Seattle Twist

The Northwest Puppet Center is an internationally renowned and presents performances by Carter Family Marionettes and esteemed guest artists. In addition, it features a museum, archive and library focused on the puppetry arts. Programs are also brought to communities near and far with touring performances and educational outreach.

The Sixth Annual Elvis Tribute show at Conor Byrne on Jan. 9th, 2010 was a fun night of music and revelry showcasing a lineup of stellar musicians. Here’s a taste of the entertainment below, and click on the ALL VIDEOS link to see full videos of all performances.  - jodavid

ALL VIDEOS

ALL VIDEOS

Ladies and Gentlemen, Elvis has Left the building!!!

Check the sample videos below or

Link to ALL THE VIDEOS of the evening

- Dino Macris -

- Jim Dever -

Link to ALL THE VIDEOS of the evening

and

Link to the Official 2010 Seattle Invitationals website

Conveniently landing on a Saturday this year, December 5th marks the highpoint of the holiday season — the 76th anniversary of the ratification of the 21st Amendment and the repeal of Prohibition. Why not mark the occasion at one or two of Seattle’s oldest bars — establishments that have been around since the end of prohibition and sometimes longer? The Seattle area has a number of bars dating back to 1933 or 1934 (and earlier), and not all of them are in Pioneer Square or the Pike Place Market areas, or particularly well known.

Let’s begin with some historical sites that even many long-time locals tend to miss.

The Double Header – 407 2nd Ave – Bar since 1934

The Double Header bar, Seattle - This old painting, with its curiously foreshortened legs, is said to be one of the drag queens famous in the 30s and 40s.

Seattle now has the second largest LBGT community in the U.S., but relatively few people recognize that hidden behind an undistinguished dive exterior in Pioneer Square is a bar that once was the gay mecca of the west coast, and which has a solid claim to be the oldest continually running gay bar in the country. “Mecca” perhaps more aptly applied to the bar downstairs, the infamous “Casino” in the space currently occupied by Heavens nightclub, and the Double Header has not been dominated by gay patrons since gay culture shifted to Capitol Hill in the 70s. But it retains a mixed, if smaller, straighter, and more sedate crowd, and remains a silent testament to drag queens dancing on tables, the occasional fights between lesbians and visiting sailors, and celebrity visitors from Rudolph Nureyev to Johnny Ray to Margot Fonteyn to Tallulah Bankhead (who is said to have entered ringing a cowbell and shouting, “Avon calling all you beautiful mother ****ers!”

Here is a snippet from HistoryLink.org, which quotes from Paulson and Simpson’s “An evening at the Garden of Allah:”

In most cities, men were not allowed to dance together. The Casino paid Seattle policemen “protection money” and there men danced happily with other men. Nicknamed “Madame Peabody’s Dancing Academy for Young Ladies,” the Casino was considered the most open place for gays on the West Coast. Shortly after the Casino opened, a new patron, Vilma (1912-1993) visited the Pool Room. “Vilma,” one of Seattle’s “best known gay men,” arrived in Seattle in 1930. He worked in the Double Header Tavern, a gay bar, on the weekends until the illness that led to his death in 1993. He was interviewed in the early 1990s. Following is a description of his first visit:

“Two friends of mine [had] visited Seattle and raved about it. That’s all I heard, Seattle, Seattle, Seattle and this fabulous place called the Casino and all the neat kids there…. The Casino was the only place on the West Coast that was so open and free for gay people. But John [Delevitti] paid off the police; he was good at working the payoff system.”

More on Seattle’s oldest bars over the next few days.

The Double Header - The cowbell used for Tallulah Bankhead's dramatic entry

More information on the Double Header:
More photos from the Double Header
A list of Seattle’s oldest bars
A very informative book on the history of gay bars and culture in Seattle is An evening at the Garden of Allah: a gay cabaret in Seattle, by Don Paulson, Roger Simpson. Used copies are available on Amazon and a portion of the book is available online here Entertaining snippets of Double Header and Casino history, usually relying in large part of the Paulson’s work, can be found at SGN, historylink, historylink again and the Seattle PI.

Who doesn’t love a circus? Who doesn’t love freaks? Seattle’s own PURE Cirkus returns with freaks, suspensions, jello wrestlers and fire performers this Wednesday Nov. 25th at Heavens nightclub (the former Catwalk in Pioneer Square).

Advanced tickets and more info on the SST / PURE Cirkus Roadshow

Join this traditional Mexican celebration of life and death at the Phinney Center’s annual Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) parade and festival on Friday, November 6.

