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Forbes
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Hitting All The Right Notes On A Music-Driven Culinary Tour Of Seattle
There are so many gems in the Emerald City that showcase the area's deep connection to all sorts of music with culinary connections. Ready to rock and roll? Let's go. Home to so many legends Icons including Jimi Hendrix, Quincy Jones and Ray Charles called Seattle home at some points in their lives, then, of course, Ann and Nancy Wilson and the beloved Heart crew. Years later, the incredibly prolific grunge era was born in the PNW. Hit up the Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP) at Seattle Center for some surprising background on that period of time when Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, Alice in Chains and Nirvana were making some beautiful noise. That ground-breaking trio is featured in a special exhibit that's closing Sept. 7, so get on it. While you're roaming around this stunning Frank Geary-designed space that began as the vision of the late Mircosoft co-founder Paul Allen, be sure and check out the new seasonal menu at Culture Kitchen's newly updated Lounge. Menu highlights include a dry-aged salmon with Braised Bok Choy, Forbidden Rice Congee and a Kombu Dashi, as well as Truffled Mushroom Croquettes and a shareable charcuterie plate with pork sourced from Beast and Clever Butcher Shop/Restaurant. Still in a Smells-Like-Teen-Spirit frame of mind? Consider checking into Hotel Max, where the vibe carries over into the guest rooms on the special Sub Pop Records floor. You're going to dig the doors emblazoned with larger-than-life photos of music legends and the turntables in those rooms. This spot is rightly famous for its nightly beer hour in the lobby, where guests gather and become fast friends. But before leaving Seattle Center, there's so much more to explore. Bumbershoot'n This Labor Day weekend celebration of music and art extends to culinary arts with some of last year's biggest hits making return appearances. Yes, the crowds called for encores from Local Tide -- beloved for its fish-n-chips – Musangtino's x Musang (fantastic Filipino food from chef Melissa Miranda), The Chicken Supply, Eva's Wild, known for its sustainable fishing and low carbon footprint, neighborhood favorite Big Max Burgers, Gold Coast Ghal Kitchen (Liberian and Ghanaian cuisine) and a whole bunch of meats cooked low-and-slow by Jack's BBQ. Newbies that'll have tongues wagging are Seoul Tacos, XX and Indigo Cow, which sources extra rich milk for its crave-worthy soft-serve from Japan. Check out the full culinary lineup on the official Bumbershoot site and tune into my Instagram live feed for a tasting tour at 1 p.m. Pacific on Aug. 30. One more tasty stop while in this neighborhood: Don't miss a visit to the KEXP Gathering Space, where Caffe Vita pulls stellar espresso drinks and serves up pastries from local bakeries including Sea Wolf. Consider yourself lucky and get ready to coffee nerd out if you are able to hit one of the free First Friday cuppings. Also, yes, you need some merch from the Sub Pop Shop that recently opened in the Gathering Space. Good morning from Easy Street Not sure if there's another place on the planet quite like this vinyl-centric record shop in West Seattle that's also home to a popular cafe. To get a sense of the good fun on offer at this venerable diner, just check out the special lineup of bevs: The Cardi B chai latte promises to deliver a sexy sipper, while the Mudhoney is a mocha that gets extra sticky sweet with the addition of, yup, some honey. Come for brunch on a Sunday morning – during the robust Neighborhood Farmers Market – and you might have to wait for a table. Before getting hangry, wander down the block for a pastry from the award-winning Bakery Nouveau or go the other direction and indulge in the food porn-ish sweets from the Little Jaye Cafe and Bakery popup at Lady Jaye. Those now legendary Fruity Pebbles Rice Krispies Treats will make you feel like a kid again. Crank it up Ever noticed how you can barely hear the music that's playing in most dining rooms? Yes, that's why they call it background music. But let's hear it for a restaurant that isn't shy about turning up the volume and setting the stage for meals as entertainment. That's just one reason to fall in love with Ciudad in Seattle's Georgetown neighborhood. This live-fire cooking spot opened in 2016 was initially a collaboration between chef Matt Dillon and Marcus Lalario, a tireless entrepreneur who's got a robust lineup of restaurants and lifestyle/clothing brands under the Sugar Shack Unlimited flag. Dillon's no longer involved, but since he stepped away, there have been lots of interesting developments in the Ciudad space, including adding another eatery nearby – Northern Italian-inspired Mezzanotte opened in 2020 -- and bringing chef Taylor Thornhill on board to expertly run the Ciudad kitchen. But let's back it up to Lalario's early career immersed in music: 'I liked about my age to get my first job at Easy Street Records,' he said with a smile. He was just 16 and before turning 20, he'd bought The Beat Box and turned it into an all-ages club – it later became The War Room. He managed bands and launched a record label called Under the Needle. There were bars, boutiques and barbershops in those early days when Lalario often partnered with frequent collaborator Brian Rauschenbach. Inspired by burger joints he'd frequented while touring with bands, Lalario opened lovable Lil Woody's on Capitol Hill in 2011. It became an instant