West Seattle, Washington
16 Monday
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.
(Unlike many art walks, visual arts were just part of this one)
By Macey Wurm
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
The arts are alive and well at Chief Sealth International High School, showcased through Thursday night’s third annual CSIHS Art Walk. Originally proposed by Sealth’s choir director Katie Lenoue, the Art Walk is intended to cohesively showcase all of the school’s fine arts programs.
The event was open to the public, and began at 6:00 p.m. with a brief introduction, before guests were invited to explore the various rooms. Each room was home to a department – choir, jazz, orchestra, or poetry – which each put on three performance “sessions” throughout the night. Attendees were encouraged to continuously explore various rooms, paying no mind to performance starts, or end times. This created a well-rounded arts experience where attendees could linger as long as they wanted with programs they particularly enjoyed.
The choir department took over room 206, and showcased multiple soloists, a duet, and a quintet over the course of the three performances. Director Lenoue expressed her joy in the group, mentioning that one student had qualified as a state alternate in a recent competition on Jan. 31, and that she and a partner had qualified for state as a duet.
“We’re really proud of those kids, and we thought people would enjoy hearing them,” Lenoue said.
Jazz music filled the Little Theater, three different ensembles, each with at least 5 members, played for the audience in the span of an hour. This was just a snippet of the jazz program at large, which has seen recent growth at Chief Sealth, according to Joey Roberts, the band director. He mentioned that more than 50 students pursued the program this year, causing it to split into two stage bands and three combos. The program will be attending the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival in Idaho again this year, in April.
Unique from the other rooms were the poetry readings held in 209. An ensemble labeled on the directory as “Addison Whited and Friends” overtook the space in what seemed like an organic, mostly unstructured slam poetry session. Students took turns reading famous works and mixed in self-written poems. The poetry branch is largely student run, with some help from Chief Sealth’s English department.
The main auditorium was home to the orchestra, with three consecutive performances by a chamber orchestra and a string quartet. At 7:50, attendees gathered back into the auditorium to observe a brief combined show by the choir, jazz band, and orchestra. The diverse body brought together a piece from “The Prince of Egypt,” followed by a sneak peek into the drama department’s upcoming musical “Little Shop of Horrors.”
Chief Sealth plans to bring its music programs to Disneyland in June, with the help of DSPA Parent Boosters, the booster group for arts at Denny International Middle School and Chief Sealth IHS.
The Art Walk is typically DSPA’s most prominent fundraiser. “Performing arts programs are sorely underfunded, so we just do a lot of work throughout the year to try to raise as much money as we can,” said an officer of the booster group. Fundraising will ensure that all students would be able to go on the California trip. Consistently, funds go toward instruments, sheet music access, and other materials necessary to continue the livelihood of the arts. You can donate online by scrolling down this page to the “Direct Give” links.
5:13 PM: From Alki Beach to Morgan Junction, it’s West Seattle Art Walk night!
That’s the list of this quarter’s Art Walk venues, many of whom are hosting artists until 8 pm (check here), with a few variations. We’re stopping at a few and will be updating!
(WSB photos)
5:45 PM: Above, that’s Tatyana Brown, who we found at Jet City Labs (4547 California SW), which describes her work this way;
Inspired by Japanese printmaking and artists like Hokusai, Tatyana’s work explores minimalism, clean lines, and our connection to nature. Her pieces reflect transition, growth, and the quiet power of change through a deeply personal lens.
What she’s showing at JCL tonight ranges from elegant …
… to whimsical:
6:30 PM: At John L. Scott (4445 California SW), mixed-media work by students from nearby Tilden School (WSB sponsor) – artists include Hannah:
And Sairus:
Students from every grade at Tilden, an independent K-5 school, contributed.
Meantime, another stop in The Junction, CAPERS Home (4525 California SW; WSB sponsor), often has multiple artists, three tonight, including Megan Cox:
Colleen Monette is showing at CAPERS this month too. One last stop in The Junction:
That’s just one of the works that artist Myron Curry is showing at ArtsWest (4711 California SW), in a show you can see through the end of March.
