Latest news with #MuseumofPopCulture
Business Insider
21-06-2025
- Climate
- Business Insider
I've lived in Seattle for 22 years. If you want to have a good time in my city, there are 6 things you need to know.
Perched on the edge of the Puget Sound, surrounded by sparkling water, snow-capped mountains, and lush, evergreen forests, it's easy to see why Seattle is nicknamed the "Emerald City." It's also well-known for its diverse music scene, coffee culture, and thriving tech industry. After living in Seattle for more than two decades, I've learned a lot about how to enjoy the city and make the most of all it has to offer. If you want to have the best time on your trip, here are a few things I recommend keeping in mind. Seattle has 78 distinct neighborhoods To really experience the "Emerald City," I recommend expanding your travels beyond the downtown corridor and immersing yourself in some of the city's unique neighborhoods. For example, the Alki neighborhood in West Seattle is a great place for a walk on the beach on a nice day. In addition to the stunning views of the water, it's possible to spot some whales or other sea life depending on the time of year. Meanwhile, the historic Columbia City neighborhood is where you'll find plenty of diverse food choices, including Mexican, Caribbean, Ethiopian, and Vietnamese cuisines. There's also a farmers market every Wednesday from May to October. Other neighborhoods I recommend include Queen Anne, which is home to the Museum of Pop Culture, and Capitol Hill, which has a variety of LGBTQ+ bars, clubs, and community events. The weather probably isn't as bad as you think, but it's good to dress in layers Although Seattle's weather is best known for providing gray skies and plenty of rain, it's nice to know that this doesn't last all year long. In my experience, most of the city's heavy rain is concentrated between November and April. The spring and fall seasons can be gray and drizzly, but they're also filled with incredible sun breaks that seemingly come from nowhere. July and August are typically the sunniest, driest months of the year. The unpredictability of Seattle's weather has taught me it's best to dress in warm, water-resistant layers that can be easily removed, stored, and put on again whenever the weather changes. There are plenty of opportunities to get out on the water Instead of driving, I recommend taking a water taxi from downtown Seattle to West Seattle. It takes about 10 to 15 minutes and the fare costs just $5.75 for adults ages 19 to 64. There's also a 35-minute ferry from Seattle to Bainbridge Island and an hour-long ferry ride from Seattle to Bremerton. Both are perfect for taking a day trip to explore different parts of the state. In line with its "Emerald City" nickname, there are acres of parkland worth exploring Whatever you do in Seattle, don't miss Seward Park. With 300 acres of forest, a 2.4 mile bike and walking path, and miles of shoreline and beaches, I think it's one of the best parks in the area to connect with nature and learn about local wildlife. Another place I love is Seattle's expansive new Waterfront Park. Although it's not complete yet, the area has already been transformed to include public piers, a promenade, playgrounds, and artwork, with more to come. Speaking of artwork, there are thousands of pieces of public art in Seattle In the 70s, Seattle became one of the first cities in the US to mandate that 1% of eligible city capital improvement project funds be dedicated to art. As a result, the city has thousands of pieces of public artwork, including both permanent and temporary structures. You can see the work of local artists everywhere from libraries and parks to bridges and lampposts, and even while riding trains underground. There's always something to celebrate No matter what your interests are, Seattle offers dozens of festivals related to art, culture, food, film, and more. From the Northwest Folklife Festival to the Capitol Hill Block Party and the Seattle International Film Festival, be sure to consult an event calendar before planning your trip so you can book accommodations accordingly.
