“Touching Strangers”, Richard Renaldi at Photo Center NW

Capitol Hill galleries, stores, cafes, and bars welcome you to stop in and discover art in sometimes unexpected places during the Capitol Hill Art Walk on Thursday. Use the mobile site to plan your route, or pick up a paper map for old-fashioned navigation. Several new venues have join up this month so the map or app is handy even for art walk regulars. Art supply store Art Primo opens their doors for the art walk to showcase art from accomplished muralists. Another Hill retail newcomer, Nevertold Casket Company, invites you to step to see their photography show. Other new art walk venues this month: Revolver Bar with a one-day-only music photography show, the Ingersoll Gender Center featuring art from Kinoko (a former Seattleite now living in Portland),

Adrienne Rozzi at Ghost Gallery

Blick Art also has a photography show, and Studio Paradiso is showing new drawings and paintings by Wyatt Landis. If you are curious about the absence of LTD Gallery, don’t fret. The LTD folks are in the midst of moving to a new location,  where they will take over the wall space and operate out of Raygun Lounge on Pine and will be back on the art walk next month.

Cheese, glorious cheese! The 5th Annual Cascadia Cheese Festival, hosted at Central Co-Op provides a opportunity to meet regional cheesemakers, visit with super adorbs pygmy goats, learn how to make cheese in your very own kitchen, and taste cheeses and beer.  Saturday,  11am – 4pm.

After a year’s hiatus for a space remodel, the annual Taste of Russia Food Bazaar returns to St. Nicholas Cathedral  this weekend. Enjoy  food, a vodka and beer garden, music, vendors, art and entertainment on both Saturday and Sunday, 12 – 5pm.

In Montlake, party with the Greeks at the annual Saint Demetrios Greek Festival Friday through Sunday.

Winter Harvest is a  new play opening this weekend at Eclectic Theatre.The  drama is set in 1955 Seattle, and this production is a world premiere. The play runs Thur – Saturday evenings, plus Sunday matinees,  through November 1st.

Midnight movies are back at the Egyptian! This weekend, as part of the Seattle Lesbian and Gay Film Festival, we have Hedwig and the Angry Inch Sing-Along. You heard me. Sing. Along.  “I put on some make up, turn on the tape deck...” We recommend buying your ticket in advance.  11:55pm, Friday..

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Welcome back SIFF to the Egyptian Theatre this weekend and see a movie for free with a receipt from a Capitol Hill business. Here’s what to expect. The grand opening weekend films are favorites from the Egyptian’s past and include Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, Pan’s Labyrinth, Blood Simple, and more. See details on the free admission deal and the full screening schedule here.

The Men in Dance showcase on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at Broadway Performance Hall features performances designed by exceptional choreographers specifically for male performers.

The annual St. Francis Sunday and Blessing of Animals is this Sunday at St. Mark’s Cathedral. “Animal friends are invited to join their humans in church at the 8 am, 9 am, and 11 am liturgies. Stuffed animals are also welcome as are photos of pets who would not find coming to church a blessed experience. At the end of each liturgy, priests will be available to offer your pet a blessing.”

Have an upcycle project in mind, or the imagination to transform objects into something new? The annual Seattle Zerolandfill Upcycle event is happening at Miller Park Community Center on Saturday, 9am – 6pm. The event is free, but an RSVP is requested.

“The Interior Design & Architecture community collects expired and unwanted material samples for reuse and creative upcycling by educators, artists, and crafters. Last year we diverted several tons of material from the waste stream. You’ll find samples of fabric, carpet, wall covering, wood, tile, stone, glass, rubber, vinyl, laminate, and much more to add to your personal collection or to complete your next project.” Organizers recommend bringing your own bags or a box.

Something to add? Let us know on the CHS Calendar — more listings below:

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Autumn has arrived but there’s only a low chance of rain this weekend–which is a Good Thing, because Much Stuff is happening right outside your door.

The Local Sightings Film Festival at Northwest Film Forum opens on Thursday and runs through next Saturday, October 4th. While most films, discussions, and classes require a ticket or pass, there are a few free events: “Feeling Time”  is a lobby installation of short films on Friday 6:30 – 8pm, there’s a student showcase at 3pm on Sunday, and a coloring book happy hour on Tuesday at 6pm. Find out more about the 17th annual festival in our interview with the festival program manager and see the detailed schedule here.

Seattle Sketch Fest moves from the Greenwood neighborhood to Annex Theatre to conclude the annual event which “brings the best sketch comedians from around the world and pairs them with local favorites.” One show on Friday night, two shows on Saturday night. More info and tickets here.

Ride the last bus of route 47 on Friday with your Summit Ave I-5 Shores friends and neighbors. Meet at The Lookout at 9:30pm.

