WS culture/arts 2984 results

THURSDAY: Heart-y West Seattle Art Walk on Valentine’s Eve

February 12, 2020 8:52 pm
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 |   West Seattle Art Walk | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Thursday night, you’re invited to enjoy the Valentine’s Eve West Seattle Art Walk – here’s the map and list of venues:

From the official preview, some highlights:

CHOCOLATE: The unofficial flavor of Valentine’s Day will pop up at several spots, including Verity Credit Union (4505 California SW; WSB sponsor) and Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor), with wine/chocolate pairings – and no tasting fee if you’re there for the Art Walk!

ADMIRAL DISTRICT: Second month of Admiral participation! See the venue map/list for participants,

ARBOR HEIGHTS: Brace Point Gallery welcomes Art Walk-ers – details here.

RACHEL AUSTIN AT CLICK! An Art Walk favorite will bring new work to Click! Design That Fits (4540 California SW; WSB sponsor) 5-8 pm. See an example above!

The West Seattle Art Walk happens every second Thursday at venues around the peninsula, 5 pm “until late”!

VIDEO, PHOTOS: Student creativity spotlighted @ Southwest Arts Festival

(Art by Denny IMS students)

From the walls to the stage, it was a celebration of creativity Thursday night at Chief Sealth International High School, with 10 schools participating, including the hosts:

This was all part of the first-ever Southwest Regional Arts Festival, the first of three regional events planned to “highlight arts learning in SPS schools and arts programs.” 10 West Seattle/South Park public schools contributed visual and performing arts. The night began with dinner:

And then it was time to look and listen:

(Above and below, art by Chief Sealth IHS students)

Along with musical performance, there was also spoken-word art, including the poems, in Spanish, performed by Denny International Middle School students Yoana, Yelene, Jaylee, and Miguel:

They’ve been collaborating with the Jack Straw Cultural Center, and working with poet-in-residence Raul Sanchez. Mentorship was on display during the festival in other ways – the Seattle Art Museum had reps on hand to work with students on brass rubbings:

Ceramic art by West Seattle Elementary students drew attention:

West Seattle Elementary was also part of a combined-band performance also including Roxhill Elementary and Concord International:

And while we didn’t get them on video, Chief Sealth provided jazz, too, by Tea Cups and Honey:

The full list of participating schools:

Arbor Heights Elementary
Chief Sealth International HS
Concord International Elementary
Denny International MS
Gatewood Elementary
Highland Park Elementary
Interagency SW at Youngstown
Roxhill Elementary
Sanislo Elementary
West Seattle Elementary

This festival and the upcoming two elsewhere in the district are presented by The Creative Advantage, described as “a citywide initiative to expand equitable access to arts learning for every SPS student.”

SUMMER CAMP: Early-enrollment deal for Mode

February 6, 2020 10:15 am
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 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Watch that video to learn about Mode Music and Performing Arts – the nonprofit operated by Mode Music Studios (WSB sponsor) – as MMPA and MMS invite you to sign up early for music/theater summer camps at a discounted price!

Join us this summer for week-long day camps. Our summer camps that serve ages 6-11.

Before Care* 8:00-9:00
AM Camp 9:00 – 12:00
Lunch 12:00 – 12:30
PM Camp 12:30 – 3:30 pm

10 percent off if you enroll by March 1st. After-care is available for an extra charge, too. For registration and more details, go here.

THURSDAY: 10 local schools, 1 new arts festival

February 5, 2020 10:06 am
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 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS culture/arts

Just in from Seattle Public Schools:

On Thursday, February 6, 2020, The Creative Advantage will host the first of multiple regional arts festivals, starting in the southwest region of Seattle. The festival will take place at Chief Sealth High School from 5-8:00 p.m. and will feature visual and performing arts by elementary, middle, and high school students from the community.

From 5-6:00 p.m., there will be a free community dinner featuring African and Latin cuisine, along with visual and media arts displays, and community art activities, hosted by the Seattle Art Museum (SAM). At 6:00 p.m., student performances will begin in the Chief Sealth High School Performing Arts Center.

The Southwest Regional Arts Festival will be the first of three regional arts festivals, with others taking place in the southeast and the central regions of the city. Each regional festival will highlight arts learning in SPS schools and arts programs, and will feature student art and performances from all grade levels.

