West Seattle, Washington
20 Thursday
(Photo by Janet Sherwood)
This weekend, you just might see film crews out and about, as West Seattle’s Corwood Productions shoots its next production at six locations, including five in West Seattle, over the next three days. Here’s the official announcement:
Corwood Productions, creators behind the Seattle-based TV pilot “The Divine Marigolds,” is gearing up to shoot a new film, titled “All My Presidents,” Nov. 18-20th in West Seattle. All My Presidents is a short film created by West Seattle resident and executive producer Sarah Mackay as a tribute to her grandfather. All My Presidents is about a young boy who, after losing his father, grabs ahold of the only thing left, the ideology of US Presidents. The film is set in 1954 through 1992 and explores the coming of age in a political world and finding your own voice.
Nathan Gamble, the star of movies such as “Dolphin’s Tale,” “Dark Knight” and “Marley and Me,” lives in Washington State and will star in All My Presidents. “We are excited to have Nathan on board. It is a testament to our Northwest star talent giving back to the local film community,” says producer/actor Lisa Coronado. “We are focused on bringing heartfelt, creative films that break the mold and are of high production value with top notch talent and crew,” says producer/actor Alder Sherwood.
All My Presidents is directed by Connor Hair, co-produced by Lorraine Montez of Abundant Productions, co-produced by Jeremiah Kaynor of Corvus Eye Productions. Director of Photography is Ryan Purcell and Rick Walters is 1st AD. Also starring David Hogan, Riley Donahue, Brian Sutherland, and other Seattle talent.
Tomorrow’s filming is happening in the Lake Union area, but the five West Seattle location shoots are set for Saturday and Sunday, in and around Admiral-area homes on Saturday, and in the Holy Rosary and “south end of California” areas on Sunday. Of course the movie has its own Facebook page and Twitter account.
Though West Seattle artist Debbie Numoto is gone, her art lives on – and it’s back at Illusions Hair Design (WSB sponsor) for the holiday season. Here’s the announcement from Illusions:
They’re Baaaaack!
Illusions is proud to announce that we are again featuring the “Snowman” artwork of West Seattle resident (the late) Debbie Dawn Numoto. Debbie was a long time client and friend of Illusions, and for over a decade she has been our featured artist on our art walls during the holiday season. Many knew her because of her many years of employment at NW Art and Frame.
Realizing that her artwork is one of the most highly anticipated showings each year, her family has graciously offered to loan us some of her favorite pieces and framed originals belonging to friends & family. These will not be for sale but will be featured for the public to come and view during regular business hours through the end of December. Fortunately her family has also provided a LIMITED number of her SIGNED prints from her collection available for $25 each.
If you never saw her work please stop by. If you have pieces hanging on your walls, this will be a great opportunity for one last time to admire the incredible life she gave to her many other paintings. Illusions has been honored to be able to showcase her paintings and are thankful for what Debbie has brought to our community as an artist and as a friend.
Ms. Numoto died of cancer three months ago at the age of just 49; here’s the obituary published on WSB.
Two West Seattleites’ work is in the spotlight:
MAGAZINE FEATURES MACHEL SPENCE: The work of West Seattle nature photographer Machel Spence will be featured in the next edition of Natural History Magazine, on its way to bookstores and newsstands if it hasn’t arrived already. The photo above, which shows what Machel explains is “a species of slime mold at Lincoln Park,” is one of eight photos you’ll see in the three-page feature.
ANTHOLOGY INCLUDES STORY BY THOMAS P. HOPP: Fourteen West Coast authors, including West Seattle’s Thomas P. Hopp, have written stories comprising a new mystery e-book anthology called “West Coast Crime Wave.” Hopp’s story is titled “The Ghost Trees,” which he explains “refers to trees killed by loggers in old West Seattle, and to cedar trees killed in recent years by a new breed of bad guy, the tree poacher. These criminals take down trees illegally to make a little money in the cedar shake business, often to support a drug habit. When a tree poacher turns up dead in West Seattle’s Puget Creek Canyon, investigator Peyton McKean is called in to figure out ‘whodunnit’.” (Read a longer preview here.) “West Coast Crime Wave” was e-published by bstsller.com, which points you to this Amazon page to buy/access the anthology.
(Photos by Katie Meyer for WSB)
Pies tend to proliferate during the holiday season … and a pile of pies is emerging today in West Seattle thanks to the Bells of the Sound musical group, following its pie-a-thon this morning at Tibbetts United Methodist Church (WSB sponsor).
