Seattle on the Fringe

Science Fuses with Stand-Up Comedy

Stacey Merrick — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 19:31:49 -0800

What does a person do after they spend years studying biology and eventually get a Ph.D in ecology and evolution? You probably are not going to guess such a person would become a stand-up comedian, but that is the case for Tim Lee. In fact, he claims his career path makes perfect sense. Lee explains:

I used to give talks in front of smart people who'd try to pick apart my logic. Now I give talks in front of drunk people who try to pick apart my jokes. The drunken audience is easier to please but more violent when disappointed.

Lee's style of comedy is accessible to both nerds and non-nerds, so anyone can enjoy his show. Meaning, you do not have to have a Ph.D. in ecology to understand his jokes. You can find a couple of videos of portions of his show on Tim Lee's YouTube channel.

Tim Lee is playing at the Jewelbox Theater April 2 and 3 at 8pm. Tickets are $20. More info and buy advanced tickets online.

Curling: Learn How to Play

Stacey Merrick — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 16:26:33 -0800

I spent much of last weekend watching the Olympics, and the event that I spent the most time watching was curling. It was not the most exciting sport to me, but it was like a logic problem that I felt I needed to solve but I just couldn't figure out. Every time I thought I knew what was happening, I was wrong. I even went so far as to look up curling rules online, but I still just didn't get it. Today, Seattlest posted an informative post about curling, but I think if I'm going to attempt to learn this mysterious sport I need to actually do it. I need to put on one slippery shoe and one shoe that is not slippery, grab a hunk of granite and a funky broom and get out on the ice and go for it.

There is a place here in Seattle that offers an introduction to curling for a mere $15 ($40 max per family). The Granite Curling Club has several open houses throughout the year when an instructor will give us curling novices an introduction to curling. There will be open houses coming up this weekend:

Saturday, Feb 27 11am - 5pm
Sunday, Feb 28 9am -12pm

More details about the open houses from the Granite Curling Club website:

The Open House process goes something like this:

You arrive, sign a waiver and pay $15 ($40 family max).

Depending on how busy we are, you may have to go upstairs and wait for your group to be called.

We clean your shoes and fit rubber grippers on them to protect our ice surface.

Your instructors lead you through some stretches, safety guidelines, and information about the game.

A group of 8 - 20 people goes out on the ice for some curling instruction and play.

Once your lesson is done, you can visit us upstairs for snacks and to learn more about curling and our club.

We have 5 sheets of ice, so we can optimally accommodate around 40 people at any given time. If we are very busy, we may have larger groups and/or less time on the ice.

Generally you will be on the ice for 1-2 hours which includes instruction and a small game. If we are very busy, you may have to wait up to 2 hours to get on the ice.

The Granite Curling Club is located east of Aurora Ave. N on 130th St in Seattle.

And now, curling and heavy metal:

13th Annual Stanger's Valentine's Day Bash

Stacey Merrick — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 10:21:34 -0800

I've said it before and I'll say it again, The Stranger's Valentine's Day Bash is the most entertaining thing to do on Valentine's Day, whether you are single or in a relationship.

This year marks the 13th Valentine's Day that Dan Savage will destroy tokens of the people of Seattle's failed relationships in front of a crowd. This year I am not bitter and I do not currently have anything I would like destroyed on stage in front of a large crowd of strangers, but I have been up on that stage in the past and I encourage you to bring something to be destroyed if you are still licking the wounds of a recent break-up. It's really really fun.

The 13th Annual Stranger's Valentine's Day Bash takes place at Neumo's in Capitol Hill on Saturday, February 13. Door's open at 8pm, show starts at 9:30pm, tickets are $6 advanced, $8 at the door. 21+

Double Dutch and Hula Hoop Fitness Workshops

Stacey Merrick — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 09:48:57 -0800

NW Double Dutch and Fringe Fitness have joined forces to bring a fun day of jump rope, double dutch, and hula hoop for adults. Saturday at the Century Ball Room on Capitol Hill will be a morning of mini workshops for only $5! These are one time workshops that will give you the opportunity to try classes in a quick, fun and pressure free environment. No experience required.

10:00-10:30am Beginning Jump Rope
10:30-11:00am Beginning Hula Hoop
11:00-11:30am Beginning Double Dutch
11:30-12:00om Beg/int Hula Hoop

Also, the new 5 week series of Fringe Fitness and NW Double Dutch classes start on February 6th. Register online (see below for links) or in person on Saturday.

