West Seattle, Washington
27 Monday
That sign went up a few days ago north of Morgan Junction (that’s the West Seattle Church of the Nazarene at 42nd/Juneau in the background). A reader told us an ICE arrest had been reported at 41st/Juneau, but we had no photo nor other corroborating details – until now, when another reader pointed us to this video clip posted by U.S. Senator Patty Murray on social media.
This is the full text of what Sen. Murray wrote beneath the video:
On Thursday, ICE needlessly detained Eduardo Aguirre Esparza, a local Seattle small business owner with no criminal history. This is a man who is married to an American citizen and with deep ties to our local community who was working hard to pursue a legal pathway to lawful permanent residence. For the federal government to waste its resources to forcefully detain and deport Eduardo and tear apart an American family is plain sick. Our immigration enforcement should be focused on violent criminals and keeping Americans safe — deporting hardworking people like Eduardo makes no one safer, it’s just cruel and wrong.
I am demanding that DHS return Eduardo to Washington state so that he may receive due process and have access to counsel—flying Eduardo to Texas away from his lawyers to try and deport him is fundamentally wrong and un-American. I hope others in Washington state will join me in calling for Eduardo’s immediate return home so that the courts can fairly consider his case.
Her website also has a news release about this, dated yesterday, which adds:
Eduardo Aguirre Esparza is an undocumented immigrant, married to an American citizen. He’s a hardworking small business owner who owns a remodeling company in Seattle. He’s lived in Seattle for 23 years. Following his detainment to the Northwest ICE Processing Center (NWIPC) on Thursday, Eduardo was flown out of Washington state on ICE Air at 2 AM on Saturday morning without notice to anyone, including his attorney and family. After several stops along the way, Eduardo is now being held in Texas where his family suspects ICE intends to conduct an expedited deportation hearing to remove Eduardo from his home as quickly as possible and without representation of counsel. Senator Murray is joining Eduardo’s family in demanding that he be returned to Western Washington to receive his due process protections.
We have a message out to the senator’s office to ask if they’ve received a response.
Need to apply for state help to get by in these economically troubled times? You’re welcome to visit the state DSHS truck during its stop in West Seattle tomorrow (Tuesday, July 28) – here’s the announcement from South Seattle College (WSB sponsor):
DSHS Mobile Services Truck Coming to South Seattle College to Assist with Food & Cash Benefits
South Seattle College’s Workforce Department is pleased to host a DSHS (Department of Social and Health Services) Mobile Community Services Truck on Tuesday, July 28th, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM.
This mobile unit provides a critical service to our broader community. Trained DSHS staff will be on-site to assist residents and students with applications and questions for:
-SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)/Basic Food benefits
-Cash Assistance programsWhether you need to apply for the first time, renew your benefits, or simply have questions about eligibility, the DSHS team will be available to help.
Event Details:
What: DSHS Mobile Services Truck
Who: Open to the public, students, and community members
When: Tuesday, July 28th, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Where: South Seattle College, 6000 16th Avenue SW]Participants are encouraged to bring relevant documentation, such as identification and proof of income.
For more information about the truck’s visit, please contact the Workforce Department at 206-934-5888 or visit our website at https://southseattle.edu/workforce-education.
For general DSHS program information, visit www.dshs.wa.gov.
(Juvenile eagles photographed at Lincoln Park by Rainer Klett)
Here’s what’s happening today/tonight, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
ADMIRAL STARBUCKS CLOSURE: As reported here last week, the coffee shop at 4101 SW Admiral Way is closing for 10 days starting today for what the company told us is “grease trap” work.
SUMMER FOOD DRIVE: Continuing daily at West Seattle Nursery (5275 California SW; WSB sponsor) – our story has the list of what is most needed.
FAMILY STORY TIME: 11 am at Southwest Library (9010 35th SW).
SPRAYPARK OPEN: Daily splashing continues at the Highland Park Spraypark (1100 SW Cloverdale), whatever the weather, 11 am-8 pm.
WADING POOLS OPEN: With sunshine and warm weather forecast, West Seattle’s regular Monday wading-pool lineup will be open – noon to 7 pm at Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way, upper park near the north lot) and at EC Hughes (2805 SW Holden).
