West Seattle, Washington
04 Saturday
We first told you back in June about plans for the first-ever West Seattle Art Hop & Shop, a peninsula-wide event that’s now exactly one month away – 10 am-5 pm Saturday, September 17th. Organizers are still signing up artists to participate. Here’s what it’s all about and how to be part of it:
The Art Hop & Shop is a neighborhood-wide event for local artists and makers to show and sell their work. Artists can host a pop-up in their yard, or “borrow” a yard. The West Seattle Art Hop & Shop publishes an online mobile map for shoppers to find and visit the pop-ups, as well as an artist list on our website.
The Art Hop & Shop boundaries are West Marginal Way to the east, the Seattle city limits to the south, and the water to the north and west. If you do not live in the area, find another artist who does live in the area who can host you. Live in an apartment or condo? Need a place to pop-up? Find a host. Connections made between hosts and artists is one of the wonderful aspects of this event. Please click here to see the do-it-yourself tool for finding match-ups.
An interactive map shows the locations of the sales on September 17th. Artists and makers will enter their own information (including photos and links) on the map. You will receive information about how to add your point to the map when you register. Each artist is responsible for entering their own map information.
How do I sign up?
Visit our Registration Page. The cost is $10, and is non-refundable. The fee covers administrative and promotional costs. This is a “rain or shine” event. You will need a location before you register.
Organizers of the West Seattle Art Hop & Shop are all volunteers. But if you have a question, they’ll be happy to answer it – email wsArtHop@gmail.com. Registration deadline is September 2nd.
If it’s not already on your calendar for tomorrow night – consider the August West Seattle Art Walk, featuring two free live musical performances as The Art of Music returns:
The Art Walk itself starts around 5 pm and includes venues all around the peninsula – you can preview who’s participating by going here. The Art of Music features an hour and a half of live music – with a 15-minute midpoint break – at two venues. As shown on the poster above, Nathan and Roz Duo will be at KeyBank Plaza (California/Alaska in The Junction), promising a “musical getaway across the US, the Caribbean, and South America,” while Epiphany of Time will be at Antico Soprano’s (2348 California SW) in The Admiral District, offering “pop-modern blues, dreamy originals, and funky tunes.” Deciding who to go see? Video previews are on the Art Walk website.
The Southwest Seattle Historical Society is bringing back its speaker series Words, Writers, & Southwest Stories, this Thursday (August 11) with Jake Prendez, artist and proprietor of Nepantla Cultural Arts Gallery in South Delridge. Here’s the announcement:
The Art of Rebellion: Social Justice and Chicana/Chicano Visual Arts
‘Words, Writers, & Southwest Stories,’ a speaker series of the Southwest Seattle Historical Society, is excited to announce that it is hosting Jake Prendez for a live Zoom presentation on Thursday, August 11 at 6:00 PM. Prendez will deliver a presentation titled “The Art of Rebellion: Social Justice and Chicana/Chicano Visual Arts.” Registration is required. Register here.
How has art has been used to mobilize communities and disseminate messages of social justice? Is art just a commodity that is only accessible to the elite? How has the idea of “art for the people” shifted the way we look at art?
In this talk, Chicano artist Jake Prendez traces the history of social-justice art, from the rise of Mexican muralism to its influence on American artwork from the civil-rights era and the modern era. Explore how the means of production and new technologies made art accessible worldwide, and join Prendez as he deconstructs his own artwork to show how it relates to this greater narrative.
Jake Prendez (he/him) is a renowned Chicano artist, and the owner and co-director of Nepantla Cultural Arts Gallery in West Seattle. His work is an amalgamation of his life experiences — a representation of his Chicano background and a reflection of his time living in both Seattle and Los Angeles.
This program is part of the Humanities Washington Speakers Bureau. The Historical Society is grateful to Humanities Washington for their support. This talk is also made possible by the support of our partner The Seattle Public Library and our sponsors 4Culture, The City of Seattle Arts & Culture, Luna Park Cafe, Alki Beach Academy, and HomeStreet Bank.
