West Seattle, Washington
28 Sunday
Most years, we’ve featured locally created Christmas music. Tonight – a song with a bit of a story. We heard from Ian Fetterer, who is lead vocalist/keyboardist and audio engineer for a band called Faintly. They are living in a West Seattle house while writing and recording an album they hope to finish by next year. He sent us the link to a Christmas song that he explains was written “a few years back, and somehow it has now become one of my traditions every year to remix the song to see if I can get it sounding better than the year before, and I’m really excited about this mix!” If you like the song – which you can preview above – Ian invites you to download it here – for free, or “pay what you’d like.”
Two notes from Explorer West Middle School (WSB sponsor):
(Photo courtesy Explorer West Middle School)
AWARD-WINNING, AGAIN: EWMS has again scored big in local theater honors:
At an awards ceremony on Monday (12/9), Explorer West students walked away with top honors in the Young Playwrights Program at ACT. Annually, ACT, a professional equity theater in downtown Seattle, hosts more than 200 high school and middle school students from across King County in the Young Playwrights Program. Explorer West 7th-grade students were two of the eight students selected to win the top prize, a production of their play with professional actors at ACT. Two additional 7th-grade students each received one of the 22 honorable mentions in the contest. Explorer West is very proud to be part of this program and for our students to be recognized for the third year in a row.
More details are on the school’s website.
THEATER TONIGHT DURING BOOK FAIR: EW students will be performing live theater, both classic and original works, 4:30-5:30 pm today at Barnes & Noble/Westwood Village, which is hosting their Book Fair tonight. That’s also an opportunity to have part of your purchase proceeds support EW (the third local school this week with a Book Fair at B&N); they’re raising money to expand the school library.
Five nights after rocking KeyArena with Pearl Jam, Mudhoney rocked a wall-to-wall-and-out-the-door crowd at Full Tilt Ice Cream in White Center, inside and out, to launch the honey/cinnamon/chocolate-swirl flavor bearing their name. More scenes from Wednesday night’s party on our partner site White Center Now.
P.S. Were you there? Got a photo/video link? Add it in comments here or on the WSB Facebook page post, where as of this writing we already have a couple bonus links.
So much happening in West Seattle today/tonight (as listed here earlier), there are few reasons to leave – but this just might be one of them: The increasingly legendary Art Under $100 sale, on at South Park Community Center until 9 tonight. Above, the neon art is by Koko Jamison. You’ll find West Seattleites there too, not just artists but volunteers – we found Bob Anderton emceeing, Tonya Hennen selling raffle tickets:
Tonya’s husband Bill Reiswig is on the artist roster. Meantime, our eye was caught by Liam, Keely, and the picture of Mojo Jojo:
SPCC isn’t far from West Seattle – head down Roxbury and over 509 to Cloverdale and turn left (north) on 8th; it’s at 8319 8th Avenue S.
West Seattle filmmaker Christen Marquez has made a film to tell the story behind part of her name. “E Haku Inoa: To Weave A Name” has its Seattle premiere tomorrow at the Northwest Film Forum at 6 pm, preceded by a “meet the filmmaker reception” at 5:30 pm (appropriate to the Hawai’i theme, catered by Marination!). She explains her film as “a personal documentary that follows the budding relationship of between my mother and I as I try to discover the meaning behind my extremely long, 60-plus-letter, Hawaiian middle name. Before embarking on the project, I had been estranged from my mother for nearly 20 years.” Here are Christen and her mom in a promotional photo from the film:
Christen’s West Seattle roots run deep too: She came here from Hawai’i at age 8, going to school at Schmitz Park Elementary, Madison Middle, and West Seattle High School. Her film has won acclaim, and has been shown on PBS in Hawaii; now, she’s bringing it to a Seattle audience. Northwest Film Forum is at 1515 12th Avenue on Capitol Hill; tickets for the Saturday night screening are available online; if you can’t get there tomorrow, the NWFF website also shows a screening on Sunday.
