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
FRIENDS OF WATERFRONT SEATTLE RELEASES 2018 HOT SPOT SCHEDULE WITH LIVE MUSIC AND PERFORMANCES ALL SUMMER LONG AT PIER 58
Friends of Waterfront Seattle has announced its 2018 waterfront summer event lineup, featuring free live music, performance, and sports for all ages. Family-friendly performances occur every Saturday and Sunday from July 7 through September 2 at Hot Spot, the event stage on Pier 58, located at 1401 Alaskan Way.
Awesome local bands kick off the Hot Spot season with the third annual KEXP Rocks the Dock concert hosted by KEXP 90.3, Seattle’s non-commercial independent radio station that produces an award-winning, innovative blend of music for a worldwide audience.
Live music by Stas Thee Boss and Nappy Nina, Misundvrstood & Gypsy Temple, Breaks and Swells, and DJ & Emcee OCNotes Summer make up the season kickoff Saturday, July 7 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Other weekend events include reggae and surf music, soccer and music with the Seattle Sounders FC Rave Foundation at the Soccer Octagon, site-specific dance performances, K-Pop music and dance, a hip hop tournament-style competition, Blues music, Central and South American music, dance parties and competitive dance battles, and the Americana Festival. For details on the full Hot Spot schedule of waterfront events this summer, visit www.friendsofwaterfrontseattle.org/events.
Friends of Waterfront Seattle is the City of Seattle’s nonprofit partner helping to build the park and ensure its lasting success. Following the public-benefit partnership model, we educate the public about the park and its benefits, raise philanthropic funds to build the park, and will partner with the City to manage and program the park long-term. Our goal is to make the central waterfront a public mixing ground where all communities can share cultural, recreational, and civic experiences in a beautiful environment. Waterfront Seattle / Friends is a founding member of the High Line Network, a movement in cities across the world to reclaim underutilized infrastructure and reimagine it as public space. Explore the future park at our project showroom, Waterfront Space, located at 1400 Western Avenue in Seattle, and open Wednesday through Sunday, noon to 5 p.m.
It’s Hayday in Tacoma
by Josh Rizeberg
In Tacoma things are growing. This Growth is also occurring in the music and art scene, including in the
Hip-Hop community. Many local Hip-Hop Artists are now successful enough to start opening actual brick
and mortar establishments. Sky Creative now has a large location in downtown Tacoma right next to the
Hip-Hop oriented clothing store ETC Tacoma. Both these businesses are cornerstones of the Tacoma
Hip-Hop community. Thankfully, Tacoma gets to add one more new home to our neighborhood. Antoine
Hayden, a 31 year old artist and entrepreneur, is opening a location at 6323 E McKinley Ave, Tacoma,
WA 98404 – right in the heart of the eastside.
Antoine goes by the name of Hayday. He is a professional graphic-designer, photographer,
videographer, and music-producer. Like many artists he is mostly self-taught. He has gone to art school
however to get the essential credentials and certificates he needs to flourish in the professional world.
Along the way he has been taught and mentored by well-known Seattle artist, Eric Keith, who showed
him the ins and outs of graphic-design and how to price and market his talents.
Hayday has been a photographer for over twenty years. He has professional certification from the
Clover Park Media Production Program. Even back in school at Clover Park, Antoine Hayden’s talents
were evident. His senior photography project still is up on the walls of Clover Park Technical Institute to
this day. To stay sharp Hayden also makes sure to keep learning new tricks of the trade from YouTube
videos, photography tutorials, and he is currently enrolled in the Full Scale University Film School
program. Hayday has also had some early accomplishments in the Hip-Hop world as well. He has
production credits for King Leez, L ROC, and Prep Chambers, all three top-notch MC’s representing
Tacoma.
One of the main things that sets apart Antoine from other artists is that he fosters a sense of
community. Hayday throws large events, shows, beat-battles, and even cyphers that showcase Tacoma
area talent. The spotlight is never on him. He always shines it bright on others. This can be seen in the
relationships he has with some of the MC’s he has worked with. Hayday did not just produce beats for L
ROC and Prep Chambers, he cultivated their careers and brands and helped them explode onto the local
scene instantly making them well respected local artists. Hayday says his motto is, “I want to make you
not break you.”
