Belles of the Sound

If you are like me, you love free activities and I have just thing for you. Throughout the rest of Summer, the Seattle Art Museum (SAM) is hosting a bevy of fun activities for both kids and adults at the Olympic Sculpture Park. These activities run the gamut of genres, and include music, art, food, tours, yoga, zumba and other types of dance. 

Here is a peek at the upcoming FREE events in the park:

• Thurs., July 14 – Art Activities, The Art of Jazz and Thursday Nights at the Park begins at 5:30pm
• Sat., July 16 – Drawing in the Park, Yoga and Watercolor Painting begin at 10am; Public tours of the park at noon and 1pm; and, Zumba at 2pm

For a full list of activities, check the online calendar. Also, if you go to any of these, please send us your photos! We’ll highlight you on the blog and though our Twitter account.

Happy FREE Summertime in the Seattle! 

On a side note, don’t forget to pop over to our About Us page and meet the latest Belle, Karianne!

Last weekend, a horde descended on Washington State Convention Center. It was a battle of light vs. dark, but everyone managed to win. That’s right, last weekend was the 8th Annual Emerald City Comicon.

Anyone familiar with the world of comics and graphic novels is probably aware of the more recognized Comic-Con in San Diego. First held in 1970, the conference has gained major attention, especially in recent years, and is now a tactical event for many big movie releases. Last year, over 140,000 people attended the 4-day event, and if you’re looking to get tickets, only the one-day Sunday passes are available (and even they won’t be for very long).

Emerald City Comicon is not as big as its San Diegan forefather, but it has grown in popularity since its inception. This was my first year in attendance since I moved here three years ago. I thought I had an idea of what to expect, but I was blown away.

When I first entered the convention center, it seemed like a normal large businessy-type conference. There were scheduled panels and booths, and lots of folks milling around talking. Then I saw Master Chief. It was a pretty impressive costume, I have to admit. After that, I wasn’t at all surprised to see Dr. Horrible, Alice, Uhura, Indiana Jones, Wolverine, Spider-Man, Frank the bunny, Spock, various Jedi, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Pikachu, Hulk, Harley Quinn and assorted generic pirates and people in medieval dress mingling among the civilians.

The whole event was pretty overwhelming. I am not a comic connoisseur or aficionado by any stretch of the imagination, with my knowledge of comics and graphic novels propelled only by my knowledge of movies based on such characters. Although, had I knowledge of such things, I probably would have been even more overwhelmed. I basically used my time between panels wandering the rows of comic paraphernalia in a daze, trying to take in the experience.

Storm troopers would appear on occasion and their suits were AMAZING. They were pretty good-natured for clones sent to destroy the Jedi. Everyone was in high spirits, and willing to stop for pictures, or geek out about one booth or another. Much of the event seemed to be crazy, random happenstance.

I came across Lou Ferrigno is my meanderings and he is HUGE in person. Also very nice to everyone who wanted a quick picture or signature. I later came across Leonard Nimoy‘s booth, and while I didn’t wait in the eternally long line, I did get pretty close. Sorry, Leonard, but at the moment you’re just looking a trifle aged. Okay, more than a trifle.

My two favorite parts of the event were panels that I attended. The first was a Spotlight on Thomas Jane. It was entirely unplanned (other than him showing up, and it being called a Spotlight), so he just talked about all the stuff he’s working on, and then answered a ton of questions. He is working on a LOT of stuff at the moment, so it was a long panel that ran over time. He gamely stayed afterward and talked to people and signed things. He’s very nice (even though he was somewhat harried), and signed my badge with a ready smile.

The last thing I attended was NERDprov. It was put on by the good folks of Unexpected Productions, and was an improv show that focused solely on all things geeky. The best skit was a simulated date that played by the rules of Dungeons & Dragons. A 20-sided dice provided all the moves for the hapless actors. It was hysterical.

Dates are already posted for next year – March 4th – 6th – and I want to see everyone there! I will hopefully attend on Saturday, because it’s supposed to be the most fantastic day of the conference, but I still had a good time on Sunday.

Even if nerdiness isn’t your cup of blue milk, Emerald City ComiCon is worth it.

The late Beth Levine keeps hers at the Bellevue Art Museum. That has got to be an impressive closet! After a lifetime of modeling, designing and wearing some of the most artful and whimsical shoes from the 1940s through the 1970s, her passions and talents have been put on display for the world to see.

Beth Levine

While my pocket-book doesn’t always permit it, and encourages that I window shop more often, I look forward to the days that I can drop my hard-earned dime on a new pair of pumps or dazzling flats. There’s just something special about it. And you wouldn’t believe me if you saw my closet, but occasionally I do window shop! I’m planning to look, and not touch, my way through the colorful display sometime soon while it’s in Bellevue until June. In case you need something to jog your memory, Levine designed, under the label of her husband Herbert Levine, the infamous white go-go boots worn by Nancy Sinatra in the promotions of her song “These Boots are Made for Walkin’”

Truly fashion over function at it’s finest, Levine was known for creating, in her words, “very pretty shoes that nobody really needed but everybody wanted.” She was the driving force behind many…er…styles that even Lady Gaga and Gwen Stefani may pause at before sporting today. Everything from pumps attached to pantyhose and race car inspired loafer to the topless “No” shoe (literally the sole of a shoe applied with adhesive to the bottom of your foot) to evening shoes that looked like Aladdin’s lamp, are part of the first exhibit of her work in the United States, “Beth Levine: First Lady of Shoes.”

Anemone d’Orsay Photo: David Hamsley

The exhibit runs through June 6, 2010 at the Bellevue Art Museum, admission is $10 for adults, $7  for students and seniors and FREE for members & children under age six.

While she also designed shoes of a very classic nature, I’m sure it’s the experimental or questionable designs that make the show.

Fun Fact: You can also thank Levine for the clear plastic heels that strippers favor.

Here are some of her most sassy and stylish creations.

Ok, seems like an obvious driving rule/recommendation but seriously, come May there will be something to watch out for if you’re driving through the Fremont and Wallingford neighborhoods.

Seattle mural, N. 38th St.

Many may be familiar with the mural painted on the wall along Bridge Way at N. 38th St. going underneath the Highway 99 (Aurora Avenue) underpass in Fremont. It depicts several Seattle favorites including, drinking coffee, bike riding, the zoo, the Space Needle and Lake Union to name a few. This is something that grabs my eye every time I’m in my car waiting at the stop light or out for a run. Have you seen it?

Here’s where the eye’s open part will help you. This Spring, thanks to a Small and Simple Neighborhood Matching Fund from the City of Seattle, the 46th Street Mural Project and Urban Artworks will be painting a new mural, meant to bridge the Fremont and Wallingford neighborhoods, just a few blocks north under Highway 99  at N. 46th St. AND they’re looking for local artists! Here you come again, could you be one of them? Through February 19, the 46th Street Mural Project is accepting applications from those who have experience designing/painting outdoor murals. For more information check out group’s Facebook page.

Cement wall, N. 46th St.

I’m no artist so you won’t see me signing up for this gig, but given the traffic congestion at this intersection on any given afternoon and evening, I expect to spend a few valuable minutes and moments of my life there now and again.

And, because I too, am one of those whom drives with her eyes open, I will keep a close watch on the project this Spring and keep you updated on its progress through Twitter and the blog. Let the Belles know if you, or someone you know applies!