From our inbox this morning (abridged):

I am a small business owner of Café Vega on 19th and Yesler in Seattle’s Central Area. I have lived in Seattle for 16 years and am proud to live in and help build economic development in the neighborhood.

As an African American man and a parent of two young children of color, I know the importance of cultural institutions that reinforce positive images of our communities. One of the most pivotal institutions for my family for creating this type of space has been the Langston Hughes Performing Art Center.

Over the past few years, I have proudly watched the programs at Langston grow and felt comfort that, just two blocks from my café, something wonderful was happening. We’ve seen plays, dance, film, and music that cannot be found anywhere in this town. The synergy of being located near a vibrant performing arts center strengthens my hope and faith in our rapidly gentrifying neighborhood.

In the past few days I learned that Artistic Director Jacqueline Moscou — the woman who has spearheaded Langston’s transition from a recreation center into a major civic arts organization — has been unceremoniously removed from her position. Moscou, a well-known actor, director, and community leader, led the institution and development of the groundbreaking arts programming that has emerged in recent years.

The marquee at Langston now reads “ Dinah Was Cancelled - for more information call (206) 684-7241.” The number you call is not Langston Hughes. What’s going on at Langston? Has this organization abandoned its commitment to the arts? There was no announcement and no statement to the community regarding the future of Langston’s arts programs.

I attended a meeting of the center’s advisory council meeting last night expecting to hear some discussion related to this matter. There was none. The advisory council did, however take my name and ask me to sell tickets to their annual fundraiser. No mention was even made of her position, although the council is still touting her as a “renowned artistic director” in the fundraising materials they were handing out last night. With no artistic director and no vision for Langston’s future as an arts organization what would I be raising funds for?

Please ask Langston Hughes to explain why they dismissed their artistic director and help tell the community what has happened at their arts organization.

Thank you,

Andre Helmstetter
Owner, Café Vega
Central Area resident

Well, The Dinah Washington story was cancelled because the leading actress injured herself during the run, no controversy there. (And the phone number is to Seattle Park and Recreation, which runs Langston Hughes.)

But as for Ms. Moscou? The receptionist at Langston Hughes said nobody there was available to talk, but that Ms. Moscou is “on administrative leave” and “that’s all I know.”

I imagine we’ll know soon enough—I called Mr. Helmstetter’s cafe, where a harried-sounding woman said Helmstetter was on vacation, but that she’d already fielded a few calls from reporters.