You’re invited to sing this spring in an upcoming community concert at Alki UCC, no church or choir membership required! Here’s the call for singers:

You’re invited to add your unique voice to “Earth Mother,” Alki UCC’s spring community concert on Thursday, May 14 at 7:30 pm. All singers ages 16 and older of all experience levels are invited to participate.

The deadline to sign up to sing is Monday, May 4. The only requirement is to attend two mandatory rehearsals on Wednesday, May 6 and Wednesday, May 13 from 7:00 pm-9:00 pm at Alki UCC, 6115 SW Hinds St.

The Earth Mother program, featuring the Alki UCC Community Choir and friends, celebrates themes of nature and motherhood, featuring a range of provocative and compelling contemporary choral works by living composers. Compositions by Frank Ticheli, Ola Gjeilo, Katarina Gimon, Dan Forest, and other beloved composers are showcased.

To sign up, email music@alkiucc.org by May 4 to express your interest in singing with us. Digital music and rehearsal resources will be provided so that singers can study independently ahead of our two rehearsals.

This Sunday night, First Lutheran Church of West Seattle (4105 California SW; WSB sponsor) begins a year of celebrating its half-century old organ with the first of four concerts:

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the gallery Noack organ. To mark this important event, four concerts are planned from April 2026 to February 2027. This series is in honor and memory of Andrew King, cantor and organist at First Lutheran for 50+ years.

*The first program will be on Sunday, April 19, 2026 at 7 pm, with Nathan Laube, Associate Professor of Organ at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York.

*On Sunday, September 27, 2026, at 3 pm, the second concert in the series will include a Concerto for Keyboard in d minor, BWV 1052, by J. S. Bach, performed by our organist/choirmaster Dana Robinson and joined by a chamber group of period instruments led by Tekla Cunningham of the Seattle Bach Festival. The program will also include selections for two organs. The other organist is Paul Tegels, organist/choirmaster at Christ Church, Tacoma, and Associate Professor Emeritus of Organ at Pacific Lutheran University.

*The third concert in the series will be played by Michael Kleinschmidt, who is Canon for Cathedral Music at St. Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral here in Seattle. Before coming to St. Mark’s, he served as Canon for Cathedral Music at Trinity Cathedral in Portland, Oregon. He holds degrees from Eastman School of Music and Oberlin College Conservatory of Music. He has played recitals across the world, has a keen appreciation for the ministry of music for children, and serves on the faculty of the Royal School of Church Music summer courses. This concert will take place on Saturday, November 7th at 3 pm

*Our fourth and final concert will be on Sunday, February 8, 2027 at 3 pm. The recitalist is Anne Laver, Associate Professor of Organ and University Organist at Syracuse University’s Setnor School of Music. She has performed in Europe, Latin America, Africa, and in the United States. Anne is often a featured artist at conventions of the American Guild of Organists, the Organ Historical Society, the Westfield Center for Historical Keyboard Studies, and the Goteborg International Organ Academy in Sweden. In 2010 she was awarded 2nd prize in the AGO National Young Artist Competition in Organ Performance.

Mark your calendar. These are going to be outstanding programs. All extremely talented artists, yet all very different. This will give us all a marvelous experience of the diversity of the gallery Noack organ.

Admission is free; donations are welcome to support future events. These events are open to the entire West Seattle community and beyond!

The organ was the first of its kind in the region when designed and built in 1976.

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Where what’s likely West Seattle’s longest retaining wall once sported these murals along its street side …

… and art like this along its block-long alley side …

… it’s all now a drab gray that was blank for about a day until it drew this protest:

We got tips about this last weekend. The wall story on the north and west sides of the CVS/ex-Rite Aid lot (5217 California SW) dates back almost three years – here’s our first report from 2023, about what was given the name the “West Side Wall.” We learned shortly afterward that not only was renowned West Seattle muralist Desmond Hansen the creator of the baseball mural on the SW Dawson side, but also shepherding the evolving multi-artist project on the alley side.

That’s who the first reader to tell us about the paintout, Jared, contacted when he discovered it a few days ago. He told us Hansen was on the case. We contacted Hansen directly and met him at the wall this afternoon to talk about what happened and what’s next.

The situation is “really unfortunate,” he told us. “This alley was a great place” to make art. Not all graffiti-style, either.

He says someone complained to the city, the city sent CVS an abatement letter, and – not knowing the history behind the wall art, since it wasn’t anywhere in writing – the corporation hired a paint crew.

As soon as Hansen heard about it, he got busy contacting CVS management. “CVS is supportive,” he said – that included the acquisitions director, whose portfolio included this store (converted from Rite Aid last summer), and district manager. He says they’re in contact with the city and restoration can start once they have an acknowledgment in writing that it’s not going to generate another abatement action.

