The Orcas selected Harmeet Singh as the No. 1 overall pick in the domestic draft. | Photo via Major League Cricket
Kraken, and Sea Dragons… and Orcas? Oh my. Seattle just got another pro sports team — a Major League Cricket squad named after the killer whales that frequent our shores.
The Seattle Orcas will have their debut season this summer as one of six US pro cricket teams. It’s got a logo and started filling out its roster through a domestic draft last night. The squad plans to eventually play in Redmond at a new field, yet to be built.
Why, it’s the second-most watched sport in the entire world (after soccer). Cricket is also an ancestor to baseball where athletes attempt to hit thrown leather balls with large, wooden bats. Instead of bases, there are wickets on the field where the batsman runs to and from in order to score — it’s a real hoot.
There are forms of cricket in which a single match can last several days. But the Orcas will play in what’s called Twenty20 cricket — an abbreviated version with more manageable, two-and-a-half-hour matches.
Where can I watch our team?
Last spring, plans began for a 20-acre Redmond site at Marymoor Park that aims to seat 6,000 fans. Local officials have given the project a green light, but Major League Cricket said that the facility may not host the Orcas until 2025 because of the time it will take to design and construct.
In the meantime, the Orcas will take the field in Dallas, TX on Thursday, July 13 against teams from LA, New York, San Francisco, Dallas, and D.C. The season will be pretty short, ending with a championship match on Sunday, July 30. Stay tuned for broadcast info to be announced soon — and start practicing your cheers.
How much money did sports bettors wager between January and November of 2022? (Source: Forbes)
A. $10 billion B. $31 billion C. $54 billion D. $68 billion E. $83 billion F. $103 billion
Congratulations to Wendy A. for winning a $50 gift card to our online shop, Six & Main. Did you know you could be our next winner? Answer this week’s survey questions for a chance to score a gift card!
Dispersed: The Womxn of Region Six | Monday, March 20-Saturday, March 25 | 7-8 p.m. | Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute, 104 17th Ave. S., Seattle | $12.50-$25 | This theatrical celebration of women from the African diaspora features dancing, drums, and costumes — audience participation is encouraged.
Tenacious Beasts | Monday, Mar. 20 | 7:30 p.m. | Town Hall, 1119 Eighth Ave., Seattle | $5-$20 | Writer and professor Christopher Preston discusses how some species reclaim important ecological roles and offers a road map to conservation.
Tuesday, March 21
Into the Light: Works on Paper | Tuesday, March 21-Tuesday, Oct. 17 | 11 a.m.-5 p.m. | Frye Art Museum, 704 Terry Ave., Seattle | Free with admission | Gaze at stunning portraits from artists like Leon Schulman Gaspard, Alice Neel, and Andrew Wyeth.
The Complete Goldberg Variations | Tuesday, Mar. 21 | 7:30 p.m. | Benaroya Hall, 200 University St., Seattle | $41 | Enjoy a new Baroque-style harpsichord and strings arrangement, paired with Bach’s famous variations.
Wednesday, March 22
QueensrĂżche: The Digital Noise Alliance Tour | Wednesday, Mar. 22 | 7:30 p.m. | Neptune Theatre, 1303 NE 45th St., Seattle | $36 | These 80s hair metal rockers have power ballads for days.
Hart to Harts | Wednesday, Mar. 22 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | The Lab at Ada’s, 425 15th Ave., Seattle | $35 | Meet new friends while discussing topics like philosophy, happiness, and science —all prompted by conversation cards.
Seattle Moisture Festival | Thursday, Mar. 23-Friday, Mar. 24 | 7:30-9:30 p.m. | Broadway Performance Hall, 1625 Broadway, Seattle | $15-$46 | The longtime vaudevillian extravaganza is back in a new venue.
