Here are a few highlights of what’s happening in the neighborhood this weekend. Check our Events calendar any time for more.
Recess Monkey performs its infectious “kindiependent“ rock music at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Ridge Romp at the Phinney Neighborhood Association, 6532 Phinney Ave. N., in the Brick Building.
Half Price Books Warehouse Sale from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday at 9241 Greenwood Ave. N. More than 30,000 books and DVDs will be on sale for sale for about $3 and under each, or you can fill a Half Price Books tote bag to the brim for $30.
Volunteering for the PNA Village: Info Session & Volunteer Training from 2-5 p.m. Saturday at the Ballard Senior Center, 5429 32nd Ave NW. (The PNA Village is expanding into Ballard.)
Oyster Shucking and Wine Pairing: An Interactive Evening at Stock Farm to Table Café, 500 NW 65th St., from 6-8 p.m. Saturday.
Couth Buzzard Books, 8310 Greenwood Ave. N., presents Little Sara and the Night Owls in concert at 7:30 p.m. Saturday; and First Sundays Blues Open Jam from 6:30-9 p.m. Sunday.
(Stand-Up Style) Comedy Showcase from 7-8:30 p.m. Saturday at Naked City Brewery, 8564 Greenwood Ave. N.
Seattle Folklore Society presents Craver, Hicks, Watson & Newberry at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Phinney Neighborhood Association, 6532 Phinney Ave. N., in the Brick Building. Tickets in advance are $18 general; $16 SFS/PNA members, seniors and students; kids half price. (All are $2 more at the door.)
Bill Hicks and Jim Watson, along with Tommy Thompson, founded the Red Clay Ramblers in 1972. Mike Craver joined in 1973. For the next decade these talented musicians toured extensively throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, Scandinavia, and Africa; they also acted and played in two Off-Broadway shows – “Diamond Studs” and Sam Sam Shepard’s “A Lie of the Mind” – and released eight albums on the Flying Fish and Sugar Hill labels.
In the early 80s, Watson, Craver, and Thompson released a highly-acclaimed album of Carter Family songs titled “Meeting in the Air.” Co-founder and banjo player Tommy Thompson passed away in early 2003 after a long battle with Alzheimer’s. Bill, Jim, and Mike had all left the band by 1986, but they still get together and play music, these days joined by Joe Newberry on banjo and vocals.
In 2012, Craver, Hicks, Watson, & Newberry released an album of their current repertoire entitled “You’ve Been a Friend to Me.”
If you’re heading downtown this weekend, be aware that the Hot Chocolate 15K & 5K Run will happen around the Seattle Center, Queen Anne and Aurora Avenue North, with transit service rerouted. Check Metro’s Service Advisories page for specific reroute information. Both directions of Aurora Avenue North will be closed between the tunnel and North 39th Street. Streets will reopen to traffic by 12 p.m.
And the Alaskan Way Viaduct will close this weekend for its semiannual inspection from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday.