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WEST SEATTLE ART: Center for Active Living mural close to complete
October 17, 2024 5:57 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

The wraparound mural at the Center for Active Living is close to complete. Muralist Brady Black has been working on it for a little over a week now; the photo above was sent by Nico on Tuesday. We checked with center executive director Amy Lee Derenthal today; she confirmed it’s “almost done,” with the on-and-off rain delaying the work a bit.

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WEST SEATTLE ART: New ‘welcoming’ mural in progress
October 16, 2024 10:16 pm
|      22 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

(WSB photos)

After two texters told us late today about that mural taking shape north of the Luna Park mini-business district, on the long wall under the overpasses, we went over to find out about it. (updated) The project is led by Artolution, which describes itself as an “international community-based public art and education organization,” whose co-founder Dr. Max Frieder was on site:

Youth painters are assisting, and Urban ArtWorks is partnering. We’re told the plan for this came together at the last minute because of a grant that was close to expiring. The mural’s intent is to celebrate Seattle as a welcoming place; the project is under the One Seattle Graffiti Plan‘s Many Hands Art Initiative, with other partners including the city Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs and the UN Refugee Agency.

The mural is expected to be complete by early next week; we’ll check back!

THURSDAY UPDATE: Dr. Frieder clarifies, “This mural is not being funded by the city of Seattle, it is being funded by UNHCR, the UN refugee agency. They were able to get external funding to be able to support the project; the city only provided the permits.”

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Young performer in the family? Or anyone seeking inspiration? ‘Call Me Dancer’ benefit screening for theater at Chief Sealth IHS
October 14, 2024 2:56 pm
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 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS culture/arts

“The show must go on!” That’s the timeless motto for performers – even when they’re faced with adversity such as lack of resources – but they’re never without hope. The theater program at Chief Sealth International High School will get to ensure shows keep going on, if you lend a hand – by attending the upcoming benefit screening the award-winning film featured in the trailer above, “Call Me Dancer.” In case you haven’t already seen this in the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, here’s the announcement:

Friday evening, October 25th, at the Chief Sealth International High School Performing Arts Center: ‘Call Me Dancer’ is truly an amazing film, and anyone who wants some inspiration and lifting up will adore it.

A truly great film is always interesting in itself, but soars above the subject matter as well — to astound and
inspire, to draw out strong emotions from the viewer and, ultimately, to make us look at our own lives in a
different way. The true-life adventure Call Me Dancer does all of this and more, winning it prizes and accolades
all over the world. It soars and twirls and summersaults and inspires, while telling the story of Manish Chauhan, a young Indian street dancer pursuing his unlikely but burning passion to become a ballet dancer. Shot in India, UK, Israel and the US, we get to experience Manish’s incredible charisma and talent, as well as his wonderful family and some of the extraordinary people who help change his life. The film is directed by Leslie Shampaine and Pip Gilmore, and features music from legendary singer/songwriter Jay Sean and hip-hop artist/rapper Anik Khan, with a sublime score by Nainita Desai and Nina Humphreys.

The non-profit BAYFEST Youth Theatre runs the drama and performing arts program at Sealth, but we have recently suffered an almost total funding cut from Seattle Public Schools, due to their current huge budget crisis (and of course the arts seem always to be one of the first things to go…) But the Show Must Go On, and we have gotten exclusive rights to hold a screening of the film Call Me Dancer, which has won awards all over the world in the past year, as a fundraiser for the program, which we are very excited about. Besides being VERY anxious to sell as many tickets as we can to raise program funds, this is a rare opportunity for people to see this wonderful and inspirational film.

GET YOUR TICKET(S) HERE

Some tickets might be available at the door, but the price is lower in advance; a share of the proceeds also will benefit West Seattle Performing Arts. The film is just under an hour and a half, in English and (subtitled) Hindi. The screening will be followed by an audience Q&A.

