Photos by Leda Costa for West Seattle Blog

How often do you get to take a swing at a piñata with the help of a school principal? At Denny International Middle School – at least once a year. That’s Denny principal Jeff Clark in his legendary “Denny Dolphins blue” suit at last Friday night’s Posada Navideña holiday celebration on campus. Along with games and food, music and dance filled the night:

Some of the performers were students, including the Folklorico Club from Chief Sealth International High School next door:

And the Denny/Sealth Mariachi Band, with alumni joining students.

Denny’s Mariachi Club, by the way, starts up again in January, for any interested students. Meantime, the crowd was again delighted by guest stars Banda Vagos:

They’re a popular Seattle group performing the brass-based “banda” style of music:

And once they got going, some Posada-goers just had to dance:

It was a night for memories – Andrea LaVare snapped the Folklorico Club::

Thanks to Denny PTSA co-president Manuela Slye for the lineup on this year’s event, which also included activities including writing thank-you notes for teachers and, for any interested families, a chance to get clothing and supplies courtesy of Communities in Schools:

The Posada is now a longtime Denny holiday tradition – the first one was back in 2010