West Seattle, Washington
07 Tuesday
6:45 PM: If you’re not already at Hiawatha Community Center park – grab a folding chair and get over to the east lawn while blues/folk/rock artist Star Anna is onstage! Her show is the third of six in this year’s Summer Concerts at Hiawatha series (presented by the Admiral Neighborhood Association with co-sponsors including WSB), on until about 8 pm, along Walnut south of Lander.
7:03 PM: Added a quick Instagram clip (mouse over the image to find the “play” button); more photos/video later. She’s warming up, as she put it, with solo songs, and says her band will join in after the upcoming break – “then you can really start dancing,” she said, perhaps to the small children swarming in front of the stage.
Good crowd here as usual but still lots of room to pull up your own corner of the lawn and settle in for some good music.
7:49 PM: One more Instagram clip, from Star Anna’s rockin’ set with the band.
ADDED: A full song, above, and a few photos inline. Next week, Modern Relics (August 13th).
Here in the heart of summer, extra chances to enjoy fresh air and fun times – this week, three outdoor-music opportunities in West Seattle:
THURSDAY – STAR ANNA @ HIAWATHA: This week’s Summer Concerts at Hiawatha headliner is alt-country sensation Star Anna, 6:30 pm Thursday on the east lawn at Hiawatha Community Center. Free – just bring your chair/blanket, picnic dinner (no concessions on site), family/friends/neighbors, and get ready for great music. Presented by the Admiral Neighborhood Association, with sponsors including WSB. (Walnut/Lander)
FRIDAY – 85TH ST. BIG BAND @ THE MOUNT: Providence Mount St. Vincent kicks off its four-Fridays summer concert series this week with the 85th Street Big Band on the patio on the south side of its campus, 6 pm – concert’s free, but you can buy dinner/beer/wine if interested – see the menu via a link in our series preview. (4831 35th SW)
SATURDAY – DELRIDGE DAY: VIEWS, which is presenting the Delridge Day festival 11 am-3 pm this Saturday at Delridge Community Center/Park/Skatepark, has shared the music schedule:
11:00 am – Quarter Past 8 – rock
12:00 noon – Ellis Brothers – jazz
1:00 pm – Yesod – psychedelic world music
2:00 pm – Oldies But Goodies – classic Rock/R&B
Delridge Day also is free to attend – see our previous preview here. (Delridge/Genesee)
At this year’s Kite Festival, happening right now at the Seattle Chinese Garden on Puget Ridge, you can admire the kites … and/or fly one of your own:
Call it a human- and wind-powered celebration of flight:
The garden’s at the north end of South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor). Admission is free for everyone up to age 17; $3 donation suggested for adults. The festival continues with demonstrations, entertainment, and more, as well as kite-flying (buy one if you don’t have one to bring!), until 6 pm.
(WSB file photo)
Been enjoying this summer’s outdoor music? One more concert series is about to start: Providence Mount St. Vincent (aka “The Mount”) has announced the lineup for its four annual Friday-night shows, starting one week from tonight:
Aug. 7th: The 85th Street Big Band
Featuring swing favorites from the 30s, 40s & 50sAug. 14th: Overton Berry Jazz Duo
Legendary Seattle jazz pianistAug. 21st: The Illusion of Elvis by Danny Vernon
The King is back by popular demand!Aug. 28th: STRUM (Seattle’s Totally Relaxed Ukulele Musicians)
Wear your Hawaiian shirt and join us for a fun evening with ukulele musicians who play a variety of great music.
Shows are free, 6-7:30 pm, with free popcorn and snow cones; bring your own chair/blanket. If you’re interested in buying dinner, it’s available 5:30-7:30 pm, with a different featured entree every week or a hamburger/hot-dog option, all with sides and dessert – see this year’s menu here; wine and beer are available for purchase, too. The Mount is at 4831 35th SW (map) and the concerts are on the south side of the campus.
Singer/songwriter Naomi Wachira will serenade you on what promises to be a warm, clear Thursday night, second Summer Concerts at Hiawatha show of 2015. Above is her official video for “African Girl,” published in 2013, the year she was labeled “best folk singer in Seattle”; find more of her videos, including live-performance clips, here. Music starts at 6:30 pm and usually goes until about 8 on the east lawn of Hiawatha Community Center (Lander/Walnut) – bring a chair, blanket, family, friends, dinner, and be ready to relax. (WSB is proud to be a series co-sponsor again this year.)
