Seattle Culture
Why You Might See Mario and Pikachu in Seattle This Weekend
PAX West, one of the world’s biggest video game conventions, celebrates 20 years in Seattle
If you see Mario, Lara Croft, Link, or even Pikachu wandering around downtown Seattle this weekend, you can thank the West Coast’s most popular gaming event, PAX West. Think of it as the Burning Man for gamers — PAX West is celebrating its 20th anniversary at the Seattle Convention Center from Aug. 30 to Sept. 2. What began as a small gathering of 4,500 people in Bellevue in 2004 has since moved to Seattle and become a major event, now drawing more than 100,000 people annually. Visit Seattle is projecting an economic impact of $21.9 million for PAX West this year…
Seattle Once Banned Underaged Dancing — This Podcast Explains It All
Written by local journalist Jonathan Zwickel, Let the Kids Dance traces the origins and legacy of Seattle’s Teen Dance Ordinance.
Nearly 40 years ago, in 1985, the city of Seattle passed Ordinance 11237, the Teen Dance Ordinance (TDO) — a piece of legislation that essentially banned teen dances outside of schools and barred anyone under the age of 18 from attending a concert without a chaperone. If visions of a young, tank-top-clad Kevin Bacon clandestinely rage-dancing around an abandoned warehouse are starting to edge into your mind, then you’re not far off from reality…
Sue Bird’s Latest Honor? A Seattle City Street.
City renames part of Second Avenue North ‘Sue Bird Court’
You can now go from Lenny Wilkens Way to Sue Bird Court. The city of Seattle has renamed a portion of Second Avenue North adjacent to Climate Pledge Arena “Sue Bird Court” in recognition of Bird’s contributions on and off the basketball court. Mayor Bruce Harrell said during a ceremony that Bird, a 12-time WNBA…
Seattle Artifacts: The Reign of the Toy Hydroplanes
At one time, these mini hydros were the ultimate childhood status symbol
Long before the Mariners or Seahawks, Seattle sports fandom revolved around one thing and one thing only: hydroplane racing. In many ways, it was Seattle’s first major league sport…
From Tahini Cream to a Tunnel Boring Machine
Three new Seattle books to cozy up with this fall
Fall isn’t just about cozy sweaters, walking on crunchy leaves at Green Lake, and masala chai from Miro Tea — it’s also when the shelves start filling up with books begging to be read. These three Seattle-connected titles should be at the top of your list. And with the holidays speeding toward us like they always do, it’s never too early to start scoping out gifts.
Bumbershoot Poster Feeds Seattle
Festival artwork goes to a good cause
Looking to add some art to your walls while supporting an important cause? Bumbershoot’s limited-edition poster will do both. For $40 or $60, each poster sold provides 80 meals through a virtual food drive organized by Conscious Alliance as part of its “ART THAT FEEDS” initiative. This effort is part of the Bumbershoot Gives Back,…