Showing posts with label history. Show all posts
Showing posts with label history. Show all posts

CORRECTION Lecture: Lessons of the Japanese American exclusion

Sunday, August 2, 2020

Honor wall at Minidoka internment camp lists names
of camp residents who volunteered to serve in the
US Military and fight in WWII

Reader Susan Prince has sent a correction to what was originally published:

The names on the wall are the names of the people in the camp who volunteered to serve in the US Military during the war and served with honor. Thousands of people stayed in this camp - way too many names to fit on the "Honor Roll" wall. Photo of the wall attached from a visit I made in 2017.

Original story:

Sunday, August 9, 2 - 3 pm

KCLS Online Event for adults and teens. Registration required.

In March of 1942, 227 Japanese Americans were forcibly removed from their homes on Bainbridge Island by the U.S. Army. Starting with this small community, a national strategy began, with more than 120,000 Japanese American men, women and children forcibly removed and incarcerated during World War II. 

Clarence Moriwaki shares the story of Bainbridge Island— the origin point of the Japanese American exclusion— to provide a human, historical account of this national tragedy, and to ask the question: Are there parallels to what’s happening in America now? 



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Step back in time: Interior of the Seattle Naval Chapel at Fircrest is virtually untouched from the day it was built

Sunday, July 19, 2020

Seattle Naval Hospital Chapel at Fircrest
Story and photos 
by Janet Way

Captain J.T Boone (MC) USN was a highly decorated veteran of WW I, and took up the command of the Seattle Naval Hospital (which eventually became Fircrest School in Shoreline.)

It was 1943 and WWII was still raging when the Captain decided that what was needed at the Hospital Base to offer solace and inspiration to the patients, families and staff was a beautiful chapel.

Custom woodwork, original chandeliers,
round stained glass window
So, Captain Boone set out to build one. It turned out to be the very first Naval Hospital Chapel on American soil.

He specifically wanted it to be built up on a hill, set apart in a peaceful grove of pine, cedar, fir and hemlock.

He wanted the chapel to be a non-denominational “church of all creeds” that could provide solace to these wounded soldiers and their caregivers.

Stained glass window, organ pipes,
baptismal font
At the Groundbreaking Ceremony for the Chapel, an account by Captain Boone stated in the June 14, 1944 newsletter The Stethoscope,

“The Commanding Officer has wished that the building of a chapel would be the highlight of his administration and he feels confident that his desire will be realized by his auspicious beginning as expressed on the ground-breaking ceremonies at the chapel.”


Now Shoreline Preservation Society has taken up the challenge to protect this humble chapel nestled in the wooded grove overlooking Fircrest School.
Custom built organ

The good news is that it is in particularly good condition.

In fact, most of its beautiful and simple interior is intact, except that the flooring was replaced some years ago because of asbestos.

But all of the other custom crafted woodwork, pews, chandeliers, leaded glass windows, and even a beautiful small pipe organ are original.

And the Fircrest Chapel (officially still named the Seattle Naval Hospital Chapel) is still used regularly for Sunday services, weddings, memorials, and other ceremonies.

Beautiful woodland settings
It is still surrounded by a beautiful dell of healthy native trees and understory, just as Captain Boone wanted.

Along with the beautiful building, interior, and landscaping, as historians we were delighted to view some of the original drawings and drafting work from which it was created.

It is arguably one of the most beautiful buildings in Shoreline.

Custom-made cabinets
SPS is working with historians from NW Vernacular on a nomination process with a grant from 4Culture and expect that to be completed in the next few months.

If anyone reading this article has any knowledge about the Chapel or other historical aspects of the Naval Hospital or persons associated with it, especially from the Navy, we invite you to contact Janet Way through our Facebook Page or website.


Architect's original sketch for the chapel


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Fast Girls: A Novel of the 1936 Women's Olympic Team - virtual event with author Wednesday

Wednesday, July 8, 2020



Wednesday, July 8, 2020 - 5:00pm
Third Place Books Virtual Event 

Join Elise Hooper (author of LEARNING TO SEE and THE OTHER ALCOTT) for an evening of stories, history, and Olympic trivia to celebrate the release of her new novel FAST GIRLS! Hooper will be joined by Kate Quinn, Tara Conklin, Jennifer Robson, Jillian Cantor, Kerri Maher, Heather Webb, Jane Healy, and Susie Orman Schnall.