As the free-summer-meals program for local kids continues, tomorrow brings a bonus – Field Day activities at 15 sites around the county, including three in West Seattle – featured below in bold:
On July 29th from 12 pm-2 pm, United Way of King County is organizing a Summer Meals
Field Day! It will be taking place at 15 meal sites in King County. These sites are Northacres Playground, Judkins(lower) Playground, Cal Anderson Park, Beacon Hill Playground, Georgetown Playground, Othello Playground, E.C. Hughes Playground, Highland Park Elementary, Roxhill Playground, Maplewood Playground, Royal Hills Apartments, Angle Lake Park, Midway Park, and Parkside. Any child 18 and under is welcome to come and participate in the fun field day activities and enjoy a free lunch!
For more info about free summer meals, here’s the announcement we published two weeks ago.
(WSB photo from 2014 Seattle Chinese Garden Kite Festival)
The Blue Angels and other Seafair Air Show participants won’t be alone in the sky this Saturday – as you might already have seen in the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, it’s also the third annual Kite Festival at the Seattle Chinese Garden on Puget Ridge. More than 500 people visited the garden on the north end of the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) campus for last year’s festival; it’s happening 2-6 pm Saturday (plenty of time to arrive AFTER the Blue Angels’ 1:40 pm-ish show if that’s already in your plans). Bring your own kite OR buy one at the festival; enjoy kite-flying demos, kite-painting for kids, courtyard entertainment, and refreshments. 17 and under get in free; $3 suggested donation for adults.
(WSB file photo)
Get out on the water and experience Seattle’s “river for all” firsthand – this summer’s series of Duwamish River community kayak tours is about to start. First one is at 6 pm this Wednesday night (July 29th), focusing on the river’s birds, fish, and other wildlife. Here’s how to RSVP – when you do, you’ll get details including whether they’re launching from West Seattle or South Park.
7:13 PM: The Junior All-City Band (above) is on the field right now at Southwest Athletic Complex as an hour and a half of marching-band music gets under way @ Band Jam 2015.
All welcome – free! See the WSB Instagram feed for video clips as it continues.
9:13 PM: The jamboree is over – another high-energy show! – and the bands are off to get ready for their next gigs, including tomorrow night’s Seafair Torchlight Parade, the lineup for which features two of tonight’s featured bands, the All-City Band and Sumner Spartans Marching Band (below):
We’ve added a few of our Instagram clips, while downloading photos and video to publish/substitute in this story later.
11:44 PM: More photos! A drill team joined the lineup this year, the Washington Diamonds:
You might have seen their award-winning performance in the West Seattle Grand Parade a week ago. Tonight, they performed alone and with the All-City Band.
The ACB, of course, is the host of Band Jam, and the stars of the show, for their moves as well as their music:
The ACB program is directed by Marcus Pimpleton, who also has long led other programs including Denny International Middle School and Chief Sealth International High School across the street from tonight’s venue:
The other sizable band in the show, Sumner:
Bands don’t have to be big in size to have a big sound. The Rainbow City Marching Band strode onto the field and proved that:
As announced, and as described online, this Seattle-based band is part of a community-based program promoting LGBTA inclusivity.
Smaller still, but also spirited, the Ten Man Brass Band:
They’re also Seattle-based and describe their style as “riot jazz”:
And then, raucous as ever, comes the Chaotic Noise Marching Corps:
The self-described “renegade marching band” rocked the stadium again this year:
All the acts drew vigorous applause from spectators – cheers and whoops too. Band Jam dates back to 2009 as a Torchlight Parade-eve tuneup opportunity; it moved to Memorial Stadium downtown for a few years but came back here last year.
7:02 PM: As forecast, the clouds cleared and the sun shone in time for tonight’s first Summer Concerts at Hiawatha show. Hundreds are on hand to see and hear West Seattle-residing singer Carrie Akre:
You still have time to get to the park (east side of Hiawatha Community Center) to enjoy the show until 8 pm or so. If you can’t get there tonight, you have five more concerts to enjoy, over the next five Thursday nights – courtesy of the Admiral Neighborhood Association – see the schedule here.
10:20 PM: We recorded this song:
Akre returned to West Seattle last year, as noted in this WSB story from November.
(July 2014 WSB photo)
This time tomorrow night, the east lawn at Hiawatha Community Center (map) will be full of people listening local singer Carrie Akre, who’s first up in this year’s Summer Concerts at Hiawatha, presented by the Admiral Neighborhood Association, with co-sponsors including WSB. Showtime is 6:30 pm Thursday, no admission charge, bring a blanket and/or chair, bring your family/friends/date/co-workers/neighbors/whomever, and enjoy the evening! This is the first of six consecutive Thursday night shows (see the full season lineup here).