A special West Seattle showing of the inspirational film “Girl Rising” 
is planned for 4 pm Monday, November 11th, at the historic Admiral Theater – but organizers have just a few days for ticket sales, so you need to buy yours ASAP by going here. The trailer’s on YouTube; see it here. In short, the film “directed by Academy Award nominee Richard Robbins journeys around the globe to witness the strength of the human spirit and the power of education to change the world”; it will introduce you to the memorable girls you’ll glimpse in the trailer. Buy your ticket(s) by Sunday to help the organizers finalize the screening!
Back from Halloween rounds – including a stop at Skeleton Theatre, which as usual is playing again tomorrow, so you still have a chance to go if you didn’t get to 36th/Hanford tonight. It’s an updated version of last year’s production “Ulna 13,” a space saga starring the animatronic protagonists – lights, sound, dialogue, bones and all:
A team of friends/neighbors works hard to make the (free, but you can donate online) show happen every year – their story’s on the ST website. If you haven’t been before, here’s a map; the stage is in the elevated front yard of the home on the southwest corner of 36th/Hanford, and Friday’s showtimes are expected to be roughly on the hour/half-hour between 6 and 9 again.
Starting Friday night and continuing for five performances, you can support the West Seattle High School Drama Club by seeing its fall production, “The Diary of Anne Frank.” This is the famous story of a Jewish family hiding in Amsterdam to try to avoid the Nazis, as told by young Anne. Showtimes are 7:30 pm this Friday and Saturday and November 6, 7, 8. The lowest-priced tickets are $7 by e-mail reservation (reservations@westsidedrama.com); otherwise, you will pay $12 at the door at the WSHS Theater (3000 California SW). More information, including the cast list, on the Drama Club website.
(Monday photo by Don Brubeck)
Another sunny day, as all that fog falls further behind. From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
TODDLER PUMPKINPALOOZA: 10 am at High Point Community Center, $5 activity fee, fun fall event for the little ones. (6920 34th SW)
WEST SEATTLE COMMUNITY ORCHESTRAS: Prospective new members, youth and adults, are always welcome at the weekly rehearsals, which start at 5:30 pm tonight and just about every Tuesday at Chief Sealth International High School; check the WSCO website for specifics on who rehearses when. (2600 SW Thistle)
INFO NIGHT FOR NEW YOUTH SERVICE GROUP: As previously reported here, the Rotary Club of West Seattle is starting up an Interact club for teens and tweens, and tonight’s your chance to find out more about it. 6:30 pm at Southwest Youth and Family Services. (4555 Delridge Way SW)
‘TALES FROM THE HEARTH’: Two nights until Halloween – get into the spirit with Toastmasters 832‘s “Tales from the Hearth,” 6:30 pm at Emeritus Assisted Living (formerly Merrill Gardens; WSB sponsor), everyone 18+ welcome; details in our calendar listing. (4611 35th SW)
Lots more for today/tonight on our calendar! And check out the WSB West Seattle Halloween Guide for what’s coming up between now and post-Hallo-weekend.
Click the map to see a full-size version – hope we’ll see you at the second annual West Seattle Harvest Festival in The Junction, today’s biggest (but not only) event:
WEST SEATTLE HARVEST FESTIVAL SCHEDULE:
*Farmers’ Market in the streets (today only!), map shows who’s where, 10 am-2 pm
*20+ fun, free activities in booths/tents on the streets, 10 am-2 pm
*First-ever Chili Competition at SW corner of California/Alaska, 6 competitors (listed in our Thursday preview), about 100 “flights” with samples of each available first-come first-served for $ donation to the West Seattle Food Bank, 11 am
*Costume parade led by the West Seattle High School Marching Band – meet at Junction Plaza Park (NW corner of 42nd/Alaska), 11:30 am
*Business trick-or-treating (don’t forget the businesses north of the festival zone), noon-2 pm
WEST SEATTLE HARVEST FESTIVAL BUS CHANGES, ROAD CLOSURES Two streets are closed; five bus routes are affected – find the official reroutes/stop changes info here.
