Soundside

It’s been a week! The headlines, the bomb cyclone, being stuck without electricity... A LOT of us could use a way to disconnect and do something FUN this weekend, so to help with that, we’ve enlisted our resident Culture Nerd to find the best events! So, once again, here’s producer Jason Megatron Burrows with a few sneak peeks of things to keep you occupied this weekend…  LINKS: Vitamin String Quartet Thursday - Seattle Friday - Bellingham Saturday - Spokane Sunday - Portland, OR (SOLD OUT) Composing Iran - Seattle Symphony CUDDLE TACOMA - Thresholds Collective, Tacoma 44th Annual Seattle International Comedy Competition - Bellingham Home Team Harvest Food & Funds Drive - Multiple Locations WICKED at SIFF Cinema Downtown GLADIATOR II If you would like to suggest events for us to talk about in upcoming "Weekend Warmups," please send Jason an email at SOUNDSIDE@KUOW.ORG 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.

Lucidity is a new opera staging its west coast premiere at the Seattle Opera tonight.   The performance takes a deeper look at the personal impacts that a dementia diagnosis has on an individual, and their family.  The opera follows Lili, a former singer who has a bit of a diva streak. Her adopted son, Dante, pauses his career as a pianist to care for his mom. Together, they navigate Lili’s declining memory, her ability to perform, and her struggle to hold onto the thing at the center of her life: music. It’s a role that Lucy Shelton, the soprano portraying Lili, was gifted by her friend Laura Kaminsky, who wrote the opera for her. Shelton does not have dementia, but she has navigated the dynamic between aging and singing over a five decade career. GUEST: Lucy Shelton, portrays Lili in Lucidity. RELATED LINKS: Lucidity - Seattle Opera  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.

Seattle has a rich jazz history -- and you can’t talk about it without mentioning legends like Ray Charles and Quincy Jones. Both artists knew each other, as they grew their music chops right here in Seattle. Of course, we can’t forget to mention Kenny G. In the 1920s and 1930s jazz clubs were an escape during prohibition, and many of them lasted long after prohibition ended. For almost 45 years, Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley has not only been one of the preeminent jazz clubs in Seattle, but also in the country. Whether you’re someone who likes to go out to the club or not, you’ve probably heard of Seattle’s Jazz Alley. Tucked away down a literal alley, the all ages jazz club has showcased performances by jazz greats like Tower of Power, and American Blues Musician Taj Mahal, who will be returning for his annual Thanksgiving residency. Soundside host Diana Opong caught up with Ari Dimitriou and his father, John Dimitriou – who is still running the club at 75 years old. They discussed the origins of Jazz Alley and the future of the iconic family business.  Plus... while Jazz Alley is undoubtedly the face of the genre in Seattle, it isn’t the only establishment looking to keep jazz alive.  Seattle has a wealth of new talent – local high schools like Bothell, Garfield, and Roosevelt are regular finalists in national competitions. But the journey from a local school band to a big stage like Jazz Alley is long and difficult.  One local organization – the Seattle Jazz Fellowship – is looking to change that. Soundside producer Alec Cowan visited a jam session to hear about the importance of local bandstands for musicians and jazz-enjoyers alike.  Guests: John and Ari Dimitriou, who founded and operate Jazz Alley in Seattle.  Thomas Marriott, jazz trumpeter and founder of the Seattle Jazz Fellowship, a nonprofit supporting mentorship and playing opportunities for local jazz musicians.  Roman Goron, local jazz pianist.  Related Links:  How Seattle’s Jazz Alley, now 43, became a premier destination | The Seattle Times Jazz Has a New Home in Seattle. One Caveat: The Place Is ‘For Lease.’ - The New York Times 3 Seattle-area high schools make finals of 2024 Essentially Ellington jazz band competition | The Seattle Times 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.

Bird flu has spread at astonishing speed and with little discretion for what it infects. Since first emerging, the strain of H5N1 has infected wild birds, commercially raised chickens, seals, dairy cows, and, yes, even humans. Late last week, Woodland Park Zoo announced that a red breasted goose died in a suspected case of bird flu. The zoo quickly isolated birds and restricted access to them.  Meanwhile, just north of Washington in British Columbia, a teenager was hospitalized in critical condition after contracting bird flu. The teen had no known contact with infected animals. This comes after 11 Washington farm workers contracted the virus in October.  As the Northwest sees notable bird flu events, how much do we need to be concerned? Guest: Dr. Peter Rabinowitz, professor, physician, and director of the University of Washington’s Center for One Health Research. Relevant Links: KUOW: With the U.S. bird flu outbreak uncontained, scientists see growing risks KUOW: Bird flu is now spreading to cattle. Should Washington dairy farmers be worried?   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.

