West Seattle, Washington
03 Friday
Tonight the West Seattle Big Band, led by Jim Edwards, headlined the comeback for the Admiral Neighborhood Association‘s concert series, which has been on hiatus since 2019. Just like the pre-pandemic years, concertgoers of all ages filled the lawn on the east side of Hiawatha Community Center:
The WSBB was formed more than 25 years ago. If you missed them tonight – or saw them and want to see and hear more – they’ve got a concert at High Point Commons Park next Tuesday (July 18th), 7 pm, also free:
The ANA’s concert series, coordinated by Stephanie Jordan with community sponsors including WSB, continues next week too – Thursday (July 20th), 7 pm, with Mid Pak and The School of Rock.
Just two days away …
Thursday’s the night, the east side of Hiawatha Community Center (along Walnut south of Lander) is the place, 6:30 pm is the time, and West Seattle Big Band is who you will see and hear – it’s the first of three Summer Concerts at Hiawatha, presented by the Admiral Neighborhood Association for the first time since 2019! That’s also West Seattle Art Walk night, so, the ANA tells us, “The Admiral Art Walk participating businesses have passports – those who get theirs stamped (6) and drop them at the ANA booth at the concert will be entered into a drawing for an Admiral Business Prize Pack.” Meantime, as shown on the poster above, the concert series will continue for three consecutive Thursdays – July 13th, 20th, and 27th. Bring a chair and/or blanket to sit on, picnic dinner if you want, and get ready to enjoy outdoor music.
While Seattle basks in the Major League Baseball spotlight, we found Mariners All-Stars Julio Rodriguez and Luis Castillo on a wall south of The Junction – part of a mural in progress alongside the Rite-Aid parking lot’s north side on SW Dawson. You probably won’t be surprised to hear this is the work of prolific West Seattle muralist Desmond Hansen. But the reader tip that led us there wasn’t about that mural – it was about the art on the block-long wall along the alley on the lot/store’s west side.
Multiple artists are contributing to this one – we happened onto two of them when we walked into the alley to check it out. They told us Desmond Hansen is leading this project too and brought in other artists because there’s so much space to fill. Some of the work includes cartoon characters:
Some of it’s complete, and some is not.
We have an inquiry out to try to find out more about the genesis of the multi-artist alley project.
By this time next Saturday night, we’ll be two-thirds of the way through West Seattle’s biggest party of the year – Summer Fest! The three-day festival takes over the heart of The Junction next Friday through Sunday (July 14th through 16th), and the streets start closing Thursday pm (California from Oregon to Edmunds and for part of the block north of Oregon, Alaska between 44th and 42nd). You’ve already seen the main-stage music lineup for Friday and Saturday. But even though the main stage will be gone by Sunday (that’s where the Farmers’ Market happens, north of Oregon, on July 16th), it won’t be a music-free day: This year, the West Side Stage has been added, in Junction Plaza Park – that’s actually the east side of the festival grounds; the name is for West Side Music Academy, which is leading the programming, 11 am-7 pm Saturday and 11 am-4 pm Sunday. You can see that lineup on the same page as the main-stage schedule. See you in The Junction! (WSB is a West Seattle Summer Fest community co-sponsor.)
That’s the trailer for “ODESZA Presents: The Last Goodbye,” a music documentary playing in theaters worldwide tonight and next Wednesday. It’s not playing in West Seattle but we’re telling you about it because the filmmakers include three locals who sent this to let us – and you – know:
A feature film made by two West Seattleites – Kyle Seago & Andrew Franks – and one White Centerian – Kusanagi – will be playing in theaters all over Seattle (and worldwide in 700 theaters) on Friday, July 7 and Wednesday, July 12.
The film is a concert film/documentary on ODESZA, the Grammy Award-nominated and festival-headlining artist who got their start in Bellingham. The film was primarily shot over three sold-out shows at Climate Pledge Arena in 2022 and features footage from over the past decade telling the story of how ODESZA got their start and rose to international acclaim.
Andrew Franks worked as co-director and editor and is a Riverview resident, Kyle Seago was co-director/producer and also calls Riverview home. Kusanagi was the main director/editor and resides in White Center.
