WS culture/arts 3022 results

Hair, minus the spray

While the moviegoing world is fussing over this, an even-more-classic musical has just 6 more shows to go onstage at ArtsWest, and we’ve received unsolicited raves here at WSB. “Hair,” featuring the rising stars of the Summer Musical Apprentice Program, plays this Wednesday-Sunday.

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If you’re, oh let’s say, under 40, you might not know “Hair” was the hottest show of the ’60s, and still timely today. The photo above (courtesy ArtsWest, taken by mattdurhamphotography.com) captures the psychedelic-ness of it all. Now, about those raves — click ahead to read ’em (followed by online-ticketing info, and even T-shirts …):Read More

WS weekend lineup: Ginormous gobs o’ fun

Bite Schmite; not a single reason to leave West Seattle this weekend. Harry Potter on campus! Parade! Free outdoor movie! Belly dancing! The WS Garden Tour! And that’s only the beginning (click ahead):Read More

Big Band, big fun

This morning’s rain was just a memory by the time the West Seattle Big Band opened its annual Hi-Yu Festival Concert in the Park tonight at Hiawatha. Excellent, eclectic program … preceded by West Seattle’s Most Famous Politician, who said a few things about his home ‘hood’s annexation centennial and noted a new commemorative tree and plaque on the south side of the community center. We caught a more interesting scene on the sidelines pre-concert, which we would have liked to have dubbed the dog ‘n’ pony show if only a canine had been present:

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Then, the tunes. This was the first time we’ve ever seen/heard the WS Big Band, a volunteer group which donates its time and money to promote music in public schools.

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More pix and notes from the concert, plus your next chance to catch the WSBB, after the click:Read More

Playing in the park

July 16, 2007 11:00 am
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 |   West Seattle festivals | WS culture/arts

More Hi-Yu Festival fun tomorrow night: The West Seattle Big Band concert at Hiawatha Park (hopefully the weather will hold), following a speech by Hizzoner in honor of West Seattle’s annexation centennial. It all starts 7 pm. NOON UPDATE: A little more info from the mayor’s office – he will dedicate a commemorative plaque and tree as part of the pre-concert festivities.

Liberty sooner or Liberty later: Meeting #2 tonight

You have another chance tonight to hear organizers make their case for keeping the recast Alki Statue of Liberty on hold till a “plaza” and new base can be built for it. We reported on their meeting last Wednesday; they say the gathering tonight by the old statue base, 7 pm, will be similar, and they’re planning to be at the Alki Community Council meeting this Thursday as well. Here’s an updated architect rendering of what the plaza would look like (more here):

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And here again is the e-mail address for the Parks Department (which has the final say) person who’s on the project — write to let ’em know what you think.

Admiral evolution

If you haven’t been to the historic Admiral Theater lately, you may not have noticed it’s starting to expand what it offers — such as, more midnight movies than just the monthly Rocky Horror Picture Show on Saturday nights …

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… tonight, for example (as per the marquee above – though the rest of it’s a bit out-of-date since we took the pic at midweek), it’s the burgeoning cult fave “Harold & Kumar.” Then there’s a new series of Sunday morning classics kicking off 10 am tomorrow with “Casablanca” (also ahead: “African Queen” and “Singin’ in the Rain”). The Admiral website has been inconsistent lately (the link went to a parking page at last check) but there’s lots of info posted out front at the theater itself, including updates on the fundraising project for major interior fixes (such as, they hope hundreds of people will pony up $40 each so they can buy new seats, which aren’t covered in the types of government grants they’re pursuing for landmark restoration.

P.S. While fishing for Admiral Theater history, we learned that today is a notable anniversary for the Admiral District in general.

WS weekend lineup: Summer Fest and TONS more

Summer Fest is of course the headliner, but this weekend also features the dinner/auction to save the Community School of WS site from going condo, DNDA’s big art auction, Sunday morning classics at Admiral Theater, low tides, and more … Click for the full list, as always:Read More

Happening tonight, and beyond

-One last reminder, the Alki Statue of Liberty meeting is 7 pm tonight, by the statue site. Up for discussion: Put the new statue on the old base and call it good, or keep the new statue in storage till a “plaza” for it can be paid for and built. (“Do it now” supporters are running this on Craigslist.)

-Tonight and every Wednesday night through Aug. 22, West Seattle’s megachurch is inviting its flock to weekly Lincoln Park barbecues.

-Not only will The Junction be jumping for Summer Fest this Fri-Sat-Sun, but tomorrow night has two big events as well: “Hair” opens at ArtsWest; and Divina plans a “post-construction celebration” to commemorate the completion of the paving project, with art as well as live music by Brazilian singer/guitarist Kiko Freitas.

-Art is also in the picture for the south edge of WS tomorrow night @ 7 pm, as Cafe Rozella premieres a photo exhibit, described as “native youth look(ing) at their environment.)

-And if you like low-tide beach walking, enjoy four days of midday low tides starting tomorrow.

Hoofing it

We won’t be able to check this out in person for a few hours, so we don’t know yet if they’re back in action today, but a couple notes have come in saying The Goats were at work in West Seattle again, this time on hillside brush toward the bridge end of Admiral.

Book blog

July 5, 2007 8:01 am
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 |   How to help | West Seattle businesses | WS culture/arts

Just recently found Square One’s site; possibly of interest to our fellow WS book fans. (And on its regular site, the store is offering Harry Potter pre-sales through July 20, with a cut of the proceeds going to WestSide Baby.)

