West Seattle, Washington
03 Sunday
Once again this year, the Seattle Lesbian and Gay Film Festival plans screenings in West Seattle – Oct. 21-22 (updated dates from organizers) at Admiral Theater, during the final days of the Oct. 15-24 festival. This’ll be the festival’s third year with WS dates. We got first word from the festival’s volunteer coordinator Kevin Fansler, who also sent word they’re looking for volunteer help, with an orientation coming up Sept. 26 – read on for more on what kind of help they need:Read More
That’s the promotional video for this year’s Lunafest – a one-night film festival of sorts – featuring short films by and about women. It’s been making its way around the country, and Thursday night, it’s in West Seattle at Admiral Theater, co-hosted by Stroller Strides of Seattle (which offers fitness classes in locations including West Seattle). Every place it goes, Lunafest is also a benefit for a local nonprofit, and as noted online, the West Seattle showing is benefiting the Salvation Army’s domestic-violence programs, as well as the Breast Cancer Fund, a Lunafest beneficiary nationwide. The 90-minute showing of short films (all described here) will be preceded at 6:30 pm Thursday with a silent auction and reception; more info on The Admiral’s website; tickets are available online here.
You might have noticed SIFF’s on the marquee at the Admiral Theater – and the festival itself is less than two weeks away. Last year, the Seattle International Film Festival had showings at West Seattle’s historic moviehouse for the first time ever, and this year it’s back. 19 SIFF films will be shown at The Admiral – they’re listed here. The festival begins May 20; first film scheduled for The Admiral is May 21.
Another unique event is on the slate at West Seattle’s historic Admiral Theater. The Admiral will team with Women In Film/Seattle on April 19th for a tribute to film pioneer Nell Shipman. That night, The Admiral will show two of Shipman’s silent films – accompanied live by organist Dennis James, and with part of the proceeds benefiting animal charities, including a drive for donated items:
On April 19th, 2010, Women in Film/Seattle, and West Seattle’s Historic Admiral Theater partner to pay homage to two films by Northwest bred cinema pioneer, Nell Shipman. The “Kathryn Bigelow of her time,” Shipman is one of the first women who wrote, produced, and starred in many of her own productions. She became one of the first female directors in 1914, and by the ’20s, she had set up her own production company where she specialized in outdoor adventure films involving an assortment of wild animals including skunks, raccoons, wolves, and bears. Her films featured the outdoors; on-location shooting that would later become her trademark as a filmmaker. Shipman played a role that would occur throughout her film career: a strong, resourceful female who came through to save the day.
The announcement continues after the jump:Read More
One week from tonight, there’s a special screening at West Seattle’s Admiral Theater: The documentary “Running the Sahara,” a documentary produced and narrated by actor Matt Damon, directed by Oscar winner James Moll. According to information shared by Dinah Brein McClellan from The Admiral, it’s about three ultra-marathoners’ bid to run the entire length of the Sahara Desert – 4,300 miles, six countries – 50 miles a day. One of the athletes, Charlie Engle, will be at The Admiral for audience Q/A right after the screening. It’s at 6:30 next Wednesday night (March 10), and tickets are available online for $25 – that’s $10 less than the price at the door – here’s where to buy them; the price also includes a DVD of the film.
Happy Christmas Day! We’ve put this info out as lists over the past several days, but here it is on a map – coffee shops, grocery stores, restaurants in West Seattle (and a few in north White Center) that told our researchers (or posted on their websites) that they’d be open today – marked with cups, bags, forks/knives respectively (click each icon to see the business, its address, and its hours). If you happen onto something else that’s open in these categories, please post a comment so everyone else will know too! And if you’d prefer to see the lists in text form, here are the original links:
Grocery stores
Restaurants
Coffee shops
Also open today – West Seattle’s only moviehouse, Admiral Theater, with showings starting at 4 pm. Here’s the slate of movies today:
Where the Wild Things Are (PG) 4:00 7:00
The Fourth Kind (R), 9:00
Pirate Radio (R), 6:50
Law Abiding Citizen (R), 4:05 9:10
Last but by no means least, several West Seattle churches have services today, too:
FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH OF WEST SEATTLE (4105 California SW)
Festival Liturgy and Holy Eucharist, 10:30 am
HOLY FAMILY PARISH (20th/Roxbury)
Mass in English – 10:00 am
Mass in Spanish – 12:30 pm
HOLY ROSARY PARISH (42nd/Genesee)
Christmas Masses, 8, 9:30 am
HOPE LUTHERAN CHURCH
10:30 am
OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE (35th/Myrtle)
Mass, 10 am
PROVIDENCE MOUNT ST. VINCENT CHAPEL
Christmas Mass, 10:30 am (music by Friends of Providence)
ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH (3050 California Ave SW, next to West Seattle High School)
10:00 am Holy Eucharist with Carols (*quieter celebration of Christmas with special music; a festive reception follows the service)
Hope you’re having a great holiday!
