspended from the underside of the pedestrian bridge between the Pike Place Market garage and the screen wall on the new Elliott Way. Brangien calls these new guests “the night puppets” in her excellent newsletter about the waterfront park.

Brangien also tells us about three carved cedar sculptures, titled “Family,” created by artist Qwalsius-Shaun Peterson.

Qwalsius-Shaun Peterson is a Coast Salish artist and a member of the Puyallup Tribe who works in wood, glass, metal, and digital media.

Brangien says, “This is a family and represents families that have been in this region for thousands of years.” The trio represents a mother, father and child and the figures stand between 10 and 12 feet tall, not including their bases. The figures face the water and are brilliantly illuminated at night.

Also mentioned in this episode:

Roller Boogie at Pier 66, October 10 from 6-10pm; free, all-ages

Xian Zhang is the new music director of the Seattle Symphony. She is also the first woman and the first person of color to direct the Symphony in its more than 120-year history. “Xian Conducts Rachmaninov” on October 2, 4 and 5, at Benaroya Hall.

You can hear an interview with Xian Zhang on this episode of Seattle Now.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bonus: Take a walk among old-growth trees with Lynda Mapes

Sun, 28 Sep 2025 07:05:00 +0000

This summer, the KUOW Book Club read Seattle author and environmental journalist Lynda V. Mapes' love letter to old-growth trees, "The Trees are Speaking: Dispatches from the Salmon Forests."

Mapes traveled across the country, visiting some of the oldest trees we know about and the people who study and protect them. The result was a book that intricately depicts the importance of old trees, the historic harm humans have done to them, and what's being done to reverse that pattern of destruction. Mapes sat down with KUOW Book Club curator Katie Campbell on August 27 in front of a live audience at the Seattle Public Library. They talked about her love for old-growth forests, the people working to save them, and how you - yes, you - can help.

This is the third and final conversation the KUOW Book Club hosted in partnership with the Seattle Public Library this summer. Ijeoma Oluo and Kim Fu also participated, and you can find their interviews in the feed.

Where’s your favorite place to meet up around arts and culture in the region? Leave us a message at 206-221-6100. Drop us a line at meetmehere@kuow.org.

Your support helps create shows like Seattle Now, Soundside, and Meet Me Here!

Become a KUOW member today.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Weekend Warmup for Sept 26-29

Fri, 26 Sep 2025 07:01:00 +0000

LINKS:

SPORTS!!
- Mariners vs Dodgers - Final games of the season! Fri/Sat/Sun
- UW Huskies vs The Ohio State Buckeyes Sat 12:30p
- Sounders vs Vancouver Whitecaps Sat 7:30pm
- Reign vs NC Courage Sun 5pm
- Kraken vs Calgary Flames - Preseason Game #2 MON 7pm
Prosser Balloon Rally
Festa Italiana Seattle
Northwest Tea Festival
Enumclaw BBQ, Brews, & Brats
Bellingham SeaFeast
Seattle Opera - Costume Sale
Musical Migration - Crossings
Danny Elfman's Music From the Films of Tim Burton with the Seattle Symphony
Hitchcock Hotel 2025 — Can Can Culinary Cabaret
Unicorn: Burn Relief Fundraiser | Neumos
- Unicorn Staff Fire Relief Fund

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to https://www.kuow.org/donate/meet

Meet Me Here is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The best arts, pop culture, and book events to attend in October

Wed, 24 Sep 2025 10:00:00 +0000

There are a lot of events over October 2025, but a few stand out to our Meet Me Here hosts. Dyer, Jeannie, and Katie share happenings they think are worthy of your attention.

Jeannie suggests: “Refract: The Seattle Glass Art Experience,” Oct. 16-19, across the Seattle region. It features more than 70 glass artists at more than 60 events. The opening night kickoff party on Oct.16 is at Chihuly Garden and Glass at the Seattle Center and there will be glassblowing demonstrations, tours of the gardens, and more. You can also do a self-guided walking tour of glass art in downtown Everett. Or catch the Luminosity group show at Stonington Gallery and Kelsey Fernkopf’s neon sculpture show at Foster / White Gallery.

Also, Seattle Art Museum’s REMIX on Oct. 31 (aka Halloween night). SAM Remix is a rare but wonderful event that takes over the whole building. Think of it as a combo of an after-hours party with DJs and performances, and a chance to see the museum’s art in a new way.

Katie is looking forward to: An author talk with Cory Doctorow about his book called Enshittification: Why Everything Suddenly Got Worse and What to Do About It. Doctorow will be at the Seattle Public Library on Oct. 22. The conversation will feature moderator/creative Whitney Beltrán, as well as Ed Zitron, host of the podcast Better Offline. The guests will discuss “how we can build a new, good internet that will serve as the nervous system for a 21st century as we are confronting genocide, environmental collapse, and fascism.”

Katie also suggests an Oct. 30 conversation with local author Sonora Jha. She’ll discuss her new novel Intemperance with Claire Dederer at Third Place Books in Ravenna. It’s about a middle-aged woman who holds a contest, based on an ancient Indian ritual, in which men must compete to win her love and attention.

Dyer is stoked about: Shonen Knife — the band that your favorite bands love — which is currently on its Everyone Happy tour of the USA. Catch them at Star Theater in Portland on Oct. 24; at The Tractor Tavern in Seattle on Oct. 25 for two shows; and at Tacoma’s McMenamin’s Elks Lodge on Oct. 26. Shonen Knife has a serendipitous story that goes back to 1981 in Osaka, Japan, yet has a strong connection to the NW music scene (a connection that led to touring with Nirvana twice).

Dyer also wants to point you to Washington State Horror Con, presented by Elvira, on Oct. 24-26 at the Washington State Fairgrounds in Puyallup. This is among a suite of pop culture events that have sprung up at the fairgrounds in recent years, all of which have proved quite popular. This event showcases all your favorite actors and artists from horror history spanning “IT” to “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” masked monsters and more.

Bonus November recommendation:

The SeaMeow convention is Nov. 1-2 at the Seattle Center Exhibition Hall. This is Seattle’s cat convention, featuring a range of cat influencers, cat cosplayers, and even a cat rapper, named MoShow. It’s a great place to adopt a cat, too.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bonus: Kim Fu wants writers to get weird

Sun, 21 Sep 2025 07:05:00 +0000

This summer, the KUOW Book Club read Seattle author Kim Fu's surreal story collection, "Lesser Known Monsters of the 21st Century." It was the winner of the 2023 Pacific Northwest Book Prize among many other accolades.

