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SUNDAY PREVIEW: West Seattle Big Band’s free holiday concert
December 2, 2023 6:46 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

It’s been a big day of event coverage, and it’s not over yet – but we want to give a quick shout-out to one of tomorrow’s biggest events: The West Seattle Big Band‘s free holiday concert at Admiral Church.

If you somehow haven’t seen them, the WSBB – directed by Jim Edwards – is the jazziest show in town, and will be a fun way to play out your weekend. Plus, you can dance if you want to (or just sit and listen)! The show starts at 3 pm, and we’re told cookies are part of the plan. Did we mention, free admission? Admiral Church is at 4320 SW Hill.

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Meet ‘Tracing Alki’ artist
December 2, 2023 10:44 am
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   Utilities | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

If you run, walk, or ride along Alki, you’ve probably seen the recently completed “Tracing Alki” public art at newly overhauled Pump Station 38. The artist, Sarah Thompson Moore, is there until noon to answer questions about it. It’s inspired by old topographical maps of the area and spans the site (1400 block Alki Avenue SW) from the cabinet in the photo to the newly installed safety rail. The concept was announced in 2020, as Seattle Public Utilities prepared for the pump-station renovation.

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WEST SEATTLE ART: Rain City Clay’s 5-day holiday show/sale begins
December 1, 2023 5:24 pm
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 |   Arbor Heights | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

From whimsical – like Kayla Jackson‘s creations, above – to ethereal, like Doris Anderson‘s work below, a wide range of art comprises Rain City Clay‘s holiday show and sale, which opened tonight and continues through Tuesday.

Some of the artists are there too for tonight’s opening party – including Kate Hoffman:

Rain City Clay is in Arbor Heights, at 4208 SW 100th. You can check out the holiday show/sale until 8 pm tonight, 1-5 pm both days this weekend, and 2-7 pm Monday and Tuesday! Other art shows/makers markets are happening tonight and tomorrow too – see our West Seattle Holiday Guide for the full list.

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Light Up the Night, Winter Wander, Kenyon Hall Cabaret, art show/sale openings, more for your West Seattle Friday
December 1, 2023 10:03 am
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 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

(Photo by Ann Anderson)

We have a two-part event list today – starting with highlights from the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide:

LINDA MCCLAMROCK HOLIDAY ART SALE: Mixed-media artist’s annual sale, two days at 5532 SW Lander Pl., starting 4-8 pm tonight – details in our calendar listing.

RAIN CITY CLAY HOLIDAY ART SHOW & SALE: Rain City Clay is hosting a holiday show & sale featuring artists who work with clay, running through Tuesday, opening 4-8 pm tonight. (4208 SW 100th)

HOLIDAY ARTISAN MARKET: Nine artists/makers, 4-8 pm tonight and 10 am-4 pm tomorrow, at Keller Williams Realty (5446 California SW).

MENASHE FAMILY LIGHTS: The Menashe Family Lights are the biggest and brightest \in West Seattle and tonight is scheduled to be the display’s first “official” night of the season. (5605 Beach Drive SW)

CHOCOLATE & WINE WALK: In the “lower Junction,” 5-8 pm, as previewed here – tickets available at check-in location, Bohemian Studios (Fauntleroy/Edmunds).

‘WINTER WANDER’ SCAVENGER HUNT: Alice Kuder presents the “Winter Wander” scavenger hunt again this year – pre-registration open now; email wswinterwander@gmail.com:

The fourth annual Winter Wander Scavenger Hunt will run from 5 PM Friday, Dec. 1st to 7 PM Sunday, Dec. 10th. While intended primarily as a gift to the West Seattle community, the event is free to everyone of all ages. Instructions for this year’s hunt are available for download at wondersinaliceland.com/winter-wander. Clues to the locations of 15 local businesses and five private homes are provided in a Bingo-style clue sheet which will be posted at the same online location at 4 PM on Dec. 1st. Wanderers who submit selfies in front of the correct solutions will be entered into a drawing for duffle bags filled with gift cards and swag from local businesses. A $100 Grand Prize will be awarded to the team that earns the most points during the hunt. Extra points are awarded for donations to West Seattle and White Center Food Banks, as well as Toys for Tots. Register your team here. Register before noon TODAY to earn extra points.

