Thursday Jazz

June 30, 2011 / / No Comments

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Steve Treseler Group
2214 2nd Ave, 206-443-4221, 7:30pm

JAZZ ALLEY: Diane Schuur
2033 6th Ave, 206-441-9729, 7:30 & 10:00pm

MARTIN’S ON MADISON: Jerry Zimmerman
1413 14th Ave, 206-325-7000, 7:30pm

NEW ORLEANS: Ham Carson Quintet
114 First Ave S, 206-622-2563, 7:00pm

THAIKU: Jon Alberts, Jeff Johnson, Tad Britton
5410 Ballard Ave NW, 8:30pm

LUCID: The Hang
5241 University Ave NE, 206-402-3042, 9:00pm

BOXLEY’S: Zachary Kellogg Quartet
101 West North Bend Way, North Bend, WA, 425-292-9307, 7:00pm

BARCA: Clark Gibson, Phil Sparks, Adam Kessler
1510 11th Avenue, Seattle, (206) 325-8263, 9:00pm

VITO’S: Ron Weinstein Trio
927 9th Ave, Seattle, 206-682-2695

DISTRICT LOUNGE: Cassia Demayo Quintet
4507 Brooklyn Ave NE, Seattle, 206-634-2000, 9:00pm

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE: 7:00pm – Carrie Wicks; 9:00pm – Cara Francis and John Hartman
1707 NW Market Street, 206-789-1621

Wednesday Jazz

June 28, 2011 / / No Comments

JAZZ ALLEY: Milton Nascimento
2033 6th Ave, 206-441-9729, 7:30pm

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Greta Matassa Vocal Workshop
2214 2nd Ave, 206-443-4221, 7:30pm

MARTIN’S ON MADISON: Bonnie Birch
1413 14th Ave, 206-325-7000, 7:30pm

NEW ORLEANS: The Legacy Band with Clarence Acox
114 First Ave S, 206-622-2563, 7:00pm

THAIKU: Ron Weinstein Trio
5410 Ballard Ave NW, 8:30pm

BOXLEY’S: Eric Verlinde
101 West North Bend Way, North Bend, WA, 425-292-9307, 7:00pm

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE: 7pm: Andy Koch and the Badd Dog Blues Society; 9pm: The Music of Art Blakey and his Jazz Messengers
1707 NW Market Street, 206-789-1621

DISTRICT LOUNGE: Peter Daniel
4507 Brooklyn Ave NE, Seattle, 206-634-2000

VITO’S: Jerry Zimmerman
927 9th Ave, Seattle, 206-682-2695, 7:00pm

Tuesday Jazz

June 27, 2011 / / No Comments

JAZZ ALLEY: Milton Nascimento
2033 6th Ave, 206-441-9729, 7:30pm

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Little Big Band
2214 2nd Ave, 206-443-4221, 7:30pm

MARTIN’S ON MADISON: Karin Kajita
1413 14th Ave, 206-325-7000, 7:30pm

MIX: Don Mock & Steve Kim
6006 12th Ave South, 206-767-0280, 9:00pm

NEW ORLEANS: Holotradband
114 First Ave S, 206-622-2563, 7:00pm

OWL ‘N THISTLE: Jam w/ Eric Verlinde & Jose Martinez
808 Post Ave, 206-621-7777, 10:00pm

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE: 7pm: Havilah Rand Trio; 9pm: Brent Jensen Group
1707 NW Market Street, 206-789-1621

BOXLEY’S: Future Jazz Heads
101 West North Bend Way, North Bend, WA, 425-292-9307, 7:00pm

SEAMONSTER LOUNGE: McTuff Trio
2202 N 45th St, 206-633-1824, 10:00pm

DISTRICT LOUNGE: Cassia Demayo Quintet
4507 Brooklyn Ave NE, Seattle, 206-634-2000, 9:00pm

VITO’S: Wally Shoup Quartet
927 9th Ave, Seattle, 206-682-2695

COPPER GATE: Suffering F#ckheads
6301 24th Ave NW, 206-706-3292, 8:00pm

Leading Questions: Jim Wilke

June 27, 2011 / / No Comments

photo and interview by Steve Korn
view larger photo

The best advice I’ve ever received is “you’re not talking to an audience of thousands, you’re talking to thousands of audiences of one or two.”

