Hugh W. Bruen owned the theater in the 1930s. | Photo via MOHAI
Closing credits always hit us in the feels. ICYMI, demolition recently began at the site of Wallingford’s famed Guild 45th Theater.
Even though the locationhas been shuttered for years, many Seattleites’celluloid-filled memories began there — and it’s worth a final standing ovation. 🎞️
Flashing back 📽️
Built not long after World War I, the Guild changed names and owners a few times over the past century, but maintained its eye-catching art deco look.
The theater added a second screening room on the same block (the “Blue Building”) in 1984 and earned a rep as an arthouse destination, even giving away free coffee + cigarettes between shows at one point. Hey, it was a different time.
Fading out 📽️
With the property being razed, both the original “Pink” building + the not-as-old-but-still-cool “Blue” theater never quite had a chance for one last big-screen hurrah. An effortto grant the Guild landmark status wasn’t successful.
It’s unclear if a new theater or something similar will take the place of the Guild. The property is zoned for a five-story development with restaurants + shops on the street level — but there’s been no word on new construction.
Fans who want to reminisce can visit nearby Octopus Bar, which managed to snag a part of the theater’s famed marquee + put it on display. Cheers to quick thinking.
Keeping it reel 📽️
Though the Guild may not beable to make a comeback, movie buffs can check out some of these local theaters that embrace similar cinephile roots.
Ark Lodge | Columbia City’s shaggy movie house plays current blockbusters alongside indies + may soon add events.
SIFF Cinema (Uptown + the Egyptian) | Though known for its annual international film festival, these two theaters show hard-to-find flicks all-year ‘round.
The Beacon | Another Columbia City gem that leans into cult classics and has a pretty stellar lineup of beers.
Use the links below to share this like a giant bucket of popcorn.
“Plantasia” Pop-up Art Experience | Mon., Sept. 19 | 11 a.m. | The Marketplace at Factoria, Bellevue | Free | Factoria’s shopping destination hosts a multi-sensory, green experience. 🌱
Ross From Friends | Mon., Sep. 19 | 8 p.m. | Nectar Lounge, 412 North 36th St. | $20 | Wait, no, not that one — this “Ross” is a popular producer + DJ from the UK.
Tuesday
Across the West and Toward the North | Tue., Sep. 20 | 10 a.m. | National Nordic Museum | $10+ | This photography collection shows the beginnings of tourism alongside sweeping landscapes of the US + Norway. 📸
Wildflower Embroidery Basics | Tue., Sep. 20 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Monster, 1716 NW Market St. | $55 | Learn the ropes — or strings — of this crafty hobby at this workshop taught by fiber artist Melissa Galbraith.
Wednesday
UW Women’s Volleyball vs. Washington State | Wed., Sept. 21 | 6 p.m. | Alaska Airlines Arena, UW | $25 | A heated intra-state rivalry continues with a key game against the Cougars. 🏐
Lady Wray | Wed., Sept. 21 | 7 p.m. | Neumos | $53 | Check out the venerated R&B artist, who recently released her third solo album. 🎶
Thursday
Food Lifeline’s Town Hall | Thu., Sep. 22 | 12-1 p.m. | Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave. | Free | Join the discussion about how the supply chain, delayed harvests + other factors impact food insecurity.
Friday
Phinney Farmers Market | Fri., Sep. 23 | 3-7 p.m. | 6761 Phinney Ave. N. | Free | It’ll be a good time to stock up on Washington’s famed apples + other seasonal produce. 🍎
Saturday
Pacific Northwest Ballet: Carmina Burana | Sat., Sept. 24 | 2 p.m. | McCaw Hall | $116+ | The PNW ballet’s 50th anniversary season begins with founding director Kent Stowell’s deeply dramatic, classic production. 🩰
Plan Ahead
The Mars Volta | Fri., Oct. 14 | 8 p.m. | Moore Theatre*
We have amonthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
For tickets to local and regional events, check out our 6AM Tickets resale marketplace.*
Super Coffee is designed to impress your taste buds. | Photo provided by Super Coffee
Not-so-fun fact: One Starbucks Frappuccino contains 52 grams of sugar and 370 calories.
Fortunately, there’s a better option — meet Super Coffee, the nation’s No. 2 bottle coffee brand behind Starbucks.
Think of it as the latest + greatest in latte innovation: Super Coffee is just as tasty (and caffeinating) as Starbucks, but with ten grams of protein, zero grams of sugars or artificial sweeteners, and nearly 200 fewer calories.