From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar and/or Halloween Guide, other highlights:
GEAR SALE: West Seattle-based nonprofit The Service Board is having a winter-gear sale 10 am-2 pm at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center; details in our calendar listing. (4408 Delridge Way SW)
UNDERWATER PUMPKIN CARVING: Marker Buoy Dive Club is carving pumpkins underwater just off the picnic shelter at 63rd and Alki. Carvers meet at 9, divers are briefed at 10 and go in shortly thereafter, with about an hour allotted to carve. Buddy required. Judging help needed (no diving required for this!) around 11:30 am.
THE LITTLE RED HEN PROJECT: A new grass-roots project focused on educational gardens in eastern West Seattle is having its first fundraiser today at West Seattle Nursery. Here’s our preview; starts at 1 pm. (California/Brandon)
WHITE CENTER TRICK-OR-TREAT FESTIVAL: 2-5 pm, trick-or-treating at participating businesses – details on this Facebook event page.
ED MURRAY RALLY: 3-4 pm at Beveridge Place Pub, the first of two mayoral-candidate public appearances scheduled in West Seattle over the next week – State Sen. Ed Murray’s “get out the vote” rally. (6413 California SW)
ALL-AGES OPEN MICROPHONE: 3 pm signups, 4 pm music at Skylark Café and Club. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
HELP CALL THE SALMON HOME: 5 pm, it’s the annual Fauntleroy Creek Overlook gathering to drum, chant, sing, and call the spawning salmon home. Bring your own drum (makeshift or official) if you can, but it’s not mandatory – just be there; all ages welcome. Across the street and up the embankment from the Fauntleroy ferry dock. (Fauntleroy/Director)
GHOST GAME VII: THE WILD HUNT – The Cabiri‘s annual Halloween-season dessert-theater production continues tonight, 8 pm, Youngstown Cultural Arts Center; details and ticket info in our calendar listing. (4408 Delridge Way SW)
For even more of what’s up – check the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar and Halloween Guide!
(Fall colors = wall colors! Mid-October photo by alextutu1821, shared via the WSB Flickr group page)
From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar and/or the WSB West Seattle Halloween Guide:
WEST SEATTLE MONSTER DASH: This 5K and kids-dashes event raising money for SSCC Cooperative Preschools is under way right now and continuing for most of the rest of the morning in Lincoln Park.
PUMPKIN-DECORATING AT PCC: Kids’ pumpkin-decorating at PCC Natural Markets-West Seattle (WSB sponsor), under way now and continuing until noon. Free pumpkins and decorating supplies. (California/Stevens)
DRUG TAKEBACK DAY: 10 am-2 pm, bring your unwanted/unneeded/expired medications to the front desk at the Southwest Precinct and they’ll dispose of it for you. Here’s our preview. (Delridge/Webster)
HALLOWEEN PARTY AT THRIFTWAY: It’s the annual Halloween Party at West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor), 11 am-1 pm, for ages 1-10, in the deli dining area. “Decorate your own mini-pumpkin, win a treat bag, have a spooky good time!” (California/Fauntleroy/Morgan)
SPOOKY STORYTIME: Halloween theme at today’s weekly storytime at Barnes and Noble in Westwood Village, 11 am.