COLMAN POOL: Noon-7 pm, daily operation continues at the outdoor saltwater swimming pool on the shore at Lincoln Park – see the session schedule here. (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)
CITY COUNCIL BRIEFING MEETING: The weekly 2 pm meeting “preview the week ahead” (and more) IS happening this week – here’s the aenda.
CHAMPIONSHIP CELEBRATION: West Seattle Little League‘s 11U Softball All-Stars, new state champions, will be officially recognized and cheered at 5:45 pm at Bar-S Playfields (64th/Admiral), community welcome.
‘LISTENING TO GRIEF’ SUPPORT GROUPS: 6:30 pm, weekly group gatherings for people going through grief – you can participate once, weekly, or occasionally. Fee. Before you go, RSVP/register here. (4034 California SW)
D&D: Long-running weekly D&D at 6:30 pm at Meeples Games (3727 California SW). All welcome, first-time players too! $5.
PRACTICE SPEAKING SPANISH: 6:30-8:30 pm, this informal group meets at Future Primitive Brewing in White Center (9832 14th SW), all welcome – just be ready to speak Spanish while participating!
ALKI MEDITATION: Two ways to get contemplative on Monday nights – first, meditation at Alki UCC, doors open at 6:45, meditation at 7. (6115 SW Hinds)
MEDITATION IN FAUNTLEROY: And there’s – free weekly Zen sitting/meditation in the chapel at Fauntleroy UCC (9140 California SW), 7 pm-8:30 pm.
MONDAY NIGHT TRIVIA X 3: Three venues offer trivia tonight! 6:30 and 7:30 pm Music Quiz at Easy Street Records (4559 California SW) … 7 pm at The Good Society (California/Lander), $2 cash to enter … and 7:30 pm with QuizFix at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW).
POOL TOURNAMENT: The Corner Pocket‘s weekly tournament starting at 7 pm. $10 buy-in. (4302 SW Alaska, entrance on California)
PINBALL TOURNAMENT: Register at 7, play at 7:30, at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW).
JAZZ AT THE ALLEY: Monday night music with The Westside Jazz Trio, 8 pm at The Alley (behind 4509 California SW), 21+, no cover.
KARAOKE AT TALARICO’S: Sing your Monday out – karaoke at Talarico’s Pizzeria (4718 California SW).
Massive thanks to everybody who sends info for our calendar; if you have something to add or cancel (or update), please send the info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
If you’re in view of the water today, you might see a humpback whale. Kersti Muul tells us one’s been swimming southbound off West Seattle this morning, seen off Lincoln Park this past half-hour.
6:00 AM: Good morning. It’s Monday, July 27, 2026.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET
The forecast says we’ll see sunshine and a high around 75. Sunrise was at 5:40 am today; sunset will be at 8:50 pm.
TRANSIT TODAY
Metro buses – Regular weekday schedule; one stop change for the eastbound C Line in The Junction this week because of curb-ramp work at California/Alaska.
West Seattle Water Taxi – Regular summer schedule, with extra Friday/Saturday/Sunday runs including later-night schedule Fridays and Saturdays.
Washington State Ferries – Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth route is on the regular three-boat schedule; check the alert page for updates.
BRIDGE TRAFFIC CAMERAS
A few from the SDOT map:
High Bridge – Here’s the main camera, followed by the Fauntleroy-end camera:
Low Bridge – Here’s the westward view. Also note, maritime-opening info is available via X (ex-Twitter):
1st Avenue South Bridge:
See a problem on the bridges/streets/paths/water? Please text or call our hotline (when you can do it safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if they’re not already on scene) – 206-293-6302. Thank you!
ORIGINAL 12:35 AM REPORT: If you’re south of Alki Point and noticing police activity on- and off-shore – they’re checking out a report that a sailboat might be “stuck on the rocks.” First arrivals were land units who didn’t see any signs of people on the boat; a Harbor Patrol boat is on the way for a close-up look.
8:53 AM: Thanks to everyone who’s sent photos this morning of what’s likely the boat in question, now beached at the south end of Constellation Park:
Thanks to Ted Bell for that one.
Three weeks after we first told you that SDOT is again studying the possibility of paid street parking in The Junction, here’s a reminder that their community surveys close tomorrow. If you haven’t responded already, you can go to the appropriate link to do that now:
There are three versions of the survey – for Junction businesses here, for West Seattle residents here, and for “visitors” here.
