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BeatWalk 2012 Kicks Off Tonight!

May 4, 2012 : Posted in Events

The acclaimed BeatWalk music festival returns for its 18th season this Fri., May 4, from 7 to 10 pm in the Rainier Valley’s historic Columbia City neighborhood.

Since 1995, Columbia City has celebrated summer one month early with BeatWalk, the neighborhood’s now-iconic monthly music festival. Originally conceived by current Deputy Mayor Darryl Smith as a re-branding of the neighborhood’s “rough-around-the-edges” image, the festival has grown to become a mainstay of Rainer Valley pride, and a gem of Seattle’s music scene.

Held the first Friday of each month from May through September, BeatWalk transforms the neighborhood’s historic district into a multi-venue music fest. Local businesses along Rainier Avenue South host an eclectic array of musicians, echoing the diversity of the neighborhood itself.

This year’s opening line-up incudes The Scott Lindenmuth Trio, Annie O’Neill, Les Pampelmousses, DuBorziLanza, Nuevo Flamenco Guitar Ensemble, Kimo Muraki, Mike Dwyer, Pamela Jordan, Samia Panni & Friends and Titanium Sporkestra.

BeatWalk’s 2012 Season will continue on June 1, July 6, August 3, and September 7. Cover of $7 includes admission to all venues and kids under 14 are free. Get more info here.

2012 Washington Powerlifting Championships at R.E.C.

February 6, 2012 : Posted in Events

The 2012 Washington State Powerlifting Bench Press and Deadlift Championships will take place February 25 – 26 at the Royal Esquire Club here in Columbia City!

Additional Championship Weekend events include:

- Mr. & Ms. Columbia City Competition (Saturday & Sunday)
- Washington Powerlifting Hall of Fame Ceremony (Saturday)

After the years in Olympia, the State Meet is returning to Seattle. The new site will feature:

- Lifting on a lighted stage area
- Food and drink on site for reasonable prices
- Seating for 300+ people
- Separate warm-up area
- Off-street parking in nearby lots

Spectators Admission = $5 each day. Pre-pay with entry and admission is $5 for both days. For more information, speak with Bull Stewart at Columbia City Fitness.

Town Hall Meeting with the Mayor

January 29, 2012 : Posted in Events

As part of the Engage Seattle initiative, in order to ensure that as many people as possible who live, work, or play in Seattle are able to voice their concerns and offer their feedback directly to the mayor, the Mayor’s Office is holding a series of town halls in every part of the city, and there’s one coming up next month in our area. You can download a flier here, or the details are as follows:

Columbia City Town Hall
Saturday, February 11th
11 am to 12 pm

Royal Esquire Club
5016 Rainier Ave S.

The Royal Esquire Club is located near the 7 and 8 bus lines and the Columbia City light rail stop; for full transit directions, go to metro.kingcounty.gov.

Kick-off the Holidays at Columbia City’s Annual Holiday Lighting Festival

November 30, 2011 : Posted in Events

It is that time of year again. The air’s getting crisper, the days are getting shorter, and the streets are starting to fill with holiday shoppers. The holidays are here, and in honor of that, Columbia City will be hosting a variety of events and activities to celebrate the season.

For the eleventh year in a row, Columbia City will be kicking-off the festivities of the season with a family-friendly holiday celebration. This year, however, the Columbia City Business Association and its members will be launching a redesigned holiday event, one that includes and spans Columbia City’s entire business district along Rainier Avenue South. Columbia City’s first Annual Holiday Lighting Celebration will begin at 4:45 p.m. on Saturday, December 3, at the Southwest corner of Rainier Avenue South and South Hudson Street.

Local performance groups, the Rainier Beach Children’s Choir and the Beaconettes, will also be providing musical entertainment throughout the ceremony and festival. Treats and snacks will also be provided courtesy of a number of local Columbia City businesses including Geraldine’s Counter, the Columbia City Bakery, Tutta Bella, and Wink Eyewear. Many children, as well as their parents, will be happy to know that Father Christmas is expected to be in attendance at this year’s Holiday Lighting Festival. To accommodate the festival and its guests, Columbia City will also be closing South Hudson Street, between Rainier Avenue South and 37th Avenue South, to all vehicles.

“Columbia City’s holiday events have become a beloved feature of the business district and surrounding neighborhood, and this year, we really wanted to try to create something that could encompass the entire business district,” said Michele Bayle, owner of Wink Eyewear and Columbia City’s Annual Holiday Lighting coordinator. “As a business district that is almost entirely made-up of small businesses, it’s really important that we support our local businesses by creating a fun and festive atmosphere that will encourage people to come, stay, shop, eat, and play in Columbia City.”

In addition to the Annual Holiday Lighting Festival on Saturday, December 3, a number of local businesses and restaurants will also be offering shopping deals and holiday specials throughout the month. For more information on these and other events please visit: www.columbiacityseattle.com or www.columbiacitizens.net.

Poetry Northwest Fall Fundraiser & Haiku Hootenanny Tonight at Columbia City Theater

November 13, 2011 : Posted in Events

The Columbia City Theater is hosting a fundraiser for Poetry Northwest this evening. Come check it out!

Poetry Northwest is holding its First Annual Fundraiser & Haiku Hootenanny on Sunday, November 13th from 8pm to 11pm at the historic Columbia City Theater in South Seattle. The benefit concert includes fabulous, roots-inspired music by local heroes Ghosts I’ve Met, Fan Fiction, and Corn Jail, featuring Poetry Northwest contributor Ed Skoog on banjo. The benefit will also feature a chance to write yourself, haiku style, into the show. Winners of the “Rock n’ Roll Haiku” contest get free admission, and will read their work onstage.

The festivities start at 8:00 p.m. Tickets are just $12, and are on sale at BrownPaperTickets. All proceeds benefit Poetry Northwest. The Columbia City Theatre is located at For more information on the line-up, and the rock-n-roll haiku contest, visit their website at www.poetrynw.org.

Happy Halloween in Columbia City

October 31, 2011 : Posted in Events

Happy Halloween! Today from 3:30 to 6:30, businesses throughout the Columbia City business district will be giving out candy to trick-or-treaters! Look for the orange and black balloons throughout the neighborhood for the nearest candy!