As our community takes the necessary steps to slow the spread of COVID-19, organizations that reside on the Seattle Center grounds offer creative ways to interact with them online and over the airwaves. Some have even developed online information and other helpful resources related to COVID-19.
Seattle Center Festál has released a series of podcasts, “Yes, and…”, that delves into the questions: Who lives here? What is their experience of life? And how does it intersect with our personal experiences of this city? The podcasts, now in season two, urge listeners to take a stance of curiosity for one another over assumptions as the episodes explore life through shared stories and honest conversation. The producers released BrasilFest: New Ideas Embedded in Roots on March 2 and will release additional episodes on March 23, April 13, April 27 and May 18. www.yesandpodcast.libsyn.com.
Although in-studio viewing and tours have been suspended, KEXP continues to broadcast at 90.3FM and live stream at www.kexp.org. The KEXP website also offers a guide for musicians and fans confronting the impacts of COVID-19, with links to helpful resources.
Classical KING FM, Seattle Center’s newest resident, provides many ways to explore the region’s classical music scene. At 8 p.m., Friday, March 20, the Byrd Ensemble performs works from a cancelled concert live on KING FM. At 9:30 p.m. Sunday evenings, KING FM continues its regular live broadcast of the St. Mark’s Cathedral Compline service. With the cathedral closed to the public, the choir will sing to an empty sanctuary. KING is partnering with Seattle Opera to broadcast archival recordings of full operas Saturday mornings. Those interested in exploring the opportunities and viewing a collection of local performances previously aired on KING FM can find them at www.king.org and www.king.org/2020/03/13/the-music-continues.
Northwest Folklife offers a variety of audio and video stories, performances and community encounters at www.nwfolklife.org/listen.
Pacific Science Center features hands-on, fun science explorations to do at home through its website. Site visitors can also read about the outbreak on the Center’s Understanding COVID-19 webpage and tune in to its Science in the City livestream event, COVID-19: Connect with the Experts, 7 p.m., Tuesday, March 24. Learn more at www.Pacsci.org.
Seattle Opera is live streaming its monthly Opera Talk, 7 p.m., Tuesday, March 24, hosted by Seattle Opera dramaturg Jonathan Dean. More details on this and other live streaming opportunities are listed at www.seattleopera.org.
TeenTix offers arts-curious teens several virtual opportunities to meet their peers through online forums. TeenTix members receive deeply discounted arts and entertainment tickets, and during this event-restricted time, they can live stream OntheBoardsTV.com and Seattle Symphony concerts. Interested teens can check it all out at www.teentix.org.
Spring is a lovely time to roam the 74-acre Seattle Center campus, and visitors may explore the Center’s history and public art collection by downloading a free mobile app: www.seattlecenterarttour.com. Aptly names See It All, the tour leads listeners past 25 works of art, offering a unique look into the Center’s captivating story.
Seattle Center encourages the public to explore these virtual experiences through this period of solitude and isolation as a reminder of the Center’s role in inspiring spirit and building community. Our hope is that you and your family partake in these online encounters until the time comes for us to gather again. To learn more about events and activities at Seattle Center, visit www.seattlecenter.com or call 206 684-7200.
About Seattle Center:
Connect to the extraordinary at Seattle Center, an active civic, arts and family gathering place in the core of our region. More than 30 cultural, educational, sports and entertainment organizations that reside on the grounds, together with a broad range of public and community programs, create thousands of events on the 74-acre campus and attract over 12 million visitors each year. At Seattle Center, part of Uptown Arts & Cultural District, our purpose is to create exceptional events, experiences and environments that delight and inspire the human spirit to build stronger communities. Activities at the Center generate $1.864 billion in business activity and $631 million in labor income.