Acclaimed author Elise Hooper explores the gripping, real life history of female athletes, members of the first integrated women's Olympic team, and their journeys to the 1936 summer games in Berlin, Nazi Germany. Perfect for readers who love untold stories of amazing women, such as The Only Woman in the Room, Hidden Figures, and The Lost Girls of Paris.

In the 1928 Olympics, Chicago's Betty Robinson competes as a member of the first-ever women's delegation in track and field. Destined for further glory, she returns home feted as America's Golden Girl until a nearly-fatal airplane crash threatens to end everything.
Outside of Boston, Louise Stokes, one of the few black girls in her town, sees competing as an opportunity to overcome the limitations placed on her. Eager to prove that she has what it takes to be a champion, she risks everything to join the Olympic team.
From Missouri, Helen Stephens, awkward, tomboyish, and poor, is considered an outcast by her schoolmates, but she dreams of escaping the hardships of her farm life through athletic success. Her aspirations appear impossible until a chance encounter changes her life.
These three athletes will join with others to defy society's expectations of what women can achieve. As tensions bring the United States and Europe closer and closer to the brink of war, Betty, Louise, and Helen must fight for the chance to compete as the fastest women in the world amidst the pomp and pageantry of the Nazi-sponsored 1936 Olympics in Berlin.

A New Englander by birth (and at heart), Elise Hooper lives with her husband and two young daughters in Seattle, where she teaches history and literature.

Fast Girls: A Novel of the 1936 Women's Olympic Team (Paperback)
By Elise Hooper
$16.99
ISBN: 9780062937995
Availability: Third Place Books, call 206-366-3333
Published: William Morrow Paperbacks - July 7, 2020



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HistoryLink wants your stories about Coronavirus

Friday, May 29, 2020

This Week on HistoryLink: Coronavirus Week 19 

In week 19 of the coronavirus pandemic, Washington continues to gradually open up as Governor Inslee and his team assess how the counties should proceed. This week, half of the counties were allowed to enter Phase 2, while the remainder continued to monitor infection rates.

HistoryLink is documenting the impact of the pandemic in several ways. We have posted a number of articles about the key events so far:

We aren't waiting for this to be history! We want to hear your stories for our Coronavirus Archive Project. 

Our People's Histories are a rich collection of first-person accounts, and we would like to add your experiences in this pandemic so future generations can turn to HistoryLink to learn what happened. 

Visit our Coronavirus Archive Project page to share your story.



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Shoreline gardener finds arrowhead

Tuesday, May 12, 2020

Photo courtesy Heather

Shoreline resident Heather and her son were digging in their back yard Sunday evening when Heather made an unexpected find: an arrowhead!

Heather says, "I'm waiting to hear back from the Burke Museum about its potential history but in the meantime is a pretty neat local find, right in my own backyard!"

We'll keep you posted.


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Shoreline Preservation Society awarded grant to research Fircrest Chapel

Friday, April 24, 2020

Fircrest Chapel
Photo by Janet Way


The Shoreline Preservation Society is proud to announce they have been awarded a Special Projects Grant by 4Culture to research and nominate the Fircrest Chapel for Landmark Status!

The Fircrest Chapel (historically known as the Seattle Naval Hospital Chapel) was, according to U.S. Navy records, the very first freestanding Naval Hospital Chapel in America. It was built 1945 while the war still raged in the Pacific. It was designed largely by staff and situated on a peaceful hillside surrounded by fir trees.

Shoreline Preservation Society will be working closely with professional historians from Northwest Vernacular Northwest Vernacular, as well as others with expertise such as the Shoreline Historical Museum and Friends of Fircrest. They will be seeking input from the US Navy historians and members of the community who may have had family members who were staff or patients there during World War II.

The building is particularly beautiful and is largely intact from its original design. It is set off by its location amidst a lovely forest setting.

Fircrest School is now the home of many disabled people who receive services there and was also previously the TB Sanatorium after being relocated from Firlands (now CRISTA) in the late 1940's and early 1950's.