In it, Fu takes average, even mundane human experiences and makes them utterly bizarre and delightfully weird. The collection dives into modern-day anxieties, turning them into the titular monsters. It's one of book club curator Katie Campbell's favorite books she's chosen yet. So, on July 30, Campbell sat down with Fu in front of a live audience at the Seattle Public Library. We talked about the creative process, the importance of writers being true to themselves, and the inspirations behind this collection.

This is the second of three conversations the KUOW Book Club hosted in partnership with the Seattle Public Library this summer. Come back next Sunday for the third interview with Lynda V. Mapes, environmental journalist and author of "The Trees are Speaking: Dispatches from the Salmon Forests."And if you need help filling that void after listening, here's another edition of Recommended If You Liked (RIYL): "Lesser Known Monsters of the 21st Century."

Novels and short stories by...

Kevin Brockmeier
Elizabeth McCracken
Karen Russell
George Saunders
Yōko Ogawa
Sayaka Murata

Erase and Rewind by Meghan Bell
Red Clocks by Leni Zumas
I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman
The Vegetarian by Han Kang
A Cage Went in Search of a Bird: Ten Kafkaesque Stories

The Devil's Plan (TV Show/Netflix)
By Design (Film)

Where’s your favorite place to meet up around arts and culture in the region? Drop us a line at meetmehere@kuow.org. Got an arts idea you want to pitch KUOW? Email us at arts@kuow.org

Your support helps create shows like Seattle Now, Soundside, and Meet Me Here!

Become a KUOW member today.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Weekend Warmup for September 19-21

Fri, 19 Sep 2025 07:01:00 +0000

LINKS:

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to https://www.kuow.org/donate/meet

Meet Me Here is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mona Awad is afraid of your friend group

Wed, 17 Sep 2025 10:05:00 +0000

What happens when friendship becomes a form of possession? A hive mind so alluring, so consuming you forget yourself along the way.

This week we’re hitting the books with Author Mona Awad. Her books “Bunny” and the upcoming “We Love You Bunny” expose the sinister and surreal undercurrents of female friendship… and MFA programs!

We’ll take a look into the twisted psychology of trying to fit in and dig into the books, movies, and music that will help you fill the void when you finish the book… or the episode.

If you need some help filling that book shaped void, here’s Mona’s and Katie’s Recommended If You Liked (RIYL): Mona Awad’s sinister, surrealist take on making friends in grad school!

Wet Leg
Kate Bush
Heathers
The Craft
Hangsaman by Shirley Jackson
The Final Girl Support Group by Grady Hendrix
Murder Your Employer by Rupert Holmes
Spending time alone (seriously... take yourself on a date)

Event recommendations from this week’s episode:

Enshittification and the Rot Economy: A Deep Dives Conversation with Cory Doctorow and Ed Zitron on October 22 @ 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm

Where’s your favorite place to meet up around arts and culture in the region? Drop us a line at meetmehere@kuow.org. Got an arts idea you want to pitch KUOW? Email us at arts@kuow.org

Your support helps create shows like Seattle Now, Soundside, and Meet Me Here!

Become a KUOW member today.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bonus: How to fight oppression with Ijeoma Oluo

Sun, 14 Sep 2025 07:05:00 +0000

This summer, one of our KUOW Book Club selections was Seattle author Ijeoma Oluo’s 2024 bestseller, "Be a Revolution: How Everyday People Are Fighting Oppression and Changing the World – and How You Can, Too."

In it, Oluo shows how people across the nation are creating positive change for racial equity within our most important systems – like the media, policing, education, and many more. The aim of the book is educational, but also to inspire direct action from its readers.

On June 26, Meet Me Here co-host Katie Campbell sat down with Oluo in front of some of those readers at the Seattle Public Library for an in-depth conversation about her life and work, which we’re bringing to you now in its entirety. This is one of three conversations the KUOW Book Club hosted in partnership with the Seattle Public Library this summer. Come back next Sunday for the second interview in the series with Kim Fu, author of the surreal short story collection "Lesser Known Monsters of the 21st Century."

It's KUOW's Fall Fundraising Drive! Keep the future of public media strong with a monthly gift.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Weekend Warmup for September 12-15

Fri, 12 Sep 2025 10:00:00 +0000

Links:

SPORTS
- Mariners - LA Angels - 9/11-14
- Sounders - LA Galaxy - 9/13
- Reign - Racing Louisville FC - 9/14
- Seahawks - AWAY vs Pittsburgh 10am 9/14
Wallingford Bratwurst Festival
The Chehalis Flying Saucer Party
Seattle — Cider Summit
Hops & Crops Music and Beer Festival - Kent
Sip Suds & Si - North Bend
Autumn Sip & Stroll - Gig Harbor
Historic Downtown Snohomish Wine Walk
Vino in the Village – Magnolia
Black & Loud Fest at The Crocodile
Bite of PhinneyWood | The PNA
Local Sightings 2025 – Not One Drop of Blood - Northwest Film Forum

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to https://www.kuow.org/donate/meet

Meet Me Here is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Looking for innovation? Head to a Seattle art gallery

Wed, 10 Sep 2025 10:00:00 +0000

Judith Rinehart owns J. Rinehart Gallery in Pioneer Square. And she wants everyone in Seattle to know: art galleries are for all of us. "They are one of the few spaces anybody is allowed to come in", says Judith. "You can look at what's on the wall. You can like it or not. You can have an opinion about it or not… maybe you just want to come in and take a look, see what's even out there, and find the thing you like.” Also - Judith says some of the most innovative artists in the country are working here in Seattle, and the best place to see their current work is your local art gallery.

She believes so deeply in the richness of Seattle’s arts and culture scenes that she helped create Art + Culture Week. It’s a week full of art events and performance collaborations - mostly free, and mostly in locally owned art galleries like hers - from September 20-27.

If you’re looking to spend some more time in local galleries, Judith and host Jeannie Yandel have some suggestions for events to check out.