Not too much going on around the city aside from Seafair this weekend – so if you love live music, you might consider sailing over to Vashon Island for a benefit show tomorrow (Saturday, August 6th) to boost youth music education via West Seattle’s own nonprofit Mode Music and Performing Arts. Here’s the announcement:
Bric/Brac Fest and Mode Music and Performing Arts are so excited to bring this event to Vashon Island and help create ongoing opportunities for youth music education!
Join us Saturday, Aug. 6th for a benefit for youth music education on Vashon with generous partners and sponsorships by Mode Music Studios, Open Space for Arts & Community, Orbit at Open Space and The Vera Project.
Secure your space on the green for an evening of food, drink, and amazing bands for a great cause. Bring your chairs and blankets for:
NAKED GIANTS
CAITLIN SHERMAN
JULIA SHAPIRO (CHASTITY BELT)
IT’S ALL HAPPENINGOpen Space For Arts & Community
18870 103rd Ave SW, Vashon [map]4 pm doors
Suggested donation:
$20 Adult
$10 under 18
No one turned away for lack of funds (NOTAFLOF)
You might have seen Naked Giants and/or Caitlin Sherman at West Seattle Summer Fest just three weeks ago.
Thanks to Alex Garcia from Admiral Pub for sending word of that new mural, painted on the alley side of the building the pub shares with Yen Wor Village. The artist is in the photo – Stevie Shao, hailed here last year as “Seattle’s breakout muralist.”
(Photo courtesy SDOT)
Thanks to Kate for the tip, via a question about a big circle in the intersection of 21st and Genesee on Pigeon Point – too big to signal a future traffic mural, as she described it. SDOT tells us they’re planning to repaint the mural that community members painted in that intersection in 2015 (WSB coverage here), with “durable, long-lasting paint.” SDOT says they “got in contact with the original artist and have been working with her to design a refreshed version of the artwork that can be installed with more durable paint that will last for years to come.” Here’s that design:
The repainting is expected to happen within the next month or so; some prep work will be done this Sunday – grinding the road to “create a smooth surface for the plastic-based paints to stick to.” As noted in this flyer for the project, which is on the Delridge-Highland Park Greenway, they also plan some paving work, “filling cracked pavement,” and “improved trail lighting” along the greenway.
if you’re looking for somebody to sing with – the Boeing Employees Choir might be the group you’re looking for, even if you’re not a Boeing employee! Here’s the announcement:
After a two-year pandemic-related hiatus, the Boeing Employees Choir is singing again and planning a fun and challenging musical concert season! We typically provide 6-8 afternoon concerts to retirement homes and community centers each winter and spring. We are looking for adult singers who read music and have some choral experience. A low-stress audition is required (after you have checked out a few of our open rehearsals). It’s not necessary to be a Boeing Employee to sing in our 75-year-old choir. We invite you to attend an open full rehearsal on Tuesdays, 9/13/22, 9/20/22, and 9/27/22 from 6:30 – 9:00 pm at the West Seattle American Legion Hall, 3618 SW Alaska Street, in West Seattle. Be prepared to laugh, sing, and make new friends! Please bring your updated Covid vaccination card.
(WSB photos)
You’ll find art everywhere you look at the Alki Art Fair, where day 1 continues until 8 pm. Dozens of artists are on the promenade west of Alki Bathhouse (60th/Alki), showing and selling their work – including West Seattle neighbors like oil painter Rance Holiman:
And collage artist Linda McClamrock:
You can also learn about sea life from volunteers at the Seal Sitters Marine Mammal Stranding Network booth:
They’re near the booth where you can say hi to Canna West Culture Shop‘s Tricia and Mimi – Canna is an Art Fair sponsor (and WSB sponsor too):
This is a bonus day for the festival, continuing all weekend – some features, including the Kid Zone, silent auction, and live music, don’t start up until tomorrow. Find the artist lineup, music lineup, and more on the official festival website.