Right in the middle of a wildly busy summer season of parades and other performances, the Seattle Schools All-City Band is at Seacrest Park tonight for its annual photo session – which tends to spark some curiosity, including potential future members:
Its members are high-school-age musicians from all over the city, led by Marcus Pimpleton, the acclaimed music leader from Chief Sealth International High School and Denny International Middle School.
All-City Band put on an award-winning show in the West Seattle Grand Parade this past Saturday, and next Saturday, they’ll be in the Seafair Torchlight Parade downtown. But first – the big, fun, free annual pre-parade tuneup event happens this Friday here in West Seattle, and you’re invited as always: It’s “Band Jam,” 7 pm Friday (July 24th) at Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle, the stadium across from Chief Sealth, featuring not only ACB but also some of the bands that will join them in the Torchlight Parade. Never been? Check out our past coverage.
Before today gets too much busier, a quick reminder about a big event tomorrow (one that we’re proud to be co-sponsoring) – the West Seattle Garden Tour, 9 am-5 pm on Sunday, with nine fabulous local gardens on display, to be explored at your own pace. You do need a ticket – so buy one today at West Seattle Nursery (California/Brandon) or Junction True Value Hardware (44th/Edmunds). As organizers note, “Along with admission to all nine gardens, your ticket includes award-winning spotlight lecturer Phil Wood‘s talk about residential-garden design at 12:30 pm on tour day at The Kenney.” Last-minute tickets will be available tomorrow morning ONLY at Metropolitan Market (WSB sponsor), 8:30 am-11:30 am, but don’t wait – just go get yours today at WSN or True Value.
With huge events just days away, we have a lot of counting down to do today – and here’s the first reminder: The Admiral Way Viewpoint banner (thanks to Erik Walum for the photo) is a big reminder that Summer Concerts at Hiawatha start one week from tonight! It’s a free six-concert series, 6:30 pm Thursday nights from July 23rd through August 27th, presented by the Admiral Neighborhood Association (with co-sponsors including WSB), on the east lawn at Hiawatha Community Center (official address 2700 California SW, but the concerts are on the Walnut side). Next Thursday, Carrie Akre takes the stage to get this year’s concerts going; see the full season lineup (as announced last month) by going here. Bring neighbors, friends, family, chairs, blankets, picnic dinner, and have a great time – see you there!
Again this year, while 10,000 people bicycled 200+ miles from the city of Seattle to the city of Portland, a West Seattle group rode the “Little STP” – from SW Seattle St. in North Admiral to SW Portland St. in Gatewood. Don Brubeck of West Seattle Bike Connections shares the photos and report:
We made it to SW Portland and back! 25 people and one dog.
Youngest: 1 year old.
Youngest on own bike part way: 4 years old.
Youngest the whole distance on own bike: 6 years old.
Oldest: into his 70s.One family with three children rode their bikes from Queen Anne to ride with us.
A mother and daughter at SW Portland welcomed us with delicious, frozen Otter Pops! Highlight of the trip.
Especially for these young riders:
Some of the riders proceeded on to West Seattle Summer Fest – including Don, who stopped by our side of the Info Booth to say hi.
Ready to run the same route as the West Seattle Grand Parade? Again this year, the big parade on Saturday, July 18th, is preceded by the Float Dodger 5K, presented by West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor), with proceeds going to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Not only do you get to dodge floats – you get a chance at great prizes, and even one for the “middle-of-the-pack runner” – a cake donated by legendary Bakery Nouveau, the “It’s Sweet in the Middle” prize. Costume contest for kids (you’re welcome to wear one too). And after the race – watch the parade at West Seattle Runner, where there’ll be a beer garden provided by The Beer Junction, also raising money for the LLS. Sign up right now online, or stop by West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW) as soon as you can – that’s where the Float Dodger 5K begins at 9:30 am, one week from Saturday.
P.S. Look how much fun it was last year!
If your child(ren)’s summer isn’t already completely locked in, and you’re still considering summer camps/activities … four possibilities:
BASKETBALL/LIFE SKILLS CAMP @ CHIEF SEALTH: The 18th annual camp has two more weeklong sessions ahead, July 13-17 and August 3-7, both produced by Hoops4Life. It’s for girls and boys going into grades 2 through 9 this fall. For more info and registration: hoops4life206.com.
LEARN TO PLAY TENNIS: The U.S. Tennis Association (WSB sponsor) is back this summer with a variety of options at West Seattle’s Solstice Park – not just for kids, but also whole-family, teen, and adult sessions. Click the park here in the category you’re interested in checking out.
