Easy Street Records auctioning ‘legendary stage’ to benefit Mode Music Studios’ move
(May 2014 WSB video of Camper Van Beethoven at Easy Street Records)
Just last night, we brought you the story of Mode Music Studios (WSB sponsor) and nonprofit Mode Music and Performing Arts enlisting community help to move, with their building (and other businesses) right in the path of the Delridge light-rail station’s location. Music being near and dear to the heart of Easy Street Records proprietor Matt Vaughan, he has just announced a unique donation to the Mode campaign – he’s auctioning off his shop’s iconic stage – seen above in video of one of the many shows we’ve covered there – to make room for a new one, after so many unforgettable concerts. From his social-media announcement:
There have been so many iconic moments on our stage, guessing about 2,000 performances. Have a favorite? Discover an artist? Meet a new friend?
Time has come, we need a larger stage and better flow for our cafe patrons and staff. Originally our lil stage was designed for singer/songwriters, DJs, acoustic sets. We eventually added extensions to the stage for larger acts. The list is too long to mention, but yes…this is the same stage @brandicarlile has performed on multiple times, @pearljam and their various side projects, just about every local musician in the PNW. U see @theheadandtheheart last year? @duffmckagan a month or so back, The Sonics & Friends on #RSD15, @ayronjonesmusic @mudhoney_ @symlmusic @sandriderseattle @cavesingers #DamienJurado @shabazzpalaces @brittanydavismusic … @billybraggofficial @reignwolf @foyvance. Not sure who the first on the stage was, we built it in ‘98. Our earlier instores were on the floor (no stage), back where the poster racks are now and then later where the kitchen is now. Who was the first performance on this stage ? @easystreetguy guess is either @theejohndoe #rocketfromthecrypt #blackrebelmotorcycleclub @peteyorn or #Luna
Our very 1st proper instore was #CrittersBuggin @loosegrooverecords @skerik Were u there?
Interested in acquiring this legendary stage? Proceeds will go to Mode Music Studios New Home.
Bidding has begun and closes Thursday at 6 pm – email info@easystreetonline.com, subject line “Stage” – Matt adds, “Dimensions 8’ x 10’ x 1’, we will include the extension pieces as well. Stage must be removed by 9 pm on Thursday, new stage being installed!” Here’s another look in a WSB file photo:
SUMMER: Registration open for free ‘Write Your Story’ workshop series
The spring edition of “Write Your Story” – the free workshop series for 8- to 12-year-olds, coordinated by West Seattle’s Julia Douthwaite Viglione – just wrapped up, and she reports that 12 participants created a “rollicking fable” titled “The Troll of the West Seattle Bridge.” What will the summer group do? Registration is open now – here’s the announcement!
Write YOUR Story – Summer 2024 – Enrolling now!
Theme: Growing Things
Who is invited? People age 8-12 who like stories
When? Every Wednesday, July 3 – September 4, 2024 – 4:30—5:30 pm
Where? Upstairs activity room, Curious Kidstuff toy store – 4740 California Ave SW
Stories we’ll read:
The Carrot Seed by Ruth Krauss and
“A Pumpkin Seed” by Patrick Chamoiseau in Creole Folktales
Write YOUR Story, est. 2012, is a free workshop led by local writers for local kids
“We read, we write, and we have a lot of fun.”
For info or to enroll, contact: juliawsea@gmail.com
OPENING THIS WEEK: ArtsWest’s next production, ‘English’
(Photo courtesy ArtsWest)
Preview night tomorrow is already sold out – but you can still get tickets for opening night and beyond for the next ArtsWest (4711 California SW; WSB sponsor) production, “English,” the play that won the 2023 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. Here’s how West Seattle’s only playhouse describes “English”:
Have you ever found yourself straddling more than one culture? Experienced the joy of finding parts of yourself you didn’t know existed? The fear of losing touch with who are by immersing yourself in one culture over another? Have you ever felt caught in the in-between? “English” explores this lifelong journey and its push and pull of self-discovery.