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‘Celebration of community and creativity’ – and memorable music – at Mode Music and Performing Arts Friendsgiving. Got your ticket(s) yet?
October 11, 2024 1:24 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

(WSB photo, THEM at Easy Street Records in July)

Hot headliners will rock your world at Friendsgiving, benefiting arts education for all, via Mode Music and Performing Arts – nonprofit offshoot of Mode Music Studios (WSB sponsor). Tickets are available now, while they last, and this announcement has full details:

Mode Music and Performing Arts (MMPA) is excited to announce its annual Friendsgiving Fundraiser Dinner and Auction, set to take place on Friday, November 8, 2024, at Emerald City Trapeze Arts. The event will run from 5:30 PM to 10:00 PM and promises a memorable evening filled with live performances, delicious food, and unique auction items — all to support a great cause.

The Friendsgiving event aims to raise funds for MMPA’s vital programs, which provide access to arts education for children across Seattle who might not otherwise have the opportunity. These programs include after-school arts enrichment, in-school arts programs, pay-what-you-can group classes and camps, and private-lesson scholarships for music instruction, ensuring that every child has the chance to explore their creativity through the arts.

Event highlights include:

-Special performances by THEM and Brittany Davis, and Mode students and staff
-Live and silent auctions
-Dinner provided by Blue Ribbon Catering with drinks included
-Emcéed by KEXP DJ Troy Nelson

MMPA is grateful for the generous support of Perfect Day Games, whose sponsorship has helped make this event possible.

“We are proud to continue our mission of creating accessible and equitable arts education for all children,” said Erin Rubin, Founder of MMPA. “Friendsgiving is a celebration of community and creativity and we’re so excited to get together with supporters for a fun evening that directly benefits Seattle’s youth.”

Tickets are available now and can be purchased online at auctria.events/Friendsgiving2024 . Those who can’t attend can also support the fundraiser with a donation through the event website. Sponsorships and donations to the auction can still be made through the contact below or through the event website.

MMPA is based in North Delridge; the event venue (Emerald City) is at 2702 6th Ave. S. in nearby SODO.

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VIDEO: First West Seattle Art Walk of fall
October 10, 2024 6:10 pm
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 |   West Seattle Art Walk | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

6:10 PM: Our first stop on tonight’s West Seattle Art Walk – Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor), where Jessie Summa Russo is the guest artist. She’s highlighting work made with oil and cold wax on collage. And in addition to Viscon wines – you’ll find a table full of snacks (while they last):

From North Admiral to Morgan Junction, you have many choices for tonight’s Art Walk – see the map here, and venues’ featured artists here! Plus the Art of Music‘s three mini-concerts, until 7:45.

6:37 PM: Our second stop was one of the Art of Music hosts, Alki Arts (6030 California SW):

Terra Nova Duo is serenading Art Walk-ers there, while gallery proprietor Diane Venti hosts a multi-artist show – more on that, and photos, shortly!

6:53 PM: Diane explained that she chose “Rising Above” as the theme of the show – and the participating artists rose to the challenge.

Joanne Shellan (above) explains that she took inspiration from literally rising above – a flight in a private plane piloted by a friend. The work of Steffanie Lorig (below) is symbolic – “each animal represents strength, hope, and resilience.”

Also participating in the Alki Arts show – with a reception until 8 tonight – are Lisa Lamoureux and Steve Jensen.

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CRIME WATCH FOLLOWUP: Stolen paintings mysteriously reappear
October 10, 2024 11:56 am
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Back in July, after this year’s Alki Art Fair, we reported that paintings had been stolen from at least two participating artists. This week, after almost three months, half a dozen stolen paintings mysteriously reappeared and are being returned to the artists. We just received that news from Elizabeth Rudrud of the Southwest Seattle Historical Society‘s Log House Museum (which is on Alki, about a block and a half inland from where the fair was held). She tells WSB via email:

This week, I found, and am in the process of returning to the artists, six canvas paintings that were stolen during Alki Art Fair.

Tuesday, I arrived at the Log House Museum and found six canvas paintings placed behind a bench on our protected porch. I initially thought someone had left these as an anonymous donation for the museum, which, as this is a good opportunity to remind your readers, is always, always discouraged and doing so creates significant work for museum staff.