When I was 14 I was playing alto sax in concert band and listening to Western Swing on the radio during the day and jazz late at night .

Broadcasting jazz has meant introducing others to some of the most creative musicians who ever lived.

If I could do it all over again, I probably wouldn’t change much.

My voice is who I am.

When I look at where I’m at right now, I feel very lucky to make a living around the music I love.

The piece of music that always resonates with me is – well, can I mention two songs? “You Must Believe in Spring” and “With Every Breath I Take”….or anything by Johnny Mandel who I regard as the Schubert of American songwriters.

I see my role in Jazz as a bridge between artist and audience.

My parents were Iowa Farmers who made me feel grounded in more than one sense of the word.
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Monday Jazz

June 27, 2011 / / No Comments

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Boyd Phelps Sax Attack
2214 2nd Ave, 206-443-4221, 7:30pm

NEW ORLEANS: New Orleans Quintet
114 First Ave S, 206-622-2563, 7:00pm

AMORE: JT/TK Quartet
2301 5th Ave, 206-770-0606, 7:30pm

EL GAUCHO BELLEVUE: Primo Kim
555 110th Ave NE, Bellevue, 425-455-2734, 6:00pm

MARTIN’S ON MADISON: Howard Dixon
1413 14th Ave, 206-325-7000, 7:30pm

WHITE RABBIT: Michael Shrieve’s Spellbinder
513 N 36th St Suite E, Seattle, 9:30pm

Sunday Jazz

June 25, 2011 / / No Comments

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB:
3pm – Fairly Honest Jazz Band
8pm – Jim Cutler Jazz Orchestra
2214 2nd Ave, 206-443-4221

JAZZ ALLEY: Hiromi: The Trio Project featuring Anthony Jackson and Steve Smith
2033 6th Ave, 206-441-9729

Seattle Pianist Collective: Dawn Clement, Stephen Fandrich, Peter Vukmirovic Stevens, Adrienne Varne
Seattle Asian Art Museum, Volunteer Park, 1400 E Prospect St, 206-654-3100, 2:00pm

BOXLEY’S: Danny Kolke Trio
101 West North Bend Way, North Bend, WA, 425-292-9307, 7:00pm

BAKE’S PLACE:
10am – Sunday Breakfasts w/guitarist Michael Gotz
4135 Providence Point Dr SE, Issaquah, 425-391-3335

EASY JOE’S: Jason Parker & Friends
2359 10th Ave E, Seattle, 6:00pm

CAFE RACER: Racer Sessions
5828 Roosevelt Way NE, 8pm

DARRELL’S TAVERN: Kevin Mccarthy & Friends Jam Session
18041 Aurora Ave N, Shoreline, 8

FAIRE GALLERY CAFE: Monktail session
1351 E Olive Way, Seattle 206-652-0781

SERAFINA: 11:00am: Danny Ward; 6:30pm: Anne Reynolds & Tobi Stone
2043 Eastlake Ave E, 206-323-0807

VITO’S LOUNGE: Ruby Bishop
927 9th Ave, Seattle, 6:00pm

PROHIBITION GRILL: Bob Strickland jam
1414 Hewitt Ave, Everett, 425-258-6100, 5:00pm

Saturday Jazz

June 24, 2011 / / No Comments

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Greta Matassa Quartet
2214 2nd Ave, 206-443-4221, 7:30pm

JAZZ ALLEY: Hiromi: The Trio Project featuring Anthony Jackson and Steve Smith
2033 6th Ave, 206-441-9729, 7:30 & 10:00pm

THE CHAPEL: Seattle Pianist Collective: Dawn Clement, Stephen Fandrich, Peter Vukmirovic Stevens, Adrienne Varne
Good Shepherd Center, 4649 Sunnyside Ave N, Seattle, 8:00pm

BOXLEY’S: Karen Shivers
101 West North Bend Way, North Bend, WA, 425-292-9307, 7:00pm

LAKESIDE BISTRO: Mia Vermillion
11425 Rainier Avenue South, Seattle, 206-772-6891