We told you about the vote last month – this morning the winner’s been announced: Admiral Theater will show “Elf” (trailer above) as its free Christmas movie (with a donated item, as listed on that page) at noon December 19th. Also announced by The Admiral: A New Year’s Eve party – with the singalong version of “West Side Story” and a champagne toast at midnight, $20. More here. (Tonight at The Admiral, it’s the Christmas Jug Band, 8 pm.)
The Admiral Theater invites you to help choose a free movie for the holidays. Dinah from The Admiral sends the pitch:
We would love to host a free holiday movie for our neighbors and want your suggestions! Last year we showed, the perennial favorite, A Christmas Story. Please suggest something you can’t see on TV i.e. (It’s a Wonderful Life). Maybe it’s a charming foreign Christmas film or maybe it’s Naughty Santa. The only thing we can’t do is play something that’s currently out in
the theaters. You can either e-mail me at dinah@admiralentertainment.com, or fill out a slip and put it in our Christmas box at the theater and let me know what you’d like to see on our big screen! Admission is free but we ask that you bring some needed donations for our food banks! We will announce the film the first week of December and we will show the film on Saturday, December 19th at noon!
Next time you go to the movies at The Admiral, also look for their candy contest – a suggestion box of sorts where you can suggest a type of candy you’d like to see make a comeback.
As noted here two weeks ago, the Seattle Lesbian and Gay Film Festival is returning to West Seattle’s Admiral Theater again this year. The festival runs October 16-25; according to its website, the Admiral screenings are on the final two days, with five films on Saturday 10/24 and two on Sunday 11/25 – here’s the schedule. Tickets went on sale today; here’s info on how to buy them. ADDED 1:55 PM: Another festival note, from West Seattle’s State Sen. Joe McDermott, via Facebook: “West Seattle filmmaker Michael Culpepper‘s short After All That shows on Saturday, October 17, at 2 pm at the Egyptian Theater!” (Here’s that link.)
For the second consecutive year, the Seattle Lesbian and Gay Film Festival will include screenings at Admiral Theater here in West Seattle. So says the Three Dollar Bill Cinema website, to which we were pointed by this item at Gay Cap Hill, noted on Twitter by our fellow indie-neighborhood-news site Capitol Hill Seattle. The festival runs October 16-25 but the specific movies/dates aren’t public yet – the TDBC site says they’ll be announced next Friday.
THURSDAY NIGHT TUNES: The second show in the Admiral Neighborhood Association’s Summer Concerts at Hiawatha series (co-sponsored by WSB) is tomorrow night, 6:30 pm, east lawn outside Hiawatha Community Center. That spot gets shady hours earlier because of the building and the trees. Tomorrow’s performers: Tom Colwell and the Southbound Odyssey, a smash hit during the Pete Seeger 90th birthday event at Admiral Theater earlier this year. Speaking of The Admiral:
AIR-CONDITIONED MUSIC FRIDAY AND SATURDAY NIGHT: Admiral Theater has live music both nights: Troupe de Ville with Steve Thoreson (“a voice more powerful than Pavarotti”), Eric Fridrich (“soulful”) and Segovia-trained Italian guitarist Andre Feriante at 9 pm Friday (tickets here), Billet-Deux “gypsy jazz” at 9 pm Saturday (tickets here). And outdoors, to the south, that very night, you can get “Footloose.”
SATURDAY NIGHT “MOVIE ON THE WALL”: Doesn’t seem right now like much chance that last Saturday night’s semi-freak rainburst will be replicated (although it’s great to have the backup indoor site nearby). So plan on being in the Hotwire Coffee (WSB sponsor) courtyard for the West Seattle Outdoor Movies on the Wall presentation of”Footloose” at dusk Saturday, with preshow activities (go-go dancers!) around 8:30 pm. Free, but bring a few dollars for concessions provided by West Seattle Christian and Coffee to a Tea with Sugar, and raffles for local merchant gift certificates, all benefiting local nonprofits. Gates open at 7:00 pm with pre-show fun starting at 8:30 pm. 4400 California Ave SW (map).
ALKI ART FAIR: We’ll be heading down in a bit for an early look at who and what you’ll find there this year. On the boardwalk and by the Bathhouse, 10 am-7 pm today, 10 am-5 pm tomorrow.
