Culture Fiend

What’s That In the Sky? A B-25 Bomber?

Flying Heritage Collection holds Free Fly Days all summer. Just look up—way up.

Posted by: Allyson Marrs on May 13, 2011 at 10:50AM 1 Comments

Photo courtesy Flying Heritage Collection.

If only History class was this cool.

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If only History class was this cool.

Photo courtesy Flying Heritage Collection.

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Photo courtesy Flying Heritage Collection.

Gotta admit: Seeing a German Focke-Wulf Fw 190 A-5 in the air is a little intimidating.

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Supermarine Spitfire MK.VC

Maintenance has never looked so good. Each summer, Flying Heritage Collection’s team of pilots takes to the sky to keep the trove of vintage aircraft running as smoothly as in its glory days of the 1930s and ’40s. The planes of Free Fly Days have earned their spot in history, logging time during WWII, and hail from all over the world: Germany, Russia, Britain, Japan, and the good ol’ U. S. of A.

Newest to the fleet is the German Focke-Wulf FW 190D-13 Dora and the U.S. Army North American B-25 Mitchell medium bomber. Or, for those of you who don’t speak History channel, a heavily armed “Butcher Bird” (superior to what the Brits were flying those days) and a popular Allied forces twin-engine, respectively. Star factor: The German FW 190 is the only original of its kind flying in the world today.

Each aircraft is exceedingly rare and requires special attention—they’re over 60 and have been through battle—so Free Fly Days isn’t as much about putting on an air show as it is about taking the planes out for a test drive. Most of the pilots during Fly Days are ex-military or airline pilots who have clocked hours in the sky at air races, air shows, and in the movies. Imagine if they let Tom Cruise fly his own plane in Top Gun —scary thought.

History buffs unite during the nine free Saturday shows taking off on May 21. A schedule of featured planes can be found at flyingheritage.com. The German FW 190 debuts June 18 and the North American B-25’s flies on July 16.

The Flying Heritage Collection is Paul Allen’s private collection of restored WWII aircraft, based in Everett, Washington.

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Tags: Summer Plans, Free Stuff

Swingin’ Seattle

If you can’t dance with the stars, at least you can dance under them.

Posted by: Alexandra Notman and Mary Pritchard on Jul 28, 2010 at 11:15AM 1 Comments

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“Dancing til Dusk”: 16 Glorious Nights of Dancing Outdoors in Downtown Parks is in its fourth year running. The evening dances and lessons continue on Tuesdays and Thursdays until September 9. Event coordinator Lilli Ann Carey gets the crowd ready to kick up their heels.

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DJ and dance instructor Ari Levitt and dance partner Whitney Evans show off a move that their beginning blues dancers should not attempt— unless they’re coming from happy hour.

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Beginning dancers had to go through some grunt work before they could strut their stuff on their dance floor. On this night the focus was blues, but dancing styles also include jazz, East and West Coast swing, salsa and tango.

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All kinds of shoes showed up on the dance floor (We’re looking at you, Mr. Tennis Shoe) at Westlake Park. Beginners and more advanced dancers pair off to learn, or review, the basics.

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Don’t worry about bringing a partner, you’ll be paired up with someone whether you like it or not.

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Dance instructor Ari Levitt encouraged dancers to really connect with their partners. “Saunter over to someone you want to dance with. Don’t run, don’t scurry—really saunter.”

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While all ages were on the dance floor, nostalgic tunes brought out the best of another generation.

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Rob Gardiner had never danced before in his life the first time he came to a “Dancing til Dusk” event. That was two years ago. Now, Gardiner tries to find blues dancing at least six nights out of the week. “Chasing women is good exercise,” he jokes.

If you’re looking for a way to burn off that happy hour energy after work, or maybe you’re scrounging for a cheap date (hey, we won’t judge), then we’re here to let you in on a secret: People are dancing outdoors all over the city this summer. They’re even getting dance lessons. For free. Free!

Sound too good to be true? We checked out the Dancing Til Dusk blues and swing night yesterday at Westlake Park and witnessed firsthand how DJ and instructor Ari Levitt could teach a group of 40+ strangers the basics of what he calls “the walking blues.”

“Teaching beginners is all about taking it down to the simplest level, and for dancing, that’s shifting your weight," says Levitt. "If you can walk and hold hands, then you’re already halfway there.”

Read: You don’t have to be a Dancing with the Stars aficionado to participate. You don’t even have to bring a partner. Levitt—a dance instructor since 1991—and his dance pal Whitney Evans led the crowd through the paces, “and transfer, 2-3-4, pulse, 2-3-4," all the while encouraging couples to ask questions and “snuggle up” to their partners if they felt comfortable.

