West Seattle, Washington
16 Thursday
(WSB photo – early donations during last Saturday’s drive)
One week ago, we visited the heart of The Junction as volunteers from the Rotary Club of West Seattle (WSB sponsor) collected instrument donations for Music4Life. Tonight, Rotarian Brian Waid, who coordinated the dropoff donation drive, reports on the results:
I’m pleased to report that on August 9, with the support of the West Seattle KeyBank branch, the Rotary Club of West Seattle received donations of 43 used musical instruments for the benefit of Music4Life, including: drums (3, including an unusual split drum), flutes (6), clarinets (10, including 3 Buffet clarinets), trumpets/cornets (6), french horn (1), trombone (1), saxophone (1), recorders (2), guitars (4), and a banjo (1). We also received a generous cash donation for Music4Life, an instrument tuner, clarinet repair kit, music books, and several music stands.
Missed the drive? You can still donate instruments and/or money – here’s how. Music4Life works with 15 school districts in the region, including Seattle.
(WSB PHOTOS BY DAVE GERSHGORN)
Whether flying through the air, or riding down a ramp …
… SOPASUPA – the South Park Summer Party – has been delivering high-energy fun all afternoon. Yes, you can engage in the traditional festival booth-browsing too:
But the highlights include two sets by Lucha Libre Volcanica, the local troupe specializing in Mexican-style masked, costumed wrestling – our photos are from the 2 pm set:
Lucha Libre Volcanica’s second set starts at 6 pm. Like the Lucha Libre ring, the main stage was behind the businesses on the southwest corner of 14th/Cloverdale – performers included Her Mountain Majesty:
And the “skate party” was at River City Skatepark a few blocks west – bands there too:
Festivalgoers could even get a pedicab ride to the skatepark!
SOPASUPA continues until 9 pm, with more mainstage entertainment after the second Lucha Libre set. South Cloverdale is closed to through traffic west of 14th Avenue South, so if you’re heading to or from the South Park Bridge tonight, you’ll have to take a detour.
The sun returned and it’s a perfect afternoon for Alki Beach Pride 2025 – entertainment is under way on two stages (see the main-stage lineup in our Friday preview). The afternoon-and-evening festival includes closure of Alki Avenue between 57th and 61st; if you’re going, we highly recommend walking, bicycling, skating, transit – parking is full for literally miles around. Once you’re at the beach, the vendor and organization tents line Alki Trail: the DJ stage is close to the east end. Dance floor:
Flags are fluttering everywhere and there’s a rainbow arch by Alki Bathhouse:
While many people are browsing the booths, some are just enjoying the sun and sand:
Vendors even include two mobile bookstores, Beguiled and Blue Kettle, which has some books on display outside, for all age:
The party segues to an outdoor movie (“Bottoms“) at Alki Playground (59th/Stevens) at 8 pm.
(Added: Photo by Victoria Gnatoka)
Most months on the third Sunday, Alki UCC hosts a donation drive for community participation – you don’t have to attend the church or even go inside to drop items off. This month’s donation drive is tomorrow (Sunday, August 17) and here’s what they need most:
This month’s priority needs:
Men’s Work/Casual Clothing and Fresh Garden Produce
Westside Interfaith Network is really low on men’s work/casual clothing. The community we serve counts on us to have clothing they can wear for their construction and day labor jobs. Needed: work pants, jeans, khakis, hoodies, sweatshirts, t shirts, long/short sleeve shirts, work/hiking boots, casual shoes and SOCKS (preferably new).
AND … Bring in your overflow garden bounty for us to distribute to a community that doesn’t get a lot of fresh produce.
We also welcome non-perishable food, hygiene items and camping gear. Donations are distributed through the Westside Interfaith Network Saturday lunch, hosted in White Center.
Deepest gratitude to our community for your generous support of our neighbors in need.
Alki UCC is at 6115 SW Hinds, and you can drop off donations between 11 am and 3 pm Sunday.
Westwood Village‘s End-of-Summer Festival was just getting started when we ran over for some photos a little while ago. Chalk artist Anne had just finished the chalk lettering to welcome people into the festival zone in the northwest corner of the parking lot, west of the Post Office:
Several booths are set up for old-fashioned carnival games:
Players get tickets they can redeem for prizes including backpacks:
Balloon artist Brenna is ready to make custom creations:
And there’s a cotton-candy machine with pink or blue options:
Everything’s free, with a DJ providing the soundtrack, and it’s set to continue until 2 pm.
(Photo by Tom Trulin)
From early morning until late night, here’s what’s on our list for you, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
ENDURANCE RUN AT LINCOLN PARK: This is the first time Orca Running has presented One Step Closer, putting endurance runners on a 2-mile route through Lincoln Park, looping it for designated lengths from 3 hours to 18 hours. The runners doing the latter will start at 5 am; everyone is staggered so they’re finished in time for an 11 pm party. More info here.
WEST SEATTLE GLASS FLOAT HUNT: As of very early this morning, three floats remained unfound – clues are here.
GARAGE/YARD SALES: See the newest listings in the WSB Community Forums.
SATURDAY GROUP RUN: West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) leads Saturday 8 am free group runs – go run with them today!
ALSO AT WEST SEATTLE RUNNER: First day for “GET Fit, a free group training program for the Seattle Marathon for getting people off the couch to do a half marathon.” Also 8 am start.
HEAVILY MEDITATED: Free 9 am outdoor meditation at Schmitz Preserve Park (5551 SW Admiral Way) – register here.
WEST DUWAMISH GREENBELT HIKE: 9:30 am, meet at the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) Arboretum (6000 16th SW, north lot), for this month’s free guided hike, followed by a celebration (see a few listings down).