The property is owned by the the State Department of Natural Resources and Fircrest School is run by DSHS.

Shoreline Preservation Society is an all volunteer WA State Non-Profit that strives to work for preserving Shoreline's cultural and environmental assets for the benefit of current and future residents.




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Don't be a grumbler...

Tuesday, March 24, 2020



Dow Constantine, County Executive, tweeted this out.

It's from the Seattle Star, October 1918. Seattle was sheltering in place during the 1918 Flu Pandemic.

Looks like the Northwest was proactive, even then.



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Early Alderwood Manor

Tuesday, March 3, 2020

Wickers Building in Heritage Park, Lynnwood
Wikimedia commons
"Early Alderwood Manor" is the topic of the program to be presented at the monthly meeting of the Sno-Isle Genealogy Society on Wednesday, March 4, 2020 at 7pm.

Wickers Building, 19921 Poplar Way, Heritage Park, Lynnwood. 

Presenters are Cheri Ryan and Kevin Stadler whose ancestors were early settlers of this area. There is a short business meeting at 6:30pm followed by the program at 7pm.

Guests are welcome. For more information call 425-775-6267 on Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday from 11am - 3pm.



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Shoreline Planning Commission has four new members

Saturday, February 29, 2020

At the February 24, 2020 meeting of the Shoreline City Council, four candidates were appointed to openings on the Shoreline Planning Commission.

Of the 28 impressive applicants, and after careful consideration, Council unanimously agreed to appoint Julius Rwamashongye, Pam Sager, Andy Galuska, and Janelle Callahan to the Planning Commission for four-year terms that will run from April 1, 2020 through March 31, 2024.

After a unanimous recommendation from the same subcommittee, the Council also approved the appointment of Andy Galuska to also serve on the Shoreline Landmarks and Heritage Commission. That term will run from April 1, 2020 through March 31, 2024. 



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The Shows Must Go On - A benefit to save the Historic Everett Theatre

Monday, February 24, 2020

Interior of the Historic Everett Theatre


By Rob Oxford


With little pieces of our beloved community disappearing on a regular basis, it is essential for us to do our part to save what is important to each of us and what is most important to this writer is music. That’s why I have taken it upon myself to do what I can to save the Historic Everett Theatre.

It is a fact that the Seattle of even 10 years ago is drastically different than the Seattle of today. Bike lanes, Condominiums, Sound Transit Stations and a new NHL practice facility at Northgate have each contributed to the changing of our landscape. Although not as severe, Everett and even Shoreline are now undergoing transformations almost daily.

On any given afternoon I drive by specific sites that were once cultural landmarks. Parker's Ballroom on Aurora Avenue, once a world-famous music venue. The Twin Teepees (also on Aurora) where rumor has it that as a line cook, "The Colonel" Harland Sanders perfected his 7 herbs and spices. The Green Lake Aqua Theatre where Led Zeppelin performed on a floating stage … all are but distant memories.

Closer to Shoreline, Playland was once a family destination for vacationers from miles around and the great Will Rogers played his last game of polo at the once opulent Olympic Riding and Driving Club near Lake City.

Now I’m not suggesting that we shouldn’t find ways to accommodate our ever growing population or that a certain amount of change isn’t essential for a community to thrive, but I am suggesting that some places must be preserved ... at all cost.

The historic Everett Theatre played films
and hosted live entertainment
 

As a singer, I am honored to have had the pleasure of performing on the stage of the Historic Everett Theatre in Everett, WA more than once. A venue that first opened its doors on November 4, 1901 as the Everett Opera House and has played host to some of entertainment's biggest names including the likes of Lon Chaney, Helen Keller, Al Jolson, Nat King Cole, as well as some of the biggest stars of today.

I hear it said all the time by musicians and music lovers alike...“there just aren’t any places to play or to see live music any longer.” Indeed for many years now the Everett Theatre has filled a niche. One that is becoming more and more difficult to fill. Hosting events of every kind including local bands, comedians, singles nights, classic movies and as mentioned above national acts.

So, if you’re one of those musicians complaining about having nowhere to play, here’s an opportunity to put your money where your mouth is.