Feb 6 - Mar 6, Saturdays 10am Hula Hoop Fitness (info and online registration)

Feb 6 - Mar 6, Saturdays 9am Beginning Double Dutch (info and online registration)

Feb 6 - Mar 6, Saturdays 11am Intermediate Double Dutch (info and online registration)

Punk Show Tonight at Mars Bar

Stacey Merrick — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 12:38:26 -0800

Is there a bar called Mars Bar in every city in the US? I'm asking because I just got back from a long trip that included a few days in NYC. Sure enough, there is a punk rock dive bar called Mars Bar in East Village, which is totally unrelated to the Mars Bar here in Seattle. Is it as cool as Mars Bar in Seattle? I can't say for sure, but I can say that Mars Bar in Seattle is cleaner.

I guess Mars Bar in Seattle is technically called Cafe Venus and the MarsBar, but everyone I know calls it Mars Bar.

You know, the greatest thing about being a blogger is I can start off a post by posing an overgeneralized and under-researched question and then go on some random tangent and it just doesn't matter.

My friends Marzi and RJ told me about the show at Mars Bar tonight and I'm going, because if they say a show is going to be good, I believe them. They have advised me to go to many punk shows in recent years and they haven't let me down yet. Bands playing tonight are Heavy Guerrilla, Brewtal Thirst, and Joey Piss Drunk. The show starts at 9pm and there is a $6 cover.

Cafe Venus and the MarsBar is located at 609 Eastlake Ave E in Seattle near REI.

Salsa!

Stacey Merrick — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 12:07:43 -0800

Now that the weather is crap, and will continue be crap until June, I feel a need to find a replacement for fun outdoor activities so I won't be sitting around all winter in a haze of seasonal depression. That's why I have started going to Salsa night at Century Ballroom.

From what I can tell, there is a pretty big Salsa scene in Seattle. I am a complete ignoramus about the whole scene, but I can tell you that the few times I have gone Salsa dancing I have had a blast. I have danced with many very patient dance partners who have been kind enough to help me learn to dance. Patient and friendly dance partners are key to having a good time dancing, and Salsa night at the Century has plenty of those kind souls.

Salsa night at the Century Ballroom is every Thursday night for $7. There is a 30 minute beginner lesson at 9pm, and then they have open dance from 9:30pm - 1:15am. I have also been to Bachata night at Halo on Wednesday nights, which is pretty low key, and it's a good place to practice Bachata.

I found a great website for Salsa in Seattle that lists many many different places to go dancing and learn how to dance. I have discovered that it doesn't really matter if you have a partner, there is always someone who will dance with you. I definitely recommend checking it out.

Ski & Snowboard Pre-Season Bash at Club Motor

Stacey Merrick — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:35:38 -0800

Um... so... this event is supposed to be a pre-season bash, but to the delight of skiers and snowboarders in the northwest, winter came early this year. Celebrate an excellent start to our winter season at Club Motor this Friday!

Bands playing include The T Bagging Bandits, Guns of Nevada, The Pop Can Pipers, and Rane Stone.

If you are attending the Ski Fever & Snowboard Show at the Washington State Convention Center on Friday, transportation will be provided by OurPartyBus.com.

As for me, I'll be enjoying some pre-season freshies on the slopes of Crystal Mountain tomorrow. See you there!

Reader Giveaway: Cherry Poppin' Daddies

Stacey Merrick — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 12:38:58 -0800

One of my all-time favorite albums is Ferociously Stoned by the Cherry Poppin' Daddies. I bought the cassette tape when the album first came out, and then I bought the CD, and that CD wore out, so I bought another copy of the CD, then that CD disappeared so I bought another copy. Then, one summer day while I was driving with the top down on my jeep, I decided to listen to the CD, but it flew out of my hand and of my car. So, I immediately went to a record store and bought another copy. Thank goodness for technology because now I have the album stored on my hard drive. My point is the album is so good that, over the years, I have gone to a lot of trouble to make sure that album stays in my music library.