We’ll all be at AMC Southcenter for the 7 pm screening (tonight), but the film is also playing all over town at the SIFF Egyptian, Regal Meridian, AMC Thornton Place, etc.
Tickets can be found at: www.thelastgoodbye.film
(File photo, courtesy West Seattle Community Orchestras)
The West Seattle Community Orchestras‘ series of weekly concerts in Lincoln Park – open to community musicians – starts soon. They’re happening on four consecutive Tuesday nights, July 11th, 18th, 25th, and August 1st, with two open play-along sessions – “easy music” at 6 pm, “intermediate music” at 7 pm. You’re also welcome to just go listen, too. If you’re interested in playing, register in advance by going here so you can get the music a few days before you play in the park. WSCO plays in the meadow near the south end of the north parking lot (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW).
One of your creative West Seattle neighbors wants you to know about his new album – here’s the announcement we received to share with you:
Wobble in the Moon is the new album from West Seattle singer-songwriter Will Rainier, released June 30. The album combines indie rock, folk, and Americana influences and features two singles with accompanying videos. The videos were filmed mostly in West Seattle, White Center, Georgetown, and South Park, with additional footage filmed on Lopez Island and in Singapore.
The album was written and recorded by Rainier in his West Seattle home studio with friends adding parts remotely. Wife and longtime collaborator Jen Garrett added vocals and cello, Christine Hager piano, Chad Yenney bass guitar and synth, Kevin Suggs pedal steel and baritone guitar, and Raymond Richards added pedal steel. The album was mixed by Raymond Richards and mastered by Rachel Field at Resonant Mastering. Album artwork and design by Vlad Verano at VertVolta Press.
You can stream and download the album and other Will Rainier music on his website here.
Check out the videos for songs Are You Waving Goodbye and To Supreme here.
If you walk or run in Gatewood, you’ve probably seen the chalked messages now and then, inviting you to “Art on the Corner” at 39th/Holden. Today Megan sent photos, including the chalkboard above with the schedule. Here’s the artist, Bonnie Bennedsen:
Megan explains: “All of the paintings are watercolors made by Bonnie herself. Ships, flowers, birds, ferries, Seattle landscapes and cityscapes and more. She also sells hand-painted greeting cards. Every penny goes to the West Seattle Food Bank.” Look for the chalkboard and banner to find Bonnie’s house “on the corner.”
(Sweet-pea flowers – photo sent by Waikikigirl)
It’s the second Sunday of summer, and the second day of a four-day holiday weekend. Here’s what’s on the list for today/tonight, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm; the market offers summer produce as well as flowers, cheese, fish, meat, baked goods, condiments, fresh-cooked food, beverages (from kombucha to beer/wine), nuts, plant starts, more. Here’s today’s vendor list. (California SW between Oregon and Alaska)
LOW-LOW TIDE: Out to -3.2 feet at 10:38 am. Find Seattle Aquarium volunteer beach naturalists 9:30 am-12:30 pm at Constellation Park (63rd/Alki) and Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW).
MOUNTAIN TO SOUND OUTFITTERS SALE: Today’s the final day – take 15 percent off your purchase of one in-stock item at Mountain to Sound Outfitters (3602 SW Alaska; WSB sponsor)
HIGHLAND PARK SPRAYPARK OPEN: 11 am-8 pm daily through Labor Day, shine or rain. (1100 SW Cloverdale)
E.C. HUGHES WADING POOL OPEN: Noon-7 pm. (2805 SW Holden)
LINCOLN PARK WADING POOL OPEN: Noon-7 pm daily through Labor Day, except for chilly/cloudy days. (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)
COLMAN POOL OPEN: Also at Lincoln Park, this outdoor salt-water pool is open noon-7 pm daily through Labor Day. See the session schedule here.
FREE KIDS’ BOUNCY HOUSES: 11:30 am-2 pm at Junction Church (4157 California SW), all families welcome.
(added) CONCERT TRUCK AT ALKI: Seattle Chamber Music Society‘s Concert Truck will be by Alki Bathhouse (60th/Alki) at noon.
NO ALKI POINT LIGHTHOUSE TOURS TODAY: But they’ll be back next Sunday (July 9th).
