West Seattle, Washington
11 Thursday
Imagine yourself in that scene – in the shade, on the east lawn at Hiawatha Community Center, on a warm summer night. That could be you this Thursday during the next free concert presented by the Admiral Neighborhood Association. This week, it’s the “Gypsy Jazz” sound of Ranger and the Re-arrangers – here’s a sample of their style:
As always, the concert will run 6:30-8 pm; bring your own chair, blanket, etc., family, friends, neighbors, picnic dinner, etc.! The lawn runs along Walnut south of Lander.
(WSB photo from 2017 Summer Concerts at The Mount)
Now that it’s August, Providence Mount St. Vincent is about to launch its 2019 series of four free outdoor concerts! They start tomorrow (Friday, August 2) on the south side of The Mount’s campus at 4831 35th SW. If you haven’t already seen it in our calendar, here’s the lineup:
August 2nd — Danny Vernon, The Illusion of Elvis
August 9th — Loose Heels – Country covers and originals
August 16th — The Abbagraphs (Abba tribute band)
August 23rd — The 85th Street Big Band
The concerts are free – so are popcorn and snow cones – but you have the option of buying dinner and drinks starting at 5:30. Music starts at 6. Bring your own chair/blanket.
6:52 PM: “My favorite place to play is outside!” enthused Alec Shaw between songs as tonight’s Summer Concerts at Hiawatha show got going. It’s a great place to be tonight whether you’re onstage or on the lawn (east lawn at Hiawatha Community Center (Walnut south of Lander) to be specific) – the stage and most of the lawn are in the shade already and the rest will be soon. The show’s on until about 8 – free – bring your own blanket/chair.
Alec Shaw at Summer Concerts @ Hiawatha. Beautiful night, hundreds here, all ages. pic.twitter.com/lSFqaoqufu
— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) August 2, 2019
7:57 PM: Concert’s wrapping up – last song.
ADDED 11:11 PM: More photos!
You can find out more about Alec Shaw’s music here. Next week at Hiawatha – Ranger and the Re-Arrangers, 6:30 pm Thursday (August 8th).
While rain is forecast for the end of the week, looks like good concert weather tomorrow (Thursday) night for the next installment of Summer Concerts at Hiawatha (presented by the Admiral Neighborhood Association with community co-sponsors including WSB). Alec Shaw will be onstage for the free concert starting at 6:30 on the east lawn of Hiawatha Community Center (along Walnut south of Lander) – bring your own chair/blanket, picnic dinner if you want to, and enjoy a great night of fresh air and live music.
6:58 PM: Great place to hang out in the shade – the east lawn at Hiawatha Community Center, where The Not-Its are onstage right now as the Admiral Neighborhood Association‘s Summer Concerts at Hiawatha presents its first show of the year (after last week was rained out). You still have time to get there – the concert (free!) continues until 8 pm. More photos later.
9:45 PM: Great crowd, and lots of smiles evoked by the band’s playful style:
Here’s a bit of video:
This concert had a bonus follow-up act – talented young musicians from School of Rock West Seattle:
We have some video from their performance too:
Next Thursday night (August 1), at 6:30 pm, Alec Shaw performs.
(August 2018 WSB photo)
Though the opening show of this year’s Summer Concerts at Hiawatha series was rained out, this week’s forecast looks much more summery, so we feel safe in reminding you that The Not-Its are scheduled to take the stage at 6:30 pm Thursday. This bouncy bunch had two big West Seattle shows last year – at the Sub Pop Records 30th-anniversary party on Alki (photo above) and the Hometown Holidays Night Market/Tree Lighting in The Junction – so you might already know something about their “kindie rock” style. Bring your own chair/blanket/dancing shoes to the east lawn at Hiawatha Community Center (along Walnut south of Lander). The Admiral Neighborhood Association presents Summer Concerts at Hiawatha, with the support of community sponsors (including WSB) – see you there!
