Summertime in the Sculpture Park

Monday, June 28th, 2010

The headlines tell the story. Looking at the list of summertime activities at the Olympic Sculpture Park, the words positively leap off the webpage and inspire daydreams: “Yoga.” “Farmer’s Market.” “Dancing ‘Til Dusk.” The Seattle Art Museum’s almost impeccably gorgeous outdoor adjunct has a packed schedule of free events, including drop-in outdoor yoga on Saturday mornings, a farmer’s market on Sundays, and more live music than you can shake Roy McMakin’s ampersand at:

Jul 15, 5:30-7:30 pm – Join Tumbao for hot Latin jazz & salsa, along with a dance lesson.

Sept 9, 6-9 pm – Dancing ‘til Dusk (co-presented with Seattle Parks and Recreation) and the Art of Jazz present Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra, Big Band Swing.

All these riches are piled on top of what the Sculpture park already offers: some of the city’s best outdoor art, and a view of the big water that is unfailingly breathtaking. Check the Olympic Sculpture Park’s page for the whos, whats, whens and whyfores.

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Spend your two cents! Best Tax Day freebies and discounts

Thursday, April 15th, 2010

Broke? Desperate? Thirsty? Undersexed? Don’t you fret. Several local and national businesses are taking pity on the American taxpayer today.

If you bring a travel mug into Starbucks, they’ll fill it with free coffee. It’s their crappy-tasting drip coffee, but if you shake some vanilla or cinnamon into it, it’s passable.

Taco Del Mar is giving out free tacos, but you have to print out this coupon.

Cinnabon is handing out free, bite-sized chunks of diabetes. Off to the airport with you!

Monica Guzman over at The PI notes that the Capitol Hill Babeland is giving away free vibrators to the first 100 filers who walk in and ask for one. She got the tip from a reader, so just relax, you dirty birdy.

Jamba Juice? Pullin’ a BOGO. Get the coupon.

And if you can hold onto that last nickel for two days, the businesses of the West Seattle Junction are going sales tax-free this Saturday. Details, and additional coupons, are here.

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Take free classes in you-name-it at Field House

Monday, March 1st, 2010

The Field House prides itself on having every little thing that you need to survive — clothing, candles, organic groceries, and now, information. Every Sunday of this month, the Ballard grocery/dry goods shop will host free classes by various self-made experts, all with the express purpose of teaching you to do the practical things for yourself. On March 7, Pike and Western Wine Shop owner Michael Teer will speak on acquiring a palate for the wines of northwest Italy; on March 14, bicycle mechanic and former BMX racer Tyler Johnson will tell you how to keep your bike upright and rolling; on March 21, felt artist Ashley Helvey will demonstrate the basic techniques of wet felting; and on March 28, Field House/Blackbird owner Nicole Miller will talk you through the mending of buttonless shirts or ripped jeans. All classes begin at 3 p.m. — and remember, it’s all free.

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Whistle, plunk and boom: Toy Box Trio at the Henry

Wednesday, February 17th, 2010

Do not make fun of Dana Wen’s tiny pink piano. The Toy Box Trio — Nate Lee on tuba, Harlan Glotzer on concertina and Wen on the keys — manages to draw a remarkably full and rich sound from the likes of that wittle baby grand. The pictures that the Trio’s music paints are offbeat, intimate and even a little dark; it makes me imagine carnival scenes acted out by stop-motion animated clowns and patrons, but your results may vary. In any case, Toy Box Trio plays a show at the Henry Art Gallery this Thursday, February 18 from 7:30 to 9 p.m., and it’s a must-see concert for those who love the unusual and the unknown. There’s no cover.

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Tonight in Capitol Hill freebies

Friday, February 5th, 2010

Pound Arts, the Capitol Hill gallery complex that boasts this town's only (as far as I know) 24-hour, public access photo darkroom, is holding an open house tonight from 6 to 10 p.m. Dozens of artists will show off hundreds of works — paintings, sculpture, films, jewelry, video art and, naturally, photographs. The Pound is at 1216 10th Ave., within staggering distance of the bars that help make Capitol Hill's name, so you've basiaclly no excuse not to stop by and art up. There's no cover.

Later in the evening: The Capitol Club, in association with Potatoes O'Brien and Homonegro, presents "Blackout," a mighty dance party expedition floating on a sea of "50s rock/60s soul/70s funk/80s cheese/90s hip hop/00s indie, plus assorted bangers and whatnot." The beats strrrrretch from 10 p.m. to 1:30 a.m., and there's no cover.