This is the first time in almost nine yearsthat SDOT has revisited the situation. Here’s how they’re evaluating it this time. Survey responses and other feedback, plus data about parking in The Junction and Triangle (the SDOT-provided map above shows the areas of focus), will result in what SDOT describes as “draft recommendations” that it’ll present sometime this fall. SIDE NOTE: Given that some local businesses famously fought paid street parking decades ago, we asked the West Seattle Junction Association whether its board has taken a position on this; short answer, no.
On Saturday, we showed you the new mural at Circa (WSB sponsor). Today, a reader report reveals another new West Seattle business mural:
That’s artist Elie Flanagan. Alki resident Geraldine happened onto Elie and her work in progress outside Alki Coffee Co. and Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream (2742 Alki SW) on Saturday, and noted the theme fits right into the neighborhood: “I thought it was quite ironic too that her mural, with the orange octopus, tied in with this year‘s logo for Alki Art Fair and the octopus on the Alki bathrooms on the beach.” Thanks to Geraldine for the photo; we hope to get over to Alki in a bit to see what the mural looks like now.
(WSB photo, 2025 Da Grind)
One of the unique sights of summer on Alki Beach is the outrigger-canoe contingent visiting for the Seattle Outrigger Canoe Club‘s annual “Da Grind” day of racing. But it’s not just for outriggers, the club wants small-craft paddlers to know, with this year’s Da Grind a month away:
Every year, Seattle Outrigger Canoe Club hosts a race (da Grind!) on Alki. You may have seen us, or seen it on WSB.
We are a club of outriggers, but our race also includes smaller craft. If you ride a v1, oc1, SUP, or surfski, we’d love to have you join us. It’s a great opportunity to test your pace on a four-mile course or just come for the fun and joy of being on the water with other small craft — right here in the neighborhood! Sign ups close on August 23. Visit our website for more information.
This is our 30=year anniversary as a nonprofit and to celebrate we are raising money for a new canoe to help bring more folks into the culture and community. We hope you will join us.
This year’s Da Grind – the 26th annual – is Saturday, August 29; register before August 23 and you’ll get a raffle ticket.
The image:
The video and report are from Sarah:
Package stolen off the porch at 44th and Stevens last night at 8 pm. He was wearing work gloves and work boots and a sun hat. I noticed later that he had bear spray on his hip, which was concerning.
(Photos courtesy West Seattle Little League)
Congratulations to the 11U Softball All-Stars of West Seattle Little League, who became state champions on Saturday, also earning a place in WSLL history as the league’s first state champs in softball. Here’s the report sent to us to share with you:
West Seattle Little League (WSLL) is proud to celebrate an incredible milestone as our 11U All-Star Softball team captured the 2026 Washington State Championship title on Saturday.
After losing its opening game, WSLL battled through the consolation bracket, earning a spot back in the championship game. The team defeated opponents by a combined score of 55-10, going 6-1 in the state tournament, playing seven games in seven days. They defeated the same team that handed them their first loss, not once, but twice, to claim the state title.
This championship marks a historic achievement for WSLL softball. The league launched its softball program in 2022, making this the program’s first-ever state championship. It is also just the third state title in WSLL history, joining the league’s 2017 11U Baseball State Championship and 2018 12U Baseball State Championship.
WSLL sent three All-Star teams to compete in the state tournament this season – 11U Softball: state champions; 11U Baseball: third place; and 12U Baseball: finished with a 2–2 record.
WSLL is also proud to host the Washington State 8/9/10 Softball Tournament at Bar-S Playfield (6425 SW Admiral Way) now through August 1. Stop by to watch some great Little League softball [schedule here], or volunteer to help make the tournament a success. To get involved, email info@westseattlelittleleague.com.
The WSLL team won the championship in Gig Harbor with a 4-1 victory over Magnolia/Northeast Seattle.
(Emma Schmitz Memorial Overlook – photo by Bob Burns)
Here are the two-dozen-plus happenings on today’s event list, mostly from our West Seattle Event Calendar:
WEST SEATTLE RUNNING CLUB: New listing, but not a new group! 8:30 am, meet at Alki Statue of Liberty (61st/Alki) to run with friends old and new.