(WSB photos from Saturday’s West Seattle Grand Parade. Above, All-City Band)
It’s your chance to see marching bands without going to a parade, and a chance to see them perform entire routines instead of just the fragment paradegoers get as they pass: Band Jam is returning to West Seattle this year, after moving downtown last year because of work at Southwest Athletic Complex. This year, the field is finished and Band Jam’s back!
(Sumner High School Band)
Four of the marching bands from this past Saturday’s West Seattle Grand Parade will be part of it, according to the announcement today from All-City Band director Marcus Pimpleton:
All-City Band wanted to make sure all of our friends in West Seattle are aware of our Band Jam event this Friday at the Southwest Athletic Complex – 2801 SW Thistle St. – across the street from Chief Sealth International High School. This free event will run from 6:30-9:00 pm and feature musical performances by the:
Junior All-City Band
Seismic Sound Drumline
Kennedy Catholic High School Marching Band
Rainbow City Marching Band and Spinout Color Guard
Sumner High School Marching Band
Seattle Seahawks Blue Thunder Drumline
Seattle Sounders FC Soundwave Marching Band
Seattle Schools All-City Marching Band
(Rainbow City Marching Band)
Dr. Pimpleton launched Band Jam back in 2009 as a tuneup event for bands on the eve of the Seafair Torchlight Parade (which is downtown this Saturday night).
The summer sun returned just in time for those custom shades to be practical (as well as sporty) during tomorrow’s Float Dodger 5K before the West Seattle Grand Parade. The 5K along the parade route and back, to and from Hiawatha, returns after a year’s hiatus. Until 7 tonight, you can stop by West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor), where we took the photo, to pick up your packet and sunglasses, or to register if you haven’t already. (Very last-minute registration will be available tomorrow morning, too.) Here’s the Saturday plan:
8:00 am – Registration and Packet Pickup opens
8:45 am – Free Kids Dash around the track
9:00 am – Costume contest
9:30 am – Race starts
10:00 am – Awards ceremony
10:15 am – After party at West Seattle Runner
Shortly afterward, it’s time for the Grand Parade – one last preview later this evening!
(Video courtesy Ralph Lane Productions)
That video is from yesterday, when the West Seattle Big Band played to a big crowd at the Ballard Locks – and tomorrow night, you can see them right here at home, during their 24th annual Concert in the Park. Free! Just BYO chair/blanket to the east lawn at Hiawatha Community Center, along Walnut south of Lander – the music starts at 7 pm Tuesday (July 16th).
(WSB photo from WSBB Concert in the Park 2018)
The WSBB is directed by Jim Edwards, also a coordinator of the West Seattle Grand Parade, and the concert has another connection to Saturday’s parade – presentation of the Orville Rummel Trophy for Outstanding Service to the Community. As reported here last week, this year’s honoree is philanthropist Adah Rhodes Cruzen, and you can applaud her at tomorrow night’s concert. Side note – its past winners include WSBB director Jim and wife Barbara Edwards, who as the video clip above shows, just celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary!
P.S. Don’t let today’s rain worry you … tomorrow’s forecast looks dry. All ages are welcome to come enjoy the WSBB’s outstanding music. You can even get up and dance if you feel like it.
Keep your energy up! More big events ahead … including these three next Saturday (July 20):
FLOAT DODGER 5K: We photographed West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor) co-proprietor Tim McConnell this weekend at Summer Fest, modeling custom sunglasses available to registrants while they last. The Float Dodger 5K takes you from Hiawatha down the West Seattle Grand Parade route on California to The Junction and back on Saturday morning, starting at 9:30 (after a costume contest!). WSR presents the Float Dodger 5K, with proceeds benefiting West Seattle Helpline. You can register online through Thursday. or in person through Friday at WSR (2743 California SW) to save fees. Packet pickup is 3-7 pm Friday (July 19th) at the store, where participants can also take advantage of a 10 percent in-store discount on merchandise.
2ND ANNUAL PAWRADE: In The Junction right before the Grand Parade, you and your dog(s) are invited to be part of the second annual PAWrade. No entry fee – but registration is required; you can do it online here (scroll down the page) or starting at 10 am on parade morning at California/Genesee. The PAWrade starts there at 11 am and travels a short route in The Junction, right as the Grand Parade begins in Admiral.
