Meet Me Here

Meet Me Here listeners, if you still don't have any plans for this weekend, fear not. The Weekend Warmup is here to help with a whole bunch of ideas for fun things to do around the region this weekend. Hosted by KUOW's Jason Megatron Burrows.  LINKS: Olympic Opening Ceremony Olympic Women's Hockey @ Rough & Tumble Ballard Full Watch Party Schedule Ear Hustle | Town Hall Seattle Eagle Festival | Arlington, WA Enumclaw Wine & Chocolate Festival Chocolate “Escape Room” challenge Washington State Gaming Expo / Anime Washington The Grave Plot Film Fest Seahawks at Patriots Super Bowl LX Game Center Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/meet  Meet Me Here is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We made our hosts read (some of)  Infinite Jest, the thousand-page novel by David Foster Wallace that turns 30 this month, to answer the question once and for all: Do we have to read this book? The publishing world hailed Wallace as a genius voice of his generation when Infinite Jest became a bestseller in 1996. Interest in the book has spiked many times since then: with Wallace’ death by suicide in 2008; again after accusations in 2012 that he had abused and stalked women; and again now that Infinite Jest is 30. If you want to check it out from the Seattle Public Library, you'll have to get in line. But there’s no hold time for this episode of Meet Me Here. This episode discusses sexual assault and stalking. Please take care while listening. Guest: KUOW producer Will James  Book recommendations: Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler Lit by Mary Karr On the Road by Jack Kerouac Infinite Jest by David Foster Wallace We by Yevgeny Zamyatin   Event recommendations from this week’s episode:Merlantis at Base Camp Studios in Seattle’s Belltown neighborhood, through March 27 My Circus Valentine at the Bellingham Circus Guild, Feb. 12-14, 20 & 21See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Me Here listeners, if you still don't have any plans for this weekend, fear not. The Weekend Warmup is here to help with a whole bunch of ideas for fun things to do around the region this weekend. Hosted by KUOW's Jason Megatron Burrows.  LINKS: Washington Sportsmen's Show Tacoma Home + Garden Show Heated Rivalry Rave | Neumos sQuatch Fest + Galactic Fest 2026 For Your Consideration - SIFF The Chronology of Water - SIFF Battle of the Sound: Seattle Thunderbirds vs Everett Silvertips Tacoma Tattoo Expo 2026 Seattle Wedding Show Drag Queen Bingo - Chuck’s Hop Shop Seward Park Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/meet  Meet Me Here is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Seattle-area drag scene has grown into the national spotlight. Two local queens, Jinkx Monsoon and BenDeLaCreme, have won the franchised competition show RuPaul’s Drag Race. Other locals have passed through the show, like Bosco, Irene the Alien, and, currently on the 18th season, Jane Don’t. Seattle drag shows operate in a DIY, underground way, thriving off an engaged fanbase and a regional circuit of clubs. When an art form blows up on the national scene, like grunge did in the '90s, can it lose what made it special in the first place? Diving into this question and revealing the big picture of Seattle's drag queen scene are our guests: Journalist Adam Willems with Chum News and Miss Texas 1988.Read Adam's coverage of Seattle's drag scene here: Can Seattle drag afford to stay weird? Also, a visit to a live performance of Seattle's Dungeons & Drag Queens Live, featuring Kylie Mooncakes, Ma'amShe, and Irene the Alien. You haven't experienced anything like this.  Have you gone to an event you heard about on Meet Me Here? Tell us how it went! Email us at meetmehere@kuow.org.  Your support helps create shows like Seattle Now, Soundside, and Meet Me Here! Become a KUOW member todaySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Me Here listeners, if you still don't have any plans for this weekend, fear not. The Weekend Warmup is here to help with a whole bunch of ideas for fun things to do around the region this weekend. Hosted by KUOW's Jason Megatron Burrows.  LINKS: Edible Books — Shorelake Arts GameSymphonic with Eímear Noone | Seattle Symphony Pacific NW Reptile & Exotic Animal Show Jet City Roller Derby 20th Anniversary Season Game 1 5th Annual Viking Beard Competition Anaheim Ducks at Seattle Kraken - Fri 1/23 - 7pm New Jersey Devils at Seattle Kraken - Sun 1/25 - 12pm Seattle Torrent vs Vancouver Goldeneyes - Sun 1/25 - 3pm IN DENVER Seahawks NFC Championship Game - Seahawks vs LA Rams - Sun 1/25 - 3:30 Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/meet  Meet Me Here is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we are hitting the books with our book bestie Spencer Ruchti, the events manager at Third Place Books. We dig through the Seattle reads that skyrocketed to the top of so many TBR lists in 2025 and... why hardcover books are the Porsche of books. Plus, we give you some tips for setting book-ish goals for reading more in 2026.  