Six choreographers. Fifteen dancers. One conversation.
That’s the basis for ‘A Moving Conversation’, an annual dance event centered on nurturing community through dance by connecting established and emerging choreographers with each other before performances at the Fremont Abbey. The audience, choreographers and dancers come together for a Q&A and conversation after the performances in a unique environment.
The event takes place over two days, Saturday, February 24th and Sunday, February 25th and features the works of choreographers Marlo Martin, Kenaniah Bystrom, Elana Jacobs, Christin Lusk, Elizabeth Mendana Shaw and Napthali Beyleveld.
Tickets are available at Brown Paper Tickets and range between $12-$15. They can also be purchased for $17 at the door.
Snacks, wine and beer will be available via the Abbey Cafe. Doors open at 7 p.m., the event begins at 8 p.m. For more information, check out the event page.
I’ll bet when you think of book clubs, you imagine a group of middle aged Seattle women sitting around sipping tea, munching crackers and chit-chatting. You might be wrong – at least, about one group.
Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland was the inspiration for 11 book club member/musicians’ sets performed throughout the evening to a packed house.
Geoff Larsen, curator of the club and emcee for the evening, said members of the club simply “read a book and write a song inspired by the book.”
The Fremont Abbey offered a unique and casual setting in the upstairs of the venue complete with high ceilings and fold-out chairs. Many attendees took advantage of the elaborate baked good table and beverages offered downstairs.
After drawing names for the order of their appearance, musicians entered stage to describe the meaning or inspiration behind the original song they were to perform. Some performers took the various characters from Alice in Wonderland as inspiration, while others sang about their overall impression of the novel, and a few simply made up characters. Hey, it’s Wonderland, why not?
Acoustic guitars were the main accompaniment for most songs, but other instruments like the harmonica, bass, violin, drums and accordion made an appearance.
There were roughly 175 people in attendance and the performances hailed an intimate yet casual feel. Songs ranged in their genre throughout the evening from bluegrass to alternative.
Please invite your friends, dress up a bit if you like (indie formal anyone?), and join us for a multi-arts celebration to sustain the Arts Center’s programs for all ages & incomes.
We had approximately 29,000 attendance at our programs in 2010 and we need your help to reach even more people with educational arts experiences & community interactions in 2012! Our new “Arts Share” program is now offering tickets and classes to low income people (and nonprofit workers) around the city including Solid Ground’s family housing!
The event will feature live performances from John Van Deusen of The Lonely Forest + Mychal & Melodie of Campfire OK), a 3D Photobooth, an “unusual” silent auction, prizes and much, much more.
Deliciousness will be provided in the form of appetizers by The Upper Crust Catering and Madres Catering as well as desserts by Portage Bay Catering. The Abbey Cafe team offers Specialty Cocktails (Hot & Cold), plus great local beer and Washington wine. Your entry ticket gets you food and at least 2 complimentary beer/wine tickets. Otherwise, it is a cash/credit bar.
There is a 5 p.m. free family hour but the main event begins at 7 p.m. Entrance starts at a $25 donation (but you can always give more if you like). You can also RSVP here.
If you’ve never been to the Abbey but always wondered what’s going on in there, there’s no better time to check it out than November 19.
Fremont Abbey has a full line-up of musical acts, touring artists, poets, painters and more. Check it out below and inquire on their website for ticket info…
October 4th – FRESH: Us On Roofs, Le Wrens, and Zebra Mirrors (Discount with Student ID!)
October 7th – Youth Round 1: featuring musicians Kithkin (EMP SoundOff!), Sonja Haroldson (Fremont Music School student), Mads Jacobsen; painter Destiny King; poets Troy Osaki and Raven Taylor.
October 8th – SONOS (LA), Arborea (Maine), Shana Cleveland & The Sandcastles (Curious Mystery)
October 11th – Round 77: featuring Loch Lomond, slam poets, live painter
October 14th-15th – From the Depths of Eternity: The Music of Thomas de Hartmann (piano concert)
October 18th – Jeffrey Foucault, Danny Barnes
October 26th – Tyler Ramsey (from Band of Horses), guests
It was just weeks ago that Italian restaurant Rialto moved out of its long-time spot at 4307 Fremont Ave N. And almost as soon as they were out, work began for the new tenant.
That would be Pecado Bueno, which plans on opening sometime very soon (Fall 2011). According to their placeholder website, they’re not just here to serve food. They’re here to redefine the entire battle of Good vs. Evil (kinda)…
Sin, was it worth it? Can food be worth the wrath of god, Eve felt so, and haven’t we all tasted something that just might be worth a little wrath of god?
