Have you been inspired by the Muppets or Avenue Q to learn the art and skill of puppet mastery? Well, everyone has to start somewhere, and you can begin your studies next Saturday at a Beginning Puppetry Class being hosted at the Seattle Armory.

The class is taught by Rachel Jackson of Vox Fabuli Puppets and is designed for ages 15+, no experience required. There’s a class size limit of 16, so register now. Puppets will be provided, and here’s what to expect:

In this fun, dynamic class, you’ll learn the foundations of good stage puppetry – focus, physical commitment and basic puppet operation. We’ll focus on how to make your puppet seem alive and connect with the audience. You’ll get lots of hands-on time with professional arm-and-rod puppets plus a simple practice puppet to take home so you can keep working on your skills.

Key Details

• What: Beginning Puppetry Class – Puppet Operation
• When: Saturday, January 19, 1-3pm
• Where: Theatre Puget Sound, Studio B, at the Seattle Center Armory
• Ages: recommended for ages 15 and up
• Cost: $30 pre-reg/$35 day-of

Have you ever wanted to help set a Guinness World Record? How about participate in a monster snowball fight? And help out a local charity while doing so? Well, you’re in luck – mark your calendars for Snow Day on January 12th at the Seattle Center.

The Snow Day organizers have arranged for 162,000 pounds of snow to be transported from the mountain passes (where they have plenty to go around) to the Seattle Center – about 34 dump truck loads. Once the snow is delivered, teams and individuals can participate in what we all hope will be the World’s Largest Snowball Fight, right here in Seattle:

It costs $25/person to participate in the Snow Day snowball fight, with all proceeds benefitting the Boys & Girls Clubs of King County – according to Snow Day’s Neil Bergquist, Snow Day’s “mission is to raise money for kids by remembering what it’s like to be one.” Fort building is currently limited to groups only – if you have an organization, business, or group, email to reserve a fort space.

Also, please note that due to liability issues (it is a snowball fight, after all), you must be 18 or older to participate, sign a disclaimer and liability waiver, and bring eye protection. No eye protection = no participation! If you’re interested, register now, as the maximum capacity for the Seattle Center is 6,000 and they’re nearing the maximum.

Key Details:

• What: Snow Day, aka the World’s Largest Snowball Fight
• Ages: 18+
• Where: Seattle Center, Center Square
• When: Saturday January 12th
  • Noon: Registration begins
  • 1:00pm: Snow Fort and Snow Castle competition begins
  • 4:30pm: Snow Fort and Snow Castle winners announced
  • 5:00pm: World’s largest snowball fight
  • 6:00pm: Pub crawl and war stories

As part of the ongoing celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Space Needle, Bartell Drugs has launched “Rocket to the Top of the Space Needle” – beginning today, November 19th, Bartell is offering vouchers for free visits to the holiday-themed Space Needle Observation Deck that can be used through December 30th.

Bartell Drugs is offering vouchers for one free adult or up to two free youth tickets, and all you have to do to redeem them is purchase one full-fare Adult Observation Deck ticket when you arrive at the Needle. Vouchers are available at Bartell Drugs locations while supplies last (so, plan ahead).

Beginning in January, the Seattle Center Armory will host a Happy Hour the 3rd Thursday of every month. The Happy Hour will run from 5pm-8pm and will include food from Armory vendors including Bigfood, KABAB, MOD Pizza, Pie, Plum Market, Quincy’s and Skillet:Counter. And, what Happy Hour would be complete without libations? Well, the Armory Happy Hour will have alcoholic beverage specials too, as well as bar games, prizes, music, and more – and that’s where you come in…

The Seattle Center is asking for feedback on what games and activities to host, and also what key elements of a Happy Hour people like most. Take their survey by Tuesday, November 27th, voice your opinion, and get a chance to win tickets to the The End’s Deck the Hall Ball at Key Arena on December 4th, featuring bands like The Lumineers, Of Monsters and Men, and M-83. (note: one survey completion/entry per person, 21 or older only). Then, see if your suggestions make the list at the inaugural Armory Happy Hour on January 17th.

The Affordable Art Fair is an “art for everyone” art fair that started in London in 1999 and is coming to Seattle for the first time this week, as part of the Seattle Center’s Next 50 celebration. The Fair starts Friday, November 9 with and runs through Sunday, November 11 at the Seattle Center Exhibition Hall with 50 local and international participating galleries.

The Affordable Art Fair strives to create a fun and inviting atmosphere for everyone, not just art aficionados. The Fair will showcase both emerging and established artists, with hundreds of contemporary paintings, prints, sculptures and photographs priced from $100 to $10,000 – half of which will be priced under $5,000.

