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Packed house for ArtsWest student art show reception/awards
May 26, 2011 11:19 pm
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 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS culture/arts

(Photos by Ellen Cedergreen for WSB. This is “Summer,” Best in Show and Gervais Award winner, by Maddy Jones of Seattle Lutheran)
This week, ArtsWest Gallery in The Junction is full of work by local high-school students, and tonight was the reception/awards ceremony for the juried exhibit. Ellen Cedergreen was there for WSB and reports that there were a total of 14 winners in all from our area’s three major high schools: Chief Sealth International, Seattle Lutheran, and West Seattle High.

The show was judged by West Seattle-based artist RobRoy Chalmers. Arts West’s Nichole DeMent told WSB she chose him due to his visibility in so many different avenues in the arts, his potential for good leadership, and because he is “a fantastic artist.” Chalmers and DeMent handed out the monetary awards to the students, with “Best in Show” receiving a special award.

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West Seattle schools: WSHS student accomplishments
May 25, 2011 10:32 pm
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 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS culture/arts

Michelle Sloan at West Seattle High School shares news of several students’ accomplishments, starting with the above photo: It’s by Sage Taber, who won an award for it in the district’s annual art competition. It’s on display – as are other student works – at the Seattle Art Museum through June 5th … 20 creations by WSHS students are part of the ArtsWest Student Art Show that opened yesterday; tomorrow night, meet the young artists at a reception and awards ceremony, 6-7:30 pm. The show continues through Saturday … Student artist Jimmy Le will have work published in a student art book as the result of being selected in the Celebratingart.com competition … And last but not least, Michelle reports:

West Seattle High School Marketing students recently competed against each other in a Micro Loan competition. Student Marketing teams used the Kiva.org website to find small business entrepreneurs throughout the world who are in need of small loans to build their businesses. Students presented their entrepreneurs’ business to a panel of judges from the marketing/business industry. Holland America Cruise Line and West Seattle resident Jon Dawson and Marketing Judge Christa Peck contributed over $500 to fund the Micro Loans. After the loans are paid back (most within a year), West Seattle High School students will be able to loan the money out again to other small businesses throughout the world in need that cannot get loans through large banks.

Congratulations to all!

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West Seattle Wednesday: MS Day fundraiser; spray-park meeting; ‘Race to Nowhere’…
May 25, 2011 8:12 am
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 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts | WS miscellaneous


View World MS Day Seattle Participating Businesses in a larger map

From Bremerton to Issaquah – with 35 West Seattle businesses among those inbetween – the map shows where you can dine or shop today to be part of the World MS Day Seattle fundraiser, previewed again here last night. Follow the link under the map to see the list of participants on the left side of the full-page Google Map, or see the list on this Facebook page. Here are other highlights from the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:

SPRAY PARK MEETING: The official Seattle Parks community meeting on the planned Highland Park wading pool-to-spray-park conversion is the topic after the Highland Park Action Committee‘s regular meeting, 7 pm at Highland Park Improvement Club (1116 SW Holden). The public meeting is scheduled to start at 7:30 pm (click for more information). Parks wants your thoughts on how different spray-park features can be integrated into the wading pool site. More details here.

‘RACE TO NOWHERE’: “Race to Nowhere” documentary screening at Chief Sealth International High School Little Theater (a change from the originally announced venue), sponsored by Arbor Heights Elementary PTSA, 6 pm (full details and ticket info here).

HEALTH SCREENINGS: Futura Health Screening will be offering screening exams from 9 am to 3 pm, hosted by Merrill Gardens at Admiral Heights (2326 California SW; Futura and Merrill Gardens are both WSB sponsors). Screenings are $45 each or $125 for all three. No doctor referral necessary. Pre-registration required; call (425) 398-7797 this morning to check on space.

PREPAREDNESS: Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon) presents Personal Preparedness beyond 3-day kits! 12:15 – 1:15 PM. What do you do on day 4, day 5, day 6, day 10. . . when there is no power for weeks.

WRITERS’ OPEN MIKE: Poetry Bridge presents Poems & Tales at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 5612 California SW, 7-9 pm. May is Open Mike month for all, including past featured poets and readers, as well as those who have contributed poems and storytelling in the past. New readers always welcome. Sign-ups start at 6:45 pm.

SEATTLE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL CONTINUES: SIFFhas films at the Admiral Theater for all three weeks this year – the first week is wrapping up, but follow the link to the SIFF website to check the schedule of what’s being shown today/tonight.

