The Royal Room

THE ROYAL ROOM
Seattle, WA

Project: What’s Goin’ On & Staycation Festival

Music in Action funding will support two festivals put on by The Royal Room. "The Staycation Festival" will highlight the foundational role that the African American community has had on American music, featuring popular music in Black culture over the last three decades. "Staycation", originally launched as a livestreamed series during the pandemic, is slated for Labor Day Weekend 2025. "What's Going On - Conduction, Improvisation, and the Culture of Structure" celebrates innovations and musical philosophies of three African American musical conceptualists and would take place in partnership with Earshot Jazz Festival in October.

Venue Info

The Royal Room opened in 2011 in Seattle’s historic south end neighborhood Columbia City. The Royal Room is a partnership between two legendary venue owners Tia Mathies and Steve Freeborn (OK Hotel, The Rabbit Box, Lottie’s Lounge, Rendezvous Café and Jewel Box Theater) and composer/pianist Wayne Horvitz. The Royal Room has become the premiere venue in Seattle’s south end and received multiple awards for its unique programming and warm listening environment from Downbeat magazine and Earshot Jazz among others. In 2016 The South Hudson Music Project was created as a not for profit to foster community engagement and increase sustainability for The Royal Room. The Royal Room features music six nights a week throughout the year, and books a very diverse range of music, from the avant-garde and classical, to songwriters, pop, jazz and more.