WS culture/arts 3006 results

Today/tonight: “Encounters,” “Frog & Toad,” “Music Man,” sale…

August 8, 2009 6:30 am
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 |   Fun stuff to do | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

“CLOSE ENCOUNTERS” AT MOVIES ON THE WALL: Come make a protective tin-foil hat and sing along to the famous five notes during the preshow nuttiness, then watch the classic movie on the big screen at dusk, courtyard next to Hotwire Coffee (WSB sponsor). See you there. If you’re looking for indoor entertainment …

“A YEAR WITH FROG AND TOAD, KIDS”: Thanks to Matt Durham from mattdurhamphotography.com for those shots (including, in the closeup photo, West Seattleites Cameron Lee and Levi Starkweather) from ArtsWest‘s production, with 3 pm matinees and 7:30 pm evening shows finishing the run today and tomorrow. Also onstage tonight, with stars of all ages:

“THE MUSIC MAN”: It’s night two of the classic musical as presented by Twelfth Night Productions (WSB sponsor). 7:30 pm, West Seattle High School Theater.

duwamishsunrise.jpg

(August 2008 photo by John LaSpina)
DUWAMISH RIVER FESTIVAL: Celebrate West Seattle’s “other” body of water while also learning what’s being done to restore its health. The festival’s in the park on the river bank in South Park, 7900 10th Ave. S. (map), noon-4 pm – the tentative schedule of performers/events is here.

BIG SALE BENEFITING THE SERVICE BOARD: Check it out at tSB’s home base at Youngstown Arts Center, 8 am-2 pm. Full details here.

Lots more happening – all listed in the latest West Seattle Weekend Lineup.

Video: First night for Summer Concerts at The Mount

As with the rest of West Seattle’s outdoor entertainment slate this summer – Providence Mount St. Vincent‘s Summer Concerts at The Mount (WSB sponsor) series offers more than music. In that clip from tonight’s 2009-debut event on the south grounds of the Fairmount-area retirement center, you see Carol Johnston leading a Charleston dance lesson while her Duwamish Dixieland Jazz Band-mates play in the background. And then there was Chuckalou the Clown:

Chuckalou’s balloon stylings captivated the younger members of the audience. The Mount’s concerts are free, 6 pm the next three Fridays, with the grounds opening at 5 pm for food/beverage sales; Maia Santell and House Blend are scheduled next Friday night, and you can see the full-season lineup here.

West Seattle Weekend Lineup: Mount concert, UFO singalong …

August 7, 2009 1:02 pm
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 |   Fun stuff to do | WS culture/arts | WS Weekend Lineup

That’s the Duwamish Dixieland Jazz Band last night at The Kenney‘s annual barbecue – tonight, you can see and hear them at Providence Mount St. Vincent in the first of four Summer Outdoor Concerts at The Mount. (Bring a sweater, it’ll be fun.) Then make music with us and a few hundred of your closest friends tomorrow night in the courtyard next to Hotwire Coffee (which, like The Mount’s event, is a WSB sponsor):

Singing along to those five famous notes from “Close Encounters to the Third Kind” (practice up!) is part of the preshow fun before CE3K takes the big screen at tomorrow night’s West Seattle Outdoor Movies on the Wall. And if you’d rather have fun indoors – here’s a highlight tonight:

That’s Manooghi Hi, playing Admiral Theater tonight, as part of a double bill that includes a movie, too. Also on tap – though it’s in South Park, the Duwamish River Festival tomorrow is all about the body of water on West Seattle’s eastern border, so be there … these are among more than four dozen events ahead in this edition of the West Seattle Weekend Lineup, brought to you by Skylark Cafe and Club … here goes!Read More

Opening tonight: Twelfth Night Productions’ “The Music Man”

It’s big, it’s bold, it’s brassy, it’s a classic, and it’s playing in West Seattle the next three weekends: “The Music Man,” presented by Twelfth Night Productions at West Seattle High School Theater. Twelfth Night is returning as a WSB sponsor to get the word out; here’s the official news release about the show:

Twelfth Night Productions (TNP) is pleased to announce its next offering, Meredith Willson’s ode to Americana, The Music Man, an affectionate tribute to small town USA of a bygone era. The Music Man follows a fast talking traveling sales man, Harold Hill as he cons the people of River City Iowa into buying instruments and uniforms for a boys’ band he vows to organize. This despite the fact that he doesn’t know a trombone from a treble clef. His plans to skip town with the cash are foiled when he falls for Marian the librarian, who transforms him into a respectable citizen by curtain’s fall.

