Seattle Twist

Provocative cartoonist Tony Millionaire will appear in Seattle at Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery on Saturday, January 7 from 6:00 to 9:00 PM for a book signing and art show. He’ll be exhibiting brilliantly sedate work from his new book 500 Portraits, recently released by Fantagraphics Books.

500 Portraits collects over two decades of work by the beloved creator of Drinky Crow’s Maakies, Sock Monkey and Billy Hazelnuts. Tony Millionaire’s gorgeous fountain pen illustrations, which combine naturalistic detail with strong doses of the fanciful and grotesque, include the famous (Bob Dylan), the infamous (Abu Ghraib soldier/model Lynndie England), the fictional (Yoda), the animal kingdom (a cockroach), and everything in between. Literary figures (Hemingway), literary characters (Don Quixote & Sancho Panza), Hollywood legends (Steven Spielberg), comics icons (Hergé, Daniel Clowes, Hernandez Brothers, etc.) and historical figures (Hitler) also figure prominently. Many of these 500 portraits were created for The Believer, the magazine founded by Dave Eggers that Millionaire helped define visually with images of interview subjects in every issue.

The artist will be present to sign copies of his many Fantagraphics titles as well as the recent Encyclopedia of Hell and other works. The bookstore is located at 1201 S. Vale St. in the heart of Seattle’s Georgetown art community. The evening will also feature the premiere of the short live-action film “Everybody Loves Drinky Crow” by Fantagraphics Bookstore curator Larry Reid.

Come celebrate the festive 5th anniversary of Fantagraphics Bookstore on Saturday, December 10 from 6:00 to 9:00 PM. Holiday cheer galore! Opening reception for “Playing Possum: The Pogo Art of Walt Kelly,” music by Sawsome (a female banjo and saw duet), complimentary refreshments, wandering Christmas carolers, and more!

We can hardly believe it’s been 5 years already. This wonderful experiment in promoting comix culture has been an amazing experience. Make plans to join us on this momentous occasion. The party coincides with the lively holiday edition of the Georgetown Art Attack with open art studios, exotic shopping, diverse dining and imbibing throughout the historic arts community.

We’re located at 1201 S. Vale Street (at Airport Way S.) only minutes from downtown Seattle. Open daily 11:30 to 8:00 PM, Sundays until 5:00 PM. Phone 206.658.0110.

Make your way to the Georgetown Art Attack and get into the holiday spirit with holiday spirits on Saturday, December 10. Dozens of artists will open their studios and Georgetown’s many inventive enterprises celebrate the season with colorful exhibitions, sales and special events. A group from Choir of the Sound will wonder through the historic neighborhood dispensing cheer in the form of traditional carols and secular holiday songs. Don’t miss this sensational seasonal urban outing from 6:00 to 9:00 PM.

Among the highlights: Fez-tivities at Georgetown Trailer Park Mall include a multimedia Fez-cast at the Trailer Park Cinema and bizarre holiday bazaars in vintage travel trailers throughout the park; The Firm features Crank-E-Joes: A Mechanical Engagement by Chris McMullen; Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery celebrates its 5th anniversary with “Playing Possum: The Pogo Art of Walt Kelly” featuring music by Sawsome; Georgetown Atelier is hosting its annual holiday party, featuring a small works painting sale, art by founder Tenaya Sims, and student work with food and refreshments provided; Miller School of Art presents a holiday show with nothing priced over $100; Sam Hamrick will be showcasing prints and cards at Full Throttle Bottles with a selection of hand made wine charms & champagne key chains by Erika Tedin; Over 40 fine artists at Equinox will host open studios with music and refreshments; Krab Jab Studio presents a holiday show with resident artists Mark Tedin, Milo Duke, Julie Baroh and artist-at-large Kyle Abernethy, featuring original art, unique gifts and holiday cheer; Keli, Roxanne, Denise and Janet invite the public to their inaugural event at the Roving Gallery in the old brewery complex; American Pie will display mixed media candy wrapper art by Eric Edwards; Calamity Jane’s mounts a photography exhibition by Cathleen Shattuck; The Nautilus Studio is having shows by painter Larkin and house artist Yvette Endrijautzki. Alluring dining, shopping, and imbibing opportunities abound in the enchanting industrial arts corridor.

