2024.12.13. Belltown Art Walk + Winter Lights at Amazon

12/12-13, Amazon is hosting some winter activities. In front of the HQ is the lights and photo booth, plus a drawing table advertising for Gage Academy of Arts. Next block is a pop-up market for small local vendors. The right photo was taken on Monday of the week before all the booths and stalls were set up. These lights stayed on after Friday.

2nd Friday of a month is Belltown Art Walk. Today, I joined a few others at PublicDisplay.Art offset at 110 Union 4th floor for a guided walk. Today is led by a local artist Christopher Coleman. Raining, so not many people. Christopher said yesterday at the Capital Hill Art Walk, they had a large group. Not really "guided", as he didn't talk to us about the spaces we visited. Basically, we tagged along as he did his art walk, checking out galleries and talking to whoever he met. There's also a photographer in tow, who is probably documenting this "event".
Base Camp 2 (former Bergman Luggage Building) is leasing out its 2nd floor to various young artists, very similar to the Coleseum building. Open studio today. Quite a lot of people, despite of the rain. One "artist" is a very young guy, maybe high-school age. We didn't have time to visit the gallery downstairs.
We visited Gallery Ergo in the belly of Pike Place Market. It was a bit strange, as the whole market was closed and security guards were eyeing on us. This wall is a new exhibition of a mid-west artist.
Then, a very strange small gallery called Rebl One on 55 Bell. It has a stage. A girl was singing while plucking a guitar.
Last, Slip Gallery, which I usually visit. Among other displays, today is its opening reception of Robin Layton's rain and horses. A real photographer. I flipped through one of her coffee table book, which contains more photos. Some photos are accompanied by a poem.

2024.12.12. Scott Kranz's climb of Bulgers

12/12, Thursday. 6:30-9pm. 415 Westlake Ave. Scott Kranz and Glazer's Camera organized tonight's talk and promoting the camera sale this weekend at Glazer's. Scott Kranz spent the last 2 summers documenting his climb of Bulger List.

During the intermission, he talked about camera gear. He uses Sony. The Sony representative at Glazer is also present. He publishes a gear list. Afterwards, during Q&A, he said either he uses a hip-belt camera pouch (for protection + quick access), or a shoulder belt clip (quicker access). He also emphasized the research before his trip: both for condition and weather. He even plot where he'd be at what hour for optimal shot. I asked him what peaks he like to climb outside of Bulger. He mentioned Mt Olympus, The Picket Range, Vesper-Del Compo area.

Scott Kranz was a corporate attorney. About 10 some years agao, he quit his day job, and now freelancing as a photographer. Quite a good speaker.

Donation is collected for WTA. A large turn out. The talk started late. No water fountain on site.

2024.12.11. Musical Mountaineers + Grizzly

12/11. Wednesday. REI. 6-8pm The Musical Mountaineers hosts this evening at REI with a young author Kevin Grange. This event will repeat on Thursday.

Anastasia Allison (violin) and Rose Freeman (keyboard) played as Youtube video of them playing on the mountains projected on the screen. They usually go on a weekday, sunrise or sunset for better sunlight.

The second half is Kevin talked about his book Grizzly Confidential, and his love of bear 399, who raised multiple litters as large as 4 cubs, but was killed by a car in 2022. Coincidentally, I watched the documentary movie 399 - Queen of Teton on my last flight on Delta.

Anatasia is very personal. Both events were sold out. So I wait listed. She emailed me to notify me of cancellation, instead of letting eventbrite automatically handle the wait list. It's a good turnout, but still quite a few empty seats.

A nice enjoyable evening. Music wise, not enough dynamic. Video is excellent. Book wise, not sure if there's anything new.

2024.12.7. Piggy-pudding Caroling + Stimson Green + ANT Gallery

12/7, Saturday, noon. This year, the Piggy Pudding Caroling is happening during the day, while all prior caroling have been on Friday evening.
I got to Pike Place Market late (~1:20pm), all the teams have dissipated. But the highlight is the award, where the finalists perform one more time. The "best carole" is awarded to Puget Sound Company, the competing 2nd is Beacon Hill High School. (See above photos) The "most creative" this year is awarded to Silver Bell, the competing 2nd is Beaconnettes. Beaconnettes concluded this event with their 2024 version of 12 Days of Christmas. I love Beaconnettes, not just for their ridiculous hair, but also the lyrics that showcase every year's main events.

Tessa Floreano hosts a lauch party of her new book at Stimson Green house. I walked by this building many times, this is the first time being inside. In fact, the only reason that I went to this book talk is the location. I had never heard of Floreano, nor interested in a thriller. Most in audience are her friends.
She talked about the genesis of the book, read a short piece. She is very nice, brought quite a lot of food, and gave everyone a gift bag.

Later, on my way to Exhibition Hall, saw a lot of people at ANT Gallery. There, I found this young musician playing Bandura, in accompany with a new exhibition titled Under Fire - Sacred Art in Today's Ukraine, a collection of recent art work from Ukrainier art school faculty and students. Liliya Kovalenko, president of Ukrainian Association of Washington State also gave a short speech.

There's an openning reception of a different artist, who brought a wine with "removed alcohol". It is surprisingly good. I found these interesting: 2 made of sea shells, a few very colorful digital work by Abishek Maid, and always Tom Saknit.

2024.12.6. Ebru Yildiz at Cornish + Twinkle Twinkle at Freeway Park

12/6. Friday. Went to an Art Lecture of visiting artist Ebru Yildiz at Raisbeck Auditorium. I really enjoyed it, and this New York-via-Turkey based photographer. She discussed her works, and thoughts and preps behind some of them. She does portraits (sometimes more than 1 person, often a music band). Very candid, modest and approachable. She emphasizes practice, do at least one thing everyday when you are not working on a project. Also research before you work on a project.

Twinkle Twinkle at Freeway Park. Dickens Carolers sang in 2 sessions. Between them, one lady from Mini Breaks Dance taught a few dance moves, and crowd participated.

At the same time, roast marshmallow with chocolate over fire, or make holiday cards with stamps, ribbons, sparkles. Last year, I burned my marshmallow so fast, that I didn't try this time. I did make a few cards, and enjoyed it.