TRAFFIC ALERT:SDOT crews plan to close the eastbound, right curb lane on the Schmitz Park Bridge (SW Admiral Way) today, 9 am – 2:30 pm, for a routine inspection.

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West Seattle Tuesday: Crime-prevention ‘field trip’; traffic alert; student art…
May 24, 2011 9:30 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Tuesday: Crime-prevention ‘field trip’; traffic alert; student art…
 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts | WS miscellaneous

From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:

CRIME-PREVENTION FIELD TRIP: Tonight’s meeting of the West Seattle Blockwatch Captains’ Network will start at the Southwest Precinct as usual (6:30 pm), but then moves on to a carpool (or self-driven) field trip to a private residence where Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design will be shown in action, following up on a presentation by Community Police Team Officer Jon Kiehn at a WSBCN meeting earlier this year. All welcome, not just Block Watch captains.

TRAFFIC ALERT – PARTIAL BRIDGE CLOSURE OVERNIGHT: One more time tonight, the westbound Spokane Street Viaduct is scheduled for an overnight shutdown, 10 pm-5 am, which again means that the bridge ramps from I-5 and from Columbian Way (Beacon Hill) will be closed too. Here’s the official SDOT advisory.

HIGH-SCHOOL ART SHOW: Today through Saturday, the ArtsWest Gallery presents the work of top student artists from West Seattle High School, Seattle Lutheran High School, and Chief Sealth International High School. A reception and awards presentation is planned 6 pm Thursday night, but starting today, you can visit the gallery and see their work.

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Followup: West Seattle’s Luca Rose wins award at SIFF
May 21, 2011 2:41 pm
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 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle people | WS culture/arts

Congratulations to 11-year-old Lafayette Elementary student Luca Rose for winning the youth award this morning in the Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF) 3-Minute Masterpieces competition this morning. Word came from Luca’s mom Gayle Rose, who also shared the photo: At left, that’s Luca, with classmates Olivia and Kenny, seen in the film ( mentioned here two days ago), “Our Grass Is Always Greener.” (Another co-star, Johnny, wasn’t on hand.) The winners were also announced online, here. If you missed it in our Thursday story, you can see it here, via YouTube (the rather anthemic song is by Luca’s dad Tim Rose).

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West Seattle filmmaker close to goal for documentary project
May 20, 2011 10:26 pm
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 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

We last mentioned local filmmaker Leah Warshawski‘s Rwanda documentary project last November, when she was a featured artist during the monthly West Seattle Art Walk. (In the photo above, she’s second from left in the center row.) We’ve just learned that her project “Film Festival: Rwanda” has been raising money via Kickstarter, and has 10 days left to reach a goal that’s still a few thousand dollars away. Here’s how the project is explained in a news release:

More than three years in the making, Film Festival: Rwanda follows the efforts of five Rwandan filmmakers to produce their own films and screen them in remote villages for thousands of people, on a 40-foot inflatable screen since electricity is still a scare commodity in many villages.

For many Rwandans, this is the first time they’ve seen a film, let alone one in their local language. It is this determination to display their country’s progress that drew Leah Warshawski, a veteran television and documentary producer, to document the efforts of the young filmmaker.

“Rather than re-examining the past, these young storytellers are using film to project a positive vision of their country’s future,” said Warshawski, executive producer. “Their motivation, energy and creativity inspired us to document their efforts to show the progress their country has made since the end of the atrocities.”

Once the project makes its $29,000 total, they can finish their rough cut, a critical milestone. You can chip in – even $10, we’re told, and you’ll be listed on the credits – by going here. To find out more about the project, you can check out the site for the production company, Inflatable Film.

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Europe spotlight for longtime WSB contributor Christopher Boffoli
May 19, 2011 11:42 pm
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 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle people | WS culture/arts

christopherupdate.jpg

(Photo from ‘Disparity,’ published here in 2008)
You may know Christopher Boffoli best for breaking-news photographs here on WSB, over the past three-plus years – like the ones from today’s bank robbery (after he spotted two of the apparent robbers fleeing down his Junction alley). But tonight, readers in the U.K. have learned about him as the photographer who’s introduced tiny figurines to food (among other things), in shots like the one above. His ongoing series “Disparity” has just been showcased by both the Daily Mail (here) and The Telegraph (here). We asked Christopher how the UK found him; he explained, “I was recently approached by some editors from a newspaper/magazine syndication company in Europe who saw the image on a professional photography website called 500px. They did an interview a couple of weeks ago and asked for a bunch of images. I didn’t really know what would come of it. But then today a friend in the UK saw it and sent me the link.”

