WS culture/arts 2740 results

Big news from the West Seattle Community Orchestras – two new conductors. And the organization has opened registration for the new season, which starts soon. Here’s the announcement:

The West Seattle Community Orchestras organization is welcoming two new conductors.

Asieh Mahyar, who serves as the interim Director of Orchestral Studies at Pacific Lutheran University, will conduct the Symphony Orchestra. Originally from Iran and one of the very few female conductors from her country, Ms. Mahyar brings in her extensive experience working with ensembles at various levels and in different countries. For the 2024-2025 season, she eagerly looks forward to leading the Symphony Orchestra on a fantastic musical journey. Dynamic and vibrant, the repertoire will include festive Holiday music, selections from timeless masterworks, premieres of music by composers from diverse cultural backgrounds, and inspiring collaborations with distinguished local musicians.

The Wind Symphony is getting some new direction under Justin Murray as well. Justin is an active music educator, clinician, and conductor who also works as the Director of Membership at Classical KING (98.1 FM). This year, he is particularly excited about returning to directing an ensemble and sharing the process and experience of making music with members of our West Seattle Community.

If you want to join one of the 6 ensembles of WSCO, registration is currently open for returning and new members, with auditions on September 17 and rehearsals starting on October 8 at Chief Sealth International High School.

CAN YOU HELP? Labor Day weekend mural painting at West Seattle school

| How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS culture/arts

(WSB file photo)

Urban Art Works is hoping for more helping hands to paint a mural at Lafayette Elementary this weekend. If you can spare a little time Sunday and/or Monday, read on:

Volunteers Needed ✨

Volunteers! Join us for painting at Lafayette Elementary School in West Seattle! We’re painting the exterior walls of two portable classrooms, the project is on a very tight turnaround as we’re aiming to start and complete the mural in two days! With your help, we can do it!

When: Labor Day Weekend — Sunday, September 1st & Monday, September 2nd
Time: Shifts are available in 1.5-hour slots from 10 AM to 4 PM
Where: Lafayette Elementary, 2645 California Ave SW

We’re aiming to complete this mural before school starts on the 4th. The first slot is open to all levels (adults), with intermediate and advanced slots in the middle of the day and afternoon. Our goal is to complete the mural on Sept 1st, with Sept 2nd being a back-up day for any necessary touch-ups; if we are able to finish on the 1st, the 2nd will be canceled, so make sure to sign up for the 1st if you want to make sure to get a chance to paint :)

Sign up for as many slots as you like, and let’s paint!

*Sign up here

*Parking Info: Find parking at the back of the school by turning into the alley next to Wiseman’s Appliance on California Ave.

Don’t forget your paint clothes, water, and sunscreen!

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MUSIC: Fastbacks visit Easy Street Records to preview first album in 25 years

| West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

That’s our video from the Fastbacks‘ reunion at West Seattle Summer Fest 2011 – they start playing after an almost two-minute intro by Easy Street Records proprietor Matt Vaughan. Fast-forward 13 years to tonight, when Matt hosted the legendary Seattle rockers at his Junction store, where you can buy Fastbacks’ first new album in a quarter century.

The red vinyl in that photo is the album, “For WHAT Reason!” The band didn’t play at Easy Street tonight but, after an advance listening session, did sign the new album and sat down with one of their former drummers, the also-legendary Duff McKagan, for a roundtable discussion.

Here’s how Matt and Duff introduced the band members:

We couldn’t stay for the discussion but if you’re interested in background on how the new Fastbacks album came to be, check this out. If you missed the chance to hear it at Easy Street tonight, you can preview one of the cuts here and see the video for another one here.

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WEST SEATTLE MUSIC: Be a ringer!

August 29, 2024 9:31 am

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| West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

The West Side Ringers invite you to make music with them, and asked us to publish this announcement:

The West Side Ringers are looking for people to ring English Handbells. No experience is necessary, as we are open to all skill levels. We meet on Wednesdays from 3:30-5 pm. Our group currently plays at retirement communities as a service to seniors! If interested, send an email to anjdroege@gmail.com.

