Author Archives: Tim Kukes

On the List | January Capitol Hill art walk, 2020 Womxn’s March screenprinting party, No Pants light rail

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Fair warning. No Pants Light Rail is Sunday.

Womxn’s March screenprinting party (Image: Orange Twist)

The first full week of January can be a bit of let down after all the holiday celebrations and parties but there is enough going on around the Hill — like the Capitol Hill Art Walk! — this weekend to help ease the transition. We’ve highlighted a few things to get out and do, below. You can find more Capitol Hill and Central District area events on  the CHS Calendar.

WEDNESDAY, Jan. 8:  Many may think that reading is a solitary art, but the Sorrento Silent Reading Party puts the lie to that.  An event created by Christopher Frizzelle, of the Stranger, avid readers gather in the Fireside Room of the Sorrento Hotel for a few hours of quiet reading among their fellow book lovers every first Wednesday of the month.  Join the first reading of the month but come early as it is said to fill up fast. Hotel Sorrento. 6 PM – 8 PM

Unbreaking America: Solving the Democracy Crisis is a short film about the systemic corruption in American politics starring RepresentUs founder and CEO Josh Silver and actress Jennifer Lawrence.  Silver will be screening, and then discussing, the film to demonstrate how Americans can take action to stem corruption practices. Tickets $5. Town Hall.  7:30 PM

THURSDAY, Jan. 9:  This month’s Capitol Hill Art Walk features a variety of arts and venues, including the Max Planck Images of Science at Goethe Pop Up located in Chophouse Row on Capitol Hill.  The exhibit is a showcase of images submitted by research scientists from over 80 institutes displaying elements of their work.  A true celebration of the overlap of art and science. 5 PM – 9 PM Continue reading →

On the List | Pike/Pine Shop The Block, pop-up markets, winter solstice in the Arboretum, Chanukah in Volunteer Park

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Sugar Plum Gary plays the 18th and Union Theater through December 24th

Capitol Hill’s nightlife venues make great homes for unique craft and vintage markets year-round. During the holidays, things get turned to 11. Below, you’ll find a naughty and nice list of pop-up markets from around the neighborhood plus. We also have a few other, non-commerce ways to mark the season. You can visit the CHS Calendar to find more.

For more gift ideas, holiday events, and deals from local merchants, check out Shop the Hill.

THURSDAY, Dec. 19:  The Central District’s ReRunRoom hosts its Holiday Sparkle Party with “vintage & handmade gifts, decor, furniture, and jewelry” and a selfie photo booth. You can also enjoy snacks and a glittery cocktail. ReRun Room, 5-8 PM

Hugo House and the Northwest Native Writers Circle are bringing six accomplished Native women writers for an evening of readings and conversation.  Join Laura Da’, Sara Marie Ortiz, Storme Webber, Arianne True, Sara Marie Ortiz, and Sondra S. Segundo-Cunningham as they share their experience and writing.  Hugo House, 7 PM Continue reading →

On the List | December Capitol Hill Art Walk, carols at St. James, Depression Fest

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Guilty Holiday Pleasures at Chophouse Row (Image: Chophouse Row)

It’s the second week of December which means it is time for the Capitol Hill Art Walk Thursday.  Check capitolhillartwalk.com for this month’s venues, but two things to be aware of is that the Capitol Hill EcoDistrict and Capitol Hill Housing will be presenting Porous Public Space: Climate Adaption through Public Space Design at the 12th Ave Arts Building as part of the art walk and the Annex Theatre will be hosting its variety show, Spin the Bottle, after the art walk wraps up.

For other things to do this week check out the below events and visit the CHS Calendar.

For gift ideas, holiday events, and deals from local merchants, check out Shop the Hill.

WEDNESDAY, Dec. 11:  The Northwest African American Museum and Hugo House will be presenting a tribute to the legacy of James Baldwin (1924 – 1987).  Baldwin was born in Harlem where he grew up and his known for may works on racial, sexual, and class distinctions, such as Notes of a Native Son and Giovanni’s Room.  There will be readings and remembrances from Anastacia-Renée, Ebo Barton, LaNesha DeBardelaben, and Seattle Civic Poet Jourdan Imani Keith. Northwest African American Museum, 7 PM – 9 PM. Continue reading →

On the List | Holiday in Volunteer Park, leather Santa, Stevens tree sale, more WTO 20

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(Image: Volunteer Park Trust)

The lights are up and cheery music is playing – the holiday season is upon us.  Though Black Friday (and all the associated marketing children of it) is past, shopping may still be on the mind.  To that end there are a variety of pop-up markets to check out this December, including the Holiday Market at Westlake Park and the Full Moon Market at Stumptown Coffee.  But if you had your fill of shopping, check out some of the events below. You can find more o the CHS Calendar.

