Assistant Editor (Arts)

Seth Sommerfeld runs the arts department at Seattle Met, crafting the magazine's On the Town section, editing the Culture Fiend blog, and contributing to reader service features such as “The Ultimate Seahawks Guide” and the front-of-the-book department, Mudroom.

Seth has written about music and culture for Rolling Stone, Spin, Pacific Northwest Inlander, Charleston Post and Courier, Syracuse Post-Standard, and Billings Gazette. He also extensively covered the NBA Draft for years for Fox Sports and NBADraft.net, and was published as part of Myth, Media, and Culture in Star Wars: An Anthology.

Originally from Billings, Montana, Seth first lived in Washington while earning an undergraduate degree in journalism and broadcasting at Gonzaga University. He followed up those studies at Syracuse University, where he earned a master’s degree in arts journalism.

Festival Prep

Your Guide to Sasquatch 2018

Advice and thoughts for navigating that lineup poster, from big font to small.

05/24/2018 By Mac Hubbard

Summer Arts 2017

Seattle's Must-See, Must-Do Events This Summer

Fun in the sun (and occasionally inside too).

06/14/2017 By Seth Sommerfeld

Met Picks

The Top Things to See or Do in Seattle: June 2017

Game on at the Northwest Pinball and Arcade Show, catch three Pacific Northwest Ballet premieres, and spend some time alone with Chastity Belt.

05/31/2017 By Seth Sommerfeld

Ticket Alerts

The Seattle International Film Festival 2017 Lineup Has Arrived

With 400 films on the docket, you'll need time to plan out your fest before grabbing tickets.

05/03/2017 By Seth Sommerfeld

Bang For Your Buck

Cheap Week: May 2–7

Pacific Northwest Ballet looks at diversity in dance, iFest brings independent video gaming to Seattle Center, and Me First and the Gimmie Gimmies plays its greatest hits (which are actually other bands' hits).

05/02/2017 By Kelli Kauakanilehua Adams Edited by Seth Sommerfeld

Interview

Emily Nussbaum and the Art of Analyzing Television

Talking about writing about watching with 'The New Yorker' TV critic before she visits town for Seattle Arts and Lectures 'Women You Need to Know' series.

05/01/2017 By Seth Sommerfeld

Theater Review

'Here Lies Love' Turns Romance and Politics into a Disco Dance Party

David Byrne and Fatboy Slim's musical about the Marcos regime offers a unique and immersive theatrical experience at Seattle Rep.

04/27/2017 By Seth Sommerfeld

Met Picks

The Top Things to See or Do in Seattle: May 2017

Museum of Flight focuses on the Space Race, Eugene Mirman peddles his delightful absurdity, and Seattle Shakespeare infuses the Bard with jazz.

04/26/2017 By Seth Sommerfeld

Ticket Alerts

Hot 'Damn.' Kendrick Lamar Comes to the Tacoma Dome in August

The superstar rapper heads to the Pacific Northwest with another freshly minted hit record.

04/26/2017 By Seth Sommerfeld

Summer Festivals

Lorde and Odesza Headline Bumbershoot 2017

The Labor Day Weekend festivities also include Weezer, Haim, Solange, Flume, the Roots, Spoon, and more.

04/25/2017 By Seth Sommerfeld

Bang For Your Buck

Cheap Week: April 24–30

Seattle Symphony turns to Andy Warhol for inspiration, Timothy Zahn breathes new life into the Star Wars extended universe, and Diet Cig bounces around the Barboza stage.

04/24/2017 By Kelli Kauakanilehua Adams Edited by Seth Sommerfeld

Classical & More

Ludovic Morlot Will Leave Seattle Symphony in 2019

The Symphony's musical director and conductor ushered in an award-winning new era since his arrival in 2011.

04/24/2017 Photography by Seth Sommerfeld

Hot Take

Panels That Should Probably Exist at Upstream Music Fest and Summit

Sure, Paul Allen’s inaugural Upstream Fest brings more than 100 local acts and a slew of music industry panels to town this month, but here are a few talks we wish were on the roster.

04/20/2017 By Seth Sommerfeld

Performance

Cirque du Soleil Dreams of Mexico with 'Luzia'

The theatrical circus troupe heads south of the border with its new show at Marymoor Park.

04/19/2017 By Seth Sommerfeld

Bang for your buck

Cheap Week: April 17–24

Mount Eerie deals with loss through song, MoPop fuses musical and political discussions at this year's Pop Conference, and the Leafly Comedy Tour caters to the 4/20 crowd.

04/17/2017 By Kelli Kauakanilehua Adams Edited by Seth Sommerfeld

Points of Reference

How the New Pornographers Built 'Whiteout Conditions' with Krautrock and Legos

AC Newman chats about how Neu!, the Feelies, and his son's toys influenced the band's new record.

04/11/2017 By Seth Sommerfeld

Bang For Your Buck

Cheap Week: April 10–16

Upstart Britpop band Blossoms visits Vera Project, Jet City takes improvised aim at the tech world, and 'FoodArt Invitational' explores culinary aesthetics.

04/10/2017 By Kelli Kauakanilehua Adams Edited by Seth Sommerfeld

Film

Seattle International Film Festival 2017 Opens with 'The Big Sick'

The Judd Apatow–produced comedy tells the real story of Kumail Nanjiani ('Silicon Valley') falling for his wife as she was falling ill.

04/10/2017 By Seth Sommerfeld

Theater

David Byrne Discusses the Hedonistic Musical Magic of 'Here Lies Love'

A chat with the iconic musician (and Seattle Rep artistic director Braden Abraham) about the one-of-a-kind political disco theatrical experience.

04/06/2017 By Seth Sommerfeld