‘LIGHT UP THE NIGHT’: Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish & School invite you to “Light Up the Night,” with music and of course, lights, including the giant tree, highest-altitude community tree in the city! Bring nonperishable food donations to fill the sleigh in the Walmesley Center (which is also where you’ll find a holiday gift fair and craft activities for kids). 7 pm. Caroling, cookies, and cocoa too! (35th SW/SW Myrtle)

‘SNOWED IN’: ArtsWest (4711 California SW; WSB sponsor) presents its holiday production, described as a “a journey of song, dance, friendship, family, and the true meaning of the holidays.” 7:30 pm. Get tickets here.

KENYON HALL CABARET, HOLIDAY EDITION: Drag at Kenyon Hall (7904 California SW), 7:30 pm showtime, all ages.

Now, the non-holiday lineup, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

OPENING DAY AT BANH MI XO: 9 am-4 pm as previewed here. (9003 35th SW)

SSC GARDEN CENTER: It’s still planting season! Shop for plants on the north end of the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus, 10 am-2 pm.

TODDLER GYM: Free drop-in gym at Arbor Heights Community Church, 10 am-11:30 am. (4113 SW 102nd)

SCRABBLE CLUB: You can play 12:30-1:30 pm at Margie’s Café inside the Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon).

VISCON CELLARS: Tasting room/wine bar open – wine by the glass or bottle – 5-9 pm at Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor). Try the newly released red wines!

COFFEEHOUSE MUSIC: 7-9 pm, singer/songwriter Steve Itterly performs at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), all ages, no cover.

DANCE NIGHT AT THE SPOT: Fridays are DJ Dance Night at The Spot West Seattle (2920 SW Avalon Way), 7-10 pm.

‘SCENES ABOUT TEENS’: Chief Sealth International High School‘s new musical has the first of three public performances at 7:30 pm – details in our preview. (2600 SW Thistle)

SOUND HEALING WITH REIKI ENERGY: 7:30 pm at Move2Center (3618 SW Alaska), $35.

CHARMING DISASTER AND MISTER INK: “Prepare for an evening of musical enchantment, mayhem, and cabaret chaos that is sure to captivate and thrill audiences,” 9 pm at 2 Fingers Social (9211 Delridge Way SW)

DJ NIGHT AT REVELRY ROOM: Music 9 pm-1 am on Fridays! (4547 California SW)

Something to add to our calendar? westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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THEATER: ‘Scenes About Teens’ musical at Chief Sealth IHS this Friday and Saturday
November 27, 2023 7:29 pm
|    Comments Off on THEATER: ‘Scenes About Teens’ musical at Chief Sealth IHS this Friday and Saturday
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS culture/arts

The renaissance of Chief Sealth International High School‘s drama program continues – this time with a “musical extravaganza”! This Friday and Saturday, “Scenes About Teens” takes the stage at CSIHS. If you haven’t already seen it in the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, here are the details:

Following the wonderfully successful reinstatement of the drama program at Chief Sealth International High School last year with our production of “She Kills Monsters” by Qui Nguyen, produced with the help of over 50 students and staff members, we are building on that success this year with three productions.

With the support of West Seattle-based BAYFEST Youth Theatre and the surrounding community, the Chief Sealth Drama Company is taking full advantage of the musical talent that already has a strong presence at the school, with our fall production that we are calling “Scenes About Teens: A Musical Extravaganza!”

The show features the full short musical “21 Chump Street” by Lin-Manuel Miranda (Hamilton, In The Heights), as well as excerpts from four other great American musicals, all tied together by scenes and narration. They explore the love, grief, anger, joy, and challenges that teens face everywhere, and make for an emotion- and laughter-filled time in the theater. All the music will be performed live by faculty and student members of the school bands and orchestra.

15 cast members supported by 35+ student costume designers, musicians, set builders, and technical support have been working diligently since September under the guide of a team of faculty and professional directors, designers, and choreographers. Performances will be held in the large Chief Sealth Theater, which features wonderful acoustics, comfortable seating, and is physically accessible.

This show is appropriate for all ages, and we encourage the community to not only experience the amazing work of our students and staff, but to also support the drama program at Chief Sealth as we continue to build this exciting program.

Public performances are at 7:30 pm Friday and Saturday (December 1-2) and 2:30 pm Saturday; the school is at 2600 SW Thistle. Tickets are $5 students, $10 adults, if you buy yours online in advance, or $8/$14 at the door.