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WEST SEATTLE ART: Desmond Hansen mural at O’Neill Plumbing

August 28, 2024 12:44 pm

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| West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Not far from his earliest signal-box work – portraits of Jimi Hendrix and Kurt Cobain – artist Desmond Hansen has painted another mural on California Avenue SW in Morgan Junction. This one was for, and of, the O’Neill Plumbing (WSB sponsor) family. That’s Tim O’Neill in our photo, taken this morning. The mural is on the north side of the former Sub Shop building into which the O’Neill Plumbing HQ has expanded. O’Neill Plumbing is one of West Seattle’s longest-running businesses, founded in 1917.

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VIDEO: Festival Centroamericano 2024 at Westcrest Park

August 25, 2024 2:23 pm

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| Highland Park | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks | WS culture/arts

The cultures of seven Central American countries – Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama – are at the heart of a festival happening right now in West Seattle. Festival Centroamericano has returned to Westcrest Park (9000 8th SW), with performances, food, art, and more, until 6 pm. It’s all on the big field at the north end of the park.

Among the performers who have already taken the stage (video above and photo below) were Los Rebeldes de la Cueca (Chilean):

Folklore de Costa Rica went out into the audience to dance with spectators:

It’s a beautiful afternoon in the park – you can bring a chair and enjoy it all:

Here’s the performance schedule for the rest of the afternoon:

2:35 pm – Folklore Guatemala de Seattle
2:55 pm – Abuty Band
3:25 pm – Bailes y Alegria Panamá
3:50 pm – Karaoke
4:15 pm – Espiritu Libre
5:00 pm – Orgullo Cuzcatleco del Salvador
5:20 pm – Don Remo
5:50 pm – Blue Morpho

The festival is presented by Organizacion Centro Americano.

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‘ALMOST LIVE!’ TURNS 40: West Seattle journalist/historian tells the show’s story

August 25, 2024 9:04 am

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle online | WS culture/arts

Shortly after we moved here in 1991 so your editor could start work at a local TV station, we happened onto a local comedy show on a different station – and for most of the rest of that decade, it was a regular part of our Saturday nights, as it was for so many people back then.

(September 1994 TV Guide page kept by Tracey Conway, used with Now & Then permission)

The show, “Almost Live!“, was almost midway through its 15-year-run on KING TV by the time we first watched, a half-hour that made fun of current events as well as specific Seattle-and-vicinity neighborhoods – with sketches like “Ballard Driving Academy,” “Cops in Wallingford,” “East Side Story,” even “The Making of Studs of South King County,” as well as lampooning life in the Northwest – the timeless tale of “Seattle Summer”, for example.

We’d heard The Seattle Times was looking back this weekend on “Almost Live!” to mark 40 years since the show’s debut, synergizing with a Museum of History and Industry exhibit that opens next weekend. What we didn’t know was that a West Seattle journalist/historian wrote the stories comprising a package that figures prominently in today’s print edition of The Times, especially its Pacific Magazine, until that writer, Clay Eals, mentioned it while visiting our booth at Saturday’s Admiral Funktion street festival.

The “Almost Live!” exploration is in the spirit of the “Now & Then” columns that Clay co-produces for the newspaper’s weekly magazine, but much more in-depth. And you don’t have to be a Times subscriber to see the results of the three months Clay spent diving into “Almost Live!” – the Now & Then website has even more. And Clay mentioned two West Seattleites who factor into it – more on that in a moment. First, some links: The main Times story is here; as Clay writes, the show “proved that a major city could laugh at itself with universal appeal.” Even if you were an “Almost Live!” superfan, his story will likely tell you a lot you didn’t know about its history and origins. And if you’ve ever wondered what happened to the performers – who were among the 30+ people Clay interviewed – here’s that story. Then there’s the story about the MOHAI exhibit’s champion, and a related Now & Then column. Oh, plus “Where to find more ‘Almost Live!‘,” including YouTube.

If that sounds like a lot, consider that Clay says it’s only a fraction of what you’ll find on the Now & Then website – start here and wander at will. (If you can’t see the Times stories because of the paywall, Clay’s site has free-to-view versions of them all.)

Now, as for the West Seattleites who factor into this: First, one of the regular performers on “Almost Live!”, Tracey Conway, is a WS resident. Here’s a video she produced with some of her favorite characters:

And here she is in a recent photo by Clay:

He notes, “She’s quoted in the cover story and shown in 14 photos therein. But she also is part of the sketches sidebar” – best and most-overlooked sketches – and the material on Now & Then includes excerpts from his interview with her.