hit leading to multiple locations including a hot spot in Tokyo. Lil Woody's deserves a big round of applause for shining the spotlight on area chefs during its wildly popular Burger Month each February. A couple years ago, Lalario opened Darkalino's in Pioneer Square, a salute to Old School Italian-American cuisine with chef Sean Russo ably running the kitchen. (The house-made pasta is outstanding and those magical meatballs are likely to remind you of your Nonna.) The restaurant shares the gorgeous space with upscale sports-driven retailer Hometeam, which – get this – just launched a free concert series this summer. Talk about full circle with the whole music thing. Brava! Back to Ciudad, where the wide-ranging menu defies definition. The temptation is to order everything and that wouldn't be wrong. Among the many superstars: fried corn with charcoal aioli, seared haloumi served alongside roasted red peppers, pickled pears, almond, morita chili oil and – wow – those harissa-glazed carrots with herbed goat cheese, dates, garlic walnut crunch. And those are just the starters, setting the table for a spectacular lineup of grilled meats and veggies cooked over charcoal, but don't you dare miss those lamb ribs finished in harissa barbecue sauce, labneh, pickled red onions, fresh herbs. They slap. Finally, that soft, squishy, flavorful flatbread leaves a lasting impression, made for many years by the same dedicated line cook. Big round of applause for chef Kevin! And all that jazz Can't talk about music in Seattle without a conversation about Dimitriou's Jazz Alley, arguably the coolest supper club on the West Coast. Fans pack the place to see an eclectic mix of performances. Ravi Coltrane, Ottmar Liebert and Keiko Matsui are on the calendar soon. For years, Grammy award winner Taj Mahal has settled in for a long run during the week leading up to Thanksgiving. This year marks his 30th anniversary at Jazz Alley. Amazing. Guessing a big part of the pull back to this classy club run by John, Carla and Ari Dimitriou is chef Alvin Binuya's exceptional food. The menu is extensive and while there's plenty to make meat lovers happy – the Double R Ranch Prime New York Steak – is top of that must-try list. Still, seafood is king. Fresh, line-caught wild salmon and halibut preparations are brilliant. And, yes, that seafood gumbo will likely make you hum 'Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans.' Order that classic with a side of Southern-style collard greens and cornbread. One more very cool reason to book a table at Jazz Alley? There's free garage parking nearby, a real rarity in Downtown Seattle.
Forbes
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Fashion As Cultural Record: Lessons On Preservation From The Archive
Michele Y. Smith serves as MoPOP's CEO, a mission-focused leader with extensive experience in nonprofit business development. When people think of archives, they often imagine dusty documents or ancient artifacts locked behind glass. But fashion is a form of storytelling. The clothes we wear and those worn by past generations capture moments, reflect cultural shifts and become symbols of identity and resistance. Fashion is one of the core pillars of pop culture, alongside music, film and gaming, yet it is often dismissed as frivolous. In truth, it is one of the most accessible and expressive forms of cultural storytelling. Why Shifting The Narrative Matters For Cultural Institutions For leaders of cultural institutions, shifting this narrative could be critical to your mission and relevance. When you elevate fashion as a legitimate cultural artifact, you can expand your collection and help democratize access to history. Fashion often speaks to audiences who might never step foot in a traditional museum, particularly for those who understand clothing as identity and self-expression. By taking fashion seriously, cultural institutions could attract new visitors, secure diverse funding opportunities and position themselves as forward-thinking stewards of contemporary culture. I think this year's Met Gala theme of Black dandyism is particularly relevant in this context, as it challenges traditional notions of gender and self-expression. In a time when personal identity is increasingly celebrated and explored, dandyism encourages individuals to embrace sartorial statements that defy conventions. This theme compels us to take fashion seriously as a form of artistic expression and a reflection of cultural dynamics. More Than Style This spring, my organization hosted a limited-time exhibit featuring garments from Princess Diana's wardrobe and explored how she used style as a language. Her wardrobe became a form of communication, expressing resilience, vulnerability and independence. Her garments were not just beautiful; they were symbols of her journey, her struggles and her quiet acts of defiance in the face of global scrutiny. Princess Diana's fashion journey has been reinterpreted by new generations, especially Gen-Z, who often see a story of autonomy and self-definition in her wardrobe. Her style has found a second life online, not just because of its aesthetic appeal, but because of what it represented. I think this digital resurgence is a reminder of how fashion can serve as both a personal narrative and a cultural touchstone, and working with her archive reminded me of some important things about preservation. How Cultural Institutions Can Help Preserve Fashion Preserving fashion isn't just about keeping garments safe—it's about preserving stories. Clothing is history woven into fabric. The role of cultural