West Seattle, Washington
01 Tuesday
Artists of all skill levels and talents are invited to be part of the annual Southwest Artist Showcase at Southwest Library. The four-day window to bring in your creations for display starts tomorrow – here’s the invitation we received today:
It’s that time of year again: the 32nd annual Southwest Artist Showcase is gearing up for October 6 – November 4! This free, month-long event features artists from all over west and southwest Seattle.
We welcome submissions from people of all ages and experience levels for our non-juried, non-profit showcase. Submit up to 3 pieces of art between Tuesday, October 1 – Friday, October 4 at the Southwest Branch during our open hours.Artwork will NOT be offered for sale at the Library. All works must be picked up by 6pm on Sunday, November 10. You may have another person drop off (or pick up) your art. If you have an easel or display structure that you’d like us to use to display your work, please bring them along with your art.
Please note: we strive to display all submitted works, as space allows. Some works may not be included if their size or construction prevents their effective display in the library. Library staff will determine the placement and display of each piece, and artwork will not be moved once it has been placed.
For more information about the Southwest Artist Showcase, please visit spl.org/southwestartistshowcase or call the branch at 206-684-7455.
The branch is at 9010 35th SW; its hours are listed here.
(Photos courtesy Kenyon Hall)
Perhaps the most distinctive feature of historic event venue Kenyon Hall (7904 35th SW) is its “Mighty Wurlitzer” organ. The nonprofit venue is raising money to keep it operational – and next Saturday (September 28) brings a specific way for you to help – here’s the announcement:
The Wurlitzer, a rare and historic organ that represents PNW theater and music history, is threatened with disrepair unless more funds can be raised to repair and restore at beloved West Seattle community theater, Kenyon Hall. Three rank pipes shy of being the same size as a similar organ in the Paramount, the Wurlitzer is one of the remaining organs of its type nationally.
The Wurlitzer organ was created to provide the soundtrack to new and emerging technologies in both film and entertainment in the early 1900s, whereas before theaters often used small live orchestras. Seattle was the first city nationally to have an organ accompany a movie.
Kenyon Hall’s Wurlitzer stands as a wonderful achievement of the pre-digital age but is in need of repairs to ensure it will survive. While many of these organs are “going digital,” Kenyon Hall’s Wurlitzer organ remains completely analog, which means there are thousands of wires that need to be kept in good working order, and an entire three-room series of pipes and switchboards that need to be kept clean and climate controlled. Completely electro-pneumatic, every time a key is pressed by a performer an electrical current runs a wire which then activates a windchest, sending an air current to the corresponding pipe or ranks of pipes.
The Wurlitzer rests at historic Kenyon Hall, a West Seattle community theater built in 1916 that hosts regular theater and concerts. The most notable concert was an exclusive performance by Pearl Jam’s lead singer, Eddie Vedder. In addition to hosting concerts and theater, the Hall is used as a rental space for music recitals, private concerts, social gatherings, and educational events, and is run by local nonprofit Seattle Artists. Kenyon Hall aims to provide living wages to performing artists and teachers while also keeping ticket prices manageable for interested audiences and lesson rates for students affordable.
The COVID-19 pandemic saw with it a drastic decrease in the amount of public arts venues in West Seattle and Seattle in general, and it is Kenyon Hall’s goal to keep the spirit of public arts alive, providing stages for artists new and old to perform and space for audiences to congregate and commune with each other. A fundraiser is planned for Saturday, September 28th from 4 pm-8:30 pm with local performers such as Tomo Nakayama, Erik Walters of Pedro the Lion, and hosted by local Kenyon Hall Cabaret drag performers.
Details of the event can be found at www.kenyonhall.org. Tickets can be purchased via Kenyon Hall’s website or directly through this ticket link (2 seatings). The live stream of the event will be hosted on Kenyon Hall’s YouTube page. This giving campaign will run through the Fall through links provided on Kenyon’s Hall’s “donate” page or directly through this campaign site.
If you’ve never seen/heard the Mighty Wurlitzer being played, you can find many videos online – including this one.
