West Seattle, Washington
07 Thursday
Friday-Sunday, it’s the annual run of “Amahl and the Night Visitors,” presented by Twelfth Night Productions at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center – four chances to see the show. 
And this year’s run is a special anniversary for brothers Jeffrey and Michael Thoreson first appeared in Amahl and the Night Visitors 40 years ago this month. It was a production at First Lutheran Church of West Seattle at the time – then in the late ’80s, most of the cast reunited to do the show again, and the brothers have done it every year since – part of the Twelfth Night presentation for the past 13 years. It’s been a family affair in even more ways – early in their stint with Twelfth Night, their dad David played the third king; many other Thoresons have been onstage or in the orchestra over the past 20 years; and this year Jeffrey’s son Hans plays Amahl for the second year – though it’s his fifth year with the production, debuting as a shepherd at age 5. We asked about memorable moments for the brothers; they said, working with their dad, who really took to singing and to playing to the audience but retired from performing after a few years. He’s returned to see his sons over the years, and the brothers say he’ll be there this weekend. “Amahl and the Night Visitors” will be presented at 7:30 Friday and Saturday, 3 pm Saturday and Sunday, and there’s a special deal – go to the WSB Coupons page to print out the coupon for 20 percent off any adult admission at the box office.
It wasn’t quite a downpour, but certainly a drenching mist, but that didn’t get in the way of a good time as Highland Park kicked off one of West Seattle’s two-dozen-plus New Year’s Eve extravaganzas tonight. Above, a two-minute spectacle outside Highland Park Improvement Club before the Highland Park House Party that’s just getting under way inside (you’re welcome to go join – details here) and after the HP neighborhood parade (video of that, to be added shortly). It was billed as the “Sage Comet” performance (watch the clip and you’ll get the “comet” reference) — but one of the performers explained afterward, sage is tough to get this time of year, so what burned was “rosemary from local farms”! ADDED 8:28 PM: Just before the “Rosemary Comet,” the first-ever HP parade returned to the luminaria-ringed HPIC, after about half an hour doing a mile-or-so loop through neighborhoods to the south:
As you can see in the video, most of the balloon lanterns had trouble staying lit – smaller fires don’t win the battle with rain – but paraders young and old whooped and cheered, drummed and thumped, all along the way; we trailed them for the first few blocks, and saw neighbors along the way coming to the door or the window, often returning the shouts of “HAPPY NEW YEAR!” Indeed.
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
He’s West Seattle through and through: Schmitz Park Elementary, Madison Middle School, West Seattle High School, Seattle Lutheran High School, West Side Presbyterian Church. 
His mom and dad live in the same house they owned when he was born almost 26 years ago. He has grandparents living at The Kenney.
But instead of the neighborhood once dubbed New York Alki (by-and-by), home for Adam Cozens these days is the other New York – his home base for an intensive push to make a living by being funny, through standup comedy.
This isn’t a story about “local boy becomes famous” – not yet. But he’s working hard to try to get as far as he can. Right now, he’s on a holiday visit, home in West Seattle – not strictly a vacation, since he and friend Dartanion London are producing a show tomorrow (Wednesday) night at Comedy Underground in Pioneer Square – with other West Seattleites on the bill, including emcee Marty Riemer and fellow comedian Alex Meyer.
On one hand, this is one of more than 200 performances Adam’s doing this year, seeking out every opportunity imaginable to hone his humor.
It’s an annual tradition — the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle is again hosting a free community concert with the Seattle Symphony, but this year, it’s in a new venue at South Seattle Community College (WSB sponsor). The concert is set for 8 pm January 15, featuring conductor Thomas Hong and violist Amber Archibald. On the program:
Mendelssohn: The Hebrides (“Fingal’s Cave”), Op. 26
Jones: Benediction
Stamitz: Viola Concerto in D major, Op. 1
Tchaikovsky: Selections from Symphony No. 2 in C minor, “Little Russian”
The orchestra’s free concert will be in SSCC’s Brockey Center.; here’s the official flyer. As Kiwanian Shari Sewell tells WSB, “It is a great opportunity to hear the symphony and introduce kids to this genre of music. The Kiwanis Club of West Seattle is proud to host this annual concert!”
ol’ time banjo – colabs – David Miles Huber / Allen Hart from 51bpm on Vimeo.
AWAITING GRAMMY NEWS, #1: Thanks to Mercedes for e-mailing WSB a to share the news that West Seattleite David Miles Huber received a Grammy Award nomination this month – the announcement happened in early December, but it’s news to us, so maybe it is to you too. His collaborative project Colabs is nominated for Best Surround Sound Album. See the nomination on the official Grammy Awards site (including a list of his collaborators, and the competition); You can find out more about his work at 51bpm.com.