institutions is to ensure that these stories remain accessible, allowing future generations to engage with them in meaningful ways. For cultural institutions looking to deepen their impact, fashion archiving offers a unique opportunity. It allows us to document not only design and style but also the social, political and cultural contexts that shaped them. A garment can be a protest, a symbol of freedom or an expression of cultural pride. Institutions should prioritize: Tell the stories behind each garment. Effective storytelling requires going beyond the surface aesthetics to uncover the human drama behind each piece. Leaders should prioritize thorough research that delves into the origin of the garment, its creator and the time period it represents. Consdier collaborating with fashion historians, cultural anthropologists and community elders who can provide authentic context. Ask provocative questions: What was happening politically when this was worn? Who had access to this style, and who didn't? How did this garment challenge or reinforce social norms? The most compelling fashion stories often reveal power dynamics, economic realities or social movements that shaped entire generations. Leaders should also consider the emotional connections that garments can evoke. Each piece has the potential to represent personal stories, aspirations or milestones in individuals' lives, so it is important to highlight these connections in the narrative. Incorporating multimedia elements, such as video interviews with individuals who wore the garments or interactive displays, can bring stories to life and create a more immersive experience for viewers. Ultimately, I recommend leaders focus on weaving these elements together to craft a compelling story that not only informs but also inspires. Involve the public in the storytelling process. Allow them to share their interpretations and personal connections. Create multiple touchpoints for public participation. This could be a dedicated space where visitors can record stories triggered by garments or social media campaigns encouraging users to post vintage pieces with family histories attached. Position your institution as a facilitator rather than the sole authority by hosting intergenerational fashion shows, partnering with local designers for panel discussions and creating response walls where people can leave notes about their emotional connections to pieces. By actively recognizing and valuing public contribution, institutions can create a richer tapestry of storytelling that reflects diverse perspectives and encourages deeper engagement. Leverage technology to extend the reach of your fashion archives. Virtual exhibits and social media can bring these stories to life. I've noticed that successful virtual fashion exhibits require more than static photography; they need to capture the movement, texture and emotional resonance of clothing. You may want to invest in 360-degree photography and video content that shows garments in motion and consider ways to bring AR and VR into the fold. Can a viewer see how the garment would look on them? Can they be transported into the historical context of the piece? Another option may include building partnerships with fashion schools, whose students can help create compelling digital content in exchange for internship credits, or with tech companies that can provide devices to bring it all to life. However, when utilizing technology, don't let it overshadow storytelling or forget about accessibility. The most successful digital fashion archives I've seen combine high-quality visuals with audio stories from the people who lived in these clothes. Through embracing fashion as a cultural record, museums and cultural institutions can become stewards of stories that matter. They can create connections between generations, spark conversations and ensure that the creative expressions of the past continue to inspire, educate and empower for years to come. Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders. Do I qualify?
Axios
04-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Axios
How to celebrate Women's History Month in Seattle
In honor of Women's History Month, we've rounded up a few Seattle events aimed at supporting women and recognizing female accomplishments. 🗣️ Hear from notable local women at MoPOP's 2025 International Women's Day event, which will feature a panel discussion, food and drinks, a live DJ, and a scavenger hunt. 1-4:30pm Wednesday. $150. 🎷 Jam along with The Tiptons Saxophone Quartet and Drums, an all-female saxophone group that formed in Seattle more than 30 years ago. 7:30pm Friday at The Royal Room. $24. 🪩 Engage your mind by day then dance your cares away at night with " See Her Be Her," a 12-hour event hosted by MMBASSY, an all-female DJ collective. Daytime workshops and panels begin at noon Saturday at The W Seattle, while music and dancing kicks off at 5pm at Madame Lou's in Belltown. $34-$66. ☕️ Network, nibble and celebrate women in business at a Latinas Brunch hosted by ALPFA Seattle. 10am-1pm Sunday at Founders Hall on the University of Washington campus. Get tickets here. Donations are requested but not required. 🎶 Take in jazz music written by female composers at a special concert put on by Critical Mass Big Band. 7:30pm March 13 at The Royal Room. $24. 🥂 Mingle at a Woman's History Month-themed happy hour while supporting Black-led businesses and nonprofits at this month's Vibes After Five mixer. 6-9pm March 20 at The Collective. $5-10. You can browse even more Women's History Month events across the region compiled by KNKX.
