Events Archives - The NW Facts Newspaper

Neighborhood & Community Arts grant

August 29, 2018 by NWFacts Leave a Comment

Seattle offers an extraordinary array of arts and cultural events throughout its diverse neighborhoods and communities. The Office of Arts & Culture’s Neighborhood & Community Arts (NCA) Program supports creativity at a grassroots level by investing in recurring festivals or events that promote arts and cultural participation, celebrate diversity, build community connections, and enhance the visibility of neighborhoods through arts and culture.

Program Overview Workshops

Tuesday, August 28, 5:30-7:00pm
Douglass Truth Library 2300 E Yesler Way, Seattle, WA 98122
RSVP Here

Thursday, September 6, 5:30-7:00pm
Northgate Library 10548 5^th Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98125
RSVP Here

Saturday, September 8, 11:00am-12:30pm
Southwest Branch Library 9010 35th Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98126
RSVP Here

Saturday, October 6, 11:00am-12:30pm
Rainier Beach Library 9125 Rainier Ave S, Seattle, WA 98118
RSVP Here

Northwest Craft Spirit Festival at Mt. Hood Meadows September 1

August 25, 2018 by NWFacts Leave a Comment

Mt. Hood Meadows presents the first annual Northwest Craft Spirit Festival Saturday, September 1. Five local distilleries will be on hand to pour samples of their spirits, and serve up cocktail demonstrations. The festival runs from 1 – 5 PM and features the music of Jenny Lee and the Menagerie. The Spirits Festival will be held outdoors on our Sun Deck, in full view of Mt. Hood. The scenic chair will also be running, inspiring those attending to take some hikes as well. There will be games on the deck and the Schuss Café will be open for those who would like to dine.

In the “BarSmarts Advanced” handbook by David Wondrich, Dale DeGroff, and Paul Pacult, the term “spirits” for alcohol is attributed to Aristotle. “Aristotle wrote about this process in 327 B.C., but we have no proof that his fellow Greeks distilled spirits on any significant volume level,” the handbook reads. “Nonetheless, he was the one who gave the name of ‘spirit’ to the product of distillation. He thought drinking a distilled beer or wine put ‘spirits’ into the body of the drinker.”

Alchemists in the Middle East were the first to master distillation. They weren’t only trying to find gold, either. They were also trying to make medical elixirs. To do so, they would distill liquid, collect the vapor, and gather the “spirit” that came off the material.

The Northwest Craft Spirit Festival is $15 at the door, or $12 if purchased online in advance (at http://www.skihood.com). Meadows also offers overnight RV Parking that evening for self-contained vehicles that can be reserved online for $12 (or $15 day of).

Distillers attending include:

44 North
Big Gin
Trails End
Clear Creek
Hood River Distillers with Double Mountain Hopped Whiskey

Meadows offers scenic chair ride and hiking experiences from 10 AM – 4 PM Thursdays through Sundays, and until sunset on Saturdays. The last day of the summer season will be Labor Day.

Teen Summer Musical performances will take place at Benaroya Hall August 16 through 19

August 9, 2018 by NWFacts Leave a Comment

Seattle Parks and Recreation, the Seattle Office of Arts & Culture, Atlantic Street Center, and Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute, along with the financial support of Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, are proud to present the annual Teen Summer Musical, Cinderella “A love story with the sound of Motown.”

The summer musical is an opportunity for local teens to perform on the big stage while learning the business side of theater operations. It allows them to connect, communicate and exchange ideas with youth from other backgrounds and cultures. Summer musical participants earn a stipend for rehearsals and performance during this 9-week summer program. The teen summer musical theater experience is just one more way to captivate our youth while they are in the “hope stage” of their development into young adults.

The program, which attracts dozens of teens of color, provides an introduction to the world of theater. Through workshops and collaborative practices, the participants develop self-discipline, self-confidence and self-motivation, character traits essential to becoming emotionally healthy, contributing members of our community.

A staff of professional artists develop the talents and skills of some 60 youth who spend nine hours together Monday through Friday for 9 weeks for acting, dance and vocal training and hands-on work with the technical aspects of theater – costume, lighting and set design.

Most past Teen Summer Musical productions have been adaptations of fairy tales whose roles have traditionally been played by Caucasian actors. But here, stories such as Cinderella, Snow White and Peter Pan morph into modern tales that reflect modern experiences. The revisions reflect a look through a true racial equity lens, which allows the youth to relate to the theatrical piece.

