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West Seattle Saturday: Pancakes; bazaars; Junction Tree Lighting; Santa photos (for pets too!); music; non-holiday events too!
December 6, 2014 7:33 am
|      11 COMMENTS
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

(Also happening this morning: West Seattle Rotary Children’s Shopping Spree – full story to come!)

From pre-dawn until long past dark, this is the busiest day of the holiday season in West Seattle! From our Holiday Guide and Event Calendar, here are the many reasons why – along with non-holiday highlights for today/tonight:

PANCAKE BREAKFAST: Santa photos for kids up to age 10 are part of the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle‘s 67th annual pancake breakfast, on now and continuing until 11 am at Alki Masonic Hall. $10 at the door, kids under 10 eat free. **Bring unwrapped toys for Toys for Tots!!** (40th/Edmunds – note that parking is across Edmunds or across Fauntleroy)

CHRISTMAS BAZAAR AT VFW HALL: Happening at VFW Post 2713 in The Triangle, 9 am-6 pm – details on the official flyer. (3601 SW Alaska)

SEATTLE PRESCHOOL PROGRAM MEETINGS: Two today at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center regarding the in-formation, voter-approved city program – 10 am-12:30 pm, on curriculum; 2-4:30 pm, on teacher training/coaching. (4408 Delridge Way SW)

WESTSIDE SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE: 10 am-noon, all-school open house, as previewed here on Friday. (7740 34th SW)

HOLIDAY BAZAAR AT SLHS: Seattle Lutheran High School‘s third annual Holiday Bazaar, in the gym, 10 am-3 pm; details here. (4100 SW Genesee)

HOLIDAY ARTS/CRAFTS AT WSUU: 5th annual Holiday Arts and Crafts Show in the Social Hall at Westside Unitarian Universalist Congregation Social Hall, 10 am-4 pm: “You are invited to our fifth annual sale of gifts by local community and WSUU artists and handcrafters. You’ll find original, one-of-a-kind gifts: felted hats, knits, jewelry, watercolor paintings, designer bags and accessories, greeting cards and stocking stuffers, edible holiday goodies, glass art, fiber art, more. Free refreshments.” (7141 California SW)

PET PHOTOS WITH SANTA, 10 am-2 pm at Pet Elements in Morgan Junction. $25, with $5 donated to Furry Faces Foundation; you’ll get a 5×7 and a digital file. (6511 California SW)

FOOD DRIVE: 10 am-2 pm, Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Northwest (WSB sponsor) Food Drive for the West Seattle Food Bank, at West Seattle Thriftway (California/Fauntleroy).

JEWELRY SHOW AT CLICK! 11 am-8 pm (continuing through the Junction Holiday Party), Sarah Loertscher is at Click! Design That Fits (WSB sponsor) “with studio samples, one of a kind pieces and an extended selection of her jewelry line.” (4540 California SW)

SANTA AT SMALLCLOTHES: Santa Al will be at SmallClothes, bring your own camera or get a photo for $5, 11 am-2 pm. (3215 California SW)

GIVE THE GIFT OF VOLUNTEERING: 11 am-1 pm is the monthly volunteer-orientation event at the Southwest Seattle Historical Society‘s Log House Museum. You’d be surprised at how many types of skills SWSHS can use – come find out how to help. (61st/Stevens)

‘SANTA PAWS’: 4th annual Santa Paws event sponsored by Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Northwest Realty (WSB sponsor) – “Bring your pets in for a FREE photo with Santa! 12-4 pm in the Jefferson Square Building, 2nd floor lobby.” (4700 42nd SW)

SANTA AT CAPERS: DIY Santa Photos at CAPERS in The Junction, with “ex-Westwood Santa.” Bring cameras/phones, kids/friends, and a donation for the West Seattle Food Bank. Noon-3 pm. (4525 California SW)

COUCH FEST FILMS: Starting at 1 pm, this citywide-and-beyond not-in-theaters film festival includes three West Seattle venues. Here’s the official Seattle program, listing what’s being shown, when, and where. If you don’t have tickets already, buy the pass at your first stop. West Seattle Office Junction (WSB sponsor) is participating at 6040 California SW, where the documentary shorts will be shown (33-minute program in all) – the other two WS sites are 6017 49th Ave SW, with the “Inappropriately Awesome” shorts (32 minutes), and the “Mixed 1” collection will be screened at 3011 SW Cycle Court.