HEDWIG & THE ANGRY INCH: 3 pm matinee at ArtsWest (4711 California SW; WSB sponsor). Our calendar listing includes the ticket link.
SUNDAY NIGHT JAZZ: Triangular Jazztet at The Alley (4509 California SW), 8 pm and 9 pm sets.
(Saturday night sunset – photo by Jan Pendergrass)
WATCH THE SUNSET: It’s starting to get earlier – tonight it’s at 9:10 pm. (The sun actually vanishes behind the Olympics 10 minutes before “official” sunset time, so you’ll see that around 9.)
Planning an event – one-time or recurring – that can be on West Seattle’s only comprehensive event calendar? Please email westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Whether they’re coming back next year or moving up, Genesee Hill Elementary School students finished their school year with a gift for next year and beyond. The mural you see above, painted by students led by Urban ArtWorks, has replaced this drab wall:
The costs were covered by Genesee Hill PTA fundraising; Urban ArtWorks was chosen from four local artists who bid on the project. The planning process began in March, in art workshops with all 530+ GHES students. Their ideas were consolidated into a design in April. Teaching artist Lis Rafailedes, below with GHES principal Liz Dunn, was there working with the young artists when we visited on Monday:
The students painted the mural over multiple days this month, concluding with kindergarteners:
You can see the mural from SW Genesee, on the south side of the campus.
A similar project resulted in a mural at Lafayette Elementary four years ago.
(Today’s sunrise – photo by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)
Quieter Friday than usual, with holiday-weekend getaways beginning, but if you’re not leaving town, here’s the list!
GARDEN CENTER OPEN: Need more plants for your garden, containers, etc.? You can shop at the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) Garden Center, open with a wide variety of student-grown plants, until 2 pm. (North end of campus, 6000 16th SW)
MOUNTAIN TO SOUND OUTFITTERS SALE: Through Sunday, take 15 percent off your purchase of one in-store item at Mountain to Sound Outfitters (3602 SW Alaska; WSB sponsor)
SPRAYPARK OPEN: 11 am-8 pm, Highland Park Spraypark (1100 SW Cloverdale) is open daily.
FREE LUNCH: The Junction Church (4157 California SW) invites you to a free sit-down lunch, 11:30 am-12:30 pm.
DELRIDGE AND HIAWATHA WADING POOLS OPEN: Noon-5:30 pm. (4501 Delridge Way SW and 2700 California SW)
LINCOLN PARK WADING POOL OPEN: Noon-7 pm. (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)
COLMAN POOL OPEN: Also at Lincoln Park, the outdoor salt-water pool is open noon-7 pm daily through Labor Day. See the session schedule here.
SCRABBLE CLUB: You’re invited to play 12:30-1:30 pm at Margie’s Café inside the Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon).
NORTHWEST WINE ACADEMY: 1-6 pm on the north side of South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor), student-produced wine by the glass or bottle.
VISCON CELLARS: Tonight, stop by Viscon Cellars (WSB sponsor) for wine by the glass or bottle, 5-9 pm (5910 California SW).
LIVE AT THE SKYLARK: Mia Day, Mirabai Kukathas, Brenna Bruce, live at The Skylark , doors at 7, music at 8, $10. (3803 Delridge Way SW).
HEDWIG & THE ANGRY INCH: The musical continues at ArtsWest (4711 California SW; WSB sponsor). Our calendar listing includes the ticket link.
FIREWORKS SHOW DOWNTOWN: In case you hear fireworks in the distance – tonight there’s a show following the Mariners game.
Something to add to our calendar? westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Two years ago, King County Executive Dow Constantine announced the former Fisher Flour Mill on Harbor Island – county-owned for 20 years – was transforming into a video/film-production facility. Tonight, he jubilantly hailed its “remarkable transformation,” as Harbor Island Studios celebrated its grand opening, calling it a facility that was “willed into existence”:
Also speaking was King County’s creative-economy director Kate Becker:
The event was part grand opening, part trade fair, part film festival. Part of its 117,000 square feet held tables from partners and vendors serving the video/film industry, showing off everything from camera-boom-equipped vehicles ..
to props …
to drones.