7:45 PM: One more photo – thanks to Ian for sending – art and music at West Seattle Grounds (2141 California SW):
P.S. We also have a crew at tonight’s Chief Sealth IHS Art Walk, and will have a separate report on that.
(WSB photo, last November)
The Duwamish Tribe Longhouse in West Seattle is known for its Native Art Markets. We always publish announcements inviting visitors and shoppers; now, longhouse venue coordinator Victoria Welch has sent us this call for more Native artists to join their roster of potential participants:
The Duwamish Longhouse invites Native vendors and artists who create and sell Native art, crafts, and other goods to express their interest in participating in our upcoming art markets later this year.
Vendors who have not previously participated in our markets are encouraged to reach out. Please email your name, a phone number where you can be reached, and a description of the items you create and would like to sell to:
events@duwamishtribe.org
We look forward to connecting with new artists and vendors and expanding our community of Native creatives.
Here’s a flyer about the opportunity, which also notes that the next Native Art Market at the Longhouse (4705 West Marginal Way SW) is in late April.
Friday is sold out but you have two chances Saturday to catch Alki Elementary students performing the rock musical “Olympus”:
A fun kid-friendly upcoming event. Alki Elementary School is performing Olympus: The Greek Rock Musical this weekend. Tickets are $11. Use this link to purchase.
SHOWTIMES:
Friday, Feb 6 at 6:30 pmSaturday, Feb 7 at 1 pm
Saturday, Feb 7 at 6:30 pm
LOCATION:
Schmitz Park Elementary School
5000 SW Spokane
Jessie Kuehm of Emerald City Drama Club is directing
West Seattle Junction playhouse ArtsWest opens its next production this week: Pulitzer Prize-winning play “Topdog/Underdog” by Suzan-Lori Parks, directed by Valerie Curtis-Newton. The cast features Yusef Seevers as Booth and ML Roberts as Lincoln. After a sold-out Wednesday night discount preview, the official run is Thursdays through Sundays, February 5-March 1. (Opening night is sold out too!) Here’s how ArtsWest describes its new production:
Winner of the 2002 Pulitzer Prize in Drama, “Topdog/Underdog” is a darkly comic fable of brotherly love and family identity and is Suzan-Lori Parks’ groundbreaking riff on the way we are defined by history. The play tells the story of Lincoln and Booth, two brothers whose names were given to them as a joke, foretelling a lifetime of sibling rivalry and resentment. Haunted by the past, the brothers are forced to confront the shattering reality of their future.
ArtsWest and The Hansberry Project have been co-producers since 2014. Founded in 2004, The Hansberry Project is a professional black theatre company dedicated to the artistic exploration of African American life, history and culture. Past co-productions include audience favorites “Clyde’s” by Lynn Nottage (2024) and “Sunset Baby” by Dominique Morriseau (2019). “Topdog/Underdog” marks the fifth collaboration between the two theater companies; each with Valerie Curtis-Newton in the role of director.
“Topdog/Underdog” is about the struggle to reach success in a system that is rigged. This drama packs a punch with as much comedy as it has intensity. A rooming house room the size of a boxing ring becomes a pressure cooker for the two brothers who share a past and are carving their own paths as they strive towards their dreams for the future. Director Valerie Curtis-Newton remarks, “The life of a dog in the fight is a life that breeds paranoia. The under dog is always watching their back and struggling to reach the top. The top dog gets to call the shots, but for how long? “Topdog/Underdog” puts the pain of that cycle under a microscope with the hope that in investigating it, we can learn to break it.”
“Topdog/Underdog” is the third production of ArtsWest’s 2025-2026 Season titled Between Us. The season features 5 bold contemporary plays that explore the invisible threads that bind us — the responsibilities we bear for one another, the debts of care we carry, and the lifelines we extend in moments of crisis. In TOPDOG/UNDERDOG, two brothers wrestle with what they owe one another whether it be a roof over their head, a cut of their paycheck, or a watchful eye while the play asks audiences to contemplate the systems of oppression in America and what we owe our communities to create change.
ArtsWest is at 4711 California SW. Tickets are available online here, by phone at 206-938-0339, and at the box office, Thursday – Saturday 2 pm-7 pm, Sundays 11 am-3 pm.