Judith Rinehart's suggestions:

First Thursday Art Walk in Pioneer Square - it's the oldest art walk in the country! You can learn more by listening to our episode on how to art walk with artist and Port of Seattle art administrator Tommy Gregory.
Art + Culture Week Kick-off Party, Friday September 19th 4:30-7:30 pm
King Street Station
Whim W'Him Fall '25 Choreography Shindig, Saturday September 20th 8:00-11:00 pm
Erickson Theatre
Campfire Tales with artist Chris Sheridan, Tuesday September 23rd 6:00-8:00 pm
J. Rinehart Gallery
Resonant Light, a collaboration by neon sculptor Kelsey Fernkopf and Baroque violinist Tekla Cunningham, Friday September 26 3:00-6:00 pm
Foster/White Gallery

Jeannie's suggestions:

walk don't run 3k (free ticket required), Saturday September 20th 12:00-6:00 pm
Pioneer Square to Belltown
Discounted tickets to Seattle Art Museum, Seattle Asian Art Museum, and George Balanchine's Jewels at Pacific Northwest Ballet - see the Art + Culture Week calendar for specific dates and times

Other mentions in the episode:
Greg Kucera Gallery
Past Perfect Future Tense, Holly Ballard Martz
Costume Sale At Seattle Opera, Saturday September 27th from 9:30 am-4:30 pm

It's KUOW's Fall Fundraising Drive! Keep the future of public media strong with a monthly gift.

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Bonus: Bringing South Asian Literature To Seattle

Sun, 07 Sep 2025 10:00:00 +0000

The Jaipur Literature Festival in India is one of the biggest lit festivals on the planet. Hundreds of thousands of people attend to hear writers and artists talk about the rich, multilingual literary traditions of South Asia.

JLF is big in another way too. Since its beginning in 2006, the festival has expanded to cities around the globe. And Seattle is one of them. The Jaipur Literature Festival will be here from September 18th to the 21st.

Books host Katie Campbell went to the very first JLF here in Seattle last year - and I haven't stopped thinking about it since. The whole weekend felt like she was discovering new things. One standout was an art historian who discussed famous Indian paintings and the hidden messages he’d found in them after decades of study. In one of the paintings, he’d noticed how a prince was saluting his father, the king. The prince’s hand was open to the sky, and the historian explained how this was a sign of great deference and respect. Katie thinks about that talk a lot – about all the little things we can miss in art if we don’t know how to look for them.

Katie is super excited to go to this year's JLF and she wants you to get excited too, so she decided to give us all a sneak peek into what to expect with UW Bothell professor and JLF Seattle Executive Director Alka Kurian.

If you need even more help filling that book shaped void, here’s Alka and Katie’s Recommended If You Liked (RIYL): JLF Seattle.

JLF Seattle 2025: Sept. 18-21

Exquisite Cadavers by Meena Kandasamy

Too Good To Be True by Prajakta Koli

Tomb of Sand by Geetanjali Shree

Heart Lamp by Banu Mushtaq

The Nutmeg's Curse by Amitav Ghosh

Translating Myself and Others by Jhumpa Lahiri

Burnt Sugar by Avni Doshi

Victory City and Knife by Salman Rushdie

Bombay Begums (Netflix)

Farzi Café (Bellevue)

Mint Progressive Indian (Downtown Seattle)

Taste of India (U District)

Cafe Turko (Fremont)

Chili's South Indian Cuisine (U District)

Chili's Deli & Mart (U District)

Your financial support makes podcasts like Meet Me Here possible. Help us make all the local shows you rely on at kuow.org/meet.

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Pop Culture: Mysterious, offbeat, culty...why so many vampires love the PNW

Wed, 03 Sep 2025 10:00:00 +0000

We’re digging our teeth into the Northwest and its relationship with vampires. In this episode, I’m bringing in my two co-hosts Jeannie Yandel and Katie Campbell to talk NW and vampires – so let me ask you, do you like monstrous vampires? What about metaphorical vampires? Of course, can’t forget the sensitive, sparkly, brooding vampires that just want you to love them … despite their desire to drain you. With Katie and Jeannie here, we’re going to talk about all this, and cover some non-Twilight vampire recommendations, just in case you’re interested.

Where’s your favorite place to meet up around arts and culture in the region? Drop us a line at meetmehere@kuow.org.

Got an arts idea you want to pitch KUOW? Email us at arts@kuow.org

Your support helps create shows like Seattle Now, Soundside, and Meet Me Here!

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Books: How to Get Out of a Reading Slump

Wed, 27 Aug 2025 10:05:00 +0000

Whether you devour 50 books a year or haven’t picked one up in months, we all get into reading ruts. So, let’s fix that.

And… if you need even more help filling that book shaped void, here’s Stesha and Katie’s Recommended If You Liked (RIYL): getting into your reading groove

The River Has Roots Amal El-Mohtar
The Husbands by Holly Gramazio
The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley
Jane Austen (anything)
In Cold Blood by Truman Capote
Mapping the Interior Stephen Graham Jones
Hell Is A World Without You by Jason Kirk
Out There Screaming by Jordan Peele
Your Next Five via The Seattle Public Library
Welcome to Night Vale, a podcast

Featured Book-ish Event from this week’s episode: Seattle Arts & Lectures \ A Conversation with R.F. Kuang

Where’s your favorite place to meet up around arts and culture in the region? Drop us a line at meetmehere@kuow.org.

Got an arts idea you want to pitch KUOW? Email us at arts@kuow.org

Your support helps create shows like Seattle Now, Soundside, and Meet Me Here!

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Art: Why Seattle's a great place for anxious dancers

Wed, 20 Aug 2025 10:00:00 +0000

Dance artist and instructor Alethea Alexander feels lucky to live in Seattle - in large part because the city offers so many venues and opportunities to dance. Alethea teaches dance at UW and Cornish College of the Arts at Seattle University, and is the director of training at Dance Church, a free-form and all-levels movement class / dance party.

But if the thought of dancing next to other people makes you anxious, Alethea has a suggestion. Just dip a toe in. Try a class that interests you and see how it feels. She says the rewards are worth pushing through the discomfort.

Here are some of the places Alethea suggests checking out - all are welcoming to anxious and first-time dancers.

Afrodance Seattle

PNW Afro Dance Camp 2025

Dance Church Seattle

Velocity Dance Center

More links from this episode:

Cannonball Arts

“Dance Yourself Free”, NPR’s Throughline episode about Chicago house music

Where’s your favorite place to meet up around arts and culture in the region? Leave us a message at 206-221-6100. Drop us a line at meetmehere@kuow.org.

Your support helps create shows like Seattle Now, Soundside, and Meet Me Here!

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Pop Culture: Can games like Dungeons and Dragons combat disinformation?

Wed, 13 Aug 2025 10:00:00 +0000

If you're a fan of the game Dungeons and Dragons, you know the thrill of rolling a 20-sided die in hopes of deploying a stunning attack or perhaps fending off an owlbear. But could those same skills help us recognize lies on social media? On the latest episode of Meet Me Here, find out how this nerdy role playing game might be the answer to combating disinformation with UW professor Jin Ha Lee and D&D enthusiast "Happy Tracker Meow Meow" aka Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs.

