West Seattle, Washington
02 Thursday
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Where what’s likely West Seattle’s longest retaining wall once sported these murals along its street side …
… and art like this along its block-long alley side …
… it’s all now a drab gray that was blank for about a day until it drew this protest:
We got tips about this last weekend. The wall story on the north and west sides of the CVS/ex-Rite Aid lot (5217 California SW) dates back almost three years – here’s our first report from 2023, about what was given the name the “West Side Wall.” We learned shortly afterward that not only was renowned West Seattle muralist Desmond Hansen the creator of the baseball mural on the SW Dawson side, but also shepherding the evolving multi-artist project on the alley side.
That’s who the first reader to tell us about the paintout, Jared, contacted when he discovered it a few days ago. He told us Hansen was on the case. We contacted Hansen directly and met him at the wall this afternoon to talk about what happened and what’s next.
The situation is “really unfortunate,” he told us. “This alley was a great place” to make art. Not all graffiti-style, either.
He says someone complained to the city, the city sent CVS an abatement letter, and – not knowing the history behind the wall art, since it wasn’t anywhere in writing – the corporation hired a paint crew.
As soon as Hansen heard about it, he got busy contacting CVS management. “CVS is supportive,” he said – that included the acquisitions director, whose portfolio included this store (converted from Rite Aid last summer), and district manager. He says they’re in contact with the city and restoration can start once they have an acknowledgment in writing that it’s not going to generate another abatement action.
The “West Side Wall” was more organized than it might have appeared to casual viewers, Hansen explained – the alley-wall art rotated – an artist who came to work on the alley might decide which was the “ugliest” of the current crop and paint something new in that space. Meantime, he said the artists policed the work to ensure “no hate,” among other rules.
He and some of the artists also did weeding and trash pickup periodically – including syringes and mini liquor bottles – and Hansen said he’d also moved along some people who tried to camp in the alley, which stretches from Dawson to Brandon Streets, with back yards and garages lining the west side.
Before talking to Hansen today, we had sent an inquiry to CVS corporate to ask if they indeed had initiated the paintout; the reply came at the end of the day today from corporate communicator Amy Thibault, who confirmed it was them: “The wall was recently painted after we received complaints from community members about graphic and offensive content. We’re in touch with a local artist and the city about the wall and evaluating potential ways to ensure local artists can continue showcase their work in a way that all can enjoy.”
We also inquired today with the city Department of Construction and Inspections – which handles this type of complaint – but haven’t heard back yet.
Hansen says part of the situation might be a “blessing in disguise” – he expects this will lead to a written record of the art agreement, to avoid something like this happening again, at least as long as CVS is leasing the property (which is owned by an unrelated investment firm that Hansen said he tried to reach but couldn’t). He says he probably won’t re-create his baseball murals, instead considering featuring Kraken hockey or Sounders soccer, maybe even the once-and-future Sonics. But first he’s going to continue checking in daily until the situation is resolved: “I’ll do whatever I can to get this wall back.”
That would include, if there was a way, talking with whomever complained, to listen to their concerns and explain what a place like this means to artists. (If that’s you, you can reach him through his website.)
Thanks to Lisa for the photo! Her garage door in Upper Fauntleroy now holds a mural by artist Henry, just completed this afternoon. She explains, “It’s a continuation of the 1000 Sasquatch Heads project he started last fall.” And, she adds, “I’m hoping it will put a smile on people’s faces when they see it … we can use some joy these days!” The mural’s on SW Barton near 39th SW.
Christian J. Pearson‘s ceramic birds have a surprise inside, making them audible art too (hint: gently shake one). That was pointed out by one of the other five artists also in the “Feather in the Wind” pop-up, in its final day upstairs at Alki Arts in Morgan Junction (6030 California SW) until 6 pm. It’s a light-filled space, and not just because of the windows:
Jody Wally‘s ceramic work includes lamps – functional as well as beautiful. Or if you’re contemplating sending someone a note. Gretchen Flickinger has original prints on her cards:
Kassie Hennessey‘s feather studies inspired the pop-up’s name:
Angie Marcelynas – The Little Merle – incorporates recycled material into her jewelry, including new charm bracelets at this weekend’s pop-up:
Sketcher Pam Lustig is an addition to the “Feather in the Wind” roster since last pop-up:
You have until 6 pm to meet the artists, browse their work, and enjoy complimentary snacks – look for the staircase just north of the main Alki Arts entrance.