TNP is excited to partner with the All City Band for this cherished musical. Expect surprises, laughter, fun and an old fashioned good time this summer as Twelfth Night Productions presents The Music Man. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the All City Band.

TNP is a non-profit performing arts organization located at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. This production features several artists from the West Seattle community as well as the greater Seattle area.

The Music Man runs in a special limited engagement at the West Seattle High School, 3000 CALIFORNIA AV SW. Show times are: August 7-8, 14-15 and 21-22 at 7:30 PM, with matinees at 3 PM on August 9, 16 and 23. Tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for students & seniors, and are available through Brown Paper Tickets (www.brownpapertickets.com), and at West Seattle High School two hours before each performance.

Summer Concerts at Hiawatha tonight: Not just about the music

August 6, 2009 11:09 pm
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Tonight’s hot-ticket (but still free) special offering: Face painting. As Admiral Neighborhood Association‘s Katy Walum explained as the Summer Concerts at Hiawatha series she spearheaded made its debut last month, they procured grants to offer facepainting twice during the series; tonight was #1, and artist Lynn from Wild Smiles Face Painting estimates she had up to 40 takers. That would be about one of every five showgoers, by our estimate of the crowd peaking at 200:

No video – technical difficulties with our camera – but we did get pix of the acts on the double bill, Cajun/Zydeco specialists Swamp Soul (find out more about them here):

… and Neil Young tribute specialists Ragged Glory (find out more about them here).

Next week is the fourth of six Thursday night shows (all listed here), free of charge thanks to a big team of sponsors (all listed here) including WSB, and you’ll see and hear the Elizabeth Carpenter Trio that night on the Hiawatha east lawn.

West Seattle notes: “Dog Days”; outdoor shows; pie war; more

cohen.jpg“DOG DAYS OF SUMMER”: Michele at West Seattle Thriftway just sent word that CityDog Magazine is coming back for its next cover-dog search, Sunday, August 16th – last year, the winner was one of the dogs “discovered” at WST, Cohen (left)! This is part of the store’s “Dog Days of Summer” promotion, including barbecues the next four Saturdays to raise money for local animal-advocacy groups. Plus, on cover-dog-search day 8/16, as well as the following Sunday 8/23, the Humane Society’s MaxMobile will be at Thriftway with adoptable pets.

HIAWATHA CONCERT TONIGHT: One more reminder, two acts for the price of one – actually there’s no price, because it’s free! – at tonight’s Admiral Neighborhood Association-presented Summer Concerts at Hiawatha show: Neil Young tribute band Ragged Glory and Cajun/Zydeco band Swamp Soul. It’ll be chillier than last week but the forecast still calls for the sun coming out before showtime, 6:30 pm, east lawn of Hiawatha.

AND MORE OUTDOOR ENTERTAINMENT FRIDAY/SATURDAY: Same basic forecast – cooler than usual – for those nights, but don’t let that keep you inside: Friday night is the first Summer Concerts at The Mount (WSB sponsor) show (also free), with the Duwamish Dixieland Jazz Band (gates open at 5, music at 6) and Saturday night is the next West Seattle Outdoor Movies on the Wall screening, with the ’70s classic “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” (so many scenes in that one are perfect for the big screen), ALSO free, gates open at 7, movie at dusk, courtyard by Hotwire Coffee (WSB sponsor).

CROSS-BAY PIE WAR: Our friends at fellow independent neighborhood-news site Magnolia Voice are thinking a Magnolia-vs.-West Seattle pie war might just be in the works. Here’s why.