The manager of the Everett Theatre, Curt Shriner, recently experienced the loss of his beloved wife Laura whom he would describe as the glue that held the theatre together. Having met them both I can testify that every community needs local citizens like Curt and Laura - stewards who are committed to the preservation of local landmarks. Her loss has certainly dealt a blow to the family as well as the Everett and surrounding music communities.

A theatre this old is expensive to maintain and without help, it is sure to become just another memory.

The truth is it would be easy to close up shop and sell this prime piece of real estate to developers, something Curt’s brother, who owns the property, has proposed. However, on behalf of his wife Laura who put her heart and soul into its operation, Curt hopes to prevent that from happening and so far his brother is amenable to the idea.

Unfortunately, that requires support. Support from local musicians, local music lovers and even those who might not find themselves attending a show at the Everett Theatre all that often. So, we are now faced with a desperate situation.

Musician Lee Oskar calls
Everett home and wants to
save the Theatre

Everett is lucky to have as one of its citizens Lee Oskar. Lee is an internationally acclaimed harmonica virtuoso, composer, producer, harmonica manufacturer, and lifelong musical explorer. 

He is renowned for his iconic role as a founding member and lead harmonica player of the pioneering funk/jazz band who composed and recorded such hits as “Low Rider,” “Spill the Wine,” “Cisco Kid,” “The World is a Ghetto,” “Slippin’ into Darkness,” “Why Can’t We Be Friends,” and many more chart-topping hits from 1969-1993. 

The band received Gold and Platinum awards for its nearly 30 live, studio and compilation albums and some 60 singles. Since then, Oskar and several of his original bandmates from that era continue to perform internationally as the Low Rider Band.

Lee and his wife Sri, who couldn’t be happier to call their beloved Everett home, have enlisted some of their famous and very talented friends to perform a benefit March 6th at 8pm. 
Also performing that evening in an effort to preserve this iconic structure will be School of Rock at 7:15pm. These young musicians understand the importance of protecting this historic venue for future generations, including their own.

Tickets are being sold via the Theatre's website and all proceeds will be donated to assist in its continued operation.

If you’ve never been to this incredible venue where American composer George M. Cohan and Hollywood royalty John Barrymore entertained audiences, you owe it to yourself to witness its majesty… at least once.

If for some reason your schedule won’t allow you to attend, a Gofundme campaign has been set up to assist in its preservation. 
Be a part of saving one of the area's last great movie houses and concert halls.

When, in the future, your grandchildren are able to attend an event there or better yet, perform on its magical stage, they’ll thank you for your kindness and generosity.



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Seattle Genealogical Society celebrates the 100th anniversary of Women's Suffrage in Washington

Sunday, February 16, 2020

This year the Seattle Genealogical Society is commemorating the 100th anniversary of Women's Suffrage with educational opportunities including:

Second Saturday Lectures

Digging Deeper Workshops

Women's Suffrage in Your Family History

  • Resource Guide - tools and resources to conduct your genealogical research

Visit the SGS library to view the pop-up exhibit from the National Archives on display from February 4 - 13 and other informational displays throughout the year.

Join us on a path of exploration. Learn to access and use genealogical tools and techniques to successfully discover your female ancestors and share their stories. Learn about the expanding civic role of women, explore the changes in their lives and that of their families and communities, culminating in the passage of the 19th Amendment.

The women's suffrage story is long, complex and unique to each state. 

For example, did you know that the women of Washington Territory could vote for several years before becoming a state? 
Later, Washington state played a pivotal role in suffrage at the national level. 

A great starting place to gain an understanding of suffrage in Washington state is by viewing the timeline produced by Washington State Historical Society.

​See all of our upcoming events on the SGS Calendar of Events.



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"13th" film viewing and discussion at Dale Turner Y Saturday

Saturday, February 15, 2020

Still from documentary 13th

13th - Film Viewing and Discussion

Saturday, February 15, 2020 from 11:00am - 2:00pm 

Viewing and community discussion of the acclaimed film by Ava Duvernay The 13th.

The film is an exploration of the history of racial inequity in the united states, focusing on the fact that our nation's prisons are disproportionately filled with African Americans.

Light refreshments and a community discussion following the film.