INTRODUCTORY WALK: First of two sequential weekly walking events – meeting at the same spot, 47th/Fauntleroy, first at 9:30 am for a flat-terrain 1-mile walk.
ADMIRAL DISTRICT HISTORY TOUR: Sold out!
WALKING FOR WELL-BEING: That’s followed immediately by this 10 am walk, which you can join even if you didn’t go on the introductory walk. Meet at 47th/Fauntleroy.
DELRIDGE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm, Saturdays through October, in and around the courtyard at Hope Academy in South Delridge (9421 18th SW). Fresh produce, cooked-on-site food, body-care products, more!
MASTER GARDENERS: Have a garden-related question? They’re ready to answer! Saturdays this summer, they’re at The Home Depot (7345 Delridge Way SW), 10 am-2 pm.
MORNING MUSIC AT THE COFFEEHOUSE: 10:30 am-noon at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), Marco de Carvalho and Friends perform. Info about Marco’s music is here.
FREE WRITING GROUP: 10:30 am – free weekly in-person group for writers of all levels. For location info, go here.
CELEBRATING FRED EPPS: Today is the Celebration of Life for Pegasus Book Exchange‘s Fred Epps, 11 am-3 pm at the Center for Active Living (4217 SW Oregon). His family says, “All are welcome – please come and share your stories!”
WEST DUWAMISH GREENBELT TRAILS CELEBRATION: Following the aforementioned hike, this starts at 11 am at the SSC Arboretum – gather to celebrate 30 years of restoration work in Seattle’s largest contiguous forest – then take an 11:30 am hike to visit some of the important locations.
SOPASUPA – SOUTH PARK SUMMER PARTY: 11 am-9 pm at multiple South Park locations, free fun including a skate party, entertainment, Lucha Libre masked wrestling, more; our preview has the schedule and locations.
WESTWOOD VILLAGE END-OF-SUMMER FESTIVAL: Parking lot party 11 am-2 pm with “carnival-style activities” including games, prizes, treats, face painting, north side of the center. (2600 SW Barton)
WEST SEATTLE’S ONLY SPRAYPARK: Highland Park Spraypark (1100 SW Cloverdale) continues daily operations today, 11 am-8 pm.
FAMILY READING TIME: At Paper Boat Booksellers, 11 am family reading time. (4522 California SW)
ALKI BEACH PRIDE: Noon-8 pm at the beach, the 11th annual celebration of love and community – with performers, vendors, DJs, health/wellness offerings, more, and a street party, with Alki Avenue closed to through traffic 57th to 61st. For the entertainment schedule, see our preview.
SUPER DELI MART CUSTOMER APPRECIATION PARTY: Free food and fun, including kids’ activities, noon-5 pm. (35th SW/SW Barton)
TOUR DE PINTS, WEST SEATTLE: Ride your bike to multiple West Seattle venues, starting in White Center at noon at Future Primitive Brewing (9832 14th SW). Free.
WADING POOLS: City-run wading pools scheduled to be open in West Seattle today IF afternoon weather permits – call 206-684-7796 after 9:30 am – are Lincoln Park (12 pm-7 pm) and Hiawatha (12 pm-5:30 pm, last day of its season).
COLMAN POOL: 12-7 pm swim sessions at Lincoln Park‘s heated saltwater pool (on the shore, 8011 Fauntleroy Way SW).
LOG HOUSE MUSEUM OPEN: Explore the present and past at the home of West Seattle history, open for your visit, noon-4 pm – see the exhibit about Seattle Teriyaki, only two weeks left! (61st/Stevens)
VIETNAMESE CULTURAL CENTER: The center is open to visitors noon-3 pm, as explained here. (2236 SW Orchard)
MAKE AN EGG CARTON WITH POTTERINGS: Get creative at the cozy pottery studio during this 1-4 pm workshop – our calendar listing has the registration link and details. (3400 Harbor SW)
VISCON CELLARS TASTING ROOM/WINE BAR: Tasting room open – wine by the glass or bottle – 1-6 pm at Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor).
NORTHWEST WINE ACADEMY TASTING ROOM, WINE BAR, STORE: On the north end of the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus:
The Northwest Wine Academy Tasting Room, Wine Bar, and Retail Store are open Thursday-Saturday from 1-6 pm. Come taste and purchase our student-produced wine! The Northwest Wine Academy features a large tasting room and retail store. While tasting one of our current releases, you can request a tour of our barrel room and bottling area. Come support our student winemakers and join us for a student tasting.
FREE MASSAGE: Walk into Nepenthe (9447 35th SW) 3-5 pm for short, specific free massage.
ALSO AT NEPENTHE: Summer mini-market starting at 3 pm!
P-PATCH PIZZA: Fresh-baked pizza at Barton P-Patch as a fundraiser for its operation, by donation, 4-6 pm. Live music too. (34th SW/SW Barton)
LIVE MUSIC AT THE SKYLARK: 8 pm (doors at 7), The Local Music Scene Presents: Seattle Summer Showcase with Asterhouse, Batbox, and Camden West. $15. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
REVELRY ROOM DJ: Saturday spinning starts at 9 pm – tonight it’s DJ John Simmons at Revelry Room. (4547 California SW).
SATURDAY NIGHT SK8 PARTY: 9 pm-midnight with rotating DJ Josh and DJ NightMere, 21+, at Southgate Roller Rink (9646 17th SW, White Center).
KARAOKE AT TALARICO’S: Closing out our Saturday list, there’s 10 pm karaoke at Talarico’s Pizzeria. (4718 California SW)
Got a West Seattle event coming up? If community members are welcome, your event is welcome on our calendar! Please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
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