AWAITING GRAMMY NEWS, #2: Looking for related links, we also learned (via Gene Stout‘s report from earlier this month) that another West Seattle-based musician is nominated too – one who happens to be among Huber’s collaborators on Colabs – Henta. Her “Laserium for the Soul” is up for the Best New Age Album Grammy. The awards are to be announced January 31st; along with Huber and Henta, one more West Seattle musician is in the mix as well, Eddie Vedder — Pearl Jam‘s “The Fixer” is nominated for Best Rock Song.
OUT OF THIS WORLD: West Seattle astro-expert Alice Enevoldsen announced it on Twitter late last night – she just got word she’s been chosen as a NASA Solar System Ambassador for the coming year. This webpage from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, which sponsors the program, describes the ambassadors as 
“space enthusiasts from various walks of life who are interested in providing greater service and inspiration to the community at large” – that’s what Alice has been doing already (with events like the winter solstice and autumn equinox sunset watches/stargazes). And we have to mention it again before the snowiversary is completely past – Alice was a star volunteer during Snowmare ’08, taking WSBers’ road reports and mashing them up with official accounts to create invaluable maps during our coverage (then offering a Google Map-making seminar after the Big Melt – that’s where the photo you see above was from).
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: No holiday break for West Seattle’s favorite outdoor buy-local eat-local weekly adventure. 10 am-2 pm as always, 44th/Alaska. Here’s what’s on the fresh sheet; one more market note, the Thanksgiving dinner-cooking contest winners have been announced (a vegetarian feast for 7 took top honors).
“TEAM TRACY” FUNDRAISER @ SKYLARK: West Seattle’s most-famous Breast Cancer 3-Day team, Tracy Dart’s Team Tracy, gets 20% of the proceeds from food sales during brunch today at Skylark Cafe (WSB sponsor), from 10 am to 1 pm – chow down and help save lives. (The next Seattle 3-Day is set for Sept. 24-26.)
LANTERN WORKSHOP TO PREP FOR NEW YEAR’S EVE PARADE: Help put together lanterns for the Highland Park Improvement Club-led neighborhood parade on New Year’s Eve – drop by HPIC (1116 SW Holden) between noon-6 pm today for artist-coached lantern-making. Full details are here, including the materials you need to bring, to supplement what’ll be provided.
“PLAID TIDINGS” FINALE: Today, the (plaid) curtain falls on the holiday extravaganza at ArtsWest (WSB sponsor) – as of late Saturday night, a couple dozen tickets remained (according to this AW tweet) – buy yours ASAP here; showtime’s 3 pm.
(“Plaid Tidings” photo by Matt Durham from mattdurhamphotography.com)
No need for the between-holiday blahs. Still lots going on this weekend, including your last 3 chances to see “Plaid Tidings” at ArtsWest (WSB sponsor) – and while you’re there, you can chip in to help them recover from that costly pre-Christmas break-in. Several other ways to keep the post-Christmas giving going are among the more than 2 dozen events in the holiday-abbreviated-but-still-lively edition of the West Seattle Weekend Lineup, brought to you by Skylark Cafe and Club (home of tonight’s End of the Decade Party) – all ahead:Read More
(artist Leo Schmidt during the White Center Art Walk)
Story and photos by Mary Sheely
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
West Seattle has a monthly Art Walk tradition, every second Thursday – and White Center is working on one too, every third Saturday.
Saturday night during this month’s White Center Art Walk, Damien Jurado played live at Full Tilt Ice Cream, Dubsea Coffee featured the art of Joerael Elliot along with a spoken word and open mic performance by youth from Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, student photos from New Start High School graced the walls of Big Al Brewing – these are by Kat Cabrera:
And student paintings were on display at the Salvadorean Bakery.
Shelli Park, chair of the White Center for the Arts board of directors, admits that the rain and holiday week reduced Art Walk attendance somewhat, but she has high hopes for future events, which take place the third Saturday of the month year-round.
“Our goal is to have more local businesses participating to be representative of the entire community,” Park says. “What they will provide will be poetry, music, whatever resonates with their community.” (We photographed her with her daughter at Proletariat Pizza, which also participated, with photos by Alexander King.)
Park says that the goal of the White Center Art Walk is twofold: “To help local artists and to help the businesses. We don’t want the people who are already here to be shut out because of the inevitable gentrification. We want them to be part of it: the diversity, the food, the color, and the culture.”
Learn more about future programs, including art programs and upcoming film workshops for local students – and watch for a preview of next month’s White Center Art Walk! – at the White Center for the Arts website.
