[Wednesday night photo at Alki, by Don Brubeck]

4 big days/nights coming up, with excellent weather forecast – the West Seattle highlights include:

THURSDAY – SUMMER CONCERTS @ HIAWATHA: 6:30 pm Thursday on the east lawn at Hiawatha Community Center, the mighty sound of the Total Experience Gospel Choir will fill the park. Free, presented by the Admiral Neighborhood Association, with sponsors including WSB. (Walnut/Lander)

THURSDAY – WEST SEATTLE ART WALK: 6-9 pm at venues all around West Seattle – listed and mapped here.

FRIDAY – MUSIC AT THE MOUNT: 6 pm at Providence Mount St. Vincent, The Haggis Brothers, live and free, with dinner and drinks available for purchase at 5:30 pm. (4831 35th SW)

FRIDAY – OUTDOOR MOVIE @ DELRIDGE CC: “The Peanuts Movie” screens in Delridge Community Center Park on Delridge Day eve, free, 8:30 pm. (4501 Delridge Way SW)

SATURDAY – DELRIDGE CC FUNDRAISING RUN: “Race for Recreation” is set for 10 am at Delridge Playfield, a perfect pre-funk to Delridge Day. $25 to enter. (4458 Delridge Way SW)

SATURDAY – DELRIDGE DAY: 11 am-3 pm with two stages – music, cultural performances, vendors, community organizations, food, law-enforcement demonstrations (including K-9s and horses), more, in the park by Delridge CC, and skating competition at Delridge Skatepark. Here’s our most recent preview with schedule updates. The festival is presented by VIEWS, with sponsors including WSB – see you there! (Delridge/Genesee)

SATURDAY – LAST OUTDOOR MOVIE @ HOTWIRE COURTYARD: This is the grand finale at the original home of West Seattle Outdoor Movies, which as of August 20th, and the 2017 season, is moving to the West Seattle YMCA (WSB sponsor) Festival Street. At dusk – 9 pm-ish – it’s “The Lego Movie.” Free; bring $ for nonprofit-benefiting raffles and concessions. (4410 California SW)

SATURDAY & SUNDAY NIGHTS – ‘BLOOD WEDDING’ @ ROXHILL PARK: As previewed earlier this week, a first-of-its-kind drama/dance/music performance at 6 pm at Roxhill Park. (28th/Barton)

This is not AT ALL a comprehensive list of what’s going on – just a few highlights as we head into summer’s last few weekends – see our calendar for more.

Forecast says the next four days will be warm – maybe even hot – and (mostly) sunny. Here are four outdoor events, all free, perfect for enjoying the warm nights that will follow:

SUMMER CONCERTS AT HIAWATHA ON THURSDAY: Second of this year’s six free concerts presented by the Admiral Neighborhood Association – 6:30 pm Thursday, The Banner Days (video above) perform on the east lawn at Hiawatha Community Center (2700 California SW, but this is on the Walnut side).

P.S. Got kid(s)? Come early – the wading pool should be open until 6:30 pm.

BAND JAM ON FRIDAY – We previewed this yesterday – at least seven marching bands performing on the field at Southwest Athletic Complex starting at 6:30 pm Friday. (2801 SW Thistle)

OUTDOOR MOVIE AT PARK WEST CARE CENTER ON SATURDAY: Park West Care Center (WSB sponsor) is opening its big patio in North Admiral to a family-friendly community movie night this Saturday, “Never-Ending Story,” 8:30 pm. Bring your own chair/blanket. (1703 California SW)

OUTDOOR MOVIE AT HOTWIRE COURTYARD ON SATURDAY: And West Seattle Outdoor Movies continues this year’s series on Saturday night too – “School of Rock” is this week’s movie; the band Those Guys is the pre-show entertainment. Movie at dusk (9 pm-ish) but stake out a spot in the Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (WSB sponsor) courtyard early. Bring $ for nonprofit-supporting concessions and raffles if you can! (4410 California SW)

(WSB photo: All-City Band members in Saturday’s West Seattle Grand Parade)

The All-City Band won this year’s West Seattle Grand Parade – and you have the chance to see and hear them again in West Seattle this Friday night (July 29th) as they prep for the Seafair Torchlight Parade via Band Jam, a free, open-to-the-public event the night before. The official announcement:

Please join us on Friday, July 29th at the Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle) for Band Jam. This has become an annual event showcasing several bands that perform in the Seafair Torchlight Parade. Band Jam gives people the opportunity to see the bands perform in a concert setting on the football field.