ECO-ARTS CAMP WITH NATURE CONSORTIUM: Six 1-week sessions start July 20th, and there’s still time to sign up kids 5-12 years old for the camps offered by Nature Consortium (WSB sponsor). Read about them and register here.
CAMERA ACTING FOR KIDS: Playhouse Northwest Acting School here in West Seattle is offering this one-week camp August 18th-22nd, culminating in a short film production – more info, including how to register, here.
(2013 photo courtesy Don Brubeck)
One week from tomorrow, you’re invited to ride Seattle to Portland … without even leaving West Seattle. It’s the third year for the “Little STP,” and Don Brubeck from West Seattle Bike Connections shares the invitation:
Sunday, July 12, 9:30 am
Start at Hamilton Viewpoint Park, California Way SW at Palm Ave SWHave you ever wanted to do the Seattle to Portland bike ride? Or even wanted to do the 1-day STP? And never trained for it? Or remembered to sign up in time? Here is your big fat chance!
Do it in 2 hours easy, and end up at a huge finish line party! Same day as Sunday of the big STP.
West Seattle Bike Connections / WS Spokespeople will be riding again from SW Seattle Street in the Admiral neighborhood to SW Portland St in Gatewood, and back north to Summer Fest at the West Seattle Junction, for a fabulous finish-line party. After an hour or two there, participants can ride home independently, or ride with a group back to Hamilton Viewpoint.
Family-friendly! Easy pace. Cascade Bicycle Club-trained ride leaders.
7 miles south to SW Portland and back north to Summer Fest and GreenLife at the Junction. (10.3 full round trip if you go back to the Hamilton Viewpoint start.) Route is mostly on quieter residential streets along the ridge parallel to California Avenue SW. Some hills but less than most West Seattle routes.
More details on our website and Facebook page under Events and at meetup.com/cascaderides/events/223587628
10:16 AM: Just a quick note to let you know – in case you’re not already here – that the West Seattle 4th of July Kids’ Parade has just begun, traveling through part of North Admiral, starting at 44th/Sunset (map), heading west, then south, then east along Atlantic, across California, and finishing at Hamilton Viewpoint Park. Immediately post-parade, that’s where you’ll find fun family games (sack races, etc.), concessions, and more. Traffic reminder: Police stop vehicles on California while the parade crosses, so be aware of that – we plan to update when the parade gets to that point. Until we’re back at HQ, watch for photos on the WSB Twitter and Instagram feeds. Happy 4th!
10:39 AM: California just reopened at Atlantic – the parade has finished crossing. Now it’s on to the post-parade festival at Hamilton Viewpoint.
(Above & below – guest emcees for the sack races included City Council District 1 candidates Shannon Braddock, above, and Chas Redmond, below)
No selfie stick: Family borrows @seattlepd lt. for a photo pic.twitter.com/5thadmrCQc
— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) July 4, 2015
As for @SeattleFire Engine 29, wise move … they're in the shade pic.twitter.com/M6g45SajuW
— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) July 4, 2015
12:10 PM: Just back from the festivities – added a few of our social-media clips/photos here; report #2 will be up later today with video of the entire parade, before/during/after photos, and more.
Three notes as we look ahead to Independence Day:
PAGE: Check out the WSB West Seattle 4th of July page – your one-stop shop for what’s happening tomorrow. That includes not only fireworks info, activities, practical details like transit changes, but also restaurants/coffee shops that plan to be open, provided they’ve reached out to let us know – we just need a quick note, editor@westseattleblog.com – thanks!
PICNIC: If the Southwest Seattle Historical Society‘s membership/”friend-making” picnic wasn’t already on your list, here’s one reason to think about stopping by:
(2010 photo by Jean Sherrard)
On the 5th anniversary of that group photo taken in front of the Alki Homestead/Fir Lodge to underscore that “This Place Matters,” those in attendance at tomorrow’s picnic will walk over for a new group photo, another commemoration of the fact that restoration is finally under way. That’s happening at around 1 pm Saturday; the picnic starts at noon and continues until around 3 pm, with SWSHS providing fried chicken in honor of the Homestead (long known for that dish) and lemonade – just bring a side dish to share. The picnic’s at SWSHS headquarters, the Log House Museum, 61st/Stevens.
PARADE: Bought your diaper donation yet? The local families served by WestSide Baby will be thrilled with whatever you can bring to the West Seattle 4th of July Kids’ Parade to give. Full parade details here – if you’re planning to be part of it, show up at 44th/Sunset by 10 am tomorrow. (The diaper dropbox will be at the blue house by the start of the route; also look for the donation boxes where you can chip in to help cover parade costs – voluntary but appreciated!)