COOKING WITH CLASS: (added shortly after we first posted this roundup) Just got the news that registration is open for Cooking With Class, the annual event at Salty’s on Alki that’s a nonprofit fundraiser, a cooking class and a gourmet food/wine dinner all in one. It’s set for September 15. Full details here.

Double bill tomorrow night for Summer Concerts at Hiawatha

Looks like late-in-the-day sunshine tomorrow for the third of six Summer Concerts at Hiawatha, presented by the Admiral Neighborhood Association (with more than 20 sponsors – all listed here – including WSB). The group in the clip above Neil Young tribute band Ragged Glory, is on a double bill with Cajun/Zydeco musicians Swamp Soul (shown in the 2007 clip above). Special feature tomorrow night: Face-painting for kids! 6:30 pm on the Hiawatha east lawn, b/y/o chairs/blankets.

Today/tonight: Sanctuary; North Delridge; “Frog and Toad”

August 5, 2009 11:02 am
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 |   Delridge | West Seattle history | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

LANDMARKS BOARD HEARING FOR THE SANCTUARY AT ADMIRAL: As previewed here yesterday, the city Landmarks Preservation Board will consider today whether to designate the former Sixth Church of Christ, Scientist, at 42nd/Lander — now The Sanctuary at Admiral — as a city landmark. The hearing will include a chance for public comment; it’s during the board’s 3:30 pm meeting on the 40th floor of the Municipal Tower downtown.

NORTH DELRIDGE NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL: The regular NDNC monthly meeting is at 6:30 tonight, Delridge Library, with agenda items including officer elections, the next Adopt-A-Street cleanup, and traffic-circle maintenance.

“A YEAR WITH FROG AND TOAD”: The kids’ edition of this musical opens its run at ArtsWest tonight, with two different troupes from the ArtsWest summer camps alternating in the performances. Shows are at 7:30 tonight through Saturday, with 3 pm matinees Saturday and Sunday; buy tickets online here.

Applaud the kids: “Frog and Toad” at ArtsWest starting tomorrow

August 4, 2009 4:33 am
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Not everyone is taking August off. For example – consider the two troupes of ArtsWest Summer Musical Adventure Theater Campers who are getting ready to put on a show for you: Young performers 8-12 years old, staging “A Year with Frog and Toad, Kids” tomorrow through Sunday. There are two groups – “FROG Group” will perform at 7:30 Wednesday and Friday and 3 pm Saturday; “TOAD Group” puts on the show at 7:30 Thursday and Saturday and 3 pm Sunday. Read about the show on ArtsWest’s website; you can buy tickets online.

West Seattle outdoor concerts: 2 coming up this week!

August 3, 2009 5:40 pm
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From a Mercer Island gig last fall, that’s Swamp Soul, the Cajun/Zydeco band that’s on a double bill with Neil Young tribute band Ragged Glory at this Thursday night’s Admiral Neighborhood Association-presented Summer Concerts at Hiawatha show. Third one so far and both have drawn hundreds – it’s a big lawn, though, so plenty of room, even if you can’t get there till the last minute. 6:30 pm, east lawn of Hiawatha Community Center. Then on Friday night, Providence Mount St. Vincent starts its four-week Summer Concerts at The Mount series, and has rejoined WSB as a sponsor to promote the shows, which also are free. First up, this Friday, it’s the Duwamish Dixieland Jazz Band, seen here in a June performance:

The DDJB opened last year’s Summer Concerts at The Mount, too. Food goes on sale (as does beer/wine) at 5 pm, music at 6; special activities will be available for kids, too. Go here for the full schedule of the four-week series at The Mount, and here for the full schedule of the remaining four weeks of the six-week series at Hiawatha. (Bring your own chair/blanket for both.)