(Terra Nova Duo during The Art of Music at Alki Arts, October 2024 WSB video)
Covering the West Seattle Art Walk almost every month for more than 15 years, we appreciated the second Thursdays in recent years that were also graced by The Art of Music, mini-concerts coordinated by John Redenbaugh. This week he announced that the series won’t return this year after all, and sent this message of gratitude to the community, especially the musicians and others with whom he collaborated:
The Art of Music Bids a Farewell
After a meaningful and memorable run, the time has come to announce that The Art of Music has come to a close; the final Art of Music performances were presented in December 2025.
If you’d like to take a look at who performed for The Art of Music over the years you can go to:
wsartwalk.org/category/art-of-music and scroll back through the pages to find descriptions and some listening links.Background
Thanks to the support of then-West Seattle Junction Association (WSJA) Executive Director Lora Radford, the Art of Music performances were inaugurated during 2019, presented on behalf of the WSJA and scheduled to concurrently complement second Thursday Art Walk evenings.
From 2019 through 2025 (with a pause during 2020), The Art of Music brought live performances to West Seattle’s Second Thursday Art Walk evenings, adding another creative dimension to those community gatherings while showcasing the talents of many outstanding musicians.
What began in the Alaska Junction grew to include performances throughout the greater Morgan Junction and Admiral District neighborhoods, creating a broader stage for musicians and a richer experience for the community.
(In addition, The Art of Music had co-presented annually, with local musician Sue Quigley, the Muse Fest: The Power of Women’s Voices music festival from 2022 through 2025.)
Thank You to All Who Made The Art of Music Possible
Over the years, financial support for The Art of Music and Muse Fest: The Power of Women’s Voices came from a variety of generous contributors, including the West Seattle Junction Association, the Admiral Neighborhood Association, the Morgan Community Association, Darby Winery, Beth G Homes, Canna West Seattle, and Tim’s Tavern.
Thank you to the West Seattle Junction Association, the West Seattle Blog, and Westside Seattle for publicity/promotion provided over the years; and special appreciation goes to David Redenbaugh for his invaluable design of all Art of Music fliers, to Helen Halpern for her time and expertise in consistently posting information about Muse Fest and The Art of Music, and to David Wall (Urban Analog) for his design of the 2024 and 2025 Muse Fest fliers.
Thank-yous are also due WSJA Executive Director Chris Mackay and WSJA Marketing and Events Director Stacie Woods for their roles in supporting The Art of Music (and Muse Fest) performances.
In summary, my sincere thanks go to all past performers, venues, individuals, supporting sponsors, publishers and organizations whose contributions, participation, and support made The Art of Music possible.
With Gratitude and Best Wishes,
John Redenbaugh,
Project Coordinator, The Art of Music (2019-2025)
That’s Meaghan Haas, proprietor of Highland Park Corner Store (7789 Highland Park Way SW), rechristened Highland Park Pub for the St. Patrick’s Day festivities that continue until 8 pm.
There’s Irish music in the background, and special menu items:
You’ll also find special menu items tonight at Circa (2605 California SW; WSB sponsor):
As shown in our daily highlights list this morning, special decor too:
Circa is open tonight until 10. (The regular menu’s available too.)
(WSB photos and video by Torin Record-Sand)
We stopped by two more early St. Patrick’s Day celebrations at West Seattle venues this afternoon:
At Ounces in North Delridge, West Seattle Irish Dance performed, after offering a free class this morning.
And at C & P Coffee (WSB sponsor), students of Tudy McLain presented an Irish music festival, including harp and flute.
The students were joined by guest performers too.
St. Patrick’s Day is still two days away, and the festivities that day will include Highland Park Corner Store transforming into “Highland Park Pub,” 5-8 pm Tuesday, with “baked potatoes and corned beef sandwiches, green beer, shamrock scoops, Irish tunes.”