Bonus: SEAtoday readers can try it for free — just pay shipping. ☕ *
Reunited at last. After more than two years of repairs, the West Seattle Bridgereopened to traffic late Saturday night, revivinga key artery to the city that transports 100,000 vehicles daily. Here’s what locals can do in the West Seattle area now that getting there’s a little easier. (Seattle Times)
Arts
Arte Noir is now open at Midtown Square in the Central District. The gallery, retail space, and future recording studio is run by former Seattle arts commissioner Vivian Phillips, who is looking to elevate the voices of Black artists through the new venue. 🖼️ (KUOW)
Coming Soon
Speaking of the Central District — more than 20 years after Helen’s Diner was destroyed by an earthquake, its comfort dining legacy will carry on in the Midtown Square complex. The new Ms. Helen’s Soul Food — run by founder Helen Coleman and her daughter — is expected to open next spring. 🍽️ (Capitol Hill Blog)
Sports
Howl for joy, Huskies fans — UW defeated No. 11-ranked Michigan State on Saturday, 39-28. QB Michael Penix Jr. threw for 397 yards and four touchdowns in the victory. The Huskies are undefeated at 3-0 — and are now ranked No. 18 in the nation after starting the season unranked. (UW Dawg Pound) 🏈
Welp, can’t win ‘em all. Yesterday, the Seahawks lost to the NFC West rival San Francisco 49ers on the road, 27-7. This brings the Hawks’ record to 1-1 — Seattle will host the Atlanta Falcons next Sunday at Lumen Field. (ESPN)
How fly is this? A guy from Chelan named V Buck Prib has earned a spot on the 2023 US World Cup skydiving roster. V finished 11th in the country for canopy piloting — where daredevils use small parachutes to fall from the sky. He’ll compete in Arizona next year. (MyNorthwest)
Meet the hero Seattle needs + deserves.Seahawks superfanBrad Sarsfielddressed up as Hawkman for the team’s first game of the season, gaining attention on ESPN + a team hype video. The Microsoft engineer and Gig Harbor native said “no one knows” at work. So, shhh. (GeekWire)
Active
On your marks — the Seattle Marathon recently released proposed routes for its 2022 edition. In Sat., Nov. 26’s full race, runners will move across the floating bridge to the Eastside and the half-marathon would stay near the U District + Portage Bay. Both are subject to change. 👟
Tech
Wrap those test tubes up tight — Biotech research giant the Allen Institute is expanding its South Lake Union presence. The company will take over 21,000 sqft of office + lab space in the new Dexter Yards life science building as it plans to continue growing over the next two years. (Puget Sound Business Journal)
Drink
New cans, who dis? Longtime sudsy favorite Pike Brewing Company recently debuted its latest beers, along with a refreshed look. The Waterfront IP, Uptown Hazy IPA + Post Alley Pils can be found on tap at the brewery’s Pike Place location and in stores with the brand’s retrofied new design. 🍺 (Washington Beer Blog)
Edu
Here’s a feather in our thinking caps. Out of 16,000 students nationwide, 42 semifinalists in the National Merit Scholarship Program came from Bellevue’s Interlake High School — more than any other school in the state. $28 million in scholarships will be awarded to the finalists in February. (Seattle Times)
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“Singles” was among Cameron Crowe’s earlier works. | Poster photo via Wikimedia Commons
Put on your fanciest flannels as we reminisce about the grungy, Seattle-based movie “Singles.”
Cameron Crowe’s classic 1992 comedycelebrates its 30th anniversary this month, recalling a time when there was such a thing as VHS dating— and everyone was in a band.
Starring Kyra Sedgewick, Campbell Scott, Matt Dillon + Bridget Fonda, the romcom follows the lives of — yep, that’s right — single folks in Seattle as they fall in and out of love (and live in a pretty sweet Capitol Hill apartment complex).
At one point, it was even considered for a TV pilot, and may have actually been the inspiration for “Friends.” Imagine Monica, Ross + Rachel hanging at Caffe Vita instead of Central Perk.
If you never saw the flick (or it’s been awhile), be sure to hit up a local rental spot like Scarecrow Video — in keeping with the 1990s vibes, of course. You can even take a short “Singles” tour around town, visiting filming locations like:
Gas Works Park | No spoilers for a key moment between two main characters
Pioneer Square | Where the scene for the poster was shot — not a whole lot has changed since
THE WRAP
Today’s issue was written by Gabe.
Editor’s pick: In the battle of early, Gen X-centered comedies, count me on Team “Singles” — vs. Team “Reality Bites.” Hey, no offense to Winona.
The flick not only captured the height of the grunge era + cafe culture, but also gave us memorable quotes like “Somewhere around 25, bizarre becomes immature.” Truth.
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