Another look ahead to a major weekend event – the Alki Art Fair, which is not only returning after three years, but also expanding to three days. It begins Friday (July 22nd). The artist/vendor booths stretch along the promenade, westward from Alki Bathhouse; the main music stage is on the lawn east of the Bathhouse. Our preview two weeks ago has details, but here are the basics:
FRIDAY
Artist Booths & Food Vendors: 2-8 pm
LIVE DJ : 4-8 pm
SATURDAY
Artist Booths & Food Vendors: 10 am-6 pm
Live Music: 11 am-8:30 pm
SUNDAY
Artist Booths & Food Vendors: 10 am-6 pm
Live Music: 11 am-5 pm
The Alki Art Fair also has a Kid Zone presented by Outer Space Seattle. And while there’s no admission charge, there are ways to support the festival, such as bidding in the silent auction inside the Bathhouse – organizers tell us you’ll be able to “Find everything from art to gift certificates from some of your favorite West Seattle eateries, museum and sports tickets, massages and more!” See the festival website here for the artist and music lineups. One more note: As with other returning events, this is a transition year – they’re not offering a shuttle this time, but you do have transportation options, such as the Water Taxi shuttle and Route 50 Metro bus.
(WSB photos/video)
A first tonight for the West Seattle Big Band – a concert at High Point Commons Park. This was the return of the annual summer Concert in the Park for the first time since 2019, but the traditional venue – Hiawatha Community Center‘s east lawn – isn’t available this year, so that called for a new venue. WSBB director Jim Edwards admitted he didn’t know what to expect, or who, but by our informal count, at least 100 people showed up to enjoy the evening and the music. You can see the spectators as well as the band in our recording of the concert:
For an hour and a half, the Big Band enthralled the crowd with classics like “In the Mood,” “All of Me,” and “Fever” – some instrumental, some featuring vocalists Jenaige Lane and Jeff Carter:
The WSBB musicians spanned a wide age range tonight – including Henry, who’s also drum major for the West Seattle High School Band:
The brass included director Edwards trading in his baton for his trombone:
The Big Band also plays gigs for hire and donates the proceeds to help student musicians. So, as Edwards told the crowd, if you need a band for an event, contact them!
(WSB photo, 2018 Concert in the Park)>
Another beautiful evening is forecast for Tuesday – clear and warm. Spend part of it outside enjoying live, lively music from the West Seattle Big Band, bringing back its annual Concert in the Park. New location this year – High Point Commons Park (3201 SW Graham) – since Hiawatha’s closure means it’s out of the mix as a concert venue this year, even for outdoor shows. This is an annual free concert that the WSBB performs for the community – you’ll see and hear about 20 musicians, directed by Jim Edwards, performing classic songs, both instrumental and vocal arrangements. (Never seen them? Check out video of past concerts.) The WSBB is celebrating its 25th anniversary, founded by West Seattle High School alumni in 1996 (here’s the backstory). They donate their time at other shows throughout the year to support local students – this one, however, is free, so bring a picnic dinner, blankets and/or chairs, and enjoy the Concert in the Park starting at 7 pm Tuesday.
Many West Seattle businesses based elsewhere on the peninsula come to The Junction to be part of Summer Fest. Among them, Mode Music Studios (WSB sponsor), whose founder Erin Rubin sent this update:
Mode Music is ready to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of West Seattle Summer Fest by adding some fantastic musical talent to the stellar lineup this weekend, July 15th-17th!
On Friday, Mode teachers will kick off the Fest by rocking out as only they know how! At 5:00 pm, former Mode teacher and singer/songwriter Caitlyn Sherman (IG: @caitiecruel) will take the stage. And at 9:00 pm, Naked Giants (IG: @naked_giants) will be the headliner, a band that features current Mode teachers Grant Mullen and Gianni Aiello!
Starting at 1:00 pm on Saturday, Mode Music Studios (IG: @modemusicws) will kick off the student and alum block of performances including the rock band It’s All Happening (IG @itsallhappening.band), singer Mari Littlefield, and the female-driven group K.A.M.P.S., whose band name was actually inspired by the fantastic Mode alum band T.H.E.M. (IG: @theband.them) slated to perform at 2:00pm.