Both our guests will be presenters at Pax West in Seattle Aug 29th-Sept 1st.

Jin Ha Lee, Saturday - Aug 30th 10:30am

Secretary of State Steve 'Happy Tracker Meow Meow' Hobbs, Sunday - Sept 1 5pm

One other event recommendation from this week’s episode:

Dragonflight GameCon, Aug 22-24

Where’s your favorite place to meet up around arts and culture in the region? Leave us a message at 206-221-6100. Drop us a line at meetmehere@kuow.org.

Your support helps create shows like Seattle Now, Soundside, and Meet Me Here!

Become a KUOW member today.

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Books: A Safe Space for Horror

Wed, 06 Aug 2025 10:00:00 +0000

Horror doesn’t have to be horrifying. It can be romantic, historical, and even a little raunchy! If you’re into that sorta thing.

From haunted haciendas to demon possessed heroines, Seattle author Isabel Cañas is serving up Gothic horror with a twist. The genre bending author tells us a thing or two about how even scaredy cat readers can tap into the horror genre, plus we find out what keeps her up at night.

And… if you need some help filling that book shaped void, here’s Isabel and Katie’s Recommended If You Liked (RIYL): Isabel's genre bending Horror/Romance/Historical Fiction

Sinners
Strange The Dreamer.
The Buffalo Hunter Hunter by Stephen Graham Jones
A Haunting in Hialeah Gardens by Raul Palma
Island Witch by Amanda Jayatissa
Dracula Daily

Event recommendations from this week’s episode:

Isabel Cañas in Conversation on her upcoming book “The Possession of Alba Díaz” with Sadie "Mother Horror” Hartmann on August 19th. Listen to Isabel's playlist for her latest book here.
Writers with Drinks Town Hall Seattle on Thursday, August 14 at 7:30 pm PDT
KUOW August Book Club: Lynda V. Mapes’ book The Trees Are Speaking: Dispatches from the Salmon Forests discussion on August 27th

Where’s your favorite place to meet up around arts and culture in the region? Drop us a line at meetmehere@kuow.org.

Got an arts idea you want to pitch KUOW? Email us at arts@kuow.org

Your support helps create shows like Seattle Now, Soundside, and Meet Me Here!

Become a KUOW member today.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Art: Zines Are A Treasure Trove Of Humanity's Obsessions

Wed, 30 Jul 2025 10:00:00 +0000

Want to learn about complete strangers' biggest passions and frustrations? Then you need to start exploring zines. Zines are patterned after magazines, but they're meant to be made by hand by one person, reproduced on a copy machine, and shared from person to person.

Our guest Vivian Li makes zines to share “a little bit of her soul with the world.” She’s a comics artist, illustrator, and web designer. And the 2025 innovator-in-residence at the Library of Congress.

Vivian has made zines called “The Bike Collector," “Flower Patrol vs Hamburger Cat” and a mini-zine about chickens.

But Vivian’s favorite zine she’s ever made was a collaboration with her mom who was super skeptical of making a zine, at first! It’s about Chinese cooking for the second generation.

In this episode, Vivian also spontaneously coaches host Jeannie Yandel through a brainstorming session about a zine Jeannie hopes to make, with a working title of “Mount Laundry.”

We mentioned these zine-specific experiences in this episode of Meet Me Here:

Photo Zine and Book Fair at Photographic Center Northwest on August 17.

The King County Public Library’s zine meetup in Federal Way on July 31, August 14 & 28.

The Seattle Public Library’s zine collection at the Central Library (open on Saturdays)

Bainbridge Island Museum of Art’s artists’ book collection

Other event recommendations from this week’s episode:

Vashon Island Film Festival, August 7-10
Henry Art Gallery, Spirit House Exhibition, July 2025 - January 2026

Where’s your favorite place to meet up around arts and culture in the region? Drop us a line at meetmehere@kuow.org.

Got an arts idea you want to pitch KUOW? Email us at arts@kuow.org

Your support helps create shows like Seattle Now, Soundside, and Meet Me Here!

Become a KUOW member today.

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Pop Culture: Should you name your child after a movie character?

Wed, 23 Jul 2025 07:00:00 +0000

After Game Of Thrones became a hit TV show, people in Washington state started naming girls Khaleesi, the royal title for Queen Daenerys. This started in 2012, and between then and 2023, there have been 119 babies named Khaleesi born in Washington. (And depending on your view of that character’s storyline, some folks might feel differently about the name Khaleesi now. )

On this very personal episode of Meet Me Here, host Dyer Oxley brings his wife Nina into the studio along with two baby name experts to discuss if they should give their child a name from pop culture.

Other event recommendations from this week’s episode:

Surf X Surfwest - July 25-26
Rocky Horror Picture Show and Hedwig and the Angry Inch double feature at The Showbox at the Market - Saturday Aug. 2
Diary of a Man Child at Seattle’s Emerald City Comedy Club - Aug 1-3

Where’s your favorite place to meet up around arts and culture in the region? Leave us a message at 206-221-6100. Drop us a line at meetmehere@kuow.org.

Your support helps create shows like Seattle Now, Soundside, and Meet Me Here!

Become a KUOW member today.

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Books: Our Book Bestie's Mid-Year Reality Check

Wed, 16 Jul 2025 10:00:00 +0000

Here’s a literary hot take: are you reading that book or just carrying it around from tote bag to tote bag? Right.

Seattle Readers, it’s time for a midyear reading round up, and we’re gonna find out what books this city of readers are actually devouring (so far). Elliott Bay Book Company’s Sofia Brekkan joins us for some literary hot takes, staff pick hacks, and a round of ‘would you rather’ that reveals Sofia’s controversial reading habits.

Check out some of the books mentioned in this episode:

Check out all of staff picks from Elliott Bay Book Company here.

Other book-ish and artsy recommendations from this week’s episode:

Did we miss a must read for 2025? Got a literary hot take Seattle readers MUST know? Hey, send us an email at meetmehere@kuow.org.

Your support helps create shows like Seattle Now, Soundside, and Meet Me Here!

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Books: Nothing Says Summer Like The End Of The World

Thu, 10 Jul 2025 16:18:01 +0000

Seattle summers just make everything feel possible. You can see the silver linings a little better in the sunshine. And that makes it a little easier to enjoy some sad summer reads. Right?

If you want proof, check out Sequoia Nagamatsu’s How High We Go in the Dark, a speculative fiction masterpiece published in 2022 that still has Meet Me Here co-host Katie Campbell reeling.

