The Stranger's 2026 Genius Awards With Shabazz Palaces

The Stranger's Genius Awards returns to the Moore Theatre for an art party with a purpose: six $10,000 grants, no strings attached, are given to local visionaries across Film, Food, Literature, Music, Performance, and Visual Art. DJ Erik Blood spins a welcome set as the evening gets going, and the ceremony is hosted by Miss Texas 1988 and Lady GuGu.

Once the awards are handed out, Shabazz Palaces takes the stage for the headline set. From there, the party moves to the basement, where DJ La Mala Noche keeps the crowd dancing. It's a night that pairs a high-energy celebration with direct support for the artists and creators who shape Seattle's cultural scene.