Event organizer Lilli Ann Carey sees as many new faces as regulars each night of Dancing Til Dusk, and when they have live bands perform—like last Tuesday—crowds of 300+ gather to shimmy, shake, and swing.

Check out our slideshow for some photos from last night’s blues and swing night at Westlake Park, and see below for the remaining Dancing Til Dusk events.
All photos by Alexandra Notman

Dancing til Dusk: 16 Glorious Nights of Dancing Outdoors in Downtown Parks
Lessons from 6-7
Dancing from 7-9

‘Swing the Blues and Back’ Tuesdays in Westlake Park
Aug 3 Glenn Crytzer and the Syncopators (big band swing)
Aug 10 Blues Night with DJ topher Howard
Aug 17 Solomon Douglas Swingtet (swing and blues)

‘Dance a little Romance’ Thursdays in Freeway Park
July 29 Maia Santell and House Blend (swing and blues)
Aug 5 John Holte’s Radio Rhythm Orchestra (big band swing)
Aug 12 Tangabrazo (tango)
Aug 19 Joker’s Wild, A Ball Blanc with waltzing, swing and more

Thursdays at SAM’s Olympic Sculpture Park
Aug 26 Tumbao (salsa)
Sept 2 KGB, a Ball Blanc with waltzing and more
Sept 9 Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra, Big Band Swing, Part of the Art of Jazz program in connection with Earshot Jazz

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Tags: Dance, Summer Plans

The Great Outdoor Concert Guide

This summer’s forecast calls for Cyndi Lauper, the Paperboys, and a solid guitar lick or two.

Posted by: Douglas Bair on Jul 22, 2010 at 10:00AM 0 Comments

You don’t need to schlep to the Gorge to kick back on the grass and enjoy live music.

Is that blasting bass teasing you to ditch your cubicle and come outside? Treat yourself to an extra long lunch break (or extra early happy hour) at any of these outdoor summer concerts across Seattle. The best part? Nearly all of them are free.

Concerts at the Mural presented by KEXP and Seattle Center
Free. 21+ beer garden. Fri at 6; Sat at 2. Mural Amphitheatre, 305 Harrison St, Seattle Center.

Aug 6: Elliott Brood, Grand Hallway, Gabriel Mintz 

Aug 13: Brite Futures

Aug 14: KEXP BBQ 2–9 with Quasi, Suckers, the Lonely Forest, the Joy Formidable, Dinosaur Feathers, Victor Shade, and more bands TBA 

Aug 20: Say Hi, Head Like a Kite

Aug 27: Mt. St. Helens Vietnam Band, The Head and the Heart


BECU Zoo Tunes
$15–$29 (first child 12 & under free with purchased ticket). Doors open at 5; music starts at 6. Woodland Park Zoo, 601 N 59th St.

July 29: Great Big Sea
Aug 3: Mary Chapin Carpenter / Shawn Colvin (sold out)
Aug 11: The Levon Helm Band with Joe Pug
Aug 25: John Hiatt and The Combo
Aug 29: Herbie Hancock and the Imagine Project
Sept 2: Cyndi Lauper, Memphis Blues Tour with a special guest

Monktail Creative Music Concern: Sounds Outside
Free. First band goes on at 1; last goes on at 7. Cal Anderson Park, 1635 11th Ave. 


Aug 14 

1: Ask the Ages 

2: Double Yoko (Beth Fleenor, Paris Hurley)
4: AMA (Amy Denio, Madeleine Sosin, Abel Rocha) 

5:30: The Suffering F@#kheads 

7: The Legends Duo: Kahil el ’Zabar and Hamiet Bluiett (AACM/ Chicago)

Concerts at Seattle City Hall
Free. Thu noon–1:30. 600 Fourth Ave.

July 22: Choklate
July 29: The Not-Its! (family friendly)
Aug 5: The Tallboys
Aug 12: Handful of Luvin’
Aug 19: Latin Expression
Aug 26: Clinton Fearon and Boogie Brown Band

Out to Lunch
Free. Noon–1:30. Various locations downtown.