And… if you need some help filling that book shaped void after listening to the episode, here’s Spencer and Katie’s Recommended If You Liked (RIYL): On the Calculations of Volume by Solvej Balle You Dreamed of Empires by Álvaro Enrigue Third Place Book Events Third Place Top 10 of 2025: https://www.thirdplacebooks.com/our-top-ten-books-2025  Explore the Seattle Room at the Seattle Public Library  KUOW Book Club https://www.kuow.org/series/books   Crux by Gabriel Tallent Event recommendations from this week’s episode:Broadview Branch 50th Anniversary Celebration, Saturday, January 24, 2026 Got a book rec? Tell us about your favorite books of 2025 or the ones you can’t wait to read in 2026 meetmehere@kuow.org. Your support helps create shows like Seattle Now, Soundside, and Meet Me Here! Become a KUOW member today.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Me Here listeners, if you still don't have any plans for this weekend, fear not. The Weekend Warmup is here to help with a whole bunch of ideas for fun things to do around the region this weekend. Hosted by KUOW's Jason Megatron Burrows.  LINKS: SEATTLE SEAHAWKS vs San Francisco 49ers - Saturday 5pm Seattle Torrent vs Boston Fleet - Sun 7pm Seattle Kraken vs Pittsburgh Penguins - Mon 2pm Seattle Retro Fest Monster Jam | Tacoma Dome Fat Con Kidstock! 2026 | Edmonds Center for the Arts Follow the Yellow Brick Road: An Oz Film Festival 2026 Winterhop Brewfest MLK Day Events: Annual Community Celebration of MLK | Seattle Colleges - Fri 1/16 2026 MLK Day March & Celebration on January 17 - Parkways - Sat 1/17  26th Annual Expansions MLK Unity Party and Live Broadcast - Sun 1/18 MLK Celebration 2026 - Bainbridge Island Museum of Art - Sunday 1/18 Events | SCBHC - Everett, WA Sun 1/18 - Celebration + Mon 1/19 - March & Rally MLK Day — Seattle MLK Jr Organizing Coalition - Mon 1/19 NAAM | Annual Martin Luther King Day Celebration 2026 - Mon 1/19 Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/meet  Meet Me Here is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

February is blah season. The weather is cold and wet and the fun of the holiday season is long gone. But never fear! Meet Me Here hosts Katie Campbell, Jeannie Yandel, and Dyer Oxley are here with their top picks for February arts and culture events to get us through. Their recommendations include:  A surrealist blues poet known for her breathtaking Tiny Desk Concert. An anime convention featuring some of the hottest voice actors of our time. And a modern opera about a gay love story set in the McCarthy era.  Anime Washington - Washington State Fair and Events Center, Feb 6-8 KUOW Book Talks with Author Coll Thrush - Seattle Public Library - Central Library, Feb 26 Camille Trautman Exhibit - The Frye Museum, through April 12 Death Stranding: Strands of Harmony - Paramount Theatre, Feb 4  Elden Ring: Symphonic Adventure w/Seattle Symphony - Benaroya Hall, Feb 25 & 26 Aja Monet w/Seattle Arts & Lectures - Town Hall Seattle, Feb 5 Fellow Travelers w/Seattle Opera - McCaw Hall, Feb 21- March 1  Thomas Mallon w/Katie Campbell - The Wyncote NW Forum at Town Hall Seattle, Feb 20 Bonus links: Voice over artist May Hong Voice over artist Jen Taylor Aja Monet’s Tiny Desk Concert Have you gone to an event you heard about on Meet Me Here? Tell us how it went! Email us at meetmehere@kuow.org.  Your support helps create shows like Seattle Now, Soundside, and Meet Me Here! Become a KUOW member todaySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Me Here listeners, if you still don't have any plans for this weekend, fear not. The Weekend Warmup is here to help with a whole bunch of ideas for fun things to do around the region this weekend. Hosted by KUOW's Jason Megatron Burrows.  LINKS:  2025 Sundance Film Festival Short Film Tour - Northwest Film Forum David Horsey | Elliott Bay Book Company OrcaCon Tabletop Games Convention  Seattle Travel and Adventure Show Great Train Show 2026 - Ridgefield, WA Seattle Bach Festival Jules Maes Saloon - Prohibition Party Seattle Torrent vs Minnesota Frost Official Watch Party at Rough & Tumble Ballard Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/meet  Meet Me Here is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Superhero movies are important reflections of our cultural moment. In 2026 we have some big hitters coming from Marvel and DC, and a potential power shift in super cinematic glory. Local film reviewer Tim Hall walks us through DC’s renewal, previews the big movie Marvel is saving for the holidays, and gives a sneak peek at the streaming show you won’t want to miss–even if you think you don’t like comic books. Where’s your favorite place to meet up around arts and culture in the region? Drop us a line at meetmehere@kuow.org.  