1 week to go and holiday happenings abound – as do other events, including the West Seattle Garden Club meeting this morning/afternoon and the Nature Consortium‘s free eco-hike this afternoon … which is also when winter vacation starts for most West Seattle students. Then as we get into the weekend – bundle up your donations to bring (a food-bank item at the very least) to the free Christmas movie “Elf” at Admiral Theater tomorrow … the final Hometown Holidays Sunday (co-sponsored by WSB) will brighten The Junction (with Santa, mule rides, gift wrap, and deals, including six merchants’ “free stocking stuffers” all weekend – before Sunday, by the way, it’s your last chance to get in on the $6,500 Junction Giveaway) … “Plaid Tidings” (WSB sponsor) has two matinees this weekend … Fauntleroy Church (also a WSB sponsor) has its Christmas concert on Sunday … more than 50 West Seattle events/activities in all, holiday and non-holiday, brought to you by Skylark Cafe and Club:Read More
That totem pole is back in its place outside the Redmond Library, where a Seattle company called Artech reinstalled it – along with another large work of native-inspired carved-wood art – on Tuesday. We were there that day to talk with Artech, after the Seattle Parks Department told us the company had expressed potential interest in doing some work on the West Seattle Rotary Viewpoint Park totem pole before it’s put back in place. First, a recap of where the stolen-then-found totem pole saga stands: Still awaiting word of charges against the suspect, a 69-year-old West Seattle man arrested eight days ago. The pole, found in Oregon a week ago after, police say, he told them where to find it, remains at a Seattle Parks facility (as we showed you Monday):
The pole found with it in Oregon has been identified as one stolen from outside the Renton Fred Meyer (as we reported Tuesday). Now the question is how long till the West Seattle pole can be returned to its home at the viewpoint alongside 35th at Alaska. The Rotary Club of West Seattle, which donated the park and the pole – carved by Native American artist Robin Young – in 1976, is taking a major role in sorting that all out, and has created a task force that will start meeting after the holidays, while raising money now for restoration/reinstallation. The Parks Department says it’s connecting Artech with the Rotarians. We got in touch with Artech to find out more about their interest, and what they’re all about – read on:Read More
Yes, at long last it’s another video from the creators of one of West Seattle’s most-talked-about Christmas-lights displays this season, the synchronized-to-music Helmstetler Family show across from the Charlestown water tower. (Here’s our original report, with the first video from the show.) Jim Winder has actually published three more videos in all – they’re all linked here. And that’s just one option for your Tuesday night (and beyond) – here’s our West Seattle Holidays page with tons more, including live holiday music tonight at The Mount (and planning ahead, check out the West Seattle Big Band plan for a Thursday night holiday concert at Grace Church.) Back to tonight, a non-holiday highlight: The monthly “Alauda” belly-dance showcase at Skylark Cafe and Club (WSB sponsor), 7:30 pm.
Tonight, the Our Lady of Guadalupe tree lighting … tomorrow and Sunday nights, the Christmas Ship makes four West Seattle stops … and there’s so much more going on, including Hometown Holidays (co-sponsored by WSB) Sunday #2 with Santa and gift wrap in The Junction – plus the Highland Park Improvement Club holiday bash tomorrow night, Admiral Sings Christmas on Sunday, an extra Plaid Tidings (WSB sponsor) matinee on Saturday … bazaars, sales, concerts, more than SIXTY events/activities in all, holiday and non-holiday, brought to you by Skylark Cafe and Club:Read More
Don’t let the continued chill keep you from wandering West Seattle for tonight’s monthly Art Walk, 6-9 pm. This is the super-special late edition, including myriad chances for one-of-a-kind holiday gifts, all over the peninsula. Click ahead for a few of the MANY highlights:Read More
That’s a short behind-the-scenes peek at the Westside Symphonette, as one of the West Seattle community orchestra’s newest co-conductors, Rob Duisberg, showed the musicians how he’d like them to handle a Beethoven piece that’s on the program for their holiday concert. We caught up with them at last week’s rehearsal, and now it’s almost concert time – this Tuesday night at West Seattle High School Theater – strings and junior orchestra at 6:30, senior orchestra at 7:30. In addition to classics by Beethoven, Bizet, Holst, Schubert and Ravel, there’ll also be a traditional holiday singalong, from “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” to “Hallelujah Chorus.” – Admission is just $1 (though they’ll be thrilled to accept donations above and beyond that). (Yet more West Seattle holiday highlights – music, plays, bazaars, trees, etc. – here.)