Start with the candlelight procession, which begins and ends at the Phinney Neighborhood Center, 6532 Phinney Ave N.  The procession will depart at 6:30 p.m. and return at 7:00pm.  Where you can participate in the community altar, enjoy poetry,  live music, hot chocolate, craft activities, and more.

The Phinney Center Dia de los Muertos art show will be on view through the month of November and features works by Dreama Blankenbeckler, Pedro De Valdivia, Amaranta Ibarra-Sandys, Reagan Jackson, Jena Marks, Debbie McGibbon, Elisha Miller, and Lincoln Skrypeck.

Costumed participants at the Phinney Center's Dia de los Muertos Celebration

In Mexico, El Día de los Muertos is a festive and family-centered event, traditionally held on Nov. 1st (Day of the Little Angels) and 2nd (Day of the Dead or all Soul’s Day in Christian tradition).  Día de los Muertos celebrations emphasize life and death as part of the same cycle and regard death on friendly and intimate terms.  According to beliefs rooted in pre-Columbian traditions, on Dia de los Muertos, the veil between life and death is at its thinnest and the dead can be lured back to us through the scent of marigolds and the temptation of offerings of favorite food and drink.

In certain parts of Mexico, an important facet of this celebration is the ofrenda, or personal altar, built both in family homes and/or over the graves of loved ones. Traditionally, photographs of the dead at are the altar center, around which are placed offerings of food, drink, candles, flowers, sugar skulls, and personal mementoes. All these items are presented in beautiful displays to honor the returning souls.

Call (206) 783-2244 for more information.

For a detail of the evenings events go to: http://www.phinneycenter.org/events/dayodead.shtm

EN ESPAÑOL:

Venga y acompañe la celebración tradicional mexicana de la vida y la muerte con el Phinney Neighborhood Association (PNA) en una procesión y festival el viernes 6 de noviembre 2009. Los festejos empezarán con una procesión a la luz de las velas, que partirá a las 6:30 pm, y terminará de regreso a las 7pm en el PNA, que se localiza en el 6532 Phinney Ave N. Todos son bienvenidos a participar en el altar comunitario y a disfrutar de música en vivo, chocolate caliente, actividades de arte y más.

En México el día de los muertos es un evento alegre y enfocado en la familia. Tradicionalmente, el 1 de Noviembre es el Día de los pequeños ángeles y el 2 de Noviembre es el Día de los muertos o Día de todas las almas en la tradición cristiana.

La celebración del día de los muertos enfatiza que la vida y la muerte son parte del mismo ciclo y contempla la muerte en condiciones amables e íntimas. Según creencias, con principios en tradiciones pre-Colombinas, en el día de los muertos, el velo entre la vida y la muerte es tan delgado que los muertos pueden ser atraídos de nuevo a los vivos por los aromas de incienso y la tentación de ofrendas de comidas y bebidas favoritas.

En algunas partes de México, una parte muy importante de esta celebración es la ofrenda o altar personal construido en casas familiares y/o sobre sepultura del muerto amado. Tradicionalmente, se colocan fotografías de los muertos en el centro del altar, rodeadas por ofrendas de comida, bebida, velas, flores, calaveras de azúcar y recuerdos personales. Todas estas cosas son presentadas de una forma muy vistosa y colorida para honrar las almas visitantes.

Damos la gracias al City of Seattle Office of Arts and Cultural Affairs y el Washington State Arts Commission por su apoyo, ya que han hecho posible la continuación de la celebración de este importante evento tradicional.

Llame al (206) 783-2244 para mayor información.

Trolloween is the Birthday celebration for Seattle’s famous Fremont Troll.

October 31st is the Trolls 20th Birthday!

It is held on his Birthday October 31st at 7pm sharp.
The celebration  starts with the Troll under the Aurora Bridge (Troll Ave & N 36th St), as he loves a good laugh and a great story.   Then revelers will be off for the annual Haunt of Fremont (a procession of costumed dancers & performers (& you) taking over the streets of Fremont.)

This 20th anniversary of the birth of the Fremont Troll, you’ll be experiencing the tale of  Dante’s Inferno. Many seasoned artists and performers will present their twisted and whacky version of this dark tale, known to us as: ‘Just a little lover’s spat ~ honey’.

Rain or dry, revelers will sing, dance, marvel, and laugh their way through the dark underbelly of Dante and Fremont.   This is an unsweetened and piquant family event with plenty of fun to scare the laughs out of any stoic kid or stogy adult.