The results speak for themselves in a full stage performance mounted in a major theater, with a full professional production team.

2018 performances will take place at Benaroya Hall, 200 University St., August 16 through 19.

Show times Matinee Evening

Thursday, August 16 — 7 p.m.

Friday, August 17 Noon 7 p.m.

Saturday, August 18 2 p.m. 7 p.m.

Sunday, August 19 3 p.m. —

Ticket information

$17 for youth (ages 4-17) and $22 for adults. Patrons under the age of 3 are permitted without a ticket.

Tickets are available here: http://bit.ly/buycinderellatickets

Book written by Norm Robbins from the story “Cinderella”. Adapted and directed by Isiah Anderson, Jr. Music directed by Michelle Lang and choreography by Tyrone “Koach T” Crosby.

Seattle Parks and Recreation’s Big Day of Play is August 18

August 9, 2018 by NWFacts Leave a Comment

Presented by Seattle Parks and Recreation’s Get Moving Initiative, Big Day of Play will be held on Saturday, August 18 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Rainier Playfields and Community Center (4600 38th Ave. S, Seattle WA 98118).

Big Day of Play is a celebration of our city’s diversity and it encourages neighbors, communities and families to have fun, build relationships and be active together. It’s the day to play your way!

Big Day of Play offers fun activities for all, including:

Basketball
Bubble Soccer
Goal Ball (team sport for people with vision impairments)
Inflatable obstacle courses
Pickleball
Rainbow Bingo
Roller Derby
Sepak Takraw (kick volleyball)
Frisbee Golf
Giant Bowling
Wheel of Fitness
Live music and cultural performances
AND MORE!

Enjoy the food trucks and collect freebies from the information and resource booths. You can also enter to win big prizes by filling out our Big Day of Play survey on the day of the event.

Food trucks include:

Chicago West Pizza
Express Mexican Grill
Botanas Don Nacho
Neema’s Comfort Food
The Fish Basket
Elliott Foods Inc.
AND MORE!

Hop down to Mount Baker Rowing & Sailing Center (3800 Lake Washington Blvd. S, Seattle, WA 98118) for sailing, rowing and stand-up paddle boarding opportunities.

Free transportation is available. Click here for more information.

Visit our website at BigDayofPlay.com for the most up-to-date information about the event and follow Big Day of Play on Facebook at facebook.com/bigdayofplay/

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

We’re looking for volunteers! For more information, click here or contact Jennifer Romo at jennifer.romo@seattle.gov.

Celebrate 20 years of BrasilFest

August 9, 2018 by NWFacts Leave a Comment

Transform your cultural awareness at Seattle Center Festál: BrasilFest, noon – 7 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 19, at Seattle Center Armory, Mural Amphitheatre and Fisher Pavilion Rooftop. BrasilFest introduces the broader community to this dynamic and diverse culture, whose homeland is known as the melting pot of South America, with live music, dance, visual exploration, authentic foods, ethnic items for sale, workshops, demonstrations and hands-on learning for kids and adults.

In 1999, Brazilian immigrants brought this high energy festival to Seattle with a mission of introducing the broader community to their arts and traditions at the time of Brazilian Folklore Day. Now, BrasilFest has evolved into a dynamic event that provides a platform for contemporary Brazilian cultural expressions featuring Capoeira presentations, Samba workshops, mask-making activities, drumming performances and Brazilian BBQ demonstrations.

To celebrate the 20^th anniversary, guests can engage with Brazilian culture and history in a creative and unique way with the BrasilFest timeline. Within the significant dates marked on the timeline, guests put their faces in a cut-out image for a photo opportunity of themselves in traditional Brazilian dress. Another focal point is a large-scale map of Brazil used as an interactive piece to share how guests relate to the regions of the country.

Other featured activities include two panel discussions that involve the audience in conversations about political and social injustices affecting immigrants and artists of color. Young adults Brazilian born, or Americans born to Brazilian parents talk about their challenges and celebrations as Brazilians in the United States. Brazilian and American artists, educators and local arts administrators share their knowledge and research on current events taking place in Brazil and dive into topics such as racism, classism and the activism that have been ignited by leaders such as Zumbi and Marielle Franco.