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MEET THE ARTIST: ‘Tracing Alki’ celebration at Pump Station 38 next Saturday
November 26, 2023 9:58 am
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 |   Utilities | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Three years after we first reported on the art planned for the Pump Station 38 overhaul in the 1400 block of Alki Avenue SW, the work is complete, and artist Sarah Thompson Moore will be visiting to answer questions about it during a casual celebration. Seattle Public Utilities invites you to stop by between 10 am and noon next Saturday (December 2nd). The work spans the site from a cabinet to the walkway to new safety fencing, and was inspired by an old topographic map of the area. SPU says the pump-station work – mostly to increase its capacity – is finished too, but the newly planted area will remain taped off until sometime next month so it has a chance to get established.

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South Seattle Threshold Singers inviting new members
November 25, 2023 2:00 pm
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 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

If you sing, this is a unique way to use your voice and presence. The South Seattle Threshold Singers asked us to share this announcement as they invite new members:

We are a chapter of Threshold Choir, a nationally known nonprofit network of a cappella choirs whose members volunteer to sing in small groups at the bedsides of those who are at end-of-life.

We invite you to visit the Threshold Choir website at thresholdchoir.org, and our chapter website at thresholdchoir.org/southseattle to learn more about us.

We welcome people who can carry a tune, hold their own part and blend with others in a small group, communicate kindness with their voice, offer a loving presence to those who are dying, and share deeply with other chapter members. The time commitment is an average of ten hours a month.

If this is of potential interest to you, please contact us at sseattlethreshold@gmail.com and we will send you more information.

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CONTINUING ALL WEEKEND: Holiday shopping at Duwamish Longhouse Native Art Market
November 24, 2023 5:31 pm
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 |   Duwamish Tribe | Holidays | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

(WSB photos)

All weekend long, the main hall at the Duwamish Tribe Longhouse is transformed into a one-stop shop for holiday gifts during the annual holiday-season Native Art Market.

We visited this afternoon and photographed some of the artists – above, elk-skin drum maker Margie Morris; below, Coast Salish artist Peter Boome:

They’re among more than 15 vendors this year, as is Sue Shotridge from Raven’s Nest on Vashon:


You can buy food while you’re there too – we noticed more than a few marketgoers enjoying frybread. Also worth the visit, you can see the exhibits in the Cultural Center outside the hall where the market is happening, and shop the Longhouse gift shop too. The market continues Saturday and Sunday (November 25-26), 10 am-7 pm, 4705 W. Marginal Way SW. And if you haven’t been to the Longhouse in a while, note that they now have parking lots immediately north, same side of the street.

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OPENING NEXT WEEK: ArtsWest’s holiday show ‘Snowed In’
November 24, 2023 4:33 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

(Photo courtesy ArtsWest – “Snowed In” cast)

West Seattle’s only playhouse, ArtsWest (WSB sponsor), is days away from opening its holiday show, “Snowed In.” Here’s the ArtsWest explanation of this brand-new homegrown production:

This holiday season, ArtsWest will present the world premiere of “Snowed In,” a new holiday musical by Corinne Park-Buffelen and ArtsWest Artistic Director Mathew Wright. Directed by Kelly Kitchens (Mrs. Caliban, Book-It Repertory Theatre) and featuring beloved Seattle musical theater stars Rachel Guyer-Mafune (ACT’s The Wolves), Christian Quinto (Village Theatre’s Mamma Mia), Sarah Russell (Seattle Rep’s Lydia and the Troll), and Nik Hagen (The 5th Avenue Theatre’s Sweeney Todd), Snowed In performs at ArtsWest from November 29 through December 23. Tickets are available online at artswest.org, or by phone at 206-938.0963.

In this fast-paced musical comedy, four musical theater stars (and best friends) are commissioned by ArtsWest to write the most magical, fabulous, fantastic holiday musical of all time. The only problem is they open tomorrow night and all they have is the opening number. When they get snowed in with no escape, a cozy mountain cabin retreat becomes a drama-filled pressure cooker. Will they finish the show and make it to the stage on time?

Writers Park-Buffelen and Wright have aimed to create a holiday musical that speaks to the now. This production takes all the best elements from vintage holiday TV specials, SNL, the Rockettes, and old Hollywood, and mixes in the humor, voice, and reality of 2023. Co-creator Corinne Park-Buffelen remarks, “The magic of this production is that at the heart of the show, we have cast four real-life friends who have never had the opportunity to take the stage together. Mathew and I had the pleasure of writing a show around their incredible talent and chemistry. The holidays are about spending time with people that you love, and we have built that into the show by forming this incredible production team and extend that to welcoming our audiences.”

