As the academic year begins this September, so does the jam-packed art scene. From Broadway blockbusters to Benson Boone, museum exhibits featuring masterpieces, or outdoor community performances, the Seattle art community is not coming to play. Whether you’re into mosh pits, Monet, or musicals, there’s something for everyone this year.
The concerts coming to Seattle this year are hitting all the right notes, with major artists and upcoming stars set to take over stages across the city. On the pop side of music, October will be filled with concerts featuring crowd favorites such as Tate McRae, Benson Boone, Maroon 5, and Dua Lipa. On the hip-hop/rap side of things, foundational pioneers and rising artists alike will grace the stage, including Ice Cube, Doechii, Babytron, King Lil G & Young Drummer Boy, and Kali Uchis. Other artists scheduled to appear include Laufey and Mt. Joy in October, and Mac DeMarco in September. Each one of these artists has a unique and indie music style that Seattle will soon be lucky enough to hear. No matter what type of music is playing in your headphones while walking from class to class, there will be a concert perfect for you
The performing arts also have an exciting schedule this season, featuring Pacific Northwest Ballet (PNB) pieces, the Seattle Symphony, and numerous incredible shows and musicals coming to town. PNB, located in Seattle, is one of the most competitive and renowned ballet schools in the country. Each year, PNB never fails to astound the dance world with the flawless technique of its dancers and the incorporation of contemporary dance into their performances. An example of this is All Lang, a celebration of choreographer Jessica Lang and some of her favorite works. Over the years, she has created four original pieces for PNB and has become a core part of the choreographing company. She bases her choreography on the Japanese art of kintsugi, the practice of repairing broken pottery. Lang, focusing on themes of imperfection and rebirth, draws from kintsugi in her choreography. PNB also plans to showcase classics such as Firebird, Giselle, and Cinderella, as well as the beloved holiday tradition The Nutcracker. Full of Christmas magic, festive spirit, and family joy, The Nutcracker has a special place in McCaw Hall each winter. Keeping that seasonal cheer alive, the Seattle Symphony will help usher in the holidays with festive performances like The Muppet Christmas Carol, performed with live orchestral accompaniment at Benaroya Hall. From there, the Symphony’s season expands into an impressive repertoire under the guidance of director Xian Zhang, the first female music director of the Seattle Symphony. Major concert highlights include pianists like Lang Lang, Conrad Tao, Seong-Jin Cho, and the Kanneh-Masons, who are a musically talented family performing Beethoven’s Triple Concerto. Clearly, the Seattle Symphony is well-versed in fantastic classical concerts.
Just as the Symphony fills the concert hall with musical genius, Seattle’s stages will also be full of performing magic with a wide range of theatrical productions, including timeless musicals, dramas that will leave you on the edge of your seat, heartwarming holiday favorites, and reinterpretations of celebrated stories. In the fall, prepare to be transported to the 1920s when the musical Chicago comes to town. Then, in the winter, watch the beloved classic Elf to get you in the holiday spirit! Other shows around the corner from that include Disney’s The Lion King, the dramatic Les Misérables, and the touching and romantic story of the novel The Notebook brought vividly to life on stage.
Finally, the visual arts will match the energy and level of the performing arts this year with dynamic exhibitions and thought-provoking installations. At the Seattle Art Museum (SAM), Ai, Rebel: The Art and Activism of Ai Weiwei is on view through September of this year. This major retrospective installation showcases over 130 of Ai’s pieces across various mediums. The exhibition shows his four-decade-long fight for social justice and freedom of expression through art. Just a short walk from SAM, ARTS at King Street Station is hosting TAPA this spring and summer. This exhibition celebrates Tongan cultural art and the legacy of Tongan culture in Seattle. More art at the SAM includes Farm to Table: Art, Food, and Identity in the Age of Impressionism, from October to January. Farm to Table will explore the intersection of art, food, and identity during the Impressionist era. Some featured artists include Monet, Eugène Boudin, and Camille Pissarro.