Meet Me Here

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 [email protected]. Got an arts idea you want to pitch KUOW? Email us at [email protected] 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 [email protected]. Got an arts idea you want to pitch KUOW? Email us at [email protected] 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 [email protected]. Got an arts idea you want to pitch KUOW? Email us at [email protected] 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.