Hundreds of people mingled and wandered through the building’s separate spaces …
One included easels with scenes from a series that had shot there (and elsewhere in West Seattle), “Three Busy Debras,” which ran through 2022:
The point of the spaces is to give creative crews plenty of room to realize their productions’ vision. Harbor Island Studios got a test run on that over a weekend in April, when three teams shot three short films as part of the Seattle 48-Hour Film Project. Those films, and a documentary about making them, were screened for tonight’s attendees.
If Harbor Island Studios fulfills its promise – and if the state beefs up incentives for film production – Vancouver, B.C., could stop “passing as Seattle,” as Constantine put it.
But first, as Becker mentioned, there’s more interior work ahead at Harbor Island Studios, to maximize its 117,000 square feet of space.
ADDED FRIDAY AFTERNOON: In case you’re interested, here’s the official news release the county posted today.
(Photo courtesy ArtsWest, 2018 production of ‘Hedwig and the Angry Inch’)
Starting tomorrow night, ArtsWest (WSB sponsor) is “revisiting” a musical that rocked the playhouse in 2018 – “Hedwig and the Angry Inch.” Here’s how ArtsWest symmarizes “Hedwig”:
The off-Broadway smash-hit Hedwig and the Angry Inch tells the electrifying story of Hedwig, a German emigrant who suffered a botched sex-change operation, as she travels the country in hopeless romantic pursuit of her former lover. First a hit on stage and again on screen, John Cameron Mitchell’s hard-rock tale of transformation has earned critical acclaim and a legion of fans across the world.
Nicholas Japaul Bernard again portrays Hedwig, with Kataka Corn as Yitzhak and Michael B. Maine as the Angry Inch; Eddie DeHais directs, and Aaron M.D. Norman is music director. Tomorrow (Wednesday) night is a 7:30 pm “preview,” with Thursday the official opening night; after that, “Hedwig” runs Wednesdays through Sundays through July 23rd. You can get tickets by going here; the playhouse is located at 4711 California SW in The Junction.
(WSB file photo)
Just in from the Admiral Neighborhood Association – the park east of Hiawatha Community Center will be available for their Summer Concerts series after all! ANA’s Dan Jacobs tells WSB they were able to get the park for three Thursday evenings in July, and the lineup is set:
July 13 – West Seattle Big Band
July 20 – School of Rock and Mid Pak
July 27 – Ranger and the Re-Arrangers
You’re probably familiar with WSBB and School of Rock; Ranger (et al) was part of the last Hiawatha slate in 2019 – they play “gypsy jazz.” These are free, all-ages, bring-your-own-chair-or-blanket concerts – ANA promises other details soon.
You’ve likely heard of the Fremont Troll. Now get ready for the West Seattle Troll.
(Photos courtesy Scan Design Foundation. Above, Dambo troll installed in Dayton, Ohio)
As first reported by GeekWire, a Danish artist is going to install “six giant hand-built Nordic troll characters” around the Northwest later this summer – at sites in West Seattle, Ballard, Issaquah, Bainbridge and Vashon Islands, and Portland.
Artist Thomas Dambo has already installed ~100 trolls, made from recycled materials, around the world. (Currently he’s in New Jersey.) His Northwest project is being overseen by the Scan Design Foundation, whose announcement says Dambo’s work carries a “message of turning trash into treasure and building community through art” and will be “amplifying the network of cultural heritage between Coast Salish tribal communities and Danish and Scandinavian traditions (to reinforce) the shared values of environmental stewardship for watershed protection, restoration, and preservation of riparian habitats.” The artist is quoted as saying, “I want people to know that trash has value. My trolls do that, and also help me tell stories, like the legends I grew up with. In nature, there is no landfill. Nature is circular – everything has a meaning and everything is recycled.”
(Dambo troll installed in Breckenridge, Colorado)
So, you’re wondering, where will the West Seattle troll be? They’re not announcing specific locations yet but Seattle Parks is a “site partner” so it’ll be in a park; when the concept was circulated among neighborhood groups many months ago, Lincoln Park was mentioned as a possibility. The reveals are scheduled to happen between early August and mid-September – one per week, per the early concept discussion – and once complete, the trolls will remain in place “for at least three years.” As for “how big” is meant by “giant,” the early discussions suggested at least 20′ high. (The photos accompanying this story are three trolls installed at other sites in the U.S.)
