Fremont Abbey is bringing tons of great music, dance, art and more to the neighborhood in July. But then again you already knew that, didn’t you? That’s what they do.  Check out their list of upcoming events below and keep an eye on Fremont Abbey’s website and Facebook page for more news, updates and how to buy tickets.

July 12 - The Round 74, featuring Laura Gibson, Tomo Nakayama, Bright Archer (Johanna Kunin) as well as poets and painters. Weather-permitting, the Abbey will also be doing a community BBQ from 6:30-8:00 outside on the Abbey patio (BYO grilling items, they’ll provide the rest), and then possibly some music outside in a secret/epic sunset location (9ish), then back to the Abbey for the main show. Sounds all kinds of awesome.

July 15 – Marian Call (Wildysworld.blogspot.com named her album “Vanilla” the number one indie release of 2008 out of 600 albums).

July 16 – Threads (Modern dance showcase featuring Sapience Dance, Katy Hagelin Dance, Victoria McConnell, and Kenaniah Bystrom)

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)

Who doesn’t like the idea of a free neighborhood festival of arts, music, food & fun for ALL ages? The 3rd Annual Upper Fremont Festival kicks off at 1pm this Saturday at the Fremont Abbey Arts Center and doesn’t stop providing all that aforementioned good stuff until 10pm.

The Abbey will have various arts programs, singers, performers and kid-friendly activities in and outside the building between 1-5pm, including free food demos from Vegan Fusion chef Mark Reinfeld, Zootunes giveaways and the BF Day Elementary School’s “ART ROCKS” Benefit event, featuring local bands & BF Day students.

At 5pm, Emily Anne Peterson’s cello students perform their Spring Recital in the Great hall (a free event), followed by poetry by Elaina Ellis and dance by Karin Stevens.

Finally, the day comes to a close with a concert featuring great local bands Sea Fever, Kimo Muraki & band and Hooves & Beak.

Tickets for the concert are $5 for students, $7 general admission and doors open at 6:30pm. The Abbey Cafe will serve refreshments but feel free to grab some food from a neighborhood eatery and bring it with you.

Have you been feeling a little square lately? Tonight’s your chance to smooth out those corners and get rounded again.

The Round 71 takes place tonight, starting at 8pm (doors open at 7pm) and features the usual eclectic mix of artists, musicians, poets and more.

Musical Guests:

Seattle singer-songwriter Shelby Earl (watch a video here)

John Lennon Songwriting Award winners OK Sweetheart, who have a new album out. (watch video here).

Portland’s Kasey Anderson (watch video here).

Live Artists:

Eric Newman, who will be doing live pottery.

Malia Sleight, who will be doing live sculpture.

Poetry:

A collection of Youth Speaks poets.

Tickets are $8-10 at the door, or you can purchase on Brown Paper Tickets for as low as $7.

The Round is also raising money via Kickstarter for the very first Round Compilation Album.

We plan on taking some of the best live recordings from the always unique & collaborative ROUND performances over the years, and making them available to everyone!  Many songs are completely unique recordings with rare (and sometimes improvised) instrumentation.  Some even feature the Seattle Rock Orchestra as well.  You’ll probably even quite literally hear yourself singing along in one of the songs.  We can’t absolutely guarantee who will make the cut, but we do promise it’ll sound great!

Head on over there to find out more and donate if you can.

With its Trolls and giant Russian dudes and new restaurants and plentiful nightlife, “South” Fremont is usually what people point to when they want to show off our neighborhood. Seattle Magazine could have easily just named all of Fremont as one of Seattle’s Best Neighborhoods when it came up with its list. Instead, they specifically called out the unheralded “Upper Fremont Avenue North” aka Fremont Village section of the neighborhood as one the city’s best.

Seattle Mag calls the area between North 41st and North 45th streets as a “Seattle nouveau hippie haven.”They point out that while the neighborhood has lost some longtime businesses recently, it’s also gaining new blood.

The demise last fall of the much loved Buckaroo Tavern, serving suds since 1938, probably garnered Upper Fremont (also called Fremont Village) its most press ever, but this short sidewalk strip just up the hill from the main attractions of Fremont is more deserving of a visit than ever. Along with staples such as Hansen’s Florist, Brad’s Swingside Cafe and Marketime Foods are several other attractions—some new, some well established.