“English” by Sanaz Toossi takes place in a classroom in Iran, where four adult students are preparing for the TOEFL — the Test of English as a Foreign Language. Each student’s future hinges on passing the exam for very different reasons – family, education, immigration, exploring the unknown. Their teacher, Marjan, lived abroad for 9 years in Manchester, England, and has returned home to raise her family and teach. She loves teaching, but a part of her will always wonder who she would have been if she had stayed in Manchester.
“English” is directed by Naghmeh Samini and will be presented Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays at 7:30 pm, Sundays at 3 pm, through April 28th. Tickets are available here – just a few left for opening weekend.
WEST SEATTLE MUSIC: New single from Aurora Ave.
New music out today from local band Aurora Ave., which describes itself as “an 8-piece band from West Seattle that has honed an Indie-Pop, Jazz, and J-Pop sound into something uniquely our own.” They’ve been together for three years now (when we first mentioned the band, more than half the members were WSHS students), and have a new lead singer, just in time for their new single, explained this way:
The band’s new song Pearl is inspired by the challenges of finding your way in young life, and feeling the weight of the world on your shoulders. The song has existed in concept for over 3 years, and a very different version of the track was slated but eventually scrapped from the group’s self-titled debut album in 2021. Now, over 3 years later, the track has evolved into one of the group’s favorite songs.
Pearl is tied together by an incredible vocal performance by the band’s newest member, lead singer Samara Reign. Samara brings a soulful, angelic quality to the band’s brass-heavy rhythms.
You can stream or buy “Pearl” by going to one of the links you’ll find here. If you’d like to see Aurora Ave. perform, mark your calendar for Northwest Folklife on May 24 – and more to come.
VIDEO: Tea, thanks, and a tribute to Princess Angeline @ Duwamish Longhouse
Among the photos on the east wall of the great gathering room at the Duwamish Tribe Longhouse and Cultural Center in West Seattle, one stands out – a large portrait of the eldest daughter of Chief Si’ahl (Seattle), known as Princess Angeline, though her real name was Kikisoblu. The tribe gathers supporters each year for a tea social that is also a tribute to her, and that event filled the Longhouse today.
Titling the event the SovereignTEA was one way of reminding supporters about its ongoing fight to regain federal recognition.
There was no major update on the long-running legal battle today, but it was mentioned in some of the short speeches from Duwamish leaders. First, chair Cecile Hansen cheerily welcomed the sold-out crowd:
Duwamish Tribal Council member Paul Nelson had words of gratitude for community members continuing to support “justice for the Duwamish”:
Later, he told the story of Princess Angeline’s determination to stay in the city rather than moving out to a reservation; Seattle, the city named for her father, was the city where she lived and died. One of the chief’s descendants, Ken Workman, also spoke today:
Final words were offered by Edie Nelson, with a hope that Duwamish Tribe recognition – and true sovereignty – “will come soon.”
The Longhouse/Cultural Center hosts other public events throughout the year; next month, for example, a Spring Native Art Market is planned for the weekend of April 27-28.
New name ahead for Senior Center of West Seattle, now seeking artist to paint a mural about it
(WSB file photo, Senior Center’s north side)
The Senior Center of West Seattle is getting close to unveiling a new name. To celebrate it, a mural will be painted on its building at California/Oregon – potentially all three sides – and an artist for that mural is being sought now. Here’s the announcement we just received:
Call for artists! Senior Center of West Seattle is seeking professional artists to submit proposals to paint a mural on its building in the West Seattle Junction.
The Senior Center of West Seattle is seeking artists to respond to its Request for Proposals to paint a mural on the side of its building at 4217 SW Oregon St. The mural will wrap from the alley on the Oregon St. side all the way to the California Ave. SW side of the building.
