Wanna dance? Wanna have fun? Wanna feel good about doing something great for others? Well, dernit, head on down to Highway 99 Blues club this Friday, Dec. 2  for our Rockin Tiki Toys for Tots! Wear your best Hawaiian garb, and be prepared for some great music, hula dancing by Essie Charm, and a burlesque act you are gonna love by Miss Kitty Baby!!! Bring a new unwrapped toy to donate! Bring a few dollars to buy Raffle tickets, lots of prizes including tiki mugs, tattoo certificates, DVDs, Sailor Jerry goodies, etc!!! Head on over to the Highway 99 website http://www.highwayninetynine.com/ and make your reservations now! Go early if you want to get yourself some vittles before the show, they have great food!

Photo by Gabriel Bienczycki

High-falutin’ cabaret from actual classically-trained dancers instead of lap-dancin’ floozies at The Variety Show, a mash up of original, short, unusual new pieces featuring some of Seattle’s finest dancers, choreographers and variety artists, and you can see it this weekend at the ACT Theatre. Here are the details:

700 Union Street in Downtown Seattle
Buy tickets at 206.292.7676 or acttheatre.org/TheVarietyShow

Thursday, April 28 – 7:30 PM
Friday, April 29 – 7:30 PM
Friday, April 29 – 10:00 PM
Saturday, April 30 – 7:30 PM
Saturday, April 30 – 10:00 PM

It draws inspiration from sources as diverse as old television game shows, supper club floor shows and European cabaret, with contemporary winks to CBS’s Ed Sullivan and Dada’s Tristan Tzara. A dazzling array of short and very-short works features the choreography of Donald Byrd and up-and-comers Catherine Cabeen, Timothy Lynch, Eva Stone and Ezra Dickenson. The evening’s emcees are the irrepressible Cherdonna and Lou. Each show is slightly different than the last, with surprises, games and contests, and – special to the 10:00 shows – The G.O.N.G. Show; a dance contest judged by a merciless panel of local luminaries (Jodavid and I included!) which will yield to the winner

The B-Stars began in late 2005 when Greg Yanito moved from his native Ohio roots to San Francisco and teamed up with upright bassist Eric Reedy to dust off old forgotten hillbilly songs. In the process, Mikiya Matsuda and Billy “JL” Zelinski jumped on board, and the band began to bring to life original material that not only tells a story, but sits comfortably right alongside the country music from the middle of the 20th Century. With two strong songwriters and a a few generations worth of musical experience, The B-Stars started off on a mission to get the dance floors jumpin’ with that western boogie beat. What has come out of that mission straddles the line between jazz and country western music pioneered by the likes of Lefty Frizzell, Carl Smith, Hank Penny, Tommy Duncan, Bob Wills, and of course the great Hank Williams Sr.

The current lineup features two lead vocalists, acoustic rhythm guitar, steel and electric guitar, a slappin’ gut stringed upright bass, and a swingin’ drummer, to establish a minimal but complete country combo. With a debut album produced by Lee Jeffriess, the steel guitar master behind Big Sandy & His Fly-Rite Boys, and three consecutive appearances at Viva Las Vegas, The B-Stars have begun to establish an international audience that just can’t get enough of that hillbilly beat!
Come down to Highway 99 and cut a rug with 3 Great bands! The B-Stars from San Francisco, Petunia and the Vipers from Vancouver BC and Seattle’s own Roy Kay Combo. Put on your dancing shoes! Please be sure to make table reservations by contacting Highway 99 here http://highway99blues.com/index.php?option=com_extcalendar&Itemid=41

Toys For Tots Benefit  Saturday, Dec 11  

            Bring a New, Unwrapped Toy for our toy collection.
Music by Marshall Scott Warner & THE BLACK CRABS
Burlesque by Emerald Dollies
Hosting by Sweetpea, Kitty Baby & The Pinup Angels

Raffle Prizes! Drink Specials! RJB Photo Booth!

