Thanks for the tips. A tagger has vandalized the community-painted mural at Emma Schmitz Memorial Overlook. You can’t tell it from our photo – and we do our best to not give taggers more exposure by showing their “work” full on anyway – but the longest stretch of the mural has one huge tag across it, outlined rather than solid, in white paint. After going there to see it first hand Monday following multiple reader reports, we contacted artist Nalisha Estrellas, who led the mural painting last year. Here’s what she told us via email when we asked if she was aware of the vandalism and if the mural had a “graffiti-resistant coating”:

David, a local resident and the person who hired me to install it, let me know. He’s aware of my plans to repaint

Graffiti-resistant coating is very expensive – for that size wall it would cost approx $2,000 and according to my experienced mural Artist community it’s a waste of money because any time a mural with on it gets tagged, removing the spray paint leaves a “halo effect”. Not only that but it takes a lot of effort to scrub off the graffiti unless someone has a power washer. It takes less energy to repaint and I am working on that. … Please express my thanks to the community.

She is working to schedule when she’ll be able to repaint. As shown in our coverage last year, a multitude of community members helped paint it, including Lafayette Elementary students.

WEDNESDAY UPDATE: The artist says she’ll be repainting today, after creating some time in her schedule.

Tomorrow night (Friday, July 24), on the eve of the Seafair Torchlight Parade, the Seattle All-City Marching Band – grand-prize winners at Saturday’s West Seattle Grand Parade – will host Band Jam at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle). It’s a showcase/rehearsal for marching bands and drumlines, and you’re invited to be in the stands (free admission)! We asked with All-City Band director Dr. Marcus Pimpleton for Friday night’s lineup, and he just replied with this times-approximate schedule:

<6:00 pm Welcome/Acknowledgments
6:05-6:25 pm Rainbow City Color Guard
6:25-6:45 pm Seismic Sound Drumline
6:45-7:05 pm Soul Jambalaya Brass Band
7:05-7:25 pm Kennedy Catholic High School Marching Band
7:25-7:45 pm Neon Brass Party
7:45-8:05 pm Sumner High School Marching Band
8:05-8:25 pm Seahawks Blue Thunder Drumline
8:25-8:45 pm Seattle Sounders Soundwave FC Band
8:45-9:10 pm Seattle All-City Marching Band and Alumni Band

The ACB Alumni Band is a special extra this year – as noted here previously – the ACB is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year.

(File photo from WSB report on first intergenerational cohort’s work)

You can unleash your creative spirit and build understanding across the generational divide, all in one activity – being part of BAYFEST Theatre‘s next intergenerational cohort. Here’s how to get involved, whether you’re a teen or an elder:

Interested in rehearsing and performing with other teens and adults?

CALLING ALL TEENS AND SENIOR ADULTS!

for the Fall 2026 cohort of the West Seattle-based BAYFEST Intergenerational Theatre Project!

7-10 Teens and 7-10 Senior adults chosen by BAYFEST will meet every 2 weeks or so (except school holidays) during the fall (beginning late August or early September) in West Seattle on a weekend morning. We’ll use theatre games and exercises, guided discussions, group collaboration and writing to create an original piece of theatre that explores intergenerational themes in new and creative ways. The Project will culminate with 3 public performances in West Seattle in early December. The Fall 2026 program will include music, rhythm and movement.

NO THEATRE OR MUSICAL EXPERIENCE NECESSARY and TEEN PARTICIPANTS WILL RECEIVE A STIPEND OF $25 PER SESSION FOR THEIR PARTICIPATION (and/or community service hours). It is free for participating adults. There will be a free intro workshop for all interested on Saturday, August 29 in West Seattle.

Anyone interested in applying should email us ASAP at BAYFESTyouthTheatre@gmail.com. We will send more info and a one-page application.

The project will be led by BAYFEST Director Robert Shampain, who has over 35 years experience leading this type of workshop-format project.

NO THEATRE EXPERIENCE NECESSARY, just a willingness to commit to working with a multi-generational ensemble and having fun!

Visit BAYFESTyouthTheatre.org and follow the links for More Info.

Here’s our report on what BAYFEST’s first intergenerational cohort worked on.

The city Film Office wants you to know that Hamilton Viewpoint Park in North Admiral will be mostly off-limits to the public all day and part of the evening this Friday (July 24), for what might sound like a loud party. It’s actually going to be a series shoot, the city explains – here’s what crew and cast will be doing:

Production will be filming for a web series titled “Car Show Rivalry” at Hamilton Viewpoint Park. The filming activity will play out like a large-scale car show, with cars on display, a cheering crowd, dancers, DJs, and more.