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Another student in SIFF spotlight: Lafayette Elementary’s Luca Rose
May 19, 2011 7:48 pm
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 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS culture/arts

That’s “Our Grass Is Always Greener,” a film by Lafayette Elementary fifth-grader Luca Rose, one of three youth-category wnners in the SIFF (Seattle International Film Festival) Three-Minute Masterpiece competition. The grand-prize award will be presented at 10 am this Saturday (May 21st) at Seattle Center, during a special screening event (call 206-324-9996 for free tickets). Luca’s dad Tim Rose wrote the song; the cast includes three of Luca’s classmates – Olivia D’Amico, Johnny McConaghy, and Kenny Arnold. (Want to know more about the competition? Here you go.)

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How to help: 2 successes, plus a call for Alki Art Fair sponsors
May 19, 2011 10:30 am
|    Comments Off on How to help: 2 successes, plus a call for Alki Art Fair sponsors
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

2 notes this morning with more evidence of West Seattleites’ generosity, plus a chance to help out with an upcoming event:

NUCOR ‘TOUR FOR THE CURE’ FULLY BOOKED: As announced here yesterday, Nucor’s Relay for Life-West Seattle team is raising money by offering three plant tours on June 4th. This morning, Nucor’s Tricia Sweat sends word they have already booked all the spaces! (The cancer-fighting Relay, with WSB among the co-sponsors this year, is June 10-11.)

FAUNTLEROY FALL FESTIVAL FUNDRAISER UPDATE: Tuesday night’s Endolyne Joe’s dinner/raffle fundraiser brought in more than $2,000 (a third of the festival’s budget), according to Judy Pickens – $1,189 from restaurant proceeds, and $975 for four raffle baskets – $975. She adds, “Many thanks to everyone at Endolyne Joe’s, all donors to the raffle baskets, and the community volunteers who invested many hours for the love of the Fauntleroy Fall Festival (Oct. 16)!”

ATTENTION, WEST SEATTLE BUSINESSES – ALKI ART FAIR NEEDS SPONSORS: As we’ve reported, the fair is on, even though Alki Community Center‘s staff and operations have been curtailed by city budget cuts – the Advisory Council and the fair’s Organizing Committee are moving forward, and the fair is set for July 23 and 24. However, community support is needed in a BIG way, and they are calling now for sponsors. Read on for the full announcement:Read More

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Student filmmakers showcased tonight at pre-SIFF event
May 17, 2011 3:37 pm
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 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS culture/arts

That’s “Technicolor Love” by Rachel Townsend, one of three local student filmmakers whose work is being showcased in relation to the Seattle International Film Festival. The festival officially opens Thursday, but there is a special event at SIFF Cinema downtown tonight, as part of Adobe Youth Voices. The free screening at 6 pm will include another of the showcased films, Brooke Sarver‘s “Love Stems” – like Rachel’s film, a stop-animation short about love lost and found:

Rachel and Brooke are both Chief Sealth International High School students. And the collection of youth works that SIFF is showcasing as part of the project also includes a short directed by students from West Seattle Elementary, “Our Hijabs”:

The public is welcome at the free event tonight, 6 pm, SIFF Cinema at 321 Mercer downtown. You can see some of the youth shorts paired with official SIFF showings at venues including West Seattle’s Admiral Theater – the festival formally opens Thursday and you can see the schedule here.

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Video: Open house celebrates Seattle Chinese Garden dedication
May 15, 2011 9:33 pm
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 |   Gardening | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

With their numerous appearances in local parades – usually including the West Seattle American Legion Post 160 Grand Parade (July 23rd this year!) – the Seattle Chinese Community Girls’ Drill Team is, quite simply, famous. This afternoon, during a welcome break in the rain, they performed at a snug but perfect venue: The new Welcoming the Spring Courtyard at the Seattle Chinese Garden, atop West Seattle’s Puget Ridge on the north end of the South Seattle Community College campus.

For 10 minutes – all shown in our unedited video – they performed their precision routines in their shimmering traditional costumes, in much-closer quarters than the usual parade route provides, yet without missing a beat (of the drum). The drill team’s appearance concluded two hours of performances and demonstrations welcoming the public to the ever-growing Chinese Garden. Other events are planned this spring, as you can see on the garden calendar here, which also lists its regular spring hours, Wednesdays-Sundays (admission is free to Seattle residents). You can also catch up on behind-the-scenes garden happenings here.