The Senior Center is excited to be going through a renaming and rebranding this year. In mid-May, the nonprofit will announce to the community its new name, which will reflect its long-term goal of broadening and diversifying its membership.
As part of that, the organization is seeking a vibrant and meaningful mural to express its new name and brand that will enhance the visual appeal of the center, create a welcoming atmosphere, and reflect the spirit of the community.
Part of the funding for this project is coming from a Neighborhood Matching grant from the City of Seattle. The Senior Center will be raising the remainder of the funds for the project through its GiveBIG campaign this May.
The Mural Committee for the Senior Center of West Seattle is putting out a Request for Proposal for muralists. Indigenous/BIPOC artists are encouraged to submit a proposal. The deadline to apply is Monday, April 22.
If you’re interested in receiving the Request for Proposal, please contact Karen Pfeiffer Bush at karen@housewarmingseattle.com
VIDEO: Historic heroes, the Trưng sisters, honored at West Seattle’s Vietnamese Cultural Center
(WSB photos/video)
It’s International Women’s History Month, and the Vietnamese Cultural Center in West Seattle paid tribute today to two women with a major role in Vietnam’s history: The Trưng sisters (Hai Bà Trưng), Trưng Trac and Trưng Nhi, lived 2,000 years ago; born into a nation under Chinese rule, they organized an army to fight back and drive their oppressors out. The sisters are celebrated each year with a holiday. Today’s commemoration at the center included a procession by women bearing flowers:
Minh Thy told the story of the heroic sisters:
Participants sang a song in the sisters’ honor, “Trưng Nữ Vương và Cô Gái”:
This is one of the events held each year at the Vietnamese Cultural Center (2236 SW Orchard).
Others are listed here, including next month’s memorial for the soldiers lost in the Vietnam War.
MUSIC: First album for North Delridge’s Wicked Mouth
West Seattle musician Wicked Mouth has recorded their first album and asked us to help share it with potential listeners. Here’s their announcement and links:
Local North Delridge singer-songwriter Wicked Mouth has released their debut album, Wildfire. Listeners are describing the album as “poetic, quirky, deep, vintage, and hopeful.”
Wicked Mouth is the stage name of Joshua Goupil, a Washington native. Their songs have a classic and nostalgic feel, with moods that evoke several decades, genres, and atmospheres. Their poetic lyrics delve into topics such as queerness, coming out, intimacy, self-reflection, spirituality, and mental health, inviting listeners to join their journey of self-discovery and expression.
Wildfire is an album about breaking past cycles of trauma and challenging insidious lies that society tells people (especially queer-identifying people) about who they are and how they should live. After a wildfire clears an entire forest, new life finds a way to grow back more resilient than ever before.
Wildfire was recorded and produced by local performer and producer Jared Mitchell=”” at Sound Life Studios in West Seattle and was mastered by Stephen Van Etten in Nashville, TN.
You can stream the album, see the music video for the track “Wicked Mouth,” and connect with the artist here.
FREE CONCERTS! West Seattle Community Orchestras to present world-premiere work, spotlight Asian composers next week
Next week, the West Seattle Community Orchestras‘ spring concerts will include a world-premiere composition – and you can see/hear it for free! Here’s the WSCO announcement of what’s planned:
West Seattle Community Orchestras’ ensembles will be performing on Tuesday, March 12th, at 6 pm and on Friday, March 15th, at 7 pm, at Chief Sealth International High School. Concerts are free.
On Friday night, the Symphony Orchestra is proud to world-premiere Majestic Peaks from Chinese composer Arthur Peiyaro Wang. The Wind Symphony orchestra will also honor Asian composers and Asian-inspired music with pieces from Japanese composers Yukiko Nishimura and Studio Gibli’s icon Joe Hisaishi.
On Tuesday night, the Debut and Concert orchestra will range from Offenbach, to Beethoven, through Bernstein’s West Side Story.