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE:
9pm – Eric Barber’s MetriLodic, featuring Eric Barber (saxophones/synth), PK (electric bass) and Byron Vannoy (drums)
1707 NW Market Street, 206-789-1621

SERAFINA: Alex Guilbert Trio
2043 Eastlake Ave E, 206-323-0807

VINO AT THE LANDING: Brooks Giles Trio
800 N 10th Pl, Renton, 7:00pm

GRAZIE: Michael Powers Group
23207 Bothell-Everett Hwy, Bothell, 425-402-9600, 7:00pm

BAKE’S PLACE: Little Bill and the Bluenotes
4135 Providence Point Dr SE, Issaquah, 425-391-3335

VITO’S: Ruby Bishop
927 9th Ave, Seattle, 8:00pm

LUCID: Thomas Marriott
5241 University Ave NE, 206-402-3042, 9:00pm

SORRENTO HOTEL: Kelley Johnson
900 Madison St, 206-622-6400, 7:30pm

Friday Jazz

June 23, 2011 / / No Comments

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Earshot Presents: In The Country
2214 2nd Ave, 206-443-4221, 7:30pm

JAZZ ALLEY: Hiromi: The Trio Project featuring Anthony Jackson and Steve Smith
2033 6th Ave, 206-441-9729, 7:30 & 10:00pm

NEW ORLEANS: Thomas Marriott’s Flexicon
114 First Ave S, 206-622-2563, 8:00pm

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE: 7pm: Bruce Phares Trio; 9pm: Bill Carter
1707 NW Market Street, 206-789-1621

AMORE: Lonnie Williams
2301 5th Ave, (206) 770-0606

LUCID: 6:30pm: Alika Lyman Group; 9:30pm: G-bob 5000
5241 University Ave NE, 206-402-3042, 9:00pm

HIROSHI’S: Leah Stillwell
2501 Eastlake Ave E, 726-4966

SCOTCH AND VINE: Jose ‘Juicy’ Gonzales Trio
22341 Marine View Dr S, Des Moines, 7:00pm

LAKESIDE BISTRO: Phil Westbrook
11425 Rainier Avenue South, Seattle, (206) 772-6891

NORTH CITY BISTRO: Pearl Django
1520 NE 177th, Shoreline, (206) 365-4447, 8:00pm

VITO’S: Michel Navedo Quartet
927 9th Ave, Seattle, 8:00pm

SERAFINA: Javier Anderson Trio
2043 Eastlake Ave E, 206-323-0807

SORRENTO HOTEL: Fathia Atallah
900 Madison St, 206-622-6400, 7:30pm

CYPRESS LOUNGE: Brooks Giles Band
Bellevue Westin Hotel, 7:30pm

Jazz Hang: Tangabrazo. Wow!

June 23, 2011 / / No Comments

by Katy Bourne

As a writer, it is sometimes very difficult to capture the riveting loveliness of an experience and translate it into mere words. This is the dilemma that I am confronted with now as I attempt to write about a very enchanting band that I had the pleasure of hearing last night at Bake’s Place. I am talking about Ben Thomas and his magical group Tangabrazo.

As the name suggests, Tangabrazo plays tango music or, more specifically, the three main styles of tango dance music: tango, milonga and waltz. Although the band typically plays for dances, this show was a rare opportunity to perform in a distinctly listening venue. As such, the group was able to delve into more improvisation and also to expand its repertoire to include modern arrangements more suited for listening, as well as original compositions.

Tangabrazo features bandleader Ben Thomas on bandoneon, vibraphones and cajon, Alex Chadsey on piano, Jeff Norwood on bass and Eric Rynes on violin. There is some serious musical firepower in this collective of musicians. Individually, each has deep and impressive resumes that would take several blog posts to cover. However, while I in no way diminish the mastery of these musicians, the thing that made this band tick for me was the spirit and reverence that they brought to the music.

