All-Access Summer Institute – free classes at Youngstown!
Might just be the boldest, wildest, most artful summer program in West Seattle – and it’s free (participants even get free lunch). At Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, the All-Access Summer Institute is offering “brand-new intensive classes for the creatively curious that build serious skill while having fun and meeting other cool youth!” “Quick and Dirty Without Tha Drama!” mixing writing, performing and visual art just started its first four-day 1-week session today, but there’s another one Aug. 2-5, 10 am-3:30 pm, with Antasia Parker and Mikel Moss. Then for the two weeks after that, “It’s Bigger Than Hip-Hop,” a dance class that “will be making movement on the dance floor while also looking at hip hop as a social movement.” The announcement from Youngstown’s Alberto Mejia also notes, “Other resident Youngstown programs like FEEST, Roots & Shoots, and the Youth Media Institute’s Youth Out Loud Summer Program will also be running all summer.” Find out more at youngstownarts.org.
Happening now: Alki Art Fair’s final hours
Beautiful day at the beach, and you have till 6 pm to enjoy the final hours of the 2010 Alki Art Fair. If you took a close look at each and every booth, you’d find numerous items to catch your eye, and perhaps send you reaching into your wallet. Strange Child Ink‘s T-shirts caught ours:
(If you don’t see this till it’s too late to go to the beach to find him – artist Brendan Wenberg says he’s a regular at the Fremont market.) Also eye-catching – this Frank Zappa portrait in the Heartmarks booth:
As previewed here before the fair, this year’s Alki event entertained visitors with a long list of live-music acts, too – all free – with donations collected (and T-shirts sold) to benefit the scholarship fund for art programs at the Alki Bathhouse and nearby Community Center.
West Seattle Saturday: Grand Parade; Alki Art Fair; Outdoor Movies
View West Seattle Grand Parade route in a larger map
The green markers bookend the route the West Seattle Grand Parade will take down California SW starting at 11 am from SW Lander; the periwinkle marker, the starting point for the Rotary Club of West Seattle-presented Kiddie Parade that precedes it, same time (but signups start at 10, all kids welcome). Parade co-coordinator Jim Edwards says (via @WSParade on Twitter) that they’re now up to 78 entries. Motorcycles, marching musicians, drill teams, clowns, pirates, singers, dancers, politicians, Scouts, schools, businesses, churches, and of course, floats, including the multiple-award-winning West Seattle Hi-Yu “Dreams Do Come True” float. We’ve published seven previews in the past few days; browse them here. And if you have photos/video to share afterward, let us know! (You can also add your favorite pics to the West Seattle Blog group on Flickr.) P.S. Remember California SW from Admiral south to Edmunds is closed till after the parade; there are bus detours and also parking restrictions on some side streets being used for staging. Another big event today is happening at the beach:
(WSB photo from 2007 Alki Art Fair)
Today’s the first of two days for the big Alki Art Fair, stretching along the promenade past the Alki Bathhouse, 10 am-6 pm both days. In addition to the artists’ displays and booths, which are free to browse, you may want to bring some money for the food booths and the kids’ bouncy toy. Here’s our preview from earlier in the week, including the full schedule and lineup for live music both days. Then tonight in The Junction, it’s movie time!
That’s the courtyard at Hotwire Online Coffeehouse (WSB sponsor) before it finished filling up (and then some!) for last Saturday’s first-of-the-season West Seattle Outdoor Movies presentation. Tonight, along with our co-sponsors Skylark Café and Club, Nicholson Kovalchick Architects and Pagliacci Pizza, we co-sponsor “War Games,” with Skylark proprietor Jessie SK leading a round of ’80s trivia (we’re bringing the prizes) before the movie. You’ll want to arrive early (a few dozen people were there as early as 5:30 last week, Hotwire’s Lora Lewis tells us) to stake out your spot!
What else is up today/tonight? See the full list in the West Seattle Weekend Lineup!
West Seattle Weekend Lineup: Parade, art fair, movie, Stuff the Bus
It’s a weekend so big, we’ve been previewing it all week, and then some. Hope to see you along the route of the American Legion Post 160-presented West Seattle Grand Parade at 11 am tomorrow (California SW, Lander to Edmunds) – and at Alki Art Fair both days this weekend – and for the WestSide Baby diaper drive Stuff the Bus (co-sponsored by WSB) on Sunday – and at the Highland Park Sunday Market as it returns this weekend … plus the Hi-Yu Community Brunch, also on Sunday … Even more going on – just click ahead for this week’s West Seattle Weekend Lineup, brought to you by Skylark Café and Club (with weekend delights including brunch both days, live music both nights)!Read More
Watch ‘Stage Struck’ kids tonight; celebrate the program Aug. 14
What a great way to spend the summer – singing, dancing and acting up a storm. An acclaimed program giving West Seattle kids the chance to do exactly that is Stage Struck, a theater program that’s celebrating its 10th anniversary this summer, with a party coming up on August 14th. Stage Struck offers both summer theater camps and performances during the school year at Fauntleroy Church‘s Fellowship Hall as well as West Seattle High School.
