West Seattle, Washington
04 Thursday
He’s a hometown music hero most often seen and heard live in the summertime, at West Seattle Summer Fest and Summer Concerts @ Hiawatha – but last night, Caspar Babypants brought his summery sound to the brink of winter, taking the stage at Easy Street Records in The Junction. The occasion – a chance to get the new CB album “I Found You” before it officially goes on sale via iTunes next Tuesday.
P.S. Per the show list on the Caspar Babypants website, another wintertime West Seattle show is coming up Saturday, January 19th, 10:30 am, at High Point Community Center – check with the center for advance discount tickets.
(Photo courtesy Trileigh Tucker)
“Dancin’, Drummin’, Singin’!” is the title of tonight’s holiday concert by the West Seattle Community Orchestras‘ Debut and Intermediate Orchestras, with the latter courtesy of the Endolyne Children’s Choir and director Amy Stagno Bokanev (above). The concert is tonight’s musical highlight from the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide, and it starts at 6:30 pm at the Chief Sealth International High School Auditorium (2600 SW Thistle). The program includes Christmas classics such as “Little Drummer Boy,” “White Christmas,” and “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.” (Added – Trileigh’s video of “Little Drummer Boy” being rehearsed):
More program details are on the official poster (see it here as a PDF).
As of January 6th, all Seattle Public Library branches will be open on Sundays – thanks to the library-funding measure approved by voters this past August. SPL sent around a reminder that also includes an announcement of dates for special “Sundays are special” parties. High Point is set for January 13th and Delridge on May 5th – those are the two branches that have been closed Sundays.
Even before Donna Ryan (above) opened the doors of her City Mouse Studio for West Seattle Junction Hometown Holidays Santa photos this morning, some excited families were waiting, we’re told. The line wasn’t too long when we went by before noon – some very patient little ones peeked through the festively decorated window:
Today is the first of two Sundays that Donna’s taking Santa photos – with proceeds benefiting WestSide Baby, continuing till 3 pm. You can also stop by the Hometown Holidays Headquarters kitty-corner from there, at California/Alaska by KeyBank.
About a mile south on California, the “Gifted” bazaar has begun at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor):
You might not need a fan now – but look ahead to summer, and Lisa Jones‘ playing-card fans might come in handy. Her business card says she’s “putting the FUN into FUNction.” Among the other art/craft creators there, microphotographer extraordinaire Machel Spence, RobRoy Chalmers, and Christin Schaefer with photos including the one that reminds us of the “grumpy cat” meme:
“Gifted” at Feedback (6451 California SW) continues till 5 pm.
Busy night last night at Chief Sealth International High School – basketball in the gym, symphonic music in the auditorium. It was the first of two holiday concerts for the West Seattle Community Orchestras – Kim Roy conducting the West Seattle Symphony Orchestra in a concert themed “Russian Holiday.” In our clip, it’s Ralph Vaughan Williams‘ “Fantasia on ‘Greensleeves’. The program also included Tchaikovsky‘s “Nutcracker Suite.” Next Tuesday (6:30 pm December 11th, also at the Sealth auditorium) WSCO’s Debut and Intermediate Orchestras will perform their holiday concert, “Dancin’, Drummin’, and Singin’” – with the latter provided by special guests, the Endolyne Children’s Choir.
They’re not just making a list and checking it twice …they’re putting the final touches on the premiere of a brand-new Christmas musical that’s having its debut run here in West Seattle. We dropped by the other day as “Santa’s First Magical Ride: The Musical” (WSB sponsor) continued rehearsing.
As explained by its creators, “Santa’s First Magical Ride” gets to the roots of the Christmas story, with original folk, bluegrass, and Celtic music and dance numbers – “a fresh new Christmas musical that tells the story of where Santa came from as a young child and how he was raised by the North Pole Elves. Important questions like ‘How DO the reindeer fly?’ (and much more), are finally answered.”
It’s based on the book “Santa’s First Magical Ride“ published last year by Paul S. Carr III, who co-wrote the musical with Ricky Gene Powell; they’re both professional singers/musicians, and Powell’s background includes playwriting and directing. Libby Carr is the executive producer. (The Carrs are former West Seattleites now living in Burien, and you might recall them from extensive volunteer involvement in area projects.)
The 12-show run at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW) starts Friday night (December 7th) at 7 pm. For each of the next three Friday-Saturday-Sundays (December 7-8-9, 14-15-16, and 21-22-23), “Santa’s First Magical Ride” will be performed at 7 pm Friday, 2 and 7 pm Saturday, 2 pm Sunday.