This special sense of community comes from the relationship Hayday had with his older brother named
Marquis Hayden. Marquis passed-away when Antoine was 26. Marquis was Hayday’s main motivator
and supporter. Hip-Hop was something Marquis and Antoine shared and bonded together over. Their
relationship was so close and Hip-Hop was so much a part of it that it helped give Hayday a special love
for the culture of Hip-Hop. So now to pay homage to his brother, Hayday puts Love back into the local
Hip-Hop scene. It is his way of honoring Marquis.
Antoine shows love and he gets it back. His girlfriend and mother have now become his main supporters
after Marquis’s passing. Amanda Loveland, his girlfriend, even helped him with the funding to get the
building for Hayday Studios.
Hayday studios is the ultimate manifestation of Hayday and Marquis’s vision. This will be a one-stop
shop for local artists and media-people. It will be a multi-media hub. Hayday says it will be a,
“Professional place for podcasts, radio-shows, photography and video studios, and even a recording
studio. I want a professional looking place where people can bring artists from out-of- town to do
podcasts and radio-shows.”
To see Hayday’s video work check him out at iamhayday studios on YouTube.
Local Rapper “Juice The God” Killed. Trevon McKoy his life ended too soon, but his legacy will live on through his music.
Police are asking for the public’s help to identify the killer who shot local rapper Trevon McKoy, 21, in the head following a performance at Seattle Center early Sunday morning. McKoy’s rapper name was Juice The God.
“He was a black man living his dream,” said McKoy’s aunt, Michelle Carter.
His dreams were cut short early Sunday when McKoy was shot in the head outside the Vera Project at Seattle Center after finishing a performance.
“Not any of us will ever be the same, ever again,” said Carter, tearing up about the loss of McKoy.
McKoy’s family is distraught over his death, especially his great-grandmother who raised McKoy.
“Oh my baby, he was just a wonderful kid,” said Dorothy Moody.
Family members say McKoy was an up-and-coming rap star from West Seattle who loved basketball, his family and was studying business management at Bellevue College.
“It hurts me that I’m even here today because he should be in class today, making music tomorrow and being with his family on Friday,” said Carter. The lyrics of his rap songs talk about life on the streets of West Seattle.
“When he says, he grew up on the street, he wasn’t a gangster, that’s not the street what he meant. We grew up on 24th Street, he and I on 24th Street, playing in the creek, riding our bikes,” said Carter.
McKoy raps about 24th and SW Kenyon Street in West Seattle where he grew up. It’s where his music career also started and on Monday it turned into the place where he was being remembered with flowers, candles and balloons tied to the street sign.
The street corner is where McKoy filmed one of his music videos. His cousin Marquis spent the afternoon on the curb listening to McKoy’s music and remembering the memories they shared together. “We was born and raised right here, since we were shorties. He (had) great energy, he loved basketball. I looked up to him, I still look up to him, that’s my right-hand man,” said Marquis. He said McKoy was always smiling, fill of energy and a lovable person.
“His death just breaks my heart,” said Marquis. The two cousins were in a music video together filmed on a basketball court. “We’re just getting started,” said Marquis.
McKoy’s family says his life ended too soon, but his legacy will live on through his music.
Crime Stoppers of Puget Sound is offering a $1,000 reward for any tips leading to an arrest in the case. Call 1-800-222-TIPS or use the P3 Tips App on your phone if you have any information that can help solve his case.
THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE
SPANAWAY LAKE HIGH SCHOOL PRESENTS
THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE
Spanaway Lake High School presents The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, a riotous ride, complete with audience participation. Winner of the Tony and the Drama Desk Awards for Best Book, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee has charmed audiences across the country with its effortless wit and humor. Featuring a fast-paced, wildly funny and touching book by Rachel Sheinkin and a truly fresh and vibrant score by William Finn, this bee is one unforgettable experience.
An eclectic group of six mid-pubescents vie for the spelling championship of a lifetime. While candidly disclosing hilarious and touching stories from their home lives, the tweens spell their way through a series of (potentially made-up) words, hoping never to hear the soul-crushing, pout-inducing, life un-affirming “ding” of the bell that signals a spelling mistake. Six spellers enter; one speller leaves! At least the losers get a juice box.
Spelling Bee is directed by Chris Serface, co-directed and choreographed by Rico Lastrapes, and musically directed by Zachary Kellogg.