Until 5 pm, you can visit any or all of 14 West Seattle places where art is made and/or shown. The West Seattle Art Tour is a much-more behind-the-scenes experience than the monthly West Seattle Art Walk. We’re just back from one stop – we went to Gatewood to see the artists featured today at The Building (4316 SW Othello), a former church school converted into artist studios:
Upstairs, you’ll find Rebecca Woodhouse, who’s had a studio at The Building for almost three years. You can also talk with Nichole DeMent, a mixed-media-encaustic artist who’s been creating there for 10+ years, and Stephen Rock, who works in “a variety of processes”:
With more than 50 artists participating at the 14 Art Tour stops, some are hosting visiting artists as well as resident artists. At The Building, Kelly Marshall – a mixed-media painter from Queen Anne – is visiting today:
Throughout The Building, there’s art on the walls and along the stairways, making it a great stop for wandering (the upstairs west-facing windows have Puget Sound views, too). But the 13 other stops have their charms – we chose this one for proximity to HQ, but as the map shows, you have options from Admiral to Roxhill. Find maps and the artist list here; the free Art Tour continues until 5 pm today.
It’s fun, it’s free, and it’s open for signups right now (limited space so don’t wait) – here’s the announcement of the next “Write YOUR Story,” starting soon:
Write YOUR Story
Fall 2024
Enrolling nowTheme: We’ve got this! Tales of innovation and make-do
Who is invited? People age 7-11 who like stories
When? Every Wednesday, September 25—December 11, 2024, 4:30—5:30 pm
Where? Upstairs activity room, Curious Kidstuff toy store
4740 California Ave SWWrite YOUR Story, est. 2012, is a free workshop led by local writers for local kids – “We read, we write, and we have a lot of fun.”
For info or to enroll, contact: juliawsea@gmail.com
We will read The Whirlys and the West Wind and “Old Sultan”: two tales that begin in calamity and show how to carry on!
(WSB photos by Patrick Sand)
The most spectacular sight in today’s Fiestas Patrias Parade through South Park was at the end – dozens of horses and their riders.
According to the parade lineup we obtained from Sea Mar Community Health Centers, which presents the parade as well as the Fiestas Patrias festival at Seattle Center downtown, two groups participated – Folkloric Horses and Octavio Rios Horses. Mariachi musicians walked with some of them:
We also saw an aspiring rider:
The annual parade is an exuberant celebration of Latin American culture and heritage, in the month that many of those nations celebrate their independence. Before more photos, here’s our video of the entire parade, recorded at the starting point, 14th Avenue S. and S. Henderson (note the first few minutes were stop-and-start, before the parade began to flow) – this year’s theme was “Unifying Our Communities“:
The colors of flags and traditional dresses brightened the gray morning. The many folkloric and cultural groups included Joyas Mestizas, Folklore Mexicano Tonantzin, Grupo Folklore Costarricense, Grupo Folklore Grupo Folklore Salvadoreño, Somos Mujeres Latinas, and Sea Mar’s many locations:
The Duwamish Valley Youth Corps walked in the parade with environmental exhortations:
Local schools participated, including Chief Sealth International HS:
Denny International MS and Concord International Elementary marched too, as well as the Kennedy Catholic HS band (see them all in our full-parade video). One school, Whittier Elementary, came all the way from Ballard, with their unicycle team:
Wheeled entries also included the Malportados Vespa scooter club:
And with four wheels, a big turnout of lowriders from multiple car clubs, including Eazy Duz It, Lord Riderz, Family Stylez, Northwest Finest, and Panaderia la Ideal (again, you can see them all in our video):
And so many more people, including Grand Marshal Karla Mora from the Consulate of Mexico:
Marching in masks were El Diablos de Seattle:
SPD sent a delegation too (in addition to the officers who were guarding the periphery of the parade):
The parade was largely rain-free, aside from a brief bit of mist about halfway through, and lasted about 45 minutes at the starting point. Meantime, Sea Mar’s Fiestas Patrias festival at Seattle Center continues Sunday (here’s the program), 11 am-6 pm.
