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Tonight: ‘Xanadu’ at ArtsWest; Highland Park Action Committee
June 27, 2012 4:27 pm
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 |   Highland Park | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

This day got off to such a running start, we never published the daily preview. Here are two happenings of note:

(Photo courtesy ArtsWest)
XANADU OPENING NIGHT: ArtsWest‘s youth-apprenticeship program is ready to roll with tonight’s debut of “Xanadu,” 7:30 pm, first of more than a dozen performances between now and mid-July. Yes, it is indeed based on the roller-disco movie that starred Olivia Newton-John! Come cheer on an energetic cast of on-the-rise young performers. (Online ticket purchasing here – for tonight, just go to the box office.)

HIGHLAND PARK ACTION COMMITTEE: HPAC sent out this preview for its monthly meeting, which it dubbed “Sustainable Highland Park“:

Please join us (tonight) to hear about green home incentives, and how to get rebates for all kinds of fun stuff for your Highland Park property like rain gardens (using the water that falls on your own roof or driveway), cisterns, energy assessments, and energy upgrades. We’ll have a series of speakers from King County, Sustainable Seattle, Seattle Public Utilities and Community Power Works.

Meeting at 7 pm at the Highland Park Improvement Club on 12th and Holden, but come early to meet your awesome neighbors at the 6:30 potluck.

And a few other events are on the WSB West Seattle Events Calendar, which you can check any time.

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Video: Schmitz Park Elementary’s Alki ‘Shakespeare flash mob’
June 19, 2012 12:05 pm
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 |   Alki Statue of Liberty | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

ORIGINAL 12:05 PM NOTE: Sorry for the late notice, but we just got word of this – Craig Parsley‘s 5th-grade Shakespeare production from Schmitz Park Elementary is planning a “flash mob”-style performance at Alki by the Statue of Liberty around 12:30 pm. Spectators encouraged!

ADDED 4:00 PM: Photos and video – the troupe did a great job in a tough setting! Here’s the teacher/director with a few of his students just before the (invisible) curtain rose on “Midsummer Night’s Dream”:

We didn’t fire up the video camera fast enough to hear him shout the announcement of the “flash mob,” but here’s some video from the first few moments (as he explained to them on the sideline, lots of “ambient” noise):

No costumes or set – but a few props:

Well, OK, there was ONE bit of costumery:

The play was performed recently at school – one performance for their fellow students, one in the evening for parents/community.

Shakespeare has been a tradition in Mr. Parsley’s classes at Schmitz Park; he’s moving to K-5 STEM at Boren next year and told us recently he was hoping to take the tradition along.

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West Seattle Sunday: Happy Father’s Day!
June 17, 2012 10:44 am
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 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Father’s Day wildlife viewing, anyone? Guy shared the otter photo from east Alki – where you never know what you’ll see, and when. If your plans aren’t all set but you’re looking for something with a little more of a schedule, a few options from the WSB West Seattle Events Calendar:

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: Under way now, till 2 pm as always, 44th/Alaska.

FRESH VEGGIES/FRUIT IN ADMIRAL: Marguerite Lynch and her teenage sons are selling organic produce, with part of the proceeds benefiting the West Seattle Food Bank, till 1 pm. She says, “We will have mixed lettuce bags, fresh picked peas, strawberries, kale, mustard greens, and honey!” 44th/Hill, just west of Admiral Congregational Church.

CAT/KITTEN FOR DAD? Two options today: 11 am-3 pm, Friends of the Animals Foundation is at Next to Nature in The Junction with adoptable cats and kittens (more info here); noon-6 pm, Kitty Harbor on Harbor Avenue just north of the bridge is open for adoptions.

FATHER-AND-SON GLASS-JELLYFISH DEMO: Richard Lowrie and son Levi Lowrie are in the house at Avalon Glassworks, 11 am-4 pm, to demonstrate and answer questions about the creation of glass jellyfish. On Avalon Way just south of the bridge.

BLUEGRASS AND OLD-TIME MUSIC: Jamtime plays C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor) 1-4 pm, 5612 California SW.

DANCE WITH DAD: Today’s the day for the monthly Afternoon Tea Dance at Camp Long Lodge (5200 35th SW), 1-4 pm – details here.