CHRISTMAS TEA & SILENT AUCTION … at St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church, 2-5 pm.

More details here – and we have late word (along with the teapot photo shared by Leanne) that tickets ARE available! “The decorations are up, the tables are set, and the preparations are well underway. Tickets are still available for the fun, festive, fabulous Christmas Tea at St. John’s. The event also includes a silent auction, and the long awaited quilt raffle drawing. Event tickets are $20 per person, $10 for children age 12 and under.” (California/Hanford)

HOLIDAY PARTY IN THE JUNCTION … as part of Hometown Holidays (co-sponsored by WSB)! Multiple businesses participating. 4-8 pm, before, during, and after the Junction Tree Lighting, roam from store to store to celebrate: “Businesses throughout The Junction are each hosting events and parties on the same night, yet each doing something different. Think of it as a progressive party with drinks, nibbles, games and shopping. We’ll also be dressing up The Junction with candles to light the way. It will be enjoyable as a pre- or post- Tree Lighting Event activity but also a festive event on its own.” Details here.

12 BARS OF CHRISTMAS:, benefit pub crawl, 4 pm in The Junction – details in our calendar listing.

WEST SEATTLE JUNCTION TREE LIGHTING: 5 pm at Junction Plaza Park, presented by the West Seattle Junction Association as part of the all-season-long Hometown Holidays events: Josh Sutton of the West Seattle YMCA will emcee; you’ll also hear from Bakery Nouveau co-proprietor Heather Leaman on behalf of WSJA and from Emerald Water Anglers proprietor Dave McCoy on behalf of the merchants’ Holiday Party event, which will start at 4 pm, before the lighting, and continue until 8 pm. (Details here!) You’ll get to carol and to enjoy live performances by the Chief Sealth International High School Marching Band (starting around 4:45 pm), the Endolyne Children’s Choir, by cast members from ArtsWest‘s “Judy’s Scary Little Christmas,” and by Jay Cates. (42nd/Alaska)

EVENING SANTA PHOTOS … with Santa Al at QFC’s outdoor area across from/during the Junction Tree Lighting (42nd/Alaska), 5-6 pm, bring a can for West Seattle Food Bank. (42nd/Alaska)

HOLIDAY BEAUTY EXPO: 5-7 pm at Shanti Salon & Spa. Aveda makeup artist consultations & touchups, refreshments including champagne, complimentary bang trims and hair/skin consultations. (2138 California SW)

WEST SEATTLE MEANINGFUL MOVIES: 7 pm, “The Health Care Movie,” at Neighborhood House’s High Point Center. Details here. (6400 Sylvan Way)

HOLIDAY CONCERT: Cantaré Vocal Ensemble presents Vivaldi’s “Gloria” and fresh takes on your favorite Christmas carols, 7:30 pm at Holy Rosary Church. (42nd/Genesee)

‘IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE’: Join Twelfth Night Productions this holiday season for the radio-play edition of the much-loved holiday tale, 7:30 pm at Kenyon Hall. Buy your ticket(s) online at brownpapertickets.com/event/917572 or an hour before showtime at the venue box office. (7904 35th SW)

‘JUDY’S SCARY LITTLE CHRISTMAS’: Holiday show at ArtsWest (WSB sponsor) in The Junction, 7:30 pm. Buy tickets online here. (4711 California SW)

AND THOSE ARE JUST THE HIGHLIGHTS … browse the Holiday Guide and Event Calendar for even more options. Have a great Saturday!

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Door-to-door film festival! Couch Fest Films this Saturday, featuring three West Seattle sites
December 3, 2014 1:53 pm
|    Comments Off on Door-to-door film festival! Couch Fest Films this Saturday, featuring three West Seattle sites
 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Couch Fest Films Sampler 2014 from Couch Fest Films on Vimeo.

Two months ago, we shared the call for people who might want to host Couch Fest Films screenings during this unique one-day film festival taking place in living rooms instead of theaters. This Saturday (December 6th) is the big day/night, and CFF organizers tell us they have three West Seattle hosts! Above, it’s the sneak peek at the short films that will be shown; here’s the official Seattle program, listing what’s being shown, when, and where. Your $10 pass enables you to visit as many of the venues around the city as you want to/can – buy it online here (or at the first screening site you visit Saturday).

