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Guitar teacher Richie Jenkin: Welcome, new WSB sponsor!
September 11, 2019 12:23 pm
|    Comments Off on Guitar teacher Richie Jenkin: Welcome, new WSB sponsor!
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Today we welcome Richie Jenkin, a longtime West Seattle guitar teacher, as a WSB sponsor.

Richie has been teaching guitar for more than 30 years: “In my teaching, I specialize in beginning and intermediate students of all ages. I like to teach songs and pieces you will enjoy from the very beginning of your learning experience.”

While he works with kids as young as six, Richie says more than two-thirds of his students are adults. His average student is someone who has owned a guitar for some time, but needs someone to work with, to get some structure on how to play. As he points out, it’s structure that’s personalized to each student: “I take my teaching seriously. By that I mean that I take the time to prepare for each lesson. I look at what we¹ve been doing; the pace of things; what you want to be learning; your particular way of learning; and what I think is best for a particular lesson to make sure your playing is coming along in a way you can be confident and enthusiastic about. So it¹s not just about showing you something new every week and then out the door. If the music is going to be rewarding, exhilarating and fun, then I better be doing my part to make it so.”

Richie specializes in beginners and intermediate students. He has teaching slots open for fall, so if you’re interested, contact Richie at 206-799-7432.

We thank Richie Jenkin for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news via WSB; find our current sponsor team listed in directory format here, and find info on joining the team by going here.

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West Seattle weekend scene: Children’s Moonlight Festival at Vietnamese Cultural Center
September 8, 2019 7:45 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Delridge | West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

The Vietnamese Cultural Center welcomed visitors of all ages this afternoon for the Chlldren’s Moonlight Festival, a traditional end-of-summer celebration. The lantern parade (above) was part of the fun:

So was a lion dance:

In addition to community events like this, the center (2234 SW Orchard) is open to visitors most Saturdays, noon-3 pm.

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VIDEO: Roxhill Park’s first-ever World Music Festival
September 8, 2019 2:09 pm
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 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks | WS culture/arts

The sun shone on the opening hour of Roxhill Park‘s first World Music Festival, as performers from Kouyate Arts took the stage.

It’s a collaboration between the community volunteers of Roxhill Park Champions and Seattle Parks, which brought some activity tables:

You can learn more about the park’s famous Roxhill Bog and enjoy free food/beverages. Looks like a chance to make some music, too:

The rest of the schedule, as the festival continues until 5 pm:

2:10 PM Tabla Seattle with Chaz Hastings: spoken word to traditional tabla drums

2:50 PM Joyas Mestizas traditional dance troupe

3:20 PM Vocal performance artists Moia Bri & Sarey Savy –

4:00 PM Global Heat

You’ll find the festival right next to the playground at 29th/Barton.

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2 nights until ‘On the Brink’ at Admiral Theater
September 6, 2019 8:56 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Admiral Theater | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Lots of big events this weekend (as shown in the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar), including one of citywide interest – the screening of “On the Brink” 7 pm Sunday (September 8th) at the Admiral Theater. Filmmaker Jeff Shulman, a UW professor, will be there for a discussion. As described:

The movie explores the hyperbolic growth of Seattle and its ramifications to local communities and neighborhoods. … While the documentary takes place in Seattle’s Central District, it evokes the human impact of a transformation that is occurring in neighborhoods throughout Seattle. West Seattleis experiencing rapid changes and the Historic Admiral Theater is hosting the screening as a community event to start a constructive dialogue about our neighborhood’s growth.

Tickets are $13 and are available on the Admiral Theater’s website. All ticket sales will be donated to Southwest Youth and Family Services. Southwest Youth and Family Services partners with youth and families to transform their futures through its counseling, education, family support, and youth development programs.

The theater is at 2343 California SW.