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First West Seattle Summer Fest music news: Fastbacks reunion
May 13, 2011 4:08 pm
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 |   West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

The first musical act for West Seattle Summer Fest (co-sponsored by WSB) has just been announced – and promoter Jason Fitzgerald says it’s a biggie:

The 29th annual West Seattle Summer Fest will take place on July 8th, 9th and 10th. The team is hard at work planning and finalizing all of the great things we have in store for everyone this year.

Programming for Summer Fest has gotten bigger and better every year. Two years ago, we welcomed a huge crowd for Mudhoney. Last year, it was record numbers for Hells Belles.

And now – we have a special performance announcement that we can’t wait to share…

A one-time-only, Summer Fest exclusive: a reunion of the legendary Seattle band The Fastbacks. Yes, that’s right; Kurt Bloch, Lulu Gargiulo, Kim Warnick and Mike Musburger will play together for the first time in nearly 10 years. Right here in the streets of West Seattle on Friday, July 8th.

And the band couldn’t be more excited:

Mike Musburger – “I never thought I’d get the chance to play these songs again with Kurt, Lulu AND Kim. They have about 15 other drummers they could’ve asked to be a part of this reunion. It will be an absolute joy and an honor to be on stage with The Fastbacks at the West Seattle Summer Fest.”

Kim Warnick: “I still cherish those songs of ours so much….so much so that I am willing to re-learn them all. School starts now! I think it goes without saying that we are all really excited about this show. Sounds ultra fun and punk. Otherwise, what’s the point? Nada.”

As always, all concerts at Summer Fest, including The Fastbacks, are FREE and ALL AGES. The West Seattle Summer Fest is brought to you by the West Seattle Junction Association. …

Further line up announcements will follow in the coming weeks.

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West Seattle High School’s ‘Oklahoma!’ opens Thursday
May 11, 2011 10:20 pm
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 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS culture/arts

(Oklahoma! dress rehearsal photo by Ellen Cedergreen for WSB)
Tomorrow (Thursday) night is opening night for “Oklahoma!” – the spring musical at West Seattle High School. It’s running May 12th, 13th, 14th, 18th, 20th at 7:30 pm, and the 19th at 8 pm. This is no ordinary run – special events are planned, according to WSHS Drama. For example: On Friday night, “for a small donation, have your photo taken with members of the ‘Oklahoma!’ cast and a very sweet miniature horse” – that would be the famous Jeb – 6:45 to 7:15 pm, before the show. On Thursday 5/19, it’s a special benefit performance, to raise money for the drama program, which is not financially supported by the school district. The fundraiser is a “fun, intimate pre-show event” described as:

Where: Foyer at St. John’s Episcopal Church, right next to the school

Timing: 6:00 pm-7:45 pm – chat with other WSHS Drama supporters and “Oklahoma!” cast
members in an intimate gathering including heavy appetizers and beer, wine & soda. As a special treat, we’ll even have a live miniature horse with costumed cast members for a free photo op!

8:00 pm – special reserved VIP seating for the performance of “Oklahoma!”

Cost: just $20! (A no-frills ticket costs $7 with a reservation, $12 without. For just $13 more you get heavy hors d’oeuvres, beer or wine, a chance to chat with cast members, and a picture with a miniature horse! Best of all, you know that you helped support the arts at WSHS!) Yes, it’s a work/school night but there’s a miniature horse photo op AND it’s for a really good cause!! ;-)

Guarantee your spot and make your reservation by Tuesday, May 17th! E-mail PR@westsidedrama.com with your name, phone number, and the number of benefit tickets you want to reserve.

And if you can’t see Oklahoma! but want to donate to WSHS Drama (tax-deductible!), they’re offering an address for that too:

Checks payable to WSHS Drama and mailed to:
West Seattle High School
Attn: Andrew Finley
3000 California Ave SW
Seattle, WA 98116

“Oklahoma!” ticket info is here.

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Chief Sealth Jazz Band 1 scores festival win
May 11, 2011 9:39 pm
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 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS culture/arts

Thanks to Monica for sharing the news that the Chief Sealth International High School Jazz Band 1 scored a big win at a regional festival this past weekend – returning from Mt. Hood Community College in Gresham, Oregon, with the first-place trophy from the Northwest Jazz Band Festival. Senior Eric Wolken also won an Outstanding Music Award for his work on lead trumpet. Your next chance to see the award-winning Sealth jazz musicians in action: Jazz Night, May 27th.

