West Seattle, Washington
16 Wednesday
(African Children’s Choir performance in Kentucky this past June)
Another weekend of big events in West Seattle (and environs) is just days away. We’ll be previewing them throughout the week, starting here: Young singers from Uganda who are touring our state right now will be in concert at West Seattle Christian Church this Friday. The African Children’s Choir will perform in the church’s Activity Center (map) at 7 pm; doors open at 6:30. You can read here about how the choir members are chosen and trained; most are between 7 and 11 years old. It’s been almost exactly two years since the choir’s 2009 visit to WSCC.
(Photo courtesy Avalon Glassworks, used with permission)
West Seattle’s Avalon Glassworks has a long history of helping local nonprofits – and the latest is the Seattle Public Library Foundation, which will get a portion of the proceeds from the newly announced holiday ornaments shown above. $30 each. You can check the ornaments (and other blown-glass art) at their shop on Avalon Way just south of the West Seattle Bridge. (They’re available online too.)
The ornaments caught our attention as we were just about to publish this reminder: Seattle Public Library branches are closing for a week-plus again this year, as a result of city budget cuts. That closure starts a week from tomorrow (August 29) and continues through the Labor Day holiday on Monday, Sept. 5th, so the libraries won’t reopen till Tuesday, September 6th. More info here.
(Photos/video by Patrick Sand for WSB unless otherwise credited)
If you didn’t experience it in person today at the Nature Consortium‘s Arts In Nature Festival – which continues tomorrow at Camp Long – you can watch our clip to see and hear the “fire organ” by kinetic sculptor/sound artist Trimpin, one of an almost-endless array of amazing sights and sounds at the festival. At midday today, a festival tradition – the Species Parade (which happens again Sunday at 1:45 pm):
(Photo courtesy Trileigh Tucker)
Puppets by Sarah Lovett were part of the parade, glimpsed by some while wandering between performance zones. Here’s an owl puppet we spotted before the parade:
Even setup can be interesting – this was part of the preparations being made for The Cabiri (who perform again Sunday at noon):
Throughout the park, you’ll find music. On Saturday, the Park West Chamber Players performed:
(Photo courtesy Trileigh Tucker)
Local writer/photographer/musician Trileigh Tucker says that from left to right, the players are Kate Vincent, Jane Johnson, Karen Larsen, Robert Baker, Saralee Stata, and Ann Kendall. She adds, “Most of these wonderful musicians are affiliated with the West Seattle Community Orchestras.” Then there’s music in the dome:
Rose Laughlin was there at midday today:
Right about the same time, West Seattle-based Caspar Babypants entertained families in the Camp Long Lodge:
Throughout the park, festival venues are both indoors and outdoors, many interactive/participatory. The festival schedule for tomorrow is here; Camp Long is at 5200 35th SW.
West Seattleite Jacob McMurray was at Easy Street Records in The Junction on Friday night to sign “Taking Punk to the Masses: From Nowhere to Nevermind.” As explained on the Easy Street website, the book chronicling the rise/evolution of grunge, from punk, is companion to the EMP Nirvana exhibit curated by McMurray. Easy Street is selling the book; the exhibit continues at EMP for another year and a half.
Another West Seattle author is one week away from his customary annual reading here in the home ‘hood: After releasing “Legends of Shannara: The Measure of the Magic” this Tuesday, megaselling fantasy author Terry Brooks will be at the Westwood Village Barnes and Noble the following Saturday (2 pm August 27th). He has drawn a crowd there every summer, dating back at least as far back as WSB goes (our coverage: 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010).
If you can bring sea monsters and pizza into the Biblical creation story, or turn the tale of Daniel and the lion into “Here, Kitty, Kitty,” you can work your own kind of miracles. And so did Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter/kindie-rocker Justin Roberts tonight in the Fauntleroy UCC Church sanctuary, helping Family Promise of Seattle raise more than $1,000. Fauntleroy UCC is one of ten area churches that are in partnership with Family Promise, taking turns providing sleeping quarters, dinner, and breakfast to newly homeless families. But tonight – instead of housing homeless kids, they were accommodating dancing kids.