For full information visit, www.brasilfest.org or the Facebook Event page: https://www.facebook.com/BrasilFestSeattle/

Seattle Center Festál brings to light the culturally rich communities who shape the character of our region. Although the series began in 1997, its origins stretch back to when ethnic communities were planting their roots here. For many of them, Seattle Center served as a central place, where they could invite the public to join in their unique cultural expression. Some festivals were formed in response to wars or ethnic displacement and others to unite their communities, educate the public and dispel stereotypes. Now at 21 years, Festál producers are seeking to sustain their festivals with compelling programming that appeals to multiple generations.

Seattle Center Festál is a public program presented by Seattle Center in partnership with community organizations including Brazil Center. Admission is free of charge. For more information on this festival, visit brasilfest.org, and to learn more about this collection of ethnic cultural events and other Seattle Center public programming, visit www.seattlecenter.com or call 206-684-7200.

About Seattle Center Festál

This illuminating series of 23 ethnic cultural festivals on weekends throughout the year seeks to connect people in ways that build understanding, dispel stereotypes and generate pride among the generations who participate in these shared experiences. Seattle Center Festál is produced with the generous support of KUOW 94.9 Public Radio, Coca-Cola, Alaska Airlines, T-Mobile, 4Culture. the City of Seattle and Seattle Center Foundation.

Damien Escobar at Edmonds Center for the Arts on Wednesday, August 22,

August 3, 2018 by NWFacts Leave a Comment

Four years ago Damien Escobar was a shell of himself. Humbled by homelessness and depression, Damien had to fight through his fear of failure and reemerge as a confident, positive, thriving artist. Today he has arrived. An unprecedented story of triumph, Damien Escobar can look back at his days playing the violin for change on the subway platforms of New York to playing for Presidents in the White House. Unpretentious yet confident, Damien makes no secret of the determination necessary to gain the recognition he has obtained while becoming one of the few commercially successful mainstream violinist. Damien Escobar is a musical pioneer dominating an industry that’s ready for change. The future of the music industry rests in his hands – and he’s ready.
Damien will perform 2018 at 7:30pm. Tickets and Information 425.275.9595 or http://www.ec4arts.org

BAM ARTSfair celebrates its 72nd year

August 3, 2018 by NWFacts Leave a Comment

Bellevue Arts Museum is celebrating the 72nd BAM ARTSfair next weekend, July 27, 28, & 29 at Bellevue Arts Museum and Bellevue Square. BAM ARTSfair features thousands of original artworks, an exciting mix of community programs, free admission to BAM, live music, and more. Whether you’re a seasoned art aficionado searching for the next piece to add to your collection or are just looking to have some fun, BAM ARTSfair is a destination for everyone who loves art. Plus, it’s free.

BAM ARTSfair brings some of the nation’s most talented artists to the Pacific Northwest. This year’s line-up includes over three hundred independent artists, selected from a pool of over 600 applicants by a jury of museum and art professionals. It is a competitive process designed to ensure diversity and superior quality. The Fair features a variety of artists working in different media—from wood, glass, ceramics, to paint—there is something for everyone at BAM ARTSfair.

Free programs include community art-making, live performance art, and the ever-so-messy KIDSfair. The Sound & Movement Stage features local musicians and artists from 4Culture’s Touring Arts Roster, and the BAMboozle Stage features local music and dance for kids. Admission to BAM is complimentary throughout the entire festival.The first BAM ARTSfair was held in 1947, attracting 30,000 people to the then small town of Bellevue. Both the city and the Fair have grown over the years. Today the Fair attracts hundreds of thousands of people to Bellevue over the final weekend of July and provides a viable marketplace for over 300 independent makers each year. Notable artists including Dale Chihuly, Chuck Close, and Patti Warashina have all participated over the years as well as a number of up-and-coming craftspeople and artists. Bellevue Arts Museum is proud of this unique legacy and looks forward to hosting BAM ARTSfair for many years to come.

Thank you to our partners!
Bellevue Arts Museum is proud to partner with the following companies and organizations on the 2018 BAM ARTSfair: The Bellevue Collection, Microsoft, Overlake Medical Center and Clinics, Amica Insurance, Àegis Living, Kitchen Plus, Renewal by Andersen, Lasik Vision Institute, Xfinity, City of Bellevue, 4Culture, Volta by Cirque du Soleil, Bellevue Downtown Association, City Catering Company, Coca Cola Hyatt Regency Bellevue, Red Lion Hotels Corporation, Westin Hotels & Resorts, Whole Foods Market, and AC Hotels. Media sponsors include: KBCS 91.3, Epoch Times, King 5, Rotary Offset Press, The Seattle Times, DCG One, and Xfinity.