Eater
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Eater
Fancy Swiss Chocolatier Läderach Is Bringing ‘FrischSchoggi' to Washington State
Seattle-area malls are going to be upgrading their chocolate offerings this summer, as the Swiss brand Läderach is set to open two stores, one in Westfield Southcenter next month, and one in Bellevue Square in August. These will be the first Läderach locations in Washington State; the chain already has locations across the country, including a flagship store in New York. So, what's Läderach? The thing the brand is most famous for, according to the press release we got, is 'FrischSchoggi,' a.k.a. fresh chocolate. You order at the counter by weight, and a Läderach chocolatier breaks pieces of chocolate off of slabs. The stores will also have the kinds of thing you'd expect at a chocolate shop, including truffles, bars, popcorn, and so on. Everything comes from Läderach's production facilities in Switzerland. Now on to more news you should know: Rainier Beer may not be brewed in Seattle anymore, but the brand is still trying to keep a foot on the ground here with R-Day, a free music festival in Georgetown that serves as a 'thank you letter' to Seattle, according to the brand. This year R-Day lands on September 6, and will be headlined by Mudhoney. There will also be food courtesy of the Dubsea Fish Sticks truck, plus (of course) Rainier Beer and cocktails using Rainier gin. Go here for more info. After a $2.5 million renovation, the cafe at the Museum of Pop Culture has reopened. The new restaurant, called The Lounge, features food from new head chef Athan Pixler. According to a press release, Pixler's menu will include items like tempura squash blossoms, dry-aged salmon with dashi, and a koji-aged burger with bone marrow butter. This follows a trend of museums around town stepping their dining game up; a couple years ago acclaimed tapas restaurant MariPili took over the cafe at the Frey. Seattle's most famous market is throwing its annual big fundraising dinner on August 16. The Sunset Supper, which brings together 100 restaurants and producers for a party at the market, regularly raises hundreds of thousands for the Pike Place Market Foundation, a nonprofit that supports the market and provides a variety of social services in the neighborhood. Tickets are $250; to purchase and for more information, go here. See More: Coming Attractions Seattle Restaurant News
Indianapolis Star
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Indianapolis Star
Jim Irsay left behind 'greatest guitar collection on Earth.' What happens to it now?
INDIANAPOLIS -- As Jim Irsay immersed himself in professional football for the past four decades, first as general manager of the Indianapolis Colts and then as owner, he always had a side gig -- rock 'n' roll relic collector extraordinaire. Especially guitars. Irsay amassed a colossal collection of guitars (199 to be exact) and other musical instruments, spending tens of millions of dollars on what Guitar Magazine once called "the greatest guitar collection on Earth." When Irsay died last week, many of the instruments in the collection were on loan throughout the country, including at the "Amped at IU" exhibit at Indiana University and at the Museum of Pop Culture in Seattle for "Never Turn Back: Echoes of African American Music." The items in those exhibits will remain at those locations until the displays are scheduled to end. The long-term plan for The Jim Irsay Collection, which also includes artifacts of American history and pop culture, has not been determined. The team told IndyStar on Wednesday it would be "getting more info on the collection in the coming weeks." Irsay had a penchant for obtaining rare musical instruments and items that were used by some of the greatest artists in history. Among them: Bob Dylan, The Beatles, Prince, Eric Clapton, Sir Elton John, Jerry Garcia, Les Paul, David Gilmour, Jim Morrison, Pete Townshend, Jimi Hendrix, John Coltrane, The Edge, Janis Joplin and Kurt Cobain. But Irsay's collection goes beyond music and includes eclectic items like an Apple II manual signed by Steve Jobs, Hunter S. Thompson's Red Shark convertible and Jack Kerouac's original typewritten manuscript of "On The Road." Experts have valued the collection at close to $1 billion, should it ever be sold in its entirety. 