DOWNTOWN/CENTER CITY PARKS 2012

Explore Life Between Buildings!!

Another great season lies ahead for Center City Parks, with arts, concerts, festivals and random acts of urban fun. For the spring, you’ll find our park concierges in Westlake and Occidental, along with their oversize chess sets and moveable tables and chairs.  Buskers in Westlake, and an extra surprise here and there…

• Occidental Square, Occidental Ave S & S Main St
• Hing Hay Park, 423 Maynard Ave S
• Freeway Park, 700 Seneca St
• Pioneer Square, 100 Yesler Way
• Westlake Park, 401 Pine St
• Waterfront Park , 1301 Alaskan Way
• Lake Union Park, 860 Terry Ave N
• Victor Steinbrueck Park, 2001 Western Ave

** In case of inclement weather, events/programs will be canceled. Call 206-684-7710 for weather related cancelation status updates.

ARTSparks is expanding! Individual artists and artist teams will be transforming both Occidental Square Park and Freeway Park this year. Imaginations will run wild once again, to bring the joy and inquiry of cutting edge, sit-specific temporary art into the public realm. Every year is different! Keep your eye out for more information in May and June.

Music

Buskers

Street performers do their thing!
Lunchtimes, June-September, Hing Hay Park, Occidental Square, Pioneer Square, Tillikum Place and Westlake Park

Out to Lunch Concerts

All concerts are noon–1:30 p.m., except for evening concerts from 5:30–7 p.m. http://www.downtownseattle.com/ThingsToDo/SummerInTheCity

Seattle Present’s at City Hall

Presented by the Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs, Seattle Presents features free concerts by Seattle artists at City Hall. http://www.seattle.gov/arts/events/seattle_presents.asp

Dancing In The Park

Dancing 'Til Dusk
Live or DJ music and social dancing on a real dance floor.
Beginner lesson: 6 - 7 p.m. Dancing 7- 9:30 p.m.
www.danceforjoy.biz  206-264-5646 *
Thursdays – July 5 and 12, Occidental Square
Tuesdays - July 24 through August 28, Westlake Park
Thursdays – July 19 through August 16, Freeway Park
Thursday - August 30 - Seattle Art Museum Olympic Sculpture Park
*In inclement weather, the event will be canceled except at SAM.

Salsa Saturdays
Live/DJ music and salsa dancing on a real dance floor.
Beginner Lesson: 4 – 5 p.m. Dancing: 5 – 7 p.m.
www.danceforjoy.biz 206-264-5646*
Saturdays - July 28 – August 11, Occidental Square
*In inclement weather, the event will be canceled.

Movies

Center City Cinema - Outdoor Movies
Bruce Lee Film Series
Saturdays - August 11, 18 and 25, Hing Hay Park,

Pre-Movie Program 6:00 p.m. to Sunset, Movie at Sunset, 206-684-7710*

* All movies begin at sunset and will be canceled in the case of rain.

Festivals & Celebrations

Wooden Boat Festival
June 30 – July 4, Lake Union Park and The Center for Wooden Boats
www.cwb.org 206-382-2628

Pioneer Square Fire Festival               
Occidental Square, Saturday, July 7
11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Enjoy antique fire engines, police cars, bagpipes, and kids’ activities. Info: 206-783-4474 www.lastresortfd.org or www.pioneersquare.org/fire.html

Seattle Chamber Music Society Summer Festival
Simulcast from Benaroya Hall on 98.1 Classical KING FM
Fridays, 8 p.m., July 6, 13, 20, and 27, Cascade Playground
Sunday, 8 p.m., July 29, Cascade Playground
Mondays, 8 p.m., July 2, 9, 16 and 23, Westlake Park
www.seattlechambermusic.org   206-283-8808

Dragon Festival in the Chinatown-International District July 14 and 15, Hing Hay Park
www.seattlechinatownid.com  206-382-1197

Chinatown-International District Night Market
September 22, 6 - 11 p.m., King Street and Hing Hay Park
www.seattlechinatownid.com 206-382-1197

Chinatown - ID Jamfest
Showing at various venues. Explore the neighborhood as different bands rock out throughout the district.
Thursdays, June 21, July 19 and August 16, 6:30 - 9:30 p.m.
Wing Luke Museum & Hing Hay Park
www.wingluke.org/jamfest

First Thursdays Art in the Park
February – December, Noon – 8 p.m., Occidental Square www.firstthursdayseattle.com   206-667-0687

Gardening

Grow your own in the center of the city! Free herb n’ veggie gardening and composting classes for urban dwellers, presented by Seattle Tilth. Freeway and Victor Steinbrueck Parks. Please register ahead of time. For more information, go to www.seattletilth.org. Questions? Call Seattle Tilth at 206-633-0451

Other Activities & Events

Drop-in Bocce
Daily, Occidental Square, Information Kiosk

Drop-in Chess
Daily, Freeway, Hing Hay, and Westlake Parks and Occidental Square

Seattle Public Library Used Book Sales
Monday-Friday, 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. June 4 – September 7 Freeway Park

and much, much more!!!!!

Dog Off-Leash Areas (OLA)

Off-leash areas provide a playground for downtown dwellers and their canine companions…and anyone who enjoys good company, wet noses, and wagging tails.

• Denny Park Temporary OLA - 100 Dexter Ave N
  
• Regrade Park OLA - 2251 3rd Ave
  
• Plymouth Pillars Park OLA - Boren Ave and Pike St

Playgrounds

• Denny Park - 100 Dexter Ave N
  
• Cascade Playground - 333 Pontius Ave N

Park Ranger

Be on the lookout and say hello to our Park Rangers. They’re there for you to provide a strong, positive but authoritative presence in our downtown parks. They share information with tourists, families, workers, and downtown residents.

*Note: To view a PDF, you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader. Download it for free at www.adobe.com.