If spring ever decides to make a consistent appearance in Seattle, this weekend should be a perfect way to enjoy it, starting with the second annual Fremont Village Festival on Saturday, May 1, which begins with workshops at 10 a.m. and ends at 10 p.m. after an evening benefit concert featuring performers such as Carrie Akre, Curtains For You and Grant Geertsma.

It’s one of several events happening in Fremont this weekend (more posts will follow, including one on the Fremont Arts Council May Pole celebration at Woodland Park).

In Fremont, known affectionately to residents as the “Center of the Universe” (which would also account for this blog’s moniker), there is a part of the neighborhood that’s come to be known as “Fremont Village” - “the peak of the universe” on Fremont Avenue from BF Day school to the Zoo, with a hub at Fremont Abbey Arts Center on 43rd, stretching over to Peak Park on the ridge.

“We see this area as a fun place to live and visit. Come and see it all: the arts center, restaurants, the community center,” said Nathan Marion, the director of Fremont Abbey Arts Center since it began 5 years ago.

The event is a celebration of early springtime and coincides with opening events and exhibits at the Zoo (Meerkats!) and also serves as a warm up for the Fremont Fair, June 19-20.

Fee-based workshops at Fremont Abbey kickstart the day at 10 a.m.: turning recycled sweaters into wristwarmers, yoga for two and Tuning the Air guitar.

Then free giveaways such as family passes to the Zoo and local music CD’s begin around 2. Family fun looks certain, with all-ages activities such as:

• Face painting by Robin - www.PartyArtByRobin.com
• Singer/songwriter Andrew Vait
• Advise on final artwork for the NEW 46th Street Mural
• Modern dance demonstrations by Karin Stevens Dancers
• Swing dance lessons by Kevin Buster & Amy Best
• Culinary arts demos, samples & teaching with Dannika Underhill
• Artwork on display from BF Day elementary students
• Neighborhood safety information from FAWN
• Self-defense demos by local martial arts instructor
• Urban farms & local farm CSA information
• Community painting outside
• Sidewalk chalk art contest (with prizes!)

The concert begins at 7, with a suggested $7-10+ donation. Proceeds support Fremont Abbey’s ALL-ages arts programs. Along with these programs, “community driven and volunteer powered” Fremont Abbey also hosts performances, classes and a music school.

Festival goers can also enjoy free hot chocolate for kids at Caffe Vita, $5 pizzas at Tribunal from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., and help out at the Neighborhood Council Adopt-A-Street Clean-up from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. (starting at FAC’s Powerhouse).

More than 20 bands from across the U.S. and Canada can be seen and heard in four neighborhoods at the 3rd annual Honk! Fest West this weekend.  The festival celebrates the music of acoustic, mobile and street bands, and kicks off with a Fremont Neighborhood Block Party on Friday night from 6:00-10:00 p.m.  Twenty-four bands are scheduled to perform on four stages along 35th between Phinney Ave N and 1st Ave NW.  Expect 35th Ave to be closed to cars during that time. 

On Saturday night, the festival moves to the Central Area and Georgetown.  The music concludes Sunday in West Seattle at the Junction.  Cost at each location is free and open to the public, but donations are gladly accepted to help cover costs and expenses.

Members of the Fremont Arts Council (FAC) spent part of a beautiful October afternoon cleaning up the troll and its environment for Trolloween. Trolloween is a ‘birthday’ celebration of sorts for the troll, and volunteers said they usually see 300+ people on Halloween night who come dressed up to watch a performance and then parade through Fremont.

The FAC has been cleaning the troll in preparation for the celebration every year for the past 19 years that Trolloween has been celebrated. More information is available on their site, including details about the performance- a mixture of Shakespeare and Greek lore. Stay tuned for more details about Halloween happenings throughout Fremont.