In a press statement, Seattle Fair Director Jennifer Jacobs said:

The Fair also includes workshops, lectures and demonstrations, as well as a Young Collectors Lounge for kids. If you’re looking to buy art, the process is simple: the Fair displays all prices and there are no hidden commissions. And, the Fair has a wrapping service for any purchases, so you can get them home safely.

Key Details:
Where: Seattle Center Exhibition Hall
When: Friday, November 9 – Sunday, November 11, 2012
Hours: Friday noon-5pm, Saturday 11am-8pm, Sunday 11am-6pm
Cost: $12 GA / $10 Students & Seniors with ID / Free for kids under 12

Special events:
Private Preview Party: Thursday, Nov 8, 6pm-10pm
Tickets: $65 each, 2 for $125

Art Loves Seattle Benefit Cocktail Reception: Friday, Nov 9, 5pm-9pm
Tickets: $25 each, 2 for $40 (100% of proceeds will be donated to Artist Trust)

Purchase tickets (both general admission and Special Event tickets) in advance online.

The new Armory at the Seattle Center has been bringing in some fresh (and yummy) new food stalls to delight the taste buds of locals and visitors alike!  The Center now is running a promotion, starting tomorrow, Sunday October 7th, (slated to run until May) that offers $1 parking in the garage off of 5th if you spend at least $10 in food at the Armory.

The parking garage in question is the one on 5th, between Harrison and Republican.  Across the street from the EMP and right at the Gates Foundation.

The validation program applies to parking during the day and evening. The simple system allows parkers to take a parking ticket as usual upon entry into 5^th Ave N. Garage. Then when they make their $10 or more purchase from any one of the participating food merchants, they show their parking ticket and ask for a validation ticket. Directions on the validation ticket then guide them through the process. The $1 fare applies to parking of up to 90 minutes. Vehicles parked longer than 90 minutes and less than five hours receive a $2 discount on the standard rate.

The parking validation program is slated to remain in effect through May 24, 2013 in 5^th Ave N Garage, located just across 5^th Ave N. from Seattle Center between Harrison St. and Republican St. Parking validation is not available on several dates in which parking fares are collected upon garage entry in order to expedite exiting after large gatherings on the grounds such as KeyArena concerts and sporting events. Only one validation per vehicle is allowed, and validation is good only for the day of food and beverage purchase.

The $20 million Chihuly exhibition at the Seattle Center is opening soon, and our partners at the Seattle Times were given a sneak peek inside. The Chihuly Garden and Glass exhibition covers nearly 45,000 square feet — where the Fun Forest used to be. Visitors will be able to look up at the Space Needle “framed by 1,250 colorful Persian glass pieces suspended from the ceiling.”

(Photo from Chihuly Garden and Glass)

“What I wanted to do there was take the very best from all the museum shows I’ve done over the years and add a couple of new parts to it,” Dale Chihuly told the Times. “I’m so pleased with the results. It was beyond my expectations, really.” Chihuly designed the exhibition himself.

(Photo from Chihuly Garden and Glass)

Tickets are $19 a pop for general admission, which is the same price you’ll pay to ride to the top of the Space Needle. Chihuly will pay $350,000 a year in rent, and after five years, the lease jumps to $500,000 a year, adjusted for inflation.

(Photo from Chihuly Garden and Glass)

You can wonder around the gardens outside now as the final touches are put in place, but the main exhibition opens on May 21st.

Fifty years ago, Seattle hosted the party of a lifetime, the 1962 World’s Fair. Starting tomorrow, join Seattle Center for the massive opening weekend of The Next Fifty– six packed months of activities, events, and attractions celebrating the 50th anniversary of the 1962 Seattle World’s Fair.

A host of distinguished guests and live entertainment greet The Next Fifty in a celebratory opening ceremony starting at 10:30am. The afternoon offers live music and dance performances, free admission to the Swing Ride and Monkey Motion from noon to 4:30 pm, children’s activities, mobile food vendors, beer garden, NASA’s Driven to Explore Exhibit, Emerald City Search kick-off, skateboarding party, and many more free, festive, and fun activities to round out The Next Fifty Opening Day.

Bartell Drugs, sponsors of The Next Fifty Opening Day, are hosting a nifty little shop selling vintage keepsakes and photo products celebrating the 50th anniversary of Seattle World’s Fair and Seattle Center. Items include original Space Needle ballpoint pens, retailing for $10 (limited to stock on hand). This vintage collectible item was manufactured in Seattle 50 years ago, and will be available at multiple Bartell Drugs locations by May 1.

Many of the planned events, including most exhibits and weekend gatherings, are free and open to the public.

