The Fourth of July Fireworks Are Back On

Watch Lake Union’s fireworks from Gas Works Park.
FIREWORKS Several news organizations reported yesterday that Seattle's 4th of July fireworks display over Lake Union has officially been uncanceled. One Reel has retired as the show's producers; Seafair is in, in collaboration with the Seattle Chamber of Commerce and sponsors such as Tom Douglas, Microsoft, Amazon, Starbucks, and internet casino gaming company DoubleDown Interactive. We should have at least three more years of fireworks displays, though the Chamber is asking for continued donations to help defray the cost.
FILM Northwest Film Forum has launched a Kickstarter campaign to make a major upgrade to its cinema. The Capitol Hill staple, known for its range of arthouse, indie, and international films, needs to make the transition from showing 35mm film to digital—technically the Digital Cinema Package (DCP), the new standard. They're asking for $50,000. Here's how to donate.
FESTIVALS Bumbershoot announced its early lineup of theater, art, and literary events for this September's festival and at the top of the list is a panel of writers from NBC's Parks and Recreation; celebrations of Fantagraphics comics/comix and Barsuk Records featuring top locals such as Jim Woodring and Ellen Forney; a Better Bombshell panel; and all things Weird and Awesome with Emmett Montgomery. Three-day passes are on sale now; single-day tickets go on sale when the music lineup is announced the evening of May 2.
AWARDS & ACCOLADES Several National Endowment for the Arts grants were awarded to Seattle organizations this week, including a recommended $25,000 to support Town Hall's 2013 Global Rhythms season; $10,000 to Freehold Theatre's Engaged Theatre tour of Henry IV in 2014; and $10,000 to Clarion West's 2013 summer sci-fi and fantasy-writing workshop. Of 1,547 applications, 817 grants were slated across the country for a total of $26.3 million.