Seeking: a new matcha cafe, summer concerts, and free jazz
A hobby planning system you can steal
Hey y’all! Before we get into this week’s issue, I wanted to share that the winner of the UrbanBuzz giveaway is Evelynn C.! Congrats Evelynn — UrbanBuzz will be in touch with you to provide the funds for your Capitol Hill date night at Donna’s and R+M Dessert Bar. I’ll be keeping the rest of you posted on when they launch so we can all enjoy some discounted outings 🙃
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Seasonal hobby planning
This past winter, my newsletter went on a bit of a hiatus as work picked up and I decided to spend my remaining free time investing in hobbies. Inspired by a friend who divvies her activities up by season, I designed a system for myself to explore the things I’d been wanting to try but hadn’t yet made space for.
I’m the type of person who has a LOT of interests and is not really a pro at anything. This used to bother me, but now it’s something I appreciate about myself. I can usually find a point of connection with anyone I meet! But how I’ve approached exploring all my interests hasn’t always worked for me… I usually try to do everything I want to do all at once and then end up burned out and retreating.
So, approaching each new season with curiosity and an inner inquiry of what I want to explore has really been working for me so far. Here’s what I love about this method:
There’s a time limit. With a seasonal approach, I don’t feel like I’m signing up to do something forever. I’m giving it a try for a specific period of time, and I can then evaluate at the end of the season if I’d like to continue or try something new.
It doesn’t feel forced. Certain activities just don’t feel quite right to do year-round (like knitting in the summer), so I like matching my hobbies with the season that suits them best.
It’s sustainable. I’m able to do more of the things I want to do because I’m not overloading my plate or forcing myself to do things that no longer fit.
If you’re looking for some inspiration, here’s what I’ve been exploring lately and what I have planned for the coming season:
❄️ 🌱 Winter & Spring:
Karate | More on this in a future newsletter, but I took the Karate 101 class for adults at Feminist Karate Union in January and loved it. I’m now a yellow belt and working on getting my orange at the end of June!
Photography | There’s always YouTube, but I enjoyed taking the photography essentials classes at Glazer’s.
Needleworks | I took a great intro to hemming class at Summit Selvage, and after knitting two Sophie scarves, I’m finally working on my first sweater.
Mahjong | My friend
got me into this, and I’ve been loving attending Emerald City Tile Club’s meetups at Stoup Brewing. It’s beginner-friendly, we learned to play here!
☀️ Summer:
Rowing | I want an excuse to be on the water regularly this summer, so I’m planning on signing up for Lake Union Crew’s 4-week Learn to Row series, which meets 3x/week.
Paddle boarding | I recently found out that many of my friends own paddle boards, so I’m excited to have more friend hangs on the water and potentially host some regular paddle meetups.
Pickleball | For the second summer in a row, we’re hosting our weekly Pickle Bánh meetup at the Mt Baker courts. DM me if you want to join!
👀 On my radar
It’s back y’all. Last year’s viral sensation, Gays Eating Garlic Bread in the Park, will be hosted again on 5/17.
Seriously considering becoming a member of the Seattle Jazz Fellowship in Pioneer Square this year. It costs just $60 for the year and gets you access to all of their shows (they have one every night, Thursday through Sunday). My dream date night would be Pioneer Square Art Walk + a jazz show. Monday nights at 7:30 pm are always free and open to the public, but go very early if you want a spot! Doors open at 6:30 pm, and I’d get there at that time—you can have a drink while you wait. They are moving at the end of the month, so maybe they’ll have a bigger space and be able to accommodate more people?
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Always seeking little slices of Japan in Seattle and Taz Matcha looks like it’s going to be my new obsession… It’s a matcha cafe by day and a craft cocktail bar at night where you can sit on the FLOOR.
Not sure how they did it, but Washington State Ferries are returning to full service three years ahead of schedule. Vashon will finally be going back to its three-boat schedule which they haven’t had since before the pandemic.