CHRISTMAS CUTIE PINUP CONTEST: Anything goes! Christmas Cutie, Naughty Elf, Mrs. Clause, Mistress Clause, Drunk Santa. ALL are welcome. NO PRE-REGISTRATION NEEDED. Just show up cute! No dressing room will be provided. Contest will be held maybe 11pm-ish, depending on how the night goes. Prizes TBA. 

Also, we are still accepting prizes for our raffle drawings. If you would like to donate goods, or services, please email sweetpea0821@yahoo.com, and I will get you in touch with the Pinup Angels that are organizing the event.  Thanks!

Saturday, September 25th – Join Seattle Parks Foundation as they celebrate the dedication of Lake Union Park with The Center for Wooden Boats, Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI), The United Indians of All Tribes Foundation, and Seattle Parks and Recreation.

* Musical performances on two Stages
* Model boat races in the new Model Boat Pond
* Native American canoe displays, paddle songs and traditional salmon barbeque
* Great Seattle Food vendors, root beer garden and Farmer’s Market
* Environmental education and history trail tours
* Fitness Field, paddling and sailing demonstrations – participation encouraged!
* Parade of Seattle mascots, children’s activities and much more!

WHAT TO KNOW TO GO:

* ADMISSION: FREE and open to the public!

* PARKING: If you arrive by car, there is limited pay parking available in the surrounding neighborhood.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:

7:00am / GRAND OPENING OF LAKE UNION PARK BEGINS

11:30am-12:00pm / OPENING CEREMONY/RIBBON CUTTING (Main Stage)

Music on Two Stages:
7:00am-8:00am / Qin (Main Stage) – Traditional Chinese Music
8:15am-8:45am / Taiko Drumming (Main Stage) – by One World Taiko
9:05am-10:15am / Hank Cramer (Main Stage) – Maritime Music
10:30am-11:15am / Recess Monkeys (Main Stage) – Rock / Folk / Pop for Kids & Families
10:30am-11:30am / The Whateverly Brothers (Marina Stage) – Maritime Music
12:00pm-12:30pm / the Git-Hoan (people of the Salmon) (Main Stage) – Dance Group
11:50am-12:50pm / Raggedy Anns (Marina Stage) – Indie Rock / Bluegrass / Rockabilly
12:50pm-1:30pm / The Seattle Opera (Main Stage)
1:10pm-2:10pm / The Pharmacy (Marina Stage) – Punk Rock
1:50pm-2:50pm / Massive Monkees (Main Stage) – World Famous Breakdance
2:40pm-3:40pm / Pint ‘N Dale (Marina Stage) – Maritime Music
3:10pm-4:10pm / Tallboys + Square Dancing (Main Stage) – Bluegrass
4:00pm-5:00pm / Why I Must Be Careful (Marina Stage) – Improvisational Jazz
4:30pm-5:30pm / John Proulx (Main Stage) – Jazz Vocalist / Pianist
5:20pm-6:20pm / Sasson (Marina Stage) – Seattle Klezmer Band
5:50pm-7:00pm / Kay Kay and the Weathered Underground (Main Stage) – Indie Rock/ Psychedelic Pop

Activities on the Water:
7:00am-7:15pm / Native Canoe Display – by United Indians of All Tribes Foundation
9:00am-1:00pm / Dragon Boats with drummers – by Seattle Flying Dragon Boat Club
10:00am-11:00am / Canoe paddling protocol – by United Indians of All Tribes Foundation
10:00am-4:00pm / Paddle Board Demonstrations – by REI
10:00am-7:00pm / Model Boat Pond Demonstrations – by Center for Wooden Boats
10:00am-7:00pm / Seaplane Demonstrations – by Kenmore Air
12:30pm-5:30pm / Boat Rides – by Center for Wooden Boats
10:00am-6:00am / Arthur Foss tours and Tug Boat Storytime – by NW SeaPort
9:00am-4:00am / The Adventuress tours and environmental education stations – by Sound Experience
5:00pm-5:05pm / Horn Sound Off – by Virginia V and other boats