Please stop by the Mode Music booth while enjoying the Festival to learn about the music school’s fantastic programs, get some awesome brand new merch, and gain some knowledge about Mode’s non-profit branch Mode Music and Performing Arts (IG: @modemusicandpa) and grab a kazoo or shaker egg! Don’t miss out on this fun and music-filled weekend!
You’ll find the Mode booth in the block between Oregon and Alaska.
The heart of summer is the time to be outdoors as much as possible – and that’s why the West Seattle Community Orchestras are bringing back Play-Along in the Park, starting tomorrow (Tuesday, July 12th)! Here’s the announcement:
West Seattle Community Orchestras’ second annual Play-Along in the Park is here! Dust off your instruments and join us this summer for a series of FREE music-playing sessions!
Sessions run every Tuesday, July 12-August 2 at Lincoln Park, 6:00-8:00 PM.
You do not have to be able to attend every week to join. This series is designed for you to join when you are able and experience the joy of playing in an ensemble!
You will be expected to bring your own music stand and chair.
Each week there will be two different groups.
6:00 PM – 6:45 PM is for musicians looking to play an easier repertoire of music. Has it been years since you’ve picked up that violin but you’re interested in reliving the magic of playing in an ensemble? This time slot is for you! This music is classified at a beginner level.
But if you’re looking for more of a challenge, or play regularly and just want to enjoy playing in the summer evening with a group, join us from 7:00-7:45 PM for a slightly more difficult repertoire, at an intermediate level.
Please feel free to join us for one OR both time slots!
If you have any questions, please reach out to info@wscorchestras.org
Registration is open now! form.jotform.com/211898433133154
If you’re wondering “where in Lincoln Park?” – the meadow near the north (largest) parking lot.
Rock fans of all ages were at Easy Street Records tonight for an in-store double bill with Lite Sleeper and Panic Grass. The occasion – the launch of The Bar Is Open hazy IPA, a collaboration between Easy Street (which, you probably know, recently added a bar) and Best of Hands Barrelhouse. We caught part of the show by Lite Sleeper, whose members include a luminary in West Seattle’s music-business scene, Frank Gross of Thunder Road Guitars (WSB sponsor).
This band has a launch of its own this summer – its debut EP.
This was Lite Sleeper’s second show. As for the new IPA – it’s the house IPA at Easy Street, and available at Best of Hands (35th/Webster) in cans and “limited draft.”
(WSB photos)
Another outdoor market is welcoming you this afternoon – this time, focused on art and other handmade creations, including sweet treats. This is the Makers Art Market, on the promenade east of Alki Bathhouse (60th/Alki) until 5 pm. The artwork spans a variety of mediums, including wood:
That wolf is the creation of Alex:
Also there – Donna and Cira from Puffy Pandy, which recently set up shop in White Center and are selling “cream puffy, macarons, and more” today on Alki:
You can see the list of vendors in our calendar listing.
At the end of a summer of event comebacks – something new is planned: The West Seattle Art Hop & Shop! Though it’s two months away, planning is happening now, and there are two ways you can be part of it – as organizers explain in this announcement:
Unlike traditional art tours, the West Seattle Art Hop & Shop is community-driven and open to any artist who registers. This open format will celebrate the delightful variety of creative work happening all across West Seattle.
To participate, artists need to identify where within the West Seattle boundaries they will be showing, either at their own location, or with a host location. Each artist will then register online for $10 and take part in creating their own “dot” on the interactive map. Need to find a space to hold your sale, or want to host an artist? There is a do-it-yourself tool to connect hosts and guest artists. Because this is a community-driven event, artists are also expected to take an active part in promoting the event.
Registration for the West Seattle Art Hop & Shop is open until September 2nd. Early registration is encouraged to allow the volunteer team to feature as many artists as possible on social media leading up to the event. More information and registration can be found at wsartwalk.org/west-seattle-art-hop-shop.