Organic, local, free range, no hormones & sustainably harvested products into the best tacos, burritos, enchilada etc. The best tasting items with the right ingredients cooked simply and correctly. Not to mention a Tequila bar…
Want to get a sneak peak (or sneak taste, as it were) of what Pecano Bueno is all about? The restaurant is hosting The Fremont Abbey Arts Center for a pre-grand opening party and benefit:
Our new neighbors across the street, Pecado Bueno, are throwing us a pre-grand opening dinner party full of delicious organic & natural Mexican food, drinks, and you! Apparently even beer and margaritas are included and the food is sustainable and hormone free. Bring your friends and your appetite.
RSVP here if you’re interested in attending. The event is 6-9pm, suggested donations are $10-15 and all proceeds go to help Fremont Abbey.
August is a packed month at the Fremont Abbey Arts Center. Check out the schedule below and start making arrangements for someone to watch your kids/pets/plants cause you’re gonna be busy…
July 29 - Shenandoah Davis CD Release Party w/ Led to Sea, and Paleo. (”…the simplistic arrangements clear away like a pair of heavy velvet curtains to expose the true playful mastery of Davis’s compositions.” - Seattle Sound Magazine)
August 9 - Round 75 - featuring musicians: Alex Robert of The Black Whales, Land of Pines (more to be announced) ; live painting; and slam poets.
August 18 - Secret Hearts: A Night of Feist Songs at the Triple Door (featuring Charity Thielen from The Head and the Heart, Leslie Wood of Redwood Plan, Hannah Williams of Youth Rescure Mission, and Noah & Abbey Gundersen)
August 19 - Songs About Books (Ryan Barrett (The Pica Beats), Alex Guy (Led to Sea), Levi Fuller, Joshua Morrison, more)
August 24 - Allie Moss (from Ingrid Michaelson’s band), Bess Rogers, and Ian Axel
The Fremont Abbey Arts Center has announced their summer line-up of unique activities for Seattle’s youth to engage with the arts. Kids will have plenty of chances for hands-on learning through the arts the entire time.
Taught by experienced teaching artists, the Abbey offers classes of all kinds and even offer scholarships for each.
Here are some class highlights. Check out their website for more information on each class.
JULY:
Saturdays - SWIRL Kids Collaborative Arts Class for 4 - 8 year olds (Through August 20th)
Mondays – Brain Meets Body Modern Dance Adventures for 7 – 11 year olds (New sessions starting soon)
AUGUST:
August 8 -12 - ART ROCKS multi-arts camp for 7 - 10 year olds. Featuring dance, visual, and more!
August 15 - 19th - Rock Band Camp. A week of classes for Jr. High and High Schoolers with hands on instruction from professional instructors/musicians.
As for the Fair, it’s rapidly-approaching (June 18th, 19th). There are so many things to do at the fair, it’s hard to list them all. The folks running the extravaganza sent over this handy list of bullet points for the uninitiated to know all the must-see and artsy activities that weekend, including:
Fremont Arts Council Solstice Parade: The 24th Annual Fremont Solstice Parade takes place on Saturday, June 18th at noon. Produced by the Fremont Arts Council, the Fremont Solstice Parade is a showcase of art via human-powered floats.
Dads & Dogs Day – Dog Parade: Paralleling its human counterpart, the Fremont Arts Council’s Solstice Parade, fairgoers are invited to bring their four-legged friends on Sunday, June 19th at 2:30pm to participate in this fun pup procession. Bring your puppy in creative costume or let your dog strut his or her stuff au naturale.
Fremont Abbey Arts for All: Grow your brain on the arts at Fremont Abbey Arts for All at the Fremont Fair. Activities include a growing brain sculpture, chalk art, smell haiku, paint by neighbor and dance-a-painting. Plus, live performers and bands on the Fremont Abbey Stage!
Seattle Art Car Blowout: See more than 50 funky decorated art cars on display in the Burke Building parking lot (35th and Evanston). Cars travel from across the country to create the largest gathering of Art Cars in the Northwest! You can see them parked at the Fair, but want to see the art cars in motion? The Seattle Art Car caravan leaves Macrina Bakery in SODO at 10:00am on Sunday, June 19th and will head along the viaduct, past the EMP and crawl up the counterbalance and Queen Anne Avenue before crossing the Fremont Bridge into the neighborhood. Have you cameras ready!
Arts & Crafts Shopping: The Fremont Fair also features boutique shopping throughout the streets with over 300 booths filled with original arts and crafts, imports and opportunities to tie dye a t-shirt or get a henna tattoo.
The Fremont Fair is free and open to the public and runs from 10:00am to 8:00pm on Saturday with the Redhook Main Stage and Redhook Main Stage Beer Gardens open until 10:00pm. On Sunday, the Fair is open from 11:00am to 6:00pm. For more information and a complete schedule of activities, visit fremontfair.org. For the up-to-the-date announcements, follow @FremontFair on Twitter or find us on Facebook.
The Round turns 70 Tuesday night at The Fremont Abbey and they’ve got plenty of special guests on hand to help them celebrate.
