If you live in Seattle, you know that the arrival of certain coveted items can make headlines, sending food lovers into an excited tizzy. In May, for example, city-wide restaurants and vendors (like Pure Food Fish Market in Pike Place) released announcements heralding the much-anticipated arrival of Wild Alaskan Copper River Salmon. (Fun fact: Alaska is the source of nearly 60% of the seafood harvested in America, including 90% of its wild salmon.)
It’s always music season in this town, but when summertime arrives, we really crank it up a notch. After catching all kinds of good (free!) tunes at the Fremont Solstice events this weekend, we recommend you head to The Triple Door on Tuesday, June 21, to hear two amazing acts—Empty Houses and Good Old War—from the comfort of one of Seattle’s best-loved (and most laid-back) venues.
So far, we’ve been loving this month, and we’re excited to see what the rest of May has in store. To help fully embrace this delightful pre-summer stretch, we’ve rounded up some suggestions for Seattle-area “musts” that promise to nourish the mind, body and soul (not necessarily in that order). And in some cases—like Wanderlust on May 22—you can attend to all three at once.
Just 35 miles south of Seattle, there’s an old railroad town where public art thrives, waterfront property reigns and the architectural landscape vacillates between gritty industrial and grand Victorian. Compared to Seattle (especially these days), the pace there feels significantly slower, the streets emptier, the buildings lower. (One welcomed difference? Empty parking spaces abound!)
Of course we all know what a fantastic destination we live in, but now two local filmmakers want to ensure that the rest of the world gets in on the secret, too. In their community-funded short film “We Make Seattle,” Scott Berkun and Bryan Zug highlight why our beautiful city proves an ideal home for creative workers and entrepreneurs.
If you live in the PNW, you’ve likely heard rave reviews about a little town in Central Oregon where the scenery is stunning, the people laid-back, the community strong, and the quality of life enviably high. After one quick visit, it’s pretty obvious why so many feel the magnetic pull toward Bend.
In this manic season when the weather can’t seem to make up its mind, we’re here to help you make up your mind about one important thing: How to explore Seattle’s thriving arts scene. If you ask us, it seems like the perfect month to hunker down indoors and book the calendar silly with inspired and inspiring onstage happenings.
We are excited to announce a new Culture Dose column subset, “Local Heroes,” to showcase do-gooders in the Seattle area and their work within our community. Our first column features Nathan and Emma Welch, who founded Rites of Passage as a way to continue their shared commitment to community advocacy, giving back and local outreach. They’ve thoughtfully designed expedition-based wilderness therapy programs for adolescents ages 11-17 and adults ages 18-30+ who struggle with such emotional and behavioral concerns as ODD, ADHD, depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, mood disorders and substance abuse. “A boot camp alternative,” they explain, “…our programs are therapeutic, not punitive.”
It’s weekend at long last, and we spy some glorious rays peeking through out there. How will you celebrate? We’ve rounded up a few enticing ideas.
Q + A with a Riveting Musical Duo
In truth, March to May, a Seattle-based folk-pop pair, defies all genre descriptions. Singer-songwriters Darren Guyaz and Beth Wesche brilliantly overlay harp and guitar with rich vocal harmonies, haunting lyrics and riveting melodies. The result? A unique sound that has received flattering comparisons to the likes of Swell Season, Damien Rice and the Civil Wars.
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