The Georgetown Art Attack is a monthly promotion of the Georgetown Merchants Association. Visit www.georgetownmerchants.org. A printable participants map can be found at: www.georgetownartattack.com.

Adventurous art mavens will descend on Georgetown on Saturday, November 12 from 6:00 to 9:00 PM for the Georgetown Second Saturday Art Attack. Many area artists open their studios to the public for this monthly event, joined by the creative enterprises that support them. The diversity of visual and performing arts programming continues to distinguish Georgetown’s lively Art Attack.

Among the highlights of the November 12 installment: Paintings by Diana Pharaoh at Calamity Jane’s; Regional underwater photography by Tom Radio at the enchanting, nautically-themed Nautilus Studio; Landscape photography by Adria McGrath at American Pie; Krab Jab Studio presents “Lost and Found”, a collection of paintings by Amy Pleasant with additional art by Julie Baroh, Milo Duke, Mark Tedin, Kyle Abernethy, and jewelry by Beau Bond; Art at the Top of the Stairs features bronze sculpture by Louise McDowell and Donna Van Norman, watercolors by Eunice Nammacher, work by Sally Jones, and Evergreen Guardian Imports’ goods from Nepal including a collection of Thangkh paintings with music by Charlie Hiestand and friends; Georgetown Trailer Park Mall kicks off the holiday season with a live Fezzcast Dance Party, Outdoor Cinema, Drunky’s Barbecue and an eclectic preview of local designers in vintage travel trailers; All City Art presents “Bubble Yum” by Mary Enslow and “Art at a Steal” featuring small and affordable art by 9 Seattle artists at All City Coffee; Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery opens “Short Run,” an exhibition of small press publications and artwork by Max Clotfelter, Patrick Keck, Martine Workman, Elaine Lin, Jason T. Miles, Chris Cilla, Andrice Arp, Tim Root, Billis Helg, Marc Palm, Eroyn Franklin, Tom Van Deusen, Tim Miller, Tory Franklin, Jesse Reklaw, Sean Christensen, and Erin Tanner, curated by Kelly Froh; “Derek Bruno Does Work” display continues at The Firm; Georgetown arts activist Amanda Michele Dellinger offers “Heart of the Attack” guided tours at artsenabler@gmail.com.

The Georgetown Art Attack is a monthly promotion of the Georgetown Merchants Association. www.georgetownmerchants.org. A printable map of participants can be found at www.georgetownartattack.com.

Zombies Invade Seattle (~again) for ZomBcon the world’s premier Zombie Culture Convention returns to Seattle October 21 – 23 at the Seatac Hilton.

A few bites about of how the infection will spread:

• Thom Carnell ensures that No Flesh Shall Be Spared
• Carnell vs Popham Round 2: Who will survive and what will be left of them??
• The Makings of Super Hero Panel Featuring Phoenix Jones and Vampy Bitme

• Zombie Tools: Blade Runners for the Apocalypse
• The Last Stand: Party at Survivor City
• Getting to the heart of the infection with Zombie Autopsies
• Zombies are People too!

Are you prepared for the zombie apocalypse?

Even Playboy is talking about it:

The Northwest Chocolate Festival features the work of twenty bean to the bar craft chocolate makers. The NWCF is the largest gathering of true craft chocolate makers in North America, October 22-34 at Seattle  Center Northwest rooms.

A taste of what you will experience

• Learn about chocolate with presentations by award winning chocolate makers
• Crush cacao beans by hand using traditional tools
• Meet cacao farmers from Ecuador and Peru
• Learn to taste and distinguish fine chocolate from different origins around the world
• Taste and experience fresh cacao fruit direct from South America, a rare experience in the United States
• Discover the health benefits of chocolate
• Learn how to temper chocolate, make truffles and ganaches, and fine desserts
• Seduce your senses in the Aphrodisiac Room
• Expand your palate with chocolate and drink pairings

The amount of artisan chocolate makers gathering for this summit on fine craft chocolate is unprecedented and certainly exciting!