SUNDAY FUNDAY RUNDAY: The Westies Run Club is running from Dough Joy Donuts (4310 SW Oregon) today, 9 am.
AMERICAN MAH JONGG: In The Junction, weekly Sunday morning games are happening at The Missing Piece (4707 California SW), 9:30 am.
RICE, BEANS, AND HAPPINESS POP-UP: 10 am-2 pm at Milpa Masa (34th/Webster).
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: Now in summer produce-and-products season, 10 am-2 pm, California SW between SW Oregon and SW Alaska.
WEST SEATTLE LIGHT-RAIL PLANNING: As noted in our report, two city departments are scheduled to be at the Farmers’ Market today to talk with you about West Seattle neighborhood planning in connection with the light-rail project.
SUNDAYS IN THE ALLEY: While you’re in The Junction, check out the returning weekly summertime party behind Carmilia’s (enter through 4528 California SW)! 10 am-3 pm. Food, vendors, music.
MASTER GARDENERS CLINIC: Back at the West Seattle Farmers’ Market, 10 am-2 pm.
FISHER SCONE TRUCK: After rolling in the Seafair Torchlight Parade last night as shown in our photo above, the Fisher Scone truck (think state-fair treats) is scheduled to be at West Seattle Thriftway (California/Fauntleroy; WSB sponsor) today.
FREE NIA CLASS: Begins at 10:15 am; first class free if you pre-register. At Inner Alchemy Studio/Sanctuary. (3618 SW Alaska)
FREE COMMUNITY CLASS: 10:30 am at The Summerland (4411 California SW).
SPRAYPARK SEASON: Daily splashing at the Highland Park Spraypark (1100 SW Cloverdale), 11 am-8 pm.
MAKERS MARKET & BEER GARDEN: Shop and sip! Second of two days at Super Deli Mart (35th/Barton), 11 am-6 pm.
WEST SEATTLE TOOL LIBRARY: Open today! Need a tool but don’t need/want to, or can’t, buy it? You’ll probably be able to find it at, and borrow it from, the Tool Library, open 11 am-4 pm on the northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. (4408 Delridge Way SW)
WEST SEATTLE RESIST: 11:30 am-1:30 pm, weekly action in The Junction.
COLMAN POOL: Noon-7 pm, daily public sessions at the outdoor pool on the shore at Lincoln Park – see the schedule here. (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)
WADING POOLS OPEN TODAY: Forecast is for sunny and 70+ so these two city-run wading pools should be open, both noon-7 pm: Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW) and EC Hughes (2805 SW Holden).
BE A HUB HELPER: 1-3 pm at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond), come for free fun training that will get you ready to help your family and neighborhood in case of catastrophe, and to participate in the August 15 quake drill with other volunteers.
WELCOME ROAD WINERY: You’re welcome Sunday afternoons at this West Seattle tasting room (with a patio!) open 2-5 pm, kids and dogs welcome. (3804 California SW; WSB sponsor)
WEST SEATTLE CLASSIC NOVELS (& MOVIES) BOOK CLUB: 2:30 pm at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW), gather to chat and get your beverage, 3 pm, discuss this month’s title, “Howards End.”
TRIVIA AT MR. B’S: 5-8 pm, twice-monthly trivia hosted by Morgue Anne at Mr. B’s Mead Center (9444 Delridge Way SW), free, all ages.
‘THE EVOLVING MAN’: Monthly group gathering at Inner Alchemy Studio & Sanctuary (3618 SW Alaska), 5 pm.
FREE COMMUNITY MEAL: 5:30 pm at Bethany Church West Seattle (8600 9th SW) – just show up!
BLACK TEA AT REVELRY ROOM: 7 pm-midnight, nighttime tea service with host Jack Sanders, info and RSVP here. (4547 California SW)
UNDERGROUND TRIVIA AT CORNER POCKET: Trivia starts at 7:30 pm – free to play, and you can win prizes. (4302 SW Alaska)
LIVE JAZZ AT THE ALLEY: 8-10 pm, jazz with the Triangular Jazztet at The Alley (behind 4509 California SW).