(Photo courtesy Kathy Ablott)
Before the concert, FP board leader David Jones explained the organization’s mission:
Roberts performed about an hour of songs from his “Why Not Sea Monsters?” album. He’s a one-time divinity student turned singer/songwriter, who played guitar throughout his set, and enticed the audience – all ages – to sing along, sometimes goofily, sometimes quietly, as golden evening sunlight illuminated the evergreens outside the huge window at the front of the sanctuary. Though his songs riffed off Biblical stories – Jonah and the whale, loaves and fishes, walking on water, the burning bush – they were by no means preachy or somber. Just exuberant music. One review quoted on Roberts’ website describes him as the “Paul McCartney of kids’ music”; appropriate, then, that a toddler who joined the dozen or so dancers up front wore a Beatles T-shirt. FP also accepted donations for refreshments afterward; More ways to help them are listed online.
P.S. Roberts is part of the lineup for the Tots ‘n’ Tunes kindie-rock extravaganza at Seattle Center this Sunday, 11 am-5 pm, as is West Seattle’s own Caspar Babypants (who is busy this weekend! tomorrow he performs in the Camp Long Lodge at 11 am during the Nature Consortium‘s Arts in Nature Festival).
LeRoy Bell and His Only Friends have made some new friends tonight on Hiawatha Community Center‘s east lawn, and there’s still time to get here before 8 pm and be part of the Admiral Neighborhood Association‘s weekly Summer Concerts at Hiawatha show. Video:
Music’s great, and the PCC Natural Markets (WSB sponsor) Kid Picks van is here as usual with samples of healthy treats:
As much fun as the music is, it’s also fun to watch neighbors and friends catching up with each other – it’s like one big neighborhood party, with many families bringing dinner, kids running around, etc. Tonight’s guest emcee, West Seattle-residing City Councilmember Tom Rasmussen:
Two more shows in this year’s series (with co-sponsors including WSB) after tonight – Caspar Babypants next Thursday, and be sure to have the kids bring coins for the Wellspring drive (donors get the chance to win a custom CB song, as noted here earlier this week), and Star Anna for the final show on September 1st – ANA president Katy Walum says that night will include a diaper drive for WestSide Baby (early warning, get some before then and have them ready to bring along)! P.S. If you have any questions about the new Umpqua Bank branch coming to the Admiral District, Umpqua had reps here tabling tonight and they say they’ll be back next week. So far, it’s looking like a mid-October opening for the branch, they say.
One more upcoming event to mention – signs around the field are promoting the 100th birthday celebration for Hiawatha itself, coming up 11 am-5 pm Saturday, September 17th, with festivities including a 5K, basketball and pickleball tournaments, a barbecue, and concert.
The arts/crafts fair at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor) till 3 pm today has a story at every table. Just walking through the front yard, you’ll find it – like Sydni Smith and “Charlie the Monster”:
Sydni’s buddy has had some hefty medical bills. So she’s raising money to get them handled. And she’s getting help from her friends – like Helen Johnson, who’s selling her crocheted creations in public for the first time:
You might also know Helen from the new West Seattle Coffee House at 35th and Graham (which opened a month and a half ago). Take a close look at her crocheted items – which she says she’s never sold publicly before! – like the “infinity scarf” (no end) or the kids’ scarf that has magnetic fasteners. Her Yoda cap was sported by artist Barbara Noonan:
Barbara lives in Madison Park now but says she’ll always consider West Seattle home – “it gets in your blood.” And that goes for the trio of best friends who wanted to tell us their story:
Sitting in the sun on the C & P front porch were, from left, Nancy Biggs Lind, Nancy Capelouto Ridden, and Marilyn Brandon Moy. They have been best friends since 8th grade at Denny Middle School – the old building, where demolition is just wrapping up – and went on to Chief Sealth, where they were all Class of 1965. Their kids all grew up here too. But perhaps the best story of all in the front yard is that of Sheila Lengle:
Besides showing and selling her own work, Sheila will show you a book of photos including one that shows the Craftsman house that is home to C & P – when it was her ecCollective Gallery (she lived there, too). But go find out for yourself. Till 3 pm, 5612 California SW, just south of SW Findlay (and yes, there are artists/craftspeople inside too!).