Family Friendly Activities:
7:00am-7:15pm / Bike Valet Parking – by Salal Credit Union
7:00am-5:00pm / History Coloring Sheets/Activities – by Discovery Modelers
7:00am-5:00pm / Youth Maritime Kids Activities – by Puget Sound Maritime
7:00am-7:15pm / Bicycle Spin Art – by The Adventure School
7:00am-7:15pm / Toy Boat Building – by Center for Wooden Boats
7:00am-7:15pm / History Trail Tours – by MOHAI
7:00am-7:15pm / Kid Zone – Large bubbles, face painters, crafts
7:00am-4:00pm / Parade Crafting Booth (Kid Zone)
10:00am-4:00am / Native Plant Potting – by Puget Sound Energy
12:00pm-7:00pm / Andrew Evans – Roving Magician
12:00pm-7:00pm / Story Telling – by United Indians of All Tribes Foundation
12:30pm-1:00pm / Women’s Right To Vote – MOHAI
1:00pm-2:00pm / Bubbleman performance (Kid Zone)
1:30pm-2:00pm / Women’s Right To Vote – by MOHAI
2:00pm-2:20pm / Puppet Show (Kid Zone) – by Heidi Pendergast and TWIG Theatre
4:00pm-4:30pm / Seattle Mascot Parade – by Safeco Insurance
6:00pm-6:45pm / All Ages Dance (Gala Tent near the Armory) by DJ Kristina Childs (Founding Director of Decibel Festival)

Activities on the Fitness Field:
7:00am-8:00am / Tai Chi (Fitness Field) – by Wudang Mountain Institute
8:00am-9:00am / Athletes Stretching (Fitness Field) – by Be Luminous
9:00am-10:00am / Hatha Yoga (Fitness Field) – by Taj Yoga
10:00am-11:00am / Kids Fun Run start (Fitness Field) – by Total Health Events
11:00am-12:00pm / High Energy Conditioning (Fitness Field) – by Seattle Strength Conditioning
12:00pm-1:00pm / African Dancing (Fitness Field)
1:00pm-2:00pm / Flow Yoga (Fitness Field) – by Be Luminous
2:00pm-3:00pm / Zumba (Fitness Field)
3:00pm-4:00pm / High Energy Conditioning (Fitness Field) – by Seattle Strength and Performance
4:00pm-5:00pm / Hula Hoop Yoga (Fitness Field) – by Taj Yoga
5:00pm-6:00pm / Brazilian Dance (Fitness Field) by Bahia in Motion
6:00pm-7:00pm / Laughter Yoga (Fitness Field) by 8 Limbs Yoga

Featured Food:
7:00am-11:30am / Breakfast on Board the Virginia V; Pastries $1
7:00am-7:15pm / Farmers Market Opens – by Cascade Farmer’s Market
7:00am-7:15pm / Kettle Corn – by Dragon’s Kettle Corn
7:00am-7:15pm / Root Beer Garden – by Seattle Parks Foundation
9:00am-7:00pm / Skillet Street Food serves breakfast/lunch/dinner
11:00am-7:00pm / Ivar’s Seafood opens for business
11:00am-7:00pm / Johnsonville Sausages opens for business
12:00pm-7:00pm / Salmon Bake – by United Indians of All Tribes Foundation
12:00pm-7:00pm / Molly Moon’s Homemade Ice Cream Truck

Come explore our communities deep connections with Japan and celebrate Japan’s rich cultural heritage. From the booms of taiko drums to the silence of ikebana flowers, the event is a feast for the senses.  Delicious Japanese food, demontrations on martial arts, tea ceremony, Ikebana, kimono workshops & demonstrations, and artwork and many other culturally relevant events, present both a modern and ancient view of this complex culture.  A celebration of presented by the Eastside Nihon Matsuri Association (ENMA)

Shrine parade

Events are going on throughout the day, both days.