(Dambo troll installed in Jackson Hole, Wyoming)
The regional project is titled “Northwest Trolls: Way of the Bird King” and has a website, including a list of who’s funding and sponsoring the project.
If you have memorabilia – particularly signage – from a past business, Vanishing Seattle wants to hear from you. The temporary exhibit they’re planning isn’t in West Seattle, but it’s not far, and they’re hoping to draw items from all over the city. Here’s what we were asked to share with you:
Vanishing Seattle is seeking remnants of our city to display at Forest For The Trees, a satellite event to Seattle Art Fair. The “Vanishing Seattle” exhibition will offer a poignant reflection on the changing face of our city, a reminder of the impermanence of urban spaces and the profound impact of “progress.” We hope to bring together a collection of sign works, artifacts & memorabilia that have shaped the city’s visual and cultural landscape over the decades, as an ode to the artisans and spaces that brought life to the city streets, and as a celebration of the ephemeral beauty that continues to shape our collective memories. As we bear witness to the disappearance of these art forms and gathering places from our streets, we invite you to contribute to a visual dialogue that pays tribute to this legacy.
The exhibition will take place in an open 12,000 sq ft brick and timber space at historic RailSpur building in Pioneer Square from July 27 – 30, 2023 and First Thursday Art Walk August 3, 2023. Entry is free to the public.
The exhibition will take place on an upper floor of the building, so the sizing of the items will be restricted to the capacity of the elevator and stairwell (roughly 8ft X 4ft, but don’t hesitate to contact us if you have an awesome item that’s bigger).
Items will be credited as on loan from the owner unless you wish to remain anonymous.
Please contact us if you are interested in sharing signs and other local artifacts from your collection!
vanishingseattle@gmail.com
First time we saw Ayron Jones was during the 2015 Summer Concerts at Hiawatha series, when he and his band The Way played an impressive set. The ensuing eight years have seen him rise to rock ‘n’ roll heights, with a #1 song and world touring, and tonight he was back in West Seattle – his former home neighborhood – for an album release party at Easy Street Records. It wasn’t billed as a concert – but Jones, his mighty guitar, and friends took to the stage:
You might recall Jones’ previous gig at Easy Street – playing “Star-Spangled Banner” atop the store van during the huge West Seattle Junction Black Lives Matter rally in June 2020. Looking ahead, he’s about to head out on tour again. His new album “Chronicles of the Kid” is of course available through Easy Street.
Another chance to support student performers is just hours away. The Louisa Boren STEM K-8 Drama Club is presenting Roald Dahl‘s “Matilda,” in the musical’s junior edition, one performance only, free!
It’s at 2 pm tomorrow (Saturday) in the school gym at 5950 Delridge Way SW. The announcement notes that Matilda “tells the story of an extraordinary girl who, armed with a vivid imagination and a sharp mind, dares to take a stand and change her own destiny.” Doors open at 1:30 pm and though there’s no admission charge, they’ll be selling concessions to raise money for the Drama Club, and you can also donate via PayPal. Tomorrow’s show will run about an hour.
(Photos courtesy Mode)
If your family’s summer schedule isn’t fully booked, it’s not too late to get in on these music-making camp opportunities! From Mode Music Studios (WSB sponsor) and Mode Music and Performing Arts:
Mode Rock Band camps are back and Mode Music and Performing Arts (MMPA), our nonprofit arm, is offering Pay-What-You-Can camps all summer long!
Mode’s Rock Band Camps are taught by our local, professional musicians and instructors and give your kid the opportunity to perform on The Skylark stage at the end of the week. We have missed these camps and are so excited to get back to it.
Rock bands are offered for ages 6-12 M-F from 9:00-12:00 with a performance at The Skylark on Saturday. Make it a full day by signing up for an MMPA camp in the afternoon! Afternoon options for students aged 13-18 are available upon request.