Organizing, or assisting with, an event that should be on the WSB community calendar – whether one-time or recurring? Please email us the basic details – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
One week ago, Seattle City Light told us its contractor/crew had gone into a “complete work stoppage” at the Morgan Junction EV-charging lot site (4118 SW Morgan) while they figured out how to deal with a “significant structural design issue.” A WSB team member noticed an excavator being operated at the site on Thursday, so we asked SCL about the “work stoppage” status and if they had any update on a new timeline. Spokesperson Jenny Levesque replied, “The work stoppage remains in place for a portion of the site. Our engineering team continues to work on resolving the design issue. The project team is committed to bringing electric vehicle charging to the Morgan Junction neighborhood. We will share an update with you by the end of August.” That was the month the eight-charger lot previously was supposed to be complete, after a series of delays dating back to the year the project was announced, 2022.
We’ve been watching for this, and now it’s happened: The banner’s up for Spirit Halloween, for what will be the temporary specialty store’s fifth season in Westwood Village’s long-otherwise-vacant ex-Bed Bath Beyond. It usually opens in August.
The mostly blank north wall of Circa (2605 California SW; WSB sponsor) is blank no longer! We glimpsed painting activity while passing through The Admiral District a few hours ago; couldn’t stop to investigate, but once back at HQ, we pinged Circa co-proprietor Bill Evans to inquire. He sent the photo, replying, “We wanted to do something nice for the north wall. Aaron from Pixel and Quill was the artist behind this!” (As we reported here last month, that’s the same artist who worked on the new Thunder Road Guitars/The Bass Shop [WSB sponsors] home just steps away from Circa!)
A stretch of Harbor Avenue is lined with “no parking” signs right now because of what you might consider the Seafair Torchlight Parade floats’ side trip – some of the visiting floats park on port property (Jack Block Park/Terminal 5) before and after tonight’s parade, and need the full width of the street when they convoy in and out. (The parade is on Alaskan Way along the downtown waterfront for the second year, and starts on the (corrected) north end at 7:30 pm, heading south. We checked with Metro earlier this week for those taking the Water Taxi to the parade; it’s following its regular Saturday night schedule.)
Again this year during the West Seattle Fourth of July Kids’ Parade, Sophia Chang – now 11 – and friends sold popsicles to raise money for Seattle Children’s Hospital. Her dad forwarded us his daughter’s message of gratitude to the community and a photo of their presentation this week to Children’s Senior VP and Chief Development Officer Dondi Cupp:
During the kids’ parade on the Fourth of July, Olivia W. (11 years old), Logan F. (11 years old), Fiona F. (9 years old), Mallory B (11 years old – not pictured), and I sold popsicles to the parade participants. I wanted to do this because of two main reasons:
I had a friend who was diagnosed with leukemia, and was admitted to Seattle Children’s Hospital. I wanted to help him, but because I wasn’t a doctor, nor a scientist, I decided that donating money would be the best option. I’m happy to say he is in remission currently.
The second reason was that one of my teacher’s daughters continues to receive care at the Seattle Children’s Hospital.
I want to thank the West Seattle community for helping us raise $680.21 this year, nearly triple the proceeds from our first year!!! Thank you for your support and generoud donations!! See you next year!
Sophia Chang (11 years old)
So reports Samantha, who sent the photo after seeing this and spotting the couple nearby: “They looked so happy.” No backstory, but – congratulations!
A big SFD response was on its way to a building in the 2300 block Bonair, but the first to arrive have reported “no fire.”
(Lincoln Park’s Point Williams, seen from a ferry)
You just might find something irresistible on our Saturday list, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
RUN WITH WEST SEATTLE RUNNER: 8:15 am, get your weekend going with an at-your-pace run. (2743 California SW).
FREE MEDITATION: For a calming start to your Saturday, check out Heavily Meditated, 9 am, free – details in our calendar listing.
TREE CARE AND WETLAND RESTORATION: 9 am-noon at Webster Pond, across from Home Depot.
DELRIDGE FARMERS’ MARKET: New location this season! 10 am-2 pm, shop for fruit and vegetables, prepared food and beverages, artisan body care, more … (9th SW and SW Henderson)
DACHSHUND WALK: 10 am Saturdays, bring your dachshund to Alki Statue of Liberty Plaza (61st/Alki) for a group walk.