Next Tuesday will mark 34 years since the death of “The King” – music and movie legend Elvis Presley. But Danny Vernon came to West Seattle’s Providence Mount St. Vincent (WSB sponsor) tonight not to mourn Elvis, but to celebrate him – which he’s been doing professionally for more than a few years. As you can see in the video, he enchanted the crowd. (added) He performs as later-stage Elvis, too, as Bill Bacon‘s photo (thank you!) shows:
Tonight was the second of this summer’s four free Friday night concerts at The Mount, and it was accompanied by a display of gas-powered nostalgia:
That’s Michael Emmick‘s Caddy, part of a classic car show that augmented tonight’s entertainment. For even more of a flashback – check out this Corvair:
And this ’56 Chevy:
Next Friday night, it’s Cheryl Serio – same schedule, food/drink available for purchase (optional) by 5:30, music starting at 6; details on the full series are here.
A WSB commenter broke the news, and Safeway’s Sara Osborne confirms it: Steel-drum band The Toucans will play at tomorrow’s opening celebration for the new Admiral Safeway, likely outdoors, 4-7 pm. As reported previously, the store opens at noon, following a ribbon-cutting ceremony around 11:30 am (here’s our most recent report).
Tomorrow is also the next Summer Concerts at Hiawatha show – but it’s actually on Alki this time:
Yogoman Burning Band plays at 6:30 pm tomorrow (Thursday) – as with the regular location, bring your own blanket/chair to Alki for the concert. Same goes on Friday at Providence Mount St. Vincent (WSB sponsor), when the second of four Friday night concerts brings Danny Vernon with his Illusion of Elvis:
That’s our video of his show there last year. This Friday, it’s music at 6, dinner/beer/wine available for sale at 5:30 pm, free popcorn/snow cones, south side of The Mount (4831 35th SW). ADDED 4:41 PM: Susan Clark at The Mount sends details of something extra this Friday night – a classic-car show:
We’re having around 20 cars! Here’s a brief listing:
* Ford Model A
* 1957 Chevy
* 1965 Corvair
* 1965 Corvette Sting Ray
* Austin Healy
* Other Chevrolets and MustangsIt’s an informal car show-no judging. The show starts at 3:30 pm and ends at 7:30 pm. It’s just something we wanted to do for our residents and concertgoers.
News tonight of a leadership change at ArtsWest. On behalf of the Board of Trustees, its secretary Dawn Leverett just sent this announcement:
After 5-1/2 years as Executive Director of ArtsWest, Alan Harrison and the Board of Trustees have decided to part ways. The Board is tremendously grateful to Mr. Harrison for all he has done to promote ArtsWest and its mission. While ArtsWest has grown in stature, priorities have shifted and differences in approach have arisen especially in the current economic cycle. Consequently, the time has come for a change in leadership giving rise to the opportunity to reevaluate the entire structure of the organization before launching a formal search for a new executive director. The board of trustees is confident that they have in place a plan that will allow for a smooth transition.
We asked Leverett a few followup questions: First, who is charge in the meantime? She says that duty is being shared by “several board members with various talents and time who have stepped up to run the organization. Second – will Harrison’s departure lead to any changes in the upcoming season, announced months ago? Reply: “At this time, no plans to change the season. We also asked if ArtsWest is financially sound. While acknowledging that “arts have been hit by lack of giving” in the rocky economy, Leverett said, “We certainly are stable.”