“We have incredible artists in Seattle Public Schools – creatives in dance, media arts, music, theatre,” said Gail Selhorst, SPS Manager of Visual and Performing Arts. “Regional Arts Festivals are a way to highlight this creativity with the broader community, and students have asked for more opportunities to showcase the arts in our district. Come see the show – all are welcome!”

The participating southwest region schools include Arbor Heights Elementary, Chief Sealth International High School, Concord International Elementary, Denny International Middle School, Gatewood Elementary, Highland Park Elementary, Interagency Southwest at Youngstown, Roxhill Elementary, Sanislo Elementary, and West Seattle Elementary.

The Creative Advantage, a citywide initiative to expand equitable access to arts learning for every SPS student, is a coordinated network that includes Seattle Public Schools, the Seattle Office of Arts & Culture, the Seattle Foundation, and more than 100 community arts partners. All of this is made possible through a generous grant from the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation.

Looking for a place to perform? North Delridge’s Dragonfly Pavilion on a new list

(WSB photo)

That’s the Dragonfly Pavilion in North Delridge, and it’s one of nine spots around the city on a new Seattle Parks list of locations where an incentive is offered for performance-based art – here’s the announcement:

Beginning this year, Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) is offering to waive fees for community members or groups to host performance-based art in select Seattle parks. Performances can consist of an array of styles, including theatrical, comedic, spoken word, toast masters, acoustical concert, and more.

This opportunity is open to new permittees that host their event in one of nine Seattle parks near or around the park’s amphitheater. Parks include: 6th Ave. NW Pocket Park, A.B. Ernst Park, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Civil Rights Memorial Park, Dr. Jose Rizal Park, Dragonfly Pavilion in Longfellow Creek Greenspace, Greenwood Park, Jimi Hendrix Park, Magnuson Park, and Othello Park.

Applications are based on a first come, first served basis on a rolling calendar. To qualify, applicants must be willing to meet the requirements for the fees to be waived. Requirements include the following: events must be open to the public, no amplified sound and no money collection is allowed, and selected applicants must provide event insurance, and commit to do outreach to the neighborhood where the event will take place.

Interested in applying? You can apply by visiting seattle.gov/parks/reserve/park-use-permits and downloading a Park Use Application. Application forms must be turned in to Seattle Parks and Recreation staff at the Event Scheduling Office or e-mailed to parkusepermits@seattle.gov. Approval can take 5-10 business days.

Outreach can include publication of an announcement – so if you decide to have a show there, let us know too!

WEST SEATTLE ART: Frances Smersh’s exhibit reception at The Mount

February 1, 2020 1:34 pm
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 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Friday night, despite the downpour, a crowd of well-wishers turned out for Frances Smersh‘s exhibit reception at Providence Mount St. Vincent. Friday also happened to be her birthday! ‘

Frances, co-founder of Click! Design That Fits (WSB sponsor) in The Junction with husband John Smersh, has been painting prolifically even as she lives with young-onset Alzheimer’s. Years ago, she volunteered as an art instructor at the Mount, so it was a “welcome back” event of sorts too.

As noted in this Click! website update about Frances and the show, you can see it in the second-floor gallery at The Mount (4831 35th SW) through February 15th, and then the paintings will be relocated to the fifth-floor gallery for another month. The Mount says you’re welcome to visit 8 am-8 pm, 7 days a week.

SHOWTIME! Alki Elementary students ready for ‘Shrek Jr.’

Congratulations to the young performers of Alki Elementary, who dress-rehearsed “Shrek Jr.” tonight at the West Seattle High School theater. According to the ticket-sales website, they have sold out all three shows – Friday night and Saturday afternoon and evening – except for one Saturday-afternoon ticket! The show has been in the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar for a while. And parent Jenna, who sent photos from rehearsals tonight and earlier, says the students have been working hard to get ready.

Best of luck – or as the stage saying goes, “Break a leg!” – to the Alki 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders in the cast, and their grownup helpers, including the Alki PTA, Stone Soup Theatre Group, and director Sophe Friedman and musical director Anna Richardson.

