Supporting Seattle Arts: SMASH
SMASH Benefit Concert 2022: David Bowie Tribute Night
At Polite Society, our connection to the local music industry runs deep. From postering to partnerships we have a fond love of the local scene. We realize that the culture of Seattle wouldn’t be the same without the great organizations and venues that support underserved musicians in the area. We understand that at many turns creativity sometimes falls short of being able to pay the bills in a place with a high cost of living. That’s why we sponsor and support SMASH, Seattle Musicians Access to Sustainable Healthcare. They are one of our favorite non-profits.
SMASH does amazing work for their members all over Western Washington, keeping our music scene thriving and helping musicians with a variety of services. Their free(!) membership helps remove the barriers to medical, dental, hearing, mental health, and medical insurance benefits that otherwise would be difficult to access for those with financial challenges.
Aside from just providing access to their amazing services, being a member of SMASH enters you into a vibrant network of music supporters, healthcare partners and other community organizations, strengthening the bonds within the local music community and beyond. This network includes the UW Speech and Hearing Clinic, Sonic Guild, and the Seattle Drum School just to name a few. SMASH puts on amazing fundraising shows all the time so check their calendar for upcoming events!
Thank you SMASH for all that you do for our community and musicians! We are thrilled to be involved with you and your work.
Supporting Seattle Arts: Children's Film Festival Seattle
Northwest Film Forum
We love being surrounded by so many amazing arts organizations in our neighborhood, some of which we are lucky enough to have right here on our Pike Street block. Our close friends at Northwest Film Forum (NWFF) always have something interesting going on, which is especially true this week as the Children’s Film Festival Seattle begins!
Children’s Film Festival Seattle is celebrating 15 years of intergenerational connection through film. This year, over 175 films will be screened at NWFF, including feature-length films, short films, and documentaries all aimed at kids aged 3-14 and focused on the experience of childhood.
47 countries will be represented by these films, allowing the young festival-goers to experience life through the eyes of children from all over the world. Additionally, this year will feature a shorts program devoted to celebrating LGBTQ kids, workshops aimed at inspiring the next generation of filmmakers, an Indigenous Showcase screening, and several other programs that have us in the Polite Society office trying to borrow our friend’s kids so we have an excuse to go.
It’s easy to see why this local festival has gained a lot of traction this year, and you can read a full write-up about Children’s Film Festival Seattle in the Seattle Times here.
The festival runs at Northwest Film Forum from February 27th to March 7th, with a special closing day on March 8th at the Rainier Arts Center. You can view the schedule on the Children’s Film Festival Seattle website.
Polite Society Picks - Shop Small in Seattle
Photo by Yvonne Chan at Ritual
Here at Polite Society we are big fans of supporting other small businesses, so for this installment of our blog we asked our staff to share their favorite place to shop small in Seattle.
Hans: Retrofit Home. Not just a furniture/home furnishings store - they always seem to find something fresh and local - Plus for 14 years they have been doing a $100 and under group art show supporting some great local artists. Love!
Shelby: Baleen in Ballard is my go-to shop for unique, handmade jewelry & accessories for myself, as well as interesting gifts for others. The owners are fans of of good design and believe that thoughtful, beautiful objects don't always have to be expensive (bless them). It also doesn't hurt that it's a couple blocks from my house, so I can pop by in a pinch and always find something special!
Yvonne Chien: Prism in Ballard is an amazing, carefully curated shop with beautiful clothing, accessories, and home wares. It's a great place to go when you want to beautify your home or closet, and when you have an empty wallet it's also the perfect shop to discover artists who sell uniquely designed items!
Serene: I love to roam around Swanson's Nursery. I'm not good at keeping my plants alive yet... but I'm learning! It's fun wandering through their various plant displays as well as grabbing a bite at their cafe, watching the koi and perusing their shop for jewelry, books and general home decor.
Chuck: When I want something special like a suit, Kuhlman on 1st Avenue. When I want to just look for something for me, Pacific Galleries Antique Mall. Great finds and some amazing midcentury and northwest art. There are a lot of small places I like, Melrose Market, Chop House, Stock & Pantry.... I could go on but will leave it here.
Desmond: Jive Time in Fremont has an amazing selection of records and the staff is very knowledgable. The only downside is that every time I go, I end up spending way too much money on records! :)
Yvonne Chan: I love the Plant Shop on Pine St. in Capitol Hill! They have an excellent selection of low-maintenance plants and friendly staff that will help you find something you only need to water once a month!
Sarah: I love Ritual on Capitol Hill. I wear something from there nearly every day, and it is close enough I can stop by for a Tarot reading on my lunch break or a glass of wine after work!
Dru: Is Mudbay small? (Like his beloved cat, Dru is a man of few words)