The West Seattle Art Hop & Shop is organized by an all-volunteer committee of artists and art lovers with support from West Seattle Art Walk and West Seattle Junction Association. If you’re interested in getting involved behind the scenes, the West Seattle Art Hop & Shop team would love to have your help! Email WSArtHop@gmail.com.
We mentioned back in the heart of winter that the Alki Art Fair would return this summer – and now with 2 1/2 weeks to go, organizers have gone public with the lineup of artists, musicians, and more. This year, it’s expanded to three days! Here are the basics:
The Alki Art Fair is celebrating our beach-side return with an extended schedule — with Friday being added to the mix of festivities.
Now in its 26th year, this FREE, family-friendly, annual arts-and-music festival brings Alki to life with over 80 professional visual artists, craftspeople and emerging artists. There will be live music, children’s activities, live demonstrations, and local artisan food vendors for everyone to enjoy.
FRIDAY
Artist Booths & Food Vendors: 2-8 pm
LIVE DJ : 4-8 pmSATURDAY
Artist Booths & Food Vendors: 10 am-6 pm
Live Music: 11 am-8:30 pmSUNDAY
Artist Booths & Food Vendors: 10 am-6 pm
Live Music: 11 am-5 pmEvent Highlights:
-80+ local artists & crafters selling works in a variety of media including painting, pottery, glass, textiles, metal, jewelry & more. See the full lineup of participating vendors at alkiartfair.org/artists2022-Live music and performances throughout the weekend on the Bathhouse Stage sponsored by Canna West Culture Shop and Busker Area along the promenade. This year we’re featuring a variety of genres including Brazilian, Jazz, Funk, Pop, Rock and more. See the full lineup and schedule at alkiartfair.org/music-22
-Interactive kid zone hosted by Outer Space Seattle (the galactic indoor playspace for kids of all abilities)
Silent auction in the historic Alki Bathhouse featuring unique items from local artists and businesses-Local food lineup features a range of sweet, savory, spicy, and delicious options including Dippy’s Ice Cream, Shug’s Soda Fountain, Pop’s Sausage Grill, Simply Kettle, Road Dawg, Blue Elephant, and Moe’s Falafel.
And of course, the year-round Alki restaurants will welcome you too.
We’ve been talking about all kinds of outdoor summer fun returning this year – festivals, concerts, parades, movies – and there’s more: Outdoor theater! GreenStage is back with free Shakespeare in the Park – including 11 performances in 3 West Seattle parks, starting this Friday! First, the general announcement!
FREE Shakespeare in the Park!
Get ready for a summer full of family fun and FREE theater in the great outdoors all across Seattle-area parks. GreenStage, Seattle’s longest-operating Shakespeare company, celebrates its 34th season of Shakespeare in the Park with mainstage shows “Pericles, Prince of Tyre” and “Henry V,” and our scaled-down Backyard Bard shows “Much Ado About Nothing” and “Macbeth.”
The season runs July 8 –August 6. Visit greenstage.org for our full calendar and where we’ll be. Go see a play!
As shown on the GreenStage calendar, the West Seattle performances are:
7 pm Friday, July 8th – “Much Ado About Nothing” (Backyard Bard) at High Point Commons Park (3201 SW Graham)
7 pm Saturday, July 9th – “Macbeth” (Backyard Bard) at High Point Commons Park
7 pm Friday, July 15 – “Henry V” at Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)
3 pm Saturday, July 16 – “Henry V” at Lincoln Park
7 pm Saturday, July 16 – “Pericles” at Lincoln Park
3 pm Sunday, July 17 – “Pericles” at Lincoln Park
7 pm Sunday, July 17 – “Henry V” at Lincoln Park
7 pm Friday, July 22 – “Pericles” at Camp Long (5200 35th SW)
7 pm Friday, July 29 – “Henry V” at Camp Long
3 pm Sunday, July 31 – “Henry V” at Lincoln Park
7 pm Sunday, July 31 – “Pericles” at Lincoln Park
Up for outdoor music? Later this month, you have abundant options without leaving the peninsula. We’ve already talked about West Seattle Summer Fest – now just two weeks away, July 15-16-17 in The Junction, with music on Friday and Saturday. Also ahead:
(WSB photo from 2019 Concert in the Park)
CONCERT IN THE PARK: The West Seattle Big Band‘s annual summertime concert is at a new location this year, since Hiawatha (as previously discussed) is unavailable. You can enjoy the WSBB’s swinging sounds at 7 pm Tuesday, July 19th, in High Point Commons Park (3201 SW Graham).
