Seeking: a guide to the Belltown Art Walk
+ a dance school, a film festival, & a new pasta bar
The question on every Seattleites mind this week: will there be a Queen Anne Sedan Snow Slam this weekend?
Right now it’s looking like a no, but it will be really cold. Which might discourage you from checking out this week’s feature, the Belltown Art Walk, but thankfully it happens every month so you can just bookmark it for next time.
Before I dive into things, a quick recap on the Wet City Comedy Fest at The Crocodile this past weekend:
Pros: the organizers put together an incredible lineup. I went on Friday and I was blown away by the ingenuity and creativity of every single comic. Patti Harrison especially had one of the wildest and most innovative sets I’ve ever seen. They were all pretty big names so it’s not that much of a surprise, but I was still impressed by the caliber of the comedy and how cohesive the lineup was. Plus, the new Crocodile is pretty sweet! I’d definitely go back to a show or event there.
Cons: this was their first time organizing a comedy fest… and that was unfortunately obvious. I’m hoping they figured it out for the rest of the weekend, but when we went on Friday they had some planning snafus that caused some people to miss sets due to capacity issues.
Conclusion: I’d definitely go again next year and cross my fingers that they’ve worked out the kinks!
Before we continue on, if the SAD is starting to kick in or you’re looking for some warming things to do this weekend, I’d recommend checking out this guide for additional recommendations:
Alright let’s get into this week’s recs!
*This post is a little long, so don’t forget to expand if it gets cut off in your email!
As I mentioned a few weeks ago, the Belltown Art Walk is my new favorite art walk. There’s more of an emphasis on emerging artists here, so the artists are usually present and very excited to tell you all about their work (which is more fun in my opinion). I feel like I got the insider experience with my friend Judy as my guide, so I’m here to share our route and the galleries we stopped at so you can have it too!
It happens on the second Friday of every month and it runs from 6 - 9 pm, so you have time to grab food + drinks beforehand if you’d like (recs below). Parking can be tough in Belltown, but if you go closer to the water you can usually find a spot. Otherwise, the Westlake Light Rail stop is right by spot #1, but you’ll have to walk half a mile to get to the others which might be nice or terrible depending on the weather 🙃
The Route:
Ghosts of Belltown @ Base Camp Studios #2
One of the coolest art installations I’ve been to in Seattle, please go see this before it closes on 1/26! The installations were constructed from materials that were mostly found on the second floor of the old Bergman Luggage building before neon, words, and murals were added by local artists.Wonder Collective @ Labour Temple
This luxurious coworking space opens up every month for art events hosted by Wonder Collective and is worth walking the extra steps to check out. There’s usually free drinks, a makers market, and an artist showcase. I loved last month’s artist, Kierstan Craft, and this month’s feature looks equally good.Base Camp Studios #1
The original Base Camp Studios has a fun punk rock vibe and it’s cool to be able to see the spaces where the artists-in-residence actually create their work. This month their underground art market will be back and featuring DJ Wax Witch.Slip & Slide
These galleries are right next to each other and both worth a stop. Slip is the bigger of the two and will be featuring three artists for an exhibit called “Voices,” while Slide will be hosting a miniature community art show which looks adorable.Mixed Pantry
This was our final stop of the night and it was a very fun one! This Asian culinary shop stocks a little bit of everything – seemingly every chili crunch on the market, plus sauces, spreads, snacks, and gifts. This month they’ll be celebrating the opening of their Sunday Kitchen gallery with light snacks and drinks from 6-7 pm.
*This is just a handful of the participating galleries and businesses, you can find all of them and a map of their locations here.
Nearby spots to grab a bite/drink:
Bangrak Market | Excellent HH from 4-6 pm and fun party vibes
Umi Sake House | One of my favorite sushi spots that also has a HH from 4-6 pm
List | Crazy HH from 4-6:30 & 9-11 pm where all food is 50% off
Rocco’s Pizza | Excellent yet pricey pizza
BOCA Restobar | Very cheap HH from 3-6 pm, I’ve only been for drinks so can’t speak to the food
💎 Local Gems
Exit Space School of Dance | Green Lake + Capitol Hill
I’ve been getting into the dance community this year and have recently found a home at Exit Space. I’m NOT a dancer! But I’m trying, and they have an excellent 9-week Basic Series for beginners that I’m about halfway through and highly recommend. I’m taking modern, but they also have ballet, jazz, hip hop, tap, and burlesque. I’ve now started to go to their open beginning modern classes on Wednesdays and Sundays and it’s becoming a new favorite ritual. Let me know if you ever want to go with me, I’m looking for dance friends 🙃
Bright Spot | Mt Baker
One of my new favorite cafes, I’m currently writing this very newsletter here! It’s an ideal spot for coworking (has actually comfy seats), meeting a friend, or grabbing a warm drink and heading for a stroll by Lake Washington. I also saw a little sign that says they host a Tarot Reading Club on Sundays from 1-3pm. During the summer this would be a great place to cowork before hitting the nearby pickleball courts.