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WEEKEND PREVIEW: Lineup for Roxhill Park’s first-ever World Music Festival
September 6, 2019 8:59 am
|    Comments Off on WEEKEND PREVIEW: Lineup for Roxhill Park’s first-ever World Music Festival
 |   West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks | WS culture/arts

DSC04253
(Joyas Mestizas in West Seattle Grand Parade 2016 – photo by Don Brubeck)

Weekend’s almost here and we’ll be previewing a few spotlight events – starting with the first-ever World Music Festival on Sunday afternoon at Roxhill Park! Just in from organizers:

Roxhill Park World Music Festival – Free End-of-Summer Concert
Sunday September 8, 2019
1 pm to 5 pm

Roxhill Park playground – 29th Ave SW at SW Barton Street

Join friends and neighbors to enjoy the dynamic sounds of:

Kouyate Arts and Global Heat along with Joyas Mestizas dance group
Community performances
Kids’ activities: drum tent and hula hooping too!
Tony B of Rainier Avenue Radio to EmCee.

FESTIVAL LINEUP:

1:00 PM Kouyate Arts

2:10 PM Tabla Seattle with Chaz Hastings: spoken word to traditional tabla drums

2:50 PM The wonderful Joyas Mestizas traditional dance troupe

3:20 PM Vocal performance artists Moia Bri & Sarey Savy –

4:00 PM Global Heat

Bring a lawn chair or blanket to sit on.

Sponsored by Roxhill Park Champions and Seattle Parks and Recreation

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WEST SEATTLE ART: Desmond Hansen’s newest signal boxes
September 1, 2019 7:15 pm
|      17 COMMENTS
 |   Seen around town | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Thanks to the texter who sent that photo of a new Desmond Hansen signal-box portrait – it’s at Delridge/Genesee, a tribute to Mark “Monk” Hubbard of Grindline, designers of the nearby skatepark and many more. The artist tells a detailed story on Instagram about an encounter with the skatepark luminary, a West Seattle resident who died last year. While checking Instagram for more on that box, we noticed Hansen also has just completed one featuring wildlife, so we went by for a photo:

(WSB photo)

That one’s at Fauntleroy/Dawson.

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FILMMAKERS: You’re invited to be part of a film festival in West Seattle!
September 1, 2019 3:19 pm
|    Comments Off on FILMMAKERS: You’re invited to be part of a film festival in West Seattle!
 |   Delridge | West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Another first-of-its-kind event is coming up in West Seattle – welcoming participants! From 2 Fingers Social in South Delridge:

2 Fingers Social presents The Inaugural PNW Film Festival 2019

Now accepting submissions in the genres of Sci-Fi, Action, Horror, Fantasy

How to Submit:
Send your film/video (up to 30 minutes long) to 2fingerssocial@gmail.com. Subject line: “PNWFilmFest2019”

Those selected will be invited to show their film at 2 Fingers Social on the evenings of Oct 21st/Oct 22nd

Prizes and awards will be given!

Submission deadline: October 5, 2019

The proprietors of 2 Fingers Social are avid film fans, as they told and showed us just before it opened.

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BACK TO SCHOOL: Kenyon Hall Kindermusik
August 30, 2019 9:04 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

As schools reopen for a new year, other educational programs launch their new seasons too. Among them, historic Kenyon Hall‘s longrunning Kindermusik program:

For the past 25 years Kenyon Hall has offered Kindermusik, for families with children birth to seven, to the Seattle community.

Led by Lou Magor, hundreds of families have taken advantage of this revered curriculum, and both parents and former students tell us that Kindermusik sparked an interest in music that led to an appreciation of—and in some cases a profession in—the field.

The Kindermusik curricula draw on the latest research in brain development, and provide a weekly dose of musical fun. Kids learn to sing, dance, listen, and play instruments, and lessons are fast paced and age appropriate.

Classes begin the first week of September. To enroll, e-mail kenyonhall@earthlink.net

Haven’t been to Kenyon Hall? It’s at 7904 35th SW.

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West Seattle weekend scene: Arts & Crafts Fair @ C & P
August 24, 2019 12:30 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle weekend scene: Arts & Crafts Fair @ C & P
 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Haven’t been to the Arts & Crafts Fair at C & P Coffee Company (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor) yet? You have until 2 pm to go browse items created by your neighbors!

It’s happening in the coffee shop’s sunny front yard.