No one is feeding our desire for escapism fantasy on a hot summer day quite like Sequoia. And the guy has hot takes to match the heat. He joined us this week for a special bonus episode to talk about them.

If you need some help filling the void after reading “How High We Go in the Dark,” check out Sequoia and Katie’s RIYL:

We Lived on the Horizon by Erika Swyler

Light from Other Stars by Erika Swyler

Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel

The Glass Hotel by Emily St. John Mandel

Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel

The Changeling by Victor LaValle

Anything by J.G. Ballard

The Complete Cosmicomics by Italo Calvino

Invisible Cities by Italo Calvino

Friday Black by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah

Chain-Gang All-Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah

Wayfarers series by Becky Chambers

Noumenon trilogy by Marina J. Lostetter

Good Morning, Midnight by Lily Brooks-Dalton

The Light Pirate by Lily Brooks-Dalton

A House Between Earth and the Moon by Rebecca Scherm

Event recommendation:

Sequoia Nagamatsu and Aram Mrjoian talk about the latter author’s debut novel, Waterline, at Elliott Bay Book Company on July 15, 2025

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Art: How To Make Art Friends

Wed, 09 Jul 2025 10:10:00 +0000

Art friends make life richer, according to arts community leader Leilani Lewis.

She says art friends can help you “deepen your understanding of yourself and the people around you.”

If you want to make art friends, Leilani says take initiative and be willing to be vulnerable.

“Go to the openings. Go to the programs. Go to Remix. Go to Wa Na Wari artist talks. Go and just dig yourself in and you’ll meet people. I guarantee it.”

Leilani says there are people in town she’s known for 20 years, that she met at art openings and whom she only ever sees at art events.

“We give each other a hug when we see each other at the space. Then we carry on.”

Leilani says there are plenty of cool things you can do with your art friends. Including creating your own art walk, starting at Arte Noir in the Central District and exploring the restaurants Communion and Marjorie.

Or hitting up free museums like The Frye and The Henry.

Leilani also has a few tips for enjoying the Seattle Art Fair that happens July 17-20 at the Lumen Field Event Center. For example: Dress comfortably, if not a little stylishly. Leilani is a fan of comfortable shoes with arch support.

And she says because the Seattle Art Fair is so massive, a little game might be in order. Her recommendation: creating a simple art fair bingo card for you and your art friends. You can populate the card with questions like, Which piece of art scared you? Which piece of art made you want to cry? What was the most colorful piece you saw?

She says the bingo cards can be a fantastic way to dive into conversations with your art friends while you're hanging out at or after the event.

Other event recommendations from this week’s episode:

The Grown-Ups, Dacha Theatre, June 28-Aug 3
Sandsations, Long Beach, WA, July 16-20
Summer at SAM: Concert Night at Olympic Sculpture Park, July 24

Where’s your favorite place to meet up around arts and culture in the region? Leave us a message at 206-221-6100. Drop us a line at meetmehere@kuow.org.

Your support helps create shows like Seattle Now, Soundside, and Meet Me Here!

Become a KUOW member today.

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Pop Culture: Have Full Album Concerts Gone Too Far?

Wed, 02 Jul 2025 10:05:00 +0000

When it comes to your all-time favorite bands, singers, artists, are there any of their albums that you consider “no-skip albums”? You know, an album where you’re gonna listen to every song.

Although some albums are great all the way through, others, maybe not so much. That raises some questions as full-album concerts seem to be increasingly popular. Basically a band plays an album start to finish, live. Usually it’s an anniversary of some kind.

Is this a good idea? Are fans being taken advantage of? What does this say about our modern culture of music?

KEXP's Lilly Ana Fowler produces Drive Time and the In Our Headphones podcast. She joins Meet Me Here producer Matt Martin and host Dyer Oxley to get into this debate.

Other event recommendations from this week’s episode:

Geek Fest West - July 18-20
Seattle Bon Odori - July 19-20
Washington Midsummer Renaissance Fair - July 19 through Aug17

Where’s your favorite place to meet up around arts and culture in the region? Leave us a message at 206-221-6100. Drop us a line at meetmehere@kuow.org.

Your support helps create shows like Seattle Now, Soundside, and Meet Me Here!

Become a KUOW member today.

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Books: Seattle Sci-Fi Needs More Escapism

Wed, 25 Jun 2025 10:00:00 +0000

What if instead of a post-apocalyptic future where AI overlords, climate wars, and techno-fascists ruin everything– we could imagine something else? Something better! At Clarion West’s upcoming Speculative Fiction Write-A-Thon, the chances of imagining something different and better are high. So this week, we’re not hitting the books–we’re writing them with Marnee Chua, the executive director at Clarion West– Seattle’s hub for speculative fiction.

And… if you need some help filling that sci-fi void. Here’s Marnee and Katie’s Recommended If You Liked (RIYL):

Other event recommendations from this week’s episode:

Queer Silent Book Club June 27th, 2025
Indigiqueer at Pier 62 June 27th, 2025
The Seattle Outdoor Theater Festival at Volunteer Park July 12 & 13, 2025!

Where’s your favorite place to meet up around arts and culture in the region? Leave us a message at 206-221-6100. Drop us a line at meetmehere@kuow.org.

Your support helps create shows like Seattle Now, Soundside, and Meet Me Here!

Become a KUOW member today.

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Books: Why Corinne Manning Thinks The LGBTQ Shelf Is The Best In The Bookstore

Thu, 19 Jun 2025 10:20:00 +0000

Author Corinne Manning joined us this week for a special bonus literary episode, celebrating Pride Month and their stellar short story collection We Had No Rules. Listeners may also know Meet Me Here co-host Katie Campbell from the KUOW Book Club, which is reading Manning's book this month along with Be A Revolution: How Everyday People Are Fighting Oppression and Changing the World—and How You Can, Too by Ijeoma Oluo.

Where Ijeoma explores how to push back against oppressive systems, Corrine looks at societal "norms" and the power in breaking them.Ijeoma will be joining Katie for a live interview at the Seattle Central Library on June 26. Corinne wasn't available that evening, so they came to the KUOW studio to get us thinking about these ideas and what exactly it means to write queer literature today.

Event recommendations from this bonus episode:

KUOW's Katie Campbell and author Ijeoma Oluo at Seattle Central Library on June 26, 2025
Katie and author Kim Fu at Seattle Central Library on July 30, 2025
Katie and author Lynda V. Mapes at Seattle Central Library on August 27, 2025

We Had No Rules (Paperback)A young teenager stays a step ahead of her parents' sexuality-based restrictions by running away and learns a very different set of rules. A woman grieves the loss of a sister, a "gay divorce," and the pain of unacknowledged abuse with the help of a lone wallaby on a farm in Washington State.

