Seattle Now Casual Friday with Vivian McCall and Jas Keimig
Jan 16, 2026
Vivian McCall, News Editor at The Stranger, and Jas Keimig, an arts and culture writer, are here to unpack the latest happenings in Seattle. They discuss the closure of the Varsity Theater and its impact on local cinema, celebrate Scarecrow Video's successful fundraiser, and delve into the major construction on I-5 that will reshape commutes for two years. The conversation also covers Sound Transit’s switch to vinyl seats and what transit improvements locals really desire. Get ready for an insightful dive into the city’s current affairs!
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Episode notes
Neighborhood Theater Closure
- The Varsity Theater in the U District closed after struggling with programming and pandemic impacts.
- Vivian McCall and Jas Keimig lamented losing neighborhood theaters and the social life they supported.
Theater Loss Narrows Cultural Discovery
- Vivian McCall argued theaters expose people to art beyond algorithm-driven streams.
- She warned losing venues shrinks chances to form social bonds and discover unexpected work.
Scarecrow Video Rebound
- Scarecrow Video hit its $1.8 million Save Our Scarecrow goal and expanded rentals.
- The hosts presented this as a hopeful counterpoint to theater closures.