Today/tonight: Night Out signups; Duwamish kayaking; book talk

DEADLINE TO SIGN UP FOR NIGHT OUT: Tomorrow night, you can close your (non-arterial) street and have a neighborhood block party to celebrate Night Out – provided you sign up by 9 am today (extended from last Friday). Here’s where to do it online. (And if you wouldn’t mind us dropping in for a photo or two, e-mail us your Night Out party location – editor@westseattleblog.com.)

DUWAMISH KAYAK TOURS: Tonight’s the next in a series of twice-monthly summertime kayak tours of the Duwamish River, presented by the Duwamish River Cleanup Coalition, Alki Kayak Tours and the Seattle Aquarium Society. 6-8:30 pm, leaving from South Park, find out how to sign up here.

BOOK GROUP: Been thinking about that classic summer pastime, reading? Southwest Library‘s Evening Book Group meets tonight, 6:45, to take a look at this month’s book, “Behind the Scenes at the Museum” by Kate Atkinsonmore info here.

Your chance to see “Greenspoke” (filmed at ex-Chuck and Sally’s)

(December 2008 photo)
Last December, a movie crew took over the long-defunct Morgan Junction tavern Chuck and Sally’s to film part of “Greenspoke.” This weekend, we got an update from writer/producer/director Tom McIntire – including an offer to see the finished product next week, at a discount:

The film was completed in March. Shot in West Seattle, Ballard and Magnolia, Greenspoke features local talent and crew. We recently won The Accolade Award of Merit: short film and were nominated for the Best International Film under 50 Minutes at the International Film Festival Ireland. A beautiful Japanese translator and a world weary vehicle emissions technician awaken profoundly changed by the efforts of a brilliant scientist trying to control climate change.

Greenspoke will have a sneak preview locally on Tuesday Aug 4 at 9:30 pm at the strong>Central Cinema, part of a fundraising effort for nonprofit Smiling Z Studios that includes another award-winning short film (two julias) and live music after the screening from Seattle band The Daguerreotypes (featured in both films). (Tickets available online: Enter the promo code blog to get the cast and crew price of $12. Includes hors d’oeurves. No-host bar. No one under 21 admitted.)

Greenspoke will also be playing at 1 Reel Bumbershoot on Monday Sept 7 at 8 pm and at the Tacoma Film Festival in October.

The film has a Facebook page, by the way. Meanwhile – since someone’s bound to ask, “Speaking of Chuck and Sally’s, what’s up with that property?” all we can say is, no recent action in terms of permits or complaints.

West Seattle Weekend Lineup: Edible Garden Tour, lots more

Tomorrow’s the day for a new West Seattle tradition, in its second year – the Edible Garden Tour (free!) presented by wswllicon3.pngCommunity Harvest of Southwest Seattle. And of course it’s Seafair weekend, which means Blue Angels sightings, bridge closures, etc. … West Seattle Outdoor Movies on the Wall gets “Footloose” on Saturday night … help clear off a park-like section of land on Saturday morning with St. John’s Episcopal Church (one of several work parties you can join that day) … And on street-food watch, note that Skillet is NOT scheduled for The Junction this Sunday, but Marination Mobile will be back at High Point on Saturday … more than four dozen events, ahead in this edition of the West Seattle Weekend Lineup, brought to you by Skylark Cafe and Club … here goes!Read More

Video: Summer Concerts at Hiawatha, show #2

Young concertgoers are getting free treat samples at the PCC Kid Picks van, here on the east lawn of Hiawatha, where the second show in the Admiral Neighborhood Association‘s Summer Concerts at Hiawatha series is about to get under way. We’re tabling tonight along next to the ANA’s team, steps away from Kid Picks (PCC is a co-sponsor of the series, as is WSB), and the temperature is INCREDIBLY pleasant. All caps because it is such a relief after all that heat. It’s probably in the 70s back here. Tom Colwell and the Southbound Odyssey are playing tonight (folk classics and more) – he was just introduced as “having first picked up a guitar in 1957” and still going strong. Here’s ANA president Mark Wainwright saying a few words to the crowd (that’s Colwell in the background at right):