MMPA’s Pay-What-You-Can camps are running for a second consecutive summer, continuing to reach all of our community by removing financial barriers. Half-day and full-day music, theatre, and dance camps are available upon signup for kids ages 6-12 running M-F 9:00-12:00 and 12:30-3:30 all summer long.
All of our camps will be led by experienced and enthusiastic instructors who are passionate about music and arts education. Students will have the opportunity to learn new skills, develop their talents, and make new friends in a supportive and encouraging environment.
Get ready to rock and play with us this summer!
For more information on our Mode Rock Band camps, visit modemusicstudios.com/camps
For more on our MMPA Pay-What-You-Can camps, visit modemusicandperformingarts.org/camps
(WSB photos)
7:02 PM SATURDAY: Seven hours, seven venues – that’s the span of West Seattle Pridefest, happening in The Junction night for the first time ever. First up, an art show at Jet City Labs (4547 California SW), until 9 pm. Cebron Kyle Bradford is the curator, and an exhibiting artist too:
The show is spotlighting work by queer and BIPOC artists, and most pieces are available for purchase.
You can visit JCL and see the art until 9 pm. Next events on tonight’s Pridefest slate are trivia, comedy, and bingo, all starting at 8 pm.
ADDED SUNDAY NIGHT: Organizer Alex Garcia shared some photos, including these – Mikey Moo at The Poggie:
Bingo at Supreme:
Bingo host Richard:
Trivia host Devon, at Camp West:
Alex says, “West Seattle Pride was a huge success. I think we succeeded in our goal to celebrate diversity, pride, community, LGBTQ culture with our neighbors and local businesses. My one regret was just not having enough room for everyone; next year we plan to include more businesses and have more events throughout the day.”
(WSB photo)
Something new is growing at West Seattle Nursery (5245 California SW) – the wall along the south side of the property, on SW Brandon, is getting a mural. The artist is Katie Todaro of Glam Dusty Studios, whose work you’ve likely seen beautifying other West Seattle walls.
(West Seattle Nursery photo)
When we stopped by this morning, Katie told us that with rainy weather likely to interrupt soon, the mural will probably be complete within two weeks.
If your household includes an 8- to 12-year-old interested in writing whose summer isn’t fully booked yet – this free workshop taught by a West Seattle writer in nearby South Park still has room:
In this summer-long workshop, young people creatively explore and expand their self-confidence by writing and illustrating a book together. We will read two short stories and then rewrite one of them in our own words, in weekly meetings of one hour a week over 11 weeks. Group activities, games, solitary writing, and drawing provide for a fun and productive setting.
Books/stories we’ll read: River Dragon, an ancient Chinese story of coming-of-age, retold in an illustrated children’s book by Darcy Pattison, and “A Pumpkin Seed,” a cautionary tale from Haiti, in Creole Folktales retold by Patrick Chamoiseau
Location: South Park Community Center, 8319 8th Ave S.
Session time / dates: 4:30-5:30 pm 11 sessions, Thursdays, from June 29 to September 7, 2023
Price: free. Please plan to attend as many sessions as possible, to be part of a writing community.
For more info: see video and read about our class, founded and taught by Ms. Julia (Julia Douthwaite Viglione, PhD): 1
Enrollment open NOW via the South Park Community Center website
Questions? email Ms. Julia at juliawsea@gmail.com
6:23 PM: Get out and wander the peninsula tonight – it’s West Seattle Art Walk night!
Our first stop was West Seattle Grounds (2141 California SW) in North Admiral, where illustrator Andrew Gregg is showing work tonight. Much of his art is focused on athletes, as you can see in the background of our photo. If you visit WSG before 7:45 pm, you can also catch live music by Taylor John Hardin, one of three Art of Music performances during tonight’s Art Walk.
6:41 PM: Paul Gerard is another of the Art of Music performers; as shown above, he is performing until 7:45 pm at Wildflour (4709 California SW; formerly Flying Apron) in The Junction. The visual artist there tonight is Jenna Brechbiel.
Also in The Junction, Matthew Cory is the featured artist at Compass (4509 California SW):
Some receptions run as late as 9 pm, so you still have time to go out and enjoy some art!
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