West Seattle weekend scene: Filthy FemCorps pop-up performance

A surprise show at California/Alaska a little more than an hour ago – that’s Filthy FemCorps, the band with the self-description “a hot bag full of fierce women who aren’t afraid to be weird, genuine, raw, sweaty, confident, honest, loving, and real.” They pop up now and then, here and there – same spot 10 months ago, in fact – but you can also catch them at pre-announced events, like the annual street-band celebration HONK! Fest West.

WEST SEATTLE ART: See Frances Smersh’s paintings @ The Mount

(“The Carnival,” painting by Frances Smersh)

Along with what’s on our daily highlights list, here’s another option: You are invited to visit an ongoing art show today – or any day in the next 3 weeks – at Providence Mount St. Vincent. On behalf of The Mount, Cynthia Flash explains:

Many West Seattle residents are familiar with Frances and John Smersh, who own Click! Design That Fits in the West Seattle Junction. Some also know that the couple has been quite forthcoming about Frances’s younger-onset Alzheimer’s, which was diagnosed in 2015 when she was just 48 years old. As the disease has progressed, Frances has continued to ground herself with art. Her pieces, always organic and abstract, have taken on an increasingly gestural quality. She works primarily in acrylic on wood block and continues to experiment with different mediums and techniques.

Because of Frances’s diagnosis, it’s even more poignant that she is able to host a show of her abstract paintings this month at Providence Mount St. Vincent assisted living and nursing home, where she volunteered as an assistant in the art class for several years. Her artwork will be on display through February 15th and the public is invited to stop by to look. The Mount is happy to host a show of a former volunteer who means so much to The Mount community.

The Mount is at 4831 35th SW and you are welcome to stop by to see Frances’s art 7 days a week, any time between 8 am and 8 pm.

12 for your West Seattle Saturday!

January 18, 2020 6:07 am
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 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

(“Backyard surprise” Great Blue Heron, photographed by Robin Sinner, shared via WSB Flickr group)

Here are the highlights for the first day of the three-day holiday weekend:

CLOSED FOR A GOOD REASON: Thunder Road Guitars (WSB sponsor) wants you to know they’re closed today because they’re off getting cool new stuff. (6400 California SW)

YOUTH BASKETBALL TRYOUTS: 8 am-10 am at the Seattle Lutheran High School gym, first of three tryout sessions for 7th- and 8th-grade girls and boys interested in new AAU program West Seattle Saints. (4100 SW Genesee)

WEST SEATTLE LINUX USERS GROUP: You’re invited! Regular meeting, 9 am at Fauntleroy YMCA. (9140 California SW)

GIVE THE GIFT OF LIFE: Blood supplies are low in the region after snow and ice kept donors away this past week, so give the gift of life if you can – 9 am-3 pm today at Westwood Village, south side. (2600 SW Barton)

FAMILY READING TIME: With Larry the Librarian! 11 am at Paper Boat Booksellers in Morgan Junction. Free. (6040 California SW)

BASKETBALL: Home games at Seattle Lutheran High School, hosting Mount Vernon Christian. Girls play at 2:30 pm; boys play at 4 pm. (4100 SW Genesee)

(Lincoln Park sunset, photographed by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)

KING COUNTY DEMOCRATS’ 2020 KICKOFF: 6-9 pm at the Duwamish Tribe Longhouse. Details and ticket info here. (4705 W. Marginal Way SW)

ROO AND THE FEW: Plus friends! 7-9 pm at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), “eclectic mix of originals and covers.” No cover. All ages. (5612 California SW)

‘HARVEY’: Last of three nights for this year’s student-directed West Seattle High School production – the classic play centered on a giant rabbit. 7:30 pm curtain at the WSHS Theater. (3000 California SW)

‘THE REVOLUTIONISTS’: 7:30 pm at ArtsWest, the new production – “a quartet of fierce women — Playwright Olympe de Gouges, assassin Charlotte Corday, former queen Marie Antoinette, and Haitian rebel Marianne Angelle — lose their heads in this irreverent, girl-powered comedy set during the French Revolution’s Reign of Terror.” Check for tickets here. (4711 California SW)

HILLBILLY SMARTYPANTS: Del Rey and Steve James at Kenyon Hall, 7:30 pm:

Del and Steve combine their original songs with roots, rag, and blues favorites by everyone from Memphis Minnie to Charlie Poole and Chuck Berry; all served up with a double helping of hot guitars, uke, and mandolin.