A West Seattleite playing a smaller but memorable role, Clay points out, is Aurora Bennett, who runs John Bennett Properties. “At age 8, she stars in one of what I say in the sketches sidebar is an ‘overlooked’ sketch, ‘Totally Realistic Barbi’ (no typo), just 1:40 long, from 1994. Quite timely given last year’s Barbie movie phenomenon. Tracey Conway plays her mom.” You can see it here.

If you get the print edition of The Times, Clay says “Almost Live!” stories and photos comprise 18 of the magazine’s 26 pages, as well as “a significant chunk of The Mix,” the arts-and-entertainment section of the paper itself. Meantime, the MOHAI exhibit opens August 31st and is expected to be on display for six months – here’s more about it.

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Opening weekend for musical co-written by West Seattleite

August 23, 2024 11:29 pm

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| Not WS but we're mentioning it anyway | West Seattle people | WS culture/arts

Tonight was opening night for “Come On, Get Tappy!”, a new musical that’s been 20 years in the making, co-written by West Seattle resident Stacie Hart (photo at right). The musical is playing at SecondStory Repertory in Redmond. Hart, a longtime theater artist, worked with creative partner Harry Turpin to bring it to life. The theater’s announcement of the production says it “promises a delightful blend of humor, music, and dance,” elaborating:

“Come On, Get Tappy!” follows Tappy McCrackin, the pint-sized star of the “Tappy McCrackin Variety Hour,” as she fights off the bad guys on the night of the show’s 25th-anniversary broadcast. Aptly described as ”Annie meets Carol Burnett meets Scooby-Doo,” this campy, family-friendly production is poised to captivate audiences of all ages. Vibrant sets, crackling comedic dialogue, lots of sequins, and big dance numbers will make it a truly unforgettable spectacle that’s great for kids and adults. Plus, the team has some surprises in store that will make the show feel truly immersive. The “Come On, Get Tappy!” experience will be luxe, and it will begin as soon as theatergoers enter the lobby, before they’re in their seats.

The announcement quotes Hart as saying, “We’ve worked on this show through life, marriage, kids, a pandemic, and more – and it’s held together. It is stronger than ever and I can’t wait to see it come to life.” The backstory from the musical’s origins to this premiere run is here, dating all the way back to an offhand joke and a made-up nickname. A spokesperson for the production notes that these aren’t easy times for original theater, so “it’s nothing short of a miracle that this show has found funding, is fully orchestrated, and is currently being produced with an all-star cast of respected theatre artists in our area.” The musical has 16 more performances at SecondStory Repertory, including weekend matinees; tickets and showtimes are here. (The theater is at Redmond Town Center, 7325 166th NE in Redmond.)

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WEEKEND PREVIEW: Festival CentroAmericano returns to West Seattle on Sunday

August 22, 2024 9:51 am

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| West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

(WSB file photo)

Before we get to today’s reminders of calendar highlights, one more weekend note – we just found out last night that Festival CentroAmericano is returning to Westcrest Park this Sunday (August 25).

The celebration of Central American cultures is planned for noon-6 pm Sunday. It has rotated locations between West Seattle and South Park in recent years and this year it’s back here; Westcrest is at 9000 8th SW.

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ANNIVERSARY: 1 week until 1 year since West Seattle met its troll. Here’s how to be part of next Sunday’s celebration of Bruun Idun’s anniversary

August 18, 2024 2:54 pm

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| How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks | WS culture/arts

August 25, 2023, was the day that Bruun Idun the troll was officially introduced near Colman Pool in Lincoln Park (WSB coverage here), after weeks of semi-secret construction by Danish recycled-materials artist Thomas Dambo and volunteers. Next Sunday is the one-year anniversary, and a restoration event is at the heart of the celebration:

The restoration work party is planned from 10 am to noon Sunday, August 25 – followed by ice cream! Forest steward Lisa McGinty sent the invitation:

August 25th is BRUUN IDUN DAY in Seattle! Celebrate with our much-loved troll in Lincoln Park. We’ll be working to restore natural areas surrounding the troll and making space for winter planting season. After our work is done, Scan Design Foundation will be treating all to an ICE CREAM SOCIAL as we honor Bruun Idun and the land and sea where she calls home. Great opportunity for student service hours!

All ages are welcome; bring your own gloves if you have them, but if you don’t, you’ll be able to borrow a pair, with tools available too. You’re asked to RSVP – you can do that right now, here.