Snowed In features holiday classics alongside original music by Rich Gray (Forbidden XMas), Corinne Park-Buffelen, and David Taylor Gomes (Ranked, A Musical) with additional musical arrangements by Aaron Norman and Riley Brule, and choreography by Shadou Mintrone (The Can Can). This brand-new musical will have you dancing and singing along with the cast.

ArtsWest will present Snowed In, Wednesday through Saturday at 7:30 pm and Sundays at 3 pm.

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BIZNOTE FOLLOWUP: Soft-open day for Alki Arts in Morgan Junction
November 24, 2023 2:46 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

(WSB photos)

The newest place in West Seattle to browse and buy art is now open. As previewed here, this is soft-open day for Alki Arts at 6030 California SW in Morgan Junction. Proprietor Diane Venti is settling back in to a bricks-and-mortar location after recent pop-ups:

You can check out the new space until 6 pm. Official grand-opening day is Saturday, December 2nd; regular hours for Alki Arts will be open Tuesdays-Saturdays, noon-6 pm, and by appointment. The space will also be available for event rentals, with “a deep discount to nonprofits.”

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BIZNOTE: Alki Arts coming to Morgan Junction
November 20, 2023 3:45 pm
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 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

(WSB photo – 2022 Alki Arts pop-up in The Junction)

A recently vacated business space on the north side of Morgan Junction has a new tenant: Alki Arts is opening a gallery in the former Launchpad coworking/event space at 6030 California SW. Alki Arts proprietor Diane Venti has long been part of the local art scene – she tells WSB, “This is our 14th year selling local affordable original art, which all started in West Seattle on Alki … since then we have had 3 long-term locations, 4 pop-up locations, and 2 collaborations with other galleries … all in the aim of keeping rent low enough to be able to make a viable business of accessible original art for everyone. In keeping with our business model since day one, we will feature monthly musical performances for local musicians and will also be renting our space out for private events, giving a deep discount to nonprofits.” Alki Arts plans a soft-opening this Friday (November 24) and grand opening Saturday, December 2nd – regular hours will be Tuesdays-Saturdays, noon-6 pm and by appointment. (The original Alki Arts location was at 2820 Alki SW, where Outer Space Seattle is for now.)

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FOLLOWUP: ‘Where’s the Party?’ artist explains inspiration for, and meaning of, Highland Park’s giant jay
November 14, 2023 10:11 pm
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 |   Highland Park | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

The big screechy blue-and-black birds called Steller’s Jays are fairly common in local neighborhoods – but none are like the one now permanently perched in Highland Park. Five days after the installation of the 17-foot-high sculpture “Where’s the Party?” at Highland Park Way/Holden, its artist Matthew Mazzotta visited late today to talk with interested community members:

He’s from New York, which is home to different jays. But he explained to the streetside gathering that his inspiration was not only the bird itself but also the significance of its location, where Seattle’s biggest forest – the West Duwamish Greenbelt – makes way for “the built environment” in a changing neighborhood:

The artwork was funded by the city’s longrunning public-art program, as part of the safety-improvement project at the intersection where it sits on the southwest corner. As Mazzotta said, now that the sculpture is done and in place, his role is over – its future is in the community’s hands, and hearts.

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WEST SEATTLE ART: Highland Park’s big blue bird comes home to roost
November 9, 2023 11:56 am
|      43 COMMENTS
 |   Highland Park | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

(WSB photos)

11:56 AM: It’s installation day for “Where’s the Party? Elevating Nature and Resilience,” the 17-foot-tall Steller’s Jay that’s going up on the southwest corner of Highland Park Way/Holden as the public-art component of SDOT’s safety project at the intersection. Artist Matthew Mazzotta created the big bird, as we first reported a year ago.

Crews will be working on it for another two hours or so; for safety’s sake, spectators are asked to stay away until they’re done (we’ll update). Reminder that next Tuesday, you’ll get a chance to meet the artist – gather at 4 pm November 14th at the corner, and then everyone will walk south to Highland Park Corner Store to chat. The $120,000 project is funded by the longrunning “1 Percent for Art” program, and took wing after three other concepts presented by the city drew tepid community reaction.