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Artists! T-shirt design sought for this year’s Alki Art Fair
May 11, 2011 8:24 pm
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 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

(Alki, 1916, from Seattle Municipal Archives)
From the Alki Art Fair committee:

Alki Art Fair T-Shirt design submissions wanted

The Alki Art Fair Organizing Committee is requesting local artists to submit a design for this year’s Alki Art Fair T-Shirt. The theme for this year’s design is the Alki Bathhouse (1911-2011) centennial. Please incorporate the theme in your design. If your design is chosen, besides being emblazoned on this year’s t-shirt, the design is intended to be used on all marketing posters and announcements for this year’s fair. Submissions must be made on or before June 5, 2011. For additional information, please see the art fair website at: alkiartfair.org. Please include your name, phone number, and email address with your submission. The dates for this year’s Alki Art Fair are July 23rd and 24th.

You can mail or drop off your submission to: Alki Community Center, c/o Frances, 5817 SW Stevens St., Seattle, WA 98116 or e-mail to Frances at: alkiartfair@hotmail.com

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Summer Concerts at Hiawatha 2011 slate unveiled by Admiral Neighborhood Association
May 11, 2011 1:36 am
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 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Also from Tuesday night’s Admiral Neighborhood Association meeting: ANA president Katy Walum announced who’s playing this year’s Summer Concerts at Hiawatha, one of which is actually at Alki:

JULY 28, THE GOTHARD SISTERS They fiddle, they dance, they sing.

AUGUST 4, MASSY FERGUSON: Rockin’ local faves – the clip above is from their West Seattle Summer Fest concert last year.

AUGUST 11, YOGOMAN BURNING BAND (this concert’s at Alki) “Happy hardcore, ska, soul” is how they describe their music online.

AUGUST 18, LEROY BELL AND HIS ONLY FRIENDS. Longtime songwriter now singing his own songs.

AUGUST 25, CASPAR BABYPANTS: Needs no introduction.

SEPTEMBER 1, STAR ANNA AND THE LAUGHING DOGS. “Alt-country, rock, Americana” is their self-description.

The concerts are free, as ANA has rounded up another slate of sponsors (once again including WSB); they’re outdoors, bring your own chair/blanket, and more details, such as available refreshments, will be available as the season gets closer.

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Video: Westside Symphony ready for Tuesday night concert
May 9, 2011 10:29 pm
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 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Ready for Tuesday night tunes, symphony style? We visited the Chief Sealth International High School Auditorium tonight as Rob Duisberg was leading the Westside Symphony through rehearsal for tomorrow night’s concert (second half of a two-Tuesday doubleheader for the groups now collectively known as the West Seattle Community Orchestras). Bach and Beethoven both are on the program – as detailed here; $5 adults, $1 kids are the suggested donation amounts (more gratefully accepted, of course), with concert time 7 pm Tuesday (2600 SW Thistle).

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Calling all young performers: Twelfth Night casting ‘Oliver!’
May 9, 2011 2:52 am
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 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

This Saturday, West Seattle’s own Twelfth Night Productions has three rounds of auditions for 8-16 year-olds to be part of its summer production of “Oliver!” There’s one session of “general auditions” and two of “optional prepared auditions” – read on for full details in Twelfth Night’s announcement:

Twelfth Night Productions is looking for children to join the cast of their upcoming production, Oliver! Based on Charles Dickens’ classic novel Oliver Twist, Oliver! Is the musical version of the story of a young orphan boy who leaves the harsh conditions of a 19th century London workhouse and eventually falls into the hands of a crafty criminal named Fagan. Fagan matches Oliver up with a young scallywag called the Artful Dodger who teaches him the art of picking pockets. With music and lyrics by Lionel Bart, Oliver! features beloved classics including “Food, Glorious Food,” “Where Is Love?” “Pick a Pocket or Two,” “I’d Do Anything,” “As Long as He Needs Me,” and “Consider Yourself.” Auditions for younger actors will take place May 14th with auditions for adults to be announced later.

Children’s Audition Information
General auditions for students:
• Students (ages 8-16): May 14th 2011 from 12:30-4:00pm.
• Bring a photograph if you have one available and please come prepared to learn a song, and some choreography.
Optional prepared auditions:
• Students (ages 8-16): May 14th 2011 from 10:00am-12:00pm or 4:15-6:00pm
• Those who wish to present a prepared monologue and song may sign up for a time listed above.