Ticket info here. (7904 35th SW)

SHAWN MICKELSON QUARTET: 8 pm at Pacific Room (WSB sponsor) on Alki – show details and cover info here. (2808 Alki SW)

SEE THE FULL LIST … by browsing our complete calendar!

SNOW DELAY: New dates for West Seattle HS student-directed play ‘Harvey’

January 15, 2020 5:25 pm
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 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | West Seattle weather | WS culture/arts

Today’s district-wide Seattle Public Schools closure means a one-day delay for opening night of West Seattle High School‘s student-directed play, “Harvey.” Its run will now be Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 7:30 pm, in the theater at WSHS (3000 California SW). Tickets are $10 at the door; see the cast and synopsis for the production here.

VIDEO: New home for Au Lac Vovinam’s West Seattle martial-arts classes

January 12, 2020 10:57 am
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 |   Triangle | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

The West Seattle VFW Hall (3601 SW Alaska) is the new home of martial-arts classes taught by Au Lac Vovinam, previously held at Neighborhood House. On Saturday, the organization held an open house to celebrate. That included a lion dance just before we arrived.

Here’s how they explain what they teach:

“Vovinam is a Vietnamese martial art founded in 1938 to provide practitioners with an efficient method of self-defense. Founding Master Nguyễn Lộc believed that martial arts would contribute to freeing Vietnam from colonial French rule by building strong minds, bodies, and spirits. Vovinam is practiced with and without weapons, and includes a wide range of techniques, making it a very well-rounded martial art. Ultimately, practitioners are taught the importance of using the skills they have developed to build a stronger community. Today, (80+) years since its founding, Vovinam has many training centers in almost all continents in the world (except Antarctica) with millions of disciples.”

The open house included demonstrations:

Classes are open to anyone at least 7 years old and will be taught on Saturday and Sundays, $50/month with a $50 uniform required. To find out more and/or to register, call 206-432-5873 or email aulacvvn@gmail.com.

UPDATE: Water shutoff cancels West Seattle Community Orchestras practices tonight

January 7, 2020 3:28 pm
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 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS culture/arts

3:28 PM: Just received from the West Seattle Community Orchestras:

Attention! NO WSCO TONIGHT.

Due to circumstances beyond our control, all WSCO activities at Chief Sealth International High School are canceled for tonight, January 7th. The building will be closed. Watch for re-scheduling information in the near future.

WSCO says it’s been told there’s a water shutoff affecting CSIHS. We’re checking with the district and Seattle Public Utilities.

4:06 PM: While we await further info from those sources, WSCO has been told it’s going to be a 6 pm-midnight shutoff, so apparently it’s planned.

YOUTH MUSIC: Want to sing? Winter session starts tonight for Endolyne Children’s Choir

January 7, 2020 10:24 am
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 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

The photo and announcement are from Endolyne Children’s Choir:

Endolyne Children’s Choir – West Seattle’s community choir since 2003 – kicks off our Winter Session tonight (Tuesday, January 7th) and it is a great time for new singers, from Kindergarten to High School, to join our fun and welcoming non-audition choir. Singers in kindergarten through 2nd Grade rehearse from 4:30 to 5:30 PM, 3rd through 5th grade rehearse from 5:45 to 6:45, and singers 6th through 12th grade rehearse from 7:00 to 8:30. Registration materials will be available before rehearsals at the Parish Hall at St. John The Baptist Church next to West Seattle High School. For more information, visit endolynechoir.org.

Our winter theme this year is Rhythm of Life. Music Director Megan McCormick and Staff Director Janelle Maroney have selected a fantastic repertoire to engage and challenge all of our choristers, whether new or returning. Debut singers (K-2nd) will transition from experiencing rhythm to tracing and beginning to write their own rhythms. Encore singers (3rd-5th) will also start writing rhythms, and eventually begin some rhythmic dictation. And for Advanced Ensemble (6th and up): we have some extra adventures in store for you! Singers will continue to sight read more complicated melodies, as well as begin performing some extremely challenging rhythmic music (For a sneak peek, watch this video).