About BAM
Bellevue Arts Museum is a leading destination in the Pacific Northwest to experience art, craft, and design. BAM engages the community through exhibitions, programs, and publications, featuring regional, national, and international artists. bellevuearts.org.

Seattle Center Festál Fall Line-Up Offers Outstanding Entertainment,

July 26, 2018 by NWFacts Leave a Comment

Seattle Center hosts eight post-Labor ethnic cultural festivals, part of the Seattle Center Festál series, starting with the Live Aloha Hawaiian Cultural Festal, Sunday Sept. 9 and wrapping up the 2018 series with Hmong New Year Celebration the first Saturday in November.

Here are fall festival information and highlights:

Live Aloha Hawaiian Cultural Festival, 11 a.m.–7 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 9, Seattle Center Armory, Mural Amphitheatre and Fisher Roof, attracts enthusiastic crowds with Hawaiian spirit, live music, island BBQ and musubi offerings and creative hands-on learnings. Big island band Ho’aikāne headlines a schedule of live Hawaiian music in its multitude of traditions and influences. Seattlelivealohafestival.com.

Seattle Fiestas Patrias, 12 p.m.–11 p.m., Saturday and 12 p.m.–6 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 15-16, Armory, Fisher Pavilion and Seattle Center Pavilion, observes Latin American independence with live music and dance, children’s and wellness activities and Latin foods in ways that remind us all of the indomitable spirit of freedom. In keeping with the 2018 festival theme, Without Barriers, producer Sea Mar Community Health Centers will present an exhibition of 62 posters that draw attention to immigrants in the world, developed in partnership with the Mexican National Commission on Human Rights. Seattlefiestaspatrias.org.

The Italian Festival, 10 a.m.–7 p.m., Saturday and 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 29-30, Armory, Fisher Pavilion and Seattle Center Pavilion, underscores the culture’s influences, achievements and culinary expression in our region. Highlights include: The Swingle Kings live from Perugia, Italy in their first American appearance; celebrity chef Marco Sciortino headlining a lineup of Italian cooking demonstrations; Opera for Kids, four, free 30-minute performances of an interactive version of the beloved opera classic “Hansel & Gretel“; a grape stomping competition and the ever-popular – and expanded – Food Court & Vendor Market. Festaseattle.com.

CroatiaFest, 12 p.m.–6 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 7, Armory, calls attention to the rich heritage of Croatia and its cultural presence in our region. Continuous traditional music and dance performances, children’s activities and multiple food vendors provide for a colorful and entertaining afternoon. One of the top Croatia bands in this country, Tamburaski Orkestar Ponoc, (known also as Ponoc Tamburitza Orchestra), travels from Pittsburgh, Penn. to debut at the festival using the Croatian national instrument, the tamburitza, a lute-like family of instruments key to traditional folk dancing, singing and celebration. Croatiafest.org.

Turkfest, 11 a.m.–6 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 13-14, Armory and Fisher Rooftop, marks the extraordinary arts and expression of a culture infused with eastern and western influences. The theme this year is A land of Wonders, Turkey. Group Truva, a leading Turkish folk music band from Vancouver BC, will perform and then participate in a Q&A session. Turkfest.org.

Diwali: Lights of India, 12 p.m.–6 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 20 in the Armory, celebrates light over darkness, good over evil and the place Indian cultures in our region. The colorful festival features classical Odissi, Bharatanatyam and Kathak dances, a mandala decorative arrangement, henna tattooing and Indian vegetarian food for sale. Renowned South Indian classical musician, Master Violinist Ganesh Rajagopalan & Ensemble, are featured in a performance of Indian contemporary music. Facebook.com/vccfestivals.

Dia de Muertos – A Mexican Celebration to Remember Our Departed, 11 a.m.–7 p.m., Saturday and 11 a.m.–6 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 27-28 in the Armory, keeps deeply spiritual traditions alive with elaborate community altars, face painting, sugar skulls making, processions and holiday foods including the sweet bread of the dead. Diademuertosenseattle.org.

Hmong New Year Celebration, 11 a.m.–6 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 3 in the Armory, preserves ancient Southeast Asian highland cultures with this multigenerational harvest festival featuring traditional holiday activities including ball-tossing, flower cloth making, live performances and Hmong food. Touly Vangku, one of the first Hmong artists to produce a music album in the United States following the Secret War of the 1980s when many Hmong families settled in this country, whose passion for music inspires and touches many in the Hmong community, will perform and host a session on the preservation of the Hmong language and the place of youth in Hmong performing arts. Hmongofwa.org.