2 PM: Installation complete, crew packing up.

3:52 PM: Adding Scott Bessho‘s photo of a view from behind:

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LAST CALL: Ticket sales end tonight for Friendsgiving, to help more kids learn to play, sing, act
November 8, 2023 5:31 pm
|    Comments Off on LAST CALL: Ticket sales end tonight for Friendsgiving, to help more kids learn to play, sing, act
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Nine days until Friendsgiving, a party benefiting Mode Music & Performing Arts, which is on a mission to get arts education to more kids. Friendsgiving is planned on November 17th with live music, dinner, drinks, and a live auction, at SoDo Park (3200 1st Ave S.). The emcee is a familiar voice – KEXP DJ Troy Nelson; the catering is by Herban Feast. Student and teacher performances, too, plus a featured performance by Tio Nacho’s House. Be there to support MMPA’s programming – including after-school arts enrichment, in-school arts programs, pay-what-you-can group classes and camps, and private-lesson scholarships for music instruction. Buy your ticket(s) by midnight tonight – go here!

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West Seattle teenage composer’s work to be featured at Benaroya Hall
November 8, 2023 9:59 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

The West Seattle Community Orchestras want you to know about a local musician’s big event in one of the city’s most-famous concert halls. Here’s their announcement:

We of West Seattle Community Orchestras are proud to let you know that a young WSCO “alum” will be a special guest composer at a benefit concert for Seattle Children’s Hospital!

Many of us have been privileged to watch Brannon Warn-Johnston grow musically over the past several years, starting with playing violin in Debut Orchestra when she was just nine or ten and continuing through our Concert Orchestra, where she and her mom, Dana, played side-by-side. Younger brother Arly also played violin for a time and now plays percussion in the Debut Orchestra. Brannon’s first solo performance for us occurred in fall 2018 at our annual fundraising gala; many of us were astonished at the next year’s gala to hear the incredible gains she had made.

Unfortunately, 15-year-old Brannon has developed cancer and has recently undergone major surgeries to combat the disease. In addition to being an award-winning violinist and pianist, Brannon is also a prolific composer. Even while undergoing chemo treatment, she has continued to write. Her most recent composition will be premiered by the Northwest Symphony Orchestra at Benaroya Hall on November 10 at 8:00 p.m. Tickets for the benefit performance can be purchased via lumaguild.org/events. We wish Brannon all the best in this and her future endeavors!

(West Seattle Community Orchestras provides community musicians of all ages and abilities with opportunities for performance and growth. WSCO currently has three orchestras and a wind symphony and provides strings instruction for both students and adults. For more info visit our website, wscorchestras.org )

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CONTINUING THIS WEEKEND: Fauntleroy Fine Art and Holiday Gift Show launches shopping season
November 3, 2023 5:44 pm
|    Comments Off on CONTINUING THIS WEEKEND: Fauntleroy Fine Art and Holiday Gift Show launches shopping season
 |   Fauntleroy | Holidays | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Ryan Milles‘ air plants and holders are the first things you’ll see when you walk into the Fauntleroy Fine Art and Holiday Gift Show, starting tonight and continuing through the weekend at the Fauntleroy Church Fellowship Hall. This year, among the arts and crafts, you’ll also find books:

Author Susan Whiting Kemp is there with her novel “The Climate Machine” and short-story collection “We Grew Tales.” Of course there’s visual art too – here’s some of what veteran show participant Tom Costantini is selling:

Handmade creations too – lots of quilted options:

Set up on the stage is Qui Moede with Lock + Keep – “calligraphy and keepsakes”:

You’ll also find jewelry, metal art, collage, woodblock, wearables, body-care creations, and more; the artist list is in our calendar listing. The show/sale – with holiday music and decor to help you ease into the spirit – is on until 8 tonight, then again 10 am-4 pm tomorrow, and 11 am-2 pm Sunday. Fauntleroy Church is at 9140 California SW.

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Speaking of art: One more week to submit yours for GLOWS in The Junction
November 3, 2023 2:34 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

The West Seattle Junction Association is still accepting submissions for the GLOWS projected-light show on December 9 – the new deadline is November 10, one week from today. It’ll be part of Glorious Lights of West Seattle, which in turn is part of the big night of holiday festivities in The Junction, also including the Christmas Tree Lighting, Night Market, and light-costume contest. The Community Art Spectacular will feature images projected on the seven-story Alaska House building that night, next to Junction Plaza Park, from 4:00 – 8:00 pm. The categories announced by WSJA are:

1. The significance of light during the winter
2. How you GLOW as part of our community
3. The brightest thing(s) in your West Seattle life
4. Who is your glorious light of West Seattle? (bonus category)

Art-medium categories include: fine and graphic art, photography and silent video shorts, and original AI-generated art (prompts cannot be from another artist or piece of art). The show will be curated as well as supported by a committee of art and legal experts. Everyone is welcome to enter – submit via this form and visit the Hometown Holidays page for more information. Again, the deadline is now November 10th.