(WSB photo from 2023 Fiestas Patrias Parade)
If you love parades, you don’t have to wait for next summer. Tomorrow (Saturday, September 14) brings this year’s Fiestas Patrias Parade in South Park, as part of the annual celebration of Latin American cultures and heritage. More than 40 entries are scheduled to participate, including groups from Denny International Middle School, Chief Sealth International High School, and Concord International Elementary. The entries also include folkloric dancers, horseback riders, mariachi musicians, car clubs, even the Seafair Pirates. The route starts at Sea Mar Community Health Centers, which presents the parade, continues eastbound on S. Henderson to 14th Avenue S., then turns west on S. Cloverdale and ends near South Park Community Center. It starts at 10 am.
6:22 PM: Evening sunshine is making this a great night to get out on the West Seattle Art Walk!
Our first stop, the West Seattle Art Tour preview at NOR Design and Construction (5953 California SW). Above is Carolyn Autenrieth, one of the artists who’ll be hosting a studio stop on the September 21 tour (#6); below, milliner Izzie Lewis, who will be participating in another stop with her hats:
Other artists we met included Linda Voelker:
And Daniel Bernunzio:
The space at NOR is full of artists and samples of their work, plus snacks, so stop by tonight and find out more about the Art Tour! We’re on our way to other spots – this post on the Art Walk website has shortcuts to the venue list and map for tonight. More to come!
6:47 PM: You still have another hour to go see one, two, or even all three of tonight’s Art of Music mini-concerts. We just stopped in at Great American Diner & Bar (4752 California SW, venue change) to listen to the Toujaise Flute Duo:
Jennie Goldberg and Jaime Cornutt comprise the duo (perhaps you’ve seen/heard them during “Flutes in the Forest” concerts at Schmitz Preserve Park). They’re playing until 7:45 pm, as are Trevor Ras at Welcome Road Winery (3804 California SW) and McPage & Powell at Pine Lake Cellars (5405 California SW). Art receptions elsewhere along The Walk are continuing until at least 8. P.S. Bonus music in The Junction – Johnny Nails in-store at Easy Street Records (4559 California SW) starting at 7!
ADDED: We’ve added two more artist photos above from our visit to the Art Tour preview. Later, while in The Junction, we also visited Jet City Labs, hosting Robin Jordan, who is this quarter’s featured Art Walk poster artist:
You can see her poster here. Set your calendar for next month’s Art Walk – October 10! (And the West Seattle Art Tour, a week from Saturday, on September 21.)
This weekend brings a unique chance to enjoy choral excellence in West Seattle, with the Evergreen Ensemble performing one of its season-opening concerts here. The preview is from artistic director David Hendrix:
Our upcoming concert is on Sunday, September 15, at 3:00 pm at Holy Rosary Catholic Church and features a performance of the GRAMMY®-nominated piece, the Liturgy of St John Chrysostom, by American composer Benedict Sheehan. Drawing on the tradition of the great Russian liturgy settings by Rachmaninoff, Gretchaninov, and Tchaikovsky, this landmark work from Benedict is majestic, intimate, grand, mystical, and everything in between. The performance includes 33 of the finest professional ensemble singers from the Seattle area and beyond, and will feature basso profundo Glenn Miller and solo performances from bass Jason Thoms, baritone Harrison Hintzsche, and alto Sarra Sharif Doyle.
The Evergreen Ensemble is sponsoring WSB this week to be sure you hear about the concert – and to offer a ticket deal, 30 percent off. Buy your ticket(s) here and use the code LITURGY30.
The Fauntleroy/Avalon vicinity already has the collaborative mural at Viva Arts (2021) and Desmond Hansen‘s Heart signal-box portrait (2019). Now add a new mural at the temporarily closed Starbucks. After a tip from Ian (thank you), we went over Sunday for a pic, and asked Starbucks about the mural today. It’s by artist Kyler Martz, who “has a place in Pigeon Point,” explained spokesperson Sam Jefferies. He added, “This mural is a celebration of West Seattle. Kyler gave nods to the Alki Lighthouse, the Fauntleroy ferry, mountains, and the ocean. The mythical giant octopus of Puget Sound (who often appears in Kyler’s work) is serving coffee to all. If you look carefully, you might find Kyler’s beloved cat Eddie and dog Penny hiding in the mural.” (Our archives show one previous mention of the artist – a mural at what was Bishop’s Barbershop and has since become Rudy’s. No file photo.) As for when the store will reopen – no date set yet, but it’s expected to happen before month’s end.