It was immediately apparent, however, that these paintings were not intended as a museum donation. Taped to the back of one of the canvases was a note that said “Return Paintings to Artist” with two artist names. The paintings appear in great condition. I found their websites, confirmed that these were in fact stolen artworks, and contacted the artists.

It is likely the person who initially stole these original paintings, or someone close to them, who made the right decision to return them and correctly believed that our historical society would assist. I am glad that I found these before a passerby decided to take them or weather damage occurred.

Richard Jahn picked up his paintings yesterday and described how devastated he was when they were taken. He said it felt as though he lost a family member. I have been in contact with the second artist and these will be returned to her soon.

We don’t know if that leaves any other stolen paintings unaccounted for, but will try to find out.

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SING! Local choir invites you to open rehearsals
October 10, 2024 9:04 am
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 |   Triangle | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

The Boeing Employees Choir, which rehearses in West Seattle, is inviting singers to any of three upcoming open rehearsals. Despite the name, you do not have to be a Boeing employee to join. The rehearsals are at American Legion Post 160 (3618 SW Alaska), at 6:30 pm October 15, 22, and 29. If you’re interested in participating on one of those dates, they’d love to hear from you at president@boeingchoir.org – but RSVP isn’t mandatory. The choir has openings in all sections; read more about it here.

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FOLLOWUP: Mural work starts at Center for Active Living
October 9, 2024 11:45 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

One more mural note this morning – painting is finally under way for the mural planned to wrap around the Center for Active Living on the southeast corner of California and Oregon. The center’s executive director Amy Lee Derenthal says a permitting delay kept the painting from starting sooner. Artist Brady Black was chosen to paint the mural; we previewed it in this report on the center’s August open house.

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WEST SEATTLE ART: New mural added to the ‘West Side Wall’
October 9, 2024 9:12 am
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 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Before getting into the news of the day … an art break. We don’t often get news releases from artists announcing new murals. For this one, we did. Artist Christopher Hydinger has added that mural to those already on the wall along the alley leading south from SW Dawson behind Rite Aid; we went over for a look. Here’s what the artist has to say about their creation, describing it as “big, bold, with a pinch of comedy, completely unafraid to spotlight the truth”:

Christopher Hydinger invites you to experience their new pro-environmental mural, ‘Breaking News: Alien Messiah Engages Portal, Presses Delete‘ at West Seattle’s world-class art alley West Side Wall (located behind the Rite Aid at 5217 California Ave SW). Installed at the north end of the alley, this large-scale drawing created using only small paint pens took over 65 hours to complete and vibrantly visualizes in great detail the absurdity of a Messiah coming to Save Us illustrated through the comically dramatic lens of an Alien Messiah at the moment they have decided to press the Delete button.

“Compositionally, the viewer is able to enjoy the expansive view through the Portal and into the Universe of the Alien Messiah, but because the floating Delete button (designed using the principles of chromostereopsis to create a no-glasses-needed 3D illusion) has been oriented facing the Alien Messiah (all “recycle” icons feature arrows pointing clockwise), this also gives the viewer the physical sensation of simultaneously inhabiting the inside of something while also looking out from it (a world inside a box, a cage, a computer, a more expansive ecosystem). Combined with the larger-than-life presence of the beautiful but intimidating Alien Messiah and the ominously designed Delete button, this is intended to create an unsettlingly eerie shock. But hopefully this shock will inspire a deeply motivating pro-environmental perspective to emerge. And just in time for Halloween!”

If you haven’t been to the wall – it stretches a full block southward along the alley, plus a short ways east along Dawson too. We first reported on it more than a year ago.