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FOLLOWUP: Highland Park’s big bird flies in next week; celebration planned a week later
November 3, 2023 1:03 pm
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   Highland Park | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

(Photo by artist Matthew Mazzotta, provided by City of Seattle)

First, a giant troll. Now, a giant bird. West Seattle’s next public art will be installed in a matter of days. We first reported a year ago on the public-art plan for the Highland Park Way/Holden “safety improvements” project, and now its installation – and a celebration – are almost here. Sent by the city today:

Next week, our crews will install a 17-foot-tall Steller’s jay at the intersection of Highland Park Way SW and SW Holden St. This new public artwork was created by Matthew Mazzotta and is titled Where’s the Party: Elevating Nature and Resilience. It was chosen by a community selection panel and administered by Seattle Office of Arts & Culture. We can’t wait to share it with you!

Please Join Us to Celebrate! Meet the artist, Matthew Mazzotta, hear more about the piece, ask questions, and enjoy delicious hot beverages provided by the Highland Park Corner Store.

Tuesday, November 14 from 4 – 6 PM

Meet us at the sculpture on the southwest corner of Highland Park Way SW and SW Holden St at 4 PM. From there, we’ll walk two blocks south to the Highland Park Corner Store for refreshments and further conversation.

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FOLLOWUP: Submission time for Glorious Lights of West Seattle Community Art Spectacular
October 17, 2023 5:04 pm
|    Comments Off on FOLLOWUP: Submission time for Glorious Lights of West Seattle Community Art Spectacular
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

As promised, now that mid-October is here, the West Seattle Junction Association is welcoming submissions for the Community Art Showcase that’s part of the Hometown Holidays Glorious Lights of West Seattle Festival. They’ve expanded the types of art that will be welcomed, too. Here’s the announcement:

Mark your calendars for an even bigger season of cheer! The West Seattle Junction Association is thrilled to announce that the December 9th GLOWS — Glorious Lights of West Seattle — Festival is featuring a Community Art Spectacular! Images will be projected on a seven-story building in The Junction on Saturday, Dec 9th, from 4:00 – 8:00 pm, for all to enjoy. Everyone is invited to create and submit art; there are no requirements for art experience and the vision is for anyone to express what GLOWS means to them.

To spur imaginations and reinforce the spirit of GLOWS, submission categories include:

1. The significance of light during the winter
2. How you GLOW as part of our community
3. The brightest thing(s) in your West Seattle life
4. Who is your glorious light of West Seattle? (bonus category)

Art medium categories include: fine and graphic art, photography and silent video shorts, and original AI-generated art (prompts cannot be from another artist or piece of art).

All submissions will be curated with the highest level of integrity to promote originality and prevent plagiarism. The Junction Association is supported in selecting work by a committee of art and legal experts.

The GLOWS Community Art Spectacular is the opportunity for families, friends, and community to channel their emotions and gratitude for West Seattle into art. The final, selected artwork will be produced into a spectacular presentation, set to holiday-themed music. The featured art will be revealed only at the Dec 9th event. The Junction Association has the most festive and immersive evening planned, including a night market and beer garden, costume contest, and performances by Endolyne Children’s Choir, The School of Rock, and West Seattle All-Star Jazz Ensemble (led by Jay Cates and Andrew Joslyn).

All West Seattleites and Seattleites are invited to create original artwork for consideration! Ready to get in touch with your inner artist? Submit via this form and visit the Hometown Holidays page for more information. The window for submission is now through October 31st. Submit your art today!!