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In The Country – Friday at Tula’s

June 22, 2011 / / No Comments

Friday, June 24, 7:30 pm
In the Country (Roger Arntzen, Pål Hausken, and Morten Qvenild)

Tula’s Restaurant and Jazz Club
2214 2nd Avenue (Belltown), Seattle

For Reservations call 206-443-4221
Cover Charge: $14 general; $12 Earshot members;
$7 Students w/ ID

It has been said that Norway produces exceptional jazz artists, and the trio In the Country is further proof of this assertion. Featuring pianist Morten Qvenild (formerly of Jaga Jazzist), bass player Roger Arntzen, and drummer Pål Hausken, the group’s third album, Whiteout, released in 2009, is a soaring, progressive work, reminiscent of The Bad Plus. This month, the band releases a live album. They are quick to point out: “We are not just making a CD from one of our concerts, we thought we just as well would make a full-length concert video, slash artfilm, slash film noir out of the whole project.”

Qvenild is probably best known (in his native Norway, at least) for being “the orchestra” in Susanna and the Magical Orchestra. He has also been a member of both Shining and Jaga Jazzist. Qvenild formed In the Country with Arntzen and Hausken at the Norwegian Academy of Music in Oslo in 2003. Since then, they have been selected best young jazz artists in Norway, played concerts throughout Europe and the United States, and released three albums to date on the prestigious Rune Grammofon label to much critical acclaim. DownBeat called their debut album “one of the finest and most arresting albums to come out of Europe” that year, and All About Jazz selected Whiteout for their “Best of 2009” list.

In a live review of the group’s 2010 performance at Scandanavia House in Manhattan, Saby Reyes-Kulkarni of the New York Press wrote: “In person the trio does a great job of absorbing the audience into its dreamy bubble of sound. When all three members start chanting out of no where, for example, the show veers into uplifting, other-worldly realms, and the band’s discreet touch and soft pace might have you too busy enjoying the show to notice how progressive Qvenild’s writing truly is … In the Country provides yet another compelling glimpse into what appears to be a vital jazz scene brewing in that part of the world. If you harbor any doubts about the ability of Danes, Swedes, Fins, or Norwegians to capture jazz with the right feel or inventiveness, here’s the last chance you’re going to get for a while to prove yourself wrong.”

Continue reading at Earshot.org

Wednesday Jazz

June 22, 2011 / / No Comments

JAZZ ALLEY: Maraca
2033 6th Ave, 206-441-9729, 7:30pm

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Katie King Vocal Showcase
2214 2nd Ave, 206-443-4221, 7:30pm

MARTIN’S ON MADISON: Bonnie Birch
1413 14th Ave, 206-325-7000, 7:30pm

NEW ORLEANS: The Legacy Band with Clarence Acox
114 First Ave S, 206-622-2563, 7:00pm

THAIKU: Ron Weinstein Trio
5410 Ballard Ave NW, 8:30pm

BOXLEY’S: John Hansen
101 West North Bend Way, North Bend, WA, 425-292-9307, 7:00pm

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE: 7pm: Vocal Showcase feat. Kim Rushing, Dorothy Rhodes and Jeff Brennan; 9pm: Vocal Jam hosted by Cara Francis
1707 NW Market Street, 206-789-1621

DISTRICT LOUNGE: Peter Daniel
4507 Brooklyn Ave NE, Seattle, 206-634-2000

VITO’S: Jerry Zimmerman
927 9th Ave, Seattle, 206-682-2695, 7:00pm

Tuesday Jazz

June 20, 2011 / / No Comments

JAZZ ALLEY: Maraca
2033 6th Ave, 206-441-9729, 7:30pm

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Roadside Attraction
2214 2nd Ave, 206-443-4221, 7:30pm

MARTIN’S ON MADISON: Karin Kajita
1413 14th Ave, 206-325-7000, 7:30pm

MIX: Don Mock & Steve Kim
6006 12th Ave South, 206-767-0280, 9:00pm

NEW ORLEANS: Holotradband
114 First Ave S, 206-622-2563, 7:00pm

OWL ‘N THISTLE: Jam w/ Eric Verlinde & Jose Martinez
808 Post Ave, 206-621-7777, 10:00pm

BOXLEY’S: Future Jazz Heads
101 West North Bend Way, North Bend, WA, 425-292-9307, 7:00pm