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VIDEO: Noah Gundersen at Easy Street Records
August 24, 2019 10:33 am
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 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Story and photos by Jason Grotelueschen
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

Indie-folk artist Noah Gundersen played an in-store show for a big crowd at Easy Street Records on Friday night, in support of the Seattle musician’s release of his new album Lover.

The album, which released on Friday on the international label Cooking Vinyl, is Gundersen’s fourth solo record and was recorded in Seattle by producer Andy Park (Death Cab For Cutie, Pedro The Lion).

Easy Street proprietor Matt Vaughan introduced Gundersen, noting that he had played several times at Easy Street previously:

Gundersen was joined on stage for several songs by his sister and longtime collaborator Abby, on violin and vocals:

Video clips from the performance:

After the set, Gundersen stuck around to meet with fans and sign merchandise:

Gundersen’s manager Mark Cunningham, who also manages Brandi Carlile, was in attendance and said Gundersen would be touring the U.S. starting in September (including a date at The Showbox on Nov. 16) and will be touring Europe in 2020.

Upcoming in-stores at Easy Street are listed on their website, including Carrie Akre on August 31 and Jack West on September 6.

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WEST SEATTLE ART: Mural-restoration updates
August 21, 2019 1:11 pm
|    Comments Off on WEST SEATTLE ART: Mural-restoration updates
 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Looking for a splash of color on this gray day? Restoration work is complete on the “West Seattle Ferries” mural on the west side of the building on the southwest corner of California/Alaska. Now that Bob Henry is done with that, he’s moved on to “Press Day,” on the north wall of 4727 44th SW:

Some of its lower panels have been removed for the start of work. Meantime, crowdfunding continues to help cover the costs of the restoration work, only part of which is funded by philanthropy and grants – here’s where to donate.

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PHOTOS: Festival CentroAmericano returns to West Seattle
August 18, 2019 2:50 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Highland Park | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks | WS culture/arts

(WSB photos)

After moving to South Park last year, Festival CentroAmericano is back in West Seattle, and the celebration’s happening at Westcrest Park until 7 pm.

You can enjoy treats …

… vendors …

… and entertainment:

The Coffee Band – a group with Honduras roots – was onstage while we were there. Other music and dance groups are scheduled to perform all afternoon. The festival’s free – lots of room to roam on the sprawling green at Westcrest!

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ONE MORE DAY: Pianos in the Parks ends Sunday
August 17, 2019 7:14 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Tomorrow’s the final day for Pianos in the Parks around the area, including that one at Junction Plaza Park (42nd SW/SW Alaska) decorated by artist Mindi Katzman, so it’s your last chance to see, maybe even play, it. In case you aren’t a piano player and don’t happen onto one, Mark Jaroslaw recorded the piano in use:

Pianos in the park / last chance to play from JaroslawMedia on Vimeo.

The pianos have been in 13 neighborhoods around the metro area since August 1st (when we took the top photo).

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WEST SEATTLE ART: New signal-box portrait, different artist
August 14, 2019 4:59 pm
|      26 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

(WSB photos)

That’s the newest signal-box portrait in West Seattle – local-raised Hollywood legend Frances Farmer, on the California/Alaska corner outside Easy Street Records. This time, the artist is Son Duong, who painted the box today:

He told WSB that the plan had been in the works for a few weeks, and today was the day he came down from his home base in Monroe to do the painting. He has another portrait outside of Easy Street, this one of Chris Cornell:

Inside Easy Street there’s another Frances Farmer tribute, as reported here in 2016.

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WEST SEATTLE ART: New venue for classes
August 12, 2019 3:48 pm
|    Comments Off on WEST SEATTLE ART: New venue for classes
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS culture/arts

We’ve written a lot lately about local art for you to enjoy … and now, your chance to be the artist! Seattle Lutheran High School (4100 SW Genesee) is launching a series of evening art classes open to all. You can learn stained glass, oil painting, and/or drawing. The school says, “All courses are beginner-friendly but also include lessons and exercises helpful for intermediate and advanced artists.” You can register by going here.