Another Saturday and Sunday edition this time around – almost everything is already on the WSB West Seattle Holidays page – but here’s an extra shoutout. The weekend’s biggest event is the kickoff of Hometown Holidays in The Junction (co-sponsored by WSB) – tree lighting Saturday night, Santa photos and more on Sunday. Looks like wintry weather, too. And the day begins and ends with special fundraising dining events in The Junction – starting with the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle Pancake Breakfast this morning (7-11 am) and ending with the West Seattle Eagles‘ dinner 5:30 pm-7 pm (convenient after the tree lighting, before the We Are The Junction CD release party at Feedback Lounge [WSB sponsor[). Plus – LOTS of chances to shop local – not just the fabulous West Seattle merchants in The Junction, Admiral District (WSB sponsor) and elsewhere, but also a HUGE number of bazaars and sales around West Seattle. More than 50 events/activities in all, brought to you by Skylark Cafe and Club:Read More
Not sure if it’s a first but certainly it’s a rarity – Easy Street Cafe, better known for live music (and breakfast/lunch), is the venue where a play will be performed the next two weekends. Dylan Ward (left) shares the announcement:
I am producing my new play “Closing” at the Easy Street Cafe, on Dec 4th, 5th, 11th, and 12th, which are Fridays and Saturdays respectively. The show starts at 9:30pm. Tickets are $15 and are available at the door or in advance at Easy Street Records. Tickets include Coffee and Pie. All of the cast and crew either live in, work in, or are from West Seattle.
“Closing” is about Rowan, who is working at the Catharsis Cafe on its last day of business. Catharsis is a failed art space/coffee shop, and all Rowan wants to do is leave his failures, co-workers, and old lovers behind him. He and the owner are ready to lock up and ship out, but a particularly strange woman appears and asks to tell her story about seals. Despite his impatience, Rowan must reconcile his feelings and allow her to speak.
Dylan says the closing night of “Closing” is already almost sold out – so this weekend’s your best chance to see it. We asked, why Easy Street? Dylan’s reply – “because the play takes place at a cafe. I figured that rather than building or mimicking a set for a cafe, I would just use one. The audience members will be sat at seats in the cafe, and the play will happen in the aisles, at a table, on the stage, and behind the bar.” We also couldn’t resist asking whose pie they’ll serve: The pie is by Janiel’s Alki Pie Company, baked here in West Seattle.
MAYOR-ELECT’S THIRD TOWN HALL TONIGHT: While Mayor-Elect Mike McGinn hasn’t scheduled a Town Hall in West Seattle yet, the one he’s having tonight in Rainier Beach is meant for the “south” section of the city – including us – it’s at 7 pm, 8815 Seward Park Ave. S. (map).
BAKERY NOUVEAU OPEN HOUSE: More holiday fun – the renowned West Seattle bakery has its Holiday Open House 6-8 pm tonight in The Junction, not far from this next event:
OPENING NIGHT FOR “PLAID TIDINGS”: The holiday musical fave is back at ArtsWest again this year – as explained here. You can see Frankie, Sparky, Jinx, and Smudge in holiday form through December 27, and this Friday night is a special “Toast to the Holidays” – featuring wine! – more about that here.
THINKING ABOUT REMODELING/BUILDING A HOUSE? Ventana Construction (WSB sponsor) is offering another of their every-so-often free workshops – no obligation – lots of info. It’s at their office (the log-house-style building at 5458 California SW) tomorrow night, 6 pm, free but RSVP requested – contact info’s here.
Compared to the next three pre-Christmas weekends, this one is relatively quiet. Nonetheless, if you’re ready to start emerging from the post-Thanksgiving/Black Friday haze, you’ve got some choices today and tomorrow: Some are holiday-related – the Holy Rosary Christmas Tree Lot opens today, as does Santa’s House at Westwood Village. Some are changes: Marination Mobile is taking the long weekend off, so no West Seattle visit today. Some are charitable: There’s another “Turkey Bowl” fundraiser at West Seattle Bowl today, and this afternoon, you can make holiday cards at a unique fundraiser that also includes dessert! More than 20 events/activities today and tomorrow, brought to you by Skylark Cafe and Club:Read More
Guaranteed to make you want to stand in the middle of Walk-All-Ways, join hands with your fellow West Seattleites and sway gently (or not-so-gently depending on what you’ve been up to) while singing along … it’s “We Are The Junction” – as announced/explained by Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) proprietor Jeff Gilbert:
A Christmas album compilation made by West Seattle musicians for West Seattle
CD Release Party, Saturday, December 5th, 8 PM, The Feedback Lounge, right after the West Seattle Tree Lighting Ceremony.
