Best of 2008: Entertainment
| By Brangien Davis , Allison Austin Scheff , Andrea Delimont , Lei Ann Shiramizu , Jen Harper , Anne Hurley |
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Best Resurgence of a Theremin
“Awesome”
Local nerd-pop band “Awesome” is known for its unique mix of instrumentation—from mandolins and melodicas to clarinets and glockenspiels—with plenty of room for the strange theremin in between. The first musical instrument to be played without being touched, the theremin is making its comeback, played by the band’s John Osebold on many of its songs, as well as his own solo album, by moving his hands around the antennae to control the frequency and pitch of its invaders-from-Mars sound.
“Awesome”
Local nerd-pop band “Awesome” is known for its unique mix of instrumentation—from mandolins and melodicas to clarinets and glockenspiels—with plenty of room for the strange theremin in between. The first musical instrument to be played without being touched, the theremin is making its comeback, played by the band’s John Osebold on many of its songs, as well as his own solo album, by moving his hands around the antennae to control the frequency and pitch of its invaders-from-Mars sound.
Best Name for a Cover Band Covering a Seattle Group
I Pity the Foo
Seattle’s music scene offers plenty of inspiration for imitators, but none more rockin’ and ragin’ than Foo Fighters cover band I Pity the Foo, straight out of Bremerton. Composed of bassist and lead vocalist Christopher Hart, lead guitarist Derek Sheppard—by day, a Flash designer and reporter for the Kitsap Sun, respectively—and drummer Chris Kornelis, Web editor for Seattle Weekly, IPTF’s covers of Dave Grohl’s tunes, including “The Pretender,” caught the attention of his former Nirvana bandmate Krist Novoselic (who writes a column for the Weekly), but it’s their name we love most.
Best Way to Horn in on Your Kids’ Fun
826 Seattle Adult Writing Workshops
(Greenwood, 8414 Greenwood Ave. N; 206.725.2625)
Kid-centric writing center 826 Seattle has been helping students craft stories for the past four years, but this year branched out, offering writing seminars for adults, with titles such as “How to Write About Your Family Without Them Finding Out,” taught by local author Kathleen Alcalá, and “How to Be Funny (Funny Ha Ha, Not Funny Strange),” taught by author Ryan Boudinot.
Best Way to Become a Temporary Radio Star
The End’s Beach House
(West Seattle; 206.421.1077)
Seattle’s answer to Malibu, this party hub in a tent hit its stride in its second summer as an all-purpose hangout with food, beer, sand and surf, and free concerts, from late May through Labor Day. And the best part? The ad-hoc broadcasting setup encouraged passersby to drop in for a brew or hop on the air for a special occasion, such as a totally cool 21st birthday shout-out. Woo! Yeah! Wooooo!
The End’s Beach House
(West Seattle; 206.421.1077)
Seattle’s answer to Malibu, this party hub in a tent hit its stride in its second summer as an all-purpose hangout with food, beer, sand and surf, and free concerts, from late May through Labor Day. And the best part? The ad-hoc broadcasting setup encouraged passersby to drop in for a brew or hop on the air for a special occasion, such as a totally cool 21st birthday shout-out. Woo! Yeah! Wooooo!
Best Place to Hold a Petanque Tournament
Bellevue Downtown Park
(Bellevue, 10201 NE Fourth St.)
While outdoor imbibing (a must in proper European games) is not allowed in this public park just south of Bellevue Square, the field is still favored as one of the best petanque (a form of the French lawn game boules) “courts” in the area. Crushed composite granite pathways allow balls to roll smoothly, and an added bonus: The Parisian-esque park is tree-lined and tidy, with benches just as you’d find in the City of Lights.
