Get Your Coffee, Film, Music … and, um, Jesus … On the House

As avid folk music connoisseurs, we’ve done our time in various Unitarian churches listening to obscure out-of-towners mouth off about Bush in the nicest possible (read: no cursing) sort of way. But for the past couple of years, a small venue on Capitol Hill has been integrating The Lord with great music and free coffee on a whole different level.

You’ve probably stumbled past On The House on your way home from the Wildrose or the Elysian; or perhaps you’ve cantered past on your way to a yoga class at Samadhi. It’s that sort-of-basement storefront next to the new Re:Load Bags store that looks like a bizarre place to have a living room.

In fact, we had been going to On The House for quite some time before we ever found out that the Church of the Undignified (read: Christian hipsters) takes place there every Sunday. But if you and Him aren’t all palsy and shit, don’t let that stop you from dropping in to check out the goings-on.

OTH hangs the work of some great local artists. They host a weekly open mic that draws some fabulous local songwriters and poets trying stuff out before heading to Seattle Slam. They hold open screen film nights for indie film makers. They’ll even occasionally throw a community potluck event. Last year during the Capitol Hill Block Party, there was a badASS hip-hop throw down taking place.

This month alone, they’ll be hosting a jazz workshop, open feminist discussion, an animal rights forum, and several local bands and singer/songwriters.

According to their Website, they’re looking for an opportunity to build a space that’s part recording studio, part performance space, part hair salon, etc. It ain’t no Tractor, but there’s some sweet stuff going on there anyway. Besides, it’s a free music venue. What more could you want?