The photos shown here (courtesy of Peggy Fine) are from past years’ performances, but TONIGHT you can see the kids in action as they present “Mary Poppins” at Fauntleroy Church at 7 pm (the past two Fridays, they performed “Cinderella” and “Oliver“). And you can also buy your tickets now for the 10th anniversary event – online at www.stagestruckseattle.com – read on for the official announcement about the celebration, which is also a fundraiser to gather scholarship funds so more kids ca be pat of the Stage Struck program:Read More
Alki Art Fair preview: The full live-music lineup, and more
(WSB photo from 2007 Alki Art Fair)
We’re on the brink of another big summer weekend. And this afternoon, we have new details about one of the marquee events – the Alki Art Fair at the beach Saturday and Sunday – courtesy of its director, Giovannina Souers, who shared the full music lineup too! The annual fair raises money for scholarships to students of all ages for art classes offered through the Alki Community Center and Alki Bathhouse. More than 70 artists will be selling their work: “We have a wide mix of artists: pottery, paintings, photography, metal work, fused glass, jewelry, and many crafts like hand made clothing, candles, soap and much more. Many are local West Seattle artists,” says Giovannina, mentioning a few: Mary Hollister, who sells her fused-glass mobiles all over the state, and Ester Chinn, “who took her first pottery lessons at the Alki Bathhouse (and) now owns her own studio and sells every year at the fair, find her in booth #50.” Giovannina adds, “Surrounding the Statue of Liberty will be a group of artists from the Seattle League of Arts and all the way at the end of the fair you will find some of our newer artists this year including Andy Hill a metal worker who makes amazing pieces for indoors or outdoors.” For kids, a special arts/crafts booth and bouncy toy are planned; food vendors will include barbecue, hot dogs, kettle corn, shave ice, cotton candy; and 14 bands will play live music – click ahead for the lineup and a little more Alki Art Fair info:Read More
Happening now: ‘The Painted Garden’ at Log House Museum
History and art are mingling today and tomorrow during the first-ever “Painted Garden” art event at the Log House Museum on Alki. While at the beach to check out today’s Alki Car Show (WSB coverage here), we detoured a block inland to have a look at this first-ever event. You can’t miss the signs – balloons and chalked-on-sidewalk arrows will point you there. Artists selling their wares are arranged outside the museum, up on its porch and down on the patio:
That’s Virginia M. Wulf, with jewelry creations; across from her on the patio, Marilyn Van Cleave Ullin:
And while you’re on the back patio, peek into the Carriage House to see the old Alki Statue of Liberty:
There are even whimsical creations hanging over the Log House Museum’s railings:
If you miss them today, the artists will be back at the LHM tomorrow (Sunday), 10 am-4 pm. (Then next weekend on the beach, in case you were wondering, it’s the always-big Alki Art Fair.)
West Seattle business news: Opening day for Alki Arts
Story and photos by Christopher Boffoli
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
That’s Diane Venti (left), who owns Alki Arts with her husband, Tom Wyrick, who is also a metal artist whose work is currently featured in the gallery. She told me this afternoon that their first day is going very well. There was certainly a steady stream of visitors while I was there.
She said that even before they opened, while they were in there painting the walls, people were knocking on the door to ask about it. And she said she has had to clean plenty of “nose prints” off the windows as people have apparently been peeking in to get a better look. They had their garage-style doors fully open today.
Venti tells me that she came up with the idea for a gallery in early June. (We first reported on the new business last Tuesday.) She is an artist herself, has experience working in galleries downtown, and wanted to own a space for real West Seattle working artists. The current crop of artists was assembled in about ten days. The way the system works is that artists rent the wall space from the gallery by the month. The gallery takes no commissions on whatever the artist sells. In addition, each artist can host an event/opening there on one night during the month their art is on display. The gallery can also be rented by the night for anyone who wishes to have events there.
Venti says the mission of Alki Arts is to feature West Seattle artists, sculptors and glass artists (but not photographers). Artists wishing to sell their work at Alki Arts are welcome to send an e-mail for more information, though there currently is a waiting list. Venti says that she works to carefully curate the art to make sure it is right for the gallery. Wall spaces rent out for between $500-$700 per month, though she said she has the flexibility to work with artists on a case-by-case basis if they just want to display a couple of pieces on commission. She said she is hoping to find some more sculptors and glass artists to fill some of the open floor space in the gallery. Venti says their goal is to have pieces that range in price from $200-$2,000.
Hours will be 12-8, Wednesday through Sunday.
