West Seattle, Washington
05 Saturday
We first told you back in June about plans for the first-ever West Seattle Art Hop & Shop, a peninsula-wide event that’s now exactly one month away – 10 am-5 pm Saturday, September 17th. Organizers are still signing up artists to participate. Here’s what it’s all about and how to be part of it:
The Art Hop & Shop is a neighborhood-wide event for local artists and makers to show and sell their work. Artists can host a pop-up in their yard, or “borrow” a yard. The West Seattle Art Hop & Shop publishes an online mobile map for shoppers to find and visit the pop-ups, as well as an artist list on our website.
The Art Hop & Shop boundaries are West Marginal Way to the east, the Seattle city limits to the south, and the water to the north and west. If you do not live in the area, find another artist who does live in the area who can host you. Live in an apartment or condo? Need a place to pop-up? Find a host. Connections made between hosts and artists is one of the wonderful aspects of this event. Please click here to see the do-it-yourself tool for finding match-ups.
An interactive map shows the locations of the sales on September 17th. Artists and makers will enter their own information (including photos and links) on the map. You will receive information about how to add your point to the map when you register. Each artist is responsible for entering their own map information.
How do I sign up?
Visit our Registration Page. The cost is $10, and is non-refundable. The fee covers administrative and promotional costs. This is a “rain or shine” event. You will need a location before you register.
Organizers of the West Seattle Art Hop & Shop are all volunteers. But if you have a question, they’ll be happy to answer it – email wsArtHop@gmail.com. Registration deadline is September 2nd.
Looking ahead, set aside Saturday, August 27th, as a day for two road-closing celebrations at the north and south ends of West Seattle.
ADMIRAL JUNCTION FUNKTION: Noon-9 pm, California SW between Admiral Way and SW Walker will be closed for this first-ever celebration of the heart of the Admiral business district, co-presented by the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce with city support. Full details to come, but you can go here for a preview of the entertainment lineup – there’ll be a stage near SW College.
(WSB photo, 2021 Lowrider Block Party)
LOWRIDER BLOCK PARTY: Also on August 27th, noon-6 pm, 17th SW will be closed between Delridge and Roxbury for the second annual Lowrider Block Party. Nearby Nepantla Cultural Arts Gallery is presenting the event again this year, with art, food, music, and of course, cars. The gallery at 9414 Delridge Way SW is also hosting a Lowrider Art Show all month long, through the weekend of the Block Party.
That big boom box at 57th/Alki is at the heart of the first day of this year’s Alki Beach Pride celebration, outside Blue Moon Burgers. Here’s the view from the side facing away from the beach:
Music with performers and DJs continues there until 7 pm. There’s also a mini-street fair on 57th, which is closed to cars on the block south of Alki Avenue:
The rainbow arch is a perfect setting for photos:
Tomorrow the music heads east to Seacrest, outside Marination Ma Kai, noon-5 pm Sunday. Other Sunday events include 11 am-3 pm drag brunch at Arthur’s in The Admiral District, 1 pm roll-out parade – rollerskates, bicycles, etc. – from Alki Statue of Liberty Plaza (61st/Alki) and outdoor movie “The Birdcage” at Alki Playground at 7 pm Sunday. This is the ninth year for Alki Beach Pride, which was reduced in scope a bit during the pandemic.
Just got word of this, so it wasn’t in the daily list. Laurel Trujillo at Ounces in North Delridge sent the invitation – between now and 6 pm, kids 10 and under are invited to come jump for free in the “bounce house” they’ve set up. Parents must be there to watch, of course. Ounces is at 3809 Delridge Way SW.
This weekend’s biggest event is just two days away – the ninth annual Alki Beach Pride celebration, spanning both Saturday and Sunday, at multiple locations. Each day features a slate of live music and DJs, Saturday (August 13th) at Blue Moon Burgers (2504 Alki SW) and Sunday (August 14th) at Marination Ma Kai (1660 Harbor SW) – you can see the slates on the ABP website. Those are the two locations where wristbands will be available for discounts at participating venues. Other planned events include: Drag brunch at Arthur’s in The Admiral District, 11 am-3 pm Sunday; a wheels parade (skating, bicycling, etc.) from Alki Statue of Liberty Plaza at 1 pm Sunday; yoga at the beach at 6 pm Sunday; and an outdoor movie at Alki Playground – “The Birdcage” – at 7 pm Sunday. Organizers again this year are Stacy and Jolie Bass-Walden and they’re excited to get the party started.