Bands that are scheduled to perform this year include:

Seattle Schools Junior All-City Band
Pacific Northwest Drumline
Kennedy High School Marching Band
Sumner High School Marching Band
Rainbow City Band
(added) All-Star Drumline
Seattle Sounders FC Soundwave
Seattle Schools All-City Band

This is a non-competitive event sponsored by the Seattle Schools All-City Band.

Doors will open at 5:30 pm, with music starting at 6:30 pm. Admission is free. Come hungry! Concession stands will be open on site with the proceeds benefiting Seattle Schools All-City Band. We hope to see you there.

Wondering what Band Jam is like? Here’s our coverage from last year.

Thanks to Angie for the photos: Her North Admiral neighborhood has a “Play Street” set up for Sunday afternoons/evenings this summer, at 44th/Massachusetts. It’s been two years since the city launched the program, which allows residents to apply for permits to close up to a block of a non-arterial neighborhood street so people of all ages can get out and play. You need to set up road-closure signs, too; here’s one from 44th/Massachusetts:

The map on this city webpage shows four other “Play Streets” in West Seattle right now – three others in Admiral, one in Seaview. Angie says 44th/Massachusetts will be open for play 3-9 pm Sundays for the rest of the summer. Want to have one too? Here’s the application.

This summer, West Seattle has more free outdoor music than ever:

*The big West Seattle Summer Fest main-stage lineup this Friday-Saturday-Sunday
*GreenLife at Summer Fest includes music on the Garden Stage
*Music Under the Stars classical concerts at Delridge CC continue the next three Mondays
*West Seattle Big Band‘s Concert in the Park at Hiawatha on July 19th
*Six Thursday-night Summer Concerts at Hiawatha, presented by the Admiral Neighborhood Association, starting July 21st
*Live music at the Alki Art Fair, July 23-24 at the beach

And now, we’ve just received the lineup for Providence Mount St. Vincent‘s four-Friday series!

(WSB file photo, overlooking concert zone on south side of The Mount’s campus)

Bring your family and join in on the fun on The Mount’s south patio. Food and beverages available for purchase. Free popcorn and snow cones. Face painter available free of charge. Come early and get a good spot. Special Note: Please bring your own lawn chairs or blankets as there is a limited number of chairs available for guests.

Dinner: 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Live music: 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm

August 5
Cherry Cherry (Neil Diamond Tribute Band)
Featured Entrée: Grilled Salmon Caesar Salad with Toasted Focaccia
Special Dessert: Outrageous Cherry-Cherry Bars

August 12
The Haggis Brothers (“Celtic, country and other foot-stompin’ fun tunes”)
Featured Entrée: BBQ Pork on a Ciabatta Roll with Spicy Slaw
Special Dessert: Carmel Apple Bread Pudding

August 19
The 85th Street Big Band (“swing favorites from the ’30s, ’40s, & ’50s”)
Featured Entrée: Kalbi Ribs with Soba Salad
Special Dessert: Red Velvet Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Icing

August 26
Danny Vernon as “The Illusion of Elvis”
Featured Entrée: Skirt Steak with Grape Tomatoes, Roasted Peppers, Crumbled Blue Cheese and Grilled Corn with an Herb Vinaigrette
Special Dessert: Mini Peach Pies with Streusel Topping

In addition, all dinners offer grilled hamburgers, veggie black bean burgers, hot dogs.

The Mount is at 4831 35th SW.

