(January 2009 photo by C. Simmons)
You just might be hearing from West Seattleite Megan Lingafelter tomorrow — she’s starting a quest for donations to enhance a benefit auction to help a local music producer recover from a devastating loss during that huge fire alongside the Spokane Street Viaduct 4 months ago. (The photo above shows part of the burned wreckage, which was centered at Pacific Sheet Metal.) Read on to see the letter Megan is circulating:

When fire swept through the Dutchman Building under the West Seattle Bridge on the morning of January 8, 2009, destroying Calleye Studios where producer Gary Mula worked and lived, it wasn’t just the end of a business: it was the end of an era. The Dutchman was a landmark in the Seattle music community, serving as a focal point for every musical style over 25 years, from hip hop to grunge to acoustic folk and alt-rock. Bands including Nirvana, Mudhoney, The Gits and the Screaming Trees hashed out their distinctive brand of loud, heavy rock in Dutchman’s rehearsal rooms long before they rose to international prominence.

Friends and Colleagues have come together to throw a benefit concert and auction to assist Gary, Calleye Studios and other tenants of the Dutchman who were affected by this devastating fire. The benefit will be held Saturday, May 23rd at the Tractor Tavern and will feature Goodness, The Valley, Cmon Cmon and Kim Virant. It is our goal to raise $50,000 to help rebuild Calleye Studios so that
Gary can continue his work as one of the foundations of the rich musical culture of Seattle.

We are asking local businesses and professionals to assist us by generously donating their goods and services. The live auction will include a limited number of items of higher value and the silent auction will consist of lower dollar value items and packages that are provided by donors or put together by the benefit organizers. Both auctions will be hugely important and will help us make the most of the support that the community can offer.

LIVE AUCTION
We are hoping for donations that have a “retail value” over $500 and whose starting bids will begin at $500. Donors may set their own starting bids to ensure donations produce the best value for all. Suggestions for this category include, but by no means are limited to:

Bed and Breakfast Getaways – Weekends near or in Seattle (San Juan Islands, Victoria, Vancouver, Mt. Baker, etc)
Art –Sculptures and Painting (known area/international artists)
Musical Equipment – New gear or used gear of significance i.e. autographed, collectors, etcetera
Jewelry/Clothing – Custom Made clothes from local designers, jewelry, new clothes that are “hip”
Collector’s Items – Music Posters, Records, anything that ties in with The Dutchman’s history
Dinner/Wine – Dinners (for 4 or more, or higher end) Bottles or cases of nice wines/liquors
Services – Recording Studio Time; Producer/Mastering Time; Spa Treatment/Sessions; Disc Manufacturing, Film/Video Production; Skydiving, Balloon Rides, Guitar Lessons, Yoga
Classes, etcetera

SILENT AUCTION
Our silent auction will be for items with a retail value over $50 and starting bids no lower than $25, but we are happy to accept smaller items that can be packaged together. Donors should set their own starting bids to ensure donations produce the best value for all.

Gift Certificates – restaurants, retailers, hair salons, and professional services i.e. massage, personal
trainer, landscaping, graphic design, silk-screening etcetera.
Art/crafts – painting, framed photographs, handmade scarves, hats, etcetera.
Music Memorabilia is greatly encouraged i.e. posters from well-known acts, shows, CDs, etcetera
If you are able to donate any items or services towards either the live or silent auction, please include:
Item Description
“Retail value”
Starting bid
Expiration date (if any)
Business Location, name, logo
Picture of Item

“I’m blown away by the support that everyone has shown, especially considering the economy,” says Mula. “Seattle has changed a lot, but obviously there’s still some of that sense of community among the artists and musicians, and I’m very grateful for everything that people are doing.” Donation information and general inquiries can be sent to: auction@thedutchmanfund.com. You can also contact Megan Lingafelter (206.390.5298) with any questions. We are deeply grateful for your support.