The Dale Turner Y is located at 19290 Aurora Ave N, Shoreline 98133 in the south Echo Lake complex.




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26 years later kids open their Shoreline Library Time Capsule

Thursday, February 13, 2020

Photo from the 1993 time capsule
By Carl Dinse

In the summer of 1993, the Shoreline Library was in the home stretch of a massive remodel.

1993.

Where's Waldo?

Cell phones the size of large bricks that weighed 5 pounds and only made voice calls.

Grunge music was putting the Seattle area on the map.

Dialup internet was a luxury.

Shoreline wasn't a city so we all just said we lived in Seattle.

And who could forget Pogs?

As part of the celebration for the new library building, a librarian and some parents whose kids were in a summer reading program devised a project to create a time capsule.

The page reads "I hope in 2015 there will be a
chickenpox shot!"
Photo by Steven H. Robinson


A little over a dozen kids from nearby elementary schools participated in the project, filling a large box with various relics from 1993. Some items were personal, whereas other items were commonplace things you could pick up at a local 7-11, or get with a kid's meal at a local fast food restaurant.

It was the intention that in 2015 the Library would have a time capsule opening. But the box was pushed to the back of a shelf and forgotten until someone found it this year and brought it up to a library manager.

Efforts were made to contact all of the "kids" involved, but the list was incomplete, as some names were difficult to read. A Time Capsule opening event was scheduled with invitations sent out to the original "kids" - now in their mid-thirties - plus their friends and family.

Time Capsule opening on February 8, 2020
Photo by Steven H. Robinson

A much larger crowd turned out than expected, with over 30 people in the room, mostly family and a few friends. Six of the original kids who participated in the time capsule were in attendance.

The turnout for the time capsule opening
Photo by Carl Dinse



Drinks and snacks were passed around that were popular in 1993. The six "kids" were invited up to open the box and start going through all the items. It was like a Christmas morning combined with a mini school reunion. Five of the six in attendance went to North City Elementary.

Opening the box
Photo by Steven H. Robinson


Many treasures were found, including photographs taken that summer from around the Shoreline Library, including their temporary location during the remodel.



Here are some other treasures. Ready for a flash back to the early 90's?


Several people gathered around to use their cell phones to capture their names written in the metallic wrapping paper.
Photo by Steven Robinson
Lori and Lisa find childhood photos
Photo by Steven Robinson

I could go on sharing photos of all the various items that were recovered from this time capsule but then this would start turning into a photo gallery instead of a story.

I'll end this story with a photo of three of the women who were proud to be involved in this project.

Chrystine Westphal, Sue Gagnon, Cheryl Shdo
Photo by Steven Robinson



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Seattle Branch of the National Archives being closed with scant notice

Saturday, January 25, 2020

National Archives Seattle Branch
Photo by Daniel Pensak

In The Seattle Times Saturday, January 25, 2020, the article on the abrupt closure of the Archives has the headline, "Terrible and disgusting: Decision to close National Archives at Seattle a blow to tribes, historians in 4 states".

Genealogists all over the Northwest, including the Seattle Genealogical Society, agree. Tribal members and Alaskans agree. Local historians and researchers agree.

Within the next four years, the Federal Office of Management and Budget (OMB) will close the facility, and transfer the records to facilities in Kansas City, Missouri or Riverside, California. The property will be sold.

The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) at Seattle holds 58,000 cubic feet of historic records from the Pacific Northwest for Washington, Idaho, Oregon and Alaska.

When the Alaska regional facility of NARA was closed in 2014 and the records transferred to Seattle, the residents of Alaska were promised that the records would stay in the Pacific Northwest in perpetuity. Tribal members use these files to establish or keep membership in tribes. Proof of tribal citizenship is used to obtain education funds. Tribal records have been used for retaining fishing rights, as in the Boldt Decision. Native school records from Alaska and Oregon are included in the NARA collections.

The National Archives at Seattle has 50,000 case files from the Chinese Exclusion Act from Chinese who entered the U.S. through the ports of Seattle, Sumas, Port Townsend, Washington; Portland, Oregon; and Vancouver, B.C. from 1882 to 1943. A dedicated staff of local volunteers is indexing these files. If these records are moved 1,000 miles away, this valuable work will end.