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Art: Seattle’s Innovative, World-Class Glass Arts Scene

Wed, 18 Jun 2025 10:20:00 +0000

“Glass is mesmerizing”, says artist and KUOW project manager Hilary Lee. “It’s just kind of all around us, but then in a contemporary art form, it's really fun, and you can do lots of things with it”. Happily, we live in a world-class region for glass arts from glassblowing to kiln casting to neon. And Hilary knows this better than most Seattleites - she spent 20 years as an arts administrator in the glass arts community, including 8 years working for glassblower Dale Chihuly. And she co-founded the Refract Glass Festival, which happens in Seattle every fall.

We’ll dig into how and why the Seattle region became such an epicenter for contemporary glass arts and artists. And then Hilary will send us off to some of her favorite places in the city to find fantastic glass works, from huge sculptures to tiny ornaments.

Some of Hilary’s Favorite Places To Find Glass Arts in Seattle:

Refract Seattle - Hilary co-founded this annual festival, which is happening October 16-19

Pike Place Market - there are shops and stands run by local glass artists all over the market, and Hilary loves the iconic neon market sign against the backdrop of the mountains and Puget Sound. Also, she loves stopping for snacks while checking out the stalls - particularly Daily Dozen Donut Company.

Gallery Mack - featuring a collection of work by local glass and mixed-media artists, including artist Paula Stokes’ belly bottles

Seattle Glassblowing Studio has a collection of work from artists around the world, and you can watch glass blowers at work!

Chihuly Garden And Glass - Hilary recommends going around sunset, so you can check out the 1000-piece work in the Glass House illuminated by the setting sun.

Blown Away on Netflix - learn all about glassblowing (and watch Northwest artists dominate) from the comfort of your couch!

Other Iconic Local Neon Signs:
Dick’s Drive-In

Olympic Athletic Club

Ivar’s Fish Bar

Other event recommendations for this week’s episode:

Win a pair of free tickets to TARBOO! Music Festival July 3-6 in Quilcene! Email meetmehere@kuow.org with TICKETS in the subject line. The winner will be notified on or before July 1st!

Northwest African American Museum’s “A Movement For Joy” Juneteenth Celebration, June 19, Seattle

Capital City Pridefest, June 27-29, Olympia

Barbie The Movie At Seattle Symphony, June 27 & 28, Seattle

Your financial support makes podcasts like Meet Me Here possible. Help us make all the local shows you rely on at kuow.org/meet.

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Pop Culture: Has Hollywood lost its creativity?

Wed, 11 Jun 2025 07:15:00 +0000

Get your bucket of sugar and a large popcorn, because we're approaching the 2025 summer movie season. The movie season ahead is full of remakes, reboots, and sequels. There’s an industry term called IP, it means “intellectual property” and that basically boils down to movie franchises, books, characters and so forth that are all owned – studios own these entities and can therefore use them as they like. Jurassic Park, Marvel characters, Freaky Friday -- that's all IP and it’s what Hollywood is leaning into for Summer 2025. But here’s the rub. If Hollywood is just recreating what it already owns, has the film industry lost its luster? Can we make anything original anymore? Are we doomed to just add a number 2 or 3 at the end of movie titles?

Chase Hutchinson and Kathy Fennessy from the Seattle Film Critics Society join host Dyer Oxley to make sense of this trend and geek out about summer movies. Also, we will hear from the social media manager at Majestic Bay Theater Jesse Mercury about how they're trying to offer more this summer.

Other event recommendations from this week’s episode:

Brass Screw Consortium in Port Townsend June 15-18
The Washington Brewers Fest June 20-21
Washington State Summercon June 20-22

Where’s your favorite place to meet up around arts and culture in the region? Leave us a message at 206-221-6100. Drop us a line at meetmehere@kuow.org.

Your support helps create shows like Seattle Now, Soundside, and Meet Me Here!

Become a KUOW member today.

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Books: Mike Curato Is A Main Character

Wed, 04 Jun 2025 10:00:00 +0000

This week we’re hitting the books with author and illustrator Mike Curato to discuss Gaysians, his debut adult graphic novel, about a queer Asian friend group becoming a chosen family in 2003 Seattle.

Plus, Mike fills us in on authentic queer Asian representation, building coalitions during challenging times, and how his time in Seattle shaped the “Boy Luck Club.

So, push this book to the front of your TBR pile because Mike Curato is coming to the city. He'll be at Queer/Bar in Seattle on June 17th, 2025 to talk about Gaysians with local drag queen Aleksa Manila.

And… if you need some help filling that post-reading void. Here’s Mike and Katie’s Recommended If You Liked (RIYL): Gaysians.

The Wedding Banquet (2025)
How to Write an Autobiographical Novel by Alexander Chee
The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan
Cuckoo by Gretchen Felker-Martin

Other event recommendations from this week’s episode:

Queer Book Fair at Charlie's Queer Books in Fremont on June 14-15, 2025
Octavia E. Butler Birthday Bash on June 22, 2025
Twelfth Night – ACT Contemporary Theatre from June 7 – 22, 2025

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Art: Awkward Coming-Of-Age Stories And Other Adventures In The Chinatown-International District

Wed, 28 May 2025 10:15:00 +0000

Former Seattle civic poet and Ten Thousand Things podcast host Shin Yu Pai hasn't yet seen the new two-woman show Crash Course, but she's pretty excited to see it.

For one thing, Shin Yu says Crash Course explores a struggle many of us are familiar with - the "moment of becoming aware that you might want something different than what people are telling you".

But also, Crash Course runs from June 5th-8th at Theatre Off Jackson in the Chinatown-International District or CID. Shin Yu plans to use the show as a springboard to wander around the CID. On this episode, she invites us to wander the neighborhood with her.

Shin Yu recommends stopping at two bookstores in the CID. Kinokuniya Seattle, known for its selection of Japanese and English books, as well as its high quality stationery and cute plushies. Mam’s Books is a new independent Asian American bookstore that’s named after the owner’s dad.

Risograph classes and workshops are what Shin Yu calls a “lo-fi, affordable method of making multi-colored zines.” The classes take place at Reclaim Clay Collective.