Two announcements we’ve received recently:
ALKI UCC OPEN CHOIR REHEARSAL: Tomorrow (Sunday, September 8) at 11:30 am, you’re invited to sing with the Alki UCC Choir in an open-to-all rehearsal starting the fall season with Music Director Stephen Anthony Rawson. The church’s announcement says, “All are welcome, regardless of experience, age, faith or non-faith. Join us to sing new and well-loved songs in a variety of musical styles, including traditional hymns, spirituals and gospel. Come once … keep coming back … there are no auditions or commitments.” Questions? music@alkiucc.org – the church is at 6115 SW Hinds.
WEST SIDE PRESBYTERIAN RECRUITMENT: This announcement isn’t date-specific, so if you’re interested, you can reach out as soon as you’re ready to find out more:
The choir of West Side Presbyterian Church in West Seattle is welcoming singers to join us who love to sing in our community. The choir sings in the beautiful sanctuary space at WSPC and is also joined by an orchestra ensemble for festival services. For more information about how to join our welcoming and vibrant group of people, please reach out to Music Director Anthony Spain at anthonys@wspc.org
WSPC is at 3601 California SW.
The West Seattle Art Tour is just two and a half weeks away – and organizers have announced two ways you can preview it!
The West Seattle Art Tour, September 21, 2024, 10 am – 5 pm, is at 14 artist-hosted locations across West Seattle. This free, self-guided tour features a full spectrum of art, a chance to meet and talk with 55 participating artists, and the opportunity to purchase exceptional works of art, all while exploring West Seattle’s beautiful neighborhoods.
Get a sneak preview of 2024 West Seattle Art Tour during September 12th West Seattle Art Walk! A sampler of art from 2024 West Seattle Art Tour locations will be on display during September 12th West Seattle Art Walk, 5:00-8:00 pm at NOR Design and Construction, 5953 California Ave, Suite #100.
What you can do right now: Maps and Artist Gallery are Up! Visitors can plan their tour with the just-released online map, print off a paper copy of the map, and peruse a virtual gallery of all 55 artists on the Tour website.
West Seattle Art Tour is organized by an all-volunteer committee of more than 20 artists and art lovers with support from West Seattle Art Walk. Individuals interested in supporting the West Seattle Art Tour can reach out to WSArtHop@gmail.com.
This is the third year for the Art Tour (previously known as Art Hop & Shop).
Thanks to Al for sending the photos! As previewed here, volunteers assisted Urban ArtWorks these past two days in decorating Lafayette Elementary‘s portable classrooms with murals.
Al says he was told more than 70 volunteers showed up over the two days of painting!
Here’s Alex Nason from Urban Art Works signing the mural.
Classes at Lafayette – and other Seattle Public Schools – start on Wednesday.
One of West Seattle’s newest murals is adorning the restroom building at Walt Hundley Playfield (34th/Myrtle), installed earlier this summer. We hadn’t heard about it until a brief Seattle Parks online mention this week; we went over for a closer look, and also contacted artist Juliana Kang Robinson to find out more.
She tells us the installation, commissioned by the city, is called “Pojagi Mounds.”
Pojagi Mounds is a landscape of belonging and togetherness. The design is inspired by pojagi, the historic Korean patchwork artform using scrap fabric to create cloths that were integral to a person’s daily life. They were used as tablecloths, to deliver gifts, to carry possessions on a journey, and protect valuables. Wrapping a gift in a pojagi communicated respect for the object and good will toward the recipient. Each patch added by the maker was like a prayer of good will that would enfold and carry the gift. For me pojagi represents how diverse members of a community can come together to enfold and carry one another. Pojagi Mounds underscores how the whole is more than the sum of its parts. A mountain is more than simply soil, plants and rocks just as we people in a society are greater when unified. My goal for this public artwork is to create a visual representation of this concept that spur viewers to ponder the beautiful and complex way that different parts can come together to unify and elevate us beyond the self.