MUSIC UNDER THE STARS: At 8:30 pm Saturday, July 16th, at the Seattle Chinese Garden (6000 16th SW), and same time Thursday, July 21st, at High Point Commons Park, the Seattle Chamber Music Society brings this series back to West Seattle. An up-and-coming chamber ensemble will play live for a half-hour, and then you’re invited to stay and watch a big-screen presentation of one of the SCMS’s Summer Festival Concerts.
ALKI ART FAIR: The three-day beach festival celebrating creativity is back, and music’s a big part of it. On Friday night (July 22nd), a DJ will spin. Then on Saturday and Sunday (July 23rd-24th), two full slates of live performers – morning through evening on Saturday, morning through afternoon on Sunday. You can see the full lineup on the Alki Art Fair website.
If your kid/s aren’t entirely locked in for summer yet, you still have options! Mode Music and Performing Arts is still enrolling for some of its summer camps:
Don’t miss out on the fun music and theatre half-days we have to offer, or drop them off for a full day. Partial and full scholarships are available. All classes and camps are offered at a Pay What You Can basis. Spots are limited, but may expand so don’t forget to sign up on a waitlist for a camp that may be full.
Learn more at modemusicandperformingarts.org/camps and email education@modemusicandperformingarts.org, or call 206-649-0463 with any questions. We can’t wait to see you!
Mode MPA is the nonprofit sibling of Mode Music Studios (WSB sponsor).
(WSB photo)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Tonight, New York City playwright Julia Izumi will be at West Seattle’s ArtsWest Playhouse for the opening performance of her world-premiere play “miku, and the gods.“
Not that she’s just dropping in to check it out. She’s been here for a month, collaborating face-to-face with director Alyza DelPan-Monley and the cast/crew as they brought her play – billed as an “epic adventure” – to life. “For a play, unlike novels, the final form is not the written form – I can’t possibly know what it’s supposed to look or sound or feel like until I see it embodied.” She appreciates the actors “rolling with the punches and taking the edits as they come, even if they memorized the script!”
Now it’s time to bring in the audiences.
We talked with Izumi earlier this week on a sunny morning in The Junction, about her career as well as about her play.
Thanks to Brandy for sending the photo! That’s West Seattle muralist Desmond Hansen, working today on his newest signal-box portrait. It’s on the southwest corner of 35th and Trenton, and in case you don’t recognize the subject, we noticed in passing that the north side of the box now identifies him – Portland drummer Joe Plummer, known for his work with bands including Modest Mouse. (Added – commenter points out Plummer has Portland roots but calls West Seattle home!)
Want to see theater without leaving home? Your next chance is happening right now. You can buy a ticket to a recording of ArtsWest‘s most-recent play, “Alma.” Here’s the synopsis of Benjamin Benne’s award-winning play:
Working mom Alma has singlehandedly raised her daughter, Angel, on tough love, home-cooked comida and lots of prayers. But on the eve of the all-important SAT, Alma discovers her daughter isn’t at home studying. A schooling and la chancla await Angel at home—but so does a creeping realization that more’s at stake than just a test score. A sacrifice from Alma’s past weighs heavy on their present; now, Alma fears that her worst nightmare may soon be their reality. Will the American Dream cost them a life together?
“Alma,” directed by Sophie Franco, is viewable online through June 30th – go here to get your ticket.
P.S. ArtsWest’s next play, “Miku, and the Gods” by Julia Izumi, opens June 16th.
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