As reminded by our photo from last year, the West Seattle 4th of July Kids’ Parade isn’t “just” a parade – it’s also a fun family post-parade celebration with games on the green at Hamilton Viewpoint Park, all wrapped up in plenty of time for you to get your barbecue going, stake out your north-facing fireworks-watching spot, etc. Today, the key points:
WHEN/WHERE IT STARTS: 10 am Saturday, July 4th, at 44th & Sunset (map)
WHO’S IN IT: Whoever shows up! On foot, on bike, on scooter, on skateboard, in wagon, in stroller, etc.
WHO’S EMCEE’ING: Josh Sutton from the West Seattle YMCA (WSB sponsor)
WHO’S SINGING THE ANTHEM: Leilani Nitkey
WHO ELSE YOU’LL SEE: Guests include West Seattle Hi-Yu royalty
WHAT TO WEAR: Red, white, and blue if you can, NOT mandatory
WHAT TO BRING: Diapers for WestSide Baby
WHERE IT GOES: 44th to Atlantic to Palm, and remember traffic stops down a while as the parade crosses California
WHAT NOT TO DO: Please don’t park along the parade route
Also from parade coordinator Jackie Clough of Alki Party Treasures (WSB sponsor): The crowdfunding campaign to cover parade costs (especially insurance, which was picked up by a sponsor in previous years) continues – if you can drop a few dollars in the virtual kitty, please do it here. And if you can spare a little time that morning but aren’t planning to be IN the parade – more volunteer help would be awesome (e-mail jackie@alkipartytreasures.com). See you Saturday at the parade!
With the Pride Parade happening downtown today, it’s a good time for a reminder that the heart of West Seattle parade season is almost here – the two biggest parades of the year are happening on two of the next three Saturdays:
*4TH OF JULY KIDS’ PARADE: Bring the kids, bring the parents, bring the grandparents, bring the pet(s) … and BRING DIAPERS for WestSide Baby! This Independence Day tradition starts at 10 am next Saturday on the 4th – just show up at 44th/Sunset (map) in North Admiral to be part of the 21st annual parade, which winds along a few neighborhood streets before heading eastbound across California and ending at Hamilton Viewpoint Park, for festivities including sack racing – a great way to start the holiday. Show up as red-white-and-blue as you can!
The Kids’ Parade is coordinated again this year by Jackie Clough from Alki Party Treasures (WSB sponsor). Bring a few bucks to buy treats from the Admiral Neighborhood Association at the park.
*WEST SEATTLE GRAND PARADE: Saturday, July 18th, starting around 11 am at California/Lander and continuing south to California/Edmunds – find a spot anywhere along the way (although do note there’s a lot of construction south of Admiral, so a few blocks are out of commission for parade-watching). Besides the annual favorites from motorcycle drill teams to marching bands to the Hi-Yu float, you never know who you’ll see:
The Rotary Club of West Seattle presents the parade, along with the 11 am “Kiddie Parade” that precedes it in The Junction (show up at Genesee/California to be part of that!).
(WSB photos by Patrick Sand unless otherwise credited)
So how do pirates wind up with the key to the city? Particularly pirates who storm ashore with a roar – and a trident?
(Photo by David Hutchinson)
All in a day’s work – make that, a day’s plunder – as the Seafair Pirates sailed through an armada of onlookers on the water and on the shore at Alki Beach this afternoon, amid a haze of cannon smoke:
Once a few shots were fired at sea, not much resistance – in fact, it was Mayor Ed Murray (former Alki resident) himself who handed over the key:
We did glimpse a dagger here and there:
More in evidence: Stickers:
Perhaps that helped draw in the youngest pirate recruits:
Others were in danger of being spirited away when the Pirates made their landlubbing escape via Moby Duck:
But we have it on good authority that the West Seattle Hi-Yu royalty and Miss Seafair are safe:
Same goes for this year’s Miss Seafair contenders, last seen taking refuge in the Alki Bathhouse:
That’s Lorelei McFadden, last year’s West Seattle Hi-Yu Senior Queen, second from right in the back row. We’ll find out on Seafair Torchlight Parade night in four weeks who wins. Meantime, today, it seemed as if everyone won:
If you don’t recognize that scalawag – it’s Oliver Little, event manager extraordinaire, who not only wrangled this 66th annual Seafair Pirates Landing, but also will be making things happen as tens of thousands storm The Junction for West Seattle Summer Fest July 10-11-12. As for the Pirates:
Last seen off to scowl and saunter elsewhere – but they’ll return to West Seattle for the Grand Parade three weeks from today, 11 am Saturday, July 18th – more on that as we get closer.
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