ADDED TUESDAY: A statement received via e-mail from Alan Harrison:
I’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone associated with ArtsWest: the board of trustees, the staff, the artists, and the audiences. In 2005, when I began, there were a number of arts professionals in Seattle who suggested that ArtsWest was not the opportunity for someone who has been in the nonprofit arts business as long as I have. By 2006, we had changed our mission to “require conversation, improve the imagination, and promote cultural vibrancy as a core value” and succeeded in drawing record crowds each year. Better than crowds: ArtsWest now has a fan base.
Last season, the theater drew more fans than ever; with an amazing majority of them coming from outside the 4 zip codes of West Seattle. It is gratifying that we could use our provocative gallery and theater to cause conversations that move the issues beyond the unknown stage and into the “let’s fix it” stage all over Seattle. ArtsWest became a real progressive success story and we have so many people to thank for that. For the first time in the history of the organization, artists were being paid no less than a legal wage (including rehearsals), and the scale and scope of the organization grew to capacity. However, as the economy worsened, earned income was setting records for growth and contributed income dropped. Someday that will turn around, and ArtsWest will again succeed, of this I’m sure.
It was a wonderful ride. Now, my family and I are excited about the next opportunity to work with a company in Seattle. It is our home, and I am delighted to be a part of this wonderfully intellectually curious community of ours. We’re looking forward to seeing what that new opportunity will be, and can’t wait for it to begin.
Family Promise of Seattle, the only homeless shelter in this area helping families stay together while getting back on their feet, is less than two weeks away from a major benefit – Grammy-nominated family-music performer Justin Roberts in concert. Katy Lloyd, who’s helping publicize the performance, notes, “I recently learned that Family Promise receives 6-8 phone calls/week from case workers looking to place a family in emergency housing. Sadly, Family Promise can only handle two families at a time, and each family can take up to 3 months to place in more permanent housing. Now more than ever Family Promise needs the support of our wonderful community to help families in need. Most other shelters must segregate families by gender. This can make the situation for a family in crisis even worse. The goal of Family Promise is to keep families intact and offer case worker support while helping them locate a more secure footing.” The show is at 6:30 pm August 19th at Fauntleroy UCC Church (9140 California SW). Suggested donation at the door is $5/child, $10/adult, $15/family; cookies and lemonade will be sold afterward, also by donation.
Last year, The Haggis Brothers wrapped up the Providence Mount St. Vincent (WSB sponsor) summer concert series; this year, they kicked it off, with “a song from the ’60s” – no, not THOSE ’60s, as they explain:
The music’s usually enough to get the crowd moving – but if kids’ attention wanders, there’s usually something special, like tonight’s balloon-twisting clown:
Next week: He ain’t nothin’ but a hound dawg … Danny Vernon’s “Illusion of Elvis.” And “Classic Car Night”! All out in the open air at 4831 35th SW:
Admission’s free; before the 6 pm shows, dinner/wine/beer are offered for sale.
We warned you about it in the morning preview – but it still caught some people by surprise (thanks for the texts!): Hundreds of bicyclists rolled eastward from the Admiral District this past hour on the annual “Dead Baby Downhill.” Yes, like the name, it’s meant to be an in-your-face, irreverent/offensive, at-times profane event – “the greatest party known to humankind,” declared the Facebook event page – and it rotates starting-point neighborhoods; it’s been a few years since the DBD took off from West Seattle. They’re headed for Georgetown and a whale of an afterparty. (added) Here’s the start:
8:39 PM: More photos, ahead:Read More
Just published at our partner site White Center Now: Seattle filmmaker Megan Griffiths‘ next movie “Eden” is set to film in WC later this month. Details here.