2:17 PM: Get over to Kenyon Hall (7904 35th SW) – the root beer’s free this afternoon! The historic “community center for the arts” is famous for its root-beer floats, so they’re free during the “Root Beer Social” open house, which continues until 4 pm – Löcol root beer, Husky Deli ice cream.
It’s a chance to wander in for a look at the renovations that closed the 110-year-old hall since midsummer – and some of the memorabilia turned up during the work. More photos to come!
2:56 PM: That’s Kenyon Hall’s Murphy Janssen cutting the ribbon. Meantime, Kyle Canaday is today’s guest organist on The Mighty Wurlitzer:
Here’s some of the memorabilia, including items from the venue’s days as Hokum Hall, and even items from the community sports teams sponsored in the Olympic Heights Social Hall days:
Also the tribute to Kenyon Hall’s longtime operator Lou Magor:
If you didn’t get to any of the reopening-weekend events, you can check out one of the upcoming performances – next one, The Morsel Trio, on Saturday (February 7).
(WSB photo, this morning)
Kenyon Hall‘s “grand reopening” (after months of renovations) events continue tonight with an Open Mic under way now (free to perform or watch, continuing until 10 pm). And one of the major finishing touches that wasn’t shown in our Thursday preview is now on view – the new sign, shown above.
(WSB photo, Thursday afternoon)
Putting it up was a tricky operation just before sunset last night – we stopped by for a look just as it went up, but the sign remained mostly obscured by scaffolding, so we went back today for the full view. (The old sign, we’re told, will be displayed on posts on the south side of the yard out front.)
The 110-year-old former Olympic Heights Social Hall is owned and operated by nonprofit Seattle Artists; the “grand reopening” weekend includes a chance to just drop in for a look, the Root Beer Social open house 2-4 pm Sunday (February 1).
In the photo above are the West Side Ringers, playing English handbells at The Kenney during a veterans-recognition event last November. They’re looking for more ringers: “No experience is necessary, as we are open to all skill levels. We meet on Wednesdays from 3:30-5 pm. Our group currently plays at retirement communities as a service to seniors!” If you’re interested – and/or have questions – anjdroege@gmail.com is where to send your note.
(WSB photos by Torin Record-Sand)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Later today, a brand-new sign will go up at 7904 35th SW, declaring the historic building to be Kenyon Hall: Community Center for the Arts.
What was originally the Olympic Heights Social Hall has been closed since midsummer but not empty – it’s been a hive of renovation work, and some of it is continuing up to the last minute before the first of four reopening events, an Industry Mixer 6-8 pm tonight.
Kenyon Hall’s Murphy Janssen let us visit for a quick preview this morning. Most of the renovation work isn’t something that you’d notice immediately upon entry unless you are familiar with Kenyon Hall in intimate detail – the newly sanded and refinished floor, for example, is the original maple flooring, only, Murphy says, but it’s now “danceable” – no more concern that your foot might catch a splinter or snag. Here’s a section of unrefinished floor contrated with the new, lighter look:
There’s a new stage, too, enabling shows with larger bands, for example. What you won’t see – but has increased peace of mind among the hall’s nonprofit operators, is the electrical upgrade, from panel to wiring. And as for the Mighty Wurlitzer pipe organ – it will continue to be a centerpiece:
If you look closely, you’ll see HVAC equipment to keep temperature and humidity under control for the sake of the organ’s longevity:
And when you return to Kenyon Hall, don’t forget to check out the restroom, even if you don’t need to:
It’s been converted into an all-gender restroom with an ADA-compliant stall, in an upgrade that has been long planned.
A few touches will remain to be completed even after this reopening weekend, like new blown-glass sconces on the walls (which now sport a brighter shade of paint).
Though the Kenyon Hall crew had hoped to reopen sooner, the extensive work that’s been done gives the 110-year-od building a better chance of lasting another century. Meantime, if you visit this weekend, look for the “history wall” where they plan to display some of the memorabilia they uncovered during these months of work! “It’s been a trip to go through all this,” Murphy marvels.
