September 19, 2018

Back to School: Events for Kids and Adults This Weekend in Queen Anne

School has started again, so families with kids are busy, busy, busy. Whether or not you have a little human at home (as we now do), now is a great time to enjoy both lively, educational events and make quiet time for yourself. This weekend, we’re recommending that you get out in Queen Anne—both upper and lower (or Uptown as some like to call the lower)! From its cloistered residential areas to its bustling main streets, Queen Anne has major curb appeal. Don’t just get out to enjoy the fall colors this weekend; get some cultural color, too. For Everyone: A Study Date at El Diablo Coffee Early this year, people were heartbroken to learn that El Diablo Coffeehouse on Queen Anne was shutting down after nearly two decades. The beautiful space and patio were soon to be redeveloped by a greyish coffee house. But then, El Diablo’s owners got… Read More »

September 13, 2018

Eating Out West: 5 Great Under-the-Radar Restaurants in West Seattle

Finding great restaurants outside the core areas is a really fun part of living in the city. Whether tucking into a tiny noodle house in the International District or getting the freshest seafood in Fisherman’s Wharf by Magnolia, we all need a culinary adventure from time to time. Why not try out one of the many superb spots in West Seattle? In summer especially, people flock to Alki Beach for the beach views, and there are some nice dining options there for sure. (La Rustica is one really fine example.) Salty’s is a major destination diner for tourists (and longtime locals), but there is so much more to West Seattle dining. Here are five restaurants in West Seattle that may not be known much outside their neighborhoods, but are worth a trip. Mission Cantina   View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Meredith Gabel (@meredithgabel) on Aug… Read More »

September 13, 2018

Team Diva’s Seattle Fall Arts Guide 2018

The fall arts in Seattle are a huge part of making a happy transition from summertime to sweater weather. We may be as busy, busy, busy as ever, but we have to make time for dance, music, theatre and more. We’re looking ahead at Seattle’s packed arts calendar and trying to prioritize. There’s no way we can do it all, but below are some of the events that are grabbing us in Dance, Theatre, Museum Exhibitions, Music, and Film Festivals. Dance At local dance Showing Out: Contemporary Black Choreographers Full disclosure The Divas are friends with Dani Tirrell, Seattle’s own nationally renowned dance artist who creates movement pieces inspired by their queer, gender non-conforming, and Black experience. And we are super excited and proud of how Dani shook up the Seattle theater scene last spring with Black Bois. We can’t wait to see Dani host the CD Forum for Arts… Read More »

September 12, 2018

Last Chances and First Looks: Cultural Events on Capitol Hill This Weekend

With new gallery shows and exhibitions, there is a lot of visual art to see in Capitol Hill this weekend. Those are just some of the highlights, though. Check out these unique opportunities to shop, watch, and have a mystical start to your fall. The Swimmer at Northwest Film Forum Over the last month, Northwest Film Forum has presented a film series, 1968: Expressions of a Flame. Programmed by Austin McCann, the featured films have examined various aspects of resistance, activism, revolutionary movements, and the culture fifty years ago. It concludes with the 1968 film adaptation of John Cheever’s short story The Swimmer. Starring Burt Lancaster as the eponymous swimmer, the story compresses time to show one man’s decline through alcoholism—an afternoon that actually spans years. It was a prescient film for America, too, as the country’s reputation entered decline with Vietnam. Read more. Belfry Pop-Up at Creatura House Last… Read More »

September 11, 2018

Sunny Days, Cool Nights: Some of Our Faves in The Central District

There is so much to love about Seattle’s Central District: great food, important history, fun shops. Here’s an itinerary for a full day or a little outing to one of Seattle’s most beloved neighborhoods. Morning Jaunt Some of us like a light breakfast (or a fast one) to start the day. Others need something hardy to get started. Take in some fresh air first, and then get some fresh doughnuts at Raised Doughnuts. If that is too much of a sugar rush, stop by Fat’s Chicken & Waffles (a fav spot for the Diva Posse) instead for a hearty soul food brunch. You can never go wrong with fried chicken and waffles. Midmorning Reverie As the sun streams over the hills to the east, it’s a nice time to find a little inner peace. The carefully edited book selection at Unity on Union offers many guides to meditation and personal magic. If… Read More »