WSCO was founded in West Seattle in 2002 and has served hundreds of students and adults alike, providing a community for musicians of all ages and abilities with opportunities for performance and growth. Visit the WSCO website for more information about the concerts or how to become involved as a musician or volunteer.
The venue is at 2600 SW Thistle; the auditorium is on the west side of the campu.
Singing season soon! Registration open now for Endolyne Children’s Choir
(2023 photo courtesy Endolyne Children’s Choir)
Young singer in the household? Consider registering for Endolyne Children’s Choir – but do it by next Wednesday. Here’s the announcement we received:
Registration for Endolyne Children’s Choir‘s spring session is now open! Join as as we celebrate “The Greatest Show” with favorite songs from stage and screen. Don’t miss out on the singing, fun, and community – registration closes March 13.
Endolyne Children’s Choir is a non-audition choir that provides robust and transformative choral education for all young singers. We empower our choristers to develop confidence, form friendships, and learn performance skills in an inclusive, equitable environment. Learn more at endolynechoir.org.
Bainbridge Island indie filmmaker’s sci-fi movie ‘Ingress’ to be shown for a week at West Seattle’s Admiral Theater
That’s the trailer for “Ingress,” a sci-fi movie written and directed by Bainbridge Island filmmaker Rachel Noll James that’s about to be shown for a week at West Seattle’s Admiral Theater (2343 California SW). Noll James also stars in “Ingress,” which she summarizes as: “A woman who can move between parallel realities loses her husband tragically and must overcome past trauma to travel the multiverse once again and find her way into a reality where he is still alive.” She tells WSB that “Ingress” was entirely filmed on Bainbridge, and since she’s so close by, “I will be attending to do a talkback about the filmmaking process for the opening-night screening on March 8th.” That’s Friday at 7 pm. Subsequent Admiral Theater showings will be at 1 pm and 7 pm Saturday and Sunday (March 9-10) and 3:30 pm Monday-Thursday (March 11-14); the movie runs just under two hours. You can get tickets (and see what else is showing at The Admiral) by going here.
West Seattle indie filmmakers invite you to a fundraising party for their new movie
Yes, the title’s a little grisly, but that’s how movies go sometimes. What’s above is a teaser for the first chapter of “Bloodbath in Palookaville,” a film currently in production, which will be shown during a fundraising party this Saturday. Here’s the announcement we were asked to share with you:
This Saturday, March 9, a local film production company, Guerrilla House Productions, is having a screening and fundraiser for its latest production, “Bloodbath in Palookaville.” The filmmakers are both longtime West Seattle residents – Jerry Howard (video production teacher) and Mark Bauschke (photographer/videographer).
The event will be held at Beveridge Place Pub at 6:30 pm. In addition to screening the first chapter of “Bloodbath in Palookaville,” other shorts by Guerrilla House Productions will be shown. There will be a silent auction and opportunities to purchase a credit in the film to raise funds to complete the movie. Everyone 21 years or older is welcome!
TICKETS ON SALE: West Seattle High School’s Big Band Dinner Dance
That’s the West Seattle Big Band, guest-starring again this year at the West Seattle High School music-program-supporting Big Band Dinner Dance, 6-9 pm Friday, March 15, in the WSHS Commons (3000 California SW). Here’s the announcement:
Tickets are now available for our annual community dinner dance! Come and listen to the high school music students perform – not just our jazz band, but the band, orchestra, and choir too! And a wonderful dinner will be prepared by the WSHS Culinary Department. Come and see what our fabulous students are up to!
Featured Performance by the West Seattle Big Band, under the direction of Jim Edwards.
Dinner/Dance tickets are $30 when preordered, or $35 at the door (if available)
Dinner/Dance tickets for students, staff, or seniors are $20
Dance-only tickets are $10.
Go here to find the ticket link.
