News and Events in Seattle: April and Beyond

New Civil Rights Play

The Negro Passion Play, (pictured) a dramatic depiction of the Passion of Jesus Christ within the context of the American Civil Rights Movement, comes to Seattle University via Brownbox Theatre, for four performances only: April 8, 10, 15, and 17, in the Campion Ballroom.

Tyrone Brown, founder and artistic director of Brownbox Theatre, has presented works in Seattle and at the prestigious Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland. Above from left are  choreographer Dani Tirrell and Tyrone Brown. For more information go to www.thenegropassionplay.brownpapertickets.com.

Photo by Kenneth Shook

Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute April Partnership Performances

The Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute features a number of partnership performances this April, including: The Lost Voice by Seattle composer Aaron Grad on April 6, pay-what-you-can; the Soweto Gospel Choir Sing-Along on April 10, free to the public but with seating limited to 300; and The Ernest Pumphrey Revue’s Salute to the 60’s and Motown on April 11, tickets $25 in advance. All performances at the newly refurbished Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute, at 104 17th Ave. S., Seattle, WA98144.

For more information go to www.langstoninstitute.org

Hasegawa’s ‘Days Of Faith’ Bill Signed Into Law

Public employees and students in public schools will be allowed to take up to two days off each year for reasons of faith or conscience under legislation signed into law this week by Gov. Jay Inslee.

Hasegawa’s legislation is designed to provide flexibility to peoples and faiths that don’t fit conveniently into the standard calendar. The two most important Muslim and Jewish holidays, for example, fall not on consistent days each year but on different days due to the shorter lunar calendar year and the methods for determining the dates.  Buddhists, Sikhs, Hindus, Native Americans and numerous other faiths and cultures can benefit from this new bill.

Hasegawa plans to attend a multicultural celebration of the bill’s passage soon and invites anyone who would like to participate to contact his district office at 206-858-8041 for more details.

The Seattle Public Library Offers Free Classes on Becoming a U.S. Citizen

The Seattle Public Library is offering free classes to help individuals prepare for the U.S. Citizenship Test from 10:30 a.m. to noon Saturdays, April 5 through June 21 at the Central Library, 1000 Fourth Ave.

Library events and programs are free and everyone is welcome. Parking is available in the Central Library garage for $6 on weekends. No class on April 19 and May 24.

The classes will cover all aspects of the citizenship test, including U.S. history and civics, reading and writing practice, and the questions covered on the Application for Naturalization.

The classes are presented in partnership with the St. James ESL Program.

For more information, call The Seattle Public Library at 206-386-4636 or Ask a Librarian.

Video Voters Guide for Special Election Now Available On King CountyTV

The ballots for the special April 22 election are on their way to voters and KingCountyTV is set to provide you information on King County Transportation District Proposition 1 with the launching of its Video Voters Guide.

The non-partisan video guide offers speakers up to two minutes to issue a prepared statement that outlines their support and opposition to the ballot measure. 

KingCountyTV will carry the Video Voters Guide at various times on Comcast and Wave Cable 22. You can find specific viewing times at www.kingcounty.gov/kctv. You can also view the guide on the Seattle Channel and many local government access channels on Cable 21.

The Video Voters Guide is a collaboration of KingCountyTV and the Seattle Ethics and Elections Commission.

KingCountyTV provides a transparent view into the operations of County government and the issues affecting our region. It can be seen in 450,000 cable households throughout KingCounty.

Seattle Public Library Offers Free Information Sessions on Adoption and Foster Care

Get information about adoption and foster care, including information about placement agencies, types of adoption, adoption and foster care costs, and how to get started, at several free information sessions at The Seattle Public Library. See below for times, dates and locations.

Library events and programs are free and everyone is welcome. Parking is available in the Central Library garage at the regular rates. Free parking is available at the branches.

Families Like Ours, a Seattle-based adoption exchange, will answer questions about adoption and foster care.

-- 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday, April 21 at the Ballard Branch, 5614 22nd Ave. N.W.

-- 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sunday, May 11 at the Wallingford Branch, 1501 N. 45th St.

-- 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 28 at the Greenwood Branch, 8016 Greenwood Ave. N.

-- 2 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Sunday, June 15 at the Columbia Branch, 4721 Rainier Ave. S.

-- 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, June 23 at the SouthPark Branch, 8604 Eighth Ave. S.

-- 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, June 28 at the University Branch, 5009 Roosevelt Way N.E.

For more information, call The Seattle Public Library at 206-386-4636 or Ask a Librarian.

 For more events visit The Skanner News Community Calendar