HIGH-SCHOOL FOOTBALL: Seattle Lutheran High School‘s homecoming game, 1:30 pm at West Seattle Stadium. (4432 35th SW)
SEE ART, MAKE ART: Another chance to be inspired by the Community Artist Showcase at the Southwest Branch Library – come make your own art, 2 pm. (35th/Henderson)
HALLOWEEN AT THE LONGHOUSE: Halloween Party 6-8 pm at the Duwamish Longhouse & Cultural Center. Children of all ages; family-friendly event. Games, prizes & refreshments. Suggested donation $10. (4705 W. Marginal Way)
FINAL NIGHT FOR ‘THE TAMING’: Last chance to see the political satire that’s kicked off the new season at ArtsWest in The Junction. 7:30 pm. (4711 California SW)
POETRY AND PHOTOGRAPHY: Theme for tonight’s apertureSTOP! event at Twilight in The Junction is “Haunt!”; details in our calendar listing; 8-10 pm. (SW Alaska just west of California)
GHOST GAME VII: THE WILD HUNT – It’s the Halloween-time production by The Cabiri, and you’re invited (provided you’re at least 16 years old). Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. (4408 Delridge Way SW)
’80s NEW-WAVE MUSIC: Listen – and dance if you feel like it! – with DJ Shane at Duos Lounge in Luna Park, 9 pm-2 am; details in our calendar listing. (2940 SW Avalon Way)
ROCKY HORROR, PRE-HALLOWEEN EDITION: Midnight tonight, special date for this month’s screening of “Rocky Horror Picture Show” at the historic Admiral Theater. (2343 California SW)
Visiting jazz musician and educator Ron Carter, spotlighted in that video clip, will be on stage in West Seattle tomorrow night (Friday, October 18th), for a special concert with student musicians – and you’re invited! Here’s the announcement:
Denny International Middle School and Chief Sealth International High School are delighted to welcome jazz artist, clinician and educator Ron Carter (right) for a special evening in the Sealth Auditorium Friday night at 7:30 pm. Ron Carter is a professor of jazz studies at Northern Illinois University, faculty member with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Essentially Ellington Band Director Academy and will be performing with the Denny and Sealth Jazz Bands, under the direction of Marcus Pimpleton. The concert is free; donations will be accepted to support the Denny and Sealth performing arts programs.
The auditorium is on the west side of the Sealth/Denny campus, at 2600 SW Thistle.
Their new album isn’t officially out until tomorrow – but today, you could buy The Head & The Heart‘s new album “Let’s Be Still” in advance at just one place: West Seattle’s own Easy Street Records. And those who did, were guaranteed a spot inside the store for tonight’s announced-at-the-last-minute live performance. Big spillover outside:
It’s not easy running a record store -slash- café -slash- live-music venue – ESR proprietor Matt Vaughan was seen minutes before the show, coming down from his crow’s nest by the café’s front door; he had been moving some audio equipment:
After tonight’s Easy Street performance, The Head & The Heart (profiled in The Seattle Times [WSB partner] today) was off to a sold-out show at the Columbia City Theater, and heading east on tour after that; as for ESR, there’s more excitement at the store later tonight – Pearl Jam‘s new album will be playing and on sale in less than an hour, when the release party starts at 9 pm.
Double reason to be at Easy Street Records in The Junction tomorrow – they’ve just confirmed hot band The Head & The Heart will be live in-store at 6 pm – free, but ESR says you’re only guaranteed to get in if you’re among those buying the band’s new album “Let’s Be Still” starting at noon Monday at the store (wristbands will be handed out). That precedes the 9 pm release party for Pearl Jam‘s “Lightning Bolt,” and between the two events, they’ll be cooking up their newly famous chicken wings (a semi-new Thursday night tradition). More details on all of the above – including special extras for the PJ release party – on the ESR website.
MONDAY P.S. From the West Seattle Food Bank: “Bring 2 non-perishable food items for the food bank and be entered into a raffle for tickets to the 12/6 Pearl Jam sold-out KeyArena concert!”
If you haven’t checked our calendar yet today – five quick highlights for this afternoon/evening:
TIBBETTS RUMMAGE SALE, DAY 1: Hannah was helping out at the Express Pay Line when we stopped by the Tibbetts United Methodist Church (WSB sponsor) rummage sale this morning. Just like a grocery express line – if you have just a few items, the express line’s for you here. Meantime, here’s one of the unique items we found – an antique tea set!