(LONG)HOUSE CONCERT: The Duwamish Tribe invites you to enjoy the music of Native flutist Paul Che-oke-ten Wagner and Sin Fronteras in concert at the longhouse; doors open 3:30 pm; details and map here.

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Young West Seattle artist wins regional ‘Bridging Futures’ contest
June 16, 2012 5:04 pm
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 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle people | WS culture/arts

Congratulations to Axel Oxholm of West Seattle – shown above with Governor Gregoire after being chosen the Western Washington winner of WSDOT‘s “Bridging Futures Art and Essay Contest.” The challenge given to students: Write and/or draw something related to the importance of wildlife crossings; the state is building two in the Snoqualmie Pass area, to help wildlife get across I-90 safely. Here’s Axel’s winning work, which will be on a billboard in that area:

You can read more about the contest here; the awards were presented in Cle Elum this past Monday, as Gov. Gregoire presided over her last meeting as chair of the Western Governors Association. (We didn’t know about his win initially because he goes to school at Cedarhurst Elementary in Burien and so wasn’t identified in the state announcement as a West Seattleite – thanks to Axel’s dad Peter Levine for sharing the news!)

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West Seattle Art Walk, June report #2: In the Admiral District
June 16, 2012 1:04 am
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 |   West Seattle Art Walk | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Admiral District businesses made good on their promises to crank up the volume for this month’s West Seattle Art Walk this past Thursday night. Here’s what we found at four stops along the way. Top photo is from Mind Unwind, the gallery/education/collaboration space at 2206 California SW – where Brendan Ray Fraser was working on a painting that, shall we say, was a little too nude for WSB standards, so we took our camera upstairs for the aerial view. Three more stops ahead:

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West Seattle schools: Denny/Sealth concert #3
June 14, 2012 1:09 am
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 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS culture/arts

Thanks to Denny International Middle School principal Jeff Clark for sharing photos from Wednesday night’s third and final spring concert by musicians from Denny and adjacent Chief Sealth International High School. (Above, the Denny Beginning and Junior Band.) He declared the well-attended performance “a resounding success”:

The Denny International Middle School and Chief Sealth International High School Band concert was a resounding success this evening! I was very impressed by the 6th graders all the way up to the graduating seniors. Music is thriving at Denny and Sealth. Thank you to Mr. Pimpleton and all of our families–congratulations to all of our scholars!

Three more photos, ahead!Read More

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West Seattle Podcast: New project for the ‘ex-Petco site’ guy
June 12, 2012 12:07 pm
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 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

(From left, Tao and Jason; photos by WSB’s Patrick Sand)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

First, he brought in the Rock-afire Explosion animatronics.

Then, he painted the windows (while leaving peek-a-boo spots through which passersby peer, continually).

He’s on notice his temporary digs at 4724 California SW will be replaced by a 7-story building. (No worries, he’s bought his own building anyway.)

Does Jason Rudolph of Sound Advertising Group sound busy enough to you?

Nah. Now he and two of his team members have launched the West Seattle Podcast.

And they’re inviting you in to see it all – and be part of it all! – during this Thursday’s West Seattle Art Walk.

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Happening now: Canoe-journey support @ Duwamish Longhouse
June 10, 2012 2:56 pm
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 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Till 4 pm, you are welcome to check out the Paddle From Seattle support event at the Duwamish Longhouse, co-sponsored by CARW, whose members posed for us when we stopped by just before the event began. Donations welcome, including traditional Longhouse treats such as frybread and Indian tacos, so the kitchen is busy:

More info on the event here; the Longhouse is at 4705 West Marginal Way SW, and its calendar of upcoming events is here – including the gala on June 30th.

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Happening now: Cooper Artist Housing open house in North Delridge
June 9, 2012 5:31 pm
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 |   Delridge | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Sister the cat is helping greet visitors at the Cooper Artist Housing loft of Liv Browning, during the open house that continues till 9 tonight. We met Sister and Liv during a quick mid-afternoon visit. The artists really are opening their homes, as well as showing their work. Liv and Sister are on the third floor, as is the stairwell where music and spoken-word performances are scheduled throughout the event:

You’ll see art in many media lining the old Cooper School’s hallways:

And you can visit the nonprofits on the ground floor (like Nature Consortium) or check out demonstrations in the Movement Studio. It’s all happening inside Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, 4408 Delridge Way SW.

