Cathedrals, by Fremont Abbey

The Fremont Abbey presents Cathedrals 5 at St. Mark's Cathedral this Saturday, April 20th, starting at 8pm. You know St. Mark's? It's that big, glowing, boxy building in north Capitol Hill that you can see prominently while driving along I-5 through Seattle, day or night. The drawing on the show poster below is fairly accurate.

 

I saw My Brightest Diamond perform at Cathedrals 2 back in November 2011, and was wowed by the ambiance that St. Mark's Cathedral offers. These performances feature artists you wouldn't typically see in a cathedral, performing tailored sets adapted for the unique acoustics of the massive space. What results is a really special event that it seems only the Fremont Abbey knows how to put on. Cathedrals 5 features Shenandoah Davis, Mirah, and The Moondoggies performing an acoustic set. Davis is a classically trained pianist living in Seattle, who cites influences such as Debussy and Kate Bush and is described as "orchestral pop". Mirah, an Evergreen State College alum, is an indie artist who recently toured with Thao Nguyen of Thao and The Get Down Stay Down. The Moondoggies' music has been described as "what the heart of American music should sound like..." by the guys at emohippiebullshit.com, and has received favorable reviews and by NPR Music and KEXP.

Fremont Abbey sets up an event that feels like "a giant living room" with informal seating. Sure, folks will be sitting in the Cathedral pews, but you are also welcome to bring blankets and cushions and prop yourself up against the wall or lay out on the floor. Just another reason I love the Abbey.

BARE 4: another Fremont Abbey gem

As I have said before, the Fremont Abbey puts on some really special, unique events. Their "Bare" concert series is an annual shindig that I first attended in 2012. I adored it. Picture the upper floor of a converted chapel, with high ceilings and wood floors. Folding chairs are set up facing the stage, which isn't much to speak of. The event is intimate by nature. Without the clamor of the usual musical accompaniment (and as I recall, no actual amplification or microphones at this event, either), the singers have to project with a power that they rarely get to exhibit. The audience is transfixed. You are all trying to be extra quiet, given the set-up for the evening, and somehow the singers seem extra raw without guitars and mics to hide behind. Perhaps this is another connotation of the title "Bare".

This line-up is also pretty stellar. Some Abbey usuals like The Cellar Door (who are a lot of fun), and some up and coming stars of the local music scene like Kendra Cox of Lemolo and Pepper Proud. You really should not miss it!

The Bushwick Book Club

The Bushwick Book Club started in Brooklyn, so it is not surprising our own Seattle chapter flourishes at The Fremont Abbey , whose mission is "to curate vibrant & welcoming spaces where people of all ages and incomes can grow in their artistic & social development through arts & cultural experiences."

The concept is this: pick a book and several songwriter/musicians, get them to write songs about the book, and then perform them all in one awesome night! Past books include Nick Hornby's "High Fidelity", Shel Silverstein's "Where The Sidewalk Ends", and Hunter S. Thompson's "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas". They have been performing in this format on a regular basis since at least October 2010.

I have been meaning to attend a performance for a long while, and the next opportunity is coming soon on Friday, January 18, 2013; the subject book is a repeat, Howard Zinn's "A People's History of the United States". Not only do they promise a chapter-by-chapter performance by 12 different local artists, but there will be "delicious down-home American foods available." Save me some fried chicken!

"Zombie Reagan", by Mike Votava, was recorded from the last performance of this book, and is included on The Bushwick Book Club Volume 1, a collection of songs written for the format.


You can purchase a digital copy of Volume 1, name your price, here

I hope to post more about the cool unique musical activities and venues in Seattle and the greater region. Although I was born and raised in this area, there is always something new!

Cheers! Nikki.O