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WEST SEATTLE ART: Desmond Hansen’s newest rock ‘n’ roll signal box
August 12, 2019 1:57 pm
|      26 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

1:57 PM: Thanks to Dave Brewer for sending the photo! He’s one of several readers who messaged us to say artist Desmond Hansen is painting another signal-box portrait today, this time the late, great Prince, at 47th and Admiral. Dave observes that it’s an appropriate spot, as SW Prince Street is just blocks away! (Checking the artist’s Instagram page, we see he’s also recently painted Dave Matthews.)

7:11 PM: Thanks to Al for this photo of the finished creation:

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BACK TO SCHOOL: Mode Music & Performing Arts class-registration time
August 11, 2019 5:41 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

The end of summer and start of school aren’t that far off. For many families, it’s also time to think about enrichment programs, like the ones offered by the nonprofit wing of WSB sponsor Mode Music Studios. Here’s the announcement:

As school is fast approaching, Mode Music and Performing Arts is ready to get into our local schools and make a difference. Mode’s enrichment programs are thriving in several Seattle Public Schools. Registration just opened for Fall 2019 classes available at their event space located at 3801 Delridge Way SW.

Check out the story below!

Fall classes can be found here.

As you’ll see at that link, Mode offers classes for kids/youth of all ages, babies through teens.

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WEST SEATTLE ART: The story behind a new mural on Alki Point
August 9, 2019 8:01 pm
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

That new mural on Alki Point is on private property, but publicly visible, and today we got to meet the artist. We found out about Elise Waelder‘s project from her uncle, Danny McMillin (who has shared some wonderful bird photos with WSB over the years). She’s painting it on the west-facing side of his garage in memory of her mom, Danny’s sister Mitzi McMillin, who had been planning to move from San Diego to Seattle before cancer took her life.

While you can see most of the mural if you’re biking, walking, skating, driving eastbound on Alki Avenue in the 3100 block, you won’t see the part above, which wraps around the garage’s southwest corner into a small private courtyard. Elise is an accomplished artist but this is the biggest mural she’s done, and she’s been visiting from California the past week-plus to paint it:

She’s on deadline to finish the mural – Saturday she heads back to San Diego, and not long after that, she’s moving cross-country to Long Island to pursue an art career full-time. You can see more of her work on Instagram.

P.S. Her mom had deep West Seattle roots, as does Danny, who tells us Mitzi was a 1974 West Seattle High School graduate “who almost singlehandedly led the WSHS girls’ Track and Field team to a state championship” that year, and later won a national pentathlon championship while studying at the University of Southern California.

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SUMMER CONCERTS AT HIAWATHA: Ranger and the Re-arrangers, plus a special guest
August 9, 2019 7:42 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Neighborhoods | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

(WSB photos/video unless otherwise credited)

Cloudy and a bit cool last night, but that didn’t keep the audience away from this week’s Summer Concerts at Hiawatha show, with Ranger and the Re-arrangers.

As usual, there was dancing:

Here’s a sample of the music:

And a longer clip, courtesy of Mark Jaroslaw:

Another highlight of the night – a guest appearance by Katy Walum. She founded the Admiral Neighborhood Association-presented series a decade ago:

WSB is proud to have been a community co-sponsor of the series since the start! Two more shows left on this summer’s lineup – The Highsteppers, next Thursday (August 15th) and Caspar Babypants the week after that (August 22nd), both shows at 6:30 pm, free, on the east lawn of Hiawatha Community Center (along Walnut south of Lander).

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5 for your West Seattle Monday!
August 5, 2019 10:17 am
|    Comments Off on 5 for your West Seattle Monday!
 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

(Mallard, photographed by Mark Wangerin)

Highlights for your Monday:

WADING POOLS & SPRAYPARK OPEN TODAY: Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW) wading pool is open 11 am-8 pm, Delridge wading pool (4501 Delridge Way SW) is open noon-6:30 pm, South Park wading pool is open noon-7 pm. And the Highland Park Spraypark (1100 SW Cloverdale) is open 11 am-8 pm.

FREE SUMMER MEALS: Still a month until school starts back up again, and local efforts continue to make sure no kids/teens go hungry. Various locations and times – use this lookup to find them.