Hurricane help

June 29, 2007 6:03 pm
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 |   West Seattle people | WS culture/arts

2 years after Hurricane Katrina, its survivors are still struggling. In about a week, right here in WS, you’ve got two ways to help: The Total Experience Gospel Choir is leading a benefit at Kenyon Hall on 7/8, and advertising right now for more musicians to join in. If you can’t help with that, at least mark your calendar to drop by and chip in — there’ll be good food as well as good music — 1-9 pm a week from Sunday.

WS weekend happenings, pre-holiday edition

The Fourth of July is days away, but the fun starts now, with everything from motorcycles to a free natural-health seminar to picketing (yes, picketing) … click ahead to see what’s up around WS this weekend:Read More

WEDNESDAY: 3 for tonight

June 27, 2007 5:31 am
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 |   Environment | Utilities | West Seattle schools | WS culture/arts

First, the light stuff: Semi-rare midweek in-store live @ Easy Street; Marissa Nadler, 6 pm.

Now, serious business: King County hosts a community meeting for south West Seattle folks (others welcome too, of course) to find out more about the improvements in the works for the Barton (near the Fauntleroy ferry dock) and Murray (at Lowman Beach) pump stations, all in the interest of avoiding future CSOs (combined sewer overflows) which now total 14 million gallons a year just at those two stations. Learn more @ 6 pm, The Hall at Fauntleroy.

Last but by no means least, the Westwood Neighborhood Council summons all who are interested in the huge upcoming (right after next school year) Sealth HS/Denny MS project — 6:30 pm, SW Community Center.

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See it here first: WS Summer Fest music lineup

Back in March, Dave from the Junction Association (and West 5) asked for WSB reader feedback on West Seattle Summer Fest. Now, 40 comments and three months later, Summer Fest is almost here, and Dave has sent us the music lineup as it stands now (noting that most bands have WS ties – either based here, or with members living here). This list is not even on the Summer Fest site as of this writing late Sunday night, so click ahead to be among the first to see it:Read More

First WS weekend of summer!

June 22, 2007 2:41 am
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 |   Fun stuff to do | West Seattle parks | WS culture/arts | WS Weekend Lineup

From the start of wading-pool season, to the wildly important Emergency Preparedness event, to the Admiral invasion of “Can’t Stop the Serenity” — there’s tons to do, now through Sunday, without leaving the peninsula. Click ahead!Read More

Support your local authors

We’ve noted before that WS is awash in authors. Here are updates on two:

Eilis Flynn notes that her latest book, Festival of Stars, is partly set in WS.

Clay Eals has gotten a lot of press for his Steve Goodman biography, Facing the Music. This Saturday, 1 pm @ the outdoor courtyard of the Log House Museum, he tops the bill for what the museum calls a “combination music/reading event.” (P.S. One of Eals’ other credits: editing the definitive WS history book — through its 1987 publication — West Side Story.)

3 quick notes

–Sidewalk Cinema has finalized the list of what it’s showing during the West Seattle outdoor movie series in July and August.

–The Seattle Chinese Garden project near SSCC in east WS just got $1.2 million from one of Seattle’s sister cities (Chongqing, China).

–The P-I paid a visit to our gas-war intersection (Fauntleroy/Alaska, still both below $3 as of our last driveby a few hours ago).

WS mid-June weekend roundup

June 15, 2007 10:13 am
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 |   Fun stuff to do | WS culture/arts

Click ahead to see what’s up:Read More

Reintroduced to the wild (side of WS)

June 14, 2007 5:53 pm
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 |   Seen around town | WS culture/arts

More NTG (or at least, his style) creations sighted on our side of the bay — this time, on the approach to the low bridge. Thanks to sneakyfreak‘s Nick for the pic:

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Two for tonight

-The monthly West Seattle Art Walk, 6-9 pm in The Junction. Including shoe paintings!

-Less revelry, more revelatory: The city Design Review Board convenes @ 6:30 pm @ the SW Precinct, with just one project on the agenda — the first WS megaproject proposal that’s gone to demolition already (4100 Alaska/ex-Hollywood Video, photo below taken this week).

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Suitable for framing

June 13, 2007 6:34 pm
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 |   Fun stuff to do | West Seattle festivals | WS culture/arts

… or, at least for posting on your fridge; just tack it up someplace handy — we happened onto this downloadable version of the cool West Seattle Summer Events poster you may have seen in store windows and on bulletin boards around town.

Coming up this week … and beyond

June 10, 2007 8:13 pm
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 |   West Seattle Art Walk | West Seattle people | WS culture/arts

johnhphoto.jpgTUESDAY: One last event in memory/honor/celebration of popular WS waiter John Hartley (photo at right), who died suddenly last month — John Hartley Memorial Karaoke @ Skylark, 9 pm-1 am. Free; donations will be accepted to help his roommate stay in the house they rented together; singers will be encouraged to share stories and memories.
art+walk.jpgTHURSDAY: The next West Seattle Art Walk in The Junction. Go here to see the artist/location lineup as it stands so far (at left – the Art Walk’s new logo), then get yourself down to The Junction 6-9 pm that night (and every second Thursday).
A WEEK FROM NEXT SATURDAY (JUNE 23): Four hours that could save your life — and your family. Neighbors and groups from all over WS will gather at WS High School (theater and commons) 9 am-1 pm to talk and learn about WS Disaster Preparedness — how ready are we, what can you do right now to be as ready as you can be, and more. See the poster with full details here.