If you haven’t been to a Round yet, you can expect to watch three songwriters share the stage alongside slam poets, live painters, improv backing musicians and more.
Door open at 7pm in the Abbey Cafe and the show begins at 8pm. Tickets are $8-10 at the door or $7 via Brown Paper Tickets. For more information, visit The Round website.
You live in Fremont. You have free time. You like to help others. You enjoy dancing and/or watching other people dance.
Well do I have some events for you…
March 4th, 7pm - Amuma Says No @ Hale’s Ale Pub
Representing the heart and soul of Basque music, this dynamic band has played at
Seattle Folk Life Festival, Kennedy Center and other top venues. The Boise, ID band brings
together the best of traditional trikitixa – a duo of accordion and tambourine –
with a modern rhythm section and songs sung in Basque. Tickets are $15 at the door and profits benefit the Summer in the USA Basque Program.
March 12th - Seattle Dances! 2nd Annual Dinner, Auction and Dance Competition @ Fremont Studios
A night of dancing, dining and auctioning to support Plymouth Housing Group. Each dollar you donate is a “vote” — and the dancer who raises the most money online before Saturday, March 12 will win the Cyber Choice Mirror Ball Trophy at the event. All “votes” are tax-deductible. Get more information here.
April 8th, 5:30pm - New Abolitionist Movement: Dance Concert For A Slave Free World @ Fremont Abbey.
Karin Stevens Dance will present a concert of contemporary dance and live music with the Seattle band, JUBILEE, at the Fremont Abbey Arts Center. This concert will present a body of new work to two classic JUBILEE songs and five from their recently released album, To See you Well. The concert will raise awareness of the local fight against human trafficking with the help of partnering organization Seattle Against Slavery. Tickets range from $15 Student, $18 general, $23 door and some proceeds go to help SAS.
The Swellegant is an annual party and mini-auction event hosted by the B.F. Day PTSA. It is first and foremost an opportunity for the B.F. Day adult community to come together and socialize. Of course, we can’t pass up the opportunity to raise a little dough for the kids so they’ll be a small silent auction and a raffle that night as well.
The event takes place Saturday, March 5th from 7:00 to 11:00pm at the Fremont Arts Abbey. There will be cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, live music, a silent auction and something called a “golden raffle” which sounds way better some plain, old normal raffle.
Tickets are $40.00 per person in advance, $50.00 at the door, and all the proceeds go to funding the arts and sciences at B.F. Day. To purchase your ticket or donate an item to the silent auction, head over to the PTSA site now.
On February 25th & 26th, Fremont Abbey Arts Center will present ‘A Moving Conversation,’ its first annual movement arts event with an Audience/Artist exchange to follow each concert. Twelve of Seattle’s emerging and established choreographers will perform and join in the conversation.
The event was conceived and curated by Abbey Dance Curator, Karin Stevens. Stevens will moderate a ‘conversation’ between the choreographers at a pre-performance dinner and also at the post-performance choreographer and audience exchange that is open to the public. A Moving Conversation is part of the Abbey’s mission to be a vibrant community venue that provides a supportive space for artistic development and educational opportunities for the audience through creative events. Performances will take place in the Great Hall .
“It’s an opportunity for the audience to be at the table as well,” Stevens commented. “But it’s not a lecture. We want it to be an exchange. We’re coming together so people can learn what goes into making a dance.”
The seasoned professionals and budding new artists who will participate in the event include: Marlo Martin, Andre Bouchard, Katy Hagelin, Victoria McConnell, Sarah Seder, Alex Martin, Freya Wormus, Keneniah Bystrom, Sarah Olds, Kristen Legg, Marissa Haga, and Markeith Wiley.
Words, when thrown together by complete strangers, can sometimes result in “something new” that reflects their own experiences: lost love, reactions to our spastic spring/summer and of course, Solstice.
On Saturday, June 19 at the Fremont Fair and Solstice Parade, local “Teacher/Writer/Word Nerd” Taylor Houston - who also runs the Writer’s Cramp at the Fremont Abbey Arts Center - set out a blank canvas at the Fremont Abbey Arts for All tent and asked anyone and everyone to add a line to a Collaborative Poem. Each writer was asked to read a few lines back and use the images, ideas, and associations generated by the lines written previously by other authors to continue the poem.
About 20 writers of all ages and backgrounds added lines to the poem (15 of the authors who gave their names as listed are shown after the poem). Houston said, “the result is a rich mix a whimsical imagery mixed with tones of longing and nostalgia.” See for yourself:
Let! the Sun Shine
The Frost gone,
the rain splashes gently growing trees
our heart are warm and full…
My face gets wets I catch the ball
And in the stillness of the solstice I stop
to hear the sound of your footsteps approaching softly
against the sunny pavement! Oh, summer.
