West Seattle, Washington
25 Thursday
#1, the killer bunny:
That’s from “Monty Python and the Holy Grail,” showing tonight at dusk in the courtyard next to Hotwire Coffee (WSB sponsor), the first of six West Seattle Movies on the Wall over the next month and a half of Saturday nights (full list here – in part the result of YOUR suggestions, via WSB and Junction ballot boxes!). Reason #2: Sidewalk Cinema, which makes the movie magic happen, promises a preshow feature – a youth-made film from NFFTY! Reason #3, help the West Seattle Food Bank – bring a nonperishable food donation (admission is free), and buy something from the concession stand set up by West Seattle Christian Church (WSB sponsor) — proceeds go to WSFB. See you there!
HUGE West Seattle Weekend Lineup – with the West Seattle Grand Parade (2007 photo above shows members of the Seattle Chinese Community Girls’ Drill Team, which is in the lineup again this year) at midday tomorrow … then tomorrow night:
That wall next to Hotwire Coffee (WSB sponsor) is converted to a movie screen as Movies on the Wall starts a six-Saturday-night run … Oh, and did we mention Mediterranean Fantasy Festival at Hiawatha all weekend? And the West Seattle Garden Tour on Sunday? 53 events ahead (and a new handy feature to click ahead to each day):Read More
Just so happens the song was “The Children of Sanchez” when we got that video of The Children of West Seattle (some of ’em, anyway) romping during the West Seattle Big Band‘s hour-and-a-half Hi-Yu Festival Concert in the Park tonight @ Hiawatha. Good-sized crowd – band manager Jim Edwards told us afterward that concertgoers started showing up as early as an hour before showtime (great night for a picnic dinner!). Ahead, more video (including an extremely young “assistant bandleader”), and your next chance to enjoy free outdoor summer concerts in West Seattle (one of which will also star the WSBB):Read More
You saw it here weeks ago, but now it’s official – with the premiere two nights away, Bravo has officially announced the cast of “Project Runway” Season 5, including Blayne, the artistic barista from Hotwire Coffee (WSB sponsor). Here’s his official bio on Bravo’s site (with headshot links below it to the other 15 contestants). As we mentioned last week, Hotwire proprietor Lora Lewis has organized a viewing party for the Wednesday night season premiere in the community room at Ginomai (southwest corner of 42nd/Genesee, right around the corner from Hotwire), 8 pm, BYONABD (bring your own non-alcoholic beverage – and dessert).
West Seattle Summer Fest in The Junction is the “star attraction” this weekend, but by no means the only one. A little further south, White Center Music Nights resume tonight at Cafe Rozella and Full Tilt Ice Cream; tomorrow morning, a Vietnamese Cultural Festival brings an invitation for you to find out more about what some had considered “the mystery statue of Orchard Avenue” (photo above; recent WSB feature story here) … there’s also Shakespeare in the park, a track meet, a high-school reunion … in all, 52 listings ahead (including a double traffic alert):Read More
Last night, we mentioned the viewing party set next Wednesday to cheer West Seattle barista Blayne on “Project Runway.” Tonight, there’s another reality-show viewing party in West Seattle — Comic/impressionist Marcus will be at Rocksport at 8 pm, where you can join him to watch the show on which he’s a finalist, “Last Comic Standing.” He’s also getting ready for his performances at Admiral Theater tomorrow night and Saturday, so Admiral management invited us to shoot a snippet of video with him this morning – it’s more of a plug than a comedy routine but if you have 40 seconds to spare, his Captain Jack Sparrow imitation is pretty dead-on:
The Admiral’s got a ton of live comedy shows coming up, all listed here.
You read it here first June 18 — Hotwire Coffee (WSB sponsor) barista Blayne (photo left) made it to “Project Runway,” according to Hotwire proprietor Lora Lewis (as of tonight, still no formal announcement of the Season 5 cast), and now Lora sends word of a viewing party for the PR new-season debut next Wednesday — a big-screen TV will be set up in the community room at Ginomai (42nd/Genesee; map), which can hold about 30 people; 9 pm next Wednesday (7/16), bring a small dessert and non-alcoholic beverage to share, the room will open around 8 pm. (If you are looking for a viewing party WITH booze, Lora says nearby Shadow Land is planning one.)