P.S. West Seattle Office Junction (WSB sponsor) confirms their space is the one mentioned at 6040 California SW, where the documentary shorts will be shown (33-minute program in all) – the other two are 6017 49th Ave SW, with the “Inappropriately Awesome” shorts (32 minutes), and the “Mixed 1” collection will be screened at 3011 SW Cycle Court. See the descriptions for all of the shorts here.

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Duwamish Longhouse Native Holiday Gift Fair 2014, day 1
November 28, 2014 3:33 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

At the Duwamish Tribe Longhouse in West Seattle, this year’s Native Holiday Gift Fair looked to us to be bigger than ever. Just one hour to go today, but you also have tomorrow and Sunday to browse/shop, 10 am-4:30 pm both days. You’ll find some of the artists working at their tables, like S’Klallam/Navajo carver Jimmy Price:

Coast Salish artist Peter Boome was talking with shoppers when we passed his table:

Pamela Coello‘s creations included these gifts no Seahawks fan could resist:

Many other materials/media are represented, including wearables. You can enjoy lunch at the Longhouse too; one big table inside is set aside for dining, and the menu posted on the Longhouse door mentioned two types of soup for $2, three types of pie for $1, and the famous frybread for $3. The longhouse is at 4705 W. Marginal Way SW.

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West Seattle scene: Why people are in line outside Easy Street
November 26, 2014 1:27 pm
|      18 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

The line outside Easy Street Records in The Junction right now – wrapping around the building and up the alley – isn’t in advance of a Black Friday deal. But it DOES involve the day after Thanksgiving. At 3 pm, as explained on the Easy Street website, tickets go on sale for a just-announced performance by Foo Fighters, Friday at the Showbox downtown. The show also includes a screening of “Sonic Highways,” the HBO series in which the band travels to cities around the U.S. while recording its new album.

Foo Fighters have been performing “surprise” shows in connection with the show’s episodes, and the Showbox plan fits right in with that.

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Eat, drink, and jam! Support student musicians @ West Seattle Community Orchestras’ gala
November 18, 2014 9:31 am
|    Comments Off on Eat, drink, and jam! Support student musicians @ West Seattle Community Orchestras’ gala
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Saturday night at Highland Park Improvement Club, you can enjoy food, beverages, and music while supporting student music programs via the West Seattle Community Orchestras‘ fifth annual “Fall for Music” fundraiser. Tickets are on sale online, and WSCO has sent an update:

The weather may be getting colder, but our planning committee has designed a fun and family-friendly evening to bring out the warmth of the season. Doors open at 6 pm

Guests will walk in to a fall-themed scenery infusing the gathering, to celebrate and harvest the music education for our student musicians. The soiree will also include a silent and live auction, along with a 50/50 Raffle; new this year, our Wine Cellar Raffle.

Our attendees will enjoy a wide variety of scrumptious and flavorful fare such as Indian samosas with cilantro chutney, Thai chicken skewers, grilled veggie platter, pesto pasta salad, assorted local cheeses with grapes & crackers, olive oil poached shrimp cocktail platter, and much more. A dessert buffet with chocolate truffles, pies, cake, and cookies will also be offered.

Our bar will present delicious beverage concoctions like Veuve Clicquot champagne, and top liquor like Grey Goose Vodka, Makers Mark Bourbon, and local microbrew selection, just to name a few. Children are welcome to attend the event and we will supply non-alcoholic beverages.

Several WSCO musicians will showcase their love of music through small ensembles, featuring a flute ensemble and a performance led by student violinist playing fiddle tunes. After the auction, there will be an open jam session performing jazz standards. We invite all levels of musicians to bring their instruments and participate and have fun!

The West Seattle Community Orchestra continues to fill a much-needed role in the community for all ages. New this season WSCO has opened two music programs: Wind Symphony for musicians with experience of 6 years and a Student Beginning Strings Class. The goal is to provide more opportunities to explore their music abilities and become more familiar with classic repertoire.

Advance tickets are on sale now!! Adults $25/each; Students (K-12) $10/each; Seniors (65 & over) $10/each, 5 and under FREE. Purchase your ticket at www.WSCOrchestras.org. For more information about The West Seattle Community Orchestras, please email info@WSCOrchestras.org

HPIC is at 12th/Holden.

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Followup: Seattle Farm School’s first class, crocheting
November 17, 2014 7:57 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Just a month after Seattle Farm School founder Katie Stemp went public with a request for community members to teach classes in the “home arts,” it’s officially launched with its first class tonight. Katie sent photos and

I’m so excited to share these pictures with you of our very first class with Seattle Farm School that is taking place at C&P Coffee right now!!

