Tag Archives: Columbia City Theater

Arts & Culture

Black History Month Museum Offers Tours and a Close-Up Look at Local Black History

by Rosette Royale

As far as welcoming committees go, it’s hard to beat Michelle and Barack Obama. So, it’s a surprise to see Michelle — or at least a cutout of her — standing inside the rear entrance of the Columbia City Theater. Just to her right, playing on a nearby TV screen, a recorded Barack delivers the keynote speech at the 2004 Democratic National Convention in Boston, a moment that would propel him to national prominence and preview the oratorical skills that enchanted millions during his presidency. 

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News

Rainier Avenue Radio to Host Holiday Bazaar at Columbia City Theater

by Ben Adlin

Rainier Avenue Radio will host a family-friendly holiday party and bazaar this Saturday, Dec. 11, at the historic Columbia City Theater.

The station’s first annual holiday bazaar will run from noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday at the theater, at 4916 Rainier Ave. S., between South Ferdinand and South Hudson streets, and will feature handcrafted art and other creations from a dozen local vendors. Admission is free and open to all ages.

Tony Benton — known widely as “Tony B.” after more than two decades on the air locally, including on KUBE 93.3 and Sports Radio 950 KJR — says the event is meant to showcase the creativity of local makers and give artists an economic boost during the holiday season.

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Arts & Culture

The Art of Moses Sun Reflects Seattle’s Diaspora, Cultures, and Jazz

by Mark Van Streefkerk

It’s been almost three months since Moses Sun finished his mural “Flourish Together” on the south-facing exterior wall of The Columbia City Theater. The ground-to-roof-sized mural is made up of floral designs in gold, green, and light blue, set against an indigo background, with two abstract hands clasped together in the middle. It wasn’t easy working on an outside mural during the rainy months. The process officially started on Dec. 16, with Sun and his team patiently on call, showing up to paint as the weather permitted. Finished in early January, “Flourish Together” pays homage to a space where cross-cultural connections thrive. Since then, Sun has been hard at work, completing another mural for Starbucks in January and sharing dynamic artworks fused with jazz and hip hop on Instagram, and he’ll be part of a Vivid Matter Collective show debuting this week at Vermillion Art Gallery & Bar. Though his next projects are under wraps, expect to see much more from Sun in the coming months. 

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Community

Kadima Reconstructionist Community to Celebrate Purim in Columbia City

by Carolyn Bick

Thousands of years ago, Esther fought to keep a marginalized group of people from being murdered. And though her bravery is celebrated with costumes, pastries, and parties today, modern Purim celebrations still center those who are under siege.

That’s what Kadima Reconstructionist Community’s annual Purim party aims to do, Stefanie Brendler said. Brendler is a member of the synagogue, and is coordinating and planning the event.

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Arts & Culture

The Karaoke Baron’s Kingdom Spans from Seattle to Vegas

by Jacob Uitti

Joshua Baron lives for karaoke. So much so that the 45-year-old is considering moving from Seattle to Las Vegas in order to locate himself in the center of this country’s karaoke universe. But for now, Baron, who is the national director of the Karaoke World Championships U.S.A. (KWCUSA), continues to host his Wednesday night karaoke sessions at the Columbia City Theater from 9 PM to 1 AM. Every week, a cast of characters come together there over their need for expression as much as their need for family.

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Music

Songwriter Meklit Hadero reconnects with Seattle at the Columbia City Theater Nov. 30

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by Jacob Uitti

San Francisco-based singer, Meklit Hadero, considers Seattle a second home — or a third home, or maybe a fourth. For the soulful, jazzy singer-songwriter, who was born in Ethiopia and raised in the United States, the Emerald City is a place where she can reconnect with family and with a part of the world in which she lived for more than a year. And Hadero will do just that on Nov. 30 at the Columbia City Theater, when she graces the stage to perform songs from her immaculate and expansive catalogue. To preview the gig, we caught up with the songwriter to ask her about her beginnings as an artist, how she honed her writing style and what she looks to, when the world can seem too much.

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Music

International Musicians Marina Albero and Nat Hulskamp Bring Authentic Traditions To Columbia City

by Gus Marshall

On a cozy Sunday evening in November, The Columbia City Theater hosted a bill of beautiful world music. The Pangea Concert, presented by Giordano Productions, showcased two wonderful acts of world-class talent and taste.

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Arts & Culture, Music

Columbia City and Hillman City Receive Official Arts & Cultural District Designation

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by Jacob Uitti

In August, Columbia City and Hillman City received an historic honor: a prestigious Arts & Cultural District designation from Mayor Jenny Durkan. Now forever linked—and not just by Rainier Avenue—the two diverse, multicultural neighborhoods, which are comprised of about 13,000 people, can further showcase their dozens of art and music venues—from the Columbia City Theater to the Royal Room and the soon-to-be-opened Black and Tan Hall. To get a sense of what this new arts and culture designation means for the area exactly, the South Seattle Emerald reached out to Kathy Fowells, Director of SEEDArts, which was one of the many organizations responsible for getting the initiative to the Mayor’s office. Fowells discussed what the future holds for the neighborhoods, what an arts app might look for them and much more.

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