The session will culminate with performances in March. This December we performed for friends and families in our Winter Fantasy concert, residents at The Kenney, at Seattle Center Winterfest and the West Seattle Tree Lighting, among other events, and we will continue this with our Winter Session Concert and more performances to be announced. Singers will also perform a fun song at our annual I Heart Endolyne Karaoke Night Fundraiser at Kenyon Hall on Friday, February 7th. This is our annual community building and fundraising event that is a highlight for our choristers and families.

New singers are welcome to try out the first rehearsal before registering and submitting payment. Tuition assistance is available. If you have questions or need more information, please email info@endolynechoir.org.

West Seattle weekend scene: Shopping, with music

December 21, 2019 2:17 pm
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 |   Holidays | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

As The Junction bustled with shoppers today, there was a musical surprise outside Carmilia’s Boutique at midday – caroling by the Byrd Ensemble. They’re a chamber vocal group whose artistic director Markdavin Obenza is a West Seattleite. The ensemble was out “Caroling for a Cause,” collecting donations to support Seattle Music Partners’ musical education for kids; if you missed them in The Junction, you can still donate by scrolling down the group’s home page.

WEST SEATTLE ART: Colorful Click! pop-up on a gray day

December 15, 2019 12:08 pm
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 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

As the official start of winter nears, here’s a reason to dream of spring – colorful garden-inspired art at Click! Design That Fits (4540 California SW; WSB sponsor). West Seattle artist Lorene Edwards Forkner is in the shop with prints of her paintings, described here as “part of a daily practice in which I pick something from my garden and try and capture the colors in what I call a watercolor gesture.” She’s debuting these color-blocked creations in a pop-up continuing until 3 pm today.

St. Nicholas Faire, Cocoa Cris Cringle, tea, tunes, more for your West Seattle Sunday!

December 15, 2019 6:07 am
|    Comments Off on St. Nicholas Faire, Cocoa Cris Cringle, tea, tunes, more for your West Seattle Sunday!
 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

(Northern Flicker, photographed by Mark Wangerin)

From the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide and Event Calendar:

SANTA PHOTOS: Find St. Nick at CAPERS, 9 am-noon, DIY photos with $20 suggested donation benefiting West Seattle Food Bank. (4525 California SW)

SANTA AT THE SCHOOLHOUSE: Your one chance this season for Santa photos at Fauntleroy Schoolhouse2 with Gail Ann Photography, 9 am-2 pm, “semi-private 10-minute visits with Santa,” packages starting at $30. 20% will be donated to the Fauntleroy Community Service Agency. “Children of all ages will experience the wonderment of everything Christmas as they are welcome to explore under the tree, chat with Santa, read a book with Santa and most important, share their Christmas list with Santa!” Pets welcome too. Walk-ins welcome. (9131 California SW)

BRINGING WARMTH: Bring blankets and coats to Chief Sealth IHS senior Emily Un‘s donation drive, 10 am-1 pm at Good Day Donuts in White Center. (9823 15th SW)

LAST DAY FOR TREES BY THE SEA: Presented by the same West Seattleites who bring you Shipwreck Honey, this Alki Christmas-tree lot is closing for the year after today. 10 am-8 pm. West Seattle tree delivery available! (2530 Alki SW)

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: Year-round in the street in The Junction, 10 am-2 pm. (California SW between SW Oregon and SW Alaska)

WREATH SALES: Pathfinder K-8 PTSA and students are selling handmade wreaths in The Junction during the West Seattle Farmers Market (10 am-2 pm). All proceeds go to support outdoor education. (California/Alaska)

NATIVE HOLIDAY GIFT FAIR: Duwamish Longhouse Native Northwest Holiday Gift Fair is open one last day, 10 am-5 pm: Native artists and vendors at a beautiful venue.(4705 W. Marginal Way SW)

VIVA TOUR: Vashon Island Visual Artists have an open-studio tour continuing today too and are sponsoring WSB to get the word out. 10 am-4 pm – last day! (Map and info here)

CLICK! POP-UP: Pop-Up with local artist Lorene Edwards Forkner at Click! Design That Fits (WSB sponsor), 10:30 am-3 pm. (4540 California SW)

SANTA + FACE-PAINTING: Santa House in The Junction, 11 am-2 pm, with free holiday face-painting. South end of Farmers’ Market. (California/Alaska)