A bonus – kids in attendance get to visit afterward with Santa Claus, and parents can take a photo!
(Two of the show’s stars – young Maia Vazquez, and Santa Claus!) Another bonus – part of the proceeds benefit WestSide Baby and Ignite, “both of which are local nonprofits concerned about the welfare and education of babies, children and young people,” as the “Santa’s First Magical Ride” team explains.
Tickets are available online right now via Brown Paper Tickets – here’s the direct link – and there’s also a new special: A group-sale discount of 2 free tickets for every 10 purchased (having a party?). The producers add, “We also welcome groups and organizations who want to enjoy this experience together and we will promote their attendance on Brown Paper Tickets. Call Libby Carr (206-938-8721) for more info on how your group can celebrate by attending this event together.” You can hear a sample of the music via this YouTube promo:
Even more details are on the official “Santa’s First Magical Ride” website.
Stephanie Jensen (with daughters) and her BinKKs designs are among the array of vendors/creations you’ll find till about 3 pm today at the C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor) craft fair – if you haven’t been already! Busy when we stopped in. Another family-run table: Machel and India (pictured) Spence:
C & P is at 5612 California SW. To find out about other arts/crafts fairs and bazaars coming up this holiday season – check out our guide to everything holidayish in West Seattle, here.
The first of the 8 nights of Hanukkah is next Saturday – but the first of several public Hanukkah events in West Seattle is a lot sooner … hours away. At 4 pm Sunday (December 2nd), the Seattle Jewish Chorale will be at the 7141 California SW home of the Westside Unitarian Universalists (co-sponsoring along with Kol HaNeshamah) with “an interactive, family-friendly concert featuring both familiar and unusual holiday songs in Hebrew, English, Yiddish, and Ladino, with styles ranging from folk to jazz to ‘Jewish gospel’.”Hanukkah treats will be on sale at the reception afterward. Reception to follow, with Hanukkah goodies for sale. Tickets will be available at the door – prices and other details are on the concert’s Facebook event page. P.S. Other West Seattle Hanukkah events are in the WSB Holiday Guide – please let us know if we’re missing any!
The photo is courtesy of West Seattle artist Lezlie Jane, along with an update on her newest work – homage to the Alki boardwalk’s past as a swimming hotspot:
Luna Girls on Alki have broken ground and begun the construction and installation phase of the project. The sculptures should be should be completely installed just after the start of the New Year. We’re still raising money to meet the construction costs via our Kickstarter campaign.
You can see the design and hear its story in Lezlie’s Kickstarter video:
The top photo, meantime, shows John Kroetch and his crew from Signature Landscaping, who are doing the construction. As explained in our earlier reports, Luna Girls on Alki joins the long list of artworks she has created for and installed at local parks.
Tonight as rock fans remember Jimi Hendrix on what would be his 70th birthday, if he were alive, there’s a unique tribute at West Seattle’s Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) – Hendrix memorabilia shown by another legend, Pat O’Day, who’s there in person:
O’Day’s signing his book “It Was All Just Rock ‘n’ Roll,” including stories from his broadcasting career.
Hendrix was two months short of 28 years old when he died in 1970 – gone 42 years yet still remembered as one of the greatest guitarists ever.
Miciana, Christianna, and Catherine with 1227 Designs are at the Duwamish Longhouse this afternoon as part of its Native Holiday Gift Fair, continuing till 5 pm today, then 10-5 again Saturday and Sunday. Once again this year, the Longhouse is full of artists and craftspersons showing and selling their creations:
That’s Karen Condos. It’s a warm, festive place to go browse and shop – 4705 W. Marginal Way SW, and it’s this weekend’s biggest craft fair/bazaar listing in the WSB Holiday Guide (with more to come later in the weekend, and next weekend too).
Will the Alki boardwalk east of the Bathhouse be graced with the “Luna Girls” (explained here back in July)? West Seattle artist Lezlie Jane is renowned for work including Weather Watch Park, Cormorant Cove, and Constellation Park on Beach Drive, as well as Whale Tail Park and Dakota Place Park. Now, she explains in the video clip you can watch above, she is turning to crowdfunding to get “Luna Girls on Alki” finished. She’s launched a Kickstarter campaign seeking $3,000, and is already almost a third of the way there – you can chip in by going here.