WEEKEND PREVIEW: One more Lunar New Year celebration Saturday
(Full ‘Snow Moon’ setting this morning, photographed by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)
The arrival of the full “Snow Moon” brings an end to two weeks of Lunar New Year celebrations. Tomorrow (Saturday, February 24) you’re invited to the final community event announced for West Seattle – the Lunar New Year Lantern Festival at the Seattle Chinese Garden. The garden borders the north edge of the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) campus at 6000 16th SW on Puget Ridge. The festival is set to start at 11 am and continue through 3 pm, with music, dance, crafts, story time, tea, and more – the full schedule is here. Admission is free, but donations are welcome.
The schoolhouse rocks! Kindie West family-concert series returning this spring
During a visit to historic Fauntleroy Schoolhouse, we found out the Kindie West family-music concert series is returning this spring. On seven Sunday mornings, March 24 through June 16, the Kindiependent musician collective is presenting this lineup:
March 24th – Brian Vogan and his Good Buddies
April 7th – Eli Rosenblatt
April 21st – The Highlight Quartet
May 5th – Johnny Bregar
May 19th – Paul Chiyokten Wagner
June 2nd – The Harmonica Pocket
June 16th – The Not-It’s
Shows will start at 10:30 am and will last about an hour. They’re ticketed shows – ticket required for everyone six months and older – and season-tickets are already available.
VIDEO: Celebrating Tết at West Seattle’s Vietnamese Cultural Center
Lunar New Year festivities continue, here and around the world. This afternoon, a lively lion dance by Vovinam Burien was the highlight of this year’s Tết celebration at the Vietnamese Cultural Center of West Seattle.
The Tết celebration here also included flag-raising, with veterans of the South Vietnamese military:
Ducly Bui runs the center at 2236 SW Orchard, which hosts several public celebrations each year:
Family members assist, including Lanh Bui:
It’s a regional draw, all ages:
If you haven’t visited the Vietnamese Cultural Center, it’s usually open to the public noon-3 pm Saturdays.
HAPPY LUNAR NEW YEAR! West Seattle High School students coordinate community celebration
Big turnout for a two-part Lunar New Year celebration at West Seattle High School tonight – coordinated by students, with performances and demonstrations in the WSHS Theater, followed by a cultural fair, with food, in the Commons. The theater performances included a dragon dance (the new year is the Year of the Dragon):
Also a lion dance:
Martial-arts demonstrations and poetry (read by poet Koon Woon, introduced by his nephew, instructional assistant Henry Deng) were featured too. The highlight was a student fashion show of “amazing cultural outfits,” as emcee Mika described them:
Althea Chow from the Madison MS PTSA – which co-sponsored the student-led event along with the WSHS PTSA – told us some of the outfits were from a collection of traditional outfits belonging to her designer mom, and others were from students’ families. Her Madison PTSA colleague Chau Pho Tung, meantime, was helping out in the post-show fair – serving up food including chow mein and egg rolls:
Student musicians played nearby:
And cultural displays ringed the room:
The students who coordinated the event are from the WSHS AAPI Club and Chinese Program.
P.S. Two more Lunar New Year events are on our calendar – previewed here.
CONGRATULATIONS! All-State honors for two Chief Sealth student musicians
We have news of statewide honors for two local students – and an opportunity for you to support them. The announcement is from Denny-Sealth Performing Arts:
Two Chief Sealth International High School students have received top honors by being selected by the Washington Music Educators Association to participate in prestigious WMEA High School All-State performing groups.
Please join us in celebrating senior Tyler Peace Jones (pictured on the right), who has been selected to play viola in the All-State Orchestra, and senior Dylan Sagahon Smith (pictured on the left), who was selected to play guitar in the All-State Jazz Band for the Jazz Choir.
Nearly 1,900 students applied for this opportunity. From those, the finest high school musicians will rehearse and perform in concert under the direction of world-renowned conductors. These WMEA All-State musicians were selected through auditions to participate in this outstanding event, which is sponsored by the Washington Music Educators Association.