I am thrilled to announce that the Cherry Poppin' Daddies have TWO new albums out and they are playing at the Tractor Tavern on Nov 21. The two albums are called Susquehanna (a genre-hopper similar to their other full length albums, touching on Latin, punk, swing, ska, new wave, rockabilly, and more) and Ska-boy JFK: The Skankin’ Hits of the Cherry Poppin’ Daddies (a showcase of their Ska material, similar to how their successful album Zoot Suit Riot was a showcase of their swing material). Both are in stores now! Here are a couple songs from the albums for you to listen to now:

Mongoose and The Snake - a rockabilly tune From Susquehanna
Hi and Lo – a Ska/Punk tune from Ska-boy JFK and Susquehanna

Even better news is I have some Cherry Poppin' Daddies swag to giveaway. The first reader to comment on this blog post and name their favorite Cherry Poppin' Daddies song gets one copy of each new CD mentioned above, 1 signed poster AND some stickers, pins, and buttons.

Crystal Mountain Opens This Wednesday!!

Stacey Merrick — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 11:10:33 -0800

Today marks two very important and wonderful occasions: the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall and the announcement of this season's opening day at Crystal Mountain. Crystal Mountain is opening this Wednesday, Nov 11, with limited operations: the Discovery, Chinook Express, Quicksilver & Forest Queen lifts will run from 9am-4pm. Lift tickets will be discounted to $30 for adults and $25 for youth and seniors. Kids under 10 ski free.

Now, I want you to close your eyes for one second, take a deep cleansing breath, then open your eyes and look at the below image:

That could be your view on Wednesday instead of this:

Keep up with news of Crystal Mountain by becoming a fan on Facebook. Also, check out the Crystal Mountain Ski Patrol blog.

Trolloween!

Stacey Merrick — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 16:42:42 -0800

Whenever a friend of family member visits me in Seattle, I always take them to see the Fremont Troll. To me, the Fremont Troll represents the quirky undertone of Seattle which makes it a really fun place to live. This Saturday (Halloween), the Fremont Troll is turning 20 and there is going to be a celebration like nobody's business.

Trolloween, Oct 31st at 7 PM sharp, is the birthday party for the Fremont Troll. We will start the celebration with him under the Aurora Bridge, as he loves a good laugh and a great story. We will soon be off on the annual Haunt of Fremont.

This 20th anniversary of the birth of the Fremont Troll, we'll be experiencing the tale of Dante’s Inferno. Many artists and performers will present their twisted & whacky version of this dark tale, known to us as: ‘Just a little lover’s spat, honey’.

Rain or dry, we will sing, dance, marvel, and laugh our way through the dark underbelly of Dante and Fremont. An unsweetened and piquant family event with plenty of fun to scare the laughs out of any stoic kid or stogy adult.

Come dress as your favorite dead celebrity and take part in our costume walk across the final stage, under the Fremont Bridge, for the appreciation of your community.

If you have been to the Fremont Solstice Parade, you know the Fremont Arts Council goes all out for their festivals, so I expect Trolloween to be amazing this year with lots and lots of performers and artists.

This is a free event but donations are welcome.

Georgetown Haunted History Tour

Stacey Merrick — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 12:18:52 -0800

Tonight I'm going on the Georgetown Haunted History Tour. The tour isn't one of those haunted house tours where people jump out and startle you. At least, I don't think people will jump out and startle you. This is my first year doing to the tour so I guess I'll find out. This is a tour of actual haunted sites throughout Georgetown. I'll report if I see a ghost. Below is information posted on Brown Paper Tickets:

The Haunted History Walking Tour is now in its 5th year, and is hosted by Friends of Georgetown History. Starting at Coliman Restaurant on East Marginal Way and winding through the Georgetown neighborhood to the original Rainier Brewery on Airport Way, the tour features Georgetown's past and current characters, architecture and ghosts. The Walking Tour departs every 20 minutes beginning at 6PM on October 23 and 24.

Location: Georgetown, Seattle (begins at Coliman [Mexican] Restaurant)

Date and time: Oct 23 and 24, tours every 20 minutes beginning at 6pm, last tour begins at 7:40pm

Price: $10

First (ever) Annual Bikery Art Auction

Stacey Merrick — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 15:27:17 -0800

I'm really excited about The Bikery. It is a nonprofit organization located on the corner of 14th & Jackson that offers, among other things, bicycle maintenance classes on a sliding scale. I'm a DIY kind of gal, and I know a lot of other people are like me and don't want to spend the money and/or can't afford to bring their bike into a bike shop to get repaired. I mean, even an annual tune-up can get pricey if you take it to a bicycle mechanic at a bike shop. Did you even know that you need to tune-up your bike every year? Do you know what a tune-up entails? If not, you better go to The Bikery and find out. The Bikery offers a place and instructors who will show you how to take care of your bike.