Free ice cream! Hit up the Cal Anderson Park Shelter House 12 – 2pm on Saturday and talk with Parks Department reps and members of the Cal Anderson Park Alliance about how to help the neighborhood front lawn park thrive.

*Books pictured have not been banned, nor are they titillating.

In honor of Banned Books Week, Seattle Public Library is hosting Banned! Books in Drag at Neighbors Saturday at 6:30pm. “Some of Seattle’s favorite drag performers and comedians will give performances inspired by their favorite works of literature. Check out our collection of titillating fiction, find your next great read or sit back and enjoy a combination of drag and literature that is too hot to have in a library building!” This free event is for 21 and over.

The annual Seattle AIDS Walk and 5K Run begins and ends at Volunteer Park on Saturday. See the route (it may affect your driving plans) and find out more about the Lifelong organization’s move to E Pike.

Also Saturday, join the Central Area Block Party and a celebration of 100 years at Douglass-Truth Library. Details here.

And last but not least, the 3rd annual Seattle Faerie Festival, “an event of all things faerie, elven and magical offering a realm of live music, arts, food, vendors and theater inspired by fairy history and tradition.”  Get your picture taken with the Seattle Garden Gnome, ride the ponies, learn to twist a balloon, and more. This event is free and suitable for all ages.

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(Image: CHS)

The international event  PARK(ing) Day is Friday 9am – 3pm  and Capitol Hill will feature a cluster of pop-up parks. On the Hill you can tour a greenhouse, take a photo with string art, lounge, learn about having a neighborhood tool library, watch short films, and more. Head downhill to South Lake Union or to Downtown to visit even more one-day-only micro parks. Here’s a list of city-registered PARK(ing) Day sites.

The Capitol Hill Community Council meets on Thursday at the Cal Anderson Park Shelter House, 6:30 – 8pm. This month’s meeting focus is on crime and safety of Capitol Hill, with representatives from elected posts and SPD.

Hugo House launches the 2014-15 Literary Series on Friday with Backseats and Bedrooms. It’s about sex. Duh. ” Hear blush-inducing (or not!) new work from novelist Mona Simpson, author of Casebook and other novels; poet Dorothea Lasky, author of four books of poetry; and Carter Sickels, winner of the Lambda Literary’s Emerging Writer Award.” Info about future authors and dates for the new Lit Series is here.

Seattle Fringe Festival runs through Sunday at multiple venues on Capitol Hill. Each performance is just $10. From our earlier post: “A total of 22 works produced by companies that won a spot in the festival through its non-juried lottery will provide 88 chances to see a performance of an hour or less for $10 at five venues within walking distance of each other on the Hill. The Annex Theatre, Eclectic Theatre, two separate adapted stages at the The Northwest Film Forum and the fairly new Calamus Auditorium at Gay City are all sites for this year’s fringe fest.” More details here. For an in-depth look at the festival, check out Seattle Fringe: ‘a toehold in the neighborhood for risky, unusual, challenging, non-commercial arts’

Saturday: Happy 61st Birthday, Vito’s!

Thursday: 21 Capitol Hill restaurants, bars & food trucks ready to serve you at the annual Omnivorous fundraiser for Capitol Hill Housing.

Meet neighbors and help Volunteer Park stay beautiful at the Fall Restoration Day on Sunday, 10:00am – 2:00pm. Gloves and tools are provided and the event is for all ages and abilities, so just show up at the beds behind the dahlia garden near the Conservatory to lend a hand.

Something to add? Let us know on the CHS Calendar — more listings below:

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Michelle Smith-Lewis at Ghost Gallery

Kathryn Lien at Blindfold

Start  your weekend with the Capitol Hill Art Walk on Thursday. Pick from more than 30 venues, or try to hit them all. Dare you.  Highlights of this month’s walk: Northwest Film Forum‘s Screen Shots featuring new video art, Wage Slaves: Tales from the Grind (art and author readings) at Office Nomads, street art and live music at Sunset Electric, wet paint and macro photography at Ghost Gallery, a sexy trivia cocktail party at Babeland, and Penis Envy II at TMRW PARTY. Check the Art Walk’s Facebook page for last minute updates.

The first annual Red Door 5K Run / Walk to benefit Gilda’s Club Family Programs is at Cal Anderson park on Saturday. Registration (free!) starts at 7:30am, a kids dash is at 8:30am, and the 5k starts at 9:00am. Read more about Gilda’s Club and the 5K  here, and a century of the Broadway building’s history here.

Fall is for planting! The annual Friends of the Conservatory Fall Plant Sale takes place at the Dahlia Garden near the Volunteer Park Conservatory on Saturday 10am – 3pm.