April 8, 1962 Seattle Sunday Times courtesy Second Use Building Materials, Inc.

Visit the Queen Anne View on Facebook to see a larger version of this photograph.

“What can we learn from the people of Washington State about how we as individuals learn, how we pursue our greatest passions, how we support learning in our community and therefore how we can move civilization forward into the next 50 years?” These are the questions at the forefront of the Seattle Center and The Next Fifty‘s latest project: People * Passion * Purpose (P3): A Learning Odyssey.

P3 is the latest of many new endeavors at Seattle Center to both commend its 50th anniversary, and lay the groundwork for social and intellectual investment in our region’s creative energy over the next 50 years. The project will follow 25 participants – people from all ages and walks of life across Washington State – as they “identify their deepest passion and work to intentionally pursue it” over the course of nine months.

Participants (Voyagers) will each be paired a mentor (Guide) to support them as they challenge their assumptions, imagine new possibilities, encounter obstacles, and have the courage to expand beyond who they are to learn and grow.

Voyagers and Guides will document their experiences, efforts, struggles, achievements and realizations. This material will be shared publicly on the web and in a documentary film, making the findings widely accessible to outside observers and researchers. The findings and participants will be featured in August 2012 during The Next Fifty month of Learning.

The Next Fifty is looking for participants for the P3 project – people ready to pursue their passions and have others learn from their journey. If you like the idea of having a camera crew follow you around for nine months documenting your every move in pursuit of whatever it is that makes you tick, this might be the gig for you.

We are looking to recruit a group of people to represent the broad demographics of Washington State– participants of all ages, economic and ethnic backgrounds.  It is a fantastic opportunity for anyone looking to apply themselves in new ways, be challenged in a supportive environment, and learn with and among others.    Apply yourself, or nominate someone you know!

The deadline to apply to become a P3 ‘Voyager’ is this Friday, August 19. Download an application here (.pdf). For more information on P3 and The Next Fifty, click here or call 206 684-7200.

The Seattle International Film Festival announced Saturday that it will be revitalizing Lower Queen Anne’s historic Uptown Theater, which shuttered its doors back in November after its partent company AMC opted to close the old theater house rather than invest in updates.

SIFF plans to reopen the neighborhood theater in October, as it transitions out of its current location in McCaw Hall, in conjunction with the Grand Opening of its own new SIFF Film Center at Seattle Center. SIFF says the new space will provide the organization with increased seating capacity and three additional screens, which will allow it more flexibility for year-round programming.

When the Uptown Theater closed last fall, many in the community were heartbroken to see the longstanding neighborhood cinema house, originally opened in 1926, fall by the wayside. We reached out to SIFF to see if the organization had any interest or intention of taking over the newly vacated space. At the time SIFF representatives told us they were not in a position to take over the theater.

“It really is unfortunate that Uptown theater is closing. I used to go there many times and even when I was growing up so personally it’s a shame that it is closing,” SIFF representative Tod Steward wrote to Queen Anne View back in November. “Maybe Paul Allen or someone like him would finance it to stay open…just like what he did with Cinerama.”

Fortunately for the Queen Anne community, the tides have changed since last fall. In addition to helping expand its year-round programming, SIFF says the reopening of the theater will give it the opportunity to establish first-class educational programs and solidify the future of the organizations and its programs.

Mayor Mike McGinn came out in support of the deal, stating, “SIFF is one of Seattle’s true treasures not only for the work they do in Film and Education, but for being a leader in our community and saving the Uptown Movie Theatre. The leadership that SIFF is demonstrating should not only be recognized but applauded.”

“On behalf of the Greater Queen Anne Chamber of Commerce, we are especially pleased to endorse the acquisition of the Uptown Theater by the Seattle International Film Festival,” Chamber vice president Ann Pearce said in a statement. “We applaud their actions in preserving a valuable part of Seattle’s Uptown neighborhood and creating more opportunities for Queen Anne community businesses. Another wonderful forum for unique entertainment will now be available for residents and tourists alike to enjoy for years to come!”

“We couldn’t have scripted a better opportunity for our organization than to have SIFF Cinema Uptown and the new SIFF Film Center in such close proximity and located in such a vibrant part of the city. Seattle Center and Queen Anne are the perfect locations for us to expand in and we’re excited to be opening our doors in time for Seattle Center’s ‘Next 50’ celebration next year,” SIFF Artistic Director Carl Spence said.

“We are thrilled to welcome SIFF as a new resident here, and we embrace its move to use the former Uptown Theater space as a SIFF screening venue. What a wonderful means to enlivening the neighborhood and further connecting Seattle Center to the Uptown area,” Seattle Center Director Robert Nellams said.