You will have the chance to taste chocolate as well as attend educational workshops and presentations in five of the Northwest Rooms at the Seattle Center. The festival features 16 hours of chocolate culinary demonstrations at the culinary kitchen in the Chocolate Dessert and Confection Room, two full days of talks on culture, trade equity and cocoa agriculture in the World of Chocolate Room.

They also offer the opportunity to enjoy wine, coffee, tea, and beer paired with chocolate in the Beer and Wine Garden.

Don’t miss out on the Aphrodisiac room to experience the sensual nature of chocolate and foods.

And don your mask and fancy ball gown for the Chocolate Masquerade Ball on Saturday night 8-12pm (21+)

http://www.nwchocolate.com/index.php/masquerade-ball

Don’t miss the October 8 installment of the Georgetown Second Saturday Art Attack. We welcome our newest neighbor Elysian Brewing as they host their annual Great Pumpkin Brew Festival at their new facility on Airport Way S. Over 50 flavors of pumpkin beer from area brewers will debut, including a batch from Georgetown Brewing. Can’t brew too much beer in our little arts community. Nosiree!

Elsewhere in Georgetown: Celebrate the season in the Georgetown Trailer Park of Terror with an outdoor cinema, indie art venues and live music by The Sweet Spots; the Nautilus presents sinister “Games of Pain and Sorrow” and other sculptures of organic materials by James Bassett with performances by Acep the Magician and Orryelle Bascule Defenestrate; legendary underground cartoonist Trina Robbins presents the work of illustrator Nell Brinkley at Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery; Calamity Jane’s displays intaglios by Inga Scheibel and mixed media by Kree Arvanitas; shadow boxes by Morbid Anatomy on view at American Pie; Krab Jab Studio hosts a Halloween show featuring artists Jeff Menges, Mark Tedin, Julie Baroh, Milo Duke, Morbid Anatomy, Luke Green, Yvette Endrijautski, Peter Pan, Amy Pleasant, RK Post, Sam Hamrick, Kyle Abernethy, Wendy Wees, and Beau Bond; the Georgetown Art & Cultural Center opens “New Clear,” a show curated by unique families of Seattle’s Joanna Hall featuring Lilly Warner, Joanna Hall, Justin Kane Elder, Karie Jane and Sam Mikolon with a live DJ; Deborah Scott’s “Waiting for Prince Charming” continues at All City Coffee; and “Does Work,” a site specific installation by Christopher Derek Bruno remains on view at The Firm. Our SoDo neighbors at the Sunny Arms are hosting “Art on Airport,” an all day open studio. Georgetown arts activist Amanda Michele Dellinger offers “Heart of the Attack” guided tours at artsenabler@gmail.com.

The Georgetown Art Attack is a monthly promotion of the Georgetown Merchants Association. See www.georgetownmerchants.org. For a map of participants visit: www.georgetownartattck.com. “Like” us on Facebook.

The twentieth anniversary of the landmark Nirvana album Nevermind is being marked in various ways around the world, including some events here in Seattle.

At EMP, you can see the show “Nirvana: Taking Punk to the Masses” which has the world’s most extensive exhibition of memorabilia celebrating the music and history of Nirvana, and featuring rare and unseen artifacts and photography from the band, their crews and families, will be open during the event. Open now through April 22, 2013.

Today and also again tomorrow, see a FREE screening of the documentary Classic Albums: Nirvana – Nevermind.

Directed by Bob Smeaton, this 70 minute documentary details how Nirvana came to record Nevermind and features exclusive interviews with the people involved in the project: Butch Vig, Dave Grohl, Krist Novoselic, Sub Pop’s Jonathan Poneman, Thurston Moore of Sonic Youth, Steve Diggle of The Buzzcocks, and many more.