The numbers are impressive: Wendy Hughes-Jelen tells us the group expects to make about 550 apple pies by the time this morning’s operation is over, using more than 1600 pounds of donated Jonagold apples from Oregon!
More than a third of the apple pies will be donated to Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission. The others have already been pre-sold to raise money for Bells of the Sound, a nonprofit handbell choir that’s going to be especially busy making music this holiday season – in fact, their holiday concert is just a few weeks away at Tibbetts, Friday, December 2nd (full details here).
The nonprofit, all-ages West Seattle Community Orchestras has just announced its winter concert lineup:
Join WSCO’s Symphony Orchestra on November 29, Tuesday, at 7 pm in Chief Sealth International High School’s Auditorium for “Holiday Gifts.” Program highlights include the 2nd Movement of Tchaikovsky’s Symphony #5, Liszt’s Hungarian Rhapsody and excerpts from Elgar’s Enigma.
On December 6 at 6:30 pm, WSCO’s Debut and Intermediate Orchestras along with the Endolyne Children’s Choir perform “The Joy of Music.” Highlights include Verdi’s Waltz from La Traviata, Bruce’s Fiesta Waltz, Mozart’s Symphony #25 along with holiday favorites Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Good King Wenceslas.
Concerts are free; suggested donation $5.
(Marcus Pimpleton directing CSIHS/WSHS musicians during last month’s Huling Bowl)
He is perhaps the most visible school-music leader in West Seattle – and he’s just won a big honor: KCTS has announced its latest list of “Golden Apple Awards,” and on the list of individual winners is Marcus Pimpleton, music director at Denny International Middle School and band director at adjacent Chief Sealth International High School, who also directs Seattle’s All-City Band. He’s the only West Seattle winner in this year’s awards, which will be presented at a ceremony next year; winners also receive a cash prize and will be profiled by Channel 9. Congratulations, Mr. Pimpleton!
ADDED 11:38 AM: We asked for his reaction, and here it is!
I am thankful to the parents who nominated me for this award and to KCTS and Pemco for the honor. It goes without saying that I am very proud of the work we are doing in the Denny and Sealth Music Programs as well as with the Seattle Schools All-City Band. I am excited about the opportunity that the KCTS Golden Apple Program provides to shine some light on our programs and students. None of the work we have engaged in would be possible if it were not for the high level of community support we have received, the parents who have volunteered and caught on to the vision of ensuring high level musical experiences and access to all students, the leadership of principals Jeff Clark and John Boyd who bought in to the vision for a 6-12 music pathway and had the conviction to lay the foundation for it, and most importantly the “buy in” of student leaders who commit themselves to participating in our student leadership programming and to mentoring peers and incoming students through our spring and midwinter break camps, our Junior All-City Band program, and in various other capacities too lengthy to mention here. It is with a great community of supporters that this award is shared. Thank you all.
Tonight at Locöl (35th/Kenyon) – Belgian musicians, and Belgian ale. West Seattle trumpeter/composer Chad McCullough is in the clip above (from a jazz festival last January) with Belgian musicians including the two who will join him tonight at Locöl – Bram Weijters (piano) and Piet Verbist (bass), both from Antwerp. Chad explains, “Both are really fine players, and are top-call jazz musicians in Belgium. Bram and I met in Canada at the 2009 Creative Music workshop at the Banff Centre. We’ve been playing together as much as possible for the last 3 years.” They released an album last year, “Imaginary Sketches,” on Seattle’s Origin Records, available via iTunes. Joining Chad, Bram, and Piet tonight will be Seattle drummer Matt Jorgensen. The event starts at 7:30 pm. Oh, and then there’s the beer – they’re pitting Westmalle Trappist Ale vs. Odin Belgian Strong Ale, and the publicity poster says “You can decide the winner!”
If you’re interested in a little shopping, a little art/craft appreciation, two things happening now:
RACHEL AUSTIN AT CLICK! Looking ahead to Thursday’s West Seattle Art Walk for art! Artist Rachel Austin is at Click! Design That Fits (WSB sponsor) in The Junction this afternoon. You can check out her “Cartography Series” during the reception continuing till 5 pm. Look closely at the painting she is standing next to (sent by Click! a short time ago) – see West Seattle’s outline?
CRAFT FAIR IN HIGH POINT: Didn’t get advance word of this one, or else it would have been in our morning preview, but Jennifer e-mailed to say that Bridge Park is hosting a craft fair till 4 pm at 3204 SW Morgan: “There are a variety of vendors here… Scentsy candles, handmade jewelry, scarves, holiday decor, African jewelry, historical photographs, handpainted plates and wineglasses, Usborne books, handmade cards, and an artist doing pastel portraits while you wait. There is a drawing for door prizes! Refreshments available as well.”