For gift ideas, deals, and holiday events including this weekend’s holiday tree lighting at the Hotel Sorrento on First Hill, check out Shop the Hill.

WEDNESDAY, Dec. 4:  The Tenant Rights Bootcamp series continues with this week’s bootcamp being co-hosted by Be:Seattle and The Urbanist to help educate renters on what their rights are and how best to apply those rights to create better living for Seattle’s renters.  Ada’s Technical Books and Café, 6 PM – 8 PM. Continue reading →

On the List | What’s open on Capitol Hill Thanksgiving 2019, Small Business Saturday and Shop the Hill, WTO 20th anniversary

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The Urban Turkey

Happy Thanksgiving. We hope you have time to enjoy a feast or two. And hopefully you get as much time with friends and loved ones that you want. While we’re talking about hope and thanks, here are a few things to be grateful for getting out and doing around Capitol Hill this weekend. Check out the CHS Calendar for more.

WEDNESDAY, Nov. 27:  Community Lunch on Capitol Hill serves hot meals and provides survival services to the homeless and low-income in Seattle.  They provide four meals a week – lunch on Tuesday and Friday, and supper on Wednesday and Thursday.  Wednesday night, the Seattle Yang Gang – a group supporting entrepreneur and Democratic candidate, Andrew Yang – will be volunteering at the Community Lunch on Capitol Hill as a way to serve and connect with the community.  All Pilgrims Christian Church, 3 PM – 6:30 PM

** Community Lunch on Capitol Hill will also be serving a free Thanksgiving dinner Thursday starting at 5 PM at All Pilgrims. **

THURSDAY, Nov. 28:  Let us give thanks. For the baristas and the bartenders. The budtenders. The Amazon Prime delivery people. Bike shares. And your neighbor’s wi-fi. Below, we’ve compiled our annual roster of coffee joints, grocery stores, etc. where your friends and neighbors will be working to make sure you have the happiest holiday possible. As for getting a post-feast cocktail, that list is up to you. Take a chance. Make sure to tip. And be thankful. Continue reading →

On the List | 20th Trans Day of Remembrance, 10th Seattle Cranksgiving, 1st Seattle Hip Hop Film Festival

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2018’s vigil outside Seattle Central (Image: CHS)

For twenty years, people have been marking a November Transgender Day of Remembrance, a day to memorialize those lost to anti-trans violence. Names of those murdered due to hate and ignorance are read out loud and speakers will talk about progress and challenges in the trans community. This week’s events on and around Capitol Hill includes Seattle’s gathering to mark the solemn observance with friends and loved ones. For more of the weekend’s happenings, check out the CHS Calendar.

WEDNESDAY, Nov. 20: To mark this year’s Transgender Day of Remembrance, there will be a candlelight vigil on Broadway where the names of those who have been fatal victims of anti-transgender hate crimes and violence will be read with speakers including Elayne Wylie, Executive Director of Gender Justice League, filmmaker, trans rights activist, Trans Pride Seattle organizer; Taylor Briggs, Scholarship Program Director for Greater Seattle Business Association, trans advocate/activist; Natalie Star, trans rights activist, lobbyist, mentor, teacher; Jasper Hice, Membership Outreach Co-Chair for HRC Seattle Steering Committee, teacher, queer rights activist; Honor Love-Lacy, trans activist and Seattle Central student. Continue reading →

On the List | November Capitol Hill Art Walk, School of Acrobatics and New Circus Arts ‘showcase spectacular,’ Tenant Rights Bootcamp

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(Image: SANCA)

This week started out with Veterans Day, a day for honoring those who have served the United States Armed Services.  According to the Washington Department of Veteran Affairs there are 99,316 veterans collecting benefits in King County.  The Seattle University of Law will be hosting a reception Wednesday to honor those in the community who have served with Marcus Lee, Foreign Affairs Officer, United States Department of State as keynote speaker.