Jacob McMurray, Senior Curator of EMP and creator of the Taking Punk to the Masses exhibition, is doing a book tour that will offer an insider’s look at the world’s first Nirvana exhibition and its companion book, Taking Punk to the Masses: From Nowhere to Nevermind. The last signing event in the Northwest will include a reading, commentary from McMurray, and an audience Q&A. This last appearance will be September 28, 2011 – 6:00 pm in the Pan Pacific Hotel Lobby.

Last week, there was a Benefit Show for Susie Tennant, an opportunity to experience Nirvana’s Nevermind LIVE as different Seattle groups perform every song on the album.

Performers included The Presidents of the United States of America, The Fastbacks, Krist Novoselic, Vaporland, Duff McKagan’s Loaded, The Long Winters, Visqueen, Valis (former Screaming Trees), Campfire OK, Champagne Champagne, Ravenna Woods, Crypts, TacocaT, Vendetta Red, and more.

The Fastbacks nailed it, Loaded didn’t disappoint, the President’s Chris Ballew crowd-surfed and almost put out an eye, Champagne Champagne were embarrassing and the Crypts almost got beat up after they ruined a bunch of equipment on stage.

After Nevermind there was an encore set of Nirvana songs played by artists including Young Fresh Fellows, Pigeonhed, Cobirds Unite, The Tripwires, Shelby Earl, Stag, SEACATS, Cali Giraffes, and Tom Price Desert Classic.

Seattle music-community celebrates 20th-anniversary of Nevermind by Gene Stout

Charles Peterson, Susan Silver and others who were there on CBS News (Video)

Seattle: It’s high time we chill out (Duff McKagen)

Krist Novoselic, Duff McKagan and More Pay Tribute to ‘Nevermind’ (Hannah Levin, Rolling Stone)

Nevermind tribute show celebrates Nirvana (Charles Cross)

September 13, 2011 – Seattle, WA. Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery welcomes two diverse professionals in the field of comix for an extraordinary event on Saturday, September 24 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. Editor and curator Warren Bernard will discuss cartoons in the service of commerce in connection with his new book and exhibition Drawing Power: A Compendium of Cartoon Advertising. He’ll be joined by provocative contemporary cartoonist and visual artist Tom Neely presenting his new graphic novel The Wolf.

Drawing Power examines the use of comic strip characters and cartoonists themselves as pitchmen for commercial goods beginning in the late 19th century. The colorful book and accompanying exhibition survey the American institution of cartoon advertising featuring comic strips, commercials, slogans, and merchandise employed to appeal to a broad range of consumers. Comics historian Warren Bernard has an extensive background researching and archiving material for important books, exhibitions, and institutions, including the Prints and Photographs Division of the Library of Congress. Bernard also serves as the Executive Director of the annual Small Press Expo (SPX) in Bethesda, MD.

Los Angeles artist Tom Neely will appear to read from and sign his new graphic novel, The Wolf. The book tells a simple love story, but one woven with surrealist horror, werewolf lore and its own brand of nightmare logic. With The Wolf, Neely progresses from the traditional cartooning style to a form that blends a fine arts approach to imagery. Neely’s paintings and illustrations have been featured in galleries, magazines and literary journals, as well as records, posters and CDs for bands like The Melvins, ISIS and Wolves in the Throne Room, among others. Earlier this year, he garnered attention as one of the authors of the cult hit mini-comic Henry & Glenn Forever. Neely’s self-published novel, The Blot, won an Ignatz Award in 2007 and made it onto several of the industry’s “best of” lists that year, including “Best Comics of the Decade” in The Comics Journal.

Listing information

Drawing Power exhibition reception and slide discussion with Warren Bernard
Special guest Tom Neely presenting The Wolf
Saturday, September 24, 6:00 to 8:00 PM.
Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery
1201 S. Vale Street (at Airport Way S.) Seattle 206.658.0110 www.fantagraphics.com
Open daily 11:30 to 8:00 PM, Sundays until 5:00 PM

The Aki Matsuri Festival (or “Fall Festival”) now in its 14th year, is a celebration of the rich cultural heritage of Japan and is presented yearly by the Eastside Nihon Matsuri Association (ENMA).