In a little over 2 months we have gone from concept to live classes right here in West Seattle! We are thrilled to teach sustainable living skills to our community! This is a sold-out Beginning Crochet Class with Kelli Thomas.

Katie says two Beginning Sewing classes are ahead this week (“Comfy Lounge Pants” and “Pillowcases”) as well as a class in soapmaking. More info at seattlefarmschool.com.

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Six options for your sunny West Seattle Sunday
November 16, 2014 9:24 am
|    Comments Off on Six options for your sunny West Seattle Sunday
 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts | WS miscellaneous

(Alki Beach promenade’s west end, by Laura Goodrich, shared via WSB Flickr group)
Happy Sunday! Some of what’s on the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar for today:

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm, every Sunday of the year. (44th/Alaska)

FAUNTLEROY FINE ART AND GIFT FAIR: 11 am-2 pm, final chance to shop this elegant sale at Fauntleroy Church. (9140 California SW)

WEST SEATTLE SIP & SHOP: 2-5 pm at St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church – details and vendors in our calendar listing. (California/Hanford)

‘CURIOUS SAVAGE’ AT SLHS: 2:30 pm, the final performance of the Seattle Lutheran High School Drama Club presentation of “The Curious Savage,” in the school gym – details in our calendar listing. (4100 SW Genesee)

FAMILY MUSIC CONCERT WITH CHARLIE HOPE: 4 pm at Westside Unitarian Universalist Church in Gatewood – find out more about Charlie here; suggested donation and other details in our calendar listing. (California/Othello)

SEATTLE GREEN SPACES COALITION: Can’t make all those evening community meetings? Here’s one in the heart of Sunday afternoon. Come find out the latest about the campaign to keep city-owned properties (such as former West Seattle substations) as open space. 2:45 pm, High Point Branch Library. (35th/Raymond)

AND OF COURSE THERE’S MORE … if you take a minute to browse the full calendar page for today.

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Speaking of West Seattle art: Spotted in Lincoln Park
November 13, 2014 9:40 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks | WS culture/arts

This wasn’t a stop on tonight’s West Seattle Art Walk but perhaps should have been – temporary art spotted in the south end of Lincoln Park.

Patti McCall sent the photos, and tonight Karen sent a tip about it too, saying one side showed up yesterday, the other today. (Thank you both!) Backstory, anyone?

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Scenes from November 2014 West Seattle Art Walk!
November 13, 2014 7:17 pm
|    Comments Off on Scenes from November 2014 West Seattle Art Walk!
 |   West Seattle Art Walk | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Until 9 pm, it’s West Seattle Art Walk night around the peninsula! Above, artists and spouses Kate Endle and Chris Ballew are at CAPERS, as previewed in our daily highlights list earlier today. South to Morgan Junction:

Office Junction (WSB sponsor) is at 6040 California SW. And back in The Junction, wearable art is part of the new group show at Twilight Gallery:

Adding more when our crew gets back!

10:17 PM: Click ahead for three more views from our two stops:

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West Seattle art: Local artist Kelda Martensen beautifying Junction signal boxes
November 11, 2014 1:07 pm
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

(WSB photos by Patrick Sand)
On this chilly, breezy, sunny day, outdoor art is happening in The Junction. It’s the beautification project noted here when artist recruitment was under way last spring. West Seattle artist Kelda Martensen (below) was chosen, and today she and assistants are out installing her vinyl-wrap creations on five signal boxes in The Junction:

They started at California/Oregon (top photo). We then caught up with them again at California/Edmunds (where we photographed Martensen). The other three are going up at California/Alaska, 42nd/Alaska, and 39th/Alaska. You can see all five designs here.

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Video: Skeleton Theatre goes ‘Beyond the Pale’ for 2014
October 31, 2014 9:59 pm
|    Comments Off on Video: Skeleton Theatre goes ‘Beyond the Pale’ for 2014
 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

That’s our on-the-fly video with the first few minutes of this year’s animatronics-and-more Skeleton Theatre show, “Beyond the Pale,” which debuted tonight on the lawn at 36th SW/SW Hanford and will continue tomorrow (Saturday) night. As previewed earlier, it’s the tale of a skeleton super-spy. The ST team proclaims it “by far the biggest show we’ve ever produced”:

Great night for outdoor animatronics, and as usual, it drew a crowd:

Check out the backstory, and previous years’ highlights, on the Skeleton Theatre website, where you can also meet the people behind the skeletons. This is the 9th year they’ve put on an elaborate animatronic/video Halloween extravaganza; it’s free of charge, but if you feel like donating to help them with the costs, show appreciation, etc., you can donate online (scroll down the home page).