Lots more details after the jump, including rehearsal and performance dates:Read More

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West Seattle Community Orchestras opens 2-Tuesday doubleheader
May 3, 2011 9:51 pm
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 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

The West Seattle Community Orchestras are unique in that they’re for everyone – beginners on up – and everybody gets to play! Tonight, the String Ensemble (in our video above, tackling “My Favorite Things“) and Westside Symphonette groups performed the first half of a two-Tuesday doubleheader for WSCO – a spring concert at the Chief Sealth International High School auditorium. The second half is next Tuesday, with WSCO’s senior group, Westside Symphony, presenting “Bach, Beethoven and Beyond,” 7 pm (May 10th), also at CSIHS, details here. (And if you’re interested in potentially joining the orchestras at some point, scroll down the WSCO website’s home page for information on that.)

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Miss the West Seattle Big Band at Admiral Church? Now hear this!
May 2, 2011 8:37 pm
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 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Ready for a music break? Jim Edwards from the West Seattle Big Band (which is now 15 years old and going strong!) shares a sample of last night’s performance during “Jazz Sunday” at Admiral Congregational Church – photos by Michelle Edwards, music with the help of a digital audio recorder. Next chance to catch them: June 3rd during the West Seattle High School All-School Reunion.

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Happening now: Rock show, trunk show, school cleanup
April 30, 2011 2:08 pm
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 |   Arbor Heights | Fun stuff to do | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS culture/arts

More of what’s happening around West Seattle this afternoon:

Inside the Alki Masonic Hall, you can pan for gold during the West Seattle Rock Club‘s annual Rock and Gem Show, admission free, continuing till 5 today and running again 10-5 tomorrow. The hall’s at 40th/Edmunds on the east edge of The Junction. Not far away, at 4540 California SW just steps north of Walk-All-Ways –

That’s metal artist Erica Gordon, presiding over a trunk show of her wearable art – handmade belts and buckles — at Click! Design That Fits (WSB sponsor) in The Junction till 5 pm. It’s also a benefit for Lettuce Link – Click! is donating 10 percent of proceeds from sales during the trunk show, in honor of the “Urban Farming” theme from Gordon’s new line.

And if you just have to be completely outside – amble over to Arbor Heights Elementary School:

An AH parent volunteer sent us that photo from their Spring Cleanup, under way right now, and says you’re still welcome to come join the folks who are working to make their campus sparkle.

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Help the West Seattle Big Band celebrate its 15th birthday!
April 29, 2011 9:04 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

EDITOR’S NOTE: With a performance at Admiral Congregational Church this Sunday, the West Seattle Big Band celebrates 15 years on the local music scene. One of its mainstays, Jim Edwards, writes the story here of its history, and invites you to the concert.

(WSBB promotional video)
By Jim Edwards
Special to West Seattle Blog

The West Seattle Big Band celebrates 15 years.

In 1996, the Admiral neighborhood surrounding West Seattle High School decided to put together a fundraising event in cooperation with the music department at the high school, and the West Seattle High School Alumni Association<. It was to be a black tie affair with talented alumni returning to their alma mater, displaying their musical skills, and helping to raise funds to get the Foundation for the performing arts off the ground. Some members of the alumni association also mentioned that one of their class reps had put together an alumni band, and that it should be included in the concert.

That class rep was Jim Edwards from the class of 1979, and he had put the word out about forming an alumni band, in the alumni edition of the Chinook newspaper two years prior, only to have it cut by the editor. So no band had ever been formed. Now with 10 weeks to go he finds the band has been scheduled to play at this concert. After 3 weeks of phone calls, including a call to his former West Seattle high school band director, Donn Weaver, the band met for a rehearsal.

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‘Ira Finkelstein’s Christmas’ crew back in West Seattle today
April 29, 2011 8:48 am
|      13 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

(Photo added 10:39 am)
A note from David about “lots of activity on Beach Drive” this morning reminded us that Beach Drive Blog mentioned this on Thursday – the movie “Ira Finkelstein’s Christmas” is back in West Seattle today. Same movie we reported on last weekend, with the palm trees placed temporarily so Alki could stand in for Florida; BDB says a house near Me-Kwa-Mooks is doing the same thing. (And we believe the palm tree in BDB’s photo has long been growing there.)

ADDED 12:45 PM: Beach Drive Blog is all over it – including photos of the stars. Here’s the latest BDB update.

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