REOPENING WEEKEND EVENTS: Tonight (Thursday), 6-8 pm, Industry Mixer; Friday (January 30), 6-10 pm, Open Mic; Saturday (January 31), 7 pm, Cartoon Mess Live!; Sunday (February 1), 2-4 pm, Root Beer Social (open house). For events beyond that, see the Kenyon Hall calendar.
Planning is under way for this year’s West Seattle Art Tour, and the call has gone out for artists to participate. Here’s the announcement sent to us to share with you:
The West Seattle Art Tour is pleased to announce its Call for Artists for its third annual event, scheduled for September 19–20, 2026.
This two-day, self-guided event connects local artists directly with collectors and art enthusiasts throughout the neighborhood. Through a juried selection process, artists are chosen to display their work at host sites—selected artists’ homes and studios that can accommodate a few artists. Visitors navigate the tour using printed maps, interactive digital maps, and social media.
The committee welcomes diverse submissions from artists working in painting, sculpture, ceramics, photography, jewelry, mixed media, and other mediums. We seek artists who demonstrate a unique vision and technical mastery.
• Applications are accepted online at www.westseattlearttour.org/forartists.
• Application Deadline: February 28, 2026
• Criteria: Artists must live, work, or teach in West Seattle, or demonstrate an ongoing connection to the community. For more details visit www.westseattlearttour.org.
If you have questions or are interested in supporting the tour, email info@westseattlearttour.org or visit our website at www.westseattlearttour.org.
The West Seattle Art Tour is a volunteer organization run entirely by artists who dedicate their time to fostering and promoting the local arts community.
(Small Milkweed Bug, photographed by Tom Trulin)
Here are today’s daily event notes/reminders, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
FREE PLAYSPACE: Indoor play at West Seattle Church of the Nazarene is open today, 9-noon -just drop in! (42nd SW and SW Juneau)
KALEIDOSCOPE PLAY & LEARN: Also open, 10-11:30 am free playgroup for kids 0-5 and their caregivers, at Bridge School Cooperative Elementary (10300 28th SW).
POSTCARDS4DEMOCRACY: New postcard-writers as well as returnees are welcome at this weekly advocacy gathering, 10:30 am-noon at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor). Sign up here before you go, if this is your first time.
ROTARY CLUB OF WEST SEATTLE: Noon Tuesdays, lunch meetings at West Seattle Golf Course, today featuring presentation of the Patrick Sand Memorial Award (“We Always Show Up”); also, Dr. Carrie Horwitch, M.D., will discuss public health and the MAVEN project.. (4470 35th SW).
AVIATION MAINTENANCE AT SCC – INFO SESSION: 1 pm today:
Are you interested in starting a career as an Aircraft Mechanic? Join us for an online Information Session to learn more about the Aviation Maintenance Technology program at South Seattle College and the steps to get started.
Our calendar listing has info on how to RSVP and get the link.
CHESS CLUB: All levels welcome to play! 1:30-3 pm, at the Center for Active Living (4217 SW Oregon). Questions? Email conwell@conwelld.net.
CITY COUNCIL: At 2 pm, the council holds its main weekly meeting. The agenda explains how to comment and/or watch.
DROP-IN HOMEWORK HELP: At High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond) – volunteers available to help K-12 students.
CRAFTING AT HARRY’S: 5-7 pm crafting event at Harry’s Beach House (2676 Alki SW) – registration link is in our calendar listing.
DROP-IN WINE TASTING: 5-8 pm Tuesdays at Walter’s Wine Shop (4811 California SW) – $15 fee, $5 off with bottle purchases.
DEMONSTRATION FOR BLACK LIVES: Long-running weekly sign-waving demonstration on the corners at 16th/Holden. 5-6 pm. Signs available if you don’t bring your own.
HIGHLAND PARK ELEMENTARY OPEN HOUSE: 5:30 pm, families are invited to HPES to learn about the school.
ACOUSTIC MUSIC AT C & P: Unplugged: A Musical Gathering is for all acoustic instrumentalists and singers, 6-8 pm at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), all ages, no cover.