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Video: Spring school concerts continue with Denny, Sealth performances
June 7, 2012 8:03 am
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 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

School-concert season continued last night with the second of three concerts featuring Chief Sealth International High School and Denny International Middle School students. We have four groups on video, starting with the Sealth choir, above, whose songs included the one featured in our clip, from the Broadway musical “Rent.” Ahead – three orchestral performances:Read More

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Video: 1st of 2 concerts this week for Madison Middle School
June 6, 2012 2:43 am
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 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS culture/arts

Led by music director Clark Bathum, that’s the Madison Middle School Senior Band performing Robert W. Smith‘s ‘Encanto,’ one of the selections from the school’s high-scoring recent trip to the Music in the Parks festival in Idaho. We recorded the video last night during the spring band concert, which also included the Junior Band:

On Thursday night – 7 pm in the Madison Commons – the school’s jazz band and orchestra perform their spring concert; free, and you’re invited.

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Duwamish Tribe: 2 benefit events ahead, and an award!
June 5, 2012 1:38 pm
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 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Several news notes about the Duwamish Tribe, whose Longhouse is in West Seattle – It’s announced two upcoming benefits, one this Sunday afternoon (June 10) for its participation in this year’s “Paddle from Seattle” (details here), and a big dinner/art auction gala on June 30th (details here). Plus, a performance group of Duwamish youth, TilibSedeb (Singing Feet), is one of the 10 recipients of the 2012 Mayor’s Arts Awards, announced today. The full news release about that – also featuring the other nine recipients – is ahead:Read More

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Video: Harbor Island People for the Environment celebrate beautification milestone
June 3, 2012 6:22 pm
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 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Murals now grace the side of an otherwise-gritty Harbor Island warehouse, which local workers have turned into a spot with splashes of beauty, offering an oasis in the midst of an industrial zone. We first reported on the project two weeks ago – then, after the murals’ installation, it was celebrated at an event this past Friday afternoon. The murals were created by youth through Urban ArtWorks. Beneath them are container gardens with drought-tolerant plants – and cisterns to hold rainwater to irrigate them when needed:

During Friday afternoon’s ceremony, members of the self-described “grass-roots committee” that made this all happen, Harbor Island People for the Environment, spoke about what they’ve done, and also introduced most of the young artists. We got it all on video:

Also speaking at the ceremony, James Rasmussen, a longtime Duwamish Tribe leader who also works for the Duwamish River Cleanup Coalition. He talked about not only the site’s history as Duwamish land – tideflats before they were filled – but also about the meaning of the site beautification/cleanup in view of Harbor Island’s environmental challenges:

HIPE members said they hope to liven up the space with food vendors and other things to create a gathering place for workers and visitors – and they plan on more projects in the future. Fittingly, one of the murals celebrates the idea of looking ahead:

You can find the site by heading toward Vigor Shipyards on the north end of Harbor Island, and looking for the blue warehouse at 13th SW/SW Florida (here’s a map).

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West Seattle libraries: Teens invited to join Summer Reading Program
May 30, 2012 12:09 am
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 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Teen Services librarian Wally Bubells from the West Seattle (Admiral) Library shares this invitation for all local teens – no matter which library they frequent:

The Seattle Public Library’s 2012 Teen Summer Reading Program, Century 22: Map the Future, kicks off on Friday, June 1. The annual program, which continues through Sunday, Aug. 26, encourages everyone to read during the summer. This year we have multiple ways for teens to participate:

1) Read three books, review them, and enter a drawing to win an e-reader.

2) Play our scavenger hunt by finding books hidden all over the city, read them, and re-hide them for another teen to find.

3) Enjoy our great programs. Whether you’re into gaming, trivia, crafting, or art, one of our excellent programs will match your interests.

Stay up to date with what’s happening for teens by visiting Push to Talk, our blog written for teens by teens and the librarians who serve them.

The 2012 Teen Summer Reading Program is sponsored by The Seattle Public Library Foundation.

The Summer Reading Program also includes hundreds of free programs for people of all ages at various locations. For more information, call 206-386-4636 or Ask a Librarian.

West Seattle has four library branches – they (and the others around the city) are mapped and listed here.

