Plenty of fun to be had in the neighborhood on this cold weekend. Here are a few highlights. Check out our Events calendar any time for more.
Woodland Park Presbyterian Church, 225 N. 70th St., is hosting an open mic at 6:30 p.m. Friday.
The monthly Art Up Phinneywood Artwalk is from 6-9 p.m. Friday (some businesses stay open later.) Dozens of art galleries, restaurants and other businesses host artists in various mediums, including many new venues this month.
Five new art venues have been added on North 85th Street (plus Bherd Studios recently moved from Greenwood Avenue and 87th to the corner of Greenwood and 85th, above Chase Bank). Both Warlock Labs and The Studio of Awesome are now located at 101 N. 85th St. Fist Full of Metal Tattoo is at 125 N. 85th St. The Foundry is at 129 N. 85th St. And Ampersand Pantry & Café, at 424 N. 85th St., Suite 1.
Other new venues include Sundust Oracle Institute, at 8312 Greenwood Ave. N., Bellametrics permanent cosmetics, 8115 Greenwood Ave. N., and Stuf Consignment.
A-1 Piano, 7020 Greenwood Ave. N., is featuring art guitars by Doug Keith, paintings, jewelry, and live piano and violin music.
Bherd Studios Gallery presents its new show, “New End: Dangerous Times,” an immersive, multi-media installation by Dylan Neuwirth and Jeff Gerber (aka Raven) under their new moniker #TRACKSTARS.
The artists have created an environment that addresses our modern day angst’s and how we communicate. While social media has allowed us to communicate to a much broader audience, it has also clearly driven us away from focusing on things that are most present in our lives, like the people around us and the experiences that we have with them. After all the posting and re-posting, the “Likes” and the “Shares” what was the original intent of the message? And what does it say about us as people? #TRACKSTARS have traveled extensively internationally and have brought their cultural experiences with temples and meditation into the gallery. We ask you to climb our stairs and be prepared to meditate in the New End temple.
School Board Member Sherry Carr hosts a District II Community Meeting from 8:30-10 a.m. Saturday at Bethany Community Church, 8023 Green Lake Drive N.
Ridge Pizza, 7217 Greenwood Ave. N., celebrates its one-year anniversary on Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Sunday. They’ll be offering specials on wine and pizzas.
A.C.P. (A Community Project) CrossFit, 7622 Aurora Ave. N., hosts its New Year’s Open House from 12-5 p.m. for members and anyone interested in learning more about CrossFit.
Seattle Parks and Recreation hosts a Piper’s Orchard Wassail Party from 12-1:30 p.m. Saturday at the historic orchard inside Carkeek Park. Bring your own cup and noisemaker.
The party will feature hot apple cider, treats and wassail, a beverage originally made from mulled ale, apples, nuts, spices and curdled cream and drunk in observance of New Year’s Eve and Twelfth Night. Today’s version is usually eggnog or spiced cider. Historians have traced the wassail tradition back as far as the 8th century, and some look on it as the last revel of the holiday season.
The event will also feature the Sound and Fury Morris & Sword Dancers. Morris dancing is a traditional form of English folk dance accompanied by music; dancers often wear bells tied to their knees. Some believe the dance is descended from morisco, mock battles between Christians and Moors that took place in 12th century Spain.
Emerald City Orchids, 716 NW 65th St., hosts “Dancing on the Valentine Presents: An Art Auction for Leukemia” from 7-10 p.m. on Saturday.
Local artists Alex Achava, Michelle Auer, Amy Bengston, Zac Boetes, Casey Brookbush, Kate Burgau, Denise Chaudhari, Frida Clements, Rosebud Eustace, Rachel Goldstein, Ben Haley, Vanessa Kaywood, Adam MacKinnon, Liz Moody, Sarah Plein, Michael Profitt, Derek Ross, Siolo Thompson, Victoria VanBruinisse, Teresa Wahl and Jennifer Warren have created works around the themes of love and loss that are both deeply personal and universal.
The show will hang from January 6 through February 15 at Emerald City Orchids in Ballard. All proceeds from art sales will be donated to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Bidding for art pieces will start online on 1/13/12. You will have the chance to bid on a piece or “Buy Now” at a set price. Come to the party to get a look at the pieces that are available up close and personal! There will be a cash bar, treats, and DJ sets by DJ Barbarella (Jenny George) & Doc Blammer (Blake Madden).
St. Andrews Bar & Grill, 7406 Aurora Ave. N., hosts a Seahawks viewing party on Sunday, with appearances by SeaGals and Blue Thunder, plus drink specials. Doors open at 8:30 a.m.
Couth Buzzard Books Espresso Buono Café, 8310 Greenwood Ave. N., hosts a Pacific NW Folklore Society Coffeehouse Concert with Choro Tocando at 7:30 p.m. Friday. On Saturday it’s Seattle Phonographers Union–World-Wide Field Recordings Improvisations at 7:30 p.m.
The Colleen Raney Band performs in a live concert recording at 8 p.m. Friday at Empty Sea Studios, 6300 Phinney Ave. N. On Saturday at 8 p.m., Nels Andrews & Ian Parks Thomas perform.