SEAMONSTER LOUNGE: McTuff Trio
2202 N 45th St, 206-633-1824, 10:00pm

DISTRICT LOUNGE: Cassia Demayo Quintet
4507 Brooklyn Ave NE, Seattle, 206-634-2000, 9:00pm

VITO’S: Paul West
927 9th Ave, Seattle, 206-682-2695

COPPER GATE: Suffering F#ckheads
6301 24th Ave NW, 206-706-3292, 8:00pm

Photos: Riley Mulherkar and Andy Clausen

June 20, 2011 / / No Comments

by Jim Levitt

Trumpeter Riley Mulherkar and trombonist Andy Clausen, back home after their first year at the Juilliard School in New York, perform as a duo at Egan’s. Some standards (“the first time I’ve done that as a leader”, said Andy) and some free (“the first time Riley’s done that”) made for an interesting and unusual set. Saxophonist Andrew D’Angelo sat in for one particularly energetic piece.

Monday Jazz

June 20, 2011 / / No Comments

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Vocal Jam with Darin Clendenin Trio
2214 2nd Ave, 206-443-4221, 7:30pm

JAZZ ALLEY: Mountlake Terrace High School Jazz Ensemble
2033 6th Ave, 206-441-9729, 7:30pm

NEW ORLEANS: New Orleans Quintet
114 First Ave S, 206-622-2563, 7:00pm

AMORE: JT/TK Quartet
2301 5th Ave, 206-770-0606, 7:30pm

EL GAUCHO BELLEVUE: Primo Kim
555 110th Ave NE, Bellevue, 425-455-2734, 6:00pm

MARTIN’S ON MADISON: Howard Dixon
1413 14th Ave, 206-325-7000, 7:30pm

WHITE RABBIT: Michael Shrieve’s Spellbinder
513 N 36th St Suite E, Seattle, 9:30pm

Review: John Proulx at JazzVox

June 20, 2011 / / No Comments

JAZZVOX CONCERT: John Proulx and Chuck Kistler
MAY 21, 2011

by Libby Graham

Nich Anderson, lauded vocalist with Seattle Jazz Singers, had two very big reasons to celebrate last months’s fantastic “Boys, Boys, Boys” concert, as part of the JazzVox house concert series, in Auburn, WA. Reason #1: It was a CD Release party for his stellar debut JazzVox CD “Back in your own backyard” (a showcase of new studio recordings by past JazzVox artists) and Reason #2: It marked the resplendent return of great LA-based jazz vocalist/pianist John Proulx. Nich has been hosting this incredible house concert series at his cozy condo in Auburn, WA and also the lovely home of friends Andy and Patti Carr on Camano Island for 3 1/2 years now. He continues to enthrall audiences every time, bringing in the best national/international vocal artists as well as fostering a wealth of local and regional talent.

It was a magical evening with John singing in an understated, mellow style reminiscent of Chet Baker such eclectic tunes as his heart-rendering ballad “Welcome To My World”, the wonderful Jimmy McHugh song “I just found out about love” and “Gee Baby, Ain’t I Good to You?” made popular by Nat King Cole. John encouraged lively audience participation in such numbers as his light-hearted original “Push-Hands Anna” (a tribute to his wife) and “Sing”, known by many from The Carpenter’s timeless version. He was accompanied brilliantly by local favorite Chuck Kistler who is established as a first-call bassist throughout the region. Chuck plays with command and vigor and knows how to accentuate the melody and rhythm of every song to great effect.

I always relish each morning following a JazzVox concert because it allows me to reflect on the awesome music and special people I meet again or for the first time. If you love vocal jazz in an intimate setting and want to be a part of this fabulous experience, and to purchase Nich’s fine JazzVox CD, please visit jazzvox.com.