The deadline for public comment is Tuesday, January 28, 2020. If you have something to say, contact all of your elected officials, national and local.

According to The Times, "The move comes despite a letter sent Friday to the OMB by all senators from Washington, Alaska, Oregon and Idaho, and eight of the 10 Washington state representatives to Congress. The letter concluded the recommendation to close the archives 'was flawed' and should be rejected."

Even though our congressional representatives disagreed with the OMB, they still need to hear from constituents.


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Hear about the Oregon Trail at the Sno-Isle Genealogical Society meeting Wednesday in historic Wickers Building

Saturday, January 4, 2020

The Wickers Building is now an event center
Photo Wikimedia Commons

Start the new year by attending the monthly meeting of the Sno-Isle Genealogical Society on Wednesday, January 8, 2020 in its new meeting place in the Wicker's Building in Heritage Park located at 19921 Poplar Way, Lynnwood, near Alderwood Mall. 

This was the site of the previous Visitor Information center. 

The beautiful, old, half-timbered two-story building has been moved a few times and is now an events venue.

It also is home to a small museum on its second floor which is open during regular hours 11-3pm on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday..

This Wednesday, the meeting starts at 6:30pm with a program at 7pm by Kent Morgan, an avid researcher and life enhancement speaker.

His topic is the Oregon Trail.

Guests are invited to attend this presentation. For more information call 425-775-6267 on Tuesday, between 11am - 3pm.


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King County was created 167 years ago

Monday, December 23, 2019

1888 map of King County in the
Washington state archives


167 years ago, the Oregon Territorial Legislature approved the creation of King County, on December 22, 1852.

Why Oregon? Because Congress didn't establish the Washington Territory until March 1853.

King county predates Washington Territory and Washington State (1889).




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Pub Night Talk: How the Lady Lex Lit Up Tacoma

Tuesday, November 19, 2019

William Lokey - Pub Night Talk

Pub Night Talks, a free monthly lecture, is cosponsored by the University of Washington Bothell and McMenamins, featuring university and community experts. Topics have ranged from butterflies to black holes. 

On Tuesday, November 26, 2019 from 7 - 8:30pm, William Lokey will speak on "How the Lady Lex Lit Up Tacoma” Doors open at 6 p.m.  

Haynes’ Hall, McMenamins Anderson School, 18607 Bothell Way NE, Bothell. 

After a drought left little water behind two dams for Tacoma Power in 1929, the USS Lexington supplied electricity to help keep the lights on in the city. 
William Lokey tells a story of good intentions, bureaucracy, city rivalry, politics and improvisational problem solving.

Free and open to the public. All ages welcome. Seating: first come, first served. Talk followed by Q/A. 



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Seattle Musical Theatre returns to the Shoreline Center with Miracle on 34th Street

Monday, November 18, 2019


SMT starts new season with new artistic director in new venue


It’s a season of change at Seattle Musical Theatre. After fourteen years at Magnuson Park, the company is moving back to the Shoreline Center.

THE SEASON

For the 42rd season, SMT will stage three musicals, one classic and two contemporary.

2019-2020 Season


Miracle on 34th Street - December 19 to 29, 2019

Based on the beloved 1947 film, this 1963 Broadway hit by Meredith Wilson, creator of “Music Man,” comes to life on stage in this new holiday production.

Filled with such beloved songs as “Pinecones and Hollyberries,” “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas,” and finally answering the question: “Is Kris Kringle really Santa Claus?” this heart-warming musical is pure family entertainment and the perfect present to fill everyone’s stocking.

Evening shows at 7:30pm on December 19, 20, 21, 26, 27, 28 and matinees at 2:00pm on Dec 22, 28 and 29.


Rock of Ages - February 7 to March 1, 2020

ROCK OF AGES is a rock musical in which a small town girl and a city boy meet (it’s love at first sight) on the Sunset Strip in 1987 while pursuing their Hollywood dreams. The glam metal/heavy metal music of the 80’s saves a once famous club, their budding romance, a fading rock star and old dreams.