Big fall for Fauntleroy resident Donn Bennett. His eponymous Drum Studio in Bellevue has just been honored as “Best in Western Washington,” for musical instruments. And tomorrow, he’ll rally hundreds of drummers for the annual “Woodstick Big Beat” mega-drum charity-benefit event he organizes – not in West Seattle, but not that far, if you want to go help local children’s charities and see an inspiringly thunderous display of musicians’ teamwork. Donn says, “We’re featuring Danny Seraphine, original drummer from Chicago, and 7 other top pro drummers” – along with hundreds of Northwest drummers, gathering tomorrow at the Juanita Field House in Kirkland. The official announcement explains more:
They’ll join drummers in 15 cities across North America to set 2 new Guinness World Records for drummers playing a song simultaneously. One record for the most drummers playing a song in a single location, the other for the most drummers playing together via live internet connection. The entire international event will be directed from our Kirkland, WA, location.
Drummers in Birmingham England assembled 588 drummers in 2008 to beat our previous record of 533 set at Qwest Field in 2005. On November 6th 2011 we’ll attempt to bring the record back to the Northwest where it all started. All proceeds will go to the Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation to purchase musical instruments for underfunded local schools and to Camp Korey, a camp in Carnation WA for kids battling serious illness.
The event is 2-4 pm tomorrow (Sunday), 10601 NE 32nd; doors open at 10 am. Admission is $12/participant (register online here), $10/spectator, all going to charity. Quite a sight and sound, as you’ll see on the highlight reel from last year (above) – especially once it gets to the overview of the entire Field House.
(Photos by John Hinkey unless otherwise credited)
By Keri DeTore
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
It was standing room only in Alki Elementary’s gymnasium Thursday night when students in Native American costumes held a Potlatch as part of an in-school cultural program created by Native American Artist and teacher Ronn Wilson.
A Potlatch is a traditional Native American ceremony that involves storytelling, song, dance, and gift-giving. Alki’s Potlatch was the culmination of a six-week Artist-in-Residence program called “Of Cedar and Salmon,” in which Wilson taught students the traditions and culture of Native Northwest Coast people. He’s been visiting the school twice a week for the past six weeks, sharing stories of how native cultures lived off the land, and teaching skills such as “good listening” and “showing respect.” He adds: “This is a very small piece of a big picture.”
Wilson painted the stage set; the students colored their headdresses as a school project. Kindergartener Freja showed us hers:
Students from all grades participated in drumming and performing dances such as “The Welcoming Dance” and “The Lightning Serpent Dance.” Wilson himself performed dances in elaborate costumes, including the headdress that didn’t just stick out its tongue — it stuck out a tongue with a frog on it.
The gift-giving portion of the Potlatch came at the end, when Wilson presented his own orca painting to the school, and former Principal Clover Codd (left) presented new Principal Chanda Oatis with a print of the painting:
Plus, each participating student got a poster showing the orca design and everyone present received bookmarks depicting the stage set designs.
Ronn Wilson says that beyond “getting kids to connect to Native American culture and tradition, I hope this is a catalyst for them to dig into their own history and connect to their elders.”
(“Spur” the guitarist – photo courtesy Skeleton Theatre)
The all-out animatronic extravaganza Skeleton Theatre is back this Halloween, confirms Maia Low, spouse of creator Chris Walker: “The show is basically the same this year – Bonaparte’s Reunion Concert. There is added video and more effects this year. We’ll be running the show from 6:00-9:00 pm on Monday, Oct. 31 and Tuesday, Nov. 1 on the hour and the half hour.” Bonaparte (get it?) is a legendary, albeit skeletal, rock band. Their video-recorded reminiscences, “Behind the Music” style, are part of the show, on a big screen over the animatronics onstage. You’ll find Skeleton Theatre in the yard (visible from the street) at 36th/Hanford (map). You can see our coverage from last year, including video, by going here. The show’s free, but the crew appreciates online donations to help cover expenses.