Meantime, again, Skeleton Theatre also has shows tomorrow (Saturday, November 1st) night, running almost continuously between 6 and 9 pm.

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West Seattle scene: ‘I Am Eleven’ filmmaker at The Admiral
October 28, 2014 11:56 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Admiral Theater | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

I AM ELEVEN – Official trailer 2014 from I Am Eleven on Vimeo.

At Admiral Theater tonight, a sold-out house – about 300 people – got a bonus after watching the documentary “I Am Eleven” – they got to talk with its filmmaker, Genevieve Bailey, and her co-producer Henrik Nordstrom:

We caught up with Bailey, who is from Australia, and Nordstrom in the Admiral lobby, just before the post-film discussion with the audience. She said they had been in Atlanta previously and just decided to come – a modest jaunt for Bailey, who made her film by spending six years traveling the world filming the lives of 11-year-olds. Tonight’s screening was arranged by West Seattleites Susanna Moore and Anita Lavine through the on-demand service Gathr.

ADDED: Nordstrom shared this photo of the 11-year-olds in the audience, invited up to the stage (as mentioned in comments):

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West Seattle development: Equity Residential announces art-commission program, other details for Junction 47 project
October 28, 2014 3:33 pm
|      22 COMMENTS
 |   Development | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

The two-building Equity Residential project in the heart of The Junction, at California/Alaska/42nd, is “on schedule,” according to an ER executive, and expecting its first tenants to move in next summer.

Today, ER has just announced a plan to commission local artists for work inside and outside the project. This, though the company’s first vice president of development, Bradley Karvasek, says the original mandate for an art project no longer exists – the project has “abandoned” the underground alley vacation that was approved for the original development after a community agreement contingent on public benefits including art.

Karvasek talked with WSB today for the first official update on the project in almost two years; it’s now been under construction for one year, since demolition began in October 2013.

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West Seattle park art: ‘Flyers’ now installed at expanded Westcrest
October 28, 2014 11:52 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Highland Park | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

(Added: City of Seattle photo by Jason Huff, republished with permission)
Thanks to Lola for pointing out the announcement on the city Arts and Culture Department‘s website – the kinetic artwork “Flyers” is now in place at the Westcrest Park expansion in Highland Park. More than four years have passed since artist David Boyer announced the concept (here’s our coverage from June 2010).

2:16 PM NOTE: The city seems to be having a bit of website trouble; the story’s 404ing but here’s the cached version.

WEDNESDAY NOTE: The original link is working again.

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West Seattle Saturday: See what’s up today and tonight
October 25, 2014 7:14 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts | WS miscellaneous

(Osprey, photographed by Mark Wangerin)
From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar and Halloween Guide:

WEST SEATTLE MONSTER DASH: 9 am in south Lincoln Park, near the zipline, it’s the annual 5K – costumes encouraged (but not mandatory) – benefiting Co-Op Preschools. Followed by the Little Monster dashes at 10 am, preceded by last-minute signups ($40) at 8:30 am, full race-day schedule here. (Fauntleroy/Cloverdale)

DECORATE A PUMPKIN: Kids’ pumpkin-decorating at PCC Natural Markets-West Seattle (WSB sponsor), 9-noon. “Come decorate your very own pumpkin to take home. PCC will supply free pumpkins and decorating supplies. There also will be healthy snacks to stir those scary, creative juices. Free for kids 12 and younger.” (California/Stevens)

BEAUTIFY NORTH DELRIDGE: 10 am-noon, just two hours of your time can make a major difference. Join North Delridge Neighborhood Council‘s beautification chair Lisa Taylor Whitley and neighborhood volunteers, starting at Delridge Community Center and fanning out to pick up trash and clear storm drains along Delridge Way SW. Bags/pickers provided! (4501 Delridge Way SW)

GEAR SWAP: 10 am-6 pm, it’s the annual Mountain to Sound Outfitters-presented gear swap at VFW Hall across the street. Details in our calendar listing. (3601 SW Alaska)

THRIFTWAY HALLOWEEN PARTY: Annual kids’ Halloween party at West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor), 11 am-1 pm. (Fauntleroy/Morgan/California)

DUWAMISH LONGHOUSE HALLOWEEN PARTY: 1-3 pm, with games, prizes, refreshments. Details in our calendar listing. (4705 W. Marginal Way SW)

HIGH-SCHOOL FOOTBALL: 1 pm, Chief Sealth International High School plays Cleveland HS at Memorial Stadium downtown.