The sale’s on until 4 pm today and 9 am-3 pm tomorrow (Saturday), 3940 41st SW.
WINE AND CHOCOLATE WITH THE ROTARY: As previewed here – tasty benefit to help the Rotary Club of West Seattle raise money for community projects like the Children’s Holiday Shopping Spree. The Sanctuary at Admiral, 5 pm. (2656 42nd SW)
HIGH-SCHOOL FOOTBALL: Chief Sealth IHS is on the road vs. Nathan Hale, 6 pm at NE Athletic Complex (10750 30th Ave NE) … West Seattle HS is home vs. Ingraham, 7 pm at SW Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle)
SEATTLE SYMPHONY, FOR FREE: Community concert at Chief Sealth International High School tonight, all welcome, no admission charge. 7:30 pm. (2600 SW Thistle)
SWEET, SWEET MUSIC: Live music and dessert at Fauntleroy Church, this time featuring bluegrass by Pickled Okra. 7:30 pm; details in our calendar listing. (9140 California SW)
COLLEEN RANEY CD-RELEASE PARTY: Seattle-born singer in the Irish tradition, 7:30 pm at Kenyon Hall – details in our calendar listing. (7904 35th SW)
A new proposed home has been found for the privately funded Luna Girls on Alki metal sculptures. We got first word via that photo from David Hutchinson. When we reported on the sculpture plan in July of last year, a site near Alki Bathhouse had just been identified, after it was determined the landscaped “island” along Alki SW at 63rd wouldn’t work out. Ground was broken last November, but the site idled and then in July, the Parks Department announced the Bathhouse-vicinity site wasn’t right either, saying it was working with Lezlie Jane, the West Seattle artist who has been involved with myriad Parks projects, to find a new spot for her creation. It now appears that site will be a grassy berm by the small pier just west of Salty’s on Alki (WSB sponsor) – the artist’s site includes an aerial view. The sign says a public meeting is set for 6 pm Monday, October 21st, at Marination ma kai (1660 Harbor SW; WSB sponsor). We’re checking with Parks today to find out more about the site move.
UPDATE: The subsequent city announcement sets the meeting time at 6:30 pm.
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
The new owners of Skylark Café and Club in North Delridge are finally ready for their closeup.
They weren’t quite ready to talk back when we reported Skylark’s founders had sold it to them. But now they’ve been running Skylark for five weeks – they took over on September 1st and reopened it on September 3rd – and would like to invite you to get to know them, so, tomorrow, they invite you to an open house to get to know the new Skylark – which so far isn’t that much different from the old one, just continuing to evolve.
We sat down with new proprietors Matt Larson and Janna Richards to talk about what’s not changing, what is, and their hopes for the food-and-music venue:
The 22nd annual Artist Showcase at Southwest Branch Library (35th/Henderson) starts one week from today, and the library wants to make sure everyone interested in participating knows about it. Signups are under way, and dropoff dates are October 10th-12th, right before the October 13th-November 9th showcase begins. Each artist can drop off up to three creations to be displayed; the library also is offering art-making classes during the showcase, which is highlighted by a reception to meet the artists on November 3rd. Dates and details for all of the above (and more) are listed on the official flyer – see it here.
P.S. If you want to go sign up today – the library’s open until 5 pm.
Love to sing? Don’t just do it in the shower or the car – you’re welcome to join community groups like this one!
The Metropolitan Glee Club, a non-profit West Seattle community-based women’s singing group, has just started the 2013 – 2014 season. We meet weekly to improve our singing skills, practice pieces for upcoming concerts and just have fun. We need women in all voice ranges who are interested in joining us on Tuesday evenings. We meet at the ActivSpace Building on Harbor Avenue SW. Please contact The_Met@seattlegleeclubs.org or look at the website Seattlegleeclubs.org for more information. Or just show up one Tuesday evening!