OUTDOOR MOVIES ON THE WALL: Tonight, the second of six outdoor movies in this summer’s series, presented by the West Seattle Junction Association and co-sponsored by local businesses including WSB: The featured presentation is the 1933 version of “King Kong,” on the big screen in the courtyard between Hotwire Coffee (WSB sponsor) and Dr. Wolff. The movie starts at dusk but the preshow fun starts around 8:30 – “Save Barbie” – don’t miss it. B/Y/O chair/blanket – doors open at 7 and there was quite a crowd last week (photo above), so you might want to stake out your spot early and then go wander around The Junction for a while. Free, but bring a few $ for concessions and raffles, proceeds benefiting local nonprofits. See the full series lineup here.
BIG SALES – PLUS, YARD SALES LISTED ON WSB: Two huge rummage sales today – Community School of West Seattle till 5 pm (and again 9-5 tomorrow), Highland Park Improvement Club one day only (10 am-3 pm). And some other yard/rummage sales are listed in the WSB Forums, where you can list your sale in the Freebies, Deals, Sales category any time FREE: Here’s a moving sale; an “everything must go” sale; and a “cleaning house” sale.
“THE LISTENING ROOM” AT ADMIRAL THEATER TONIGHT: It’s the latest installment in a unique series of performances – live music, spoken word, and art, all happening in the show. Read all about it, and sample the musicians’ work, by going here.
That’s just a sample of what’s happening … the West Seattle Weekend Lineup has lots more.
ADMIRAL THEATER: This Saturday night’s “Listening Room” show is also a benefit for the West Seattle Food Bank and White Center Food Bank (which serves West Seattle from SW Myrtle southward) — Admiral entertainment director Dinah Brein McClellan says one thing the WCFB really needs, for example, is bathroom tissue! More on what to bring, who’s performing and how to get tickets here. The show’s at 9 pm and includes live painting as well as music – full details here.
WEST SEATTLE SUMMER FEST: We’ve been updating you on all the plans for West Seattle’s huge three-day summer street festival (a WSB sponsor), coming up July 10-11-12 (most recent update here – another big-name addition to the music slate), including the fact that the beer garden at the Junction Plaza Park site will help raise money to finish the park project. Now Susan Melrose from the West Seattle Junction Association sends an update on that – the percentage has been finalized: 25 percent of the beer garden’s proceeds will go to the park. She’s also looking for volunteers to help staff the park’s booth at Summer Fest – susan@wsjunction.org if you can help.
(photo by Christopher Boffoli)
The party’s over but more than 20 screenings are yet to come, as West Seattle makes its Seattle International Film Festival debut — this is day 2, and many are no doubt still recovering from day 1:
Shortly after cutting a ceremonial ribbon last night during the open house/party celebrating the Admiral Theater‘s debut as a SIFF venue, SIFF director Carl Spence (with Admiral entertainment director Dinah Brein-McClellan at the start of the clip) was ceremonially “kidnapped” by the Seafair Pirates. But that was just the conclusion of their visit – as always, they made an entrance that could be heard for miles around:
(They’ll be landing on Alki on July 11th, by the way.) And while at the theater, they helped cut the cake in pirate style:
That photo’s also by WSB photojournalist Christopher Boffoli, as are all the others you’ll see just ahead – more scenes from the party, and information on the rest of SIFF’s run at The Admiral:Read More
That’s the nautically themed cake that Junction-based Vertu Cakes has created for the informal open-house-style party under way right now – till 6:45 – at the Admiral Theater, on the first night of the first-ever West Seattle screenings for the Seattle International Film Festival. Film #1 is getting out in about 20 minutes, and #2, “The Admiral,” starts at 7, but even if you’re not going to the movies, the doors are open and there are appetizers, sweet treats (in addition to the cake), and general festivity here at West Seattle’s historic moviehouse. SIFF director Carl Spence (a West Seattleite) has just arrived and is talking with Admiral operator Jeff Brein and entertainment director Dinah Brein-McClellan, and we’ve heard there’s been a sighting of the Seafair Pirates (who we spotted preparing their invasion plans over in one of the old Huling lots). More to come. 5:56 PM UPDATE: The pirates are invaded and are promoting the “Seafair Pirates Film Festival.” Mysteriously absent an actual date, time and venue, however.
ADDED 6:17 PM: Oh dear, the Pirates have just absconded with Carl Spence. Video/photos shortly. But at least the ceremonial ribbon-cutting happened first. Here’s a shot of their arrival:
So if you hear or see the Pirates plundering some other area of West Seattle, you know where they came from. Party continues till 6:45.