(Photo from 1st ‘STP’ ride in 2013, courtesy West Seattle Bike Connections)

Going to West Seattle Summer Fest on Sunday? Here’s a memorable way to get there: For the fourth year, West Seattle Bike Connections invites you to join its “Mini-STP” ride, which travels (mostly on) California Avenue SW from Seattle (Street, in North Admiral) to Portland (Street, in Gatewood) and then backtracks to the festival. In case you haven’t seen it yet in the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, here’s the invite:

Have you ever wanted to do the Seattle to Portland bike ride? And never trained for it, or forgot to sign up? Here is your chance to do it in 2 hours and end up at a huge finish line party, without leaving West Seattle!

Sunday, July 10
9:15 am start
Hamilton Viewpoint Park

West Seattle Bike Connections will be riding again from SW Seattle Street to SW Portland St … 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 leader back to Hamilton Viewpoint.

Easy pace. Family friendly! For children riding their own bikes: parent or guardian please read and conform to Cascade‘s policy and call ride leader at least a day in advance.

Find even more info, including a route map, on WSBC’s website.

(2011 aerial of Alki Point Lighthouse and its grounds, by Long Bach Nguyen)

A West Seattle icon is about to reopen for weekend tours. The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary sends word that its members will resume leading free tours of Alki Point Lighthouse on Memorial Day weekend – Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, but most of the rest of the summer, it’ll be Saturdays and Sundays (plus two Monday holidays, Independence Day and Labor Day, which will be the last tour day of the season). Hours are 1 pm-4 pm, with the last group entering the site at 3:40 pm; all ages are welcome, but visitors have to be at least 6 years old to go up to the very top of the lighthouse tower. You’ll find the lighthouse where Alki Avenue SW meets Beach Drive SW; here’s a map. (Questions? alkilighthouse@cgauxseattle.org)

Alki resident Guy Olson says this is his way of extending the spirit of the city “car-free day” celebration that used to follow the West Seattle 5K – he organized a weekend of events dubbed “Alki Daze,” including the costumed bike parade that rolled eastbound down the beach this afternoon, open to all. You’ll see all the riders in our video, above; below, the pre-parade staging revealed bikes of all sizes, including some classics:

Eventually it was time to hop on and ride off:

Host Guy rode in a robe:

P.S. As we’ve been reporting, the city DOES plan a “car-free” party on Alki this year – as part of what’s now called Seattle Summer Parkways – but not until September 25th.

That’s just one of the eye-catching cars shown off at last year’s West Seattle Car Show, first one in the big north lot at South Seattle College, sponsored by Swedish Automotive and West Seattle Autoworks, which want you to know that registration for this year is OPEN! Here’s what you need to know:

*The show will be on Saturday, August 27th from 10:00 – 4:00
*Car entry starts at 8:00 and judging is at 3:00, show wraps up at 4:00.
*It is a community event that supports the auto technology program at South Seattle College.
*Entry is free for spectators; costs for car entry are on the website
*More (20) trophy categories
*Dash plaques for first 200 entries
*T-shirts

See you at SSC! (a WSB sponsor, as are Swedish & WS Autoworks)

9:43 AM: Before we get to today’s preview – in case you hadn’t already caught this in our calendar, tomorrow brings a once-a-year series of walking tours, and it includes one in West Seattle. From Feet First:

Jane’s Walk is an annual weekend-long festival of 20+ free volunteer-led neighborhood walking tours across the Puget Sound area. In the spirit of the great urban activist Jane Jacobs, walking tours are led and attended by anyone who has an interest in the neighborhoods where they live, work or hang out. Since its inception in 2007, Jane’s Walk has happened in cities across North America and around the world. Feet First the nonprofit promoting walkable communities is the proud local organizer of Jane’s Walk in the Puget Sound region. This year, as we gear up for what would have been Jane Jacobs’ 100th birthday, we’re aiming for the biggest and best Jane’s Walk yet.

In our area, Timothy Lowry will lead a walk titled “West Seattle Junction: Changing Landscape and New Opportunities.” Meet at 9 am Saturday at Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (4410 California SW; WSB sponsor).