If you follow the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar and/or the daily preview lists we compile from it, you know West Seattle nightlife brings many chances to play games in West Seattle – trivia, bingo, Scrabble, more. Now, get ready for a different kind of contest – an adult spelling bee! It’s on the way to The Skylark in North Delridge next month – here’s the announcement:
Skylark, West Seattle’s most intimate live entertainment & dining venue, is pleased to announce the launch of Spelldown After Dark (TM), an adult-only spelling bee to take place every Friday night in September and that will pay cash prizes to nightly winners and to the final 2022 Spelldown Champion.
Says Skylark owner and Spelldown co-founder Matt Larson: “Spelldown has been developed over many months, has been tested with live players who left wanting more, and is now primed to bring a game show-like competition to greater Seattle. We expect players to feel the rush of competition in their veins, but there is a limited number of seats per Friday night and we encourage players of all levels to sign up quickly. Spelling has never been this much fun … both to play and to watch, so bring your friends!”
Sign-up for players is now open! The games will begin on Friday, September 2nd at 8:00 pm and will repeat each Friday in September starting at the same time. Players, who we call Spelldowners, will be limited to 12 per Friday night. For the first four Friday nights, all players will be new, so in total for all of Seattle, we are limited to 48 players for Spelldown 2022. There is a one-time sign-up fee of just $15, one winner per night, and the first four winners plus 2 runners-up will play in the thrilling championship finale on Friday, September 30th.
Sign-up for audience members is also now open! To maximize the fun of being in the live audience, audience members will be limited to 65 per Friday night. There is a small cover charge of $10 per audience member and there will be opportunities for audience participation! Given limited availability, Spelldowners, invite your friends and followers to support you in this game show-like experience before space runs out on the night you have selected.
For Spelldowners, more information and sign up here:
simpletix.com/e/spelldown-after-dark-contestant-slot-ticke-tickets-111813For audience members, sign up here:
simpletix.com/e/spelldown-after-dark-an-adult-spelling-bee-tickets-111812
Not too much going on around the city aside from Seafair this weekend – so if you love live music, you might consider sailing over to Vashon Island for a benefit show tomorrow (Saturday, August 6th) to boost youth music education via West Seattle’s own nonprofit Mode Music and Performing Arts. Here’s the announcement:
Bric/Brac Fest and Mode Music and Performing Arts are so excited to bring this event to Vashon Island and help create ongoing opportunities for youth music education!
Join us Saturday, Aug. 6th for a benefit for youth music education on Vashon with generous partners and sponsorships by Mode Music Studios, Open Space for Arts & Community, Orbit at Open Space and The Vera Project.
Secure your space on the green for an evening of food, drink, and amazing bands for a great cause. Bring your chairs and blankets for:
NAKED GIANTS
CAITLIN SHERMAN
JULIA SHAPIRO (CHASTITY BELT)
IT’S ALL HAPPENINGOpen Space For Arts & Community
18870 103rd Ave SW, Vashon [map]4 pm doors
Suggested donation:
$20 Adult
$10 under 18
No one turned away for lack of funds (NOTAFLOF)
You might have seen Naked Giants and/or Caitlin Sherman at West Seattle Summer Fest just three weeks ago.
C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor) is throwing a garden party Labor Day weekend and you’re invited! The occasion: To raise money for the West Seattle Food Bank (which helps people stay housed as well as fed) – C & P co-proprietor Cameron Moores says they’re hoping to make it an annual fundraiser, but the pandemic got in the way the past two years. The “We (Heart) West Seattle” party is exactly one month from today – 3 pm to 6 pm Sunday, September 4th – but tickets are available now. $45 gets you a sandwich from food truck Now Make Me A Sandwich plus a drink. Live music too! You can go here to get your ticket(s).
Saturday brings one more comeback – for a local summer event that’s been gone for more than the pandemic hiatus: West Seattle Outdoor Movies. The long-running series needed a new presenting organization after the summer of 2018, but that didn’t happen, so those were the last screenings … until now. The West Seattle Junction Association revived the series this year, but the first one is outside The Junction:
Camp Long (5200 35th SW) is where you can watch the first movie, “The Goonies,” on Saturday (July 23rd). The Camp Long Advisory Council is helping get the word out. In case you’re not familiar with Camp Long, we asked for details on where in the park the screening will happen. Here’s how Camp Long’s Matt Kostle explains it:
Movie screen will be located at the south end of the field to allow people to put down blankets or short back chairs on a little bit of the grassy area and those in the back can take advantage of the already established wooden bench style theatre seating which is normally used for our large fire ring. Photo attached for reference of the view point from behind the wooden benches looking out into the field.