Back in 2021, following calls for police reform after the murder of George Floyd, Washington state did something unique. Legislators created a state-funded agency to investigate instances of serious or fatal police use of force – even ones that had happened in the past. Many believe the Office of Independent Investigations has potential to improve trust between marginalized communities and law enforcement. But some say it’s taking the office too long to get going. So far, the OII hasn’t officially launched a single investigation. Melanie Henshaw, an Indigenous Affairs reporter at InvestigateWest, spoke to reform advocates and agency officials about the obstacles that are keeping the office from quickly meeting its intended purpose.  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. GUEST: Melanie Henshaw, Indigenous Affairs reporter for InvestigateWest RELATED LINKS: Three years, no investigations: A slow start for Washington office tasked with probing police violence - InvestigateWest  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the aftermath of the 2024 election, Democrats are confronting a possible existential threat: The erosion of support among important demographic groups, particularly Latinos.  An example close to home helps illustrate the shift: In the 14th Legislative District, in the Yakima Valley, a newly redrawn map was supposed to strengthen Latino representation in the state House and Senate. Republicans even challenged the map in court, alleging it was built to win seats for Democrats. But as the dust settles, Republicans are poised to sweep the 14th District, new map and all.  So what’s happening here, and what’s driving changes in Latino voting patterns? 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. Guests: Sophia Jordán Wallace is a political science professor at the University of Washington. She specializes in Latino politics and politics of race and ethnicity, among other things Relevant Links: The role of the Latino vote in the 2024 election - NPR In a purple Pacific Northwest pocket three Latina candidates face tough House races - NPR Late hardball from the WSRP - Washington Observer See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One of the most closely watched congressional races of the 2024 election happened here in Washington State, with Democrat Marie Gluesenkamp Perez facing off once again against Donald Trump-endorsed Republican Joe Kent.  The district went for Trump in the presidential race, but held on to the Auto Shop owner-turned-Congresswoman for another term.And she’s here to talk about the win, what Democrats can learn from it, and her legislative priorities in office.  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. GUEST: Representative Marie Gluesenkamp Perez RELATED LINKS: Gluesenkamp Perez, Golden Introduce Bill to Establish Bipartisan Electoral Reform Select Committee US Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez on what her win means and what comes next - OPB  Marie Gluesenkamp Perez Wants Fellow Democrats to Look in the Mirror - The New York Times She won in a red district. Her blunt message to fellow Dems | CNN Politics See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Washington state is about to get a new top lawyer.  Former U.S. Attorney Nick Brown defeated Pasco Mayor Pete Serrano earlier this month to become the state’s next Attorney General.  Brown is an Army veteran who also served as general counsel to Governor Jay Inslee.  When he’s sworn in in January, he’ll be stepping into the high-profile job just as the stakes get even higher: Washington state had a history of legal clashes with the last Trump Administration, over everything from the Muslim ban to environmental protections and the Affordable Care Act.     So how is the next Attorney General thinking about confrontations with Trump 2.0? He sat down with Soundside's Libby Denkmann to discuss the job ahead, his thoughts on Matt Gaetz as the US Attorney General, and his time on the reality show, Survivor. 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. GUEST: Attorney General elect Nick Brown RELATED LINKS:  Ferguson and other WA Democrats prepare for new era of showdowns with Trump - Washington State Standard Four areas where Trump’s policies and WA’s priorities could clash - Washington State Standard The race for WA Attorney General: Nick Brown - Soundside's interview prior to the election See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Washington voters just upheld the state’s new capital gains tax — which places a 7% tax on the sale of long-term assets like stocks and bonds.   Now, the Seattle City Council is looking at a proposal to create its own capital gains tax for the city itself. Instead of benefitting schools, like the state tax, this revenue would fund things like rental assistance. But so far, the idea is not being universally embraced by city leadership. Seattle City Councilmember Cathy Moore sits down with Soundside host Libby Denkmann to discuss why she thinks the capital gains tax idea is right for Seattle.  GUEST:  Seattle City Councilmember Cathy Moore (District 5) RELATED LINKS: Seattle could get its own baby capital gains tax - KUOW See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Canoe journeys are rigorous, challenging trips that go for hundreds of miles.  Each year, canoe “families” from different tribal nations paddle between villages on the Salish Sea, joining local celebrations and ceremonies along the way. They camp at each stop until reaching that year’s destination tribal site.  For indigenous people who take part, it’s an important way to connect with their culture as well as other tribes. It’s also a chance to explore nature and their own inner strength.  The Lummi Youth Canoe Family took its last journey in 2019. Now, two brothers are trying to revive the group. Raven and Free Borsey first joined the Lummi Youth Canoe Family in 2013.The twin brothers say joining the group as teenagers changed their trajectory in life and gave them a better understanding of the natural world. Now, more than a decade after their first canoe trip, the twin brothers have received the Bullitt Prize, a $100,000 dollar grant from Washington Conservation Action aimed at developing young environmental leaders in the state, under the age of 35.  Their goal is bringing the trips back for new generations of Lummi youth and expanding the programming year round. Guests: Raven Borsey, Bullitt Prize Recipient  Free Borsey, Bullitt Prize Recipient Relevant Links:  Bullitt Prize info  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.