ADDED 10:46 AM: Local historian/author Judy Bentley just e-mailed to say she’s leading a Jane’s Walk in West Seattle tomorrow too – this one’s in the historic Riverside community by the Duwamish River. Meet at 10 am at West Marginal Place and 17th Avenue SW.

(WSB photos)

Though it’s truly a gem of a show, not everything at the West Seattle Rock Club‘s 50th annual show is sparkly:

That display near the entrance to the show at the Alki Masonic Center honors the 1975 designation of petrified wood as our state’s official gem. It’s one of many display cases showing a variety of treasures from the earth:

The displays are from collectors and enthusiasts of all ages. And the show is for everyone – admission is free, though you have the opportunity to spend a little or a lot, with vendors around the room as well as silent auctions toward the back – one geared for adults, one aimed at kids:

Participants are also ready to show and explain how they work with rocks and gems. Admission and parking are free; the show continues 10 am-5 pm Sunday at 4736 40th SW.

That video will fill you in on the Major Taylor Project, beneficiary of a big bike ride that starts in West Seattle this Saturday. You’re invited to be part of it, per this announcement we just received:

Cascade’s Ride for Major Taylor is fast approaching this Saturday, April 16. Now in its second year, the 25-mile pledge ride will take hundreds of riders through the culturally rich communities of West Seattle, Delridge, Burien, SeaTac, Tukwila, and White Center before returning to the finish line celebration at Big Al Brewing in White Center.

Registration remains open until Wednesday (today), April 13 at 11:59 p.m. Day-of registration will be available for an additional fee from 9-10 a.m. at the start line at Chief Sealth International High School.

The Ride for Major Taylor is a pledge ride in which students, families and community members are encouraged to raise support for Cascade’s Major Taylor Project. Registration fees and all pledged support helps provide bikes, cycling gear, tools, snacks and much more for participating students across 14 Puget Sound area schools throughout the year.

Full route and additional information available at cascade.org/rideformajortaylor.

Named after Marshall Walter “Major” Taylor, the first African American cyclist to achieve world champion status, the Major Taylor Project is a year-round youth development cycling program for middle and high school students. The Major Taylor Project uses afterschool cycling clubs as a forum for helping students develop confidence, goal setting abilities, bicycle maintenance and handling skills, and deep connections with their peers and communities. The program serves more than 300 students in King and Pierce Counties annually.

“This is a really special day for the Major Taylor Project and the students,” said Major Taylor Project Director Ed Ewing. “Like all the event rides that they work so hard to complete, this ride is their chance to show support for each other and share with their communities how much cycling has helped them grow as young people.”

Sealth and adjacent Denny International Middle School are the two West Seattle schools participating in the project.

Our photographer says today’s West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor) egg hunt brought the biggest turnout he’d seen in going on a decade of covering the annual event. The Easter Bunny, of course, made an appearance:

This time, the store promised 30,000 surprise-filled eggs for the taking:

Even the littlest participants gave it their all:

This year, the store’s celebrating its 28th anniversary.

10:18 AM: Huge morning for egg hunts. The community centers’ 10 am hunts are over in minutes, and we were at Hiawatha to catch what’s usually West Seattle’s biggest crowd. Our Instagram video above (mouse over the image to bring up the “play” button) shows you just part of it. More photos to come (plus separate coverage of the huge Thriftway event) – and if you were at a community-center hunt, we’d love to use your photo – editor@westseattleblog.com – thanks!

7:21 PM: Our photos from Hiawatha – where the kids are split into age groups, and then led off to different parts of the grounds, from the tennis courts to, in this case, the east lawn and wading pool areas:

Then, they line up until it’s time to dash for the eggs:

And they’re off!

Collection boxes were out in hopes of recycling as many of the plastic eggs as possible, once they were emptied:

With hundreds of people caucusing at West Seattle High School next door, and Lafayette Elementary nearby, the area was more congested than usual today – won’t be the case next year, of course.