More Seattle Substackers, please!
wrote a great guide to coffee on Capitol Hill and more editions are coming.In related coffee news, I came across a new vinyl cafe called Track Twelve on TikTok that claims to be opening on Capitol Hill in July. Most of their content is aesthetically pleasing stock photography so it feels kinda fake, but I’m excited about the concept if it’s real.
Gasworks Brewing expanded their patio just in time for summer! Hopefully this means I can find a seat this year.
I’m going to let the hype die down before I try Many Bennie’s, the viral New Zealand-style ice cream shop that puts googly eyes on their swirls (I’ve heard the lines stretch multiple blocks).
It’s shaping up to be a great summer for music in Seattle based on all the lineup releases so far:
Marymoor’s lineup is almost fully out with just a few more shows to be announced. I’ve got my eye on Band of Horses + Iron & Wine in September.
Chateau Ste. Michelle has all their usual standbys plus a few new faces. Peach Pit would be fun to see.
The Gorge lineup looks pretty light so far, maybe the rest of their lineup is still coming?
Zootunes tickets always go fast, but there are still a few artists (Devo, Japanese Breakfast) with shows available.
Fisherman’s Village Festival (5/15 - 5/17) in Everett has a surprisingly great lineup… both The Dip and Blind Pilot will be there!
Capitol Hill Block Party (7/19-7/20) is now 21+ (🙏) and has an interesting mix of artists. Sister festival Day In Day Out is taking a break this year.
Day Trip (7/26) used to be hosted at Fisher Pavilion, but will be hosted at Gasworks this year. I loved Gasworks as a venue for Anjunadeep last year, so I’d be willing to give this a go.
Bumbershoot (9/1 - 9/2) was a blast last year despite reports of low attendance (as an attendee it felt spacious and chill). But I’m even more excited for this year’s lineup because my bf is playing (he’s the drummer for Car Seat Headrest).
9/13 - 9/14 | Psychic Salamander is a festival put on by Modest Mouse at Remlinger and has a solid indie lineup.
Seattle Met has a running list of summer concerts as more dates are released if you want to bookmark it as a guide!
See ya later 206, Seattle is getting a new area code next month: 564.
📆 Weekend events
Magnolia Flea Market | Saturday, May 10th | Magnolia | Free
Pierogi Fest | Saturday, May 10th | Capitol Hill | Free ($18 for a plate of pierogi)
Edmonds Spring Fest | Saturday, May 10th | Edmonds | Free
Lake City Record Show | Saturday, May 10th | Lake City | Free
Vintage Outdoor Gear Pop-Up Market | Saturday, May 10th | Fremont | Free
West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day | Saturday, May 10th | West Seattle | Free (over 570 garage sales!!!)
World Migratory Bird Day | Saturday, May 10th | Seward Park | Free (this sounds so wholesome!)
SIFF 'n' Stitch: Mamma Mia! | Sunday, May 11th | Uptown | $17-20 (combining knitting and Mamma Mia?? My ideal event)
Complexions Contemporary Ballet | 5/8 - 5/11 | UW Campus | $25
Mariners Home Games | 5/9 - 5/11 | SODO | $30+
17th Annual Flower Festival | 5/10 - 5/11 | Pike Place | Free
Get Sprung Artist and Makers Market | 5/10 - 5/11 | Georgetown | Free
Seattle Art Book Fair | 5/10 - 5/11 | Central District | Free
What’s next:
5/17 - 5/18 | The U District Street Fair is taking over 15 blocks with live music, food, and shopping.
5/23 - 5/26 | Celebrating Memorial Day Weekend at Northwest Folklife Festival is a Seattle rite of passage.
9/1 - 9/2 | Wet Leg is coming to the Paramount in September.
10/22 | Lorde is touring her new album and stopping by Climate Pledge (tickets go on sale 5/14).
11/16 | David Sedaris is making his annual stop at the Benaroya.
Well, seeing you did ask for Seattle Substacks, I’ll shamelessly promote my own. 👍🏻 https://theawesomenessdigest.substack.com
Eek! I too have a dream to learn rowing. Excited to hear about your adventure!