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WEEK AHEAD: 3 more Art of Music mini-concerts during this month’s West Seattle Art Walk on Thursday
October 6, 2024 3:48 pm
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 |   West Seattle Art Walk | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

That’s Cami Voss, who is performing one of the three mini-concerts set for this Thursday’s West Seattle Art Walk, October’s edition of The Art of Music. All three mini-concerts are set for 6 pm to 7:45 pm Thursday, with a 15-minute break halfway through; Terra Nova Duo is performing at Alki Arts (6030 California SW); Sue Quigley is performing at West Seattle Realty (2715 California SW; WSB sponsor); and Cami Voss is performing at Jet City Labs (4547 California SW). All are free – stop in for one, two, or all three. For more on the Art Walk itself – with dozens of venues, some featuring artist receptions, 5 pm Thursday “till late” – go here!

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WEST SEATTLE ART: Your annual chance to show your work at Southwest Library is almost here!
September 30, 2024 2:28 pm
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 |   West Seattle libraries | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Artists of all skill levels and talents are invited to be part of the annual Southwest Artist Showcase at Southwest Library. The four-day window to bring in your creations for display starts tomorrow – here’s the invitation we received today:

It’s that time of year again: the 32nd annual Southwest Artist Showcase is gearing up for October 6 – November 4! This free, month-long event features artists from all over west and southwest Seattle.
We welcome submissions from people of all ages and experience levels for our non-juried, non-profit showcase. Submit up to 3 pieces of art between Tuesday, October 1 – Friday, October 4 at the Southwest Branch during our open hours.

Artwork will NOT be offered for sale at the Library. All works must be picked up by 6pm on Sunday, November 10. You may have another person drop off (or pick up) your art. If you have an easel or display structure that you’d like us to use to display your work, please bring them along with your art.

Please note: we strive to display all submitted works, as space allows. Some works may not be included if their size or construction prevents their effective display in the library. Library staff will determine the placement and display of each piece, and artwork will not be moved once it has been placed.

For more information about the Southwest Artist Showcase, please visit spl.org/southwestartistshowcase or call the branch at 206-684-7455.

The branch is at 9010 35th SW; its hours are listed here.

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YOU CAN HELP: Multiple ways – including shows next Saturday – to help Kenyon Hall ‘Save the Mighty Wurlitzer’
September 22, 2024 11:46 am
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 |   How to help | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

(Photos courtesy Kenyon Hall)

Perhaps the most distinctive feature of historic event venue Kenyon Hall (7904 35th SW) is its “Mighty Wurlitzer” organ. The nonprofit venue is raising money to keep it operational – and next Saturday (September 28) brings a specific way for you to help – here’s the announcement:

The Wurlitzer, a rare and historic organ that represents PNW theater and music history, is threatened with disrepair unless more funds can be raised to repair and restore at beloved West Seattle community theater, Kenyon Hall. Three rank pipes shy of being the same size as a similar organ in the Paramount, the Wurlitzer is one of the remaining organs of its type nationally.

The Wurlitzer organ was created to provide the soundtrack to new and emerging technologies in both film and entertainment in the early 1900s, whereas before theaters often used small live orchestras. Seattle was the first city nationally to have an organ accompany a movie.

Kenyon Hall’s Wurlitzer stands as a wonderful achievement of the pre-digital age but is in need of repairs to ensure it will survive. While many of these organs are “going digital,” Kenyon Hall’s Wurlitzer organ remains completely analog, which means there are thousands of wires that need to be kept in good working order, and an entire three-room series of pipes and switchboards that need to be kept clean and climate controlled. Completely electro-pneumatic, every time a key is pressed by a performer an electrical current runs a wire which then activates a windchest, sending an air current to the corresponding pipe or ranks of pipes.

The Wurlitzer rests at historic Kenyon Hall, a West Seattle community theater built in 1916 that hosts regular theater and concerts. The most notable concert was an exclusive performance by Pearl Jam’s lead singer, Eddie Vedder. In addition to hosting concerts and theater, the Hall is used as a rental space for music recitals, private concerts, social gatherings, and educational events, and is run by local nonprofit Seattle Artists. Kenyon Hall aims to provide living wages to performing artists and teachers while also keeping ticket prices manageable for interested audiences and lesson rates for students affordable.