We love your warm caresses
Pots and lids of honey morning dew SPILT
Fun for everyone who doesn’t get hurt.
Press on regardless
The end is the beginning of something new
That something is breakfast…fruit loop pancakes!
Hurry before I give in and eat something else!
Eat something else–Like an Elephant–Yikes!
But save some berries for me.
Berries are the sweetest when gathered at dawn
A full moon Champagne Sunset lights my darlings eyes.
I must avert my gaze before our eyes
Get lost in each other’s stare
Just the blue haze of memories between us
Lasting long enough till autumn comes
And then floundering two bits in the careless wind of time
Winter is almost here, feel the breeze far and near
So soon the sun becomes less and less and the evening flame dies too soon.
- Authored by Linh, Bob, GM, Scott, Tom, Kateri, Terrance, Julianne, Rose, Moreah, Chantra, Chris West, Ashish Singru, Ani SeShetler, Lauren Marshall, and a few anonymous authors.
This is Writer’s Cramp first such project, and hopes to stage other similar projects at future Seattle events. Writer’s Cramp is a writing class that meets Thursday nights from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Fremont Abbey, 4272 Fremont Ave N. in Seattle. The class is open to adult writers of all levels and interests. For more information, please see the web site or check the events listing at www.fremontabbey.org. Writer’s Cramp is also on Facebook and Twitter (@writerscramp1).
Another First Friday, another Fremont ArtWalk. Lots going on tonight, so be sure to give yourself lots of time, for there will be plenty of opportunity for new discoveries this evening.
Just some of the many interesting events you could find on your journey tonight:
At the Fremont Abbey Arts Center: Playing off of the philosopher Walter Benjamin’s “dialectical image”, Craig van den Bosch’s current work “addresses the dynamics of biology vs. technology and asks whether there will be a harmony between the two as the gap closes.” But wait, it’s not just an exhibit, but an experience engaging several senses: the soundtrack to the evening’s art show will be provided by Diagram of Suburban Chaos and Logic Probe in the Abbey’s Café with VJ accompaniment by Lindell Alderman (video). “The combination of the ethereal artwork and the electronic and ambient music of the artists will provide a curious test for the senses and a Friday night not to missed.” Also: video from Karin Steven’s Dance Company who performed recently at the Abbey with music composed by van den Bosch.
Over at Theo’s Chocolate (3400 Phinney Ave. N.): Music by Shawnmarie starting at 6, poetry by Landon Longhill at 7, music by Boyz 2 Dinosaurs at 8. Look for the Molly Moon’s ice cream truck outside the entry to Theo’s throughout the evening.
An artist reception at Portage Bay Goods (706 N 34th St.) from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., where Anne Baumgartner displays in the old Capers building window as part of the “Expose yourself to Art in Fremont” Window Art Project. It’s part of an an ongoing series “aimed at repurposing vacant storefront space in Fremont for artistic expression in-between tenants.”
And here’s an event you might not see everyday: Emerald Sprints Roller Racing: “Beat The Racer” Night at 9 Million In Unmarked Bills (3507 Fremont Pl. N.). You don’t even have to hit the pavement in this one! Racers go on stationary bikes and compete in 400-meter heats in this free, all-ages Cascadia Crits event.
It’s a beautiful night to do some good and enjoy an evening of music, art and poetry.
The Round is turning 5 tonight! But it’s also the 60th multi-arts evening presented by the Fremont Abbey Arts Center at 8 p.m. tonight (doors open at 7:30). 4272 Fremont Ave. N., $7 advanced, $10 at the door.
This evening will benefit America SCORES Seattle which provides elementary school students from under-served communities with a five-day-a-week after-school program combining literacy and athletics.
The Round is a monthly multi-arts event held in Seattle since 2005.
Three curated singer songwriters share the stage with slam poets and live painters as well as an improv backing band. The selected artists are invited to share their craft in a setting focused on collaboration and community.
Tonight’s line-up: Zach Tillman of Pearly Gates, Jenna Conrad of Troubletown and special guests including an improv band. Poets: Karen Finneyfrock (published author) and Joshua Boyd (from Iowa) plus three painters Jen Grabarzcyk, Brent Holland and Christen Mattix.
Past rounds have featured some stellar local talent: David Bazan, Robin Pecknold (Fleet Foxes), Rosie Thomas, Jesse Sykes and Damien Jurado to slam poet champs like Danny Sherrard, Buddy Wakefield, Karen Finneyfrock and Matt Gano alongside painters like Emily Leonard, Jesse Brown, Scott Erickson, Christen Mattix and Kate Protage. Podcasts, videos, photos and more are available at the website.
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:
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).
Six choreographers. Fifteen dancers. One conversation.
Saturday, November 19th, the Fremont Abbey Arts Center turns six-years-old and they’re 
Fremont Abbey
It was just weeks ago that Italian restaurant 