Friday, March 24
U District Cherry Blossom Festival | Friday, Mar. 24 | 8 a.m.-11 p.m. | University District, 4300 Brooklyn Ave. NE, Seattle | Free | Celebrate cherry blossom season in the U District with themed food, drinks, and shopping specials from 70+ businesses.*
We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
Sound Transit announced a few changes for 2023 that are intended to improve your Light Rail experience. Among the biggest ones will be station agents who will be on-hand at Northgate and Westlake for 16 hours a day to answer questions, give directions, or provide other support.
Cause
The Bellevue-based Ballmer Group is giving $43 million to fund 1,500+ early childhood education scholarships over eight years. $38 million will go to the UW College of Education to cover tuition and other expenses for students pursuing a degree in the field.
Film
Butter up the popcorn. New film festival Make Believe Seattle — hosted at various locations in Capitol Hill — will screen flicks that attempt to push the boundaries of genres like sci-fi and horror. The fest runs from Thursday, March 23 through Sunday, March 26. (Capitol Hill Seattle)
Whoop whoop — Bellevue’s first new fire station in 29 years will start construction soon. Fire Station 10, located on the 1200 block of 112th Avenue NE, will allow quicker response times to areas in downtown and BelRed. There will be a public groundbreaking on Wednesday, March 22.
Civic
The city’s budget office released a report showing Seattle has used the majority of its COVID Local Fiscal Recovery (CLFR) funds, which is federal money meant to support local economies during the pandemic. Seattle has spent 75% of its CLFR bucks, while other large cities have only spent 29% on average. (Capitol Hill Blog)
Open
International tea chain Happy Lemon is now open in Westwood Village in the former Vatsana’s Thai Restaurant space. The cafe serves a variety of cold milk tea drinks — including ones topped with salted cheese — and bubble waffles. This is the franchise’s fourth location in Seattle. (West Seattle Blog)
Edu
Morningside Academy offers students the opportunity to get caught up — and thrive. Help your child make academic gains, build learning skills, and see their self-confidence grow. Students can enroll for the full year in the Foundations program, spend their middle school years at Morningside, or get extra support with a Summer School program (two-four week options available). Learn more + apply.*
Shop
If your vacuum isn’t picking up dirt and debris like it used to, it may be time for a new one. This handheld Shark vacuum is lightweight, cordless, and highly rated on Amazon. Or splurge on the Dyson V11 Cordless Vacuum that sucks up particles as small as allergens and bacteria.*
To celebrate the first day of spring, refresh your home with tea towels by Jessica Reynolds and find your city print by Signet Sealed, which can all be found in our online shop (Six & Main). Now, that’s how you start the new season.
Finance
Refinance rates are skyrocketing. But home equity rates remain relatively low — which means that now is a great time to borrow against your home. Calculate your payment.*
Content marked with an * is brought to you by our advertising partners and helps make this newsletter free.
Cherry blossom trees in Seattle will hit their peak bloom soon. | Photo via @tanya_the_explorer
Today marks the spring equinox (aka the first day of Spring). 🌷
Technically speaking, it’s the day that the sun crosses the Earth’s equator from the Southern Hemisphere into the Northern Hemisphere. The shift marks the astronomical start of Spring and days will become “longer” because there will be more time between sunrise and sunset.
Looking to celebrate the season? Head to our events page to see community events happening this week and beyond.
If you’re in the mood for some spring cleaning, here are the essentials we recommend:
Editor’s pick: My brother and sister-in-law are huuuuge cricket fans and are super pumped for the team coming to the area.
If you want to get an early taste, head to Kricket Club — a great, modern Indian restaurant in Ravenna influenced by the pre-gaming social aspect of the sport overseas.
Editorial:Alina Hunter-Grah, Gabe Guarente, Britt Thorson, Emily Shea, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Dayten Rose, Sarah Leonhardt, Katie Smith | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.
Content marked with an * was created in partnership with 6AM City’s advertising partners. Paid content helps keep this newsletter free. 6AM City may also receive a commission on purchases made through affiliate links in this newsletter.
* This content is paid advertising, or contains links to our Six & Main marketplace, or affiliate partners which we may receive a commission from. ^ This content is created by our content studio.