The COVID-19 pandemic saw with it a drastic decrease in the amount of public arts venues in West Seattle and Seattle in general, and it is Kenyon Hall’s goal to keep the spirit of public arts alive, providing stages for artists new and old to perform and space for audiences to congregate and commune with each other. A fundraiser is planned for Saturday, September 28th from 4 pm-8:30 pm with local performers such as Tomo Nakayama, Erik Walters of Pedro the Lion, and hosted by local Kenyon Hall Cabaret drag performers.

Details of the event can be found at www.kenyonhall.org. Tickets can be purchased via Kenyon Hall’s website or directly through this ticket link (2 seatings). The live stream of the event will be hosted on Kenyon Hall’s YouTube page. This giving campaign will run through the Fall through links provided on Kenyon’s Hall’s “donate” page or directly through this campaign site.

If you’ve never seen/heard the Mighty Wurlitzer being played, you can find many videos online – including this one.

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Behind-the-scenes views at West Seattle Art Tour 2024
September 21, 2024 12:59 pm
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 |   Gatewood | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Until 5 pm, you can visit any or all of 14 West Seattle places where art is made and/or shown. The West Seattle Art Tour is a much-more behind-the-scenes experience than the monthly West Seattle Art Walk. We’re just back from one stop – we went to Gatewood to see the artists featured today at The Building (4316 SW Othello), a former church school converted into artist studios:

Upstairs, you’ll find Rebecca Woodhouse, who’s had a studio at The Building for almost three years. You can also talk with Nichole DeMent, a mixed-media-encaustic artist who’s been creating there for 10+ years, and Stephen Rock, who works in “a variety of processes”:

With more than 50 artists participating at the 14 Art Tour stops, some are hosting visiting artists as well as resident artists. At The Building, Kelly Marshall – a mixed-media painter from Queen Anne – is visiting today:

Throughout The Building, there’s art on the walls and along the stairways, making it a great stop for wandering (the upstairs west-facing windows have Puget Sound views, too). But the 13 other stops have their charms – we chose this one for proximity to HQ, but as the map shows, you have options from Admiral to Roxhill. Find maps and the artist list here; the free Art Tour continues until 5 pm today.

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‘Free workshop led by local writers for local kids’: Sign up for ‘Write YOUR Story’ ASAP
September 17, 2024 9:00 am
|    Comments Off on ‘Free workshop led by local writers for local kids’: Sign up for ‘Write YOUR Story’ ASAP
 |   West Seattle books | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

It’s fun, it’s free, and it’s open for signups right now (limited space so don’t wait) – here’s the announcement of the next “Write YOUR Story,” starting soon:

Write YOUR Story
Fall 2024
Enrolling now

Theme: We’ve got this! Tales of innovation and make-do

Who is invited? People age 7-11 who like stories

When? Every Wednesday, September 25—December 11, 2024, 4:30—5:30 pm

Where? Upstairs activity room, Curious Kidstuff toy store
4740 California Ave SW

Write YOUR Story, est. 2012, is a free workshop led by local writers for local kids – “We read, we write, and we have a lot of fun.”

For info or to enroll, contact: juliawsea@gmail.com

We will read The Whirlys and the West Wind and “Old Sultan”: two tales that begin in calamity and show how to carry on!

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VIDEO, PHOTOS: South Park’s 2024 Fiestas Patrias Parade
September 14, 2024 11:02 pm
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 |   South Park | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

(WSB photos by Patrick Sand)

The most spectacular sight in today’s Fiestas Patrias Parade through South Park was at the end – dozens of horses and their riders.