The Seattle Center and future tenant KEXP 90.3 are putting on a number of free concerts at the Mural Ampitheatre every Friday throughout the month of August as part of the Concerts at the Mural summer music series.

The eclectic concerts will showcase some of KEXP’s favorite artists and local bands. All shows are free, all-ages and “tailored to the culturally curious who seek to discover the best of the area’s independent music scene.” KEXP DJs will be on hand to entertain between sets, and there will also be a beer/wine garden for music lovers 21 and up.

The first live show kicks off today at 6 p.m. with Seattle-based bands The Maldives, Hey Marseilles and Black Whales. Check out the lineup for the whole month: 

Friday, August 5, 6pm
The Maldives
Hey Marseilles
Black Whales
 
Saturday, August 6, 3 – 9pm    KEXP BBQ
Fool’s Gold
Rainbow Arabia
Capsula
School of Rock
Virgin Islands
Mad Rad
 
Friday, August 12, 6pm
Seapony
Gold Leaves
Math and Physics Club

Friday, August 19, 6pm
Black Mountain
My Goodness
Whalebones (Record Release)
 
Friday, August 26, 6pm     NO DEPRESSION NIGHT
Shane Tutmarc
Ravenna Woods
Pickwick
Drew Grow & the Pastors’ Wives

For more information click here.

Good thing there’s decent weather on the horizon because this weekend is packed with fun outdoor events in and around Queen Anne. There are not just one, but two opportunities to run through the neighborhood – one for charity, the other for kicks. Plus Seattle’s biggest outdoor yoga event, and the annual Queen Anne Sidewalk Sale. Check out Queen Anne’s weekend calendar:

Saturday, July 9

• Crown of Queen Anne Fun Run – Help support the Queen Anne Helpline by participating in the annual QA Fun Run. The 5k (3.3 mile) run/walk of beautiful streets on Queen Anne hill kicks off at 8 a.m. (walkers) and 8:20 a.m. (runners). If you haven’t yet registered, you may do so between 6:45 and 7:30 a.m. on Saturday. Day of registration is $35. Participants should gather at the Queen Anne Lutheran Church, located at 2400 8th Ave West. The Fun Run/walk will start at 5th and Halladay, and finish at Coe Elementary School. After the run/walk participants should reassemble at the Queen Anne Lutheran Church for awards, coffee, water, snacks and random drawings for prizes. Details here.
• 3rd Annual Yoga for Hope Event – Join hundreds of other yogis at the International Fountain North Lawn at Seattle Center for the city’s annual outdoor yoga event for charity: Yoga for Hope is an outdoor yoga event for yoga beginners and experts alike to bring awareness to the benefits of yoga practice for patients with life-threatening illnesses. Four of Seattle’s top yoga instructors will lead hundreds of participants in a two-hour class at the Seattle Center. The proceeds from the event will benefit research, treatment and education programs at City of Hope, aiding the treatment and research center’s efforts to expand awareness of the importance of the mind-body-spirit connection when battling cancer, diabetes or HIV/AIDS. The Yoga for Hope event was born out of City of Hope’s efforts to expand awareness of the importance of the mind-body-spirit connection and the hospital’s unique approach to utilizing complimentary and integrative therapies such as yoga and meditation in the patient treatment programs. Instructors from Queen Anne’s own Haute Yoga will be joining other teachers at the event this year. Registration $35 if done online by midnight tonight (register here), or $45 day of. Registration and vendor booths open at 9 a.m., with classes taking place between 10:30 a.m. and noon. Details here.
  
• 2nd Annual Queen Anne Running of the Bulls – In case walking/running it out over 3.3 miles of Queen Anne streets during the Fun Run isn’t enough, Queen Anne’s own self-proclaimed “division of the Queen Anne mafia,” The Comstock Commission, is putting on the second neighborhood Running of the Bulls on the very same day. Swing by Paragon Bar & Grill at 1 p.m. to join in the fun or just watch it unfold. And don’t forget to wear the Comstock uniform–white shirts and pants, a red scarf and “fast shoes”. Details here.
• Queen Anne Sidewalk Sale – If you feel like shopping in the sunshine, don’t miss Queen Anne’s annual summer Sidewalk Sale, which will be happening all day at stores up and down Queen Anne Ave N. We don’t have a full list of participating vendors, but many stores have planned sales and special events in years past. Many vendors also often extend the sales for the whole weekend, so if you can’t make it Saturday, you’ll have another chance on Sunday, July 9. Just look for balloons and big crowds!

Know of more events happening on the hill this weekend? Email us at tips@queenanneview.com or comment below and we’ll add the event to our weekend calendar.