So, so, so many things happening in the neighborhood and nearby this weekend. Here’s a sampling, but check our Events calendar any time for more.
Friday is the Grand Opening of Ampersand Pantry & Cafe, at 424 N. 85th St. They’re offering 10 percent off everything, plus a $2 beer and wine tasting from 4-6 p.m., and food samples throughout the day.
“Taproot Uncorked 2012” at 6:30 p.m. Friday at Greenwood Square, upstairs from Upper Crust Catering on the corner of 85th and Greenwood. Wine tasting, food pairings, auction and schmoozing with Taproot Theatre actors. RSVP required.
And Taproot’s mystery “Gaudy Night” closes after Saturday‘s performance at 204 N. 85th St.
Both Loyal Heights and Ballard Community centers are hosting Halloween carnivals tonight from 6-8 p.m., with carnival games, crafts, pumpkin decorating, etc.
Pickled Okra in concert from 6-8 p.m. Friday at Couth Buzzard Books Espresso Buono, 8310 Greenwood Ave. N.
The Kora Band, 8 p.m. Friday at Empty Sea Studios, 6300 Phinney Ave. N.
Ballard High School Cheer presents a PG-13 Comedy Night at 8 p.m. Friday at the Ballard High School auditorium. Cost is $10. With Joe Vespaziani, Billy Anderson and Silas Lindenstein.
Naked City Brewery’s 4th Anniversary Party all day Saturday. Live music, oyster shooters, food specials, and seasonal beers.
Carkeek Park Salmon Steward Training, 9:30 a.m. Saturday at Carkeek Park Environmental Learning Center, 950 NW Carkeek Park Rd.
The Unspooky Show, 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the Phinney Neighborhood Center, 6532 Phinney Ave. N., Brick Building. Susy the storyteller and her band of playful puppets will tell Halloween stories and sing songs. All ages, costumes encouraged; treats and door prizes. $5 per person.
Greenwood Avenue Trick or Treating at businesses along Phinney/Greenwood avenues, 12-3 p.m. Saturday.
Third annual Halloween on Holman at the Carkeek Plaza from 1-4 p.m. Saturday. Trick or treating, face painting, chair massage, a DJ and prizes. Bring canned food donations for food bank.
City Fruit Cider Pressing and Food Drive at Greenwood Food Bank, from 12-4 p.m. Saturday. Bring a bag of food to donate and an empty growler or other container to take home fresh pressed apple cider (you can buy a growler for $5 there). Volunteers will lead tours of the Food Bank. And they’ll be passing out candy to trick-or-treaters as part of the Greenwood Avenue businesses Trick or Treat.
Most-needed donations:
- Hygiene items (i.e. toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo, soap, toilet paper)
- Canned meats (i.e. tuna, chicken and salmon)
- Canned and boxed meals (i.e. soup, chili, stew, macaroni and cheese)
- Peanut Butter
- Cereal
- Canned Fruits
Community Open Mic hosted by Couth Buzzard Books co-owner Theo Dzielak, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, 8310 Greenwood Ave. N.
Seattle Folklore Society presents Mary Flower in concert, at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Phinney Neighborhood Center, 6532 Phinney Ave. N., Brick Building. Information and online reservations here.
We’re pleased to host a return engagement of Portland-based Mary Flower. Mary is quite simply one of the finest blues players out there. She plays both in the finger-picked and lap steel genres. Mary has placed twice in the top three at the fingerpicking championships in Winfield, KS, been nominated multiple times for Blues Foundation Awards, won a Vox Populi award in 2009 for “Slow Lane to Glory” and garnered a Cascade Blues Association “Muddy Award” (Acoustic Guitar) in 2011.
Opening will be Portland-based blues artist Dave Mullany.
Discovery Happy Halloween Hike for ages 2-3 at Discovery Park from 10:30-11:45 a.m. on Saturday (and 10:30-11:45 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 31). Wear your costume for a fun hike; meet at Discovery Park Environmental Learning Center, 3801 Discovery Park Blvd. Free.
Washington CeaseFire Annual Day of Remembrance, 12 p.m. Sunday at Green Lake Aqua Theater/Small Craft Center, at the southwest corner of Green Lake. Participants will plant flower bulbs as a lasting memorial to those lost to gun violence. (Bulbs and planting tools provided.)
And if you’re near the Sodo District on Sunday afternoon, don’t freak out when you see what looks like a terrorist event centering around a train – it’s a large-scale terrorism training drill by regional law enforcement and fire agencies.