Speaking of art, kids can create it for/at West Seattle Summer Fest
Since it’s West Seattle Summer Fest eve, we’ll also be publishing previews throughout the day – more than a few participants (festival site map) have sent us extra info about what they’ll be up to, and if you’ll be there, you’re welcome to do the same! (Here’s all the ways to get info to WSB.) Kids’ activities at Summer Fest go far beyond the bouncy toys in the Super Terrific Happy Fun Zone – there’s also an area where kids can work on arts and crafts and other activities, hosted again this year by Pathfinder K-8. Plus, here’s your chance to get a jump on a coloring contest that one Summer Fest merchant is presenting for kids 12 and under – Dawn Jump from Prudential NW Realty asked us to help get the word out about the contest, and we invited her to share a scan of the coloring sheet (it’s available at PNW offices at Jefferson Square, but you might not be able to get there before WSSF). Print it out here, start coloring, and take it to the PNW booth during Summer Fest (again, here’s the map – they’re #48), where Dawn says every young artist will be entered in a drawing for “a variety of prizes,” plus they’ll be displaying the art too. P.S. Another BIG art feature for all ages @ Summer Fest is the Art Dive – presented by Twilight Artist Collective – look for the big tent full of local arts/crafts (marked by the palette icon here).
Nature Consortium’s new summer camp planned for August
If your teen’s summer isn’t quite filled out yet – there’s a new weeklong camp next month, offered by the West Seattle-based nonprofit Nature Consortium: Arts in Nature Camp, 10 am-4 pm daily, August 16-20, for ages 12 and up, at Camp Long. It’ll feature “workshops from real local artists” and activities including “challenge course, recycled art, world music, nature games, sound installations, and forest ecology/restoration.” Full details and online registration, here.
West Seattle business news: Alki Arts to open next to Cactus
We’d been checking on reports of activity in the former All The Best Pet Care (closed last November) space east of Cactus, at 2820 Alki SW – and this morning, there’s a small sign in the window solving the mystery. (Thanks very much to Pat for photographing and sharing it!) The sign announces Alki Arts and points to this website, promising “amazing art, affordably priced, from local artists” and also offering the space as a venue for events of up to 60 people. The website also says Alki Arts will open this Saturday (July 10). We have a message out seeking more info, which we’ll add here when we get it. ADDED 1:02 PM: Just in, co-proprietor Diane Venti answered our request for more details:
We will be a Co-op of artists – each renting wall space in the gallery. We have room for 3 more artists at this point, but the ones we have in place now are very talented! The proprietors are Tom Wyrick and Diane Venti-We are trying this space out for the summer to see how it is received and supported by West Seattle. The space still belongs to Susan Moss, owner of All the Best Pet Care, who has ‘gone above and beyond’ making it possible for us to fill the empty store front during the summer months. She really is helping to support this endeavor!
Our hours will be 12-8 Wed-Sun. We’re so excited to have people come in to enjoy all the amazing art, which includes oil paintings, water colors, metal work, glass, and photography – there’ll be something for everyone to enjoy!
Not too late to join West Seattle summer music student program
(Program brochure photo provided by Toni Reineke)
Among the many summer programs under way this week is a summer music program that’s in its 57th year, taught by Seattle Public Schools music teachers, and though it started Monday, its head teacher Toni Reineke sends word it’s not too late to join in. It’s for students who just finished 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th or 8th grades:
Designed for students grades 4-8 (student must have completed at least one year of instrumental instruction)
Students who attend Seattle Public Schools as well as private schools are welcome!
Band, strings, jazz band, solos, ensembles, improvisation—and more!
Daily field recesses!
Evening concert Thursday, July 15, 7:00 p.m.
Weekdays, June 28 – July 16 (except July 5), 9:00 to noon.
For more info, please call the Fine and Performing Arts Department at 206-252-0051 or 252-0050, or contact Toni Reineke at 206-243-6955 or tonireineke@comcast.net
Remember West Seattle Art Attack? She/he/they’re back!
If you are a longtime WSB’er, you may remember West Seattle Art Attack – the whimsical late-night forays of a glass artist (and accomplices) to leave surprises here and there – here’s our first report from fall 2007. As far as we know, WSAA has been dormant for two years (here’s the last spree) – but we just got a communique:
We are targeting 6 houses in the Admiral neighborhood tonight. We scoped them out in an afternoon drive-by and it was hard to pick but based on our whims and an appreciation for the care they have put into their yards we have selected some recipients for a midnight (perhaps sooner) surprise. As long as everyone knows that this is yard art and often has cracks or chips (but is not dangerously sharp) and is not a piece of studio quality glass we’ll all be good. It’s great to be back attacking again!
WSAA tells us they’re actually already back from the covert operation … so if you find an artsy surprise in your yard, let us all know!