DIA DE LOS MUERTOS @ THE LIBRARY: Dia de los Muertos event for ages 5-up at Southwest Branch Library, 2-3:30 pm. Details here. (35th/Henderson)

ORGAN BENEFIT: 3 pm at Admiral Church, an all-star musical lineup to help raise money to renovate the church’s 52-year-old pipe organ – read about it here. (California/Hill)

HALLOWEEN CARNIVAL: 4-8 pm, Halloween Carnival at Our Lady of Guadalupe School. Details on the school website. (34th/Myrtle)

OKTOBERFEST: The West Seattle Lions Club‘s Oktoberfest celebration starts at 5:30 pm, Senior Center of West Seattle – details in our calendar listing. (Oregon/California)

‘DOGFIGHT’: 7:30 pm at ArtsWest (WSB sponsor), it’s your next chance to see the musical “Dogfight,” described as “the romantic and heartbreaking story of three young marines in 1963 on the eve of the deployment to the small but growing conflict in Vietnam.” Directed by AW’s new artistic director Mathew Wright. (4711 California SW)

LOTS OF NIGHTLIFE: Live music and more – see the venues/listings on the calendar.

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Video: Opera for a cause! Singing for SWYFS in Fauntleroy
October 20, 2014 6:15 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Lyric soprano Vicky Oxley and mezzo-soprano Linda Rough are the Opera Belles, and their 10-song “Parade of Operatic Hits” was the perfect note to end a sunny Sunday in Fauntleroy. With accompanist Hartwig Eichberg, they sang the music of nine composers in a house-recital benefit for Southwest Youth and Family Services, whose director Steve Daschle was their opening act, explaining Delridge-based SWYFS’s community work to help thousands of people every year, in multiple ways:

Susan Lantz-Dey from the SWYFS Board hosted the recital and a wine/cheese reception preceding it.

P.S. The song in our clip is an original Opera Belles arrangement of “Voi Che Sapete” from Mozart‘s “Marriage of Figaro.”

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West Seattle Halloween 2014: New show for Skeleton Theatre
October 17, 2014 12:19 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Halloween is exactly two weeks away – and yes, West Seattle’s own Skeleton Theatre is back, according to ST’s Maia Low, who tells WSB, “It’s a brand-new show called ‘Beyond the Pale.’ It’s the story of a skeleton super-spy, Mason Tanner.” The ~20-minute show will run multiple times between 6 pm and 9 pm on Halloween (Friday, October 31) and the night after, Saturday, November 1st, at 36th/Hanford (map). Visit the ST website for behind-the-scenes info, cast details, more (including backstory if this is the first time you’ve heard of Skeleton Theatre!).

P.S. The WSB Halloween page – with this event and lots more over the next 2 weeks – should be up tonight; if you still haven’t sent us your listing (including bar parties), editor@westseattleblog.com ASAP – thanks!

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Seattle Symphony, here, free! Friday concert also features WS Community Orchestra
October 16, 2014 3:46 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

In case you missed the mention when the West Seattle Community Orchestras‘ new season started – tomorrow night at Chief Sealth International High School, some of their musicians will be featured in the first Seattle Symphony community performance this fall – free admission! Here’s the lineup and program for the 7 pm concert:

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Young writer in the house? Enter the VFW essay competition!
October 9, 2014 9:40 am
|    Comments Off on Young writer in the house? Enter the VFW essay competition!
 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Young writer in the house? Here’s a chance to win money and recognition! From Kyle Geraghty at the West Seattle VFW:

The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2713 of West Seattle is holding its annual youth competitions. All students in public, private, and home school are invited to compete. First, second, and third place prizes will be awarded for each grade and are invited, with their families, to the VFW holiday party later this year to receive their prizes. First place winners from all contests will advance to higher levels and greater prizes. The competitions are:

Youth Essay – Grades 3rd-5th
Topic “What can I do to make our country better”
Prizes: 1st $50, 2nd $25, 3rd $15
Rules and entry forms here

Patriot’s Pen – Grades 6th, 7th, 8th
Topic “Why I appreciate America’s Veterans”
Prizes: 1st $50, 2nd, $25, 3rd $15
Rules and entry forms here

Voice of Democracy – Grades 9, 10, 11, 12.
Topic “Why Veterans are Important to our Nation’s History and Future”
Prizes: 1st $100, 2nd $50, 3rd, $25
Rules and entry forms here

The VFW says all submissions must be turned in by November 1st to the West Seattle VFW at
3601 SW Alaska St. Seattle, WA 98126.