WEST SEATTLE GRAND PARADE: Motorcycles! Bands! Pirates! Floats! Dancers! Community groups! The parade-presenting West Seattle Rotary Foundation says 80+ entries are expected this year as the West Seattle Grand Parade heads down California SW from Lander to Edmunds starting at 11 am Saturday (be in place by 10:30 am as the motorcycle drill teams often start sooner). Cheer for the special honorees (here’s our preview about them)! If you’re in The Junction, you’ll hear parade announcers Brian Callanan and Christa Callanan. We’ll roll out more previews as this week goes on.
(2016 Mini-STP group; photo courtesy Don Brubeck)
Once again this year, West Seattle Bike Connections is leading the Mini-STP bicycle ride on Summer Fest Sunday (July 14th), and you’re welcome to join. The family-friendly ride rolls at 9:30 am (arrive at 9:15) from SW Seattle St. in North Admiral, heads to SW Portland St. in Gatewood, and then back north to end in The Junction at West Seattle Summer Fest. You can pre-register here, or just show up. See more details in our calendar listing!
(WSB photo from past Summer Fest Eve – when you can wander in the streets, enjoy music, and more)
By this time Thursday night, the Junction streets where you’ll find West Seattle Summer Fest Friday-Sunday will be closed to vehicles and open for fun. What’s become known as Summer Fest Eve is a reason all its own to come hang out in, and wander around, The Junction as festival setup begins. You’ll find:
*Sidewalk cafés for dinner, drinks, snacks starting around 6:30
*Entertainment:
Bubbleman, 6:30 pm
Pop-up fashion show “flash mob” with VAIN (WSB sponsor) and Lika Love, 7 pm
Dance “flash mob” with Dance Powered at California/Alaska, 7 pm
Yada Yada Blues Band (outside West 5), 7 pm
*West Seattle Art Walk: First summer-quarter art walk! Here’s the map and venue list:
As always, note that Art Walk venues include food/drink specials as well as art! Preview some of them on the Art Walk website. See you in the street starting tomorrow night!
(Photo by David Hutchinson)
2:19 PM: From the treacherous waters of Elliott Bay, the Seafair Pirates have arrived at Alki – landing shortly after 1 pm, aboard the trusty Prudhoe Bay (once again commandeered from West Seattle’s own Global Diving and Salvage, who surely know where to find Davy Jones’s Locker). This might be the only port o’ call where people run (wade) toward pirates instead of running from them:
(WSB photos by Patrick Sand from here down, unless credited otherwise)
Even if you missed the landing, the beach festival with vendors, kids’ rides, and treats continues until 5 pm:
ADDED 4:23 PM: More photos!
The tide was low, so the required wading was a little shallower than usual. On shore, a change – no roped-off area, so pirates and fans moved about at will:
Though they were of course wielding swords, we observed more smiles than shrieks:
The traditional welcome ceremony ensued:
The welcoming party included King County Executive Dow Constantine and Seafair royalty:
(Texted photo)
From left with the KCE are this year’s King Neptune, Rich Gray; Queen Alcyone, Kim Holcomb; and Miss Seafair, Andrea Diaz. (Read more about them here.) Meantime, we’re told the Pirates have left the Bathhouse in their landlubbing “vessel,” Moby Duck:
(Photo by David Hutchinson)
Two weeks from today, they will be back to “sail” down California Avenue SW in Moby Duck during the West Seattle Grand Parade (which starts at California/Lander at 11 am and heads southbound to The Junction).
(2016 photo by David Hutchinson)
One more warning – tomorrow’s the day to “keep a weather eye on the horizon” as the Seafair Pirates are expected to storm the shore at Alki Beach in early afternoon. Come early/stay late for general revelry including kids’ activities, vendors around the Bathhouse, and music. Seafair estimates the pirates will arrive between 1 and 2 pm, but the time can vary – last year it was around 1:40 pm. Current forecast, partly sunny. No road closures associated with the event but be ready for crowds, and if you will need to park, get there early.