Admission’s free – bring your own chair, blanket, food and beverages, this’ll be continuing till 8 or so. 6:51 PM NOTE: Adding a few more photos, a couple songs into the show – after a couple folk classics, they’re playing an Eagles song. Tonight’s theme: “Songs for the Journey.” We’d estimate at least 150 people here. Still lots of room on the grass – it’s a big lawn! 7:46 PM UPDATE: The band just resumed after a short break – they are likely to be playing till 8:30 if you’re still thinking about coming down:

By the mid-show break, the crowd had grown to about 200. Wide-ranging music selection – including “Circle of Life” from “Lion King,” the folk classic “Guantanamera,” and now “Ramblin’ Man.” We’ll add some video later. Four more concerts in the series, and next week, there are two groups – Swamp Soul, with Cajun/Zydeco music, and Ragged Glory, a Neil Young tribute band. The full schedule, and more information about Admiral Neighborhood Association, is all here. ADDED 11:44 PM: Video of one of the band’s songs from tonight’s show – shot wide so you can see the family fun in front of the stage:

World-renowned African Children’s Choir returning to West Seattle

July 30, 2009 2:43 pm
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 |   Fun stuff to do | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Last time that world-renowned group performed at West Seattle Christian Church, they drew a capacity crowd, and Pastor Dan Jacobs says some would-be concertgoers even had to be turned away. So we’re giving you advance notice – mark your calendar for the African Children’s Choir‘s return to West Seattle, 7 pm August 25 in the new WSCC Activity Center (4400 42nd SW; map). Free admission, but an offering will be taken to support the group. According to the ACC’s website, the children who will be touring next month are from Kenya and Uganda. Questions? Pastor Jacobs can be reached at 932-2098, extension 102.

Today/tonight: Heat, Blue Angels, concerts, King County’s future

FORECAST: It’s improved a tiny bit. Today is now projected to reach into the 90s (previously, there was a projection we’d hit triple digits again).

(WSB photo from Angels’ arrival at Boeing Field Tuesday)
BLUE ANGELS: Today’s the first of two days that they’ll be practicing, before the two official shows Saturday-Sunday over Lake Washington. While tomorrow’s practice is the same show they’ll perform over the weekend, today is somewhat looser, with maneuvers and geography familiarization, and it also means the I-90 bridge will be closed twice today – 9:45 to noon, 1:15-2:30 pm.

(Photo by Christopher Boffoli, from last Tuesday’s concert-series kickoff)
ADMIRAL CONCERT: 2nd show in the free outdoor-concert series at Hiawatha, 6:30 pm, Tom Colwell and the Southbound Odyssey. See the preview here.

FAUNTLEROY CONCERT: “Sweet, Sweet Music” tonight at Fauntleroy Church – Sarah Ackers, Betsy Boyer and Bronwyn Edwards Cryer are in what’s promised to be a “cool” Fellowship Hall, 7:30 pm, music and desserts, $5 (more info here).

KING COUNTY’S FUTURE: Across the street from that church, you’ll find The Hall at Fauntleroy, where a 6:30 pm meeting is the last in a series of discussions around the county, about the county, and where it should go from here.

Happening today/tonight: Produce, playfield, plans, plus …

HIGH POINT MARKET GARDEN’S WEEKLY SALE DAY: Every Tuesday through the summer, 4:30-7 pm, fresh produce is on sale at 32nd/Juneau (map), grown in the big beautiful “market garden” tended right there. Here’s our story from opening day two weeks ago.

MUSIC AT ALKI PLAYFIELD: Can’t wait until Thursday night for the next installment of the Admiral Summer Concerts at Hiawatha (6:30 pm, Tom Colwell and the Southbound Odyssey)? Get an early fix of outdoor music tonight, 6 pm, Alki Community Center Playfield.