To facilitate production needs, Seattle Parks & Recreation has approved a full closure of the park for the duration of the day. Pedestrians will not be denied access to the park itself, but much of the park will be restricted during the filming [see map above]. The parking lot will be closed completely to vehicle traffic and parking. The production is obtaining a Temporary Noise Variance from the City for early hours work (6:00 am to 7:00 am). Neighbors who need any special access or accommodations should reach out to the production contact … and we will gladly assist.

That’s a reference to information in this official notice

In front of a sun-dappled field full of people, Jim Edwards celebrated two anniversaries Tuesday night – 30 years for the West Seattle Big Band, which he founded and directs, and 42 years with his wife Barbara.

He even dedicated one of the songs at the band’s annual Concert in the Park to her:

“Someone to Watch Over Me,” featuring vocalist Jenaige Lane, was one of 23 songs the band performed in their no-intermission hour-and-three-quarters set, played in a new setting – the field at Grace Church. The playlist was eclectic – classics like “Ain’t That a Kick in the Head,” featuring vocalist Sam Henry:

As Jim said, it’s all but mandatory to have something by Glenn Miller:

And from the pop-music vein, two classics by the group Chicago – an instrumental version of “25 or 6 to 4”:

And a duet on “Saturday in the Park”:

After telling an abbreviated version of the West Seattle Big Band’s origin story (eatured here a few days ago), Jim launched the band into another anniversary commemoration – “Stars and Stripes Forever” in honor of the USA’s recent 250th:

On the eclectic side was “UFO”:

And the big-band big-sound continued wth “Mack the Knife”:

Balancing that out was summer-night serenading like “Georgia on My Mind”:

Jim also noted along the way that the timing of this concert is always a little wacky – it’s sponsored by, and a prelude to, the West Seattle Grand Parade, which he coordinated for many years, now leading its safety operation. His daughter Michelle Edwards, who took over as parade coordinator several years ago, was front and center with the band tonight as its longtime keyboardist.

Barbara Edwards is integral to the parade operation too, as its judge coordinator. But the parade is still a few days away, and Tuesday night was a time to make and enjoy music in the warm summer air.

The West Seattle Big Band’s biggest mission is to raise money for school music programs, so watch for their appearance at fundraisers as well as annual events like this and the Fauntleroy Fall Festival.

Again this year, Belvedere Park (3600 SW Admiral Way) is where you’ll go for the first concert of this year’s Admiral Music in the Parks series, free concerts presented by the Admiral Neighborhood Association. Thursday, July 16, is the night, 6:30 pm is the time, and Steve Aliment & Annie O’Neill are the musicians, promising “rock ‘n’ roll, country, and soul.” Three free concerts, three parks, bonus activities including a knitting circle and board-game library, each of the next three Thursday nights.

(Photos and video by WSB contributor Anne Higuera)

To celebrate the new vinyl release of a 15-year-old recording, The Head and The Heart appeared at Easy Street Records on Thursday night during West Seattle Summer Fest Eve. The “Live at Neumo’s” record is an Easy Street exclusive, and purchase was required for admission to the in-store show during which three of the band’s members performed, with the others joining them for Q&A afterward. That was moderated by Easy Street proprietor Matt Vaughan, who introduced the band and talked about how they started as a “consignment band”:

Members share a bit of history too – our video below is their song “Down in the Valley,” which singer Jonathan Russell explained was inspired about a night shortly after he moved to Seattle from Virginia, when he was stranded at a bar in Fremont and ended up walking seven hours to the Central District:

Russell, Charity Rose Thielen, and Matt Gervais played the songs, and then were joined by bandmates for the Q&A.

Russell answered a question about how songwriting has changed for the band over time, and mentioned that, though they don’t all live in they plan to gather in Seattle this fall to work on a new album, though he acknowledged it’s hard to just be able to work together for a couple of weeks and have it be productive. “To take a week or 2 and meet up and just hope that things are working and firing and sometimes it doesn’t, sometimes it does … And I think, you know, this band basically merged out of a collective mindset. We’ve remained like a democratic band in terms of, you know, sharing, splitting everything equally … movement within that collective … but at the heart of who we are, we’re a real band (where) everyone kind of contributes and steps up in different ways in terms of the right writing and performance … And so it’s going to be amazing.”

Admission to the performance was contingent on the purchase of the band’s new vinyl album, The Head and The Heart Live at Neumo’s, recorded in 2011. “What prompted the release of a 15-year-old recording?” asked Easy Street’s Vaughan. Several band members took turns answering. They said they felt insecure about it in the immediate aftermath, so “it was put away for a long time,” until they started working on their 15th anniversary package and ended up talking with Sub Pop about making the custom release. “It’s such a fun listen to go back and eel the energy from that time … it was such a hurricane, it was like a whirlwind that was happening in this city around us and it’s such a good document now. So I’m just proud that we kept it …”

Besides the capacity crowd inside, people gathered in the carless-for-the-festival street, and the windows were opened after a while so they could listen in as the music rolled out.