ADDED 6:39 PM: Before we make our getaway (headed next for the Skylark third-anniversary party), video of the Pirates making their getaway — last seen westbound on Admiral toward Alki.
More big news about the West Seattle SIFF gala at the Admiral Theater tomorrow night – a fun free party that you are welcome to attend even if you’re not going to the movie(s): Admiral entertainment director Dinah Brein-McClellan says Salty’s on Alki has just signed on to provide cookies and desserts. That’s in addition to Vertu Cakes‘ ship-shape creation, plus appetizers from Metropolitan Market, flowers/balloons from Sharon’s Westwood Florist, and a special appearance by the Seafair Pirates – who Dinah says have been mysteriously seen referring to this event as “Pirate Fest” – how will that go over with SIFF director Carl Spence, who’ll be there too? Be there to find out! Again, it’s all free, 5:30-6:45 pm Friday at West Seattle’s historic Admiral Theater – tomorrow’s also the first day of the week-long first-ever SIFF showings at The Admiral (schedule and tickets online here). If you’re not going to the 7 pm movie, or even if you are, head east to North Delridge, where it’s a party all night long tomorrow at Skylark Cafe and Club (WSB sponsor):
That’s The Apple War, who’ll be on hand as Skylark celebrates its third birthday tomorrow night, and in case you missed it the first time, here’s the heart of the party announcement from proprietor Jessie SK:
On June 5, the party commences at 8 pm with throat-singing, tabla-playing DJ Baba James, continues with the downtempo Deepsleep Narcotics Company, kicks it up a notch with westside country-punk heroes The Stevedore, and culminates with indie rock awesomeness The Apple War. The traditional third wedding anniversary gift is “leather,” but we don’t recommend wearing it to this show. You’ll overheat.
Jessie notes on Facebook that the A/C is back in business at Skylark and she has a few dinner suggestions – like barbecue ribs and grilled veggies – Skylark is on the north end of Delridge, south of The Bridge (click and pan this Google Street View to see exactly where):
Friday night’s almost here, and with it the West Seattle gala celebrating the peninsula’s first-ever participation in the Seattle International Film Festival – with the Admiral Theater hosting 25 showings of SIFF films between Friday and the following Thursday. To kick it off — even if you are NOT going to the movie that follows! — YOU are invited to a free, fun open-house style party this Friday night. WSB is co-promoting the party with The Admiral, 5:30 pm-6:45 pm, before the opening-night showing of “The Admiral.” Special guests include SIFF director Carl Spence – who lives in West Seattle – and the Seafair Pirates; treats include a ship-shaped cake from Vertu Cakes and appetizers from Metropolitan Market, plus decorations include flowers and balloons from Sharon’s Westwood Florist. Haven’t been to the Admiral? Its interior has unique sights such as the mural behind the concession stand, and other classic decor. One more note: If you’re trying to find the full schedule of SIFF films at The Admiral, and how to buy tickets (you get them through SIFF, *not* the Admiral’s box office), start here, with the June 5 schedule, featuring Admiral showings on the left side of the grid.
We’re counting down to the Friday night party that WSB is co-promoting with the Admiral Theater to celebrate the Seattle International Film Festival‘s first-ever West Seattle run — 25 screenings, June 5-11. As you see on the marquee, the party starts at 5:30; it’s informal, open-house style, so just drop by before about 6:45, when filmgoers will start taking their seats for “The Admiral.” This morning, we have word of more party participants, from Admiral entertainment director Dinah Brein-McClellan, who invited local businesses to be part of the bash: Metropolitan Market is bringing appetizers; Sharon’s Westwood Florist is contributing flowers and balloons. Add that to a creation by Vertu Cakes (based in The Junction) and appearances by the Seafair Pirates and SIFF director Carl Spence. Come help celebrate yet another feather in West Seattle’s increasingly stylish cultural cap, this Friday.
So much happened last weekend, you may not be ready to look ahead to next weekend – but with only days to go till the 
Seattle International Film Festival‘s first-ever West Seattle run at the Admiral Theater (June 5-11), we wanted to remind you of the opening-night party that WSB is co-promoting with The Admiral: The time is now set for 5:30 pm – it’s casual, fun, open-house style, 5:30 till 6:45, right before the showing of, for real, “The Admiral.” Given the movie title and the theater theme, the party will have a nautical flavor – as we’ve already mentioned, the Seafair Pirates will visit, as will SIFF director Carl Spence (who lives in West Seattle), and Junction-based Vertu Cakes is providing a fun cake shaped like a ship. Come celebrate West Seattle’s continued rise in the culture ranks – 5:30 pm Friday at The Admiral. More party details as the week progresses!