PLAN WEST SEATTLE NEIGHBORHOODS’ FUTURE: We’ve been talking about this for weeks (here’s last night’s preview) and tonight’s the night. After talking to local neighborhood advocates, we can tell you we are not exaggerating when we say it’s the most important meeting you’ll attend all year. 10 years after the oft-referred “neighborhood plans” for five West Seattle neighborhoods (and Georgetown) were created, are they working? What’s the best course for those neighborhoods’ future? Even if you’re not sure you have anything to say, come to listen, to understand, to support (or even oppose). 6 pm, Delridge Community Center NEW LOCATION: YOUNGSTOWN ARTS CENTER – air-conditioned! (updated 3:23 pm)

BLUE ANGELS’ ARRIVAL: For our fellow fans of the Navy aerial demonstration team that’ll be performing during Seafair (practicing Thursday, shows Friday-Sunday, remember the I-90 bridge closures), #7 arrived Monday (here’s KIRO video) and the other 6 are scheduled to land at Boeing Field this afternoon (2 pm estimate but could be earlier or later) *3:55 pm update, they’re running late, sometime in the next hour to hour and a half…

PASSING WEST SEATTLE’S NORTHERN SHORES TODAY: Another Seafair sight you may see – the U.S. Coast Guard’s first Homeland Security cutter, USCGC Bertholf, is scheduled to arrive today to be part of Fleet Week. (We’re checking with USCG District 13 to see if there’s an approximate time.)

Happening now: Alki Art Fair, day 1

July 25, 2009 3:08 pm
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 |   Fun stuff to do | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Not only does every picture tell a story, every artist tells a story. June Anderson Evanoff is one of the painters exhibiting/selling at this weekend’s Alki Art Fair, and she can tell you about the work she has at the Smithsonian — a demonstration painting she was creating on the Mall in Washington, D.C., during the Bicentennial celebration in 1976, on behalf of the Swedish-American community. She lives on Mercer Island and what you see behind her in our photo is just some of her work – she’s set up just east of the Statue of Liberty Plaza. (By the way, the Smithsonian has a West Seattle link – Patty Stonesifer, who lives part of the time in West Seattle with writer husband Michael Kinsley, chairs its board.) A little further west, you’ll find Amanda Askren and her bags:

She says she’s been told she’s the only person selling tote/handbags at the fair this year (we didn’t see any others, but forgive us if we missed someone). The one behind her is just one of many brightly printed bags she’s selling for $35, along with other items such as cardholders for $5. And just west of the last (or first, if you’re walking east) booth, around 64th, we found this sign:

It’s not an official part of the fair, but Joy Anderson, who’s continuing to pursue a legal challenge to the closure of Cooper Elementary (where the district is moving Pathfinder K-8), is tabling with kids’ crafts and free drinks, plus a donation jar for their legal fund. Meantime, as for the official part of the fair, there’s entertainment in the Bathhouse area – and it all continues till 7 tonight, and again 10 am-5 pm tomorrow.

West Seattle Weekend Lineup: Hot stuff ahead

(Thursday night photo by David Hutchinson)
Not the weather so much – the forecast for the weekend is downgraded to “warm” from “sizzling” (that’s still expected early next week) – but hot events aplenty. The original “King Kong” is the second West Seattle Junction Outdoor Movies on the Wall presentation Saturday night – last week’s debut was a hot (free!) ticket so arrive early; the Alki Art Fair hits the beach all weekend; outdoor music at Alki this afternoon, Cafe Rozella tonight, Highland Park Improvement Club‘s big rummage sale and a free showing of “Wizard of Oz” near Westwood Village on Saturday afternoon — plus remember if you’re going downtown for tomorrow night’s parade, there’s an extra Water Taxi run back to West Seattle at 11:30 pm … more than 50 events in all, ahead in this edition of the West Seattle Weekend Lineup, brought to you by Skylark Cafe and Club … here goes!Read More

1st “Band Jam” tonight: 5 marching bands, 1 West Seattle field

FumikoB shared that video of the Seattle Schools All-City Band in last Saturday’s West Seattle Grand Parade; its lineup includes West Seattle musicians and director Marcus Pimpleton, who leads the acclaimed music program at Denny Middle School. Tonight at Southwest Athletic Complex (east of Southwest Community Center) you can see ACB and four other bands outside the parade environment – in a sort of warm-up for tomorrow night’s Seafair Torchlight Parade downtown. It’s a unique event dubbed Band Jam: ACB, the Denny Marching Band, Rainbow City Band, Pacific Northwest Drumline, Cranbrook Girls’ Bugle Band (from BC). Free! Gates open at 6, performances start at 7.