(Photo courtesy Twelfth Night Productions)
It’s not just Seafair weekend – it’s “Oliver!” weekend! Twelfth Night Productions (WSB sponsor) will present Lionel Bart‘s musical version of Charles Dickens‘ famous tale for the next three weekends, Friday and Saturday nights and Sunday afternoons, at the West Seattle High School theater (3000 California SW). TNP’s official announcement notes, “This year’s cast and crew of more than 80 people includes children and adults from all over the Seattle area.” Twelfth Night is donating a portion of the proceeds to Treehouse, which it notes “helps fill the gaps for kids in foster care by providing services overlooked by other agencies. Among other services, they provide money for extra-curricular activities and summer camps, professional educational support services, and clothing and supplies to help kids fit in at school.” If you go, bring along school supplies, backpacks, and new/gently used clothing to donate to Treehouse. Shows are 7:30 pm the next three Fridays/Saturdays, and 3 pm Sundays; tickets are $15 students/seniors, $18 adults, available online or at the WSHS box office on performance nights/days.
Once again this summer, two outdoor concert series are serenading our peninsula. The Admiral Neighborhood Association‘s Summer Concerts at Hiawatha are entering their second week, with Massy Ferguson (above, in WSB video from West Seattle Summer Fest 2010) performing this Thursday night, 6:30 pm, on the east lawn at Hiawatha Community Center (2700 California SW, but the concert zone faces Walnut, to the east). Then on Friday, it’s the first of four shows – like Admiral, free! – for this year’s edition of the Providence Mount St. Vincent (WSB sponsor) summer concert series:
That’s a 2010 clip of the Haggis Brothers, who were in the West Seattle Grand Parade a week and a half ago. They’ll take the stage on the south side of The Mount (4831 35th SW) at 6 pm this Friday night. Popcorn and snow cones are free; starting at 5:30 pm, you can buy dinner, beer, and/or wine. For both concert series, bring your own chair/blanket.
Looking for something to do tomorrow? The Vietnamese Cultural Center at 2236 SW Orchard (north of Home Depot; here’s a map) reminds us that it’s open to the public noon-3 pm every Saturday. The center shared photos from last weekend’s sunny Saturday, including the next one featuring visitor Don Atwood, a local architect who helped draft an addition to the center:
Director Ducly Bui summarizes the center’s mission:
Vietnamese Cultural Center is operated by the free South Vietnamese since April 1975 to promote Vietnamese culture and heritage to their children born in US and introduce the country’s history and arts to the local community.
Admission is free. Our previous coverage of the center includes an overview in July 2008 – after many had wondered about its large statue (General Tran Hung Dao) – and last year’s Lunar New Year event, which also celebrated recognition of the Vietnamese Heritage and Freedom Flag.
(Photos by Torin Record-Sand for WSB)
A great start tonight for the Admiral Neighborhood Association‘s 2011 Summer Concerts at Hiawatha series – hundreds of people out to enjoy the perfect weather, good company, and The Gothard Sisters:
As ANA president Katy Walum had recently announced, the Beloved Mexico food truck was there too – a new feature so concertgoers can buy dinner if they’d like to, as frequently requested in the past:
The KidPicks truck from PCC Natural Markets (WSB sponsor and a major sponsor of the concert series too) is back again this season with tasty, healthy treats to sample:
And the portable edition of Full Tilt Ice Cream “bike” was there (ice-cream bars and Otter Pops):
What about the music, you ask? The Gothard sisters dance and play instruments as well as singing – (updated) here’s some video:
And make plans for the next five Thursday nights, 6:30 pm – next week, again on Hiawatha’s east lawn, it’s Massy Ferguson; August 11th, the series takes a brief beach break with an Alki show for Yogoman Burning Band; then 8/18, 8/25, and 9/1, it’s back to Hiawatha – full season slate here. (WSB is proud to be among the sponsors that help ANA bring this family-friendly fun to the community for free; see the full sponsor list on the right side of the schedule page.)