St. Patrick’s Day is four days away, but the Wearing of the Green has commenced in West Seattle, as the Cascadia Pipe Band defied the snow and showed up for their planned West Seattle Pub Crawl. Talarico’s Pizzeria was the first stop:
After all, what goes better with a big pizza and a big drink than a big sound?
The band made multiple stops while on the peninsula; they perform around the region and travel beyond – last year at the World Pipe Band Championships in Scotland, they tied for sixth place.
They welcome donations to support their performing and competing, and if you’re interested in helping out, you can do it online here.
P.S. For more West Seattle events in the St. Patrick’s Day spirit over the next three days, see our calendar and daily event lists!
By Macey Wurm
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
The kids can finally rock on, after School of Rock West Seattle‘s grand reopening this afternoon. The afternoon celebration included live music, free lessons, and free tours.
The school’s facility at 41st SW and SW Alaska was forced to close temporarily in late October due to water damage from a leak in the upstairs CVS store’s pipes. Half of the school was destroyed, resulting in a complete demolition and rebuild of the affected areas, according to owner Phil Gustavson.
School of Rock was one of six businesses in Jefferson Square reported being affected by the leak, all of which had to close to some degree.
But the school’s closure didn’t stop students from continuing their practice. Though the organization didn’t take on new students during the closure – and had to halt private lessons – previously existing bands transitioned to online lesson tools allowing them to continue to prepare for upcoming concerts. The back half of the Jefferson Square facility had minimal damage, so it was accessible to bands for in-person rehearsals.
Most recently, the bands have played at Jazz Bones in Tacoma, and have upcoming concerts planned on April 25 at the Clock-Out Lounge, and May 17 at the West Seattle 5K on Alki.
“Our school is all about performance.” Gustavson said. “It really gives the kids something fun to work with that’s engaging… We are building a community, we’re having fun, we’re playing together.”
This was apparent at the grand re-opening, the main event being the school’s house band opening up their rehearsal space to all attendees. The house band is the only audition-based program at the school, and primarily consists of kids who want to be ambassadors – playing extra concerts and bringing more people into the program. Gustavson told WSB that the day was a success, with the teachers brought in for free walk-in trial lessons completely booked. The school is “ready for students, and looking forward to getting back to serving the community,” he said.
Next door, Dream Dinners West Seattle suffered major flooding damage too, and was able to reopen last month, as reported here.
(WSB photos by Macey Wurm)
As featured in our daily lineup, the Chinese Lantern Festival is being celebrated today from 11-4 at the Seattle Chinese Garden on Puget Ridge. The festival marks one full lunar month after the New Year.
Performances including a Lion Dance, Guzheng performance, a Tai Chi demo, a Chinese flute performance, and a Wushu performance by Husky Wushu are continuing until 2 this afternoon. Activity tables are set up for attendees until 3 pm, with the festival officially ending at 4. Activity tables include tea tasting:
Lantern riddles– see if you can guess the riddle and win a prize from the “riddle master”:
Chinese knot-tying:
Dragon ribbon dancing, with the table staffed by Wei Dai:
Stencil painting – attendees can take their pick of several stencils and paint colors:
The Seattle Chinese Garden is on the north edge of the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) campus, 6000 16th SW. No admission charge but donations are welcome.
Story, photos, video by Torin Record-Sand
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
Last night, West Seattle High School held their annual Lunar New Year Festival. This year marks the year of the horse, which was represented in the decor for this year’s event.
This year’s event was led by student organizers Kian (left), and Kallen (right), respectively from the WSHS Chinese Club and the Asian American and Pacific Islander Club.
It included a performance by students of both a lion dance …
… and a dragon dance.
After the performance, there were various activities available for attendees. These included games for prizes, such as jianzi, a Chinese game which loosely resembles ‘hacky-sack,’ as well as trivia about the lunar new year, and the Korean game ddakji. There were also more artistically inclined offerings, such as paper art and calligraphy.