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Next up at ArtsWest: Back to the ’80s with ‘Xanadu’
May 29, 2012 3:42 pm
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 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Going through theater withdrawal? The next production at ArtsWest is just four weeks away, and today we’ve received the official announcement of “Xanadu” – yes, as in the roller-disco classic. Read on:Read More

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Madison’s Music in the Parks success, & West Seattle concerts ahead
May 25, 2012 9:33 am
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 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS culture/arts


(Click for full-size image)
Congratulations to the musicians at Madison Middle School, back from an out-of-state festival with some major honors. Music teacher Clark Bathum shares photos and a report, plus word of their upcoming concerts here at home:

Last weekend 100 Madison Middle School band and orchestra students and 16 brave parents, grandparents, and staff had a fantastic time on their annual 3-day trip to the Music in the Parks Festival in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

All of our groups represented West Seattle well against some extremely tough competition. Madison’s string orchestra and concert band both finished second in their divisions, receiving ratings of “excellent.” The Jazz Band won their division and also earned an “excellent” rating. Madison 7th grade saxophonist Logan Schiller played fantastically and continued a dominant Madison win streak becoming the 9th straight Madison student to win the Outstanding Middle School/Jr High Jazz Soloist Award:

After the competition on Saturday morning students had a great time riding rollercoasters and attending the awards ceremony at Silverwood Theme Park.

Congratulations to all of our young musicians for representing Madison and your community so well on and off stage!

With our trip behind us all of the Madison music groups have thrown themselves into preparation for our upcoming spring concerts so come and check them out. Our spring band concert will be on Tuesday, June 5 and our orchestra and jazz concert will be on Thursday, June 7. Both concerts will start at 7:00 pm in the Madison Commons. We would love to see you there.

(We’re adding those dates to the WSB West Seattle Events Calendar, which always welcomes listings for school events and already has lots for the weeks before school lets out – just please e-mail us with as much lead time as possible! Thanks!)

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‘Every Mother Counts’: Benefit CD produced by West Seattleite
May 21, 2012 6:45 pm
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 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

One more week to buy this year’s “Every Mother Counts” CD at Starbucks stores – benefiting advocacy for maternal health around the world, to reduce the maternal death rate. As was last year’s CD, this one is produced again by West Seattle resident David R. Legry, with Christy Turlington Burns, EMC founder. One of the featured songs is by Eddie Vedder – you can preview it here; there are also exclusive cuts by U2, Coldplay, Beck, Alanis Morrisette, Edie Brickell/Paul Simon, and other songs by David Bowie, Faith Hill, and Sting, among others. Star-studded, to say the least; the full song list is here. Starbucks handled the cost of producing the CD and is donating $8 from each purchase. It’s scheduled to be available in their stores till May 29th – and we’re told that if you don’t see it out on display, just ask for it.

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Bring art to The Mount, for those who can’t go out to see it
May 16, 2012 3:22 pm
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 |   How to help | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

This isn’t your usual “call for artists” – this is a request for artists to show their work where it’ll be seen by people who can’t go out to enjoy it elsewhere any more. The announcement:

Providence Mount St. Vincent is looking for Artists to display their work in our McAllister Hall Art Gallery.

The art gallery at Providence Mount St. Vincent displays local art on a monthly basis featuring a different artist each month. The main goal of this program is to provide enjoyment and artistic culture for our residents, since many of them are no longer physically able to visit art galleries. We offer artist the ability to sell her or his art with the request that 20 percent be donated to our Foundation. The gallery is located on the second floor entrance on the west side of the building–a high traffic area within the Mount. The art is viewed by residents, staff, families of residents, volunteers, and visitors. We insure the art while it’s on display to protect it from any possible damage and offer a reception in the artist’s honor.

The months of June, August, October, November and December are currently open in 2012. Please contact Anna Cronin at anna.cronin@providence.org or 206.938.6242 for more information.

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Video: West Seattle Symphony Orchestra’s world premiere
May 15, 2012 11:02 pm
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 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

For the second consecutive Tuesday, the West Seattle Community Orchestras invited the community to the Chief Sealth International High School auditorium, to hear their musicians’ spring concerts; tonight was the 50+-member West Seattle Symphony Orchestra‘s turn. Our 7-minute video clip captures the highlight of the night, the world premiere of conductor Rob Duisberg‘s “Fantasies and Fugues.” The program also included classics – from composers including Beethoven, Copland, Haydn, and Stravinsky.