The Aki Matsuri festival will be on Bellevue College’s main campus this weekend

Saturday, September 10th (10:00am-6:00pm) and

Sunday September 11 (10:00am-4:30pm.)

Admission & parking are FREE!

The festival features several special events such as a leather artist, Kimono presentation, Mikoshi Gishiki (full scale Omikoshi from Tsubaki Grand Shrine of America) and Taiko drum presentations.  Bonsai, Taiko, and Japanese garden presentations as well as puppet shows.

Be sure to catch the West Cascade Puppet Brigade’s ‘The Inch-High Samurai’ a tale of a tiny young man who sets off in the world to find his fortune.  He proves to be braver and more clever than the largest and scariest of foes.

See ‘The Inch-High Samurai’ on

Saturday September 10th in the Carlson Theater at 12:30pm & 2:45pm

& Sunday September 11th in Room E129 at 1:45pm & 4:00pm.

Please note that the times and venues are not the same for each day.

ENMA (Eastside Nihon Matsuri Association) is a non-profit organization of volunteers who want to preserve and further the arts and crafts of Japan for the enjoyment of the greater Seattle community.

The Labor Day weekend, harbenger of the end of summer, brings North America’s largest urban arts festival, Bumbershoot to Seattle.

Now in the 41st year,  Bumbershoot is world renowned for showcasing musical talent.  And while there are a myriad of music choices, Bumbershoot by it’s very name is an umbrella of the arts (from the slang: bum•ber•shoot —n. informal An umbrella.)

So be sure not to miss:

The Magic Show at the Center Pavilion everyday from 11am-8pm, a multimedia exhibit that explores illusion, conjuring, levitation, and transformation.

Get your guns up with 2010 Stranger Genius Award winner Marya Sea Kaminski’s Bonnie and the Robberi, a collection of rock covers, original songs, and monologues that explore societal themes of women with firearms, love, and violence and is backed by the musical talents of Landlords Daughter.

Bumber by Number a fully interactive color by number show featuring some of Seattle’s favorite visual art talents and is curated by the beloved Marlow Harris & Jo David.  Pick up a veggie and join in the communal art creation.

Movies at SIFF Cinema and McCaw Hall feature projects: Films4Families, 48 Hour Film Project, Nerds Unite, and Animation for Adults, just to name a few.

Just in case you spend all your Bumbershoot days watching movies, seeing visual art shows, eating and shopping the vendor booths.  You can still catch a fabulous line up of musicians at Bumbershoot After Dark, a collaboration with Decibel, One Reel,  Seattle Center, & Kaos Theory.  This late night (10pm-4am) celebration at Exhibition Hall, features some of the most acclaimed electronic music performers and deejays.  Saturday brings the musical stylings of Craze, Claude Van Stroke, Jokers of the Scene, and The Dowlz. Sunday’s line-up is Z-Trip, Four Tet, and Dam Funk. Bumbershoot After Dark is boasting this collaboration “to be the most adventurous stage configuration that any of the organizations have ever produced throughout their 100+ years of collective experience.”

Be warned if you go to Bumbershoot expecting to get a glimpse of John Oates fabulous mustache, you will be disappointed.  It has only been seen once in the last 25 years: last year’s National Moustache Convention where he was a special guest.  

For a breakdown of all the Bumbershoot events & happenings check the official SCHEDULE. Hall & Oates take the Bumbershoot main stage on Monday.

The Georgetown Art Attack returns on Saturday, August 13 from 6:00 to 9:00 PM. This monthly event allows patrons to explore the creative industrial arts corridor as artists open their workspaces to visitors and Georgetown’s many creative enterprises turn up the heat.

