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 »

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

Relocating to Seattle: Divaland Welcomes Bret and Amber

The cat is out of the bag and you are moving to Seattle. Our dear friend Bret Calltharp and is lovely gal Amber are relocating to Seattle. Bret is specifically relocating to Seattle to take the baton from another cool guy Jay Thompson at Zillow. We have no doubt that Bret is going to be an amazing addition to the Zillow team. Amber is a badass nurse in maternity wards. You know…. one of those people who actually do all of the hard work. They are both going to be an amazing addition to our Divaland Seattle community. Let’s get started with some Diva advice on becoming a full-blown Seattleite. Cause Seattle is the best city around and cool kids need to stick together. And no one knows how to find fun in Seattle like Team Diva. Here is our list to getting your Seattle sea legs going.  It Is Hot… Read More »

July 11, 2018

4 Reasons Why Crown Hill Is One of Seattle’s Homiest Neighborhoods

Crown Hill has remained a fairly quiet neighborhood while Ballard has REALLY grown up, along with Greenwood to Crown Hill’s east. While it is more lively than the posh Blue Ridge neighborhood to its north. In Crown Hill, you’ll see plenty of kids, so it is really is more alive than ever! The main thoroughfare in Crown Hill is Holman Road, which is lined with shops and services, both chains and independently owned. Some of these are much adored, including the Thirsty Fish pub and, of course, Dick’s Drive-In. You’re sure to spot familiar spaces at these places and more when you settle down in Crown Hill. But first, they have to be familiar, right? Here are four ways that Crown Hill’s features, attractions, and associations make it easier to form a community and feel truly at home. Hyper-Local Goodies at The Weekly Summer Market A post shared by Crown… Read More »

July 9, 2018

2018 Elections Alert: Important Dates and Resources to Know

This upcoming 2018 elections could not be more important. If progressives do not take back Congress, Trump’s erosion of our freedoms, the environment, and foreign relations will continue unchecked. To the extent that we can, we should be supporting progressive candidates around the state. In November, we’ll be selecting them for US Senate, US House of Representatives, and WA State Legislature seats. Obviously, we can only vote in our own districts, but we can get the word out. First of all, we need to all be registered to vote. TurboVote For All We imagine that most everyone in Divaland is registered, but you may know others who are not. You may also have friends abroad who should cast absentee ballots, but don’t know how. Refer these friends to TurboVote.org. It has a clean, simple interface that makes getting absentee ballots easy. It can also assist with registration stateside, especially in… 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 »