The 3rd annual Drinkin’ Lincoln Bar Crawl starts at Montana on Saturday, 8pm. Join in with your own beard and black hat or plan to avoid.

Saturday evening Northwest Film Forum launches a new music movie series Puget Soundtrack, in which Seattle musicians and bands are selected to create a live score for a film of their choosing. First up: local animator and electronic musician Vox Mod (also of Lazer Kitty) sets his encyclopedia sci-fi knowledge loose on a mystery title.

The Capitol Hill Broadway Farmers Market  at Broadway and Pine is every Sunday, every week, 11am – 3pm.  Look for those fantastic fractal-like flowers – dahlias – to make a strong appearance in those $5 and $10 bouquets this week.

Something to add? Let us know on the CHS Calendar — more listings below:

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We know public school started this week but the official first day of fall isn’t until September 23rd, so keep your Capitol Hill summer going.

Velocity Dance Center kicks off its season with dance showcases on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The nights features different performances (lineups here) and tickets range $15  – $27.

“Each night brings together Seattle’s most gifted and charismatic artists to benefit Velocity and celebrate the talent and imagination of Seattle’s dance scene. Re-live the best performance moments of 2014 and preview what’s to come in 2015. The all-star line-up features zoe|juniper, Kate Wallich + The YC, Markeith Wiley, Heather Kravas, ilvs strauss, Alice Gosti, Coriolis Dance, The Pendleton House, Jim Kent + Dylan Ward, Dayna Hanson, Anna Conner + Co, Gender Tender, Cherdonna Shinatra, Mark Haim, Allie Hankins, Keyon Gaskin, Tahni Holt and more! Each night is one-of-a-kind and not to be missed.

Capitol Cider brings a bit of South Lake Union’s Cider Summit Seattle up to Capitol Hill on Thursday and Friday night. Thursday’s pre-summit party “Make Love to the Apple” starts at 6pm and features cider flights plus live music after 9pm.
On Friday, the Summit’s after-party at the Capitol Cider fireplace starts at 8pm. The official Cider Summit event at the SLU Discovery Center runs Friday and Saturday. Admission ($25/$30) includes a glass and 8 tastings. And you can bring your dog.

Friday, Expanding the Now: The Continual Line, “a four-hour-long performance in response to the Frye exhibitions Your Feast Has Ended and The Unicorn Incorporated,” fills the First Hill venue with groove.

Stroll 15th Ave E for the first ever 15th Avenue East Sidewalk Fest on Sunday, 2-6 pm. The street’s  merchants association promises “live music, modern dance, DJs, poetry readings, lots of free stuff, hair, health and beauty demos, tastings, and raffles for goods and services.” 

UPDATE: Here’s the butt-tastic promo poster… in thumbnail so nobody gets in trouble at the library

Is your vehicle in need of a wash? The Cuff has you/it/them covered/not covered on Sunday 2 – 5pm with Hot Crossed Buns and Drag Car Wash. The car wash is a fundraiser for the Imperial Court of Seattle’s scholarship fund. “Enjoy the sights of sexy men and some of the fiercest drag queens out there getting all dirty to get your car clean.” We’d love to post the NSFW promo poster here for your appreciation but, um, butts.

Something to add? Let us know on the CHS Calendar — more listings below:

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Seattle King County NAACP is asking citizens in Central Seattle and beyond to gather at Pratt Park Thursday for a rally in solidarity with the continuing protests in Ferguson, Missouri:

Seattle King County NAACP Stands in Solidarity with Ferguson, Missouri—join us on August 21st

What: Demand Justice for Victims of Police Abuse
When: Thursday, August 21st at 5:30pm
Where: Pratt Park (The corner of 20th Ave S & E Yesler Way)
Who: Event organized by Seattle King County NAACP

Thursday evening: the pop-up, one-day-only art gallery Vignettes is open on Yale Ave.

On Thursday, you can also join the Capitol Hill Community Council Meeting at the Cal Anderson Shelter House at 6:30pm for their transportation-focused agenda. Or join the Capturing Violence: a community discussion at 7pm at Northwest Film Forum.

Teen Witch concludes the Three Dollar Bill Cinemas movies in Cal Anderson Park on Friday. Starts at dusk (8:45ish) but get there early for good seats on the grass and pre-show music and games.

The drama Other Desert Cities opens at Eclectic Theatre this weekend, and Balconies continues at Annex Theatre.

Relay for Life teams will be day-camping and circling Cal Anderson Park on Saturday to raise funds for the American Cancer Society, 10am – 10pm. Are you tired of your long hair? Get a free haircut and donate your locks for wigs at the Pony Up! table, 12p – 2pm.