The Festál series brings to light the culturally rich communities who shape the character of our region. Some festivals were formed in response to war or ethnic displacement and others to unite their communities, educate the public and dispel stereotypes. For many of them, Seattle Center serves as a central place, where they can share their culture and build community through live music, dance, visual exploration, literature, film, workshops, demonstrations and hands-on learning and play for kids and adults. The festivals also feature authentic foods for purchase and ethnic marketplaces.

Seattle Center Festál is a public program presented by community organizations in partnership with Seattle Center. Admission is free-of-charge. For more information on this collection of ethnic cultural events and other Seattle Center public programming, visit Seattlecenter.com or call 206-684-7200.

About Seattle Center Festál

This illuminating series of 23 ethnic cultural festivals on weekends throughout the year seeks to connect people in ways that build understanding, dispel stereotypes and generate pride among the generations who participate in these shared experiences. Seattle Center Festál is produced with the generous support of KUOW 94.9 Public Radio, Coca-Cola, Alaska Airlines, T-Mobile, 4Culture, the City of Seattle and Seattle Center Foundation.

CYRANO DE BURGERSHACK

July 26, 2018 by NWFacts Leave a Comment

Tacoma Little Theatre presents CYRANO DE BURGERSHACK

Rock and roll songs bring a classic story to life in CYRANO DE BURGERSHACK!

ClubTLT is pleased to present their summer performance of Cyrano de Burgershack, directed by Jennifer Niehaus-Rivers.
Cyrano is king of the local Burger Shack, but he can’t seem to win the love of his best friend, Roxanne. When Roxanne confesses her crush on the new burger-flipper, Christian, Cyrano decides that playing Cupid is better than sitting out of the game. An updated, modern-day version of Edmond Rostand’s Cyrano de Bergerac, this rollicking musical features some great hit songs!
Cyrano de Burgershack will run Friday, August 3, 2018 until Sunday, August 5, 2018. Friday and Saturday showings are at 7:30pm and Sundays at 2pm. This show is recommended for all ages.

Tickets are $7.00 and may be purchased online at www.tacomalittletheatre.com, or by calling our Box Office at (253) 272-2281.

Caregiver film series begins at Tacoma’s Grand Cinema

July 26, 2018 by NWFacts Leave a Comment



In communities all over the world, family members are taking care of relatives who are sick, disabled, or needing assistance in some way. By some estimates, one in four families is engaged in caregiving activities, with eighty percent of that care provided in the home. Currently, approximately 60% of caregivers worldwide are female, but more men and children are stepping into these roles every day. Just like caring for someone we love, movies can touch our hearts, awaken our vision, and change the way we see things. Movies prompt both laughter and tears, especially if they resemble memories from our lifetimes. Movies about caregiving often stir a special empathy and connection with those who have been through the experience. To celebrate family caregivers, Pierce County Aging & Disability Resources will host a series of films about caregiving at the Grand Cinema, with free admission for all! “The film industry has a mixed track record of portraying realistic caregiving experiences,” said Aaron Van Valkenburg, manager of Pierce County Aging and Disability Resources. “We have selected a series of films that explore the many dimensions of caregiving including family dynamics, chronic disease progression, and character development. We hope that by showing these films, it will help individuals better understand the complexities and demands of caregiving.” On Saturday, July 7, the series will kick off with the showing of “Gen Silent,” a documentary film that explores the experiences of LGBTQ seniors needing long-term care and facing difficult health challenges. Their caregiving needs are often intensified by lifetime experiences of rejection, bullying and abuse, lack of family support and increasing financial needs. The movies will be shown on the first or second Saturday of the month at the Grand Cinema, located at 606 S. Fawcett Ave. in Tacoma. All films will start at 11 a.m. with doors opening at 10:30 a.m. There will be ten different movie screenings over the next year: August 4 – Theory of Everything September 8 – Happy Tears October 13 – Miss You Already November 10 – Glen Campbell: I’ll Be Me December 8 – The Descendants March 9 – August: Osage County April 13 – The Diving Bell & the Butterfly May 11 – You’re Not You June 8 – Intelligent Lives Each film in this series is free and open to the public. There is no reserved seating. Tickets are free but must be obtained in advance online through Brown Paper Tickets, at https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/3456750. For more information about the films call the Pierce County Aging and Disability Resource Center at 253-798-4600 or (800) 562-0332.