Now that the 4th is past, we’ll talk more about other events coming up – the big one next weekend is West Seattle Summer Fest Friday-Sunday in The Junction, but next weekend has more to offer too, including an event at the site shown above: Along Orchard west of Delridge, across from Home Depot, by Tug Tavern, that small house with the big statue out back is inviting you to a Vietnamese Cultural Festival a week from today, including a closer look at the statue; we first found out about it after dispatching a student-journalism team to go find out more about the statue, something we’ve meant to do for a long time, as we often get questions from passersby – read on to learn about it, and about next Saturday’s event:Read More
(July 2007 photo by Bob Bollen)
Hot on the heels of the 4th of July, it’s another big event at Alki today – the Seafair Pirates Landing, which is more than just the “landing” itself, with vendors and freebies starting at mid-morning and continuing into early afternoon – new features this year, the Pirates promise at their website – their arrival is one of 25 West Seattle events in this special Sat-Sun-only WSWL (since Friday had its own 4th of July page):Read More
Luminarias like those will grace the field at West Seattle Stadium tonight, 10 pm, during the American Cancer Society-fundraising Relay for Life of West Seattle (WSB preview story here), which begins tonight with a 6 pm survivors’ lap, and continues all night, till noon tomorrow. Many other weekend highlights, including “Music Nights” resuming tonight at Cafe Rozella (with Children of the Revolution at 7 pm), a welcome-home party for surfing-injury survivor Addie Killam … 37 West Seattle events/activities ahead for tonight, tomorrow, and Sunday:Read More
At center, it’s R.E.M. co-founder Peter Buck, flanked by West Seattle residents David Belisle (L) and Corianton Hale (R), at the launch party for their new book R.E.M.:HELLO tonight at Easy Street in The Junction. (Read more about it in our original report.) Here’s some video looking over their shoulders at the crowd for the signing during the first hour of the party:
4 PM TODAY: Your editor here has been invited to discuss West Seattle this afternoon on Rain City Radio, a new audio interview “show” that the founder of popular Seattle real-estate blog Rain City Guide, Dustin Luther, recently launched. His post about it explains how to listen and/or call in to join the conversation.
7 PM TONIGHT: As reported here last week, two members of legendary rock band R.E.M. — Peter Buck and Bill Rieflin — will join West Seattle authors Corianton Hale and David Belisle for a launch party to celebrate their photography book “R.E.M.: HELLO,” 7 pm @ Easy Street in The Junction. (Party goes till 10; signing is 7-8.)
7 PM TONIGHT: The next big West Seattle Hi-Yu Festival event — the White Rose Reception — happens tonight at Fauntleroy Church (WSB sponsor) – here are details from Hi-Yu’s Danette Carufel:
West Seattle Hi-Yu cordially invites you to the 2008 White Rose Reception. This event is for women only and is a celebration of past and present Hi Yu royalty and candidates. All are invited; festivities will begin at 7 pm tonight at Fauntleroy Church (UCC), 9260 California SW. Come and share your Hi-Yu memories or to learn about our community festival. Past royalty are encouraged to wear or bring their sashes and memory scrapbooks. Tickets can be purchased at the door for $5.00. For more information please call (206) 935-6517.
Since we first published the latest West Seattle Weekend Lineup list on Friday afternoon, we’ve gotten word of a couple additions for today — including one that came in overnight, for the karaoke fans who have been lamenting the closure of the Corner Inn in Morgan Junction (first reported here June 3). Kim N e-mailed to say:
Since the Corner Inn closed down, lots of folks have been upset at the loss of being able to perform karaoke there, hosted by Christopher Mychael (of PCM Musiq).
Well, the wait is over!
Christopher Mychael will be hosting Karaoke this Saturday night (6/21) at The Rocksport! Please come out and support him. If all goes well, there will hopefully be a more permanent schedule there!
P.S. Remember The Viaduct is closed this morning, till about 11 am, for Race for the Cure; that’s where we’ll be for the next few hours.
An hour from now, it’s solstice time. Weather permitting (forecast doesn’t look too bad), most West Seattle wading pools open this weekend, too – plus there’s another of those popular “Wii for adults” events at a local library — a free soapmaking class presented by Seattle Free School — even pet adoption on Alki, and more! 42 West Seattle events ahead:Read More
OK, don’t let the kids click ahead on this one. Well – the pix are really just PG, but a nine-letter word starting with “s” comes up. Burning Hearts Burlesque brings its “Bedroom Club” show to Admiral Theater on Saturday night, and its executive producer talked with us at her West Seattle home so we could ask the obvious question:Read More
We mentioned this earlier in the middle of a multi-topic post – and clearly we erred in not making it banner news: Blayne the barista, who’s worked at Hotwire Coffee (WSB sponsor) for 2 1/2 years, made it to the popular cable-TV reality show “Project Runway” and is taping now for the season that starts next month. Now, courtesy of Hotwire boss Lora Lewis, we have pix of Blayne and his art:Read More
Now that summer vacation is in full swing — families may still be looking for ways to keep the kids busy. Two compilations of area activities — at local community centers, libraries, and other facilities in the West Seattle, White Center, and South Park areas — have just been distributed, and they are in such an easy-to-read format, we wanted to share them with you here. Here’s the list for under-12’s; here’s the list for teens. And if you have a musically inclined teen in the family – we have a separate invitation, from the All-City Band:
You’ve probably seen the group (in those distinctive green polo shirts) marching in Seattle summertime parades, including the West Seattle Grand Parade that American Legion Post 160 will be presenting exactly one month from tomorrow. The All-City Band – directed by Denny Middle School‘s renowned music director Marcus Pimpleton — has its first rehearsal tonight – just show up, no audition required. Here are the full details — including a side note about how to book the All-City Band for events, if you need a pep/marching band:Read More
First, 2 garden notes, starting with Marguerite‘s search for partners:
I am a gardener and I live in the North Admiral area (44th/Hill). I have a very wide and long parking strip I was thinking of turning into an organic veggie garden. The space is too large for me, so I am looking to see if there is interest in a pea patch sort of thing. I am thinking of 5 – 6 people that would like to have a area to grow veggies and help get the area ready for planting. I will help with the know how , each person would need to tend their own plot and contribute to water bills.