BONUS SHOPPING DAY: Wyatt’s Jewelers (WSB sponsor) at Westwood Village is open Sundays noon-5 pm this season for extra holiday shopping. (2600 SW Barton)

SAINT NICHOLAS FAIRE AND AUCTION At First Lutheran Church of West Seattle from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm – unique shopping opportunity with dozens of themed gift baskets to bid on. Admission $5 per person or $15 per family. Bring a non-perishable food item. All proceeds go to the West Seattle Food Bank and the West Seattle Helpline. This year we will be having 3 events at the Faire: Silent Basket Auction, Live Auction, and Raffle for a 55” LG TV. (4105 California SW)

SANTA AT TRAM’S: Santa photos at Tram’s Salon, 1-4 pm. (4110 California SW)

SEASONAL SIPPING: Holiday High Tea at South Park Hall, 1 pm. Tickets here. (1253 S. Cloverdale)

JAMTIME: Bluegrass and more at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 1-4 pm. No cover. 21+. (5612 California SW)

FINAL PERFORMANCE: Join Twelfth Night Productions for “Miracle on 34th Street: A Live Radio Play. 3 pm at Kenyon Hall. Buy your ticket(s) online at this Brown Paper Tickets link, or at the venue box office. (7904 35th SW)

COCOA CRIS CRINGLE: Photo time at Easy Street Records, 4-7 pm: “Making my unique annual holiday memories with fun photos, $20 – hats, props, and candy canes provided. This year we have live musical accompaniment with keys by Hugh Sutton; I will be singing some holiday classics! Pets welcome. Proceeds benefit the West Seattle Food Bank.” (California/Alaska)

CHURCH CONCERT #1: Enjoy music of the season in a free vocal and instrumental concert at Fauntleroy Church, starting at 4 pm in the sanctuary. Fully accessible by elevator from parking. (9140 California SW)

CHURCH CONCERT #2: “The Gift: An Alki UCC Musical Christmas,” 6 pm. Details here. (6115 SW Hinds)

SEE THE LIGHTS: Uehara-Bingen Christmas Lights Show on Alki! 5:45 pm. “The show is ~25 minutes long, and everyone will gather outside the front of our house, so be sure to dress warm!” (1736 Alki SW)

JAZZ CONCERT OF CHRISTMAS CLASSICS: Mark Lewis Trio & Dick Lupino at the Pacific Room on Alki (WSB sponsor), 6 pm – details and cover info here. (2808 Alki SW)

NORTHWEST BOYCHOIR: The annual “Festival of Lessons and Carols” at Holy Rosary Church, 7 pm. Tickets here. (42nd SW/SW Genesee)

SUNDAE + MR. GOESSL HOLIDAY REVUE: 7 pm at Parliament Tavern. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)

BLUEGRASS JAM: 7 pm at Whisky West. 21+. (6451 California SW)

NORTH CORNER CHAMBER ORCHESTRA: This “professional conductorless chamber ensemble” performs at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, 7:30 pm. Details and ticket info here. (4408 Delridge Way SW)

SEE MORE … in the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide and Event Calendar

VIDEO: Caspar Babypants’ holiday show for West Seattle fans

December 14, 2019 11:28 pm
|    Comments Off on VIDEO: Caspar Babypants’ holiday show for West Seattle fans
 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Tonight wasn’t Caspar Babypants‘ first Easy Street Records show, but it was his first as a Grammy nominee. (Under that alias, anyway.) Even on a cold, drippy night, his trademark yellow T-shirt and bouncy tunes evoked sunshine and smiles:

Easy Street was wall-to-wall people. We edged into the loft to record a couple songs, including his classic “My Flea Has Dogs”:

And his rework of “Pop Goes the Weasel”:

Next month, he’ll find out if his album “Flying High” gets the Grammy for Best Children’s Album.

The Grammys will be announced January 26th. Not long after that, according to his website, Caspar B has a February 2nd show in West Seattle, a fundraiser for the South Seattle College Co-op Preschools‘ scholarship fund, at SSC’s Brockey Center.