Spelling Bee will run Friday, May 4, 2018 until Sunday, May 13, 2018. Friday & Saturday showings are at 7:00pm and Sundays at 3:00pm. There will also be a special Thursday show on May 10th at 7:00pm. This show is recommended for all ages.
Tickets are $7.00 with ASB and $10.00 for all others. Tickets may be purchased in person at the auditorium.
All performances are held at Spanaway Lake High School, 1305 168th Street East, Spanaway, WA 98387
Legendary Performer and Civil Rights Activist Honored on New Forever Stamp
 The U.S. Postal Service today celebrates the life and legacy of Lena Horne as the 41st honoree in the Black Heritage stamp series during a first-day-of-issue ceremony at Peter Norton Symphony Space. “Today, we honor the 70-year career of a true American legend,” said Deputy Postmaster General Ronald Stroman, who dedicated the stamp. “With this Forever stamp, the Postal Service celebrates a woman who used her platform as a renowned entertainer to become a prolific voice for civil rights advancement and gender equality.” Joining Stroman to unveil the stamp were Gail Lumet Buckley, an author and Horne’s daughter; Christian Steiner, photographer; and Amy Niles, president and chief executive officer, WBGO Radio. The stamp art features a photograph of Lena Horne taken by Christian Steiner in the 1980s. Kristen Monthei colorized the original black-and-white photo using a royal blue for the dress, a color Horne frequently wore. Monthei also added a background reminiscent of Horne’s Stormy Weather album, with a few clouds to add texture and to subtly evoke the album title. Art director Ethel Kessler designed the stamp. Share the news of the stamp using the hashtags #LenaHorneForever and #BlackHeritageStamps. Background on Lena Horne Born in Brooklyn, NY, on June 30, 1917, Horne was a trailblazer in Hollywood for women of color and used her fame to inspire Americans as a dedicated activist for civil rights. Horne began her career as a dancer at Harlem’s Cotton Club and later became a featured vocalist with touring orchestras. The rampant racial discrimination she encountered from audiences, hotel and venue managers and others was so disconcerting that she stopped touring, and in 1941, she made her move to Hollywood. A year later, she signed a contract with MGM — one of the first long-term contracts with a major Hollywood studio — with the stipulation that she would never be asked to take stereotypical roles then available to black actors. Her most famous movie roles were in Cabin in the Sky and Stormy Weather, both released in 1943. During World War II, Horne entertained at camps for black servicemen, and after the war worked on behalf of Japanese Americans who were facing discriminatory housing policies. She worked with Eleanor Roosevelt in pressing for anti-lynching legislation. In the 1960s, Horne continued her high-profile work for civil rights, performing at rallies in the South, supporting the work of the National Council for Negro Women, and participating in the 1963 March on Washington. Horne’s awards and honors include a special Tony Award for her one-woman Broadway show, Lena Horne: The Lady and Her Music; three Grammy Awards; the NAACP Spingarn Medal; and the Actors Equity Paul Robeson Award. She was a Kennedy Center Honors recipient in 1984, and her name is among those on the International Civil Rights Walk of Fame at the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site. Customers may purchase the Lena Horne Forever stamp at The Postal Store at usps.com/shop, by calling 800-STAMP24 (800-782-6724) and at Post Office facilities nationwide. A variety of stamps and collectibles also are available at ebay.com/stamps.
Ordering First-Day-of-Issue Postmarks Customers have 60 days to obtain first-day-of-issue postmarks by mail. They may purchase new stamps at local Post Office facilities, at The Postal Store usps.com/shop or by phone at 800-STAMP-24. They must affix the stamps to envelopes of their choice, address the envelopes to themselves or others and place them in envelopes addressed to:
FDOI – Lena Horne Stamp 8300 NE Underground Drive, Suite 300
After applying the first-day-of-issue postmark, the Postal Service will return the envelopes through the mail. There is no charge for postmarks up to a quantity of 50. For more than 50, customers are charged 5 cents each. All orders must be postmarked by March 30, 2018.
Ordering First-Day Covers The Postal Service also offers first-day covers for new stamps and stationery items postmarked with the official first-day-of-issue cancellation. Each item has an individual catalog number and is offered in the USA Philatelic Publication and online at usps.com/shop. Customers may register to receive a free USA Philatelic Publication online at usps.com/philatelic .