FAMILY STORY TIME: Air-conditioned High Point Library welcomes kids of all ages, 6:30 pm storytime. (3411 SW Raymond)

WEST SEATTLE QUILTERS: The air-conditioned Senior Center of West Seattle will be a great place to hang out at 7 pm if you’re a quilter. (4217 SW Oregon)

QUIZ NIGHT: 8 pm at Parliament Tavern. $2/player. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)

PREVIEW THE REST OF THE WEEK … via our complete calendar!

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YOU CAN HELP! Planning time for next month’s World Music Festival
August 4, 2019 1:23 pm
|    Comments Off on YOU CAN HELP! Planning time for next month’s World Music Festival
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks | WS culture/arts

(July 2018 video courtesy Kim Barnes)

Last summer, that community duo played music from Burkina Faso at a Roxhill Park community barbecue. Now – as you might have seen in the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar – a World Music Festival is planned for the park next month, and Seattle Parks just announced how you can help shape it:

Seattle Parks and Recreation is sponsoring a free community music festival on Sunday, Sept. 8 at Roxhill Park (2850 SW Roxbury St.) and we invite participation by the community in planning the event.

What activities would you like to see at the festival? What music or musicians can you recommend? What organizations would you like to have represented? Please come to one of the planning meetings listed below, or contact Randy Wiger with your ideas: Randy.Wiger@seattle.gov or 206-684-0775.

Planning meetings’ dates – everyone is welcome to attend! The meetings will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Roxhill Park at the picnic tables by 29th Ave. SW.

Thursday, August 8
Monday, August 12
Thursday, August 22

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MAKE MUSIC! West Seattle Community Orchestras now welcoming fall signups
August 2, 2019 11:59 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

(WSCO photo: Sofia Aragon and Caroline Peyton, both members of the Debut Orchestra)

Calling musicians! The West Seattle Community Orchestras are ready for you to join:

West Seattle Community Orchestras (WSCO) announces that registration is now open for its fall 2019 session.

For those of you who aren’t familiar with WSCO, this is West Seattle’s very own community music organization, with three orchestras and a wind symphony (concert band). These performance ensembles rehearse weekly through the school year, each performing quarterly concerts.

In addition to these performing groups, we offer classes for adults in strings (violin, viola, cello, bass) and winds/percussion (e.g., flute, clarinet, saxophone, French horn, trumpet, trombone—oh, and percussion).

This fall we are also adding beginning student strings for those in grades 4 through 12. No charge to students for this class or for participating in any of our groups. (Adults pay a modest fee.) As far as we know, WSCO is unique in the state of Washington for having adults and young people play side by side in each of our performing groups. That is, placement is by ability (or inclination), not age!

Registration for all groups and classes is now open online: Visit www.wscorchestras.org and click on the Registration tab. (We’d appreciate your registration before August 31st to reserve space.)

UNCERTAIN WHICH GROUP IS RIGHT FOR YOU? If you’d like more information on opportunities to learn an instrument or perform in our ensembles, please fill out the registration form with your contact details. For new musicians, we’ll be in touch soon, to orient you further before the first classes and rehearsals begin.

As in previous years, rehearsals will be held Tuesdays at Chief Sealth International High School. Specific start times for the rehearsals and more details will be shared in upcoming announcements as well as listed on our website, www.wscorchestras.org, or you can contact info@wscorchestras.org.

We hope to see many of you—former members as well as newbies—when we open this, our eighteenth season of providing outstanding concerts for our community!

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PHOTOS, VIDEO: Alec Shaw @ Summer Concerts at Hiawatha
August 1, 2019 6:52 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Fun stuff to do | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

6:52 PM: “My favorite place to play is outside!” enthused Alec Shaw between songs as tonight’s Summer Concerts at Hiawatha show got going. It’s a great place to be tonight whether you’re onstage or on the lawn (east lawn at Hiawatha Community Center (Walnut south of Lander) to be specific) – the stage and most of the lawn are in the shade already and the rest will be soon. The show’s on until about 8 – free – bring your own blanket/chair.

7:57 PM: Concert’s wrapping up – last song.

ADDED 11:11 PM: More photos!

You can find out more about Alec Shaw’s music here. Next week at Hiawatha – Ranger and the Re-Arrangers, 6:30 pm Thursday (August 8th).

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