Categorizing herself as alternative soul, Whitney Monge has poured everything, including her soul, into music. Spending most of her days, year-round, busking outside the choice spots at Pike Place Market (a position she worked hard for, after years performing on the Market’s less-desirable cobblestone walkways), Monge opens herself to every passer by hoping to make a connection. Stop for a moment to chat with her and you’ll understand what we mean. She isn’t limited to busking at the Market, either: She plays prolifically throughout the city, booking as many shows, events, festivals, and venues as possible, all in the name of the game. Whether she’s performing outdoors or playing a long-booked gig, Monge’s music isn’t just a career, it’s a way of life. This singular artist takes all that on and pushes forward with tenacity. whitneymonge.com

Read all of our picks for Arts & Culture, and explore the rest of this year’s edition of Best of Seattle.