Friday Jazz

June 16, 2011 / / No Comments

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Susan Pascal Quartet
2214 2nd Ave, 206-443-4221, 7:30pm

JAZZ ALLEY: The Sun Goddess Tour ft. Ramsey Lewis and his Electric Band
2033 6th Ave, 206-441-9729, 7:30 & 10:00pm

NEW ORLEANS: Thomas Marriott’s Flexicon
114 First Ave S, 206-622-2563, 8:00pm

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE: 7pm: Zazou; 9pm: David Arteaga with Randy Halberstadt; 11pm: Chad McCullough and Eden Bareket
1707 NW Market Street, 206-789-1621

AMORE: Lonnie Williams
2301 5th Ave, (206) 770-0606

BAKE’S PLACE: Greta Matassa
4135 Providence Point Dr. SE Issaquah, 425-391-3335, 7:30pm

LUCID: Alika Lyman Group
5241 University Ave NE, 206-402-3042, 9:00pm

BOXLEY’S: Chris Morton Trio
101 West North Bend Way, North Bend, WA, 425-292-9307, 7:00pm

HIROSHI’S: Monkstone Theocracy
2501 Eastlake Ave E, 726-4966

LAKESIDE BISTRO: Phil Westbrook
11425 Rainier Avenue South, Seattle, (206) 772-6891

NORTH CITY BISTRO: David George Quartet
1520 NE 177th, Shoreline, (206) 365-4447, 8:00pm

VITO’S: Casey MacGill
927 9th Ave, Seattle, 8:00pm

SERAFINA: Tim Kennedy Trio
2043 Eastlake Ave E, 206-323-0807

SORRENTO HOTEL: Miss Rose & Her Rhythm Percolators
900 Madison St, 206-622-6400, 7:30pm

CYPRESS LOUNGE: Jose ‘Juicy’ Gonzales Trio
Bellevue Westin Hotel, 7:30pm

Thursday Jazz

June 16, 2011 / / No Comments

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: Sonando
2214 2nd Ave, 206-443-4221, 7:30pm

JAZZ ALLEY: The Sun Goddess Tour ft. Ramsey Lewis and his Electric Band
2033 6th Ave, 206-441-9729, 7:30 & 10:00pm

MARTIN’S ON MADISON: Jerry Zimmerman
1413 14th Ave, 206-325-7000, 7:30pm

NEW ORLEANS: Ham Carson Quintet
114 First Ave S, 206-622-2563, 7:00pm

THAIKU: Jon Alberts, Jeff Johnson, Tad Britton
5410 Ballard Ave NW, 8:30pm

LUCID: The Hang
5241 University Ave NE, 206-402-3042, 9:00pm

BOXLEY’S: Greg Williamson Trio
101 West North Bend Way, North Bend, WA, 425-292-9307, 7:00pm

BARCA: Clark Gibson, Phil Sparks, Adam Kessler
1510 11th Avenue, Seattle, (206) 325-8263, 9:00pm

VITO’S: Ivory Smith + Paul Moore
927 9th Ave, Seattle, 206-682-2695

DISTRICT LOUNGE: Cassia Demayo Quintet
4507 Brooklyn Ave NE, Seattle, 206-634-2000, 9:00pm

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE: 7:00pm – Eco Quintet; 9:00pm – Riley Mulherkar and Andy Clausen
1707 NW Market Street, 206-789-1621

SEAMONSTER: Ask The Ages
2202 N 45th St, 206-633-1824, 10:00pm

Wednesday Jazz

June 15, 2011 / / No Comments

JAZZ ALLEY: The Julian Lage Group
2033 6th Ave, 206-441-9729, 7:30pm

TULA’S JAZZ CLUB: SCCC Jazz Orchestra
2214 2nd Ave, 206-443-4221, 7:30pm

MARTIN’S ON MADISON: Bonnie Birch
1413 14th Ave, 206-325-7000, 7:30pm

NEW ORLEANS: The Legacy Band with Clarence Acox
114 First Ave S, 206-622-2563, 7:00pm

THAIKU: Ron Weinstein Trio
5410 Ballard Ave NW, 8:30pm

BOXLEY’S: Randy Halberstadt
101 West North Bend Way, North Bend, WA, 425-292-9307, 7:00pm

EGAN’S BALLARD JAM HOUSE: 6pm: Kenny Mandell student groups; 9pm: The Vintage Modernists
1707 NW Market Street, 206-789-1621

DISTRICT LOUNGE: Peter Daniel
4507 Brooklyn Ave NE, Seattle, 206-634-2000

VITO’S: Jerry Zimmerman
927 9th Ave, Seattle, 206-682-2695, 7:00pm