WEST SEATTLE UKULELE PLAYERS: Monthly meetup, 6 pm monthly evening meetup, all ukulele players welcome – email for location.
TRACK RUN WITH WEST SEATTLE RUNNER: Meet up by 6:15 pm at West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) for WSR’s free weekly track run.
OPEN CHOIR REHEARSALS: 6:30 pm Tuesdays at Tibbetts United Methodist Church (3940 41st SW), come sing with the Boeing Employees Choir, even if you don’t work for Boeing – email in advance to RSVP.
SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCING: Weekly lessons continue, 7 pm at Fauntleroy Church (9140 California SW), details in our calendar listing.
WOMEN’S MEDITATION CIRCLE: Weekly small-group event at Mama Be Well Healing Studio (4034-A California SW), 7 pm. Our calendar listing has info on registering before you go.
BINGO: Play free Tuesday night Belle of the Balls Bingo at The Skylark, 7 pm. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
TRIVIA X 5: Five locations for trivia on Tuesday nights – The Beer Junction (4711 California SW), Sporcle Pub Quiz with David at 7 pm and 8 pm … 7 pm at Ounces (3803 Delridge Way SW), free and hosted by Beat the Geek Trivia; 7 pm at Zeeks Pizza West Seattle (6459 California SW), hosted by Geeks Who Drink; 7 pm at Admiral Pub, free, prizes. (2306 California SW) … Trivia at Christos on Alki (2508 Alki SW), 7:15 pm.
WEST SEATTLE PFLAG MEETING: 7:30 pm, RSVP for location – our calendar listing has the link.
HIGH-SCHOOL BASKETBALL: Two local home games tonight, both at 7:30 pm – Chief Sealth IHS (2600 SW Thistle) hosts Lakeside, West Seattle HS (3000 California SW) hosts Eastside Catholic.
If you are organizing an event, class, performance, gathering, etc., tell your West Seattle neighbors via our event calendar – just email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
(Photo of last year’s intergenerational-theater cohort)
The BAYFEST Intergenerational Theatre Project is back – and recruiting! They have some adult openings but are particularly looking for teens to join. Here’s the announcement we were asked to share:
Interested in performing? Would you like to get paid to rehearse and perform with other teens and adults?
Calling all teens for the Spring 2026 cohort of the BAYFEST Intergenerational Theatre Project!
8-10 Teens and 8-10 Senior adults chosen by BAYFEST will meet every 2 weeks or so (except during school holidays) from late February through early June in West Seattle on a weekend morning. We’ll use theatre games and exercises, guided discussions, group collaboration, and writing to create an original piece of theatre that explores intergenerational themes in new and creative ways.  The Project will culminate with several public performances in early June.
NO THEATRE EXPERIENCE NECESSARY and TEEN PARTICIPANTS WILL RECEIVE A STIPEND OF $25 PER SESSION FOR THEIR PARTICIPATION (and/or community service hours). It is free for participating adults.
Anyone interested in applying should email us ASAP at BAYFESTyouthTheatre@gmail.com . We will send an application. The project will be led by BAYFEST Director Robert Shampain, who has over 35 years experience leading this type of workshop-format project.
NO THEATRE EXPERIENCE NECESSARY, just a willingness to commit to working with a multi-generational ensemble and having fun! Visit BAYFESTyouthTheatre.org and follow the links for more info.
This one-sheet about the project has additional background information, too.
Two months after the King County budget process put Harbor Island Studios‘ future into question, the county’s Film Advisory Board led a meeting there tonight. Joe Follansbee sent photos and a short summary:
I attended the informational meeting tonight at Harbor Island Studios held by the KCFAB.
Big turnout. No real news. The future of the facility is still in doubt. But there’s plenty of community support.
The KCFAB promises status reports in a newsletter you can subscribe to here.
If you resolved to do more singing in the new year, the Boeing Employees Choir might be the opportunity you’re looking for! And you do NOT have to work for Boeing. Here’s the announcement we were asked to share:
Singers Wanted!
Gershwin? Brahms? Whitacre? If you love to sing or want to discover your talent, we invite you to join the Boeing Employees Choir (open to all), performing everything from Bach to Broadway.