A full-scale Omikoshi from Tsubaki Grand Shrine of America will be on display during the two-day events. From 12:30 pm on September 11 (Saturday), there will be a Shinto ceremony to purify the Omikoshi followed by the Omikoshi procession in the campus courtyards. Matsuri visitors are welcome to join in!

Inch High Samurai, Big Scary Oni (monster)

Be sure not to miss the West Cascade Puppet Brigade’s premier of the Inch High Samurai puppet show at 11:00am & 1:45pm both days.

Admission and parking are FREE!

(Please note that some workshops/lectures/seminar require registration and fee.)

Bellevue College Main Campus [directions]
3000 Landerholm Circle SE, Bellevue, WA 98007
G (Gymnasium), C-Building, E-Bldg, and R-Building [campus map]

Saturday, September 11 (10 a.m. – 6 p.m.) and
Sunday, September 12 (10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.), 2010

House of Thee UnHoly Returns!!!

And how auspicious to be opening on The Autumnal Equinox with a Spectacular Full Moon in Aries!

The Swedish Housewife Present:

House of Thee UnHoly includes 13 Dancers,3 Singers and 5 Musicians who take you on a 90 minute epic psychedelic 70?s trip down memory lane of nonstop Sex! Drugs! And Rock & Roll!! That will leave you dazed, confused and ecstatic! This collaborative production draws from a kaleidoscopic disciplinary range of virtuoso actors, singers, musicians, and talented modern, ballet and burlesque dancers.  The incredibly accomplished cast of 21 vanguard contributors each bring unique magic to this landmark Rock-lesque extravaganza where Righteous Rock meets Busby Berkeley and Benny Hill . Now in it’s 4th year!!!

Dancers- Waxie Moon, Lily Verlaine, Miss Indigo Blue, Miss Inga Ingenue, Lou Henry Hoover, Heidi Von Haught, Polly Wood, Leroi The Girl Boi- NYC, Gerard Delacroix, Douglas Ridings, Paris Original, Lydia McLane our “Living Loving Maid” and The Swedish Housewife

Sirens on Thee Rocks -  Sarah Rudinoff, Nick Garrison, Jen Ayers

Thee Mighty Arms of Thor- Darren Loucas Lead – Guitar & Harmonica, Andy Stoller – Bass, Charlie Lorme – Drums, Ryan Burns – Keyboards, Paul Fisher – Rhythm Guitar

“Broadway Level Burlesque”  – The Seattle Weekly
Five shows  performed over three days –

Dates and Times :  September 23, 8PM  17+ / September 24 & 25 , 7:30 17+ & 10PM 21+

Tickets: $25 Advance/ $28 Day of
Tickets Online
Box Office: 206-838-4333

The Triple Door

216 Union Street

Seattle WA

Visit www.swedishhousewife.com for more info

Come on down to the Tractor Tavern, August 20 for Sweetpea’s Birthday Shindig! Bring $6 to get in, some money for your favorite beverage, and a buck or two to put in my donation jar for www.purrfectpals.org if you can’t make it but want to donate anyway, please feel free to go to the purrfectpals.org site, or any other animal rescue site of your choice. Hope to see you there!

Fantagraphics Bookstore curator Larry Reid created a demonic chainsaw-powered racer fashioned from an autographed 1991 Daniel Clowes-designed Corey O’Brian Santa Cruz skateboard.


Come cheer for racers (just don’t get too close), see dozens of bands (featuring Fantagraphics favorites the Tom Price Desert Classic right outside the bookstore), art exhibitions (including Megan Kelso’s wonderful new work inside the store), carnival games, aerial acts, food, drinks, and a special appearance by demented actor/comedian/filmmaker Bobcat Goldthwait. It’s all FREE!

More info here on the official ARTOPIA site.