July 28: Po’ Girl at Bank of America Plaza
July 30: Glen Phillips from Toad the Wet Sprocket at 2200 Westlake
Aug 4: Jovino Santos Neto at Two Union Square
Aug 6: Chatham County Line at 2200 Westlake
Aug 11: Seattle Women’s Jazz Orchestra at Two Union Square
Aug 13: Lucy Woodward at Harbor Steps
Aug 18: Portland Cello Project at Two Union Square
Aug 20: LeRoy Bell & His Only Friends at Harbor Steps
Aug 25: Geoffrey Castle at Bank of America Plaza
Aug 27: The Dusty 45s at Harbor Steps
Sept 1: Grupo Ashé at Westlake Park
Sept 3: Clinton Fearon and Boogie Brown Band at Harbor Steps

Sounds of Summer at University Village
Free. Wed at 6.

July 28: The Beatniks
Aug 4: The Dusty 45’s
Aug 11: Clinton Fearon and Boogie Brown Band
Aug 18: Hit Explosion

Capitol Hill Block Party
$23–$60. Fri–Sun. 10th St between E Pike St and E Pine St

July 23: MGMT, Yeasayer, Holy Fuck, Shabazz Palaces, Bear In Heaven, Head Like A Kite, Macklemore, Unnatural Helpers, Jaguar Love, Champagne Champagne, Fences, Chris Pureka, Stay Hi Brothers, The Physics, Fences, Candit, J.Pinder, Hella Dope, Mahjongg, Police Teeth, Naomi Punk, USF

July 24: Atmosphere, Blonde Redhead, !!!, Blitzen Trapper, Mad Rad, Obits, Here We Go Magic, Zola Jesus, Night Marchers, Past Lives, The Redwood Plan, THEESatisfaction, Beach Fossils, Grand Hallway, The Drowning Men, Cold Lake, Air 2 a Bird, Black Breath, Grynch/Spaceman/State of the Artist, Eastern Grip

July 25: The Dead Weather, Blue Scholars, The Dutchess and the Duke, Harlem, Cynic, Fresh Espresso, Victor Shade, Truckasaurus, Villagers, Flexions, Globes, Steel Tigers of Death

GreenNote
$25; Sat 4:30–9:30; Mural Amphitheatre, 305 Harrison St, Seattle Center

July 24: Ian Moore, Rocky Votolato, and Star Anna open. Headliner: Amos Lee.

Concerts at Marymoor Park
Prices and times vary. 6046 West Lake Sammamish Pkwy NE, Redmond

July 24: 1964: The Tribute (Beatles tribute band)
Aug 7: Michael Franti and Spearhead
Aug 13: Rodrigo y Gabriella with Xavier Rudd
Aug 14: Mountain Music Fest
Aug 21: No Depression Festival
Aug 26: Doobie Brothers
Aug 29: Vampire Weekend
Sept 11: The National and Okkervil River
Sept 12: David Gray and Ray LaMontagne
Sept 18: Furthur feat. Phil Lesh and Bob Weir
Sept 19: Train

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Tags: Music, Summer Plans

A Guide to Outdoor Movies

Bring the popcorn outside this summer at any of these area screenings.

Posted by: Douglas Bair on Jul 15, 2010 at 10:00AM 5 Comments

Movies at the Mural, Seattle Center. Photo courtesy Bob Clausen.

UPDATED 7/19/10. Nothing like watching the (inflatable) silver screen light up as the sun sets behind it. Grab the lawn chairs, Buick and blankets: We have a lineup of outdoor movie screenings across Seattle this summer, from Auburn to Fremont.

Valley Drive-In Theatre
$8 (cash only); children 12-15 $5; children 5-11 $2. Shows start daily at dusk; gates open at 8. 401 49th St. NE, Auburn. Call for movie times: 253-854-1250

July 15: Screen 1: Grown-Ups and The Karate Kid
Screen 2: The Sorcerer’s Apprentice and Toy Story 3
Screen 3: The Twilight Saga: Eclipse and Letters to Juliet

Auburn Summer Sounds and Cinema
Free. Fri at dusk; 7pm family-friendly concert. Varying locations.

Aug 6: Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs and the Rowdy Refs Game Show at Sunset Park, 1306 69th St SE
Aug 13: School of Rock and School of Rock at Les Gove Park, 1005 12th St SE
Aug 20: The Blind Side and One Eyed Jack at Les Gove Park 1005 12th St SE

Bellevue Summer Outdoor Movies in the Park
Free, but donations suggested for each night’s charity. Tue at dusk. Bellevue Downtown Park, 10201 NE Fourth St, Bellevue.

July 20: Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian (Eastside Domestic Violence Program)
July 27: Monsters vs Aliens (Treehouse)
Aug 3: Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief (Boys and Girls Clubs of Bellevue)
Aug 10: The Spy Next Door (Hopelink)
Aug 17: The Blind Side (YouthCare)
Aug 24: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (Overlake Service League)

Carillon Point Outdoor Movie Nights
$5 suggested donation for Hopelink. Sat at dusk. Carillon Point plaza, 4100 Carillon Point, Kirkland.