👀 On my radar
Sundance Film Festival Short Film Tour | Capitol Hill
It’s awards season and I want to feel cultured and in the know this year, so I was excited to see that NW Film Forum is hosting a 90-minute theatrical program of seven short films curated from the 2023 Sundance Film Festival. There are multiple showing dates through January 27th and it’s only $14 to attend.
SAM Body + Mind | Belltown
The SAM is hosting a mindfulness program on the first and third Saturdays of the next three months and it looks pretty well organized! At the next one on January 20th, there will be free yoga by Take Care Yoga, live music, art therapy, reading time hosted by my favorite, Silent Book Club West Seattle, and sound bowls.
Donna’s | First Hill
This Italian cocktail bar caught my eye because it seems like it has the rare combo of all the things I’m usually looking for when I want to eat out = cool ambiance with great food + drinks that won’t break the bank. The HH is 🔥 ($10 bowls of pasta + $9 cocktails) but the regular menu is still very reasonable and would be a fun date night or friend catch up.
📆 This weekend’s events
Replay Matinee: Angela Garbes | Thursday, 1/11 | Downtown | Free
BEAT SPHERE: An Immersive 360º DJ Experience | Thursday, 1/11 | Capitol Hill | $15-20
Laughing for Leopards: Comedy Fundraiser | Thursday, 1/11 | West Seattle | $30
Social Event: How to make closer friendships | Thursday, 1/11 | Fremont | $35
Pitch a Friend | Friday, 1/12 | Fremont | $12
A Back Line: A Musical Improv | Friday, 1/12 | Downtown | $15-20
The Socks on my Hands Puppet Slam | Friday, 1/12 | Capitol Hill | $0-15
BACK TO BELLTOWN vinyl release show | Saturday, 1/13 | Belltown | $30
Winter Feast Food Truck Festival | Sunday, 1/14 | Fremont | Free
Winter Birding Hike to Debbie's View | Sunday, 1/14 | Issaquah | Free
Washington State Parks Free Day | Monday, 1/15 | Various locations | Free
MLK Volunteer Opportunities | Monday, 1/15 | Various locations | Free
King Day + Interrupting Privilege | Monday, 1/15 | Central District | Donation
MLK Jr’s Dream Unfinished Rally + March | Monday, 1/15 | Central District | Free
Multi-day:
Sundance Film Festival Short Film Tour | 1/11 - 1/27 | Capitol Hill | $14
What’s next:
1/17 - 1/20 | Cirque du Soleil is in town at Climate Pledge for their show Corteo which is about the life and death of a clown. Sounds about right.
1/26 | While Pink Martini is playing at Pantages Theater in Tacoma, Fremont will be taken over by Soupocalypse.
2/14 - 2/17 | This could be a fun Valentines date – The Seattle Symphony will be live playing the score of The Princess Bride alongside the film.
3/1 - 3/3 | New Mexico isn’t the only place to see hot air balloons – Winthrop also hosts an annual Balloon Roundup at the beginning of March. You’ll never catch me in one of those things, but I’d love to take in the views from the ground.
🚨 ICYMI
Both Eater and Curiocity wrote cheap eat guides. A new Washington bill would allow people to sue for stealthing. The Unicorn is planning a very large expansion to White Center that will include a 64-foot long bar and a teacup ride 🤯
🧰️ Seattle Toolkit
A few of my favorite resources to stay tuned in to what’s happening around the city:
What Do - Seattle’s aggregated event list
Everout - Events & things to do
SEAToday - Daily Seattle newsletter
The Nudge Seattle - Text-based event planner
The Intentionalist - Discover + support local small businesses
Your turn!
What are you seeking this week? What do you already have planned? Share it with us in the comments ⬇️
Ooooo bright spot looks amazing!! Looks a good place to get comfy and read.
Also idk about modern dance but if you ever want a dance church buddy you know I’m in.