She continues:
I used a traditional Korean color scheme called Obangsaek. Obangsaek means “Five Orientations” in balance with the universe – East (blue), West (white), South (red), North (black) and Center (yellow) to promote harmony while warding off evil spirits. In my work I like to incorporate animals with strong family bonds both in reference to the various creation myths and for the conjuring of strength, courage and belonging. In this mural I also wanted to honor our local “ecosystem engineers,” the beavers known for changing and maintaining ecosystems which significantly boost local biodiversity. I also love both creatures as a symbols for familial strength and working hard for one’s family and community.
You can see more of her work on her website.
Big news from the West Seattle Community Orchestras – two new conductors. And the organization has opened registration for the new season, which starts soon. Here’s the announcement:
The West Seattle Community Orchestras organization is welcoming two new conductors.
Asieh Mahyar, who serves as the interim Director of Orchestral Studies at Pacific Lutheran University, will conduct the Symphony Orchestra. Originally from Iran and one of the very few female conductors from her country, Ms. Mahyar brings in her extensive experience working with ensembles at various levels and in different countries. For the 2024-2025 season, she eagerly looks forward to leading the Symphony Orchestra on a fantastic musical journey. Dynamic and vibrant, the repertoire will include festive Holiday music, selections from timeless masterworks, premieres of music by composers from diverse cultural backgrounds, and inspiring collaborations with distinguished local musicians.
The Wind Symphony is getting some new direction under Justin Murray as well. Justin is an active music educator, clinician, and conductor who also works as the Director of Membership at Classical KING (98.1 FM). This year, he is particularly excited about returning to directing an ensemble and sharing the process and experience of making music with members of our West Seattle Community.
If you want to join one of the 6 ensembles of WSCO, registration is currently open for returning and new members, with auditions on September 17 and rehearsals starting on October 8 at Chief Sealth International High School.
(WSB file photo)
Urban Art Works is hoping for more helping hands to paint a mural at Lafayette Elementary this weekend. If you can spare a little time Sunday and/or Monday, read on:
Volunteers Needed ✨
Volunteers! Join us for painting at Lafayette Elementary School in West Seattle! We’re painting the exterior walls of two portable classrooms, the project is on a very tight turnaround as we’re aiming to start and complete the mural in two days! With your help, we can do it!
When: Labor Day Weekend — Sunday, September 1st & Monday, September 2nd
Time: Shifts are available in 1.5-hour slots from 10 AM to 4 PM
Where: Lafayette Elementary, 2645 California Ave SWWe’re aiming to complete this mural before school starts on the 4th. The first slot is open to all levels (adults), with intermediate and advanced slots in the middle of the day and afternoon. Our goal is to complete the mural on Sept 1st, with Sept 2nd being a back-up day for any necessary touch-ups; if we are able to finish on the 1st, the 2nd will be canceled, so make sure to sign up for the 1st if you want to make sure to get a chance to paint :)
Sign up for as many slots as you like, and let’s paint!
*Parking Info: Find parking at the back of the school by turning into the alley next to Wiseman’s Appliance on California Ave.
Don’t forget your paint clothes, water, and sunscreen!
That’s our video from the Fastbacks‘ reunion at West Seattle Summer Fest 2011 – they start playing after an almost two-minute intro by Easy Street Records proprietor Matt Vaughan. Fast-forward 13 years to tonight, when Matt hosted the legendary Seattle rockers at his Junction store, where you can buy Fastbacks’ first new album in a quarter century.
The red vinyl in that photo is the album, “For WHAT Reason!” The band didn’t play at Easy Street tonight but, after an advance listening session, did sign the new album and sat down with one of their former drummers, the also-legendary Duff McKagan, for a roundtable discussion.
Here’s how Matt and Duff introduced the band members:
We couldn’t stay for the discussion but if you’re interested in background on how the new Fastbacks album came to be, check this out. If you missed the chance to hear it at Easy Street tonight, you can preview one of the cuts here and see the video for another one here.