Traditional food from a variety of Asiana cultures was also served, including items such as dumplings, spring rolls, lo mein, and papaya salad.
We estimate about 80 people were there when we were.
Ever since the “for lease” sign came down and the window-covering paper went up a few weeks ago, readers have been asking us if we know who’s moving into 4736 California SW (most recently home to My Three Little Birds, which is now at West Seattle Mercantile about a mile north). Tonight we finally know, thanks to a new city permit filing. It’s an extension of the trend for businesses to move into The Junction from elsewhere in West Seattle. In this case, it’s the dance, fitness, and capoeira studio – and community cultural space – VivaArts, currently at 4421 Fauntleroy Way SW. Proprietor Jennifer Hobbs tells WSB, “This move will be an expansion for VivaArts – the new location will have a reception area, two studio rooms, changing areas, an ADA bathroom and in-studio bathrooms. We hope to expand our programming and to reach more folks in West Seattle to bring our cultural arts, dance, and fitness programming for all ages.” When will they move? “VivaArts will stay at our Fauntleroy location most likely until the end of July or early August when we expect the construction to be completed at the new space in the Junction.” Other businesses that have moved relatively recently into the heart of The Junction – California between Oregon and Edmunds – from elsewhere in West Seattle include WSB sponsor Paper Boat Booksellers (from Morgan Junction), The Missing Piece (from just north of Arbor Heights), and Emerald Water Anglers (from 42nd/Oregon).
If you’re a local artist and interested in being part of this year’s West Seattle Art Tour, you have three more days to apply! Here’s the reminder from organizers:
The West Seattle Art Tour is accepting artist applications for its third annual event on September 19–20, 2026, until Saturday, February 28 at 11:59 pm.
This self-guided, two-day event connects local artists with collectors and art enthusiasts. Through a juried process, selected artists display work at host sites — artists’ homes and studios accommodating multiple participants. Visitors navigate using printed maps, digital maps, and social media.
We welcome submissions in painting, sculpture, ceramics, photography, jewelry, mixed media, and other mediums from artists demonstrating unique vision and technical mastery.
Key Details:
Apply online: www.westseattlearttour.org/forartists
Deadline: February 28, 2026, 11:59 pm
Eligibility: Artists must live, work, or teach in West Seattle, or demonstrate an ongoing community connection.Full criteria at www.westseattlearttour.org
Questions or want to support the tour? Email info@westseattlearttour.org or visit www.westseattlearttour.org
WSB is the Art Tour’s media sponsor again this year.
(WSB photo from October)
Another Jefferson Square business flooded by last October’s CVS pipe break is finally getting back into its space. We told you earlier this month about Dream Dinners West Seattle‘s reopening following flooding repairs; now we just got word from neighboring School of Rock West Seattle‘s proprietor Phil Gustavson that they’re ready to reopen too:
School of Rock West Seattle is hosting a grand re-opening event March 7th, 2026 noon-3 pm.
After being forced to close in October of 2025 due to water damage from a leaking pipe in the CVS pharmacy above the school, School of Rock West Seattle is thrilled to announce that the school will be rebuilt and ready for students starting March 7th. New students who sign up at the grand opening event will receive 50% off their first month’s tuition and 20% off summer camps!
The event will have live music as the house band rehearses during the event. Free trial lessons will also be available to those who pre-book by calling the school at 206.294.3175. Tours of the school and refreshments will be available as well as awesome door prizes including a brand-new Boss overdrive guitar effect pedal for one lucky guest! Guests may enter the door prize drawing for free and do not need to be present for the drawing at 3 pm in order to win.
School of Rock is on the east side of outer Jefferson Square, at 41st SW and SW Alaska.
(WSB photo by Dave Gershgorn, February 2025)
The New Year’s celebration – welcoming the Year of the Horse – is happening all week at the Vietnamese Cultural Center in West Seattle (2236 SW Orchard). The center is usually open to the public on Saturday afternoons, but this week it’s open to visitors daily, noon-2 pm, through Friday. The big celebration, also open to all, is Saturday (February 21), starting at noon, with a lion dance and flag-raising ceremony, no charge for admission.
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.
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