West Seattle, Washington
26 Friday
Beach Drive residents and visitors are familiar with artist Lezlie Jane‘s waterfront work – including the distinctive installations at Weather Watch Park, Constellation Park, and Cormorant Cove. She is working on a new creation that’s been discussed at the last two Alki Community Council meetings, and when ACC met last Thursday night, she revealed the boardwalk east of Alki Bathhouse is the new proposed location for “Luna Girls on Alki,” seen in her rendering above.
Two Admiral notes this morning – first, both the Admiral District Business Association made its debut in Saturday’s West Seattle Grand Parade, in which the Admiral Neighborhood Association marched too:
(Photo by Nick Adams for WSB)
(Photo by WSB co-publisher Patrick Sand)
(All of our West Seattle Grand Parade coverage can be seen here.) Second, the ANA-presented Summer Concerts at Hiawatha start in just three days! Thursday night, come hear The Local Strangers, live on the east lawn at Hiawatha Community Center (2700 California SW, but this is on the Walnut side of the site), free – bring your own blanket(s)/chair(s); show starts at 6:30. After this week, there are five more Thursday night shows – the schedule’s here (note that August 16th’s concert is at Alki Beach – it’s a SC@H tradition to have one there each year, since city cutbacks at Alki Community Center meant they can no longer present a summertime outdoor concert)
(WSB photo from 2010 Alki Art Fair)
The big summer celebrations coming up in West Seattle wouldn’t happen without LOTS of help. In the case of the Alki Art Fair, it’s all-volunteer, ever since the budget cuts that removed official city help last year … and volunteer coordinator Susan Madrid says they need some more people to pitch in:
The Alki Art Fair is two and a half weeks away, July 28 and 29, and we need volunteers. Volunteers can work a couple of hours on each day or can commit to half-day shifts at the silent auction or information booth. For example, we need people to break down chairs on Saturday night after the music performances end at 9 pm and set them up on Sunday morning before the performances start again at 10 am. We also need a couple of people who love music to staff the musicians’ sales table and serve as announcers for the acts throughout each day. If you would like to join the Alki Art Fair volunteers or have any questions, please contact the Volunteer Coordinator at sjmadrid@comcast.net.
The doors opened at Alki Arts on July 10, 2010 – the 1st anniversary party was July 10, 2011 – this year, the party’s on July 1st. “That’s the day we got the keys,” reminisced co-owner Diane Venti, above with co-owner and husband, artist Tom Wyrick.
They’re celebrating till 8 tonight, with live music and refreshments, and a sunny attitude despite the relentless gray. Back in 2010, they told WSB they were just “trying the space out for the summer”; two years later, Diane says running an art gallery/events venue remains touch-and-go – some good months, some not-so-good months – but they defy patterns: She says they were told that February’s usually the worst month in the gallery business, and the first year, that turned out to be true, but this past year, February was their best month ever (with the help of a big order for a new development). She’s grateful for community support, and intent on giving back any way they can – lending space for school fundraisers, for example. It’s a bright, airy space, especially when the door’s rolled open; she says well-wishers have been stopping by all day. (They’ll be open on the 4th of July, too, and often have special drop-in events with art and music, including West Seattle Art Walk nights – watch the AA Facebook page for announcements.)
Almost 5 years after the first known “West Seattle Art Attack,” the mysterious leaver-of-glass-gifts has “struck” again. We received photos this morning with word that they were from WSAA visits to three local P-Patch community gardens. So if you’re tending a plot today, keep an eye out!
The art isn’t ALL hidden among the stalks and leaves at the Barton, Genesee, and Charlestown P-Patches:
This is the first time we’ve heard from/about West Seattle Art Attack since a WSAA/YarnCore collaboration inside a local café more than a year ago.
We’re welcoming a new WSB sponsor today – and here’s what he’d like you to know:
Tim Cashman, Highly Qualified Instructor, giving lessons in West Seattle since 1986.
My Service
I offer private or small-group guitar lessons, from beginning to advanced level, all ages. Styles include Classical, Rock/Pop, Jazz, Blues, and Flamenco. Students learn the songs they wish to play. Electric bass and Drum lessons also available.
Instruction is tailored to the individual and may include: technique, repertoire, chord vocabulary, scales/improvising, music theory, note reading, and composing or song writing. Students may also play with a band in our big rehearsal room. Students have the opportunity to perform in public; performances have included a benefit and student performance at Youngstown, the Fauntleroy Fall Festival, the Holy Rosary Talent Show, and the West Seattle Art Walk at Windermere of West Seattle.
Other important information
*Parents are welcome to sit in on lessons. References are available on request.
*I also have low cost rental instruments available.
*Feel free to call and discuss lessons and rates. Tim: 206-225-0212, or e-mail timpcashman@gmail.com.
We thank West Seattle music instructor Tim Cashman 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.
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.
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.
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.
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!)
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:
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
(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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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
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).
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.
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
(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!)
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.
| 7 COMMENTS