As a resident of the area myself, I think this section of Fremont is just beginning to go through a renaissance. As Fremont Abbey continues to establish itself, the restaurants around it grow and the few remaining empty spaces should get filled. Looking forward to seeing where this tiny section of Fremont goes from here.

The Round is back at Fremont Abbey tonight. The concert/poetry slam/art exhibit/hangout has a pretty cool line-up planned, including:

• Kyle Bradford – http://www.myspace.com/kylebradfordhawkins

• Ross of Yuni in Taxco – http://yuni.bandcamp.com/

• Talitha Bullock – http://www.myspace.com/talithaandemily

• Slam Poets: Rose McAleese + Youthspeaks poets – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Qjng6t9ThE

• Live painter Craig van den Bosch – www.vandenboschart.com

• Live painter Cait Willis – www.caitwillis.com

• Live painter Julia Carpenter – www.juliacarpenterpaintings.com

• Improv band: Steve Norman (pedal steel), Kaz (drums), Bryce (bass)

Tickets are $7 in advance and $10 at the door. They can be purchased at Brown Paper Tickets. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show begins at 8 p.m.

For more information check out the Round’s Facebook page.

Some news and items of interest for Fremonsters…

• The Seattle Times has a nice write-up of the Fremont Abbey and all their events.

• SeattlePI.com has an editorial on how the higher parking rates will impact small businesses in Fremont and other neighborhoods.

• Bernadette Matsuno, will serve as interim director of the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods until Mayor Mike McGinn selects a permanent replacement.

• The “Mayor of Fremont” get a shout-out in this online comic.

• Fremont Abbey and Lighthouse Roasters win some awards from QuallyQue.

• Article on the owners of Fremont’s Flying Apron, who run a gluten-free bakery with a very tech-heavy background.

You could call The Round a concert but that would be selling the event just a wee bit short. While three musicians will take turns performing tonight at the Fremont Abbey, they’ll also be sharing the stage with a slam poet, live painters and an improv band.

Tonight’s musicians include Matt Bishop from Hey Marseilles, Portland’s Kelli Schaefer and Bryan John Appleby. The slam poet will be Dezmond from Youthspeaks and the live painters will be Laci McCrea, Karina Sprinkle and Rachel Smith.

Proceeds from tonight’s event are going to benefit Aurora Commons, a safe place and service center for those in the neighborhood who need some help, connection or healing.

Doors open at the Abbey at 7 p.m. and the show begins at 8 p.m. Tickets are $10 at the door, $8 for students or $15 for a reserved seat in the front row.

Some news and notes of interest for Fremonsters…

• Fremont-based ski and snowboard apparel seller Evo just snatched up $6 million in financing as it looks to expand its line of products into other sports categories like surfing and add new gear that appeals to a younger audience.
• Fremont Brewery’s Abominable Ale gets some solid reviews from Seattlest. The Bourbon Abominable also picked up a lot of votes at the Winter Beer Festival.
• The Seattle Department of Transportation released a map showing the location of every vehicle-caused pedestrian fatality in the city from 2005 to 2010. One location was close to Fremont, on Aurora.
• Dance innovator and pioneer Molissa Fenley will be performing her own choreography and taking part in a discussion tonight at 7:30 pm at the Abbey.
• Real Estate company eXp Realty Seattle has opened the doors on its new office at 1000 Northlake Way.

If you’ve never taken in an evening of music, poetry, art and food that makes up The Round, tonight’s program might just be a good one to kick things off with.

For the uninitiated, The Round is an intimate event that combines multiple, acoustic musicians, beat poetry, live painting and sometimes sculpting all served up alongside some tasty food and booze.

Starting at 7pm, tonight’s program features many alumni from previous Rounds. Singers include Aaron Sprinkle, Goldfinch, Big Sur and more. There’s also an improv band, multiple live painters and three beat poets. How much more artsy can one evening get? None. None more artsy.

Throw on your most festive sweater and head on over to the Abbey tonight to check it out. Tickets are available at the door or at Brown Paper Tickets. For more information on The Round, check the official site. Doors open at 7pm, show begins around 8pm.