Got an arts idea you want to pitch KUOW? Email us at arts@kuow.org  Your support helps create shows like Seattle Now, Soundside, and Meet Me Here!  Become a KUOW member today.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Whether you devour 50 books a year or haven’t picked one up in months, we all get into reading ruts. So, let’s fix that.  Seattle Readers, it’s time to get into that reading groove and we’ve got you covered with tips, tricks, and a whole bunch of empathy. Seattle Public Library’s Stesha Brandon joins us for some literary hot takes, tips for getting out of a reading rut, and she explains why walking your cat is a perfect time to listen to audiobooks. And… if you need even more help filling that book-shaped void, here’s Stesha and Katie’s Recommended If You Liked (RIYL): getting into your reading groove The River Has Roots Amal El-Mohtar The Husbands by Holly Gramazio The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley Jane Austen (anything)  In Cold Blood by Truman Capote Mapping the Interior Stephen Graham Jones Hell Is A World Without You by Jason Kirk Out There Screaming by Jordan Peele Your Next Five via The Seattle Public Library Welcome to Night Vale, a podcast This episode originally ran in August 2025.    Where’s your favorite place to meet up around arts and culture in the region? Drop us a line at meetmehere@kuow.org.  Got an arts idea you want to pitch KUOW? Email us at arts@kuow.org  Your support helps create shows like Seattle Now, Soundside, and Meet Me Here!  Become a KUOW member today.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

More and more Native Hawaiians are moving to the Pacific Northwest. In fact, Washington state has the third largest number of Kanaka Maoli, or Native Hawaiians, outside of Hawaii and California. As they move here, people are bringing their beloved customs and traditions with them. Like the artform of making lei, which are garlands made using all kinds of materials including flowers, nuts, clay and feathers. Seattle Times business reporter Megan Ulu-Lani Boyanton belongs to this community and was curious about how cultural traditions and customs have evolved in the Seattle area. Her article, Hawaiian lei makers blossom in Seattle area, but challenges grow, dives into this issue. Boyanton spoke with Meet Me Here host Jeannie Yandel about what she learned from local lei-makers for this story, and about the history of lei in Hawaii.  This interview originally ran on KUOW's daily news podcast, Seattle Now.    Where’s your favorite place to meet up around arts and culture in the region? Drop us a line at meetmehere@kuow.org.  Got an arts idea you want to pitch KUOW? Email us at arts@kuow.org  Your support helps create shows like Seattle Now, Soundside, and Meet Me Here!  Become a KUOW member today.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Me Here listeners, if you still don't have any plans for this weekend, fear not. The Weekend Warmup is here to help with a whole bunch of ideas for fun things to do around the region this weekend. Hosted by KUOW's Jason Megatron Burrows.  LINKS: The 29th Annual Model Train Festival - Washington State Historical Society Opens Fri 12/19 - runs through Jan 1, 2026 2025 Winter Beer Fest – WA Brewers Guild  Fri/Sat - 12/19-20 Hell’s Belles at the Croc Sat 12/20 United Indians Native Art Market » United Indians of All Tribes Foundation - Daybreak Star Sat/Sun - 12/20-21 Seattle Torrent vs Boston Fleet Sun 12/21 - 2pm Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/meet  Meet Me Here is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When you visit an art museum, you are the VIP. At least according to art curator and Schmidt Ocean Institute artist-at-sea-manager, Haley Ha. She says the people who work behind the scenes at art museums care enormously about visitors and their experiences.  One result from all that work? Haley says art museums are places where you slow down, enjoy yourself, and connect with yourself or with friends.  Haley also gives us the inside scoop about three of her favorite pieces at the Seattle Asian Art Museum, where she previously worked. They include a deeply moving sculpture in SAAM's entryway by Kondo Takahiro, Park Young-sook's Moon Jar (which counts among its superfans a member of the K-Pop boy band BTS), and Ai Weiwei's Water Lilies, a 50-foot-long mural made entirely of Legos. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Me Here listeners, if you still don't have any plans for this weekend, fear not. The Weekend Warmup is here to help with a whole bunch of ideas for fun things to do around the region this weekend. Hosted by KUOW's Jason Megatron Burrows.  LINKS:  SPORTS! Seahawks vs Indianapolis Colts - Sun 1:25pm Buffalo Sabres at Seattle Kraken - Sun 5pm Seattle Torrent vs Ottawa Charge - Wed 7pm WildLanterns: Night Owls (21+) - Fri 12/12 Mozart & Mutts: Annual Holiday Concert - Fri 12/12 Jurassic Quest | Washington State Fairgrounds The Naughty Novel Social Club: Krampus Edition DEAF SANTA CLAUS - Sun 12/14 Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/meet  Meet Me Here is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