(WSB file photo)
Start your holiday with West Seattle’s only Independence Day parade – the 25th annual 4th of July Kids’ Parade in North Admiral! Gather at 44th and Sunset (or as close as you can get) by 10 am – the route is on the parade website (you can sit on the curb and be a spectator if you want). Led by SPD, SFD, and the “neighborhood blue truck” as organizers call it, the parade features all the families who show up – often with decorated bikes, trikes, wagons, strollers, and scooters. After a few words from organizers Nicole Lutomski and Megan Erb, and the national anthem by Leilani Nitkey, it’s a low-key meander along a few blocks, ultimately ending at Hamilton Viewpoint Park for sack races and craft activities (presented by some of the parade’s community co-sponsors). Food and treat trucks will be there too, as well as the SPD and SFD vehicles that participate. We’re proud to be among this year’s co-sponsors – see you at the parade!
(WSB photo from 2018 PAWrade)
So much still to come as we head toward the heart of summer! One of the biggest days is now less than 3 weeks away. Saturday, July 20th, starts with the return of the Float Dodger 5K, presented by West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor) at 9:30 am (register here!), then continues with the second annual PAWrade at 10 am (you and your dog are invited to be part of it!), and then the West Seattle Grand Parade at 11 am. Just wanted to make sure those are on your radar! More specifics as we get closer.
(WSB photo from August 2018)
Before the day gets busier, one more reminder/preview … we are now three weeks away from the start of this year’s Summer Concerts at Hiawatha series. For a decade, the Admiral Neighborhood Association has presented this series of six free Thursday night outdoor concert, on the east lawn at Hiawatha Community Center (off Walnut south of Lander). This year’s lineup was rolled out in phases, starting at March’s ANA meeting (WSB coverage here). In its entirety:
July 18 – SWAY WILD featuring Mandy Fer & Dave McGraw
July 25 – THE NOT-ITS
August 1st – ALEC SHAW
August 8th – RANGER AND THE REARRANGERS
August 15th – THE HIGHSTEPPERS
August 22nd – CASPAR BABYPANTS
(For more info on the performers, see the ANA website.) All concerts start at 6:30 and run till about 8 pm. Bring your own chair/blanket for seating. In case of rain, the concert will usually just move into the Hiawatha gym, but check here for updates. (WSB has been a series co-sponsor since the start.)
(WSB photo from July 4, 2018)
If you haven’t participated in the West Seattle 4th of July Kids’ Parade previously – be aware it’s more than a parade! Kids and their families travel along the parade route (see it here) and end up at Hamilton Viewpoint Park for games and art/craft activities – sack races (above) are part of it! This year marks the 25th for the community-organized, volunteer-led tradition, and this year’s coordinators Nicole Lutomski and Megan Erb have sent out this schedule:
10:00 am at 44th and Sunset: National Anthem sung by Leilani Nitkey (School of Rock student), parade coordinators lead countdown
10:20 am: Parade Begins:
o SPD Motorcycles
o SFD Fire Truck
o Neighborhood Blue Truck
o Community Families10:40 am: Parade arrives at Hamilton Viewpoint Park
10:55am: Gunny Sack Races, State Senator Joe Nguyen emceeing
o 3-4 year olds
o 4-5 year olds
o 5-6 year olds
o 6-7 year olds
o 7-8 year oldsOne last call for anyone who missed their age group!
· Fire truck, Police Vehicles, Lil J’s Super Dawgs Food Truck, All City Ice Cream (two trucks) Mini The Dough-Nut Food Truck, all in Hamilton Viewpoint parking lot
This all starts wrapping up around noon so you can move on with the rest of your holiday. Decorate your bike, trike, stroller, wagon, self … and be part of it!
P.S. As with so many things, the parade is in part powered by community co-sponsors … this year, that includes us at WSB.