There’s also the Panama Hotel & Tea House. Built in 1910, it was originally a workingman’s hotel for single Japanese men. When the federal government incarcerated people of Japanese ancestry during World War Two, some locals stashed their valuable belongings at the hotel, with the hopes of picking up their beloved items later. But many personal items still remain. Visitors can see these items and also listen to vintage Japanese music on an old record player as part of an art installation. Here’s an episode of Ten Thousand Things about that sound installation.

If you’d like to load up on snacks, like Japanese mochi, Shin Yu says you can’t go wrong at Uwajimaya and recommends the mango & lychee flavors.

Other CID arts and culture gems mentioned in the episode:

Shin Yu curated this exhibit at the Wing Luke Museum

Seattle Pinball Museum

Kobo Seattle

Giant loquat tree on 8th Ave S (listed as #2 in this guide)

Loquat tree episode of Ten Thousand Things

Wing Luke Museum (Shin Yu curated this exhibit)

And on June 5 from 5:30-8 pm, Shin Yu is hosting a Ten Thousand Things listening party at the Wing Luke!

Upcoming events we mentioned in the episode:

Meet Me at the Waterfront Park 5K, Seattle, May 31, 8 am - 2 pm

Mindfulness Meditation at The Frye Art Museum, first & third Wednesday of the month, 12:30 - 1 pm

Hot Shop Hot Nights with Eriko Kobayashi, Hilltop Heritage Middle School, Tacoma June 6, 5-8 pm

Have you checked out an event we recommended? Tell us how it went! Leave us a message at 206-221-6100. Drop us a line at meetmehere@kuow.org.

Your support helps create shows like Seattle Now, Soundside, and Meet Me Here!

Become a KUOW member today at kuow.org/meet.

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Pop Culture: Find Your PNW Pinball Family

Wed, 21 May 2025 10:20:00 +0000

Your grandparents might have joined a bowling league. Today, you can join a pinball league. A pinball renaissance is happening across the Northwest, thanks to a fervent community (called Pinheads) that frequently gathers, holds tournaments, and keeps these machines flipping. Seattle now ranks second in the United States in terms of how many pinball games the city has (590) and how many establishments offer pinball (95).

Both Ashley Weaver and Dwayne Collins are transplants to Seattle. It’s pinball that has kept them there. Weaver hosts weekly pinball tournaments at 8-Bit in Renton. Collins hosts another at Jupiter in Belltown. They talk about why these games are so popular, why a community has formed around it, and why you should spend your next night out with friends in front of a pinball machine.

Check out the Washington State Pinheads Facebook group for local happenings.

Some quick tips for where to start:
Try the Pinball Map app to see where the pinball machines are around you. Then have fun. Weaver and Collins recommend playing Addams Family, Attack From Mars, Cactus Canyon, and Medieval Madness to start.
Then check out a beginner-friendly tournament, such as the Tuesday and Thursday night tournaments at Jupiter in Seattle, or the Tuesday night tournament at 8-Bit in Renton.

Also! The region also boasts a massive, annual pinball convention. The 2025 Northwest Pinball and Arcade Show is June 6-8 at the Tacoma Convention Center.

A few pinball hotspots to try in the Seattle area:
ADD-A-Ball: Hip, artsy spot in Fremont.
Ice Box: All ages spot in Ballard.
Pinball Museum: All ages in the Chinatown-International District. Pay an entrance fee, then all games are free to play. No quarters needed.
Shorty’s: The original pinball joint in Belltown.
Time Warp: Feels like you're playing pinball in a Blade Runner movie, but you’re really in Capitol Hill.
Triple Knock: Skeletons hang from the ceiling and mock you at this Tacoma pinball bar.

And for a transit-friendly pin crawl in Seattle:

Take the 40 bus ,which stops at or near almost all of the Seattle pinball places listed above!

Other events to check out:

Kevin Diers Benefit Show, May 23, El Corazon Seattle

HONK! Fest West, May 30-June 1, Georgetown & Columbia City

Kent Nerd Party, June 7, Downtown Kent

Have you checked out an event we recommended? Tell us how it went! Leave us a message at 206-221-6100. Drop us a line at meetmehere@kuow.org.

Your support helps create shows like Seattle Now, Soundside, and Meet Me Here!
Become a KUOW member today.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Books: Kevin Kwan Wants To Make You Laugh

Wed, 14 May 2025 10:00:00 +0000

This week we’re hitting the books with Crazy Rich Asians author Kevin Kwan. The internationally-best selling author rips open the world of the wealthy and indulges us all us in some behind the scenes bits on his latest book Lies and Weddings. Kevin and Katie talk about the benefits of being an outsider, reality television show Below Deck, luxury resort gossip, and his motive behind satirizing the ultra-rich.

So, push this book to the front of your TBR pile because Kevin Kwan is on tour and he'll be at Town Hall Seattle on May 29th

And… if you need some help filling that post-reading void. Here’s Kevin and Katie’s Recommended If You Liked (RIYL): Lies and Weddings:

The Razor's Edge by W. Somerset Maugham
Piglet by Lottie Hazell

Other event recommendations from this week’s episode:

Where’s your favorite place to meet up around arts and culture in the region? Drop us a line at meetmehere@kuow.org or leave us a voicemail at 206-221-6100.

Your support helps create shows like Seattle Now, Soundside, Booming, and Meet Me Here!

Become a KUOW member today.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Art: Break Up With The Algorithm At The Seattle International Film Festival

Wed, 07 May 2025 10:00:00 +0000

The Seattle International Film Festival, or SIFF, runs from May 15-25 with a limited streaming option from May 26-June 1. And it's a big festival! 245 films will be screened over the 10-day festival. This is a movie-lover's dream. But also - a literal impossibility to see every single film on offer. So how do you pick what to see?

The Stranger 's arts editor Emily Nokes oversaw production of The Stranger’s guide to SIFF ; she and a team of staff and freelancers screened and wrote mini-reviews for more than 100 festival films. Emily will walk us through three different approaches to enjoying SIFF without experiencing FOMO or decision fatigue.

Tip: Arrive early to the shows. SIFF suggests showing up 10 minutes before show time but it’s best to arrive even earlier.

Tip: Be on the lookout for two “secret movies” at SIFF this year. We’re not sure what that means, but it sounds intriguing.

Here are a few SIFF-related things Emily mentions in this episode:

Watching the SIFF showing of the 1982 Jim Henson fantasy adventure, The Dark Crystal, with a live soundtrack from DJ NicFit
Emily recommends the documentary Cat Town, USA, which is about an aging Florida couple who run a retirement village for elderly cats out of their house.
Grabbing a bite at The Sitting Room in Lower Queen Anne and/or Dick’s Drive-In for the french fries for sustenance while watching films.