Vamola

Come dressed as your favorite dead celebrity and take part in our costume walk across the final stage, under the Fremont Bridge, for the appreciation of your community.

If you can lend a hand to help pull off this fabulous piece of street theater, meet by the Troll at 6:30pm & check in with the volunteer coordinator to get a job.

p.s. Find your place in hell by taking this quiz: http://www.4degreez.com/misc/dante-inferno-test.mv

Last week I had the pleasure of being a guest at Seattle Opera’s production of La Traviata at McCaw Hall. I was invited by my friend Becky Kowals, a talented pianist who is also the Leadership Gifts Manager at the Seattle Opera and Mary Kaufman-Cranney, the Director of Development.

We started out the evening at the Seattle Opera’s first floor restaurant Prelude. I had wanted to visit and eat there since it had opened but had not had the opportunity. The last time I had season tickets was in the early 80′s when Glynn Ross was director and though I had been a few times since (I recall seeing Pelléas et Mélisande in the early 90′s with sets designed by Dale Chihuly!), I had not attended since the restaurant opened lat year.

I was surprised at how large the restaurant was, with table after white-clothed table lined in strict orderly rows, broken up with one long communal table down the middle. There were 6 in our party and the service was efficient without the feeling that we were being rushed, even though the staff was trying to get everyone fed and out the door for the 7:30 performance. Several of us ordered some small plates of Fall Mushroom Tart and Watercress and Frisee salad with beets, and I had the Rosemary Encrusted Leg of Lamb which was small, but delicious. I also heard rave reviews about the Roasted Chicken with olives, prunes and cous cous.

After dinner, we made our way to a box seat to watch the first opera of the 2009/2010 season, La Traviata.

The opera opens on a large party setting at Violetta’s house in Paris.
Violetta is a courtesan but gives up her life when she meets Alfredo. I read the synopsis, but thank goodness for the high-tech subtitles projected above the singers. It really was beautiful and I especially enjoyed being able to see into the pit and be able to watch the musicians as they played.

The opera set was lovely, the costumes lavish, and it really was a beautiful production. The opera was written in 1853 so I suppose it’s unfair to judge the story based on contemporary mores, but still…. it’s hard to watch without thinking how Violetta was a victim of her time. Unable to make a living doing anything else, she had to rely upon the kindness of men who would take care of her. When she falls in love to a poor man, she has to sacrifice all she owns for him and sell her possession, then she has to sacrifice her love to keep his family respectable so his sister can get married.

I have to admit I shed a few tears for beautiful and tragic Violetta. I am so glad I went and I know I will go to the Seattle Opera again. Performances are throughout this and next week, with the last performance on October 31st. After La Traviata, you can see Il Trovatore, Falstaff and Amelia and buy tickets online at the Seattle Opera website.

Thanks to Becky, Mary and the Seattle Opera for a wonderful evening of musical entertainment.

What, me study? Not this Saturday, when Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery hosts a storewide sale! Get 20% to 50% off cover price on cool comix, graphic novels, and awesome art books. Lots of gorgeous new books by Fantagraphics favorites as well as some pleasant new surprises. And you’ll get a chance to see the critically acclaimed exhibition “Comics Savants: A Survey of Seattle Alternative Cartoonists” featuring local legends like Jim Woodring, Peter Bagge, Ellen Forney, Charles Burns, Jim Blanchard and others.

Drop by for major bargains all day Saturday, September 12. And join us between 6:00 and 9:00 PM for the lively Georgetown Second Saturday Art Attack with visual and performing arts presentations throughout the historic neighborhood. (Then meander up to Capital Hill to see Rhea, Eric & Adam play with Fox Hallow at the Wildrose.)

Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery is located at 1201 S. Vale St. (at Airport Way S.) only minutes south of downtown. Open daily 11:30 to 8:00 PM, Sundays until 5:00. Phone 206. 658.0110.

August 4, 2009 – Seattle, WA. The notorious Georgetown Art Attack returns to action on Saturday, August 8 from 6:00 to 9:00 PM. This festive monthly event draws attention to one of Seattle’s few remaining art communities with challenging visual and performing arts presentations as well as unique dining, drinking, and shopping opportunities throughout the historic neighborhood.