Full list on the West Seattle Weekend Lineup – here’s a direct link to the Sunday section. Highlights:
CAR-FREE ALKI, ER, WE MEAN “SEATTLE SUMMER STREETS”: We’ll be starting our coverage from Alki shortly after 8 am, when we’ll be out seeing where traffic’s being blocked off feeding into the beach. (First word likely via Twitter, so check here too.)
WEST SEATTLE 5K: At 9:30 am, it’s the walk/run that’s kicking off “Summer Streets” today, raising money for local schools. You can still register — just go to the Bathhouse, 8-9:20 am.
BEACH VOLLEYBALL: In addition to many other activities planned on Alki, it’s the second day of Alki Volleyball Association‘s season-opener.
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm in The Junction as always; here’s today’s “fresh sheet.”
WEST SEATTLE ROCK AND GEM SHOW: Second and final day of the annual extravaganza – FREE! – presented by the West Seattle Rock Club (WSB sponsor) – 10 am-5 pm, Masonic Hall (40th/Edmunds) – with kids’ activities (photo) as well as displays and vendors.
FREE YOGA! 11 am-12:15 pm at Sound Yoga (WSB sponsor). Just show up.
MAGIC AT THE ADMIRAL: Want to get out of the heat? 1:30 this afternoon, magician Phil Crosson (video) performs at Admiral Theater.
BIRTHDAY PARTIES: Not far from the car-free zone, Alki UCC church members plan to celebrate its centennial this morning by walking from the church’s original location off Beach Drive (by La Rustica) at 9 am, to its current location at 63rd/Hinds, celebrating the 100th anniversary. Tibbetts United Methodist Church has its Centennial Talent Show (and ice-cream social!) at 3 pm today. Kiwanis Club of West Seattle marks its 80th anniversary at 5 pm at South Seattle Community College; more here.
Two weeks till the first-ever Seattle International Film Festival showings in West Seattle (June 5-11), and one week since we first mentioned the Admiral Theater party we’re co-promoting to mark this WS cultural milestone, we’ve got some major RSVP’s: Admiral entertainment director Dinah Brein-McClellan says the Seafair Pirates are on board, for starters. (During a brainstorming session at which the nautical theme – natural for The Admiral, and also for the fact the opening-night film slate includes “The Admiral” – West Seattle Chamber of Commerce CEO Patti Mullen suggested the Pirates had party potential.) SIFF boss Carl Spence also is expected to be there, in honor of the renowned festival’s first-ever partnership with a West Seattle venue. Last week, we extended Dinah’s invitation for your ideas about what else might make this a memorable party (early evening, open-house format, before the 7 pm “Admiral” showing on June 5th), and it’s not too late for you to suggest something – leave a comment here or e-mail Dinah, dinah@admiralentertainment.com. And if you’re making plans to attend SIFF screenings at The Admiral, remember that ticket sales for the 25 movies are all done through SIFF, *not* the Admiral, and you can buy them online. The movie slate is here; ticket sales start here; special multi-show ticket deals are detailed here.
With the first-ever Seattle International Film Festival showings in West Seattle now less than a month away, WSB is co-promoting an Admiral Theater event to celebrate this major moment in WS cultural history: An opening-night party on June 5. The party is just taking shape – it will be fun but informal, probably something of an open-house format that night, before the 7 pm showing of the ever-so-appropriate choice “The Admiral.” On behalf of Admiral entertainment director Dinah Brein-McClellan, we’re asking you: Got any ideas for who or what should be part of that party (an all-ages, drop-in event)? If you’re a local business or organization, maybe you’d like to be part of it? Leave a comment here or e-mail Dinah, dinah@admiralentertainment.com – and stay tuned for party details. In the meantime, a reminder that tickets for the 25 SIFF movies to be shown at The Admiral June 5-11 are on sale now – ticket sales are all done through SIFF, *not* the Admiral, so you’ll want to snap them up sooner rather than later. The movie slate is here; ticket sales start here; details on special multi-show ticket deals are here.
As we reported last month, the Seattle International Film Festival is coming to West Seattle for the first time, with films at the Admiral Theater June 5th-11th. The schedule’s been made public today; see it here — note that the list of 25 movies includes, appropriately enough, one called “The Admiral.” The SIFF citywide box office is now open; this page explains how to get tickets.
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