The “West Side Wall” was more organized than it might have appeared to casual viewers, Hansen explained – the alley-wall art rotated – an artist who came to work on the alley might decide which was the “ugliest” of the current crop and paint something new in that space. Meantime, he said the artists policed the work to ensure “no hate,” among other rules.

He and some of the artists also did weeding and trash pickup periodically – including syringes and mini liquor bottles – and Hansen said he’d also moved along some people who tried to camp in the alley, which stretches from Dawson to Brandon Streets, with back yards and garages lining the west side.

Before talking to Hansen today, we had sent an inquiry to CVS corporate to ask if they indeed had initiated the paintout; the reply came at the end of the day today from corporate communicator Amy Thibault, who confirmed it was them: “The wall was recently painted after we received complaints from community members about graphic and offensive content. We’re in touch with a local artist and the city about the wall and evaluating potential ways to ensure local artists can continue showcase their work in a way that all can enjoy.”

We also inquired today with the city Department of Construction and Inspections – which handles this type of complaint – but haven’t heard back yet.

Hansen says part of the situation might be a “blessing in disguise” – he expects this will lead to a written record of the art agreement, to avoid something like this happening again, at least as long as CVS is leasing the property (which is owned by an unrelated investment firm that Hansen said he tried to reach but couldn’t). He says he probably won’t re-create his baseball murals, instead considering featuring Kraken hockey or Sounders soccer, maybe even the once-and-future Sonics. But first he’s going to continue checking in daily until the situation is resolved: “I’ll do whatever I can to get this wall back.”

That would include, if there was a way, talking with whomever complained, to listen to their concerns and explain what a place like this means to artists. (If that’s you, you can reach him through his website.)

Christian J. Pearson‘s ceramic birds have a surprise inside, making them audible art too (hint: gently shake one). That was pointed out by one of the other five artists also in the “Feather in the Wind” pop-up, in its final day upstairs at Alki Arts in Morgan Junction (6030 California SW) until 6 pm. It’s a light-filled space, and not just because of the windows:

Jody Wally‘s ceramic work includes lamps – functional as well as beautiful. Or if you’re contemplating sending someone a note. Gretchen Flickinger has original prints on her cards:

Kassie Hennessey‘s feather studies inspired the pop-up’s name:

Angie Marcelynas – The Little Merle – incorporates recycled material into her jewelry, including new charm bracelets at this weekend’s pop-up:

Sketcher Pam Lustig is an addition to the “Feather in the Wind” roster since last pop-up:

You have until 6 pm to meet the artists, browse their work, and enjoy complimentary snacks – look for the staircase just north of the main Alki Arts entrance.

(WSB photos and video by Torin Record-Sand)

We stopped by two more early St. Patrick’s Day celebrations at West Seattle venues this afternoon:

At Ounces in North Delridge, West Seattle Irish Dance performed, after offering a free class this morning.

And at C & P Coffee (WSB sponsor), students of Tudy McLain presented an Irish music festival, including harp and flute.

The students were joined by guest performers too.

St. Patrick’s Day is still two days away, and the festivities that day will include Highland Park Corner Store transforming into “Highland Park Pub,” 5-8 pm Tuesday, with “baked potatoes and corned beef sandwiches, green beer, shamrock scoops, Irish tunes.”

St. Patrick’s Day is four days away, but the Wearing of the Green has commenced in West Seattle, as the Cascadia Pipe Band defied the snow and showed up for their planned West Seattle Pub Crawl. Talarico’s Pizzeria was the first stop:

After all, what goes better with a big pizza and a big drink than a big sound?

The band made multiple stops while on the peninsula; they perform around the region and travel beyond – last year at the World Pipe Band Championships in Scotland, they tied for sixth place.

They welcome donations to support their performing and competing, and if you’re interested in helping out, you can do it online here.

P.S. For more West Seattle events in the St. Patrick’s Day spirit over the next three days, see our calendar and daily event lists!

By Macey Wurm
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

The kids can finally rock on, after School of Rock West Seattle‘s grand reopening this afternoon. The afternoon celebration included live music, free lessons, and free tours.

The school’s facility at 41st SW and SW Alaska was forced to close temporarily in late October due to water damage from a leak in the upstairs CVS store’s pipes. Half of the school was destroyed, resulting in a complete demolition and rebuild of the affected areas, according to owner Phil Gustavson.

School of Rock was one of six businesses in Jefferson Square reported being affected by the leak, all of which had to close to some degree.

But the school’s closure didn’t stop students from continuing their practice. Though the organization didn’t take on new students during the closure – and had to halt private lessons – previously existing bands transitioned to online lesson tools allowing them to continue to prepare for upcoming concerts. The back half of the Jefferson Square facility had minimal damage, so it was accessible to bands for in-person rehearsals.

