VIDEO: West Seattle Big Band @ Hi-Yu Concert in the Park

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7:21 PM: Clear sky over Hiawatha Community Center‘s east lawn right now as the West Seattle Big Band headlines the annual Hi-Yu Concert in the Park.

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The WSBB, directed by Jim Edwards (above, during trombone solo), is featuring vocalists Sarah Ackers and Jeff Carter as well as talented soloists.

It’s a free concert, for all ages – kids are running around at the back of the crowd, while devoted band fans are listening intently up front.

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Sometimes these concerts have even been known to inspire people to dance. It’s on until at least 8 – come on over if you can. We’ll have video later. (Added – Here’s the WSBB with Glenn Miller’s “St. Louis Blues”:)

8:01 PM: During a quick break for the band, Hi-Yu royalty and Youth Ambassadors spoke to the crowd, and current Hi-Yu leaders Joanne and Jim Murray did too.

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As they point out, Hi-Yu runs on volunteers … and needs more help if it’s to continue. While Hi-Yu no longer runs the West Seattle Grand Parade (it’s now presented by the West Seattle Rotary Club Foundation), it creates and operates the traveling parade float, and without the Hi-Yu float’s participation in other parades around the region, other areas’ floats wouldn’t come here for our parade – the reciprocal arrangement is how it works. Find out how to get involved via westseattlehiyu.com.

And now, another tradition during the Concert in the Park intermission – awarding of the Orville Rummel Trophy for Service to the Community. This year’s recipient, as announced in June, is Clay Eals of the Southwest Seattle Historical Society. He’s here to accept it.

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“This is a big honor … a time for gratitude,” Eals said, describing himself as the “Pied Piper” who’s been able to attract more people to get involved with SWSHS in recent years. “And whether you’ve lived here for 30 days or 30 years … you have reason for connection to West Seattle … why do you choose to be here, why do you continue to choose to be here? … Something ties it all together: The reasons we all have to be connected to this area do not have to do with us – they have to do with the people who came before us and built the community that we choose to be in. Literally we stand on the shoulders of giants,” including many whose names are on the trophy he’s holding. He invited everyone to come to the SWSHS’s Log House Museum (61st/Stevens, open Thursdays-Sundays, noon-4 pm).

More music coming up soon, too, so you still have time to get here.

2 Replies to "VIDEO: West Seattle Big Band @ Hi-Yu Concert in the Park"

  • Long time homeowner-West Seattle July 19, 2016 (11:10 pm)

    We are so lucky to live here and have all these incredible folks continuing to preserve our wonderful community and welcome newcomers.   Clay Eals is one impressive person bringing folks together and promoting the precious aspects of “Ole time West Seattle”.  Thank you, Clay…  and everyone else who has given a hand (and/or donated time-money) in supporting our west side community.   Thank you, Clay; and West Seattle Blog.  West Seattle Blog belongs there too with these accolades.    :-)    

  • Jim July 20, 2016 (12:15 am)

    For the record…. West Seattle Blog is a past recipient of the Orville Rummel  Community Service Award.

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