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You don’t need pants for the light rail victory dance

Saturday, January 9th, 2010

PHOTO: LUSH.BUNNY

This was the scene on a Los Angeles rail platform last January: Hundreds of average citizens availing themselves of our American right to take rail transit and not wear pants. It took a while to clear the obstacles preventing that patriotic fervor from spreading to Seattle, but now we’re built for it: We’ve got a snazzy new light-rail system, and we’ve got a critical mass of locals who are willing to take a pants-free Sunday ride from Westlake Center to the Sea-Tac, with a probable photo detour through Monica Guzman’s blog.
The No Pants! Light Rail Ride, happening this Sunday, January 10 at noon, has but a few qualifications: You must be “Willing to take pants off on light rail,” “Able to keep a straight face about it,” “Wear(ing) non-offensive underwear” — and you must pay the fare, of course. Full details are here. Do it for America.

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When Pike Place Market smiles, you’ll see Raw Corn

Monday, January 4th, 2010

Before you read another word, I want you to watch the embedded video above and try — TRY! — to resist its charms. You can't, can you? The guitar, the accordion, Da Ramones … it all adds up to a kind of holy transcendence. I've said it before and I'll say it again: I love livin' in a city where two guys can sing "Hey-ho, let's go/shoot 'em in the back, now" in a public place, and locals look on blithely and pay them money. I'm in the hundred-percent correct place.

Raw Corn, a "guerrilla busking cover band" that puts its roots down in Pike Place Market several days a week, knows your favorite songs and dozens more on top of that. Guitarist Ronn Benway and accordionist Craig Lay don't cover songs so much as they ambush and brainwash them. Songs by Journey, The Beatles and Johnny Cash are given such frenzied and upbeat readings that you almost forget that you're standing in the middle of a farmer's market listening to a pair of borderline lunatics yelling their heads off. You are swept up in the sheer joy of the moment. Raw Corn makes your favorite songs become your favorite songs all over again through sheer force of will, and for chrissakes, the least you can do is give 'em a buck.

Anyway, a friend of mine found this swell video the other day — thank you, Fig — and he also mentioned that Raw Corn has a Facebook fan page, which you should add to your list all lickety-split. Joey Ramone woulda dunnit.

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Bright “Days” at Studio 1000

Friday, December 4th, 2009

In its cozy, fire-lit Studio 1000, downtown’s Hotel 1000 has one of the nicest lounge bars in this city. Hell, I’d rather be there right now rather than in my own home, even though my place has free booze and ginger cookies. Through Christmas, they’ll be putting that lounge to its best possible use by hosting 12 Days of Comfort, Joy and Cheer, a series of free readings, recitals and dance performances held for the sole purpose of taking the edge off the season. This Saturday, December 5, Studio 1000 welcomes author Langdon Cook, who will be on hand from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. to talk foraging; other upcoming “12 Days” events include performances by members of Seattle Men’s Chorus, Total Experience Gospel Choir, the Seattle Flute Society and many more.

The kitchen at the adjoining BOKA and the hotel’s spa are getting in on the action with special “12 Days”-themed items and promotions whose proceeds will benefit Art With Heart, and the hotel is wrapping up the whole package with “Beatles Rock Band” competitions on Sundays and Wii Downhill Skiing competitions on Tuesdays. I’ll mention these events again in the weeks ahead; for now, check out the schedule and let me know which night you’ll be there to buy me drinks.

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Happy Thanksgiving!

Thursday, November 26th, 2009

It’s a happy day for The Spellout for three reasons. One: Most of us are with friends and family and people we love dearly, and I like that. Makes me happy when you’re happy. Two: I don’t have to fly anywhere today. If you have, I hope it was painless. Three: The Spellout is taking the day off. Look for the Cheap-end update tomorrow morning, and have a happy Thanksgiving!

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Learn free skills at The Field House

Tuesday, November 17th, 2009

Hey-oh: I wrote a piece on The Field House for NWsource and plumb forgot to tell you about it. This new Ballard general store offers everything one needs to sustain life — shirts, shoes, groceries, candles, dishes, chocolate, afghans. Much of their stock comes from local sources, and some of it is modestly-priced. (Other items are less so; I have to admit it. Still, it's nice stuff nonetheless.) But what makes The Field House interesting to The Spellout is the fact that the store will soon offer free classes in stuff you need to know — everything from de-boning chickens to tying sailors' knots. At present, the store is collecting suggestions for classes and probably volunteer instructors to teach 'em, so if you have an idea of what you'd like to learn or have a basic skill you'd like to teach, head on down to the Field, treat yourself to handful of dates or mixed nuts, and talk some shop.

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