(Image: Capitol Hill Block Party)
A grown-up Capitol Hill Block Party will debut this weekend as the music festival makes its first run as a pared down, two-day, 21+ only event. The CHBP’s neighborhood producers are watching how the new format unfolds and planning for the future. 2028 would mark the 30th edition of the festival, one of the few ticketed, multi-day music festivals on the planet to take place on city streets Continue reading
A symbol of Capitol HIll’s “Hot Rat Summer” has been restored — partially — on the historic Cal Anderson Gatehouse.
Dedicated neighbors, artists, and two members of the Seattle City Council gathered on the hottest day of the year so far to restore the surprisingly radiant rat mosaic after the city painted over it in what some are calling a bureaucratic blunder and others see as an act of erasure.
“It’s such a beautiful mural that’s taken so many hours,” said Bug, a Vegas transplant new to the city, who showed up solo to help uncover the piece. “Just to cover it up, like, out of spite? It didn’t make sense to me. Especially in a city that’s so filled with art.”
Bug, who said they first saw the mural on Instagram and later learned it had been painted over through Reddit, wasn’t the only one moved to act. Other dedicated mural appreciators were there. “I just came and did it on my own,” Bug said. “This is the second time I showed up to uncover it.”
The mosaic mural was painted on the side of the landmarked Seattle Public Utilities Gatehouse building above Cal Anderson’s reflecting pool. It has became a source of neighborhood pride in the spunky expression of a neighborhood dedicated to having a good time despite any hard times and challenges. That made it all the more surprising when city crews painted over it.
Seattle City Councilmembers Joy Hollingsworth and Alexis Mercedes Rinck joined residents Wednesday to help gently scrub the white paint off the rat. Continue reading
A late Wednesday night fracas involving multiple police rushing to Denny Blaine Park had nothing to do with nude sunbathers.
The Seattle Police Department says a suspected tire slasher who was armed with a gun was injured when he fell from a wall during a struggle with officers around midnight at the park.
SPD reports it was called to the park at 200 E Lake Washington Blvd just after 11:30 PM where the caller said a man “accused him of speaking to his woman and pulled a gun on him.” The caller reported he, too, was armed.
As police arrived, they reported seeing the suspect slash the tire of an SUV and toss an item away as officers approached: Continue reading
23rd Ave’s Garfield High School will hold a forum Thursday night on the proposal to place a Seattle Police Department officer on campus as a school board vote on the proposal has been delayed.
Principal Tarance Hart announced the community forum with an “urgent” message to families earlier this week .
“The evening will include remarks from SPD and small-group discussions facilitated by trusted community partners,” the announcement reads. “These conversations will help guide how we approach safety, relationships, and support systems at Garfield moving forward.” Continue reading
This weekend brings the 2025 edition of the now two-day Capitol Hill Block Party music festival to the streets of Pike/Pine. Its arrival marks a different sort of fun in the sun milestone on Capitol Hill. Free music and movies season is in full swing. Plus, if you want a free block party, you can head up the Hill for the 15th Ave E Patio Party Saturday noon to 5 PM:
Enjoy the summer weather with a DJ, local food, lawn games, a patio lounge, and a beer/wine garden. Meet our neighborhood merchants, and enjoy all that 15th has to offer!
Here is the rest of the summer freebie schedule around Capitol Hill.
Center City Cinema at Cal Anderson Park
Movies start at 6:30 PM
July 18: “Shrek”
July 25: “The Rocky Horror Picture Show”
(Image: Guillotine)
By Domenic Strazzabosco
In the summer of 2024, Capitol Hill welcomed several new bars and restaurants. CHS checked in with owners to see how the first year of business has been and what residents can expect to see and experience in the upcoming year. In Part 1, CHS talked to Koko’s Restaurant and Tequila Bar on 10th and Broadway’s Chandelier Lounge. In Part 2, we visited with 14th Ave’s Ramie. This time, we head back to Broadway for a check-in with one of of our favorite types of new food and drink projects: veteran bartenders collaborating as first-time owners and an executive chef eager to show off their chops.
Guillotine’s co-owner Andrew Larson and chef Joey Walter have spent their first year on Broadway balancing their aims for creativity and sustainability, while figuring out what the neighborhood wants and needs.
Walter in the kitchen and Larson, who handles the bar and front of house, are the only two who run the establishment, despite initially hiring a full wait staff. They realized the demands of the space were different from what they anticipated when opening, and have scaled back to just the two of them. Continue reading
As ballots are being sent to voters this week for the upcoming August 5th Primary Election, the races for the Seattle mayor’s office appears to be coming down to what order the two leading candidates in the political battle will finish.
Challenger Katie Wilson seems to have a top-two result all but wrapped up.
“This woman is so smart, she’s kicked my ass so many times in so many debates,” repeat mayoral candidate Joe Mallahan said Tuesday night during a candidates forum focused on District 3 issues organized by the Leschi Community Council, the Central Area Neighborhood District Council, and the Coalition of Immigrants Refugees and Communities of Color. Continue reading
(Image: CHS)
Seattle is doubling down on illegal graffiti, adding possible $1,000 fines for tagging in the city.
The Seattle City Council voted 7-1 Tuesday to approve legislation allowing the Seattle City Attorney to bring “civil actions against prolific taggers,” “with the potential to receive some restitution and for graffiti-related property destruction.” Convicted taggers would also remain subject to criminal penalties. Only citywide councilmember Alexis Mercedes Rinck voted against the bill.
“Council’s vote today sends a clear message: Seattle’s tolerance for illegal graffiti has expired. Stop vandalizing our city or we will hold you accountable,” City Attorney Ann Davison said in a statement on the approval. “There are many prolific illegal taggers and once the ordinance becomes effective, I will be filing lawsuits. Since the fines are imposed for each violation, it should serve as a big wake-up call to those who deface Seattle.” Continue reading
See something others should know about? Email CHS or call/txt/Signal (206) 399-5959. You can view recent CHS 911 coverage here. Hear sirens and wondering what’s going on? Check out reports from @jseattle or join and check in with neighbors in the CHS Facebook Group.
(Image: Colibri Mexican Kitchen)
It’s a family venture at 12th Ave’s new Colibri Mexican Kitchen where uncle Ricardo’s dream of owning his own restaurant has come true.
“We are going to pour our love into it,” Celeste Bakr tells CHS about the new addition to Capitol Hill’s rich Mexican dining scene in the 12th Ave space previously home to vegan dining legend Plum Bistro.
While Colibri doesn’t feature any nods to the space’s vegan past, Bakr says her diners will find the Mexican kitchen “brings something a little different” with large portions and full plates that echo traditions of plenty.
“It’s typical in Mexico to serve lots of food — a love language,” Bakr says. Continue reading