You have three chances to check out the Fauntleroy Fine Art and Holiday Gift Fair at Fauntleroy Church this weekend for early holiday shopping — and the first one is under way right now, till 8 pm. We stopped by just before things got under way this evening, and photographed three of the participating crafters/artists. Above, Fauntleroy’s own Ann Dawson is there with her handmade hats. Next, Holli from Holli with an I Photography:
You’ll find woodcarver James Grantham there too:
Fauntleroy Church is at 9140 California SW and the show is on till 8 tonight, 10-4 tomorrow, 11-2 on Sunday.
(Photos courtesy Frank Gross)
The storefront’s painted, the signs are up, and Frank Gross is about to open Thunder Road Guitars at 3916 California SW (formerly Olivia’s, and before that, Moxie). He’s planning a “soft open” 10 am-6 pm tomorrow and keeping those hours daily until the official grand-opening celebration the day after Thanksgiving (aka Black Friday). As noted in our previous coverage, till now, he’s sold vintage and used guitars online – and now, there’s a showroom:
Thunder Road is online at thunderroadguitars.com.
Featured at tonight’s Soundgarden “King Animal” album-release party at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), co-presented by Easy Street Records, that’s the tribute band Bleed Together (named after a Soundgarden song). Party’s on right now; no, Soundgarden’s not there – they’re in New York to guest on the Late Show With David Letterman. But you can hear and buy the new album:
And raffle tickets for a guitar autographed by Soundgarden, donated to raise money for the West Seattle Hi-Yu Festival:
Still time to get to the Feedback – 6451 California SW. P.S. Soundgarden has two Seattle gigs on its tour schedule – February 7-8 at the Paramount downtown.
West Seattle filmmaker Amy Benson is finishing a documentary focusing on an epidemic affecting girls and women half a world away – and inviting you to two rough-cut screenings here at home. The clip above is a trailer for her film, “The Girl Who Knew Too Much,” which began as the story of a teenage girl in Nepal poised to break free of a generations-old cycle of poverty, with a chance at a real education, and then took a different turn when the film’s subject fell victim to the suicide epidemic affecting childbearing-age women in her country. Benson’s screenings are both at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW) – one week from today (November 18th) at 5 pm and on November 29th at 6 pm. Admission is free. Benson will engage in Q/A after next weekend’s screening, and there’s a panel discussion afterward on 11/29 (scheduled panelists are listed in the news release). Benson says, “This is a film about the big forces of globalization, and how they play out in the lives of the most vulnerable people … I am making this film because I think it can inform how we in the West try to help fight poverty in the developing world.”
It was reception day today for artists participating in the community art show at Southwest Library (35th/Henderson) – and a showgoer shared the photo of young artist Tycho proudly showing his work. The reception ended at 3 but you still have time to see the work displayed by all the participating artists – the show runs through next Friday (November 9th).
(Photo courtesy Karen Hinkey)
Longtime WSB contributing photojournalist Christopher Boffoli continues to make an international splash with his acclaimed “big food/little people” art-photography series “Big Appetites.” Just back from a huge art expo in Toronto, Christopher is talking to audiences here at home in West Seattle, too. Today Christopher visited Alki Elementary for “Master Artist” presentations to two groups of students, and says he had a great time: “I guess some of the classes are going to be making their own photographs with tiny figures and food so some of the kids were really excited about it and had great ideas about what to shoot.” He also reports some of the youngest students found some of his images most humorous. Artists volunteering for presentations like this are helping make up for arts-funding shortages at school.
And as of a few days ago, Christopher is displaying work in a West Seattle gallery for the first time, with images including this one:
ArtsWest is showcasing Christopher’s work and that of two other artists in “A Feast for the Eyes: Food in Art,” a group show running through December 15th, with a reception next Thursday, November 8th (West Seattle Art Walk night) and an informal “artists’ talk” on December 13th – both events are 6-7:30 pm.
(Photos by Nick Adams for WSB)
For years, they’ve rocked out – and this year, they’re spaced out. With an all-new space theme, and other overhauls, the animatronic extravaganza Skeleton Theatre 2012 is almost ready to go, for performances Wednesday (Halloween) night and Thursday (November 1st) night on the lawn at the southwest corner of 36th and Hanford, rain or shine.