Pistil Books’ annual sale is Saturday afternoon in an alley off E Union, Rugby is a Drag (Rugby players! Performing! In drag! Hot!) is Saturday evening at Neighbors, and then there’s Linda’s Fest on Saturday.

Linda’s Fest is free and fun and loud and runs 5:30- 10pm in the back lot of Linda’s on Saturday. Food and drink specials, plus fun bands. CHS wrote about the fifth annual event celebrating Capitol Hill bands here.

“We’ll have rad food and drink specials all night in addition to our regular menu. Even though the festivities will be over by 10, the Rainier will be flowing wilder than the Columbia River into the wee hours of the night. Linda’s Fest will GO OFF in the Linda’s Tavern back parking lot, but that doesn’t mean your friend who lives on Olive won’t have his face melted via astral projection. Linda’s Fest is a Nice Place for Nice People, that’s why you’re invited.“

Saturday, the second annual Hopscotch CD event creates 2.9 miles of hopscotch play areas across the Central District. Included in the fun, Centerstone’s parking lot at 722 18th Ave will host the grandmamma of all hopscotch games in an attempt to break a world record.

Something to add? Let us know on the CHS Calendar — more listings below:

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It’s the heart of summer in Seattle! Here’s what’s happening on and around the Hill this weekend.

Claudius Phaedrus at Sunset Electric

Sunset Electric and Gage Academy join in on the Capitol Hill Art Walk this Thursday along with the 30+ regulars on the monthly art walk. Highlights from this month include a show on death at Gage, flags at Rhino Room,  zoetrope animation at Northwest Film Forum, urban-fantasy-inspired art at Ltd. Gallery, camping-themed art at Gay City, and intricate organic illustrations at Ghost Gallery. More art walk info and map here.

On Saturday, the Northwest Film Forum’s 9th annual Seattle Bike-In will be even bikey-er as it screens Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s bike chase thriller Premium Rush! as well as eight bike film shorts. The Bike-In is free and starts at dusk.

Join hundreds of your closest friends on Friday for the Three Dollar Bill Cinema’s screening of Clueless at Cal Anderson Park. DJ music starts at 7pm, pre-show fun and games at 8:30, and the movie at 9. The full (remaining!) Hill summer movie schedule is here.

And for the opposite of being with hundreds of friends, try Claustrophobia, a poetry reading in the Volunteer Park water tower on Friday at 6pm.

Shakespeare plays well outdoors. Volunteer Park Amphiteater hosts Love’s Labour’s Lost on Thursday at 7pm, Othello on Friday at 7pm, and a closing triple feature on Sunday with All’s Well That Ends Well at 1pm, Othello at 3pm, and Love’s Labour’s Lost at 7pm. All performances are free.

The annual Central Area Community Festival happens Saturday at Garfield Community Field at the corner of Cherry and 23rd., 10am until 7pm.  “The festival theme this year is Dare to Imagine This is your chance to see a diverse display of art and culture! Family and friends can enjoy a marketplace filled with music performances, art, food concessions, and loads of entertainment. The CACF’s mission is to educate by sharing the many cultures in the community and strengthening the pride, integrity, and spirituality of the community.”

Something to add? Let us know on the CHS Calendar — more listings below:

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Umoja Fest African Heritage Festival converges at Judkins Park in the Central District on Friday, Saturday and Sunday this weekend.”The festival and parade,which is coordinated by volunteers, is a three-day festival includes musical entertainment of all varieties, children’s group performances, dance, oration national recording artists, food, bargains, and plenty of fun.” Keep an eye on the fest’s Facebook  and Twitter for latest updates. 

On Thursday, The Pine Box remembers Bruce Lee, who 41 years ago was buried in Lake View Cemetery following a memorial service held at what is now The Pine Box. Bruce Lee films screen on the patio all night, starting at 5:45.

Pick up steampunk parts, accessories or unique clothing at the Time Traveler’s Rummage Sale on Saturday at All Pilgrims Church. 

This is the last weekend to catch Star Trek in the park at Blanche Lavizzo Park in the Central District.

Vibrations Festival returns to Volunteer Park on Sunday for a free afternoon and evening of music, vendors, artists, visual projection art and dancing. The event kicks off at 2pm, and the eighth and final band takes the stage at 9pm. Read more about Vibrations in our feature article here.

Like books? Like riding your bike? Like independent literature? Join APRIL for their second ever Book Store Bike Tour on Sunday. Meet up at 3pm at  the Cal Anderson Park fountain, then ride with fellow readers/writers/riders, lead by popular author Sarah Galvin. The route details are here.

There are two movies in the park to choose from on Capitol Hill Friday night: Bring it On in Cal Anderson and Osaka Elegy in Volunteer Park.

Something to add? Let us know on the CHS Calendar — more listings below:

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