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Couch Fest Films invites you to be a film-fest host – at home, or…
October 1, 2014 9:34 pm
|    Comments Off on Couch Fest Films invites you to be a film-fest host – at home, or…
 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Couch Fest Films is recruiting for hosts! Organizers of this self-described “scrappy film festival” are hoping some West Seattleites will want to be part of it – the festival isn’t until December 6th, but they are only taking signups until next Tuesday, October 7th.

Erin Knobler, a community organizer for Couch Fest Films and resident of High Point, asked us to share the invite. She says Couch Fest started in Seattle in 2008 and “is a cozy shorts film fest hosted in people’s houses and community spaces all over the world, all on the same day. The shorts come from some of the top festivals around the world, and we even highlight local artists as well as some virtually unknowns. … We typically have themed houses, such as ‘Comedy,’ ‘Animation,’ ‘Documentary,’ ‘Inappropriately Awesome’ and more!” You don’t even have to have a couch: “You can host at home, at work, with a community org, at school, on a pirate boat, in a tree house, at your local theater, in a cave, or wherever!” Curiosity piqued? Here’s how to apply.

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‘Red Light Revolution 2.0’: Benefit Saturday @ Youngstown
October 1, 2014 2:45 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Just found out about this benefit Saturday at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, for the fight against sex trafficking:

“The Seattle-Tacoma sex industry’s growth is notable… because it more than doubled in four years (March 2014).” -The Seattle Times

After two years, we present to you…. RED LIGHT REVOLUTION 2.0., a benefit show showcasing local hip hop dance teams, singers, spoken word, & rap artists coming together to:

EXPRESS freedom in arts, and INSPIRE others to join the movement to advocate for victims of sex trafficking. MAKE NOISE & let it be known through the arts and our voices that OUR CITY is anti-trafficking.

RLR in partnership with local non-profits and groups: REST, Seattle Against Slavery, World Concern, Youthcare, New Horizons, Friday Night Hip Hop, and Youngstown Cultural Center.

Mark your calendars for October 4, 2014. Red Light Revolution 2.0 hosting the best Northwest hip-hop crews, singers & spoken word artists in the Northwest! A great cause by a great group @withliving. Come help unite the community around the tragic effects of human trafficking in the Seattle area. Only $8 online and $12 at the door. Limited seating so buy early!

Doors open 5 pm Saturday, show at 5:30 pm. Here’s the Facebook event page.

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Happening now: Chinese-culture celebration at Confucius Institute Day
September 27, 2014 3:01 pm
|    Comments Off on Happening now: Chinese-culture celebration at Confucius Institute Day
 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

You still have time to get to Chief Sealth International High School for the culmination of Confucius Institute Day – performances including the Seattle Chinese Community Girls’ Drill Team, whose members were there early, checking out other activities including language and writing instruction. The schedule, as featured in our preview earlier this week, also includes lion dancing:

Another highlight – a demonstration of Peking Opera. Costumes and props were shown off earlier in the afternoon:

It’s a free festival, open to all:

Sealth and adjoining Denny International Middle School are home to a branch of the Confucius Institute, a “nongovernmental and nonprofit organization affiliated with the Ministry of Education of China,” focused on cultural education and understanding, with 400 branches in 130 countries. This festival and others are part of Global Confucius Institute Day, marking the program’s 10th worldwide anniversary.

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Celebrate Chinese culture at Confucius Institute Day on Saturday
September 24, 2014 3:27 pm
|    Comments Off on Celebrate Chinese culture at Confucius Institute Day on Saturday
 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

“Experience China without leaving Seattle!” Organizers say you can do that this Saturday afternoon at Chief Sealth International High School, during Confucius Institute Day, a mini-festival with free Chinese language/culture activities for all ages. Here’s the flyer with details:

The Confucius Institute has a center at the Sealth/Denny campus – you might recall the celebration back in 2010. This Saturday’s activities are set for 1-4 pm; the schedule is here, where you also can RSVP to let organizers know how many people to plan for.

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