Arts & Culture

  • Shelf Talks with local poet Megan Snyder-Camp

    We recently interviewed Megan Snyder-Camp, local Seattle poet and author of The Forest of Sure Things (Tupelo Press, 2010), about her craft and literary inspiration. One piece of advice many writers hear is “write what you know.” Do you take that advice? What advice have you found useful? I think we need invention to approach… Continue reading

  • Paperback Readers

    Although not nearly as famous as Paul McCartney’s “scrambled eggs” dream that resulted in the iconic “Yesterday,” the birth of “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” is equally interesting. Being the 1960s, George Harrison was really into the I Ching at the time (see also: Pattie Boyd and LSD). He vowed to write a song by… Continue reading

  • The World’s Fair

    The Century 21 Exposition (or Seattle World’s Fair) took place in Seattle from April 21 to October 21, 1962. The first major American world’s fair after World War II, it presented an optimistic vision of a future improved through science and technology, and promoted Seattle to the world as a space-age city. Exhibits focused on… Continue reading

  • Fashion Redux

    I know, I just posted about pre-1950 fashion designers, but the new Alexander McQueen book, Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty (2011), has got me excited again about some later designers of note. Sadly, McQueen committed suicide in February of 2010, but his work is amazing. He said that he designed from the side, because that is… Continue reading

  • Sotero Photograph Collection

    The Seattle Public Library has a number of interesting visual collections. One example is the Sotero photograph collection, which offers a window into the world of African Americans in uniform during the World War II era. Marjorie Sotero collected these photographs during her time as a director of the African American Servicemen’s Clubs at Seattle’s… Continue reading

  • Omar Souleyman: Syria’s ambassador of pop

    Seattle is in for a treat on June 9, as international legend Omar Souleyman graces Neumos with his heady blend of Syrian folk and pop. Though he is well-known in his native country and actively performing material since 1994, it wasn’t until recently that Souleyman’s recordings have been released stateside, thanks to Seattle label Sublime Frequencies.… Continue reading

  • Fashion, Fashion, Fashion

    You watch “Project Runway,” or “The Fashion Police.” You hear names like Christian Lacroix, Issey Miyake, John Paul Gaultier, Marc Jacobs, and Michael Kors. But how did it all begin? The first fashion design houses began around the turn of the century (the 20th century that is). Fashion design itself started in the late 19th… Continue reading

  • Honk! Fest! West!

    This year the Fourth Annual Honk Fest West, a free three day community supported music festival, will be taking place on May 13th-15th. I luckily stumbled upon this event last year due to a friend of mine creating the logo for the event.  I attended the Georgetown location and it was a blast! There was… Continue reading

  • What to read while waiting for A Game of Thrones

    It’s hard to believe it’s been a decade since the Lord of the Rings hit theaters, and the world was instantly smitten with High Fantasy–visions of hobbits dancing through our heads! If you loved Tolkien’s Middle Earth and always craved something more after devouring the books, then HBO’s new adaptation of George R. R. Martin’s A… Continue reading

  • See how pretty, see how smart

    Well kids, the self-proclaimed “greatest band in the history of music,” the Melvins will once again be gracing Seattle with their exalted presence May 13 and 14. They will be playing some of their most esteemed works, including the albums Houdini and Stoner Witch, in their entireties. If you need to find me I’ll be… Continue reading

  • A Cyclist’s Soundtrack

    May is here, and that means it’s time once again for one of my favorite events of the year, Bike to Work Month. To increase the visibility of urban cyclists and encourage others to ride their bicycles to get around the city, Cascade Bicycle Club sponsors a number of events throughout the month, including the… Continue reading

  • Bite Me

    “Vampire? Such a provocative word, wrapped in too many clichés and girly novels.” -Uncle Will, The Radleys Yup, more vampires…admit it, you love them…or love to hate them, but either way they are here to stay. They are making their way into our literature and our movies, but they don’t always have to leave a… Continue reading

  • This reading series has roots!

    This Thursday night, Ballard Branch Library co-sponsors one of the longest running reading series in our city: It’s About Time Writers Reading Series #258 Esther Helfgott will emcee this 2nd Thursday reading, #258 in a monthly series that stretches back a few decades.  Esther, one of Seattle’s literary treasures and a writer herself, has nurtured… Continue reading

  • Nightstand Reads: On tour with The Head and the Heart

    What do musicians read when on tour? We asked Charity Thielen, vocalist and violinist in The Head and the Heart, to give us a peek at her nightstand reads (or, rather, tour van reads) when they were on the U.S. leg of their three-month tour (they’re playing in Amsterdam tonight, then it’s on to Glasgow). We’ve… Continue reading

  • You’re a Poet, and You Know It!

    April is National Poetry Month, and there are lots of local venues to encourage you to read, write and listen to poetry. First up is the Northeast Library’s all-ages poetry contest. All throughout April, everyone is invited to submit an original one page poem written in the last year, for the chance to win prizes in three age… Continue reading

  • Sit Down with Stand-Ups

    My colleagues inform me that March is the official month of mirth, a more depressing concept I truly cannot think of. Despite my enormous reservations with such a frivolously joyful demarcation (what next, Cake and Presents Day?!?), I resign myself to acknowledging such trivialities in my role of public servant. So here we are. Mirth.… Continue reading

  • Alvin Ailey’s Revelations

    From Revelations to Cry, a Kinetic Mopal of Been Here and Gone, Come and Get the Beauty of It under a Hot Blood Burning Moon, The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater is heading towards Seattle on a Caverna Magica of Days Past, Not Forgotten.* The company will grace the stage of the 5th Avenue Theatre on… Continue reading

  • Be Your Own Hero

    I’m currently riding the wave of anticipation. One of my most beloved childhood spots is making a comeback. The Southgate Roller Rink in White Center is currently undergoing renovation and is slated to open in April! I’ve already decided to have my birthday there and it will be the go to activity for my nieces and me…and I… Continue reading