Conceived by Jeff Gilbert, Steve Adams and Dave Blackburn, “We Are The Junction” is a West Seattle Christmas compilation featuring West Seattle musicians/bands. All proceeds from sales of the album are being donated to the West Seattle Food Bank.
Featuring all original holiday songs, the participating artists/musicians are…
Kirk Dubb/Dynomite D
The Pleasure Elite
Urban Squirrel
The Bend
Stumbletown Steve Adams
Gunn & The Damage Done
Jay Cates & Jefferson Bennett
Mr. Holmes
Earth, Wind & SteveThe album will be for sale at Easy Street Records, West 5, Shadowland, and The Feedback Lounge December 5th and will sell for $10.
We Are The Junction continues with two more charity albums planned for 2010, including a two-disc summer CD.
Just a few of the artists/craftspeople/vendors you’ll find inside the Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) till 6 pm, in its first-ever Holiday Bazaar. Get out of the wind – support local small businesspeople (and some nonprofits too, like Furry Faces Foundation, with pet gifts!). And after this one – lots more bazaars and other holiday-season events can be found on our updated-daily West Seattle Holidays page.
WEST SEATTLE LIONS PANCAKE BREAKFAST AND BAKE SALE: Even if you wake up late, you’ve got time to get to this one – 8 am to 1 pm, Seattle Lutheran High School gym (41st/Genesee, Google Street View above). Menu includes three types of pancakes – buttermilk, “Judy’s Pumpkin Crunch,” gluten-free. Plus ham/sausage, coffee/juice/tea/milk – all for $8 adults, $5 kids 12 and under.
FEEDBACK LOUNGE BAZAAR: 2-6 pm today, shop at the first-ever Holiday Bazaar (well, it’s their first holiday season!) at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) – jewelry, aromatherapy, handbags, more. Wine and cocktail specials too.
LAST FARMERS’ MARKET BEFORE THANKSGIVING: 10 am-2 pm, 44th/Alaska. It’s also your last chance to shop for the big contest – the most Farmers Market-sourced Thanksgiving feast – rules here. Today’s Ripe ‘n’ Ready list is here.
FAUNTLEROY ART SHOW/SALE FINALE: Last chance! 11 am-12:30 pm, Fauntleroy Church (9140 California).
BLOOD DRIVE: 10:30-4:30 today, walk-ins are welcome, Mars Hill Church in West Seattle (35th/Ida); more info here.
At Square 1 Books (WSB sponsor), the doors have just opened for the second and final day of the store’s anniversary sale, 15% off, till 5:30 pm. (We photographed Square 1’s Mary Kate Austin and proprietor Gretchen Montgomery toward the end of Day 1 last night.) Another WSB sponsor, Click! Design That Fits, has an artist reception tonight – 6 till 9 pm, Rachel Austin will be at the Admiral District shop to talk about her popular work, which has been on display recent West Seattle Art Walk nights. (2:53 pm update – Click! co-proprietor John Smersh e-mailed this image of one of the new works Rachel’s bringing up from Portland, incorporating local maps – he says this one’s called “Renton”:)
Speaking of fun ways to appreciate art, White Center for the Arts is hosting its monthly art walk tonight – six locations participating, plus a showing of short films is planned – 6 to 9 pm, see the full lineup and the official poster on our partner site White Center Now. And this afternoon, 1-5 pm, the Fauntleroy Art Sale and Show continues at Fauntleroy Church. Meantime, back in The Junction, TrueValue and Northwest Art & Frame are having open houses today. LOTS more happening throughout the day and night – the full list is in the West Seattle Weekend Lineup.
From Samantha Bowes at the West Seattle Family YMCA (WSB sponsor), that photo and this update:
Today the West Seattle & Fauntleroy YMCA recognized its volunteers with an appreciation luncheon. By year-end, more than 1,300 people will have given more than 23,000 hours of service in programs, fundraising, and board work with the Y right here in our community. The YMCA could not serve more than 10,000 people in West Seattle & South Park if it weren’t for these incredible volunteers who give generously of their time and talent.
Pictured: Fundraising volunteer Jack Oneal, wellness program volunteer Joan De Vrieze, and fundraising volunteer Tish Hesse at today’s volunteer appreciation luncheon. (Joan will also be performing tonight with West Seattle Civic Ballet in a performance of The Dollmaker at the Fauntleroy YMCA, part of YMCA Family Programs.)
And just steps from the Fauntleroy YMCA, at Fauntleroy Church, setup for the Fauntleroy Art Show/Sale is under way right now:
That’s watercolorist Kathy Johnson from Studio by the Sound, busy setting up her booth when we stopped by a little while ago. The show/sale opens at 6:30 tonight.
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