WEST SEATTLE ART: New mural in progress for My Three Little Birds

You may know him mostly for his signal-box portraits, but West Seattle artist Desmond Hansen does a lot more – for example, commissioned murals like this one in progress today at the new Junction location of My Three Little Birds (4736 California SW; WSB sponsor). Proprietor Jennifer Young told us about the mural, so we went over for a photo. She moved the kids-stuff store to the new, larger location from Morgan Junction back in October.

MUSIC: 2 free West Seattle Community Orchestras concerts

December 5, 2019 9:53 pm
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 |   Holidays | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

(Photo courtesy West Seattle Community Orchestras)

Two free concerts in five nights! That’s what the West Seattle Community Orchestras have in store for you this season. The first is tomorrow (Friday) night, with the WSCO Wind Symphony and Symphony Orchestra in concert, 7 pm at the Chief Sealth International High School auditorium. The program includes classical and holiday music, ranging from part of John Williams“Home Alone” score to selections from Georges Bizet‘s “Carmen.” Then next Tuesday (December 10), also in the CSIHS auditorium but with a 6 pm start time, WSCO’s Debut and Concert Orchestras present a holiday salute, including a combination performance of “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” and “Santa Claus is Coming to Town,” inviting you to sing along! All are welcome to enjoy one or both concerts. (For a full lineup of holiday concerts and other performances, see our WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide!)

WEST SEATTLE ART: New ‘mural’ at Highland Park Elementary, and an invitation for you

November 22, 2019 9:57 am
|    Comments Off on WEST SEATTLE ART: New ‘mural’ at Highland Park Elementary, and an invitation for you
 |   Highland Park | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS culture/arts

The photos and report – with a community invitation – are from the Highland Park Elementary PTA:

Art has arrived on the Highland Park Elementary playground! Thursday morning HPE PTA volunteers and some of our fifth graders began forming a Salmon Mural made up of wooden “fish” painted by students, staff, and community members.

This is just the beginning of a permanent art installation that will be added to every year as our school family grows; a visual representation of how we all swim together. Big thank you’s to Principal Dysart for supporting the PTA’s vision, art teacher Monika Kuhlmann for bringing this project to life, and everyone who has given their energy and support to our school. Come celebrate with us on November 23rd [tomorrow] at 9:30 am for a fun Kickball Saturday where we’ll continue to build our community and play!

MUSIC: Northwest Girlchoir’s regional call for new singers

Northwest Girlchoir has sent out a regional call for new singers:

Know any girls who love to sing? Northwest Girlchoir has openings for new singers in grades 1-12 to join us in January 2019 – auditions and enrollment are happening right now! Learn musicianship, vocal technique, and performance skills, all while building lasting friendships in a supportive community.

Now in its 47th concert season, Northwest Girlchoir has empowered and inspired thousands of girls and young women in our region to lift their voices in chorus with others. Choristers perform for thousands of audience members at concerts held across the greater Puget Sound Region and on tours nationally and internationally.

Grades 1-2: Easy online registration is now open for girls entering grades 1-2 to join Prep Choir! Members learn music in a fun and nurturing environment as they prepare for exciting mainstage concerts. Sign up online at www.northwestgirlchoir.org/registerforprep

Grades 3-12: Fill out the Audition Request form online to join one of Northwest Girlchoir’s five progressive choir levels! Auditioned choir members enjoy performing at mainstage concerts, in the community and at special events, and even on tours. Learn more and sign up to audition at www.northwestgirlchoir.org/audition

Scholarships: Scholarships are available for every choir level and we encourage families to apply.

Contact info@northwestgirlchoir.org for more information or call the office at (206) 527-2900.

MUSIC: Caspar Babypants’ first Grammy nomination

(WSB photo, Caspar Babypants at Easy Street Records, December 2018)

You’ve probably heard the music industry’s Grammy Awards nominations were announced today. Two local nominees were noted by The Seattle Times – including kindie-rocker Caspar Babypants, nominated for Best Children’s Music Album for “Flying High.” It’s Chris Ballew‘s first nomination as Caspar Babypants, third when you count two from his time with The Presidents of The United States of America. CB told The Times that it happened completely without a “hey, consider nominating me” campaign. You can next see him in West Seattle, by the way, at Easy Street Records on December 14th.

P.S. Also nominated, West Seattleite Jeff Ament as part of the team on a Chris Cornell boxed set, for Best Recording Package..