August 20, 2018

End of Seattle Summer 2018: Arts, Music, Festivals, and More

  A Seattle summer is known for bright blue skies, amazing time with out of town guests, and diving into the best of the city. This Seattle summer it has been hotter than hell and we are done with the smoke and smog. Cough, yuck! Luckily, there are still a few more weeks for us to savor the best parts of a Seattle summer before it is too late. It is time for big outdoor festivals, especially music fests. Labor Day weekend is approaching, which means Bumbershoot will also be taking over Lower Queen Anne. Meanwhile, the big gaming convention PAX will be in downtown that same weekend. And then, right at the equinox, Fremont will be completely taken over by Oktoberfest. You’ll be sure to see plenty of ads (and traffic) for these events, but there is so much more happening. (Stuff that we actually want to attend.) Much… Read More »

July 26, 2018

12 Reasons Why the Columbia City Main Street is One of Seattle’s Best

It is so surprising to us that more people don’t make a point to visit Columbia City from other Seattle neighborhoods. You can easily have a great outing and run a few errands at the same time. And because the Columbia City Light Rail station is just a few blocks from the main street area on Rainier, you don’t even need to drive. Here are a dozen of the great spots that make Columbia City’s main street so perfect, from north to south, starting with some great public parks. 1. Rainier Playfield and Community Gardens This long park was so named because of its great views of The Mountain. Rainier Playfield has sports fields for baseball and football, tennis and basketball courts, grills and play areas for the kiddies. If you want to start or finish your trip to Columbia City with an al fresco meal, this is a perfect… Read More »

July 17, 2018

Summer in the City: 5 Perfect Sunny Day Itineraries in Belltown

Belltown has changed so much in the last decade. It transformed almost overnight during an earlier building boom, going from bohemian enclave to nightlife epicenter. It wasn’t unexpected, given the absolutely prime location in terms of scenery and transit. The nightlife is still very active on weekends in Belltown along 1st and 2nd Avenues, but there is SO MUCH more to this neighborhood than weekend warriors. This is a prime weekend to check out this Seattle hot spot. The biggest crowds will be on Capitol Hill for the Capitol Hill Block Party. Those who want to escape that throng but still have a great time out close to downtown need only head toward the Puget Sound. Here are some of the sultriest, spiciest ways to enjoy Belltown and some of its many amazing restaurants and bars. Family Fun Al Fresco in The Olympic Sculpture Park Seattle Art Museum’s waterfront sculpture… Read More »

June 29, 2018

4th of July Week: Five Offbeat Summer Activities

The Pacific Northwest is known for being a little quirky at times. Our country’s birthday is the perfect occasion to celebrate some things that make the region unique. A barbecue and some fireworks displays are great, but we would like to declare our freedom from routine this year. Here are five activities to give your 4th of July some extra flair. Visit the Edith Macefield House (and More) in Ballard Adventure is out there! 🎈#UpHouse #EdithMacefieldHouse A post shared by Arianne Joy 🐺 (@alpha_ari) on Apr 16, 2015 at 8:18pm PDT We love a good rebel, and Edith Macefield was quite an uncanny one. Macefield refused to sell her home to developers for any price. Her now-famous house sits alone, surrounded by the concrete walls of the Ballard Blocks shopping complex. Fondly referred to as The Up House (as in the Pixar movie), The Edith Macefield House is often festooned… Read More »

June 27, 2018

Six Iconic Seattle Experiences in Westlake this Weekend

It’s hard to believe that it’s the end of June already. Many Seattle neighborhoods become hubs of activity in summer because of an abundance of retail and restaurants. Westlake is different. It’s scenic and historic features set it apart in beautiful, even funny ways. Here are five things to see and do in Westlake this weekend. We’re so sure that you’ll fall in love with this neighborhood that you’ll not want to miss our open house, too! Walk Part of the Cheshiahud Lake Union Loop A post shared by David (@akaschwartzy) on Jun 18, 2017 at 5:29pm PDT The Cheshiahud Lake Union Loop goes around the perimeter of Lake Union. Through Westlake, across the Fremon bridge, through Gasworks Park, and across the University Bridge, through Eastlake back to the southern end of Lake Union. The Westlake portion is by far the smoothest for pedestrians. With devoted walkways sheltered from the… Read More »