Built around classic rock songs from the 1980s, the show features songs from Styx, Journey, Bon Jovi, Pat Benatar, Twisted Sister, Steve Perry, Poison and Europe, among other well-known rock bands. Rock out, head bang, and sing along with this electric production.

Evening performances at 7:30pm on Feb 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22, 27, 28, 29 and matinees at 2:00pm on Feb 9, 16, 23 and March 1.


In the Heights - April 17 to May 3, 2020

IN THE HEIGHTS (book by Quiara Alegría Hudes and music and lyrics by “Hamilton” creator Lin-Manuel Miranda) explores three days in the characters’ lives in the New York City Latino neighborhood of Washington Heights. Through the infectious music of hip-hop, salsa, merengue and soul music, the story brings to vibrant life the joys, sorrows, struggles, successes, and the ultimate perseverance that comes with being a family, a neighborhood, a community. Experience life: In the Heights.

Evening performances at 7:30pm on April 17, 18, 23, 24, 25, 30 and May 1 and 2. Matinees at 2:00pm on April 19, 25, 26 and May 2, 3.

Artistic Director Phillip Randall

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR: Phillip Randall

Phillip Randall began performing as a professional at the age of 6 and has worked on stages in 48 of the 50 states, as well as in England and Canada as an actor, production manager and director.

He has produced four motion pictures and served as artistic director for five theatre companies, with Seattle Musical Theatre now being the 6th. He was seen as an actor in Seattle in the first four seasons of the Fifth Avenue in the 90s and in the Seattle classic, Angry Housewives, at the Pioneer Square Theatre, before moving to Las Vegas to become the PSM for the Rockettes, followed by the honor of working with Robert Goulet for 12 years.

On stage, he has directed Peter Marshall, Constance Towers, Robert Goulet, Ann Jillian, Leslie Easterbrook, Henry Darrow, Jan Clayton, Patricia Morison, Richard Deacon, Joanna Gleason, Jack Bannon, Oliver Platt, Rutina Wesley, and Matthew Gray Gubler.

He studied at the Pasadena Playhouse, the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, the Second City and the Los Angeles Civic Light Opera Musical Theatre Workshop.

VENUE

All performances in the 2019/20 season will be at The Shoreline Center: 18560 1st Ave NE, Shoreline 98155

TICKETS

Tickets are priced $28-$55, youth (ages 0-12 years) tickets are $12. Subscriptions and group sales are available.

Tickets can be purchased from the SMT website at or at the door 30 minutes prior to opening.

SEATTLE MUSICAL THEATRE – HISTORY

Seattle Musical Theatre (SMT) was founded as Seattle Civic Light Opera (CLO) in 1977 by a group of Seattle opera enthusiasts, including Joan Galstaun and Barbara McHargue. With a keen interest in offering theatre to North Seattle communities, they pooled personal resources, located a venue above a music store in Northgate, (Heritage Theatre), and launched CLO’s first season with German composer Johann Strauss’ “The Gypsy Baron”.

By 1978, the venue was running at capacity, so the troupe moved to the 750-seat auditorium in the Jane Addams School in Lake City. In response to audience requests, CLO began including contemporary musicals as part of their 1980 season. CLO remained at the Jane Addams stage through 2002 until the K-8 program moved into the building.

From 2002 to 2004 CLO operated, temporarily, from the Shoreline Center, while pursuing a contract for the theatre in Magnuson Park. It was during this time (2004) that a rebranding campaign for SMT was launched. In 2008 the new Seattle Musical Theatre moved into Building 47 of the Historic Magnuson Park with a 10-year lease.

When the City of Seattle decided to put the building out to bid in late 2018 to attract investors, the SMT board began a venue search that brings the company back to Shoreline Center for the 2019 holiday season.



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The times, they are a changin' - Time changes used to be worse

Wednesday, November 13, 2019

Julius Caesar changed the calendar
By Sandi Gorin

As I write this, I’m reminding myself to set the clocks back an hour as Daylight Savings time has ended for the year in most of the U.S. But, even more confusing when doing research .. what day is it?

Calendars have changed a multitude of times with different ones used in different countries. If we’re trying to trace back in our family tree, we might get totally lost trying to date an event. Not always did our own American calendars match what we use today. This is part 1 of a 2 part series on dates – not the edible variety or the boy and girl go out together – just dates on a calendar.