WSB contributing photojournalist Nick Adams visited last night as the crew got ready for the seventh year of Halloween-time shows:
(Michael Wellborn, working on audio setup)
Our behind-the-scenes preview continues, ahead:Read More
We’ve noticed his handle in WSB comments now and then … but didn’t realie till today that Metal Jesus is a West Seattle-based video personality/producer with a much-subscribed YouTube channel, “dedicated to all things retro video games and music,” that’s drawn 1.6 million-plus views. MJ’s real name is Jason and his channel Metal Jesus Rocks releases a new original video every week – above, today’s edition is a retrospective on the ’90s Seattle music scene – the sleepers as well as the superstars.
Jason, er, Metal Jesus describes himself as “a long-haired West Seattle rocker dude who used to work in the video game industry back in the 90′s at Sierra On-Line (Bellevue publisher of PC classics like Quest for Glory, King’s Quest, Leisure Suit Larry and much more),” later becoming “the editor of a professional video-game-review website, and (dabbling) in audio & video production.” You can join his channel’s 13,000+ subscribers (or just browse through the archives) here.
Today we welcome a new WSB sponsor, Kelli Corrado, who teaches guitar, voice, and songwriting. Here’s what she’d like you to know: Her band Kelli’s Starlight Wishes released an album on Aphonia Recordings, a Pacific Northwest label. She says this experience is why people come to her for music lessons: “Again and again, my clients tell me that they seek me out because I am a working and active musician who has been successful as a songwriter and performer. The reason families stay with me is not only do I teach music theory and aural skills but also encourage the students to be creative and find their own original voice.”
Kelli says of her approach to teaching: “What makes me unique from other teachers is that I create a specific lesson plan for each student based on achieving two goals- a creative one and a technique-based one. I believe that art and music knows no age. Everyone is creative, everyone has a voice. I have taught 4-year-olds and I have taught 50-year-olds. I have a student right now whom I have taught for four years. She is getting ready to record her first EP of original songs. When I met her, she had never played the guitar, let alone sing or write a song. Also, I am told I have a special knack for working with young people. I think that’s because I make sure kids learn, but I also make sure they have fun while they learn. That’s why I am a longtime member of the Rock Camp faculty and am often asked to run workshops for young people throughout the Seattle region.”
In addition to touring and recording, Kelli teaches at the Rock School/ArtsCorps at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, Musika (a nationwide teaching association), and at Ballard Music Academy. In the summer, she teaches at various camps; this past summer, she was the artist in residence at Camp Sealth on Vashon Island. More information about Kelli is on her website at kellicorrado.blogspot.com, and you can contact her by e-mail: kellifrancescorrado@gmail.com. Also see her coupon on the WSB Coupons page.
We thank music instructor Kelli Corrado for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news via WSB; find our current sponsor team listed in directory format here, and find info on joining the team by going here.
Two months ago, we heard from West Seattle filmmaker Jamie Burton Chamberlin as his film with Duff McKagan’s Loaded, “The Taking,” neared completion. Tonight, its first episode has debuted online- see the 8-minute clip above. As explained in the description on its YouTube page, “the series explores the lyrical content of Loaded’s studio album of the same title, which was released last year. The project will be released telling a tale of totally bizarre adventures, imprisoned band members, and kids’-size ice cream cones.” Nine more episodes – including West Seattle-filmed scenes – are promised in the weeks ahead (Chamberlin hinted at their content in our August story); watch for announcements here (among other places).
Add another party to your fall schedule! The West Seattle Community Orchestras (WSB sponsor) are seeking your support as they provide an opportunity for musicians young and not-as-young to learn, grow, and entertain. Here’s the announcement of their upcoming benefit:
A gorgeous trombone quartet tribute for Japan in early 2012; a world-premiere woodwind composition in 2011. The West Seattle Community Orchestras‘ Fall Gala on November 10 is sure to present a musical surprise that engages and highlights the contributions and talents of local musicians. Celebrate and support local music November 10th at the Highland Park Improvement Club beginning at 5:30 pm with a silent and live auction and of course, performances by members of all three of WSCO’s orchestras. Food by local chef Rose Zhu and a cash bar will round out the evening. Tickets now available via WSCOrchestras.org, $25 adults and $10 children 12 and under.
WSCO operates three orchestras for musicians of all ages and abilities, each group meeting weekly for rehearsals with two concerts yearly. Students through grade 12 receive free membership in any of the orchestras which includes coaching, mentoring and of course performance opportunities. WSCO believes the intergenerational nature of the orchestras offer great musical experiences for all participants, providing opportunities to learn and grow together. To purchase tickets and view auction items: WSCOrchestras.org – To donate auction items: WSCOauction@gmail.com
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