Philatelic Products Philatelic products for this stamp issue are as follows: 476906, Press Sheet with Die-cut, $60.00. 476910, Digital Color Postmark Keepsake, $11.95. 476916, First-Day Cover, $0.94. 476921, Digital Color Postmark, $1.65. 476924, Framed Art, $39.95. 476930, Ceremony Program, $6.95.
Many of this year’s other stamps may be viewed on Facebook at facebook.com/USPSStamps or via Twitter @USPSstamps.
The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations. |
Northwest Folklife and Seattle Center Announce Three-Year Our Big Neighborhood Initiative
Northwest Folklife and Seattle Center are excited to announce a new, three-year youth and family initiative, Our Big Neighborhood. Inspired by Northwest Folklife’s annual Seattle Children’s Festival, Our Big Neighborhood expands on Northwest Folklife’s vision to bring people together to share and sustain folk, ethnic and traditional arts for present and future generations.
Our Big Neighborhood offers families and people of all ages opportunities to discover Northwest communities and cultures through participation and hands-on learning. Throughout 2018, in addition to the Seattle Children’s Festival in September, Our Big Neighborhoodencompasses two new event series – Movin’ Around the World in April and Global Playground in August and a one-day launch event atSeattle Center Winterfest in November. More information is available at www.nwfolklife.org/our-big-neighborhood.
Building on a long history of community-focused cultural programming, both Northwest Folklife and Seattle Center are expanding their programming for children, youth and families. Bringing together live music, storytelling, dance and other multi-cultural art forms in one place will offer Our Big Neighborhood participants the opportunity to engage in hands-on activities, cross-cultural exploration and intergenerational exchange. All Our Big Neighborhood programs are designed to spark curiosity, deeper appreciation and understanding for the uniqueness and differences that make our region so vibrant.
“Seattle Center has been an integral partner and supporter of Northwest Folklife and we are extremely delighted to not only be deepening that relationship with our partners and the City of Seattle, but to join together to launch a three year commitment to accessible, intergenerational and cultural exchange for all ages through the Our Big Neighborhood program,” said Northwest Folklife’s Executive Artistic Director Kelli Faryar.
“We are thrilled to be expanding our partnership with Northwest Folklife to present fun, all ages programming that provides participants a window into the diverse cultures who inspire and influence creative expression in our region,” said Seattle Center Director Robert Nellams.
The 2018 Our Big Neighborhood initiative includes:
Movin’ Around the World: Celebrating the Cultures of the World through Movement and Song (April 7-13, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.) at Seattle Center Armory
This program encourages kids and their families to experience cultures of the world through seeing and doing. Get moving by dancing alongside experienced teaching artists and learn some new moves!
Global Playground (August 4, 11, 18, 4 p.m. – 7 p.m.) at Seattle Center Artists at Play
Set in Seattle’s most unique playground, this outdoor program mixes cultural connectivity with outdoor play.
Seattle Children’s Festival (September 22, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.) at Seattle Center’s Fisher Pavilion and Armory
This intergenerational, multi-cultural exchange aims to develop minds and bodies through movement, rhythm, song, and hands-on activities. For more information visit www.nwfolklife.org/seattlechildrensfestival/
Seattle Center Winterfest Launch Party (November 23) at Seattle Center Armory
Joining the tradition that is Seattle Center Winterfest, Northwest Folklife will support the opening weekend with student and cultural performances and activities that bring families together.
Coming up first in April, Movin’ Around the World is a week-long Our Big Neighborhood program that will feature a new cultural community from the Pacific Northwest each day. Running Saturday, April 7 through Friday, April 13, from 11am to 3pm each day, these programs are scheduled over Seattle Public School’s Spring Break to better involve Northwest families. Youth, parents, and families are invited to participate through dancing, music-making, and hands-on activities in the Seattle Center Armory, learning directly from and being inspired by master tradition bearers and youth ensembles. Kids can learn a dance, make crafts, sing a song, and get better acquainted with some of the cultural communities that make up Our Big Neighborhood.
Northwest Folklife and Seattle Center work with models of cultural exchange that directly involve Northwest communities and community leaders in the creation and curation of programming. The Our Big Neighborhood initiative plans to deliver programming that will have a positive impact on children and families, provide early childhood cultural understanding, encourage families to stay active and learn together while building stronger communities. To make this vision possible, Northwest Folklife partners with local organizations to create a truly co-curated and community program. If you would like to learn more about Our Big Neighborhood and other public programming at Seattle Center, click on www.seattlecenter.com or call 206 684-7200.
