Wednesday night, local artist SassyBlack hosted a new variety show called First Forty, located at 18th and Union in the Central District. In front of a sold-out audience of 49, Black performed songs from both old releases and her upcoming LP, Ancient Mahogany Gold. The show also featured a stand-up routine by Black and a special interview with a surprise guest, Black’s father, Ron Harris-White.

SassyBlack welcomes her guests to First Forty — an intimate variety show by SassyBlack at 18th & Union.

Catherine Harris-White, aka SassyBlack, starts the show with new music from her upcoming release, Ancient Mahogany Gold.

Black is a one-woman show, setting the stage, mixing the music, and entertaining the crowd throughout her solo act.

Black shifts the tone with a comedy set, a new addition to her typical routine.

Black recalls the time a baby on the street questioned if she was in the right neighborhood, drawing upon times she's been confronted with stereotypes around Seattle.

One of Black's goals is an open dialogue with her audiences where she share her views and provides insight into the entertainment industry.

Black also makes poignant remarks about the struggles of being an emerging artist in the region, including little pay for big shows.

Black smiles at her family in the front row, who came out to support the show. Black shares that she and her family are very close and spent the previous night playing Uno together.

All of Black's songs are originals, as she believes part of being a musical artist is writing music. She recalls the time she was heartbroken after learning that NSYNC didn't write all their own music.

Black takes a moment to plug her newest album, Ancient Mahogany Gold, dropping September 13th.

She then treats the audience to a favorite song, "Daria."

Black welcomes a special guest to the floor for an interview.

Her father, Ron Harris-White, joins Sassy in dialogue to share his experience and wisdom in life, music, and many other things throughout the interview.

Harris-White says he can't express enough how proud he is of Black and her achievements as an artist and explains how he helped teach her everything she knows.

Father and daughter recall childhood lessons and musical inspirations.

Black rocks some meta kicks.

Harris-White shares stories about growing up in Harlem and the Bronx, then moving to Seattle. He jokes about "ghosting" people who try to call him. Now that he's a retired man, he prefers to spend his time reflecting on his career and being with family.

Black makes a face as her dad shares a story about when he was in PR and Black starred in one of his service messages about recycling.

Black says she's typically very private but has invited the whole family tonight because she is so proud of them — the feeling is clearly mutual.

Black's last act involves an instrument that is new to her but has long been a part of her musical inspiration: the omnichord.

Black recalls the first time she saw an omnichord — on a train with Giorgio Moroder, an Italian musician credited as the "Father of Disco."

Black ends the show with an original song, "Black Excellence," inspired by the frequent questions she receives regarding black people living in Seattle. "Just remember," Black said. "Black people are everywhere."

Black closes her show with a smile, reminding the audience that she will be doing a free show as part of Bellevue's Bellweather arts week on September 14th, after her newest album is released.