Many professional musicians credit their All-State experience as crucial in their decision to choose music as a career. Thousands of others whose career paths took them in other directions have great memories of participating in this inspiring and motivating musical experience and claim that it was a life-changing experience for them.
Tyler plans to pursue a career in music as an orchestral conductor. Dylan plans on studying music along with entrepreneurial business and technology. We are so proud of their achievement and can’t wait to see how it launches them forward!
The WMEA High School All-State Honor Ensembles will meet in Yakima, February 15-17, 2024. But registration and the cost of making this trip are not covered by school funds. Help us celebrate Tyler and Dylan by contributing to the Denny Sealth Performing Arts Scholarship Fund to support their participation: PayPal “Denny Sealth Performing Arts” or Venmo @DennySealthPerforming Arts, and indicate “scholarship.”
Support Tyler and Dylan. Support the arts. Be a part of their journey!
Scenes from February 2024 West Seattle Art Walk!
5:44 PM: For the next few hours, it’s all about art, all over the peninsula, during the monthly West Seattle Art Walk!
Our first stop is Alki Arts (6030 California SW; WSB sponsor), hosting a “reunion show” tonight, with proprietor Diane Venti (at right in our photo) featuring “10 of the artists that we had when we first started out 14 years ago on Alki Beach at our first gallery space!” With her above, from left, are three of those artists – Brooke Borcherding, Karen Dedrickson, and Joanne Shellan. Tonight’s reception is scheduled until 8 pm.
6:40 PM: Heading north, we stopped to say hi to photographer Jamie Kinney (above), who has often shared photos on WSB – he’s at Windermere West Seattle (4526 California SW) tonight. From there, we continued north to The Admiral District, where West Seattle Realty (2715 California SW; WSB sponsor) is hosting artist Splicy:
Visitors are collaborating with her on a community collage:
More to come; see the full list of venues – including times, addresses, featured artists, plus restaurants/bars with food/drink specials – by going here.
8:54 PM: Our final two stops were in The Junction – Alex Guyon is showing his work at Rush Hour (4517 California SW):
And last but not least – Brent Amaker and The Rodeo‘s show at Easy Street Records, celebrating their new album Philaphobia:
Next month’s West Seattle Art Walk will be on March 14.
THURSDAY: Seven suggestions for this month’s West Seattle Art Walk
That’s the official poster for the winter West Seattle Art Walk events – with art by Suzanne Uschold, one of the artists you can meet tomorrow night during the February Art Walk. She’ll be at Hawthorne Massage and Self-Care in North Admiral (2237 California SW). We asked Art Walk director Mia Manzulli for some Thursday night suggestions; in South Admiral, she says, you’ll find Magdalena Cooney featured at Forever Young Aesthetics (3813 California SW). In The Junction, one of the newer businesses to join the Art Walk is Rush Hour (4517 California SW), spotlighting artist Alex Guyon “in their sweet little gallery space at the back of the store,” Mia tells us. Also in The Junction, ArtsWest (4711 California SW; WSB sponsor) is having an artist reception for their new show, Scott Coffey‘s “Friend of Achilles.” Among the other Junction venues, as previewed here earlier this week, Easy Street Records has art and music (the latter, with West Seattle’s own Brent Amaker & The Rodeo at 7 pm). In Morgan Junction, Diane Venti is hosting a “reunion” show at Alki Arts (6030 California SW; WSB sponsor), with 10 artists from her original gallery space on Alki Beach. Nearby West Seattle Cellars (6026 California SW) is hosting artist Steffanie Lorig and tasting Portuguese wines. Those are just a few places you can stop; official Art Walk hours are 5 pm-“late,” but individual venues’ hours may vary. Be sure to check the walking map/full preview list, which also notes the venues with food/drink specials you can get by mentioning you’re there for Art Walk night.
Your next chance to see and hear the 
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