The Bikery is a volunteer run non-profit organization that strives to improve the accessibility of the bicycle both as a form of sustainable and healthy transportation and as the foundation of a distinct culture throughout the city of Seattle and particularly in the Central District. Through collaborative hands-on education and the sharing of empowering skills, the Bikery strives to cultivate the personal, social, and environmental benefits of cycling.

Because it is a non-profit, The Bikery, of course, needs the support of the community. One way you can help is you can attend the first Bikery Art Auction on October 25. You can also donate art for the auction (the deadline for submissions is October 23). Please contact The Bikery with submissions or questions at 206-568-3535, info@thebikery.org, or during open hours. The Bikery is located at 1265 S. Main St., Suite #104 (Sat 12-6, Sun-Tues 2-8). The auction will be held at 20/20 Cycles.

Zenzi Burlesque Presents: The Private Collection

Stacey Merrick — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 11:26:46 -0800

A new burlesque show is coming out from local Seattle group Zenzi Burlesque and Rainy Night Productions October 9 - 10. Not a typical burlesque show, this performance includes vaudeville, music, film, and dance and the show takes you through a full theater experience.

As usual with Zenzi burlesque shows, tickets are selling out fast so I suggest you buy your ticket in advance. Tickets are $15 and you can buy your ticket here.

Location: Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, 4408 Delridge Way SW, Seattle

Date and Time: October 9 9pm and October 10 7pm, 9pm

Price: $15 (buy tickets in advance here)

Rockabilly Ball

Stacey Merrick — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 14:07:52 -0800

I brushed up on my swing dancing at the Century Ballroom on Sunday and I have my outfits all picked out for this weekend's Rockabilly Ball at the Tractor Tavern in Ballard, so I think I'm ready for the weekend's festivities. This year marks the 22nd year of the three day event, and the lineup is hot.

Thursday: Roy Kay Combo, Jukehouse Hounds, Billy Dwayne and the Creepers, The Shake The Shack Rock'n Roll Party featuring: Vince Mira, Mark Pickerel, Christy McWilson, Billy Joe of the Dusty 45s and many more special guests.

Friday: The Star Devils, Rockin’ Lloyd Tripp and the Zipguns, Captain Jeffrey and the Chumbuckets, Slim Sandy

Saturday: Starkweather Boys, Rocky Velvet, Hillbilly Casino, The Still Creek Brothers

This is my first year attending this event and I have heard great things about it, and I have also heard that it sells out every year, so if you want to attend, make sure you get your tickets. Tickets are $15 for each night Thursday, Sept 24 - Saturday Sept 26. You can buy tickets in advance here.

I will be selling videos of past Rockabilly Balls for RJ of Smartass Press Productions at the event. Stop by and buy a video from me, or just say "hi," and compliment on my awesome hair, which will be courtesy of Marzi Mezzanotti.

Aerial Art Above Bumbershoot

Stacey Merrick — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 14:52:37 -0800

Bumbershoot, the gigantic music festival that takes places every year during Labor Day weekend at Seattle Center, seems to be the perfect setting for performance artist Flatchestedmama's latest art piece. Or I should say, it is the perfect location below her latest art piece.

This Saturday, September 5, a plane will fly above Seattle Center with a banner that reads "OLDSKL TXTN" for one hour sometime between 4pm -7pm. The piece is a statement about "today's fast paced, ever changing landscape of technology."

So, if you go to Bumbershoot or you are near the Space Needle on Saturday afternoon, look up.

Dead Baby Downhill: 2009 Bicycle Event to End All Bicycle Events

Stacey Merrick — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 12:25:17 -0800

I am so excited because this Friday, August 7th, is my favorite event of the year: The Dead Baby Downhill. What is the Dead Baby Downhill? Well, I explained it to y'all last year, and it's the same again this year with a couple of minor changes. This year the race/ride starts at the Comet Tavern in Capitol Hill at 7pm. The end of the ride, in a place I am not allowed to disclose because the location of the end of the ride is a surprise, will be a huge street party with live music and crazy bicycle events.

Last year's party was fantastic, and a few good pictures can be found here and here and here. This year, the entertainment includes bands and marching bands, bicycle dance troupes, and my double dutch team On the Double (dutch) will be performing as well. Events include Foot Down, Bunny Hop, Helltrack BMX, and the cous de grâce...tall bike jousting.