MASTER GARDENERS AT DELRIDGE HOME DEPOT: Saturdays, 10 am-2 pm – take them your toughest garden questions and get free expert answers! (Delridge/Orchard)
MORNING MUSIC AT THE COFFEEHOUSE: Not this week.
FREE WRITING GROUP: Back today, 10:30 am, free, in-person, active writing group – see our calendar listing for info on how to participate.
GARDEN HOTLINE PRESENTS – WATER-SMART GARDENS: Learn about them at 10:30 am at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond)
(Thanks to Gill for the photo)
WHITE CENTER LIBRARY GUILD SALE: 11 am-4 pm at White Center Library (1409 SW 107th), shop the semi-annual sale organized by Library Guild volunteers to support library programs. Books, rummage-sale items, sports equipment (see photo above), more!
MAKERS MARKET & BEER GARDEN: Today and tomorrow at Super Deli Mart (35th/Barton), 11 am-6 pm.
SPRAYPARK SEASON: The season continues at the Highland Park Spraypark (1100 SW Cloverdale), 11 am-8 pm.
FAMILY READING TIME: Every Saturday at Paper Boat Booksellers, 11 am family reading time. (4522 California SW; WSB sponsor)
FREE FOOTBALL FIELD DAY: Noon-3 pm, youth interested in football – or playing it already – are invited to the free field day with West Seattle Junior Football and WSHS players at Hiawatha Playfield (2700 California SW).
COLMAN POOL: Noon-7 pm, swim in the outdoor saltwater pool on the shore at Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW); here’s the session schedule.
WADING POOLS: Two West Seattle wading pools will be open today since the afternoon forecast is for sunshine and 70+ degrees – Hiawatha (2700 California SW) noon-5:30 pm and Lincoln Park noon-7 pm. (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)
MORBIDLY CURIOUS BOOK CLUB: July gathering is at 12:30 pm, at Dubsea Coffee (9810 8th SW), talking about “Madness.”
CREATE YOUR OWN BONSAI: 1 pm at West Seattle Nursery (5275 California SW; WSB sponsor).
VISCON CELLARS TASTING ROOM/WINE BAR: Tasting room open, with 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: Open 1-6 pm on north end of South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus:
The Northwest Wine Academy Tasting Room and Wine Bar offers student-produced wines, tasting flights, and casual food pairings while supporting hands-on winemaking and hospitality education. Each tasting and purchase directly contributes to student production, education, and training opportunities.
BEER JUNCTION BIKE CLUB: Monthly ride, 2 pm from The Beer Junction (4511 California SW) – helmet required.
SEATTLE CHINESE GARDEN CULTURE CELEBRATION: Demonstrations, performances, more, 2-5 pm at Seattle Chinese Garden on the north end of South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor), free admission.
‘WONDERLAND’ AT WESTCREST PARK, FOR FREE: It’s not “a play,” it’s play, explain the “instigators” of
FREE MASSAGE CLINIC: The walk-in clinic is back at Nepenthe (9447 35th SW), 3-5 pm.
SALSA DANCING ON ALKI: Lessons and dancing, starting at 4:30 pm, details here – and wear white this time!
MUSIC AT THE COFFEEHOUSE: 6-8 pm, Acoustic Crisis plays at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), all ages, no cover.
BASEBALL: 6:05 pm home game for the DubSea Fish Sticks at Steve Cox Memorial Park in White Center, vs. the Redmond Dudes. Check for tickets here!
DRAG AT THE SKYLARK: “Hey Baby!” showcase for newer drag performers, hosted by Kimme Kash, door 7 pm, show 8 pm, tickets here. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
COMEDY AT KENYON HALL: Gabey Lucas is about to head out to the world’s biggest arts festival, but first, she has a show for you! Doors 7:30 pm, show 8 pm, tickets here. (7904 35th SW)
REVELRY ROOM SPINNING: 9 pm with DJ King Coco. (4547 California SW)
SATURDAY NIGHT SKATING: 9 pm to midnight, skate at Southgate Roller Rink (9676 17th SW), with rotating DJs spinning old-school funk & hip-hop, $18 (plus $5 skate rental).