If folks are unfamiliar with the park, once you park in the parking lot, you can either walk down to the south end of the parking lot and turn left by the shed there and follow the maintenance road that leads directly down to the south end of the field. If you park in the lot and walk down the main stairs located near the Lodge, you will end up at the North end of the field and will have to walk across the field to the viewing area.
Two comfort stations will be open at the park that night. No concessions, so bring your own snacks/(non-alcoholic) beverages/picnic dinners/etc. The gates open at 7:30 pm, and the movie will start at dusk. Admission is free. After this weekend, the next four Saturdays’ movies will be at Hotwire Coffee‘s courtyard (4410 California SW) in The Junction:
JULY 30 – “The Never-Ending Story”
AUGUST 6 – “Encanto”
AUGUST 13 – “Coco”
AUGUST 20 – “Back to the Future”
(WSB photo from 2019 Float Dodger 5K)
Don’t wait until race day – register online before 8 pm for the return of the Float Dodger 5K, a fun (costumes encouraged!) run/walk on the West Seattle Grand Parade route just before the parade. The start/finish is at Hiawatha Playfield (2700 California SW), where a free kids’ dash starts the morning at 8:45 am, with runners/walkers heading out at 9:30. The “float” in the 5K’s name has two meanings – when you get back to Hiawatha, the second one kicks in, with root-beer floats for runners! West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor) founded and presents the Float Dodger 5K, which this year is raising money for the West Seattle Food Bank. You can register right now by going here.
(WSB photo, 2018 Concert in the Park)>
Another beautiful evening is forecast for Tuesday – clear and warm. Spend part of it outside enjoying live, lively music from the West Seattle Big Band, bringing back its annual Concert in the Park. New location this year – High Point Commons Park (3201 SW Graham) – since Hiawatha’s closure means it’s out of the mix as a concert venue this year, even for outdoor shows. This is an annual free concert that the WSBB performs for the community – you’ll see and hear about 20 musicians, directed by Jim Edwards, performing classic songs, both instrumental and vocal arrangements. (Never seen them? Check out video of past concerts.) The WSBB is celebrating its 25th anniversary, founded by West Seattle High School alumni in 1996 (here’s the backstory). They donate their time at other shows throughout the year to support local students – this one, however, is free, so bring a picnic dinner, blankets and/or chairs, and enjoy the Concert in the Park starting at 7 pm Tuesday.
Now that West Seattle Summer Fest has wrapped up, time to start counting down to two big in-the-street events next Saturday (July 23rd) – the Float Dodger 5K and West Seattle Grand Parade. Both happen on California SW, from The Admiral District to The Junction (and back, for Float Dodger).
(WSB photo, 2019 Float Dodger 5K, organizers Lori McConnell & Tim McConnell at left)
The 5K is coordinated by West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor) and starts on the field at Hiawatha (2700 California SW) with a free Kids’ Dash at 9:15 am 8:45 am preceding the run/walk at 9:30 am. Runners head out onto California SW, run/walk down the parade route to The Junction, turn around and head back. You can register online until Thursday – do it here!
(2017 West Seattle Grand Parade WSB photo, All-City Band)
The West Seattle Grand Parade follows at 11 am, also starting in the 2700 block of California and heading south to The Junction (California/Edmunds). The parade is presented by the West Seattle Rotary Service Foundation. Parade chair Keith Hughes says more than 60 entrants are confirmed so far – including longtime favorites including the All-City Band plus classic cars, antique fire trucks, community organizations. Two announcing stations this year – California/Charlestown as well as California/Alaska. It all starts rolling southbound on California at 11 am Saturday, so grab your spot on the curb and cheer the parade’s return. More previews to come as the week goes on!
Up for outdoor music? Later this month, you have abundant options without leaving the peninsula. We’ve already talked about West Seattle Summer Fest – now just two weeks away, July 15-16-17 in The Junction, with music on Friday and Saturday. Also ahead:
(WSB photo from 2019 Concert in the Park)
CONCERT IN THE PARK: The West Seattle Big Band‘s annual summertime concert is at a new location this year, since Hiawatha (as previously discussed) is unavailable. You can enjoy the WSBB’s swinging sounds at 7 pm Tuesday, July 19th, in High Point Commons Park (3201 SW Graham).