Another bicycle club that will join and contribute to the festivities is Cyclecide from the Bay Area who have bicycle-powered carnival rides known as Cyclecide's Pedal Powered Amusement Park Rides and Side Show Rodeo. Members of bicycle clubs in other cities, including Portland's ZooBomb, will be at the event as well.

Arrive before 7pm and bring cash to register for the Dead Baby Downhill at the Comet on Friday if you haven't already registered. If you don't register, you won't get a water bottle or t-shirt or beer or chance to win the race. Registration is $20.

With their membership increasing every year and the popularity of cycling increasing, the Dead Baby Bicycle club is becoming more and more of a presence in Seattle. The Dead Baby Downhill has been on the first Friday of August every year for the past 13 years, and the Dead Babies get together and go for a group ride the first Friday of every month.

Best Place to Watch the Blue Angels

Stacey Merrick — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 14:16:29 -0800

Maybe you heard some fighter jets flying overhead during their practice yesterday, or maybe you heard them during their first of 3 performances today. The Blue Angels are in town for SeaFair and they are doing their annual show today through Sunday. Showtime is 1:20 - 2:30pm daily Friday - Sunday.

So, where is the best place to watch the airshow? There are a couple of suggestions on yelp. If you decide to go to Lake Washington to watch the show, which is a good vantage point because the airshow is centered over Lake Washington, be aware that parking is nearly impossible around that area. If you want to avoid the crowds, there is a nice little spot in Beacon Hill at a dead end street on the corner of 18th and S. Horton St. It's pretty much just the folks in the neighborhood who watch from there, and you have to get out of the street when cars drive by, but I think it's a great view of the show without the crowds.

This year I'm going to check out the Blue Angels from Boeing Field. According to the West Seattle Blog, Boeing Field is a great place to watch the show.

I think everyone in Seattle agrees that the best way to watch the airshow is from a boat on Lake Washington, but if you can't get on a boat, you can still have a good time watching the show from land.

Independence Day with Jimmy Flame and the Sexxy Boys at The Comet

Stacey Merrick — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 17:27:08 -0800

It's been years since I've been to the Comet Tavern, but I just haven't had a good reason to go. But now I have a reason to go. Jimmy Flame and the Sexxy Boys are playing at the Comet tomorrow night, Saturday, July 4. They are loud, they are rock 'n roll, they are punk, they put on an incredibly fun show, and I always have a good time at a Jimmy Flame show. I can't think of a better way to celebrate my country's independence than to get tinnitus and have beer spilled on me. Like Jimmy Flame would say, "Oow!"

Artopia!

Stacey Merrick — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 13:16:02 -0800

I am really excited to watch power tool racing at Artopia on Saturday. Also, my double dutch team will be performing at 7pm. Also, my double dutch teammate, Sugar Free a.k.a. Flatchestedmama, will have a booth set up in which she will answer questions about performance art from 2 - 6pm.

Zombie Fourth of July Celebration on July 3 in Fremont

Stacey Merrick — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 12:41:15 -0800

I know the title of this post does not make sense for many reasons. Zombies in July? Fourth of July celebration on the third of July? I will explain, but first, a question asked on The Big Blog is "What is it with Seattle and zombies?" We really do like zombies a lot around here. Maybe we like zombies because it's quite easy for us to turn our pasty white complexions into believable undead versions of ourselves. Or maybe it's simply because zombies are awesome. I know I like them, and I have participated in a couple of zombie events.

Seattle wants to break the record of most zombies in one place on July 3 in Fremont. This means there will need to be about 4000 zombies assembled in Fremont on July 3, the goal is 5000. Of course the zombie conglomeration is happening in July, no where near Halloween. Yes, it makes perfect sense. In fact, it is going to be a zombie Fourth of July celebration they are calling Red, White, and Dead Zombie Party. And it is going to be quite a party. Here are some details from the website:

Everyone must meet at the extraction zone located at 3501 Phinney Ave North, home to the Fremont Outdoor Movies on Friday, July 3rd [registration is from 5pm -7pm] and everyone should report in costume dressed as ZOMBIES for this historical event to ensure that you are not detected by the Living Dead. Its your only means of survival and we are counting on you to make this possible. We need 5,000 people to break the record and we need them on Friday, July 3rd.

After the zombies reak havock on Fremont, everyone will watch Shawn of the Dead at the Fremont Outdoor Cinema.