 Books are the best gift you can give. And this holiday season, our book besties are recommending their favorites of this year and more. Host Katie Campbell opens the mail bag with KUOW producer Brandi Fullwood to find out which books you'll want to give this year… and maybe a few you’ll want to keep for yourself.    Here's a list of some the books our book besties recommend this year: To the Moon and Back by Eliana Ramage Perfection by Vincenzo Latronico Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor I'll Make a Spectacle of You by Beatrice Winifred Iker Archangels of Funk by Andrea Hairston Hild by Nicola Griffith Horsefly by Mireille Gagné Milk Fed by Melissa Broder Looking for even more recommendations? Check out Katie Campbell's write up on KUOW.org: https://www.kuow.org/stories/holiday-gift-guide-books-ditch-gift-cards-gimmicks-seattle-readers  Your support helps create shows like Seattle Now, Soundside, and Meet Me Here!  Become a KUOW member today.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Me Here listeners, if you still don't have any plans for this weekend, fear not. The Weekend Warmup is here to help with a whole bunch of ideas for fun things to do around the region this weekend. Hosted by KUOW's Jason Megatron Burrows.  LINKS:  Live Wire with Lindy West, Meagan Hatcher-Mays, Mohanad Elshieky, R. Eric Thomas, The Brudi Brothers, and Rick Steves WTO/99 - Northwest Film Forum 21st Annual Urban Craft Uprising Winter Show Figgy Pudding Caroling Competition | PMSC-FB KRAMPUS BREMERTON Seattle SantaCon Scintillating sci-fi striptease Kraken vs Detroit - Sat 12/6 Kraken vs Minnesota - Mon 12/8 Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/meet  Meet Me Here is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The holiday season means trees, cookies, family, spirituality, or presents to many. For Meet Me Here's Dyer Oxley, it means it's time to watch his favorite Christmas movie — "Die Hard." This 1988 action flick staring Bruce Willis and Alan Rickman has become a Christmas tradition for many, including the actors behind "A Very Die Hard Christmas," a holiday musical performed at Seattle's Green Lake Bathhouse Theatre each year. But not everyone agrees that "Die Hard" can be a Christmas tradition. Week in Review host Bill Radke is in that camp. He challenges Dyer's "Die Hard" opinion in a special holiday throw down. Bill and Dyer debate a modern holiday question: Is "Die Hard" a Christmas movie? EVENT RECOMENDATION:Seattle Krampus: Go see Krampus at various holiday events in December. Krampus will show up at the Seattle Christmas Market at Seattle Center on Dec. 12-13.   Where’s your favorite place to meet up around arts and culture in the region? Drop us a line at meetmehere@kuow.org.Got an arts idea you want to pitch KUOW? Email us at arts@kuow.org  Help support the local stories you love! Give now at https://www.kuow.org//donate/meet. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Are you meeting up with family or friends over the holidays? Someone will likely be roasting meat and veggies, maybe mashing potatoes and someone else will likely be watching a loud football game on TV. Sports seem almost inevitable this time of year. But what if you’re not a fan? This week, we will give you all the tips and tricks you need to fake your way through a sports conversation this holiday season. No need to fumble that conversation with your uncle. Event Recommendation: Holiday Magic Cabaret - Dec 14 and 20  Where’s your favorite place to meet up around arts and culture in the region? Drop us a line at meetmehere@kuow.org.  Got an arts idea you want to pitch KUOW? Email us at arts@kuow.org  Your support helps create shows like Seattle Now, Soundside, and Meet Me Here!  Become a KUOW member today.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Me Here listeners, if you still don't have any plans for this weekend, fear not. The Weekend Warmup is here to help with a whole bunch of ideas for fun things to do around the region this weekend. Hosted by KUOW's Jason Megatron Burrows.  THIS WEEK: Seattle Christmas Market Julefest 21+ Night Market Renegade Craft Fair - Seattle Winter Warren Miller's Sno-ciety | McCaw Hall Heart - Climate Pledge Arena NEXT WEEK: SPORTS PWHL Home Opener! Seattle Torrent vs Minnesota Frost - Fri 11/28 UW Men’s Football vs Oregon Ducks - Sat 11/29 Kraken vs Edmonton - Sat 11/29 Seahawks vs Vikings - Sun 11/30 Seattle Marathon - Sun 11/30 GeekCraft Expo NOVEMBER ART MARKET — Duwamish Tribe Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/meet  Meet Me Here is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.