'My purpose in building this collection," Irsay wrote on his collection's website, "is to preserve, protect and share items that tell inspiring stories about dreaming big, overcoming obstacles and accomplishing great things in life." The "Amped at IU" exhibit includes pieces from Irsay's collection that help illustrate the instrument's history, including an 1850s CF Martin, a 1910 Gibson U Harp, 1939 Rickenbacker Silver Hawaiian Lap Steel and more. The display also feature artifacts from The Beatles, their manager Brian Epstein, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Johnny Cash and others. Details: "Amped at IU" runs through September at University Collections at McCalla, 525 E. 9th St. in Bloomington. McCalla's galleries are open noon to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. The "Never Turn Back: Echoes of African American Music" includes three items Irsay loaned to the Museum of Pop Culture in Seattle -- James Brown's stage-worn, red sequined cape from the 1960s and 1970s, John Coltrane's 1966 Yamaha alto saxophone and Miles Davis' 1980 Martin Committee trumpet. The exhibit explores "the rich legacy of African American music, tracing the deep cultural roots of gospel, blues, jazz and soul. Through evocative photography, rare concert flyers, instruments and costumes, the exhibit showcases the profound influence of Black communities on the evolution of these genres." Details: Runs through early 2027 at the Museum of Pop Culture, 325 5th Ave N, Seattle, WA. Info and tickets
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Seattle's iconic MOPOP could be recognized as national museum under new bill
This story was originally published on U.S. Representatives Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) and Dan Newhouse (WA-04) have introduced bipartisan legislation that would recognize the Museum of Pop Culture (MOPOP) in Seattle as the National Museum of Pop Culture. Housing more than 85,000 artifacts, the museum attracts over 750,000 visitors each year with innovative exhibits that explore the impact of pop culture on American identity and society, according to a news release from Jayapal Thursday. 'The Museum of Pop Culture draws hundreds of thousands of visitors every year from enthusiasts across the country and around the globe,' Newhouse stated via the news release. 'Now in its 25th year of operation, it's time to give MOPOP the national recognition it deserves.' Since its founding in 2000, MOPOP has not only worked to preserve cultural history but also as an educational space fostering creativity. 'MOPOP has been a cornerstone in celebrating the diverse culture and history of the arts regionally and globally,' Jayapal stated via the news release. 'MOPOP and its incredible team undoubtedly deserve this recognition and title, allowing them to continue educating both local visitors and tourists about the rich history of pop culture in the United States.' Michele Y. Smith, CEO of the Museum of Pop Culture, is grateful to have the museum's important work recognized. "We're honored to take the next step toward national designation and grateful to Congresswoman Jayapal for her support,' Smith stated via the news release. 'This legislation affirms the vital role pop culture plays in shaping our collective memory and reflects MOPOP's ongoing commitment to preserving the stories, artifacts, and creativity that define generations.' The bill is also sponsored by Rep. Michael Baumgartner, Suzan DelBene, Rick Larsen, Emily Randall, Kim Schrier, Adam Smith, and Marilyn Strickland.
Yahoo
12-04-2025
- Yahoo
These Washington cities are the 'most cultured' in the US, according to new report
Refined. Intellectual. Enlightened. You might be able to use these terms to describe the communities on Holafly's "Most Cultured Cities" in America list. The travel website and international eSIM provider recently analyzed 100 of the most populous cities in the U.S. to "establish where you can find America's cultural hotspots." Holafly created a "culture score" for each city by tracking the number of theaters, live music venues, museums, arts galleries, and landmarks per 100,000 people. New Orleans ranked first with a cultural score of 126.07, followed by San Francisco (second, 116.93) and Nashville (third, 63.95). Here's what to know. Seattle, the highest-placing Washington state city on the list, ranked 18th in the nation with a cultural score of 44.6, according to the report. Juan David Soler, a travel expert with Holafly, said Seattle is a "cultural gem" of the Pacific Northwest that marries nature and art. "For the Seattleites that call it home, they're spoiled with surrounding lush green forests and stunning areas of natural beauty like Lake Washington right on their doorstep," he said in an email. "Aside from a bustling music scene, it's also home to a host of renowned museums and art galleries, with almost 20 galleries per capita." Soler pointed to the Seattle Art Museum and the Museum of Pop Culture as must-visit destinations. Spokane ranked 41st, with a cultural score of 24.39, and Tacoma ranked 42nd, with a cultural score of 23.55. Elsewhere in the Northwest, Portland ranked 15th, scoring 45.51. Boise ranked 27th with a score of 32.76. New Orleans, Louisiana San Francisco, California Nashville, Tennessee St. Louis, Missouri Honolulu, Hawaii Boston, Massachusetts Arlington, Virginia Miami, Florida Washington, District of Columbia Richmond, Virginia See the full "Most Cultured Cities" in the U.S. report and methodology on Holafly's website. (This story was updated to fix a typo.) This article originally appeared on Kitsap Sun: Seattle is a top 20 'most cultured' US city, according to new report