According to the parade lineup we obtained from Sea Mar Community Health Centers, which presents the parade as well as the Fiestas Patrias festival at Seattle Center downtown, two groups participated – Folkloric Horses and Octavio Rios Horses. Mariachi musicians walked with some of them:

We also saw an aspiring rider:

The annual parade is an exuberant celebration of Latin American culture and heritage, in the month that many of those nations celebrate their independence. Before more photos, here’s our video of the entire parade, recorded at the starting point, 14th Avenue S. and S. Henderson (note the first few minutes were stop-and-start, before the parade began to flow) – this year’s theme was “Unifying Our Communities“:

The colors of flags and traditional dresses brightened the gray morning. The many folkloric and cultural groups included Joyas Mestizas, Folklore Mexicano Tonantzin, Grupo Folklore Costarricense, Grupo Folklore Grupo Folklore Salvadoreño, Somos Mujeres Latinas, and Sea Mar’s many locations:

The Duwamish Valley Youth Corps walked in the parade with environmental exhortations:

Local schools participated, including Chief Sealth International HS:

Denny International MS and Concord International Elementary marched too, as well as the Kennedy Catholic HS band (see them all in our full-parade video). One school, Whittier Elementary, came all the way from Ballard, with their unicycle team:

Wheeled entries also included the Malportados Vespa scooter club:

And with four wheels, a big turnout of lowriders from multiple car clubs, including Eazy Duz It, Lord Riderz, Family Stylez, Northwest Finest, and Panaderia la Ideal (again, you can see them all in our video):

And so many more people, including Grand Marshal Karla Mora from the Consulate of Mexico:

Marching in masks were El Diablos de Seattle:

SPD sent a delegation too (in addition to the officers who were guarding the periphery of the parade):

The parade was largely rain-free, aside from a brief bit of mist about halfway through, and lasted about 45 minutes at the starting point. Meantime, Sea Mar’s Fiestas Patrias festival at Seattle Center continues Sunday (here’s the program), 11 am-6 pm.

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SATURDAY: Fiestas Patrias Parade in South Park
September 13, 2024 9:54 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   South Park | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

(WSB photo from 2023 Fiestas Patrias Parade)

If you love parades, you don’t have to wait for next summer. Tomorrow (Saturday, September 14) brings this year’s Fiestas Patrias Parade in South Park, as part of the annual celebration of Latin American cultures and heritage. More than 40 entries are scheduled to participate, including groups from Denny International Middle School, Chief Sealth International High School, and Concord International Elementary. The entries also include folkloric dancers, horseback riders, mariachi musicians, car clubs, even the Seafair Pirates. The route starts at Sea Mar Community Health Centers, which presents the parade, continues eastbound on S. Henderson to 14th Avenue S., then turns west on S. Cloverdale and ends near South Park Community Center. It starts at 10 am.

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VIDEO: West Seattle Art Walk, September edition
September 12, 2024 6:22 pm
|    Comments Off on VIDEO: West Seattle Art Walk, September edition
 |   West Seattle Art Walk | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

6:22 PM: Evening sunshine is making this a great night to get out on the West Seattle Art Walk!

Our first stop, the West Seattle Art Tour preview at NOR Design and Construction (5953 California SW). Above is Carolyn Autenrieth, one of the artists who’ll be hosting a studio stop on the September 21 tour (#6); below, milliner Izzie Lewis, who will be participating in another stop with her hats:

Other artists we met included Linda Voelker:

And Daniel Bernunzio:

The space at NOR is full of artists and samples of their work, plus snacks, so stop by tonight and find out more about the Art Tour! We’re on our way to other spots – this post on the Art Walk website has shortcuts to the venue list and map for tonight. More to come!

6:47 PM: You still have another hour to go see one, two, or even all three of tonight’s Art of Music mini-concerts. We just stopped in at Great American Diner & Bar (4752 California SW, venue change) to listen to the Toujaise Flute Duo:

Jennie Goldberg and Jaime Cornutt comprise the duo (perhaps you’ve seen/heard them during “Flutes in the Forest” concerts at Schmitz Preserve Park). They’re playing until 7:45 pm, as are Trevor Ras at Welcome Road Winery (3804 California SW) and McPage & Powell at Pine Lake Cellars (5405 California SW). Art receptions elsewhere along The Walk are continuing until at least 8. P.S. Bonus music in The Junction – Johnny Nails in-store at Easy Street Records (4559 California SW) starting at 7!