The West Side Ringers invite you to make music with them, and asked us to publish this announcement:
The West Side Ringers are looking for people to ring English Handbells. No experience is necessary, as we are open to all skill levels. We meet on Wednesdays from 3:30-5 pm. Our group currently plays at retirement communities as a service to seniors! If interested, send an email to anjdroege@gmail.com.
Not far from his earliest signal-box work – portraits of Jimi Hendrix and Kurt Cobain – artist Desmond Hansen has painted another mural on California Avenue SW in Morgan Junction. This one was for, and of, the O’Neill Plumbing (WSB sponsor) family. That’s Tim O’Neill in our photo, taken this morning. The mural is on the north side of the former Sub Shop building into which the O’Neill Plumbing HQ has expanded. O’Neill Plumbing is one of West Seattle’s longest-running businesses, founded in 1917.
The cultures of seven Central American countries – Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama – are at the heart of a festival happening right now in West Seattle. Festival Centroamericano has returned to Westcrest Park (9000 8th SW), with performances, food, art, and more, until 6 pm. It’s all on the big field at the north end of the park.
Among the performers who have already taken the stage (video above and photo below) were Los Rebeldes de la Cueca (Chilean):
Folklore de Costa Rica went out into the audience to dance with spectators:
It’s a beautiful afternoon in the park – you can bring a chair and enjoy it all:
Here’s the performance schedule for the rest of the afternoon:
2:35 pm – Folklore Guatemala de Seattle
2:55 pm – Abuty Band
3:25 pm – Bailes y Alegria Panamá
3:50 pm – Karaoke
4:15 pm – Espiritu Libre
5:00 pm – Orgullo Cuzcatleco del Salvador
5:20 pm – Don Remo
5:50 pm – Blue Morpho
The festival is presented by Organizacion Centro Americano.
Shortly after we moved here in 1991 so your editor could start work at a local TV station, we happened onto a local comedy show on a different station – and for most of the rest of that decade, it was a regular part of our Saturday nights, as it was for so many people back then.
(September 1994 TV Guide page kept by Tracey Conway, used with Now & Then permission)
The show, “Almost Live!“, was almost midway through its 15-year-run on KING TV by the time we first watched, a half-hour that made fun of current events as well as specific Seattle-and-vicinity neighborhoods – with sketches like “Ballard Driving Academy,” “Cops in Wallingford,” “East Side Story,” even “The Making of Studs of South King County,” as well as lampooning life in the Northwest – the timeless tale of “Seattle Summer”, for example.
We’d heard The Seattle Times was looking back this weekend on “Almost Live!” to mark 40 years since the show’s debut, synergizing with a Museum of History and Industry exhibit that opens next weekend. What we didn’t know was that a West Seattle journalist/historian wrote the stories comprising a package that figures prominently in today’s print edition of The Times, especially its Pacific Magazine, until that writer, Clay Eals, mentioned it while visiting our booth at Saturday’s Admiral Funktion street festival.
The “Almost Live!” exploration is in the spirit of the “Now & Then” columns that Clay co-produces for the newspaper’s weekly magazine, but much more in-depth. And you don’t have to be a Times subscriber to see the results of the three months Clay spent diving into “Almost Live!” – the Now & Then website has even more. And Clay mentioned two West Seattleites who factor into it – more on that in a moment. First, some links: The main Times story is here; as Clay writes, the show “proved that a major city could laugh at itself with universal appeal.” Even if you were an “Almost Live!” superfan, his story will likely tell you a lot you didn’t know about its history and origins. And if you’ve ever wondered what happened to the performers – who were among the 30+ people Clay interviewed – here’s that story. Then there’s the story about the MOHAI exhibit’s champion, and a related Now & Then column. Oh, plus “Where to find more ‘Almost Live!‘,” including YouTube.
If that sounds like a lot, consider that Clay says it’s only a fraction of what you’ll find on the Now & Then website – start here and wander at will. (If you can’t see the Times stories because of the paywall, Clay’s site has free-to-view versions of them all.)