Photo by Erinn Hale
About Northwest Folklife
Northwest Folklife is an independent arts organization that celebrates the multigenerational arts, cultures, and traditions of a global Pacific Northwest, 365 days of the year. For 47 years, Northwest Folklife has been deeply committed to celebrating the diversity of our Northwest communities and to de-mystifying our differences together, under one roof. Northwest Folklife believes that arts and cultures build stronger communities. Northwest Folklife is committed to access for all and works to unite our communities by offering all of our programming with no admission charge by raising funds from individuals, corporations, foundations, and the public sector. www.nwfolklife.org
About Seattle Center
Connect to the extraordinary at Seattle Center – an active civic, arts and family gathering place in the core of our region. More than 30 cultural, educational, sports and entertainment organizations that reside on the grounds, together with a broad range of public and community programs, create thousands of events on the 74-acre campus and attract over 12 million visitors each year. At Seattle Center, our purpose is to create exceptional events, experiences and environments that delight and inspire the human spirit to build stronger communities. Activities at the Center generate $1.864 billion in area business activity, 18,621 jobs and $631 million in labor income in King County.
SEUSSICAL – Seasonal Fun For The Family
Directed by Jennifer York
Musical Direction by Terry O’Hara
Choreography by Eric Clausell
December 1st – December 24th, 2017*
Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30pm
Sundays at 2:00pm
Special added performances:
Wednesday, December 20th at 7:30pm
Thursday, December 21st at 7:30pm
Saturday, December 23rd at 2:00pm
Pay What You Can: Thursday, December 14th at 7:30pm
Group Rates for 10 or more. Contact the Box Office!
Click here to purchase tickets
Celebrate the holidays with your family in the world of Dr. Seuss!
The Cat in the Hat tells the story of Horton, an elephant who discovers a speck of dust that contains the Whos, including Jojo, a Who child sent off to military school for thinking too many “thinks.” Horton faces a double challenge: not only must he protect the Whos from a world of naysayers and dangers, but he must guard an abandoned egg, left in his care by the irresponsible Mayzie La Bird. Although Horton faces ridicule, danger, kidnapping and a trial, the intrepid Gertrude McFuzz never loses faith in him. Ultimately, the powers of friendship, loyalty, family and community are challenged and emerge triumphant.
Josephine Howell, Sounds of the Sound
Josephine Howell was born on the Southside of Chicago, IL. She made Seattle her home in 1993. She has always been fascinated with music and the arts, captivating family and friends at an early age with her amazing gifts. Although she never studied music professionally, “Josie” possesses a God-given endowment for the arts. She first explored her interest and abilities for singing in the children’s choir at The True Right M. B. Church. Her range of talent extends from singing, dancing and acting to the very production and direction of the arts. Her performances convey passion, inspiration and melodious sound that is birthed from a life of challenging struggles and immense victories. Because Josephine recognizes the importance of each hand, helping another, she regularly participates in local community events, performing, entertaining, but also sometimes speaking very candidly to those who need to hear from someone who’s walked in their shoes. She has also committed her time and talent to speak to our government about the plight of the homeless, a place she once knew firsthand. She believes that is important not just to entertain, but to use her gifts, her singing, her speaking, her acting, her directing to better the community, city and country in which she lives. 
Josie attributes her success to her mother, Alberta Tucker, for instilling in her a spiritual foundation based on a personal relationship with God. But she recognizes God as her ultimate reason for her gifts, her will and her determination.
NW FACTS Social Media WEEKEND ENTERTAINMENT INVITES
SEP 30 @ Buck’s American Cafe
Hosted by Star Drums & Lady Keys
2901 Hewitt Ave, Everett, Washington 98201
SEP 30 @ Post Malone
Sat 8 PM · Showbox SoDo · Seattle, WA
1700 1st Ave S, Seattle, Washington 98134
SEP 30 @ Alex Dugdale Fade Quartet
Sat 7:30 PM · Tula’s Restaurant & Jazz Club ·Renton, WA
2214 2nd Ave, Seattle, Washington 98121
SEP 29 @ Super Sonic Soul Sisters
Hosted by The Bleu Note Restaurant and Lounge
6008 Mount Tacoma Dr SW, Lakewood, Washington 98499
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