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PHOTOS: First-ever Rat City Art and Food Walk

August 15, 2024 5:46 pm

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| West Seattle news | White Center | WS culture/arts

(Mia Tran painting outside Crawfish House)

5:46 PM: Thanks to Meghan for the tip on this new monthly event launching tonight in White Center and South Delridge! The first-ever Rat City Art and Food Walk – organized by the White Center Business Alliance – is happening right now, continuing until 9 pm and, at some venues, beyond. Here’s the list of participants as published by organizers:

1. 2 Fingers Social – Live Painting, DJ, Tattoos!
2. Nepantla Cultural Arts Gallery – Vecinos Art Show
3. Nacho Mama – $5 Mini Native Tacos
4. Misfits Strength Studio – Circus Art
5. Boombox – Karaoke 9 pm-close
6. Lumberyard – Live Art, GameNite 8pm, Happy Hour 4-7 pm
7. Mynt – Gift with Mural Selfie and Social Media Post
8. Alebrijes Oaxacan Kitchen – Kids/Youth Painting & Food Specials
9. Big Mario’s Pizza and Alpine Diner – Live Music & Food Specials
10. Southgate Roller Rink Bar – Karaoke w/ Baby Metten
11. Tim’s Tavern – Live Music W/ Dusty 45s & Tropical Itch Art By Henry Ward
12. Sap Sap Lao Deli – Meatball Skewer Special & Tofu & Gluten Free Sauce Special
13. Que Chevere – Latin Music & Food Specials
14. Crawfish House – Live Painting by Mia
15. Puffy Pandy – DJ, Live Painting, Interactive Panda Mural, Artist Marketplace, $5 Ice Cream Puffys
16. Lariat Bar – Live Art by Nolan Harris & Market by John X Garaizar & Sing in the Ring Karaoke with Christopher Mychael
17. Blu Grouse – Gears N Beers

More photos to come.

6:46 PM: We visited what are essentially the north and south ends of tonight’s zone. Next to the artist in our top photo, MG Creations is at work outside Puffy Pandy:

Across 16th at wrestling-themed Lariat Bar, wrestling-themed art is being created by Nolanium:

At the north end, 2 Fingers Social was jumping – multiple artists, including Rosie Pringle with Super Nature:

Outside, a shave-ice pop-up with White Center’s own Patrick’s Café and Bakery:

You can wander until 9 pm – and make plans for the second Rat City Art and Food Walk on September 19.

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SIGN UP, SING OUT! Endolyne Children’s Choir fall registration

August 14, 2024 9:04 am

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| West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

(West Seattle Grand Parade 2024 photo courtesy Endolyne Children’s Choir)

Maybe you saw them in the West Seattle Grand Parade, or in The Junction before last December’s tree lighting? The Endolyne Children’s Choir serenades much of West Seattle each year, and young singers interested in being part of it are invited to register for the choir’s fall season. Registration for singers in grades K-12 opens at 10 this morning; here’s what the choir promises:

Our fall session will offer singers a rich experience of the sights and sounds of the season. Students will embark upon an autumnal musical adventure, with songs delving into the traditions and harvests of the fall. The journey continues with singers showcasing the beauty of the holiday season in our spectacular “Winter Fantasy” performance. Along the way, choristers will explore different modalities and diverse musical styles, while making friends, having fun, and honing ensemble skills

You’ll find the registration link on the choir’s main webpage.

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Scenes from August 2024’s West Seattle Art Walk

August 8, 2024 6:40 pm

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| West Seattle Art Walk | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

6:40 PM: Second Thursdays bring the West Seattle Art Walk, and it’s happening right now! We stopped first at West Seattle Realty (2715 California SW; WSB sponsor), featuring two artists tonight – Mike Henderson (profiled here recently) and Charlie Harries. They collaborated on work including what you see in our top photo.

Charlie is celebrating his birthday (there’s cake!) and Mike showed us his newly published children’s book “Rocks: What Are They Doing?”.

He’ll be leading a puppet-making workshop at WSR on upcoming Thursdays (starting August 15), 4-7 pm, culminating in a puppet show at the August 24th Admiral Funktion street party! Mike and Charlie are at WSR until 8 tonight. More to come – check out tonight’s featured artists and venues here!

6:59 PM: That’s some of the work of artist Matthew D Hoover, at West Seattle Grounds (2141 California SW) tonight; he says his work often depicts places he’s been, from Eastern Washington to Tuscany and beyond.