Thanks to Jenny for sharing the announcement.
(American Legion Post 160 photo, from its 1941 dedication)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
A multi-phase renovation project is bringing new life to West Seattle’s American Legion Post 160, as the World War II-era hall finds new ways to be relevant to the veterans of today, as well as its broader community.
Even if you are not associated with Post 160 (which is in The Triangle at 3618 SW Alaska), you get a chance to see Phase I for yourself tomorrow, when the renovated event space debuts as Pershing Hall – announced with this plaque by its door off the lobby:
The first show booked for Pershing Hall is tomorrow (Saturday, October 5th) at 8 pm, the Somethin’ Fierce Band will perform there with special guest MER. Booker Savannah Miller-O’Malley says, “This is sure to be a show full of passion and the first of many in our newly renovated building.”
She was first to let us know about the changes – but when we stopped by Post 160 on Thursday afternoon, we found out more.
(‘Instrument petting zoo’ from Seattle Super String Saturday presented by SYSO)
Once again this year, students in our area are gaining musical mentorship courtesy of the Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestra – and that’ll include another Super String Saturday event for the community – read on for SYSO’s update on what’s ahead:
This week Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestra (SYSO) begins its fifth year of providing professional musicians to coach beginning violin, viola, cello and bass players in the elementary schools in Southwest Seattle – Arbor Heights, Concord International, Highland Park, Roxhill, Sanislo and West Seattle Elementary Schools – as well as at Denny International Middle School, completely free of charge to the schools and the students’ families.
Professional musicians Kim Roy, Begin Scarseth, Daniel Mullikin and Jared Ballance bring their expertise as teachers and performers to the classroom. These talented musician-educators have served as university music faculty and private teachers, as well as having performed with such local and regional orchestras as Northwest Symphony Orchestra, Seattle Rock Orchestra, and Tacoma Symphony Orchestra. In Southwest Seattle, they collaborate with Seattle Public School music teachers to enhance violin, viola, cello and string bass instruction.
In the six elementary schools, SYSO coaches co-teach with Elementary Instrumental Music teacher Casey Cheever, who is himself a SYSO alumnus. Mr. Cheever worked with SYSO coaches last year and explains the impact of this program for both himself and his students:
(January 2011 photo)
The Kiwanis Club of West Seattle has just sent word of another free West Seattle community concert by the Seattle Symphony: 7:30 pm October 11th (one week from Friday) – second one this year:
Stilian Kirov, conductor
Alexander Lu, piano
Seattle SymphonyMOZART: Divertimento in D major
MOZART: Piano Concerto No. 21 in C major
TCHAIKOVSKY: Serenade for StringsChief Sealth International High School
2600 SW ThistleThis concert is presented as part of the Seattle Symphony’s Family, School & Community programs, which are supported by 4Culture, ArtsWA, The Boeing Company, Burlington Northern Santa Fe Foundation, The Clowes Fund, Inc., Fales Foundation Trust, Elizabeth McGraw Foundation, Peach Foundation, Peg and Rick Young Foundation, Seattle Office of Arts & Culture, The Sheri and Les Biller Family Foundation, Snoqualmie Tribe, Ten Grands Seattle and Wyman Youth Trust.
No RSVP required – just show up!
Seahawks game is over – the potential windstorm is a few hours away – perfect time to get out and go wish Diane Venti well, on the final day for the original location of Alki Arts, which she and husband Tom Wyrick opened more than three years ago. It was expected to be “temporary” – but then suddenly, there they were, celebrating one year in business, then marking two years in business, and gaining fans not only for the art, but also for events both public and private. But two months ago, Diane announced they’d been notified the “temporary” lease was finally ending, and today is their final day – drop by before 7 pm, and/or catch up with them in the future at their other “temporary” location – Alki Arts at Harbor Steps (55 University St. downtown).
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