ADDED: We’ve added two more artist photos above from our visit to the Art Tour preview. Later, while in The Junction, we also visited Jet City Labs, hosting Robin Jordan, who is this quarter’s featured Art Walk poster artist:

You can see her poster here. Set your calendar for next month’s Art Walk – October 10! (And the West Seattle Art Tour, a week from Saturday, on September 21.)

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WEST SEATTLE MUSIC: Evergreen Ensemble to perform Grammy-nominated work Sunday; here’s a ticket deal
September 11, 2024 3:06 pm
|    Comments Off on WEST SEATTLE MUSIC: Evergreen Ensemble to perform Grammy-nominated work Sunday; here’s a ticket deal
 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

This weekend brings a unique chance to enjoy choral excellence in West Seattle, with the Evergreen Ensemble performing one of its season-opening concerts here. The preview is from artistic director David Hendrix:

Our upcoming concert is on Sunday, September 15, at 3:00 pm at Holy Rosary Catholic Church and features a performance of the GRAMMY®-nominated piece, the Liturgy of St John Chrysostom, by American composer Benedict Sheehan. Drawing on the tradition of the great Russian liturgy settings by Rachmaninoff, Gretchaninov, and Tchaikovsky, this landmark work from Benedict is majestic, intimate, grand, mystical, and everything in between. The performance includes 33 of the finest professional ensemble singers from the Seattle area and beyond, and will feature basso profundo Glenn Miller and solo performances from bass Jason Thoms, baritone Harrison Hintzsche, and alto Sarra Sharif Doyle.

The Evergreen Ensemble is sponsoring WSB this week to be sure you hear about the concert – and to offer a ticket deal, 30 percent off. Buy your ticket(s) here and use the code LITURGY30.

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WEST SEATTLE ART: Another mural at Fauntleroy/Avalon
September 9, 2024 8:52 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

The Fauntleroy/Avalon vicinity already has the collaborative mural at Viva Arts (2021) and Desmond Hansen‘s Heart signal-box portrait (2019). Now add a new mural at the temporarily closed Starbucks. After a tip from Ian (thank you), we went over Sunday for a pic, and asked Starbucks about the mural today. It’s by artist Kyler Martz, who “has a place in Pigeon Point,” explained spokesperson Sam Jefferies. He added, “This mural is a celebration of West Seattle. Kyler gave nods to the Alki Lighthouse, the Fauntleroy ferry, mountains, and the ocean. The mythical giant octopus of Puget Sound (who often appears in Kyler’s work) is serving coffee to all. If you look carefully, you might find Kyler’s beloved cat Eddie and dog Penny hiding in the mural.” (Our archives show one previous mention of the artist – a mural at what was Bishop’s Barbershop and has since become Rudy’s. No file photo.) As for when the store will reopen – no date set yet, but it’s expected to happen before month’s end.

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Want to sing in a choir? Two in West Seattle are looking for new singers!
September 7, 2024 2:18 pm
|    Comments Off on Want to sing in a choir? Two in West Seattle are looking for new singers!
 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Two announcements we’ve received recently:

ALKI UCC OPEN CHOIR REHEARSAL: Tomorrow (Sunday, September 8) at 11:30 am, you’re invited to sing with the Alki UCC Choir in an open-to-all rehearsal starting the fall season with Music Director Stephen Anthony Rawson. The church’s announcement says, “All are welcome, regardless of experience, age, faith or non-faith. Join us to sing new and well-loved songs in a variety of musical styles, including traditional hymns, spirituals and gospel. Come once … keep coming back … there are no auditions or commitments.” Questions? music@alkiucc.org – the church is at 6115 SW Hinds.

WEST SIDE PRESBYTERIAN RECRUITMENT: This announcement isn’t date-specific, so if you’re interested, you can reach out as soon as you’re ready to find out more:

The choir of West Side Presbyterian Church in West Seattle is welcoming singers to join us who love to sing in our community. The choir sings in the beautiful sanctuary space at WSPC and is also joined by an orchestra ensemble for festival services. For more information about how to join our welcoming and vibrant group of people, please reach out to Music Director Anthony Spain at anthonys@wspc.org

WSPC is at 3601 California SW.