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WEST SEATTLE MUSIC: Not Dead Yet releases 2nd video, decade-plus after 1st, with Skylark show Friday
October 12, 2023 10:07 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

That’s “Running for Love” by West Seattle band Not Dead Yet, which the band describes as their “second video in 10+ years … a postcard of our favorite running routes in Seattle, set to our feel-good rock ‘n’ roll.” The band’s first video was “West Seattle Hey,” featured here in 2012. They’re so excited about the new one, they’re playing The Skylark in North Delridge tomorrow night (Friday, October 13th). Doors open at 7 pm, show’s at 8, and Not Dead Yet says they’ll be joined by “two West Seattle favorites, Memphis Radio Kings and Knathan Ryan.” $10 cover. You can go early and have dinner – The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW) is a restaurant/bar as well as a music venue.

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THURSDAY: West Seattle Art Walk, pre-Halloween version
October 11, 2023 9:38 pm
|    Comments Off on THURSDAY: West Seattle Art Walk, pre-Halloween version
 |   West Seattle Art Walk | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Tomorrow night, it’s a pre-Halloween thriller – the October West Seattle Art Walk, with a freebie:

Art Walk director Mia Manzulli sent the photo and tells WSB, “Art Walk visitors on Thursday night can get a head start on their Halloween celebrations by picking up a glow stick at businesses along the way.” Here’s the list/walking map for October, with venues where you’ll find art as well as food/beverage stops which offer specials on Art Walk night:

If you’re wondering who you’ll see and what kind of art they make – some of the featured artists are spotlighted on the West Seattle Art Walk website. Several stops feature multiple artists, like the Alki Arts pop-up at California/Oregon, and Jet City Labs (4547 California SW). The peak time for artist receptions is 5 pm to 8 pm, but some venues start earlier. And as previewed here, you can enjoy music tomorrow night too – three Art of Music performers and venues with mini-concerts 6 pm to 7:45 pm, one in each Junction (Admiral, Alaska, Morgan) – details are here. (WSB is a community co-sponsor of the Art Walk – see you tomorrow night!)

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TRIPLE BILL: Three mini-concerts for The Art of Music during October’s West Seattle Art Walk
October 9, 2023 5:16 pm
|    Comments Off on TRIPLE BILL: Three mini-concerts for The Art of Music during October’s West Seattle Art Walk
 |   West Seattle Art Walk | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Thursday night brings the first West Seattle Art Walk of fall, and with it, three mini-concerts celebrating The Art of Music. Coordinator John Redenbaugh tells us who’s performing this time:

The next free admission Art of Music performances presented by the West Seattle Junction Association are coming up on Second Thursday Art Walk evening October 12 at three locations — Lana Sparks in the Alaska Junction at Verity Credit Union (4505 California SW):

Cyd Smith in Morgan Junction at Beveridge Place Pub (6413 California SW):

And Swing 3PO in the Admiral District at Antico Soprano’s Pizza & Pasta Restaurant (2348 California SW).

Musicians will perform from 6 pm to 7:45 pm (with one 15-minute break at the midpoint). 

We have two Supporting Sponsors for this year’s Art of Music performances: the Admiral Neighborhood Association and the Morgan Community Association. Also: Funding provided by the Neighborhood Matching Fund from the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods.

And thanks to all that, you can watch/listen to Art of Music mini-concerts for free! The Art Walk itself will be happening that night “5 pm until late” as always – watch for that preview soon. (WSB is a longtime WSAW community co-sponsor.)

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MAKE MUSIC! Registration time for all-ages West Seattle Community Orchestras
September 29, 2023 1:21 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

(File photo, courtesy West Seattle Community Orchestras)

The West Seattle Community Orchestras‘ new season is about to begin with rehearsals, and WSCO is sponsoring WSB right now to be sure you hear about it. The orchestras include musicians of all ages, but this fall they’re issuing a special invitation to students too:

STUDENTS! Join an Orchestra, Band, or Beginner class — FREE!

West Seattle Community Orchestras will soon be starting the fall session. Students grades 3 through 12 are welcome and may participate with no charge. Of course adults are welcome too! Both students and adults can choose from three orchestras, a Wind Symphony (concert band) and beginner string classes.

All ensembles are mixed-age and have space for more musicians. Two beginning string classes are available; one for students, one for adults.

Registration is open now at wscorchestras.org/register. Sign up for an audition when you register for ensemble placement. (The auditions are friendly, just to see which level would work best for you. Details will be provided after you register.)

Weekly rehearsals will be held Tuesday evenings, October through early December, with community concerts planned for early December.

For more information, email info@wscorchestras.org

Join us!

P.S. In need of an instrument? WSCO has a small collection of string and wind instruments to loan — also at no charge.

First rehearsals start next Tuesday evening (October 3).

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