MUSIC UNDER THE STARS: At 8:30 pm Saturday, July 16th, at the Seattle Chinese Garden (6000 16th SW), and same time Thursday, July 21st, at High Point Commons Park, the Seattle Chamber Music Society brings this series back to West Seattle. An up-and-coming chamber ensemble will play live for a half-hour, and then you’re invited to stay and watch a big-screen presentation of one of the SCMS’s Summer Festival Concerts.
ALKI ART FAIR: The three-day beach festival celebrating creativity is back, and music’s a big part of it. On Friday night (July 22nd), a DJ will spin. Then on Saturday and Sunday (July 23rd-24th), two full slates of live performers – morning through evening on Saturday, morning through afternoon on Sunday. You can see the full lineup on the Alki Art Fair website.
(WSB file photo, Float Dodger 5K)
On this semi-quiet-so-far holiday weekend, we’re reminding you about some of the huge West Seattle summer events happening later this month. On Saturday, July 23rd, it’s a doubleheader, with the West Seattle Grand Parade preceded by the Float Dodger 5K. The run/walk is presented again this year by West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor), and registration is open. Participants head down the parade route – on California SW from The Admiral District to The Junction – and back, starting at 9:30 am (an hour and a half before the parade begins). Post-Float Dodger, a beer garden – also featuring root-beer floats – awaits you at a beer garden near the start/finish line at Hiawatha Playfield (2700 California SW). Both the run/walk and beer garden are fundraisers for the West Seattle Food Bank. For the youngest members of the community, a free Kids’ Dash precedes the Float Dodger 5K. You can sign up for either or both by going here.
(2019 Seafair Pirates Landing photo by David Hutchinson)
If you haven’t already seen it in our calendar – the Seafair Pirates Landing returns to Alki Beach on Saturday (June 25th). But it’s a “scaled-down” version of the event, Seafair tells us – no vendors, but, “There still will be a PA system for commentary and the usual shenanigans.” They’re expected to land around 1:30 pm, “storming the beach to steal the key to the city,” says Seafair. This time around they’re under the skullduggery of the incoming Captain Kidd, Michael “Mouthfish” Brown, who’s taking the wheel from the outgoing Captain Kidd, Damian “Terrible” Terrell. Remember there’ll be offshore cannon fire as the Pirates approach, so the event’s not for the easily startled. If you’re new – the Seafair Pirates have sailed the summer seas of Seattle since 1949, and participate in countless parades and festivals as well as devoting time to various charitable deeds. Be mindful that 1:30 pm time is approximate – we advise not waiting till the last minute! The actual landing is usually in the vicinity of Alki Bathhouse.
As featured in our daily event list and calendar, a new summer-solstice celebration is debuting today! The gardenkeepers (above) invite you to stop by the Delridge P-Patch (5078 25th SW) for all-ages fun until 7:30 pm. We went over just as it was getting started.
You can buy dinner from West Seattle’s own Chef Gino Williamson, proprietor of TheHomeSkillit.com – he’s on the Delridge side of the garden (by the sidewalk) and at center in our top photo. Organizers told us this is an extension of their regular 6 pm Tuesday storytime. (added) Several kid activities:
A small plant sale too:
You can even spend $1 on an entry to guess how tall the P-Patch’s tallest sunflower will be at season’s end!
With the weather finally warming, time to think about even more of what’s happening this summer. As we first reported in March, outdoor movies are returning. The current plan is for five Saturday nights in the Hotwire Coffee (4410 California SW) courtyard, site of many summers, though Chris Mackay of the West Seattle Junction Association tells WSB the location might change for the final one. Start time is expected around 9 pm for the July movies, 8:30 pm for August.
JULY 23 – “The Goonies”
JULY 30 – “The Never-Ending Story”
AUGUST 6 – “Encanto”
AUGUST 13 – “Coco”
AUGUST 20 – “Back to the Future”
Those were chosen from a list of 18 on which WSJA (as we also reported at the time) sought votes in March. No admission charge, bring your own chair; more details as it all gets closer.
Rather than grieving on the first anniversary of the fire that ravaged its community-owned building, Highland Park Improvement Club is throwing a party.
Next Saturday is June 25th, one year since the early-morning HPIC fire. That afternoon and evening, at nearby Riverview Playfield (7226 12th SW), HPIC is presenting Reset Fest, with live music, food, and fun for all ages. (So far the forecast looks promising – sunny and 70s.) It’s also a chance for you to see and hear about the plans for HPIC’s rebuild (here’s our most-recent report) – architect Matt Wittman will be there to present the design and answer questions. Plus, the celebration is a fundraiser as HPIC, a volunteer-run nonprofit organization, starts seeking what it’ll take to rebuild beyond the basic insurance coverage. Be at Riverview for the party between 2 pm and 7 pm next Saturday.