Admiral Neighborhood Association concert series debut a hit

(photos by Christopher Boffoli)
3 months after first word the Admiral Neighborhood Association was planning a concert series, tonight’s opening night of Summer Concerts at Hiawatha was a hit. Organizer Katy Walum “guesstimates” about 250 people on hand for the free performance by Alma Villegas on the east lawn at Hiawatha – first of six consecutive Thursday night shows this summer.

We asked Katy for her thoughts post-concert:

The Alma Villegas Quintet put on a wonderful performance – really engaging the people (the kids were out dancing like crazy – so fun to see!).

The PCC KidPicks van was really fun, with lots and lots of samples for everyone. They added a nice element for sure.

Christopher got a photo of that too – at left in this shot:

Katy adds that a face-painter is in the cards for two shows, probably next month, and also says:

I had many people come up to me and genuinely thank me for putting something like this together, they had really been wanting to see something like this in the neighborhood, etc. That felt so good. People in West Seattle have been so positive about this whole thing, and that’s what’s really made it work. They want to be out in the park, enjoying the summer weather, hanging out with family and friends and neighbors, watching their kids run around like lunatics, so free. This series just gives everyone a good reason to take time out together to enjoy the summertime.

She notes that next week’s concert features Tom Colwell and The Southbound Odyssey, “a local favorite with lots of fun old folk tunes that everyone can sing along to,” and concludes, “And thanks to everyone else for coming out tonight, and for truly bringing my vision to life. I am so, so proud of this neighborhood!” That’s 6:30 pm each of the next five Thursday nights, on the east lawn at Hiawatha, not far from the play equipment and wading pool, a big grassy space (bring your own chair/blanket) with room for hundreds more. Full schedule for the series (which is co-sponsored by WSB) is at admiralneighborhood.org.

Hiawatha haps: Concerts debut Thursday; wading pool now open

Thanks to Erik Walum for that photo – his spouse Katy Walum is organizer of the first-ever Admiral Neighborhood Association Summer Concerts at Hiawatha series (with WSB among the co-sponsors), and the banner sign just went up at the park as a reminder that the series is about to kick off: This Thursday night, 6:30 pm, east lawn at Hiawatha, Alma Villegas serenades you for free! Just bring your own blanket and/or chair. It’s the first of six consecutive Thursday nights with these free concerts – the lineup ranges all over the musical map, from jazz to Cajun to folk to rock and even Big Band; see the list of performers here.

SECOND NOTE: Hiawatha’s wading pool opened Monday as promised by the city, according to Holly. That means West Seattle now has three wading pools open, including Lincoln Park and Delridge; E.C. Hughes is scheduled to open next Monday, and Highland Park is not scheduled to be open this year at all because of federally mandated drain-safety upgrades the city needs to install (because of that work, it’s opening 14 wading pools citywide this summer instead of the usual 25).

What the weekend filming in Schmitz Park was all about

(“teaser trailer” for “Star Trek: Phoenix”)
One caller told us they thought it was something related to “Star Wars” … then today it morphed into “Star Trek” … thanks to DL Byron from Bike Hugger for sharing a note that circulated to area residents: The “movie crew” in Schmitz Park over the weekend was working on “Star Trek: Phoenix,” an online-only, all-volunteer production described on its website (stphoenix.com) as “boldly stepping into the final frontier of ‘Star Trek’ Internet fan films.” Its “pilot” is being shot in HD and will be distributed free online when it’s done; the website also says this is the largest film production under way in the Northwest right now, with an all-volunteer cast and crew of more than 125 people.