July 17: Star Trek
July 24: Moulin Rouge
July 31: Monsters vs Aliens
Aug 7: Overboard
Aug 14: The Twilight Saga: New Moon
Aug 21: Up

Edmonds Outdoor Movie Nights
Free. Select Fri and Sat at dusk. Frances Anderson Center, 700 Main St, Edmonds.

July 30: The Tale of Despereaux
Aug 6: Footloose

Everett Cinema Under the Stars
Free. Fri at dusk; pre-screening entertainment at 7:30. Camp Patterson Field, Thornton A. Sullivan Park at Silver Lake, 11405 Silver Lake Rd, Everett.

July 23: Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs with arts and crafts.
July 30: Monsters vs Aliens with the Zambini Brothers’ “Puppet Island Showcase.”
Aug 6: The Twilight Saga: New Moon with a teen night/local talent show.
Aug 13: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince with magician Louie Foxx.
Aug 20: The Princess and the Frog with New Orleans jazz Uptown Lowdown Jazz Band.
Aug 27: Up with balloon workshops

Fremont Outdoor Movies
Free; $5 suggested donation. Sat at dusk. Fremont Studios, 3501 Phinney Ave N.

July 17: The Hangover
July 24: Zoolander
July 31: Metropolis with live musical accompaniment by the Super 8s
Aug 7: Pretty in Pink
Aug 14: The Goonies: 25th Anniversary

Movies at the Mural
Free. Select Sat and Sun at 9. Mural Amphitheatre, 300 Mercer St, Seattle Center.

Aug 7: The Princess Bride
Aug 21: Twilight
Aug 22: The Twilight Saga: New Moon
Aug 28: Star Trek

NEW Redhook Ale Brewery: Moonlight Cinema Series
$5. Thurs thru Aug 26. Redhook Ale Brewery, 14300 NE 145th St, Woodinville.

July 22: Step Brothers
July 29: The Sandlot
Aug 5: The Hangover (21+)
Aug 12: Super Troopers
Aug 19: Blow (21+)
Aug 26: Flight Club (21+)

NEW Three Dollar Bill Outdoor: Blonde But Not Forgotten
Free; donations for Three Dollar Bill Cinema accepted. Every other Fri at sunset (8:30ish). SW corner of Cal Anderson Park, Nagle Pl & E Pine St.

July 30: The Legend of Billie Jean
Aug 13: Desperately Seeking Susan
Aug 27: Candleshoe

West Seattle Outdoor Movies
Free. Sat at dusk; gates open 6:30. 4410 California Ave. S.W. (courtyard between Hotwire Coffee and Dr. Wolff).

July 17: Mamma Mia! with W.C. Fields’ “The Dentist” as opening short.
July 24: War Games
July 31: Fantastic Mr. Fox
Aug 7: Star Trek
Aug 14: Wayne’s World
Aug 21: Up

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Tags: Film, Summer Plans

On Sale Friday: Pink Martini, Harry Connick Jr

Two news shows added to Chateau Ste Michelle summer concert series.

Posted by: Laura Dannen on May 17, 2010 at 10:00AM 0 Comments

Pink Martini: Shaken, not stirred.

Just got word that Chateau Ste Michelle has added two more acts to its summer concert series: a second Pink Martini show on August 30 ($35, $55) and a second Harry Connick Jr show on September 26 ($58, $100). Their first shows sold out quickly, so don’t miss the sale: It starts Friday, May 21, 10am, on ticketmaster.com.

Ste-Michelle Summer Series

Crosby, Stills and Nash, Saturday, June 12 (sold out)
Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers, Saturday, June 19
Steve Miller Band, Wednesday, July 14
Lyle Lovett and his Large Band, Friday, July 16
Jamie Cullum, Saturday, July 24
Martina McBride, Thursday, July 29
Jackson Browne with David Lindley, Friday, July 30
Ringo Starr and his All Starr Band, Saturday, July 31
Natalie Merchant, Friday, August 6
KWJZ Music Festival, Saturday & Sunday, August 7 & 8
The B-52s and Blondie, Thursday, August 12 (sold out)
Chris Isaak, Friday, August 13
Earth, Wind & Fire, Friday, August 27
Crowded House, Saturday, August 28

For more info, go to ste-michelle.com.

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Tags: Concert, Ticket Alerts, Summer Plans