Open Rehearsals
Starting January 20, 2026
Tuesdays @ 6:30PM
Tibbetts United Methodist Church
3940 41st Ave SW, West SeattleFor more info: www.boeingchoir.org
Please let us know by email if you are coming!
Email: President@boeingchoir.org
(WSB photo: Work continuing at Kenyon Hall today)
One month ago today, we reported that Kenyon Hall – the historic event venue at 7904 35th SW in Sunrise Heights – had obtained the permits needed for its final round of improvement work. It’s been closed since mid-summer for some much-needed work – which we previewed in May – and which continues (flooring, painting, tiling in progress or soon) – but today Kenyon Hall management just announced the reopening dates – Thursday, January 29, through Sunday, February 1, with a full slate of fun stuff, starting with an “industry mixer” and concluding with a Root Beer Social where everyone’s welcome to come in and look around. (Inbetween are one of KH’s free Open Mics, plus the next edition of the popular Cartoon Mess Live! for which tickets are on sale now.) Kenyon Hall is a 110-year-old building originally built as a social hall, now owned and operated by the nonprofit Seattle Artists.
As the holiday season ends, a new week begins, and one of the biggest events this week will be 2026’s first West Seattle Art Walk. The second Thursday is as early as it can get this month – on the 8th – so set your calendar for this Thursday as a special night to get out and enjoy the work of local artists. A preview with this quarter’s map/list and Thursday highlights should appear early in the week on the West Seattle Art Walk website. As usual, neighborhood organizations are supporting clusters of venues in Alki, Admiral, The Junction, and Morgan Junction; places with artist receptions usually start them at 5 pm. No Art of Music performances this month; that feature is on hiatus until later in the year.
One week ago tonight, three venues around West Seattle hosted three mini-concerts comprising the December edition of The Art of Music. The monthly music series now goes on break for a few months, and curator John Redenbaugh has words of gratitude, plus a video recap:
During 2025, The Art of Music co-presented, with local musician Sue Quigley, Muse Fest: The Power of Women’s Voices at 11 sites during the May West Seattle Art Walk and presented, on behalf of the West Seattle Junction Association, 28 Art of Music performances during Second Thursday West Seattle Art Walk evenings during June through December.
A special tribute page with recognition has been posted on the West Seattle Art Walk website where you can review a list of all of the 2025 performers, venues, and supporting sponsors – plus an opportunity to watch some of this year’s musicians in 12 videos produced by local videographer Mark Jaroslaw in support of Muse Fest and The Art of Music.
As John says on the tribute page, “We recognize and thank the performers for sharing their musical talents for the enjoyment of all in West Seattle.”
This is not going to be your standard student concert, promise the parents who are hoping for a good turnout for a first-of-its kind event – “Winter Sealthstice” – Thursday night. “It’s going to be beautiful and fun and all for a good cause!” enthuses Jaeney Hoene of the booster group Denny Sealth Performing Arts. It’s in our Event Calendar and Holiday Guide already, and here’s a preview from DSPA:
Chief Sealth International High School is presenting their first annual “Winter Sealthstice” concert! The concert features all music groups in the Performing Arts program: Jazz 1 and 2, Choir, Orchestra, and Symphonic Band. Along with separate performances, three pieces in the program will combine groups: Two that include Band, Orchestra, and Choir altogether!
Donations at the door will support our rapidly growing programs. This year, so many students joined Jazz Band that it has split into Jazz 1 and Jazz 2. Students will travel this year to the Disneyland Music Program and the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival. Groups perform at events throughout the area (look for one at Nordstrom on 12/20!). But robust growth is not matched by robust performing-arts funding. We need community support to keep our teachers and students supported with uniforms, sheet music, instruments, and LOVE so that they can focus on the music!
Please join us to have a great time and to help grow the performing arts in our community! Happy Sealthstice!
CSIHS is at 2600 SW Thistle; the auditorium is on the southwest side of campus, west of the main parking lot.