(WSB photo, April)

Some news today about the future of Harbor Island Studios, the county-owned film-studios facility in the old “grain silos” visible from the West Seattle Bridge. The facility was championed by former King County Executive Dow Constantine; under his successor, Girmay Zahilay, it was targeted for cuts last year. Today, Executive Zahilay announced that the county will proceed with “surplussing” the site in hopes of finding a buyer, but in the meantime they’ve found a firm to lease it for at least a year. Here’s the announcement sent by the executive’s office:

Today, King County Executive Girmay Zahilay announced a one-year lease agreement with CREATE48 Media Network for the use of Harbor Island Studios, supporting the region’s growing film industry, strengthening the creative economy, and expanding job opportunities for local filmmakers, creatives, and production professionals.

“Harbor Island Studios has been a unique public asset that supports King County’s film industry and creative economy. I’m glad we were able to find a nonprofit partner to continue momentum for the community while we work with stakeholders to develop a long-term strategy that supports access to affordable film and production space in our region,” said Executive Zahilay. “We’re excited that CREATE48 Media Network will activate and operate this valuable studio space over the next year, bringing more stories to life while also while also empowering creatives and creating pathways into film and media careers.”

“CREATE48 Media Network is deeply grateful to County Executive Zahilay and his staff for their leadership, responsiveness, and partnership in reaching an agreement that keeps Harbor Island Studios moving forward,” said Kirk Nordenstrom, Executive Director of CREATE48 Media Network. “Their work helps preserve critical production infrastructure while allowing us to continue building pathways to family-wage careers in King County’s creative economy. We also want to thank Councilmembers Balducci and Mosqueda for their encouragement and support throughout this effort. Together with County leadership, KCFAB, industry partners, and community stakeholders, we look forward to helping shape a long-term strategy that maintains a strong, sustainable production studio presence in King County.”

With programs in Seattle, Montana, Oregon, and the Bay Area, CREATE48 Media Network produces inclusive, career-building opportunities for filmmakers at all stages. Local programs include the Seattle 48 Hour Film Project, which will take place July 10-12, with the kick-off event taking place at Harbor Island Studios, and screenings of all participating films to then be held at SIFF Cinema Uptown July 27-30, 2026. Additional programs include the Seattle 48 Hour Horror Film Project, the Burien Film Festival, Diversity in Representation Fund, as well as co-hosted free networking events with a variety of industry partners, and educational podcasts to break down barriers to entry in film and media.

Harbor Island Studios is an 89,000 square-foot facility with two sound stages and is the only publicly owned soundstage regionally. Since its official launch in June 2023, Harbor Island Studios has hosted over 160 productions from Paramount Studios, HBO, Amazon, and Netflix, as well as number of independent short films and features, commercials, and music videos.

The studio has also hosted short film competitions, industry training events, and student workshops and tours, supporting career development and local trades.

King County recently completed a surplussing analysis on the property, which is owned by the Solid Waste Division in the Department of Natural Resources and Parks Resources (DNRP). Due to the cost of ongoing maintenance needs, the Solid Waste Division plans to move forward with the surplussing process over the next year to determine if there is another government or private entity who would like to purchase the space.

Executive Zahilay’s administration will continue to work closely with County Councilmembers, local film industry advocates, arts organizations, and creatives to identify a long-term, sustainable studio model to support film production in the region.

“District 8 is home to some of our most cherished cultural institutions and a thriving homegrown arts scene, and I’m thrilled that we have been able to keep a driver of our arts economy alive at Harbor Island Studios,” said King County Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda. “In partnership with Executive Zahilay, this agreement with Create48 allows for continued film and commercial production, providing a space for our next generation of creators to bring their visions to life, while spurring business at our local shops and employing community members in good union wage jobs.”

”Film is such a rich medium, building community through sharing our stories and our common humanity, both of which we need now as much as ever. Today marks a critical step to preserve Harbor Island Studios as a vital part of our local film industry,” said King County Councilmember Claudia Balducci. “I am grateful to the Executive team and Create48 for stepping up to keep this unique asset alive. There remains hard work ahead, and we will need all hands on deck. I remain committed to working with Executive Zahilay, the County Council, the film community and advocates as we chart a future of long term sustainability and success for Harbor Island Studios and for local film production right here in the heart of King County. ”

The surplussing analysis says the current appraised value of the site is $22 million.

(Artist Deborah S. Baker)

On this drizzly summer night, you have indoor options – like the first night of the West Seattle Art Tour preview at Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor).

(Artist Phil Jones)

Meet some of the artists who’ll be part of this year’s tour and see some of their work! The tour itself isn’t until fall but it’s a great night for art anyway (and wine!).

And if you can’t get here tonight, visit next Thursday on West Seattle Art Walk night.