You can also check out SIFF’s interactive flipbook to see what films spark your curiosity. This 64-page digital program includes the full film lineup.

Other event recommendations from this week’s episode:

Kendrick Lamar and SZA at Lumen Field, May 17
Brandon Vosika at The Factory, May 8- 11
Laughs in Spanish at Seattle Rep, April 17-May 17

Where’s your favorite place to meet up around arts and culture in the region?Give us a call at 206-221-6100 or drop us a line at meetmehere@kuow.org.

Your support helps create shows like Seattle Now, Soundside, Booming, and Meet Me Here!

Become a KUOW member today.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pop Culture: Seattle is so emo, or whatever…

Wed, 30 Apr 2025 07:10:00 +0000

Emo music is a subgenre of punk rock that is characterized by emotional, often confessional lyrics, usually dealing with angst and social alienation. The music is sometimes raw, but almost always very melodic. Emo's heyday emerged after the year 2000, when it was popularized by bands like My Chemical Romance, Fall Out Boy, and Panic! At The Disco. That era of emo is now strongly associated with the Millennial generation. These Millennial fans are likely feeling excited because these days, emo has taken over clubs in the Seattle area, and across the USA, with events like Emo Nite and Emo Night (two distinct emo parties), as well as “This Party Sucks! Emo Night,” and even “I’m Not OK. An Emo and Pop Punk Brunch” (hey, we did say it was strongly associated with Millennials, so there ya go).

It's a funny thing, however, because as beloved as emo may be, there seems to be no consensus on what actually counts as emo music or an emo band. If you had asked our host Dyer Oxley before this episode, he would have pointed you to the 1990s for bands like Sunny Day Real Estate, Jawbreaker, or Mineral. He was in for a big surprise. In this episode, Dyer speaks with three emo experts, KISW DJ Danny Vigill, Sub Pop's Michelle Fegahli, and KUOW's Teo Popescu, to discuss why emo nights are so popular and what qualifies as emo music in the first place.

Upcoming Emo Night Events:

Emo Nite at Neumos, May 2

Emo Night at El Corazon, May 3

Emo Night at The Airport Tavern, June 20

Other event recommendations from this week’s episode:

Free Comic Book Day, May 3
Music Trivia at Easy Street in West Seattle, May 5/every other Monday
Crypticon, May 2-4

Where’s your favorite place to meet up around arts and culture in the region? Drop us a line at meetmehere@kuow.org.

Your support helps create shows like Seattle Now, Soundside, and Meet Me Here! Become a KUOW member today.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Books: Meet Me At The Dystopian Mountaintop Getaway For Wealthy Elites

Wed, 23 Apr 2025 10:00:00 +0000

“Pleasure can be a radical and a revolutionary act,” says author C Pam Zhang about her acclaimed novel “The Land of Milk and Honey.” Zhang discusses how living in Medina, WA during the pandemic inspired her dystopian and sapphic story about a chef working for the ultra-wealthy amid a global environmental collapse. We sift through food cultures, intergenerational conflict, finding joy and making meaning at the fictional end of the world. It’s a doozy!
So, push this book to the front of your TBR pile because C Pam Zhang is on tour and she'll be at Town Hall Seattle on May 8th to discuss “The Land of Milk and Honey.”

But wait! There's more! Here are some of Katie’s recommendations for what to do after you finish (and enjoy) The Land of Milk and Honey.

“Build Your House Around My Body” by Violet Cooper Smith. This novel explores Vietnamese history, folklore, and colonial aftermath. It’s like a prequel to Zhang’s imagined world.

Made in House… it’s not a book, it’s a restaurant, silly! This book will work your appetite. Settle your post-read bibimbap and banchan craving at this cafe in Seattle. They have locations in Fremont and Georgetown

Other event recommendations from this week’s episode:

Seattle Independent Bookstore Day (Saturday, April 26th) – Celebrate your favorite local bookstores like Ophelia’s in Fremont.

Vanishing Seattle Variety Show (Wednesday, April 30th) - A truly one-of-a-kind even featuring local talent. Think: stand-up comedy, drag performances, and freaky film. All in tribute to Seattle’s past.
Shhh! Unstreamble’s Secret Screening at SIFF Cinema Uptown (April 24th) - Join SIFF and Scarecrow for a mystery “unstreamable” film.

Where’s your favorite place to meet up around arts and culture in the region? Drop us a line at meetmehere@kuow.org or leave us a voicemail at 206-221-6100.

Your support helps create shows like Seattle Now, Soundside, and Meet Me Here!
Become a KUOW member today.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Art: Mastering Seattle's Art Walks, No MFA Required

Wed, 16 Apr 2025 09:15:00 +0000

“Art walks humanize the viewing experience and create camaraderie, or at least, if not, create camaraderie, allow the opportunity for it.” That’s how local artist and art administrator Tommy Gregory describes art walks in Seattle. Our city is home to a dozen art walks and counting, including the longest-running art walk in the nation. Tommy loves this about Seattle - he usually goes to a handful of different art walks a month, often by himself. So he’s the perfect guide to tell us how to enjoy ourselves and connect with artists and other art walk participants.

Tommy talks about the Pioneer Square Art Walk, which happens on the first Thursday of each month, and the Capitol Hill Art Walk, which happens on the second Thursday of each month.

Here are some of Tommy’s recommendations for where to stop on each art walk.

Pioneer Square:

Capitol Hill:

Other Art Walks:

Georgetown’s ART ATTACK on second Saturdays
Edmonds Third Thursday Art Walk
Olympia Art Walk, April 25-26
Tacoma Third Thursday Art Walk
Bellingham First Friday Art Walk

Other event recommendations from this week’s episode:

The Great Gatsby, April 18-26
KEXP Phish Day Parties, April 18-19
Half-price tickets at Seattle Art Museum, April 1-30

Where’s your favorite place to meet up around arts and culture in the region? Drop us a line at meetmehere@kuow.org.

Your support helps create shows like Seattle Now, Soundside, and Meet Me Here! Become a KUOW member today.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Introducing Meet Me Here, your podcast guide to the most exciting arts and culture events in Seattle.

Wed, 09 Apr 2025 18:16:58 +0000

What are you doing this week?

Meet Me Here is your podcast guide to the most exciting arts and culture events in Seattle. In each episode, we’re fighting the freeze and meeting you around the region for art shows, concerts, author talks, geeky get-togethers, and more. There’s a lot to do in this region, so let’s make some plans and go experience it together.

New weekly episodes start Wednesday, April 16.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.