Most Fun Women Can Have Dancing, Regardless of Sexual Orientation
Hot Flash Dances at Heaven Nightclub and the War Room
Thanks to Mamma Mia, middle-aged women want to dance again. And thanks to Hot Flash Seattle, a twice-a-month “retro dance party for seasoned lesbians, as well as all the women who love us,” gay or straight, they can boogie up a storm. The par-tay alternates between Heaven in Pioneer Square and the War Room on Capitol Hill, so check the Web site for specifics. Grab your BFFs and your dancing-queen shoes.
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Best of 2008: The Arts
11/13/08 4:43 PMThis year, Seattle gave us plenty to love. From museums (three cheers for the new Wing Luke Asian and NW African American museums!) to quirky shops (get thee to Foxmaid for a Davey Crockett hat) to exciting restaurant debuts (Poppy, The Corson Building, Pike Street Fish Fry) to truly stand-out neighborhoods (hello, Georgetown), we’ve compiled a ginormous list of the best of the best.
Best of Shopping
11/13/08 5:56 PMFrom quirky shops (get thee to Foxmaid for a Davey Crockett hat) to floral boutiques with architectural arrangements (Willow & Bloom). This year Seattle gave us plenty to love.
Best of 2008: Pets
11/13/08 6:06 PMThis year, Seattle gave us plenty to love. From museums (three cheers for the new Wing Luke Asian and NW African American museums!) to quirky shops (get thee to Foxmaid for a Davey Crockett hat) to exciting restaurant debuts (Poppy, The Corson Building, Pike Street Fish Fry) to truly stand-out neighborhoods (hello, Georgetown), we’ve compiled a ginormous list of the best of the best.
Best of 2008: Food
11/13/08 6:21 PMThis year, Seattle gave us plenty of excitement in the culinary scene. From burgers built with scientific precision to a Georgetown restaurant that channels the Italian countryside, read about the latest and greatest in local food.
What’s Your Coffee Shop Personality?
11/13/08 6:39 PMWith Starbucks attempting to woo finicky consumers with its new Pike Place Roast, McDonald’s entering the race for your McLatte dollar, Portland’s Stumptown making itself at home here, and new coffee shops cropping up all the time, Seattle’s coffee culture is still as fresh as that first cup. But what does your favorite coffee shop say about you?
Best of 2008: Kids
11/14/08 5:10 PMThis year, Seattle gave us plenty to love. From museums (three cheers for the new Wing Luke Asian and NW African American museums!) to quirky shops (get thee to Foxmaid for a Davey Crockett hat) to exciting restaurant debuts (Poppy, The Corson Building, Pike Street Fish Fry) to truly stand-out neighborhoods (hello, Georgetown), we’ve compiled a ginormous list of the best of the best.
Best of 2008: Year of the Rat
11/14/08 5:28 PMAccording to the Chinese calendar, 2008 is the year of the rat: a critter widely respected and considered resourceful, perceptive and enterprising—or, wily, cunning, slightly scary and pretty much unstoppable. In Seattle, where rats could practically be the official city mascot, we’re finally allowed to be proud of the skittery underbelly of our city, and beyond. So stop that screaming, get down off that chair and love that rodent.
Best of 2008: Green
11/14/08 5:39 PMThis year, Seattle gave us plenty to love. From museums (three cheers for the new Wing Luke Asian and NW African American museums!) to quirky shops (get thee to Foxmaid for a Davey Crockett hat) to exciting restaurant debuts (Poppy, The Corson Building, Pike Street Fish Fry) to truly stand-out neighborhoods (hello, Georgetown), we’ve compiled a ginormous list of the best of the best.
Best of 2008: Reader’s Choice
11/14/08 5:42 PMWe asked, you answered. Behold your favorites in 49 categories
Best of 2008: People
11/14/08 7:05 PMThis year, Seattle gave us plenty to love. From museums (three cheers for the new Wing Luke Asian and NW African American museums!) to quirky shops (get thee to Foxmaid for a Davey Crockett hat) to exciting restaurant debuts (Poppy, The Corson Building, Pike Street Fish Fry) to truly stand-out neighborhoods (hello, Georgetown), we’ve compiled a ginormous list of the best of the best.
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