Halloween season seems to have started extra-early this year – with two weekends full of fun. Last Sunday, a macabre musical event spooked spectators at Tibbetts United Methodist Church (WSB sponsor) – the annual Halloween Piano Recital by students of John Van Lierop, Jr. He reports, “Students dressed in a variety of costumes and played their scary pieces on the piano. Even (the teacher) was dressed up as Santa Claus. Highlights of the evening included the well-known Toccata and Fugue by JS Bach as well as Dance Macabre by Saint-Saens. Fun party games such as a candy-corn relay race and musical chairs were enjoyed by all the students at the end of the recital!” Lots of Halloween events on the WSB Events calendar … and if you’re looking for the business-district trick-or-treat days/times, they’re all listed here.
You never know when you might see a star at Easy Street Records in The Junction. Of course, John Doe‘s appearance was announced two-plus weeks ahead of time, so this was no chance encounter, but still. Easy Street proprietor Matt Vaughan waved a copy of Doe’s newest CD “Keeper” while at the mike for the intro:
John Doe was warming up for an acoustic show scheduled a few hours later at the Tractor Tavern on the north side of town.
Next, he and his longtime band X hit the road, starting in New Orleans later this week, then joining Seattle’s own Pearl Jam for a swing through Central and South America (schedule here).
What could be scarier than creating art in front of an audience? The Halloween Art Jam is happening right now at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) in Morgan Junction. When WSB contributor Christopher Boffoli stopped by about an hour ago, three artists were busily working – and a fourth was on the way, according to Feedback proprietor Jeff Gilbert. Above, that’s Eric Osborne; next, Steve Klinkel:
He told Christopher they’re expecting to keep going until at least 11 pm – so if you’d like to see the works in progress … which will eventually be available for sale, by the way – head on over to 6451 California SW – Vblast is part of the lineup too:
Jeff, ever the impresario, says he has another art event in the works — 10 artists, 10 easels, they all paint a portion of each one. But first – The Feedback has more Halloween fun to scare up – check out the calendar to see what’s up.
As the spooky season begins in a few days, one of the first festivities is the annual Halloween-time production by the West Seattle-based Cabiri, an 11-person troupe of acrobats, contortionists, aerialists, and dancers. This year, the show is “The Ghost Game: Winternacht,” described in the Cabiri’s announcement as “a dark, festive evening of dessert theater featuring aerial acrobatics, modern dance, and scary winter tales from folklore and mythology.” Suitable for 15 and up, they say (a little too scary for youth below that age). Not only does the setting at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center give you a close-up look at the flying, dancing performers “depicting ghosts, witches, and cold, wintry tales from ages long since past,” Winternacht also offers treats from dessert sponsors including Sugar Rush Baking Company and Dilettante Mocha Café. The show opens this Friday (October 21st); Sunday (October 23rd) is pay-what-you-can night, October 30th is “PG night” (OK for 10 and up), and Halloween is “audience storyteller night.” You can buy tickets online here.
You just can’t escape the Alaskan Way Viaduct this month. Not only because of the ubiquitous countdown to the 9-day, 10-night closure, but then, there’s art like Cheryl Robinson‘s paper/wax-on-wood creation, on display at Link (WSB sponsor), where Cheryl and her Twilight Artist Collective-mates made all the art happen. Cheryl’s “On the Viaduct” is featured on the fall-quarter West Seattle Art Walk posters/postcards:
… so we started tonight’s Art Walk coverage with her work. We also stopped by The Kenney (WSB sponsor), where quilter Doris McHenry was one of the resident artists showing work:
The Kenney also had a bazaar raising money for the Resident Life Care Fund, helping pay the rent for those whose resources run out too soon. Back in The Junction, ArtsWest opened a new exhibition a few days ago, “The Edge of Night,” and participating painter Jean Bradbury was at tonight’s reception:
Further south along California SW, Art Walk night also meant one of the periodic Open House events at longtime WSB sponsor M3 Bodyworks. They’re showing work by Sarah Barrick:
One of the great things about Art Walk night is that it’s even more an introduction, than a self-contained event – most if not all the artists/exhibitions can be enjoyed throughout the rest of the month. So whether you did or didn’t make it out tonight, take a look at the official Art Walk website at wsartwalk.com and think about visiting local businesses for art’s sake as well as for purchases and services.
West Seattle’s newest neon sign is at Freshy’s Coffee in the Admiral District. We got word from Western Neon that it was going up today, and caught it shortly after their crews finished. Freshy’s (2735 California SW) just celebrated its sixth anniversary last month, by the way. One thing you might not know if you’ve never been there, or haven’t been in lately – soup is on the menu, with the latest varieties often listed on their Facebook page.