He works in oil and acrylic, primarily. WSG is also one of the three Art of Music venues:

Joshua Dennis is scheduled to play until 7:45, same end time for Larry Murante at Beveridge Place Pub in Morgan Junction and Fae Wiedenhoeft at John L. Scott in The Junction.

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WEST SEATTLE SCENE: Center for Active Living’s community open house and mural preview

August 8, 2024 5:56 pm

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| West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

That’s a peek at part of the mural that will soon wrap around the Center for Active Living – debuting tonight at the center’s Community Open House. You can talk to artist Brady Black, who has examples of his other work too:

The mural will wrap around the front and side of the center, facing California and Oregon, and will include images of members. Meantime, inside the center at 4217 SW Oregon, you can also find out about its programs (more than 40 offered every week) and its “well-kept secret” restaurant, Margie’s Café (which you can visit even if you’re not one of the center’s 1,300+ members):

Amy Lee Derenthal is the center’s executive director:

The open house is on until 8, and then the center remains open until 10 pm for an ’80s dance party – free admission, live DJ, beverages (beer, wine, nonalcoholic) available for purchase.

P.S. Whether you stop by tonight or not – as we mentioned a few days ago, the center is welcoming new volunteers!

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Three notes from Center for Active Living: Open house, mural update, call for volunteers

August 6, 2024 12:05 pm

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| Fun stuff to do | How to help | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

The Center for Active Living (ex-Senior Center) in The Junction has three things to share:

OPEN HOUSE AND DANCE PARTY THURSDAY: Haven’t visited the center lately – or ever? 5-8 pm Thursday (August 8) you’re invited to a community open house, with tours and refreshments. Then 8-10 pm, stay for an ’80s dance party – no charge, beverages (beer, wine, non-alcoholic) available for purchase, along with “throwback-themed snacks.” Dress ’80s-style if you want to!

MURAL UPDATE: We’ve reported previously on the center’s plan for an exterior mural, and the choice of artist Brady Black to paint it. The center says he “will present his final design for The Center’s mural this Thursday at the Community Open House … He’ll be available to chat with community members and answer questions about his process. He is planning to begin painting the week of August 18.”

CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS: The center is a nonprofit powered in large part by volunteers. Maybe you can help? Here’s the announcement we were asked to share:

The Center for Active Living is currently in need of volunteers to fill the following positions:

Retail Sales Clerk/Cashier: provide general customer assistance in the retail thrift shop

Chef Assistant: help prepare meals for Community Dining Program; chop, bake and general commercial kitchen help

Kitchen Dishwasher: load and unload a commercial kitchen dishwasher

Café Attendant: Take customer orders and prepare sandwiches and salads in The Center’s onsite café

Westside Friends: provide companionship and support to seniors in their home location in West Seattle

Must be 18 years of age or older, and shifts are generally weekdays during the day, and can be two to three hours in duration. Flexible scheduling options are available. To apply, click this link to complete a volunteer application or email dannyp@wscenter.org

The center is at 4217 SW Oregon.

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OPEN AUDITIONS: Seattle Civic Dance Theatre tryouts coming up for ‘The Magical Doll Maker’

August 4, 2024 2:22 pm

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| West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

While we’re talking about dance – West Seattle-based Seattle Civic Dance Theatre asked us to let you know they’re having free, open auditions later this month for its 34th annual presentation of “The Magical Doll Maker.” The open ballet auditions for ages 8 through 18 will be on Sunday, August 25 – here’s the schedule:

Beginning level dancers 12 pm- 1 pm

Intermediate/Advanced level dancers 1 pm-2 pm

Auditions will be held at 15811 Ambaum Blvd. SW, Suite 160, Burien

To Register: Find the link here or email Allison, SCDT Board President, at scdtboard@gmail.com

There’s more information about the tryouts on this flyer.

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READER VIDEO: Another summer festival celebration in West Seattle

August 4, 2024 12:49 pm

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| Puget Ridge | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Thanks to Peter S. Miller for that video from a Morris dance performance at Duwamish Cohousing earlier this week. He explained:

The group performed at Duwamish Cohousing, then went to Lincoln Park and danced around the troll. All for the Celtic Festival of Lammas/Lughnasadh.