Have you run across those dreaded “double dates”? Was the date shown an “iffy” date when shown as 1732/3? In my early researching years, I thought it meant something could have happened in 1732 OR possibly in 1733. No. I’ll explain later.

Thinking back to the earlier days, we must remember that many people couldn’t read, many didn’t have calendars … that’s why they weren’t even sure of the date of their birth!

Let’s go backward in time for a minute and see how this calendar mess actually started. Let’s start with those old Egyptians who left all their graffiti on burial place walls. They computed their years based on a star named Sirius. The year began when good old Sirius rose at the same place as the sun. They then developed a solar calendar. It at least had 365 days and they divided it into 12 30-day months plus five days for their religious festivals.

Then came the Greeks. They developed a lunar calendar called the Metonic calendar. Now their calendar was based on 235 lunar months or almost 19 solar years. Confused yet? But, to get everything to work out correctly, they added an additional month which was added in the years 3,5,8,11,13,16 and 19. This calendar was then modified many times.

Let’s scoot over to the Romans. It originally began with the first month of the year based on the vernal equinox and was only 10 months long! Those months, some of which will sound familiar, were Martius, Aprilis, Maius, Junius, Quntilis, Sextilis, September, October, November and December. But, this only came out to 304 days, not 365. So, they tacked on another month with no name but just called “Winter.” A Roman emperor named Numa Pompilius kicked in February and January which fell between December and March. Aha, now their calendar was 354 or 355 days. We’re getting closer.

Enter Julius Caesar. He didn’t think much of the calendar so he made some executive changes. In 46 BC (give or take of course), he changed the calendar into 3-yr cycles of 365 days with a 366-day leap year. They celebrated New Years’ Day on March 21st . He must have been thrilled when people called it the Julian Calendar. We’re getting there!

Time passes. It is now 1582 and oops, the calendar had “slipped.” It was 11 days off. So, Pope Gregory XII issued a degree making the day after October 4th , 1582 to suddenly become October 15th . I wonder if people slept through those 11 missing days? Now, not to be outdone, this calendar was named the Gregorian Calendar.

All is well, right? Well, not exactly. France, Spain, Portugal and Italy, being Catholic countries, immediately adopted the Gregorian Calendar. It took 2 years before the German countries, Belgium, the Netherlands and Switzerland followed suit and it took until 1587 before Hungary joined in. So in between those years, it wasn’t the same year in all those countries.

What about the Protestant German countries though? They waited until the year 1700! But, by then, the calendar was behind the seasons again, now by 12 days. England jumped in in 1752 using the Gregorian Calendar. But, it appears that Wednesday, September 2, 1752 was followed by Thursday, September 14, 1752. Another fast passage of time for the English.



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Washington State’s Undiscovered Feminists - Saturday at Shoreline City Hall

Tuesday, November 12, 2019

Mayumi Tsutakawa

Free community talk "Washington State’s Undiscovered Feminists," coming to Shoreline City Hall, 17500 Midvale Ave N, Saturday, November 16, 2019, 10-11am.

Cost: Free. Reservations are requested; email: RSVP@aauw-seattle.org

The American Association of University Women (AAUW) and Humanities Washington invite the community to a conversation with Mayumi Tsutakawa, a member of the 2019-2020 Humanities Washington Speakers Bureau. followed by a business meeting for the Edmonds SnoKing Branch.

Writer Mayumi Tsutakawa presents the remarkable stories of five “woman warriors” in the arts and journalism from the past century. Tsutakawa explores how these Pacific Northwest women from diverse communities inspired others and changed our state and our society.

Mayumi Tsutakawa is an independent writer and curator who has focused on Asian/Pacific American history and arts. Tsutakawa received her MA in Communications and her BA in East Asian Studies at the University of Washington. She co-edited The Forbidden Stitch: Asian American Women’s Literary Anthology which received the Before Columbus Foundation’s American Book Award. 

The AAUW advances equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, and research. Information about the Edmonds SnoKing Branch here

Humanities Washington sparks conversation and critical thinking using story as a catalyst, nurturing thoughtful and engaged communities across our state.



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