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Summer Concerts at Hiawatha’s 2012 lineup, and other Admiral Neighborhood Association notes
May 8, 2012 11:37 pm
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 |   Fun stuff to do | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

(The crowd for 2011’s appearance by Caspar Babypants, who’s in the concert series again this year)
The big news from tonight’s Admiral Neighborhood Association meeting, led by vice president Karl de Jong – the music lineup for this year’s Summer Concerts at Hiawatha. As announced at the meeting (held as usual in the lower-level meeting room of Admiral Congregational Church), chosen from more than 60 applicants, by ANA president Katy Walum with help from ANA treasurer Ann Limbaugh and Hiawatha Community Center’s Tiffani Melake – “We listened to a LOT of music,” said Ann:

JULY 26 – The Local Strangers

AUGUST 2 – Mark Dufresne

AUGUST 9 – Reilly and Maloney

AUGUST 16 – The Braxmatics (this show is at Alki Beach)

AUGUST 23 – Caspar Babypants

AUGUST 30 – Curtains For You

The ANA’s website will have even more information about the concert series soon (if it’s not already there by the time you see this).

More on this topic and others, including this year’s 4th of July Kids’ Parade and local park issues, ahead:Read More

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Partly shot in West Seattle, ‘Ira Finkelstein’s Christmas’ gets SIFF slot
May 7, 2012 10:45 am
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 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

More movie news: Just reported by our friends at Beach Drive Blog: “Ira Finkelstein’s Christmas,” partly shot in West Seattle last year (remember the palm trees on Alki, standing in for Florida?), will be screened during this year’s SIFF. BDB has the dates and other links. (As reported here on Sunday, the SIFF lineup also includes a short film by West Seattle photographer Bob Venezia.)

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SIFF to feature West Seattle photographer Bob Venezia’s film
May 6, 2012 11:17 am
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 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle people | WS culture/arts

(Photo copyright Bob Venezia – Puyallup Fair, 2011)
The schedule is out for the Seattle International Film Festival, and it includes an award-winning short film by West Seattle photographer Bob Venezia, who shares this announcement:

“Animated Amusements,” a short film by West Seattle photographer Bob Venezia, is an official selection of the Seattle International Film Festival. It will be shown on May 26th at 9:30 pm at the SIFF Cinema at the Uptown as part of the program, “Animation for Adults.”

Scenes of carnival rides at night are set to the music of the late Rebo Flordigan. Shot in time-lapse and moving at hundreds of times their normal speed, the rides take on a life of their own and display brilliant patterns in colored lights.

Tickets for the program are now on sale.

Originally shot in 3D, this movie won the Artistic Achievement Award at the 2011 convention of the National Stereoscopic Association. SIFF will be presenting the 2D version.

Read more about the movie here.

Bob Venezia is a stereoscopic (3D) photographer and Photoshop expert. His love of 3D photography started in childhood with his first ViewMaster but it wasn’t until 1995 that he began creating these images on his own. Bob has been listed in the “Who’s Who” of the Photographic Society of America every year since 2006 and has a 4 Star rating with the PSA. He has had more than 220 acceptances in PSA recognized Exhibitions since 2003, and has won numerous awards, including a dozen Gold medals.

In 2009 Bob was the top exhibitor worldwide of digital stereoscopic photography according to the PSA. In 2010 he ranked number two worldwide in two categories (digital and slides). His long exposure of the Brooklyn Bridge took first place in the Electronic section of the Stereo Photo of the Year Competition for 2009 and his image of gondolas at the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas was named Stereo Photo of the Year for 2010.

SIFF side note – though several films were scheduled at the Admiral Theater in the past few years, the festival is not coming to West Seattle this time around.

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West Seattle filmmaker featured in ‘Beyond Borders’ tonight
May 1, 2012 4:51 am
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 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Almost a year ago, we reported on the Kickstarter campaign for “Film Festival: Rwanda,” a work in progress by Inflatable Film, a local production company with West Seattleites in prominent roles, including executive producer Leah Warshawski. Tonight, scenes from the documentary (the video clip above is its trailer) will be part of a free 7 pm program at SIFF Film Center, 305 Harrison Street (on Queen Anne – here’s a map), “Beyond Borders: An Evening of Film.” Also featured, Stir It Up Productions, also with a documentary in progress, “Oil and Water.” More details in their full media announcement.

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