First, if you haven’t heard of Morris dancing (we’ll admit, we hadn’t), here’s a detailed history. As for the festival, that too has a long history (here’s a short summary), but is generally explained as a harvest festival celebrated around August 1, also noting the coming transition from summer to autumn.

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FOLLOWUP: Artist repairs vandalized West Seattle Junction ‘Old Mud Hole’ mural

July 30, 2024 3:33 pm

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| West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

That’s the mural “Old Mud Hole” – now repaired, weeks after a tagger used red paint to vandalize it. When we reported on the damage last week, West Seattle Junction Association executive director Chris Mackay was still working to figure out how to restore it, since the WSJA’s graffiti team said they couldn’t do it without destroying the underlying mural. Then on Monday, a reader texted us a photo of someone at work on the mural:

And this morning, we found the tagging gone. It reminded us of what happened seven years ago, when another Junction mural was vandalized by tagging, and a mystery artist appeared to clean it up. Mackay tells us this is the same artist: “We talked last night and she got on it. Her name is Tess Morgan. She is a trained artist and has worked on other WS murals.” (Our archives show this one in 2012.)

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Desmond Hansen’s new signal-box portrait: Tribute to West Seattle-born composer Earl Robinson, thanks to an auction donation

July 26, 2024 10:46 pm

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle people | WS culture/arts

(WSB photo)

That’s the newest signal-box portrait painted by West Seattle artist Desmond Hansen. It’s at California and Hanford [map]; a reader tipped us about it today. It’s a tribute to Earl Robinson (1910-1991), an accomplished composer who spent his early and late life in West Seattle. His life was chronicled by West Seattle filmmaker, storyteller, and educator B.J. Bullert in a televised documentary, “Earl Robinson: Ballad of an American,” after his death in 1991 in a car crash on Admiral Way.

Earl Robinson Ballad of an American from BJ Bullert on Vimeo.

You can also thank Bullert for the new portrait, as well as Hansen – it’s the result of her winning bid at this year’s Southwest Seattle Historical Society auction (as we noted in our report on that event). After her $1,200 bid scored the right to commission a box by Hansen (his donation for the auction), she said she was envisioning Earl Robinson. She was there today as Hansen worked on the box:

(Photo by Ken Workman)

The location is doubly relevant – Mr. Robinson attended West Seattle High School, around the corner, and, Bullert says, lived at 41st and Manning, blocks away, a few years before his death. Some of his better-known songs, she says, are “Joe Hill” – “Joan Baez sang ‘Joe Hill’ as did many on picket lines. Frank Sinatra sang ‘The House I Live In,’ and Paul Robeson sang ‘Ballad for Americans.’ Three Dog Night made ‘Black and White’ a hit. Lots more. One of his last songs was ‘Message from a New Address’ about death. It’s in the film.” In addition to watching her film, you can learn more about Earl Robinson from this HistoryLink essay.

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Restoration dilemma after West Seattle Junction mural vandalized again

July 26, 2024 1:25 pm

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| Crime | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

(Cropped photo – the red-paint tagging extends the full length and to the bottom edge)

If you’ve been to the West Seattle Junction parking lot behind the KeyBank block in the past few weeks, you might have noticed the extensive tagging vandalism on the mural along the south side of the lot, “The Old Mud Hole.” Thanks to Doug for the photos – including this one showing the plaque with the mural’s history:

This is at least the second time in five years that vandals have damaged this mural – here’s one of our 2019 reports – and this time, restoration poses a dilemma. Chris Mackay of the West Seattle Junction Association tells WSB, “Our graffiti team attempted to clean the mural but it’s not possible without destroying it.” So for starters, she’s trying to reach its artist, Mike Svob (who is in British Columbia). This mural is one of 11, mostly in The Junction, created and installed more than 30 years ago as part of a civic enhancement/beautification project. Some were restored through an endowment from the late Adah Rhodes Cruzen, widow of Earl Cruzen, who had spearheaded that original project. WSJA’s Mackay tells us there is some money available to restore this mural – depending on what the cost turns out to be.

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VIDEO: Admiral Music in the Parks @ California Place Park

July 25, 2024 6:43 pm

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle parks | WS culture/arts

6:43 PM: We’re at California Place Park, between a Metro stop and Admiral Church, where Michael Pearsall is playing as the first half of a double bill for the second Admiral Music in the Parks concert, presented by the Admiral Neighborhood Association.