(With the Chengdu students are educators, L-R, Liu Jing, Lisa Clayton, Jen Dowell)
West Seattle schools have been at the forefront of the increasing amount of Chinese-language learning offered to students – with the Confucius Institute based on the Denny-Sealth campus – but did you know that English-language learning is key for students in China, too? That’s a big reason why this group of 4th- and 5th-graders from Chengdu Longjiang Road Primary School in central China (map), is spending three weeks at Pathfinder K-8 on Pigeon Point. Their visit was arranged by Pathfinder assistant principal Lisa Clayton (who also happens to be the mom of two China-born daughters).
Since there’s no classes tomorrow, the students are wrapping up their first week today; we stopped by to meet them early Tuesday. In a quick chat before the school day revved up, the students told us they are enjoying all aspects of their visit – not just getting to practice their English, but also making new friends, playing with their host families’ pets, enjoying seasonal all-American traditions like a visit to a pumpkin patch.
The students are here in the U.S. with their school’s assistant principal Liu Jing; a frequent Pathfinder substitute teacher, Jen Dowell, has been hired to help out during their stay. None of this comes out of the school’s budget or any other public funds – Clayton worked it out with the Northwest International Student Exchange, based in Portland, which handles it all. This is part of a monthlong U.S. visit for the students, which started back East and continues after their West Seattle stay, with a trip to Disneyland!
Tomorrow is opening night for the 2011 Seattle Lesbian and Gay Film Festival (WSB sponsor), and once again this year, the festival includes screenings in West Seattle, at the historic Admiral Theater. This morning, SLGFF has sent a news release with details of the 11 films you’ll be able to see at The Admiral, starting one week from tonight – read on!Read More
Story and photo by Keri DeTore
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
Walls are being painted bright red, orange, and purple inside the storefront at 4709 42nd Ave SW (vacated by SIMA Martial Arts, which moved to The Triangle), and some walls can be drawn on with multi-colored chalk. This space is becoming home to Young at Art, an art workshop that will be open to kids and adults to learn and play with arts and crafts.
Owner Theresa Anderson tells WSB that the space will be a combination workshop and artist’s studio, with art wor kstations positioned around the space and focusing on particular mediums.
(Photo courtesy Twelfth Night Productions)
“Life is a cabaret, old chums … come to the cabaret!” You can do exactly that this Saturday night, while enjoying not only exceptional entertainment, but also a dessert buffet, and the sweet knowledge you’re helping a local nonprofit performing-arts troupe. Here’s their invitation:
Please join Twelfth Night Productions for our annual Cabaret Fundraiser!
The investment in Twelfth Night Productions from our tremendous donors keeps this volunteer-driven organization alive, enriching the greater community with the gift of the performing arts. Each year we raise nearly a quarter of our annual budget at the Cabaret Fundraiser. We look forward to seeing you there!
The evening will feature light appetizers, a dessert buffet, raffle prizes (including getaways to Lake Chelan and Victoria, B.C.), and fabulous entertainment from Twelfth Night Productions’ seasoned players.
Saturday, October 15th, 2011
The doors open at 7 PMSeattle Lutheran High School Gym
4141 41st Ave SW (enter at Genesee and 41st)
Tickets are $50 per person, or $450 for a table of 10
Purchase your tickets at Brown Paper Tickets or RSVP to Cronin.Anna@gmail.comPlease join us and support your local theater troupe! For questions, please call Anna at 206.937.1394.
Just caught the word on this one in the Easy Street Records e-newsletter, though hardcore fans may have seen it on their website earlier: Five years after headlining West Seattle Summer Fest in The Junction, John Doe returns to West Seattle’s Easy Street for an in-store performance later this month. 4:30 pm October 23rd, free, all welcome.
West Seattle photographer Machel Spence, of mushroom-imagery fame, has a new book out, and will be showing her work at shows around the region the next two weekends: Snohomish County Mycological Society’s Fall Mushroom Show this Sunday, 10 am-5 pm at Floral Hall, Forest Park, in Everett, and the Puget Sound Mycology Society‘s Wild Mushroom Show, noon-7 pm Saturday, Oct. 15, and 10 am-5 pm Sunday, Oct. 16, Mountaineers Club at 7700 Sand Point Way NE in Seattle. She describes her book as follows:
80 pages of incredibly beautiful mushroom photographs taken by me in my local forests, I am giving 10% from every book sold to Fungi Magazine so the word about mushrooms can continue to get out in the world. I am a contributing writer and photographer for this non-profit magazine. There are 100 photographs of fungi from in and around West Seattle and Mt. Rainier. It’s a pocket book of pure loveliness for your eyes…
It’s available online here.
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