West Seattle summer fun: The Mount announces concert lineup
(WSB photo of Maia Santell at The Mount in August 2009)
Once again this August, Providence Mount St. Vincent plans a slate of outdoor concerts. The Mount’s Arlene Carter has just shared the lineup, including info on family activities accompanying the music, as well as the dinner offerings you can buy:
August 6th: Mariachi Fiesta Mexicana
Taco salad, burgers, hot dogs. Clown, face painter, caricature artist.
August 13th: Maia Santell & House Blend
Jambalaya, burgers, hot dogs. Bouncy House, face painter, caricature artist.
August 20th: Illusion of Elvis by Danny Vernon
Fried chicken picnic, burgers, hot dogs. Clown, face painter, caricature artist.
August 27th: The Haggis Brothers – Rockin’, swingin’, fiddle-driven string band
BBQ ribs, burgers, hotdogs. Magician, face painter, caricature artist.
Providence Mount St. Vincent is located at 4831 35th Ave SW (between SW Hudson & SW Edmunds in West Seattle. (206) 937-3700.
Other outdoor music this summer includes the West Seattle Summer Fest (co-sponsored by WSB) slate – see it here – and the West Seattle Hi-Yu Concert in the Park with the West Seattle Big Band on July 20th (when the West Seattle Volunteer Recognition Award winners will be honored), the Admiral Neighborhood Association’s Summer Concerts at Hiawatha (co-sponsored by WSB), and several concerts planned at Alki (playfield and boardwalk).
Happening now: Quilts on display at Bridge Park in West Seattle
Till 5 pm at Bridge Park Retirement Community (WSB sponsor) in High Point, on SW Morgan across from Neighborhood Center and Commons Park – you can come see the work of the Piecemakers, a West Seattle quilting group that’s been meeting for 20 years (and still includes some of its original members). They’re offering giveaways, including one prize described as “a gorgeous quilted wall hanging.” (added) Here’s a photo – it’s a charity-fundraising raffle:
Bridge Park is at 3204 SW Morgan (here’s a map).
West Seattle Weekend Lineup: Father’s Day (plus Fri-Sat) edition
You don’t have to be a dad to have fun this weekend, but special events are definitely targeting fathers, and families overall – from a Sunday family Ultimate Frisbee pickup event just announced, to the car show at The Mount, Guys’ Night Out on Father’s Day Eve at WestSide Baby … Other big events include Relay for Life of West Seattle tonight through tomorrow morning … plus magic, music and more. Lots going on, just click ahead:Read More
All-Access Showcase at Youngstown Arts Center tomorrow!
Another note from last night’s Delridge Neighborhoods District Council meeting – Youngstown Cultural Arts Center‘s Randy Engstrom extended a West Seattle-wide 
invitation (and beyond!) to the All-Access Showcase event tomorrow night – and we have additional information today from Youngstown program director Alberto Mejia. From 6-8:30 pm, you can go check out everything from music to breakdancing to spoken-word art to visual art to “do-it-yourself organic gardening” in the historic building at 4408 Delridge Way SW (map). All-Access is the free after-school program that engages hundreds of young people in a wide range of activities, and this showcase is the result of the work they’ve been doing since the first of the year. It’s free, and you’re encouraged to drop by and sample the students’ amazing achievements. (Wander the Youngstown halls, too, if you haven’t been there before – they’re laden with history, art, and information.)
West Seattle scenes: Art, jewelry and music at Illusions Hair Design
They’re known best for the art of hairstyling – but tonight, Illusions Hair Design (longtime WSB sponsor) branched out, staying open a few hours extra to show and sell creations — including paintings and jewelry — from the Circle of Friends for Mental Health. Among those welcoming guests was Illusions proprietor Sue Lindblom, whose salon is celebrating its anniversary this month:
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Circle of Friends offers classes in visual arts, music and writing to those dealing with mental illness – a category that the group says can include more than a fourth of all American adults in any given year. Visitors to Illusions tonight not only got to browse and view, they also were treated to live music:
The duo goes by Julia and Jack. Find out more about Circle of Friends by going here.
West Seattle Weekend Lineup: More than 60 options!
60+ options, for a weekend promising 70-degree temperatures! The big events include the Morgan Junction Community Festival (co-sponsored by WSB) 11 am-7 pm tomorrow, continuing with the West Seattle Junction Health Fair (WSB sponsor) 10 am-2 pm Sunday, and a lot more inbetween, like the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle making Westcrest Park Off-Leash Area a nicer 
place (with volunteer help), the Junction Plaza Park planting party, the West Seattle Tool Library grand opening, benefits for Chief Sealth jazz, Community School of West Seattle, and author Val Mallinson; much more … The WSWL is sponsored by Skylark Cafe and Club, where you’ll find FREE live music, bountiful brunches, plus lunch ‘n’ dinner:Read More
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