UPDATE: West Seattle Outdoor Movies’ final night in Hotwire Coffee’s courtyard

courtyard
As of just before 7, a crowd was already building in the Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (4410 California SW; WSB sponsor) courtyard for tonight’s West Seattle Outdoor Movies showing of “The Lego Movie.” It may seem like just another fun Saturday night for most people there, but for the folks behind the scenes, it’s a momentous occasion:
loragareth
Hotwire proprietor Lora Swift has been movie maven for 11 years … and is handing the baton (and the projector) over to the West Seattle YMCA (WSB sponsor) after tonight – the new “festival street” next to the Y will become home of WSOM. With Lora in the photo above is Gareth Kenee, who’s been technical guru (projection, sound, etc.) for WSOM for the past few seasons … all on a volunteer basis. They set up long before the moviegoers start arriving, and stay to clean up long after the courtyard has cleared out.

Meantime, tonight’s big pre-show feature is the fifth annual free barbecue cooked up on the east side of the courtyard by volunteers from West Seattle Christian Church:

barbecue

And if you’re coming to the movie – or already there – say hi to one of tonight’s spotlight sponsors, Carol from Dream Dinners-West Seattle (WSB sponsor):

dreamdinners

She can tell you all about how Dream Dinners bridges the gap between cooking from scratch and picking up takeout … lots of solutions for your dinnertime dilemmas, with just a little advance planning. Her table’s in the back of the courtyard, next to the Southwest Seattle Historical Society‘s fundraising concessions (cool deals for water, soda, candy, popcorn, etc.), and if you can spare a few more $ you can buy tickets for the nonprofit-benefiting raffle.

WSB has been the proud media sponsor of West Seattle Outdoor Movies for many years now and while we’re getting a little misty about moving from the cozy courtyard, the big new digs by the Y will be exciting to experience, starting next Saturday night (August 20th) with “Princess Bride.” But first – tonight’s movie at Hotwire! It should start just after sunset, around 8:30.

10:34 PM: Started closer to 8:45, and now it’s over – cleanup time. See you at the Y next week.

8 Replies to "UPDATE: West Seattle Outdoor Movies' final night in Hotwire Coffee's courtyard"

  • Eirik Nalder August 13, 2016 (8:40 pm)

    Why is it moving to the Y just curious, I love the court yard, but why the Y? I’ve been attending since 2007! Love the Outdoor Movies! It’s inconceivable your relocating, but I will see you there!!

    • WSB August 13, 2016 (8:49 pm)

      The Festival Street has a lot more room – and after 11 years of spending most summer Saturday nights managing the movies, Lora deserves a break! The accomplishments beyond giving thousands of people a good time every summer are really amazing – raffles raising thousands for nonprofits (thanks to all the businesses who donate prizes!) and exposure for sponsors (like us!)…. See you at the Festival Street! – Tracy

  • NW August 13, 2016 (9:37 pm)

    Most likely within a year from now  this corner will be developed or soon after that’s my sense. 

  • NW August 14, 2016 (7:08 am)

    Thanks for the information will read over. Hooray the building will stay! 

  • K to the F August 14, 2016 (8:00 am)

    Awesome — the Y is closer to our house. I’m sure as our baby grows up he’ll love movies outside in the summer! What street is becoming the festival street?

  • My two cents ... August 14, 2016 (8:29 pm)

    I will miss the Hotwire location — great atmosphere and location.  Fear that the move under the auspices of the YMCA will result in a more “corporate” or structured approach.  Hotwire made it seem like a natural gathering place for the community.

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