Considering last week was election week and this week beginning with Veterans day looking to the community may be just the way to finish out your week.  This week has opportunities for all, with physical activities, art exhibits, and community forums.

Meanwhile, the CHS Calendar is back after some maintenance work. You can always find a community list of neighborhood happenings and events at capitolhillseattle.com/calendar/.

WEDNESDAY, Nov. 13:  Join Be: Seattle and the Capitol Hill Renter Initiative at the latest Tenant Rights Bootcamp, a neighborhood by neighborhood series educating renters on their rights and strategies for creating better living conditions for those who rent.  There will be food and refreshments at the event. 12th Avenue Arts, 6 PM – 7:30 PM Continue reading →

On the List | Capitol Hill Streetscapes forum, Short Run, Veterans Day

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Capitol Hill’s “streetscapes” are on the agenda Thursday night (Image: CHS)

November is National Novel Writing Month, also known as NaNoWriMo, where the goal is to write a 50,000-word manuscript in 30 days. Capitol Hill happens to be blessed with several resources including courses and events offered at Hugo House and writer meetups, such as the Capitol Hill Writing Meetup.

To distract from your task, here is a selection of neighborhood events and happenings. Maybe some will inspire your next chapter. Also, a reminder for Sounders fans — light rail will be at full power this weekend thanks to Sound Transit construction work being completed ahead of schedule.

CONSTRUCTION NOTICE: The CHS Calendar is temporarily unavailable this week while we do some work behind the scenes to improve the service. Stay tuned!

WEDNESDAY, Nov. 6:  StolenYouth will be giving a presentation on the intersection of foster care, homelessness, and child sex trafficking within King County.  Washington State DCYF Secretary Ross Hunter, CEO of YouthCare Melinda Giovengo, and Washington State Representative Tina Orwall will be there.  Students are free and General admission is $10. Town Hall, 7 – 8:30 PM. Continue reading →

With lidding I-5 far in the future, how should Seattle spend millions to improve Freeway Park’s connection between First Hill, Capitol Hill, and downtown?

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Images from the design team presentation

Jim Ellis, the Washington civic leader and one of the Seattle citizens most responsible for the vision that created First Hill and lower Capitol Hill’s connection to downtown through Freeway Park and the convention center, died last week at the age of 98. A celebration of his life will take place, appropriately enough, at the skybridge connecting the park to the Washington State Convention Center in December.

With a $10 million boost from the $80 million community benefits package formed to cover the value of public right of way being dedicated to the convention center’s expansion, Seattle Parks is setting about a process to “to repair, restore and possibly enhance” the Jim Ellis Freeway Park.

The process began earlier this week at a Freeway Park Improvements Open House and Panel Discussion. Five experts on Lawrence Halprin, the landscape architect behind the design of Seattle’s Freeway Park, the first park in the United States that incorporated a lid over an interstate highway, were gathered at Town Hall to speak about why the park is important to the citizens of Seattle and what can be done to improve it.

The scope of the capital project could include infrastructure upgrades, lighting, wayfinding, and possibly a new restroom. The project team is led by landscape architecture and planning firm Walker Macy for Seattle Parks and Recreation in partnership with the Freeway Park Association.

When it first opened on July 4th, 1976, the park was a busy, open-lighted space. It served as a connector between downtown Seattle and the neighborhoods of Capitol Hill and First Hill. And according to many of the panelists it made art out of the freeway. Continue reading →

On the List | Capitol Hill trick or treating, 2019 Polish Bazaar, candy buy-back

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(Image: CHS)

Hilloween is upon us where all kinds of things go bump in the night. Weather for the evening is supposed to be in the mid to low 40s so pick a warm costume! The good news is that it seems unlikely to rain. For inspiration, check out some of the costumes CHS spotted around Pike/Pine over the weekend, or you can dig through the CHS Hilloween archives.

CHS Hilloween past: 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010

WEDNESDAY, Oct. 30:  Today is National Candy Corn Day.  Candy corn was created in the late 1800s by George Renniger of Wunderle Candy Company.  So, if there is a day to indulge in the strange triangular yellow, orange, and white sugar pills, today is that day.

THURSDAY, Oct. 31: Capitol Hill’s trick or treat hot zone will be busy again this year. You’ll find amazing decorations and spooky characters up and down the streets along E Aloha. Bring your little ghosts and goblins but make sure you have a good transportation plan — parking is limited and the streets will be crowded with trick or treaters: Continue reading →