The West Seattle Big Band plays music you can’t help but dance to. Some of the ~150 people at last night’s WSBB holiday concert at Grace Church proved that. We were there and would have been dancing too except that we had to mind our video camera! Here are eight of the songs played by the band, directed by Jim Edwards:
“Santa Claus Is Coming to Town”:
“Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree”:
“Feliz Navidad”:
“Mele Kalikimaka”:
“All I Want for Christmas Is You”:
“In the Christmas Mood”:
“Big Band Christmas 2” (medley):
“Big Band Christmas 1” (medley):
(Vocalists were Jenaige Lane and Ryan Alvis.) The band is all-volunteer; any revenue gets donated to school-music programs.
P.S. You can find the other dozen-plus clips on the WSB YouTube channel. Even better, go see the West Seattle Big Band’s next holiday-season gig, Saturday (December 13)at the West Seattle Eagles HQ in The Junction (4426 California SW), with music at 7 pm after 5:30 pm dinner, as previewed here.
Before the lights, the music! Three groups performed mini-concerts on the stage in Junction Plaza Park before the Hometown Holidays Tree Lighting. We got there too late to catch the opening performance by the Endolyne Children’s Choir, but recorded video with the two others. The show-stopping moment was the last song in our first clip above from the West Seattle-based Met Singers – a lyrical twist on “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” to tell the tale of Mariners slugger Cal “Big Dumper” Raleigh. (Added – read the lyrics here!) Below is the second half of the Met Singers’ onstage caroling, starting with “Jingle Bells”:
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The choir, directed by Laurie de Leonne, was preceded by groups from the West Seattle School of Rock – they took short breaks between songs to re-form, so we recorded their songs one by one. Here are four – first, “Hazy Shade of Winter”:
“Santa’s Got a Brand-New Bag”:
“Merry Xmas Everybody”:
And “Super Rock Santa”:
One more report ahead from tonight’s event – the tree lighting!
Among the places you can find unique creations for gifts – or yourself – are local art studios with special events, as featured in our Holiday Guide.
RAIN CITY CLAY: Deb Schwartzkopf is hosting a weekend show/sale at her Rain City Clay at 4208 SW 100th in Arbor Heights. We stopped by during last night’s opening reception.
More than 80 artists are participating, with more than 3,000 handmade ceramic pots, ornaments, sculptures and more.
Open until 7 tonight.
WESTWOOD ART STUDIO: Not far away, Westwood Art Studio at 9042 31st SW is hosting a multi-artist show and sale this weekend and next. Studio owner is Damian Grava:
He also opened the studio for a reception last night.
They’re also open until 7 tonight.
VIVA TOUR: And you can studio-hop both days this weekend with a ferry ride to Vashon Island, The VIVA (Vashon Island Visual Artists) Holiday Art Studio Tour is happening until 5 pm today, 10 am-5 pm tomorrow and both days next weekend, and sponsoring WSB right now to help amplify the invitation. You’ll find a map at vivartists.com. 40 studios and galleries, more than 140 artists!
Earlier this week on Giving Tuesday, we mentioned half a dozen ways to support local school/youth groups. We have one more – the West Seattle High School music program launched a “direct drive” this week and asked us to tell you about it:
… You may not realize that our music program is nearly 100% funded by donations and fundraising. That means that any new instrument purchased for our school, any repairs, piano tuning, new music, coaching, financial aid, etc. are paid for with funds raised during our two annual fundraisers, the Direct Drive and our Big Band Dinner Dance. Our direct drive operates just like the public radio or PBS fundraisers, where we simply seek donations to help our program operate. We are not selling anything, students don’t need to carry order forms for wrapping paper or candy bars, we are just looking for donations. Here is how you can help:
-Consider making a tax-deductible donation to our music program. Our Friends of West Seattle Music and Drama boosters is a 501c3 organization. The donation link can be found on our FOWSMD website found here. There is no donation too small or too large!
-Do you work for a company that does matching donations? Double your impact!
-Help us spread the word about our campaign and fundraising goal!We happily take donations all year long, but we only do our fall fundraising campaign between the Thanksgiving holiday and our final Winter Concert on December 18th. See the attached document for more information. Thank you so much for your continued support and helping us towards our goal.
You can go here to donate.
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