Skip to content

Food & Drink

Seattle’s Story Told in Flannel, Ferries and Flood Lines

A new book presents Seattle’s history through engaging infographics

By Gwendolyn Elliott October 14, 2018

1_74

This article originally appeared in the October 2018 issue of Seattle magazine.

This article appears in print in the October 2018 issue. Click here to subscribe.

In a region experiencing rapid growth and development, it’s beginning to feel like we need a central, handy storage place for the details of the city’s fast-changing story before we all forget them. 

Authors Tera Hatfield, Jenny Kempson and Natalie Ross are on it with Seattleness: A Cultural Atlas (Sasquatch, $24.95, released October 23), a collection of compelling data and creatively illustrated charts full of statistics about what makes our region special. Topics range from ferries and ferry traffic, the region’s seismic activity, indigenous histories and native foods to cultural cornerstones such as Seattle’s notable grunge music venues—told, of course, in flannel. Learn more when the authors visit the Rainier Arts Center on 11/8 to talk about the book. 

Seattle Grunge-Era Venues

1. Kurt Cobain Memorial at Viretta Park

2. MoPOP (Museum of Pop Culture)

3. Showbox at the Market

4. Motorsports International Garage

5. OK Hotel

6. Cyclops Cafe

7. Gorilla Gardens

8. Central Saloon

9. Moore Theatre

10. The Crocodile

11. Music Bank Studio

12. Blue Moon Tavern

13. Cornell Apartments

14. Gas Works Park

15. Comet Tavern

16. Terminal Sales Building

17. Metropolis

18. Black Dog Forge

19. Rainbow Tavern

20. Re-bar

21. Black Hole Sun at Volunteer Park

22. Neumos

23. The Vogue

 

Follow Us

Book Excerpt: Old White Man Writing

Book Excerpt: Old White Man Writing

Seattle resident Joshua Gidding examines his own white privilege

In his book, Old White Man Writing, Seattle resident Joshua Gidding attempts to come to terms with his privilege. Gidding grapples with the rapidly changing cultural norms in 21st-century America while examining his own racial biases and prejudices. As Manhattan Book Review notes: “Old White Man Writing is an introspective deep dive into an eventful life…

Glacial Expressions

Glacial Expressions

Local scientist and painter Jill Pelto spotlights climate change in a multi-artist show at Slip Gallery

The divide between the arts and sciences is long-fostered and well-documented. From elementary school onward, children are often singled out for their penchant for math or artistic ability and guided toward classes — and later careers — that align with their right or left brain tendencies. For Jill Pelto — a local climate scientist, painter,…

How Taproot Theatre Survived A Financial Crisis

How Taproot Theatre Survived A Financial Crisis

Theatre is planning for its 50th birthday next year

Karen Lund vividly remembers that sinking feeling she had in the fall of 2023. That was when Lund, producing artistic director of Taproot Theatre Co., first realized that the financially strapped, midsized professional theatre in the Greenwood neighborhood might not survive. The theatre had already weathered the worst of the pandemic, but costs were mounting….

Humanities Washington Fights ‘Midnight’ Cuts

Humanities Washington Fights ‘Midnight’ Cuts

Nonprofit loses previously approved federal grants with little warning

The letter came without warning, like a slap in the face from an invisible hand. Humanities Washington CEO and Executive Director Julie Ziegler had already been talking with peers in other states, and she readied herself for the blow. The National Endowment for the Humanities (think DOGE) had terminated her nonprofit’s previously awarded federal grant…