PHOTOS, VIDEO: The Highsteppers’ soulful show @ Hiawatha, with guest appearance by The West Seattle Turkey

6:52 PM: “We’ve got some great dancing going on up here!” enthused one of The Highsteppers‘ singers between songs, referring to the youngest audience members:

Most of what they have performed so far is from those kids’ grandparents’ day – classic R&B, Motown, soul hits – but great music cuts across generations, and that’s what they’re doing tonight in the second-to-last Summer Concerts at Hiawatha show:

This is on at the east lawn of Hiawatha Community Center until 8, presented by the Admiral Neighborhood Association, with community co-sponsors including WSB. Free. More later!

10:12 PM: Special guest audience member – The West Seattle Turkey!

Well … it was nearby. Thanks to everybody who texted and rushed over to the sponsor zone on the east edge of the lawn to tell us in person about the sighting. The Turkey wisely moved on before attracting too much of a crowd. And thanks to the driver who stopped as it, yes, high-stepped across the street.

Back to the concert. Vocalists Samantha Willis and Stacey Meyer shone on a range of songs from “Rescue Me” to “Straight Up,” and the rest of the band rocked too. Here’s part of “Proud Mary”:

Another good crowd, all ages, many with picnic dinners:

One more video clip, just in as we finish this update – courtesy of Mark Jaroslaw:

Summer Concert at Hiawatha / The Highsteppers from JaroslawMedia on Vimeo.

Next week, last concert of the season – the traditional series-closer, kindie-rock superstar Caspar Babypants, 6:30 pm Thursday, August 22nd – see you there!

10 Replies to "PHOTOS, VIDEO: The Highsteppers' soulful show @ Hiawatha, with guest appearance by The West Seattle Turkey"

  • CJD August 15, 2019 (7:43 pm)

    The WS Turkey came to hang out and hear the music too!

    • WSB August 15, 2019 (7:47 pm)

      We heard! Got some pics but they’re on our big camera so we can’t add until we get back to HQ.

    • stepjo August 15, 2019 (7:54 pm)

      The bird has good taste!

  • Calires August 15, 2019 (8:37 pm)

    I live about 3/4 of a mile up California and this is the first time I’ve ever heard music from Hiawatha and I’ve lived in this location 10 years.  Nice getting a free concert at home.  Thanks, Highsteppers!  (I’m hoping this won’t be filled with complaints tomorrow morning – I thought it was a nice early evening surprise.)

    • WSB August 15, 2019 (8:54 pm)

      They were EXCELLENT.

    • Calires August 15, 2019 (8:57 pm)

      OK, so unless they’ve come back onstage at 8:55, what I’ve been hearing is not the Hiawatha concert.  Wondering if this is a neighbor having a party with a live band or some other organized outdoor music?  In any case, the music is good, so no complaints.

      • WSB August 15, 2019 (9:20 pm)

        They definitely wrapped at 8 pm -we stayed until the end, and breakdown was under way as we left.

  • Bee August 15, 2019 (8:59 pm)

    LOVED the Highsteppers!  Such great vocalists and the musicians were fantastic too. One tiny…well not so tiny suggestion: Maybe skip the “he shot me” song given the times we’re living in. It’s kind of creepy knowing we’re all on edge. Other than that what a great group. The dad jokes were awesome too. 

  • Lara August 16, 2019 (11:54 am)

    The turkey was still there Friday morning – he walked right in front of my car on Walnut as I was heading for the community center!

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