Now, as for the West Seattleites who factor into this: First, one of the regular performers on “Almost Live!”, Tracey Conway, is a WS resident. Here’s a video she produced with some of her favorite characters:
And here she is in a recent photo by Clay:
He notes, “She’s quoted in the cover story and shown in 14 photos therein. But she also is part of the sketches sidebar” – best and most-overlooked sketches – and the material on Now & Then includes excerpts from his interview with her.
A West Seattleite playing a smaller but memorable role, Clay points out, is Aurora Bennett, who runs John Bennett Properties. “At age 8, she stars in one of what I say in the sketches sidebar is an ‘overlooked’ sketch, ‘Totally Realistic Barbi’ (no typo), just 1:40 long, from 1994. Quite timely given last year’s Barbie movie phenomenon. Tracey Conway plays her mom.” You can see it here.
If you get the print edition of The Times, Clay says “Almost Live!” stories and photos comprise 18 of the magazine’s 26 pages, as well as “a significant chunk of The Mix,” the arts-and-entertainment section of the paper itself. Meantime, the MOHAI exhibit opens August 31st and is expected to be on display for six months – here’s more about it.
Tonight was opening night for “Come On, Get Tappy!”, a new musical that’s been 20 years in the making, co-written by West Seattle resident Stacie Hart (photo at right). The musical is playing at SecondStory Repertory in Redmond. Hart, a longtime theater artist, worked with creative partner Harry Turpin to bring it to life. The theater’s announcement of the production says it “promises a delightful blend of humor, music, and dance,” elaborating:
“Come On, Get Tappy!” follows Tappy McCrackin, the pint-sized star of the “Tappy McCrackin Variety Hour,” as she fights off the bad guys on the night of the show’s 25th-anniversary broadcast. Aptly described as ”Annie meets Carol Burnett meets Scooby-Doo,” this campy, family-friendly production is poised to captivate audiences of all ages. Vibrant sets, crackling comedic dialogue, lots of sequins, and big dance numbers will make it a truly unforgettable spectacle that’s great for kids and adults. Plus, the team has some surprises in store that will make the show feel truly immersive. The “Come On, Get Tappy!” experience will be luxe, and it will begin as soon as theatergoers enter the lobby, before they’re in their seats.
The announcement quotes Hart as saying, “We’ve worked on this show through life, marriage, kids, a pandemic, and more – and it’s held together. It is stronger than ever and I can’t wait to see it come to life.” The backstory from the musical’s origins to this premiere run is here, dating all the way back to an offhand joke and a made-up nickname. A spokesperson for the production notes that these aren’t easy times for original theater, so “it’s nothing short of a miracle that this show has found funding, is fully orchestrated, and is currently being produced with an all-star cast of respected theatre artists in our area.” The musical has 16 more performances at SecondStory Repertory, including weekend matinees; tickets and showtimes are here. (The theater is at Redmond Town Center, 7325 166th NE in Redmond.)
(WSB file photo)
Before we get to today’s reminders of calendar highlights, one more weekend note – we just found out last night that Festival CentroAmericano is returning to Westcrest Park this Sunday (August 25).
The celebration of Central American cultures is planned for noon-6 pm Sunday. It has rotated locations between West Seattle and South Park in recent years and this year it’s back here; Westcrest is at 9000 8th SW.
August 25, 2023, was the day that Bruun Idun the troll was officially introduced near Colman Pool in Lincoln Park (WSB coverage here), after weeks of semi-secret construction by Danish recycled-materials artist Thomas Dambo and volunteers. Next Sunday is the one-year anniversary, and a restoration event is at the heart of the celebration:
The restoration work party is planned from 10 am to noon Sunday, August 25 – followed by ice cream! Forest steward Lisa McGinty sent the invitation:
August 25th is BRUUN IDUN DAY in Seattle! Celebrate with our much-loved troll in Lincoln Park. We’ll be working to restore natural areas surrounding the troll and making space for winter planting season. After our work is done, Scan Design Foundation will be treating all to an ICE CREAM SOCIAL as we honor Bruun Idun and the land and sea where she calls home. Great opportunity for student service hours!
All ages are welcome; bring your own gloves if you have them, but if you don’t, you’ll be able to borrow a pair, with tools available too. You’re asked to RSVP – you can do that right now, here.
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