The newest forecast suggests clear skies Thursday night through Saturday night (and maybe beyond) – good news for two major (and free!) outdoor entertainment events coming up: Thursday night, the 6-week Summer Concerts at Hiawatha series, presented by the Admiral Neighborhood Association, starts its third season. Above, the Gothard Sisters are the kickoff act. 6:30 pm Thursday, east lawn at Hiawatha Community Center, BYO blankets/chairs (and some $ for concessions if you want – we’re doublechecking on the final lineup for that), family-friendly. (Full season lineup here.)
Then Saturday night – a comedy classic is the second West Seattle Outdoor Movies event of the summer:
On the big screen in the courtyard by Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (WSB sponsor), it’s “Airplane!” – with magician Louie Foxx as preshow entertainment. Gates open 6:30 pm Saturday, movie starts around 9 (it was 9:15 pm last Sat.), free but concessions and raffle tickets benefit local nonprofits, so bring a few bucks if you can. (Full season lineup here – and add August 27th, the rescheduled night for rained-out “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.) P.S. Both the movies and concerts are free thanks to community sponsors (including WSB).
Alki is buzzing with more than sunbathers today – it’s day 1 of the all-weekend Alki Art Fair, with art being shown and sold, plus continuous live music (two stages! schedule’s linked from the official website) and more. If you get a minute, stop to thank the volunteers who are making it happen – this year, as we reported months ago, there was a real chance it wouldn’t happen, since city budget cuts affected Parks staffers who helped with it in the past. In the main booth right now, Ron and Anna:
An artist we remember from last year is back, Brandon from Strange Child, with his octopus T-shirts (among others):
And it wouldn’t be an Alki event without Seal Sitters volunteers – we found Nina with her seal puppet “Storm”:
Music continues till 8:30 tonight; the booths are scheduled to be open at least until 5.
(Photo courtesy Erik Walum)
If you’re watching today’s West Seattle Grand Parade near its starting point – check out the sign that went up Friday on the west edge of Hiawatha Playfield – it’s a reminder that the Admiral Neighborhood Association-presented Summer Concerts at Hiawatha series is about to begin. Thursday night (July 28) is the first concert, by the dancing, fiddling, and singing trio The Gothard Sisters – 6:30 pm on Hiawatha’s east lawn, bring your own chairs/blankets, all ages welcome, more here! (Series sponsors – including WSB – are listed on the right side of the concert-series info page.)
Finally finally finally… the forecast looks great for a weekend full of outdoor summer fun – and 
Alki Art Fair (co-sponsored by WSB this year for the first time!) is a big part of it, on the beach, both days. Besides the 29 musical acts (here’s our preview, with the schedule) and artists/vendors, a highlight this year is the Alki Bathhouse Centennial Celebration – with vintage swimsuits (like the ones worn by Gaea Singer and Log House Museum manager Sarah Frederick, at right) on display Saturday afternoon – volunteers wearing suits from the Seattle Goodwill Vintage Fashion Collection will parade along the Alki promenade 1-4 pm tomorrow, with a fashion show on the main music stage at 2:30 pm. The Art Fair itself starts at 10 am both days this weekend – around the bathhouse and down the promenade – inside the bathhouse, you’ll find a silent auction, 11 am-4 pm both days – and remember, kids get to help paint a mural!
(WSB photo from July 2009)
They’re known for the stylish (Heart) Delridge T-shirts sported by many in our photo from the Delridge playground-construction event two years ago this week – but now, as noted here earlier this month, the North Delridge Neighborhood Council is in search of a full-fledged logo, for “a letterhead, posters, and other outreach materials,” as NDNC’s Holli Margell explains. Two weeks left to get in on their logo contest, perfect for a graphic designer who needs to build a portfolio and/or one who’s able to give back to the community with a donation of time and talent. The winner gets not only one of the famous T-shirts, but also $50 in gift certificates to local businesses. If you’re interested, e-mail ndnclogo@gmail.com – and check out the rules/criteria on the NDNC website, here. Deadline is August 5th!
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