The August 8 installment of the Georgetown Art Attack includes: “CB” a photography exhibition exploring the culture of the café racer motorcycle by Jaime Forero at Smarty Pants; a special display of Tina Randolph’s large-scale linocut print recently produced during the Flat Stanley Steamroller Print Initiative in Georgetown at Frida/Georgetown Tile Works; “Comics Savants: A Survey of Seattle Alternative Cartoonists” celebrating 20 years of Fantagraphics Books’ presence in the region featuring Peter Bagge, Jim Blanchard, Charles Burns, Ellen Forney, Roberta Gregory, Ted Jouflas, Megan Kelso, David Lasky, Jason T. Miles, Patrick Moriarity, Eric Reynolds, Jim Woodring, and introducing Eroyn Franklin at Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery; Recent works by Georgetown painter Tyler Kohat at All City Coffee; West Coast punk rawk show with Koalacaust from Santa Cruz, Joyce Manor from Long Beach, Tacoma’s Premise Beach, and Jason Clackley of Seattle at Squid & Ink; and the usual spontaneous mirth and merriment we’ve come expect during the Art Attack.

Additional information and map at: www.georgetownartattack

July 29, 2009 – SEATTLE, WA. Since relocating to Seattle from Southern California 20 years ago, Fantagraphics Books has remained committed to nurturing and promoting the diverse practitioners of alternative comics in the Northwest. The country’s most successful purveyor of challenging comics routinely employs local cartoonists and publishes the work of regional artists which has contributed to Seattle’s international reputation as the unrivaled center of alternative comics. To celebrate this association, Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery presents “Comics Savants: A Survey of Seattle Alternative Cartoonists” opening Saturday, August 8.

This exhibition will feature over a dozen emerging and established artists, including many of the most accomplished cartoonists in the alternative movement. Among them: Peter Bagge, who coined the term “alternative comics” in 1990 and as the highly-regarded creator of the phenomenal HATE comic book series attracted dozens of young cartoonists to the city during the 90s decade; Seattle native Charles Burns, whose teen years are fictionalized in his amazing graphic novel BLACK HOLE, soon to be a motion picture directed by David Fincher; Visionary artist Jim Woodring, one of only a handful of cartoonists to be embraced by the fine art world, having been awarded the United States Artist Fellowship in 2007 and a 2009 Art Trust Washington State Artists Fellowship, who will exhibit work from his forthcoming graphic novel WEATHERCRAFT; Ellen Forney, whose collaboration with local author Sherman Alexie won the prestigious 2008 National Book Award; David Lasky who will exhibit pages from his collaboration with Seattle writer Chris Estey “The Last Testament” from HOTWIRE #2; Second wave Seattle alternative cartoonist Megan Kelso; emerging artist Eroyn Franklin, who will exhibit hand cut pages from her Xeric award winning graphic novel ANOTHER GLORIOUS DAY AT THE NOTHING FACTORY; current and former Fantagraphics Books staffers Jim Blanchard, Roberta Gregory, Patrick Moriarity; Ted Jouflas; Jason T. Miles and Eric Reynolds.

In addition to the display of original artworks, an eclectic array of comics and graphic novels by exhibiting artists will be available. Many featured artists will attend the opening reception of Saturday, August 8 from 6:00 to 9:00 PM. Fantagraphics Bookstore & Gallery is located at 1201 S. Vale St. (at Airport Way S.) only minutes south of downtown. This event coincides with the colorful Georgetown Second Saturday Art Attack featuring exciting visual and performing arts presentations in close proximity throughout the historic artists’ enclave.

Photo by Thomas Okeefe

Seattlest had a great post “Life on the Duwamish”,  about the elephant in the living room of Seattle, the Duwamish River.  This river, which runs directly through the belly of Seattle to dump into Elliot Bay has been declared a toxic Super Fund site by the Environmental Protection Agency.  If you happen to be in a kayak and fall in the river, you need to immediately find a place to rinse off or shower, as the river is contaminated with  PCB’s, PAH’s, mercury and phthalates.  Yikes!

The article made me remember the The Living Barge Project which was a large-scale, temporary public art installation by artists Sarah Kavage and Nicole Kistler that was moored on Seattle’s Duwamish River during April 2006. An industrial barge was filled with native plants, creating a temporary floating island full of ferns, shrubs and tree seedlings. At the end of the project, volunteers planted the plants from the Living Barge at Cesar Chavez Park in South Park.

You can view some great photos of the The Living Barge on photographer Mark Sullo’s blog Lovely Water Parade.

More great photos on Dan Bennett’s blog

Wikipedia on Artificial Islands

Vital 5’s Island Project in Seattle

Many people don’t know that Harbor Island in Seattle was, for awhile, the world’s largest artificial island. It appears that it is now second to Rokko Island in Kobe harbor in Japan.