Click here to e-mail Marguerite. Still in the garden mode: an ongoing plant sale:
More than 10 varieties of organically raised tomato plants, and other plants for your garden, are on sale at Hotwire Coffee (WSB sponsor) as an ongoing fundraiser for Furry Faces Foundation, whose ringleader Teri Ensley says, “As always, proceeds of our fundraisers fund spays/neuters and the animals whose humans are on fixed incomes.” Plants are being regularly replenished, so if there’s something you’re looking for, check with Teri, furryfaces@hotmail.com.
MOVIE & TV NOTES: While we were at Hotwire photographing the plants, we got two more bits of news to share – Hotwire proprietor Lora Lewis says the last Movies on the Wall offering has changed to “Galaxy Quest” (it was “My Dog Skip”); that’s on August 23 and we’ve made the change on our Cinema page. Lora also told us her barista Blayne has made it onto “Project Runway” and is out of town doing the show right now!
FINAL NOTE – BERRY TIME: The Rotary Club of West Seattle is taking orders now for its annual berry sale; Amy Lee Derenthal sends along this info:
By purchasing berries from the Rotary Club of West Seattle you are supporting our fundraising efforts for the programs we provide as a Service Club in our community:
– Shopping Spree where we take underprivileged children shopping at Sears on the first Saturday of December for the past 35 years.
– Community Support where money is donated to a local projects including the Senior Center & Neighborhood House “Heart of High Point†Campaign.
– Pencil Me In For Kids purchasing school supplies for grade school children.
Order your strawberries, raspberries and/or blueberries today! Berries are FRESH from beautiful Mount Vernon , WA — cleaned, hulled, & packed only in their own juices — no sugar added. Ready for pies, canning, jam or freezing for year-round enjoyment! Go to our website to download the order form: www.westseattlerotary.org
Just out of the WSB inbox – a news release sent by West Seattleite Keith Bacon announcing an event at Easy Street a week from tonight — a book launch party with two members of R.E.M. in attendance. Read on for the full details:Read More
Checked your doorstep this morning? Your home might be among those randomly chosen by a group of “art attackers” who got together late last night to create and distribute whimsical homemade recycled-items art, like what’s shown above, and to the left. If this sounds familiar – they took inspiration from “West Seattle Art Attack,” whose secret surprise missions were chronicled here last year, but it’s a whole different group of people – read on for more pix and info:Read More
The first West Seattle wading-pool opening of the season MIGHT be tomorrow @ Lincoln Park, but there’s a hitch – gotta be 70 degrees and sunny – not looking much like there’s a chance of that. (SATURDAY MORNING UPDATE: We just went down to check – the pool IS filling, and it WILL be open both days this weekend no matter what.) Nonetheless, we’ll hold out a good thought, and include that possibility in the list of 40 events ahead, from bellydancing tonight to the West Seattle Moms of Tots benefit Bake Sale on Alki tomorrow morning to the WSB Forum Community Happy Hour Meet-Up tomorrow afternoon and beyond – and if you MUST leave West Seattle, there’s the first-ever Capitol Hill Community Garage Sale Day — it’s all ahead:Read More
Online and in “ballot boxes” placed at West Seattle businesses, hundreds of people offered suggestions for the Sidewalk Cinema Movies on the Wall series in The Junction coming up in July and August — now Lora Lewis, proprietor of Hotwire Coffee (WSB sponsor), which is next to the courtyard with the big screen you see above, confirms the slate is set — read on:Read More
That’s a quick video pan of the lively crowd tonight at South Seattle Community College‘s Brockey Center, where almost 300 people gathered for the annual ArtsWest Gala. We dropped by just in time to hear the big news – AW is “debt-free” for the first time since opening in fall 1999. And its newest capital campaign is already three-fourths of the way to its goal — “Full Speed Ahead” has received more than $460,000 from city/county/state government and foundations, and just needs $166K from the public – here’s the slide shown to the crowd:
The money will go toward capital improvements like new seats, infrastructure improvements like a full-time box office, and “artistry” endeavors — in particular, ArtsWest leaders said, “a living wage for artists.” If you want to help ArtsWest reach its goal, you can make a donation through this page on the AW website.
| 1 COMMENT