Among the highlights: Trailer Park Cinema presents the 1961 classic “Door to Door Maniac” starring Johnny Cash and Little Ronnie Howard and ten independently curated vintage trailers full of vintage finds, local art & kustom goods at the Georgetown Trailer Park Mall; Augie Pagan’s “Peripheral Visions” at The Firm; Rat City Brass at 9 Lb. Hammer; Calamity Jane’s features paintings and drawings by Ken Hershenson; American Pie shows mixed media works by Yvette Endrijautzki and screen prints by Randal Hutchinson: the Nautilus studio presents the paintings of Robert Lane; Sage Artistry Studios proprietor Sherri Gamble invites the public to get their hands dirty with earth plaster finishes and experience other nature-inspired artistry through textiles, glass, and sculpture; Krab Jab Studio welcomes new artist Milo Duke with “Mercado Milo”, featuring portraits of produce with resident artists Michael Hoppe, Kyle Abernethy, Julie Baroh, Mark Tedin and Tenaya Sims; The Quiet Rrriot exhbition featuring Stella Marrs, Nikki McClure and Megan Kelso at Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery; grand opening of Tin Can Studio dance/art/event space in the Old Rainier Brewery building in neighboring SoDo; and the usual carousing that distinguishes the historic Georgetown neighborhood.

The Georgetown Art Attack is a monthly promotion of the Georgetown Merchants Association: www.georgetownmerchants.org. For a printable map visit www.georgetownartattack.com. “Like” us on Facebook for regular updates and images.

When you’re out and about on Saturday, stop by the Sidewalk Sale at Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery. We’ll join with Georgetown Records to offer a huge selection of comix and vintage vinyl at amazing discounts. Hard to find, out of print comic books by Fantagraphics favorites starting at 50 cents each. Love & Rockets collections for as little as 5 bucks. Crumb, Clowes, Bagge, Woodring, Millionaire and more at half price or less. Not to mention hundreds of classic punk, ska, exotica, psych, metal, and rat pack platters on sale at Georgetown Records. Rain or shine, 11:30 to 8:00 PM. Come in and check out “The Quiet Rrriot” exhibition featuring Nikki McClure, Megan Kelso, and Stella Marrs. Don’t miss out!

MadArt presents “Mad Homes” a dynamic art installation in 4 old homes that are slated for demolition on Capitol Hill. 11 artists create site specific installations, and the artists have used both the interior and the exterior of the homes to express their vision.

Artists Jason Puccinelli and Liz Potter have created this wonderful trompe l’oeil on the stairs that mirrors the image on the strange and wonderful floating orbs in the living room. Enter the darkened space to become one with the art yourself and explore Manet’s nude reclining Venus, “Olympia,” in a whole new manner.

Interactive, complex, and an invitation to become part of the art, Liz and Jason combine audio, video, light and sound to create an immersive and profound experience that borders on magic.

Artist Ryan Molecamp has the best view of the bunch with this installation in the back house overlooking downtown Seattle and the Space Needle. His piece, called “Strain”, is a large linear wall drawing depicting a river shape with structures emitting from its banks, and it wraps around the dining room and across the window. Wall sculptures of painted black wood extend outward blurring the line between interior and exterior space.

Meg Hartwig has created a sculpture using manufactured wood scraps and wood burning surface treatments, to create an imposing and slightly scary burnt wood installation.

Artist Julia Haack has created a subtle message re-using the house itself to create a symbol she believes to mean “No one at home”. The diamond pattern looks organic and only upon closer examination does one realize the complexity of the creation and the integration of the piece with the main part of the house. She also did another piece entitled Keating’s Foible (get out your old copy of Ayn Rand’s The Fountainhead from college to reference this one), and the shape of the large imposing sculpture, created out of old lathe, is taken from architectural details from several of the houses in the Mad Homes project. Julia is known for using material from roadsides, dumpsters and building sites, and all of her current work is made with salvaged wood.

Luke Haynes has reused and recycled 100′s of articles of clothing, some simple and others very unusual, to cover all the walls in one of the front houses. Like a graffiti artist, he’s tagged his own work with his name right above the fireplace.

And the mad woman behind the mad dream is arts supporter and curator, Alison Milliman, the founder of MadArt and the instigator behind this and several other art projects around town. Alison has been inspired by similar projects in Australia, and vowed to bring some vibrant shows to the Seattle area upon her return. Alison and the director Brian Ohno, hand-picked each artist after a visit to their studio, and carefully planned and orchestrated this incredible installation.

Here is an interview with MadArt founder, Alison Milliman, on King FM Arts Channel.