(WSB photos)
It’s a summer full of comebacks for events that went on pandemic hiatus. This weekend’s big return: The West Seattle Rock Club‘s annual Rock and Gem Show at Alki Masonic Hall (which is in The Junction at 40th/Edmunds). You can look at and learn about rocks and minerals of many sizes, shapes, and colors:
You’ll see items made from rocks, too – like the clothespins above! Admission is free, but if you have a few quarters, you can try your luck here:
The show continues until 5 pm today and again 10 am-5 pm on Sunday.
The weekend’s almost here and you have many options for how to spend it. If you haven’t already seen this one in the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar – here’s a reminder of one option for celebrating our greenspaces, sent by Judy Bentley:
On National Trails Day, Saturday, June 4, follow the water in the Puget Creek Watershed. Under the guidance of Steve Richmond, long-time advocate for restoring the health of Puget Creek, follow the creek from its origins near Puget Ridge Edible Park to its outlet into the Duwamish Waterway near the Duwamish Longhouse and Cultural Center. Part of this three-mile trail from ridge to river and back is standard gravel; other parts are unimproved social trails. Begin at the Puget Ridge Edible Park, 1899-1801 SW Brandon St, at 11 a.m. RSVPs welcomed at wdgtrails@gmail.com.
(WSB photo from 2019 Loop the ‘Lupe)
Even if you’re not registered yet, it’s not too late to get in on this year’s Loop the ‘Lupe, four events this Saturday (June 4th) at Walt Hundley Playfield (34th/Myrtle). For one, you can still register online – price goes up tonight at midnight. You can get a discount if you sign up for Loop the ‘Lupe AND July 23rd’s Float Dodger 5K (look for the bundling option here). Packet pickup is tomorrow, 4-6 pm at West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) for those who have registered by then – and your bib number will be good for a discount on shoes and running gear while you’re at WSR. You can also wait to get your packet on race day, and if you decide to wait until then to sign up, on-site registration starts at 10 am. (Event schedule: 11 am obstacle-course start, 11:45 am 5K, noon Senior Saunter, 1 pm Youth Dash.) One more thing – even if you’re not running/walking/etc., you are invited to the barbecue and beer garden – $4 burgers/hot dogs and $5 Georgetown beer), with live music from West Seattle School of Rock. You can also donate on-site to the Loop the ‘Lupe beneficiary, Our Lady of Guadalupe‘s community programs (explained here).
(Photo courtesy U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary)
Weekly tours of Alki Point Lighthouse are returning, as just announced by the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary! Last year, two tours were given, in September, after a tour-less 2020, so this is the first full season since 2019. Here’s the announcement:
The tours of Alki Point Lighthouse will be back this year! First day of the season is this Sunday, May 29th. First visitors enter the site at 1 p.m. Last tour begins at 3:45. The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary plans to provide tours every Sunday afternoon during the summer season through Labor Day weekend, pending availability of sufficient volunteer staffing. Tour updates will be published on Friday each week.
This year, in order to enhance safety and reduce crowding, the tour team is piloting a new system to manage the number of visitors in the lighthouse, in the tower and on site. No reservations are needed but there will be a sign up sheet at the gate on the day of the tour for visitors to sign up for a tour time slot for that afternoon. They may also be assigned a specific time to go up to the tower’s lantern room.
Visitors age six and up may climb to the lantern room at the top of the tower. All children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult while on the lighthouse site. Service animals are welcome, but no pets are allowed. For more information about the site and other visitor guidelines, go here.
Questions can be emailed to: alkilighthouseteam@gmail.com
The lighthouse is at 3201 Alki SW and has a long history you can read about here.
Three years after the last West Seattle Car Show, there’s a new event for showing off amazing automobiles.
West Seattle High School automotive-technology instructor Carmin Thomas sends word that they’re hosting a car show on June 11th – open to the public to enter, as well as to students. It’s non-competitive, so you won’t have to figure out what class you’re entering – just sign up and show up. The full version of the flyer has a QR code you can use. Entry fee is $5 for students, $10 for non-students. Even if you’re not interested in entering, you’re welcome to come look, 1-4 pm on Saturday, June 11th. The school is at 3000 California SW.
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