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Two ways to preview this year’s West Seattle Art Tour!
September 4, 2024 7:47 pm
|    Comments Off on Two ways to preview this year’s West Seattle Art Tour!
 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

The West Seattle Art Tour is just two and a half weeks away – and organizers have announced two ways you can preview it!

The West Seattle Art Tour, September 21, 2024, 10 am – 5 pm, is at 14 artist-hosted locations across West Seattle. This free, self-guided tour features a full spectrum of art, a chance to meet and talk with 55 participating artists, and the opportunity to purchase exceptional works of art, all while exploring West Seattle’s beautiful neighborhoods.

Get a sneak preview of 2024 West Seattle Art Tour during September 12th West Seattle Art Walk! A sampler of art from 2024 West Seattle Art Tour locations will be on display during September 12th West Seattle Art Walk, 5:00-8:00 pm at NOR Design and Construction, 5953 California Ave, Suite #100.

What you can do right now: Maps and Artist Gallery are Up! Visitors can plan their tour with the just-released online map, print off a paper copy of the map, and peruse a virtual gallery of all 55 artists on the Tour website.

West Seattle Art Tour is organized by an all-volunteer committee of more than 20 artists and art lovers with support from West Seattle Art Walk. Individuals interested in supporting the West Seattle Art Tour can reach out to WSArtHop@gmail.com.

This is the third year for the Art Tour (previously known as Art Hop & Shop).

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FOLLOWUP: Lafayette Elementary’s new volunteer-assisted mural
September 2, 2024 8:38 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS culture/arts

Thanks to Al for sending the photos! As previewed here, volunteers assisted Urban ArtWorks these past two days in decorating Lafayette Elementary‘s portable classrooms with murals.

Al says he was told more than 70 volunteers showed up over the two days of painting!

Here’s Alex Nason from Urban Art Works signing the mural.

Classes at Lafayette – and other Seattle Public Schools – start on Wednesday.

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WEST SEATTLE ART: Juliana Kang Robinson’s ‘Pojagi Mounds’ at Walt Hundley Playfield
September 1, 2024 12:48 pm
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 |   High Point | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks | WS culture/arts

One of West Seattle’s newest murals is adorning the restroom building at Walt Hundley Playfield (34th/Myrtle), installed earlier this summer. We hadn’t heard about it until a brief Seattle Parks online mention this week; we went over for a closer look, and also contacted artist Juliana Kang Robinson to find out more.

She tells us the installation, commissioned by the city, is called “Pojagi Mounds.”

Pojagi Mounds is a landscape of belonging and togetherness. The design is inspired by pojagi, the historic Korean patchwork artform using scrap fabric to create cloths that were integral to a person’s daily life. They were used as tablecloths, to deliver gifts, to carry possessions on a journey, and protect valuables. Wrapping a gift in a pojagi communicated respect for the object and good will toward the recipient. Each patch added by the maker was like a prayer of good will that would enfold and carry the gift. For me pojagi represents how diverse members of a community can come together to enfold and carry one another. Pojagi Mounds underscores how the whole is more than the sum of its parts. A mountain is more than simply soil, plants and rocks just as we people in a society are greater when unified. My goal for this public artwork is to create a visual representation of this concept that spur viewers to ponder the beautiful and complex way that different parts can come together to unify and elevate us beyond the self.

She continues:

I used a traditional Korean color scheme called Obangsaek. Obangsaek means “Five Orientations” in balance with the universe – East (blue), West (white), South (red), North (black) and Center (yellow) to promote harmony while warding off evil spirits. In my work I like to incorporate animals with strong family bonds both in reference to the various creation myths and for the conjuring of strength, courage and belonging. In this mural I also wanted to honor our local “ecosystem engineers,” the beavers known for changing and maintaining ecosystems which significantly boost local biodiversity. I also love both creatures as a symbols for familial strength and working hard for one’s family and community.

You can see more of her work on her website.

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