Some Fremont-related news and notes to keep you busy as you prepare to hit the town shopping tonight…

• San Francisco-based band Blame Sally is performing Friday night at Fremont Abbey from 8 to 10pm. Tickets are available here.
• Seattle’s  40-piece Rock Orchestra and a 15-member choir will perform holiday classics this Saturday, December 11 at the Fremont Abbey.
• The Red Door and their signature Solstice Prosecco Spritz get a nice review in this week’s Seattle Weekly.
• The Washington Beer Commission presents 35 Washington craft breweries pouring samples of more than 70 beers at Hale’s Ales this Friday and Saturday.
• The 34th Pathway of Lights, the annual luminary lighting of the path around Green Lake, will be this Saturday, 4:30 – 7:30 p.m., rain or shine.
• Fremont Place Book Company is one of the local bookstores opening up its own Google ebookstore.

100 or so folks packed the Fremont Abbey Wednesday night for the 5th Anniversary as an arts center. Festivities included face-painting for the kids, musical performances by Abbey students as well as special guests, lots of food and special messages from people who have been influenced by the Abbey.  Here’s some photos from the event, which helped raise money for the center to continue doing what it does well…

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We told you about the Fremont Abbey 5th Anniversary Party the other day but here’s some more details to get you up to speed…

Doors open for kids events at 5pm while the main event and auction kicks off at 7pm.

The “rumored” musical appearances are Jon from The Head & The Heart, Gregory Paul & Holly Merrill as well as students from Fremont Music School.

Get there early enough and dine on pizzas from nearby Via Tribunali.

City Arts Magazine is sponsoring an after-hours trivia contest starting at 9pm, hosted by magazine editor Mark Baumgarten.

Check out this interview with Abbey Executive Director Nathan Marion for more information on the history of the Abbey and what he hopes to do with the money raised.

This Wednesday (11/17), the Fremont Abbey is throwing a bash to celebrate its 5th birthday.  The community arts center invites the entire neighborhood for an evening of fun and music. 

Family hour starts at 5pm with face painting, arts and pizza.  Happy hour for adults starts at 6pm.  From 7pm to 9pm there will be a mini-auction, appetizers, host bar, desserts, wine, and a photo booth.  And from 9 to 10pm there will be an arts trivia contest and afterparty.

Tickets are available through Brown Paper Tickets and at the door.  Suggested donation is $25.

Even though I write for a living, the idea of writing a novel is daunting. Even my longest pieces don’t come close to a novel. (My editors might disagree.)

But I’ve signed up to do something that is a little crazy, given my schedule, but I like the challenge!

The National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) is an international event in which participants commit to writing a novel (about 50,000 words, the word count for a short novel) during the month of November.

Our city has a lot of writers in its midst.

Seattle ranks first for word count (more than 38 million), average number of words (more than 30,000) and number of donations (almost 13,000).

Fremont’s own Writer’s Cramp is participating in this year’s challenge. Tonight’s class (6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.) begins the first of a six-week focus on the event at WC’s usual place, Fremont Abbey, 4272 Fremont Ave. N. (Caffe Vita across the street is the overflow spot.)

The “local word jock” who teaches the classes, Taylor Houston, writes:

Writer’s Cramp is gearing up for the main event by focusing on fiction writing. Classes will include readings and discussion on writing plot and setting, crafting characters, adding dialogue, and related topics. We will also spend time just getting our brains and pens warmed up by doing lots of loosely directed free-writing. It’s all in good fun, and any writer should find the activities fun and interesting, even if he or she is not writing a novel this November.

Classes are $5-$10 per session (donation) or $30 for the six weeks.

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).

A unique creative combination has turned into a monthly arts experience at the Fremont Abbey.  The Round is the brainchild of Arts Curator Nathan Marion and is described as “an intimate evening of collaborative music, slam poetry and live painting”.  It’s more than just a concert.  Three musicians share the stage together while live painters spend two hours creating pieces on the side.  Between rounds of music, some of the country’s best slam poets take over the stage.  Past performers have included Robin Pecknold of Fleet Foxes, Damien Jurado and National Poetry Slam Champ Danny Sherrard.

This month’s Round at the Abbey features Kevin Murphy of The Moondoggies, Jason Dodson of The Maldives and Zoe Muth of The Lost High Rollers.  Slam poets Kate Lebow and Brian McGuigan will also perform and  painters Shannon Roche and Chelsea Willett will put their creations to canvas.

The Round {56} happens this Tuesday (tomorrow), January 12, from 8-10 p.m.  Tickets are $8 in advance or $10 at the door (4272 Fremont Ave N).  For more information about The Round or how to get involved, go to their web site here.