The Stranger's 2026 Genius Awards with Special Guest Shabazz Palaces

The Stranger?s Genius Awards are back, baby! Seattle?s best art party returns on September 12 at the Moore Theatre with special guest Shabazz Palaces. Join The Stranger as we award six $10,000 grants to visionaries representing the best Seattle has to offer in Film, Food, Literature, Music, Performance, and Visual Art. That?s right?$10,000 to six outstanding members of Seattle?s cultural community, no strings attached. Because we believe that art fucking matters. VIP pre-party begins at 5:30pm, and doors are at 6:30pm. Enjoy tunes spun by DJ Erik Blood to welcome you to the evening. The awards show runs from 7:30?8:30pm, hosted by the lovely Miss Texas 1988 and Lady GuGu. Shabazz Palaces headlines the event from 9?10pm, followed by a dance party in the basement with tunes by DJ La Mala Noche until 11pm. LFG!