Hurry! You have until 7 pm to celebrate a Summer Solstice Happy Hour with Click! Design That Fits (4540 California SW; WSB sponsor) proprietors John Smersh and Frances Smersh, and their friend, cookbook author Kim O’Donnel:
They’re serving up chocolate beet bundt cake, rhubarb salsa, sangria, and more.
It’s also – as explained here – a benefit for the Alzheimer’s Association, a special cause for Click! because Frances is living with young-onset Alzheimer’s. She is an accomplished artist and at tonight’s happy hour, a donation of $25 or more gets you one of these “little pictures” she has created:
Whether you can or can’t get to tonight’s event, here’s how to donate.
Continuing our countdowns to big summer events – we are now just one week away from this year’s West Seattle Garden Tour. It’s a self-guided tour and you have all day next Sunday (June 23rd), 9 am-5 pm, to visit any/all of the nine gardens at your own pace. They’re all previewed on the WSGT website – but to enjoy them in person, you’ll need to buy a ticket book. You can get your ticket book at HomeStreet Bank (4022 SW Alaska; WSB sponsor), West Seattle Nursery (California/Brandon), or Junction True Value (44th/Edmunds), or order online and pick it up on tour day at Metropolitan Market (41st/Admiral; WSB sponsor). Proceeds benefit other local nonprofits; see the list of this year’s beneficiaries here.
That was the scene just before the start of the obstacle-course race that began today’s third annual Loop the ‘Lupe at Walt Hundley Playfield. Here’s what happened next:
The obstacle course was the first of four ways to Loop the ‘Lupe and support the Walmesley Center‘s social-outreach work. It’s a unique West Seattle event, with challenges including climbing:
And mud:
Here are the results. Local coach/educator Jeff Ursino designed the course.
For those who preferred something a little simpler, the obstacle course was followed by a 5K run-walk:
Loop the ‘Lupe also offers a Senior Saunter:
Serenading the event – youth musicians from the West Seattle School of Rock:
And we spotted two local elected officials – State Rep. Eileen Cody:
And City Councilmember Lisa Herbold:
Community sponsors for this year’s Loop the ‘Lupe are shown here – including us at WSB as well as three local businesses that are also WSB sponsors: Wyatt’s Jewelers, Project 968, and West Seattle Runner.
As featured in today’s highlight list, packet pickup/semi-last-minute registration for Saturday’s Loop the ‘Lupe continues until 7 at West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) – that’s where we photographed Veronica and Brian. But even if you can’t get there before then and you’re not already registered, it’s still not too late – you can sign up before the event tomorrow, starting at 10 am at Walt Hundley Playfield (34th/Myrtle), which is just east of the Walmesley Center, whose social-outreach work the event supports. Saturday’s schedule:
11:00 AM – Loop The ‘Lupe! Obstacle Course Challenge
11:45 AM – 5K Family Fun Run/Walk
12:15 PM – Senior Saunter
1:00 PM – Youth Dash
The events are explained here. “All-day afterparty,” too! Community co-sponsors include us (WSB is this year’s Loop the ‘Lupe media sponsor) – see you there!
(WSB photo from 2018)
This time of year, it’s fun to look ahead to the next weekend as soon as the last one’s over! Just five days till this one-of-a-kind obstacle-course-and-more event:
Mud pit-crawlers, wall-climbers, runners, and walkers will be taking over Walt Hundley Playfield (34th/Myrtle) in West Seattle on Saturday, June 8th, for the 3rd annual Loop the ‘Lupe Obstacle Course 5K.
The event, a benefit for the Walmesley Center at Our Lady of Guadalupe, offers an obstacle course, a Youth Dash, a no-obstacle 5K run/walk, and a 100% flat, no obstacle “Senior Saunter” for walkers age 65+. There’s also live music from West Seattle School of Rock, food & drinks for purchase, and a beer garden sponsored by The Beer Junction!
Register at www.loopthelupe.com and check in for early packet pickup on Friday, June 7th from 4-7 p.m. at West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW). Get in the Loop!
WSB is this year’s media sponsor. See you there!
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