KARAOKE AT TRIANGLE PUB: 9 pm Megastar Karaoke at Max’s Triangle Pub (9454 Delridge Way SW)
KARAOKE AT TALARICO’S: Saturday night wraps up with Rone, 10 pm at Talarico’s Pizzeria. (4718 California SW)
Planning a West Seattle event that’s open to the community? Tell us about it; calendar listings are free of charge, always! Please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
7:21 PM: We’re in the second hour of Band Jam, hosted by the Seattle Schools All-City Marching Band at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex.
After a drumline, color guard, brass band, and more, we’re currently seeing the first marching band of the night, from Kennedy Catholic High School in nearby Burien. This is free and fun, and currently going exactly to the schedule/lineup we obtained from ACB director Dr. Marcus Pimpleton (who played trombone with the Soul Jambalaya Brass Band a little while ago).
So c’mon down to 2801 SW Thistle. Food trucks!
9:09 PM: Just ended. On our way back to HQ to add video.
10:24 PM: Arguably the highlight of the night was the first part of the All-City Band’s performance, which also featured the alumni band set up for this 75th-anniversary season – they’re in the foreground, yellow shirts:
The alums then left and the ACB performed for 15 more minutes, counting more shouted declarations at the very end, beyond the repeated “Who are we? All-City Band” – this included “What do we do? Entertain!” That, they do:
They were preceded by the official Sounders FC band Sound Wave. We just recorded two slices of their set, but as a whole it was intensely local, from Nirvana’s “Come” to the ’60s TV song “The Bluest Skies I’ve Ever Seen are in Seattle” and beyond.
They followed another pro-sports-team-affiliated group, the Seahawks’ Blue Thunder drumline, who at several points in their set led everyone in a round of “Sea! Hawks! Sea! Hawks!”
Up from Pierce County, the Sumner HS Marching Band is a frequent Band Jam participant:
The only band to march – well, more like stride – onto the field chanting PAR-TY, PAR-TY, was Neon Brass Party:
Both that band and the Kennedy Catholic HS Marching Band (mentioned above) had lots of pop songs in their sets.
As also mentioned above, the Soul Jambalaya Brass Band played, with musicians including ACB leader Dr. Marcus Pimpleton.
The first drumline of the night was Seismic Sound:
And it all began with the Rainbow City Color Guard – in our clip, you’ll see them perform to “How It’s Done” from the hit animated movie “K-Pop Demon Hunters”:
Some of those who performed tonight will be in Saturday night’s Seafair Torchlight Parade along the downtown waterfront. Band Jam started at NCSWAC in 2009; it eventually moved to Memorial Stadium, but the rebuild started last summer so Band Jam came back here. The rebuilt Memorial Stadium isn’t expected to open until fall of next year, so we might see Band Jam in West Seattle next year too.
Thanks to everyone who’s sent photos and/or reports of that huge cloud visible looking toward the Cascades. Even before researching, we guessed it had to do with the wildfires, and that’s what Kevin Freitas, who sent the photo above, says: “Pyrocumulus cloud from the Little Giant Fire.”
(added) The photo above this line was sent from Tasha, aboard the Water Taxi.
(Blue Angels as seen from West Seattle before 2023 arrival, photographed by David Hutchinson)
ORIGINAL FRIDAY REPORT: For U.S. Navy Blue Angels fans – and non-fans – we have the estimated time of their arrival for Seafair: 2:30 pm Wednesday (July 29). Since they’re based at Boeing Field during Seafair, and that’s just over the ridge from West Seattle, their comings and goings draw extra attention here. We don’t know yet if one will arrive earlier in the week as usual for fly-alongs with various VIPs, but otherwise, their schedule is usually various. practice and survey flights on Thursday, then shows on Friday, Saturday, Sunday. Here are the time estimates, from the Seafair website:
*The Blue Angels will perform two practice runs on Thursday, July 30th from approximately 11:00 AM-1:00 PM and 3:30 PM-4:40 PM.
Blue Angels 3:30 pm Friday, Saturday, Sunday
The Seafair Airshow page also lists the other airshow participants and when they’ll be flying.
ADDED MONDAY: Here’s confirmation of the earlier arrivals, via a Seafair spokesperson:
Blue Angels 7 Tuesday at 1235
Blue Angels C-130 Wednesday 1300
NALO (blues crew) Wednesday 1300
And that’s right before the main Blue Angels pilots fly in around 2:30 pm Wednesday.
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