While The Stranger may have declared the painful death of the Pike/Pine 'hood back in 2006 article, current residents (and their neighbors along 12th Avenue) have made it clear things are just getting started in this corner of the city. In fact, the 12th Avenue corridor is throwing a brand new block party. The first annual 12th Avenue Neighborhood Festival kicks off at noon this Sunday, and for six hours will take over 12th Avenue from Pike to Madison with live music and booths from the local retailers and restaurants. more ›

KEXP FAVORITES LIVE & FREE!: Kick off the weekend tonight by heading to KEXP's Concerts at the Mural, the first of the free all-ages concert series put on at the Seattle Center. Tonight's tunes will feature a few of KEXP's favorite bands: Blitzen Trapper and Throw Me The Statue. The show is tailored to the culturally curious, seeking out best of the area’s independent music scene. Most importantly, the beer garden opens at 5 p.m. with the show shortly after. 6:00-8:00 p.m., Fri. // Seattle Center Mural Amphitheatre, 305 Harrison St // Free (not including beer) more ›

We'll take it for granted that you will get pleasantly buzzed on nutritious, delicious microbrews at this year's Fremont OktoberFest, which might as well be called BeerFest. Someone else will have to fill you in about all the different kinds of beer this weekend (we heard there would be something like thirty breweries serving up!) at another time, though, because we would prefer to discuss the excellent local music offerings at this event. Seattle's ramping up for fall, which will come sooner rather than later; this is the perfect time to find a couple new local bands to love this winter. more ›

We had a laid-back, happy time at Dope Emporium on Saturday. It felt like a hiphop block party: a family affair with barbeque, a beer garden, and kids running around doing cute things like breakdancing. There even was a producers' battle from which MTK (of Himalayan Rickshaw Run fame) emerged triumphant. Check out some photos from the event, taken by Seattlest and Terry Creighton. more ›

Seattlest arrived on scene soon after the Capitol Hill Block Party had opened. We wandered, checked out the stage locations and thought about getting a beer, then spotted a booth touting free bottled water. It looked like the booth had something to do with praying to the Earth Spirits or some other new wave white hippy crap, but we decided to take our chances. We asked for a water and oddly enough their were no questions asked of Seattlest, no "Is your spirit at peace with the world?" or "Do you ever cry for Mother Nature?" We did, however, get thoroughly eye-fucked by our water purveyor. We told him thank you, took a mental bath and off we went to hear some music. (And before you reactionaries out there start accusing us of homophobia, get over yourselves. We're not talking about getting "checked out." We're talking about a look that said, Right now, in my mind, I'm eating spaghetti off of your chest.) more ›

Yes, we're Folklife enthusiasts. Where else can you get a funnel cake, a hip-hop spitfest, a latin dance party, and a contest for liars, all in one place? We quoted Prince in the headline because we wouldn't be surprised if he showed up at Folklife this year. There is so much shit going on this weekend, and you don't have to drive all the way to the silly Gorge and pay through your nose to enjoy the music, yall. more ›

Seattlest has learned that Folklife, our favorite of the Seattle Center festivals, has gained the reputation of being a four-day conclave of smelly, weed-smoking, WTO-hating, free-loving hippies. more ›