What’s Next for Harbor Island Studios?

View this email in your browser This Week in Art + Performance Love Is Blind was filmed here. COURTESY OF KING COUNTY ARTS What's Next for Harbor Island Studios? Last Monday, members of the Washington film community sent out an emergency call to action. King County was about to finalize the biennial budget, they said, and the County Council planned to withdraw funding from Harbor Island Studios, Washington's only county-owned sound stage asset. At the County Council meeting the next day, a staggering 67 out of the 92 in-person public commenters were there to talk about the importance of retaining funds for Harbor Island. The resounding takeaway was that Harbor Island Studios is a critical resource for the local film industry and that a loss of funds would be devastating, forcing many workers to move out of state to pursue their livelihood. Several speakers also pointed out that the film industry supports surrounding businesses and that its loss could have a profound ripple effect on the local economy. Through a last-minute amendment, the Council saved the film stage. But it's only funded for the next six months. So what's next for Harbor Island Studios? Julianne Bell has the full story here! Today's Stranger Suggests: Built to Spill, Papas, Larry Yes See Built to Spill this week at the Neptune. COURTESY OF SUB POP Built to Spill is the best thing to come out of Idaho since the potato crop. Doug Martsch has been rocking out Boise-style since '92. In that sense, they're a "legacy act." But good songs never die, and There's Nothing Wrong With Love and Keep It Like a Secret are timeless because they were never super on trend. Built to Spill always did its own thing and you can see them tonight at the Neptune! Pie, Pie, My Darling Millions of grocery-store pumpkin pies are sold every year—are any worth buying? A Stranger investigation. Stranger Suggests: Dead Bugs, One Decent Reason to Leave the House on Black Friday, and the Perfect Pie Crust One Really Great Thing to Do Every Day of the Week ADVERTISEMENT Celebrate the "Season of Cheer" in Bellevue by attending International Ballet Theatre's performance of The Nutcracker at the Meydenbauer Theatre. Matinee and evening performances every weekend December 5-23. A holiday performance for the entire family Reserved Seating $65, Youth to age 14, $45. Choreography by Vera Altunina with music by Tchaikovsky, of course. Monster Couch It Took Me Two Years to Ditch My Terrible Couch, and for What?   The Virginia Inn Has New Owners—the Stolen Historic Sign Is Back Up, Too Four Longtime Employees Have Purchased the 122-Year-Old Bar and Restaurant   ADVERTISEMENT Derek Sheen Live Taping Comedy Special "Unrelatable" Thursday, Dec.4th, Doors 8pm - Show 8:30pm @ Clock-Out Lounge Join acclaimed comedian Derek Sheen for the live taping of his fifth comedy special, Unrelatable! Known for his dark humor, sharp storytelling & fearless honesty, Sheen brings his most personal & hilarious material yet to the stage. Don't miss this one-night-only event as he records what promises to be his boldest special to date. Get tickets here. The Giving Spree 15 Gifts You Can Make, Buy Locally, or Find in a Drawer, So You Don't Have to Give Money to Billionaires This Holiday Season   Mythic Currents Priscilla Dobler Dzul's Cosmology Flows From Cenote to Sound   ADVERTISEMENT The Beat Goes On Heart's Ann and Nancy Wilson Reflect on Five Decades of Enduring Magic   Copyright © 2025 The Stranger, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: The Stranger 1101 E. Pike St. Suite 300 Seattle, WA 98122 Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.