Most recently, the bands have played at Jazz Bones in Tacoma, and have upcoming concerts planned on April 25 at the Clock-Out Lounge, and May 17 at the West Seattle 5K on Alki.

“Our school is all about performance.” Gustavson said. “It really gives the kids something fun to work with that’s engaging… We are building a community, we’re having fun, we’re playing together.”

This was apparent at the grand re-opening, the main event being the school’s house band opening up their rehearsal space to all attendees. The house band is the only audition-based program at the school, and primarily consists of kids who want to be ambassadors – playing extra concerts and bringing more people into the program. Gustavson told WSB that the day was a success, with the teachers brought in for free walk-in trial lessons completely booked. The school is “ready for students, and looking forward to getting back to serving the community,” he said.

Next door, Dream Dinners West Seattle suffered major flooding damage too, and was able to reopen last month, as reported here.

If you’re a local artist and interested in being part of this year’s West Seattle Art Tour, you have three more days to apply! Here’s the reminder from organizers:

The West Seattle Art Tour is accepting artist applications for its third annual event on September 19–20, 2026, until Saturday, February 28 at 11:59 pm.

This self-guided, two-day event connects local artists with collectors and art enthusiasts. Through a juried process, selected artists display work at host sites — artists’ homes and studios accommodating multiple participants. Visitors navigate using printed maps, digital maps, and social media.

We welcome submissions in painting, sculpture, ceramics, photography, jewelry, mixed media, and other mediums from artists demonstrating unique vision and technical mastery.

Key Details:

Apply online: www.westseattlearttour.org/forartists
Deadline: February 28, 2026, 11:59 pm
Eligibility: Artists must live, work, or teach in West Seattle, or demonstrate an ongoing community connection.

Full criteria at www.westseattlearttour.org

Questions or want to support the tour? Email info@westseattlearttour.org or visit www.westseattlearttour.org

WSB is the Art Tour’s media sponsor again this year.

(WSB photo by Dave Gershgorn, February 2025)

The New Year’s celebration – welcoming the Year of the Horse – is happening all week at the Vietnamese Cultural Center in West Seattle (2236 SW Orchard). The center is usually open to the public on Saturday afternoons, but this week it’s open to visitors daily, noon-2 pm, through Friday. The big celebration, also open to all, is Saturday (February 21), starting at noon, with a lion dance and flag-raising ceremony, no charge for admission.

One week from today, “The Detention Lottery“ – an “immersive theater experience” – will return to West Seattle, a few months after a fall performance that still has people talking – and it’s even more relevant. Here’s the preview we received:

Prepare to see how justice is served in your name when Fauntleroy Church UCC brings ‘The Detention Lottery’ to West Seattle again on Sunday, Feb. 22 in the Fellowship Hall.

Doors open at 3:30 pml the performance begins at 4:00 pm, followed by a talkback with practicing immigration attorneys.

Admission is free; donations appreciated and support the projects of the Immigration Task Force.

The Detention Lottery takes the audience past today’s scary headlines and news clips, directly into the detention courtroom. We witness desperate conferences between detainees and attorneys, realizing that these few moments together could determine their future forever. We sit in the courtroom where decisions are rendered, seeing for ourselves the justice being served in our name.

“’The Detention Lottery’ is accurate, but not a documentary. It is theater, grounded in real life. It raises awareness without threatening, educates without lecturing, and can raise money without charging admission. And it packs a wallop to everyone who sees it,” says Amy Youngblood, who has directed each performance since its revival last spring. “We bring the performance at no charge to the sponsoring organization. At the same time, nonprofit organizations are welcome to produce their own shows with no royalties, as ‘The Detention Lottery’ is licensed under the Creative Commons license.”

Playwright Margaret O’Donnell, a retired practicing immigration attorney, once despaired of trying to convey to others just what justice was being served in the public’s name. She discovered a talent for writing plays, and in 2018, St. Mark’s Cathedral launched The Detention Lottery to great acclaim. Since then, dozens of sponsoring organizations have presented The Detention Lottery to stunned audiences, raising awareness, inspiration for activism, and funds for immigrant justice projects.

West Seattle activist Pam Jensen watched ‘The Detention Lottery’ at Westside Unitarian Universalist Congregation last October and wrote Margaret immediately afterward to request another production. Dianne Sprague and Mary Code of Fauntleroy Church UCC see the vital connections between the church’s missions and the message of the play.

“Given our mission to preserve justice, peace, and the sanctity of God’s world, the congregation is delighted to co-sponsor this event. As we say every Sunday, whoever you are and wherever you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here so please come to this remarkable play,” says Mary Code.

For more information, including how to participate and help, contact Amy Youngblood, director, at 509-906-1076, or email thedetlot@gmail.com.

Fauntleroy Church is at 9140 California SW.