He’s a veteran musician, playing a self-accompanied set of originals. (He talked about his many years on the road with band Honor by August.) He’ll be followed by the Westside Pretenders. This free concert continues until about 8 pm – come join your neighbors at the park (and if you can, bring non-perishable food to donate).

7:36 PM: The Westside Pretenders have just started their set, opening with the classic “Midnight Rider.”

If you can’t come see this show, the AMP series has one more concert – next Thursday, August 1, 6:30 pm, with The ABBAgraphs, at Hamilton Viewpoint Park.

10:40 PM: Added photos and video.

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WEEK AHEAD: Closing reception for Log House Museum’s award-winning Longfellow Creek exhibit

July 21, 2024 5:57 pm

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| West Seattle history | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

(Photo by Tom Reese)

As we look at the week ahead, here’s an event to which you’re invited: The closing reception for an award-winning exhibit at the Log House Museum, 6-8 pm this Thursday (July 25). Here’s the announcement:

Join the Southwest Seattle Historical Society, photographer Tom Reese, the Duwamish Alive Coalition, and Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association on Thursday, July 25 to celebrate the success of t?awi Creek of Hope. The exhibit will be closing at the end of the month.

The award-winning exhibit tells the story of West Seattle’s ancient Longfellow Creek from when salmon first chose to make it their home, through intense urbanization in the late 19th and 20th centuries, through today when the creek and its people are beginning to tell a new story – one of renewed hope.

It features photographs of the creek from award-winning photographer and author Tom Reese and is a collaboration between the historical society, the Duwamish Alive Coalition, and the Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association.

“The exhibit has provided a unique opportunity to talk about the natural environment in highly urbanized and industrialized areas. The photos by Tom Reese stunningly describe both the power of this creek to support wildlife and persevere, but also how human impact – both negative and positive – can effect change,” says Elizabeth Rudrud, programs and outreach director. Rudrud also acknowledges the leadership of Sharon Leishman, Executive Director at Duwamish Alive Coalition, and Caroline Borsenik, Environmental Programs Director at DNDA, in creating new connections between the historical society and environmental leaders and educators across the region.

This partnership also resulted in extensive community-wide programs including guided hikes led by DNDA Environmental Education Staff and a sold-out panel discussion hosted at the Duwamish Longhouse and Cultural Center that featured researchers from the University of Washington Center for Urban Waters and City of Seattle Public Utilities, authors Kelly Brenner, The Naturalist at Home, and Tom Reese, Once and Future River: Reclaiming the Duwamish, and several community partners.

Last month the exhibit won an Award of Excellence in Exhibits from the Washington Museum Association. To register for the free event, go here!

The Log House Museum is at 3003 61st SW.

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VIDEO: Admiral Music in the Parks’ first concert, featuring Troy Aylesworth and The Potholes

July 18, 2024 6:37 pm

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| Fun stuff to do | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

6:37 PM: Happening right now at Belvedere Park, the first of this year’s three summer concerts presented by the Admiral Neighborhood Association. They’ve given a new name – Admiral Music in the Parks – to what was for many years Summer Concerts at Hiawatha (which isn’t a viable venue currently because of the community-center overhaul). Each of this year’s concerts will be at a different park in Admiral. Tonight’s series-opening show is a double bill, Troy Aylesworth (who’s up first) and The Potholes. Get here before 8 pm if you’re not here already – bring a chair and/or blanket and/or picnic.

7:17 PM: A bit of Troy Aylesworth’s music (more video when we get back to HQ):

He is wrapping up his set now – classic Seattle-style sound (you won’t be surprised to hear he’s part of a Stone Temple Pilots tribute band). Meantime, the crowd has grown – lots of young families, some kids romping around even some bubbles if you look closely at this view:

Potholes up shortly.

7:26 PM: While The Potholes set up, ANA president Joanie Jacobs is talking about next week – at California Place Park, next to Admiral Church (which she says is providing power and restroom access for the concert – bring donations for the church food drive if you can). Next week’s music is another double bill – Michael Pearsall and Westside Pretenders.

7:36 PM: The Potholes are performing now.

Miles, Mitch, Hugo, and Jimmy, with Lucy singing.

8:22 PM: The Potholes concluded their set with the Hendrix classic “Fire,” and that’s it for the first Admiral Music in the Parks show. See you at California Place Park (we’re the series media sponsor) next Thursday (July 25), 6:30 pm!

11:50 PM: Added two more photos and two more videos.

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